HEARTWIND Higher and Higher AOR Heaven [Release date 25.04.18]

Heartwind hail from Sweden and were formed by guitarist Goran Engvall (ex-Hitworks) and keyboard player Mikael Rosengren (Constancia, Token). They are joined by drummer Peter Svensson (Constancia, Faith), vocalist German Pascual (Narnia, Essence of Sorrow), guitarist Martin Hall and bass player Germain Leth (The Poodles).

Overall it is a decent enough melodic rock album but there are an awful lot of cut ‘n’ paste songs like ‘Creatures Of The Night’ and ‘Game Of Love’ – that song has a Whitesnake guitar riff circa ’1987′ at the start. ‘Through The Light’ (Deep Purple Hammond intro on this one) and ‘Too Late For Roses’ are decent enough as Heartwind seem to do better on the slower songs. Perhaps it is a case of ‘heard it all before’ as you hear snippets of other bands in most songs and the band seems lack their own distinct sound.

It is not bad as you don’t really get duff melodic rock bands from Sweden, however it lacks any really memorable songs and there are much stronger releases out there vying for your attention and money. ***

Review by Jason Ritchie

CAPTAIN BLACK BEARD Struck By Lightning Melodic Rock Records
[Release date 25.04.18]

Captain Black Beard, who despite their name are not a pirate metal band, have been around since 2009 and their debut album was named as one of the ’Albums of the Year’ by ‘Classic Rock’ magazine’s Geoff Barton.

In the summer of 2017 Captain Black Beard entered the studio with Robert Majd and Christian Ek joined by new lead singer Liv Hansson as well as producer Jona Tee (keyboardist in H.E.A.T) and this album is the result of those sessions.

They are very adept at mixing 70′s hard rock riffs with a more modern melodic sound of say H.E.A.T. - no real surprise given Jona Tee’s involvement – as can be heard on ‘Dead End Street’ or ‘Straight Outta Hell’, the latter song features heavy riffage akin to Saxon and a Meat Loaf/Jim Steinman feel to the arrangements. At the other end of the rock scale ’Picture Life’ has the backing of a New Wave/Cars feel to it, the keyboards/synths leading the way on this song.

Singer Liv Hansson impresses throughout and is a real asset to the band’s overall sound. Maybe would have been good to have a slow ballad to let her loose on.

Captain Black Beard will appeal to those who enjoy melodic hard rock from the likes of Europe and H.E.A.T. Set sail to your local record store/download emporium for this little gem! ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 2 March 2025.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 4 March 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 24 March 2025

HARRI LARKIN Too Close To The Sun (Robot Distro)
SANDNESS Not Your Dog (Rockshots Records)
DOCTOR BLACK Drag Me Down (indie)
COHEED AND CAMBRIA Goodbye Sunshine (Virgin Music Group)
LEONI JANE KENNEDY Closer (indie)
SMALL TOWN POLITICS Red Lights (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 24 March 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.