Tag Archives: AOR

News: DYNAZTY, BLACK STONE CHERRY, OZZY OSBOURNE (November 2026)

Posted on October 29, 2026 by jason

Lee Aaron will release her new studio album, ‘Re-Vamp’, on January 22 via Metalville. The album will feature re-recorded tracks plus four new songs. Crownshift will release their second album, ‘The Shadows We Buried’, on January 29 via Nuclear Blast … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Exhibitions, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged AOR, Black Stone Cherry, blues, Dynazty, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, news, November 2026, Ozzy Osbourne, re-issues, RIP, special editions, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review : JOHN DIVA and the ROCKETS OF LOVE – Your Favorite Drug

Posted on October 20, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date : 16.10.26] Predominantly uptempo, John Diva and The Rockets fourth album, Favorite Drug, trades on the past, while displaying the self possessed optimism that fired up contemporary AOR variations like Reckless Love and Crazy Lixx. For … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, Crazy Lixx, Eclipse, HEAT, John Diva, melodic rock, Reckless Love, review, Rockets Of Love!, Your Favorite Drug | Leave a comment

Gig review: RUSS BALLARD- 100 Club, London, 22 September 2026

Posted on September 29, 2026 by andynathan

When most people lucky to reach the age of 80 would be putting their feet up, Russ Ballard’s appetite for work seems as strong as ever. He appears to be playing more headline shows in his native UK and judging … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Argent, gig, Marc Rapson, melodic rock, Paul Bond, PJ Phillips, Russ Ballard, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

News: NO SWEAT, CLUTCH, THE FLOWER KINGS (October 2026)

Posted on September 27, 2026 by jason

Battlesnake have announced their new album, ‘Bogpocalypse and the Annihilation of Lucifer’, will be released on February 19. Blondie release their new album ‘High Noon’ on February 26 via BMG. It marks the final album to feature Clem Burke, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged AOR, blues, Clutch, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, news, No Sweat, re-issues, RIP, special editions, The Flower Kings, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review : PAUL LAINE : The Long Road Back

Posted on September 18, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date : 25.09.26] There’s a lot of traffic right now on The Long Road Back from the Eighties. The AOR genre just refuses to die. GRTR’s AOR Guru, Andy Nathan, who travels the world in a search … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, Bruno Ravel, Danger Danger, Dark Horse, Frontiers Music, melodic rock, Paul Laine, review | Leave a comment

Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2027)

Posted on September 8, 2026 by GRTR! HQ

MAID OF STONE FESTIVAL- Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent, 17-19 July 2026

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check artist and venue websites for latest information. Your release not listed? Contact us! To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system), or Command+F (on … Continue reading →

Posted in Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases) | Tagged 2027, AOR, gigs, Ireland, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, tour dates, tours, uk | Leave a comment

Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2026)

Posted on September 8, 2026 by GRTR! HQ

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check artist and venue websites for latest information. Your tour not listed? Contact us! To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system), or Command+F (on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases) | Tagged 2026, AOR, gigs, Ireland, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, tour dates, tours, uk | Leave a comment

Upcoming: Festivals UK & Europe (2027)

Posted on September 8, 2026 by GRTR! HQ

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio Josh now hosts “Taerk’s Tracks” as part of the Singer Songwriter Sunday sequence on Get Ready to ROCK! … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases) | Tagged 2027, AOR, classic rock, European, festivals, folk, indie, melodic rock, metal, rock, uk | Leave a comment

Upcoming: Festivals UK & Europe (2026)

Posted on September 8, 2026 by GRTR! HQ

Please check artist and festival websites for latest information. Upcoming: Festivals UK & Europe (2027) Your festival not listed? Contact us! Upcoming: Festivals UK & Europe (2027) Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, NEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Upcoming (Tours & Releases) | Tagged 2026, AOR, classic rock, European, festivals, folk, indie, melodic rock, metal, rock, uk | Leave a comment

Album review : VARIOUS ARTISTS – No Static At All : A Journey Into AOR (3CDs)

Posted on September 6, 2026 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date: 18.09.26] No Static At All is a 3 CD, 60 tracks journey through the halcyon days of AOR. It’s a tip of the hat to Steely Dan’s movie (FM) music hit of the same title. And … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, Cherry Red, Chicago, eighties, FM, Foreigner, Journey, No Static At All, review, Steely Dan, Survivor | Leave a comment

News: BROTHERS OSBORNE, WILLIE DOWLING, FOREIGNER (September 2026)

Posted on August 28, 2026 by jason

Bryan Adams releases his latest album ‘How’s It Goin’ on November 6 via BAD Records. Bad Company release ‘Live In London’ on November 13 which was recorded at their London show in 2016. Brothers Osborne release their new album ‘Watertown’ on October … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged AOR, blues, Brothers Osborne, folk, Foreigner, gigs, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, special editions, tour dates, Willie Dowling | Leave a comment

Album review : GRAND – Guilty Pleasure

Posted on August 16, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date : 21.08.26] We asked 3 separate AI sources… Gemini, Co pilot and Claude: “describe the melodic rock / AOR music of the eighties, specifically 1984”. We’ll publish the results sometime. Then we took this new release from … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AI, AOR, Claude, Co Pilot, Frontiers, Gemini, Grand, Guilty Pleasure, melodic rock, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: MALMO MELODIC- Plan B, Malmo, Sweden, 24-26 July 2026

Posted on August 12, 2026 by andynathan

Now in its third year, Malmo Melodic continues to grow in scale and stake a claim to be the world capital of the melodic rock community for one weekend. There were 30 countries represented, once again with the United Kingdom … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Alicate, Alien, AOR, Art Nation, Boulevard, Brother Firetribe, Caught in Action, Constancia, Creye, Eclipse, Emotional Fire, festival, Fighter V, gig, Hardline, Malmo Melodic, melodic rock, Michael Bormann’s Jaded Hard, Midnite City, Mother Mersy, Proud, Saffire, Sarayasign, Tyketto, White Widdow, Wig Wam | Leave a comment

News: PALLAS, MINISTRY, QUEEN (August 2026)

Posted on July 27, 2026 by jason

Angelus Apatrida have signed with Napalm Records and release an EP ‘The Reckoning’ on November 19. Bangalore Choir release ‘Payload’ via El Puerto Records on November 6. The Beatles release a box set (4CD/5LP) of their ‘Rubber Soul’ album on … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged AOR, blues, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, Ministry, news, Pallas, re-issues, RIP, special editions, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review: SCHEFF TOLLE ADRIAENS – Let’s Stop The World

Posted on July 8, 2026 by jason

Pride & Joy Music [Release date 26.06.26] The trio of Darin Scheff, Christian Tolle and Morris Adriaens each have plenty of musical experience. Darin Scheff is the brother of former Chicago vocalist Jason (who guests on a couple of songs … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bryan Adams, Chicago, Christian Tolle, Darin Scheff, Def Leppard, Let's Stop The World, melodic rock, Morris Adriaens, review | Leave a comment

Album review : PRIDE OF LIONS – Unbridled

Posted on July 2, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release Date : 10.07.26] Pride Of Lions remain Jim (Survivor) Peterik’s band, with Toby Hitchcock on vocals and Mike Aquino on guitar. Aquino’s explosive intro to ‘Unbridled’, this new album’s opening track, might remind you of Giant and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, Frontiers Music, Jim Peterik, Michael w Smith, Mike Aquina, Paul Simon, Pride of Lions, Survivor, Toby Hitchcock | Leave a comment

News: DBA, ANN WILSON, PETER HAMMILL (July 2026)

Posted on June 29, 2026 by jason

Amon Amarth will release their new album, ‘The Allfather Awakens’, on October 2 via Metal Blade Records. Asia, featuring original member Geoff Downes, along with guitarist John Mitchell, drummer Virgil Donati and vocalist/bassist Harry Whitley, release their new album ‘Indigo’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged Ann Wilson, AOR, blues, DBA, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, news, Peter Hammill, re-issues, RIP, special editions, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review: THE WESTERN FRONT – Eureka

Posted on June 22, 2026 by GRTR! HQ

Music Theories Recordings [Release date 10.07.26] It’s hard to believe that in the early 1980s – following personal hiatus and Thin Lizzy’s final tour – Scott Gorham made a distinctly AOR album. Although we shouldn’t forget that in classic Lizzy … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Eureka, Marty Walsh, melodic rock, review, Scott Gorham, The Western Front | Leave a comment

News: JACK J HUTCHINSON, KAMELOT, SALIVA (June 2026)

Posted on May 28, 2026 by jason

Audrey Horne release their latest album ‘Achilles’ through Napalm Records on September 4, with ‘Insanity’ released as the first single on June 11. The Bites release their new, self-titled, album on September 18 through Earache Records. Metalville is reissuing of … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Exhibitions, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged AOR, blues, folk, gigs, Jack J. Hutchinson, Kamelot, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, Saliva, special editions, tour dates | Leave a comment

Gig review: CHRISTOPHER CROSS – Bristol Beacon, 20 May 2026

Posted on May 21, 2026 by GRTR! HQ

For some Christopher Cross represents a moment in time, basically 1980, when his debut solo album was a major success. He went on to win five Grammys a year later and his career was established. Of course, since that time, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 20 May 2026, AOR, Bristol Beacon, Chris Difford, Christopher Cross, classic rock, gig, melodic rock, review, Squeeze | Leave a comment

Gig review: WINGS OF AOR FESTIVAL – Arbis, Norrkoping, Sweden, 24-25 April 2026

Posted on May 6, 2026 by andynathan

The status of Scandinavia as the spiritual home of melodic rock is reflected not just in the volume of bands there, but an increasing number of festivals dedicated to, or featuring a goodly number of, melodic acts. When a new … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Brian Spence, Brother Firetribe, Daytona, Easy Action, Emotional Fire, festival, Gathering of Kings, gig, Joe Lynn Turner, melodic rock, One Desire, Perfect Plan, Russ Ballard, Wings of AOR | Leave a comment

News: SKINDRED, THE ROLLING STONES, BURNING ROPE (May 2026)

Posted on April 28, 2026 by jason

Accept celebrate 50 years with a new release, ‘Teutonic Titans 1976–2026‘ due on September 4 via Napalm Records. Guests on the album include Kirk Hammett, Rob Halford, Tobias Forge, KK Downing, Chris Jericho and more. The Alarm’s final album, ‘Transformation’, originally scheduled … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged albums, AOR, blues, Burning Rope, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, Skindred, special editions, The Rolling Stones, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review : DEGREED – Curtain Calls

Posted on April 28, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 24.04.26] Eighth full length album from respected Swedish Hard Rock band, Degreed…Robin Eriksson, Mats Eriksson, Mikael Blanc and Daniel Johansson. Their sound is impossible to categorise. Is it toughened up AOR, melodic hard rock, metallised hard rock … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, Curtain Calls, Degreed, Frontiers Music, hard rock, Mats Eriksson, review, Robin Eriksson, Swedish | Leave a comment

Album review : GENERATION RADIO – Take 2

Posted on April 22, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date: 24.04.26] “In the beginning of 2020, Generation Radio came together with the intent to form a band with a purpose — to bring classic 1980s rock back to life.” So says the band’s website. Formed by … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, Chicago, country rock, Frontiers Music, Generation Radio, Jason Scheff, Jay DeMarco, Rascal Flatts, review, Steve Ferrone | Leave a comment

Album review : CREYE – IV Aftermath

Posted on April 19, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date : 24.04.26] Scandi band Creye hit their stride with their fourth album, Aftermath, delivering melodic rock of depth and width, polished, full of neat gearshifts, and verses as strong as the choruses, just about. The fact … Continue reading →