Tag Archives: AOR

News: Albums of the Month (April – June 2024)

Posted on August 4, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

ATLANTIC Another World (Escape Music) This summer’s AOR album has arrived! Lush keys, harmonies, plenty of lovestruck lyrical themes, soaring guitar solos and the vocals of Mark Grimmett, who adds that extra bit of class to the whole musical proceedings. … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS | Tagged 2024, albums of the month, AOR, April, Atlantic, Big Big Train, Black Country Communion, blues rock, heavy rock, June, May, melodic rock, Nestor, Progressive Rock, rock, Son Of Man, These Wicked Rivers | Leave a comment

Album review : JIM PETERIK and WORLD STAGE – Roots and Shoots Vol 2

Posted on August 1, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date : 09.08.24] Peterik needs no introduction, but we’ll introduce him anyway. Most famously, he was guitarist and songwriter with Survivor, as well as several other charting bands. It’s all well documented online. But that was then. Nowadays, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, Chicago, Frontiers, Jason Scheff, Jim Peterik, melodic rock, Neil Donnell, review, Survivor | Leave a comment

News: STEEL PANTHER, FLEETWOOD MAC, VON HERTZEN BROTHERS (August 2024)

Posted on July 31, 2024 by jason

BRYAN ADAMS- Royal Albert Hall, London, 9-11 May 2022

Photo: Steve Goudie Bryan Adams (pictured) has launched his own label Bad Records with the release of two songs – ‘War Machine’ and ‘Rock And Roll Hell’ – both of which were written by Adams alongside Jim Vallance, and Gene Simmons for the KISS album … 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 | Tagged albums, AOR, blues, Fleetwood Mac, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, special editions, Steel Panther, tour dates, Von Hertzen Brothers | Leave a comment

Gig review: TOWER OF FIRE FESTIVAL – Rebellion, Manchester, 29 June 2024

Posted on July 16, 2024 by andynathan

Although the UK live scene is thriving, thanks largely to the efforts of the New Wave of Classic Rock movement, those of us with a specific interest in the melodic rock and AOR scene, weaned on the glory years of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Atack, festival, Gabrielle de Val, gig, melodic rock, Nitrate, Remedy, Saracen, Tower Of Fire, White Skies | Leave a comment

Album review : JOHN MILES – The Albums 1983 – 1993 (3 CDs)

Posted on July 16, 2024 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date : 19.07.24] Behind the John Miles’ name and his launchpad hit single ‘Music (Was My First Love)’ in 1976, there lay a musician whose full-on career in music can barely be crammed into a Wikipedia page. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alan Parsons, AOR, Jimmy Page, JOE COCKER, John Miles, Night Of The Proms, Play On, review, soft rock, Tina Turner, Transition, Upfront | Leave a comment

Album review: ATLANTIC – Another World

Posted on June 22, 2024 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 21.06.24] Atlantic is the brainchild of guitarist and songwriter Simon Harrison, who released their debut album ‘Power’ back in 1994 (re-issued by Escape in 2008). It was originally planned to be a one-off – until now … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Another World, AOR, Atlantic, Dare, Escape Music, FM, Grim Reaper, Journey, Lionsheart, Mark Grimmett, melodic rock, review, Simon Harrison, Steve Grimmett | Leave a comment

Gig review: RICHARD MARX – Royal Albert Hall, London, 22 May 2024

Posted on June 20, 2024 by andynathan

Richard Marx only plays the finest London venues when he comes over to the UK. Building on some memorable acoustic shows at the Union Chapel in Autumn 2022, he announced a fuller UK tour which culminated in this show at … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, gig, J. Blynn, John Oates, melodic rock, Nathan East, Richard Marx, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review : AXE – The Offering (Remaster)

Posted on June 18, 2024 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [Release date 24.05.24] Third time lucky for Axe. The Offering, released in 1982, got enough sales and radio airplay to put them firmly on the USA’s Melodic Rock map, leading directly to tours with Kiss, The Scorpions … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, Axe, Bobby Barth, Edgar Riley, Kiss, melodic rock, Mike Osborne, remaster, review, Rock Candy Records, Scorpions, ZZ Top | Leave a comment

Album review : THE LADDER – S/T (Remaster)

Posted on June 17, 2024 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [Release date : 24.05.24] Another “obscure” 1980’s American AOR album, rescued by Rock Candy Records. It was “big in Japan” though. Aren’t they all. The Ladder – writers Joe and Lou Parente, with vocalist Frank Mancano – … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, ATCO, Chicago, David Foster, Frank Mancano, Joe Parente, Lou Parente, Philadelphia, review, Rock Candy, The Ladder | Leave a comment

Album review: ATLANTIS DRIVE – Atlantis Drive

Posted on June 16, 2024 by jason

Pride & Joy Music [Release date 14.06.24] Composer and guitarist Markus Pfeffer (Barnabas Sky, Lazarus Dream) is the mastermind behind Atlantis Drive. As Markus explains – “I had a very clear goal with this album: To take up the sound … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Atlantis Drive, hard rock, Lazarus Dream, Mark Boals, Markus Pfeffer, melodic, melodic rock, Pride & Joy Music, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: BRYAN ADAMS – Royal Albert Hall, London, 14 May 2024

Posted on May 31, 2024 by andynathan

Two years ago, I was present all three nights as Bryan Adams played a memorable residency at the Albert Hall, playing a classic album each night (subsequently released in less than satisfactory fashion on DVD). I thought that was a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Bryan Adams, Gary Breit, gig, Keith Scott, melodic rock, Pat Steward, Reckless, Sol Walker | Leave a comment

Album review: FM – Old Habits Die Hard

Posted on May 24, 2024 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release Date 03.05.24) FM appear to be constantly on tour, and yet between that activity they somehow find time to consistently write and release a new album every two or three years. ‘Old Habits Die Hard’ actually marks … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, FM, Jim Kirkpatrick, melodic rock, Old Habits Die Hard, Steve Overland | Leave a comment

Gig review: FM – Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury, 18 May 2024

Posted on May 19, 2024 by jason

To quote Led Zeppelin, “It’s been a long time since I rock and rolled”, and as much as I love music my live mojo has been in retirement, bar supporting local folk gigs. However, when a band as classy as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Arlington Arts Centre, classic rock, Collateral, FM, gig, melodic rock, Newbury, review, rock, Saturday 18 May 2024, Steve Overland | Leave a comment

Album review: MANDOKI SOULMATES – A Memory Of Our Future

Posted on May 16, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

Red Rock Music/Inside Out Music [Release date 10.05.24] I think it fair to say that Leslie Mandoki doesn’t do things half-arsed. Several years ago a couple of reissues were accompanied by an expansive press kit, a real thick tome that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Memory Of Our Future, Al Di Meola, album, AOR, Bill Evans, Ian Anderson, Jazz rock, Mandoki Soulmates, Mike Stern, prog, Progressive Rock, Randy Brecker, review, Simon Phillips | Leave a comment

Album review : SON OF MAN – Gaslight

Posted on March 27, 2024 by petefeenstra

Pete Feenstra chatted with George Jones about the new album and development of Son Of Man. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 7 April 2024. Esoteric Antenna [Release date : 26.04.24] ‘Gas Light’ is Son Of Man’s third … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged AC/DC, album, AOR, Bob Richards, classic rock, David Gilmour, Deep Purple, Frank Zappa, Gaslight, George Jones, interview, Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin, Man, Marco James, Micky Jones, Pink Floyd, Ray Jones, review, Richie Galloni, Son Of Man, The Eagles, The Fixx, THE WHO, Yes | Leave a comment

Feature: DANNY VAUGHN at Fairycroft House, Saffron Walden, May 24 2024

Posted on March 27, 2024 by jason

A new venture at a smaller venue is the focus of our feature and emphasising the continuing importance of grass roots music promotion… Feature by Jason Ritchie Not content with photographing rock and roll artists under his Mart’s Arts Photography … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions, Interviews/Backstage Heroes, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged acoustic, AOR, Dan Reed, Danny Vaughn, Fairycroft House, Friday May 24 2024, gig, interviews, Martin David Porter, melodic rock, Motorhead, rock, singer songwriter, Tim Atkinson, Tyketto, Wurzel | Leave a comment

Album review : LIPZ – Changing The Melody

Posted on March 6, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date : 15.03.24] Debut album from young Swedish quartet, Lipz, in which they attempt to breathe life into a dying genre, Glam Rock. We’re told. But how do you define “Glam Rock”? Would that be the early eighties, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alex K Klintberg, AOR, eighties, glam rock, Lipz, Motley Crue, Poison, Pop/Rock, Ratt, review, Sunset Strip | Leave a comment

News: EPICA, KATE BUSH, LOVERBOY (March 2024)

Posted on March 2, 2024 by jason

THOSE DAMN CROWS – Islington Assembly Hall, London – 24th February 2023

Jon Anderson’s 1988 album ‘In The City Of Angels’, is to be reissued on May 3 through the Floating World/Voiceprint. Babylon A.D. release their new studio album ‘Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day’ in May. Sebastian Bach releases his latest solo album, ‘Child Within … 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), Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged albums, AOR, blues, Epica, folk, gigs, Kate Bush, Loverboy, melodic rock, metal, news, prog rock, reissues, RIP, rock, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review : HONEYMOON SUITE – Alive

Posted on February 12, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release Date : 16.02.24] They are indeed, performing here in the instantly recognisable melodic style that defined their key albums. There’s none of the artificial complexity that some bands seem to think is necessary as they move into the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alice Cooper, AOR, Derry Grehan, Desmond Child, Honeymoon Suite, Johnny Dee, melodic rock, Mike Krompass, review, Steven Tyler, Von Groove | Leave a comment

Album review: ROBERT HART – Circus Life

Posted on January 30, 2024 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 26.01.24] A new solo album by former Bad Company and Distance singer Robert Hart is always a ‘must listen’ for any melodic hard rock fan. On this album he is joined by Heartland’s Steve Morris and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bad Company, blues rock, Circus Life, FM, hard rock, Harry James, Heartland, Lonerider, melodic rock, review, Robert Hart, Solo, Steve Morris, Steve Overland, Thunder | Leave a comment

News: ELLES BAILEY, HEART, BON JOVI (February 2024)

Posted on January 30, 2024 by jason

JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR - O2 Ritz, Manchester, 17 March 2019

Lee Aaron will be releasing a covers album ‘Tattoo Me’ via Metalville Records on April 26. Ayreon release ’01011001 – Live Beneath The Waves’ through Music Theories Recordings/Mascot Label Group on May 17. Elles Bailey releases a new EP ‘The Night Owl & the Lark’ on February … 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 albums, AOR, blues, Bon Jovi, Elles Bailey, folk, gigs, Heart, melodic rock, metal, news, prog rock, reissues, RIP, rock, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review : GRAND – Second To None

Posted on January 10, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 19.01.24] With the DNA of eighties AOR coursing through its veins, Swedish band, Grand compete with outfits like Wigelius, Eclipse, HEAT and WET in recreating the genre’s past glories in a post Melodic Rock world. On their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 1927, AOR, Australian Crawl, Eclipse, Frontiers, HEAT, Jakob, Mattias Oloffson, melodic rock, Svensson, WET, Wigelius | Leave a comment

News: KREATOR, ARCH ENEMY, DAN PATLANSKY (January 2024)

Posted on December 31, 2023 by jason

Art Of Anarchy release their third studio album, ‘Let There Be Anarchy’, on February 16 via Pavement Music. Jon Votta (guitar),Vince Votta (drums) and guitarist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal are joined by vocalist Jeff Scott Soto and bassist Tony Dickinson. The Black Keys new album ‘Ohio Players’ is due … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Interviews, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged albums, AOR, Arch Enemy, blues, Dan Patlansky, folk, gigs, Kreator, melodic rock, metal, news, prog rock, reissues, RIP, rock, tour dates | Leave a comment

Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2024)

Posted on December 29, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check with venue and/or relevant website(s) to confirm availability. Updated 16/12/2024 UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2024) To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases) | Tagged 2024, AOR, dates, Europe, gigs, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, ROW, Tour, USA | Leave a comment

Album review : NIGHT RANGER – Dawn Patrol and Midnight Madness (Reissues/Remasters)

Posted on December 13, 2023 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [Release date : 27.10.23] Two more Night Ranger reissues from the house of remasters. The band’s secret weapons are evident from the off on Dawn Patrol (1982), the debut album. In Kelly Keaggy and Jack Blades they … Continue reading →