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Upcoming Gigs & Albums
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Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD/Bluray) 2026
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Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2025)
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Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2026)
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Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2025)
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Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2026)
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Tag Archives: AOR
Gig review: FM – The Brook, Southampton, 21 November 2014
Can it really be 30 years since the Overland brothers from Wildlife and former members of Samson and Diamond Head formed a new band, inspired by the then fashionable radio-friendly AOR sounds of the likes of Journey, Foreigner and Survivor, … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 21 November 2014, AOR, FM, gig, Hand of Dimes, melodic rock, Neville Macdonald, review, Southampton, Steve Overland, Summers, The Brook
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Album review: VEGA – Stereo Messiah
Frontiers Records [Release date 17.10.14] As one of the great hopes of British melodic rock Vega have not left the grass grow under their feet, this being their third album in under four years. It sees only minor tweaks to … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, AOR, Def Leppard, Joe Elliot, melodic rock, review, Stereo Messiah, Vega
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Album Review: NEWMAN – S/T
[Release Date 22.10.14] After over 15 years of hard graft and a series of quality albums, Steve Newman has established himself as a respected name among the AOR cognoscenti, now happily getting the message out through more regular gigging. A lot of … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, AOR, melodic rock, NEWMAN, review, Steve Newman
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Gig review: ASIA, Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 2 November 2014
For a so-called supergroup Asia have shown remarkable longevity, but their profile is now much lower than it was in the heady days when their 1982 debut went multi-platinum, judging by a disappointing turnout at their first headline London show … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 2 November 2014, AOR, Asia, Carl Palmer, Geoff Downes, gig, John Wetton, London, melodic rock, review, Sam Coulson, Shepherd's Bush Empire
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Album review: NIGHTINGALE – Retribution
Inside Out [Released 10.11.14] Nightingale is centred around Dan Swano, who has worked with many artists including Opeth. This is the band’s seventh album and their first since 2007 and I must admit to not having heard anything by them … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS
Tagged album, AOR, classic rock, Dan Swano, hard rock, Inside Out, melodic rock, Nightingale, prog rock, Retribution, review
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Gig review: FIREFEST – Nottingham Rock City, 24-26 October 2014 (Day 3)
DAY 3 - DANGER DANGER, AUTOGRAPH, CONEY HATCH, BROTHER FIRETRIBE, TOUCH, GUILD OF AGES, AXXIS The final day of ‘the final fling’ began with a slightly left field choice of veteran German rockers Axxis, and yet they blew the cobwebs … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events
Tagged 26 October 2014, AOR, Autograph, Axxis, Brother Firetribe, CITA, Coney Hatch, Danger Danger, Firefest, gig, Guild Of Ages, melodic rock, Nottingham, review, Rock City, Tommy Denander, Touch
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Gig review: FIREFEST – Nottingham Rock City, 24-26 October 2014 (Day 2)
DAY 2 – FIREHOUSE, BLACK N BLUE, PRETTY MAIDS, BABYLON AD, BOULEVARD, FROM THE FIRE, RAGE OF ANGELS Day 2 also began with home grown talent in Rage Of Angels, formed by Ged Rylands who was playing guitar rather than … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events
Tagged 24 October 2014, AOR, Babylon AD, Black N Blue, Boulevard, Firefest, Firehouse, From The Fire, gig, melodic rock, Nottingham, Pretty Maids, Rage Of Angels, review, Rock City
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Gig review: FIREFEST – Nottingham Rock City, 24-26 October 2014 (Day 1)
GRTR!’s resident Melodic Rock/AOR expert Andy Nathan has been covering Firefest for us right from the start. Andy’s informed report and Simon Dunkerley’s inspired photos celebrate ‘The Final Fling’ as the festival bows out in style… The announcement last year … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events
Tagged 24 October 2014, Angels Or Kings, AOR, Circus Maximus, Firefest, gig, H.E.A.T., melodic rock, Nottingham, Redrum, review, Rock City, Shy, TEN, The Poodles
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Quick plays: X-DRIVE, ADRENALINE RUSH, DALTON, DR JOHN
ADRENALINE RUSH Adrenaline Rush Frontiers [Release date: 25.08.14] ‘Adrenaline Rush’ is the debut album from the Scandinavian band of the same name, musically the album is up a notch from most debut albums I’ve heard this year and reminds me … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
Tagged Adrenaline Rush, album, AOR, blues rock, Dalton, Dr John, Flicker, Get Your Rock On, Luke Gasser, Maxxwell, melodic rock, Monkeys of XXI, Pit Stop, review, Ske-Dat-De-Dat…Spirit of Satch, Stardust Circus, Tabula Rasa, X-Drive
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Album review: ANGELS OR KINGS – Kings Of Nowhere
AOR Heaven [Released 27.10.14] Angels Or Kings can trace their history back to the 1980′s UK AOR scene when they were known as A.O.K. and played supports to bands passing through their hometown of Manchester. Guitarist Tony Bell has even … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged A.O.K., album review, Angels Or Kings, AOR, AOR Heaven, Kings Of Nowhere, melodic rock
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Album review: NEONFLY – Strangers In Paradise plus interview with Frederick Thunder
Inner Wound Recordings [Release date 01.12.14] Neonfly I discovered thanks to a tip-off from Charlie Farrell, a man who knows his way around the metal scene and recommended I got along early to see them supporting the mighty Power Quest. … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions
Tagged album, AOR, Dennis Ward, Dragonforce, Frederick Thunder, Inner Wound Recordings, Magnum, melodic metal, melodic rock, Neonfly, power metal, review, Strangers In Paradise, Willy Norton
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Gig review: MELODIC ROCK FEST 4, H.O.M.E.Bar, Arlington Heights,Chicago, USA, 3-5 October 2014
After the success of the third Melodic Rock Fest last September, the attempt to bring to the Americans the cult melodic rock bands that are seen at Firefest and other places, melodicrock.com supremo Andrew McNeice swiftly moved forward with plans … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events
Tagged 7th Heaven, Adriangale, AOR, Bombay Black, Chicago, Eighty Six Happiness, festival, Gary Moon, gig, Grand Design, Guardian, H.E.A.T., Heaven's Edge, House Of Shakira, Jim Peterik, Johnny Lima, Madman's Lullaby, Maxx Explosion, melodic rock, Melodic Rock Fest 4, Mitch Malloy, Paul Laine, Radio Sun, STAN BUSH, Talon, Tango Down, USA, Work Of Art
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Gig review: HOUSTON, The Barfly, Camden, London, 16 October 2014
When an AOR revival suddenly became flavour of the month late in 2010, the debut album by Swedes Houston was seen as the standard bearer of the new revolution. Even if live performances were a mixed bag, the quality of … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 16 October 2014, AOR, Big Time, Camden, gig, Houston, London, melodic rock, Mia Klose, review, The Barfly, The Spin
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Album review: DENNIS DEYOUNG – The Music of Styx : Live in Los Angeles
Frontiers Records [Release date 20.10.14] Styx are one of my all time favourite bands and Dennis DeYoung was the vocalist, keyboard maestro and genius behind some of their biggest hits…but their biggest hit Babe, which is obviously featured on here, … Continue reading
Album review: MR BIG – The Stories We Could Tell
Frontiers Records [Release Date 29.09.14] Mr Big appear to be back to stay, despite the unfortunate news of drummer Pat Torpey’s progressive illness. Three years after returning with the somewhat dry sounding ‘What If’, this latest release sees them back … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, AOR, Billy Sheehan, Eric Martin, melodic rock, Mr Big, Paul Gilbert, review, The Stories We Could Tell
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Album review: STATE OF SALAZAR – All The Way
Frontiers Records [Release date 25.08.14] “All The Way” is the debut album from Swedish band State Of Salazar and the review could be condensed to state “yet another Scandinavian rock band releases yet another superbly produced slice of genuine 1980’s … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, All The Way, AOR, Frontiers, review, State of Salazar
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Gig review: KIP WINGER & FIONA – Borderline, London, 27 September 2014
Despite a busy year for Winger, with the band touring the new Better Days Comin album as recently as June, Kip Winger’s London shows have now become an annual fixture in the calendar. As a bonus on this occasion one … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 27 September 2014, AOR, Borderline, Fiona, gig, Jorge Salan, Kip Winger, London, melodic rock, review, Winger
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Album review: DAYLIGHT ROBBERY – Falling Back To Earth
Solar Flare [Release date 18.10.14] www.daylightrobberyrocks.co.uk Thankfully, for their second album, Daylight Robbery have ramped up production values. Birmingham-based, it was perhaps natural to use Sheena Sear who has worked with fellow Midlanders Magnum amongst others. However, improved production cannot … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, AOR, Daylight Robbery, Falling Back To Earth, Magnum, melodic rock, review, Tony Nichols
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Album review: WORK OF ART – Framework
Frontiers Records [Release Date 19.09.14] Few current bands in the world of melodic rock are of such reputed standing as Work of Art, the Swedes led by guitarist Robert Sall, also of W.E.T. Both their albums to date have been … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, AOR, Framework, interview, melodic rock, review, Robert Sall, Work Of Art
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Album review: MOONLAND FEATURING LENNA KUURMAA
Frontiers Records (Release Date 19.09.14) Lenna Kuurmaa was apparently one of Estonia’s biggest pop stars with her band Vanilla Ninja, but her desire to rock out has led her into the arms of Frontiers Records and what seem to be … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Alessandro Del Vecchio, AOR, melodic rock, Moonland featuring Lenna Kuurmaa, review
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Quick plays: EMERGENCY GATE, LANEY’S LEGION, MARTINA EDOFF, STARDUST CIRCUS
EMERGENCY GATE – Infected Fastball www.emergencygate.com [Released 09.09.14] Melodic death metal is not a genre I normally delve into and in the interests of trying something in this genre I have given Emergency Gate’s sixth album a listen (they have … Continue reading
Quick plays: BLASTED, LOST GRAVITY, ANOTHER DEAD HERO, BRYAN ADAMS
BLASTED – Curtain Call Self Release [Release date - Out Now] Blasted are a foursome from Switzerland who formed in 2006. They claim influences from Pantera and Lamb of God and aim to be ‘metal’ as well … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
Tagged album, Another Dead Hero, AOR, Blasted, book, book review, Breno Val, Bryan Adams, Burnley, Carlos Fernandes, Curtain Call, Dystopia, ebook, EP, Foo Fighters, Guillaume Jordan, London, Lost Gravity, metal, Metallica, Neil Daniels, Nico Maret, Pantera, Rage Against The Machine, Reckless, review, rock, Simon Claret, Switzerland
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Single & EP reviews : WHEN WE WERE WOLVES, TEN PERCENTER, ASA, SHAFT OF STEEL
WHEN WE WERE WOLVES – Heartless EP Self Release [Release date 22.09.14] When We Were Wolves are a post hardcore fivesome from South Wales. They formed in 2011 and Heartless is their second EP. Later this year they will be … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged alternative, AOR, Asa, Dead Again, EP, Fight Of Your Life, Hardcore, Heartless, I Could Never Say, melodic rock, metal, Mitch Block, review, rock, Shaft Of Steel, singer, songwriter, South Wales, Ten Percenter, The Blackout, Tigerpunch, When We Were Wolves
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Quick plays: HENRIC BLOMQVIST & FRIENDS, DYLAN KAY, MICHAEL STANLEY
HENRIC BLOMQVIST & FRIENDS All Of Your Illusions www.henricblomqvist.com [Released 01.05.14] Guitarist Henric Blomqvist hails from Finland and has worked with various bands and musicians over the years. This album is his debut solo release and the friends include vocalists … Continue reading
News: Get Ready to ROCK! Radio – CHRIS DAUGHTRY interview, Sunday 17 August
Sunday 17 August, 22:00 (Monday 18 August, 22:00 and Friday 22 August, 22:00 repeat) This Sunday, 17 August, David Randall chats to Chris Daughtry, ahead of his European tour which includes a date at the London Roundhouse on Sunday 12 … Continue reading
