Tag Archives: AOR

Album review: MANIC SINNERS – King Of The Badlands

Posted on February 17, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 18.02.22] Manic Sinners are Frontiers’ first signing from Romania. They are a talented, hard rocking trio of multi-instrumentalists who’ve borrowed heavily from the past, (who hasn’t?). If you’re going to borrow, borrow from the best. They’ve picked … Continue reading →

Gig review: RUSS BALLARD – 100 Club, London, 10 February 2022

Posted on February 16, 2022 by andynathan

The over used word ‘legendary’ applies in Russ Ballard’s case, as one of the very best and most prolific songwriters for a wide range of pop and rock artists, not to mention a distinguished and long career as singer and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Argent, gig, Jos Henrit, Marc Rapson, melodic rock, Roly Jones, Russ Ballard, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: GIANT – Shifting Time

Posted on February 14, 2022 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release Date 21.01.22) In the small and incestuous world of melodic rock the release of a new Giant album has caused the liveliest controversy for many years. Their first two albums are widely seen as classics of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Dan Huff, David Huff, Giant, John Roth, Kent Hilli, melodic rock, Mike Brignardello, Shifting Time | Leave a comment

Album review: CITY OF LIGHTS – Before The Sun Sets

Posted on February 11, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 11.02.22] Debut album from City Of Lights – Brit guitarist/writer Neil Austin and Greek vocalist Manos Fatsis (Hideaway). They are joined in the studio by members of Creye, Degreed and Art Nation. It’s clear that a passionate … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Art Nation, Before The Sun Sets, City Of Lights, Creye, Degreed, Fatsis, Frontiers, melodic rock, Neil Austin, review | Leave a comment

Album review : DEGREED – Are You Ready

Posted on February 9, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 11.02.22] Are You Ready is Degreed’s sixth album, and their first on Frontiers. Robin Erikkson, Mats Erikkson, Mikael Blanc and Daniel Johansson have come a long long way in six albums. Their focus is clearly on the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Brother Firetribe, Degreed, eighties, Frontiers, Harem Scarem, Leverage, melodic rock, Queen, review, Robin Erikssen, Wigelius | Leave a comment

News: MAGNUM Month at Get Ready to ROCK! – 50 Years, New Album, UK and European Tour (March 2022)

Posted on February 4, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Ahead of their UK and European tour in late March/April 2022, Get Ready to ROCK! will be celebrating the band Magnum throughout the month of March. Magnum celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2022. They developed from a band playing cover … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS, Special features | Tagged album, anniversary, AOR, Bob Catley, Europe, Magnum, melodic rock, pomp rock, Tony Clarkin, Tour, uk | Leave a comment

News: SAXON, ALICE COOPER, THE UNDERTONES (February 2022)

Posted on February 1, 2022 by jason

Accept have signed with Napalm Records. Aerosmith release ’1971: The Road Starts Here’ on April 8. Angel Nation release their new album ‘Antares on April 8 through Inner Wound Recordings. Autograph have signed with Frontiers with a new album due … 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, Alice Copper, AOR, blues, February 2022, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, New releases, news, prog, rock, Saxon, The Undertones, tours | Leave a comment

Album review: LANA LANE – Neptune Blue

Posted on January 29, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 28.01.22] Neptune Blue is Lana Lane’s first album release since 2012. The close knit band that surrounds her includes her husband/ producer/ keyboard player, Erik Norlander, with Jeff Kollman on guitar and John (Asia) Payne on vocals, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alan Parsons, album, AOR, Asia, Erik Norlander, Frontiers, Jeff Kollman, John Payne, Lana Lane, melodic rock, progrock, review, symphonic rock | Leave a comment

JOE LYNN TURNER – Rescue You (Remaster)

Posted on January 12, 2022 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [Release date 17.12.21] 1985, and the first of Joe Lynn Turner’s ten solo albums over the last 20 years, Rescue You, is released to huge acclaim. He’s clearly decided to distance himself from the rock/metal approach of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Al Greenwood, album, AOR, Bobby Messano, Chuck Burgi, Foreigner, Joe Lynn Turner, Lou Gramm, melodic rock, Rainbow, review | Leave a comment

Album review: MAGNUM – The Monster Roars

Posted on January 3, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 14.01.22] 50 years on, and studio album number 22, there’s no keeping Magnum down – not even a pandemic. Whilst the band will be frustrated by the tour cancellations following the release of ‘The Serpent Rings’ they … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bob Catley, Dennis Ward, Magnum, melodic rock, pomp rock, review, Rick Bernton, The Monster Roars, Tony Clarkin | Leave a comment

Album review: PERFECT PLAN- Live at Sharpener’s House

Posted on December 30, 2021 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release Date 10.12.21) Among the finest of this golden generation of Scandinavian acts, Perfect Plan‘s second album ‘Time for a Miracle’ was voted GRTR’s melodic rock album of 2020. That year also saw them play a ‘live in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Kent Hilli, live album, melodic rock, Perfect Plan | Leave a comment

News: BIG BIG TRAIN, DIAMOND DOGS, NICK MASON (January 2022)

Posted on December 30, 2021 by jason

Dare - GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 26 January 2019

Alestorm begin work on their next album, ‘Seventh Rum Of A Seventh Rum’, which will be released on Napalm Records later this year. Arch Enemy will release their latest studio album, ‘Deceivers’, via Century Media Records on July 29. Big … 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 AOR, Big Big Train, blues, Classic Rock Magazine, Diamond Dogs, folk, gigs, Melodic Rock Records, metal, news, Nick Mason, prog, re-issues, rock, tours | Leave a comment

Album review: AT THE MOVIES – The Soundtrack of Your Life Vol. 1 & 2

Posted on December 23, 2021 by jason

Atomic Fire Records [Release date 07.01.22] Pretty Maids Chris Laney has been watching lots of movies during the pandemic and he noticed how great the soundtracks often were. So, At The Movies was born when he enlisted drummer Allan Sørensen … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 80's rock, 80s movies, 90s movies, album, AOR, At The Movies, Atomic Fire Records, Chris Laney, melodic rock, movie soundtracks, Night Flight Orchestra, pop, Pretty Maids, review, rock, the Soundtrack of Your Life | Leave a comment

Album review : ZELBO – In My Dreams

Posted on December 22, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 10.12.21] Melodic Rock/AOR band, Zelbo is named for keyboard player and founding member, Dag Selboskar. This relatively unknown Norwegian musician in fact has quite a pedigree. He debuted with the legendary Da Vinci. His DV bandmate, Bjorn … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bjorn Boge, Da Vinci, Dag Selboskar, Frontiers Records, In My Dreams, Ken Ingwersen, melodic rock, review, soft rock, Street Legal | Leave a comment

Album review: BITE THE BULLET – End of the Line

Posted on December 19, 2021 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 22.01.22] Bite the Bullet trace their origins back to 1986 and still feature the original duo of Mick Benton (Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards) and Graham Cowling (Drums). They released a strong comeback album, ‘Black and White’, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bite The Bullet, End Of The Line, Escape Music, FM, hard rock, melodic rock, Mr Mister, review | Leave a comment

Album review: ORLEANS – New Star Shining

Posted on December 17, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Sunset Blvd Records [Release date 22.10.21] The 2021 Christmas offering from Orleans is something of a welcome surprise. The band have existed in some shape or form since their glory days in the late 1970s on the Asylum label, although … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Christmas, classic rock, festive, melodic rock, New Star Shining, Orleans, Xmas | Leave a comment

Quick plays: TAYLOR YOUNG BAND, AUTUMN’S CHILD

Posted on December 14, 2021 by jason

TAYLOR YOUNG BAND Mercury Transit Handrawn Records [Release date 08.10.21] Taylor Young drummed for the likes of The O’s, Young Heart Attack and Polyphonic Spree. Now he takes on the role of band leader and is joined by guitarist, vocalist … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, Autumn’s Child, Deep Blue Something, melodic rock, Mercury Transit, Mikael Erlandsson, pop rock, power pop, review, Taylor Young Band | Leave a comment

Album review: JIM PETERIK & WORLD STAGE – Tigress – Women Who Rock the World

Posted on November 23, 2021 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release date 05.11.21) Jim Peterik’s World Stage project, whether live or in the studio, is characterised by the Survivor founder using the widest array of musical chums to sing his songs. ‘Tigress’ (what is it with his obsession … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Cathy Richardson, Chez Kane, Chloe Lowery, Janet Gardner, Jim Peterik, melodic rock, Survivor, World Stage | Leave a comment

Album review: GROUNDBREAKER – Soul to Soul

Posted on November 23, 2021 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release date 12.11.21) Groundbreaker’s debut album was a Frontiers Records project to reunite Steve Overland with the pure AOR sound of early FM. That was a collaboration with Work of Art’s Robert Sall, but the latter is not … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alessandro Del Vecchio, AOR, FM, Groundbreaker, melodic rock, Steve Overland, Sven Larsson | Leave a comment

Album review: ASIA – The Official Live Bootlegs (10 CD Boxset)

Posted on November 20, 2021 by brianmc

BMG UK [release date 26/11/21] Asia : In 1997, Paul Stump wrote in “A History Of Progressive Rock” that the band’s “links with the genre were as tenuous as George Formby’s links with Mozart”. It is a memorable quote. And … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged albums, AOR, Bootlegs, boxset, Carl Palmer, ELP, Geoff Downes, John Wetton, King Crimson, live, progrock, Steve Howe, Yes | Leave a comment

Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2021)

Posted on November 1, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy - HRH Prog, November 2017

Compiled by Jason Ritchie All dates are subject to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions. Please check artist and venue websites for latest information. Your tour not listed? Contact us! UK Festivals 2021 2022 Tour Dates (UK & Ireland) 2021 Tour Dates … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS | Tagged 2021, AOR, gigs, Ireland, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, tour dates, tours, uk | Comments Off

Album review: MEMORIA AVENUE – Memoria Avenue

Posted on November 1, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 05.11.21] Debut album from Memoria Avenue, a collaboration between talented writer/ guitarist/ Producer, Tor Talle, and up and coming vocalist, and fellow Norwegian, Jan Le Brandt. A polished production and neatly tailored arrangements define the early part … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Frontiers, James Reyne, Jan Le Brandt, melodic rock, Memoria Avenue, review, Tor Talle | Leave a comment

Album review: TONY MITCHELL – Hot Endless Summer Nights

Posted on October 31, 2021 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 26.11.21] Nearly two years on, Tony Mitchell releases his third album as he goes full on 80s AOR. Tony Mitchell spent several months travelling coast to coast taking in the sights, sounds & overall American culture … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, AOR Heaven, hard rock, Hot Endless Summer Nights, Kiss Of The Gypsy, melodic rock, review, rock, Tony Mitchell | Leave a comment

Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2022)

Posted on October 31, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check with venue and/or relevant website(s) to confirm availability. Updated 05/10/2022 Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2023) UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2022) To search quickly within … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS | Tagged 2022, AOR, dates, Europe, gigs, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, ROW, Tour, USA | Leave a comment

Album review: FANS OF THE DARK – Fans Of The Dark

Posted on October 29, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 05.11.21] Fans Of The Dark are a new Melodic Rock band formed by songwriter / drummer, Freddie Allen, the driving force behind AOR legends-in-the-making, Houston. He’s brought in Alex Falk on vocals, with guitarist, Oscar Bromvall and … Continue reading →