Tag Archives: melodic hard rock

Album review: SILENT RUNNING – Follow The Light

Posted on July 25, 2022 by brianmc

Door Records [Release date: 22.07.22] Northern Ireland’s Silent Running convincingly transitioned from Punk to Hard Rock in the eighties, and enjoyed moderate success, scoring support tours with Simple Minds, Talk Talk and Robert Palmer. Albums on EMI and Atlantic Records … Continue reading →

Album review: PHIL VINCENT – No Respect

Posted on July 24, 2022 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 22.07.22] As he aptly describes himself on his Bandcamp page, “Phil Vincent is truly a one man band. His proficiency with multiple instruments makes it possible for him to write, arrange, perform, produce and mix all of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, hard rock, melodic hard rock, No Respect, Phil Vincent, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review : TYGERS OF PAN TANG – 1985-87 (3 CD Boxset)

Posted on June 22, 2022 by brianmc

Cherry Red / HNE [Release date 24.06.22] Arguably there are two Tygers Of Pan Tang. This boxset features Tygers 2.0. CD1: The Wreck-age (1985) CD2: Burning In The Shade (1987) and CD3: The Wreck-age Demos and the Burning In The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 1985-87, albums, boxset, Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, John Tucker, melodic hard rock, Mutt Lange, NWOBHM, review, Saxon, Steely Dan, Tygers Of Pan Tang | Leave a comment

Album review: BLOODY HEELS – Rotten Romance

Posted on June 8, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [release date 10.06.22] Sounding heavier and harder than on their previous albums, it’s clear that Bloody Heels have realised that the confines of a genre only exist for those musicians who lack wit and imagination. There are few better … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dokken, LA Guns, melodic hard rock, Motley Crue, Nightwish, Painkiller, review | Leave a comment

Album review: LAZARUS DREAM – Lifeline

Posted on May 22, 2022 by jason

Pride & Joy Music [Release date 17.06.22] Second album from Lazarus Dream, which was put together by vocalist Carsten “Lizard” Shulz (Evidence One, Domain, Devoid) and guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Markus Pfeffer (Scarlett, Winterland). Drummer Markus Kullmann (Sinner, Glenn Hughes), percussionist Thomas Rieder, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Carsten Lizard Shulz, Derek Sherinian, hard rock, Lazarus Dream, Lifeline, Markus Pfeffer, melodic hard rock, Pride & Joy Music, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: GRAHAM BONNET BAND – Day Out In Nowhere

Posted on May 12, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date 13.05.22] Bonnet’s back catalogue gets frequent outings via the world’s ever popular reissue/ remaster labels. So it’s good to hear some new material from him and this “elegant, late career outfit”, The Graham Bonnet Band. He’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alcatrazz, Conrad Pesinato, Graham Bonnet, melodic hard rock, metal, MSG, Rainbow, review | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACK SWAN – Generation Mind

Posted on April 24, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 08.04.22] Black Swan follow up 2020′s Shake The World with the much more confident, cohesive, Generation Mind. Robin McAuley, Reb Beach, Matt Starr and Jeff Pilson form a formidable collective. Each transforming his own success and experience … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Frontiers, Jeff Pilson, Matt Starr, melodic hard rock, Reb Beach, review, Robin McAuley | Leave a comment

Quick plays: PAUL TASKER, BLACK LAKES, D’ERCOLE

Posted on March 6, 2022 by jason

PAUL TASKER Tierra Quemada Yellowroom Records [Release date 01.04.22] Paul Tasker is now releasing his second instrumental album, best known for being co-songwriter with Doghouse Roses and a previous member of the Willard Grant Conspiracy. The album’s title translates to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, alt metal, alt rock, Black Lakes, D'Ercole, folk, For All We’ve Left Behind, guitarist, instrumental, melodic hard rock, metal, Paul Tasker, Phil Vincent, Quick Plays, review, rock, Tierra Quemada | Leave a comment

Album review: BANGALORE CHOIR – All Or Nothing, The Complete Studio Albums (3 CD Set)

Posted on March 3, 2022 by brianmc

Global Rock [Release date: 11.03.22] This 3 disc set from Bangalore Choir is outstandingly well compiled. It’s the first release from Store For Music’s new imprint, Global Rock. As well as the band’s career albums, On Target (1992), Cadence (2010) … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 3 CDs, Accept, album review, Andy Susemihl, Bangalore Choir, boxset, Complete Collection, Curt Cuomo, David Reece, Harry Parress, Max Norman, melodic hard rock, Steve Plunkett | Leave a comment

Album review: PRAYING MANTIS – Katharsis

Posted on January 31, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 28.02.22] Only occasionally since their debut have Praying Mantis registered a decent sized blip on the radar of rock music in the UK. It was in Japan – where NWOBHM labelling was less meaningful – that the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Frontiers, Japan, Journey, melodic hard rock, metal, Pony Canyon, Praying Mantis, review, Survivor, Troy Brothers | Leave a comment

Album review: GRAHAM BONNET – The Historic Collection (2 CDs)

Posted on January 22, 2022 by brianmc

Store For Music [Release date 21.01.22] Graham Bonnet needs little or no introduction. His 5 decade back catalogue is a rich and constant source of reissues and expanded versions. This double CD package sees his 1991 album, Here Comes The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Denny Laine, Graham Bonnet, James Brown, Lieber & Stoller, live, melodic hard rock, Ray Davis, review, Sam Cooke, Van Morrison | Leave a comment

Album review: DIRTY WHITE BOY – Bad Reputation (Remaster with bonus track)

Posted on January 8, 2022 by brianmc

Bad Reputation Records [Released 16.12.21] Dirty White Boy originally released Bad Reputation in 1990. Melodic hard rock had entered the new decade unconvincingly, and was rapidly evolving into a bloated, corporate rock cliché. Bad Reputation was a significant exception. The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Autograph, bonus track, Bowie, David Glen Eisley, Dirty White Boy, Earl Slick, Giuffria, Keni Richards, Lennon, melodic hard rock, remaster, review | Leave a comment

Album review: ENUFF Z’NUFF – Hardrock Nite

Posted on November 6, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 12.11.21] Enuff Z’Nuff do an album of Fab Four covers, at last. We used to think it was a given, but it never happened. There’s distance now, and with that comes perspective. Arguably, only Wilson Pickett (Hey … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bullet Boys, cover versions, Enuff Z'Nuff, EZN, John Lennon, Magical Mystery Tour, melodic hard rock, Paul McCartney, review, The Beatles, Tony Fennell, Tory Stoffregen, ULTRAVOX | Leave a comment

Gig review: PRAYING MANTIS – Arlington Arts Centre, Snelsmore, 7 October 2021

Posted on October 8, 2021 by jason

A mere 581 days since I last attended an indoor concert – Jon Boden in Didcot back in March 2020. Since then live music as we know has been decimated with the fall out from the pandemic, however, you can’t … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 7 October 2021, Arlington Arts Centre, classic rock, Deep Purple, gig, hard rock, Led Zep, melodic hard rock, NWOBHM, NWOCR, Praying Mantis, review, Snelsmore, Vambo | Leave a comment

Album review: FICTION SYXX – Ghost Of My Fathers Past

Posted on September 29, 2021 by jason

MR Records [Release date 04.08.21 digital/28.09.21 physical] Here we have the third album from Fiction Syxx who have been pretty consistent in releasing a new album every couple of years since they started back in 2017. The band consists of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts) | Tagged album, Fiction Syxx, Ghost Of My Fathers Past, melodic hard rock, melodic metal, prog metal, prog rock, review | Leave a comment

Album review: M.ILL.ION – Back On Track

Posted on August 26, 2021 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 10.09.21] Four original M.ILL.ION members reunited in the autumn of 2020 – Hans Dalzon (vocals), CT Rohdell (guitar), Marcus Berglund (keyboards) and B.J Laneby (bass) – and they were joined by new recruits Henrik Andersson (lead … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR Heaven, Back On Track, classic rock, hard rock, M.ILL.ION, melodic hard rock, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: VANDENBERG – The Complete Atco Recordings 1982-2004 (4 CD Boxset w/bonus tracks)

Posted on August 24, 2021 by brianmc

Cherry Red [release date 27.08.21] Vandenberg (1982) Heading For A Storm (1983) Alibi (1985) Demos and Live (2004) Emerging unbloodied and unbowed from the golden age of AOR, Vandenberg’s 3 albums (now remastered) embody all that was good and all … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged albums, Alibi, bonus tracks, boxset, Coverdale, demos, Heading For A Storm, Japp Eggermont, Kolodner, live, melodic hard rock, review, Vandenberg, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Album review: SPEKTRA – Overload

Posted on July 31, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 06.08.21] Still mining Brazil’s rich seam of hard rock heroes, Frontiers latest South American hopefuls are Spektra, a melodic rock band built around the talents of the vocalist/ guitarist with no name, BJ. And like his countryman, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alirio, BJ, Boston, Edu Cominato, Foreigner, Jeff Scott Soto, melodic hard rock, review, Winger | Leave a comment

Album review: JAGGED EDGE – Fuel For Your Soul / Trouble (Remasters w/bonus tracks)

Posted on July 27, 2021 by brianmc

Bad Reputation [Release date 30.07.21] A cracking little package: 2 CDs remastered and laden with bonus material, from Eighties’ hard rock band, Jagged Edge, brought to us by French label, Bad Reputation. The band, formed by guitarist Myke Gray in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Bad Reputation, bonus tracks, Matti Alfonzetti, melodic hard rock, Myke Gray, reissue, remaster, remasters, review | Leave a comment

Album review: HARDLINE – Heart, Mind and Soul

Posted on July 20, 2021 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 09.07.21] Album number seven from melodic hard rockers Hardline who still feature sole remaining original member vocalist Johnny Gioeli. The rest of Hardline is guitarist Mario Percudani, bassist Anna Portalupi, drummer Marco Di Salvia and on keyboards, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Frontiers, hard rock, Hardline, Johnny Gioeli, melodic hard rock, review | Leave a comment

Album review: DOOGIE WHITE – As Yet Untitled (2 CD remaster)

Posted on June 10, 2021 by brianmc

Pete Feenstra chatted to Doogie White for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast 8 August 2021. The Store For Music [Release date 07.06.21] In 2011, ubiquitous gun-for-hire Doogie (Rainbow/Malmsteen/Schenker) White released a cracking little solo album called As Yet … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview, Reissues | Tagged album review, Alcatrazz, Alex Dickson, As Yet Untitled, Doogie White, Malmsteen, melodic hard rock, Mick Tucker, Rainbow, remaster, Schenker, Store For Music, Tank | Leave a comment

Album review: THE BULLETBOYS – The Warner Albums 1988-93 (3 CDs)

Posted on June 9, 2021 by brianmc

Cherry Red Records [release date 18.06.21] No doubt about it, The Bulletboys started out as contenders. This package of CD remasters, comprising the band’s first 3 albums, The Bullet Boys, Freakshow and Za-Za, covers the most important chapters of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Bulletboys, Freakshow, Led Zeppelin, Marc Torien, melodic hard rock, Mick Sweda, review, Rush, Sunset Strip, Ted Templeman, Van Halen, Warner Albums, Za-Za | Leave a comment

Album review: THE END MACHINE – Phase 2

Posted on April 11, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date 09.03.21] This second The End Machine album, Phase 2, does what it would’ve said if it had been in a tin. And it says it emphatically, loudly, subtly in places and outright aggressively in others. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album review, Dokken, End Machine, Frontiers Records, George Lynch, Jeff Pilson, Lynch Mob, melodic hard rock, Mick Brown, Pete Brown, Robert Mason | Leave a comment

Album review: JOEL HOEKSTRA’S 13 – Running Games

Posted on March 20, 2021 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 12.02.21] Joel Hoekstra, best known as the current guitarist for Whitesnake and Trans-Siberian Orchestra (and previously as a member of Night Ranger and the Broadway show Rock of Ages), returns with album number two from his solo … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, guitarist, Jeff Scott Soto, Joel Hoekstra, melodic hard rock, review, rock, Running Games, Russell Allen, Symphony X, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Album review: BONFIRE – Roots

Posted on February 22, 2021 by brianmc

AFM Records [Release date 26.02.21] Bonfire‘s continued popularity and success confounds critics, of the genre at least, if not the band. And you could hardly describe each new album as a reinvention. They have constantly returned to their home territory … Continue reading →