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Upcoming Gigs & Albums
Latest Album Reviews
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Album review: SIGN OF THE WOLF
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Album review: STEVE KNIGHTLEY – Positively Folk Street: Dylan, Carthy & Me
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Album review : JON ANDERSON and THE BAND GEEKS – Live, Perpetual Change
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Album review: REG MEUROSS – Fire & Dust
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Album review : STREETLIGHT – Night Vision
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Album review : ENBOUND – Set It Free (w/bonus CD)
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Latest Gig Reviews
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Gig review: FISH – O2 Academy, Glasgow, 9 March 2025
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Gig review: WILL WILDE- 100 Club, London, 4 March 2025
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Gig review: URIAH HEEP – London Palladium, 26 February 2025
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Gig review: THE VAPORS Album Launch – The Water Rats, London, 27 February 2025
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Gig review: MILKFEST- Indigo2, London, 23 February 2025
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Gig review: MIKE + THE MECHANICS – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, 3 March 2025
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Featured Album Reviews
Features
Interviews
Single & EP Reviews
DVD Reviews
Book Reviews
News
Tag Archives: melodic rock
Album review : STREETLIGHT – Night Vision
Frontiers Music [Release date : 14.03.25] After an artfully conceived AOR debut in 2024, Streetlight’s trajectory remains on an upward curve. And, to no one’s surprise, pretty well everywhere you scratch the paint on Night Vision, you’ll find the 1980s … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, AOR, Brian Wilson, Johnny Hates Jazz, melodic rock, Night Vision, review, Steely Dan, Streetlight, Toto
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News: BILLY IDOL, RUSS BALLARD, PINK FLOYD (March 2025)
Russ Ballard (pictured) releases a double album entitled ‘Songs From The Warehouse/The Hits Rewired’, out on April 18 via Frontiers. The first CD contains new songs, while the second CD includes brand new recordings of famous hits he either penned or … 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/Interviews, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
Tagged albums, AOR, Billy Idol, blues, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, Russ Ballard, special editions, tour dates
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Gig review: FM- Chelmsford Social Club, Chelmsford, Essex, 21 February 2025
FM’s busy touring schedule took on a fresh twist when they announced an acoustic tour for the first part of 2025. it was not a totally new venture for them, indeed in the early nineties they released a successful live … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged acoustic, AOR, FM, gig, Jem Davis, Jim Kirkpatrick, melodic rock, Merv Goldsworthy, Pete Jupp, Steve Overland
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Album review : PERFECT PLAN – Heart Of A Lion
Frontiers Music [Release date : 28.02.25] With his fourth Perfect Plan album, Kent Hilli has truly deciphered the AOR code. Heart Of A Lion is a superb, beautifully crafted melodic rock recording, mixing keys and guitars in varying measures, creating … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged AOR, Brother Firetribe, Frontiers, Kent Hilli, melodic rock, Perfect Plan, review, Survivor
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Album review: ANGELINE – Rhythm of One
Blow Your Fez Off Music [Release date 03.03.25] Angeline is not a band this reviewer has heard much from prior to this new album, their fifth since reuniting in 2010 (Angeline first started back in 1987). Fellow GRTR! reviewer Nikk … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Angeline, hard rock, melodic rock, review, Rhythm of One
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Quick plays: JENN BUTTERWORTH, PHIL VINCENT
JENN BUTTERWORTH Her By Design Self-released [Release date 28.02.25] Debut album from Scottish musician Jenn Butterworth where the lyrical themes focus on women’s stories and their strength and struggles. Mention must be made of the beautifully illustrated CD booklet with blueprint technical … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
Tagged album, Backstabber, folk, hard rock, Her By Design, Jenn Butterworth, melodic rock, Phil Vincent, review, rock, singer songwriter
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Gig review: H.E.A.T- Islington Assembly Hall, London, 31 January 2025
Photo: Les Linyard Nights like this do not come often enough in the UK for us lovers of melodic rock, with a touring triple bill of a newer generation of acts creating a fresh take on those sounds of the … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged AOR, Art Nation, Chez Kane, Dave Dalone, gig, H.E.A.T., Jona Tee, Kenny Leckremo, melodic rock
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News: RUSH, IQ, CANDICE NIGHT (February 2025)
Bryan Adams released the title track of his forthcoming album ‘Roll With The Punches’ on February 7. The album is due later this year and was co-written with Robert John “Mutt” Lange. Deko Entertainment release a 50th anniversary edition of Angel’s … 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, Candice Night, folk, gigs, IQ, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, Rush, special editions, tour dates
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Gig review: MAGNUM – The O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London, 21 January 2025
It is just over a year since the sad passing of Tony Clarkin, Magnum’s songwriter, guitarist and inspiration. And now the rest of the band have reformed to celebrate his glorious words and music. Titled ‘A Passage Through Time’ this … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 21 January 2025, Bob Catley, classic rock, Forum, gig, live, Magnum, melodic rock, pomp rock, review, Tony Clarkin
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Album review: TIMSON AOR – Next Level
Website [Release date 28.02.24] Timson AOR are back with their second album, released almost a year after their enjoyable debut ‘Forever’s Not Enough’. Timson AOR consists of Mark Timson (guitars, bass, keys, synths, drum programming) and Lukky S (vocals, lead … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, AOR, hard rock, Mark Timson, melodic rock, Next Level, review, Timson AOR
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News: JACK MOORE, GENERATION RADIO, THE DOOBIE BROTHERS (January 2025)
The Adventures release their first new studio album in over thirty years on March 28. Titled ‘One More With Feeling’ it will be released through Cherry Red Records. Don Airey releases his latest solo album ‘Pushed to the Edge’ 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
Tagged albums, AOR, blues, folk, Generation Radio, gigs, Jack Moore, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, special editions, The Doobie Brothers, tour dates
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Upcoming: Festivals UK & Europe (2025)
Please check artist and festival websites for latest information. Your festival not listed? Contact us! ore: Upcoming (UK tours and gigs, 2025) Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed … Continue reading
News: The Best of 2024 – The Get Ready to ROCK! Reviewer Selections (December 2024)
We started 2024 with the sad news that Tony Clarkin of Magnum had passed away just days before the release of the band’s latest album. The band have been venerated over the years by GRTR! and were celebrated in our … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, The Best of 2024
Tagged 2024, albums, Amelia Coburn, best of, Black Sabbath, blues rock, Brave Rival, breakthrough acts, classic rock, Honeymoon Suite, live acts, melodic rock, metal, Progressive Rock, reissues, reviews, Scarlet Rebels, Starchaser, Steve Hackett, Walter Trout
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News: AVANTASIA, GOTTHARD, MICKEY JUPP (December 2024)
Airforce (who feature former Iron Maiden guitarist Doug Sampson) release their new album ‘Acts of Madness’ on February 21 through ROAR Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks release a CD/DVD package ‘Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks Live- Perpetual Change’ … 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, AVANTASIA, blues, folk, gigs, Gotthard, melodic rock, metal, Mickey Jupp, news, re-issues, RIP, special editions, tour dates
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Album review : TAK MATSUMOTO GROUP – TMG II
Frontiers [Release date : 06.12.24] Through one of those close encounters you read about, Tak Matsumoto, guitarist and founder of leading Japanese rock band, B’z met up with Jack (Night Ranger) Blades and Eric (Mr Big) Martin in LA, in … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged B'z, Baby Metal, Budokan, Eric Martin, hard rock, Jack Blades, Japan, LiSA, melodic rock, Mr Big, Night Ranger, review, Tak Matsumoto Group
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Album review : POWELL PAYNE – Voila
Frontiers [Release date 6.12.24] There really should have been some kind of fanfare, a blaze of publicity, to accompany the release of Voila, debut album from Adam Payne, ex Airrace, and Mark Powell, ex Psycho Kiss. In this post-AOR age, … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged Airrace, AOR, Frontiers, melodic rock, Peter Cetera, Powell Payne, Psycho Kiss, review, Richard Marx, Voila
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Feature: PHIL VINCENT’s Baker’s Dozen
A Baker’s Dozen, in which various musicians choose 13 songs – a baker’s dozen – to make a playlist. The following rules apply – Maximum of three songs from any artist Maximum of two songs from any album Maximum of two … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES
Tagged Bakers Dozen, Beatles, feature, hard rock, heavy metal, Jon Butcher Axis, Judas Priest, melodic rock, metal, Phil Vincent, pop, prog rock, Queen, RAVEN, Thin Lizzy
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Album review: PHIL VINCENT – Master of Deception
Bandcamp [Release date 22.11.24] This is Phil Vincent’s 26th solo album! That is excluding the various bands he appears with like D’Ercole and Tragik. Mastered again by Jacob Hansen (who certainly seems to have added some punch to last few … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, hard rock, Master of Deception, melodic rock, Phil Vincent, review, rock
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Feature: CASEY MAUNDER’s Bakers Dozen
The first Baker’s Dozen, in which various musicians choose 13 songs – a baker’s dozen – to make a playlist. The following rules apply – Maximum of three songs from any artist Maximum of two songs from any album Maximum … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES
Tagged Bakers Dozen, Casey Maunder, Cheap Trick, feature, Get Out and Push, hard rock, melodic rock, playlist, Spotify, Tigertailz
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Album review : LIONVILLE – Supernatural
Frontiers [Release date 15.11.24] Art for Art’s sake. Lionville’s Italian founder, writer, guitarist and all round mainman, Stefano Leonetti has brought in Swedish vocalist Alexander (Art Nation) Strandell to replace the departed Lars (Work Of Art) Safsund. Strandell has achieved … Continue reading
Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2025)
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 Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, Upcoming (Tours & Releases)
Tagged 2025, AOR, gigs, Ireland, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, tour dates, tours, uk
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Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2024)
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
Tagged 2024, AOR, gigs, Ireland, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, tour dates, tours, uk
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Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD/Bluray) 2025
Compiled by Jason Ritchie To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system), or Command+F (on a Mac) on the keyboard. The “F” stands for “Find,” and it works in every … Continue reading
Posted in Upcoming (Tours & Releases)
Tagged 2025, album, blues rock, Bluray, CD, classic rock, DVD, hard rock, heavy rock, melodic rock, metal, New releases, Progressive Rock, reissue, singer songwriter
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News: Albums of the Month (July – September 2024)
A quarterly feature highlighting album releases rated highly by the GRTR! review team and worthy of your investigation KALANDRA A Frame Of Mind (By Norse Music) Turn on the heat, settle down with your favourite tipple, and let ‘A Frame … Continue reading
News: BONFIRE, MOGWAI, KID KAPACHI (November 2024)
Ambush have signed with Napalm Records with a view to release a new album next year. Tori Amos releases a new live album, ‘Diving Deep Live’, via Decca on December 6. A remastered 2CD/2DVD box set version of ‘An Evening Of Yes Music Plus’ … 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, Bonfire, folk, gigs, Kid Kapachi, melodic rock, metal, Mogwai, news, re-issues, RIP, special editions, tour dates
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