Tag Archives: melodic rock

Album review : ROBIN BECK – Living Proof

Posted on May 12, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date : 15.05.26] Despite releasing 11 albums, many of them just bristling with songs written by proven hit makers, Robin Beck has survived an absence of best selling music, beyond her debut single ‘The First Time’, in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Chris Lord Alge, Denis Ward, Frontiers Music, James Christian, Living Proof, melodic rock, modern, Robin Beck, Tommy Denander | Leave a comment

Album review : FRONTLINE – Rebirth

Posted on May 10, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date : 15.05.26] Calling your new album Rebirth, 20 years after your last release, seems quite an understatement. But still, Frontline wade back out confidently into melodic rock’s fast flowing waters. Many have attempted the same kind of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Christian Muhlroth, Frontiers, Frontline, melodic rock, Rebirth, review, Robert Bobel, Stephan Kammerer | Leave a comment

Gig review: CATS IN SPACE- Half Moon, Putney, London, 26 April 2026

Posted on May 9, 2026 by andynathan

In January 2016, having just released an album in ‘Too Many Gods’ and begun to attract attention for its seventies inspired, yet original, songwriting, Cats In Space made their live debut at the Half Moon at Putney, which I was … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged acoustic, Andy Stewart, Cats In Space, Damien Edwards, gig, Greg Hart, melodic rock, Steevi Bacon | Leave a comment

Gig review: WINGS OF AOR FESTIVAL – Arbis, Norrkoping, Sweden, 24-25 April 2026

Posted on May 6, 2026 by andynathan

The status of Scandinavia as the spiritual home of melodic rock is reflected not just in the volume of bands there, but an increasing number of festivals dedicated to, or featuring a goodly number of, melodic acts. When a new … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Brian Spence, Brother Firetribe, Daytona, Easy Action, Emotional Fire, festival, Gathering of Kings, gig, Joe Lynn Turner, melodic rock, One Desire, Perfect Plan, Russ Ballard, Wings of AOR | Leave a comment

News: SKINDRED, THE ROLLING STONES, BURNING ROPE (May 2026)

Posted on April 28, 2026 by jason

Accept celebrate 50 years with a new release, ‘Teutonic Titans 1976–2026‘ due on September 4 via Napalm Records. Guests on the album include Kirk Hammett, Rob Halford, Tobias Forge, KK Downing, Chris Jericho and more. The Alarm’s final album, ‘Transformation’, originally scheduled … 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, AOR, blues, Burning Rope, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, Skindred, special editions, The Rolling Stones, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review: HARDLINE – Shout

Posted on April 27, 2026 by GRTR! HQ

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 17.04.26] It’s some 34 years since Hardline’s classic album ‘Double Eclipse’ with a line-up that boasted Neal Schon in its ranks. Whilst it might have seemed like a last gasp for hair metal in 1992, Hardline’s frontman … Continue reading →

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

Gig review: TYKETTO – 229 Club, London, 17 April 2026

Posted on April 20, 2026 by andynathan

As frontman and founding member Danny Vaughn proudly boasted from the stage, Tyketto’s profile has unexpectedly increased some 35 years after their classic ‘Don’t Come Easy’ debut, with a European tour with Black Star Riders and a Masters of Rock … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Chris Childs, Closer to the Sun, Collateral, Danny Vaughn, Ged Rylands, gig, Harry Scott Elliott, Kory Clarke, melodic rock, Tyketto, Warrior Soul | Leave a comment

Album review : CREYE – IV Aftermath

Posted on April 19, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date : 24.04.26] Scandi band Creye hit their stride with their fourth album, Aftermath, delivering melodic rock of depth and width, polished, full of neat gearshifts, and verses as strong as the choruses, just about. The fact … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Aftermath, Andreas Gulstrand, AOR, Boybands, Creye, Frontiers Music, melodic rock, review | Leave a comment

Album review: XTASY – Phoenix

Posted on April 14, 2026 by GRTR! HQ

Art of Melody Music / Burning Minds Music Groups [Release date 10.04.26] Now here’s a thing. Melodic rock that’s not from Scandinavia! Spain’s Xtasy formed in 2011 and have been building a following in their home country and in Continental … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, hard rock, melodic rock, metal, Phoenix, review, Xtasy | Leave a comment

Album review: HOKKA – Via Miseria IV

Posted on April 14, 2026 by GRTR! HQ

Nuclear Blast Records [Release date 24.04.26] There is a lot of good stuff coming out of Finland at the moment, always underpinned by the Nordic/Scandi talent for melody (and a fair helping of darkness). Lovers of The Rasmus are going … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Hokka, melodic rock, nu-metal, review, The Rasmus, Via Miseria IV | Leave a comment

Gig review: FM- White Rock Studio, Hastings, 5 April 2026

Posted on April 11, 2026 by andynathan

With their 1986 debut album ‘Indiscreet’ FM took on the Americans at their own game with among the finest, and arguably the very best, British AOR albums ever recorded, with all the hallmarks of the genre- hook-filled songs on the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Brave Rival, Ed 'the Shred' Clarke, FM, gig, Indiscreet, Jem Davis, Jim Kirkpatrick, Lindsey Bonnick, melodic rock, Merv Goldsworthy, Pete Jupp, Steve Overland | Leave a comment

Album review : FIGHTER V – Deja Vu

Posted on April 6, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date : 10.04.26] We couldn’t help thinking that we’d heard this album somewhere before. Maybe it’ll come back to us. Deja Vu is the third album from Swiss melodic rock band, Fighter V. Emmo Acar (v), Lobe … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, David Coverdale, Deja Vu, Emmo Acar, Fighter V, Frontiers Music, melodic rock, review, Steely Dan | Leave a comment

Gig review: CHEZ KANE- Fighting Cocks, Kingston upon Thames, 2 April 2026

Posted on April 5, 2026 by andynathan

No one can accuse Welsh songstress Chez Kane of not putting in the hard yards. This show in Kingston’s rock pub, in my South West London heartland, marked the last of a remarkable ten ‘in-store’ acoustic appearances in seven days … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged acoustic, Chez Kane, gig, Harry Scott Elliott, Henry Gottelier, James Ready, melodic rock, Reckless, The Karma Effect | Leave a comment

News: PAUL McCARTNEY, THE 69 EYES, JUDAS PRIEST (April 2026)

Posted on March 27, 2026 by jason

JOE BONAMASSA- Royal Albert Hall, London, 4 April 2024

Airbourne release their new self-titled album on August 27 via Spinefarm. Balaam and the Angel release a new EP on May 1 entitled ‘Love Death Wealth Water‘. Capitol Records/UMe is celebrating the Beach Boys’ ‘Pet Sounds’ album’s 60th anniversary with ‘The … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Competitions, Exhibitions, 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, Special Events | Tagged albums, AOR, blues, folk, gigs, Judas Priest, melodic rock, metal, news, Paul McCartney, re-issues, RIP, special editions, The 69 Eyes, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review: WARRANT – Belly To Belly Vol.1

Posted on March 22, 2026 by GRTR! HQ

Deko Entertainment [Release date 15.04.26] Warrant’s fifth album ‘Belly to Belly, Vol. 1′ has been remastered and repackaged and is being re-released in April, and for the first time will also be released on vinyl. Originally released in 1996 it … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Belly To Belly Vol.1, hard rock, melodic rock, review, Warrant | Leave a comment

Album review : CHEZ KANE – Reckless

Posted on March 22, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date : 27.3.26] We’re cranking the machine back to 1986. Yes, sounding like every Desmond Child Holly Knight/Diane Warren penned AOR hit 40 years ago, the album launches with the title track, ‘Restless’. Only this time with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, Chez Kane, Crazy Lixx, Danny Rexon, Desmond Child, Dian Warren, eighties, Holly Knight, melodic rock, Reckless, review | Leave a comment

Album review: TYKETTO – Closer To The Sun

Posted on March 20, 2026 by andynathan

Silver Lining Music [Release Date 20.3.26] For so long one of rock’s best kept secrets, Tyketto’s mainstream exposure has grown over the past few years with well-received appearances at broader festivals outside their melodic rock genre and even a detailed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, blues rock, Closer to the Sun, Danny Vaughn, Ged Rylands, Harry Scott Elliott, melodic rock, Tyketto | Leave a comment

Album review: CASEY MAUNDER – Smash Down Jericho

Posted on March 7, 2026 by jason

Website [Release date 20.03.26] Album number three from Casey Maunder and pleased to report that he carries on with his high standards of penning catchy, melodic hard rock. Of the ten songs on here, only ‘Paint’ has been released ahead … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Casey Maunder, hard rock, melodic rock, review, rock, Smash Down Jericho | Leave a comment

News: RUSH, CRIMSON GLORY, VON GROOVE (March 2026)

Posted on February 23, 2026 by jason

Acacia Avenue release ‘Chapter V’ via Pride & Joy Music on May 29. Amberian Dawn release their latest album, ‘Temptation’s Gates’, on June 26 via Napalm Records. The band have also announced Nicole Willerton as their new vocalist. Deko Entertainment release a 50th … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Exhibitions, 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, Crimson Glory, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, Rush, special editions, tour dates, Von Groove | Leave a comment

Album review : TRANSATLANTIC RADIO – Midnight Transmission

Posted on February 12, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date : 20.02.26] Swedish émigré and fully fledged Angeleno since the nineties, bass playing Victor Broden is a Grammy winning musician and producer. He moved to LA on a wing and prayer, with the echoes of the AOR … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, Chris Reeve, Filter, Frontiers, melodic rock, review, Ricky Martin, RJ Ronquillo, Santana, Transatlantic Radio, Victor Broden | Leave a comment

Album review: PHIL VINCENT – Thirst Trap

Posted on February 12, 2026 by jason

Rock Company Records [Release date 25.02.26] Phil Vincent has been releasing albums since 1996, as a solo artist or as a member of bands like Tragik and D’Ercole. ‘Thirst Trap’ is his 24th solo album to date, and it is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Black Sabbath, classic rock, D'Ercole, melodic rock, Phil Vincent, review, rock, Thirst Trap, Tragik | Leave a comment

Album review : AUSTEN STARR – I Am The Enemy

Posted on February 5, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date : 13.02.26] The label have teamed new kid on the block, vocalist Austen Starr, with Joel (Revolution Saints/ Whitesnake) Hoekstra, and together they’ve written a bunch of edgy rock songs that allow both talents to shine. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Austen Starr, Avril Lavigne, Frontiers Music, I Am The Enemy, Joel Hoekstra, melodic rock, review | Leave a comment

Album review: DENNIS CHURCHILL-DRIES – Crazy Is This Life

Posted on February 3, 2026 by jason

AOR Blvd Records [Release date 30.01.26] Former White Sister and Tattoo Rodeo vocalist Dennis Churchill-Dries is back with another album packed full of classy melodic rock. He’s joined by Steve Newman on guitar and keys, along with Newman drummer Rob … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, AOR Blvd Records, Dennis Churchill Dries, hard rock, melodic rock, review, rock, Steve Newman, Tattoo Rodeo, White Sister | Leave a comment

Gig review: MIDNITE CITY – Black Heart, Camden, London, 24 January 2026

Posted on January 28, 2026 by andynathan

Midnite City continue to entertain with their feel good revival of the glammy melodic hard rock sounds of the late eighties (or hair metal as it was never called in the day). This show was originally scheduled for November but … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged gig, glam rock, hair metal, melodic rock, Midnite City, Miles Meakin, Nasty Ratz, Rob Wylde, Shawn Charvette | Leave a comment

News: AEROSMITH, SAVATAGE, CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL (February 2026)

Posted on January 27, 2026 by jason

SUZI QUATRO-London Palladium, 15 November 2023

Acid Reign will release a new album ‘Daze Of The Week’ on May 15. Aerosmith release ‘Aerosmith (Legendary Edition)’ on March 20 as a limited-edition deluxe 5LP box, a 4LP slipcase, black and colour vinyl, 3CD, CD, and digital. Steven Tyler and Joe … Continue reading →