Tag Archives: melodic rock

Album review: H.E.A.T. – Live at Sweden Rock Festival

Posted on July 16, 2019 by andynathan
H.E.A.T.- Live at Sweden Rock Festival

Release Date 26.07.19 It’s not that long since H.E.A.T. released a live album recorded at London’s own Highbury Garage, but this release serves two purposes. One is to showcase the standard bearers of the younger breed of melodic rockers on … Continue reading →

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Album review: DAVE BICKLER – Darklight

Posted on July 16, 2019 by jason
DAVE BICKLER - Darklight

Deko Music [Release date 19.04.19] Amazingly this is the debut solo album from former Survivor vocalist Dave Bickler, most famous for the voice on that band’s classic anthem ‘Eye Of The Tiger’. A solo album has long been rumoured and … Continue reading →

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Album review: GRAHAM BONNET BAND – Live In Tokyo 2017

Posted on July 14, 2019 by jason
GRAHAM BONNET BAND - Live In Tokyo 2017

Frontiers [Release date 12.07.19] Vocalist Graham Bonnet has been busy of late, both solo and with his early 80s band the resurrected Alcatrazz. Studio, live and archive, and each one essential listening. With bands like The Marbles, Rainbow, MSG, Alcatrazz … Continue reading →

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Album review: FIRST SIGNAL- Line of Fire

Posted on July 14, 2019 by andynathan
FIRST SIGNAL- Line of Fire

Release Date 17.05.19 First Signal was conceived some years back as a vehicle to reunite Harem Scarem singer Harry Hess with the pure melodic rock style that arguably began and ended with the Canadians’ debut album, before they diversified into … Continue reading →

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Album review: MARK BAKER – The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be

Posted on July 11, 2019 by jason
MARK BAKER - The Future Ain

MelodicRock Records [Release date 26.07.19] The name Mark Baker may not be immediately recognizable to many, but he is the man behind the classic Signal ‘Loud & Clear’ album as well as many other songs for the likes of .38 … Continue reading →

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Gig review: BON JOVI – Wembley Stadium, London, 21 June 2019

Posted on July 2, 2019 by andynathan
BON JOVI - Wembley Stadium, London, 21 June 2019

For many years Bon Jovi were the kings of the stadium show in the UK and on their frequent visits to these shores I would even attend more than one show on the tour. This high profile also seemed  to … Continue reading →

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Book review: GENESIS – Every Album, Every Song (On Track) by Stuart Macfarlane

Posted on July 1, 2019 by GRTR! HQ
GENESIS – Every Album, Every Song (On Track) by Stuart Macfarlane

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 5.07.19] For those wishing to find out more about the prog rockers who went pop, this is a useful summary following the band’s progress from shaky beginnings in 1969 to their final studio album ‘Calling All … Continue reading →

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Album review: PATTERN-SEEKING ANIMALS – Pattern-Seeking Animals

Posted on June 20, 2019 by jason
PATTERN-SEEKING ANIMALS - Pattern-Seeking Animals

Inside Out [Release date 05.07.19] Pattern-Seeking Animals maybe a new band, however its members have a long and shared history as it features John Boegehold, who started the idea of this band and writes and works with Spock’s Beard. Joining … Continue reading →

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Gig review: TOTO – Royal Chelsea Hospital, London, 13 June 2019

Posted on June 19, 2019 by andynathan
TOTO- Royal Chelsea Hospital, London, 13 June 2019

In the ever more crowded gigging season, a fresh trend over the last few years has been for London’s finest historic settings to be used for concerts. Following in the footsteps of Hampton Court and Greenwich is now a short … Continue reading →

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Gig review: STYX – London Palladium, 4 June 2019

Posted on June 10, 2019 by andynathan
STYX- London Palladium, 4 June 2019

It’s been eight long years since Styx last crossed the pond and on that occasion they opened a three way battle of the AOR behemoths with Foreigner and Journey, and for many observers stole the show. This belated return was … Continue reading →

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News: Albums of the Month (April 2019 – June 2019)

Posted on June 10, 2019 by GRTR! HQ
Erja Lyytinen - Another World

January-March 2019 July-September 2019 October-December 2019 ERJA LYYTINEN Another World (Tuohi Records) [Release Date 26.04.19] From the tension building intensity and a harmony guitar break of ‘Hard As Stone’ to the gently paced ‘Without You’, with its angst filled and … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: ROYAL REPUBLIC, ROB MORATTI, FINE SOFT DAY, TRAGIK

Posted on June 10, 2019 by jason
ROYAL REPUBLIC - Club Majesty

ROYAL REPUBLIC Club Majesty Nuclear Blast [Release date 31.05.19] Royal Republic are on the up and up with their mix of rock, dance, disco, funk, rock n roll – heck they will put in any style of music into their … Continue reading →

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News: Albums of the Month (January 2019 – March 2019)

Posted on June 10, 2019 by GRTR! HQ
Steve Hackett - At The Edge Of Light

April-June 2019 July-September 2019 October-December 2019 STEVE HACKETT At The Edge Of Light (Inside Out) [Release date 25.01.19] In his long and distinguished career at the forefront of everything that’s good about progressive rock, Steve Hackett has consistently delivered albums … Continue reading →

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Gig review: MAGNUM – Aberdare Coliseum, 5 June 2019

Posted on June 10, 2019 by GRTR! HQ
MAGNUM - Aberdare Coliseum, 5 June 2019

With more venues in South Wales falling by the wayside, it is refreshing to see someone taking  a gamble, especially in the valleys and in the middle of the week, but the old adage of book them and they will … Continue reading →

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Gig review: SWEDISH AOR CONVENTION – Malmo, Sweden, 30 May-2 June 2019

Posted on June 9, 2019 by andynathan
State of Salazar

Melodic rock and AOR is an unlikely addition to the list of things-  ergonomic design, environmental awareness, and dark crime dramas- where Scandinavia leads the world.  The scene is particularly strong in Sweden, home of many of my favourite bands … Continue reading →

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Album review: CRAZY LIXX – Forever Wild

Posted on June 6, 2019 by jason
CRAZY LIXX - Forever Wild

Frontiers [Release date 17.05.19] “Forever Wild” is the sixth studio album from Swedish band Crazy Lixx, and could very well be their best to date. This is good, solid melodic rock n’ roll that is full of those ‘80’s style … Continue reading →

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Album review: FICTION SYXX – The Alternate Me

Posted on May 30, 2019 by jason
FICTION SYXX - The Alternate Me

MelodicRock Records [Release date 28.06.19] Fiction Syxx follow up last year’s debut ‘Tall Dark Secret’ with ‘The Alternate Me’. Fiction Syxx is the brain child of songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Mark Allen Lanoue and he is joined again by guitarist JK Northrup (King … Continue reading →

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Album review: MICHAEL THOMPSON BAND – Love & Beyond

Posted on May 28, 2019 by andynathan
Michael Thompson Band- Love-and-Beyond

Frontiers [Release Date 26.04.19] Michael Thompson is one of the most respected session guitarists in rock – alongside Steve Lukather and Bruce Gaitsch he is probably the go-to man, particularly for the so-called West Coast sound where soft rock and … Continue reading →

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Album review: FORTUNE – II

Posted on May 28, 2019 by andynathan
FORTUNE - II

Frontiers [Release Date 26.04.19] Fortune’s 1985 self-titled albums is one that always featured highly in the list of obscure but brilliant melodic/AOR classics. While singer Larry (LA) Greene and keyboard player Roger Scott Craig went on to another cult AOR … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: NITRATE, HOWARD JONES

Posted on May 20, 2019 by jason
NITRATE - Open Wide

NITRATE Open Wide AOR Heaven [Release date 21.06.19] Hot on the heels of last year’s enjoyable debut album ‘Real World’, Nitrate are back with album number two. The core duo of Nick Hogg (bass, guitars, keyboards) and Midnite City’s Rob … Continue reading →

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Album review: BLACK PAISLEY – Perennials

Posted on May 17, 2019 by jason
BLACK PAISLEY - Perennials

[Release date 27.09.18] If you are a fan of the likes of Vandenberg’s MoonKings or MTV era Whitesnake then you are going to love “Perennials”, the new album from Sweden’s Black Paisley. Following on from 2017’s “Late Bloomer” debut, this … Continue reading →

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Album review: BURNING RAIN – Face the Music

Posted on May 16, 2019 by andynathan
BURNING RAIN- Face the Music

Release Date 22.03.19 Burning Rain have had a rather stop start career, this being their fourth release but only the second since 2001. In that time guitarist Doug Aldrich has raised his profile with stints with Dio, Whitesnake and latterly … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: DUNCAN LLOYD, HARDLINE

Posted on May 15, 2019 by jason
DUNCAN LLOYD - Outside Notion

DUNCAN LLOYD Outside Notion Afternoon In Bed [Release date 24.05.19] Third solo outing from Maximo Park’s guitarist and main songwriter Duncan Lloyd, one that sees a marked departure from his last album. This time it is less alternative rock, more … Continue reading →

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Album review: ALLIANCE – Fire and Grace

Posted on May 14, 2019 by jason
ALLIANCE – Fire and Grace

Escape Music [Release date 24.05.19] Robert Berry (vocals, bass, keyboards), Boston guitarist Gary Pihl and drummer David Lauser (Sammy Hagar), are back with a new Alliance album – their first in ten years. Only missing from the previous albums is … Continue reading →

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Album review: JIM PETERIK & WORLD STAGE – Winds of Change

Posted on May 6, 2019 by jason
JIM PETERIK & WORLD STAGE – Winds of Change

Frontiers [Release date 10.04.19] The first World Stage came out way back in 2001, so it is well overdue a follow-up from Jim Peterik, although he has of course been playing live shows under the World Stage banner. The backing … Continue reading →

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