Tag Archives: melodic rock

Album review: NEWMAN – Aerial

Posted on August 20, 2017 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 22.09.17] Album number eleven by Newman, the band formed around Steve Newman. Once again he has teamed up with drummer Rob McEwen (who has played on the last nine Newman albums), plus the album also features long … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Aerial, album, AOR Heaven, hard rock, Harem Scarem, Harry Hess, Mark Thompson-Smith, melodic rock, NEWMAN, review, rock, Steve Newman | Leave a comment

Album review: H.E.A.T – Into The Great Unknown

Posted on August 17, 2017 by andynathan

earMUSIC Release Date 22.09.17 Back in 2014, with their fourth album ‘Tearing Down the Walls’, and high energy live shows, H.E.A.T seemed on the verge of a major commercial breakthrough as standard bearers for a new breed of melodic rockers. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, Dave Dalone, Erik Gronwall, H.E.A.T., Into The Great Unknown, melodic hard rock, melodic rock, review, Sky Davis | Leave a comment

Quick plays: MARTIN SIMPSON, RIVERDOGS, HIRSH GARDNER

Posted on August 9, 2017 by jason

MARTIN SIMPSON Trails & Tribulations Topic Records [Release date 01.09.17] Trails & Tribulations’ is Martin Simpson’s twentieth album in a career spanning over 40 years. As he says the album “is a collection of songs about nature, about travels and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged albums, AOR, California, Def Leppard, Dio, Escape Music, folk, Frontiers, Hirsh Gardner, Martin Simpson, melodic rock, New England, Quick Play, reviews, Riverdogs, rock, songwriter, Vivian Campbell | Leave a comment

Album review: D2UR – Tic Toc

Posted on August 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 01.07.17] D2UR (pronounced Detour, really?) are a no-nonsense Canadian band built around the partnership of Mike and Diane Isbister. He plays guitars, she sings. Starting out as a covers band, their debut release Rev U Up (2013) was … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, D2UR, Diane Isbister, hard rock, melodic rock, Mike Isbister, review, Tic Toc | Leave a comment

Gig review: STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL, Ebbw Vale, 28-29 July 2017 (Part One)

Posted on August 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Trucker Diablo - STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL, Ebbw Vale, 28 July 2017

The annual pilgrimage climbing the mountain in the valleys of South Wales seems to have come around far quicker this year than any other, and the reliable Welsh weather played a major part in some issues regarding camping and parking. … Continue reading →

Posted in GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 28 July 2017, 29 July 2017, Bernie Marsden, Ebbw Vale, gig, hard rock, Inglorious, Last In Line, melodic rock, Monster Truck, review, rock, Skindred, South Wales, Steelhouse Festival, Trucker Diablo | Leave a comment

Gig review: SUMMERFEST – Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, 28 June-9 July 2017

Posted on July 25, 2017 by andynathan

In a world of constant change in popular music, for a festival to celebrate its 50th year, as Milwaukee’s Summerfest did this year, represents a lifetime. I’d been to the festival certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s biggest … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged AOR, Bad Boy, Blackberry Smoke, Bob Dylan, Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Dennis De Young, festival, Foghat, gig, Greta Van Fleet, Huey Lewis and the News, Jason Isbell, John Waite, July 2017, June 2017, melodic rock, Milwaukee, Paul Simon, Peter Frampton, progressive, REO Speedwagon, review, rock, Sheryl Crow, Shinedown, Soul Asylum, Summerfest, Tesla, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Toto, Wisconsin | Leave a comment

Gig review: LEE AARON – Camden Underworld, London, 16 July 2017

Posted on July 20, 2017 by andynathan

In the testosterone-heavy rock climate of the 1980’s, women performers who held sex appeal for metal-loving youngsters were few on the ground. It was therefore unsurprising that the petite Canadian rocker Lee Aaron’s picture in Kerrang’s ‘Ladykillers’ feature must have … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged blues rock, gig, Lee Aaron, melodic rock, Neuronspoiler, review, Sean Kelly | Leave a comment

Album review: FICTION SYXX – Tall Dark Secret

Posted on July 12, 2017 by jason

MeldodicRock Records [Release date 21.08.17] Fiction Syxx is the brain child of songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Mark Allen Lanoue who has had these musical ideas for some time now. To help him realise his musical vision he is joined by guitarist JK Northrup (King … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Eric Ragno, Fiction Syxx, JK Northrup, Mark Allen Lanoue, melodic rock, MelodicRock Records, prog, review, Tall Dark Secret, Tony Franklin | Leave a comment

Interview: CORNERSTONE

Posted on June 27, 2017 by jason

We caught up with Alina Peter (Vocals/Guitars) and Michael Wachelhofer (Bass/Keyboards/Vocals) of Cornerstone to see what they have planned for this year and beyond, plus how their latest album ‘Reflection’ has been doing… Have you been pleased with the response … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged AOR, Austria, Cornerstone, Fleetwood Mac, interview, melodic, melodic rock, Quarterflash, Refections, Rising Stars | Leave a comment

Album review: JOHNNY LIMA – Johnny Lima/Made In California

Posted on June 27, 2017 by jason

MelodicRock Records [Release date 01.03.17] These two albums by Johnny Lima – his self-titled debut from 1996 and 2003′s ‘Made In California’ – have been made available again by MelodicRock Records and not before time I say! Johnny Lima’s debut … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged albums, Bon Jovi, Johnny Lima, melodic rock, MelodicRock Records, Motley Crue, reissues, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: TREAT – The Road More or Less Traveled

Posted on June 25, 2017 by andynathan

Release Date 21.04.17 On paper the release of Treat’s live set at the 2016 Frontiers Rock Festival in Italy is was a release I was looking forward to. Not only were Treat- alongside bands like Fate and Skagarack- one of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Anders Wikstrom, Frontiers Rock Festival, live album, melodic rock, Robert Ernlund, Treat.album | Leave a comment

Album review: SNAKECHARMER – Second Skin

Posted on June 5, 2017 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release Date 12.05.17] If their 2013 debut album of original compositions was an unexpected twist for a band that started out paying homage to vintage Whitesnake with two former members, Snakecharmer’s follow up is perhaps even more of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Adam Wakeman, album, blues rock, Chris Ousey, Harry James, Laurie Wisefield, melodic rock, review, Second Skin, Simon McBride, Snakecharmer | Leave a comment

Album review: HAREM SCAREM – United

Posted on May 24, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 12.05.17] This is Harem Scarem’s second album since reuniting back in 2013 – three if you count their re-recording of their classic ‘Mood Swings’ album they did to get back their ownership of the songs. Original members … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, Harem Scarem, Harry Hess, Jeff Scott Soto, melodic rock, review, rock, United | Leave a comment

Album review: CRAZY LIXX – Ruff Justice

Posted on May 23, 2017 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release Date 21.04.17] For over a decade now Swedes Crazy Lixx have been proving a youthful take on the glam and sleaze bands that dominated the airwaves and MTV in the second half of the eighties. I’d always … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Chrisse Olsson, Crazy Lixx, Danny Rexon, Jens Lundgren, melodic rock, Ruff Justice | Leave a comment

Album review: BOBBY KIMBALL – We’re Not In Kansas Anymore

Posted on April 27, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Purple Pyramid/Cleopatra Records [Release date 21.04.17] For many, Bobby Kimball is the definitive voice of Toto and performed with that band during the halcyon years of 1978-1984 (rejoining and touring 1998-2000). Since that time he has forged a semi-cabaret existence … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bobby Kimball, Derek Sherinian, melodic rock, review, soft rock, Toto, We're Not In Kansas Anymore | Leave a comment

Gig review: ECLIPSE – The Borderline, London, 22 April 2017

Posted on April 25, 2017 by andynathan

With each album Eclipse’s reputation is finally spreading beyond the confines of the small but loyal melodic rock community. There was a significantly higher crowd to see them at a packed Borderline than on their previous visits, and yet what … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Andre Linnan, Eclipse, Erik Martensson, Franklin Zoo, gig, Magnus Henriksson, melodic rock, One Desire, review | Leave a comment

Album review: ONE DESIRE- s/t

Posted on April 16, 2017 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release Date 24.03.17] The latest in a seemingly endless line of melodic rock talent from Scandinavia, a real buzz is building around One Desire, a new name but boasting former Sturm and Drang singer and guitarist Andre Linman. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andre Linman, Erik Martensson, melodic rock, One Desire, review | Leave a comment

Album review: ECLIPSE- Monumentum

Posted on April 12, 2017 by andynathan

Frontiers [Release Date 24.03.17] He may be the most prolific, in demand writer and producer on the melodic rock scene, but no-one could accuse Erik Martensson of neglecting his day job as lead singer and guitarist with Eclipse. Two years … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, Eclipse, Erik Martensson, Magnus Henriksson, melodic rock, Monumentum, review | Leave a comment

Album review: HOUSE OF LORDS – Saint Of The Lost Souls

Posted on April 4, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 24.03.17] House Of Lords return with their eleventh studio album and a new bassist, Chris Tristram, who replaces the departing Chris McCarvill, who has been in the band since 2005. The other thing to note is that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, hard rock, House of Lords, James Christian, melodic, melodic rock, review, Robin Beck, rock, Saint Of The Lost Souls | Leave a comment

Gig review: HARD ROCK HELL AOR – Pwllheli, 9-12 March 2017

Posted on March 20, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Lita Ford - HARD ROCK HELL AOR - Pwllheli, 9-12 March 2017

The HRH franchise is probably the most successful of these three day indoor events and rightly so, they found a spot in the market and have developed a fluid, tightly run operation that always delivers. The AOR weekend was slightly … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 9-12 March 2017, AOR, Bonafide, FM, gig, Hard Rock Hell AOR, Lita Ford, melodic rock, Michael Monroe, Mike Tramp, Paul Laine, Pwllheli, review, Romeo's Daughter, Slaughter, Vega | Leave a comment

Album review: TOKYO MOTOR FIST – S/T

Posted on March 19, 2017 by andynathan

Release Date 24.02.17 Despite labouring under a rather ridiculous name, Tokyo Motor Fist (let’s just call them TMF) are actually a match made in heaven between two of the East Coast based melodic rock mafia in Trixter guitarist Steve Brown … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, Danger Danger, melodic rock, review, Steve Brown, Ted Poley, Tokyo Motor Fist, Trixter | Leave a comment

Album review: ASIA – Symfonia

Posted on March 19, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 24.02.17] Normally you’d think “not another live Asia album” as there have been a fair few to date, however this one is tinged with sadness with the sad passing of John Wetton shortly before the release of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Asia, Carl Palmer, Geoff Downes, John Wetton, melodic rock, review, rock, Sam Coulson, Symfonia | Leave a comment

Album review: UNRULY CHILD – Can’t Go Home

Posted on March 19, 2017 by andynathan

Frontiers [Release Date 24.02.17] It’s been six long years since Unruly Child made a triumphant comeback with their original line up featuring Marcie Free, as she now is, releasing the excellent ‘Worlds Collide’ album and headlining Firefest that year. Opening … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bruce Gowdy, Can't Go Hone, Guy Allison, Marcie Free, melodic rock, review, Unruly Child, World Trade | Leave a comment

Gig review: MIKE TRAMP – The Black Heart, Camden, 8 March 2017

Posted on March 13, 2017 by andynathan

His accent may blend his Danish roots with the twang of Brooklyn where he had his greatest professional success, but former White Lion and Freak of Nature singer Mike Tramp is very much an Anglophile. This manifests itself in his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Freak Of Nature, gig, melodic rock, Mike Tramp, review, Soren Andersen, White Lion | Leave a comment

Gig review: SOTO – Camden Underworld, London, 17 February 2017

Posted on February 19, 2017 by andynathan

Prolific vocalist Jeff Scott Soto’s well-travelled career has seen him spend brief spells with big names like Yngwie Malmsteen and Journey, participate in supergroups like Soul Sirkus and W.E.T., release albums under his own name and lend his pipes to … Continue reading →