One of the best heavy rock bands out there these days and a band which obviously easily manages to catch their incredible live energy in the studio as well. It’s already album number four of the Northern-Irish five-piece and it is full of powerful and passionate compositions with fantastic hooklines throughout that offer a great production, too. You want proof? Well, “Switchblade Sister“, “Bells Of Stygian“ or “Falling“ should absolutely do… As long as bands like these exist, we really don’t have to worry about rock threatened with extinction. Hell, Belfast rocks!

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://youtu.be/7X3G9B81eFY

The Lions Pride label seems to have a weakness for bands from exotic countries and their latest release from REVLIN PROJECT surely fullfill this conditions, cause this bunch hails from Bogota, Columbia. Formed in 2016 they released an EP called "Dimension" one year later in 2017. Now they have their first album "Trascender" on offer and like so many other bands from South America they're into the keyboard dominated AOR sound not that far away from bands like 91 Suite or Sapphire Eyes, but surely not at the same level. The biggest problem is like many other exotic bands the lead vocals from singer Renato Costa, which sounds a bit pressed besides his accent.

Watch: https://youtu.be/A4Puduhpw1Y

Two well-known guitar players doing an album together and play and sing (!) almost everything on it? Well, Adrian Smith (IRON MAIDEN) and Richie Kotzen (THE WINERY DOGS, ex POISON, ex MR.BIG) set the pace here. It’s hard rock with a lot of blues and mature songwriting throughout. For a first impression, check out the second single “Scars“. But also the massively grooving “You Don’t Know Me“ is a true highlight. This record is made by pure passion.

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://youtu.be/OOyeowWVwN8

Digitally Remastered with a very good sound quality, American reissue label Metallic Blue Records has released “Turn On The Radio“, the album comprising the two mini-LP’s recorded in the second half of the ’80s by US melodic rockers BAD BOYS, a long concealed secret for most of us outside of the Salt Lake City rock scene. BAD BOYS thrilled fans in the Utah area and eventually on the Sunset Strip in L.A. club circuit. The 11 tracks consists of professionally recorded material; five of the tracks taped in 1988 and the remaining six in 1989. The title for this compilation was properly chosen, as there’s something of Firehouse, Blue Tears, Icon, Ivory Tower, etc in BAD BOYS’ delivery, melodic and with catchy choruses.

Listen: https://youtu.be/y3xDUw1dQUw

Hailing from Reno, Nevada, RAWKON started life in 1986 and recorded a three track demo cassette. In 1987, RAWKON picked up Pete Amato on keyboards and entered the studio again and recorded their six-track self-titled cassette at Axe Tracks recording studio. In 1988 they released another EP on cassette, but after some live shows they called it a day. All their recordings are now available for the very first time on CD. With a melodic sound and catchy tunes, musically RAWKON brings to mind Icon, Dokken, Vinnie Vincent Invasion, etc, ranging from party rockers to AORish midtempo songs including keyboards. Digitally remastered re-issue from Metallic Blue Records.

Listen: https://youtu.be/lXdniO0CbDk

One of the first ever AOR outfits are the Americans of TOUCH, who formed in 1978. Their legendary debut with the superb track “Don’t You Know What Love Is“ (1980) and two years later “Touch II“ were their only output so far. Now Mark Mangold (keys, DRIVE, SHE SAID, AMERICAN TEARS) brings back the original line-up. The magic of the beginning is still there. Bombastic melodies and amazing arrangements as well as a stunning artwork by Stan Decker. Wow!

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://youtu.be/N4ixoEuccEM

Swedish singer and multi-instrumentalist STEFAN BERGGREN (RAZORBACK, SNAKES IN PARADISE) with a new solo effort. Undoubtedly very much seventies-infused classic rock with a very bluesy and comfortable sound (“Superman“ or “These Are The Times“) and slightly queer but simply rocking (“Burning Burning (Last Band On Earth)“). If you are into acts in the vein of BAD COMPANY, FREE, WHITESNAKE or BACKWOOD SPIRIT, too, then you can’t go wrong here. An album like a travel in time.

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://youtu.be/OsH0J-pAhJA

SILENT WINTER from Greece formed in the mid-nineties but their debut came as late as 2018 and “Empire Of Sins“ picks up from there.. “Leave A Light On“ by BELINDA CARLISLE makes an interesting and surprising metal cover to be found at the end of the record. Frontman Mike Livas makes a really impressive job and offers quite a range vocally. SILENT WINTER are definitely one of the recent surprises to the scene. Thumbs up!.

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://youtu.be/imjNGqExt8k

If there’s something Italian bands can do pretty well, it’s symphonic and melodic metal and STRANGER VISION are no exception to the rule. “Peotica“ is full of anthems in the vein of BLIND GUARDIAN, SAVATAGE, SKYLARK or TWILIGHT FORCE. Guest appearances of Alessandro Conti (v, TRICK OR TREAT) or Zak Stevens (v, ex SAVATAGE, TSO) among others are the icing on the cake. Heavy, melodic, well-produced and partly orchestral: That’s what you get here!

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://youtu.be/l9MMtCqlegc