From the same label which brings us all those fantastic Lost U.S./U.K. jewels re-issues comes this Italian singer / songwriter. After many past and present collaborations with underground bands in the Milan area, the talented multi-instrumentalist Steve Emm (aka Stefano Mainini) last year decided to start his own Hard Rock/AOR project, simply called after his name. After a self released EP in 2019 he caught the attention of Steelheart Records which gave him the chance to record a full album. "First Strike" is a clear hommage on the glorious sound of the 80s AOR- and melodic rock era. Steve Emm might not be the next Mark Free, but he sings with power and passion  and the album should find a good home with AOR lovers.

Madonna, what a record Stefano Mainini aka Steve Emm has recorded! Well, the review might as well end here, because if you are a lover of aor/westcoast with the sound rooted in the early 80s, you should definitely buy and consume this record.

If the first album First Strike (review HERE) focused on '85 to '89 as references and offered songs that had their strength in the chorus hook, the atmospherics on this second Dangerous Goods are more dedicated to the pre-'85s, with insane attention to recreating the sounds of the era with detail, precision and a 360-degree view.

You breathe the air of American soloists à la Rick Springfield and Eddie Money, but also Benny Mardones, especially on vocals. From the first tracks the music flows like a river in the sounds of the eighties and the impression of a record straight out of that era is clear and consistent, also thanks to the timbre Steve managed to give to the sound, listen to the opener In And Out Of Love to believe it. Shock My Heart, with its potential radio hit structure, is more along the lines of the 'pop anthem' of those years. Power Switch is more laid back and quiet, while Girl Like You is a Huey Lewis And The News piece and immediately catapults you into Back To The Future atmospheres with its saxophone interludes. Other tracks of outstanding calibre are: Breakin' The Ice and Junk Love with an almost Survivor-like tempo, Lack Of Will with a blues soul and the closing ballad Every Little Piece Of My Heart where tribute is paid to Rick Springfield and we enjoy a chilling sax solo.

The whole album grows with each listen and gives an impression of maturity and confidence that is rare in these latitudes. Any American producer in his prime would have been desperate to get his hands on a batch of songs like this, and if Mecca's latest album has made use of Stefano's songwriting skills, it must mean something. The best release of the year so far at least, but I'm pretty sure it'll have no trouble making the top ten for many of us.

Hollywood, ca was the mecca of the hard rock world in the mid to late 1980s. bands were getting signed by major record companies left and right and even bands that didn't grasp the gold ring were receiving national and international acclaim from magazines both small and large. the five members of st. valentine were the epitome of the phrase "rock star’ during this time period.

As press outlets were singing their praises north american a&r people began paving attention and before long the band's phone was ringing off the hook. capturing the ear - and eve – of renowned bassist dana strum of slaughter and vinnie vincent's invasion, and a man who obviously knew a good thing when he heard it, st. valentine set up shop in various la area studios and got to work cutting demos to be sent to the a&r reps that had been knocking on their door, with one label, specifically - chrysalis records - in the hot seat.

While the band worked in the studio, they kept their live game up, consistently selling out shows at the country club, the roxy, whisky and gazzarri's every month. st. valentine looked like rock stars, they acted like rock stars and they had the rock star stage show to go along withit. they were destined for stardom... until record company focus changed and the slick and polished sound of st. valentine was no longer what everyone was looking for. time had moved on, unfortunately.

Thanks to the internet, however, interest in st. valentine has more than resurfaced, it's become explosive once again as facebook groups and internet forums devoted to that era has once again pushed the quintet from hollywood to the forefront of the ‘action.’

THE FLOOD, that‘s Chris Ousey (v, HEARTLAND, VIRGINIA WOLF, SNAKECHARMER), Jim Kirkpatrick (g, FM), Billy Sheehan (b, MR.BIG), Nigel Glockner (d, SAXON) and (!) Didge Digital (keys, ex-FM). Powerful, highly melodic hard rock that comes with a great production, too, and is crafted extremely well. „Hear Us Out" is already a highlight of the year. Let alone the title track or „Dangerous Dawn" and „Stand Up" shine. The vocals at times are surprisingly reminscent of Eric Martin (MR.BIG) and there are absolutely no fillers or average songs to be found on this hard rock output. Great record that brings togehter the individual talents of the protagonists in a magnificient way.!

Rather modern heavy or symphonic female-fronted metal with Marina La Torraca (EXIT EDEN, AVANTASIA) on vocals and some international musicians play music that fans of WITHIN TEMPTATION, DELAIN or LAST EDEN will dig. The song material might not be on a constant high level but offers melodic and dreamy moments as well as harder, riff orientated periods (e.g. "Apex"). The beautiful "Birdcage" might not be representative for the album but a true highlight nevertheless. The playful "Fragments" with its sophisticated breaks is definitely worth to be mentioned, too. Album number three of PHANTOM ELITE includes progressive elements as well ("Blue Blood"). A powerful production and quite an unusual artwork completes the picture here.

In the years since their formation in 2014, Brannon has released a total of six albums, spanning from acoustic singer-songwriter to hip-hop. But until now, songwriter Jonathon Brannon and singer David Cagle have only hinted at their ability to put together a fully-formed rock n’ roll album. That all changes with ‘Heartbreak is Misery’. The album features fourteen of the most attention-grabbing guitar-driven songs you will hear this year. “This is your moment,” Cagle sings in the memorable opening lines of ‘We Are Powerful.’ The track serves as a mission statement – bold, defiant, and full of gigantic hooks. On the ensuing tracks, they demonstrate a versatile mastery of the genre, from the moody grunge of ‘Hard Habit To Break’ to the power balladry of ‘Without You I’d Die.’ Brannon invites an impressive collection of guest artists to add their voices. R Reed makes notable appearances on both ‘Bad Love’ and ‘Goin’ For Mine’ also featuring Bobby John, while the Bowie-nod of ‘Life On Mars’ includes a great guest spot from Erika Schiff. ‘Never Gone’ provides an epic album highlight, while ‘Lie To Me’ explodes with pure adrenaline. Each track is full of significant moments, right down to the cathartic final notes of closer ‘On My Way.’ Above all, ’Heartbreak is Misery’ is the album that alt-rock fans have been waiting for.