BLUE DESERT is a fine Swedish West Coast project that shines with great songwriting, top-notch production and renowned singers such as Jan Johansen, Michael Landau, Clif Magness, Tommy Funderburk and guitarists Bruce Gaitsch & Michael Thompson. The tracks include original compositions by Stigge Ljunglof & Pelle Svensson as well as material by Richard Marx, Bruce Gaitsch and Jason Scheff. A must for fans of the aforementioned musicians and the slightly more rock-oriented West Coast sound!Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

A wonderful - originally digital only planned - EP of Swedish outfit DEGREED, provided by Italian melodic label Frontiers with three bonus cuts. Bridging the gap until the next regular studio release, this EP delivers unreleased material and alternative versions full of exciting moments. Absolute highlights are the amazing power ballad "Hard To Be Human" and the powerful Alexi Laiho tribute "Wildchild". Finest melodic rock with slices of progressive rock and metal is what you get here. DEGREED is one of the bands out there with a really distinctive soundscape. (MS)

British musician and vocalist SCOTT FREE delivers a pure AOR record in the vein of classic SURVIVOR. After the debut "Right Before Your Eyes" (2023) there's the sophomore album now. It's an album like a warm summer rain or a travel in time back to the eighties. But wait! Some of the songs have been actually been penned in the eighties already, with experts like producer Dave King (FM) or JOHN PARR. "Loneliness Of The Long Distance Lover" is one of numerous highlights here. Even though there are many ballad-like songs, you also find rocking tracks on "Breaking Loose". (MS)

Katie Borman (v, KAHIRA) with her first English album. Husband Michael Bormann (MICHAEL BORMANNS JADED HARD) co-wrote and played on the material and did a good job in terms of production. Numerous high-calibre musicians like Pete Alpenborg (g, ARCTIC RAIN), Mika Brushane (d, IMPERIUM) or Eric Ragno (keys, LIBERTY N' JUSTICE, LONDON) play on the record. It's a cross between AOR and melodic hard rock with a slice of pop, though. Check out the catchy single "You´re Not Living My Life" as a starter. Lots of eighties-flavored good times vibes. IMKT rocks! (MS)

SWEET FREEDOM, originally founded as a solo project of Swedish keyboarder Jörgen Schelander during the pandemic, has become a real band by now with album number two. Powerful classic rock with one of the best voices of the genre, Matti Alfonzetti (SKINTRADE, JAGGED EDGE), who replaces Stefan Nyqvist. Alfonzetti does a great job here. You get ten songs that are like a travel in time like right away the first few moments of the opening track "Infinity" easilyshow. Exciting guitars and mighty keyboards can be found. Essential stuff for lovers of BLACK PAISLEY for example. Strong effort! (MS)

BLACK JACK, an Indian hard rock band with female vocals, delivers a versatile effort by the name of "XXI" which incorporates elements of melodic metal, AOR and even classic hard rock. Frontwoman Chenie Sintang offers an impressive performance and the songwriting, too, as well as the blistering production is of the better kind in all respects. A record highly suitable for lovers of CHEZ KANE, CASSIDY PARIS, VIXEN or even THUNDERMOTHER. Tracks like "Chains Of Renegade" or "High School Haze" are absolutely worth checking out. They are fun and they rock! (MS)

Greek band WILD ROSE re-release their second album "Dangerous" from 2013 with an extended booklet and four bonus cuts featuring Mark Thompson Smith on vocals and original guitar player John Bitzios as "Too Dangerous". You get beautiful AOR with huge melodies and exciting arrangements and everything is well-produced. "I Can't Stop Loving You" and "If You Still Love Me", for instance, are absolute highlights. Mastermind Andy Rock (g) and the guys do a great job in bringing this gem, which has been out of print in a long time, back to life again. (MS)

German band DRAGONSFIRE puts out a new album, celebrating their twentish anniversary and fifteen years after their last output "Metal Service". The line-up changed quite a bit but the old spirit is still there. Produced by Rolf Munkes (CREMATORY). A charming underground vibe, which comes without any compromises, is surounding the whole material of which "We Ride" and foremost "Speak Of War" are sticking out positively. Suitable best for lovers of MYSTIC PROPHECY, WIZARD or STORMWARRIOR and the like. A nice surprise is the positive "80's Boys". Comes with one bonus cut and two re-recorded songs. (MS)

Really fine US metal pearls roughly in the vein of ARMORED SAINT and early PRETTY MAIDS wait for you - for the first time on CD. SURGICAL STEEL from Phoenix/Arizona rock like hell. Both albums have been shelved in the archives for roundabout forty years for whatever reason. Only a couple of songs have been published on demos. Derek Kendal (v, HOOKER) joined the band with these songs, just like Rik Fox (b, W.A.S.P.). Comes remastered and with an extended 20-page-booklet with tons of pictures and the like. "Crank It Up!" offers several highlights just like the anthemic "Tonight" or the powerful "Hotwire". (MS)

Really fine US metal pearls roughly in the vein of ARMORED SAINT and early PRETTY MAIDS wait for you - for the first time on CD. SURGICAL STEEL from Phoenix/Arizona rock like hell. Both albums have been shelved in the archives for roundabout forty years for whatever reason. Only a couple of songs have been published on demos. Undisputable highlight on "Metal From America" is the cool "Smooth And Fast" with guest (backing)vocals by the one and only Rob Halford (JUDAS PRIEST). Frontman Jeff Martin left SURGICAL STEEL in order to join RACER X later on. Comes remastered and with an extended 20-page-booklet with tons of pictures and the like. (MS)

CROWNE is a melodic rock/AOR supergroup for sure. The Swedes Alexander Strandell (v, ART NATION, NITRATE), Jona Tee (keys, H.E.A.T), John Leven (b, EUROPE), Love Magnusson (g, DYNAZTY) and Christian Lundqvist (d, ex-POODLES) are nothing but a match made in heaven and incorporate some melodic metal elements, too. The third album "Wonderland", just like "Kings In The North" (2021) and "Operation Phoenix" (2023), is some kind of musical fireworks. "Warlords Of The North", co-written by SAXON frontman Biff Byford, is an epic song and a good first impression as well. So is the energetic title track, too. (MS)

A Swedish metal project by the name of SKULL REVENGE with different vocalists like e.g. Thomas Vikström (THERION, CANDLEMASS), Christian Liljegren (NARNIA) or Peter Östros (JADED HEART) arouses attention. Musically it strongly hints at KAMELOT, EVERGREY or BLOODBOUND but there are also influences detectable from BLACK SABBATH, HELLOWEEN or AVANTASIA and the like. The production is massive and powerful. An exciting debut indeed! The fantastic title song alone is worth buying the album just like "This Once Broken Tree". (MS)

RUST N' RAGE from Finland deliver big time in many ways with their sophomore album. Sleaze rock with balls packed in a powerful setting with a rather contemporary sound. The four-piece Vince (v), Johnny (g), Jezzie (b) and Eddy (d) definitely knows their stuff. "Songs Of Yesterday" is a high-energy dose of rock packed with powerful anthems, memorable choruses, infectious guitar solos and explosive rhythms. Just check out "Hey Jane" or "Rollin' Till The Morning" for a start. It's a band which obviously enjoys themselves. (MS)

STRANGERS from Madrid/Spain with album number four since 2013. New on "Boundless" on vocals is Celia Barloz and the sound in general is a bit heavier compared to earlier releases of the band. Eleven tracks full of passion and equipped with a certain heaviness are to be discovered here. Just check out for instance "Into The Night", "Still The One" or "Worth A Shot". There are absolutely no fillers on this good effort and a lot of little surpising elements. They are boundless! The production is pretty fresh and slightly different from the usual Frontiers releases. (MS)

Australian artist JOHN PAUL YOUNG puts out "One Foot In Front" in 1983 which eventually got renamed in "Soldier Of Fortune" for the European market in 1984. "Soldier of Fortune" is one of the four singles of the album of which "War Games" also sticks out in a positive way. It captures the spirit of the early eighties perfectly blending pop and melodic rock in a very pleasant way, too. Comes fully remastered sound-wise and with the addition of seven bonus cuts which are alternate mixes and partly unreleased songs alike! Strong effort! (MS)

Love/Hate returns with Punk Rock Fiesta! A high-octane blast of no-frills, streetwise rock 'n' roll. Loud, fast, and loaded with attitude, this album channels the raw, rebellious spirit that made the band a Sunset Strip legend. From blistering riffs to anthemic hooks, this is rock at its most unapologetic.
"Punk Rock Fiesta" continues with the sound that is just timeless. The guys are band leader Jizzy Pearl deliver a high class album for fans of the band which includes the highlight track "You're Gonna Burn". One of the original bands from the Hair Metal & Glam Rock with one of the best new albums from the genre since a while! Comes as digi-pak. (BS)

RUSSELL HITCHCOCK, well-known voice of AIR SUPPLY, with his 2011 solo album, which only saw a limited distribution back then. Mostly ballad-like AOR tunes are given here but the original, slightly punchier and anthemic mix is used on this release, which actually suits the material very well. The Australian vocalist has got an emotional and expressive sound in his voice. Limited to 1000 units and expanded by a (strong) bonus song by the name of "I Can't Stay Away" are selling points as well. "Never Say Never" is an eternal anthem, though. (MS)