A very reliable force on terms of melodic rock are the Americans PRIDE OF LIONS around songwriter Jim Peterik (g/v/keys, ex SURVIVOR, IDES OF MARCH, WORLD STAGE) and Toby Hitchcook (v). On album number eight, too, they and their stable line-up celebrate bombastic, melodic and simply touching sounds. "Unbridled" is full of epic tracks with tons of emotional drama and despite the rather dark artwork, you get a lot of positivity here. PRIDE OF LIONS always work best when the two main protagonists share lead vocals like on e.g. "What The Whole World Needs To Know" oder "Hell Or High Water". (MS)

The 2017 release of Italian outfit VOODOO HIGHWAY, their third, rocks. An impressive mix of classic hard rock in the vein of DEEP PURPLE, RAINBOW, LED ZEPPELIN und BLACK SABBATH waits of the lover of the genre. VOODOO HIGHWAY mix the fine songwriting of the late sixties with an extraordinary rhythm section which would have stand against the huge competitors of that era. Charismatic vocals, heavy Hammond sounds and, of course, wonderful guitars, those are the ingredients here for a massive classic rock album. Great stuff! (MS)

NARNIA from Sweden with record number ten. The Christian melodic metal band around gitarist CJ Grimmark and frontman Christian Liljegren, who shares vocal duties here with Grimmark and Jonatan „Jono" Samuelsson, puts out ten new blistering tracks that are among the best stuff the whole genre released over the last couple of years, though. A pristine and well-crafted production is given, too. Finest stuff for lovers of THEOCRAZY, SEVENTH WONDER, DYNAZTY, HAMMERFALL or even STRATOVARIUS. Just check out the anthemic "Oceanwide". NARNIA always delivers! Amen! (MS)

Classic British (blues) hard rock in the vein of FREE, BAD COMPANY, LED ZEPPELIN and FACES are onthe menu here. THE EXILES, that's basically Sean Manning (Ex-HURRICANE) on guitar and Paul Rafferty (BONHAM, JOE BONAMASSA). Originally released in 1996, "Turning Time" stayed under the radar for whatever reason, which is really surprising given the sheer quality of the material. Just check out "Rainmaker" and "Tearing Up A Storm". Comes fully remastered, with new artwork/booklet and five bonus tracks. Highly suitable for lovers of ARC ANGEL and THE BLACK CROWES, too. (MS)

KIX frontman STEVE WHITEMAN with his solo debut, which originally came out in 2021. The American mostly roams the same territory as GREAT WHITE, THE BLACK CROWES or AEROSMITH but, of course, also long-time KIX fans will definitely dig this album. At times it is slightly bluesy, at times pretty catchy hard rock with a very charismatic voice, although it lacks the good times feel of his mainband here and there. Tracks like "Talking Bout Luv" or "Do Me Like You Done Me Before" are quite fitting first appetizers. Limited to 500 copies. (MS)

THE SQUIDS, founded in 1988, and their 1990 debut, which only came out on cassette back in the day, is melodic hard rock with meaningful lyrics. Lovers of bands like MR. BIG, DRIVIN' & CRYIN', TESLA and BADLANDS will love the material for sure. Other than their competitors at the time, the guys around guitarist and songwriter Chip Coleman did not focus mainly on becoming the next big thing, but rather concentrated on and fully studied their obvious idols from the seventies like HUMBLE PIE, LED ZEPPELIN, ALICE COOPER or CHEAP TRICK. (MS)

American power metal outfit PANZER DIVISION from Washington recorded these tracks back in 1984. Lost for decades, these heavily NWOBHM-influenced tracks see an official release for the first time ever. TYGERS OF PAN TANG, TANK, RIOT und TWISTED SISTERS are reliable references here. The sound is authentic and showcases the huge potential of the band easily. This five-tracker might be short but cracking. "Fast Train To Nowhere" provides a great first glimpse. (MS)

We talk a rerelease here of the debut of American band JAX from New York that originally came out unter the title "Half Cocked & Fully Loaded" on a small label under the radar. A deal with the German department of CBS caused lots of trouble with the American office of CBS back in the day, in 1989 to be precise, which eventually shelved the record in the first place and ended the band soon after. This rerelease comes with the original fifteen tracks plus three solo tracks by frontman Thomm Jack as bonus. First class hard and timeless hard rock with many enery-driven and catchy compositions. (MS)

JARED JAMES NICOLS is old school hard rock. "Louder Than Fate" is the fourth output of the guitarist, vocalict and songwriter and a burst of energy. Loud, honest, and deeply human, this is JARED JAMES NICHOLS at his absolute best, putting his heart and soul into the ten tracks on the album. Bluesy and at the same time riff-orientated guitars with cool hooklines. Listening to, for instance, "Ghost" or "Bending Or Breaking" you can literally smell and actually feel the Live Club he often plays in. Strong effort for lovers of e.g. THUNDER and QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE. Produced and mixed by Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STONE SOUR, STEEL PANTHER). (MS)