AGENT around frontman Rick Livingstone and their self-titled 1986 debut is a typical example of mid-eighties AOR. The Canadians are to be seen among SURVIVOR, SHELTER, SURRENDER or PREVIEW as well as MR.MISTER. Basically a flawless production with lots of keyboards, expressive vocals and sophisticated arrangements make this record a true gem of the genre. Too bad that problems with the label CBS/Virgin eventually led to the band dissolving shortly after the release, at least for a while. But these ten tracks are a really strong statement. Just check out "On The Radio". (MS)

The nineteenth (!), and likely the last, SINNER album is a real surprise. Mainman Mat Sinner (b/v, PRIMAL FEAR), together with Alex Scholpp (g) and Moritz Müller (d), is accompanied by numerous beloved voices like Michael Bormann (JADED HARD), Ronnie Romero (RAINBOW), Michael Sadler (SAGA), Björn “Speed” Strid (SOILWORK, TNFO) and Erik Mårtensson (ECLIPSE) focussing on melody foremost and giving the songs numerous different exciting shades. A true fireworks of melodic rock music with a massive production and... with balls! SINNER rocks! (MS)

GENERATION LANDSLIDE from Las Vegas with their sophomore album. Cool classic hard rock with some ALICE COOPER, THIN LIZZY or KISS vibes. The whole material of the band around drummer Anthony White (Ex-XCURSION, COLD SWEAT) is timeless, though, and in addition to that, the production is powerful and pristine. Especially the versatile guitars stick out for the most part. "Existence" carries ten authentic, rocking tracks that get you right away and bring good vibes. Just check out "Runnin' Outta Time" and "Be Here For You". (MS)

Given the personal involved, you have to be impressed big time. Nathan James (v, INGLORIOUS), Michael Sweet (g, STRYPER), Joel Hoekstra (g, ex NIGHTRANGER, ex WHITESNAKE), Marco Mendoza (b, DEAD DAISIES, ex WHITESNAKE) and Tommy Aldridge (d, WHITESNAKE) fully deliver timeless hard rock on their sophomore album. The two guitars complement each other very well and everything is said before about the powerful and multi-facetted voice of Nathan James. Just check out "Cry No More" and "Far Away". Style-wise, the main bands of the protagonists plus a slice of DOKKEN reflects the sound of the band perfectly. (MS)

French progressive rockers LALU around keyboarder and mainman Vivian Lalu deliver dreamlike soundscapes. Drummer Simon Phillips (ex TOTO, PROTOKOL) is the icing of the cake here with his precise and intelligent drumming. There is a lot of rock but also many cool melodies on this record. Let alone the teamwork of guitars and keyboards on "Mayacama (Instrumental)" shine. Frontman Martin LeMar fully convinces, too, with his versatile voice. "A Mythmaker’s Demise" isn’t just an album - it’s a wonderful time capsule of progressive rock’s soul, 20 years in the making. Enjoy the ride! (MS)

GERMAN outfit ILSY with roots in the nineties band SHEELA, that had considerable success in Asia foremost, describe themselves as seventies, eighties and nieties-influenced rock band with musicians that have played with numerous rather versatile artists like PUR to MARTIN MILLER or BOBBY KIMBALL before. The self-titled debut is not only full of musicianship and different but it bridges decades easily. It's a pretty mature and well-produced record with depth and some surprises. The energetic "Love Won't Come Around" is a fine appetizer showcasing the main ingrediences of the sound on "Ilsy". (MS)

ALLIANCE and their self-titled album from 1982 is an AOR classic in the vein of, for instance, TOTO, DAKOTA, LE ROUX, BOSTON oder FRANKIE & THE KNOCKOUTS. Comes with two bonus cuts from 1983 ("Leavin' For The Last Time" and "No More Running"). Truely unbelievable actually that this outfit only made a single album. The wonderful "Heaven Can Wait" alone justifies the purchase of this gem. Brilliant songwriting skills meet excellent musicianship and a (given the time, of course) strong production here. Must-have! (MS)

FOREIGNER has always been and still is a sensational live band. Although, there are likely more live outputs than studio records. But this one is truely special as it showcases all three vocalists (Lou Gramm, Kelly Hansen und Luis Maldonado). Recorded in September 2025 on a couple of shows in New York/Ellis Island as well as at a roof-top concert facing the Brookly-Bridge, including a SIMON & GARFUNKEL cover "Bridge Over Troubled Water", this album with its hits like "Double Vision" or "Juke Box Hero" is the soundtrack to the documentory by the same title. Massive! (MS)

ZAN/CODY is yet another collaboration of Zinny Zan (v, ZAN CLAN, EASY ACTION) und Harry Cody (g) who already played in SHOTGUN MESSIAH together. Listeners can expect sleazy hard rock without compromises, irresistable hooklines and the pure spirit of a band that once defined a whole genre, now reborn, louder and sharper than ever. The slightly darker touch in the sound suits the material pretty well. Just check out "Damn" or "Sever". The powerful mix of "Beautiful 'N Damned" was handled by Chris Laney (PRETTY MAIDS, AT THE MOVIES). (MS)

SHOW N TELL are about to kick some asses. Fast, melodic und anthemic traditional heavy metal with lots of eighties vibes. The band from Phoenix/Arizona sounds more direct and with less compromises on their sophomore album. Style-wise they can be put somewhere between DOKKEN, NIGHT DEMON, ACCEPT, SKULL FIST and ANNIHILATOR but seems to easily shape their own identity. Everything seems to be very, very right here in terms of songwriting and vocals (David Rodriguez) or production and visual presentation. Heavy metal is alive! (MS)

Christian Rock artist JORGE CANAN, formerly fronting RAZE and TOY CANNON, with an intense melodic hard rock output, which tells a Christian-infused story and carries a fitting message, though, but also works fine as an epic, touching rock album with satisfying tracks standing on its own. Just check out, for instance, the strong anthems "Rise Above It All" and "Fire In My Heart". The American singer and songwriter is highly suitable for lovers of e.g. ROB ROCK, NARNIA or even PETRA. Amen! (MS)

RARE FORM from Boston/USA and all the material they ever recorded on a beautiful double CD make up volume 24 of the "Lost U.S. Jewels" series. The band existed from 1989 to 1994 and, apart from beloved live shows, they put out three albums/demos on cassette only. Frontwoman Carol Hammond offers a regognizable voice with many different facettes. Therefore, highly suitable for lovers of e.g. SARAYA, HEART, WHITE LION or FEMME FATALE. Limited to 500 copies only, first time out on CD and extensive liner notes by Rob Evans. Grab it! (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)