Norwegean band Da VINCI with a full bunch of unreleased material from back in the day. The double-decker "Unfinished Business" sheds some light again on the hard rock band that used to be active mostly end of the eighties and early nineties. The band could not get an international, commercial break-through despite remarkable sales in Norway and Japan, though. Let alone "Wait For You", pretty much STAGE DOLLS, and "Where The Eagles Die" with its mighty chorus shine. The second CD delivers demos and alternative versions of well-known tracks of DA VINCI and, to cut it short, we talk a great release here. (MS)

PHANTOM BLUE, all female hard rock outfit from the States, can be considered as a harder, more guitar-driven version of VIXEN on their 1989 debut given here. Marty Friedman (MEGADETH) partially co-wrote and co-produced the album. Frontwoman Gigi Hangach and Michelle Meldrum (g) are pretty remarkable and essential to the band's sound. Remastered by the one and only Bill Metoyer. Only nine songs, not even 32 minutes long but a very intense record with shining highlights such as "Going Mad" or "Frantic Zone". (MS)

There are quite many so-called supergroups in classic hard rock. And then there is BLUE MURDER. John Sykes (v/g, WHITESNAKE), Tony Franklin (b, THE FIRM) and Carmen Appice (d, VANILLA FUDGE, KING KOBRA) created magic here. This debut is one of the very best records of the later eighties. The insanely powerful sound (Bob Rock and Mike Fraser), the incredible songwriting and last but not least the whole spirit of the record basically make it some kind of follow-up to WHITESNAKES "1987". Just check out the single "Jelly Roll". Even though the big commercial success did not happen back in the day, it's nothing but a classic among classics. Period. A must-have! (MS)

Contemporary, slightly funky and massively groovy hard rock with a huge production. Italian outfit TRIDELI convince you with versatile and unforeseeable songwriting. A record with many surprises and a truely great voice in person of Marco Bucci. Songwriter and producer Mike Della Bella delivers a unique and really special band that will hopefully put out more cool music in the future. Tracks like "Here And Now" or "The Loser" make you love them right away. Somewhere between DAN REED NETWORK, DAUGHTRY and THE ANSWER. Unbelievable but true! (MS)

BLUD Blud from London/England and their melodic hard rock in the vein of . DANGER, TUFF, TIGERTAILZ or FASTER PISSYCAT xxx. BLUE BLUD, that could arouse attention with their 1989 album "The Big Noise" recoreded one or the other demo prior to it and partly released them, too. This collection paints an exciting picture of a then hungry band. You can't expect a top-notch production, though, but that would actually not fit the band, too. Just check out the secret hit "It Never Rains In England". BLUE BLUD did have way more potential than they showcased up to 1991 on their two albums in total. (MS)

GUS G., guitarist of FIREWIND fame, with his first solo effort in five years is back. "Nothing Can Break Me" sees the German metal queen DORO (v) and "Dancing With Death" surprises with Matt Barlow (ex-ICED EARTH) on vocals. Additional guests are Ronnie Romero (RAINBOW) und Dino Jelusick (u.a. ex ANIMAL DRIVE, ELUSICK). Of course, we rather talk a pure metal album here, but one with not only brilliant guitars as one can excpect but also respectable and decent songwriting in general. The production, too, is truely a good one. "Steel Burner" is hot. (MS)

American outfit NAUGHTY NAUGHTY from Chicago are a typical "end of eighties band and then came Grunge" story. They have everything, the very looks, the sound and the type of melodic songwriting which pretty much appeals to fans of POISON or FASTER PUSSYCAT among others. But the truth is, too, they didn't stand a chance back in 1991. The band called it a day and all that remains today are these fine songs that, thanks to FnA Records, finally see the light of day. "World Around" is a great example showcasing the slightly sleazy touch of the four-piece. (MS)

Founded 1990, the Americans VAUDVILLE are yet another of those short-lived bands that emerged from the famous club scene of the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, they disbanded already in 1993. "Exit To Hollywood" consists of the only two demos they did in the first place and offers cracking, powerful hard rock with a little portion of glam metal, too. Dave LaChance (g, ex-RATED X) and the guys rock like there is no tomorrow. Just check out the melodic "Shake" that could easily be a track by the mighty SKID ROW. Also "Thicker Than Blood" is a great one. (MS)

FIGHTER V from beautiful Switzerland and their very melodic hard rock with album number three. Inspired by the usual suspects WHITESNAKE, SURVIVOR or BON JOVI, this four-piece manages to transport the classic sounds into the here and now without much effort. Swiss bands nowadays obviously go way beyond sounds in the vein of KROKUS and the like but easiiy touch the grounds of contemporary Swedish acts like H.E.A.T. or ECLIPSE. An example? "Raging Heartbeat" with its powerful riffing and its cool hook should be proof enough. (MS)

CAVE is the "baby" of Chris Lorey (g, IVANHOE) and this sophomore album is even better than the strong debut " Out Of The Cave" (2024). It's energetic and riff-based metal with balls. Some guests like Ronnie Munroe (v, ex METAL CHURCH), who sang on the debut, or Stefan Lill (g, VANDEN PLAS) are the icing on the cake here. A powerful, authentic production gives the songs the air to breathe. "Rise!" or "This Is Us", for example, are compositions that lovers of QUEENSRYCHE, SAVATAGE or MASTERPLAN will dig for sure. Another undeniable argument is new fronter Tommy Laasch (CHINCHILLA), who fully delivers. (MS)

STEEL SEAL from beautiful Italy with their fourth effort. The neo-classical power metal and hard rock also incorporates elements of traditional British bands like RAINBOW or DEEP PURPLE. On vocals you get the mighty Fabio Lione (u.a. RHAPSODY), which is quite a good argument here but also the songwriting does not have to hide from the usual competitors. Therefore, LABYRINTH, RHAPSODY, VISION DIVINE or SKYLARK are references, of course. The production is charmingly a bit Underground, though. Raise your swords! Attack! (MS)

Melodic rock with female vocals frm Spain, that's Xtasy for many years. "Phoenix", their fourth effort, could easily be their best and most versatile so far. "Can’t Get Enough" is probably the heaviest track in the band's catalogue yet, but it fits them pretty well. Vocalist Silvia and also the guitars (Jorge Olloqui) showcase much flexibility within the stylistic frame of the melodic genre. And "We Live and Die for Rock ‘n Roll" will become the eternal band anthem for sure. "Time We Won’t Forget" is yet another piece of ear candy here. A great record! (MS)

 The 1983 EP of the US metallers TAKESHI comes as a fine rerelease by Heaven & Hell Records with four bonus tracks, one of which live, a splendid booklet and remastered sound. The New Yorkers will definitely please fans of KISS, TWISTED SISTER, RATT, MÖTLEY CRÜE or LONDON. "Mad Max" provides quite a good impression of the four-piece. TAKESHI and their riff-based, but constantly melodic compositions are an authentic sound experience from the glory days of rock when rock bands seemed to be unstoppable. (MS)

 DOGBANE from North Carolina/USA with their fourth album in total. Like the first three. It's full of traditional US metal in the vein of bands like RIOT, TROUBLE or ARGUS. Limited to only 300 copies, without a doubt making it a true collector's item. Mastering by Ty Tabor (KING'S X). Just check out "No Permission Given" which is reminiscent of BLACK SABBATH for the most part or the powerful "Dancing In The Ashes". "From The Womb To The Tomb" is certainly not typicxal party metal but a collection of songs that definitely go deep. (MS)