Former ART OF ILLUSION protagonists Anders Rydholm (g/keys/b, ex-GRAND ILLUSION) und Lars Säfsund (v, WORK OF ART) with a fantastic piece of work. Twelve tracks full of magic combining the best elements of the rich CHICAGO and TOTO universe. Numerous guests, real horns, amazing guitars, a stellar vocal performance and most of all, more melody and groove than legally allowed by the police. A pristine and powerful production highlighting each and every single detail in a lovely and perfect way. A beatifully-crafted artwork completes the picture in an impressive way. "Don't Make Me Do It", "The Bet" or "Bucket List" are only three examples of Westcoast heaven. (MS)

Catalyst is an American Christian rock band that was active between 1987 and 1991.The band's album "Paradise", originally released in 1990, features great, contemporary melodic rock with extremely high vocals by Walt Wise, which is in no way inferior in quality to other Christian rock bands from the era! Driver, Stryper & Bride, but also Dokken send their regards! With drummer Stephan Roland, the group also had a former Bride musician on board.This re-issue CD will be released on the Italian label Minotauro and is limited to 300 copies.(BS)

Spain and AOR, that's a remarkably fine match recently. IAN WILDE, former frontman of WILD FREEDOM, puts out a fine and pure AOR record. Ten at least good compositions with a certain ear candy guarantee and a fitting production arouse attention, even though programmed drums and a little bit of an accent in the vocals weaken the impression a little bit here. The futuristic artwork is a nice piece of art and also there are no fillers whatsoever. A suitable first glimpse into the album is the irresistable "Close Your Eyes". The name IAN WILDE is one to be remembered. (MS)

Denmark is the home of this young but experienced outfit. Frontman Kris and the guys are very active in terms of live gigs which is obvious in the material here, which sounds mature and fresh at the same time. "Look At Me Now", the fourth output of JUNKYARD DRIVE, suits fans of outfits like DANKO JONES, RIVAL SONS, THE HELLACOPTERS, D:A:D ,but also ECLIPSE to a certain degree, really well. Produced by Soren Andersen (e.g. THUNDERMOTHER, GLENN HUGHES). Powerful, authentic, honest - that's how hard rock should be like! Just check out "Somewhere To Hide" and "Black Wolf". (MS)

Scottish band GUN with their first brand new album since 2017 and their ninth in total. Simple but effective rockers ("All Fired Up") next to grungy sounds ("Take Me Back Home"). "Hombres" is an exciting rock album which is not afraid to cite its obvious nineties and alternative rock roots. "Hombres" is an exciting rock album, though. Probably not that suitable for traditionalists but even more valuable for open-minded rock fans. A powerful production and pretty charismatic vocals (Dante Gizzi) are additional arguments for sure. There is a little bit of D:A:D in their sound. (MS)

PRAYING MANTIS are absolutely reliable suppliers of melodic hard rock with a slice of NWBHM. Brothers Troy, Tony (g) and Tino (b) and the guys have a fine sense of melody. The British outfit has it all on album number thirteen. There is a fresh, contemporary production at times. Frontman Jaycee Cuijpers (AYREON) seems to be in best shape. Epic tracks ("From The Start" or "Forever In My Heart") feel fine next to solid rockers ("Never Can Say Goodbye") or slightly poppy tunes ("One Heart"). A cover of RAINBOW's "I Surrender" completes the picture in an impressive way. Truly a remarkable record! (MS)

KING ZEBRA from Switzerland play classic hard rock and are able to fully convince with their fourth album or their fifth output if we include the strong 2019 self-titled EP. The former CHINA frontman Eric St. Michaels and the guys definitely know their stuff big time. Tracks like "Children Of The Night", "Wicked" oder "Dina" among others are nothing bur ear-candy. A fine piece of melodic hard rock with a strong voice, exceptional songwriting and an impressive production. Lovers of FIGHTER V, CHINA or GOTTHARD will be highly pleased. (MS)

VANDEN PLAS play progressive metal in a very straight way without compromises. Long, epic and complex tracks but constantly melodic and full of atmospere. New member on keyboards is Alessandro DelVecchio (keys, u.a. HARDLINE, EDGE OF FOREVER). Let alone the title track shine. Fans of the German band and the whole genre will be extremely pleased. In comparison to the latest outputs of the band, the new material offers a certain "back to the roots" attitude, though. A massive banger after a four-year hiatus. Thumbs up!(MS)

Melodic power metal with illustrous guests dueting with PERSEUS frontman Antonio Abate. Intersting foremost for lovers of the genre for sure is "Into The Silence" with Roberto Tiranti (v, LABYRINTH) and a solo by Aldo Lonobile (g, SECRET SPHERE). Other guests singing are Davide Damna Moras (ELVENKING), Francesco Cavalieri (WIND ROSE) or Stefania Irullo (ex-ELEGY OF MADNESS). A great record in the tradition of leading acts of the genre like for instance LABYRINTH, RHAPSODY or SKYLARK. The Italians present their swords and ride into battle. (MS)

Lypswitch were a band from Florida who moved to Los Angeles at the end of the 1980s in order to make their breakthrough there. Unfortunately, this was by and large denied them, but that doesn't make "World Of Sin" a bad album. Fans of Guns N' Roses, L.A. Guns, Bang Tango and Love/Hate in particular should have a lot of fun here. In addition to the 14 original songs, three bonus tracks have also made it onto the album. Produced by Alex Woltman (Kick Axe, Lizzy Borden, Malice, Motley Crue, Quiet Riot, W.A.S.P.) and Elliot Soloman (Quiet Riot, Lizzy Borden, King Kobra. "World Of Sin" was remastered by Anthony Focx (Ace Frehley, Aerosmith, Foreigner, L.A. Guns, Night Ranger). (BS)

Split Image are a band from Florida who fell victim to the emerging grunge wave in the early 1990s and were still able to stir up some dust in the local scene at the time. "Phoenix" contains six remixed and remastered songs from the 1992 demo "Strawberry Jam" such as "Roses" and "Dead President" and six new tracks. Musically, Split Image and singer Jason Morey give the impression of being somewhere between Dokken and Dio in the early 90s. Very cool disc! (BS)

LIPZ, that's the brothers Alexander (v/g) und Koffe (d) Klintberg as well as Conny Svärd (g) and Chris Young (b). Their sleaze and glam rock is an interesting mixture of WIG WAM, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, CONFESS und RECKLESS LOVE. The Swedish outfit rocks and grooves like hell on their sophomore album and delivers the neccessary looks and attitute for the given genre, too. The production is versatile and sounds really good and powerful. Just check out "I'm Going Under", "Bang Bang" und "Stop Talking About ...". To cut a long story short: The Swedes can do. (MS)

The Swedes CRUZH sound slightly heavier and more guitar-driven than on the previous effort "Tropical Thunder" (2021), which might well be result of adding a second guitar player (Johan Öberg). Catchy anthems, big arrangements and mature songwriting are essentials here. Frontman Alex Waghorn (ex REACH) totally delivers, though. Eleven tracks in the very vein of H.E.A.T., WILDNESS or AGE OF REFLECTION. Good time vibes guaranteed! Just check out the energetic "SkullCruzher" or "At The Radio Station". Thumbs up! (MS)

STAR.GATE is a very catchy, Greek melodic metal band from Thessaloniki, whose line-up includes Manos Fatsis (HIDEAWAY, CITY OF LIGHTS, among others), a very strong singer. "Escaping The Illusion" is the band's sixth album. Over long stretches, the top-produced work with its numerous neoclassical facets is reminiscent of the musical splendours of YNGWIE MALSTEEN a la "Odyssey" and "The Seventh Sign". For fans of Fatsi's vocals and the late 80s and early 90s works of MALMSTEEN as well as IMPELLITTERI from the same era, this is a hot ticket! 5 bonus tracks - incl. some acoustic material. (BS)

Aussie band AVION's two acclaimed studio albums 'Avion' (1983) and 'White Noise' (1986) have both been the subject of bootlegs but have never had an official CD re-release so far. MelodicRockClassics now are officially releasing these two albums and the record "Live" in remastered (JK Northrup) and expanded versions. The self-titled debut, originally released in 1983 by RCA Records and produced by Bob Clearmountain, here includes two single stracks as bonus. Awesome band with classic AOR releases for any fan of mid 80's Classic Rock and BOSTON, NEW ENGLAND, AVIATOR and FOREIGNER! (BS)

The two highly acclaimed studio albums "Avion" (1983) and "White Noise" (1986) by the Australian band AVION were only available as bootlegs, but have never been officially re-released on CD. MelodicRockClassics is now officially reissuing these two gems and the record "Live" in remastered (JK Northrup) and extended versions. The second album, originally released in 1986, contains two B-sides as a bonus. A great band with classic AOR releases for any fan of mid-80s classic rock and BOSTON, NEW ENGLAND, AVIATOR and FOREIGNER! (BS)

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS with album number two. The all-star project from Escape Music contains five cover versions like for instance EUROPE ("Girl From Lebanon") with Tanya Rizkala (EPIC), SAXON ("Princess Of The Night") with Jeff Scott Soto or TEN ("The Robe") with Paul Manzi (THE SWEET) singing. But also the six original tracks are pretty stunning. They are written for instance by Steve Overland (FM) or Mikael Rosengren (CONSTANCIA, HEARTWIND), who wrote most of the 2022 debut. Great stuff which showcases an incredible amount of talent! Amazing! (MS)