Westcoast of the finest sort with Lars Säfsund (WORK OF ART, RYDHOLM/SÄFSUND, ex-LIONVILLE) singing. For whatever reason this gem is available in Japan only. and as an import, of course. The Swedish songwriter Jacob Borgenstierna is the creative mastermind behind ASPEN CREEK. This fantastic record will definitely appeal to fans of CWF and RYDHOLM/SÄFSUND, if not make them feel ekstatic. A pristine production is the icing of the cake here. The only negative aspect ist that "Tomorrow Take You Home" has "only" got eight songs. Just check out the woderful "Lighthouse" and the hookline monster "Caraline". (MS)

THE BIG DEAL offers two female vocalists. Nevena Brankovic (keys) und Ana Nikolic deliver a strong performance. Songs partly written by Anders Wikstrom (TREAT) and Jona Tee (H.E.A.T.) are an another strong argument here. This outfit offers a lot of potential and is able to set the bar even higher compared to their debut "First Bite" (2022). Srdjan Brankovic (g) shows some nice guitar skills. Massive keyboards, emotional vocals and mostly anthem-like songs are on the menu, though. At times reminiscent of WITHIN TEMPTATION, DELAIN or NEVARA. Check out "Survivor" and "Break Down The Walls". Cool record! (MS)

LANDFALL around vocalist exeptional Gui Oliver (ex-AURAS) plays pure melodic rock with elements of AOR. The Brazilian outfit showcases a great talent when it comes to songswriting and arrangements which suits tracks like "Tree Of Life" or "Running In Circles" extremely well. Another track definitely worth mentioning is the beauitiful "Higher Than The Moon" with it's cool breaks and guitar lines. LANDFALL follows the path of the really good debut "The Turning Point" from 2020 here although not every single composition meets this quality. But there is not a single weak song, too. (MS)

Swiss hard rock like only Swiss hard rock can be. TEMPESTA are together for thirty years by now and their sixth album "Reborn" contains minor influences from southern rock and country and is equipped with a powerful, contemporay production. Highlights are the rather dark "Reason" and the wonderful country ballad "Carolina". Cool, too, is the cover version of ZZ TOP's "Sharp Dressed Man" with KROKUS legends Marc Storace (v) and Freddy Steady Frutig (d) guesting as well as MEGAWATT guitarrist Marco Gassner. TEMPESTA rock and they do so somewhere in-between KID ROCK, KROKUS, SHAKRA und NICKELBACK! (MS)

RIGORIOUS and their pretty promising melodic power metal make you listen instantly. The young German outfit does lots of things in a propper way. The sophomore album of the band, which was founded in 2021, follows the path of the debut "Night Of Retribution" (2022) without any compromises. Possible references are for instance the likes of ORDEN OGAN, POWERQUEST, SERIOUS BLACK, SABATON or even TERRA ATLANTICA. The epic "Ignite The Flame" is one of many highlights on "Kingdom Unfold". just as the anthem-like "Into The Sea". Thumbs up, boys! (MS)

The very last MAGNUM live document with founding member and songwriter Tony Clarkin (g) who unfortunately passed away in early 2024. A strong seltlist, a powerful sound and simply a great portion of sheer magic, that's what you get here on "Live At KK's Steelmill", which was recorded on December 10th, 2022 in Wolverhampton/UK. Eternal classics like "Vigilante", "Kingdom Of Madness" or "On A Storyteller's Night" easily bridge the gap to more recent compositions like "Lost On The Road To Eternity" or "Dance Of The Black Tattoo". R.I.P. Tony and thanks for all the music. (MS)

Poppy rock or rather soft rock from 1979. The self-titled debut of COUCHOIS offers a lot. The likes of AMERICA, BOSTON, ORLEANS or STINGRAY seem to be references here although the sound of the four-piece is quite uniquwe, too. The Americans only put two albums while active from 1979 to 1981. The debut we have at hand here is a strong statement and a great example of the melodic rock music of that era and it still shines today, too. Tracks like "Doing It In Darkness", "Going To The Races" or "I Could Never Take Her Away From You" will make lovers of the genre and Westcoast fans smile. (MS)

HOLLAND from the US put out quite a remarkable album, unfortunately their only release, in 1985. This rerelease comes remastered but without any bonus content. Once again a hidden gem, which was released on CD only in small amounts in 2003 and on vinyl and cassette only back in the day, resurfaces thank to Bad Reputation Records. Luckily, this fine and powerful piece of arena rock has been dug out. "Little Monsters" definitely deserves this refreshed attention. The melodic "Middle Of A Dream" or the pretty heavy "Wake Up The Neighborhood" showcase lots of hit potential, though. (MS)

Canadian outfit FAST TRAIN UNION put out their 2012 album "FTU II" again. other than on their latest album "Analog Outliers", which came out in 2024, there are not only classic hard rock sounds but bits and pieces of Stoner Rock and even Doom, too. Therefore, "FTU II" is a cool and versatile record with highlights by the name of "Alethia", "Sweet Water" or "So Far Away". A fine production and pretty mature songwriting guarantee a high rating, though. If you are into the likes DOKKEN or ELECTRIC WIZARD, for instance, you can't go wrong here. (MS)

You want a huge amout of eighties metal? ELECTRIC TEMPLE offers eight tracks and frontmann Andrew Freeman (LAST IN LINE) is no stranger to the scene, just like his band mates Mike Duda (b, W.A.S.P.), Matt Starr (d, ex ACE FREHLEY, ex MR.BIG) and mastermind Tony Childs (g, SHANGHAI). The performance is pretty good but in terms of songwriting there might be some room left, though. Nevertheless, tracks like "Streets Of Pain" or "Big Black Hole" are pretty cool. Highly suitable for fans of LORDS OF BLACK or PRIMAL FEAR. Horns up! (MS)