Former FOREIGNER frontman LOU GRAMM, eternally connected to immortal tracks like "Say You Will" or "Jukebox Hero", surprises with this collection of for the most part unreleased song gems. These ten tracks are leftovers from the golden eighties, though, but nothing but awesome! A wonderful sound topped with this unique voice. A composition like "Time Heals The Pain", for instance, without a doubt, would have stormed the charts back in the day. The album title, given the story of this record, of course, is nothing but pure eye-twinkling irony. Probably one of the last chances to authentically dive into the best time for melodic rock music ever. Top! (MS)

Contemporary melodic rock and AOR as it can be is offered here by AFTERGLOW. The dominant keyboards frame the female vocals and also the pretty versatile guitars, that are never too much in the foreground, really well. Behind this project, there is mastermind Jim Shepard (LASTWORLD) who played all (!) instruments and, of course, the fine vocalist Celyn Chow. The production is pleasing and differentiated. Just check out "I'm Never Gonna Do It Again" with its dense atmosphere as well as the catchy and driving "Get It Right" that will provide good vives allover. (MS)

Third album of Dutch outfit SLEEZ BEEZ. Comes as a massive rerelease with a propper bonus disc containing fifteen tracks (alternate mixes, demos and live versions). The energetic, authentic sound of the band sounds like a cross between AC/DC and DEF LEPPARD. "Powertool", the third of four studio albums in total, is hair metal that used to become pretty rare in the early nineties, though. A little bit of dirt in the production suits the five-piece really well. Anthems like "Raise A Little Hell", "Watch That Video" or "I Don’t Want To Live Without You" are highlighted that way. (MS)

Unbelievable but the Swedes, despite several breaks active for roundabout forty years, still exist a little bit under the radar, although their mix of glam, sleaze and hard rock is pretty cool and definitely not the average stuff. Their (only) sixth album is probably not a surprise but the four-piece successfully showcases everything from fast rockers to mid-tempo tracks and even an emotional ballad ("Jane"). And the sound, too, is fine. Highly suitable for all lovers of HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, BABYLON BOMBS or PRETTY WILD and the like. (MS)

KERRIGAN once again deliver with album number two. The 2023 debut "Bloodmoon" has already been stirring up dust. The traditional heavy metal of the Freiburg/Germany-based band, that unfolds on "Wayfarer", is reminiscent of IRON MAIDEN as well as of STORMWARRIOR or TAILGUNNER. Wrapped into an authentic sound, that is not too polished, tracks like "Torchbearer" or "The Ice Witch" revive the recklessness of early eighties metal easily. Really nice to still have outfits like this four-piece carrying the torch of metal into a new era. Strong effort! (MS)

Wow! What is that? Right away, "Somewhere In This Universe" sounds like a cross between SAVATAGE and MEAT LOAF. Believe it or not, but it's true. NEVERLAND TRAIN do not hide their obvious idols at all. Mastermind and multi-instrumentalist Jens Faber (DAWN OF DESTINY) along with vocalist Marco Pastorino and drummer Patrick Klose present a truely stunning record. Production-wise and in terms of the visual presentation, "Alive In Hell" meets the high expectations easily, too. This German outfit is going to stirr up lots of attention for sure. The FIRE-INC. cover "Tonight Is What It Means To Be Young" is well done, too. (MS)

BLACKSTARS' sound is heavy/hard rock, heavily influenced by the bands that were popular during the golden era of this type of music in the ’80s and ’90s. We talk ACCEPT, KROKUS or RATT here, even though there are huge keyboards around. This seven-tracker is simply fun and delivers high songwriting quality plus a powerful sound. The Italian outfit and their debut EP with a certain underground charme should be on your radar. Just check out for example the casual rockers "Love ‘n’ Affection" und "Saints And Sinners". (MS)

The DANIEL GAZZOLI PROJECT from Italy with their sophomore album. The mastermind, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist himself along with vocalist Giacomo Rossi (EMBRACE OF SOULS) successfully combines AOR, hard and pomp rock to create melodic soundscapes. The sound is roughly similar to acts like SKAGARAK and PRETTY MAIDS. Strong tracks like "The Place Of My Heart", "I Will Carry On" or "On The Run" immediately stick in your ear and everything is wrapped into a fine and versatile production. Timeless music that should appeal to every rock fan. (MS)

PAGE99 easily brings back the soothing sound of seventies and eighties Westcoast. Wonderful music full of melancholy, deep emotion and sheer musical excellence. This Best-Of is a great compilation that covers the finest moments of their first three albums. The band around multi-instrumentalist John Nixon fully delivers as always. There are also four brand-new and well-crafted tracks on board, too. For fans digging TOTO, PAGES, DOOBIE BROTHERS, STEELY DAN or AIRPLAY and the like. Comes as high quality Japan CD. Thumbs up! (MS)

Finest Westcoast from one of the best songwriters of the genre in this day and age. The American RANDY GOODRUM with a new album, his first in six years, containing mostly his own songs, some of them already recorded by other artists, some of them previously unreleased. The sheer talent of RANDY GOODRUM is a match made in heaven when it comes to rather quiet songs with deep emotions, a bright star shining in terms of songwriting, production and music. Songs like a warm summer's rain. An album full of intimate moments and pure musicianship. (MS)