THE BRAVE is a Christian rock band from the USA and their seventh output by now called "Carneval Of Sin" is packed with arena rock and massive melodies.The band, who is more or less active for more than three decades delivers an impressive sense for hooklines, exciting song structures and meaningful lyrics. Check out the mighty title track first. STRYPER probably hasn't put out such a song in decades. Other highlights of the album include "When You Believe" and "Lifeline". A blistering production with balls and a very beautiful, detailled artwork completes the picture here. (MS)

Huge variety within the territory of seventies-infused melodic rock, that's what the British outfit around the two guitaris Greg Hart (MORITZ, IF ONLY)and Dean Howard (T'PAU) and vocalist Damien Edwards does best. They have found their signature sound. The sixth album offers many shades, bridgeing the gap between pop and hard rock and put in little surprises here and there. References are the likes of QUEEN, ELO, SUPERTRAMP, CHEAP TRICK, BOSTON and ELTON JOHN. Also SWEET snd SLADE are recognizable for sure like in e.g. "My Father's Eyes". CATS IN SPACE fully deliver. (MS)

NASTY RATZ and their third output "Third Cut" make genre-lovers happy. The Czech sleazers from Prague know their stuff and offer some really strong songs here. They are partly reminiscent of Swedish bands like HARDCORE SUPERSTAR or BABYLON BOMBS. A cool artwork and an authentic and charmingly imperfect production, which you find throughout this type of melodic rock music, though, complete the picture in a positive way. "Sick And Twisted" should be a good first glimpse into the matter, just like the first single "Wings". (MS)

WHITE TYGER from England seem to breathe classic hard rock and Sleaze rock, too, in a very authentic way. Legends like MÖTLEY CRÜE, GUNS'N'ROSES or SKID ROW can be heard as main influences here. But also HARDCORE SUPERSTAR and the like seem to be no stranger to this four-piece for sure. The two video singles "Runaway Bride" and "This Is The Life" for instance showcase this strong record pretty well. The WHITE TYGER debut is full of power vocals and groovy guitars, although no one or two tracks stick out. The album simply rocks from beginning to end. (MS)

SCARRED FOR LIFE from New York City are rocking as their is no tomorrow on these fifteen tracks of their self-titled record. The Americans are suitable for fans of THE ANSWER and BLACK STONE CHERRY but also TESLA and the like. Let alone the opener "Bad Mutha Fucka" shine. It's a comparatively clean but powerful production which is reminiscent of the usual suspects when it comes to seventies and eighties hard rock and offers a certain portion of dirt, too. Frontman John Gitto and the guys get you immediately. The songs originate from three different recording sessions with for instance Jim Reeves (e.g. ZZ TOP). (MS)

Swedish outfit GLORIOUS BANKROBBERS are a band that is simply fun. For fans of simple hardrock with a little bit of a punk attitute in the vein of e.g. HELLACOPTERS. Just check out the title track which is already released as a single. Style-wise, it's mostly somewhere between STATUS QUO and the RAMONES as well as HARDCORE SUPERSTAR and TOM PETTY. The Swedes manage to showcase their songwriting talent and deliver a great production, too. Interesting band and somehow relaxed but highly effectice rock record this "Rock 'N' Roll Church". (MS)

ASTRAL DOORS from Sweden have been rather quiet for some years but are back with (probably) their final output, which is a blast, though. Charismatic frontman Nils Patrik Johansson (LION'S SHARE) and the guys, who are around for more than two decades by now playing melodic power metal with hard rock elements here and there, haven't sounded that good for a long time. Johansson is reminiscent of DIO at times which is a well-known fact. Beautiful, partly epic metal with cool hooklines. Hot songs to check out first are the theatrical "Vikings Rise" and the longtrack "A Game Of Terror". (MS)

TIGERTAILZ from England, founded in 1984, deliver a cool glam rock masterpiece in 1990. Tracks from "Berzerk" as demos, in different versions as well as unreleased material, emerging from the very sessions, which didn't make the album for whatever reason from plus four additional demotracks recorded for the "Wazbones" album are on board. The sound is not perfect all the time, which is no surprise given the nature of this demo compilation release. A new booklet with linernotes by Jay Pepper (g) und Kim Hooker (v)completes the picture here. A must have for fans! (MS)

The Swedish guitarrist, songwriter and producer Tommy Denander und his project RADIOACTIVE with album number six. On "Reset", Tommy basically plays almost everything himself but well-knowned vocalists like Jeff Paris, Robin McAuley (MICHAEL SCHENKER) or Jim Jidhed (ALIEN) sing on the album. Musically, you can find references to BRYAN ADAMS, DEF LEPPARD or TOTO and this might be the strongest effort since the debut from 2001, which saw several TOTO musicians playing the songs. Guest appearances of Keith Scott (g, BRYAN ADAMS) und Tony Levin (b, PETER GABRIEL) are the icing on the cake on this record. Top, Tommy! (MS)

HOUSE OF LORDS around James Christian (v/b) sneak around the corner with album number fourteen and, as usual, you get a great mixture of hard rock and finest melodic rock. The guitars on "Full Tilt Overdrive" are more prominent than on the last albums, although the charismatic vocals are the trademark of the band. The current line-up with Christian as well as Jimi Bell (g), Mark Mangold (keys, TOUCH, DRIVE SHE SAID) und Johan Coleman (d, LION’S SHARE) totally rocks and tracks like "Cry Of The Wicked" or "Not The Enemy" wil make fans smile bright. Plus there are surprises like the country-like track "Taking The Fall" which adds a different flavour to the rest of the album. (MS)

An album like a visit to the local video store in the eighties and early nineties by the Swedish outfit. So they say and it's correct at least when it comes to the cool retro feeling. AOR with sugarsweet hooklines and fluffy arrangements from here to eternity, in a very positive sense. FANS OF THE DARK, without question, take you on a trip through time. Drummer and songwriter Freddie Allen (ex-HOUSTON) showcases a great talent for melody and sounds. Simply a great one! "Christine" and "Find Your Love" are only two possible hits for a better world, a world in which outfits like WHITE SISTER, SIGNAL, ICON or their fellow Swedes BAD HABIT and HOUSTON rule the genre. (MS)