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Melodic Rock, AOR, Hard Rock, Prog, Classic Rock news

Author: 0dayrox

AXEL RUDI PELL / JOHNNY GIOELI

AXEL RUDI PELL – Diamonds Unlocked II (2021)

German hard rock guitar wizard AXEL RUDI PELL is ready to present “Diamonds Unlocked II”, set for release on July 30th 2021 on Steamhammer/SPV. The successor to last year’s top 5 album “Sign Of The Times” is the follow-up to his 2007 cover recording “Diamonds Unlocked”.
Pell’s carefully considered decision not to release brand-new original material for the first time in almost 15 years is mainly based on the ongoing pandemic and current restrictions on live concerts. The guitarist explains that “it makes no sense at all to put out new songs that we will not be able to perform live.”
But let me tell you that “Diamonds Unlocked II” will not disappoint you… they recorded here a collection of classic songs by Sammy Hagar, Rainbow, Tony Carey, and even a Paul Anka (!) cover, all metallized / hard rockin’ in the ARP fashion.
Johnny Gioeli can sing anything, and he shines all over ‘There’s Only One Way to Rock’, ‘Lady of the Lake’, ‘Room with a View’, etc…

STEVE HOWE

STEVE HOWE – Homebrew 7 (2021)

YES guitarist STEVE HOWE has announced he is to release the seventh edition of his ‘Homebrew’ album series on 30th July via HoweSound. ”Homebrew 7” marks the 25th anniversary of the guitar legend’s first album in his Homebrew collection. The ‘Homebrew series’ typically features recordings from Steve Howe’s home archive of demos and tracks, originally recorded for one of his many solo or group projects with YES, ASIA, ABWH or GTR.
However, ”Homebrew 7” is of special interest as none of the tracks have previously been released in any form and there are no plans for any to be re-recorded in the future.
There’s some vocal song-format tracks (like the really good ‘Half Way’, written in the ’90s) but mostly here are short, finished songs showcasing Howe’s incredible versatility as songwriter and guitarist. Most of the tracks are Howe’s solo recordings with occasional contributions from Dylan Howe and Virgil Howe on drums with Phil Spalding on bass guitar…

LUCER

LUCER – L.A. Collection (2021)

Four guys from Denmark decided to form a band and model it on Antipodean bands like (you guessed) AC/DC and Rose Tattoo but, rather than become just clones, they added in some classy Scandi-rock overtones to come up with straightforward, in your face rock and roll.
LUCER is the band and the new album, ”L.A. Collection”, delivers on that recipe on nine fun tracks of quality classic hard rock. This young group of musicians is currently one of Denmark’s most popular rock bands, and we celebrate that: rock n’ roll isn’t dead, Gene Simmons is wrong…

TRAGEDY

TRAGEDY – Disco Balls To The Wall (2021)

Now this is fun: prepare your air guitars and get the party started with the hottest metal tribute to The Bee Gees, Abba, TOTO, and beyond: TRAGEDY! The New York based cover song reinventors are set to release a “best of” collection chock full of remastered favorites, “Disco Balls To The Wall“, on July 30, 2021.
It doesn’t matter at all if you love or hate disco or metal – you will unabashedly love TRAGEDY and their bombastic, crazy mix of disco, metal, glitter and revelry. TRAGEDY already broke the internet back in 2015 with the viral video for their energetic take on the Grease soundtrack classic “You’re the One That I Want”, but now it’s time to mosh on the dance floor again to a new, remastered version of the song, plus crazy takes on Donna Summer’s fabulous “Hot Stuff” (featuring Alex Skolnick of Testament on lead guitar), TOTO’s ”Africa”, Bonnie Tyler’s ”Total Eclipse of the Heart”, and more…

BIG BIG TRAIN

BIG BIG TRAIN – Common Ground (2021)

”Common Ground” is the much anticipated 2021 new studio release from British wonderful prog collective BIG BIG TRAIN. In addition to BBT songwriters and core members David Longdon (lead vocals), Gregory Spawton (bass), Rikard Sjöblom (guitars, keyboards, vocals) and Nick D’Virgilio (drums, vocals), the album also features Carly Bryant (keyboards, vocals) and Dave Foster (guitars) plus a guest appearance from violinist Aidan O’Rourke of Scottish Folk pioneers Lau.
The album was recorded during 2020 at Peter Gabriel’s Real World studios as well as in other studios in the UK, the USA and Sweden, and among the nine pieces include the beautiful title track – and first single – ‘Common Ground’, the dazzling instrumental ‘Apollo’, the zeitgeist capturing ‘The Strangest Times’, and the stunning epic ‘Atlantic Cable’.
These musicians are the standard bearers of new UK prog… Big Big Train channel the prog ambitions of 50 years ago but mix in enough of themselves to create work that sounds vivid and fresh. Melodic inspiration and careful design that sets their music apart…

DEE SNIDER

DEE SNIDER – Leave A Scar (2021)

In 2018, legendary metal vocalist DEE SNIDER returned to the heavy music style with his full-length For The Love Of Metal. Produced by Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta, the album re-cemented the undeniable prowess of the iconic Twisted Sister singer with its modernized mastery and take-no-prisoners attitude.
Three years later, with one of the most collectively tumultuous times society has ever experienced behind him, DEE SNIDER is back with the potent full-length follow up ”Leave A Scar”. Once again produced by Jasta, the new album sees DEE SNIDER & Co. continuing in the invigorated direction of For The Love Of Metal, infusing a dose of classic heavy metal flavor that longtime fans will rush to embrace…

HUNTER (Ger)

HUNTER – The Return (2021) *0dayrox Exclusive*

Metalapolis Records seem to dig up some long forgotten pearls and independent bands recently to give ’em the necessary push via a proper distribution to their records. Just like with German band HUNTER and their new album “The Return“, their first with the label.
This new CD marks HUNTER’s comeback after many years silent – the band released two well received LP’s “Sign Of The Hunter“ in 1985, and the 1987 “Keep The Change“.
So “The Return” is the proper title for this new album after more than three decades, and while now there’s a slightly different line-up, their classic hard rock sound remains intact.
Produced by expert in this genre Rolf Munkes, “The Return” captures the mid-Eighties feeling updated to modern times with a sharp mix / production sound.
Only at 0dayrox

THE BRAVE

THE BRAVE – Evie’s Little Garden [CD version +2] (2021)

L.A. melodic hard rockers THE BRAVE were originally signed to Pakaderm/Word Records in the early 90s releasing two critically acclaimed albums (‘Battle Cries’ and ‘Trust’) under the Grammy award winning production of John & Dino Elefante and yielded 7+ Top 10 CCM singles.
Their debut album, Battle Cries, mixed by none other than Neil Kernon, delivered a huge arena rock sound, laden with fiery guitars and class harmonies rich in melody and attitude.
After their comeback six years ago and trying a slightly different style, THE BRAVE are back to their original bright melodic hard rock sound on “Evie’s Little Garden“, their brand new full length album of original material since the Nineties.
Still including original members Stayce Roberts and Malcolm Paris, THE BRAVE brings back that catchy, polished rockin’ sound via this very good 12-track disc…

TIM / UNRELEASED

TIM – Tim [1983 previously unreleased] (2021)

MelodicRock Records will release one of the best kept AOR secrets from the ’80s; the unreleased album from TIM, a super-group of session musicians including vocalist Thom Griffin (Trillion, Mecca, Pride Of Lions), superb guitarist Bruce Gaitsch (Richard Marx, Fergie Frederiksen, Jim Peterik), bass player Bob Lizik (Pride Of Lions, Dennis DeYoung), drummers Tom Radtke & Jim Hines (Dennis DeYoung, Cyndi Lauper) and keyboardist Terry Tossing Esq.
Written & recorded in 1983, TIM members were so busy individually with sessions, touring and family commitments, that the band never made any more music together and the album was shelved. Until now…
The album is so good it would have challenged others in this style & sound back in ’83; think TOTO, Trillion, Le Roux, etc.
A treat for Eighties AOR / melodic rock fans and collectors, limited edition of 1000 copies…

REMASTER / THE BRAVE

THE BRAVE – Battle Cries +2 [Digitally Remastered 2020] *0dayrox Exclusive*

Back in the second half of the Eighties / early Nineties via their own record label Pakaderm, John and Dino Elefante become experts at their craft of producing some of the greatest CCM Melodic Rock / AOR bands. Their sound design was for the genre was very unique, and this first album by THE BRAVE titled “Battle Cries” was a clear and precise ’80s rocker, hitting on all fronts. Now freshly remastered with two bonus tracks, this is the ultimate ear-candy, with flying guitar works, melodies, hooks and and explosive production second to none.
The Brave was one of the most complete Melodic Hard Rock bands appeared in the L.A. scene during the late…

THE BLACK RAIN

THE BLACK RAIN – Night Tales (2021)

THE BLACK RAIN was born in Bologna, Italy, almost two decades ago but had to wait several years to attain its final line-up. “Night Tales” is their first full-length album, which in fact was recorded many years ago.
The Black Rain’s style on this album is deeply rooted in the Eighties & Seventies with a sound that smell ‘retro’ from all angles; 10 songs in a vintage LP fashion, Eighties-like artwork, the album’s title, traditional analog-based recording, and a sound mixing Classic Rock with traditional Hard Rock.
“Lake Trip” opens the CD with a one minute introduction sounding as like the band is warming-up to go to the stage. The song is a classic rocker…

NITRATE

NITRATE – Renegade (2021)

Awesome AOR / melodic rockers NITRATE are back with their third album ‘Renegade‘, to be released by AOR Heaven next Friday. Inspired by the late ’80s scene with bands such as Def Leppard, Europe, Motley Crue, and Bon Jovi, Nitrate is the brainchild of songwriter Nick Hogg (bass guitar) from Nottingham England.
This time with the changed stellar line-up of Alexander Strandell (Art Nation) on lead vocals, Tom & James Martin (Vega) guitar & keyboards, Mikey Wilson on drums (Kimber), and the lead guitar of Dario Nikzad (Hell to Play), on ‘Renegade’ NITRATE delivers 11 hook-filled songs with great melodies, walls of keyboards and backing / harmony vocals.
Produced by the wonder Vega brothers, and evolving without losing their melodic identity, Nitrate creates a great album for all fans of the genre rejoice.

LEE AARON / REMASTER

LEE AARON – Metal Queen ’84 [remastered reissue]

As requested, here’s the remastered reissue of LEE AARON‘s iconic album “Metal Queen“. Born Karen Lynn Greening, the singer / songwriter took her name from one of her early bands. After a solo first album, LEE AARON’s proper debut as solo artist happened with this 1984 LP which lead into a multi-album contract with Attic Records and resulted in Aaron forming an 11 year-song writing partnership with her guitarist, John Albani.
The self proclaimed “Metal Queen” was one of the first women in Canada to navigate the male-dominated waters of rock ‘n’ roll, pioneering the way for a significant number of artists.
“Metal Queen” is an ’80s cult classic, with a sound & style ranging from commercial metal to hard rock. Probably the first thing…

LETCHEN GREY / REMASTER

LETCHEN GREY – Party Politics [digitally remastered +5] (2021) *0dayrox Exclusive*

Specialized reissue label Lost Realm Records has just reissued “Party Politics“, the much sought after album from ’80s American hard rockers LETCHEN GREY, fully remastered and including 5 bonus tracks.
Originally released in 1986, LETCHEN GREY’s “Party Politics” is one of those examples of a hard rock and US metal cocktail with melody, similar to early DOKKEN, ANTIX, etc.
A product of this time, and mostly, of the local scene they were a part of: West Hollywood and the Sunset Strip-wave of hard rock/metal bands. The Roxx, Gazzarri’s, Troubadour were some of the venues the band used as its nocturnal dwelling.
Only at 0dayrox

AYRON JONES

AYRON JONES – Child Of The State (2021)

Who is this dude looking as a rapper on the cover of his new album? No, we are not changing the musical focus of this blog; AYRON JONES is a rising singer / rock guitar star from America.
And he’s not doing it with a look to modern radio: this is badass, bluesy rock n’ roll, Hendrix-inspired and with something-to-say lyrics. In fact, “Child Of The State” should sport a ‘parental advisory’ sticker at the front cover.
As he ascends in the rock world, he continues to break barriers. He explains, “Being black in the rock industry, I was forging a path into establishments and onto tours that had not previously embraced an artist like me. But the one thing that always changed minds and spoke for itself was the music.”
“Child Of The State” is one of the most exciting albums of the year. The new album from a star in the making called AYRON JONES…