The new album from Californian metal legends L.A. GUNS, ”Leopard Skin”, will be released on April 4, 2025. It will mark the first fruit of L.A. GUNS‘ reunion with Cleopatra Records, a label known for its diverse roster.
L.A. GUNS guitarist Tracii Guns spoke about the sound of the band’s new LP: “It’s different than the other records. That’s the thing about L.A. GUNS, is I never know what’s gonna come out. I don’t know what mood I’m gonna be in or whatever, but I’m really proud of what I was able to record. And all the management, Phil [Lewis] and the guys, they’re freaking out, like, ‘Where’d this shit come from?’ So, yeah, I’m always most excited about L.A. GUNS. It’s the complete playground for me. I love it.”
This album’s got something for everyone: high-octane rockers like “Lucky Motherfucker” that hit you like a freight train, alongside slower, moodier tracks like “Hit and Run” and “The Masque.” Then there’s “Runaway Train,” a wild curveball that’s unlike anything I’ve heard from them before—and quite possibly my favorite on the record.
The songwriting here is so tight, I’m already itching to hear these cuts live. Word on the street is they’re hitting the road this year with the Tom Keifer Band, so keep an eye on their website for tour dates…

SMITH / KOTZEN is the musical collaboration between talented musicians Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden and Richie Kotzen of The Winery Dogs and a solo artist in his own right. “Black Light / White Noise” is their hugely anticipated second album takes their unique collaboration up a notch, as their modern approach (both vocally and on the fretboard) evokes their love of classic hard rock. This anthemic, call to arms album once again showcases the songwriting prowess of these two musicians for their worldwide legions of fans.
Sonically this second album has a better mix of styles from the two musicians than the debut. Things just sound more together and solid. This is two amazing guitarists, vocalists and songwriters at the top of their game and roll on another tour soon as these tracks were made for the stage…

CAPTAIN BLACK BEARD is back with their new Melodic Rock / AOR album “Chasing Danger”. The new CD features a ten-song energetic joyride of melodic tunes with that special Swedish touch. This is the perfect blend of sounds like their contemporaries / friends The Night Flight Orchestra and H.E.A.T.
2024 became the first time in the band’s 15-year history without a live show. No distractions were going to get in the way. The Captain spent most of the year perfecting what would become “Chasing Danger” in Wing Studios in Stockholm, under the careful supervision of producer Sverker Widgren with Robert Majd & guitarist Daniel Krakowski co-producing.
This album also features over-the-top drumming from Vinnie Stromberg and additional awesomeness contributed by Oscar Bromwall (guitar) & John Lönnmyr (keyboards). There’s great songs like the lead single “When It’s Over” (co-written by Wildness’ Erik Modin), a modern AOR statement in “A.I. Lover”, their trademark Disco-AOR is evident in the track “Shine”, a piano-driven ballad called “Piece Of Paradise (co-written with The Night Flight Orchestra’s John Lönnmyr), and the epic ending to the album “In Your Arms”.

Super group SOUL SIGN, comprised of Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Uli Jon Roth, Ted Nugent) on vocals, Bjorn Englen (Dio Disciples, Yngwie Malmsteen, Quiet Riot) on bass, drummer Mike Cancino (Lynch Mob) and Rob Math (Leatherwolf, Player) on guitar, are set to release their long-awaited sophomore album “Desert Fire” on April 4th.
Founder/bassist Bjorn Englen describes the music as “organic, melodic hard rock” and continues “What you hear is what we played. No copy, paste, replace or auto-tune.” The album’s special guests include Tony MacAlpine and Rowan Robertson (Dio).
SOUL SIGN has many aces under the sleeve. Sure, all are seasoned musicians and it shows, but what really shines on this band is Boals’ impressive voice, and the guitar of Rob Math. His playing is just sublime, varied, he doesn’t play the same lick over and over.
Among the highlights just check out “Negative Thoughts”, ”Brighter Day” (featuring guitar monster Tony MacAlpine as guest), “Bluelight In A Dream”, or closer titled as the band “Sole Sign” – all songs with a hard n’ heavy feeling but plenty of melody.
A favorite also is the DIO-ish “Shout”, and here’s where Rowan Robertson appears performing a killer guitar solo…

Almost a decade after its debut album, HEARTBANGER is back again with the new CD entitled “Once in a Bluemoon“, presented in exclusive at 0dayrox. A melodic hard rock project of guitarist / songwriter Xavi Mendez, the first LP featured diverse lead vocalists from the genre such as the late Tony Mills (SHY, TNT), Gabrielle De Val (The Val), Manu Esteve (Hardreams), Alberto Fernandez (Tokio), among many others.
The lovely titled “Once in a Bluemoon” (love the artwork too) follows the same path, different singers providing their own style and vocal color. We can hear Swede Marc Quee, Mark Allen Lanoue (Biloxi, Fiction Syxx), Renato Costa (Revlin Project) Tommy Scro (Drivin’ Wheels), Gabrielle De Val (The Val), etc – all capable singers.
“Once in a Bluemoon” is a dynamic album with songs based in melody, strong vocals and of course a complete guitar work. Xavi drops some cool solos too. While it’s inspired by the ’80/90s, arrangements and focus are updated to modern times…

“Through The Dark” is the debut album by HEARTBANGER, the project led by Spanish musician / songwriter Xavi Méndez, self-released some time ago and not easy to find.
A skilled guitar player, for this recording Xavi has been accompanied by some friends and popular names of the local and international AOR / Melodic Hard Rock scene. The debut includes collaborations from people like Tony Mills (SHY, TNT), Gabrielle De Val (The Val), Manu Esteve (Hardreams), Alberto Fernandez (Tokio), among many others.
Heartbanger music style is focused on classic 80s AOR – Journey, Strangeways, FM, Foreigner and alike are mentioned as influences – heavy on keyboards, vocal harmonies and catchy choruses.
After a brief intro we are hit with the beautiful sound of Fernandez’s keys and we know where the song is heading. Esteve’s vocals combine with the soaring guitar to play off each other making ‘The Last Chance Night’ a perfect introduction to what lies ahead…

“Drastic Measures” was KANSAS ninth and final studio offering from the first era before hanging up their instruments, and it’s one of our favorites. This superb Japanese remastered edition pressed on high quality Blu-SpecCD sounds incredible.
“Drastic Measures”, originally released in 1983, was the band’s second album to feature new vocalist John Elefante – an appointment made necessary after the departure of Steve Walsh. Not surprisingly, the band’s sound was evolving, moving with the times and displaying a more accessible timbre. Sure, the progressive rock element was still entirely audible but the songs and delivery fitted into the jet stream of men on a mission.
AOR for sure but with an edge and urgency that leaves little room for debate.
On the plus side the band had drafted in producer Neil Kernon on the back of his success with several Hall & Oates albums, snagging him just before he would become synonymous with commercial hard rock bands like Dokken, Queensryche and Autograph. Kernon actually did a great job with the material on “Drastic Measures”, giving Kansas a punchy, sophisticated AOR sound they’d never had before…

Continuing with the requested Japanese cardboard sleeve (mini LP) reissue series of STYX on high quality SHM-CD, here’s the underrated “Caught In The Act“. All these reissues ago were Limited Edition, now out of print.
Styx released their first live album, the 2-disc “Caught In The Act” recorded (and filmed) in April of 1983 on the band’s Kilroy Was Here tour at the Saenger Theater in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The album leads off with the new studio track “Music Time”, which was a US charting hit peaking at #40 in the Spring of 1984 yet doesn’t appear on either Greatest Hits 1 or 2 or the Come Sail Away Anthology, so you will have to get the track here only…

One of most sought-after Scandinavian melodic hard rock albums from the ’80s, “Gentle Persuasion” by MISSLEAD is is finally available again. Reissued / remastered by Rock Of Norway including previously unreleased songs as bonus tracks, ”Gentle Persuasion” is one of the finest female fronted-melodic hard rock from the era, with the wonderful voice of Tove Teigberget (ex- Tindrum).
Upon the release of “Gentle Persuasion” in 1989, the Norwegian band MissLead had a long history that belied its sole official album. Formed in Jessheim near Oslo in 1981, the band would over the next few years go through some line-up changes in the process of refining their own classic hard rock sound.
In 1988, Tove became the singer of then ex-TNT drummer Diesel Dahl’s new band, Tindrum, recording and touring the album “Drums of War”, a nationwide smash at the time. The following year she was back with MissLead, and the band recorded and released “Gentle Persuasion”.
“Gentle Persuasion +5” is timeless Scandi melodic hard rock, full of catchy melodies, hooks, and excellent production. Upon de release, MissLead soldiered on and toured Europe, later with slight adjustments in both line-up and musical direction, the band would eventually call it quits in 1993.
Since then, “Gentle Persuasion” has turned into something of a collector’s item, particularly the CD edition, a copy of which can currently be purchased for €720.00 on discogs.com! The asking price may be inflated, but it gives you an idea about the likelihood of currently finding an original edition of this title.
To rectify this, Rock Of Norway has teamed up with Christer Falck’s C+C Records to finally bring you a newly remastered CD edition of “Gentle Persuasion”, featuring 5 bonus tracks, celebrating the 35th anniversary of the original release…

As part of the Universal Music Japan reissue campaign of long time out of print albums from their catalog titled ‘HR/HM 1000‘, that meaning Hard Rock / Heavy Metal at the price of 1000 Yen, here’s as requested Canadians GLASS TIGER third album, 1991’s ”Simple Mission”.
It’s funny to see ”Simple Mission”, being a rock&pop album, being reissued as part of a Hard Rock / Heavy Metal series. But happens that GLASS TIGER has a lot of fans from the most commercial side of melodic hard rock, as this band mix a huge pop-rock sound with North American melodic arena rock styling – so ’80s.
In fact, ”Simple Mission” results more rock than pop – something expecting with Tom Werman (Dokken, Mötley Crüe, Stryper) producing, and Jim Vallance co-writing (producing one song as well). This album sounds “1990 American” – you know, that ‘polished sound’ with rackety electric guitar riffs.
And check out the personnel involved; Jeff Scott Soto, Mark Free, Tommy Funderburk on backing vocals, on drums Tony Thompson (The Power Station, Crown of Thorns) and John Keane (Richard Marx, Michael Thompson Band), Tim Pierce on some guitars, and more.
Late ’80s / early ’90s AOR and melodic rock fans need to hear GLASS TIGER’s ”Simple Mission” – a must in everyone’s collection for sure…

A year and a half after KANSAS disbanded at the end of 1983, former lead singer and keyboardist Steve Walsh returned to revive the group along with original band members Phil Ehart and Rich Williams.
Bass player and excellent vocalist Billy Greer (who had worked with Walsh in the short-lived AOR band Streets after he left Kansas in 1981, and later fronted Seventh Key) completed the new line-up with skilled guitarist Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs and later Deep Purple), who added a heavier, rockier sound to the band’s music.
They released “Power” in 1986, one of the best melodic hard rock / proggy AOR albums appeared in the mid-Eighties. Sadly, this is an album ignored by many fans from the AOR genre because the ‘Kansas’ moniker set apart the more ‘easy listener’ people.
In fact, this is not your typical Kansas with a progressive feel / melodic waves, but a terrific, glossy produced melodic hard rock collection of songs with a progressive AOR touch, catchy and punchy, with a pristine production sound courtesy of English man Andrew Powell, the also talented orchestra conductor for Alan Parsons to mention one.
This now rare Japanese limited edition of “Power” pressed on SHM-CD (miniLP replica) has been 24bit Remastered (the only available) obtaining a fantastic sonic quality…

As part of the Universal Music Japan reissue campaign of long time out of print albums from their catalog titled ‘HR/HM 1000‘, that meaning Hard Rock / Heavy Metal at the price of 1000 Yen, here’s as requested Canadians GLASS TIGER second album, 1988’s ”Diamond Sun”.
It’s funny to see ”Diamond Sun”, being a rock&pop album, being reissued as part of a Hard Rock / Heavy Metal series. But happens that GLASS TIGER has a lot of fans from the most commercial side of hard rock, as this band mix a huge pop-rock sound with North American melodic arena rock styling – so ’80s.
Produced by expert Jim Vallance – also contributing songwriting, drums, keyboards – you can expect that classy Eighties Canadian sonic delight.
If GLASS TIGER successful debut LP was good, ”Diamond Sun” is even better. This is considered the best of their studio albums. What you may not know is that the Canadian band’s second album also really rocks…

Norwegian AOR band OUTLASTED are on roll this 2025. Alongside their really good new album (featured at 0dayrox), the 5-piece is celebrating the 10th anniversary of their very first ingle «Someone Like You», and are releasing a special EP featuring never-before-heard early versions.
These days the AOR genre is often accused of being stale and predictable – something we disagree, as each genre has its own style and that’s what fans wish to hear. However, it’s really nice when musicians try to add something new and original. OUTLASTED is a band always trying to do something a little bit different, interesting.
Someone Like You [10th Anniversary Edition] is a really cool EP showcasing the evolution of this solid Scandinavian band, AOR for the 21st Century still with all the classic ingredients intact…

As requested by many, we are featuring the essential two first BLANC FACES albums in its not so easy to find, out of print Japanese pressings. The band’s sophomore effort “Falling From The Moon” is another very good one, here including an exclusive bonus track.
As on the band’s self-titled debut, Robbie Blanc handles lead vocals and rhythm guitar while Brian bass duties. Session drummer Kyle Woodring (Survivor) also makes a return appearance on this album. Sadly, he passed away shortly after its completion, so “Falling From The Moon” is dedicated to his memory.
One thing quickly become apparent when you spin this album; from the start you know you’re listening to something special. This is the kind of music – call it AOR, melodic rock, arena rock – that was everywhere between 1988 and 1991. Think of those great bands you used to love – Foreigner, Alias, Valentine, Giant, Sheriff, Bad Company with Brian Howe. Blanc Faces channels all of them beautifully.
Indeed, many of the songs on “Falling From The Moon” have that classic AOR sound you’d swear this album has been locked in a vault for the last 30 years…

As requested by many, we are featuring the essential two first BLANC FACES albums in its not so easy to find, out of print Japanese pressings. The band’s self-titled debut “Blanc Faces” is simply awesome. For an AOR / melodic rock lover this type of release is a wet dream.
Brothers Robbie and Brian LeBlanc go way back as a recording unit as they released an album, which has become something of a cult classic, under the name ‘Fury’ back in 1985. It took 20 years for their comeback under the Blanc Faces moniker, but boy… well worth the wait!
“Blanc Faces” was the best AOR album released in 2005, one of the best of the decade, and simply put, one the best in the genre’s history. From songwriting to production sound, “Blanc Faces” takes you back to the glory days of Survivor, Foreigner, etc, via its wonderful, uplifting sweet melodies and catchy choruses. Credit to Brian and Robbie who between them wrote all the tracks included, and across the twelve songs – plus a Japanese edition bonus track – there is seldom a let up in quality and class…