If you’re an old-school Metal fan and the name LETHAL X rings familiar, then it has served its purpose. Comprised by former RACER X members Jeff Martin (BADLANDS, SURGICAL STEEL, MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP) on vocals and Harry Gschösser on drums, with Mike Szuter on bass and Milan Polak on guitar completing the lineup, LETHAL X’s name is an obvious nod to their ’80s heavy metal history. On a guest role, the album features former RACER X and MR. BIG guitarist Paul Gilbert and bassist Billy Sheehan (also of MR. BIG fame).
To be released by Metallic Blue Records next January 17th, LETHAL X’s debut album “90 Tons of Thunder” carries a healthy dose of nostalgia, as is also evident by the presence of the 1986 LP ‘Street Lethal’ cover in the rear view mirror of the speeding vehicle in the “90 tons” cover art.
However, this nostalgia doesn’t translate in the band trying to sound retro. Classic Hard N’ Heavy is what you get, but it is approached with fresh energy and modern production. Strong, upbeat tracks like the album’s namesake and opener “90 Tons of Thunder”, as well as “Dancing with Shadows” and “Chasing the Flaw”, deliver on that powerful vibe…

If you like me are desperate to shake off those January blues, then my advice to you is to immediately self-medicate by checking out “In Flight” the new album from Portland, Oregon classic hard rockers TIME RIFT. One listen, and you will instantly feel those winter woes disappear as you crank up the volume on the music delivery device of your choice and let those warm and healing sound waves do their thing. Don’t bother with your headphones either, as the neighbors are going to want to hear “In Flight” too, and you really will be doing them a big favor by sharing all that love.
Never was a band more appropriately named, as TIME RIFT magically transport you back a few decades to a period when hard rock really did rule the airways and the whole world loved to rock. We absolutely love this bang on trend cool retro sound with a modern twist, and TIME RIFT are without doubt right at the very pinnacle when it comes to this nourishing new wave of classic hard rock bands.
New to the line up for this album is female vocalist Domino Monet, who contributes a lot of the song’s swagger. Against the band’s cleverly delivered anthemic instrumentals, her powerful vocals harkens back to the leather-jacketed golden age for hard rock, taking on a majestic edge on soaring numbers like the title track and turning soulful elsewhere when the tunes demand it…

Rhino announced the January 17th, 2025, release of the 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of the double platinum BUCKCHERRY album “15”. Originally released in 2005, the album featured the 4X platinum single “Crazy Bitch” and the 2X platinum single “Sorry”.
The deluxe edition will be released in on a two vinyl LP and CD format featuring the album’s 11 original songs as well as 7 bonus tracks, including tracks previously only available via iTunes and in Japan such as the Elvis Costello cover “Pump It Up”, as well as acoustic versions of “Crazy Bitch”, “Onset” and “Sunshine”, which were newly recorded by vocalist Josh Todd and guitarist Stevie D for this album’s 20th anniversary.
With the primal scream of Josh Todd leading the charge alongside Keith Nelson and Stevie Dacanay’s twin-pronged, blues-drenched rock riffs, ’15’ is a wildfire of punked-up rock’n’roll that drips with barbed sleaze, with a mid-album oasis of Cali palms-swaying ballads in “Sorry”, “Everything” and “Carousel”.
Buckcherry will be performing the “15” album in its entirety on all 2025 tour dates which begin in March…

Imagine being given a time machine by the higher entities – those we can only assume blessed the world with the existence of heavy metal. Now, this time machine takes you back to the early to mid-80s, where metal was an experimental genre in the UK and Sweden, a melting pot of sounds and influences.
But instead of Europe, take the scene you find there and place it in modern-day Indonesia. Think of bands like Judas Priest, Thundersteel-era Riot, maybe even a touch of Dokken, Lizzy Borden and also of modern-day bands like Ambush and RAM – combine their essence, stir in some Asian spirit, and you’ve got TUMENGGUNG’s unmistakable style.
The group’s new album ”Back on the Streets”, set to release in January 2025 via Swedish label Jawbreaker Records, is a collection of everything an ’80s metal heart could long for. From headbanging riffs to sing-along choruses, melodic song structures, and pit-opening anthems, TUMENGGUNG delivers with force. They may draw clear inspiration from their 80s metal predecessors, but their unique sound is what truly makes them stand out…

Legendary act TOKYO BLADE will release their fourteenth studio album, ”Time Is The Fire”, set for release on January 17, 2025, through Cherry Red Records. Loaded with high-energy, anthemic Heavy Metal, it is full of furious, melodic guitar riffs that feed off a powerful vocal set of Alan Marsh that will make your jaw drop.
”Time Is The Fire” it’s a great re-introduction to Tokyo Blade if you have not been up to snuff with them through the decades. In fact, each song on the album sounds like something you would imagine rotated consistently alongside top Metal videos on MTV back in the 1980s.
Overall, there is not a dull moment to be had with ”Time Is The Fire”. Robust and in-your-face with a fantastic guitar tone, you can also follow a theme here: full of self-reflection and contemplation of a lifetime of decisions made. Hence the title ”Time Is The Fire”; in the end, we are all bound to be burned by the flame as grains of sand fall through an hourglass.
Well-structured, hooky, lively, and full of interesting details here, there, and everywhere, this album is Heavy Metal with melody the way it was intended…

Melodic hard rockers The BIG DEAL will release the new studio album ”Electrified”, set for release on January 17th, 2025, via Frontiers Music. If you like your modern melodic hard rock with big vocals, plenty of keyboard and guitar solos, two great female vocalists intertwining in harmony, you’ll love this album.
Part of  success of ”Electrified’ comes from the strong songwriting: The BIG DEAL collaborated for the first time with great artists such as Anders Wikstrom (TREAT) and Jona Tee (H.E.A.T), who helped to compose some songs.
Musically, there are all sorts of influences in here: pretty much every European Melodic Hard Rock act of the past 30 or so years can probably be found within these tracks if one delves deep enough. However, that shouldn’t be taken as a negative thing because there are also a few other rather more unexpected influences cropping up in here too.
For example, along with some very sharp riffing, recent single ‘Fairy of White’ also has a stunning keyboard solo that could have come straight off Rainbow’s classic Rising album. In fact, it’s the plethora of keyboard solos that actually means that The Big Deal are providing something a little out of the ordinary in the world of European AOR / melodic Hard Rock. The interplay between Nevena Brankovic’s keyboards and the guitars of Srdjan Brankovic is breathtakingly good…

Very interesting melodic hard rockers LANDFALL are back with a brand new album, ”Wide Open Sky”, out on January 17th, 2025, via Frontiers Music. The band’s delightful Melodic Rock / AOR sound can best be described as falling somewhere between classic melodic rock ala Journey, and slightly heavier influences such as classic era Dokken, White Lion, and Extreme.
With phenomenal musical and songwriting abilities and the golden voice of Oliver, Landfall also isn’t afraid to explore some progressive yet melodic territories. And that’s a plus.
Landfall are a band that elude easy categorisation. In one moment, they seem to be in Journey AOR territory, but then they head off into more progressive or more hard rock waters. Ultimately, this ability to be a jack of all trades and a master of all of them is what makes Landfall such an interesting band and ”Wide Open Sky” such an enjoyable album…

As part of their Legends Of Rock series, Girder Records just released past December 27th their own remastered version of PETRA‘s album ”Jekyll & Hyde”, featured in exclusive here at 0dayrox.
Petra’s ”Jekyll & Hyde” marked a pivotal moment in the band’s storied career. Originally released in 2003, simply put, ”Jekyll & Hyde” is the band’s most powerful and heavy album, featuring a bold, metallic sound that resonated with fans and critics alike. It is clearly Petra’s hardest album to date. Now, beautifully remastered by Rob Colwell, ”Jekyll & Hyde” sounds even heavier, with more punch.
While metallic from every corner, ”Jekyll & Hyde” still is very much Petra – melodic, polished, catchy. It’s a really potent record: 10 songs at the 3-minute mark, album is 31 minutes long. Oh yeah, to the jugular, no tricks, effective biting songs.
From the jarring riffs of the title cut to the amazing, Boston-like hook scored through with overdriven guitars on “Perfect World,” John Schlitt soars like a kid 20 years his junior on vocals. The tempo on most of the tracks, such as “Test of Time,” is tough, ballsy, crunchy.
You’d never expected Petra with teeth and menace? Check out ”Jekyll & Hyde’, you’ll be pleasantly surprised…

Not to be confused with the current band of the same name hailing from Great Britain, RAGE OF ANGELS came roaring out of Connecticut in the late Eighties with a commercially accessible but energetic brand of melodic hard rock / hair metal certain to appeal to fans of Stryper, Dokken, Skid Row, etc.
With a Christian metal background, originally known as Ransom, RAGE OF ANGELS got its start by placing two tracks on two different compilation albums: “Reason To Rock” appeared on East Coast Metal, and “Rock For The Rock” made it onto Heavy Righteous Metal. While both songs were a bit rough around the edges production wise, they hinted at the potential the band displayed on this self-titled 1989 Regency Records debut.
As requested, here’s the not well known but really good one and only album “Rage Of Angels“. Funny fact is RAGE OF ANGELS actually split before the album was even released, with guitarist Frank DiCostanzo and drummer John Fowler went on to join Steelheart, whom delivered two strong albums later (1991’s Steelheart, and 1992’s Tangled in Reins on major label MCA Records).
Musically “Rage Of Angels” has a sound similar to the bands mentioned above (of course Steelheart too), with dynamic riffs, solid vocals / backing, fun choruses and all that late U.S. rockin’ style. But RAGE OF ANGELS were much more consistent than your typical melodic hard / hair metal act circa 1989.
These guys could have been very popular. The album credits Doug Mann with production & mix, but apparently the band was so unhappy that they wanted it remixed. It was re-mixed by the Elefante brothers before it’s release. John and Dino were never given credit for it.
This baby really Rocks!

As requested, here’s a little gem from the Swedish fertile ground: T’BELL album “Replay” in its now rare Japanese edition including 2 bonus tracks. And as 0dayrox extra we added 2 additional, unreleased tracks.
T’BELL is the brainchild of Patrick Tibell, studio engineer in Sweden who has been writing songs since the early ’80s inspired by his classic rock / AOR heroes. A well trained vocalist as well, Patrick began recording his own compositions in the Nineties, which become his debut album “Replay” released in 2000’s.
A confessed fan of Planet 3, TOTO, Chicago but also Foreigner, Journey, etc, most of the T’BELL songs recorded on “Replay” were originally written in the Eighties. And to that FM-rock sound Patrick adds a a modern updated production, creating unique atmospheres. Then it is not surprising the strong nostalgic feel of this album, neat classic catchy old style AOR full of keyboards. Of course Patrick is surrounded by top class musicians and production is top outstanding.
“Do Ya” begins with a staccato keyboard-style like DAKOTA or BON JOVI’s ‘Runaway’ and instantly we know this gonna be a good album. Brilliant vocal harmonies on both verse and chorus that reminds me masters i-TEN. “Send Her A Letter” honors FOREIGNER with a huge refrain and a vintage sounding guitar solo.
“Illusion Of Love” is probably one of the best midtempo ballads of this new millennium. Stunning bridge and chorus, with hints of BOULEVARD and some ALIEN, specially the rhythm structure. “Postman” is AOR perfection bringing back uptempo joyful melodies.
The Japanese bonuses are really good ones too with…

This one was requested several times in comments: HELIX 1984’s classic album “Walkin’ The Razor’s Edge” is its best sounding release. This ‘Remastered & Reloaded‘ version by Rock Candy Records including bonus tracks is really good.
“Walkin’ The Razor’s Edge” was Helix’s 2nd album with Capitol Records, and they went around the world with it.
With their major label debut album No Rest For The Wicked racking up healthy sales and great reviews, Helix forged a reputation as one of the hottest young Canadian rock bands to have emerged in the early ’80s.
Their fire brand blend of hot rock, ear shattering riffs and shout-it-out-loud hooks made them not only radio / MTV friendly but also a must see in-concert experience…

This one was requested several times in comments: HELIX 1987’s album “Wild In The Streets” is its best sounding release. This out of print version ‘Remastered & Reloaded‘ by Rock Candy Records is really good.
With the success of their previous albums and benefiting from unrelenting promotion by Capitol Records, Helix toured the world for almost 2 years establishing themselves not only in America and Canada but also in Europe, a territory that embraced the band as if they were their very own.
“Wild In The Streets” was the band’s fourth, and final, album for the major recording label. It was a record of familiar components; big hooks, teeth rattling drum ‘n’ bass, razor sharp guitar riffs and shredding solos all locked into a brace of tunes so catchy they would easily shame the likes of KISS and Def Leppard…

“Livin’ On the Bad Side” is the debut album by CRIMSON STORM, released today through Fighter Records. CRIMSON STORM was originally formed in 2009 by guitarist and primary songwriter Lögan Heads in Sardinia, Italy, with the goal of reviving the glory of ‘80s heavy, power, and speed metal. Their name was inspired by Riot’s track “Sign of the Crimson Storm.”
Following several lineup changes Crimson Storm released some singles and EP’, and this 2025 it was time for a full length. The album features songs composed past year alongside reworked versions of earlier singles, delivering a mix of nostalgia, rebellious spirit, and the raw energy of ‘80s metal.
As fan of that decade, you’ll love “Livin’ On The Bad Side” cover art; that’s pure Eighties. Musically, you’ll love it even more: this is classic heavy metal, with speed but also melody, even some good, real, original power metal sound. Think a mix of Accept, late ’80s Riot, Loudness, Obsession… the later perhaps because lead singer Pau Correas brings to mind the great Michael Vescera.
“Livin’ On The Bad Side” is a sizzling example of the best and heaviest from 80’s U.S. metal transported to 2025 – short sharp metallic tunes to bang your head. Don’t wear your bullet belt near this one, it’s liable to ignite…

As requested, here’s the only album from Canadian hard rock / metal combo TZAR. The band was about to secure record deal, but they didn’t wait and released their debut LP “Players Of The Game” by themselves.
Reissued by specialized company Lost Realm Records this is the first official CD issue of “Players Of The Game”, remastered, comes with 16-page booklet with lyrics, rare photos and official band biography. A limited edition of 500 copies now out of print.
Have you ever seen a cheessier cover art than the front of “Players Of The Game”? It’s a lot of fun, as it is TZAR’s blend of a American hard rock with a metal edge full of clichés from the era, but that’s why it will put a smile on your face. It’s a 1985 album – you know the type of guitar riffs you’ll find here – a solid lead voice / cool backings, and a decent production…

To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of ”ThunderSteel”, the sixth studio album by American cult legends RIOT, Metal Blade Records prepared this remastered reissue of the recording plus bonus tracks titled “ThunderSteel [30th Anniversary Edition remastered +6]“. Here’s as requested this very good quality digipak, quite hard to find.
Disbanded in 1984, at the second half of the Eighties RIOT were in need of a comeback. The fans asked leader Mark Reale for it, to give the world a polite-but-firm reminder that earlier efforts weren’t just flukes, and that his intrepid cult following hadn’t started worshiping a golden calf.
Featuring a revamped lineup with the exception of mainstay Reale, the ‘new’ Riot took a different direction; the original bluesy hard rock was changed in favor of classic US metal, quite technical yet always melodic. “ThunderSteel” appeared in 1988, and Riot surprised with a mix of Impelliteri, Steeler (Yngwie), Keel, Burning Star, etc, and even some Dio and Accept-like speedy riffs.
The title track is an absolute 95 MPH racing number with a terribly catchy riff. The solo is long in the classic US metal arena vein, the bass work by Don Van Stavern is notable as is the precision drumming by Bobby “The Zombie” Jarzombek. Mark Edwards of Steeler and Lion fame also play drums on several tracks. Tony Moore’s voice soars high and clear over everything, a very ‘classic metal’ singer…