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…

Crazy Bitch Records is a new independent, promising reissue label whom have done a very good job with the re-release of ‘Rock Candy – Sucker For A Pretty Face (Extended version)’ featured here in exclusive some days ago.
Now from the label we have the much sought after debut album from LESSDRESS, 1989’s “Dumblondes“, fully remastered.
Still active, LESSDRESS is the pioneer and arguably the most successful glam metal band from Poland, having played the largest hard rock and metal festivals in Central Europe. Their first two albums are recognized collectors items fetching hundreds of dollars on eBay.
Despite hailing from Poland, LESSDRESS’ “Dumblondes” sounds absolutely American, in fact, much better than many Sunset Strip bands from the era. And there’s a reason: vocalist and main songwriter Pawel Nowakowski, the son of career diplomats, grew up mostly outside of Poland, in London and then Washington, D.C.
So there’s no accent in the vocals, and the rest of the guys know all the glam / sleazy tricks too. Musically, “Dumblondes” rocks with crunchy guitars, sleazy swagger and catchy choruses. Think Shotgun Messiah ‘Second Coming’ era, Nasty Idols, Wildside, etc.
Hurry up, it’s limited to 200 copies.

We were pleasantly delighted by the previous albums by OUTLASTED, a band from Norway eager to bring back the classic AOR / Melodic Rock sound of ’80s. Two years ago Outlasted inked a significant record deal with Lions Pride Music, solidifying their global reach. Now, finally the long awaited new OUTLASTED album titled “Universal Human Desire” will be released world-wide.
On this 12-tracker the band sounds and feels confident, with a refined new material crafted with attention to detail, plus a clear production design. All OUTLASTED members are experienced musicians, whom grew up listening to classic AOR / Melodic Rock music, and “Universal Human Desire” is a proof of that. You can tell this is a Scandinavian band since the first bit, however there’s influences from US, Canada and UK famous acts from the genre as well.
Fans of ONE DESIRE, CREYE, STATE OF SALAZAR or CARE OF NIGHT can’t do wrong here…

Lions Pride Music is about to release “Calling the Hearts of the World“, the debut album from STELLAR VEIL, a melodic hard rock band hailing from Athens, Greece. Formed in 2021 by members departing from the Melodic Hard Rock band Hideaway, the group sought to carve a niche that melded the heavier elements of hard rock with the melodic finesse of classic AOR.
Their sound can be described as heavier than traditional AOR yet more ‘melodic hard’ than classic metal, reflecting a unique blend of influences from the ’80s American hard rock to ’80s European AOR, completed with a contemporary twist.
What we liked at first listen on “Calling the Hearts of the World” and STELLAR VEIL’s delivery is the way they punctuate the keyboards / guitar interaction. It’s a very ’80s trick we all love, creating pumpy rhythms and anthemic atmospheres…

Numerous LPs from ALICE COOPER‘s early years have been reissued by Rhino / Warner in recent months including expanded editions of Killer and School’s Out in 2023; a Quadio Blu-ray and expansion of Billion Dollar Babies; and last year’s deluxe box set of Muscle of Love with both stereo and quadraphonic mixes on CD and Blu-ray, respectively. (A vinyl counterpart was also released.)
Now they are releasing 1971’s “Love It To Death” as part of their Rhino High Fidelity series, a Limited Numbered Edition of 5,000 high quality vinyl LP – AAA Cut from the original Stereo Master Tapes.
This is simply one of greatest Rock N’ Roll albums in history…
1971’s ”Love It to Death” was Cooper’s third studio album, and the first produced by Bob Ezrin (co-credited here with Jack Richardson). The album moved away from the psychedelic and experimental tendencies of Alice’s first two LPs, instead paving the way for the theatrical shock-rock that would become Cooper’s trademark.
Ezrin understood that the bandmates – Alice Cooper [vocals, harmonica], Glen Buxton [lead guitar], Michael Bruce [rhythm guitar, keys], Dennis Dunaway [bass], and Neal Smith [drums] – were pushing the envelope of hard rock and finding a new sound all their own.
The anguished teenage lament “I’m Eighteen” became Alice Cooper’s first hit, peaking just outside of the U.S. Top 20. Oh, and “Black Juju” is one of the most frightening songs ever.
”Love It to Death” made the Albums Top 40 and was eventually certified Platinum. An album that belongs to vinyl. And this vinyl-rip sound quality is great!
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