Requested by many, here’s in exclusive at 0dayrox ”CHILD’S PLAY – Rat Races & Reunions: The Lost Tapes”, the unreleased recordings from the great hard rock band, released on CD by themselves.
Unearthed from the vaults of High Heel Studios, ”Rat Races & Reunions: The Lost Tapes” is a long-overdue gift for fans of CHILD’S PLAY and classic hard rock aficionados alike. These recordings, once thought lost to time, now serve as a thrilling snapshot of a band firing on all cylinders during a peak creative period – recordings from 1989 to 1991.
The band’s sure was amazing on their major label 1990 album ‘Rat Race’, but this is the real deal and a journey in a true Rock N’ Roll fashion from the guts. Indeed, many of the songs presented here are even better – in songwriting and feel – than their 1990 CD. The production is raw, yes, but in the best way—there’s an urgency here that’s often missing from polished studio albums.
These are professionally recorded & produced songs – sound quality is great, showcasing a raw, kick ass side of CHILD’S PLAY – a very good band if you ask me. The ‘Reunions’ in the title refers to some tracks included here are more recent, as CHILD’S PLAY reunited several times and still is active – they will play live next week.
From the opening blast of “Fast Lane,” the album wastes no time proving its relevance. The song is a blistering anthem that captures the unfiltered energy and swagger of early ’90s hard rock…
You saw it here first at 0dayrox

Before Bruce Kulick became a fixture on the speed dial of legendary rockers like KISS (who proudly called him their lead guitarist for 12 years), Meat Loaf (he was a member of the Bat Out Of Hell touring troupe), or Grand Funk Railroad (with whom he has toured the country for a decade); before he became one of the most sought after guest musicians in the world; before he garnered praise from press the world over as a Rock ‘n Roll Fantasy Camp counselor to be both respected and feared; before all of that, Bruce Kulick was a fan of great rock music. Cream, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Yes, The Who… you name it, Kulick knew it.
KKB (Bruce Kulick – guitars, Mike Katz vocals & bass, Guy Bois – drums) was Bruce Kulick’s first New York band-trio, and when he was only 20 years-old, entered NY’s Sudden Rush recording studio in September of 1974 armed with a handful of songs. As with many young bands, things didn’t progress for the three musicians. Eventually Kulick, Katz and Bois went their separate ways.
The reel-to-reel tape of those sessions sat gathering dust until Kulick found a TEAC reel-to-reel player for $35.00 at garage sale in 2006, and thus he also rediscovered the “KKB” sessions. “I put that tape on, and was blown away,” smiles Kulick. “It was like a time capsule, and there was such passion and fury in the music. It was funny, too, how I recognized so many elements in that tape recording from almost four decades ago that are still in my guitar playing today.”
Released by Bruce Kulick himself in a Numbered, hand-signed Limited Edition digipak of 1,000 CD’s, ”1974” is a fascinating slice of classic rock showcasing the guitarist / songwriting early skills.
And there’s more: later in 2015, Kulick & the guys reunited, recorded a new song, and remixed some of the originals – and Kulick re-released ‘1974’ via his own label. We included all these as extras / bonus tracks.
This is a must listen!

AFM Records has released an updated, remastered versions of German metal legends ACCEPT early albums (including bonus tracks) in a series titled ‘Platinum Edition’. As requested, here’s ”Accept – Accept [Platinum Edition +1]”, now out of print CD, and has become a hard to find CD.
The self-titled LP, 1979’s “Accept” started it all, with its amazing ‘razor’ cover artwork and full speedy rockers. This album is their first studio effort and has been described by Wolf Hoffman (main guitar player and major songwriter for the band) as a collection of songs they had been playing over the years recorded into album form.
Appeared at the end of the Seventies, “Accept” is in fact, now in perspective, more Euro hard rock from the era than metal. “Lady Lou”, “Tired of Me” and “Sounds of War” capture the true spirit of the classic metal madness that was to come, while midtempo…

Some time ago we featured in exclusive the 1988 unreleased recordings from Romeo Rock, the glammy hard rock band from Detroit. Well, the lead singer Tommy Ingham was also frontman for another band from Michigan: WEAPONS.
As requested, here’s WEAPONS 1990’s album titled “Second Thoughts“. The band was signed by German label Intercord for the release, produced by former Brownsville Station drummer David L. Weck later engineer and music producer. WEAPONS hard rock style is very American, similar to Icon, Keel, Hurricane, early Baton Rouge, and at places, the American era of Norwegians TNT. The songs are anthemic, with pretty razor-sharp guitars but extremely melodic choruses.
As a curiousity, WEAPONS does a couple of covers here, but both originals are pop songs. One is the hard rockin’ version of the Bee Gees ballad ‘To Love Somebody’, here sounding like Steelheart, and the other a cover of Roxy Music’s ‘Love Is The Drug’, resulting in a fine AORish tune.
All WEAPONS’ originals are strong, including opener ‘Stop Dancin’ On The Edge (Of Heaven)’, All In A Day’s Rock’, ‘Standing Alone’, etc. “Second Thoughts” is a record that immediately get you hooked, and even more after subsequent listens…

I guess ATTAXE is a band that very few of us have heard of – and they seem to have had a history that makes the woes of Anvil seem like scaling the heights of rock stardom! Active from the mid-80s to the early-90s, Attaxe released numerous cassettes / demos, got one track featured on cult compilation LP “Heavy Artillery”, but that elusive record deal was always just out of reach, and the band ultimately folded.
Hailing from Cleveland in Ohio, the band played old school heavy metal with hints of Lizzy Borden, Lillian Axe and huge NWOBHM influences – particularly early Iron Maiden and The Tygers Of Pan Tang.
Finally, fifteen tracks were culled from the earlier demos for this compilation album, ”20 Years The Hard Way”, being remastered with very good results by Pure Steel Records. As requested, here’s the out of print CD.
It must be remembered that the tracks on here are all demos, but that does not mean that they are rough or poorly recorded – you will be surprised at the quality on display. There are some rough edges on the production side for sure, but these actually add to the charm of the recordings.
Among the favorites there’s ‘Pedal To The Metal’, ‘Metal Messiah’, ‘Are You Ready?’ and ‘Suicide’ (the scream at the beginning is just lovely). We find 3 tracks from guitarist Gregg Perry side-project Zyclone, recorded 1988, musically much in the vein of Attaxe. There’s some previously unreleased tracks too, recorded by the band between 2004-2005, all professional recordings…

Our friends at Music On CD recently reissued Y&T 1987’s album “Contagious“, long time out of print in Europe and America. However, a few years ago “Contagious” was reissued by Universal Music Japan as part of their ‘HR/HM 1000’ series, that meaning classic Hard Rock / Heavy Metal albums at the affordable price of 1000 Yen.
By contract, Music On CD aren’t able to remaster by themselves any of their reissues – they must press the CD’s as received from the licensing labels. In the case of their recent “Contagious” reissue, they got from Universal Music the same masters used previously for the ‘HR/HM 1000’ Japan reissue: “Contagious” never has been remastered, but sounds great.
So as requested, here’s Y&T 1987’s album “Contagious” at maximum quality.
For “Contagious”, Dave Meniketti & co. changed recording label, Jimmy DeGrasso replaced founder drummer Leonard Haze, and they got Canadian Kevin Beamish (Keel, MSG, Starship) to produce… the reason? To record a BIG sounding melodic hard rock album with the huge hair metal glossy production of the time to conquer MTV.
The result is one of our favorite Y&T albums of all time.
Indeed, it’s 1987 and everything boom on this Y&T record; multi-layered choruses, insane multi-tracked double guitar attack, a bombastic rhythm section and Dave’s lead vocals sounding bigger than ever.
All tracks are pure US glam metal gold from ‘L.A. Rocks’ or the title track to ‘Temptation’ (co-written by Danger Danger’s Al Pitrelli & Bruno Ravel) or ‘Eyes of a Stranger’.
All killers, but if I have to pick a winner here it goes to ‘Armed And Dangerous’… wow, that multi-layered choruses!..

Cherry Red / Hear No Evil Records have been doing a terrific job lately remastering classic albums with the same quality standards of colleagues like Rock Candy or YesterRock. Among the revisited bands they reissued, there is ACCEPT’s truly classic ’80s albums with expanded artwork and bonus material (featured here at 0dayrox).
As requested, now we are presenting ACCEPT 1986’s album “Russian Roulette”, featuring as bonus tracks the ‘Staying A Life’ album live tracks remaining from the HNE double-album release ‘Balls To The Wall + Staying A Life’, as the missing tracks didn’t fitted into one single CD.
“Russian Roulette” proved once more that if fiery melodic Teutonic metallic hard rock was what you hankered for, then nobody did it better than ACCEPT. By this stage the Accept sound was virtually set in stone, strafing riffs, tight beats and barking vocals strutting and posturing with a real sense of intent. There’s little doubt that without this band, the German Power Metal scene would look very, very different these days.
“T.V. War” roars from the start taking no prisoners, while the catchy yet melodic follower “MonsterMan” it’s a classic hymn with equally effective end results, before…

Shared by a contributor, here’s the rare, out of print, 2-CD set ”Live at the BBC” by British metal stalwarts DIAMOND HEAD.
Many bands start at an underground level and then are suddenly catapulted into the mainstream almost overnight. For Stourbridge, England’s New Wave of British Heavy Metal pioneers DIAMOND HEAD, it was arguably their signing to a major label (MCA) in 1981 that promptly got the group the public recognition they so long deserved.
This seemed to all culminate with two in-concert appearances the following year, broadcast to all of England on the British Broadcasting Corporation ”BBC”. Of the two, the defining moment had to be making it to the prestigious Reading Rock Festival, where on a Friday evening they were put in the slot just prior to headliners Budgie. A historical note is that Diamond Head got their big chance in the spotlight at Reading on a mere moment’s notice, as they were only brought in at the last minute when Manowar canceled due to visa issues. Strange how some of our biggest life events seem to happen almost by accident.
Thus this CD collects two Diamond Head BBC appearances, the Reading show, and a set from over 10 years later, when the group opened for their pals Megadeth and Metallica, two acts that long credited them as an influence.
The real treat of this compilation is the inclusion of the group’s appearance on the BBC “Friday Rock Show” that opens this collection. This was recorded in 1980 when these guys were barely 20 years old and had just issued their masterpiece “White Album” through mailorder and at gigs only a couple months prior. In other words, they were young, hungry, and at their absolute peak… pure NWoBHM…

Not so long ago we featured here the reissue of HUGO‘s debut album – fortunately Escape Music also reissued 2025 as well his second record “Time On Earth“. Originally released 2000’s by Frontiers Music, on ”Time On Earth” singer HUGO Valenti continued with his devotion for Journey, Steve Perry and all ’80s classic AOR, joined by first class musicians including Vinny Burns on guitar.
While many criticized HUGO for being musically too much close to Journey’s classic era, truth is the musician simply loves the genre, and this type of music and style just flows from him naturally. HUGO has done other things like Open Skyz with a progressive approach, but even there the AOR essence is still present – it’s just part of his ADN.
So on “Time On Earth” he isn’t repeating himself… ”Time On Earth” IS himself. All over the years since this album was released I heard some people saying that ”Time On Earth” isn’t strong as HUGO’s self-titled CD. I laugh it out loud. This sophomore effort is equally good, or even better – this is pure AOR, classic, elegant.
Highlights include the infectious ‘Tell It To My Heart’, the driving ‘Can’t Stop Lovin”, and a graceful AOR ballad called ‘Anyone In Love’. The majesty of the title track ‘Time On Earth’ is reflected by some shimmering guitars and atmospherics, while we also get a superb cover of Triumph’s ‘Magic Power’.
Your can’t go wrong with HUGO if melodies are your thing…

During the ’90s only a few Swiss bands received airplay on local radio stations. One of them was THE JUNGLE, a rock&pop / melodic rock combo scoring a couple a popular songs in the airwaves. Now the radio-rock band returns after a 25-year hiatus with a new album titled “Time Machine,” a fresh lineup, and plenty of groove.
Twenty-five years after THE JUNGLE entered the freeze, 3 of the six original band members are ready to give it another go. Together with the Swiss hit-making studio “HitMill” combo of producers, the now gracefully graying lads have produced a melodic, catchy new album. With songs written by founding member guitarist Rico Fischer and new young singer Tobey Lucas, “Time Machine” is indeed a trip back to an era when you actually was able to sing-along a tune.
The Jungle — originally simply called Jungle — spread their poppy melodic rock throughout the Swiss/German music scene. Their debut single, “Every One’s A Winner,” received nationwide radio airplay. After three successful albums, the band took a break that would last 25 years.
Now they are back with a set of wonderful sweet tunes that will please fans of the German & Scandinavian sound from the genre, very well produced songs…

Melodic Metal / Hard Rock / Progressive institution ROYAL HUNT have released what the call a ‘double disc Maxi Single’, in fact an Extended Play / EP titled “Behind The Curtain” – a project brought to life by the overwhelming support of their global fanbase.
Released at the end of 2025 by themselves on physical CD only available in bundle packages, the only standalone CD version is this Japanese Edition. However, the Asian edition lacks an extra track present in the European pressing.
The EP includes the track ‘Ride Into The Sunset’ that didn’t make it into the final track list of ROYAL HUNT’s last studio album 2022’s ‘Dystopia’, but it’s just as good as anything on the album. Up next a pair of live tracks from 2023 with immaculate sound quality.
Following that are two acoustic tracks drawn from an impromptu session at a bar. The song ‘Half Past Loneliness’, originally found buried in ‘Show Me How To Live’ (2011), is really having a renaissance. It really lends itself to this upbeat acoustic version.
Lastly and most intriguingly is a remixed, remastered version of ‘Fistful Of Misery’ from ‘Cast in Stone’. André Andersen was never quite satisfied with his own mix in the album so he experimented and re-did this song. This is the extra track not found on the Japanese CD…

We have been following Italian melodic rockers THUNDER RISING since the band released their debut album with the great Mark Boals on vocals. Formed in 2010 by experienced musicians from the Euro scene guitarist Frank Caruso (Firehouse AOR, Arachness) and drummer Corrado Ciceri (Firehouse AOR), Italy’s THUNDER RISING has been releasing consistent music since.
”Horizon Line” is their new album released December 29 in Japan, and now available world-wide. I don’t know if this new CD is the best THUNDER RISING album, but the best produced for sure. The material is pure classic melodic hard rock with AOR touches, perfectly recorded and arranged with all the feeling from the genre’s glorious era.
Opener ‘Can’t Forget Your Voice’ is Old-School AOR carried by smooth vocals, melodic guitar riffs and lots of keyboard sounds. It’s such beautiful retro ’80s stadium rock. The brevity of the songs is also retro. After just under four minutes, the even shorter ‘Master Of Destiny’ follows. And yet there’s still room for some great guitar solos. There are also multi layered harmony vocals, while a classy Hammond organ wafts in the background.
Despite the melodic start, the album gets heavier onwards…

The story of Swedish combo UNION MAC is a bit curious. Formed by singer / keyboardist Kristoffer Lagerstrom (Spin Gallery, Radioactive, Sayit) and guitarist Mikael Klevengård, the band was about to release their debut album “Lost In Attraction” in 2006 via Frontiers Music. However, something happened in between and UNION MAC ended sealing a deal with Escape Music.
Assisted by seasoned musicians drummer Imre Daun of Don Patrol and Dogface, Lover Under Cover, Reece, etc, talented guitarist Martin Kronlund (although not credited) and produced by themselves, UNION MAC’s debut album ”Lost In Attraction” appeared in 2007. As requested here’s at miximum quality.
Kristoffer Lagerstrom knows exactly how to pull off some serious good Melodic Rock / AOR. Fans of his former band Spin Gallery, T’Bell, Last Autumn’s Dream, Skagarack, Tommy Denander, etc, will be greatly pleased with “Lost In Attraction”.
Technically impeccable and plenty of strong melodies – diverse vocals, majestic choruses, some memorable riffs, and elegant keyboards are the core of the album, not only based on AOR melody, but some edgy melodic rock too. UNION MAC adds a light proggy touch as well, akin latter day Saga…

GUNS N’ ROSES keyboardist DIZZY REED has released a new solo album, titled ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Chose Me‘. Written and produced by Dizzy, “Rock ‘N’ Roll Chose Me” is a gritty, emotionally charged journey. It was co-produced Reed himself.
Dizzy F’n Reed’s second solo album is a deeply personal and socially reflective 10 song album exploring the pain of letting go, the struggles of mental health in an indifferent world, the illusions of the American Dream, and the unifying power of music — all told through a lens of perseverance, connection, and the human cost of chasing meaning in a divided and demanding society.
”Rock ‘N Roll Chose Me” is a musically joyful album with an unforced feel that shrugs off the impulse to “rawk” at every turn. It’s classic rock all over with strong 70s / 80s vibes, excellent keyboard work, and powerful vocals – honest Rock n’ roll, more eclectic than his Guns N’ Roses-era day-job.
This is an album with an ‘analog’ feeling, and focuses on live, studio-recorded instruments with no computer-generated sounds, and of course, alongside rocking guitars, features lots of “ear candy ivory” from Reed’s keyboards, influenced by his love for classic hard rock & metal, and his biggest influence; Jon Lord…

Robin McAuley (McAuley Schenker Group), Reb Beach (Winger, Whitesnake), Jeff Pilson (Foreigner, The End Machine, ex- Dokken), and Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Mr. Big) — collectively known as BLACK SWAN — are back with their explosive third album, ”Paralyzed”, to be released in February. Following the critical acclaim of their previous releases, the supergroup once again is ready to deliver a powerful statement in modern hard rock.
As advance, BLACK SWAN presents today ”Paralyzed EP”, including the title track and extra songs.
With all songs written and composed by McAuley, Pilson, and Beach, and expertly produced by Pilson, the new songs showcases Black Swan offering a dynamic mix of towering vocals, razor-sharp riffs, and hook-laden melodies. The band’s chemistry continues to shine, elevating their songwriting and musical delivery to new heights.
Tracked at Pilson’s Los Angeles studio, the new music reflects the tight-knit synergy among its members. McAuley’s commanding vocals remain as ageless, while the instrumentalists deliver with precision and fire. Far from being a patchwork of their previous bands, BLACK SWAN has firmly carved out its own identity…