Monthly Archive: October 2022

EDDIE VANTEZ

EDDIE VANTEZ – Rough Diamond (2022) *HQ*

Melodic Rock / AOR from Chile sounds a bit exotic to many, but this is a much beloved genre in South America (Brazil, Argentina, etc). Danish label Lions Pride is always in the ‘hunt’ for such ‘hidden bands’, so it’s not a surprise that they signed the band HUNTER, whom debuted for the label with 2021’s ”Hungry Heart’ album which received extremely favorable reviews – including ours at 0dayrox.
Now HUNTER’s singer and keyboarder Ed Carabantes is going solo under the name EDDIE VANTEZ and presents his solo debut “Rough Diamond”, also out via Lions Pride Music.
With all songs sung in English, from the very first bits the listener knows where the ‘journey’ is going; Classic AOR in the style of the 80s, catchy, plenty of melody & hooklines, with clean vocals, crisp guitars and genre-typical keyboard flourishes.
Even if many songs are located in the mid-tempo range, the album has its rocking puch too. Eddie’s vocal style is influenced by all-eras TOTO, but NIGHT RANGER, SURVIVOR or STAN BUSH must be mentioned as inspiration…

GYPSY QUEEN

GYPSY QUEEN – Psycho Cinema (2022)

Female-fronted melodic hard rockers GYPSY QUEEN are releasing today their new album “Psycho Cinema“. Originally formed in the ’80s, GYPSY QUEEN had not one but two female lead vocalists, twin sisters Paula and Pamela Mattioli.
Although the band performed together a few times during the last two decades at reunion events, it was the sudden passing of Pamela from an undiagnosed heart condition in 2014 became the catalyst for the bands formal reunion, culminating in a self-titled album appeared 2018.
“Psycho Cinema” style & sound is of course late ’80s classic female-fronted melodic hard rock dominated by Paula’s whiskey-tinged, sultry rasp and powerful vocal range, smokin’ riffs and a melodic dose of keyboards.
It’s a pity GYPSY QUEEN has chosen such unattractive album cover art which doesn’t reflects the music inside, but well, that’s why 0dayrox exists, to recommend “Psycho Cinema” to all fans of this much beloved musical genre…

LUNATICA

LUNATICA – Back to the 80’s (2022)

Founded in the late Nineties, in subsequent years Swiss band LUNATICA became one of the most significant female fronted symphonic metal band with their albums being released by major label Frontiers Music. While LUNATICA went on hiatus with their last record dated from 2009, they are still active.
There’s a new album in the making, but meanwhile surprises with the release of “Back to the 80’s“, a collection of songs from their discography completely remixed with the addition of Eighties-style instrumentation.
Songs like ‘Words Unleashed’, ‘Still Believe’ or the stupendous ‘Song for You’ get new life with a set of synths / electronic drums backing tracks that makes these tunes feel like recorded in 1985. LUNATICA’s albums, despite the bombastic sympho metal production, always had a strong ’80s foundation in their songwriting, and now it shows with “Back to the 80’s”.
Done in a similar fashion of the ‘At The Movies’ project, you’ll love this!

THUNDER RISING

THUNDER RISING (featuring Mark Boals) – Thunder Rising [Expanded Edition +5] *Exclusive*

With THUNDER RISING releasing their second full length 2022 after almost a decade from their self-titled debut, it’s a proper occasion to revisit this very good traditional (melodic) hard rock record enlisting the lead vocals of talented Mark Boals.
THUNDER RISING was assembled by Italian guitarist Frank Caruso and perhaps his name does not ring any bell for you, but Frank and his crew aren’t newcomers to the Melodic Hard Rock field at all. During the Eighties, Frank was part of the underrated (and quite unknown) Italian band Firehouse, and more recently Arachnes and 24 Strings, recording ten albums between these two acts.
Drummer Corrado ‘Nail’ Ciceri (also ex- Firehouse) played in Wine Spirit and for Glenn Hughes & Alvin Lee live bands, on second guitar we have Andy Ringoli from the quite good AOR band Homerun, and together with bass player Gabriele Baroni (Arachnes, Strings 24), complete the very solid, sharp Melodic Hard Rock sound of Thunder Rising.
Add the awesome vocals of Mark Boals, and this turned into a compelling product…

THUNDER RISING

THUNDER RISING – Back To The Time Of Rock (2022)

Formed in 2010 by guitarist Frank Caruso (Firehouse AOR, Arachness) and drummer Corrado Ciceri (Firehouse AOR), Italy’s THUNDER RISING were featured at 0dayrox when they released their eponymous debut in 2012, a quite stunning old-school hard rock featuring the golden voice of Mark Boals (Malmsteen, Ring Of Fire). If you do not already have it then check it out as it is a perfect example of how traditional hard rock should be delivered.
The band has since released a couple of EPs but we now come to what the fans have waited a long time for with their second album ”Back To The Time Of Rock”. The title is very apt as well the artwork: on this release THUNDER RISING continues with their ’80s and ’90s Americanized hard rock style but also the glorious ’70s primal hard rock roots with explicit historic-riff mentions.
The songs are melodic and crisp, there’s terrific vocals…

GREAT WHITE

GREAT WHITE – Elation [George Tutko Remixes]

Not too often a band have an album out and then nine months later they release a new version of it. This was the case with GREAT WHITE when presented a newly remixed version of their studio album Elation, re-titled “Elation : George Tutko Remixes“.
“Elation” was originally released by Frontiers on May 18, 2012 with production and mixing being handled by guitarist/keyboardist Michael Lardie. The CD, featuring new vocalist Terry Illous, received positive reviews by the press and was warmly embraced by fans. The only complaint was the fact that some liveliness of previous studio recordings of the band seemed lost at the mixing desk.
When “Hard to Say Goodbye” – the first single from the album – were prepared to its video release, Terry Illous suggested a remix for the track to make an exclusive ‘video-mix’. He knew engineer George Tutko who did one album with XYZ, Illous’ first band.
After Tutko did the new remix of the song from the master tracks, all Great White members were perplexed how much better it sounded than the original. Then they asked him to do the whole record.
As requested, here’s “Elation : George Tutko Remixes”. This version is only on digital format at limited retailers and has become a collectors item…

REMASTER / RevLOVER / UNRELEASED

RevLOVER – Too Fast For The Competition [FnA release] (1991-1993)

Los Angeles based hard rock band RevLOVER was right there in the middle of the heyday of hard rock / hair bands. During the time period of 1988-1994, RevLover constantly showcased their talents on the L.A. Sunset Strip and toured the United States extensively, but never signed a recording contract.
30 years later, “Too Fast For The Competition” see the light of day released by FnA Records, including the band’s two indie releases originally available on cassette only, plus many extra tracks.
Originally from Southern family, RevLover was originally known as LIX, and quickly became mainstays at all the top clubs in the Florida the local rock scene. In 1987, the band packed up their bags, and headed to Hollyweird, where they rechristened the band name RevLover.
The band quickly rose to notoriety hosting many well-known musicians during their stage show like Don Dokken, Zakk Wylde, Jani Lane and Randy Castillo, and some even helped RevLover with songwriting…

JAMIE HOSMER

JAMIE HOSMER – Comfortable Shoes [Japan Edition +1] (2021) *HQ*

Despite of being in the music business for over three decades, “Comfortable Shoes” is the first solo album from talented American songwriter / multi instrumentalist JAMIE HOSMER. He recently did background vocals for Tomi Malm’s last album, but also has worked with the likes of Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross, Bill Champlin, Asia featuring John Payne, etc, co-starred stage musicals with Lou Gramm, Bobby Kimball, Mickey Thomas, and recorded as session musicians on many albums.
The genesis for “Comfortable Shoes” started with Covid-19; impossible to tour or working with other artists, Jamie decided to record his own songs for a solo debut CD.
What we have here is a collection of songs which takes you back to California circa 1980, West Coast / Soft Rock FM radio tunes mixed with modern rock&pop sensibility. With a style ranging from Bill Champlin, Christopher Cross or Steely Dan to current exponents such as Young Gun Silverfox, Steffan Gunnarson, Tomi Malm, “Comfortable Shoes” is a pure delight.
Hosmer’s approach to arrangements & performance strongly brings to mind David Foster’s works. Darn, he even looks like a young David Foster!

TURKISH DELIGHT

TURKISH DELIGHT – Volume One [CD version + bonus track] (2022) *HQ*

TURKISH DELIGHT is an all-star project releasing its debut album “Volume One” (yes, there’s other in the making) featuring the songwriting talents of Steve Overland (FM), Chris Ousey (Heartland), Steve Morris (Heartland), Mick Devine (Seven), Steve Newman (Newman/Compass) and Tommy Denander (Radioactive), all delivering top class melodic rock / AOR material. This CD version includes an extra, bonus track.
The aforementioned musicians also sing / play on the album, complemented by the whos’ who from the scene, just to name a few; Ronnie Platt (Kansas), Billy Greer (Streets/Kansas), Billy Sheehan (Talas/David Lee Roth/Mr Big), Gary Pihl (Sammy Hagar/Boston/Alliance), Jeff Pilson (Dokken), Jeff Scott Soto, Chris Childs (Thunder), Mike Slamer (City Boy/ Streets/Seventh Keys/Steelhouse Lane) Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake/Joel Hoekstra’s 13), Robin Beck, Robin Mc Auley (Grand Prix/MSG), James Christian (House Of Lords) and the impressive list continues…

0dayrox Contributor Exclusives / REMASTER / SLIK TOXIK

SLIK TOXIK – Doin’ The Nasty [Bad Reputation remastered +3] (2022) HQ *0dayrox Exclusive*

Since the beginning of the ’90s, the waters were a bit rocky for the hard rock / metal world, especially in America. The landscape was changing and bands such as Warrant, Poison, and Skid Row who all at one time were selling out arenas and amphitheaters found themselves playing to 1/2 full venues and in some cases reduced to playing half full clubs.
It was also a bad time for new bands of the genre who were coming out. While this was true, it definitely didn’t mean that these acts weren’t any good. As a matter of fact, bands like Tora Tora, War Babies, and Babylon AD were doing this stuff as good if not better than many of their peers.
Of those acts, one band and their debut album rose above them all to really blow my mind. That band was Canada’s SLIK TOXIK and the album was ”Doin’ The Nasty”.
Now Bad Reputation Records is doing justice to that killer melodic hard rock album from 1992 reissuing a newly remastered version of Slik Toxik‘s debut full-length ”Doin’ The Nasty” with three bonus tracks. And believe me, if you like this genre, you need to listen to this CD.
Only at 0dayrox

0dayrox Contributor Exclusives / DARE / RARE ALBUMS / UNRELEASED

DARE – Blood From Tapes [Rare & Unreleased] *0dayrox EXCLUSIVE*

Now we bring here another of our exclusive 0dayrox compilations including rare, hard to find and unreleased tracks from DARE.
“Blood From Tapes [Rare & Unreleased]” includes 23 songs from Darren Wharton, some of them used as B-sides on promos and never released on CD, others never released, others with different mixes, others are demos, etc.
Most of these tracks are from the first DARE era, when their sound & style was decidedly AOR / Melodic Rock oriented. All songs have a very good production and sound despite of being, in some cases, demos.
Only at 0dayrox

CHEVY / REMASTER / REMASTER ROCK CANDY

CHEVY – The Taker [Rock Candy Remastered +3] *HQ*

Many of you asked to keep featuring Rock Candy Records releases to complete collections, so here’s rockers CHEVY only album 1980’s ”The Taker” that has been given the full-on bells and whistles of a remastered reissue by the Rock Candy crew with an interesting essay about the making of the album.
Evolving from an earlier band by the name of Cupid’s Inspiration, Chevy was the name they took on being “re-born” as a hard hitting hard rock act in the early mists of NWOBHM. They had the riffs, sure, though what set them apart from their luminaries was a more complex sounds that was tinged with a bit of Southern rock / blues (eg Point Blank, Outlaws or Blackfoot) and sometimes a sort of Wishbone Ash type vibe. Made for an interesting mixture and got them noticed.
If you were putting ”The Taker” neatly on a shelf of NWOBHM albums, it would be at the same “melodic” end as Praying Mantis & White Spirit, not at the “heavy end” with Iron Maiden and Saxon…

0dayrox Contributor Exclusives / FM / UNRELEASED

FM – Indiscreet II [The Unreleased 1987-1988 album] *0dayrox Exclusive*

FM is a British melodic rock / AOR institution still releasing quality material after forty years with their recent CD ‘Thirteen’. The band’s debut album 1986’s ‘Indiscreet’ is regarded as one of the best AOR albums from the Eighties. Many fans miss the unadulterated AOR sound of that first effort, as FM morphed to a more melodic (hard) rock style since second album “Tough It Out”.
“Tough It Out” took the band 3 years to crystallize, simply because the record label asked for a more mainstream, American style rock music. But in between the two albums, FM wrote a lot of songs in the 1987-1988 period, and with the classy AOR mold of their debut.
What we have here is “Indiscreet II“, an awesome bunch of songs the band penned & demoed for their second album that never was… These aren’t the poor sounding demos floating the internet for years – the quality of this “Indiscreet II” is far superior, and the songs – 18 tracks never released – a treat for ’80s AOR aficionados.
Read the full story below…
Only at 0dayrox

WILD HEAT

WILD HEAT – Hustle (2022)

Hailing from Belfast, UK, but taking inspiration from all things LA ’80s glam metal, WILD HEAT are releasing their new album titled “Hustle“. The recording of this album began way back in May 2019 with the first single swiftly following the following month. However, as the band headed back to the studio to continue recording in early 2020, that pesky pandemic hit and the world stopped. Now 2022 finally saw the completion of ”Hustle”.
As in the good ‘ole times, the album is 10 tracks that span approximately 38 minutes and for the full time, you will be toe tapping, singing and having a lot of fun.
Since opener ‘Red Lights’ the heavily 80s-influenced hard rock begins and you can feel that there is so much flat-out rocking fun that is on the way. The guitar riff and solos give you that warm feeling inside. The tracks are full of high-octane brilliance we all associate with a time gone by, when music didn’t have to be overly complicated, it was down to the quality and sound.
What Wild Heat have captured is that aspect of making music that make people feel good, In fact I would go as far as saying Hustle makes you feel a lot better than good. I didn’t stop having a massive smile on my face from as soon as I pressed play…

HARD ROCK SALLINEN / REMASTER

HARD ROCK SALLINEN – Heavy Metal Symphony ’82 (Expanded 40th Anniversary Edition +10) (2022)

Finnish metalheads have always been puzzled by the question of which is their country’s first metal band. The answer is HARD ROCK SALLINEN, founded in the mid-Seventies by brothers Seppo (Vocals, Bass) and Juke Sallinen (Drums).
Their source of inspiration was Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Rainbow, Mountain, Aerosmith and Cactus, hard rock / metal with US and basically, British influences. HARD ROCK SALLINEN songs were featured on three compilation albums and released one 7” single before the band signed their first recording contract in the early 1980’s.
The debut album ”Heavy Metal Symphony” was released in 1982, a cult LP and a collector’s rarity for decades. Now it’s being re-released for the first after 40 years, expanded & remastered and including as bonus that rare first single, demos, and recordings for the 2nd album that never was, as HARD ROCK SALLINEN disbanded in 1984…