Monthly Archive: April 2023

UK hard rockers THUNDER announced expanded reissues of their first 3 albums on both deluxe coloured vinyl and CD. Each contains rare, bonus, and unreleased live versions of tracks from these albums.
Additionally, THUNDER and their record label BMG will release ‘1990-1995 Revisited & Rare’ on 28/04. It contains all the bonus tracks from the recently announced first 3 album reissues and will be available as digital download only.
All tracks on “1990-1995 Revisited & Rare” are or previously unreleased or appeared on long deleted limited editions / fan club releases. It’s a very nice move from the band to feature all these rarities on a standalone release…

Legendary New York metal band THE RODS is releasing a new archive release, ”Live From Rose Hall”. Recorded in 2022, the album features Carl Canedy (drums), David “Rock” Feinstein (guitars / vocals) and Freddy Villano (bass).
Recorded during a face-melting gig held in the band’s hometown of Cortland, NY, this performance shows The Rods in full force. Canedy comments: “The was our first show with our new bass player, Freddy Villano, we thought it would be a good way to show the fans that with our revitalized line-up we are hitting the ground running.”
The sound quality & mix of the recording is excellent, almost like ‘live into the studio’ takes, everything audible, no noises, you can hear each instrument as it is in front of you…

In 2023 Scandinavian metallers HAMMERFALL celebrate the success of their fourth album ‘Crimson Thunder’ achieving Platinum status in Sweden, and continuing their retrospective series, the band will be releasing it’s very own 20-Year Anniversary Edition.
On ”Crimson Thunder [20 Year Anniversary Edition]”, the songs have been remixed & remastered by Fredrik Nordström and this definitive version will include previously unreleased pre-production tracks, a brand-new medley and live acoustic songs.
The album, originally released in 2002, with this new remix treatment gets a new life, updated, modern, sharpening the riffs, drums are bigger, and vocals powerful than never before.

Four decades ago, “Servants Of The Devil“, the upcoming album from rockers BLACK & DAMNED would have been banned not only for its title, but its cover art. These German dudes doesn’t worship Satan at all, they just love this ‘retro metal’ imagery. And musically, they are very accessible and catchy.
While BLACK & DAMNED are marketed as power metal, their rock style is a mix of melodic metal and groovy hard rock: most tracks on “Servants Of The Devil” are mid-paced, melodic, even there’s not one but two ballads. And very good ones.
From the anthemic feel of the songs to the more ballsy Hard Rock / Melodic Metal instrumental and vocal delivery, this is fairly safe territory for many listeners having as it does plenty of balls, as well as those more catchy elements that Power Metal often over does.
Think a cross between Masterplan, Accept, Bloodbound and DIO, all crafted with a crystal clear production sound…

Legendary metal guitarist ROSS THE BOSS will release “Legacy Of Blood, Fire & Steel”, on April 28 via AFM Records. When the style-defining artists of the metal scene come up for discussion, one name cannot be missing: Ross “The Boss” Friedman made music history as co-founder of Manowar, but also of The Dictators – his influence in heavy metal and punk can still be felt today. The first six fable works of Manowar, in which Ross was significantly involved between 1982 and 1988, are now immortal classics and the fact that the band never again reached this quality after his departure speaks for the New York guitarist and songwriter.
Since 2006, Ross and his Ross The Boss band have once again been releasing old-school metal, which more than once evokes memories of the 80s with its very own style. After four studio albums it is time for an anniversary. And this may be celebrated with the best Ross The Boss songs from 15 years: “Legacy Of Blood, Fire & Steel”.
You’ve seen it first at 0dayrox

Fronted by remembered singer Joey C. Jones (RIP) SWEET SAVAGE were a sensation from the ’80s US glam / hair metal scene. The band only officially released the mini-LP “Sweet Savage” in 1985, but recorded more material.
A cult record, for years a very hard to find vinyl, Demon Doll Records put out this remastered version of “Sweet Savage”, for the first time on CD and including a bunch of bonus tracks. Sporting all the original artwork in a 12 page booklet including never before seen photos, an in depth band biography and lyrics, this is an Eighties Glam Rock and Hair Metal treasure.
Produced & arranged by talented Dana Strum (at the time in Vinnie Vincent Invasion, later Slaughter), this is pure mid-Eighties stuff, fun, hard-hitting but melodic.
To make it more complete, there’s 0dayrox Extras for your collection…

Excellent melodic progressive metal band TERAMAZE continue their prolific ways with another album titled ”Dalla Volta”, on April 27. The CD features not only new songs, but also re-imagined versions of some of their classics. This physical CD version includes a bonus track, a cover of the pop-rock classic “Easy Lover”, a smash hit for Phil Collins & Philip Bailey in 1984, awesomely done by TERAMAZE.
”Dalla Volta” blend together old and new sounds to create something truly unique, plenty of melodies, mind-bending riffs and fantastic dynamic time signatures. And don’t even get me started on the vocals – they’re absolutely killer.
If you’re a fan of of the genre, then this album is a must-have for your collection. It’s a true testament to the evolution of their exquisite progressive metal style.
You’ve seen it first at 0dayrox

Demon Doll Records has teamed up with early ’90s bad boys LEGEND to reissue their rocking debut album “Sex And Violence”, a polished slice of US melodic hard rock with that classic early Nineties sound production style. All songs have been digitally remastered and this reissue comes packaged in an 8-page booklet with a full set of lyrics to the original album tracks. This reissue is officially licensed from the band, including 8 previously unreleased tracks from the 2nd album that never was.
Despite the controversial album title, in fact it refers to the good (Sex) & the bad (Violence), and not mixed together.
Musically, this early ’90s US melodic hard rock with that bluesy foundation and polished production from the era. In 1991, bands in this style struggled to get a recording contract, so Legend released “Sex And Violence” via a small label.
Kerrang’s Magazine 1991 review speak for itself:
“Hailing from the Boston area, Legend are building up a cult following in that neck of the woods with a sound that takes its cue from late ’80s Queensryche, as well as the sleazier climates from the worlds of Guns N’ Roses, Bang Tango and Sweet F.A.
The musicianship is strong, the songs are vivid and there’s plenty of energy flying around… when Legend are good they’re almost excellent Fronted by possible future star in vocalist Tyler Kaye, Legend are a quite exciting prospect…”

Vain frontman DAVY VAIN solo album ”In From Out Of Nowhere” has been re-released as a Special Limited Edition with only 200 copies available on CD / numbered and signed. You can purchase the CD only from Davy Vain’s online store.
Sadly, Vain (the band) never got their second album released in 1991 due to record label bankrupt, but Davy continued with the group, and despite the trend-fixed music industry favoring grunge suppressed this awesome band for major exposure, they managed to release two albums during the Nineties.
By the end of the decade Davy was searching to give a more personal touch to his music, and despite of featuring all Vain (the band) members, this next album ”In From Out Of Nowhere” was released in 2000’s with the DAVY VAIN name on the tin.
As the music industry progressed and changed, Davy explored his creativity and musicianship even further. Remaining true to his musical integrity, “In From Out of Nowhere” is filled with catchy hooks and choruses, rampant with melodies, and loaded with fresh and creative guitar sounds.
You’ve seen it first at 0dayrox

After the thrilling debut album, ‘No Respect’, dated back to 1989, VAIN recorded their “to be” second album, ”All Those Strangers”. Nevertheless, due to several misfortunes, it was never released. Back in 1991, the supposed year for the album’s release, the record label Island Records got into some financial problems which ended in its collapse. At the very last minute, ”All Those Strangers” was shelved, leaving VAIN with empty hands.
It took endless years until frontman Davy Vain got the rights of the recording, and ”All Those Strangers” was finally released some time ago via his own label, a limited pressing of 500 CD’s, of course sold out.
Now VAIN‘s second album ”All Those Strangers” is being available again 2023, on Hi-Res Audio.
This record would definitely have been a perfect follow-up for the glam legends. While ”All Those Strangers” may not have a song as instantly hard-hitting as on the debut, arguably it is more consistent throughout than ‘No Respect’ was. Tracks like “Wake Up”, “Love Drug”, “Shooting Star”, “Here Comes Lonely” or “Shouldn’t Cry” easily could have been hits on MTV back in 1991.
One nice thing about ”All Those Strangers” is the exceptional sound quality. All too often these unreleased albums are created from unfinished demos, but in this case the album was completely mixed & mastered and ready for release back in 1991, coming direct from the master tapes…
You’ve seen it first at 0dayrox

After decades of cassette trades among fans of the genre, Sunset Strip’s Glam Rock bad boys WIKKED GYPSY have finally released their recorded material on CD. Their debut album ”Bed Of Flesh” thanks to Demon Doll Records who have once again gone to the vaults and teamed up with Wikked Gypsy members to release some of the hottest glam & sleaze unheard band from the late ’80s.
WIKKED GYPSY made some noise in the late 80s and early 90s and developed a cult following throughout the Hollywood area helping to sell out shows at The Roxy and The Whiskey A Go Go. With this release, Steph, Ash and the Wicked Boys dial it up to 10 as they unleash their seven most prominent songs including “Bed Of Flesh”, “Sad Songs”, “Shoot Me Down Again” & “City Groans”, plus 2 never before released Bonus Tracks “Late For Dinner” & “These Pages Turn”.
WIKKED GYPSY sound was rooted in 1982’s MOTLEY CRUE and mid-Eighties VAIN, add a dash of SHOTGUN MESSIAH attitude as well. This DDR release was re-printed with different cover art, so both versions are collectors items now…

Maryland, USA hard rockers WASTE DOWN REBELS are releasing their new studio album titled ”Mercies and Curses”. The album features none other than Lillian Axe guitarist Steve Blaze on all lead vocals and lyrics.
The writing process for the album began in early months of 2020 when the guitarist of Waste Down Rebels, Rick Ayers, had the music for a few complete tracks demoed and reached out to Steve to see if he would be interested in tracking vocals and writing lyrics. This all began to unfold at the start of the COVID pandemic so time was in their favor to see how things might progress and if the synergy between parties transpired.
Steve Blaze wrote the lyrics and performed all lead vocals on the album… but he didn’t touch a guitar for once. The result is a very melodic, modern heavy album.
Blaze vocals are groovy, and his lyrics are, at places, dark, with strong social content, while Ayers’ riffs are mixed into several layers – many of the guitar parts were doubled and some quadrupled to give on overall thick feel…

Few albums we’ve heard recently have a more endearingly old-timey, retro sound and style than what New Yorkers TANITH deliver on their new album “Voyage“. This is true ’70s hard rock with the earliest traces of heavy metal thunder reinforcing the foundations.
That means tight, catchy tunes with riffs and harmonies for days, approximating a wild mash-up of Thin Lizzy, Blue Oyster Cult, and Fleetwood Mac. Yeah, I know that sounds intriguing, I’m the one telling you about it! Are you ready to rock the old-school way? If not, please show yourself out now.
The band feature a unique pairing of lead vocal personas that embody both the olden male helmsman archetype with the more recent phenomenon of its equally potent feminine counterpart. By no means should this suggest that the quartet that makes up this fold is anything short of the full package in terms of technical proficiency and expressiveness, but it’s a fool’s errand to deny that the combined voice work of NWOBHM veteran and guitarist Russ Tippins (Satan) – the band’s lone non-U.S. member and a direct link to older ways – and bassist Cindy Maynard are the prime feature of this project…

Lockdown was a strange time for many bands, especially ones that actually founded in that fateful year 2020 – but some fresh ideas born. Formed online but by already friend musicians, the idea behind UNCHOSEN ONES was to create something unique, different. And listening to their debut album “Sorrow Turns To Dust“, they reach the goal.
The music of the UNCHOSEN ONES is an unusual meld of melodic hard rock / commercial power metal / retro 80s synthwave and video-games. Their lyrics are inspired by arcade video games like Elden Ring (‘Infinite Gear’), Castlevania (‘Kill the Night’) or Dark Souls (‘Ashen Wasteland’), but they also cover other themes.
It’s very refreshing to hear a punchy melodic power metal rhythm / sharp guitars mixed with cyber retro ’80 synths resulting into some kind of a laser beam that hits you in the head. These guys have creative ideas for sure…

Breaking ground in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2017, BLOOD STAR play in the 1980s hard rock / metal lane, calling up the past with their brand new music. They have released a handful of singles along the way to their impressive debut full-length album “First Sighting“, a killer record deserving acclaim.
This female-fronted outfit is so good, that you need to hear their previous singles / EP as well, including hot covers of ‘Paris Is Burning’ (Dokken) and ‘Too Scared To Run’ (Uriah Heep).
BLOOD STAR’s style may be well-known, containing those melodic riffs, catchy verses, undeniable rally cry choruses, plus rhythm section components bringing all the hooks home – but there’s just something undeniable about the passion, spirit, and attitude penetrating this platter that will keep listeners satisfied.
The album is comprised of sensational full-on pure hard rock and metal tracks along with a short instrumental passage that fully acknowledges that Blood Star have arrived on the scene, and they are going to be BIG. You better believe the hype because Blood Star really are fantastic, and music of this quality makes ”First Sighting” one of the must-have releases of the year so far…