Monthly Archive: June 2024

Rockers MEXICAN DOLLS are releasing today their new album “Rock Your Soul“, including some re-worked songs from their 2009 debut album plus new ones. Well, it doesn’t care too much when these songs where recorded, as all sound timeless American melodic hard rock circa 1987.
MEXICAN DOLLS love the Sunset Strip golden era, and their music reflects that. “Rock Your Soul” isn’t sleazy or dirty, but more on the clean, melodic side of glam hard rock, very well composed and executed.
They were fortunate to have legendary producer David Prater (Dream Theater, Firehouse) to mix some songs, so this provide an idea of the overall sound on “Rock Your Soul”; very melodic and polished.
Mexican Dolls born in Sydney, Australia, towards the end of year 2007. It all started when…

Sony Music Entertainment Inc. / Legacy Recordings are releasing a 2024 Remaster of PAGES 1978’s celebrated debut album “Pages“. Founded in the late Seventies by Richard Page and Steve George on vocals and keyboards supported by various renowned studio musicians, Pages is perhaps best known as the launching pad for the recording careers of both musicians, who later formed Mr. Mister.
The first self-titled Pages album is one of the best examples of soft-rock / pop-fusion made during the era mixed with proto WestCoast AOR sound and FM radio accessibility. Lovingly produced by Blood, Sweat & Tears veteran Bobby Colomby, the album has a very…

With some tracks produced by renowned ’80s guru Beau Hill, Texans’ RUDE AWAKENING self-titled CD is a throwback to an era when lovely melodies and catchy choruses where the motto in Rock music.
Rude Awakening was formed in Winnsboro, TX in 1985 and disbanded 1989. All members were prolific songwriters, but since they were teenagers never got signed to a record label, thus never released an official album back in  the days
The idea behind this CD project and reuniting of band members (Jim Richey, Jeff Hamm, Kenny Swann and Jeffrey Galloway) came from an imaginary “what if…” scenario. “What if Rude Awakening had been discovered and signed a record deal during their time as a band?” “Which original songs would have been used for the CD?” and “How would they have sounded in a first rate recording studio with a big time producer?”
So even though the music here was recorded in 2015, the attitude, songs, and image of the band are that from 1987.
Rude Awakening’s CD features 14 original songs akin the glory days of American radio-rock / poppy AOR and melodic rock. This is simple and lovely at the same time; catchy tunes..

Now we have more PRAYING MANTIS, this time with the impressive “Captured Alive In Tokyo City” in its rare 2-CD limited edition. The recording was captured at Club Citta Kawasaki, Japan, on November 11th & 12th, 1995.
The personnel featured of course PRAYING MANTIS founding members Chris & Tino Troy, and ex Iron Maiden Dennis Stratton on guitar / Clive Burr on drums, and the mighty Gary Barden on vocals. This line-up simply rocks!
The album originally was released in Japan only, in a single disc featuring selections from both shows, and this Limited Edition on 2-CD featuring the complete 20-song setlist!
“Captured Alive In Tokyo City” was later released in UK and reissued in Japan, but unfortunately the single disc version – this is the only 2-CD release available, with used copies being sold for over $ 400.
This is awesome classic melodic metal with great songs and some terrific performances from all involved. In a particular good form we find Gary Barden, whose rough voice and unique style contrast beautifully with the clean and well sung backing vocals provided by Stratton and the Troy’s.
You’ve seen it first at 0dayrox

A few days ago we fulfilled the request of ROBBIE PATTON ’80s albums, now we have here the less known, his debut LP ”Distant Shores” in its mega-rare digipak remastered French-only CD reissue.
This English singer/songwriter received his break when he toured as a special guest of Fleetwood Mac in 1979 when they one of the hottest acts in the music world. The association proved to be even more beneficial as Fleetwood Mac members helped Patton to get into American music industry, as songwriter partner for others (Santana, Journey’s Jonathan Cain, etc) and an album deal with a major label.
But before being signed by Atlantic Records, and fresh with his stint with Fleetwood Mac, Patton recorded this “Distant Shores” in 1981, produced by Fleetwood’s vocalist Christine McVie (who also play keyboards and does backing vocals) and Lindsey Buckingham also contributes guitar.
Released by a small label, “Distant Shores” is very early ’80s both in style and sound, polished melodic rock&pop with AORish feeling and some FM / Westcoast touches.
Rare CD. ..

A few weeks ago we featured the very rare Japanese edition of BRICKLIN 1986’s self-titled album, but occurs there was as well a remastered version reissued by AOR Heaven Records some time ago which seems suffered from manufacturing problems and it wasn’t reprinted again – only a few fine copies were sold, and now it’s a collectible rarity .
Here’s in exclusive “Bricklin [AOR Heaven Classix remaster +3]“, a fantastic sounding remaster and including 3 bonus tracks.
While “Bricklin” wasn’t a big hit – A&M Records never properly promoted the album – this is a well crafted, major production record much sought after by AOR fans and ’80s music aficionados. When BRICKLIN’s self-titled debut album was released in 1986 the music world was still a good place. But despite having their debut LP being released by a major record label, the band around brothers Scott and Brian Bricklin didn’t to succeed.
Probably because musically BRICKLIN didn’t fit into any regular scheme, as they mixed American Melodic Rock a la BEAU COUP, THE ARROWS and VITAL SIGNS with British New Romantic pop-rock in the vein of LEVEL 42 and SPANDAU BALLET – and A&M Records executives weren’t able to properly sell / promote the band…
You’ve seen it first at 0dayrox

HOLY SHIRE is a symphonic metal act out of the fertile musical soil of Milan, Italy, with their own tales to spin and songs to sing. The 7-piece combo tries to create a unique sound, and in many ways they success on their new album “Invincible“.
To achieve that they list two female vocalists: one doing with they call ‘dragon vocals’, and the other ‘unicorn vocals’. Both possess a quite different register, but always melodic and creating interesting harmonies. To make their sound even more different, HOLY SHIRE has a flute performer who adds a cool vibe to the songs. There’s heavy guitars and huge solos too, of course.
What we like about HOLY SHIRE is their sense of melody – most songs are midtempo based, and with the melody as center stage. The combination of twin vocals, heavy guitars, orchestrations and flute works great on songs like ‘Dragonfly’, ‘The Cathedral’, the impressive ballad ‘Dream of You’, and the pretty proggy ‘The Seduction of Hollowness’, all plenty of intelligent arrangements.
A band trying to offer something different in the overcrowded sound-all-the-same symphonic metal scene, HOLY SHIRE is one to try out…

Australian rock outfit SABÏRE began at the tail end of 2010 as an idea to have a band that played simply what came naturally on guitar to founder Scarlett Monastyrski with no set musical genre or category. Shortly thereafter, the concept grew to accompany that with a distinctive sound production.
On their new album “Jätt” Sabïre play largely traditional heavy metal that also has a hard rock / glam-ish vibe at times. The lyrics are a bit cliché and very ’80s fun style – I found myself smiling more than once thinking of old ’80s videos of bands singing about girls and the likes while listening to this.
Scarlett’s vocals will instantly stick to your brain like a tick on steroids, very melodic and recorded with a ‘big gate reverb’ and often leaving the accompanying music in the dust. Speaking of which, the music itself is very catchy and rocking, even kind of “dance-inducing” at times, with a very infectious beat…

Founded by brothers Tino and Chris Troy, PRAYING MANTIS developed a reputation for delivering thinking man’s metal very much defining the genre in Great Britain during the ’80s. One of the band’s favorite albums, “Time Tells No Lies“, has been requested in its Remastered & Reloaded form by Rock Candy Records including 5 bonus tracks.
Indeed, Praying Mantis had the musical chops to rival and, at times, outshine the competition by utilizing twin lead guitar, ambitious arrangements and multilayered harmonies; their songs were melodic yet intricately arranged and packed a powerful punch.
“Time Tells No Lies”, produced by Time Friese Green (Touch), engineered by Mike Shipley (Def Leppard) and housed in a stunning Rodney Matthews designed sleeve, appeared at the beginning of the ’80s and attracted highbrow praise positioning them as a band to definitely watch out for.
Sure, in the end they didn’t quite reach the peak of popularity attained by Maiden or Leppard, but their presence on the scene was not without significance and “Time Tells No Lies” remains a gleaming testament to their talent…

PERFECT STRANGERS was a band put together by singer / songwriter Ian Parry (Vengeance) and ex- Vandenberg drummer Jos Zoomer. The band wrote a lot of songs and recorded many of them between 1988 / 1989, but a record deal never crystallized and the project disbanded in the early Nineties.
However, in 1998, Japanese label Avalon released a compilation of PERFECT STRANGERS ’80s recordings titled “Outside Lookin’ In”, only in Japan. Now the band is reissuing by themselves “Outside Lookin’ In (2024 Remaster + Bonus tracks)“.
This is classic late ’80s melodic hard rock / AOR with stupendous melodies and arrangements, musically a mix of ZINATRA, GIUFFRIA, 1ST. AVENUE, the first HOUSE OF LORDS and VANDENBERG. While in fact these tracks are demos, all are multi-track professionally recorded & produced. This updated sonic remaster polish some flaws, but what really matters is the quality of the songs, excellent timeless stuff…

In an electrifying surge of creativity, classic rock behemoths ROBERT JON & THE WRECK are poised to unveil their most ambitious project yet, ”Red Moon Rising”. The album, produced by legendary Kevin Shirley is set for release on June 28th via Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records.
”Red Moon Rising” is a bold declaration of evolution and rebirth, capturing the essence of the band’s transformative years and setting a new course for their musical odyssey.
The album’s lead single and title track, “Red Moon Rising,” emerges as a beacon of this new era. With its funk-infused rhythms and thought-provoking lyrics, the song represents a slight departure from the band’s traditional sound. There’s some kind of a Black Country Communion vibe there…

YES‘ fourth album “Fragile” hit the American Top 10 in February 1972. Reaching platinum in the U.K. and double platinum in the U.S., the record launched the to new heights with hits like “Roundabout” and its beloved B-side, “Long Distance Runaround.”
To be released tomorrow, “Fragile [Super Deluxe Edition Box Set]” is an extensive reissue featuring a newly remastered version of the original album, Steven Wilson’s new mix of the entire album, a complete instrumental version of the album, rarities, live recordings, and more.
The new remix of the album by Wilson is just awesome. In addition, two discs of rarities provide a glimpse of the album’s creative journey, from early versions of “Roundabout” and “South Side Of The Sky” to unreleased live recordings from the Fragile Tour, including “Long Distance Runaround / The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus).”..

Just in time for the Summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere… BIG SUN comes out with their captivating debut album “Rite De Passage“. Hailing from Denmark, BIG SUN isn’t your typical band for sure. Their music, and “Rite De Passage” has a ‘lyric concept’, some kind of ‘occult lodge’ which brings to mind Blue Oyster Cult. Not surprisngly the band members prefer to remain anonymous,
But what really surprises is the musical variation on “Rite De Passage”; they go from trad metal to AOR with ease, and the whole thing not only works, but makes this album one of the most interesting and original releases this year. Think a mix of NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA, GHOST, BROTHER FIRETRIBE and MERCYFUL FATE. Crazy? Yeah, but really well done.
Take the track ‘Directions’ as example, a wild mix of AOR with progressive, which is slightly reminiscent of colleagues like NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA from Sweden. Then the dark ‘Maiden Sacrifice’ adds a creepy MERCYFUL FATE atmosphere, ‘Stronger Than Anyone’ brings some GHOST-like poppy goth, while ‘Lovers Die At Midnight is pure melodic hard rock with big choruses.
The range of styles on “Rite De Passage” is not exactly an everyday occurrence, and we strongly recommend you to discover this fresh new band…

Legendary American band THE FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS are celebrating their 50th anniversary with the release of their first studio album in eight years, ”Struck Down”, on June 28th. The album’s first single, “Payback Time,” features ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons vocals and guitar.
”Struck Down” also features special guests Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Keb’ Mo’ and Mick Fleetwood on the album’s lone cover song, a scintillating take on Memphis Minnie’s “Nothing in Rambling.” Additional contributions on the new disc come from Elvin Bishop, Terrance Simien and Canadian blues guitar ace Steve Strongman, who co-wrote with Kim Wilson nine of the album’s 10 tracks.
In addition to the searing “Payback Time,” other standout tracks include the album’s opener, “Struck Down By The Blues,” featuring Steve Strongman on guitar; “Watcha Do To Me,” featuring guitar icon Elvin Bishop; and the wistful closing track, “Sideline.”..

Established in 2014, HEAVY STAR roared onto the rock scene in 2016 with the release of “Electric Overdrive”, a testament to founder Marco Kace’s enduring love for heavier rock. Influenced by KISS and the classic hard rock sound, Marco shaped Heavy Star’s sound as a homage to the mid-’80s rock royalty, blending NWOBHM vibes with the energy of hair metal and glam.
In 2022, the arrival of lead vocalist Corrado Quoiani revitalized the band, setting the stage for their signing with Lions Pride Music in May 2023. Despite global upheavals, Heavy Star’s perseverance bore fruit with the completion of their album, “Ride On“, to be released tomorrow.
“Ride On” encapsulates Heavy Star’s timeless commitment to rock ‘n roll, blending ’80s nostalgia with a modern edge. Huge guitars, big vocals, catchy melodies, and a clean powerful production here, sure to please fans of the genre.
A killer record…