GASTEM – Hard To Stop [Eonian Records] (2026) *HQ*

320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2

Originally formed in Damascus, Maryland, GASTEM emerged from the thriving ’80s hard rock scene between 1985 and 1989, building a loyal following throughout Baltimore and Washington, D.C. with their infectious melodic hooks, powerful live performances, and arena-sized sound.
Throughout the 1980s, GASTEM became a staple of the Baltimore–Washington–Virginia club circuit, headlining packed venues and sharing stages with numerous national acts, including their Baltimore brothers, KIX. Schenker would later join KIX full-time in 2001, remaining with the platinum-selling band through their final performance in 2023.
After an incredible 34-year hiatus, GASTEM reunited in early 2024 to record the critically acclaimed comeback album ‘III’, including as perment member ex KIX bass player Mark Schenker.
Now Eonian Records is releasing GASTEM’s new CD “Hard To Stop“, a powerful new collection that may stand as the band’s finest work to date. Packed with big hooks, soaring vocals, rich harmonies, and massive anthemic choruses, the album delivers everything fans of timeless melodic hard rock could hope for.

Opener Push The Limit is the heaviest thing we’ve heard from the band yet, built on clever drumming from Craig Stegall, quirk-metal riffage courtesy of founder Rob Galpin, and an underlying funky mayhem that makes for a surprising and effective opening gambit.

Second track All My Love quickly changes course with an opening riff Elton John sideman Davey Johnstone would be proud of, before settling into one of the band’s signature Cheap Trick fantasias. It’s a strong early highlight. Country Ride heads down a woozy, bluesy path that feels built for small, smokey clubs. It’s well executed, just not my kind of jam.

Where Gastem truly hit their stride is when they pull out all the pomp-rock stops. All About You, the theatrical track that follows Country Ride is pure Alice Cooper -meets- 70s Queen -meets- Styx overload and easily the best thing on the record by a country mile. Coming on like an American counterpart to UK pomp heroes Cats In Space, this is where the band continue to sound most confident and effective.

Following this high water mark, Kansas delivers a rootsy big ballad in the style of late-eighties hair metal. The production doesn’t quite give it the bombast it deserves, but the song still works and features a great set-piece guitar solo. City Park starts with a funky metal groove that promises much but ends up feeling a little lead-footed and doesn’t quite deliver on its early potential.
Next up, Kissed By A Stranger is much more interesting. Intelligent instrumentation underpins a drama-laden, theatrical piece that Saga would have been proud of in their prime. If Gastem explore this vein more on future releases, I’ll be a very happy reviewer indeed.
The title track Hard To Stop is a showy, perky closer that absolutely crackles with energy. All three members, bassist Mark Schenker as well as Galpin and Stegall, go for it, letting the record thunder to an abrupt and satisfying halt amidst some absolutely heroic playing.

Fans of intelligent, adventurous hard rock with diverse ’80s references will find plenty here to get excited about. These musicians were part of the ’80s scene, and they know how this stuff should be done.
Highly Recommended

01 – Push the Limit
02 – All My Love
03 – Country Ride
04 – All About You
05 – Kansas
06 – City Park
07 – Kissed by a Stranger
08 – Lovebound Situation
09 – Everything (Love Will Find a Way)
10 – Happy New Year
11 – Hard to Stop

Rob Galpin – Lead Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Keyboards
Mark Schenker – Bass, Fretless Bass
Craig Stegall – Drums

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eonianrecords.com/new-products/gastem-hard-to-stop