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Melodic Rock, AOR, Hard Rock, Prog, Classic Rock news

Category: SHM-CD

DEF LEPPARD / JOE ELLIOTT'S DOWN 'N' OUTZ / REMASTER / SHM-CD

DEF LEPPARD – Hysteria [Japan SHM-CD new remaster / Limited Release] (2023) HQ *Exclusive*

A few days ago Universal Music Japan started a new reissue campaign of DEF LEPPARD albums pressed on SHM-CD, a Limited Edition release on miniLP faithfully replicating the album first edition LP in miniature and the original Japanese OBI. This reissue differs from the previous (now sold out) SHM-CD reissues, as features a new remastering.
“Hysteria” is a classic, one of the best selling albums in history, and one of the best produced. This album sounds terrific. Every track sparkles and burns. There is no filler. Mutt Lange gets full credit as a co-composer. He is, in fact, the sixth Leppard — the one who takes their riffs and choruses and assembles them into spectacular tracks.
There’s the relentless big drums; the dazzling guitar montages; the impeccable sense of structure and separation; the preternatural clarity. None of which is to suggest that Lange could have made this album on his own. Def Leppard is a sharp, hot and dedicated stage band that really delivers live. Steve Clark and Phil Collen worked like a two-man guitar firestorm – note the pulsing slabs of sound they pump into “Rocket” and the keening leads on “Don’t Shoot Shotgun” and “Love and Affection”. Rick Allen (despite his accident) and bassist Rick Savage remain a formidable rhythm section, and singer Joe Elliott, this time out, has convincingly deepened his range…

GARY MOORE / REMASTER / SHM-CD

GARY MOORE – Still Got The Blues [Limited Japan SHM-CD remastered +5] (2023) *HQ*

Fortunately the excellent SHM-CD format used in Japan is not dead, and now Universal Music Japan is reissuing in 2023 masterpieces from GARY MOORE in a miniLP / cardboard sleeve cover artwork and the latest remastered sound, plus bonus tracks.
A return to his blues roots, “Still Got The Blues” is the most successful album both in sales and chart positions from Gary Moore in the US.
Relieved from the pressures of having to record a hit single, Gary Moore cuts loose on some blues standards as well as some newer material here. Moore plays better than ever, spitting out an endless stream of fiery licks that are both technically impressive and soulful.
I believe Gary Moore was the first hard rock guitarist to cross over to blues by dedicating a full CD to the genre. There have been a string of “heavy blues” records produced by predominantly rock guitarists since the release of “Still Got The Blues”, so I think Gary set a standard in this area that has yet to be equaled…

GARY MOORE / REMASTER / SHM-CD

GARY MOORE – Run For Cover [Japan SHM-CD miniLP remastered +3] (2023) *HQ*

Fortunately the excellent SHM-CD format used in Japan is not dead, and now Universal Music Japan is reissuing in 2023 masterpieces from GARY MOORE in a miniLP / cardboard sleeve cover artwork and the latest remastered sound, plus bonus tracks.
“Run For Cover” is often considered as Gary Moore’s breakthrough album, and his more glossy / melodic produced. It features as well, monster vocal contributions by legends Glenn Hughes and Phil Lynott.
Indeed, checking the credits, you’ll see no less than four big name producers were employed in the making of “Run For Cover”: Mike Stone (Journey, Whitesnake), Peter Collins (Bon Jovi, Queensryche), Andy Johns (All!) and Beau Hill (Ratt, Winger), with each playing to their strengths.
Parping ’80s keyboards are present and correct but not obnoxiously so and complement songs like ‘Once In A Lifetime’, the excellent title track and the awesome ‘Out In The Fields’. The choice of vocal wonder Glenn Hughes, to guest on four of the tracks, works really well. His, for once, understated delivery meshes really well with Gary’s voice.
This SHM-CD remastered reissue sound quality is excellent…

GARY MOORE / REMASTER / SHM-CD

GARY MOORE – Victims Of The Future [Japan SHM-CD miniLP remastered +3] (2023) *HQ*

Fortunately the excellent SHM-CD format used in Japan hasn’t been shelved, and now Universal Music Japan is reissuing in 2023 masterpieces from GARY MOORE in a miniLP / cardboard sleeve cover artwork and the latest remastered sound, plus bonus tracks.
Continuing Gary Moore’s path in the hard rock genre started as solo artist a couple years before (after his excellent work with Thin Lizzy) “Victims of the Future” was a collection of straight-out rocking anthems such as “Teenage Idol” and “Hold on to Love”, a mournful love ballad (“Empty Rooms”), a killer cover of The Yardbirds’ “Shapes of Things”, and two darker songs with some social and political commentary: the title track and the heavy “Murder in the Skies”, a protest against the Soviet Union’s shooting down of Korean Air Flight 007.
The bonus tracks included in this remastered reissue are great as well: “Devil In Her Heart” is a heavy number worthy of standing alongside “Murder in the Skies” plenty of fire and full-blooded guitar work, “Blinder” is a great instrumental showcasing emotional inspiration, and “Empty Rooms 1984 Remix” is the AORish version of Gary’s more popular song from the mid-80s…

GARY MOORE / REMASTER / SHM-CD

GARY MOORE – Corridors Of Power [Japan SHM-CD miniLP remastered +3] (2023) *HQ*

Fortunately the excellent SHM-CD format used in Japan hasn’t been shelved, and now Universal Music Japan is reissuing in 2023 masterpieces from GARY MOORE in a miniLP / cardboard sleeve cover artwork and the latest remastered sound, plus bonus tracks.
“Corridors Of Power” was the first of Irish guitar virtuoso Gary Moore’s true metal / hard rock albums. Featuring the same terrific rhythm section of Whitesnake at the time – Neil Murray on bass & ex-Deep Purple Ian Paice on drums – and produced by the highly requested Jeff Glixman, “Corridors Of Power” impressed the Rock community when appeared.
Boasting a crisp, aggressive sound, “Corridors Of Power” kicks off with the foot-stomping ‘Don’t Take Me for a Loser’, which is almost more Whitesnake than Whitesnake with the driving rhythm section and catchy hook. Gary’s lead vocals are fierce and fits the song greatly, yet with a more polished or dare I say ‘full-time’ vocalist (Coverdale perhaps?) it could probably have made the singles chart…

MEGADETH / REMASTER / SHM-CD

MEGADETH – Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying? [Japan SHM-CD miniLP remastered + bonus] (2023) HQ *Exclusive*

When we thought never will see again classic hard rock / metal albums pressed on superb physical format SHM-CD Universal Music Japan has started a new 2023 reissue campaign, and we have in exclusive MEGADETH‘s 1986’s “Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?” reissued in a miniLP replica, remastered and with bonus tracks.
Simply put, ”Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying?” is a classic and an album that gave prominence to thrash metal. The anthemic title track and “Wake Up Dead” are the two major standouts, but the entire album knock your socks off.
From the get go, it’s clear that on ”Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?” in 1986 MEGADETH were a new beast. Maybe not as unhinged or fierce sounding as its predecessor debut, ‘Peace Sells…’ still sounds muscular and commanding, due to a much better songwriting and a serious improvement in musicianship.
”Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?” has hints of the band’s refined future sound while still retaining the filth and mercilessness of their early material. It’s the perfect blend of everything MEGADETH…

MEGADETH / REMASTER / SHM-CD

MEGADETH – So Far, So Good… So What! [Japan SHM-CD miniLP remastered + bonus] (2023) HQ *Exclusive*

When we thought never will see again classic hard rock / metal albums pressed on superb physical format SHM-CD Universal Music Japan has started a new 2023 reissue campaign, and we have in exclusive MEGADETH‘s 1988’s “So Far, So Good… So What!” reissued in a miniLP replica, remastered and with bonus tracks.
The success of “So Far, So Good… So What!” (managed to enter the top-30 of the Billboard 200 although it received no commercial radio play) indicated Megadeth’s forthcoming emergence from the underground scene.
While isn’t polished sounding as previous LP ‘Peace Sells…’ or the next ‘Rust In Peace’, for many fans this is MEGADETH finest hour, raw, with a sort of sloppy, rugged charm to it. “In My Darkest Hour”, the catchy “Hook In Mouth”, “Mary Jane”, “Set The World Afire” are killers tracks.
Every heavy metal album wishes it had the fury that seethes in these tracks. Only a few come close…

MEGADETH / REMASTER / SHM-CD

MEGADETH – Rust In Peace [Japan SHM-CD miniLP remastered + bonus] (2023) HQ *Exclusive*

When we thought never will see again classic hard rock / metal albums pressed on superb physical format SHM-CD Universal Music Japan has started a new 2023 reissue campaign, and we have in exclusive MEGADETH‘s 1990’s “Rust In Peace” reissued in a miniLP replica, remastered and with bonus tracks.
For “Rust In Peace”, enter excellent lead guitarist Marty Friedman and drummer Nick Menza into the line up, and MEGADETH created one of the best thrash metal records of all time according to Decibel and Kerrang!, and listed in the reference book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. The album even was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.
“Rust In Peace” is a killer LP without a single skippable song. The lead guitar work is second to none, the drumming is always popping off, and the bass sounds so thick and juicy. The riffs are nasty too, even rivals Metallica’s. Dave Mustaine vocals sound great on this record, despite them being sort of an acquired taste for some casual listeners…

EAGLES / REMASTER / SHM-CD

EAGLES – One of These Nights [Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab SACD Numbered] (2022) *HQ*

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MoFi), a leading company delivering the foremost audio technology specializing in high-quality reissues of key albums, are reissuing EAGLES’ iconic ‘70s studio albums. The other day we featured ‘On The Border’, now it’s time for the band’s fourth LP ”One of These Nights” on the imprint’s UltraDisc Super Audio CD (SACD) format, for many, the best-sounding in the world.
Mastered from the original analog Master Tapes for exquisite sound, this Mobile Fidelity’s Numbered-Edition Hybrid SACD takes EAGLES’ commercial breakthrough to new limits.
A coming-out party for Glenn Frey and Don Henley’s songwriting skills, the studio record – the band’s fourth, and its first to hit #1 on the charts – signifies the group’s ascent to superstar status. Home to three massive singles (the title track, “Lyin’ Eyes,” and “Take It to the Limit”) and nominated for four Grammy Awards, the quadruple-platinum 1975 effort solidified the Eagles’ Southern California-reared sound and made the band a household name.
Playing with reference sonics and incredible clarity, this SACD provides a rich, dynamic, transparent, and three-dimensional view into a release that…

DON FELDER / EAGLES / REMASTER / SHM-CD

EAGLES – On The Border [Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab SACD Numbered] (2022) *HQ*

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MoFi), a leading company delivering the foremost audio technology specializing in high-quality reissues of key albums, just released another EAGLES’ iconic ‘70s studio album on the imprint’s UltraDisc Super Audio CD (SACD) format, for many, the best-sounding in the world.
Now it’s time for Eagles’ third album ”On The Border”. Mastered from the original analog Master Tapes for exquisite sound, this Mobile Fidelity’s Numbered-Edition Hybrid SACD reveals the crucial link between Bill Szymczyk’s raw production and the band’s harder-edged songs.
With its name indicative of the music’s boundary-testing diversity and Southwestern inspiration, ‘On The Border’ finds the Eagles leaving everything on the table and embracing a rockier edge that takes the band out of more relaxed territory and establishes it as a group that knows how — and wants — to rock.
This now Double-Platinum album marks the debut of guitarist Don Felder who brings ‘electricity’ to Eagles, featuring the hits ‘Already Gone,’ ‘James Dean,’ and ‘Best of My Love’…

GRIM REAPER / SHM-CD

GRIM REAPER – See You In Hell [Japan SHM-CD] (2022) HQ / *Exclusive*

We were about to post the just released Japanese reissue on SHM-CD of GRIM REAPER‘s debut album, 1983’s “See You In Hell“, and then read the sad news: the band’s frontman Steve Grimmett died suddenly & unexpectedly yesterday, aged 62. This serves as fitting tribute to ‘the man with the piercing head voice’ (RIP).
GRIM REAPER’s story begins in 1979 after successfully fighting off hundreds of bands in a local Battle Of The Bands competition. This win, combined with an already sizeable following, aroused the interest of Ebony Records. Signing with the small U.K. label, GRIM REAPER released three albums in rapid succession to international acclaim. Due to legal turmoil with Ebony, the original GRIM REAPER would disband in 1988. Grimmett would go on to record with ONSLAUGHT, LIONSHEART and more recently THE SANITY DAYS. His renowned vocal range remains one of metal’s most identifiable from the NWoBHM era.
“See You In Hell” deserved this pristine SHM-CD: over the years there has been poor sounding reissues. Additionally, songs like ‘The Show Must Go On’ were cut at the end. Here we find the original versions, plus a the original LP front/back artwork replica.
You’ve seen it first at 0dayrox

SAMMY HAGAR / SHM-CD / VAN HALEN

VAN HALEN – OU812 [Japan HDCD Forever Young series remastered] *HQ*

Few rock music listeners know – even some rabid VAN HALEN fans – that the Sammy Hagar-era albums have been remastered as part of the WB Records ‘Forever Young‘ series. These are the only remastered versions available from these albums, and one of you asked to be featured here as all are out of print and hard to find.
Let’s go with “OU812 – Forever Young series remastered“.
All Van Halen albums from the Sammy Hagar-era have that bombastic, glossy ’80s production, but especially on the first two, the bass presence is scarce, typical from the era. On this Japanese remaster you get a higher overall (as it is the norm on most remasters) level, but fortunately not saturated / brick-walled.
The waveforms are ever-so-slightly louder than the original US and Europe CDs, but extremely tasteful. The dynamics of the original recording also appear completely intact.

DAVID LEE ROTH / REMASTER / SHM-CD / VAN HALEN

VAN HALEN – 1984 [Japan remastered Forever Young series HDCD] *HQ*

While VAN HALEN‘s first six albums have been recently (2015) remastered and available in the US & Europe, this Japanese remaster of “1984” made on HDCD as part of the Warner Brothers Japan ‘Forever Young’ remastered series is quite different. Indeed, this is perhaps the best ‘1984’ remastered version ever.
I mean, it’s a more ‘natural’ remaster respecting the dynamics from the original recording, with a slightly level-up gain but warm as a brand new vinyl LP. The bass feels more in tune with the kick drum, and perhaps David Lee Roth’s vocals are more prominent, on par with the blazing rhythm guitars.
I don’t think this “1984 [Japan edition remastered – Forever Young series]” is for completists only… while the USA 30th Anniversary Edition Remastered 2015 is excellent for the iPod and regular players, if you’re lucky to own a hi-end system this Japanese version done with HDCD technology is a must.

SCORPIONS / SHM-CD

SCORPIONS – Rock Believer [SHM-CD Japan Bonus] + France bonus + UK bonus (2022) *HQ*

Legendary hard rockers SCORPIONS returned in very good shape with their 2022 album ‘Rock Believer‘, which was created in the studio during the lockdown in their home base Hannover. The album was written and recorded in the style of the classic Scorpions DNA with core Schenker/Meine compositions.
This is the Japan SHM-CD pressing including the Deluxe Edition extra tracks, which is already sold out.
There’s a bonus track exclusive for this Japanese Edition titled ‘Out Go The Lights’, an exclusive for France (‘The Language Of My Heart’), and an exclusive bonus for the UK release, the wonderfully titled ‘Hammersmith’.
Here’s ALL…

CAPTAIN BEYOND / REMASTER / SHM-CD

CAPTAIN BEYOND – Captain Beyond ’72 [Japan SHM-CD remastered] HQ

Deep Purple fired singer Rod Evans in 1969 because they thought he didn’t have the chops to sing hard rock, but the 1972 self-titled debut of CAPTAIN BEYOND, a band that also included former members of Iron Butterfly, proved that he could sing with the best of them.
As requested, here’s “Captain Beyond“, the band’s rocking debut album in its Japanese SHM-CD remastered version which really brings upfront the recording sonic dynamics. The bass lines now are present better than ever and guitar / drums are clearer all over the tracks.
Formed in 1971 by master musicians Larry ‘Rhino’ Reinhardt (guitar; ex-Iron Butterfly), Lee Dorman (bass; ex-Iron Butterfly), Bobby Caldwell (drums; ex-Johnny Winter) and Rod Evans (vocals; ex-Deep Purple), Captain Beyond forged an identity of sheer class with their sophisticated and soaring brand of progressive hard rock…