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Album Review – Osukaru / Tall Tales (2026)

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This renowned Heavy Metal and Hard Rock outfit from Sweden is back in action and ready to rock with their first major release in eight years.

Formed in early 2010 in Gothenburg, Sweden by guitarist Oscar “Oz” Hawe Petersson, the unrelenting Melodic Heavy Metal/Hard Rock outfit Osukaru (the Japanese phonetic transliteration of the name of the band’s founder Oscar) returns with their first major release in years, the hard rockin’ Tall Tales, following up on their 2021 album Starbound. Produced by Oz himself together with longtime singer and band partner Fredrik Werner (Daytona, Air Raid), mixed by Svein Jensen (Alicate, Sister Sin), mastered by Mats Eriksson (Degreed), and displaying a classy artwork by Oz and actress and model Eliza Sica, carrying a subtle sense of both unease and wonder that mirrors the album’s mysterious lyrical themes, the new offering by the aforementioned Fredrik on vocals and guitars, Oz also on the guitars, Marcus Zerath on bass, and C.D on drums and percussion is a clear statement of how far the project’s original vision has come, offering us fans that melodic yet visceral Swedish sound we all love so much.

The band’s striking riffs rev up their rockin’ engine in the opening tune Exceeder, with the classic Hard Rock vocals by Fredrik adding even more electricity to their music, while the sound of the harmonica brings an eccentric touch to Wendigo before the music evolves into another solid hybrid of Heavy Metal and AOR. Blood On the Rocks is a hard hitting tune by the band offering the classic riffs by Fredrik and Oz boosted by the heavy kitchen by Marcus and C.D; and it’s then time for the smooth power ballad The Outer Side Within, with Fredrik showcasing passionate vocals while his bandmates spread love and harmony in the air, before they speed things up and kick some ass with their heaviest song of the album, titled Ronin, led by the classic beats and fills by C.D.

Who Do You Love takes us back to the glory of the 90’s with their Sunset Strip inspired Hard Rock and Glam Metal, adding even more adrenaline to the album, while Split is as groovy as it can be thanks to the amazing job done by Marcus and C.D on bass and drums, respectively. Only Moments Left is one of those strip tease-like Hard Rock and Rock N’ Roll tunes by Osukaru which could be played on any radio station worldwide, followed by When It’s Over, a decent ballad with a cool solo by Oz, albeit a bit too mellow after all is said and done. Lastly, we face C’est Dans Ta Tête, or “it’s in your head” from French, a solid Hard Rock and AOR song that concludes the album with Fredrik once again kicking ass on vocals.

Oz and his Osukaru have been on a roll since their inception over 15 years ago, and the striking Tall Tales will certainly inspire the quartet to keep moving forward and delivering high quality heavy music no matter what for many years to come. Having said that, what are you waiting for to give the guys from Osukaru a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their rockin’ tunes on any platform like Spotify, and of course, purchase Tall Tales from several locations such as Monuments in Ruin, Streetlight Records, and Park Ave CDs? This is what our good old heavy music is all about, bringing to us exciting music with a beautiful and deep background story, and hopefully it won’t take a long time again for Osukaru to unleash another blast of their music upon us.

Best moments of the album: Blood On the Rocks, Ronin and Split.

Worst moments of the album: When It’s Over.

Released in 2026 Pride & Joy Music

Track listing
1. Exceeder 3:24
2. Wendigo 4:36
3. Blood On the Rocks 3:17
4. The Outer Side Within 3:59
5. Ronin 3:09
6. Who Do You Love 3:43
7. Split 3:36
8. Only Moments Left 3:52
9. When It’s Over 4:02
10. C’est Dans Ta Tête 6:00

Band members
Fredrik Werner – lead vocals, guitar
Oz Hawe Petersson – guitar, backing vocals
Marcus Zerath – bass, backing vocals
C.D – drums, percussion

Album Review – Burning Sun / Power To Survive (2026)

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Behold the third opus by this rising force of the European Power Metal scene, featuring ten uplifting songs that are meant to help you get through hard times.

Founded in 2022 in Debrecen, Hungary by bassist Zoltán Papi, Burning Sun are a rising force in the underground Heavy, Power and Speed Metal scene. Delivering the kind of metal that is rare nowadays, the kind of music that is rooted in Helloween, Gamma Ray, Edguy, Hammerfall and 90’s Power Metal with no compromises, only pure dedication and passion, the band currently formed of Nicolas Peter on vocals and guitars, Pancho Ireland also on the guitars, Zoltán Papi on bass, and Edmond Kulcsár on drums returns with their third full-length opus, titled Power to Survive, following up on their critically acclaimed 2023 debut Wake of Ashes, and their 2025 sophomore Retribution. Adorned by a classy artwork by Artem Astaroth, showcasing the character of Emaly, who plays a major role in the band’s identity as she appears on all artworks, such a high-energy album features ten uplifting songs that are meant to help you get through hard times, just the way we like it in Heavy and Power Metal.

It’s pedal to the metal in the frantic Power Metal extravaganza titled Quest Divine, with the soaring vocals by Nicolas matching perfectly with the song’s riffs and beats; followed by Emaly’s Hymn, featuring Herbie Langhans of Steel Rhino and The Lightbringer of Sweden, offering more of that characteristic European Power Metal sound we all love so much. In other words, simply raise your fists and sing it along with those metal warriors. Nicolas and Pancho then bring forward an Iron Maiden-inspired twin guitar attack in Tale of Brothers, while Zoltán and Edmond take care of the song’s thunderous, galloping rhythm; and their striking guitars are screaming loud once again in Light of the World, offering us all a very good reason to headbang like there’s no tomorrow. And featuring the indomitable Alexandra Lioness (aka Aleksandra Stamenković) of Chaos Rising, Frozen Crown and Jenner, get ready to be caught in a Power Metal mosh to the sound of Over and Beyond, again presenting Nicolas’ trademark, electrifying vocals.

Come Home might be the most generic of all songs, sounding like a billion other songs recorded by several bands out there; whereas the thunderous bass by Zoltán and the classic beats by Edmond kick off the mid-tempo battle hymn Spirit Alive, presenting hints of classic Hard Rock added to their core sonority. It’s then time for a short but extremely fast Gamma Ray-inspired tune titled Prayer before we face Holy Light, a beautiful ballad led by the passionate vocals by Nicolas that brings peace to our hearts, flowing into the closing tune We Rise Again, a sword yielding anthem led by the unstoppable beats and fills by Edmond, inspiring us all to join Burning Sun in the battlefield until our last breath.

Inspired by the 90’s golden era of European Power Metal and taking their name from a phenomenal Helloween song, Burning Sun channel soaring melodies, driving rhythms, and heroic storytelling in their new album, and you can get in touch with those metal warriors via Facebook and Instagram, including their live performances, listen to their battle hymns on any streaming service like Spotify, and of course, buy their striking new album from BandCamp or by clicking HERE. We all need a lot of power to survive in our rotten and decaying world, and the power of true Heavy Metal like what Burning Sun have to offer in their newborn beast is undoubtedly the most effective one for such a demanding challenge.

Best moments of the album: Emaly’s Hymn, Over and Beyond and We Rise Again.

Worst moments of the album: Come Home.

Released in 2026 Pride & Joy Music

Track listing
1. Quest Divine 4:09
2. Emaly’s Hymn 4:18
3. Tale of Brothers 5:20
4. Light of the World 3:37
5. Over and Beyond 3:41
6. Come Home 3:55
7. Spirit Alive 4:50
8. Prayer 0:42
9. Holy Light 3:15
10. We Rise Again 5:05

Band members
Nicolas Peter – vocals, guitars
Pancho Ireland – guitars
Zoltán Papi – bass
Edmond Kulcsár – drums

Guest musicians
Herbie Langhans – vocals on “Emaly’s Hymn”
Alexandra Lioness – additional vocals on “Over and Beyond”
Alessio Perardi – additional vocals

Album Review – Kaasin / The Underworld (2026)

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The underworld is calling us all to the sound of the striking sophomore album by this unstoppable Hard Rock machine from Norway.

Widely respected for his collaborations with internationally renowned artists such as Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple) and Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow), Norway-based guitarist Jo Henning Kaasin returns with his Hard Rock project Kaasin, alongside vocalist Jan Thore Grefstad (Saint Deamon, TNT), bassist Ståle Kaasin (Humbucker, 2020Vision), keyboardist Erling Henanger (Magic Pie, Holter) and drummer Per-Morten Bergseth (Jorn, Wig Wam, Course of Fate, Holter), offering us all a new studio album titled The Underworld, the follow-up to their 2021 debut Fired Up. Produced and recorded by Halvor Halvorsen, Jo Henning Kaasin and Ståle Kaasin, mixed by Halvor Halvorsen, and with artwork by Stan W. Decker, the album marks a new chapter for these Norwegian Hard Rock warriors, presenting a darker and more atmospheric sound while remaining firmly rooted in classic Hard Rock traditions built on strong melodies and solid musicianship.

It’s pedal to the metal in the striking Hard Rock feast entitled The Real World, with the melodic vocals by Jan bringing even more electricity to their music, also boosted by Erling’s stylish keys; and the rockin’ guitars by Jo and the rumbling bass by Ståle set the tone in Two Hearts, a mid-tempo Hard Rock song where Jan once again steals the show with his passionate vocals. We Speed at Night reminds me of some old school creations by the mighty Running Wild mixed with classic Hard Rock from the Sunset Strip, and the final result is obviously awesome; followed by Iron Horse, another solid rockin’ tune by those talented Norwegians, with its more delicate moments clashing in great fashion with the powerful vocals by Jan.

There’s still a lot more fuel to burn in The Underworld, starting with Invisible, offering pure Hard Rock and AOR magic blasted by the band, led by Per-Morten’s classic drums, while in Over the Mountain they add hints of Blues Rock to their core sonority. Moreover, Jo and Ståle are in total sync from start to finish, with Jo’s guitar solo sounding fantastic. Arabian Night is definitely inspired by the music by Deep Purple while keeping Kaasin’s own essence intact, with their guitars and keys exhaling epicness, and after the atmospheric interlude The Descent of Souls we face the title-track The Underworld, a Rock N’ Roll steamroller led by Jo’s sharp riffage and Per-Morten’s nonstop beats and fills while Jan keeps delivering his striking vocals until the very end.

The foundation of Kaasin was laid with a clear ambition to create contemporary Hard Rock with a classic spirit and a strong sense of identity, and both Fired Up and The Underworld bring forward exactly that sound and feeling for our absolute delight. The Underworld will certainly help the band go places and reach new heights, and if you want to join their Rock N’ Roll rocket ship you can follow the band on Facebook, staying up to date with their news and live performances, stream their rockin’ tunes on any platform like Spotify, and grab a copy of their incendiary new album from Pride & Joy Music. Having said all that, can you hear the underworld calling us all to the sound of the new album by the mighty Kaasin?

Best moments of the album: The Real World, We Speed at Night and The Underworld.

Worst moments of the album: The Descent of Souls.

Released in 2026 Pride & Joy Music

Track listing
1. The Real World 4:20
2. Two Hearts 3:43
3. We Speed at Night 4:20
4. Iron Horse 5:34
5. Invisible 5:17
6. Over the Mountain 4:57
7. Arabian Night 4:54
8. The Descent of Souls 1:36
9. The Underworld 3:52

Band members
Jan Thore Grefstad – vocals
Jo Henning Kaasin – guitar
Ståle Kaasin – bass
Erling Henanger – keyboards
Per-Morten Bergseth – drums

Album Review – Dark Heart / Evolution (2026)

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Formed during the early eighties, this UK Heavy Metal and Hard Rock outfit is back with their electrifying third album.

Formed during the early eighties, releasing the debut album Shadows of the Night back in 1984, and remaining dormant until 2017 (which culminated with the release of their 2021 sophomore self-titled album), Durham, England-based Heavy Metal outfit Dark Heart is ready to rock once again armed with their third installment, entitled Evolution. Produced by Pete Newdeck and mastered by Harry Hess of Harem Scarem, the new album by vocalist Alan Clark and guitarist Nick Catterick, alongside the more-than-special session musicians Josh ‘Tabbie’ Williams on bass and Pete Newdeck on drums, is a journey back to the glory of the 80’s without sounding repetitive or outdated, always moving forward while staying loyal to the foundations of the NWOBHM.

Crisp, minimalist guitar lines ignite the band’s rockin’ party in Light The Flame, with Alan already showcasing his vocal power supported by the classy guitar work by Nick, sounding perfect for admirers of Melodic Hard Rock. And the guitar riffs and solos by Nick keep embellishing the airwaves in Cold Winter while Josh and Pete bring the groove of the 80’s with their killer kitchen sounds, followed by End Of Tomorrow, a power ballad by the quartet where Alan delivers another solid, emotional vocal performance. Hands Of Fate blends the harmonious sounds of Melodic Rock and AOR, with Pete’s drums dictating the song’s classic pace, whereas Spread Your Wings offers us all another round of melodious riffs and soaring vocals, with its background keys adding a touch of finesse to the overall result.

Then investing in a more old school fusion of Heavy Metal and Rock N’ Roll we’re treated to Ride The Highway, and the final result is obviously electrifying, led by Nick’s razor-edged riffs. Put differently, the name of the song ends up being an invitation. After such a powerful tune we have You And I, presenting an AC/DC-inspired riff and evolving into an AOR feast where all backing vocals support Alan’s vocals in great fashion. Life To Crucify and its 80’s keys will pierce your mind, while the guitar lines by Nick exhale Melodic Hard Rock magic, followed by Eyes Of Light, a more generic version of their own rock music, still enjoyable but not as exciting. Mortality brings forward six minutes of a strong, deep ballad by Dark Heart led by the passionate vocals by Alan; and closing the album we face the dancing tune Burned, again reminding us of the glory of the 80’s while also showcasing a modern, dynamic sound by the band.

As already mentioned, although still rooted in classic NWOBHM, Heavy Metal and Hard Rock, Evolution also reflects the maturity in the band’s songwriting, positioning it as a must-listen for fans of both old school and modern-day rock and heavy music, and if you want to join Alan and Nick in their quest for metal you can start following Dark Heart on Facebook, stream their captivating music on any platform such as Spotify, and of course, put your hands on Evolution by purchasing you favorite version of the album from different locations such as Pride & Joy Music and Rough Trade. This is not just Heavy Metal; it’s an evolution in the style of a band formed in the distant year of 1984, but who’s now “back to the future” and ready to go places to the sound of their exciting new music.

Best moments of the album: Light The Flame, Ride The Highway and Life To Crucify.

Worst moments of the album: Eyes Of Light.

Released in 2026 Pride & Joy Music

Track listing
1. Light The Flame 5:25
2. Cold Winter 4:58
3. End Of Tomorrow 6:20
4. Hands Of Fate 4:31
5. Spread Your Wings 5:10
6. Ride The Highway 5:49
7. You And I 5:25
8. Life To Crucify 4:46
9. Eyes Of Light 4:36
10. Mortality 6:20
11. Burned 4:41

Band members
Alan Clark – vocals, keyboards, backing vocals
Nick Catterick – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals

Guest musicians
Josh ‘Tabbie’ Williams – bass (session)
Pete Newdeck – drums, backing vocals (session)

Album Review – Midnite City / Bite The Bullet (2025)

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The party is just getting started with the new album by these torchbearers of classic Hair Metal and Hard Rock, and everyone is invited.

Since exploding out onto the scene like a tornado back in 2017, UK’s own Hard Rock/Hair Metal heroes Midnite City have taken on the world, grabbed the tired music scene by the scruff of its neck, injected passion, fun, melody, and colour back into it, and climbed to the top of the tree to be crowned the true kings of Hair Metal. Now in 2025 the band formed of Rob Wylde on vocals and guitar, Miles Meakin on lead guitar, Josh Williams on bass, Shawn Charvette on keyboards, and Ryan Biggs on drums returns with their strongest album to date, Bite The Bullet, ticking every single box fans expect from a Midnite City album. Mixed by Chris Laney (Europe, Crash Diet, Crazy Lixx, Pretty Maids), the album offers a bit of everything, from super poppy, catchy, and hook laden party Rock N’ Roll, to Melodic Rock monsters, to arena sized power ballads, to Glam Metal anthems laced with attitude and a side order of Hard Rock, and so on.

Let’s get this Hair Metal party started with Live Like Ya Mean It, where the classic vocal lines by Rob are boosted by the song’s even more classic backing vocals, followed by Worth Fighting For, another old school tune presenting hints of AOR with the guitars by Miles and Rob exhaling the glory of the 80’s, sounding absolutely inspired by the music from all bands who made those years so amazing. It’s Going To Be Alright is a bit too cheesy for my taste, despite Miles still kicking ass with his soulful solo, but in the end it’s a generic song. Then an overdose of Hard Rock and Hair Metal will crush your senses in Heaven In This Hell, led by the striking keys by Shawn, and their  rock and metal celebration goes on in full force in Running Back To Your Heart, with Rob stealing the show with his stylish vocals. Ryan then puts the pedal to the metal, hammering his drums in the best Hard Rock style, in Lethal Dose Of Love, again presenting those catchy backing vocals we all love so much.

After that, it’s time for a whimsical interlude entitled Archer’s Song, as if it was crafted to be featured in a romantic scene of an afternoon movie from the 80’s or 90’s, warming us up for Seeing Is Believing, one of those power ballads that make the hearts of diehard fans of Hair Metal beat even faster and warmer. The guitars by Rob and Miles are boosted by the rumbling bass by Josh and the upbeat keys by Shawn in No One Wins, keeping the adrenaline flowing through the album and making it impossible to stand still to its catchy vibe; whereas their Melodic Rock and AOR vein pulses harder than ever in Hang On Til Tomorrow, led by the crisp vocals by Rob and the classic drums by Ryan. Their rockin’ party ends with When The Summer Ends, a Van Halen-infused Rock N’ Roll extravaganza with Ryan once again kicking ass behind his drums, also presenting a killer keyboard solo by Shawn as the icing on the cake.

In a nutshell, Bite The Bullet delivers a sound that is made for the biggest stadiums around the globe, bringing back everything that was so thrilling, energetic, and flamboyant about late 80’s Hair Metal in one fell swoop, being highly recommended for fans of Tigertailz, Mötley Crüe, Crash Diet, and Crazy Lixx, just to name a few. You can get in touch with those torchbearers of old school Hair Metal by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, get your party going to the sound of their full discography available on Spotify, and of course purchase a copy of the electrifying Bite The Bullet from countless retailers such as HHV, Decks Records, and Bengans.
Because the party is just getting started with the new album by Midnite City, and everyone is invited.

Best moments of the album: Heaven In This Hell, Lethal Dose Of Love and When The Summer Ends.

Worst moments of the album: It’s Going To Be Alright.

Released in 2025 Pride & Joy Music

Track listing
1. Live Like Ya Mean It 4:44
2. Worth Fighting For 4:25
3. It’s Going To Be Alright 4:33
4. Heaven In This Hell 3:47
5. Running Back To Your Heart 4:47
6. Lethal Dose Of Love 3:59
7. Archer’s Song 1:08
8. Seeing Is Believing 5:06
9. No One Wins 4:33
10. Hang On Til Tomorrow 4:24
11. When The Summer Ends 4:41

Band members
Rob Wylde – vocals, guitar
Miles Meakin – lead guitar
Josh Williams – bass
Shawn Charvette – keyboards
Ryan Biggs – drums

Album Review – Heathen’s Eye / Port Inspiro (2025)

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Inspired by the past, a new Swedish Melodic Metal entity arises with their debut offering, a tribute to the bands that led them onto the path they are on today.

A new Swedish Melodic Metal band which incorporates many different influences from the fields of AOR, Melodic Rock, Hard Rock, and Progressive Rock and Metal into their sound, Heathen’s Eye are set to release their debut album, entitled Port Inspiro, or “inspired by the past” in Esperanto, a tribute to the bands that led the band onto the path they are on today. Featuring five experienced musicians with background in several genres, the band formed of Robb Lindh on vocals, Göran Hamrin on the guitars, Ola Hellström on bass, Mikael Andersson on keyboards, and Jonas Jönsson on drums brings together all of their influences from the 80’s and 90’s to the album, being therefore recommended for fans of Masterplan, Accept, Queensryche, Firewind, and Lynch Mob, among others.

Jonas revs up the band’s rockin’ engine in One Black Lie, quickly evolving into a beyond solid feast of European Hard Rock, with Robb distilling his hypnotizing vocals for the delight of fans of the genre. The band then takes us back to the golden years of 80’s Hard Rock with Mirrorman, with Göran’s stylish riffs walking hand in hand with Mikael’s mesmerizing keys; whereas a cinematic, creepy intro explodes into another feast of Melodic Rock and Metal entitled Ghosts Of Yesterday, more cadenced and harmonious than its predecessors. Robb continues to fire his beyond melodious vocals in Still Water Runs Deep, while Mikael’s keys and Jonas’ beats add an extra Rock N’ Roll touch to the music, and the rumbling bass by Ola exhales groove and heaviness in the fast-paced Firepriest, a song perfect for hitting the highway on a hot summer day. After such a hurricane of rock music, it’s time for a cheesy but very melodic ballad titled Is It Over Now, with Robb stealing the show with his passionate vocal lines.

Just the start of Endless Lines transpires the 80’s, gradually evolving into another mid-tempo Hard Rock aria where Jonas takes the lead armed with his fierce beats, followed by Lost In The Wind, another beautiful ballad by those Swedish rockers, with the minimalist guitar lines by Göran clashing perfectly with Robb’s vocals. Shine is a very generic Melodic Rock tune that doesn’t add much to the album, despite the band’s classy musicianship being there as usual; while they get back on track in Monsters, offering a six minute voyage through the realms of classic Hard Rock, Melodic Rock and Metal, and even Rock N’ Roll, with Göran and Ola extracting sheer adrenaline from their axes until the very last second. The band keeps rockin’ our world with Blind, adding hints of old school Heavy Metal to their core Hard Rock; and lastly, we’re treated to another six-minute feast of melody and passion titled Time To Deliver, with Jonas pounding his drums while Mikael’s keys bring a pinch of modernity to the music.

Most members of Heathen’s Eye live in the beautiful north, the land of snow, aurora borealis, months of eternal darkness in the winter, and warm days when the sun never sets in the summer. These contrasts are also reflected in their music, which spans over Heavy Rock, airy ballads and Progressive Metal, exactly like what they have to offer us all in Port Inspiro. Hence, you can get to know more about this exciting new name of the Swedish rock and metal scene by following them on Facebook, and purchase a copy of their classy debut from the Pride & Joy Music shop. Inspired by the past, Heathen’s Eye is crafting the future of Melodic Rock and Metal in their new album, leaving us eager for more in the coming years.

Best moments of the album: Mirrorman, Firepriest and Monsters.

Worst moments of the album: Shine.

Released in 2025 Pride & Joy Music

Track listing
1. One Black Lie 4:57
2. Mirrorman 5:08
3. Ghosts Of Yesterday 5:07
4. Still Water Runs Deep 4:58
5. Firepriest 5:33
6. Is It Over Now 5:34
7. Endless Lines 4:37
8. Lost In The Wind 5:08
9. Shine 4:32
10. Monsters 6:14
11. Blind 5:32
12. Time To Deliver 6:07

Band members
Robb Lindh – vocals
Göran Hamrin – guitars
Ola Hellström – bass
Mikael Andersson – keyboards
Jonas Jönsson – drums

Album Review – Arkado / Open Sea (2024)

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This Swedish Melodic Rock band invites us all to navigate the boundless expanse of the their sophomore album, where melody meets symphony in a harmonious fusion.

From the ashes of a band called BB2 (Better Be Together) founded in the early 80’s in Helsingborg, Sweden, comes a Melodic Hard Rock/AOR band named Arkado, inviting us all to navigate the boundless expanse of the their sophomore album, entitled Open Sea, where melody meets symphony in a harmonious fusion. Recorded, produced and mixed by Mikael Svensson at LdM Studios, mastered by Thomas ‘Plec’ Johansson at The Panic Room Studio, and displaying a stunning artwork by Nello Dell’Omo (Mecca, Jim Peterik, Silent Tiger, Stan Bush), the new album by vocalist and guitarist Philip Lindstrand, guitarists Patrik Svärd and Tony Rothla, bassist Bernt Lundgren (who has recently left the band, being replaced by Christer Engholm), keyboardist Mikael Svensson, and drummer Mikael Skafar is the perfect follow-up to their 2020 debut Never Say Never, introducing a slightly symphonic and heavier dimension to their signature sound and, therefore, being highly recommended for fans of Silent Tiger, Drive At Night, Streetlore, Sapphire Eyes, and Strangerland.

It’s time to embark on a musical journey through the seas of Melodic Rock with Arkado, with the cinematic intro Voyage setting the tone for the title-track Open Sea, a very melodic, powerful tune led by the striking vocals by Philip while his bandmates deliver a mix of AOR with 80’s Hair Metal the likes of Bon Jovi and Cinderella, providing us all with an exciting start to the album. The guitars by Philip, Patrik and Tony continue to embellish the airwaves in Running Through The Night, while Bernt and Mikael Skafar generate a solid base with their classy kitchen; and their Rock N’ Roll party has no time to end to the sound of I Gave My Heart, again showcasing their trademark melodious riffs, classic beats, and the whimsical keys by Mikael Svensson. The band then invests in a more harmonious, smoother sonority with the power ballad You Make Me Feel, where Philip steals the spotlight with his passionate vocals, whereas their guitars sound incendiary in the rockin’ tune Rising High, a Hard Rock feast perfect for hitting the road to the sound of the headbanging beats by Mikael Skafar.

The stylish keys by Bernt ignite the AOR extravaganza Her Mothers Lullaby, where their riffs bring an extra touch of heaviness to the overall result. It’s a good song, albeit a bit generic, though. The band gets back on track and their Melodic Rock vein gets even stronger in Long Way To Go, with the band’s guitar triumvirate filling every single space in the air with their endless energy and harmony, also presenting spot-on backing vocals in support of Philip; and Bernt keeps extracting magic and epicness from his keys in the 80’s Hard Rock tune Unchain The Night,  a lesson in rock music by Arkado where Philip is once again fantastic with his striking vocals, or in other words, it’s a must-listen for fans of the genre. There are two more songs to go and their rockin’ aura stays strong and exciting in Like Something Heaven Sent, where their guitars exhale electricity in the name of Melodic Rock, before all comes to an end with another ballad titled Show Me The Light Again, putting a charming ending to the album, overflowing endless passion thanks to the always stylish keys and piano by Bernt.

Those amazing Swedish rockers are waiting for you on Facebook and on Instagram to rock your world with news, tour dates, more of their music and so on, and you can also stream their classy creations on Spotify and, above all that, purchase your favorite copy of Open Sea by clicking HERE. If you’re an admirer of the world of Melodic Rock, Hard Rock and AOR, then it’s time to navigate across the seas of Rock N’ Roll together with the Swedish rockers of Arkado, letting their gentle yet electrifying sounds guide you like the wind always guides a sailor to safety even on unruly waters.

Best moments of the album: Open Sea, Rising High and Unchain The Night.

Worst moments of the album: Her Mothers Lullaby.

Released in 2024 Pride & Joy Music

Track listing
1. Voyage 1:33
2. Open Sea 4:28
3. Running Through The Night 3:08
4. I Gave My Heart 4:00
5. You Make Me Feel 4:25
6. Rising High 4:16
7. Her Mothers Lullaby 3:50
8. Long Way To Go 3:38
9. Unchain The Night 3:18
10. Like Something Heaven Sent 4:18
11. Show Me The Light Again 4:10

Band members
Philip Lindstrand – vocals, lead guitar
Patrik Svärd – lead & rhythm guitar
Tony Rothla – lead & rhythm guitar
Bernt Lundgren – bass
Mikael Svensson – keyboards, synths, backing vocals
Mikael Skafar – drums, backing vocals

Album Review – Barnabas Sky / What Comes To Light (2023)

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Combining groovy guitar riffs, catchy choruses and spherical synth sounds, the sophomore album by German multi-instrumentalist Markus Pfeffer offers us all another exciting Hard Rock voyage.

The brainchild of Kaiserslautern, Germany-based multi-instrumentalist Markus Pfeffer (Winterland, Scarlett, Lazarus Dream), Melodic Hard Rock project Barnabas Sky combines groovy guitar riffs, catchy choruses, distinctive voices of several singers with international reputation, spherical synth sounds and filigree solos to a timeless rock melange way beyond short-lived trends, which is exactly what you’ll get in the project’s sophomore opus, titled What Comes To Light, the follow-up to its 2021 debut Inspirations. Supported by drummer Thomas Rieder and an array of guest vocalists the likes of Jesse Damon (Silent Rage), Doogie White (Rainbow), Dan Reed, Roy Cathey (Coald Sweat), Dirk Kennedy (Hittman), Carsten Lizard Schulz (Evidence One, Domain), Lee Small (Lionheart), Alan Tecchio (Wartchtower) and Danny Vaughn (Tyketto), Markus embellishes the airwaves with his fusion of Hard Rock and AOR, with the beautiful artwork by Stan W. Decker (Powerwolf, Megadeth, Rage, Masterplan) and the mastering by Rolf Munkes (Michael Schenker, Mad Max, Voodoo Circle) at Empire Studios turning the album into a must-listen for fans of Winterland, Tyketto, Silent Rage, Rainbow and Phenomena, among others.

Featuring the talented Danny Vaughn of Tyketto on vocals, the title-track What Comes To Light brings forward a mix of classic Hard Rock taken directly from the 80’s with modern-day Melodic Rock, spiced up by the amazing job done by Markus with his melodious riffs while Thomas brings tons of groove to the music. Then we have We Are Electric, featuring vocalist Lee Small of SHY, Phenomena and Lionheart, a more rhythmic tune where the bass lines by Markus sound metallic and vibrant, offering Lee exactly what he needs to shine on vocals; followed by Till My Dying Days, featuring Roy Cathey of Cold Sweat and The Fifth on vocals, another modern rock creation by Markus showcasing ethereal backing vocals, classy guitars and passionate vocal lines. Then with the one and only Doogie White of Alcatrazz, Rainbow and Malmsteen on vocals, we have Circus Of Delight, where Markus is once again on fire armed with his guitar and bass while Thomas kicks ass as usual on drums. Needless to say, Doogie has an incendiary performance on vocals. And featuring Dan Reed of Dan Reed Network, Take A Ride is a synth-fueled Hard Rock/AOR extravaganza showcasing delicate but powerful vocals by Dan, while Markus once again brings the groove with his bass lines.

A futuristic and thunderous intro gradually evolves into a Rock N’ Roll song titled A Dying Song, featuring guest vocals by Carsten ‘Lizard’ Schulz of Lazarus Dream and Devoid, and despite its solid structure it could have been slightly shorter, though; whereas Deibys Artigas Venegas of Preincarnation kicks ass on vocals in Isolation, where pure 80’s Hard Rock flows from all instruments and of course from Deibys’ vocals, sounding very exciting from start to finish and with Markus being spot-on with his riffs and solos. Then we have Grant Me A Wish From Heaven, with vocals by Jesse Damon of Silent Rage and backing vocals by Paul Sabu, a solid mid-tempo creation by Markus and his henchmen; and get ready to bang your head together with Barnabas Sky in One Or The Other, showcasing guest Alan Tecchio of Watchtower on vocals, sounding electrifying and modern without losing the project’s core essence rooted in the 80’s. Featuring Dirk Kennedy of Hittman on vocals we have Seven Wonders, closing the regular version of the album by offering our ears more of the project’s melodic and thrilling rock music, whereas Lee Small returns in the bonus track No Tomorrow, a very entertaining composition that’s worth the investment in the physical version of the album, with Lee stealing the spotlight with another stylish vocal performance.

Markus Pfeffer and his Barnabas Sky are waiting for you on Facebook with news, more of the project’s classy rock music, and other nice to know details about it, and of course if you want to purchase a copy of What Comes To Light you can find all information you need by clicking HERE. In a nutshell, it’s impressive how Markus was capable of putting together such cohesive and dynamic album even with so many different vocalists as guest musicians. Well, all of those vocalists are extremely talented, which already helped him a lot in shaping up the album to be so powerful and balanced, but there are many out there who wouldn’t have been able to reach the same level of quality, proving how skillful and focused Markus is and, therefore, leaving the gates oh heaven and hell open for Markus and his henchmen to deliver another excellent album of Hard Rock in the coming years.

Best moments of the album: What Comes To Light, Circus Of Delight and Isolation.

Worst moments of the album: A Dying Song.

Released in 2023 Pride & Joy Music

Track listing
1. What Comes To Light 4:53
2. We Are Electric 4:33
3. Till My Dying Days 4:49
4. Circus Of Delight 4:44
5. Take A Ride 4:24
6. A Dying Song 8:04
7. Isolation 5:47
8. Grant Me A Wish From Heaven 4:16
9. One Or The Other 4:22
10. Seven Wonders 6:02

CD bonus track
11. No Tomorrow 4:59

Band members
Markus Pfeffer – guitars, bass, keyboards, synths

Guest musicians
Danny Vaughn – vocals on “What Comes To Light”
Dan Reed – vocals on “Take A Ride”
Doogie White – vocals on “Circus Of Delight”
Jesse Damon – vocals on “Grant Me A Wish From Heaven”
Roy Cathey – vocals on “Till My Dying Days”
Dirk Kennedy – vocals on “Seven Wonders”
Lee Small – vocals on “We Are Electric”
Carsten ‘Lizard’ Schulz – vocals on “A Dying Song”
Alan Tecchio – vocals on “One Or The Other”
Deibys Artigas Venegas – vocals on “Isolation”
Thomas Rieder – drums, percussion
Paul Sabu – backing vocals on “Grant Me A Wish From Heaven”
Stephan Hugo – backing vocals

Album Review – Bad Baron / Ace Of Hearts (2022)

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This Sleaze Rock outfit from the land of ice and snow will bring the heat to our hearts with their incendiary debut album.

You might be tempted to assume that you’ve come across yet another Scandinavian Sleaze Rock band, following a path well-trodden over the past few years by bands like Crashdïet, Santa Cruz and Reckless Love, but you’d be wrong as Finnish Melodic Rock act Bad Baron does things a little differently. With big looks, even bigger hooks, and more gratuitous key changes than you ever thought possible, Bad Baron set the bar just a little bit higher with their new album Ace Of Hearts, a thrilling Rock N’ Roll party by vocalist and bassist Lauri Huovinen, guitarist Tommy Widdow, keyboardist Alex Kron and drummer Sammy South. “I’m a massive fan of the AOR and glam metal that came out of the 80s,” commented Lauri, “Whitesnake, Journey, Mötley Crüe and so on, so it was amazing to find people who want to keep that flame burning in a time where rock musicians have to try harder than ever to cut through.”

The album couldn’t have had a more Hard Rock start than Edge of Our Dreams, where the keys by Alex will take you back to the 80’s while Lauri fires his Bret Michaels-inspired vocals and Tommy kicks some ass with his old school riffs and crisp solos. The Van Halen-ish keys by Alex walk hand in hand with the headbanging beats by Sammy in Can You Love Someone (For Just One Night), perfect for their upcoming live concerts, whereas keeping the atmosphere as thrilling as possible it’s time for another straightforward Hard Rock tune titled Breakdown In Communication, where once again the quartet is ready to rock like there’s no tomorrow. Hungry brings forward pure Sleaze Rock and Hair Metal for lovers of the genre, being tailored for singing it along with Lauri while Sammy pounds his drums in great fashion; and ethereal sounds ignite the Glam Metal extravaganza entitled Rebel Heartache, showcasing another solid job done by Tommy and Alex with their respective riffs and keys. After such fun party, get ready to rock together with those Finnish boys in the incendiary Lights Go Out, displaying a very pleasant “Eye of the Tiger” vibe thanks to the classic beats delivered by Sammy.

After a brief Interlude the band offers our ears the very melodic and whimsical Our Story Isn’t Over, a classic 80’s Hard Rock tune with Lauri being flawless on vocals supported by his bandmates’ spot-on backing vocals, and the rumbling bass by Lauri dictates the pace in the Sleaze Rock extravaganza Going Down In Flames, while Tommy brings fire to the music with his riffage, sounding dense and piercing while alternating between more delicate moments and sheer adrenaline. Then an amazing bass and keys combo by Lauri and Alex respectively will inspire you to raise your fists in the air in the name of Rock N’ Roll in Rock In The City, presenting all elements we learned to love in the genre, whereas although One Minute To Midnight is obviously not “Two Minutes to Midnight”, it lives up to the legacy of 80’s Hair Metal, and you better get ready to sing along its catchy chorus together with the band while Tommy is on fire with his stringed axe . The album’s second to last song, the power ballad Long Road Home, is not bad at all but it lacks the extra punch from the rest of the album, and finally the quartet offers us all an ode to rock music (straightforwardly) titled Anthem For Rock’n’Roll, where Lauri and Sammy will make the stage tremble with their groovy kitchen supported by the electrifying keys by Alex.

After all is said and done I’m sure you’ll get addicted to the music by Bad Baron, especially if you’re a longtime admirer of Sleaze Rock with an European touch, with Ace Of Hearts representing more than just the first step in their promising career but an amazing addition to the Finnish rock front. Hence, don’t forget to follow them on Facebook and on Instagram, to stream more of their music on Spotify, and to purchase your copy of Ace Of Hearts from the Pride & Joy Music webstore or from Apple Music, keeping the flames of Hard Rock burning and, consequently, bringing some heat to our hearts and obviously to the land of ice and snow.

Best moments of the album: Edge of Our Dreams, Going Down In Flames, Rock In The City and One Minute To Midnight.

Worst moments of the album: Long Road Home.

Released in 2022 Pride & Joy Music

Track listing
1. Edge of Our Dreams 3:11
2. Can You Love Someone (For Just One Night) 3:15
3. Breakdown In Communication 3:47
4. Hungry 3:48
5. Rebel Heartache 4:54
6. Lights Go Out 3:57
7. Interlude 0:46
8. Our Story Isn’t Over 4:04
9. Going Down In Flames 3:20
10. Rock In The City 4:27
11. One Minute To Midnight 3:20
12. Long Road Home 3:50
13. Anthem For Rock’n’Roll 4:39

Band members
Lauri Huovinen – vocals, bass
Tommy Widdow – guitar
Alex Kron – keyboards
Sammy South – drums

Album Review – Tragedian / Seven Dimensions (2021)

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This multicultural Melodic Power Metal unity hailing from Germany is ready to enlighten our destiny to the sound of their fourth full-length album, presenting to the world a new and reinvigorated lineup.

The esoteric and the obscure. Tales of the eternal fight between darkness and light… Formed by arcane energies. The mysteries that lay beyond human recognition. We are Tragedian, Power Metal that enlightens your destiny!

Formed in 2002 by American guitarist, songwriter and producer Gabriele Palermo, Tragedian are a multicultural metal band from Hamburg, Germany with a range of influences from Heavy Metal to Speed and Melodic Power Metal, taking their favorite elements from each genre and making their own interpretation. Currently comprised of the aforementioned Gabriele Palermo on the guitars together with Venezuelan vocalist Joan Pabón, German bassist Dawid Wieczorek, German keyboardist and pianist  Denis Scheither, and Italian drummer Nicolò Bernini, the band is about to unleash their fourth full-length album, entitled Seven Dimensions, the first with Joan, Dawid and Denis on the lineup. Produced by Gabriele himself, post-produced and mixed by Eike Freese at Chameleon Studios in Hamburg, and featuring an ethereal artwork by Polish artist Piotr Szafraniec (Archart Studio), Seven Dimensions takes the band to a different direction of Melodic Metal, showcasing nine new, electrifying anthems plus three previously released tracks reworked by the quintet.

Blazing guitars and whimsical keys kick off the Melodic Metal extravaganza titled Rising Rage, with Nicolò dictating the rhythm with his classic beats in a fast, harmonious and epic manner just the way we like it, and with Joan proving why he was chosen to be the band’s new lead singer. Then more of Gabriele’s slashing riffs and solos penetrate deep inside our ears in Aloneless, where Dawid and Nicolò’s low-tuned, rumbling sounds make a vibrant paradox with Denis’ classy keys. Put differently, it will certainly please all fans of bands like Stratovarius, Rhapsody of Fire and Angra, whereas investing in a more direct sonority, the band blends the electricity of Power Metal with the rebelliousness of old school Heavy Metal and Hard Rock in Out of the Dark, featuring guest guitars by Dan Palmer (Zebra Head, Death By Stereo), and the final result is simply awesome. And putting the pedal to the metal the quintet fires the melodic hurricane Darkest of My Days, where Joan is amazing on vocals supported by the unstoppable drums by Nicolò, not to mention the razor-edge guitar lines by Gabriele.

In Bringer of Dreams, featuring guest vocals by Wade Black (Crimson Glory, Leatherwolf), after a not-so-promising start the music fortunately evolves into another solid feast of Melodic Power Metal by Tragedian, with Joan and Wade bringing joy to our hearts with their dynamic vocal duo; and it’s time for a power ballad led by Joan’s passionate vocals and Denis’ melancholic piano notes entitled Crying in the Rain, also presenting background female vocals which bring an additional touch of finesse to the overall result, albeit going on for too long. Back to a more imposing and epic musicality, Nicolò kicks ass once again on drums while Gabriele keeps extracting sheer adrenaline from his axe in Enlightened, all spiced up by a classic Stratovarius-inspired keyboard solo by Denis, followed by an avalanche of classic riffs and nonstop drums in Forevermore, with the groovy bass punches by Dawid bringing thunder to the music. Needless to say, it can’t get any more melodic than this.

Destiny sounds relatively generic compared to the rest of the album, which doesn’t mean it’s a bad song, though, it’s just that it falls flat after a while despite the solid instrumental pieces blasted by the quintet. Then Joan showcases all his vocal potency and range is his mother tongue in Para Siempre (Forever), a very entertaining tune (and of course very special and personal for Joan himself) that results in a lecture in Spanish Melodic Metal; and those power metallers are never tired of embellishing the airwaves with their stylish sounds like what they do in The Journey, where Gabriele and Denis are once again in absolute sync form start to finish. Guest vocalist Zak Stevens (Savatage, Circle II Circle) adds his touch of melancholy and epicness to the inspiring ballad Forces of the Light, where we’re invited to let Tragedian’s enfolding music soothe our souls while Joan and Zak give a lecture in vocal performance, closing the digital edition of the album. However, you should definitely go for the CD version of Seven Dimensions, as the bonus tracks Crying in the Rain (duet version) and Forces of the Light (full orchestral version) are definitely worth the investment in the physical edition, especially the orchestral version for the embracing ballad with Zak Stevens.

As already mentioned, the addition of Joan, Dawid and Denis to Tragedian’s lineup brought a new share of epicness, melody and creativity to Gabriele’s brainchild, with Seven Dimensions perfectly depicting the band’s renewed energy throughout each one of the albums’ ten vibrant tracks (or twelve, if we also count the two bonus tracks of the CD version). Having said that, let’s all show the guys from Tragedian how much we admire their music, and that they’ve chosen to follow an exciting path in this new phase of their career by giving them a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming more of their music on Spotify, and especially by purchasing a copy of Seven Dimensions or by streaming it in full by clicking HERE. This is first-class, international Melodic Power Metal that deserves our attention and recognition, my friends, and let’s hope Gabriele and his melodic army keep delivering sheer awesomeness to all of us with all of their future releases, always displaying their refined techniques, and of course, their passion for heavy music.

Best moments of the album: Rising Rage, Out of the Dark, Forevermore and Forces of the Light.

Worst moments of the album: Crying in the Rain and Destiny.

Released in 2021 Pride & Joy Music

Track listing
1. Rising Rage 4:19
2. Aloneless 4:03
3. Out of the Dark 3:42
4. Darkest of My Days 3:42
5. Bringer of Dreams 5:35
6. Crying in the Rain 4:48
7. Enlightened 5:01
8. Forevermore 4:13
9. Destiny 4:19
10. Para Siempre (Forever) 3:37
11. The Journey 4:32
12. Forces of the Light 6:35

CD Edition bonus tracks
13. Crying in the Rain (duet version) 4:49
14. Forces of the Light (full orchestral version) 4:50

Band members
Joan Pabón – vocals
Gabriele Palermo – guitar
Dawid Wieczorek – bass
Denis Scheither – keyboards, piano
Nicolò Bernini – drums

Guest musicians
Wade Black – vocals on “Bringer of Dreams”
Zak Stevens – vocals on “Forces of the Light”
Dan Palmer – guitars on “Out Of The Dark”