BIG SHOT was formed in the early 1990’s under the name of the Deryle Hughes Band. The original members were Deryle Hughes on vocals, David Mikeal on keyboards and guitar, Paul Drennan on bass, Angelo Janotti on guitar and Tommy Scott on drums. The group immediately started performing higher profile live dates. Unfortunately, Tommy left the group early on and Sean Shannon took over on the drums.

MelodicRock Classics deliver another forgotten classic from Canada – GNP’s 1989 album ‘Safety Zone’. The band featured former Saga members Jim Gilmour (Keyboards) and Steve Negus (Drums), looking for a more straightforward AOR direction on this, the only album GNP recorded. Saga are of course one of Canada’s most loved prog-rock groups. GNP was formed together with vocalist Robert Bevan in 1986, but it wasn’t until 3 years later the album was released.

Revolution Saints, the band led by Journey vocalist/drummer Deen Castronovo, made a triumphant return in 2023 with a revamped lineup and their latest hit album, "Eagle Flight." Joining Castronovo are new members: bassist Jeff Pilson (known for his work with Foreigner and formerly of Dokken) and guitarist Joel Hoekstra (formerly of Whitesnake and Night Ranger). This new iteration, Revolution Saints MK II, has gifted fans with their sophomore release, "Against the Winds," a captivating album poised to rekindle the fervor for Melodic Rock. Revolution Saints was initially conceived by Serafino Perugino, the President and Head of A&R at Frontiers Records, to showcase the remarkable vocal talents of Deen Castronovo.

CORVUS from England play cool AOR/melodic rock but with a slightly different twist than most of the usual suspects from Sweden which is nice. Finest music for lovers of TEN, CATS IN SPACE, VEGA or WIGELIUS. Frontman Ciaran James offers a phenomenal and unique voice reminicent of RICK ASTLEY to a certain degree. A few pop elements in some of the songs add a pleasant flavor. A new version of the title track of the debut "Chasing Miracles" (2015) and a formerly digital only Christmas single make up the two bonus cuts. The second album of the five-piece will definitely arouse massive attention.

Departure is the brainchild of American Multi-instrumentalist Mike Walsh who has a vast experience in the music industry. Over the years he has worked on numerous projects, such as Mark Thompson-Smith (Praying Mantis) and Dean Fasano's Message. Mike has also worked with Bon Jovi over the years as well as having produced, scored, written and arranged several New Jersey Bands.

Vitalines is a new Melodic Rock alliance formed by two real luminaries of the genre. On one side, the “voice from heaven” Robbie LaBlanc, singer of Blanc Faces and Find Me who has also recently appeared on the T3nors’ debut album, NAKED SOUL. On the other, one of the most esteemed and capable songwriters and musicians of the genre, Swedish studio wizard Tommy Denander. All the Toto, Journey, Survivor and Foreigner fans will find something to love on this album as Tommy outdid himself especially for the superb level of songwriting, while Robbie probably delivered his best vocal performance ever. Simply an absolute must for all AOR fans and one of the musical highlights of the entire season!

Hailing from Bergen, Norway, Terje Eide (vocalist, guitarist, composer, recording artist & producer) first captured the public ear at age 16, as singer, guitarist and songwriter. His musical career began in earnest a year later, after winning a local talent contest. He later enjoyed a stint with the band Heaven & Hell, a rock institution in Bergen in the 80s. In 1986 he won the Norwegian National Rock Championship on national TV with the band The Heat. He started his own band a few years later. Terje has spent several years exploring various musical genres, as well as playing with local artists as a guitarist, singer and back-up singer.

Reissued on CD (including remastered audio, three bonus tracks and a booklet) is a 1983 US AOR/pomp rock album from a band/project featuring Jeff Cannata, formerly of Jasper Rath. Session bass on the album came from future Bon Jovi man Hugh McDonald. James Christian (House of Lords) sung on backing vocals on almost all tracks. Cannata would not resurface until 1988 with his second album, although by then the Arc Angel tag had been dropped in favour of Jeff Cannata's own surname.

Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to welcome Streetlight to the label family for the release of their new album, "Ignition". An AOR/Melodic Rock band from Jonkoping, Sweden, Streetlight stays true to the genre, delivering distinctive melodies, punchy choruses and strong hooks. Influenced heavily by bands like Journey, Toto, Kansas and Def Leppard, Streetlight creates music that is fun to listen to, melodic and guitar driven, with a sound that reminds you of the times when AOR was at its peak. But Streetlight does not see melodic rock as just a relic from the past. It’s more than nostalgia and music for the here and now.

AOR is a band name I have heard bantered about in social media circles but not one that I had the opportunity to check out. Little did I know that the album I decided to review would be their 23rd (!) release. They’ve only been around since the turn of the century. One album per year is quite prolific. A quick read of the promo material shows me what I had been missing all this time. Founding guitarist/keyboardist Frédéric Slama has played with some impressive musicians ranging from Steve Lukather, Steve Overland, Jeff Scott Soto, and many others. A real “who’s who” of the melodic rock world. I could not wait to check out what this record had in store for me.

Man’s A Wolf To Man is Andy Taylor’s third solo album and his first in 30 years. The record is a pandemic album, and a cancer album, and a state-of-the-world album, but still a triumph of joyful, uplifting music. Originally intended for release in 2020, Andy used the opportunities of the Covid lockdowns to re-examine the album retool it under his own unique circumstances. Then, in 2022 he was given the news that the prostate cancer he had been battling was now terminal and the diagnosis meant he was unable to attend his induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame as a member of Duran Duran. However, this directly led to a reconciliation between Andy and the band and he is optimistic that pioneering targeted nuclear therapy will give him longer than he had originally believed.

2023 release. The Defiants return with their third album, Drive. Formed by Paul Laine, Bruno Ravel, and Rob Marcello, who are all current or former members of beloved rockers Danger Danger, the album is a glorious return to the "in your face" melodic hard rock that enraptured millions of fans back in the '80s and '90s and is now influencing a new generation of hard rock lovin' bands. Huge choruses & hooks and soaring guitars and vocals are the order of the day here.

Bill Wray started as solo artist in the Seventies releasing several albums but since the mid-80s focused his career writing and producing songs for other artists including Loverboy, Eric Martin, Lisa Hartman, Trixter, just to name a few.
He is also known as an active contributor to lovely '80s soundtracks. Wray has penned and / or performed tracks for 'Tilt', 'Private School', 'Navy Seals' or the mythical AOR tune 'No Mercy' included in the 'Lionheart' OST.

2023 release. Swedish hard rockers seventh studio album "Public Address" sees the band delivering on the promise of earlier efforts, perfectly melding a modern rock sound with their love of classic hard rock. "We're stoked to get these songs out for you to hear. I think we've made a massive album in terms of the songs, but also in terms of sound. It's been months of hard work, but looking back at it now, while listening to the result, it's been well worth it," says drummer Mats Eriksson.