Swedish BROKE-N-BLUE sent me a promo CDR with two new songs and I was very impressed after hearing them, because I think we can now add BROKE-N-BLUE to the list of other Swedish AOR sensations from 2000! The two new songs ("I will be there" and "Enuff") are both fantastic classic 80s AOR tunes. Leader of the band is guitarist/ keyboardist/writer/composer Lars Abrahamsson who is accompanied by female singer Eva Eggesjo-Abrahamsson, male singer Peter Gustavsson and bassist/drummer Ulf Vestlund. Together they are BROKE-N-BLUE and these two new tracks should get this project making a further step into the right direction as I think AOR labels like AOR HEAVEN might
become interested if they hear this promo single CDR.

After the Swedish AOR sensations STREET TALK, T'BELL, TALK OF THE TOWN, ALYSON AVENUE, this band should fit right in the hands of the German AOR label, but it's only an advise from my side. In the meantime keep your eyes on the band's website at: http://www.mp3.com/broke-n-blue and e-mail them at: lazze_a@hotmail.com

Rating: 9/10

A few years ago this Australian band released their debut 'In thought' and they got a lot of good critics. I also heard the album, but haven't played it ever since. Actually I think I have to play it again after hearing their new CD 'Tangled in dream', because this album impressed me a lot. This second album is filled with classy melodic rocksongs that will attract fans of our genre and the progressive rockfans. I think this album is the perfect bridge between AOR/Melodic Rock and Progressive Metal. The style is sometimes pretty close to bands like PRETTY MAIDS, TEN, PRAYING MANTIS and also MILLENIUM comes in mind a few times. The only thing that sets them apart from these bands is the fact that VANISHING POINT adds progressive influences and is also signed to a progressive label (LIMB MUSIC).

I really liked their CD a lot and I am gonna play it a lot the coming months. My favourites are "Samsara" (great uptempo melodic rocker a la TEN), "Closer apart" (another TEN/PRAYING MANTIS typed uptempo melodic rocktune), "Bring on the rain" (lovely semi melodic rockballad with huge harmonies, kinda like MILLENIUM), "Two minds one soul" (great faster uptempo melodic rocker with some very catchy harmonies) and the midtempo "Father (7 years)". The second part of the CD also reveals a couple calmer songs such as "The real you", "Dancing with the devil" and "Tangled in dream".

This last mentioned track is also the closing track of the album and after a few minutes of silence after that final track, we can also hear a hidden track (no songtitle mentioned!) which is a rather cool uptempo 80s melodic rocker. I really enjoyed this release from Limb Music and can easily say that this is one of their best releases so far this year. Recommended to fans of TEN, PRAYING MANTIS who don't mind some progressive influences.

Rating: 8,5/10

The debut CD of BURNING RAIN has been out for a while, but it was only released in Japan, so this re-release on Z RECORDS is actually the official Japanese release. Musically this is groovy melodic hardrock with an updated sound while still keeping the 80s melodies. You can compare the band to LYNCH MOB, although I assume that they also have been influenced by WHITESNAKE. The best songs are the semi AOR/Melodic Rockballads "Making my heart beat" and "Can't turn your back on love", both being very sensational! The other 9 songs are a lot groovier than these two melodic songs, but it's from a pretty high quality. If you're a pure AOR fan, then I am afraid this might be too groovy and heavy for you, on the other hand if you liked recent albums of 21 GUNS, DOUBLE DEALER (Escape Music band!), then this might interest you a lot. Next year, Z RECORDS will release a full new CD of the band.

Rating: 7,5/10

Here's another interesting Melodic Rock outfit from Germany. They are called SECRET MINDCHANGE and they released their debut 'Diane/Thoughtless world' back in 1998, so it has been some time ago. The CD contains 5 songs of which one is a short instrumental and one track is featured in two versions, so left are 3 actual songs. Opening track is the very good catchy uptempo melodic rocker "Diane" that is in the style of WILD FRONTIER, WHITE LION, ESSEX, VOXEN, BONFIRE etc. etc. A very good start of the band and not only musically they sound good, but also the sound quality and production of their CD is from a high quality. So in other words, this is a great band to check out.

Anyway, next track "Thoughtless world" comes in two different versions on this CD, the second version is shorter than the original version. The song itself is a nice uptempo melodic rocker a la PINK CREAM 69 and XYZ. "Hell's mask" is a short instrumental song. The remaining track is the live-recorded song "Slave of passion", a weak experimental 90s typed tune that has nothing to do with the melodic rock of the other songs on the album.

The band also sent me a new CDR with again 5 songs. It seems like the band has changed a lot, because 4 out of 5 songs are very 90s inspired and are injected with heavy funk and groove influences as well as some Industrial influences, not really something of interest for the melodic rockfan. Happily one track is melodic rock based and that's the third song "Sphering jump". Check out the band for yourself at: http://secretmindchange.de and listen to that great song "Diane" from their debut. E-mail them at: secretmindchange@othernoises.de

Rating: 7,5/10

Do not confuse this DOUBLE DEALER with the same named band currently signed to Escape Music. This is a Japanese project formed around members of the bands CONCERTO MOON and SABER TIGER. Musically they play typical Japanese Hard Rock/Metal in the style of 80s acts like LOUDNESS, EARTHSHAKER, BOW WOW… Especially the first 3 songs ("The long way road", "Pandora's box" and "The enemy") are good examples of this typical 80s Japanese style of Hard Rock. Track 4, 5, 6 and 7 will attract fans of melodic (hard) rock and I also think these are the best songs performed by the band. "Deep blue sky" is a pretty good melodic rockballad.

Following track "Primitive live" is a nice uptempo 80s Hard Rock tune a la RAINBOW and WHITESNAKE. Then comes another nice semi ballad in the shape of "Ilner voice" (at the end of this song, the chorus is becoming very melodic). Next track "Too young and vane" is even a further step into 80s melodic rock, especially the melodic guitar sound of this song is just pure DOKKEN. The last 3 songs are again metal based and even an ACCEPT similarity can be heard during "Look at your face". Fans of the lost Japanese Hard Rock/Heavy Rock style from 80s acts like EARTHSHAKER, LOUDNESS, BOW WOW/VOW WOW, WILD FLAG… should check out this DOUBLE DEALER a.s.a.p.

Rating: 7,5/10

CYNDIE is actually Cindy Kranz from the southwest of Chicago and after reviewing a lot of male multi-instrumentalists, this is the first time I am reviewing a girl who is playing all the instruments on her CD. The CD contains songs that were written between 1987 and 1990, so this is definitely one for the fans of 80s rock. Cindy is playing the instruments pretty well and her voice is pretty nice to listen to as well, so this is definitely interesting to check out if you're into female fronted AOR/Melodic Rock. The only pity is the average sound/ production quality of some of the songs that really sound like demos.

Nevertheless the style on most of the songs lean towards the AOR/Melodic Poprock of female singers like JOSETTE, early PAT BENATAR and RUBY FAITH. Opener "In your eyes" is a great 80s typed uptempo AOR rocker that sounds a lot like New York based RUBY FAITH. This tune also has a good sound quality, so definitely a song worth checking out for fans of female AOR. Up next is the instrumental "Experimental D" which is followed by "Don't wanna let you go". Although the average production/sound quality of this song is making it less interesting to listen than the first track of the album, this song is still a pretty good semi AOR/Melodic Rockballad a la FIONA/HEART. Things slow down during "Carry me away", a calmer acoustic ballad.

"To have you again" is a nice semi AOR ballad, while "Dark of my room" is another uptempo song. This tune is cool 80s keyboard AOR a la LISA HARTMAN's fourth solo record from the mid 80s (forgot the title!). The following 3 songs are a let down. First off we get to hear "7 numbers away", a weak quirky early 80s poprocker a la LISA DALBELLO, SHANDI and that kind of stuff. Next track "In my mind" is a soft poppy song and is really nothing special. Although "The flying V theme" is a nice uptempo melodic rocker, things are spoiled by the average sound quality.

"Take this city" also hasn't got a good sound quality, and that's a pity, because the song itself is a wonderful classy 80s uptempo AOR rocker. Closing track "Moonwatcher" is a forgettable poppy song. Although I am pretty excited about the songs and the way Cindy performs them, it's the production and sound quality of most songs that are keeping the score low.

If the songs would get a bigger production and Cindy adds a couple more uptempo AOR rockers (like her songs "In your eyes" and "Take this city"), then I can easily
speak of something sensational. Still, die-hard fans of female fronted AOR/Melodic Rock need to check out CYNDIE's music at: http://www.mp3.com/cyndie and e-mail her at: spam@kibit.com

Rating: 7,5/10

A few months back I reviewed and interviewed MONKEY BITE, a Brazilian Melodic AOR/Rockband settled in Denver, Colorado, USA. Now they sent me a CD that contains the complete collection of songs they made between 1997 and 2000. Most of the material is midtempo and sounds a lot like the debut of HAREM SCAREM. My favourites are "U better wake", "Talk about it", "That's the way it is", "Give you away" and "Someday". Besides 11 English songs, there are also two instrumentals and 3 songs sung in the Portuguese language. Musically it doesn't matter, because the whole CD is quality melodic rock/aor. Recommended if you're into the first HAREM SCAREM and HONEYMOON SUITE records. More info at: http://www.monkeybite.com and e-mail them at: marcferr@hotmail.com

Rating: 8,5/10

HEAVEN AND EARTH is the band formed around guitarist Stuart Smith. He released a few years ago his solo debut 'Heaven and earth' that has also been released by Frontiers. That solo record introduced some a lot of guest appearances of singers like Joe Lynn Turner, Richie Sambora, Kelly Hansen and Glenn Hughes. Now Stuart was working on his 2nd CD and while recording it he formed the band HEAVEN AND EARTH with vocalist Kelly Keeling. Kelly used to sing with BATON ROUGE, BLUE MURDER and MSG. The debut CD of HEAVEN AND EARTH is titled 'Welcome to the world' and musically it continues the style created by Stuart on his solo debut CD. This means we get to hear a mixture of AOR, Hard Rock, Classic Rock and some Blues thrown in for good measure.

Most of the songs sound very different from each other, so you can't deny that they didn't try to please every Rockfan. The best songs (according to me) are the AOR songs "Worlds apart", "If only love", the semi-ballad "Through your eyes" and the RAINBOW typed Classic early 80s AOR/Melodic Rocker "Prisoner" (written by Stuart Smith, Kelly Keeling and Ritchie Blackmore). Besides these rockers, also included are bluesy songs like "Jade", "Broken arrow" and "Windows to the world". If you enjoyed Stuart Smith's solo debut, this is a must for you to have, but also fans of 70s Classic Hard Rock (read: RAINBOW) need to check out this album.

Rating: 8/10

KIP WINGER is back with a new CD release. The CD has been released through Frontiers Records which is quite a surprise as Kip's earlier releases were done through major labels. The 3 WINGER releases were very good melodic rock, and songs like "Seventeen", "Hungry", "Miles away", "Easy come easy go", "Without the night", "Headed for a heartbreak" and several others still make it on my stereo every now and then. His first two solo records saw a change in style. The melodic rock was put away and instead Kip started playing acoustic pop/rock with a modern edge and also this new CD features this new style of Kip. I had rather heard some WINGER typed Melodic Rock again, but I am afraid I have to pass on this release. It's not bad, but it's too modern and complicated.

A song like "Everyhting you need" is a nice semi ballad, but other tunes like "Two lovers stand", "Landslide", "Song of midnight" have absolutely nothing to do with (melodic) rock. This CD is a recommendation if you liked Kip's two earlier solo efforts, but for a fan of WINGER this might give you a cold shower. It's nice to see Kip updating his sound, but this time the influences of modern acoustic pop (a la STING sometimes) is a bit too much for the average AOR/Melodic Rockfan.

Rating: 6,5/10

Multi-instrumentalist Tim Donahue and singer Kelly Hansen (HURRICANE, UNRULY CHILD and STUART SMITH) are together the new project INTO THE LIGHT. Tim already released 4 solo albums, so this is definitely not his first step in the recording business. This can also be heard by the man's qualities, not only instrumentally, but also his production is pretty good. Their debut CD is filled with quality Hard Rock and Melodic Rock. The best tracks are the semi melodic rockers "Into the light" and "To your heart" and the semi melodic rockballads "Live today", "No regrets" and "Tonight" (best track, great song, a la VELOCITY and HOUSE OF LORDS). If you want to hear quality melodic hardrock, then look no further as this INTO THE LIGHT might be the one you're looking for!

Rating: 7,5/10

MARK BOALS is best known as singer with YNGWIE MALMSTEEN's RISING FORCE, but he also sang with the band BILLIONAIRES BOYS CLUB with whom he recorded an album in the early 90s. Now Mark has released his first solo record and as guitarist he hired none other than guitar hero TONY MACALPINE! The music on Mark's solo CD contains a lot of influences from 70s/80s Hard Rock of YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, RAINBOW and also DEEP PURPLE influences can be heard. The best tracks are "Bringer of pain", "Keeper of the flame" (pretty good melodic rockballad) and "Dreamer" (uptempo melodic rocker). Fans of 70s Classic Hard Rock need to check out the tracks "Ring of fire", "The hunted" and "Battle of the titan" that introduce a lot of RAINBOW and DEEP PURPLE influences. Maybe not a CD for a AOR fans, but fans of mentioned bands will definitely like this.

Rating: 7,5/10

NEXX is a Spanish AOR band and they sent me a CDR with 3 cover tunes. The performance of the songs is very good and especially the vocals of the female lead singer Patricia Tapia are quite superb. Included covers are the EUROPE song "Let the good times rock" (even sounding better than the original!), WHITESNAKE's "Give me all your love tonight" and the old MR. BIG song "Green tinted sixties mind". These 3 songs are covered very well and especially the use of female vocals really works, because that gives these songs another dimension. Besides, this girl can really sing! Now if only NEXX could write some own songs and put it out on record, then this could be another sensational female fronted AOR band. I guess the future will bring more for NEXX, but for now, check out their site at: http://www.galeon.com/nexx and e-mail them at: franciscorodriguezrubio@wanadoo.es

Rating: 7,5/10

Originally this band came out of the Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania Tri-state area, but they are now located in Maryland, a southern state in the USA. NAUGHTY NAUGHTY is playing 80s influenced Sleazy Melodic Hardrock, not that far from acts like TUFF, LA GUNS and VAIN, so they have a Californian attitude. Songs like "Cocked and loaded", "Getaway" and "Only a dream" are pure Sleaze rockers that sound like good old LA GUNS. A little more melodic are uptempo rockers such as "Here for you forever" and "By your love" (best songs on the album as well), both sounding like TUFF. There are also 3 instrumental songs on the album and a nice semi ballad "The rain". The only song that falls out of place on the record is the Trash Metal tune "Catch 22". Other than that this is recommended to fans of 80s Sleazy Hard Rock, especially a must for LA GUNS and VAIN fans. More info at: http://naughtynaughty.iuma.com or www.naughtyevil.com and e-mail them at: _Naughtyevil@hotmail.com

Rating: 7,5/10

The Finish label Lion Music has released a best of album of VISION, the band formed around guitarist Lars Eric Mattsson. They released 3 albums and the included 17 songs are the best tracks, of which 5 are making their first appearance on CD. A lot of songs feature the excellent vocals of AMAZE ME singer Conny Lind. If you haven't got any of VISION's earlier records, then do buy this record as soon as possible, because it is filled with wonderful Scandi AOR/Melodic Rocksongs. My favourites are the uptempo AOR rockers "Round'n'round", "Surrender to love", "Don't go" and "River of love" and also the wonderful AOR ballads "Sail away", "Never set me free" and "Look in your eyes" are unforgettable. A perfect best of release from one of Scandinavian's best AOR/Melodic Rockacts. http://www.lionmusic.com

Rating: 8,5/10

A few years ago I reviewed the demo tape of this French melodic rock out fit. At that time, some kind of revolution of melodic rockbands from France was going on, because if I remember it well I got a lot of quality bands coming my way to be featured in the magazine. Bands like JANNYLEE, SWALLOWS, DIDIER DEBOFFE and this ALANNAH. Now the last mentioned band has released their debut CD through the French label Brennus Records. It's a pretty good album filled with quality AOR/Melodic Rock.

A lot of songs are uptempo of which my favourites are "My secret inside", "You don't know" and "Your final flight", all 3 sounding a bit like WHITE LION. Though the best tracks are the semi AOR/Melodic Rockballad "My way out" and the midtempo AOR/Melodic Rocker "You break my heart" (this song has some cool keys during the middle). ALANNAH has released a very good quality 80s typed AOR/Melodic Rockalbum. More info at their label's site: http://www.musearecords.com

Rating: 8/10

This is the third CD of this French outfit and musically they sound very melodic on this new record. A song like "There comes the day" has some great keys and the lovely melodic chorus is making it a winner for AOR/Melodic Rockfans! On the other hand, the band's diversity can be heard in heavier songs like "Suzy", "Moan from nowhere" and "Until it's over", all moving in the progressive metal style. I rather hear the catchy choruses of tracks like "Holy crossing", "Lying" and "Amarte". But the best song of the whole CD has got to be "Spanish kiss", unlike the rest, this is a superb semi AOR/Melodic Rockballad that reminds me of CITA! This band has a lot to offer for everyone, they present us melodic and progressive heavy rock, but the diversity in rockstyles is spread throughout the CD that makes this CD worthwhile to listen a couple of times. Definitely one of the best French acts at the moment.

Rating: 8/10

This French band is making their debut with 'Fantasea'. SYRENS CALL is a female fronted progressive melodic rockband who can be compared to their countrymen of HEADLINE (also signed to Brennus Records). Most of the songs are in the same style, which is semi ballad/rockers with long passages, guitarsolos and good melodic vocals. Opener "Brave hearts" is one of the best songs, this is a pretty good melodic rocker with only a slight progressive influence. As the CD continues, the songs are getting longer and although the quality is held high with songs like "Far away", "Aquatic coma" and "Shame", still I miss a bit diversity in the songs. Nice is the KISS cover "I still love you" which gets a new dimension with the female vocals. SYRENS CALL is a nice band and if you like that other French progressive melodic rockband (HEADLINE), then this needs to added to your collection.

Rating: 7,5/10

Here's another French outfit on the Brennus Records label. 'Forest of minds' is their second CD release and they are not as metal orientated as most other bands on their recordlabel. This band has created an own style that can be labelled as melodic rock with progressive influences. There aren't many weak songs on the album, but also nothing sensational here. Nevertheless this is nice album to listen to and besides, the quality and production is also pretty well done, so this is definitely not an album to pass on. I enjoyed hearing songs like "Living in disguise", "Forest of minds", "M.O.D." and "Old man", because they are very melodic. THALIA is not a pure AOR/Melodic Rockband, but can better be described as progressive rockband with very melodic songs. Check it out if you're interested in hearing something different, but still melodic.

Rating: 7,5/10

This is the third release from Canadian rockers EMPYRIA. In 1996 they released their debut 'Behind closed doors' on Noise Records, two years later they put out 'Changing currents' independent (!) and now they are signed to Nightmare Records for whom they just released their new album 'The legacy'. Musically they are playing a mixture of 80s Hard Rock, Progressive Metal and melodic rock. The best songs are "The grand illusion" (80s Hard Rock, a la LIZZY BORDEN), "Synchronicty 2" (good melodic chorus) and above all, the hidden track that comes after the final track "Years behind".

This hidden song is a great 80s typed uptempo melodic rocker that sounds a bit like WINTER ROSE (James LaBrie's former band). If they could make some more songs like this track, then EMPYRIA would be a very interesting melodic rockband. Nevertheless, still they put out quality material and if you want to hear a mixture of 80s Hard Rock and 90s Progressive Metal (LIZZY BORDEN meets QUEENSRYCHE), then do check out this new record of EMPYRIA. http://www.nightmare-records.com

Rating: 7,5/10

I believe I reviewed their debut CD a couple of years ago, but I am not sure. Anyway, this
American band is playing very heavy Progressive Metal and is actually focused on playing it loud and as heavy as possible. The first track of their new CD 'Sanctuary' is quite nice actually. The song is called "Guilty of humanity" and although this song is already quite heavy, it is a good straight-ahead hardrock/metal song with some good melodies thrown in the catchy chorus. Not a bad start at all, but what follows is less melodic, because songs like "War Gods", "Rise up", "His Lullaby" and "Live by the sword" are weak 90s Metal orientated songs that sound very heavy. Only the songs "Powermad" and "The one" are a bit more melodic, but most of the time this band is playing 90s Metal with some heavy guitars upfront. If you like this type of metal, then do check them out at: http://www.nightmare-records.com

Rating: 6/10