Melodic Hard Rock
Melodic hard rock is dominated by Scandinavian bands these days. In 2017 Eclipse, H.e.a.t. & Brother Firetribe issued great new albums. One Desire is a new Finnish band that released a suprisingly good debut album.
Non-Scandinavian highlights include Harem Scarem latest album, a return to form, the peculair named Tokyo Motor Fist’s debut album and semi-Scandinavian Pinnacle Point’s debut. Honourable mentionings: Revolution Saints and For All We Know’s second albums.
Classic Rock
Greta van Fleet caused some stir with their great 70’s style debut album. Cats In Space’s second album is another noteworthy classic rock release. As is Riverdogs latest album: excellent stuff! And last but not least, Styx issued a concept album that comes close to their 70’s heydays.
Blues Rock
Blues Rock is on a rise. 2017 saw a lot of good to great albums. Some of the best were Aaron Keylock’s debut and the latest releases of young icon Kenny Wayne Shepherd and up-and-coming Laurence Jones. Honourable mentionings: King King’s and Jared James Nichols latest.
Hard Rock
Two albums that breathe quality are Black Country Communion’s comeback album and Heaven & Earth’s fourth. Honourable mentionings: the second albums of Inglorious and Vandenberg’s Moonkings.
Southern Rock
The Cadillac Tree came up with a very pleasant third album.
AOR
On the softer side of things we got an excellent comeback album of Boulevard, as well as a more than welcome sign of life of Jim Jidhed and a very entertaining new album of Houston.
Pop Rock / Singer-Songwriter
Jon Stevens released a very enjoyable tenth studio album and Downes Braide Assiociation came up with a rather calm yet interesting piece of work.
Modern Hard Rock
Smash Into Pieces third album and Von Hertzen Brothers seventh stand out, as well as The Night Flight Orchestra’s third. All bands are from, you guessed it, Scandinavia.
Miscellaneous
Quist released an interesting and enjoyable instrumental album. Veteran Greg Howe issued an impressive ninth album. Hopefully it won’t take him another nine years to come up with a successor. A very honourable mentioning: The Paul Reed Smith Band’s latest offering.