January 2022 Highlights

This month we were most impressed by these new albums:

Lalu‘s 3rd studio album Paint The Sky is a band-project of Vivian Lalu with Joop Wolters and Damian Wilson. Adventurous and classy progressive heavy rock, somewhat like a modern version of classic style Yes. Very well done. Reviews: 1, 2, 3. Videos: The Chosen Ones and Paint The Sky. Interview. You gotta love this guy.

 

Eric Gales new album Crown is probably his most personal and consistent one. Produced by Joe Bonamassa this is an excellent and varied Blues Rock album. Eric definitely deserves a far wider audience. Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Videos: I Want My Crown and Stand Up.

 

Inviolate - Steve Vai

Guitar virtuoso Steve Vai certainly doesn’t disappoint on his 10th album, Inviolate. He searches for new boundaries while playing with one hand or playing his self built hydra-guitar. But there is also much emphasis on melodies this time. A fascinating guitar album. Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. More videos: Little Prey and Zeus In Chains. Interview.

 

German Kissin’ Dynamite 7th album Not The End Of The Road is arguably their best so far. Fresh and exciting 80s style Melodic Hard Rock. Open those arenas again! Reviews: 1, 2, 3. Videos: Not The End Of The Road, Good Life, Coming Home, What Goes Up and Yoko Ono.

 

For Giant‘s 5th album Shifting Time expectations were high. Perhaps too high. It’s not the classic that their debut was, but it’s a great and classy mix of Melodic Hard Rock and AOR with superb vocals (Kent Hilli) and a brilliant production. Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4. Videos: Let Our Love Win, Never Die Young and The Price Of Love. Interview with David Huff.

 

Other interesting releases include:

  • Lana Lane‘s 11th studio album Neptune Blue: pleasant AOR with some symphonic influences, strong songs and vocals in Heart style
  • Tony Martin‘s 3rd solo album Thorns: powerful Heavy Metal with impressive vocals that should get Tony Iommi interested to have him back as a singer
  • Edge Of Forever‘s 5th album Seminole: good Melodic Hard Rock by workaholic Alessandro Del Vecchio‘s own band
  • English Rock institution Magnum‘s 26th album The Monster Roars delivers again with their instantly recognisable sound and songs with a head and a tail that tell a story
  • Crystal Ball‘s 11th studio album Crysteria: good up tempo Melodic Hard Rock from Switzerland

 

 

 

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