Weekly synopsis of recent releases that deserve your attention.
8th edition.
In this week's edition, I will focus on hard rock and the traditional side of heavy metal. With the roots of most of these albums laying deeply in the rock and metal music of the 70s and 80s, these ten recently released titles deserve your full attention ... in the event they went unnoticed.
RIOT ACT
Closer To The Flame
April 15, 2022
US
Hard rock, heavy metal
Debut album
Excellent album by the band consisting of original Riot members Lou Kouvaris (RIP) & Rick Ventura. A valid throwback to the mid 70s - early 80s Riot sound.
STRAY GODS
Storm The Walls
April 18, 2022
Greece
Trad. heavy/power metal, NWOBHM
Debut album
Acclaimed heavy metal musician and producer Bob Katsionis's new music project. A true homage to Iron Maiden's glory years!
AERODYNE
Last Days Of Sodom
April 22, 2022
Sweden
Hard 'n' heavy, hard rock
Studio album #3
Collapse. Lies. Ruin. There is no glamour, only rage and nihilism that strains its very being in every direction. Both heavier and faster.
ÁNGEL NEGRO
El Despertar
April 22, 2022
Spain
Melodic heavy/power metal
Debut album
Excellent effort by the talented Cartagena melodic metallers. Well-crafted material with superb, top-tier vocal delivery. Sung in Spanish.
AUDREY HORNE
Devil's Bell
April 22, 2022
Norway
Alternative hard rock
Studio album #7
Powerful, heavy, melodic, in-your-face hard rock, with an attitude! From stripped-down indies to arena anthems, the band covers all angles!
DOROTHY
Gifts From The Holy Ghost
April 22, 2022
US
Mainstream rock, melodic hard rock
Studio album #3
Conquering darkness with light, numbness with feeling, disharmony with unity - all while delivering one of this year's most fun rock and roll records.
MIRROR
The Day The Bastard Leaders Die
April 22, 2022
Cyprus
Trad. heavy metal, NWOBHM
Studio album #3
Plentiful old-school metal riffing, soaring vocals, and shredding solos. Lifted from the early 1980s heavy metal playbook. A must FFO traditional heavy metal.
RADIANT
Written By Life
April 22, 2022
Germany
Hard rock, melodic heavy metal
Sophomore album
Proper hard rock by the German act fronted by the powerhouse vocalist Herbie Langhans (also mix/production)! Honest, powerful, and melodic.
SOHO RIOT
Square One
April 22, 2022
France
Hard rock
Debut album
A great mix of 70s UK hard rock (Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy) and early 90s US glam (Mr. Big, Winger) influences, with lyrics in the now. Groovy.
BARONS COURT
A Descent Into Madness
April 23, 2022
Sweden
Melodic hard rock
Debut album
Leaning on 70s hard rock (Deep Purple), w/ the mandatory organ bits, the band crafts a complex & varied body of music, where each of its members is showcased.
© 2022 by Emil Chiru