Recommended new releases with hard rock as the common denominator. 5th (Extended) Edition.
I've ditched this week's "... in the event they went unnoticed" in lieu of this extended, the fifth, edition of Rock Ain't Dead! I have to say, this year, 2022, is proving to become one of the finest years for hard rock in recent years! Following an exponential trajectory for at least 6 or 7 years now. It also proves (alongside the worldwide myriad of specialized festivals and other activities) that a pretty impressive market exists for the genre. Long Live Rock and Roll!
SLEAZY ROXXX
Trinity Junction
May 30, 2022
Czechia
Sleaze/glam metal
Studio album #3
Excellent new studio effort by the Czech hard rockers. 12 original new tracks. Stylistically closer to the US glam/hard rock than its Scandinavian counterpart.
CHAOTIC RESEMBLANCE
Nazarites
June 11, 2022
US
Christian hard rock
Studio album #3
Oklahoma gospel spreaders return with their 3rd studio effort. Quality hard rock with a massive edge and Christian-oriented lyrics.
YET AGAIN
Revival
June 11, 2022
US
Alternative hard rock
Debut album
Groovy studio debut effort by the Illinois collective. A collection of tracks, most released as singles since 2020, w/ lyrics reflecting current social affairs.
DRIVE AT NIGHT
Echoes Of An Era
June 17, 2022
Sweden
Melodic hard rock, glam metal
Debut album
Excellent studio debut effort by the Swedish duo. Strongly rooted in the 80s mainstream rock w/ great melodies, huge keys, and singalong choruses!
ICONIC
Second Skin
June 17, 2022
US
Hard rock
Debut album
New supergroup on the Frontiers Records' ever-expanding roster. Players: Michael Sweet, Joel Hoekstra, Marco Mendoza, Tommy Aldridge & Nathan James.
LAZARUS DREAM
Lifeline
June 17, 2022
Germany
Hard rock, AOR
Sophomore album
This great followup to their 2020 debut, finds the German duo (Carsten Schulz & Markus Pfeffer) diving deeper into their influences & adding progressive elements.
MASQUE OF ART
Masquerade
June 17, 2022
Sweden
Melodic hard rock, AOR
Debut album
Initially scheduled for release in 2020, the Swedes' newly released debut is greatly influenced by the classic rock of the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
TARRASKA
Tarraska
June 17, 2022
UK
Alternative hard rock, post-grunge
Debut album
Excellent studio debut effort by the south coast of England's rock collective. Strongly influenced by the music of Mark Tremonti (Creed, Alter Bridge, Tremonti).
VANTE
Vante
June 17, 2022
US
Hard rock
Debut album
Splendid studio debut by the new rock/metal act fronted by singer/multi-instrumentalist Brian Troch (Cyclone Temple). Heavy. Current social issues.
VYPERA
Eat Your Heart Out
June 17, 2022
Sweden
Hard rock, hard 'n' heavy
Debut album
Excellent studio debut effort by the Swedish rock collective! A sweet blur of melodic hard & heavy FFO: Dokken, Icon, King Kobra, Europe, and Triumph.
© 2022 Emil Chiru