Airrace preview 'Untold Stories' with a little 'Summer Rain'

April 10, 2018 by David Vousden in AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, New Single, News, Tour Dates, Video

UK AOR/Melodic rock act Airrace are back with a new single 'Summer Rain' which is a pleasing antidote to the British weather as I type. The new single is a slight change of direction for the band as it exhibits a soulful charm that was unexpected but welcome. The band have a new album 'Untold Stories' in the can for an August release (10.08.18) with tour dates set for September. Please read on to check out 'Summer Rain' and learn a little more about the upcoming album and tour:

Missed some great music in March? Check out the RGM Spotify playlist

April 04, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, AOR, Classic Rock, Compilation, Country, Folk, Melodic Rock, Playlist, singer-songwriter

Well, it's that time again. March is behind us and we're now in April but March was another strong month musically. We had a stunning release from the legendary Joan Baez and Bennett Wilson Poole demonstrated that the UK was up to the task of presenting Americana with an English twist and plenty of 12 string Rickenbacker guitar. The UK was also represented in the field of melodic rock/AOR by FM who continue to release quality records 30+ years into their career. The UK country scene is again featured in our playlist courtesy of Holloway Road who go from strength to strength while Greece is featured for the first time via Gadless and his excellent 'Falling' single. There's plenty of musical variety this month so please don't be shy and give our playlist a go to discover some great new music.

Praying Mantis are defying 'Gravity' on new album.

March 09, 2018 by David Vousden in AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Metal, New Single, News

Here at RGM we're not opposed to listening to things of a heavier nature musically, but it must have plenty of melody. Praying Mantis have managed to tread the fine line between silk and steel for over forty years. In 2015 they released the excellent 'Legacy' and they're back in 2018 with new album 'Gravity' set for May 11th via Frontiers. The guys have released the title track from the album as a single and you can check it out and learn more about the band by reading on:

Frontiers Music presents The New Breed

February 20, 2018 by David Vousden in Blues, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, News, Tour Dates

The roots of the Italian Frontiers label can be traced back to 1996 and over the years they've expanded to become a major player in classic rock / hard rock / melodic rock / AOR circles. Previous label releases include some of the biggest names in the genre including Whitesnake, Yes, Def Leppard, Rick Springfield, Journey etc. The label recently opened offices in London and announced the first edition of 'Frontiers - New Breed Night' which will showcase three British acts recently signed to the label. The event takes place at The Black Heart in London's Camden on April 26th with Doomsday Outlaw, Dirty Thrills and The Brink turning up the volume. Much more about Frontiers and The New Breed follows:

Kansas find 'Rhythm In The Spirit' and announce European dates

January 12, 2017 by David Vousden in Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Tour Dates, Video, Prog

Legendary rock act Kansas recently put together a video for 'Rhythm In The Spirit' one of many stand out tracks on their recent 'The Prelude Implicit' album. The video is a tantalizing taster for a run of European shows set for later this year. The video and those all important European dates, which include a UK show at the Rambling Man Fair, follows:

Rainbow to headline Stone Free Festival 2017

December 06, 2016 by David Vousden in Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Metal, Tour Dates

Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow will be the headline act for the second Stone Free Festival at the O2 in London on Saturday 17th June 2017 with tickets on sale from Thursday December 8th. More artists will be announced soon but in the meantime more about Rainbow and Stone Free Festival follows:

FM to release new album Indiscreet 30

August 26, 2016 by David Vousden in AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock

Thirty years on from the original release UK melodic rockers FM are set to release a re-recorded version of their classic debut on October 28th with 7 bonus tracks. The band will also be playing the complete album live on their Oct/Nov tour to coincide with the album release. Please read on for a sneak peak at the new album and those tour dates etc.

Kansas to release The Prelude Implicit September 23rd 2016

August 16, 2016 by David Vousden in AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, prog

Legendary US act Kansas will release their first new studio album in 16 years on September 23rd via Inside Out Music. They may have been away from the studio for many years but longtime fans are in for a treat. The full press release and 'With This Heart' follows.

Vasby Rock Festival - Stockholm, Sweden July 17-18th 2015

October 15, 2014 by David Vousden in AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock

Updated 21st November.

The third Vasby Rock Festival in Stockholm, Sweden is set for July 17-18th 2015 and the festival organisers have announced the first seven acts set to perform.

Magnum / Heaven & Earth / Eden's Curse / Astral Doors / Madman's Lullaby / Work Of Art / Adrenalin Rush.

Heaven & Earth - New line-up in studio for early 2015 release.

October 12, 2014 by David Vousden in Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock

Classic hard rock act Heaven & Earth featuring guitarist Stuart Smith and frontman Joe Retta are hard at work on a follow up to the acclaimed 2013 release ‘Dig’. The band has undergone some changes and the new line-up welcomes Ty Bailie (Keyboards), Lynn Sorensen (bass / vocals) and legendary drummer Kenny Aronoff to the fold. Sorensen has seen service with Paul Rodgers / Bad Company while Aronoff (John Mellencamp / John Fogerty / Chickenfoot / Smashing Pumpkins) should need no introduction.

Unruly Child - Down The Rabbit Hole new album

October 05, 2014 by David Vousden in AOR, Classic Rock, Melodic Rock

Legendary AOR / melodic rock act Unruly Child are best known for their Beau Hill (Alice Cooper, Winger, Ratt) produced debut album from 1992 which is considered one of the finest albums of the genre.

Michael Riesenbeck Kickstarter for 'II' album

September 19, 2014 by David Vousden in AOR, Classic Rock, Melodic Rock

Producer, guitarist Michael Riesenbeck has launched a Kickstarter campaign to enable a physical CD pressing of his recently completed album ‘II’. Michael has worked with many artists over the years in the melodic rock / AOR genre including Lec Zorn Project, Michael Bormann (Jaded Heart) and Phil Vincent. He is best known for his ‘Fanfields’ project a Toto tribute album that was very well received.

Bryan Adams – Reckless Deluxe Edition 2CD + DVD + Blu-ray

September 14, 2014 by David Vousden in AOR, Classic Rock, Melodic Rock

Rumours have been circulating for quite some time that the seminal Bryan Adams album ‘Reckless’ might be ready for the deluxe reissue treatment. The good news is that Adams and his record company seem to have done a good job of raiding the vaults for unreleased material. The release includes seven bonus tracks added to the original album and a live BBC recording of a show from Hammersmith Odeon, London. As is the case with such reissues a super deluxe edition will include a DVD of music videos and a Blu-ray audio disc of the new remaster + 5.1 surround mix of the original album housed in a hardback book style sleeve.

Harem Scarem - Thirteen Weeks In 24 Hours

September 09, 2014 by David Vousden in AOR, Classic Rock, Melodic Rock

Canadian melodic rock act Harem Scarem has returned with news of their new album entitled ‘Thirteen’. It will be their first album of new material since ‘Hope’ in 2008. The band did return to duty last year to rerecord ‘Mood Swings’ and the tour for that album seems to have got the band up and firing again.

Dennis DeYoung - The Music Of Styx Live In Los Angeles 2CD / DVD.

August 31, 2014 by David Vousden in AOR, Melodic Rock, Classic Rock

Classic rock fans amongst you should be interesting in this forthcoming release from the Frontiers label. The 2CD/DVD show was recorded live at the intimate El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles on March 18th, 2014.