Who knew that in 2026 we'd be listening to the 11th album from Robin Beck, the queen of melody rock is one of the genres great survivors, filling this new record with a "mosaic of sound" each of the tracks showcasing different styles, approaches but most importantly that voice that was all over the radio back in the 80's.
A defiant, empowering album title this whole record just shouts "here I am world, take your best shot" Beck herself Living Proof that the most honest rockers never fade away, they just keep the wheels spinning and get rocking. The title track opens the record saying exactly that, the bluesy hard rock style seeming to be the go to sound of Beck in 2026, Na Na Na coming back with some filthy bluesy melodic rock straight out of the Aerosmith songbook.
It's on Karma and Never Gonna Let You Go where things take an 80's turn as the synths are turned on for some classic sounds of that decade. The blending of rock and pop coming from Beck's experience and distinctive vocal alongside some of the brightest writers in the melodic rock world such as James Christian (House Of Lords), Tommy Denander (Radioactive), Peppy Castro (Balance), Steve Bondy, Emil Theilhelm, and Johan Kullberg.
It's probably due to this writing team that every song sounds different, Voodoo takes the strut of Prince sleaze bleeds into Trouble Or Nothing as the bounce of Toto appears on Don't Tempt Me. Living Proof is a jukebox of anthemic rocking produced by Christian and Castro and mixed by the legendary Chris Lord-Alge so it retains a slick contemporary feel. Robin Beck is still the first lady of melodic rock and this is Living Proof. 8/10
Frontline - Rebirth (Frontiers Music Srl)
Frontline are framed as 'German melodic rock pioneers' formed in the glory days of AOR (well 1989) they return after nearly 20 years with their new album, conveniently titled Rebirth, it's an album that serves as tribute to guitarist/songwriter Robby Böbel.
Original singer Stephan Kämmerer returning to the fold teaming up with new guitarist/producer Christian Mühlroth to write the album that will appeal to their old fans, wins them new ones and pays tribute to their departed guitarist. Diego de Sousa Pires, Eric Juris and Andreas Latzko completing the new era of Frontline where veteran instinct is matched with new blood.
Rebirth is Frontline coming back to life with the sounds of their youth, slick AOR from the Journey-like Bunting Horizon, emotive balladry on After You're Gone and One Life One Love, as there's anthemic tones Burning Shadows, all the songs featuring bright and melodic guitar riffs Shattered Glass Dreams and Heart On The Dashboard, the guitar joined by walls of synth.
Now at 14 songs Rebirth is a bit of investment in terms of time, but then fans have been waiting for nearly two decades so you can forgive them for wanting to give them as much as they can for their money and the majority of the album will give you just what you need as an AOR/Frontline fan. 7/10
Von Groove - Born To Rock (Frontiers Music Srl)
Another band returning after 20 years are Canadian trio Von Groove. Formed in 1990, the released their debut in 1992 with Deen Castronovo in their ranks, however they went on hiatus in 2001 with the members doing other things. However it looks like the band have something to prove as they release Born To Rock, their new record on Frontiers.
Recorded by the classic original trio of Mladen (guitars), Michael Shotton (drums/vocals) and Matthew Gerrard (bass), they have very easily rekindled that (Von) groove for more melodic rock. Having not heard of the band before this record my immediate comparisons were Mr Big (Born To Rock), Bryan Adams and Def Leppard, who they're closest too on tracks like Angela and Do It All Over Again (it's those harmonies).
Born To Rock is a powerhouse record of 90's melodic rock, with track names like Undefeated, Champion and Fearless, Von Groove aren't here as a nostalgia act, they're back to take back their position in the melodic rock scene, Born To Rock, Too Late To Stop! 8/10
Confess - Metalmorphosis (Frontiers Music Srl)
Mixed and mastered by Erik Mårtensson of Eclipse and opening with a track that steals the riff from Ozzy's Miracle Man, Metamorphosis is the fourth record from Swedish rockers Confess.
If you've heard Crashdiet, then you'll recognise the vocals of John Elliot, his sleazy delivery similar to Joe Elliot of Def Leppard as the band shift from their sleaze metal beginnings into arena baiting anthems where they honk on bobo for The Warriors as the influences of Ratt, Warrant and Motley Crue come through strongly.
Confess refining their odes to the Sunset Strip with modernity that effortlessly balances radio friendly numbers like Wicked Temptations or the balladry of Beat Of My Heart and the dramatic closer Silvermalen, merging them with heavier sounds such as Euro metal of the title track and Plague Of Steel, the galloping classic metal of Pursuit Of The Jenny Haniver and the Running To My Death.
Behind the vocals of John Elliot is a rock solid groove from the rhythm section of drummer Samuel Samael and bassist Lucky, changing genres at will while Ludwig Nordlander and Asser Hakala trade off solos and riffs like it's 1987 all over again.
Six years since their last record Confess, reward the wait with their strongest effort yet, keeping sleaze sound they began with but cranking it up. 8/10
Frontline - Rebirth (Frontiers Music Srl)
Frontline are framed as 'German melodic rock pioneers' formed in the glory days of AOR (well 1989) they return after nearly 20 years with their new album, conveniently titled Rebirth, it's an album that serves as tribute to guitarist/songwriter Robby Böbel.
Original singer Stephan Kämmerer returning to the fold teaming up with new guitarist/producer Christian Mühlroth to write the album that will appeal to their old fans, wins them new ones and pays tribute to their departed guitarist. Diego de Sousa Pires, Eric Juris and Andreas Latzko completing the new era of Frontline where veteran instinct is matched with new blood.
Rebirth is Frontline coming back to life with the sounds of their youth, slick AOR from the Journey-like Bunting Horizon, emotive balladry on After You're Gone and One Life One Love, as there's anthemic tones Burning Shadows, all the songs featuring bright and melodic guitar riffs Shattered Glass Dreams and Heart On The Dashboard, the guitar joined by walls of synth.
Now at 14 songs Rebirth is a bit of investment in terms of time, but then fans have been waiting for nearly two decades so you can forgive them for wanting to give them as much as they can for their money and the majority of the album will give you just what you need as an AOR/Frontline fan. 7/10
Von Groove - Born To Rock (Frontiers Music Srl)
Another band returning after 20 years are Canadian trio Von Groove. Formed in 1990, the released their debut in 1992 with Deen Castronovo in their ranks, however they went on hiatus in 2001 with the members doing other things. However it looks like the band have something to prove as they release Born To Rock, their new record on Frontiers.
Recorded by the classic original trio of Mladen (guitars), Michael Shotton (drums/vocals) and Matthew Gerrard (bass), they have very easily rekindled that (Von) groove for more melodic rock. Having not heard of the band before this record my immediate comparisons were Mr Big (Born To Rock), Bryan Adams and Def Leppard, who they're closest too on tracks like Angela and Do It All Over Again (it's those harmonies).
Born To Rock is a powerhouse record of 90's melodic rock, with track names like Undefeated, Champion and Fearless, Von Groove aren't here as a nostalgia act, they're back to take back their position in the melodic rock scene, Born To Rock, Too Late To Stop! 8/10
Confess - Metalmorphosis (Frontiers Music Srl)
Mixed and mastered by Erik Mårtensson of Eclipse and opening with a track that steals the riff from Ozzy's Miracle Man, Metamorphosis is the fourth record from Swedish rockers Confess.
If you've heard Crashdiet, then you'll recognise the vocals of John Elliot, his sleazy delivery similar to Joe Elliot of Def Leppard as the band shift from their sleaze metal beginnings into arena baiting anthems where they honk on bobo for The Warriors as the influences of Ratt, Warrant and Motley Crue come through strongly.
Confess refining their odes to the Sunset Strip with modernity that effortlessly balances radio friendly numbers like Wicked Temptations or the balladry of Beat Of My Heart and the dramatic closer Silvermalen, merging them with heavier sounds such as Euro metal of the title track and Plague Of Steel, the galloping classic metal of Pursuit Of The Jenny Haniver and the Running To My Death.
Behind the vocals of John Elliot is a rock solid groove from the rhythm section of drummer Samuel Samael and bassist Lucky, changing genres at will while Ludwig Nordlander and Asser Hakala trade off solos and riffs like it's 1987 all over again.
Six years since their last record Confess, reward the wait with their strongest effort yet, keeping sleaze sound they began with but cranking it up. 8/10
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