Orianthi Panagaris is rapidly becoming a rock icon having played with Michael Jackson, Carlos Santana, Carrie Underwood and Alice Cooper, in the past striking out again on her own with 2020’s O, she managed to show that she’s an intuitive songwriter and good singer, as well as just a firebrand guitarist. Just two years later she returns with another set of hard rock radio songs, fit for arenas. To flesh out the band she has teamed up with producer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jacob Bunton who has won an Emmy for songwriting and played with Mariah Carey, Steven Tyler, and Steven Adler as well, he plays everything else apart from drums which come from Kyle Cunningham.
Bookened by two instrumental showcases in the shape of Illuminate Part I and II, the bulk of Rock Candy is comprised of big rock riffs that remind me of bands such as Halestorm and The Pretty Reckless with tracks such as the swaggering Light It Up, the punky Red Light, the pulsating Void and the smoky Witches & The Devil all in that mould. However on something such as Fire Together, there’s a modern pop vibe, Void and Burning have some Royal Blood like modern blues fuzz. All showing the dexterity of Orianthi’s guitar playing as she shifts genres, but also with songs like Where Did Your Heart Go sounding like Miley Cyrus, and those country influences shining on Living Is Like Dying Without You, her work as a vocalist can’t be understated either.
With Bunton giving a wide musical backing and huge production Rock Candy is a sweet treat that never gets too sickly. 7/10
Perfect Plan – Brace For Impact (Frontiers Music Srl)
When he’s not appearing on various other Frontiers projects Kent Hilli fronts Perfect Plan, a band who play Scandi melodic rock that has managed to establish itself as separate to the genre’s American roots while in keeping with the sound. Hilli says that Brace For Impact is a rockier record than before, his Graham Bonnet - meets - Joe Lynn Turner-esque vocal suited to singing Surrender as often as possible on the album opener.
Perfect Plan – Brace For Impact (Frontiers Music Srl)
When he’s not appearing on various other Frontiers projects Kent Hilli fronts Perfect Plan, a band who play Scandi melodic rock that has managed to establish itself as separate to the genre’s American roots while in keeping with the sound. Hilli says that Brace For Impact is a rockier record than before, his Graham Bonnet - meets - Joe Lynn Turner-esque vocal suited to singing Surrender as often as possible on the album opener.
This is no Rainbow song though sounding a bit more like Alter Bridge at times just with organs, the keys of Leif Ehlin are used effectively across the album, letting the AOR twinkle on If Love Walks In, giving some stabs to the Europe sounding Can’t Let You Win which definitely makes you think this album is a bit heavier than previous ones, the choppy guitars of Rolf Nordström driving towards those massive chorus hooks. Though Emelie, goes in the complete opposite direction, into sweet AOR balladry. Brace For Impact definitely seems a bit darker and more rock based. Gotta Slow Me and Undefeated ads some Whitesnake bluesing, Undefeated and Walk Through Fire swaggering rocking, while Stop The Bleed is dripping with Coverdale, Hilli giving it all behind the mic, emerging as a true talent.
The rhythm section of drummer Fredrik Forsberg and bassist Mats Byström, giving muscle. The record sounds huge, production wise it really impresses, on the ballad My Angel, they pack as much layering as possible, going full Def Leppard/Foreigner. There’s enough of a mixture to appeal to broad range of listeners, never getting into the one dimensional AOR/melodic rock groove, spreading their wings more than ever before but staying with the Scandi sound they started out with. Perfect Plan are climbing the ranks to take their place at the top of the Scandi melodic rock pile with Brace For Impact. 8/10
Killer Kings - Burn For Love (Frontiers Music Srl)
Burn For Love is the debut album from Killer Kings a collaboration between
Gregory Lynn Hall (ex- 101 South) and Tristan Avakian (ex- Red Dawn, Queen Extravaganza). I will admit I did shrug a little when I saw those names as I have no idea who they are. So without any preconceived notion I dove a little deeper, it seems that Avakian is a guitarist for hire having played in a number of melodic rock bands along with the Queen Extravaganza touring show, Lynn Hall meanwhile has done his time on the AOR scene in the 80’s but singing with many Christian artists since then.
So Burn For Love is essentially a mix of their previous bands as well as some newer influences, there doesn't seem to be a Christian influence to the music it's mostly love, romance and emotion that inspires the lyrics. The band filled out by Alessandro Del Vecchio (bass/keys/production) and drummer Nicholas, with some guest slots from guitar-slinger Joel Hoekstra on I Will Be Stronger and some guest keys from Tommy Denander on the title track.
For me the album has some big nods to the late 80’s early 90’s melodic rock scene with Sammy Hagar and John Payne’s Asia, in the vocals as bands such as Reo Speedwagon make up the music. These influences in particular are because this is very guitar-centric album, Another Night, Another Fight with and explosive guitar solo, though Phoenix is very Journey, the Speedwagon coming on Two Ships. A love letter to AOR from two musicians who have been a part of it but possibly not on your radar. It’ll be telling if this just a one off. 7/10
Wildness - Resurrection (Frontiers Music Srl)
Third album from from Swedish melodic rock band Wildness, Resurrection is has 11 tracks plucked straight out of the 80's. It's the creative endeavour of Erik Modin who writes all the songs, produces/mixes/masters and drums on the album. This is very much his creative vision driven by his love of 80's rock music built on double guitars and a ear for melody.
Rounding out the band are vocalist Erik Forsberg, bassist Marcus Sjösund along with guitarists Adam Holmström and Pontus Sköld, there's some special guests too in the shape of Danny Rexon (Crazy Lixx), Hank Erix (Houston), Ludvig Turner (Reach), and Dani Hart on backing vocals, making those choruses nice and epic. Having done a lot of touring, they focused on making this album their most accomplished yet. Tracks such as Love Resurrection, Best Of Me and The Final Fantasy all showing how well Wildness do melodic rock, keys pulse as the guitars play off each other the Glam/AOR sounds combining together for some rocky moments.
Built upon Modin's drumming. At times Lonely Girl does feel a little like Styx or Toto ballad. It's the final track that will get attention as Eternity Will Never Fall has the classic/pirate metal chops of Forsberg's previous band Blazon Stone, closing the record on a high for me. Resurrection is strong collection of songs but it does show that Wildness could go multiple ways on their next album. 7/10
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