DURING THE late 1980s New York played host to a number of crucial hard rock contenders, including the Throbs, Smashed Gladys, Raging Slab and, of course, Circus Of Power. The latter’s debut album, although failing to set the charts on fire, had blown the proverbial roof off with its brazen mix of low-slung guitar worship and a surly attitude to rival the best of West Coast rivals Guns ‘N’ Roses.
Produced, like the debut album, by Daniel Rey and titled ‘Vices’ (for obvious reasons), Circus Of Power’s sophomore release is finely hewn from a similar block of tough granite. Big riffs peppered with throat ripping vocals atop huge blasts of guitar are the order of the day, all expertly inserted into some of the most combustible songs the band ever penned.

24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 5 bonus tracks, 4,000 word story of the making of the album, full involvement by the band, rare photos, all spread out over a superb 12 page full colour booklet.

TRACK LISTING: 1. Gates Of Love 2. Desire/Fire In The Night 3. Two River Highway 4. Vices 5. Don’t Drag Me Down 6. Last Call Rosie 7. Doctor Potion 8. Los Angeles 9. Got Hard… 10. Temptation 11. Junkie Girl 12. Simple Man/Simple Woman BONUS TRACKS: 13. Gates Of Love (Live) 14. Call Of The Wild (Live) 15. Los Angeles (Live) 16. Vices (Live) 17. How Many More Times (Live)

THE LONE Melidian album ‘Lost In The Wild’, originally released on CBS in 1989, was truly a peach of an album, yet it was one of those sadly lost amidst the throng of half baked records desperately vying for a slice of a market that was about to be engulfed by back-to-basics grunge and irritating college rock. Perhaps Melidian’s educated musical roots were to blame – their sound was a triumphant mix of pompish keyboard driven AOR and muscular riffs, laced with razor sharp guitar riffs. Imagine a satisfying combination of Survivor, Bad English and Giant for an accurate approximation of their sound and you’ll be half way to paradise. Time now to reappraise a most satisfying, yet largely unheralded, album from this little known New York City five piece.

24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 4,000 word essay about the making of the album, interview with band members additional previously unseen photos spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.

Track Listing: 1. Ready To Rock 2. Livin’ Under The Gun 3. Fire Up The Heart 4. Sleepless Nights 5. Hands Off 6. Lost In The Wild 7. Overheated 8. Top Of The Rock 9. Broken Toys

ASSEMBLED FROM the cream of local Phili bands, Heavens Edge rapidly snagged a substantial deal with industry powerhouse Columbia Records, who at the time were a label eager to increase their market share of profitable melodic rock acts. Renowned British producer Neil Kernon (Dokken, Queensryche, Autograph etc) was tapped to produce but when the album was delivered they found a new label hierarchy had taken over… one much more fixated on the
embryonic sounds of grunge. Originally released in 1989, ‘Heavens Edge’ contained a bumper selection of loud and proud hard rock anthems, tracks that were easily comparable to their contemporaries bringing to mind a delicious blend of Bon Jovi, Ratt and Dokken; fiery melodic rock with a finger firmly on the trigger all wrapped up in production to die for. It doesn’t get much better than this.

24-bit remastering from original source tapes, three bonus tracks, 4,000 word essay about the making of the album, interview with band members additional previously unseen photos spread out over a 16 page full colour booklet.

Track listing: 1. Intro 2. Play Dirty 3. Skin To Skin 4. Find Another Way 5. Up Against The Wall 6. Hold On Tonight 7. Can’t Catch Me 8. Bad Reputation 9. Daddy’s Little Girl 10. Is That All You Want? 11. Come Play The Game 12. Don’t Stop, Don’t Go Bonus Tracks: 13. Superstition (Demo) 14. U Got It (Demo) 15. Just Another Fire (Demo)

RECORDED IN Los Angeles, with a slightly reshuffled line-up, the band was allowed to self produce, thus further enhancing the likelihood that a rougher, more immediate sound could be captured. ‘Premonition’, originally released in 1981, didn’t disappoint, showcasing the band in an upbeat and, dare we say it, far more aggressive mood, harnessing a sound that leaps out of the speakers and wrestles you to the floor with little room for pleasantries.
Naturally, the band’s greatest asset was still very much in focus; quality songs with hooks and melodies to die for. Tracks such as ‘Summer Nights’, ‘Light Of A Thousand Smiles’ (inspired by Journey), ‘Poor Man’s Son’ and the balls-out rocking of ‘Chevy Nights’ all contain a magical mixture of streamlined efficiency and brutal honesty, resulting in a sound that virtually defined the musical climate. It certainly turned heads; most notably that of Sylvester Stallone who requested the band write a theme song for his upcoming Rocky III movie… No prises for guessing what came next.

24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 4,000 word essay about the making of the album, interview with band leader Jim Peterik and additional previously unseen photos spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.

TRACK LISTING: 1. Chevy Nights  2. Summer Nights  3. Poor Man’s Son  4. Runway Lights 5. Take You On A Saturday 6. Light Of A Thousand Smiles 7. Love Is On My Side 8. Hearts A Lonely Hunter

SURVIVOR’S HUGE 1980s hit single ‘Eye Of The Tiger’ has tended to overshadow the band’s body of work, despite them racking up a number of further hits, well known tracks and a string of classic albums. Their brand of melodic yet tough AOR was seen as a central pillar in a wave of hugely successful North American bands; acts such as Journey, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon and Heart were all lighting up the American charts at a time when solid, guitar based rock with enormous hooks and superior vocals was all the rage.
No overnight success, Survivor’s history, in various forms, dated back to the late sixties, with leader Jim Peterik forging a path to success by a single minded commitment to well written songs, supported by some of the best players he could lay his hands on; vocalist Dave Bickler and guitarist Frankie Sullivan in particular playing a major part in the band’s developing sound.
This, Survivor’s debut album, originally issued in 1980, is an impressive work, containing all the elements that would later provide a springboard to international stardom. The songs are dynamic, richly constructed, well produced (by Ron Nevison of Led Zeppelin, Heart & UFO fame) and combine just the right blend of melody and muscle. Indeed, the track ‘Youngblood’ has been cited as the prototype for ‘Eye Of The Tiger’, one of a number of tracks that identify the band as superior craftsmen of a sound that later grew to dominate the American airwaves in the 1980s. A classic sound from a classic band.

24-bit remastering from original source tapes, one bonus track, 4,000 word essay about the making of the album, interview with band leader Jim Peterik and additional previously unseen photos spread out over a 16 page full colour booklet.

TRACK LISTING: 1. Somewhere In America  2. Can’t Getcha Offa My Mind  3. Let It Be Now  4. As Soon As Love Finds Me 5. Youngblood 6. Love Has Got Me 7. Whole Town’s Talkin’ 8. 20/20 9. Freelance 10. Nothing Can Shake Me (From Your Love) 11. Whatever It Takes BONUS TRACK: 12. Rebel Girl

THE GENERAL consensus of opinion about Quiet Riot’s career trajectory is that they started off taking a rocket ride to the stars - their debut album sold in excess of ten million copies - only to embarrassingly crash and burn just a few short years later. Commercially speaking that was a true account of the situation, but on a musical level many agree that the band’s output was inversely proportional to their chart decline, getting better and more inventive as time moved on.
The band’s reached their nadir following the release of ‘Quiet Riot III’, when their outrageous front man Kevin Dubrow was summarily fired from the line-up. They  intended to carry on under a new moniker and looked to modify their sound, whilst searching for a replacement vocalist. They quickly settled on ex Rough Cutt singer Paul Shortino, developed a chest thumping blues rock style and met with their record company about recording a new album, only to be told that contractually, and for commercial reasons, they would have to continue using the Quiet Riot name.
Despite the odds stacked against them the band’s final album, curiously self tiled, originally released in 1988 was a spectacular statement, drinking from the same bluesy well as Whitesnake, Rainbow and Dio. Paul Shortino’s vocals are both impressive and effective, whilst the songs are little short of spectacular, leaving nobody in any doubt that had this project been launched as a brand new entity they might well have gained a new lease of life to rival their original success.

24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 4,000 word essay about the making of the album, full band invlovement and additional previously unseen photos spread out over a 16 page full colour booklet.

TRACK LISTING: 1. Stay With Me Tonight 2. Callin’ The Shots 3. Run To You 4. I’m Fallin’ 5. King Of The Hill 6. The Joker 7. Lunar Obsession 8. Don’t Wanna Be Your Fool 9. Coppin’ A Feel 10. In A Rush 11. Empty Promises

‘QR III’ is, as the name suggests, Quiet Riot’s third album (originally released in 1986) and showcases some major changes, not only musically but also on the personnel front; bassist Rudy Sarzo was replaced by Chuck Wright (from Giuffria). Showcasing a far more mature sound, the band introduced keyboards and featured song writing that suggested that they had finally come of age, relying less on simplistic shout-it-out-loud hooks and more on multiple layers of rich melody with impressive muscle. The arrangements were mature without giving way to syrupy lullabies or saccharin ballads.
Sadly, the band’s fortunes, through no fault of their own, continued to spiral out of control, resulting in an album that was critically lauded as their best work but one that in purely commercial terms sadly underachieved. In the end, internal unrest resulted in flamboyant front man Kevin Dubrow being asked to leave the band – for many an unthinkable development – signaling the end of a once great institution.

24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 4,000 word essay about the making of the album, full band invlovement and additional previously unseen photos spread out over a 16 page full colour booklet.

TRACK LISTING: 1. Main Attraction 2. The Wild And The Young 3. Twilight Hotel 4. Down And Dirty 5. Rise Or Fall 6. Put Up Or Shut Up 7. Still Of The Night 8. Bass Case 9. The Pump 10. Slave To Love 11. Helping Hands

FORMED IN Columbus, Ohio this uncompromising four man hard rock band rapidly established a reputation as one of the most fearless, uncompromising acts on the scene. Moving quickly, Casablanca offshoot Millenium Records were quick to spot their potential, snapping them up as a sort of biker rock antidote to the flamboyant stadium cavorting of label mates Kiss and Angel. Produced by Grand Funk Railroad drummer Don Brewer, the GODZ debut album is an explosive statement laced with thick, bottom heavy riffs and simplistic, almost primal, guitar solos, whilst the lyrical content makes Kiss seem positively intellectual by comparison. Best of all, however, is the pure unrelenting power of the rhythm section; band leader and bassist Eric Moore outgonzoing Ted Nugent by a country mile. Make no mistake, this is a musical Mad Max soundtrack written and performed with motorcycles, whiskey and women in mind. Tracks such as ‘Gotta Keep A Runnin’’, ‘Under The Table’ and a choice interpretation of Golden Earring’s ‘Candy’s Going Bad’ make for some of the best hard rock music to have emerged from the mid seventies.

24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 4,000 word essay about the making of the album, additional previously unseen photos spread out over a 16 page full colour booklet.

TRACK LISTING: 1) Go Away 2) Baby I Love You  3) Guaranteed  4) Gotta Keep A Runnin’  5) Under The Table  6) Cross Country 7) Candy’s Going Bad

FRONTED BY the charismatic Karen Lawrence, 1994: were one, in a long list, of great North American hard rock bands that time and fame overlooked. This, their sophomore album, was released in 1979, Geoff Barton, then writing for Sounds magazine, and now, of course, Editor At Large of Classic Rock, made no secret of his love for 1994’s music and the charms of Karen Lawrence, going so far as to acclaim them as a veritable cracker box of explosive guitar based rock topped off by a stellar performance from one of the best (female) vocalists of the era; a deadly yet cool combination of Heart and Aerosmith. Produced by the dynamic duo of Eddie Leonetti (Angel, Legs Diamond) and Jack Douglas, the album was lavished with fervent praise, attracting rave reviews both at home and abroad.

24-bit remastering from original source tapes, four bonus tracks, 4,000 word essay about the making of the album, interview with Karen Lawrence and additional previously unseen photos spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.

TRACK LISTING: 1) Once Again 2) Shoot To Kill 3) Sing To Me 4) Heleana 4) Bring It Home 5) Radio Zone 6) Hit The Hardway 7) Read Up 8) Anastasia. Bonus tracks: 9) Shoot To Kill 10) Find It In The City 11) Hit The Hard Way 12) Bring It Home.

BRAND NEW studio album reuniting the core duo of Donnie Vie and Chip Z’Nuff.A record full of all things sugar and spice with a sound that continues in the finest EZN tradition of razor sharp riffs and melodies to die for. This is a band that instinctively know how to inject the maximum amount of melody and muscle into every riff and squeeze the best out of every chorus. If you don’t believe us then plug and play tracks such as ‘Lazy Dazy’, ‘Code Red’, ‘High’ and the beautiful ballad ‘Roll Away’. Prime EZN with all the grand musical accoutrements you might reasonably expect. And, as a special treat, the album contains two additional bonus tracks not available on the Japanese release.

Track listing: 1. Dissonance 2. Fine Line 3. Lazy Dazy 4. Rollaway 5. High 6. Altered States 7. Playground 8. Sometimes 9. Joni Lynn 10. Chicago 11. Code Red (Bonus track - Studio Outtake) 12. When Doves Cry 13. Run For Your Life (Bonus track - Studio Outtake)

LITTLE CAESAR, a tatted-up bunch of mean biker boys from Los Angeles, stood out a mile from the big haired, lipstick smeared glam contingent during the late 80s.They even scored a hit with a cool-as-a-cucumber cover of ‘Chain Of Fools’, a performance that separated the men from the boys by virtue of its pulsating energy and vocalist Ron Young’s gargantuan vocal delivery. In 2010, Ron and the boys can be found moving forward with a vengeance.The band has crafted a new album, titled ‘Redemption’, a record full of vim and vinegar. Going back to their roots – not that they ever left them – the emphasis is on tough-guy riffs, blues soaked vocals and the sort of earthy swagger that suggests men on one hell of a mission.

Track Listing: 1) Same Old Story 2) Supersonic 3) Loving You Is Killing Me 4) Witness Stand 5) Redemption 6) Sick And Tired 7) Real Rock Drive 8) That Was Yesterday 9) Every Picture Tells A Story/ Happy 10) Woodstock  11) Just Like A Woman

KANSAS WERE one of the most successful American rock bands during the 1970’s.  Their carefully constructed brand of progressive rock managed to not only appeal to album buyers but also delivered hit singles (‘Carry On Wayward Son’ and ‘Dust In The Wind’). Front man Steve Walsh provided unique appeal, lifting melodies up into the stratosphere and delivering class-A performances night after night.

Inevitably Kansas’s success led to some its members looking for further opportunities and, following a solo album from guitarist Kerry Livgren, vocalist Steve Walsh was the second member to branch out and record an album of his own. Taking his cue from their most successful record ‘Point Of Know Return’, the emphasis was on shorter more accessible tracks but was still imbued with supreme instrumental agility and, of course, his signature vocal.

Indeed, the Kansas connection was still very much in evidence, not only in the songs but also in the studio, where several members of the band helped out (Kerry Livgren, Phil Ehart and Rich Williams) as well as members of Dixie Dreggs, including guitarist Steve Morse who, ironically, went on to join Kansas in 1986. ‘Schemer Dreamer’ - originally released in 1980 - is universally acclaimed as an essential componant in the Kansas musical tapestry.

24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 2,000 word essay about the making of the album and full lyrics. Additional previously unseen photos spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.

TRACK LISTING: 1. ‘Schemer-Dreamer/That’s All Right’ 2. ‘Get Too Far’ 3. ‘So Many Nights’ 4. ‘You Think You Got It Made’ 5. ‘Every Step Of The Way’ 6. ‘Just How It Feels’ 7. ‘Wait Until Tomorrow’