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Review: Turn Back Time – Maybe Tomorrow Good Time Music – May 29th, 2026 Reviewer – Chris O’Connor  Some albums immediately remind you why the AOR and melodic rock genres continue to inspire such loyalty among their devotees. Turn Back Time‘s ‘Maybe Tomorrow‘ is one such release; a beautifully crafted collection of songs that captures […]

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Review: White Skies – Shouting At The Hurricane Conquest Music – May 29th, 2026 Reviewer – Chris O’Connor I seem to recall White Skies’ previous album, ‘Black Tide‘, receiving a favourable reception from melodic rock fans, and while I certainly found plenty to enjoy, it never quite managed to grab me in the way I […]

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Review: CyHra – Requiem For A Pipe Dream Reigning Phoenix Music (June 5th, 2026) Reviewer – Chris O’Connor Sometimes, the involvement of a single musician is enough to guarantee a certain level of quality. Such is the case with CyHra. At the heart of the band is guitarist and songwriter Jesper Strömblad, a genuine giant […]

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Review: Sahara – Sahara Pride & Joy Music (May 29th, 2026) Reviewer – Chris O’Connor Now here is an album that is an absolute joy to revisit. I vividly remember buying this CD from S.T. Records in Dudley back in 2001 after owner Steve Thorley played it over the shop speakers. Within minutes I was […]

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Review: Devin Townsend – The Moth InsideOut Music – May 29th 2026 Reviewer – Chris O’Connor Devin Townsend: genius. That word is often overused, but in his case it is not only apt, but almost an understatement. Hevy Devy is an artist with seemingly endless ideas flowing through his mind, whose music regularly leaves listeners […]

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Review: Ayreon – ‘30th Anniversary – An Amazing Flight Through Time’ Music Theories Recordings – May 22nd, 2026 Reviewer – Chris O’Connor Tilburg, September 2025. Fifteen thousand devoted Ayreonauts (as fans of Arjen Lucassen are affectionately known) gathered to celebrate three decades of Ayreon, transforming the city into a temporary sanctuary for progressive rock and […]

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Review: Blue Tears – Live In The UK Pride & Joy Music – May 15th 2026 Reviewer – Chris O’Connor Few melodic hard rock aficionados will have forgotten the impact of Blue Tears’ self-titled 1990 debut album. Blending the hook-laden energy of Bon Jovi with the polished melodic power of Def Leppard and the joyous […]

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Review: Alicate – Too Bad To Be Good Pride & Joy Music – April 24th, 2026 Reviewer – Chris O’Connor Alicate are something of a delightful contradiction: a Scandinavian AOR outfit that, at times, sounds as though it has been lifted straight from the golden era of American melodic rock. The reason becomes immediately apparent. […]

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Review: Alien – Live At Sweden Rock Festival Pride & Joy Music – April 24th, 2026 Reviewer – Chris O’Connor Few Scandinavian AOR/Melodic Rock acts are held in quite as high a regard as Sweden’s Alien, long-time purveyors of some of the most timeless and evocative melodic rock you’re ever likely to hear. Last year […]