NOW PLAYING on the MIGHTY WURLINGTZER
December 2018
1) Palace – ‘Binary Music’ (Frontiers – Amazing, captivating, sparkling AOR… and the best band name ever!)
2) Devil’s Hand featuring Mike Slamer & Andrew Freeman – ‘Devil’s Hand’ (Frontiers – A fantastic return for the illustrious Slamer and vocalist Freeman)
3) Be-Bop Deluxe – ‘Sunburst Finish’ (Esoteric Recordings – The new, double-disc re-mastered edition)
4) Procol Harum – ‘In Concert With The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra’/‘Grand Hotel’/’Exotic Birds And Fruit’/‘Procol’s Ninth’/‘The Prodigal Stranger’ (Esoteric Recordings – Fabulous expanded re-masters)
5) Freak Kitchen – ‘Confusion To The Enemy’ (Thunderstruck Productions – These Swedes always make brilliant, imaginative music)
6) John Gioeli – ‘Once Voice’ (Frontiers – Highly creditable solo debut from Hardline’s frontman)
7) Purser Deverill – ‘Square One’ (Mighty Music – Ex-Tygers duo reunite for subline slice of AOR-tinged pomp-rock)
8) IQ – ‘Ever’ (GEP – A full-on bells and whistles 25th anniversary edition of an album some fans consider their pinnacle)
9) Roine Stolt’s The Flower King – ‘Manifesto Of An Alchemist’ (Inside Out – Luscious, often orchestral-flavoured prog-rock)
10) Creye – ‘Creye’ (Frontiers – A tad overrated in my book, but above-par Scandi-AOR all the same)
11) Motorpsycho – ‘The Crucible EP’ (Rune Grammofon – Norway delivers yet more awesome prog-meets-hard rock)
12) Clutch – ‘Book Of Bad Decisions’ (Weathermaker Music – Still slightly flummoxed at this being Classic Rock’s writers’ album of 2018, but it’s rather good…)
13) Eden’s Curse – ‘The Demos: The Complete Series, Volume 1’ (A&D Records – Work-in-progress five-disc chronology, from ‘Eden’s Curse’ to ‘Cardinal’)
14) Evergrey – ‘The Inner Circle’ (AFM – Re-mastered edition of the fifth album from the Swedish prog-metallers… impressive!)
15) Red Dragon Cartel – ‘Patina’ (Frontiers – Jake E Lee is back, and this is far better than their debut)
16) Steelheart – ‘Rock’n Milan’ (Frontiers – Okay, the bloke’s a prize asshat but this live album shows his talent)
17) Doomsday Outlaw – ‘Suffer More’ (Frontiers – Hard rocking blues from a young Derby-based combo with real potential)
18) Heaven’s Trail – ‘Lethal Mind’ (Escape Music – Ex-Jaded Heart members dish up a slab of hard-driving melodic metal)
19) Thundermother – ‘Thundermother’ (Despotz – Hugely enjoyable, AC/DC-ish all-female rock from Sweden)
20) Mutter Slater Band – ‘Field Of Stone’ (Angel Air – Gritty, slightly dark, R&B-flavoured solo album from the former Strackridge member)
November 2018
1) Twisted Sister – Live At The Marquee 1983’ (Atlantic – Audio documentation of one of the finest gigs that I ever saw!)
2) Rush – ‘Hemispheres – 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Super Deluxe’ (Universal Music – Joyously detailed revision of my favourite Rush record)
3) Roxanne – ‘Radio Silence’ (Rat Pak – Among the most flawless AOR records of the past 12 months)
4) Alice In Chains – ‘Rainier Fog’ (BMG – Their post-Layne reunion continues… I really dig this!)
5) Newman – ‘Decade II’ (AOR Heaven – The perfect starting point for those new to their deliciously pomp-laden melodic hard rock)
6) Bucket’s Rebel Hart – ‘20 Good Summers’ (Pride & Joy Music – Never underestimate the power of a good song, well sung)
7) Electric Boys – ‘The Ghost Ward Stories’ (Target – Return of the ace Swedish funkmeisters)
8) Lee Aaron – ‘Diamond Baby Blues’ (Big Sister – The rock comeback continues in fine style!)
9) Tony Mitchell – ‘Beggar’s Gold’ (Melodic Rock – Rousingly enjoyable solo album from the ex-Kiss Of The Gypsy frontman)
10) Bernie Tormé – ‘Shadowland’ (Retrowrek – Fiery, blues-laden hard rock delivered as only Tormé can)
11) REO Speedwagon – ‘The Early Years: 1971-1977’ (Hear No Evil – Eight discs of pre-MTV era hard rock)
12) Nordic Union – ‘Second Coming’ (Frontiers – Just as good as their debut, possibly even better…)
13) Voivod – ‘The Wake’ (Century Media – The French-Canadian fruitloops deliver another concept piece)
14) Riverside – ‘Wasteland’ (Inside Out – Heart-warming neo-prog from these enduring, deserving Poles)
15) Eden’s Curse – ‘Testament – The Best Of’ (AFM – Two discs of catalogue highlights, plus a brand new tune)
16) Chariot – ‘The New Horizon Dawns’ (PFR – New material from Chariot is always welcome… shame this may be their swansong)
17) City Of Thieves – ‘Beast Reality’ (Frontiers – The band formerly known as Four Wheel Drive *finally* gets into gear!)
18) Stephen Pearcy – ‘View To A Thrill’ (Frontiers – There’s no mistaking Ratt’s frontman…)
19) Haken – ‘Vector’ (Inside Out Music – The UK proggers continue their steady rise)
20) Joe Cocker – ‘The Essential Collection’ (PolyGram TV – Car boot sale bargain CD… well worth 50 pence!)
21) The Pineapple Thief – ‘Dissolution’ (KScope – Better late than never!)
22) Jerome Mazza – ‘Outlaw Son’ (Escape Music – The former voice of 1990s Christian metallers Angelica is back)
23) Icarus Witch – ‘Goodbye Cruel World’ (Cleopatra – Slightly Maiden-esque, melodic, hummable heavy metal)
24) The Blackheart Orchestra – ‘Diving For Roses’ (Right Track – Female-fronted gothic prog-lite… very moreish)
25) Hearts On Fire – ‘Call Of Destiny’ (Melodic Rock – Their admiration for Journey, Leppard and Europe shines out like a beacon)
October 2018
1) Nazareth – ‘Loud & Proud! The Box Set’ (BMG – Everything they’ve ever done in one heavyweight box… sensational!)
2) Nazareth – ‘Tattooed On My Brain’ (Frontiers – A brave, highly encouraging new start)
3) It Bites – ‘Live In London’ (www.itbites.com – Five live discs from 1986-1990… absolutely essential for fans)
4) Greta Van Fleet – ‘Anthem Of The Peaceful Army’ (Lava – Very much a Marmite band, but I love them!)
5) Hawklords – ‘Brave New World’ (Shellshock Distribution – Another bloody terrific record)
6) Fish – ‘A Parley With Angels EP’ (Chocolate Frog – Three wonderful new tracks)
7) Del Bromham – ‘White Feather’ (Esoteric Antenna – Stray’s frontman strikes out with a right l’il beauty of a solo album)
8) Pavlov’s Dog – ‘Prodigal Dreamer’ (Rockville – How on God’s green earth does David Surkamp still sing like that?!)
9) Hogjaw – ‘Way Down Yonder’ (Snakefarm – Highly capable, meat and potatoes Southern rock)
10) Hank Erix – ‘Nothing But Trouble’ (Livewire/Cargo – Agreeable solo album from the Houston mainman)
11) Damanek – ‘In Flight’ (Giant Electric Pea – Extremely melodic, at times very Toto-esque prog-rock)
12) Kenny Leckremo – ‘Spektra’ (IDIC Music – The original voice of H.e.a.t returns)
13) Curved Air – ‘Second Album’ (Esoteric Recordings – Swanky, double-disc expanded re-mastered edition)
14) Mob Rules – ‘Beast Reborn’ (SPV – One of the premier melodic power metal releases of 2018)
15) Glass Hammer – ‘Chronomonaut’ (Sound Resources – Beautifully constructed prog rock)
16) Dynazty – ‘Firesign’ (AFM – A pulsating mix or melodic hard rock and metal)
17) Mia Klose – ‘Stronger’ (Mia Klose Music – More good-time pop-rock from the London-based Swede)
18) Night Demon – ‘Live Darkness’ (SPV – Two discs of 1980s-inspired heavy/speed metal)
19) The New Roses – ‘One More For The Road’ (Napalm – Inoffensive, mildly enjoyable Teutonic rock)
20) Hercules – ‘On The Radar’ (Herculesrockband.com – Good-time boogie rock ‘n’ roll band from Fåvang, Norway)
September 2018
1) Uriah Heep – ‘Living The Dream’ (Frontiers – Every bit as good as I hoped it would be!)
2) Angel – ‘The Casablanca Records Years’ (Caroline – Their entire catalogue over seven sumptuous discs… pomp-rock heaven!)
3) Newman – ‘Decade II’ (AOR Heaven – Re-recorded highlights of his second spell… ideal for beginners!)
4) Nashville Pussy – ‘Pleased To Eat You’ (Ear Music – I just cannot get enough of the track ‘Testify’!!)
5) Satan – ‘Cruel Magic’ (Metal Blade – Heavy metal like it used to be!)
6) Hawkwind – ‘Road To Utopia’ (Cherry – Orchestral re-workings, and a cameo from Eric Clapton!)
7) Frankie Miller – ‘…That’s Who: The Complete Chrysalis Recordings’ (1973-1980) (EMI – Recently re-discovered four-disc set from 2011)
8) Those Damn Crows – ‘Murder And The Motive’ (Earache – A fine and now rebooted debut which drips with potential)
9) Monster Truck – ‘True Rockers’ (Mascot – Does what it says on the tin!)
10) Doro – ‘Forever Warriors, Forever United’ (Nuclear Blast – Her 20th album is a 35th anniversary year… much respect)
11) Joe Bonamassa – ‘Redemption’ (Provogue – Though it’s quite trendy to take a dig, this has some amazing moments)
12) Status Quo – ‘1+9+8+2’/‘Back To Back’/‘In The Army Now’/ ‘Ain’t Complainin’’ (Universal – Not my favourite era in Quo history, but the sleeve essays are pretty good!)
13) Billy F Gibbons – ‘The Big Bad Blues’ (Snakefarm – Light years better than that puzzling solo debut!)
14) U.D.O. – ‘Steelfactory’ (AFM – Yet more Teutonic metaaaaal from Herr Dirkschneider)
15) Federal Charm – ‘Passenger’ (Wire Sound – New singer, revamped style… I dig this!)
16) Corky Laing’s Pompeii – ‘The Secret Sessions’ (Rouge – Guests spots from Clapton, Hunter & Ronson, Todd and more… now re-mastered and on yellow vinyl!)
17) Michael Romeo – ‘War Of The Worlds Part 1’ (Mascot – Symphony X guitarist tackles the HG Wells novel in his own overblown way)
18) Various Artists – ‘Contract In Blood: A History Of UK Thrash Metal’ (Cherry Red – Five-disc set… great to hear Metal Duck again!)
19) Supersuckers – ‘Suck It’ (SPV – They’re still quite Super, and they definitely don’t Suck)
20) Sulo – ‘Nightshift’/‘Brilliant Outsiders’ (Livewire/Cargo – Two wildly differing discs, both enjoyable in their own way)
August 2018
1) The Magpie Salute – ‘High Water I’ (Provogue/Mascot Label Group – Indispensable for fans of The Black Crowes)
2) Airrace – ‘Untold Stories’ (Frontiers – One of the melodic hard rock records of 2018)
3) Groundbreaker – ‘Groundbreaker’ (Frontiers – Steve Overland and Robert Säll in perfect harmony)
4) The Sign – ‘Signs Of Life’/‘The Second Coming’ (Escape Music – Their two albums as a double-CD deluxe boxed set, with bonus tracks)
5) Enchant – ‘A Dream Imagined…: The Complete Collection 2993-2014’ (Inside Out – All eight studio albums housed in a beautiful box)
6) Pete Spiby – ‘Failed Magician’ (Be Lucky – The former Black Spiders frontman spreads his wings)
7) Massive Wagons – ‘Full Nelson’ (Earache – The daftest thing to come out of Lancaster is also the most popular… who knew?!)
8) Mad Max – ‘35’ (SPV – The Teutonic melodic heavy metal combo reaches yet another birthday… congratulations!)
9) Atlas – ‘In Pursuit Of Memory’ (AOR Heaven – A full-length debut from the promising Mancunians AOR crew)
10) Little Red Kings – ‘Callous’ (Littleredkings.com – Heartfelt, blues rock ‘n’ roll with some strong hooks)
11) Dallas – ‘Dallas’ (AOR Blvd – Bay Area combo cannot fail to conceal a debt to Def Leppard, but this is rather good)
12) King Company – ‘Queen Of Hearts’ (Frontiers – Members of Thunderstone, Children Of Bodom, Kotipelto and Northern Kings sounding surprisingly accessible)
13) Haken – ‘L-1VE’ (Inside Out’ – The fast rising UK proggers’ first ever official concert set)
14) Corky Laing’s Mountain – ‘Live At Howard’s Club H’ (Gonzo Multimedia – In the continued absence of the real thing, this’ll do…)
15) Gryphon – ‘Raindances, The Transatlantic Recordings 1973-1975’ (Esoteric Recordings – Their first four albums spread over two discs)
July 2018
1) Big Big Train – ‘Merchants Of Light’ (English Electric – Beautifully packaged presentation of their shows at Cadogan Hall)
2) Halestorm – ‘Vicious’ (Atlantic – No doubt about it, this will be among the year’s finest LPs)
3) Modern Art Featuring Ted Poley – ‘Modern Art Featuring Ted Poley’ (Ted-poley.com – The voice of Danger Danger and Degreed… one mighty package)
4) Dare – ‘Out Of The Silence II’ (Legend – A joyous thirtieth anniversary remake of one of the best debut albums ever)
5) Megadeth – ‘Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good – The Final Kill’ (Legacy – The debut… as it should’ve been)
6) Southern Empire – ‘Civilisation’ (Giant Electric Pea – Where prog meets melody with a dash of pomp thrown in)
7) Night Flight Orchestra – ‘Sometimes The World Ain’t Enough’ (Nuclear Blast – A fabulous 1980s rock pastiche, though the cheesy disco bits don’t work)
8) Clif Magness – ‘Lucky Dog’ (Frontiers – What class! What craftsmanship! Welcome back, sir…)
9) Molly Hatchet – ‘Fall Of The Peacemakers 1980-1985’ (Hear No Evil – Bourbon-soaked four-disc set… yeee-haaaaw!)
10) Treat – ‘Tunguska’ (Frontiers - Their third consecutive masterpiece of the melodic trock genre)
11) Curved Air – ‘Phantasmagoria’ (Esoteric Recordings – A classic from 1972, now available as double-disc set)
12) Rox Diamond – ‘Let The Music Do The Talkin’’ (Lions Pride Music – A wonderful third album from the talented LA AOR band)
13) Mr Big – ‘Live From Milan’ (Frontiers – Two audios discs and a DVD… the entire show… niiiice!)
14) Tremonti – ‘A Dying Machine’ (Napalm – Alter Bridge man lets rip with conceptual heavy metal beast!)
15) Tokyo Blade – ‘Unbroken’ (3Ms Music – Their original line-up is back… and this kicks ass!)
16) Stone The Crows & Maggie Bell – ‘Best Of’ (Angel Air – Highlights spread over two discs)
17) C.I.T.A. – ‘Act 1 — Relapse Of Reason’/‘Heat Of Emotion’ (Escape Music – Their two albums in one handy package, plus bonus tracks)
18) Nitrate – ‘Real World’ (Melodic Rock – This might interest fans of spandex-era Bon Jovi, Europe and Def Leppard)
19) Destinia – ‘Metal Souls’ (Frontiers – A respectable fusion of European power metal and US AOR)
20) Fireblast – ‘Dreams To Life’ (Z – A big riffing yet commercial sound that’s redolent of the Scorpions and Dokken)
June 2018
1) Lizzy Borden – ‘My Midnight Things’ (Metal Blade – His first album in 11 years… I love this guy’s work!)
2) Ginger Wildheart – ‘Ghost In The Tanglewood’ (Round Records – His country outlaw-folk record… utterly seductive!)
3) Shinedown – ‘Attention! Attention!’ (Atlantic – Wow… what a grower!)
4) Ghost – ‘Prequelle’ (Spinefarm – A slice of intelligent, mysterious, fascinating hard rock)
5) Kissin’ Dynamite – ‘Ecstasy’ (Metal Blade – So-called “modern hard rock” from Germany… sehr, sehr gut!)
6) Gioeli-Castronovo – ‘Set The World On Fire’ (Frontiers – The former Hardline duo reunite to produce sparks)
7) Thunderstick – ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’ (Pledge Music – Wonderfully theatrical, female-fronted kitsch)
8) Finn – ‘Finn’ (Parlophone – Charity shop gem… featuring the Kiwi icons Tim and Neil)
9) Jim Lea – ‘Lost In Space EP’ (Wienerworld – Six tracks of solo greatness from Slade’s former bassist)
10) The Sea Within – ‘The Sea Within’ (Inside Out – Double set from members of Transatlantic, Pain Of Salvation, etc… heady, fascinating, moreish stuff)
11) Various Artists – ‘NWOBHM: Winds Of Time 1979-1985’ (Hear No Evil – Three discs of the good, the bad and ugly)
12) Two Of A Kind – ‘Rise’ (Frontiers – Heart-esque hard rock from Holland)
13) Guild Of Ages – ‘Rise’ (Escape Music – Chunky, insistent and hugely enjoyable)
14) Sunstorm – ‘The Road To Hell’ (Frontiers – Joe Lynn Turner sounding bright and breezy… hope he’s better soon)
15) TNT – ‘XIII’ (Frontiers – Unbalanced and frustrating… but the good bits are worthwhile)
May 2018
1) Wishbone Ash – ‘The Vintage Years 1970-1991’ (Madfish – 30 discs, 156-page hardback book, signed photos, posters… is this the greatest boxed set ever?!)
2) Saxon – ‘Thunderbolt’ (Militia Guard – Their purple period continues…)
3) Bonfire – ‘Temple Of Lies’ (AFM – Gott im Himmel… these enduring Germans still have juice in the tank!)
4) Kissin’ Dynamite – ‘Ecstasy’ (Metal Blade – A rousing, invigorating and fresh twist on hard rock themes)
5) John Coghlan’s Diesel – ‘Flexible Friends’ (Hear No Evil – Adds the fabled gig from the Marquee Club in 1985, with Rick, Alan and Bob Young)
6) Glenn Hughes – ‘The Official Bootleg Box, Volume One: 1994-2000’ (Purple – Seven concert discs from the Voice Of Rock… quality varies)
7) Shiraz Lane – ‘Carnival Days’ (Frontiers – At last they have the walk to match the talk!)
8) The Senior Management – ‘Heart And Soul’ (Melodic Rock – Göran Edman aims to meld AOR and country… amazingly, it works)
9) Mass – When 2 Worlds Collide’ (Escape Music – Typically rich in melody and sturdy of backbone)
10) Blackberry Smoke – ‘Find A Light’ (Earache – Better late than never!)
11) Fargo – ‘Constellation’ (SPV – Gnarly, grey-haired yet unmistakably sprightly rock ‘n’ roll)
12) American Tears – ‘American Years’ (Escape Music – Mark Mangold goes prog!)
13) John Mellencamp – ‘Plain Spoken: From The Chicago Theatre’ (Eagle Vision – CD/DVD package recorded/filmed in 2016)
14) Barclay James Harvest – ‘Barclay James Harvest’ (Esoteric Recordings – Re-mastered, expanded edition of their debut from 1970)
15) Dave Greenslade – ‘Cactus Choir’ (Angel Air – A cult prog classic from 1976, with bonus track)
16) Stormzone – ‘Lucifer’s Factory’ (Metal Nation – Cool melodic metal from a band that just doesn’t know when to give up… thankfully!)
17) The Jon Butcher Axis – ‘Stare At The Sun’ (Escape Music – Re-issue of his cult favourite from 1983)
18) Universe Infinity – ‘Rock Is Alive’ (Pride & Joy Music – A slick, bombastic set of strong-arm hard rock tunes)
19) Amanda’s Somerville’s Trillium – ‘Tectonic’ (Frontiers – Jeez… what a voice!)
20) Bullets & Octane – ‘Waking Up Dead’ (Bad Mofo – My first album of theirs in 11 years… and they haven’t changed a jot!)
April 2008
1) Vega – ‘Only Human’ (Frontiers – Their most accomplished work to date)
2) Monster Magnet – ‘Mindfucker' (Napalm – A prime slab of punk-infused stoner-rock)
3) Spock’s Beard – ‘Noise Floor’ (Inside Out – The band’s most immediate record in quite a while)
4) Roger Glover & Friends – ‘The Butterfly Ball & The Grasshopper’s Feast’ (Purple – The new, three-disc edition… fantastic!)
5) Praying Mantis – ‘Gravity’ (Frontiers – NWOBHM survivors administer the usual melodic twist, love it!)
6) Laurence Jones – ‘The Truth’ (Top Shop Music – His best to date, methinks…)
7) Corrosion Of Conformity – ‘No Cross No Crown’ (Nuclear Blast – Better late than never!)
8) Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow – ‘Memories In Rock II’ (Minstrel Hall Music – Live document of the second run of dates)
9) Jizzy Pearl Of Love/Hate – ‘All You Need Is Soul’ (Frontiers – Typically swaggersome rock ‘n’ roll)
10) Blitzkrieg – ‘Judge Not’ (Target – Still keeping it true, respect is due)
11) The Outlaws – ‘Los Hombres Malo’/‘In The Eye Of The Storm’ (Floating World – I’ve never owned ‘Los Hombres…’ on CD before)
12) 10cc – ‘I’m Not In Love: The Essential’ (Spectrum – Triple-disc collection of hits and deep cuts… worth four quid of anyone’s money!)
13) The Dust Coda – ‘The Dust Coda’ (Thedustcoda.com – They call it “rootsy, soulful, yet edge-driven hard rock ‘n’ roll”, and I agree!)
14) Dizzy Reed – ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Ain’t Easy’ (Golden Robot – Guest-embellished rock from GNR’s keysman, nick ‘n’ sleazy!)
15) Voices Of Extreme – ‘Mach III Complete’ (Z – Recommended for lovers of crunchy melodies and jeans-creaming lead singers)
16) Merryweather Stark – ‘Carved In Rock (GMR Music – A kick-ass retro-rock banquet)
17) Palace Of The King – ‘Get Right With Your Maker’ (Golden Robot – Big-riffing retro rock from Down Under)
18) Universe Infinity – ‘Rock Is Alive’ (Pride & Joy Music – Fruity, fulsome, good-time Swedish rock ‘n’ roll)
19) Colosseum II – ‘Wardance’ (Esoteric Recordings – Re-mastered edition of 1977 disc from Gary Moore, Don Airey and chums)
20) Weend’ô – ‘Time Of Awakening’ (Sonic Bond – Intoxicating, atmospheric, female-voiced prog-metal)
21) Grand Design – ‘Viva La Paradise’ (GMT Music – Sweden’s Leppard worshippers are back!)
22) Comus – ‘First Utterance’ (Esoteric Recordings – Re-mastered re-issue of the prog-folk gem from 1971)
23) 3Sixty – ‘#Truestories (3sixtyrockband.co.uk – Gutsy, tuneful hard rock… promising)
24) Lords Of Black – ‘Icons Of The New Days’ (Frontiers – Leaps and bounds better and its predecessor)
25) Dokken – ‘Return To The East Live (2016)’ (Frontiers – Oh my goodness, this is feeble)
March 2018
1) FM – ‘Atomic Generation’ (Frontiers – How on God’s green earth do they remain so consistently wonderful?!)
2) Judas Priest – ‘Firepower’ (Columbia – The Priest is back! And with all guns blazing!)
3) Rick Parfitt – ‘Over And Out’ (Ear Music – Gone, but never to be forgotten)
4) Saxon – ‘Saxon’/‘Wheels Of Steel’/‘Strong Arm Of The Law’ (BMG – Revised versions of three albums that helped to shape metal)
5) Chris Squire – ‘Fish Out Of Water’ (Esoteric Recordings – Never owned this on CD before… the double-disc edition is fabulous!)
6) Perfect Plan – ‘All Rise’ (Frontiers – Where Scandi-AOR meets North American hard rock… utterly God-like!)
7) Kino – ‘Radio Voltaire’ (Inside Out – Album number two from the band everybody assumed was dead)
8) Rick Springfield – ‘The Snake King’ (Frontiers – His blues album?! I don’t think so… and that’s meant positively)
9) LA Guns – ‘Made In Milan’ (Frontiers – CD and DVD from last year’s gig in Italy)
10) Myles Kennedy – ‘Year Of The Tiger’ (Napalm – The Alter Bridge/Slash singer goes unplugged in style)
11) Drive, She Said – ‘Real Life’ (Escape Music – Newly re-mastered edition of their album from 2003)
12) The Damned – ‘Evil Spirits’ (Spinefarm – Better late than never… this is great!)
13) JCM – ‘Heroes’ (Repertoire – What a power-trio… Jon Hiseman, Clem Clempson and Mark Clarke playing some great cover version tributes)
14) Atomic Rooster – ‘Sleeping For Years: The Studio Recordings 1970-1974’ (Esoteric Recordings – Four-CD set… does what it says on the tin!)
15) Richie Kotzen – ‘Telecasters & Stratocasters’ (The Store For Music - Contains the albums ‘Something To Say’, ‘What Is’ and ‘Break It All Down’)
16) Danny Bryant – ‘Revelation’ (Jazzhaus – This is the UK bluesman’s best yet)
17) Bullet – ‘Dust To Hold’ (SPV – The sixth album from the Swedish trad-metallers)
18) Savage Messiah – ‘Hands Of Fate’ (Century Media – Quality thrash-metal… from… ulp… England!)
19) The Sharpeez – ‘Wild One’ (3MS – Rock-solid blues with strong choruses)
20) Last Great Dreamers – ‘13th Floor Renegades’ (Ray – Eager, often rather memorable rock ‘n’ roll)
21) Sudo Karlsson – ‘Sudo’s Full English’ (Cargo/Livewire – Cool solo album from the former Diamond Dogs singer)
22) ReVertigo – ‘ReVertigo’ (Frontiers – High quality heavy melodic rock from Mats Levén and Anders Wikström)
23) BulletBoys – ‘From Out Of The Skies’ (Frontiers – Some enjoyable tunes… and a whole load of crud!)
24) Amorettes – ‘Born To Break’ (SPV – They’re improving… gradually!)
25) Salty Dog – ‘Lost Treasure’ (Escape Music – Way too leaden and unformed… but a handful of good moments)
February 2018
1) Marillion – ‘Brave – Deluxe Edition’ (Parlophone – Four-disc reappraisal of one of their defining moments)
2) Rose Tattoo – ‘Tatts Live In Brunswick’ (Golden Robot – Tearing up an Aussie bikers club in ’82… amazing!)
3) Cats In Space – ‘Cats Alive!’ (Harmony Factory – Their set supporting Thunder in Cardiff… fabulous stuff)
4) The Temperance Movement – ‘A Deeper Cut’ (Earache – The band’s best since that awesome debut)
5) W.E.T. – ‘Earthrage’ (Frontiers – This new music from Soto, Mårtensson and Säll is F.A.N.T.A.S.T.I.C.!)
6) Dukes Of The Orient – ‘Dukes Of The Orient’ (Frontiers – Silky, melodic pomp-rock doesn’t get too much better)
7) Damian Wilson & Adam Wakeman – ‘The Sun Will Dance In Its Twilight Hour’ (Blacklake – A mesmerising two-man collaboration)
8) Damian Wilson – ‘Built For Fighting’ (Blacklake – Available since 2016, but I’ve *finally* got it on vinyl!)
9) Burn – ‘Ice Age’ (Melodic Rock – Some fillers at the end but otherwise what a great melodic hard rock record)
10) The Sheepdogs – ‘Changing Colours’ (Dine Alone – Killer retro-rock from Saskatoon, Canada)
11) Space Elevator – ‘Space Elevator II’ (SPV – This is one heck of a grower…)
12) Jared James Nichols – ‘Black Magic’ (Listenable – Okay, it came out last year but this coloured vinyl adds three bonus tracks!)
13) David Byron – ‘Baby Faced Killer’ (Floating World – The first time I’ve owned it on CD… patchy but good bits are great!)
14) Little Caesar – ‘Eight’ (Golden Robot – Still hard rockin’, still soulful…)
15) No Hot Ashes – ‘No Hot Ashes’ (Frontiers – Back after 34 years away and produced by Messrs Goldsworthy and Jupp, this is a darned fine return!)
16) Skam – ‘The Amazing Memoirs Of Geoffrey Goddard’ (www.skamuk.com – What a massive improvement on what went before!)
17) Wayward Sons – ‘Ghosts Of Yet To Come’ (Frontiers – Ex-Little Angels/Fastway singer Toby Jepson returns in fine voice)
18) Tribulation – ‘Down Below’ (Century Media – Saw them with Arch Enemy and their album is outstanding)
19) Stuckfish – ‘Calling’ (Sonic Portrait – Fantastic melodic prog-rock)
20) Signal Red – ‘Under The Radar’ (Escape Music - Powerful and fiery yet well-grounded in a melodic sense)
21) Mike LePond’s Silent Assassins’ – ‘Pawn And Prophecy’ (Frontiers – All-star power-metal combo led by the Symphony X bassist)
22) Fabio Lione-Allessandro Conti – ‘Lione v Conti’ (Frontiers – It’s a melodic power-metal meltdown!)
23) Billy Walton Band – ‘Soul Of A Man’ (No Fret – Bluesy, funky and uplifting!)
24) Seven More Days – ‘Little Dark Pleasures’ (Sevenmoredays.com – Hard rock/metal with lashings of light and shade)
25) Neon Animal – ‘Bring Back Rock ‘N’ Roll From The Dead’ (Cargo – Sleazy, wasted-sounding, bubblegum-esque rock ‘n’ roll)
January 2018
1) Michael Schenker Fest – ‘Resurrection’ (Nuclear Blast – This will be among the best releases of 2018)
2) Ammunition – ‘Ammunition’ (Frontiers – Nü-AOR genius from Erik Mårtensson and Åge Sten Nilsen)
3) Nightwish – ‘Decades’ (Nuclear Blast – So many great songs!)
4) Curved Air – ‘Airconditioning’/‘Air Cut’ (Esoteric Recordings – Newly expanded editions of albums from 1970 and ’73)
5) Raintimes – ‘Raintimes’ (Frontiers – US-style pure-AOR… from Italy!)
6) Jon Butcher Axis – ‘Jon Buther Axis’ (Escape Music – For the first time on CD… this li’l gem stands up very well!)
7) Vandenberg’s Moonkings – ‘Mk II’ (Mascot – Always loved this guy’s work!)
8) Mollie Marriott – ‘Truth Is A Wolf’ (Amadeus Music – Newly tweaked version of her debut, previously issued in 2015)
9) Rick Derringer – ‘Joy Ride: Solo Albums 1973-1980’ (Hear No Evil – Four-disc set… such an underrated body of work!)
10) Kayak – ‘Seventeen’ (Inside Out – Delicious symphonic prog from Holland… with cameo from Andy Latimer)
11) Malinda Moye – ‘Bad As I Wanna Be’ (Leopard – Malinda’s mix of funk, rock and soul can be a bit too poppy for me, but I love what she does!)
12) Michael Schenker – ‘A Decade Of The Mad Axeman’ (Inakustik – Double-disc anthology)
13) Robin Beck – ‘Love Is Coming’ (Frontiers – Sprightly, colourful, fun AOR)
14) Jessica Wolff – ‘Grounded’ (Metalopolis – Not sure why I love this slice of pop-rock like I do… but it’s great)
15) Perfect Beings – ‘Vier’ (Inside Out – Dreamy, blissful prog… ideal for a Sunday morning chillout)
16) Matthew Fischer – ‘Matthew Fischer’/ ‘Strange Days’ (Angel Air – Two-on-one re-issue of the Procol Harum keyboardist’s solo work)
17) Prayer – ‘Silent Soldeiers’ (Escape Music - These Finns weld a colourful, pompous edge to a fairly robust strand of AOR)
18) Pretty Boy Floyd – ‘Public Enemies’ (Frontiers – The Aldi edition of Mötley Crüe… oddly, this catchy collection includes a track by Nikki Sixx)
19) Bodast – ‘Towards Utopia’ (Esoteric Recordings – The ‘lost’ debut from Steve Howe and company)
20) John Steel with Doogie White – ‘Everything Or Nothing’ (John Steel – Bulgarian metalheads are joined by the estimable Mr White… not too shabby!)
Playlist 2017
Playlist 2016
The discs on the MIGHTY WURLINGTZER will be changed every month.
If there are any albums you think should be included
on next month's playlist, please let us know!