Black Swan – The great Jeff Pilson strikes again! Jeff is the main man behind this melodic supergroup also featuring Robin McAuley, Reb Beach, Matt Starr.

I’m sceptical of most of these projects, but this one works – sounding like the son of the harder edge sides of MSG, Dokken, Foreigner and Winger.

Robin sounds amazing and being a huge fan of his voice does help, but this album really rocks and the songs finally do justice to the names involved.

Produced by Jeff and mixed and mastered tighter than a drum by Alessandro Del Vecchio.

Is it too soon to call Brother Firetribe legends of the Finnish AOR scene? Perhaps with this album, it is time. Their 5th studio album might just be their most accomplished yet. It certainly has the slickest production, the smoothest sound and the band’s most commercial modern rock approach to date.

The beauty of this album is perhaps the band’s ability to keep things reigned in a touch more than usual, without losing their edge. Past albums have seen them go all in with over the top anthems, but this album feels a little more restrained, a little more calculated towards the end goal – to deliver a world class modern melodic rock album that will help drive them into a bigger audience.

Naturally arming yourself with 10 killer songs is the way to achieve this feat and BFT do just that. From the subtle, but urgent opener I Salute You, to the sultry moodiness of Night Drive and the tempo altering intensity of Life Is A Beautiful Lie to the most obvious 80s anthem Rock In The City which closes the album.

The masterful production comes courtesy of Jimmy Westerlund, the who brought the same updated intensity to the latest One Desire album. If all these points appeal and you love an equal dose of guitars and keyboards with sultry strong vocals, then Feel The Burn is a must have record.

Shaft Of Steel – surely a metal band with a logo like that…and cover art featuring a medieval candelabra and goblet and even a fish mounted on the wall! Let’s get ready to rocwhaaaat? This isn’t bang your head, it’s more rather gently nod your noggin. These British rockers defy the visuals and deliver a classy bright and breezy, pink and fluffy AOR record that’s more akin to Work Of Art than their name suggests.

Its well worth the time and the effort. For a debut, it delivers more than might be expected and while they aren’t yet in the same league as WOA, anything is possible with a start like this. Just fix the visuals and tighten up production a little.

Dennis De Young and Jim Peterik. One of the most brazenly honest and funny guys, who just happens to have a golden voice, together with one of the most earnest and likeable guys on this planet, who also happens to be one of rock’s greatest songwriters.

Together with the Peterik production infrastructure, the quality of this release was never in doubt right?

The only downside is there are only 9 full length songs here, with a decision made to split the productive writing and recording sessions into 2 albums. I hope the second volume maintains the high standard set here.

9 songs mean there isn’t a minute to waste. DDY brings the best of his soaring pomp Styx-like magic and JP brings his matching theatrical flair and AOR heart, ensuring that the duo achieve their aim.

There are rockers, there’s pomp, there’s a couple of spectacular ballads. Everything I was hoping of this union is right here. Proof that partnerships can’t be forced, they have to happen naturally.