BLACKFOOT- Siogo (1983) (Re-uploaded 2021)

Blackfoot are known as one of the greatest southern rock bands. Albums like ''Strikes'' and ''Marauder'' prove that true. In 1983 they released an album with a more hard rock/ AOR sound. Uriah Heep's Ken Hensley had just joined the band and he contributed a lot to the new sound. Send me an angel and Teenage idol are the most known songs on the album and they are pure masterpieces of 80's hard 'n' heavy. But the album has more to offer than just those two songs. Some songs sound a little too commercial for a band that was into southern/hard rock, but they are nice too. Especially Crossfire, Sail away and Run for cover count among the best moments of ''Siogo''. And there's this overlooked gem, a pure to the bone southern hard rock piece, White man's land. 3 minutes of guitar frenzy and raw vocals. Got to tune that one up! Check out 1994's ''After the reign'' it's a very solid effort too, though at that time the only surviving member was singer/guitarist Rick Medlocke (now in Lynyrd Skynyrd). ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/7zkenpylq37e5dy/Blackfoot+1983+-+Siogo.rar/file

AT VANCE- Heart of steel (2000) (Re-uploaded 2021)

At Vance had their monumentum in 2000. This release is not only their best album to date, but also one of the finest examples of teutonic and neoclassical metal of the last decade. Olaf Lenk, guitarist and mastermind of the band wrote most of his best songs for this album and Oliver Hartmann proves himself as one of the greatest voices nowadays. The material of the album varies from shredding neoclassical metal to melodic hard rock. Lenk is a fan of Abba, so he threw in a cover of S.O.S., that turned out to be a genius idea, cause the song is cool and the cover a total success. Heart of steel, S.O.S., Goodbye, Why do you cry, Don't you believe a stranger....so many fantastic songs...Such a pitty Hartmann left the band a few years later... it was never the same witout him.

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/m7c7w20llmbmue4/At+Vance-+Heart+of+Steel+(2000).rar/file

RIOT- Born in America (1983) (Re-uploaded 2021)

Riot is one of the premier heavy metal bands that never got the recognition they deserved. They should have been huge. They did get close a couple of times but it wasn't meant to be...1983 found the band with a new singer and a new musical direction. Rhett Forester was a very strong frontman and vocalist. His voice raw, yet emotional. Sounds a little bit like Coverdale but in his very own style. I love the hard 'n' heavy sound of the album. Sometimes a local dj plays You burn in me and it makes me wanna scream and put my hands in the air! Nice feeling! Hope you feel it too... 

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/sg4702dh158h6az/1983_Born_in_America.rar/file

RICHIE SAMBORA- Stranger in this town (1991)

Richie Sambora is the guitarist of Bon Jovi. In 1991 he released his first solo album. His skills as a guitar player and songwriter were known at that time, but most people probably hadn't really noticed he has a very powerful voice too. You can witness everything listening to this album. It's not typical Bon Jovi stuff. The majority of the songs is very calm and quite bluesy. Candlelight music for sure. Of course Richie wouldn't completely disappoint Bon Jovi fans, so we have an absolute hard rock anthem in Rosie (co-written with Jon Bon Jovi and Desmond Child), an AOR masterpiece in Ballad of youth and one of the best hard rock ballads in Father time (co-written with Desmond Child). Add the magic of songs like Church of desire, Stranger in this town, One light burning and you get a very satisfying album with strong musicianship and beautiful melodies.

I had to take down the link due to complaints, so check these videos instead!

MAGNUM- Chase the dragon (1982, 2006 re-release with 8 bonus tracks) (Re-uploaded 2021)

I think everyone knows a little bit about Magnum. And I also think everyone should at least know about this wonderful album they released in 1982. To me Magnum were one of the best examples of pomp rock and ''Chase the dragon'' their masterpiece. Anthemic, epic, majestic, melodic, heavy when needed, this album combines almost everything I love about rock. Imagine the melody of the Foreigner debut or Styx's ''Grand illusion'', the heaviness of early NWOBHM, genius keys, an alltogether 70's sound and on top of everything one of the greatest singers in rock history, Bob Catley. It's obvious the band had a lots of creative juices flowing, mastermind/guitarist Tony Clarkin delivered 3-4 of his best compositions and the rest is history. It's a shame this album never got the degree of recognition it deserved, it went to No 17 in the UK charts but I think it should be considered among the classics of hard rock history. 

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/b3apdhir5uvfb4f/1982+Chase+the+dragon.rar/file

JAG PANZER- Chain of command (1987/2004 remaster) (Re-uploaded 2021)

I really dislike bootleggers cause they make money out of something that doesn't belong to them. But there's one instance when I had to thank a bootlegger. Because if Reborn Classics hadn't unofficially released the ''Chain of command'' tapes we probably would have never heard the finest work of Jag Panzer in it's original form. The material I'm reffering to was recorded in late 1987 but the band failed to secure a record deal so they shelved it. At that time Harry Conklin had left the band and he was replaced by Bob Parduba. Believe it or not Parduba is at least equally great, if not even better than Conklin. And ''Chain of command'' is by far the best album Jag Panzer ever recorded. Yes, it's better than ''Ample destruction''. The band has re-recorded several of those songs since they reunited with Conklin in the late 90's, but they couldn't possibly match the magic of the old days. And by peoples demand in 2004 they eventually decided to officially release the long lost album. So what you get here is the original recordings with Parduba remastered. And to make it even better I included the track Taking the lead from Parduba's previous band, Alloy Czar. That track alone is in low bit rate, but it's great!

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/napk6dlxcwjsq6q/Jag+Panzer+1987+Chain+of+Command.rar/file

AXE- V (1996) (Re-uploaded 2021)

Axe were a very promising band of the late 70's early 80's. In that period they released 4 albums of which the best is ''Offering'' from 1982. Unfortunately in 1984 they disbanded after a tragic car accident that caused the death of guitarist Mike Osbourne and the serious injury of guitarist/singer Bobby Barth . Barth revived the band in the 90's and in 1996 they released ''V''. Surprisingly this is their best album! Barth no longer singed lead, but Bob Harris did a great job replacing him. The songwriting is high level throughout the album. Check out tracks like Magic in your eyes, Sting of the rain, Anyplace on this highway is home, Battles (a remake from their debut album). Anthems that will stick in your mind. The melodies are really touching. Listen for yourselves.

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/4s7axjzh7awxszd/Axe+1996+Five.rar/file

LETHAL- Programmed (1990) (Re-uploaded 2021)

The golden era of US power metal ended around 1990. But not before one of the greatest albums of all times was released. Lethal unleashed their powerful, intelligent, melodic music and left everyone astonished. Few albums sound as heavy as this one. Almost every song opens with a smashing riff and leads to a killer chorus. Singer Tom Mallicoat shines like a diamond. He is up there with the very best like Tate, Midnight, etc. I really mean it. Just perfect. The lyrics are really well written and thought provoking. Production is flawless. One of the very few albums I rate with 10/10 and still listen to from beginning till finish after all those years. If you don't have it it's really a shame. Top priority!

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/fuhnuhnxalyd4v7/Lethal.rar/file

DIONYSUS- Excalibur (1990) (Re-uploaded 2021)

How about a journey to a land far away? I don't know much about Korean heavy metal, but I do know there were a couple of great bands over there and one of them is Dionysus. After many melodic posts this heavyweight album is a good treat for headbangers. Like Japans, Koreans too seem to have been influenced by Malmsteen's guitar playing. Still Dionysus sound heavier, especially in their fast songs. The solos are really insane, pure paradise for Malmsteen lovers. The title track is heavy as hell with soaring vocals and great solos. Other great songs include Charnel castle, a fantastic instrumental piece, Lost souls, a powerfull and emotional ballad, the pomp monster Songs of Liberty and a semi-ballad, The confession of a condemned criminal. Usually bands from the far east can drive you away with their vocals but I don't think that's the case here. Though as usual you can't always tell whether the guy sings in English or not, his voice sounds great. Also note that the production is first class. Ambitious, inspired, well executed.

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/qv4hlbzggwc404v/Dionysus+(Korea).rar/file

CROWN OF THORNS- Crown of thorns (1993) (Re-uploaded 2021)

Crown of Thorns started their career with a really hard rocking album. And it was the best effort they ever put out. Their later works lack the power of this one. You can find two editions, one from 1993 and one from 1995, called ''21 thorns'', which includes a bonus cd of live material and demos. That second cd isn't really worth having, except that it contains one of their best songs, The rain, so I ripped the debut album and added The Rain. What you get here is the very best songs of the band, like the anthem Dying for love and the powerful The healer and Winterland.

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/wm469qmsm9qfn5w/Crown+of+Thorns-+Crown+of+thorns+(1993).rar/file

RED DAWN- Never say surrender (1993) (RE-UPLOADED 2021)

What can I say about this album? Most of you propably already know about them, especially if you are into melodic hard rock and AOR. Red Dawn were the brainchild of David Rosenthal, keyboard wizard of Rainbow fame (he was part of the band during the Straight between the eyes- Bent out of shape era). Together with singer Larry Baud (formerly of USA and Network), guitarist Tristan Avakian (Mitch Malloy), Chuck Burgi on drums (ex Rainbow too) and bassist Greg Smith (ex Alice Cooper) he created a band of great potential. Unfortunately the year was 1993 when the album was released so you can understand why there was little chance of success and why it was actually released through a japanese record label with no follow up album . What we've got here is a very strong songwriting team, a keyboard virtuoso, a singer that makes your jaws drop and a phenomenal guitarist. All combined to deliver timeless songs. I've not yet met a single person that didn't love that album. Only one filler in here, the rest is from very good to unbelievably great! If you would like a comparison maybe House of Lords would do, but only their very best songs can match these guys!

ENJOY!!!

Red Dawn- Never Say Surrender (1993) (mediafire.com)

PROPHET- Pophet (1985) (NEW LINK 2021)

The first album of Prophet was a fusion of many styles. Based on AOR and melodic hard rock their sound expands to progressive/pomp rock. As in most albums of that style keyboards play a fundamental role adding to the complexity of the song structures. Vocal duties are handled by no less than three of the band's members, and one of them is Ted Poley (who of course would later front Danger Danger), who actually is the drummer of the band! Still the highlight is the voice of a gifted but underrated singer, Dean Fasano. Passion, melody and lyricism run throughout the album. Street secrets is a perfect example of the prog/pomp side to Prophet, while Away from you has all the AOR hit potential ever needed to make a band big, though Prophet never had the luck required to make it big. Slow down is a wonderful ballad, if Tommy Shaw had been singing it it would be in the lips of millions, even though he couldn't have done a better job. All in all another must have album for your collection...

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/03ap7odhhg8h1se/Prophet-+Prophet+(1985).rar/file

FORCE- Set me free (1984) (NEW UPLOAD 2021!)

Some prog/pomp with a touch of NWOBHM sounds good doesn't it? Especially if the band is called Force and the album ''Set me free''. Unfortunately a one-off album. Seems like good music doesn't appeal to the masses...Thankfully the internet lets such gems resurface from time to time. And didn't a great man someday say ''Ask and you shall receive''? So since I couldn't find this album on the net I decided to upload a vinyl rip from a good friend so that anyone who asks for it shall receive it! Some scratches won't hurt since the music inbetween is great, haha! Force play a keys-driven hard rock with lot's of 70's elements and a special AOR touch. Imagine something inbetween Saracen, Magnum, Styx, Foreigner etc. and you get a picture of what it's all about. Absolute killer tracks on the album: Footsteps (epic, imaginery, great time changes), Hesitate (one of the best ballads ever, also recorded by Force during their early days when they were called Cryer), Hold on to your love and Don't throw my love away (both more commercial but still great). 

 ENJOY!!! 

https://www.mediafire.com/file/1b3wbiy95pm7w9t/Force-+Set+me+free+(1984).rar/file

Stormbringer- Stormbringer (1983) (NEW LINK 2020)

Unbelievably good. One of the best albums I could ever upload if I wanted to let you know about an underrated lost gem of the 80's. I can't explain why this wasn't a huge hit back in 1983. The guys come from Switzerland and maybe that explains all that needs to be explained... I mean how many rock bands from Switzerland had any success worldwide? Krokus were quite successful in the US, China are still remembered and Gotthard are doing good, but mainly in Europe. But let me just say that Stormbringer's one and only self titled album is probably better than almost any of the albums that the previously mentioned bands have released. Starting off with a great cover of Russ Ballards Feel's like the real thing, the album soon continues with much heavier stuff. Searchin' is a high energy driven heavy metal song. Rock 'n' roll paradise is pretty much just what the title describes...Fantastic vocals, great melodies, everything about this song is perfect. They sometimes remind me of the sound Q5 had on their first album, that crossover sound between hard rock and melodic early heavy metal. Tears in your eyes does a pretty good job of once again justifying it's title, it's highly emotional and heartfelt. Caught me by surprise continues in a very melodic vein, great arrangement and backing vocals. There's a slow galopping rhythm in the song that I really love and the guitar cranks it up from time to time so it doesn't end up mellow. The succesion of great songs goes on with Lady of the sky, a frenzied heavy metal song that will blow your speakers. After a small prelude comes Fight with me, the most epic track on the album, once again with a galloping rhythm but more up tempo this time. The Q5 comparison is once again inevitable. Absolute killer! The album closes with a Gary Moore-like instrumental, a very nice closing indeed. I don't know who I should praise more, David Barreto for his wonderful voice or Angi Schiliro for the inspired and flawless guitar playing. They are both mythical persons in my little world. When I say they are first class musicians I really really mean it. I must also point out that special vintage feeling the band delivers, though the album was recorded in 1983 they have a lot of 70's sounds, mainly in the keyboard parts. Enough said...

P.S. In case you download from the new link the tracklist is in different order than the one noted in the review.

ENJOY!!!

(NEW LINK)

http://www.mediafire.com/file/p3uqvvg0igphstm/Stormbringer-_Stormbringer_%25281983%2529.rar/file

STUART SMITH- Heaven and earth (2000) (Reuploaded 2019)

Have you ever come across an album that can sum up the best of AOR, hard rock and blues and also revive the rock sounds of the 70's and the 80's the best possible way? Ok, maybe yes...But have you ever come across an album with guest appearances from: Richie Sambora, Joe Lynn Turner, Glenn Hughes, Kelly Hansen, Paul Shortino, Chuck Wright, Mike Terrana etc etc etc ? Ok maybe yes...But still you have never heard an album as good as this released in the last decade! ''Heaven and earth'' is the cream of the crop. Thundering hard rockers, brilliant AOR diamonds, soulfull blues, accoustic epic ballads, all you can ask for is here. Normally you should already be aware of this diamond. If not, then I've just done some good deeds.

ENJOY!!!

http://www.mediafire.com/file/snscaqg9sb7f1yz/Stuart_Smith-_Heaven_and_Earth_%25281999%2529.rar/file

BOOBY TRAP- Women (1983)

 NEW LINK UP!!!

Another greek gem that you won't propably find anywhere else. I had to buy it myself to get to listen to it. It's not that expensive to buy (averaging somewhere in between 25 and 35 euros). Though it's not too expensive the strange thing is you can't find any real info on the band. The few things I managed to find out is that the band had released another album under the name Coo titled ''Rock eyes'' previous to ''Women''. Also that ''Women'' was printed but not actually released...the band supposedly sold very few copies themselves and the rest of the copies were shelved, some of them resourfacing many years later keeping the price at relatively low rates. So what about the music? This album grows on me every time I listen to it. Booby Trap plays a very melodic hard rock actually reaching into the AOR field, with obvious 70's elements. Their sound is not polished at all, on the contrary the guitar riffs sound raw. I really love their guitarist, his solos have the required sentiment and inspiration. Another thing you will like about the album is the fact that all the vocal lines are well written. Productionwise there's a lot missing but I don't really care since I like the songs a lot. My favorites are American Girl, My woman (wonderful melancholic touch), Routine (with a great hit potential) and Burning brain (which I might almost call heavy metal). Almost every song seems to have a really memorable chorus and nice guitar leads. Enough said...

ENJOY!!!

http://www.mediafire.com/download/4i7omz531swf6c9/Booby+Trap-+Women+%281983%29.rar

DEMON- Taking the world by storm (1989) (Reuploaded 2019)

Better known for their first two albums which were great examples of the NWOBHM era, Demon continued in a very different style through the 80's. 1989's ''Taking the world by storm'' is the best example of this new direction. Lengthier tracks, lot's of keyboards but still very dynamic guitars, pomp influences, wonderful lyrics. Every single song, from the quicky opener Commercial dynamite (what a dynamite indeed) to the lengthy epics like Rememberance day or Time has come is wonderful. I'm uploading a 256 kbps vinyl rip I did myself, I'm really proud of how it sounds! (And not proud at all for mispelling the folder name!)

ENJOY!!!

http://www.mediafire.com/file/h8sazfpf3r1v2jf/1989_Taking_The_World_By_Storm.rar/file

PRETTY MAIDS- The heavy side/ The melodic side Compilation by JRD (New compilation - Updated/Reuploaded 2021!)

A great band that never sold millions. Why? That's a mystery... I can't recall many bands that put out so many great albums, that have a carreer expanding over four decades (80's, 90's, 00's, 10's and hopefully also 20's) etc, etc, etc. 

Pretty Maids know how to write a great song. I've compiled my favorites and divided them in two categories. First you get the heavier side of the band and the second part covers the hard rock/melodic rock side. Don't ask me which one I prefer, they are great at both. And sometimes they do both at the same time (you 'll probably have some objections to some of my selections, regarding which category each song falls into) 

And if you want recommendations on which album to buy, I must say that the order goes like this:''Red hot and heavy'', ''Future world'', ''Jump the gun'', ''Sin decade'', ''Spooked'', ''Anything worth doing is worth overdoing'' are classics/must-have albums. And if you like them I'm sure you will check the rest out too. For those into 80's metal ''Red hot and heavy'' is essential, while 80's hard rockers will love the three next albums. Fans of 90's metal will worship ''Spooked''.

PS: Ronnie Atkins' voice is a smoking gun...THE VOICE!!!!!!

I really hope he pulls through the serious health issues he's currently fighting. 

ENJOY!!!

Part 1- The heavy side

https://www.mediafire.com/file/gcxw8014n70mqqy/Pretty+Maids-+Heavy+side.rar/file

Part 2- The melodic side

https://www.mediafire.com/file/exj7yscjw9a61i4/Pretty+Maids-+Melodic+side.rar/file

LOST HORIZON- Awakening the world (2001) (Reuploaded 2019)

Entering the 00's the metal world desperately needed some fresh blood, some band that would show potential to be the next big thing. Lost Horizon showed that potential on their debut. A sound of their own, attitude, lyrics with strong messages and what's more important, great heavy metal music! Though they never lived up to the expectations they created, since they disbanded after a second average album, their debut will forever be praised as a great album. I've still not met a single person that doesn't like it! So if you hadn't yet had the chance to experience and enjoy this ambitious and talented band...

ENJOY!!!

http://www.mediafire.com/file/zx3r8f53066cewx/Lost_Horizon-_Awakening_The_World_%25282001%2529.rar/file

TRADE MARK- Fatal blues (1992) (Reuploaded 2019)

Another greek album (actually ep) and another great release for your collection! Trademark played melodic hard rock with some metal elements especially in the amazing guitar work. Every song is a real gem. Too late is a great opener, Burn the sky is the AOR moment of the album, Cold love is an incredible hard rock hit comparable to stuff from the first Bon Jovi album, Fatal blues is a wonderful emotional ballad with a great accoustic intro and In the prison cell closes with a blend of heavy riffing and melodic lines. The vocals are very good, though there's a slightly exotic accent. Guitarist Sotiris Feggitis would be a guitar hero if he had escaped the small local scene. The ep has been rereleased on cd wih some bonus tracks which are quite crappy so I didn't bother ripping them, they simply don't do any justice to this great band.

ENJOY!!!
www.mediafire.com/file/4k56n7asmkumzch/Trademark-_Fatal_Blues_%25281992%2529.rar/file