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In 2026 they again want to make music that has a connection to Double Eclipse, Gioeli going as far as saying “This band doesn’t want to reinvent its music.” and with Shout they don’t reinvent anything, this is an album that puts the retro with the modern.

With gloriously 80’s rocking on the strutting Candy Love, Rise Up and It Owns You, while the title track, the emotive Welcome To The Thunder and the heavy Rise Above No Fear are all very contemporary.

There’s of course balladry too with a cover of Scorpions’ When You Came Into My Life, and Glow which is a song dedicated to the all the dogs Gioeli and Del Vecchio have had in their lives, the band even raise money for dog trust when they’re on tour so it’s something close to their hearts.

Ultimately Shout is a record of radio-friendly rocking that Hardline are known for and while they may never truly surpass Double Eclipse in terms of impact, they are still producing quality rock n roll for their fanbase and beyond. 8/10

Starbenders – The Beast Goes On (Sumerian Records)

Atlanta rockers Starbenders return with their fourth record of moody, glammy, synthy poppy punky, rock n roll. The Beast Goes On follows their 2023 record Take Back The Night, a record that put them more into the public consciousness but they don’t play it safe with The Beast Goes On, writing music that feels right and will be picked up by mass media, not music that is explicitly written for it.

The Beast Goes On features new drummer Qi Wei joining band founders Kimi Shelter (vocals/guitar), Aaron Lecesne (bass) and Kriss Tokaji (lead guitar) for another blast of radio baiting riffs and shout along choruses that are sneered by Kimi over some bouncy riffage, twisty synth phases and a fusion of styles that create a sound that is both sexy but tinged with gothic danger.

Like the twisted cousin of Cheap Trick (Chantilly Boy and 21st Century Digital Boy), with a hint of Deep Purple on To Be Alright, they stick with the modern hybrid thrills of Palaye Royale and The Velveteers on Cold Silver, there’s a post punk throb on Tokyo, Saturday borrows from The Cure while Forever Mine has the sexy gothics of Ghost, as Hello Goodbye dreamily shifts into 90’s alt rock.

The Starbenders strut back onto the scene with guitars set to stun, beware the beast as it brings rock n roll. 7/10

Glorious Bankrobbers – Intruder (Wild Kingdom)

Swedish sleaze rockers Glorious Bankrobbers are legends in their native country. Their 1989 record Dynamite Sex Doze, became THE record in the Swedish sleaze/action rock scene, influential to bands such as Hardcore Superstar, Mustasch and The Hellacopters.

They broke into America with shows at CBGB’S and on Headbangers Ball. In a familiar story labels screwed them, band members changed and there was a split resulting in inactivity. They did return in 2007 but recently they have more adversity with drummer Oden passing away leading to another lengthy lay off.

However rock n roll never really dies and Glorious Bankrobbers come backed armed and dangerous with new album Intruder their third album since returning in 2023 following that years Back On The Road and 2024’s Rock ’n Roll Church.

So GB are back, a meatier sound, veteran instincts and songs that bring sleaze, punk and bluesy rock n roll that will appeal to fans of The Quireboys, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Status Quo and The Ramones as they shove their attitude down your throat with rhythm blues on tracks such as the punchy Rabbit Hole and the rollicking Rollin’ In Hollywood.

Signed to Wild Kingdom Records, Intruder has the band coming back, firing on all cylinders, rock that’s as classic as it gets, inspired by sleaze, punk and proper rock n roll, Intruder will be a welcome guest in your house from these Swedish legends. 8/10

Fighter V – Déja Vu (Frontiers Music Srl)

Swiss 80’s rock revivalists Fighter V return with their third album of music inspired by Journey, Survivor and Bon Jovi, imbued with a modern energy.

The title Déja Vu is perfect what they do as you’ll feel like you may have time travelled back to those 80’s glory days as soon as Raging Heartbeat pumps out of your speakers, you know just as Rocky gets ready to fight the big Russian, that sort of vibe.

Emerging with a debut album in 2019, it was on the follow up that they started to diversify catching their ear of Frontiers Music who picked them up for album three as Fighter V have that mix of nostalgia and modernity that Frontiers are known for.

From the glistening synths that are the lead instrument on Victory and Hold The Time, the clean guitar lines the strutting Stand By Your Side and For All This Time as there’s huge vocal harmonies ala Def Leppard on Foolish Heart, the title track and let’s face it throughout.

If retro AOR is your thing then Fighter V do it with flair and most importantly proper skill, grab your hairspray and get rocking. 7/10

In 2026 they again want to make music that has a connection to Double Eclipse, Gioeli going as far as saying “This band doesn’t want to reinvent its music.” and with Shout they don’t reinvent anything, this is an album that puts the retro with the modern.

With gloriously 80’s rocking on the strutting Candy Love, Rise Up and It Owns You, while the title track, the emotive Welcome To The Thunder and the heavy Rise Above No Fear are all very contemporary.

There’s of course balladry too with a cover of Scorpions’ When You Came Into My Life, and Glow which is a song dedicated to the all the dogs Gioeli and Del Vecchio have had in their lives, the band even raise money for dog trust when they’re on tour so it’s something close to their hearts.

Ultimately Shout is a record of radio-friendly rocking that Hardline are known for and while they may never truly surpass Double Eclipse in terms of impact, they are still producing quality rock n roll for their fanbase and beyond. 8/10

Starbenders – The Beast Goes On (Sumerian Records)

Atlanta rockers Starbenders return with their fourth record of moody, glammy, synthy poppy punky, rock n roll. The Beast Goes On follows their 2023 record Take Back The Night, a record that put them more into the public consciousness but they don’t play it safe with The Beast Goes On, writing music that feels right and will be picked up by mass media, not music that is explicitly written for it.

The Beast Goes On features new drummer Qi Wei joining band founders Kimi Shelter (vocals/guitar), Aaron Lecesne (bass) and Kriss Tokaji (lead guitar) for another blast of radio baiting riffs and shout along choruses that are sneered by Kimi over some bouncy riffage, twisty synth phases and a fusion of styles that create a sound that is both sexy but tinged with gothic danger.

Like the twisted cousin of Cheap Trick (Chantilly Boy and 21st Century Digital Boy), with a hint of Deep Purple on To Be Alright, they stick with the modern hybrid thrills of Palaye Royale and The Velveteers on Cold Silver, there’s a post punk throb on Tokyo, Saturday borrows from The Cure while Forever Mine has the sexy gothics of Ghost, as Hello Goodbye dreamily shifts into 90’s alt rock.

The Starbenders strut back onto the scene with guitars set to stun, beware the beast as it brings rock n roll. 7/10

Glorious Bankrobbers – Intruder (Wild Kingdom)

Swedish sleaze rockers Glorious Bankrobbers are legends in their native country. Their 1989 record Dynamite Sex Doze, became THE record in the Swedish sleaze/action rock scene, influential to bands such as Hardcore Superstar, Mustasch and The Hellacopters.

They broke into America with shows at CBGB’S and on Headbangers Ball. In a familiar story labels screwed them, band members changed and there was a split resulting in inactivity. They did return in 2007 but recently they have more adversity with drummer Oden passing away leading to another lengthy lay off.

However rock n roll never really dies and Glorious Bankrobbers come backed armed and dangerous with new album Intruder their third album since returning in 2023 following that years Back On The Road and 2024’s Rock ’n Roll Church.

So GB are back, a meatier sound, veteran instincts and songs that bring sleaze, punk and bluesy rock n roll that will appeal to fans of The Quireboys, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Status Quo and The Ramones as they shove their attitude down your throat with rhythm blues on tracks such as the punchy Rabbit Hole and the rollicking Rollin’ In Hollywood.

Signed to Wild Kingdom Records, Intruder has the band coming back, firing on all cylinders, rock that’s as classic as it gets, inspired by sleaze, punk and proper rock n roll, Intruder will be a welcome guest in your house from these Swedish legends. 8/10

Fighter V – Déja Vu (Frontiers Music Srl)

Swiss 80’s rock revivalists Fighter V return with their third album of music inspired by Journey, Survivor and Bon Jovi, imbued with a modern energy.

The title Déja Vu is perfect what they do as you’ll feel like you may have time travelled back to those 80’s glory days as soon as Raging Heartbeat pumps out of your speakers, you know just as Rocky gets ready to fight the big Russian, that sort of vibe.

Emerging with a debut album in 2019, it was on the follow up that they started to diversify catching their ear of Frontiers Music who picked them up for album three as Fighter V have that mix of nostalgia and modernity that Frontiers are known for.

From the glistening synths that are the lead instrument on Victory and Hold The Time, the clean guitar lines the strutting Stand By Your Side and For All This Time as there’s huge vocal harmonies ala Def Leppard on Foolish Heart, the title track and let’s face it throughout.

If retro AOR is your thing then Fighter V do it with flair and most importantly proper skill, grab your hairspray and get rocking. 7/10