Ayreon

 

Artist:  Ayreon
Origin:  Netherlands
Genre:  Rock Opera, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Space Rock, Symphonic Metal, Folk Metal, Power Metal

Ayreon is a musician project by Arjen Anthony Lucassen.  Ayreon's music is mostly Heavy Metal and Progressive Rock, and also combines with Folk, Classical, and Electronica, but the majority of Ayreon's albums are Rock Opera (or Metal Opera) as the albums contain complex storylines.  Ayreon's music is used of the traditional instruments such as Guitars, Bass, Drums, Synthesizers, Electric Organs to mix with instruments from Folk and Classical music:  Mandolins, Violins, Violas, Celli, Flutes, Sitars and Didgeridoo).

Title:  An Amazing Flight Through Time (30th Anniversary 2CD+DVD) (2026)

Genre:  Rock Opera, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Space Rock, Symphonic Metal, Folk Metal, Power Metal

Label:  Music Theories Recordings

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD+DVD

Tracks:

Disc 1:  CD

 1.  Dream Sequencer 1 (2:32)

 2.  My House On Mars (5:41)

 3.  Sail Away To Avalon (4:02)

 4.  Green And Cream (4:49)

 5.  Days Of The Knights (3:29)

 6.  Childhood (3:09)

 7.  Dragon On The Sea (5:20)

 8.  Sign (3:18)

 9.  Sea Of Machines (5:29)

10. The Year Of '41 (6:35)

11. The First Man On Earth (5:54)

12. The Lighthouse/The Argument 2/The Parting (5:53)

13. Carried By The Wind (3:43)

14. Dream Sequencer 2 (1:43)

15. The Theory Of Everything (4:47)

16. Actual Fantasy (1:29)

17. Into The Black Hole (6:20)

Disc 2:  CD

 1.  Dreamtime (3:02)

 2.  Dawn Of A Million Souls (7:01)

 3.  Valley Of The Queens (2:56)

 4.  Loser (4:43)

 5.  Band Introduction Mike (2:04)

 6.  The Castle Hall (5:54)

 7.  Amazing Flight In Space (6:16)

 8.  Everybody Dies (5:22)

 9.  Speech Arjen And Joost (16:32)

10. Set Your Controls (6:14)

11. Dream Sequencer 3 (1:25)

12. Isolation (9:09)

Disc 3:  DVD

Full Show (149:23)

Fan Reactions (22:38)

Personnel:

Vocalists:

Arjen Lucassen:  Project Mastermind, Backing/Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar

Anneke Van Giersbergen;  Longtime Collaborator

Damian Wilson:  Regular Project Vocalist

Tommy Karevik:  Kamelot Frontman

Marcela Bovio:  Regular Live and Studio Vocalist

Irene Jansen:  Frequent Live Collaborator

Mike Mills:  Frontman of Toehider

Dino Jelusick:  Trans-Siberian Orchestra And Whitesnake Vocalist

Heather Findlay:  Former Mostly Autumn Vocalist

Maggy Luyten:  Heavy Metal Powerhouse Vocalist

Wudstik :  Progressive Rock Vocalist

Robert Soeterboek:   Longtime Live Asset

Instrumental Band:

Joost Van Den Broek:  Keyboards, Musical Direction

Ed Warby:  Drums

Timo Somers:  Lead & Rhythm Guitars

Ferry Duijsens:  Electric & Acoustic Guitars

Johan Van Stratum:  Bass

Orchestral Ensemble:

Ben Mathot:  Violin

Jurriaan Westerveld:  Cello

Jeroen Goossens:  Woodwinds, Flute

An Amazing Flight Through Time is a live celebration of 30 Years of Music by Ayroen, released on June 8, 2026 by Music Theories Recordings, featuring All-Star cast.  30th Anniversary 2CD+DVD.

The Ventures

Artist:  The Ventures

Origin:  Tacoma,Washington, USA

Genre:  Instrumental Rock, Surf Rock, Rock & Roll, Early Pop, Early Rock  

Original line-up:  1958

Don Wilson:  Rhythm Guitar

Bob Bogle:  Bass, Lead Guitar

2nd line-up:  1959-1960

Don Wilson:  Rhythm Guitar

Bob Bogle:  Bass, Lead Guitar

Nokie Edwards:  Bass, Lead Guitar

George T. Babbitt:  Drums

3rd line-up:  1960-1962

Don Wilson:  Rhythm Guitar

Bob Bogle:  Bass, Lead Guitar

Nokie Edwards:  Bass, Lead Guitar

Howard Johnson:  Drums

Classic line-up:  1962-1973

Don Wilson:  Rhythm Guitar

Bob Bogle:  Bass, Lead Guitar

Nokie Edwards:  Bass, Lead Guitar

Mel Taylor:  Drums

The Ventures are an American Instrumental Rock Band from Tacoma, Washington, Formed in 1958 by Don Wilson (Rhythm Guitar), and Bob Bogle (Bass, Lead Guitar).  The Classic line-up of the band consisted of Don Wilson (Rhythm Guitar), Bob Bogle (initially Lead Guitar, later Bass), Nokie Edwards (initially Bass, laer Lead Guitar) and Mel Taylor (Drums).  Their first wide-release single, "Walk, Don't Run" (1960), brought international fame to the group, and is often cited as one of the top songs ever recorded for Guitar.  During the 1960s, and the band had 14 singles in the Billboard Hot 100.  With over 100 million records sold.  The Ventures are the best-selling Instrumental Band of All Time.

Title:  Another Smash!!! (Limited Edition) (2013)

Genre:  Instrumental Rock, Surf Rock, Rock & Roll, Early Pop, Early Rock 

Label:  Sundazed Music

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side One:

 1.  (Ghost) Riders In The Sky (2:28)

 2.  Wheels (1:55)

 3.  Lonely Heart (2:10)

 4.  Bulldog (2:20)

 5.  Lullaby Of The Leaves (1:58)

 6.  Beyond The Reel (3:05)

Side Two:

 7.  Raw-Hide (2:29)

 8.  Meet Mister Callahan (2:20)

 9.  Trambone (2:04)

10. Last Date (2:13)

11. Ginchy (1:40)

12. Josie (2:04)

Personnel:

Don Wilson:  Rhythm Guitar,  Lead Guitar on Track 1

Bob Bogle:  Bass, Lead Guitar on Track 7

Nokie Edwards:  Bass, Lead Guitar on All other tracks

Howard Johnson:  Drums

Another Smash!!! is the third studio album by The Ventures, originally released on June 26, 1961 by Dolton Records, remastered and reissued on March 26, 2013 by Sundazed Music.  Limited Edition 180 Gram Colored Vinyl.

 

The Shadows

 

Artist:  The Shadows

Origin:  London, England

Genre:   Instrumental Rock, Instrumental Surf, British Invasion, Early British Pop, Early Pop, Rock & Roll

Original line-up: 

The Drifters:   (1958)

Ian Samwell:  Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Bass

Norman Mitham:  Rhythm Guitar

Ken Pavey:  Rhythm Guitar

Terry Smart:  Drums

2nd line-up:

Jet Harris:  Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Bass

Norman Mitham:  Rhythm Guitar

Ken Pavey:  Rhythm Guitar

Terry Smart:  Drums

3rd line-up:

Jet Harris:  Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Bass

Norman Mitham:  Rhythm Guitar

Ken Pavey:  Rhythm Guitar

Tony Meehan:  Drums

4th line-up:  

The Shadows  (1959): 

Jet Harris:   Bass

Hank Marvin:  Lead Guitar

Bruce Welch:  Rhythm Guitar

Tony Meeham:  Drums

5th line-up:  (1962)

Hank Marvin:  Lead Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals

Bruce Welch:  Rhythm Guitar, Vocals

Jet Harris:  Bass

Brian "Licorice" Locking:  Bass, Harmonica

Brian Bennett:  Drums

6th line-up:  (1963)

Hank Marvin:  Lead Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals

Bruce Welch:  Rhythm Guitar, Vocals

John Rostill:  Bass

Brian "Licorice" Locking:  Bass, Harmonica

Brian Bennett:  Drums

Classic line-up:

Hank Marvin:  Lead Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals

Bruce Welch:  Rhythm Guitar, Vocals

John Rostill:  Bass

Brian Bennett:  Drums

The Shadows are an English Instrumental Rock Group, originally known as The Drifters are Cliff Richard's backing Band from 1958 to 1968, later was changed to The Shadows in mid-1959 to avoid a conflict with the American R&B group to be Cliff Richard & The Shadows.  The Shadows were the first backing band to emerge as stars.  As pioneers of the four-member instrumental format, the band consisted of Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Bass and Drums.  Their range covers Pop, Rock, Surf Rock, Ballads with Jazz influence.  The band's No. 1 hits include "Apache", "Kon-Tiki", "Wonderful Land", "Foot Tapper", and "Dance On!".  The band also recorded occasional vocal numbers, and hit the UK Top Ten with the group-sung "Don't Make My Baby Blue" in 1965.

Title:  The Best Of The Shadows (Limited Edition) (2026)

Genre:   Instrumental Rock, Instrumental Surf, British Invasion, Early British Pop, Early Pop, Rock & Roll

Label:  Vinyl Passion

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side A:

 1.  Apache

 2.  Man Of Mystery

 3.  The Stranger

 4.  F.B.I.

 5.  Midnight

 6.  The Frightened City

 7.  Quartermaster's Stores

 8.  Back Home

 9.  Sleepwalk

Side B:

  1.  Kon-Tiki

 2.  36-24-36

 3.  The Savage

 4.  Peace Pipe

 5.  Blue Star

 6.  See You In My Drums

 7.  Gonzales

 8.  Nivram

 9.  Find Me A Golden Street

The Best Of The Shadows is the compilation album by The Shadows, released on May 15, 2026 by Vinyl Passion.  Limited Edition Coloured 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl.

Megadeth

 

Artist:  Megadeth
Origin:  Los Angeles, California, USA
Genre:  Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, Speed Metal, Progressive Metal

Original line-up:

Dave Mustaine:  Vocals, Guitar
David Ellefson:  Bass
Greg Handevidt:  Guitar
Dijon Carruthers:  Drums

Megadeth is an American Heavy Metal Band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1983 by Dave Mustaine (Guitar, Vocals), Dave Ellefson (Bass), Greg Handevidt (Guitar), and Dijon Carruthers (Drums), shortly after Dave Mustaine's dismissal from Metallica.  The band is a pioneer of the American Thrash Metal scene, and is one of the Genre's "Big Four", along with Metallica, Anthrax, and Slayer.

Title:  Youthanasia (2026)

Genre:  Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, Speed Metal, Progressive Metal

Label:  Capitol

Rating:   ****

Formate:  LP

Tracks:

LP 1:

Side One:

 1.  Reckoning Day (4:34)

 2.  Train Of Consequences (3:26)

 3.  Addicated To Chaos (5:26)

Side Two:

 4.  A Tout Le Monde (4:28)

 5.  Elysian Fields (4:03)

 6.  The Killing Road (3:57)

LP 2:

Side Three:

 7.  Blood Of Heroes (3:57)

 8.  Family Tree (4:07)

 9.  Youthanasia (4:09)

Side Four:

10. I Thought I Knew It All (3:44)

11. Black Curtains (3:29)

12. Victory (4:27)

Personnel:

Dave Nustaine:  Vocals, Guitars

David Ellefson:  Bass

Marty Friedman:  Guitars

Nick Menza:  Drums

Additional Musician:

Jimmie Wood:  Harmonica on Tracks:  2, 5

Youthanasia is the sixth studio album by Megadeath, originally released on November 1, 1994 by Capitol, remastered and reissued on May 29, 2026 by Capitol.

Dana Fuchs

 

Artist:  Dana Fuchs
Born:  January 10, 1976.  New Jersey, USA
Origin:  Wildwood, Florida
Genre:  Rock, Blues, Blues Rock

Occupation:  Singer, Songwriter

Instruments:  Vocals, Guitar

Dana Fuchs is an American Singer, Songwriter, Actress.  She is the one of Top Vocalists of 2011, and one of the most amazing female Blues Rock Soul Singers alive today, and well known for her role as Sadie in Sony Pictures hit film Across The Universe.  She hailed as the new Janis Joplin.

Title:  Live In Denmark (2026)

Genre:  Rock, Blues, Blues Rock

Label:  Ruf Records

Rating:  ****

Format:  

Tracks:

 1.  Double Down On Wrong (5:58)

 2.  Hard Road (4:56)

 3.  Blue Must Road (6:39)

 4.  Superman (5:25)

 5.  Nothing You Own (6:02)

 6.  Home Is Where The Hatred Is  (6:49)

 7.  Borrowed Time (3:25)

 8.  Battle Lines (4:39)

 9.  Curtain Close (7:16)

10. Sympathy For The Devil (5:24)

Personnel:

Dana Fuchs:  Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Cajon, Tambourine

Jon Diamond:  Guitar, Backing Vocals

Kevin Mackall:  Bass

Piero Perelli:  Drums

Live In Denmark is a live album by Dana Fuchs, released on April 3, 2026 by Ruf Records, recorded live at Codset in Kolding, Denmark on October 6, 2025.

Brian Robertson

 

Artist:  Brian Robertson

Birth Name:  Brian David Robertson, also known as "Robbo"

Born:  February 12, 1956.  Clarkston, Renfrewshire, Scotland

Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal, Rock & Roll

Occupation:  Musician, Guitarist

Instruments:  Guitar

Brian Robertson is a Scottish Rock Guitarist, best known as a former of Thin Lizzy from 1974 to 1978, and Motorhead from 1982 to 1983, replacing Fast Eddie Clarke.  He had formed Wild Horses along with  Jimmy Bain (Bass Ex Rainbow).

Title:  Diamonds And Dirt - The Brian Robertson Album (2026)

Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal, Rock & Roll

Label:  NHE Recordings/Cherry Red

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

Disc 1:  Diamonds And Dirt

 1.  Diamonds And Dirt (4:22)

 2.  Passion (4:31)

 3.  It's Only Money (3:19)

 4.  Mail Box (4:18)

 5.  Running Back (4:04)

 6.  Texas Wind (3:44)

 7.  Devil In My Soul (4:04)

 8.  Do It Till We Drop (4:04)

 9.  Blues Boy (5:23)

10. That's All (5:00)

11. 10 Miles To Go On A 9 Mile Road (4:58)

12. Running Back (Slow Version) (5:59)

13 Ain't Got No Money (5:02)

Bonus Tracks:

14. Linger My Love (4:14)

15. Blues Boy (Outtake) (5:39)

Personnel:

Brian Robertson:  Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals on Track 11

Leif Sundin:  Vocals

Nalle Panisson:  Bass, Backing Vocals

Ian Haugland:  Drums, Percussion

Liny Wood:  Backing Vocals

Rickard Jakobson: Percussion

Additional Musicians:

Chris Antblad:  Piano on Track 5

Rob Lamothe:  Vocals on Track 13

Ola Gustafsson:  Dobro on Track 12

Ellinor Asp:  Backing Vocals on Track 13

Hakan Persson:  Drums on Track 13

Disc 2:  The Brian Robertson Album

 1.  Fishers Love Birds (6:34)

 2.  Hang 'Em Low (4:06)

 3.  Sea View (6:16)

 4.  Can't Work, Eat, Sleep (6:01)

 5.  How Can We Survive (5:26)

 6.  Life On The Nile (5:52)

 7.  Monsoon (6:52)

 8.  The Art Of Poise (4:51)

 9.  Sweet Girl (5:43)

10. The Edge (7:39)

11. Pilgrims (5:26)

12. Peters Pans (5:13)

13. Pillar To Post (5:13)

Personnel:

Brian Robertson:  All Instruments & Vocals

Guest Musicians:

Rob Jeffrey:  Acoustic & Strat

Maxine Francis:  Guest Vocals

Diamonds And Dirt - The Brian Robertson Album is the collection album by Brian Robertson, released on May 29, 2026 by NHE Recordings/Cherry Red, includes the debut solo album 2011 with two Bonus Tracks, plus, The Brian Robertson Album, an instrumental set recorded during the same period.