Don Airey- All out (2011)

Don Airey has a bio longer than a train and he has played with half of the people whose name means something in rock music. For almost ten years he has been playing with Deep Purple succeeding the legendary Jon Lord. In between Purple's commitments and various sessions and guest apperances he managed to come up with a smoking solo album that's hands down way better than anything Purple have done for about 20 years. Carl Sentance of Persian Risk and Krokus fame helps out with the vocals and what a great rock singer he still is! ''All out'' is a feast of hammond-driven hard rock. If you like loud 70's hard rock with progressive attitude and keyboard extravaganzas, then look no further. This is a feast of notes! Joe Bonamassa lends a helping hand on People in your head, one of the best hard rock songs you'll get to hear this year. Other highlights include Running from the shadows (70's melodic rock ala Boston), Right arm overture (7 minutes instrumental madness) and Long Road (a beautiful guitar based instrumental full of passionate playing). You rarely get such joyful albums by veterans long over their 60's. Despite age Don managed to set things right in the retro rock scene, setting the bar high for all those newcomers trying to follow the steps of 60's-70's rock giants.

PAIN OF SALVATION- Road salt II (2011)

Seriously I'm no fan of POS's discography. Some tracks showed great potential, but all in all I was tired of their chaotic approach to songwriting. In 2010 there was great buzz around the band's new direction towards the fields of prog/retro rock. I was hesitant to pay any serious attention but finally I did check the album and fell in love with it since. Seriously, it's like Gildenlow and his partners were destined to play this kind of music, full of soul/psych/prog rock influences and heavily based on a genuine late 60's sound that I can imagine would be a painful shock for the prog metal fans that make up the core of POS's fanbase. ''Road salt I'' was one of the best albums of 2010 and also one of the best in the whole 60's-70's revival thing that's groing stronger day by day. Part II doesn't stray much from this sound. It's without doubt a very interesting album, with some very strong moments and great sound. Not as good as part I but still you need to give it a chance. Below is the best in my oppinion song from part II and another one from part I.