Dark Heart – Evolution
product: Dark Heart – Evolutionrelease date: 27.03.2026format: CD & digitalterritory: world DARK HEART were formed during the early eighties, releasing the debut album ‘’Shadows of the Night’’ on the Roadrunner label in 1984. After a number of successful live shows, the fast approaching end of NWOBHM era meant the band decided to go their separate ways, never quite fulfilling their potential or producing a follow up second album. Over the years the band has developed a cult following, gaining many new fans to their music. Founding member of the Band Alan Clark went on to form Change Of Heart moving from guitar to Vocals and as the main song writer, the band have very much established themselves as one of the best British AOR/Rock bands, with 4 albums released to date…… Fast forward to 2024 when DARK HEART returned after a number of years being asked to make a new album. The style, although still routed in classic metal/Hard Rock has very much moved away from NWOBHM, to not only bring the sound up to date, but also reflect the maturity in their song writing craft. Alan as the only original member of the band, has been working with Nick Catterick (Guitar) for a number of years on various projects, the pair have developed an intuitive and special understanding when writing, and working together, so it was a natural and easy choice to bring Nick on board. Nick who started playing guitar in his early teens has always been inspired by fiery and inventive players, drawing influences from the great players such as Moore, Sykes, Campbell, Norum with a touch of Lynch/Rhoads, and is set to be recognised for not only his playing ability, but also for one of the best guitar tones in the business. „Evolution“ now marks the group’s first release on Pride & Joy Music. The album was produced by Pete Newdeck and mastered by Harry Hess (Harem Scarem). DARK HEART are: Alan Clark – Vocals, Backing Vocals and Keys, Nick Catterick – Guitars, Keys, Backing Vocals Extra Special Guests: Pete Newdeck – Drums, Backing Vocals; Josh ‘Tabbie’ Williams – Bass Guitar Track list:1. Light The Flame2. Cold Winter3. End Of Tomorrow4. Hands Of Fate5. Spread Your Wings6. Ride The Highway7. You And I8. Life To Crucify9. Eyes Of Light10. Mortality11. Burned
Dan Lucas – Age Is Just A Numbe
product: Dan Lucas – Age Is Just A Numberrelease date: 27.03.2024format: CD & digitalterritory: world The new album by Dan Lucas – rocking, melodic, full of energy, with life-affirming but also critical lyrics – straight from real life! Age Is Just A Number contains 11 rock songs that are musically captivating and prove that Dan Lucas is still able to captivate his listeners with his expressive voice. All songs were written by Dan, with the help of composer and musician Markus Pfeffer (Barnabas Sky, Lazarus Dream) on four tracks. The album was recorded and mixed at Empire Studio in Bensheim by Rolf Munkes (Crematory). Singer, guitarist, songwriter, and musical performer DAN LUCAS became known to a wide television audience when he won the first season of the casting show “The Voice of Germany – Senior,” enchanting the jury with a fantastic version of the Journey classic “Don’t Stop Believin’” and John Farnham’s “You’re The Voice.” But DAN LUCAS has been around for much longer. Every rock fan fondly remembers 1988, when the Berlin band KARO released their debut album “Heavy Birthday.” At the time, hardly anyone suspected that just three years earlier, the singer had escaped the strict grip of the GDR regime as a refugee. After moving to Munich, DAN LUCAS joined Marlboro Music as a soloist and released his solo album “Canada,” whose single “Heart of America” was used in McDonald’s commercials on all channels. For his follow-up album “2000!”, which was recorded and produced in Burbank, California, he was able to enlist numerous guest musicians such as Robin Beck, Lisa Dalbello, Kane Roberts, Ron Dante, Michael Landau, and many others. He also co-wrote the song “Close Your Eyes And Say Goodbye” with Desmond Child. Following the release of the albums “News” (ARCADE 1996) and “The Long Road” (PRIDE & JOY MUSIC 2021), Dan has also been working as a musical performer since 2022. At the Theater Hof / Saale, he played the role of Sergeant Hanks in Frank Nimsgern’s musical “Jack The Ripper.” He also played the role of Rick Stone several times in the musical “Ein bisschen Frieden – Summer Of Love,” which was performed at the Theater am Marientor Duisburg, the Festspielhaus Neuschwanstein in Füssen, and the Deutsches Theater Munich. In June 2025, he appeared as “Carl” in the rock opera HERILO at the Arena Kaufbeuren, which is expected to continue next year. danlucas.de Line-up: Dan Lucas (vocals, keyboards), Rolf Munkes (guitars), Markus Pfeffer (guitars, keyboards), Martin Motnik (bass), Liam Cross (drums) Track list:1. An Angel2. Age Is Just A Number3. Losing Myself4. I Wanna Say Goodbye5. JP’s Bar6. The World Is Broken7. For A Smoke8. Lost In The Shadows9. What About Tomorrow10. True Love11. Life Is Kind Of Rock ‘n Roll
Rozario – Northern Crusaders
product: Rozario – Northern Crusadersrelease date: 20.02.2026format: CD, LP & digitalterritory: world After receiving ecstatic reviews from all over the world for their 2023 debut „To The Gods We Swear“, Norwegian heavy metal warriors ROZARIO return with a vengeance. Their new album, „Northern Crusaders, is not just a follow-up — it’s a statement of intent. This is a band on their own Northern Crusades“, carrying the flag for classic, melodic heavy metal into a new era. The new album is an explosive collection of 12 powerful tracks that blend soaring, epic melodies with hard-hitting rockers — all packed with massive sing-along choruses, fierce conviction, and unstoppable energy. Behind the wall of sound lies an impressively crafted production, driven by massive drums, thunderous bass, blazing guitars and a powerful, commanding vocal performance. Every riff hits hard, every chorus soars high, and every note bleeds passion and conviction. ROZARIO have added fresh firepower to the lineup with the incredible young guitarist Taran Lister, whose talent brings an extra edge and intensity to the band’s signature sound. „Northern Crusaders“ was recorded at Holter Studio, once again with the amazing Trond Holter (Jorn, Wig Wam) at the helm — the band’s trusted producer and unofficial sixth member — ensuring a sound that’s as grand and powerful as the band’s vision itself. Get ready — the crusade has begun. Line-up: David Rosario (vocals), Stein Hjertholm (guitar), Taran Lister (guitar), Anders Halsan Engum (bass), Per Helge Bruvoll (drums) Track list:1. Fire And Ice2. We Are One3. Down Low4. Free…Forever5. Crusader6. Coming Home7. Die Like Warriors8. Until The Gods Are Calling9. Sleepless10. The Warning11. Haunted By The Past12. Betrayed Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rozarioband
Nite Stinger – What The Nite Is All About
product: Nite Stinger – What The Nite Is All Aboutrelease date: 23.01.2026format: CD & digitalterritory: world Explosive riffs, high-energy vocals, and a full-throttle attitude — The Brazilian band Nite Stinger revives the glory days of hard rock with a modern edge. Drawing inspiration from icons like Mötley Crüe, Ratt, Def Leppard, and Poison, the band made their mark with the acclaimed 2021 self-titled debut, followed by the singles Beat It and Danger Zone – Live. In the last few years they’ve shared the stage with Europe, Hardcore Superstar, Ron Keel, Marco Mendoza, Eclipse, Johnny Gioeli, and played at the Summer Breeze Festival Brazil 2024. On stage, Nite Stinger is pure electricity — heavy riffs, pounding drums and choruses that make the crowd raise their fists and sing along at the top of their lungs, turning every show into a celebration where the audience becomes part of the band. Now gearing up for their second album to be released in January 2026, the band turns the volume even higher: sharper riffs, even more powerful guitar harmonies, and vocal lines that surprise with melodic hooks designed to get everyone singing together. Once again, Nite Stinger pays tribute to nightlife, wild parties, and roaring down the highways on a motorbike — all while delivering the kind of fierce hard rock that makes life feel worth living. Get ready to discover WHAT THE NITE IS ALL ABOUT! Line up:Jack Fahrer (vocals), Bento Mello (bass), Ivan Landgraf (lead and rhythm guitars), Bruno Marx (rhythm and lead guitars), Leandro Araújo (drums) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nitestingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nitestinger/ Track list:1. You Know Why2. Your Own Way To Be3. The Night Is Never Over4. Love & Freedom5. Only You6. Fantasy7. What The Night Is All About (Featuring Stevie Rachelle)8. High Above9. Highway Bound10. All The Love That You Need11. Reach The Sky
Autumn’s Child – Melody Lane
product: Autumn’s Child – Melody Lanerelease date: 23.01.2026format: CD & digitalterritory: world Mikael Erlandsson needs no further introduction when it comes to melodic rock. He has released seven successful solo albums and a lot of titles with groups like Phenomena and Salute among others. Between 2006-2018 Erlandsson fronted the Swedish super group Secret Service which he toured with live all over the world. Together with the fantastic guitar player Andy Malecek from the successful German hard rock band Fair Warning he founded the band LAST AUTUMNS DREAM in 2003 which also featured Ian Haugland, Mic Michaeli and John Leven of Europe fame at the time. Last Autumn’s Dream went on releasing another 14 albums with different line ups including great musicians like Jamie Borger (Treat) and Marcel Jacob (Talisman). They toured Japan, England and Germany but decided to take a break in 2018. Shortly after, Erlandsson founded the group AUTUMN’S CHILD who have released five extremely successful albums so far (“Autumn’s Child” – 2019, “Angel’s Gate” – 2020, “Zenith” – 2022, “Starflower” – 2023 and “Tellus Timeline” 2024). January 2025 sees Autumn’s Child returning with their sixth album “Melody Lane”, their fourth release via Pride & Joy Music. The group features Mikael Erlandsson on vocals, keyboards & guitars, Pontus Åkesson on lead guitar, Rickard Johnsson on drums, Claes Andreasson on keys and Magnus Rosén on bass. Additional vocals by Johanna Hjort on “Lovesong”. “Melody Lane” was produced by Mikael Erlandsson & Claes Andreasson, mixed by Jimi Thiesen and mastered by Mikael Andersson. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mikaelerlandssontheone/ Track list:1. Heartbreak Bouelvard2. Pray For The King3. Fight To Love Aagain4. Singalong5. A World Without Love6. Highway To The Sky7. Headlines8. Lovesong9. Melody10. Rock Of Empathy11. Dead Cold
Pearls & Flames – Spread Your Wings
product: Pearls & Flames – Spread Your Wingsrelease date: 21.11.2025format: CD & digitalterritory: world Pearls & Flames is a Swedish Melodic Rock/Westcoast project that today consists of Markus Nordenberg (lead- and background vocals, additional keyboards) and Sven Larsson (guitars). The band started in 2019 but made a change in the line-up in June 2025 when earlier member, Tomas Coox, decided to take a step back. The members are all well experienced musicians and through the years they have been or are current involved in playing/singing (in studio or live) with a lot of bands and projects in the scene of melodic rock and hard rock such as Street Talk, Sven Larsson solo, Sapphire Eyes, Fergie Frederiksen solo, Groundbreaker, Overland, Big Price, Lion’s Share, Frèdèric Slama’s AOR and Coastland Ride. PEARLS & FLAMES is working very closely with well-known Swedish guitarist, songwriter and producer, Tommy Denander (Prisoner, Radioactive, Alice Cooper, Paul Stanley, House of Lords, Robin McAuley and many more), former member Tomas Coox (Coastland Ride Live band and Roulette SWE Live band) and former Coastland Ride member, Anders Rybank. 1. Spread Your Wings2. First Love 3. We Will Survive 4. Like You Mean It 5. Runaway Train 6. Stay In My Life 7. I Don’t Have To Wait 8. Like A Father And Son 9. Broken 10. The Art Of Letting Go 11. After All These Years 12. One Step Closer 13. Sahara www.facebook.com/pearlsandflames www.youtube.com/@pearlsflames9720 https://www.facebook.com/pearlsandflames
Midnite City – Bite The Bullet
product: Midnite City – Bite The Bulletrelease date: 21.11.2025format: CD & digitalterritory: world Since exploding out onto the scene like a tornado back in 2017, Midnite City have taken on the world, grabbed the tired music scene by the scruff of its neck, injected passion, fun, melody, and colour back into it, and climbed to the top of the tree to be crowned the true kings of Hair Metal.The band have previously released four critically acclaimed albums with their sophomore album There Goes The Neighbourhood being listed as one the greatest albums in the history of Burrn Magazine in Japan, alongside many other accolades…Midnite City have since taken their feel good, high energy, electrifying show on tour all over the world, headlining countless tours of the UK, alongside shows all over Europe, America, Brazil, Australia, and two sold out tours of Japan, stunning an ever-growing legion of fans around the globe, known as The Midnite Army.In November 2025, the band return with their strongest album to date, Bite The Bullet, which ticks every single box fans expect from a Midnite City album. From super poppy, catchy, and hook laden party rock, to melodic rock monsters, to arena sized power ballads, to glam metal anthems laced with attitude and a side order of glam, Bite The Bullet picks up where platinum plus selling bands left off in the late 80s, and no band on the scene currently pulls it off with more authenticity, conviction, style, or swagger, making the band stand out like a shining light in a sea of imitators.Mixed by Grammy award-winning producer Chris Laney (Europe, Crash Diet, Crazy Lixx etc), Bite The Bullet delivers a sound that is made for the biggest stadiums around the globe, bringing back everything that was so thrilling, energetic, and flamboyant about late 80s Hair Metal in one fell swoop.Midnite City delivers the goods once again with an album that’s made to be cranked up to eleven and played loud!The party is just getting started…and everyone is invited.Catch the band on tour in 2025/ 2026. Line-up: Rob Wylde (vocals, guitar), Miles Meakin (lead guitar), Josh Williams (bass guitar), Ryan Biggs (drums), Shawn Charvette (keyboard) Track list:1. Live Like Ya Mean It2. Worth Fighting For3. It’s Going To Be Alright4. Heaven In This Hell5. Running Back To Your Heart6. Lethal Dose Of Lose7. Archer’s Song8. Seeing Is Believing9. No One Wins10. Hang On Til Tomorrow11. When The Summer Ends https://www.facebook.com/midnitecityuk
Various Artists – 10 Years Of Joy
product: Various Artists – 10 Years Of Joyrelease date: 19.09.2025format: CD Limited on 500 copies, only available at shop.prideandjoy.de Pride & Joy Music was founded in 2025 by music industry veteran Birgitt Schwanke. The record company with a focus on the genres AOR, Melodic Rock, Hard Rock & Melodic Metal is based in Ascheberg, Germany. In the early years, the label focused more on melodic metal releases and over the years developed into one of the world’s leading record companies in the fields of AOR, melodic rock and hard rock. In January 2024, Pride & Joy Music took over some business areas from the record label & mail order company AOR Heaven, which further strengthened Pride & Joy Music’s market position. To celebrate the 10th anniversary appropriately, the CD sampler ‘10 Years Of Joy’, which you are now holding in your hands, has now been released. Limited to 500 copies and only available directly from the label, the CD contains some unreleased and rare material from 13 bands of our current roster. We would like to thank Midnite City, Osukaru, Nationwide, Heart Line, Mikael Erlandsson, Mentalist, Lazarus Dream, Universe III, Alien, Hartmann, Heaven’s Reign, Heartwind and Hearts On Fire for providing the songs! Label owner Birgitt Schwanke comments: “When I originally founded the record company in 2015 as a ‘supplement’ to my PR and management services, I could never have imagined what it would become over the next 10 years. So far, we have released over 200 albums that we are very proud of. Unlike some of our competitors, we have coped well with the changes in the music industry and are in a better position in 2025 than ever before, i.e. with a great roster of passionate bands, a functioning global distribution network for both physical and digital products and a flourishing online store. Despite the increasingly challenging business, we are still passionate about what we do every day and love what we do. Pride & Joy Music aims to be a band & fan-friendly label that supports artists in the development of their careers on the one hand and appeals to music fans with new, exciting releases on the other. A big thank you goes to all our friends, bands, business partners and music fans, without whom this trip would never have been possible. We raise our glasses to you and look forward to the next 10 years and more!“ Birgitt Schwanke, Ascheberg, August 2025 Tracklist: (1) Osukaru – Dreams Don’t Die (2025 Version)(2) Midnite City – Only A Matter Of Time(3) Nationwide – Danger Zone(4) Alien – I Remember (Soft Version)(5) Heart Line – Urgent(6) Mentalist – It’s A Long Road(7) Heartwind – Strangers In The Night (2025 Version)(8) Lazarus Dream – Crack The Hourglass (Guitar Mix)(9) Universe III – Summer Night City(10) Hartmann – Twenty Times Colder (Alternative Mix)(11) Heaven’s Reign – Free Fallin’(12) Hearts On Fire – Lonely Eyes (Remix 2025)(13) Mikael Erlandsson – Dynamite Osukaru – Dreams Don’t Die (2025 Version) „When we were invited to contribute something special to this amazing release, I instantly thought of ‚Dreams Don’t Die‘ – a song I co-wrote with Jules Millis of White Widdow for their 2014 album ‚Crossfire‘. We jumped at the chance and recorded it with our own new take on it. What a kick!“, says Oz Hawe Petersson. Osukaru in 2025 is Fredrik Werner (lead vocals), Oz Hawe Petersson (guitar), Antoine Mikhtarian (guitar), Marcus Zerath (bass), C.D (drums); additionally on this track: Mathias Rosén (keyboards), Peter Johansson (backing vocals), Lisa Eugenia (backing vocals) Music & lyrics: Oz Hawe Petersson, Jules Millis https://www.facebook.com/osukarumusic Midnite City – Only A Matter Of Time Japanese bonus track from the Midnite City album “In At The Deep End” (2023); previously unreleased in Europe. Text & music: Rob Wylde https://www.facebook.com/midnitecityuk Nationwide – Danger Zone Cover of Kenny Loggins‘ smash hit “Danger Zone” from the Top Gun movie soundtrack; previously only released digitally by Swedish Melodic Rock group Nationwide! Music: Giorgio Moroder Lyrics: Tom Withlock https://www.facebook.com/NATIONWIDESweden Alien – I Remember (Soft Version) “I Remember” is a track which originally appeared on Alien’s 2025 chart breaking album “When Yesterday Comes Around”. This is a new, softer version of the song. Featuring Jim Jidhed (vocals & acoustic guitars), Toby Tarrach (percussion), Tony Borg (acoustic & solo guitars), Kajsa Borg & Jonathan Jaarnek Norén (backing vocals), Joel Selsfors (keyboards & piano), Ritchie Borg (bass, mix & mastering) Music & lyrics: Jim Jidhed, Tony Borg, Toby Tarrach https://www.facebook.com/Alien.Sweden Heart Line – Urgent “We are all big fans of Foreigner in Heart Line. The idea to cover this title was born from our desire to play all these classics songs on our “Big Rock Show” tour, and what better than ‚Urgent‘ to set the stage on fire. We hope that this version will be as enjoyable for you as it was for us to play it!” comments Yvan Guillevic Music & lyrics: Mick Jones https://www.facebook.com/Heartlinebandofficial Mentalist – It’s A Long Road The song was originally intended as a bonus track for the Japanese version of the album ‘Earthbreaker’ (2025), but has remained unreleased until now. Music & lyrics: Peter Moog https://www.facebook.com/mentalistband Heartwind – Strangers In The Night (2025 Version) “The song was written by Mikael Rosengren, Göran Engvall and Mattias Falkendal for our second album “Strangers”. The original version was produced by Fredrik Folkare and sung by Stefan Nykvist, but when digging in the vault, we found this great alternative take with Subztain singer Andreas Morling. The song got a whole new more aggressive vibe with Ante singing and we decided to also remix and reproduce the track to make it even heavier than the original. More drums and more guitars, simple as that. The guitar takes we had from Martin Hall were so good that we wanted them even more up front”, Mikael and Göran comment. Players: Drums: Peter TrumPeter Svensson; Bass: Göran Engvall; Guitars: Martin Hall; Keyboards: Mikael Rosengren; Vocals: Andreas „Ante“ Morling; Backing vocals: Göran Engvall; Mix, Master and overall production: Göran Engvall Music
Civil Daze – Once In A Blue Moon
product: Civil Daze – Once In A Blue Moonrelease date: 24.10.2025format: CD & digitalterritory: world „Once In A Blue Moon“ is the debut album from Civil Daze, a Melodic Rock band based in Upplands Väsby just north of Stockholm, Sweden. There must be some kind of secret rock’n’roll potion in the water there since it’s also where bands like Europe, Candlemass, H.e.a.t & Universe III were born. Civil Daze started out as the solo project of Mikael Danielsson. However, since he didn’t fancy his own voice („I sounded like Tom Waits auditioning for Journey“) the songs were put on a shelf for some time as he was looking for the perfect singer. Playing together for years in different bands, Mikael realized the Helena Sommerdahl was „the one“ who could give the songs some amazing new dimensions. They have since brought in their favourite musician friends to make Civil Daze complete. So even if the band is new, these guys have shared the stage thousands of times already. The album is filled with both big AOR-choruses and 70-80’s Melodic Rock in a cool and rocking mix. The title „Once In A Blue Moon“ (which means „something that occurs very rarely“) points to the fact that the album has been on the way for a very long time. After finding the perfect singer, there was a worldwide pandemic, heartbreak and that thing called life that always gets in the way. But now the album is finally here and the Civil Daze are certain that the next one will be ready „like tomorrow“ in comparison. CIVIL DAZE is: Helena Sommerdahl – Vocals, Mikael Danielsson – Guitars, Tony Lindh – Guitars, Hasse Hagman – Bass, Glenn Jonsson – Drums 1. Top Of The World2. A Million Miles Away3. Face Down In The Dirt4. Paradise5. Got to Go6. The Right Kind Of Lovin’7. Turn The Page8. Heroes9. Revolution10. Givin’ It All
The Theander Expression – Chaos, Dreams & Love
product: The Theander Expression – Chaos, Dreams & Loverelease date: 19.09.2025format: CD & digitalterritory: world THE THEANDER EXPRESSION saw the light of day in 2013 as the solo project by Swedish guitarist Andrée Theander. The debut album was called ”Strange Nostalgia” quickly became a fan favorite among AOR listeners around the globe. This was the first release of original music by the guitarist since the self-released EP ”Influence Grind” by his prog rock band Cap Outrun in 2008, a band who many years later reshaped and made the full-length album ”High on Deception” in 2021. For the next album, “Wonderful Anticipation” (2016), Theander recruited a great line-up of rock musicians from Sweden, he either knew personally or who had impressed him with their previous work, such as the amazing vocalists Göran Edman and Christian Eriksson and drummer Herman Furin of Work Of Art. This album was leaning a bit more to the modern melodic rock sound compared to the slightly more classic west coast sounding debut. It also showcased the Swede’s love for more blues based rock and instrumental music. This time Christian shared the vocal duties with Christoffer Särnefält and Theander himself. Since then there have been two solo releases under his own name, as well as an album with the funk/rock band Clouds Of Clarity (Superficial Society, 2022) as well as the aforementioned work with Cap Outrun. The forthcoming album, ”Chaos, Dreams & Love”, and the lyrical themes are as usual depictions of Andrée’s personal life and the world around, modern society and human psychology. The music is best described as a return to the traditional AOR sound that fans have been asking for for years. Lead vocals are performed by Andrée, Christian and Christoffer like on ”Wonderful Anticipation”, but this album also features an impressive line-up of new guest artists named Chandler Mogel (Cap Outrun, Double Vision), Andrew Freeman (Last In Line, ex-Lynch Mob) and August Rauer (Creye). Other musicians are Johan Ludvig Rask on drums and percussion and Bob Fridzema on hammond organ. Track list:1. The Pursuit Of Serenity2. Too Many MilesToo Little Time3. I’m Moving On (Like You)4. Locked Out In The Cold5. Here And Now6. A New Strange Kind Of Emotion7. Did You Ever Intend To Stay?8. Free With A Broken Heart9. Love Song For No One10. You Left in the Middle of the Night11. Chaos Dreams & Love https://www.facebook.com/theanderexpression