Galahad-Empires Never Last (2007)

From a mere cover band of some of the great groups of the 70s, to becoming one of the most prominent acts today, Galahad has championed the neo-progressive style of bands like Pallas, Marillion, Pendragon, and IQ, with a career full of superb works focused on modern progressive rock. Founded in the mid-eighties in the UK, their original lineup consisted of Stuart Nicholson (vocals), Roy Keyworth (guitars), Mark Andrews (keyboards), Tim Ashton (bass), and Spencer Luckman (drums). In 1991, they released their debut album, "Nothing Is Written", followed by other highly acclaimed albums such as "Sleepers" (1995) and "Year Zero" (2002), although they always remained somewhat in the background and were consistently considered one of the most underrated bands within the neo-progressive genre. With their eighth release, "Empires Never Last" (2007), Galahad finally achieved mainstream recognition, delivering their best and most acclaimed work. On this album, they subtly departed from neo-progressive metal, delving into a dark and progressive heavy metal soundscape. A solid and well-structured musical foundation, theatrical vocals, harsh guitar riffs, and atmospheric keyboards drive an album brimming with intense and aggressive sounds. Tracks like the portentous "Termination", "I Could Be God", "Sidewinder", "Empires Never Last", and "This Life Could Be My Last", reflect the grandeur of this monumental work of 21st-century modern neo-progressive metal.

Neil Young and Crazy Horse-Zuma (1975)

On his seventh album, Neil Young once again collaborated with Crazy Horse, although this would be the first without his original guitarist Danny Whitten, who had passed away three years prior and was replaced here by Frank “Poncho” Sampedro. It is also one of the Canadian musician's most melodic albums, yet it maintains his signature hard-hitting rock sound, subtly infused at times with acoustic guitars and a touch of country rock. For the recording of this new album, released as Neil Young and Crazy Horse, the Canadian guitarist enlisted the help of his three former CSN&Y bandmates: David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash, who lend their vocals to the folk track “Through My Salis”. The rest of the musicians include drummer and vocalist Ralph Molina, bassist and vocalist Billy Talbot, and the aforementioned guitarist Frank Sampedro. “Zuma” echoes albums like “Harvest” in the acoustic “Pardon My Heart”, and “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere” in the country-rock “Lookin’ For a Love”. The rest of the album consists of melodic rock tracks such as “Don’t Cry No Tears”, “Barstool Blues”, and “Stupid Girls”, but the expansive and superb “Danger Bird” and the iconic “Cortez The Killer”, both clear examples of Neil Young’s penchant for guitar improvisation, are the most outstanding and fundamental pieces in the career of the legendary Canadian musician.

Joe Bonamassa-Black Rock (2010)

"Black Rock" is another memorable work by the great American bluesman Joe Bonamassa. This, his eighth solo album, is packed with covers, a fact that in no way detracts from the enormous quality of his rich repertoire. Recorded in studios located in Santorini, Greece, the guitarist enlisted a number of Greek musicians for its creation, including Manolis Karadinis (bouzouki), with whom he performs a blues version of "Athens to Athens", as well as another magnificent duet with B.B. King himself on the splendid "Night Life", a Willie Nelson classic. Among the other standout tracks are covers such as Leonard Cohen's "Bird on a Wire", John Hiatt's "I Know a Place", and Jeff Beck's "Spanish Boots". Original compositions include the energetic "Blue and Evil", "Quarryman's Lament", and "When the Fire Hits the Sea", all performed with the feeling, emotion, and intensity that only Joe Bonamassa can coax from his guitar. A number one hit on both the US and UK Billboard blues charts are well-deserved recognition for this outstanding blues-rock album.

Rory Gallagher-Irish Tour ´74 (1974)

An influential music critic once said that "Irish Tour '74" wasn't just another live album; it was the pinnacle of rock in the hands of an artist who should never have left us. This statement is the most accurate way to describe one of the wildest, most passionate, energetic, and virtuosic live performances ever made. Recorded during a tour of his beloved Ireland, Rory Gallagher demonstrated why he was one of the greatest guitarists in history, a chosen one, an honest musician full of kindness and humility who shared his talent around the world, astonishing everyone with his dedication at every concert. For this tour, the Irish guitarist would field his most classic lineup, featuring Gerry McAvoy (bass), Rod DeAth (drums), and Lou Martin (keyboards). During the approximately one hour that this double album lasts, it leaves no one indifferent with its wild repertoire, brimming with feeling and powerful blues and rock. From the opening and spectacular “Cradle Rock” to the impressive “Who’s That Coming?”, passing through the energetic “As The Crows Flies”, “Tattoo’d Lady”, “Walk on Hot Coals”, and the epic “A Million Miles Away”, Rory Gallagher makes it perfectly clear how any self-respecting blues-rock band should sound. With over two million copies sold and chosen as one of the best live albums, “Irish Tour ’74” is an essential work in the history of rock music.

Ronnie Montrose-10x10 (2017)

Released posthumously, "10x10" is an album that guitarist Ronnie Montrose recorded during the last years of his life with a huge cast of collaborators. Released in 2017, this superb classic rock album features luminaries such as Eric Martin, Rick Derringer, Edgar Winter, Glenn Hughes, Steve Lukather, Tommy Shaw, Mark Farner, Joe Bonamassa, Ricky Phillips, Dave Meniketti, Eric Singer, Gregg Rolie, Phil Collen, Sammy Hagar, Brad Whitford, and Marc Bonilla, among many others. The result is undeniably an awe-inspiring album, brimming with feeling, great compositions, and breathtaking virtuosity from all involved. Tracks like "Heavy Traffic" (featuring Eric Martin and Dave Meniketti), "Love Is An Art" (Edgar Winter & Rick Derringer), "Head On Straight" (Marc Bonilla & Davey Pattison), "Any Minute" (Mark Farner & Ricky Phillips), and "One Good Reason" (Bruce Turgon & Bard Whitford), make up an exciting work of great hard rock. Ronnie Montrose passed away five years before the release of this album due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound on March 3, 2012.

Franck Carducci-Oddity (2011)

Clearly in tune with the baroque style of early Genesis, and particularly with Steve Hackett's guitar playing, Franck Carducci is a French multi-instrumentalist with an impressive musical career that began in the early 2000s, contributing to a dozen projects for other artists. In 2010, encouraged by Steve Hackett himself, Carducci decided to launch his solo career, releasing his debut album, the splendid "Oddity", a year later. This recording featured Steve Hackett's brother, John Hackett, among other musicians from the European rock scene. On this first album, Carducci perfectly emulates the pastoral, progressive, and symphonic sounds of Genesis, and to a lesser extent, Pink Floyd and The Alan Parsons Project, with music inspired by British literature and Greek mythology. This is one of those albums where different styles merge in perfect harmony, making songs like the mini suites "Achilles", "The Quind" or "The Last Oddity", with their passages full of elaborate melodies, great acoustic textures, grandiose sections and epic atmospheres, turn it into a modern version of classic progressive rock and art rock.