Label: - Release: 2021 Style: Melodic Rock Tracklist 1. Loss of Control, 2. Something’s Wrong, 3. Free, 4. Dark Times

In the 80‘s, the music genre Melodic Rock/AOR was at its peak. You couldn't get around it, because it was present in movies like "Rocky" 

and series like "Miami Vice" from the USA. However, it has the label "old-fashioned", because it hasn‘t changed much since its appearance in the 80s. Meanwhile, this sound enjoys great popularity in the Scandinavian countries. There are also bands in Switzerland that are dedicated to this style of music. One of these groups is Relayer from the canton of Solothurn. After the departure of singer Carlos Pedrosa and drummer Ugur Baltali, the band had to search for new members and found the right members in Sandy Keller (ex-About Frank) and Markus Kalt (ex-Van Arx). With this new formation, the five-piece went into the recording studio to record their first album "Free". This work was self-distributed in 2021 and gives a first acoustic impression. On "Free" they indulge in melodic rock in an exciting way. It‘s offered ravishing songs with authentic lyrics from everyday life, in which listeners recognize themselves. Singer Sandy convinces with her voice and guitarist Freddy Schaffner brings in the hardness and comes up with solos. Keyboarder and singer Hene Klodel (ex-Kaktus, Airwave) integrates the sweet melodies with his Hammond organ and acts behind it like a young Jon Lorde. In addition, he may contribute in between with vocals, which harmonizes wonderfully with the pitch of Sandy. Through bassist Bruno Gehriger the melodic sonic brew gets a pinch of groove and kicks more ass. Here are seasoned musicians, who not only have years of experience, but also work like a Swiss watch and have created a first-class Swiss melodic rock record. It‘s exciting, varied, hard and very accessible. I will refrain from naming highlights, because every song on "Free" represents a hit and leaves a feeling of joy in mind and soul. If you always wanted to know what Melodic Rock Made in Switzerland sounds like, you should definitely get the album "Free" by Relayer on www.relayer.ch. You won‘t regret it. I can only recommend you to see this band live if you’ve the chance. Live as well as on CD, they are a guarantee for great moments. 10/10 Review by Dominic Latscha