We♥Italia! Olympic-sized spotlight on Italy
The Fab Four return to Italy this summer with three dates…
July 7 | Verona @ Arena Di Verona
July 9 | Caserta @ Reggia Di Caserta Piazza Carlo Di Borbone
July 11 | Codriopo (UD) @ Villa Manin
The three Italian shows are part of a still-expanding set of European dates which also include performances in Denmark, Netherlands, Czechia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, and more. Regarding the US, there is a short May run at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, but the real question is wondering where their now-annual Halloween performance might take place this year.
The full bill has been revealed for the Frontiers Rock Festival 2026, set to take place on May 1, 2, and 3, at the Live Club in Trezzo sull’Adda (Milan).
Notable groups include Nelson, the brotherly duo of Matthew and Gunnar who built a career in the early 1990s with their multi-platinum debut ‘After The Rain,‘ and five Top 40 hits.
Longtime German group Frontline rose in the 90’s to become one of the leading bands in European AOR and melodic hard rock starting with their debut album ‘The State Of Rock’ (1994) and has a new album planned for later this year.
Swedish rockers Confess have earned a reputation for their sleaze/metal aesthetic, infusing their work with memorable hooks and choruses, and a devil-may-care attitude. Fronted by John Elliot, whose vocals have also been showcased with Crashdiet, their new album, ‘Metalmorphosis,’ is set to arrive in May.
IT’sALIE is the brainchild of ex-Eternal Idol members, singer Giorgia Colleluori and drummer Camillo Colleluori, who collaborate with Mat Sinner. In 2020, their debut album, ‘Lilith,’ was well received, their second album, ‘Emosphere,’ was released in 2022, and third album is planned for later this year.
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Most on these shores know the longtime rock band from their 1992 classic album, Double Eclipse and since then, Hardline have released six studio albums. Their newest album, Shout, featuring lead single, “Rise Up” arrives April 17 (via Steamhammer) and the band’s lineup currently consists of vocalist Johnny Gioeli and his all-Italian bandmates, keyboardist Alessandro Del Vecchio; guitarist Luca Princiotta; bassist Anna Portalupi; and drummer Marco Di Salvia.
“The album gives you that feeling you get when you roll down your car window and turn up the radio on full blast,” says Gioeli, describing the ten new songs.
Born in Bologna in 2015, Hyperion was formed from veterans of the Italian metal scene: former S.O.T. drummer Marco Jason Beghelli, former Prophecy/Prophexy guitarist (now author and producer) Davide Cotti, and guitarist Luke Fortini (Imago Imperii, ex-Children of the Damned, Paul Di’Anno).
Their debut album “Dangerous Days” arrived in 2017 via Fighter Records followed by their second release “Into the Maelstrom” in 2020. The band released new album, “Cybergenesis” last month. an album representing both continuity and rebirth with guitarist Cotti as the band’s last original member and principal composer.
Blind Revolution is a modern Hard Rock band from Sicily who were formed in 2010, by the brothers Sipione– guitarist Simone and vocalist Cristiano who developed their 80s-inspired sound that is inspired by classic bands like Journey, Whitesnake, and Bon Jovi. They released their debut album Money, Love, Light in 2020.
Sophomore release Far From The Sun releases on March 13 via Deko Entertainment and features ten brand new songs including the title track, which serves as the lead single.
Cristiano explains, “Everyone says this about their own work, but we genuinely couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished with Far From the Sun. These songs represent exactly who we are today — one hundred percent.” Simone continues, “Far From the Sun is an album that reconnects you with your most visceral emotions.”
The Italian alternative groove metal act Adeline Gray just released its new album “Portrait of Our Descent” on February 6 and is recommended for fans of Deftones, Pantera, and Norma Jean.
As the title suggests, it’s written as a portrait, a descent into the human abyss, and the long climb back out. The lyrics lean dark and melancholic, but each one leaves room for hope and rebirth. The core message is simple: you can get back up, even from the bottom.
Veteran Italian metallers Thunder Rising recently posted the official video for single, “Dreaming Song to You,” a rock ballad taken from latest album, Horizon Line.
The band was formed in 2012 by guitarist Frank Caruso and drummer Corrado “Nail” Ciceri, and delivers a classic retro sound blending 1970s and 1980s rock with modern production and has had several vocalists collaborate with them, including Mark Boals (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, Don Dokken) among others.
Their signature style, self-dubbed “Real Vintage,” is a fusion of heavy rock power and melodic sophistication that draws equally from the organ-drenched riffage reminiscent of Deep Purple and Rainbow, and the soaring, arena-ready hooks and melodic sensibilities that channel the spirit of bands like Journey and Boston.
Jaguero is a four-piece punk/emo band from Vicenza, formed in 2021 by members of Slander, Regarde, and La Fortuna. Blending 90s grunge, hardcore, punk, and melodic emo, they released EPs Worst Weekend Ever (2022) and New Love (2023) via Epidemic Records. They are noted for high-energy, DIY-rooted performances are preparing for their first full-length album with new single, “Lit.”
Both EPs were produced by Maurizio Baggio (as is the new album) and were later compiled into a limited self-titled vinyl edition, which led the band to perform on notable stages and festivals across Italy and abroad.
National / International act coming through the Midwest / Kansas City area? Please email details to johnc@weheartmusic.com with a good lead time to be considered for Show Preview and Show Coverage.