Hard Rock Historians will recognize Airrace as the band that formed way back in 1982 and featured Jason Bonham as their drummer. The group’s 1984 release, Shaft of Light, put them on the map. With Bonham’s name, and the fact that they had Led Zeppelin’s manager, Peter Grant, they were able to open for huge bands such as Queen, AC/DC, Krokus, Ted Nugent and others. The only thing they didn’t do was make it big. By 1985, the band had broken up and, other than Bonham, faded into obscurity. In 2009, the band reunited with Bonham but it was short lived and it appeared that Airrace would once again fly off the musical radar. However, that is not what happened. Instead, the band returned to the studio and have released an amazing album full of killer hooks, solid melodies, memorable riffs, hot lead guitar and exquisite vocals.

Back to the Start starts off with a bang as the opening song “Keep On Going” shows this band is on a mission to prove they should have been platinum selling rock stars. It doesn’t stop there as “Two of a Kind,” “When Baby,” “Call Me Anytime,” “So Long,” “Back to the Start,” “Just One Kiss” and “Enough of Your Loving” are all solidly written tunes that sound better the louder you crank them up.

Airrace, featuring guitarists Laurie Mansworth and Dean Howard, vocalist Keith Murrell, drummer Simon Dawson, bass player David Boyce and keyboardist Toby Sadler, have done the unthinkable in creating a powerhouse album in an era when naysayers say that Rock is dead. This is one of the best albums to be released this year and, somewhere, if there is a Rock God, then with a little luck, and some blood sweat and tears, real music could make a comeback.

Classic Rock Revisited challenges all who read this review to not let Airrace slide of the grid again. They have fought back and written a masterpiece. Don’t miss out on some of the best Melodic Hard Rock to hit the streets in years.