HARDREAMS is a Spanish band with a nice sound. The groups music could be compared to later day MAGNUM or even the solo efforts of MAGNUM front man BOB CATLEY and more immediately to the sound of the legendary WHITESNAKE with some AOR moments thrown into the mix as well.

The new record “The Road Goes On…” opens with “Apologies” and it is nice track that shows what the band’s sound is all about. Flowing keyboards and smooth vocals are immediately present as the song gallops along. The production is good, adding to the enjoyment of the affair.

“Bad Times Are Gone” lends its way to a slightly more melodic approach. The song is upbeat, as the title would suggest. Singer Manu Esteve has just a very slight accent but nothing that would disrupt from the proceedings at all in my opinion.

“Rebel Heart” goes back to a tougher sound as it opens with pounding drums but once the keyboards kick in along with the chorus, the song makes its way back to the land of melodic bliss. The band uses the keyboard sound just right in the mix. It’s not to the point of being too “front and center” or even making the music too “pompy”.

“My Last Desire” is more of a smoldering mid-tempo track which reminds me of being in WHITESNAKE territory sans the more bluesy vocals of Mr. Coverdale. It’s a nice track with a tasteful guitar solo supplied by David Aguera.

“Little Sinner Queen” sits firmly in the AOR category with its stabbing keyboards and melodic singing style.

“We’re One” is the albums standard ballad. Coming off sounding a bit like SURVIVOR in its heyday. It’s a formula that’s been done before but it is done right and it’s done with class.

“Too Late” opens with a warning siren sound and gives you some idea of what’s to come as the song explodes into a fiery rocker with its speedy and heavier approach. Again, this is a track that reminds one of WHITESNAKE. Esteve’s vocals seem to have a more noticeable accent on this track in particular. The interplay between the guitar and organ sounds make you think of vintage DEEP PURPLE as this is the first time that band has introduced this style on the album.

Much like the aforementioned track “My Last Desire” the next song “Someday, Somewhere” is a mid-tempo affair and both tunes are similar in feel.

“I’ll Say Bye Tonight” is a blues-based rocker with the now familiar WHITSNAKE influence on display by the band. The tune is pretty much paint-by-numbers for the style of the song.

“Two Shots” brings the bands AOR side back into the fold with a more upbeat feel and pompier keyboard sound. The solo by Aguera is a tasteful touch and fits perfectly within the songs structure. You can tell the band definitely has a talent for writing a catchy song.

The album ends on mellow note with the title track “The Road Goes On” and for the first time I hear a certain Jeff Scott Soto quality to Manu Esteve’s voice. In fact the song itself could easily be compared to one of Soto’s early bands EYES.

In conclusion, “The Road Goes On…” from HARDREAMS is a “comfortable” sounding record. There are a few twists and turns as the band goes from the WHITESNAKE influenced rockers to the all-out vintage AOR sound but for the most part it works just fine. If you are a fan of any of the bands mentioned above you could do far worse then checking out these guys.