(In alphabetical order with external links to official websites)

1. MARCUS BONFANTI

With vocals and a delivery well beyond his tender years, anyone who can't wait for Seasick's next release could do a lot worse than investigate What Good Am I to You.
(Pete Whalley)

2. CODEJAK

3.  EDEN'S CURSE

Eden's Curse ... should ... gain a greater audience for their infectious blend of metal and melody. A great band that - if there is any justice - should get greater. (David Randall)

4.  ELEKTRADRIVE

...in between House of Lords and Winger - both turning in exemplary melodic hard rock albums this year - Elektradrive's current offering sits loud and proud. (David Randall)

5.  FM

FM seem both contemporary and relevant again
(David Randall)

6.  FREEDOM CALL

Fans of ... Helloween, Gamma Ray and Rhapsody Of Fire will love this.... (Jason Ritchie)

7.  FURY UK

For those of a certain age, this Manchester based trio will evoke happy memories of sweaty rock clubs, heavy riffs and serious air guitar. (David Randall)

8.  GMT

If you like hard rock, punk, metal and a little blues this is the band for you.  (Jason Ritchie)

9. GOTTHARD

No band has delivered more consistently in the field of melodic hard rock over the last decade as Swiss outfit Gotthard. They have enjoyed huge success on the European mainland, and yet in England still remain something of a well kept secret. (Andy Nathan)

10.  HEADRUSH

This band are like Motley Crue should sound today, big guitar riffs, a vocalist with a real raw power in Andy Law and of course tunes that refuse to leave your head after one play. (Jason Ritchie)

11.  HEAVEN'S BASEMENT

...full of attitude, power, addictive riffs and catchy hooks that just lock you in, forcing your feet to tap along and your head to bounce ... (Sonia Waterfield)

12.  AUDREY HORNE

13.  JADED SUN

... top notch blues based hard rock - turn it up and enjoy! (Jason Ritchie)

14.  THE JOKERS

If you want some good time rock and roll this is the place to go. (Neil Daniels)

15.  LEAFHOUND

Mr French can still blues wail with the best of them
(Stuart Hamilton)

16.  MILLION$RELOAD

17.  PAIN OF SALVATION

... progressive guitar passages and straight-forward melodic refrain ... will definitely bring shivers to your body and make you feel proud, for once, to be part of a race that can express itself in such beautiful and intimate ways. (John Stefanis)

18.  PANIC ROOM

Perfect progressive pop rock. (Pete Whalley)

19.  POWER QUEST

...this new line-up ... certainly lives up to the high standards of Power Quest's musical legacy so far. Roll on the new album and the Quest must go on... (Jason Ritchie)

20.  RHAPSODY OF FIRE

It is very easy to mock bands like this and Manowar but that is to do them a disservice as they really believe in their music and they are very competent musicians. Buy with confidence! (Jason Ritchie)

21.  CHRIS SINGLETON

... if you love any of the three B's Chris names as his main influences, namely 'the Beatles, Bolin and Bowie', then do check out Chris and his band's music. (Jason Ritchie)

22.  SKIN

Guitarist Myke Gray, bassist Andy Robbins and drummer Dicki Fliszar created an aggressive but lean sound that was as taut and muscular as one of Myke's personal fitness clients. (Andy Nathan)

23.  SPIT LIKE THIS

...a cross between KISS, Meat Loaf and The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Nikk Gunns)

24.  JUDIE TZUKE

...you have to ask yourself, why is it that nobody else is stepping up to the mark set by this very special artist? In Olympic terms, it's like holding the world record and after 30 years there's still no one getting close. (Pete Whalley)

25.  VOODOO JOHNSON

... this 5-piece, with their roots firmly in the twin-lead sound of NWOBHM, laced with more than a hint of mid-80's West Coast sleaze, and all freshened up with more modern subtleties ... (Ian Pollard)