Alicate was formed in the late 80s by lead vocalist/guitarist Jonas Erixon and bass player Fredrik Ekberg. They put together a band that toured in Sweden and Finland and also supported Ian Gillan on his "Toolbox Tour" in 1992.After a hiatus in the 90's Alicate reformed and fast forward to 2009, when their first full length album called "World Of Anger" was released.After an appearance at Sweden Rock Festival the fan base grew and in 2013 the album "Free Falling" was released,followed by "Unforgiven To Be Forgiven" in 2018.In the pandemic Erixon wrote some new material for the band which resulted in the 2022 release "Butterfly",two years later album number five  "Heaven Tonight"  both via Pride & Joy Music.At the end of 2025 the band had a line up change welcoming new keyboardist Marcus Zerath which injected new energy into the band.

As soon as Alicate's new album appeared on the promo database,I was straight in to request it!.After reviewing their last studio album "Heaven Tonight" i became a fan,and when "Too Bad To Be Good" dropped in my inbox,it was played straight away and its been on constant rotation ever since."Changes" opens this ten track album in  Melodic atmospheric  style,the rhythm section is tight,prominent,which is led by excellent guitar driven riffs,with some dreamy keyboards,vocally strong and commanding."Too Bad To Be Good" is a masterclass in AOR,the musicality is superb,Jonas Erixon's vocals bring the track alive with a strong smooth vocal,very nostalgic deep cut album track which has a style you would find on a Jeff Paris or Lou Gramm record or a similar band/artist,"One Shot" is another track which gives me that feeling,making me feel like i'm 13 year old again with the volume up or headphones full pelt!"Save Our Love" is just a sublime track which has a definite Whitesnake 1987 album era feel,the moody vocals are delivered just like Mr.Coverdale,a blazing subtle guitar solo takes over in the latter half of the track,the bass line is on point,it has that sound of a yesteryear worldwide smash,which I would love to see riding high in the charts again.

"Right Here,Right Now" is an arena filling American style number which has that winning combination & formula which has Survivor and Loverboy traits,superb guitars and delivery."Mysterious" pushes your buttons if you are a Talisman,Def Leppard or Asia fan or any bands of this genre or period this track will blow you away,its a belting number.The American AOR theme is again felt in "For Now", a song full of heart,passion and fight which i sense in the melodies and the vocals,maybe Stan Bush influenced? Whatever influence is used, it's a very powerful track."Hi On Livin'" is another strong offering from Alicate,which is full of positivity and spirit with lush melodies and strong vocals."Don't Turn Around" the lead single,the penultimate track,which i think is a stroke of genius to put it here,therefore inviting the listener to listen to the deep cuts first,a track which has a European Melodic sound,up tempo,galloping riffs with a big chorus,great track but there's better tracks I feel than this one on this album.Concluding the album is a slower paced the number "Run",complete with acoustic guitars and another strong track with a commanding vocal.

Alicate,delivers yet again with another strong album full of superb AOR which is nostalgic and invites the listener to travel back in time,relive music and memories from arguably the best decade for music.Alicate are keeping that AOR torch burning in 2026 with "Too Bad To Be Good",making it cool,fresh and relevant to listen to nostalgic AOR in 2026 and not feel old! A superb album which I highly recommend,which is released via Pride & Joy on April 24th.