Hardline Sign with Steamhammer/SPV

There’s been speculation behind closed doors for some time, and at long last it’s official: American hard rock legends Hardline, helmed by outstanding vocalist Johnny Gioeli (also frontman of the Axel Rudi Pell Band), have signed with Steamhammer/SPV.

The five-piece act is currently working on new material for its upcoming studio album, scheduled to be released in spring 2026, to be followed by two headlining tours of Europe, including a number of shows at major summer festivals.

Gioeli explains:

“The time is right, not just for a new album, but also for a complete restart, not least with the support of an ambitious record company that’s always been 100 percent behind its bands. I’ve known SPV for over 25 years and appreciate how committed they are to their work. They always give their all for their artists. I’m looking forward to working with them and can’t wait to start recording our new album in spring 2025.”

Gioeli promises his fans an album that couldn’t be more typical of Hardline, commenting:

“We’ve always had our own, unmistakable sound, that characteristic Hardline style, and that’s definitely not about to change. There will be no half-hearted experiments with me and my bandmates Alessandro Del Vecchio (keyboards), Luca Princiotta (guitars), Anna Portalupi (bass), and Marco Di Salvia (drums), everyone will get what they’ve come to expect from this band and have been familiar with since our 1992 debut classic Double Eclipse. We’ll get back to our children!”

Steamhammer label manager Olly Hahn is also delighted with this successful coup and looks forward to a promising collaboration:

“Obviously, there’s no need to explicitly go into Johnny Gioeli’s great qualities as a singer with Axel Rudi Pell, and he’s just as fantastic with his own band. Hardline stands for consistent excellence in the melodic rock genre, and I’m happy that this band is now part of the Steamhammer family!”

Tour Dates:

05/03 – SK, Bratislava — Randal Club
05/04 – AT, Vienna — Szene
05/27 – IT, Bologna — Alchemica Music Club
05/28 – IT, Milano — legend Club
06/06 – SE, Sölvesborg — Sweden Rock Festival
06/08 – ES, Villena Alicante — Leyendas Del Rock
09/20 – CH, Tennwil — Rocknacht Festival