Released by: Cargo Records
Release Date: September 5th, 2025
Genre: Melodic Rock/AOR
Line UP:
Lead vocals and backing vocals: Stan Bush
Guitars: Holger Fath
Drums: Craig Yamek
Bass: Mick Mahan
Keyboards: Holger Fath
Tracklist:
1. The Sound Of Victory
2. Invincible
3. Runnin’ The Gauntlet
4. Heart Of A Lion
5. Prisoner Of The Heart
6. Stand Or Fall
7. There’s A Light
8. Brothers In Arms
9. Freedom
10. No Surrender
11. The Reason For Everything
At 72 years old, Stan Bush continues to defy Father Time with the release of “Born For Battle,” his 15th studio album that serves as both a career retrospective and a bold statement that the master of motivational rock isn’t ready to surrender anytime soon.
For over four decades, Bush has occupied a unique space in rock music as the undisputed champion of inspirational anthems. His career-defining moment came in 1986 with “The Touch” and “Dare” from The Transformers: The Movie soundtrack, creating an entirely new subgenre of cinema-ready motivational rock. Interestingly, “The Touch” wasn’t originally intended for Transformers at all—it was written for Sylvester Stallone’s Cobra after being inspired by a line from Iron Eagle.
The cultural impact has been staggering. From Mark Wahlberg’s memorable performance in Boogie Nights to appearances in the 2018 Bumblebee film, Bush’s music has transcended generations. Video games like Guitar Hero and Transformers: Fall of Cybertron have introduced his stirring melodic rock to new audiences, while television placements on American Dad, The Goldbergs, and WWE’s Monday Night RAW keep his anthems in the cultural conversation.
Bush’s talents extend beyond his Transformers fame, earning him a 1997 Emmy Award for Best Original Song and collaborations with rock royalty including Journey’s Jonathan Cain, Bryan Adams collaborator Jim Vallance, and KISS’s Paul Stanley. He’s also contributed vocals to albums by Alice Cooper and Jefferson Starship.
Years ago in 2010, just two years after I started this magazine, I reached out to Stan to get a promo of his new record “Dream the Dream.” He was kind enough to send me a final mix copy, and I thought it was the coolest thing. In those early days of the magazine, it was pretty surreal to get to listen to advance music and interview some of my heroes. Stan was a super nice gentleman, and it’s always a pleasure to hear more of his music.
Released September 5, 2025, via Cargo Records UK, “Born For Battle” represents Bush’s most meticulously crafted work to date. The four-year creation process, overseen by longtime producer and multi-instrumentalist Holger Fath, yielded an album that Bush describes as his most sonically ambitious project.
“The Sound of Victory” wastes no time establishing that Bush’s melodic AOR voice remains gloriously intact, complete with the pompous flair that has become his trademark. “Invincible,” the album’s lead single, demonstrates the Bush formula firing on all cylinders. After a measured intro, the tempo picks up considerably, showcasing Fath’s keyboards in their full AOR glory with an irresistibly catchy chorus that demands head movement in true melodic rock tradition.
“Runnin’ the Gauntlet” delivers the next prototypical AOR pomp groove, and Bush just knows how to make these songs move. Everything works perfectly here—the drums, melodic hooks, keyboards, and choruses hit with maximum impact. “Heart of a Lion” showcases a superb bass thumper, providing the foundation for another expertly crafted build-up in both tempo and tone. As the record opens up mid-way through, Bush’s vocals sound better and better, displaying remarkable vitality that belies his 72 years.
The album shifts gears with “There’s a Light,” a finer tuned ballad that showcases Bush’s contemplative side, followed by the mid-tempo “Brothers in Arms,” where the super melodic guitar work achieves some of the album’s finest moments. The Celtic undertones that emerge after the solo add an unexpected layer of sophistication.
The album benefits from Fath’s dual role as producer and multi-instrumentalist, joined by drummer Craig Yamek and bassist Mick Mahan. True to form, Bush’s new material is already finding its way into cinema, with “Runnin’ the Gauntlet” and “No Surrender” appearing in The Last Kumite (2024), while “Heart of a Lion” will serve as the title song for the sequel Lion Fist (2026).
What sets Bush apart in today’s increasingly cynical musical landscape is his unwavering commitment to optimism and empowerment. “Born For Battle” continues this tradition, offering what feels not just welcomed, but essential in our current times. It’s proof that at 72, Stan Bush remains true to his calling as rock’s premier purveyor of inspirational anthems, making this 15th studio effort a worthy addition to his motivational rock legacy.
Written by: Shadow Editor
Ratings: 8/10
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