Additional Commentary and Photos from Jack Frost
For 30 plus years, metal guitar journeyman Jack Frost has been recording music, on the road with his band Seven Witches, Bronx Casket Co (with DD Verni from Overkill), to touring with Joey Belladonna, Savatage (Poets And Madmen album), and more. His latest gig for the past four years is with legendary Canadian rocker Aldo Nova and his touring band.
Aldo Nova played (two sets) on this year’s 2025 Monsters Of Rock Cruise, along with Krokus, Stephen Pearcy of Ratt, Tesla, Queensrÿche, Michael Schenker, and many more. When he returned to his home state of New Jersey, Jack and I went out to get some Mexican food so he could give the artist’s perspective on the cruise, the concerts, and daily activities for readers and fans. Plus, an update what’s going on with Aldo Nova.
The Monsters Of Rock cruise has become a yearly vacation for hard rockers and metalheads, 2025 was the 13th anniversary and ran from March 10 – 15. The boat left from Miami and the first day, Sunday, March 9, was the pre-show on land at the Magic City Casino. Ted Poley played a set and was joined by Jean Beauvoir for Steppenwolf classic “Born To Be Wild”. The cruise itinerary featured a travel day at sea with first stop at Great Stirrup Cay for a day, and Nassau for two days in the Bahamas. From there, it headed back towards Miami on Friday and returned on Saturday, March 15.
Below is Jack’s rundown of his Monsters Of Rock experience:
Monday, Day 1, Miami
I have been on two other heavy metal cruises, but this is my first MOR cruise so I’m excited. Not only to play, but I get to see so many great bands I grew up listening to, and see many of my friends in the bands. First day waiting to get on the boat, as a musician, we get separate check-ins and already I get to meet some people and say hello to who I know. But it’s cool too, because like the entire cruise, the fans are also in line getting situated and can even be in the room next to you.
Today out of the bands that played, I got to see Tyketto, who were on at 6:30 PM and beat the storm coming. They are old friends, and great to see Johnny D on drums (Britny Fox, Doro). Singer Danny Vaughn, yeah, he’s still got that voice. It was Pearcy’s first set but I didn’t get to check them out until Thursday. Busy days so you can’t see everyone at first. Plus being a musician, it’s tough.
Queensrÿche played today doing a mixed set with a couple deep cuts “Blinded” and “Nightrider”. We (Aldo Nova) were on at 10:15 and played to a full theater, Keith Roth from Hair Nation introduced us; the guys from Cold Sweat and Sebastian Bach were in the crowd. It was great, we rocked it! “Hot Love” was in the encore after “Fantasy”.
Slaughter and Lynch Mob ended the night on two different stages after midnight, with karaoke in between for fans and musicians. Time for some sleep and power up.
Tuesday, Day 2, At Sea
Starting my day at the gym, Hurricane was the first band I saw at 1:30, and I was looking forward to this. I’ve been a longtime fan, and the current lineup includes Carlos Cavazo on guitar, joining his brother bassist Tony. They totally killed it, love those hits “I’m On To You” and “Over The Edge”, and they also played Quiet Riot’s “Metal Health” and “Cum On Feel The Noize”. And thanks to Carlos’ wife Vicki, great speaking with you and making feel like a longtime friend.
Today, I was part of Rare Hair, where different musicians jam covering ‘80s top 40 songs. It was me on guitar, Johnny Monaco (Stephen Pearcy band) on guitar, Chad Stewart (Faster Pussycat) on drums, singer Monica Lewellen doing The Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me Baby”. And shout out to keyboardist Tyson Leslie from Vixen, the music director. My bandmate, Ange Cursio on drums, and Tyson Leslie sang and played keyboards for “Take On Me” by Ah-Ha.
Saw Tesla at 3:30, longtime fan and love this band, they can’t do wrong in my eyes. They played “Song And Emotion”, one of my favorite songs. Later in the evening, saw Winger at 10 PM in a theater to a packed house, tight as hell, heavy too (they always are), and Howie Simon was back doing a great job filling in for John Roth on second guitar.
Slaughter on around midnight closed the day just tearin’ it up. “Up all night, sleep all day.” Well, (laughs) not really on this cruise.
Wednesday, Day 3, Great Stirrup Cay
Did another round of Rare Hair at 11:45 AM, at the pool stage, this time with Todd “Dammit” Kerns on vocals, Sem Christoffel (Vandenberg) on bass, Kobi Reese on drums, Tyson Leslie on guitar for KISS’ “Heavens On Fire”. And Mötley Crüe’s “Too Fast For Love” with Sean McNabb on bass, singer Curtis Anderson, and Jimmy Chalfant (Kix) on drums and playing with him was an honor.
I saw Kix many many times over the years on the east coast. Second time seeing Tyketto, and Vixen at 3:30 PM who you have to hear singer Rosa Laricchiuta (Trans-Siberian Orchestra) because she is a perfect fit. LA Guns, Burning Witches, and Extreme all went on before Krokus at 8 PM at the pool stage, singer Marc Storace still sounds great.
Also saw some of Rose Tattoo, Michael Monroe who hasn’t aged a day and energy level is awesome, Chris Holmes doing W.A.S.P. songs, and Queensrÿche ending the night.
Thursday, Day 4, At Sea/Nassau
11:00 AM, the Aldo Nova band were part of the Fan Photo Experience with guitarist Jared James Nichols, Vandenberg, and Winger. Saw Cold Sweat and Hurricane again afternoon. So You Think You Can Shred was fun. Aldo did it with Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme), Joel Hoekstra, Courtney Cox (Burning Witches), and Jared James Nichols judges along with comedian Don Jamieson where fans played guitar.
Caught Stephen Pearcy play the pool stage at 2:30 PM, Erik Ferentinos and Johnny Monaco play tight and nailed Crosby and DeMartini, Matt Thorne has a great bass feel, and Blas Elias on drums, what a band. Tesla also played the pool stage dinner time, LA Guns in the Manhattan Room at 9 PM, Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis are such a great team.
Pretty Maids were in the theater, Night Ranger on the pool stage at 10:15 and played a Damn Yankees song, “High Enough”. Lynch Mob was another favorite, for me, love that rhythm section of Jaron Gulino on bass and Jimmy D’Anda (ex-Bulletboys) on drums.
Friday, Day 5, Nassau
Aldo Nova played our second show at 12:15 in the afternoon and must say we were on fire. Love playing all the songs, but “Ball And Chain”, “Monkey On Your Back” and “Blood On The Bricks” are favs. Saw Winger a second time which was great, and Vixen again because I wanted to “Rev It Up”, (wink, wink).
Vandenberg was another highlight on the cruise, Mats Levén’s voice is like a cross between Coverdale and Plant, great backing band too and Adrian was so on point.
For an hour from 10:30-11:30 was an artist farewell party saying goodbye to friends. On at 11:15 PM, in the theater, Michael Schenker. As always he’s incredible, playing a mix of songs from his solo career, including “On And On”, and UFO. Jeff Scott Soto came out and sang “Too Hot To Handle”.
In closing, Jack concludes with the following statement to the cruise organizers and fellow musicians:
I’d like to send my warmest thanks to Larry Morand who runs the cruise, for 13 years of bringing the greatest hard rockin’ event on the sea. April Lee she’s the best of the best! Tyson Leslie and Kim Gagne from Rare Hair, what a fun jam. To my brother Sullivan Bigg from BTE Inc. who truly believed in us (Aldo Nova band) from day one.
And the Aldo band, love sharing the stage with you gentleman each night. Our band crew Carl, Sylvia, Susy and Toyja. And our fans are such a blessing, it was great meeting many of you, signing autographs, even a few people brought Seven Witches CDs!
And check the Aldo Nova Facebook page and website for more tour dates this year. Coming up we are playing with Slaughter July 10 at the Pangle Pavillion in Ohio, and October 11 at the King’s Club, Ohio.
Additional photos:
