Monthly Archives: December 2011

SYMPHONY X interview – Jason Rullo

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

When the American Progressive/Heavy Metal quintet Symphony X first released the amazing “Paradise Lost” back in 2007 I was one of those people who felt that the New Jersey outfit had pretty much reached the pinnacle of their creativity. Three … Continue reading

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DARK TRANQUILITY interview – Mikael Stanne

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

Mikael Stanne has a reputation of being not only one of the best frontment in Death Metal but also one of the kindest and most accommodating people in the music business – something that I eventually had to find out … Continue reading

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Backstage Hero – Joe Geesin

Joe Geesin contributes to 'Record Collector' and GRTR! plus compiles sleevenotes for various CD's and has a famous dad… How did you become involved in the music business? It was kind of natural – with my dad so involved, I … Continue reading

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Gig review: SAXON – London Koko, 20 December 2011

Saxon is one of those bands that I have seen more times than I can count, but I have never lacked the motivation to attend any of their shows. What was it that made their performance at the London Koko … Continue reading

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TEODOR TUFF – Soliloquy

This is the second album from the Norwegian metal crew Teodor Tuff. Their debut album was released back in 2009 which dented the Norwegian charts and led to support slots with Whitesnake and Deep Purple. Due to a number of … Continue reading

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TRUCKER DIABLO – The Devil Rhythm

Trucker Diablo look like they should be from the American deep south, all beards, baseball caps and Mack Trucks, but they actually hail from the closer shores of Ireland. The band formed in 2008 and have garnered a lot of … Continue reading

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RED, WHITE & BLUES – Shine

This is the debut album from Red, White & Blues who you may not have heard of yet…I say yet as you will soon, believe me. The band features Myke Gray from Skin/ Jagged Edge on guitar, Matti Alfonzetti from … Continue reading

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LILLIAN AXE – XI: The Days Before Tomorrow

Lillian Axe are back with a new album and another change in the vocalist department – step forward Brian C Jones who replaces Ronnie Munroe (the former Metal Church vocalist). They are also on a new label and in AFM … Continue reading

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MOLLO/MARTIN – The Third Cage

Guitarist Mario Mollo (check out the two Voodoo Hill albums he did with Glenn Hughes) and vocalist Tony Martin (Black Sabbath/Empire) return with their third Cage album, the last one was released way back in 2002. Mollo writes the music … Continue reading

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VALLENFYRE – A Fragile King

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

VALLENFYRE – “A FRAGILE KING” CENTURY MEDIA (2011) Human loss is dealt with in a personal way by anyone affected by it, but it has also been one of the topics that art, as a channel for conveying human emotion, … Continue reading

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WARBRINGER – Worlds Torn Asunder

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

WARBRINGER – “WORLDS TORN ASUNDER” CENTURY MEDIA (2011) The year 2004 is a seminal one for Thrash Metal as it witnessed the birth of a number of young acts who are directly responsible for what has been widely recognised as … Continue reading

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PAIN OF SALVATION (Daniel Gildenlow) INTERVIEW

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

The ability to embrace change is an important quality for any Prog-orientated band to have, especially so if that band happens to be as brave and musically diverse as the Swedish powerhouse Pain Of Salvation. When I arranged to do … Continue reading

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NICKELBACK – Here And Now

The Marmite band of rock – you either love or hate them – return with their first new album since 2008 and overall it is another good album. Nickelback are so big now they only do live interviews and don't … Continue reading

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ATKINS/MAY PROJECT – Serpent’s Kiss

This album is the result of a collaboration between original Judas  Priest vocalist Al Atkins and noted guitarist Paul May who has featured  on around 50 albums to date mostly within the realms of Christian rock. The album opens with  … Continue reading

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INQUISITOR – The Quantum Theory Of Id

I read through the accompanying blurb with this album before I played it and the following words jumped out at me, “ Lithuanian Avant-Garde Black Metal”, words to strike fear in to most mortals but in the name of professionalism … Continue reading

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BURN THE SUNSET – Home

Burn The Sunset are a young melodic hardcore band that hail from Stirling in Scotland just a few miles away from me although I was oblivious to their existence until this, their debut album ‘Home’, arrived on my doormat. The … Continue reading

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10 Q's with WHITE WIDDOW

Hello Jules (White Widdow), loving the new album, which if anything, is better than the debut, which is no mean feat! “Thanks very much Jason!! We are really happy with the new album.” What are you currently up to? “Well, … Continue reading

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JONES – Ghost Of Song

Jones is the solo album of Trevor Jones who is joined by the duo Miracle Mile. He has already garnered rave reviews for his previous work and going by the ten songs on here he is going to do it … Continue reading

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THIN LIZZY – At The BBC

    The BBC, between its various music radio shows, Top Of The Pops and the Old Grey Whistle Test, could really help make and break a band, and in the case of Ireland’s finest, it must have helped. Right … Continue reading

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ROYAL HUNT – Show Me How To Live

  Royal Hunt are back after their last album ‘X’ seemed to disappear without trace but now they are back on Frontiers for their new album. Since the last album gone too are vocalist Mark Boals and guitarist Marcus Jiddell, … Continue reading

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MARK SPIRO – It's A Beautiful Life

  Mark Spiro returns with his first new album since 2005's 'Mighty Blue Ocean'. He is most probably known more for his film songs outside of AOR/melodic rock circles, with hits like 'Mighty Wings' (performed by Cheap Trick) of 'Top … Continue reading

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ROY WOOD – Music Book

A two CD set compiled by Roy Wood, although a quick warning that if you are after the original hits you may be better off getting one of the other compilations out there, as this collection features various remixes plus … Continue reading

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YOU ME AT SIX – Sinners Never Sleep

You Me At Six is personally one of my favorite bands and as this is their third album, I was delighted to review it! Sinners Never Sleep has a different feel to the album compared to YMAS previous records. It … Continue reading

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PATSY MATHESON 'Stories of Angels & Guitars'

  Former Waking the Witch member Patsy Matheson returns with her new album, her first in nearly four years. Mind you not that she hasn’t been busy touring relentlessly including some very well received gigs with folk legend Clive Gregson. … Continue reading

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ARENA 'The Seventh Degree Of Seperation'

Arena are back with their first album since the excellent 'Pepper's Ghost' back in 2005. Since then John Jowitt has returned on bass and they have a new vocalist in Paul Manzi and returned with a concept album. This album … Continue reading

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