Monthly Archives: June 2017

Album review: JOHN OTWAY – Montserrat

John Otway - Montserrat

Red Bowler Records [Release date: 01.05.17] There will surely always be a place for John Otway in the rock & roll firmament, as only an anarchic character such as him could have conceived of an album like this in 2017. … Continue reading

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News: BLACK SABBATH – Ten Year War Box Set (September 2017)

BLACK SABBATH

Heavy metal legends release a limited edition vinyl box set on 27 October via BMG. ‘The Ten Year War’ brings together their eight Ozzy-fronted albums, plus many other rarities, all housed within exclusive artwork created by renowned street artist, graphic … Continue reading

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Album review: ROBIN TROWER – Time And Emotion

ROBIN TROWER – Time And Emotion

Manhaton [Release date: 04.08.17] Imagine those moments when you are at the water’s edge as the tide comes in, and for a passing moment your footprint leaves a lasting impression as the waves recede. Robin Trower’s musical style is very … Continue reading

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Album review: DON BARNES – Ride The Storm

MelodicRock Records [Release date 20.06.17] Hats off to MelodicRock Record’s Andrew McNeice who finally got this long lost album released. Don Barnes, of southern rockers .38 Special fame, recorded this album back in 1989, however due the time honoured label … Continue reading

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Single and EP reviews: JOSH TAERK, SLYDIGS, PETER DONEGAN

JOSH TAERK Rock N Roll On

  JOSH TAERK Rock N Roll On Josh Taerk has released a new single digitally and it has been a little while since we heard anything new from him. ‘Rock N Roll On’ is a classy upbeat rocker, complete with … Continue reading

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Gig review: DOWNLOAD, Donington Park, 11 June 2017 (Part 2)

Aerosmith - DOWNLOAD, Donington Park, 11 June 2017

Photo: Andy Nathan Sunday The phenomenal attendances at Download are a tribute to the enduring if underground popularity of the broad church we call metal and hard rock, even if the site seemed a touch smaller this year. From the … Continue reading

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Gig review: DOWNLOAD, Donington Park, 9-10 June 2017 (Part 1)

Tax The Heat - DOWNLOAD, Donington Park, 9-10 June 2017 (Part 1)

Friday My expectation for the first two days of Download was somewhat low in terms of the line-up, given my predeliction for the classic rock era.  However the stunning weather went some way to raising the spirits and Blackwater Conspiracy … Continue reading

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Album review: THEA GILMORE – The Counterweight

THEA GILMORE - The Counterweight

WMW/Cooking Vinyl  [Release date 02.06.17] So what’s a girl to do? She’s got bills to pay just like the rest of us, so is this the moment that Thea Gilmore drifts into the mainstream? From the release of the bile-spitting … Continue reading

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Interview: CORNERSTONE

We caught up with Alina Peter (Vocals/Guitars) and Michael Wachelhofer (Bass/Keyboards/Vocals) of Cornerstone to see what they have planned for this year and beyond, plus how their latest album ‘Reflection’ has been doing… Have you been pleased with the response … Continue reading

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Album review: ORDEN OGAN – Gunmen

ORDEN OGAN - Gunmen

AFM Records [Release date 07.07.17] Orden Ogan are back with their new studio album ‘Gunmen’ which follows hot on the heels of last year’s ‘The Book of Ogan’ compilation. They have already released a well received western themed video on … Continue reading

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Album review: JOHNNY LIMA – Johnny Lima/Made In California

JOHNNY LIMA - Johnny Lima/Made In California

MelodicRock Records [Release date 01.03.17] These two albums by Johnny Lima – his self-titled debut from 1996 and 2003′s ‘Made In California’ – have been made available again by MelodicRock Records and not before time I say! Johnny Lima’s debut … Continue reading

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Quick plays: ABACU5, DANIEL TRIGGER, IVORY TOWER PROJECT

ABACU5 A Long Way To Begin

ABACU5 A Long Way To Begin [Release date 25.04.17] Abacu5 is a four-piece band from Dallas, Texas consisting of Randy White (vocals), Samuel Holder (guitar), Adam Manning (bass/vocals) and Eric Petrinowitsch (drums/vocals). Abacu5 have a great ear for a melody and hook … Continue reading

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Gig review: ROCK GODDESS – The Borderline, London, June 23 2017

The time is definitely right for a NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) revival and it is great to see a good number of bands from that late 70s/early 80s era recording and touring once again, even ones that … Continue reading

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Album review: TREAT – The Road More or Less Traveled

TREAT - The Road More or Less Traveled

Release Date 21.04.17 On paper the release of Treat’s live set at the 2016 Frontiers Rock Festival in Italy is was a release I was looking forward to. Not only were Treat- alongside bands like Fate and Skagarack- one of … Continue reading

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Gig review: SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY AND THE ASBURY JUKES- The Forum, London, 22 June 2017

SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY AND THE ASBURY JUKES- The Forum, London, 22 June 2017

If Bruce Springsteen and later Jon Bon Jovi took the sound of New Jersey into the stadium-filling mainstream, both worshipped at the altar of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, who may never have reached the same commercial heights,  but … Continue reading

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Album review: BRENT HUTCHINSON BAND – Smoke And Mirrors

BRENT HUTCHINSON BAND – Smoke And Mirrors

Self release [Release date: 01.04.17] There’s nothing deceptive about ‘Smoke And Mirrors’ or the expressive inner voice at the core of both the lyrics and melodies of 11 well written songs. The Brent Hutchinson Band impressively avoid obvious clichés with … Continue reading

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Album review: VOODOO SIX – Make Way For The King

VOODOO SIX - Make Way For The King

Cadiz Music [Release date 08.09.17] It seems an age since we caught up with Voodoo Six at a gig in Crewe in 2008.  At that time their vocalist was Henry Rundell and current album ‘First Hit For Free’ a reworking … Continue reading

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Gig review: DAN BAIRD’S HOMEMADE SIN – Boom Boom Club, Sutton, 19 June 2017

DAN BAIRD

And they call it rock and roll! Charlie Watts once said something along the lines that rock & roll was 95% hanging around. Last night Dan Baird’s Homemade Sin didn’t have the benefit of being able to test that theory. … Continue reading

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Gig review: STONE FREE FESTIVAL, London, 17 June 2017

Rainbow - STONE FREE FESTIVAL, London, 17 June 2017

For the second successive year the Stone Free festival took over the whole of the 02 complex for the day: targeted at a discerning classic rock audience not wishing to slum it in a muddy field, and drawing inspiration from … Continue reading

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Album review: THE FILL INS – The Time Is Now

THE FILL IN

Hallelujah brothers and sisters! The Fill Ins are back!!! Charlotte NC’s fantastic rock and roll combo have been slugging it out in the studio, hammering out a brand new album and it is finally approaching its release date, and as … Continue reading

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Album review: EXIST – So True, So Bound

Exist - So True, So Bound

Prosthetic Records [Release date 09.06.17] I’ve made it no secret my undying love for all things Chuck Schuldiner (Death, Control Denied…not so much Voodookult) and even the band Cynic formed by former members of Death ranks as some of my … Continue reading

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Album review: MASTERPLAN – PumpKings

MASTERPLAN - PumpKings

AFM Records [Release date 28.07.17] Masterplan is one of those bands that as soon as someone mentions the name you automatically think, “What a great band!” At least I do. Since their inception in 2003, they’ve consistently released some killer … Continue reading

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Album review: DIRKSCHNEIDER – Live – Back To The Roots – Accepted!

DIRKSCHNEIDER - Live Back To The Roots Accepted!

AFM Records [Release date 04.08.17] When I reviewed Dirkschneider’s album Live Back To the Roots back in October I was looking forward to seeing him live the following January (earlier this year, clearly.) Sadly, I didn’t make it to the … Continue reading

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Album review: ZZ TOP – Cinco: The First Five LPs

ZZ TOP - Cinco: The First Five LPs

Warners [Release date 09.06.17] One of the greatest blues rock and boogie exponents, this Texan trio have become as famous for their beards (except for the drummer called Beard – now THAT’s irony) as for their music. 70s tracks like … Continue reading

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Album review: THE MAGPIE SALUTE – s/t

The Magpie Salute

[Release date 09.06.17] The long-awaited release of The Magpie Salute’s self-titled debut album is like meeting an old flame after many years – you wonder how she’s stood the test of time, if she still has it….and then she walks … Continue reading

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