Album review: APPICE – Sinister
SPV [Release date 27.10.17]
This is the first ever studio collaboration between the Brothers Appice. Carmen is of course best known for his work with Vanilla Fudge and Jeff Beck. Vinny is the younger whipper snapper who has worked most recently with rock heavyweights Last In Line but is perhaps best known for his time with Dio and Heaven and Hell. Veterans of many a drum clinic, together they represent one helluva legacy in the drum department of rock.
“Sinister” gives them the chance to flex their respective drum muscles and whilst the drums are well up in the mix who cares when they are played (and recorded) this well? And the guys only over-indulge themselves for one track – the instrumental ‘Drum Wars’ – which will no doubt be the set piece of their live act.
Opening with the frenetic title track, this is heavy rock par excellence and aided and abetted by erstwhile journeymen Craig Goldy (guitar, Dio) and Tony Franklin (bass, Blue Murder).
‘Monsters And Heroes’ is their tribute to Ronnie James and features Paul Shortino on vocals whilst ‘Killing Floor’ (with Chas West on vocals doing his best Coverdale impression) thunders out of your speakers taking the bass bins with it.
Blue Murder are recalled with the rather excellent ‘Riot’ whilst there’s even a Black Sabbath mash up reflecting Vinny’s tenure on that particular drum stool.
Other highlights include ‘In The Nite’ (featuring Bumblefoot) and ‘War Cry’ featuring Whitesnake’s Joel Hoekstra.
This is a great debut and you can’t help thinking … bring on a live gig, given the twin legacy that is almost an A-Z of heavy rock. Nicely packaged, too, with digipak poster or double gatefold vinyl/CD. A belated album, maybe, but well worth the wait. ****
Review by David Randall
David Randall presents ‘Assume The Position’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio every Sunday at 22:00 GMT.
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 16 November 2025.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This 600th show was first broadcast on 18 November 2025
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025
We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.
Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections