Yearly Archives: 2018

Album review: AMANDA SHIRES – To The Sunset

Posted on July 21, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Silver Knife/ Thirty Tigers [Release date 03.08.18] I was impressed when Amanda Shires first featured on the GRTR! radar back in 2012 with her excellent Carrying Lightning album. In particular, her ‘Dolly Parton’ twang and vibrato, her haunting fiddle playing, … Continue reading →

Album review: ROY BUCHANAN – My Babe

Posted on July 20, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Angel Air Records [Release date 17.08.18] It wasn’t until the mid-1980s – and a series of albums for the Alligator label – that Roy Buchanan really found his calling on album: fiery, blues rock. Back in the 1970s when he … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, blues, guitar, guitarist, My Babe, reissue, review, rock, Roy Buchanan | Leave a comment

Gig review: THUNDER – Caerphilly Castle, Wales, 14 July 2018

Posted on July 20, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

When someone mentions Thunder in Wales it is more often than not followed by a downpour, it is Wales after all. However in the current hot weather boom there was no sign of the wet stuff, and thankfully this Thunder … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 14 July 2018, Caerphilly Castle, Cats In Space, Danny Bowes, Hand of Dimes, Luke Morley, rock, Thunder, Wales | Leave a comment

Album review: FATES WARNING – Live Over Europe

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Yiannis

Inside Out [Release date 29.06.18] A live album by Fates Warning is always a pretty welcoming proposition, as the US Prog Metal giants belong to that elite category of bands whose live performances outdo, in principal, those featured in … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: MOB RULES, MIKE VASS

Posted on July 19, 2018 by jason

MOB RULES Beast Reborn SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 24.08.18] Mob Rules have been around for awhile now and although never reaching the heights of popularity of some fellow power metal bands, they have built a large and loyal following. Their latest album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged albums, Beast Reborn, folk, melodic, metal, Mike Vass, Mob Rules, Notes From The Boat, power metal, review, rock, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

Album review: ALASCA – Plea For Peace

Posted on July 17, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

ALASCA Plea For Peace Good Deeds Music [Release date 03.08.18] Endorsed by both Bob Harris and Jan Akkerman, AlascA have to be something special, right? Well, the indie folk three piece – Frank Bond (songwriter, guitar, bass and vocals), Ferdinand … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alasca, album, Frank Bond, Plea For Peace, pop, review, rock | Leave a comment

Quick plays: AMANDA SOMERVILLE’S TRILLIUM, FLIGHT OF ICARUS

Posted on July 17, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

AMANDA SOMERVILLE’S TRILLIUM Tectonic Frontiers [Release date 08.06.18] The sophomore release by American-born, Dutch-based singer/songwriter Amanda Somerville’s symphonic metal project Trillium, is packed with melodies, riffs, solos and soaring vocals. The project’s well-received debut Alloy (2011) lead to support slots … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Amanda Somerville's Trillium, Flight Of Icarus, review, symphonic metal, Tectonic | Leave a comment

Album review : RSO (Richie Sambora & Orianthi) – Radio Free America

Posted on July 17, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

BMG [Release date 11.05.18] Frankly, I’ve never been totally convinced about Richie Sambora’s credibility as one of rock’s ‘great’ guitarists. His output since leaving Bon Jovi has been patchy, to say the best, and this latest offering, with current ‘squeeze’ … Continue reading →

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Gig review: VEGA – Camden Underworld, London, 7 July 2018

Posted on July 16, 2018 by andynathan

Vega are certainly putting in the hard yards to capitalise on their excellent new album ‘Only Human’ with arguably the UK’s leading contemporary melodic rock band playing an extensive tour, culminating in this London date. While they have yet to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 7 July 2018, AOR, Camden Underworld, gig, London, Marcus Thurston, melodic rock, Midnite City, Mikey Kew, Nick Workman, Rob Wylde, Vega | Leave a comment

Gig review: CORNBURY FESTIVAL – The Great Tew Estate, Oxfordhire, 14 July, 2018

Posted on July 16, 2018 by jason

After 14 years and appearances by some of the world’s biggest names in music the Cornbury Music Festival held its ‘last ever’ showcase of music and performances in July last year. However, barely three months after many fans asked for it … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 14 July 2018, Alanis Morissette, Cornbury Festival, country, folk, funk, gig, Mavis Staples, Oxfordshire, Pixie Lott, pop, PP Arnold, review, rock, soul, The Great Tew Park | Leave a comment

Album Review: FERNANDO PERDOMO – Out To Sea

Posted on July 13, 2018 by alanjones

Cherry Red Records [Release date: 04.05.18] There are not that many rock guitar players who can really carry off an instrumental album. Once you get beyond Satriani, Jeff Beck, Vai and Malmsteen the list tails off and, in the field … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dave Kerzner Band, Fernando Perdano, guitar, guitarist, Out To Sea, prog, Progressive Rock, review | Leave a comment

Quick plays: THE RED GOES BLACK, FISCHER’S FLICKER

Posted on July 13, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

THE RED GOES BLACK Fire Hold On Music [Release date 27.04.18] The fact this is proclaimed as a ‘nouvel’ album, and that the accompanying Press Release is in French, is a pretty good indication that The Red Goes Black are … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Fire, Fischer's Flicker, fusion, Open 28 Hours, prog, Progressive Rock, review, rock, Scott Fischer, The Red Goes Black | Leave a comment

Quick plays: FLAV MARTIN & JERRY MAROTTA, CHRIS THOMAS

Posted on July 13, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

FLAV MARTIN & JERRY MAROTTA Soul Redemption [Release date 01.03.18] This debut album from two of rock’s unheralded ‘side men’ blends modern adult rock and traditional world music. Over his career, Flav Martin has performed with David Crosby, Al Stewart, … Continue reading →

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Album review: DIAMANTE – Coming In Hot

Posted on July 13, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Better Noise Records [Release date 15.06.18] Mixing pop, alt and classic rock, the debut album of 21 year old LA-based Diamante Azzura Bovell’s (she’s of Mexican/ Italian parentage) is a humungous slice of 80′s influenced, American radio friendly, hard-hitting pop/rock. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Coming In Hot, Diamante, Halestorm, hard rock, pop, review | Leave a comment

Album review: THE KENTISH SPIRES – The Last Harvest

Posted on July 13, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 27.07.18] If not the epicentre of prog, Canterbury is nevertheless synonymous with the genre, and perhaps its spiritual home, spawning bands like Camel, Caravan and Soft Machine. Inspired by the Canterbury scene, and using recording techniques sympathetic to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Canterbury, Danny Chang, Fyreworks, Lucie V, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Rob Reed, The Kentish Spires, The Last Harvest | Leave a comment

Album review: CHRIS BEVINGTON ORGANISATION – Cut And Run

Posted on July 12, 2018 by petefeenstra

CBO Music UK [Release date: 13.05.18] It’s rare you come across a top class big band blues outfit with real pedigree when the front man is relatively speaking unknown, Stoke On Trent’s bass playing, vocalist Chris Bevington didn’t front a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bernie Marsden, blues, Chris Bevington, Chris Bevington Organisation, Cut And Run, Delbert McClinton, Jim Kirkpatrick, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Lance Lopez, Little Feat, review, rock, Scott Ralph, Steely Dan, Thorbjorn Risager &The Black Tornado, Walter Trout | Leave a comment

Album review: POWERWOLF – The Sacrament Of Sin

Posted on July 12, 2018 by jason

Napalm Records [Release date 20.07.18] Powerwolf are back with their seventh album, or as the band would put it their latest set of psalms! They have been building on their fanbase with each successive release and tour – they are … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Atilla Dorn, melodic, metal, Napalm Records, power metal, powerwolf, review, The Sacrament Of Sin | Leave a comment

Album review: THE KATE GEE BAND – Legacy

Posted on July 12, 2018 by petefeenstra

Tigga Records [Release date: 01.11.17] ‘Legacy’ has a profound meaning for vocalist Kate Gee and her band who saw their original producer Mike Dolan die half way through a project that took 5 years. And while Kate Gee’s ethereal phrasing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Bob Wilson, Carly Simon, Crispian St. Peter, Dave Gee, folk, James Taylor, jazz, John Broomhall, Joni Mitchell, Judie Tzuke, Kate Gee, Legacy, Mike Dolan, Patsy Gamble, Poli Palmer, review, Rob Mason, rock, Sandy Denny, The Kate Gee Band, vocal | Leave a comment

News: CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL – First Aid Kit and Patti Smith headline (2-5 August 2018)

Posted on July 11, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

On Sunday 15 July, in his weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, David Randall previewed the Folk Festival playing several tracks from some of the artists appearing at this year’s event (14:11) One of the longest established folk … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, NEWS | Tagged 2-5 August 2018, Americana, Cambridge Folk Festival, Cherry Hinton Hall, country, First Aid Kit, folk, Janis Ian, John Prine, Patti Smith, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: GLAS – Blue

Posted on July 10, 2018 by petefeenstra

The Last Music company [Release date 30.03.18] South Wales band Glas describe themselves as a: “blues rock n’ roll roots band”, which is a handy ‘catch all’ banner with which they explore their naturally eclectic style. Glas is that rare … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile) | Tagged album, Bill Kirchen, Blue, blues, boogie, Brian Setzer, Bruce Springsteen, Commader Cody, country, David John, Deke Leonard, George Harrison, Glas, guitar, James Oliver, Jason Ricci, John David, Love Sculpture, psychedelia, review, rock, rockabilly, Sam Andrew, SPARKS, Steve Gibbons, swing, The Yardbirds | Leave a comment

Album review: HAKEN – L-1ve

Posted on July 10, 2018 by Yiannis

Inside Out [Release date 20.06.18] UK prog metalers Haken have the world at their feet these days. Top ranking album reviews and in depth interviews adorn the pages of some of the most high profile music magazines such as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Haken, Inside Out, L-1ve, live album, meldoic, melodic, metal, progressive metal, review | Leave a comment

Album review: THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA – Sometimes The World Ain’t Enough

Posted on July 10, 2018 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 29.06.18] The Night Flight Orchestra return with their new album following hot on the heels of last year’s AOR-tastic ’Amber Galactic’. Any doubts that they maybe running low on catchy songs is soon dispelled by the immense … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bjorn Speed Strid, disco, melodic, melodic rock, Night Flight Orchestra, Nuclear Blast, review, rock, Sometimes The World Ain't Enough | Leave a comment

Album Review: YUKA AND CHRONOSHIP – Ship

Posted on July 8, 2018 by alanjones

Cherry Red Records [Release date 11.5.18] Yuka Funakoshi is a Japanese keyboard virtuoso who would certainly give any of Sherinian, Rudess or Norlander a run for their money and, together with her band of exceptional session men, Yuka and Chronoship … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Ship, Sonja Kristina, Yuka and Chronoship, Yuka Funakoshi | Leave a comment

Gig review: RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR – Day 2, Mote Park, Maidstone, 1 July 2018

Posted on July 7, 2018 by Davoski

The Cult - RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR - Day 2, Mote Park, Maidstone, 1 July 2018

Latest festival review ! (July 2019) The fourth renewal of this Classic, Southern, Blues and Prog festival had been brought forward by a month or so. It had also struggled to capture the imagination of many with its low-key roster. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 1 July 2018, Blackberry Smoke, Connor Selby Band, Fish, gig, GOLDRAY, Kris Barras Band, Laurence Jones, live, Mote Park, Ramblin' Man Fair, review, Sons Of Apollo, The Cult, The Last Internationale | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL ROMEO – War Of The Worlds, Pt. One

Posted on July 4, 2018 by petefeenstra

Music Theories Recordings [Release date 27.07.18] Former Symphony X guitarist Michael Romeo’s ‘War of the Worlds’ has very little to do with the enduring Jeff Wayne adaptation of the H.G. Wells classic sci-fi book. However, the title does give the … Continue reading →