Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Feature: Albums that time forgot … CODE OF SILENCE – Dark Skies Over Babylon

Posted on September 1, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Mausoleum Records (Europe) Rubicon (Japan) (2013) Described by GRTR! reviewer Alan Jones as ‘a truly genre-bending tour de force, which, whilst having melodic metal at its heart, makes frequent forays into the diverse worlds of progressive rock, heavy metal, shred … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums that time forgot, ALL POSTS, FEATURES | Tagged album, Ben Randall, classic rock, Code Of Silence, Dark Skies Over Babylon, Eden's Curse, feature, Gus Monsanto, John Clelland, Mausoleum Records, melodic, metal, Paul Logue, review, Scott McLean | Leave a comment

Album review: CONNOR BRACKEN AND THE MOTHER LEEDS BAND – Nightbird Motel

Posted on August 26, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 25.09.20] Based in Astbury Park, New Jersey, Connor Brand (lead guitar and vocals) has a whiff of a look of a young Springsteen. But hometown aside, that’s about where the similarities end – MLB being a blues rock … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alternative rock, Connor Bracken And The Mother Leeds Band, indie, Nightbird Motel, R&B, review | Leave a comment

Album review: TIGER MOTH TALES – Still Alive (CD/DVD)

Posted on August 26, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

White Knight Records [Release date 01.08.20] Not even lockdown can subdue Peter Jones. It seems only 5 minutes since he released A Visit To Zoetermeer, making Still Alive his second CD/DVD release in 3 months, but he also popped up … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, DVD, Peter Jones, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Still Alive, Tiger Moth Tales | Leave a comment

Album review: SHANNON LaBRIE – Building

Posted on August 26, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Moraine Records [Release date 25.09.20] Since when did just 7 songs make an ‘album’? And it’s not as if we’re talking prog – this is Americana. And just 27 minutes of it. But then we live in strange times. And … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Building, review, rock, roots, Shannon LaBrie, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Book review: On track…THE WHO (Every album, every song) – Geoffrey Feakes

Posted on August 12, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 17.08.20] One of the good things about any book like this, it encourages you to either dig out old vinyl or notice that you’ve missed something. In the case of The Who they released their latest … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, classic rock, Every Album, Every Song, Geoffrey Feakes, John Entwistle, Keith Moon, mod, On Track, Pete Townshend, pop, review, rock, Roger Daltery, THE WHO | Leave a comment

Book review: On track…DREAM THEATER (Every album, every song) – Jordan Blum

Posted on August 12, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 17.07.20] This volume reveals the strengths and weaknesses of the series’ premise. Jordan Blum’s careful expose of all the albums reveals how indebted he is to other writers, websites and magazines. And, let’s be honest, Wikipedia. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Dream Theater, Every Album, Every Song, James LaBrie, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, Mike Portnoy, On Track, progressive metal, review | Leave a comment

Feature: Albums that time forgot … BLACKTHORNE – Afterlife

Posted on August 12, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Music For Nations (1993) Graham Bonnet’s career started in the late 1960s with a conventional pop approach and early solo albums. It was only in 1979 when he came to Ritchie Blackmore’s attention as a potential frontman of Rainbow (replacing … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums that time forgot, ALL POSTS, FEATURES, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged Afterlife, album, Alcatrazz, Blackthorne, feature, Graham Bonnet, heavy metal, heavy rock, Jimmy Waldo, review | Leave a comment

Book review: On track…10cc and Godley & Creme (Every album, every song) – Peter Kearns

Posted on August 11, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 17.08.20] In the hot summer of 1976 I was checking roll-on roll-off cargo at Liverpool Docks and realised I was looking at a consignment of music gear. It turned out that 10cc were coming over from … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged 10CC, book, Eric Stewart, Godley & Creme, Graham Gouldman, Kevin Godley, Lol Creme, pop, pop rock, review | Leave a comment

Book review: On track…GENTLE GIANT (Every album, every song) – Gary Steel

Posted on August 11, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 17.08.20] The only time I saw Gentle Giant live was when they “supported” a film about Jimi Hendrix at Liverpool Stadium. Due to the poor PA system it was just cacophony. Giant’s music is so full … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Gary Steel, Gentle Giant, On Track, review | Leave a comment

Album review: LEGACY PILOTS – Aviation

Posted on August 10, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Laterne [Release date 23.07.20] I do find in these strange days of Lockdown I am automatically drawn to the unusual and the previously unknown in terms of bands and albums. Maybe even the underdog. And especially those that don’t necessarily … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Aviation, John Mitchell, Jordan Rudess, Legacy Pilots, Marco Minnemann, Pete Trevawas, pop, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Steve Morse | Leave a comment

Album review: STARING INTO NOTHING – Love

Posted on August 10, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Antares Records [Release date 13.03.20] Southern California based Staring Into Nothing – Steve Rogers (keys/vocals) and Kurt Barabas (bass/vocals/guitars) – are a highly melodic, mildly proggy, rock combo, who bring a wide range of guest musicians into the studio to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Gregg Bissonette, Love, Mike Keneally, progressive, review, rock, Staring Into Nothing | Leave a comment

Album review: NEAL SMITH – Pop 85/95

Posted on August 10, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Kachina Records [Release date 01.06.20] OK, hands up – greatest ‘garage’ band of all time? Easy – the ‘original’ Alice Cooper band. Under the tutelage of Bob Ezrin, they produced one of the finest rock albums of the 1970′s in … Continue reading →

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Album review: BEN REEL – The Nashville Calling

Posted on August 10, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Ceol Music [Release date 03.03.20] Recorded in Nashville, produced by Will Kimbrough and Tommy Womack, and featuring E Street Band’s Garry W Tallent on bass, Ben Reel’s 9th studio album finds him paying homage to The Boss. At least, in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Ben Reel, blues, review, roots, singer, songwriter, The Nashville Calling | Leave a comment

Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) October 2020 – December 2020

Posted on August 1, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Compiled by Jason Ritchie January – March 2020 April – June 2020 July – September 2020 October 2nd AMARANTHE ‘Manifest’ Nuclear Blast BLACKFIELD ‘For The Music’ Parlophone Records BON JOVI ‘Bon Jovi 2020′ Island (postponed from May) BRUFORD ‘Rock Goes … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases) | Tagged 20/20, album, AOR, Bluray, CD, December, DVD, heavy rock, melodic rock, metal, New releases, November, October, progressive, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: L.SHANKAR – Chepleeri Dream

Posted on July 31, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Cleopatra Records [Release date 26.06.20] When you have heavyweights such as Chester Thompson and Tony Levin featuring prominently in the credits you expect that the album in front of you may be of a certain standard, or at least a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Chepleeri Dream, Chester Thompson, funk, jazz, Jonathan Davis, L.Shankar, review, Scott Page, Tony Levin | Leave a comment

Album review: Q-BIZM – Corduroy Shorts

Posted on July 26, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 15.05.20] The retro flavour of this album might be detected in the tongue-in-cheek title. Yeah, baby, yeah. This is only the Italian band’s second album after forming originally back in 1996. Their debut album came in 2003, 15 … Continue reading →

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Album review: GLENN HUGHES – Official Bootleg Box Set Volume 3, 1995-2010

Posted on July 23, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Cherry Red Records [Release date 31.07.20] 6-CD set A trove of previously unreleased Glenn Hughes’ live material – 19 CDs’ worth – has been released by Cherry Red Records over the last two years. Calling them “Official Bootlegs” has an … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 1995-2010, album, box set, Deep Purple, funk, gigs, Glenn Hughes, hard rock, heavy rock, live, Official Bootleg Box Set Volume 3, review, Trapeze | Leave a comment

Album review: WHITE LION – All You Need Is Rock’n'Roll – The Complete Albums 1985-91

Posted on July 23, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Cherry Red [Release date 28.08.20] 5-CD set The Cherry Red label has established a reputation for moving across genres in resurrecting high quality material, suitable for repackaging and reissuing. With this one, they’ve recognised one of the classiest, if short … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, All You Need Is Rock'n'Roll - The Complete Albums 1985-91, box set, hair metal, Mike Tramp, pop metal, review, White Lion | Leave a comment

Book review: STEVE HACKETT – A Genesis In My Bed

Posted on July 12, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Wymer Publishing [Publication date 24.07.20] It was perhaps inevitable: riding the crest of the prog resurgence, repurposing classic Genesis in front of insatiable crowds, and making well received solo albums. And now, the book! Steve Hackett traces his journey from … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged A Genesis In My Bed, autobiography, book, Genesis, guitar, guitarist, prog, Progressive Rock, Steve Hackett | Leave a comment

News: Albums of the Month (April 2020 – June 2020)

Posted on July 4, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

KATATONIA City Burials Peaceville Records …what we are dealing with here is a flawless piece of work one that both critics and fans of the band will refer to as a classic in years to come. Brilliant just brilliant! ***** … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged 20/20, albums of the month, April, Bad Touch, blues, blues rock, classic rock, hard rock, House of Lords, jazz funk, June, Katatonia, Lettuce, May, melodic rock, Myrath, Ronan Furlong, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) July 2020 – September 2020

Posted on July 4, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Compiled by Jason Ritchie January – March 2020 April – June 2020 October – December 2020 July 1st DOMINATION BLACK ‘Judgement IV’ Pride & Joy Music THE QUIREBOYS ‘A Bit Of What You Fancy’ (re-recorded debut album) 3rd WEATHER REPORT … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases) | Tagged 20/20, album, AOR, August, Bluray, CD, DVD, heavy rock, July, melodic rock, metal, New releases, progressive, rock, September | Leave a comment

Album review: PAUL KANTNER, GRACE SLICK & DAVID FREIBERG – Baron Von Tollboth And The Chrome Nun

Posted on June 30, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Esoteric [Release date: 27.3.20] By the early ’70s, a plethora of side projects accompanied the gentle coming-to-earth of Jefferson Airplane. A banner for socially-conscious psych-spiked folk rock, the San Franciscan ensemble was unassembling, its members distracted, often by themselves, and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Leave a comment

Feature: Call Collect – An introduction to STEVE HACKETT

Posted on June 29, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Steve Hackett Liverpool Philharmonic Hall 7th May 2017 photo Steve Goudie 27

Alan Jones and David Randall chart the rise and revival of progmeister par excellence, Steve Hackett When we reviewed the Steve Hackett gig in October 2013 following the release of the second Genesis Revisited album, Pete Whalley summed things up. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Call Collect, FEATURES, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged discography, feature, Genesis, guide, interview, introduction, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Steve Hackett | Leave a comment

Album review: EBBA BERGKVIST & THE FLAT TIRE BAND – Spilt Milk

Posted on June 27, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 29.05.20] The debut album from Ebba Bergkvist & The Flat Tire Band – a Stockholm based, blues rock band featuring Ebba Bergkvist (vocals, guitar), Adam Randolph (drums), Erik Edgren (guitar)and Björn Korning (bass) – offers a bewildering smogasboard … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues rock, Ebba Bergkvist & The Flat Tire Band, review, rock, roots, Spilt Milk | Leave a comment

Album review: THUNDERMOTHER – Heat Wave

Posted on June 27, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

AFM Records [Release date 31.07.20] Heat Wave – Thundermother’s fourth album – finds the no frills, all-female, Swedish, rock ‘n’ raunchers still in line-up transition. With all bar founder member/guitarist/songwriter Filippa Nässil quitting the band after touring their 2015 sophomore … Continue reading →