Author Archives: andynathan

Album review: GROUNDBREAKER

Posted on October 17, 2018 by andynathan

Frontiers [Release Date 14.09.18] While FM have come back better and more consistently diverse than ever, notably with this year’s ‘Atomic Generation’, many of the AOR purists among their fanbase still hanker for a repeat of their 1986 debut ‘Indiscreet’. … Continue reading →

Album review: TREAT- Tunguska

Posted on October 17, 2018 by andynathan

Release Date 14.09.18 Elder statesmen of the thriving Scandinavian melodic rock scene Treat have, since reforming, pursued an updated sound rather than just revisit past glories. But unlike their great contemporaries Europe, they have done so without losing touch with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, Anders Wikstrom, melodic rock, Patrick Appelgren, Robert Ernlund, Treat | Leave a comment

Gig review: PUNKY MEADOWS AND FRANK DIMINO (Angel) – Camden Underworld, London, 13 October 2018

Posted on October 17, 2018 by andynathan

PUNKY MEADOWS AND FRANK DIMINO OF ANGEL - Camden Underworld, London, 13 October 2018

Back in the late seventies, when news travelled a lot slower than in today’s globalised world, the average British rock fan was mainly reared on home grown bands with the odd colonial interloper like AC/DC and Rush. American hard rock … Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 13 October 2018, Angel, Camden Underworld, Frank Dimino, gig, Heavy Pettin', London, melodic rock, Punky Meadows, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: KEE MARCELLO – Camden Underworld, London, 12 October 2018

Posted on October 16, 2018 by andynathan

Thirty years ago Europe proved The Final Countdown was no flash in the pan by recording their follow up album Out Of This World. Having played its predecessor to death, I was initially underwhelmed, but over the years it has … Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 12 October 2018, Camden Underworld, Europe, gig, Kee Marcello, London, melodic rock, Out Of This World, P-O Nilsson, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: MARTIN TURNER – Boom Boom Club, Sutton, 5 October 2018

Posted on October 10, 2018 by andynathan

2018 is seeing a concerted attempt to cement the Wishbone Ash legacy. A box set that sets a new benchmark of comprehensiveness and packaging, attracted renewed interest in the band’s underappreciated back catalogue. Meantime, founder member Martin Turner, having milked … Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Boom Boom Club, classic rock, Danny Willson, gig, Martin Turner, Misha Nikolic, review, Tim Brown, Wishbone Ash | Leave a comment

Album review: AIRRACE- Untold Stories

Posted on September 28, 2018 by andynathan

Frontiers [Release date 10.08.18] A third Airrace album in their off-and-on 35 year existence looked unlikely when guitarist and band leader Laurie Mansworth put the band on ice a few years back to concentrate on managing The Treatment, and even … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged Adam Payne, Airrace, album, AOR, Laurie Mansworth, Linda Kelsey Foster, melodic rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE QUIREBOYS – 02 Forum, London, 14 September 2018

Posted on September 18, 2018 by andynathan

Playing a classic album in its entirety is now such a well established concert concept that bands are having to approach it a little differently. The Quireboys already did this many years ago to mark 20 years of ‘A Bit … Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Aaron Buchanan and the Cult Classics, Erik Gronwall, gig, Guy Griffin, H.E.A.T., Homewreckers and Heartbreakers, Keith Weir, Paul Guerin, Quireboys, review, Spike, Those Damn Crows | Leave a comment

Gig review: Q5 – Camden Underworld, London, 25 August 2018

Posted on September 1, 2018 by andynathan

Q5 were one of the names those of us who read ‘Kerrang!’ cover to cover or visited Shades Records raved about in the mid-eighties, their debut ‘Steel The Light’ an outstanding piece of powerful yet melodic metal. But whereas their … Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 25 August 2018, Camden Underworld, Dennis Turner, Evan Sheely, gig, hard rock, James Nelson, Jonathan K, New World Order, Q5, review, Steel the Light | Leave a comment

Album review: GIOELI CASTRONOVO- Set the World on Fire

Posted on August 27, 2018 by andynathan

Release Date 13.07.18 Frontiers latest all-star combination reunites two members of Hardline- singer Johnny Gioeli, the one constant in their line up to the present day, and drummer Deen Castronovo who played on their debut, in between his service with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, Alessandro Delvecchio, AOR, Deen Castronovo, Hardline, Johnny Gioeli, melodic rock | Leave a comment

Album review: CLIF MAGNESS- Lucky Dog

Posted on August 26, 2018 by andynathan

Release Date 13.07.18 Clif (short for Clifton) Magness may not be a household name, but is one of those respected songwriters essential to the music business. His collaborations have covered artists as diverse as Steve Perry and Avril Lavigne, co-writing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, AOR, Clif Magness, melodic rock, Robin Beck | Leave a comment

Gig review: IRON MAIDEN – 02 Arena, London, 10 August 2018

Posted on August 17, 2018 by andynathan

Photo: Andy Nathan It would not be an exaggeration to describe Iron Maiden as the people’s band. They inspire remarkable loyalty among their vast army of fans – I don’t think I have never seen a higher percentage of gig … Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 10 August 2018, Adrian Smith, Bruce Dickinson, Dave Murray, gig, heavy metal, Iron Maiden, Janick Gers, Legacy of the Beast, London, O2 Arena, review, Steve Harris | Leave a comment

Gig review: GREAT BRITISH BEER FESTIVAL (Planet Rock Stage) – Olympia, London, 9 August 2018

Posted on August 14, 2018 by andynathan

Broken Witt Rebels - GREAT BRITISH BEER FESTIVAL - Olympia, London, 9 August 2018

While musical entertainment has been supplied for many years at the Great British Beer Festival, it has tended to be a bit ‘end of the pier’, whether it be oompah bands or covers acts. However this year the penny finally … Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Bad Touch, blues rock, Broken Witt Rebels, classic rock, Danny Bryant, festival, Fireroad, gig, Great British Beer Festival, Mollie Marriott, Planet Rock, review, The Dust Coda | Leave a comment

Album review: SUNSTORM- The Road to Hell

Posted on August 13, 2018 by andynathan

(Release Date 08.06.18) The Sunstorm studio projects, now over a decade old, can be viewed in two distinct phases. A vehicle for legendary singer Joe Lynn Turner, the first three records were a showcase for his more AOR side with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Joe Lynn Turner, melodic rock, Sunstorm | Leave a comment

Gig review: DEL AMITRI – Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, 26 July 2018

Posted on July 31, 2018 by andynathan

Back in the nineties Del Amitri were chart regulars, the Scots’ wryly bittersweet but cleverly structured, melodic songs making them one of the few bright spots in a bleak musical climate, at least for me. But the new millennium has … Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Andy Alston, classic rock, Del Amitri, gig, Iain Harvie, Justin Currie, Kris Dollimore, review, Trashcan Sinatras | Leave a comment

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: STONE FREE FESTIVAL – Day 2 – 02 Arena, London, 17 June 2018

Posted on June 25, 2018 by andynathan

Anderson, Rabin & Wakeman - STONE FREE FESTIVAL- DAY 2 - 02 Arena, London, 17 June 2018

If day one of Stone Free exhibited classic rock at its heaviest and loudest, the Sunday – at least in the main O2 Arena- had a more progressive and thoughtful bent to it. However the Orange Amps stage was still … Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 17 June, Anathema, Anderson Rabin Wakeman, Bad Flowers, festival, gig, Ginger Wildheart, Jared James Nichols, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Jon Anderson, London, O2 Arena, prog, Progressive Rock, Richie Kotzen, Rick Wakeman, Roger Hodgson, Stone Free, Stone Wire, Supertramp, Trevor Rabin, Tyketto, Yes | Leave a comment

Gig review: BRYAN ADAMS – SSE Arena, Wembley, London, 30 May 2018

Posted on June 5, 2018 by andynathan

When Bryan Adams released his ‘Ultimate’ album last year, I wondered wearily whether the world really needed yet another compilation to add to his catalogue, as there surely can be few potential fans left unaware of the best known elements … Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 30 May 2018, AOR, Bryan Adams, Canada, gig, Keith Scott, London, pop rock, review, SSE Arena, Wembley | Leave a comment

Album review: PERFECT PLAN – All Rise

Posted on June 2, 2018 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release Date 20.04.18] The melodic rock world capital of Scandinavia is giving birth to an endless stream of bands- alongside now established names like H.E.A.T. and Eclipse, hardly a month goes by without a promising new band emerging … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, All Rise, AOR, Kent Hilli, melodic rock, Perfect Plan | Leave a comment

Album review: VEGA – Only Human

Posted on June 2, 2018 by andynathan

Release Date 11.05.18 British melodic rock standard bearers Vega are not ones to let the grass grow under their feet, this being their fifth album since 2010. Its predecessor ‘Who We Are’ was their most consistently convincing yet and indeed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, Marcus Thurston, melodic rock, Nick Workman, Only Human, Vega | Leave a comment

Album review: NO HOT ASHES – s/t

Posted on May 1, 2018 by andynathan

Frontiers [Release date 23.03.18] They never made it back in the eighties, despite a big reputation in their native Northern Ireland, but No Hot Ashes have been festival favourites for the last few years and finally make it to an … Continue reading →