Author Archives: andynathan

Album review: VEGA – Who We Are

Posted on May 22, 2016 by andynathan

Frontiers [Release Date 13.05.16] Standard bearers for a new breed of melodic rock that marries the big hooks of the genre’s heyday with more contemporary arrangements and production, Vega have stood the test of time, this being their fourth album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best Of 2016 | Tagged album, Harry Hess, James Martin, melodic rock, Nick Workman, review, Tom Martin, Vega, Who We Are | Leave a comment

Album review: SUNSTRIKE- Ready To Strike

Posted on May 22, 2016 by andynathan

AOR Heaven [Release Date 20.05.16] It seems to be par for the course for Scandinavian musicians from a heavier background to create new side projects to indulge their love of more commercial melodic rock. Following in the footsteps of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Astral Doors, hard rock, melodic rock, Ready To Strike, review, Sunstrike | Leave a comment

Album review: PJ FARLEY – Boutique Sound Frames

Posted on May 11, 2016 by andynathan

Melodic Rock Records [Release Date 20.05.16] Hot on the heels of Trixter’s acclaimed ‘Human Era’ album which was one of 2015’s unexpected treats, bassist PJ Farley has released his debut album, although judging from an album cover in which his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alternative rock, melodic rock, PJ Farley, review, Steve Brown, Trixter | Leave a comment

Gig review: BRYAN ADAMS – Bournemouth International Centre, 29 April 2016

Posted on May 3, 2016 by andynathan

After a few years either commemorating landmark albums or playing acoustic shows, Bryan Adams was back on a more conventional tour of his adopted home country in support of last year’s ‘Get Up’ album, which was a return to form … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 29 April 2016, AOR, Bournemouth International Centre, Bryan Adams, Gary Breit, gig, Keith Scott, melodic rock, Micky Curry, review, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: JEFF LYNNE’S ELO – 02 Arena, London, 20 April 2016

Posted on April 28, 2016 by andynathan

For most of the past 30 years the notion that the Electric Light Orchestra would be selling out a 14 date UK arena tour would have seemed preposterous. Always derided by critics and seen as uncool, since their creative juices … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Electric Light Orchestra, ELO, gig, Jeff Lynne, Mike Stevens, pop rock, review, Richard Tandy, soft rock | Leave a comment

Album review: TREAT- Ghost Of Graceland

Posted on April 27, 2016 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release date 15.04.16] One of the pioneers, alongside the more famous Europe, of the definitive Scandinavian sound, Treat’s 2010 return ‘Coup de Grace’ features prominently in many lists of the best melodic rock albums of the last decade. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Ghost of Graceland, melodic rock, review, Robert Ernlund, Scandinavia, Sweden, Treat | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DEFIANTS – The Defiants

Posted on April 27, 2016 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release Date 15.04.16] The Paul Laine era of Danger Danger, where the Canadian singer kept the flag flying during the wilderness years before the charismatic Ted Poley returned, is often unfairly neglected, not least in the band’s own … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bruno Ravel, Danger Danger, Defiants, Frontiers Records, melodic rock, Paul Laine, review, Rob Marcello | Leave a comment

Gig review: TOSELAND, Borderline, London – 22 March 2016

Posted on March 24, 2016 by andynathan

With the release of a second album ‘Cradle The Rage’, former motorcycle world champion James Toseland has surely laid to rest any suggestions his musical career might be a gimmick, certainly on the evidence of what seemed to be a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 22 March 2016, Borderline, Colour Of Noise, gig, hard rock, James Toseland, Little Angels, London, review, rock, Toseland | Leave a comment

Gig review: BLACK STONE CHERRY, SHINEDOWN, HALESTORM – SSE Arena, Wembley, London, 4 February 2016

Posted on February 18, 2016 by andynathan

Gig review: CARNIVAL OF MADNESS (BLACK STONE CHERRY, SHINEDOWN, HALESTORM) - SSE Arena, Wembley, London, 4 February 2016

‘The Carnival of Madness’, a well known USA touring concept which brings together three or four like-minded bands from the newer generation, was making a first trip to these shores, but the personnel involved were in very familiar circumstances. Black … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Ben Wells, Black Stone Cherry, Brent Smith, Carnival of Madness, Chris Robertson, gig, Halestorm, hard rock, Highly Suspect, John Fred Young, Jon Lawhon, Lzzy Hale, Shinedown, southern rock, Wembley Arena, Zach Myers | Leave a comment

Gig review: JUST SAY YES/ARFM MELODIC ROCK FUNDRAISER – The Spot, Derby, 30 January 2016

Posted on February 12, 2016 by andynathan

Now in its second year, the ‘Just Say Yes’ and ARFM charity melodic rock fundraiser was a must on several grounds. First of all, in its own right as raising a substantial amount for a charity supporting young people with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 30 January 2016, AOR, Blood Red Saints, Derby, Fahran, festival, gig, Hand of Dimes, Just Say Yes, Lifeline, melodic rock, Melodic Rock Fundraiser, NEWMAN, No Hot Ashes, The Spot | Leave a comment

Album review: RESURRECTION KINGS

Posted on February 9, 2016 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release date 29.01.16] Frontiers new project sees former Dio guitarist Craig Goldy continue his return to the spotlight following Giuffria’s poorly received and presumably short lived reunion at Rockingham. This time he has teamed up with a line … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged blues rock, Chas West, Craig Goldy, Dio, Frontiers, melodic rock, Resurrection Kings, Sean MacNabb, Vinny Appice | Leave a comment

Album review: NORDIC UNION

Posted on February 9, 2016 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release date 29.01.16] Lead singer of Eclipse, whose ‘Armageddonize’ album was GRTR!’s second best melodic rock album of 2015, Erik Martensson is one of the most prolific, not to say talented, figures in his field. The latest in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Eclipse, Erik Martensson, Frontiers Records, melodic rock, Nordic Union, Pretty Maids, W.E.T. | Leave a comment

Gig review: CATS IN SPACE – Half Moon, Putney, London, 6 January 2016

Posted on January 11, 2016 by andynathan

One of the more left field bands that emerged in 2015 were the oddly named Cats In Space, with their affectionate homage to the seventies and in particular the lush soft rock sounds of the latter half of the decade … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Andy Stewart, Cats In Space, Dean Howard, gig, Greg Hart, Jeff Brown, Paul Manzi, pomp rock, review, soft rock, Too Many Gods | Leave a comment

Album review: KHYMERA- The Grand Design

Posted on December 27, 2015 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release Date 04.12.15) Khymera have now released four albums under a variety of line ups. I must admit the only one I bought was their 2003 debut which had the ‘production line’ trademarks of too many melodic rock … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, Dennis Ward, Erik Ragno, Frontiers Records, Khymera, melodic rock | Leave a comment

Album review: BLOOD RED SAINTS- S/T

Posted on December 27, 2015 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release Date 4.12.15) One of 2014’s unexpected surprises in the world of melodic rock was a very impressive debut by Brits In Faith, unleashing a real vocal find in Pete Godfrey. They seem to have had a short … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, Blood Red Saints, Frontiers Records, Lee Revill, melodic rock, Pete Godfrey, Pete Newdeck | Leave a comment

DVD review: NAZARETH- No Means of Escape

Posted on December 25, 2015 by andynathan

Eagle Entertainment (Release Date 23.10.15) This is one DVD that I fully expected to end up on the proverbial cutting room floor. 12 months ago I attended the filming of a special Nazareth live show at Metropolis Studios in front … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged Dan McCafferty, documentary, DVD, Linton Osbourne, Nazareth, Pete Agnew, Rodney Matthews | Leave a comment

Gig review: BLACK STAR RIDERS – Scala, London, 11 December 2015

Posted on December 20, 2015 by andynathan

Quite apart from being one of the best of the current crop of bands, there can surely be no harder working outfit than Black Star Riders. A Spring tour, Summer festival appearances and opening for the Def Leppard and Whitesnake … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 11 December 2015, Black Star Riders, Damon Johnson, gig, hard rock, London, review, Ricky Warwick, Scala, Scott Gorham, Thin Lizzy | Leave a comment

Gig review: DEEP PURPLE – 02 Arena, London, 3 December 2015

Posted on December 12, 2015 by andynathan

One of the first lessons I ever learned in rock school was it was an (un?)holy British trinity of Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple who effectively invented heavy rock, or heavy metal as it was later badged. You … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 02 Arena, 3 December 2015, classic rock, Deep Purple, Don Airey, gig, Ian Gillan, Ian Paice, London, Now What?!, review, Roger Glover, Scot Holliday, Steve Morse | Leave a comment

Gig review: INGLORIOUS – Gibson Guitar Studios, London, 19 November 2015

Posted on November 26, 2015 by andynathan

An increasing buzz seems to be building around Inglorious as a significant new force on the UK rock scene. Though 2016 will see their official bow with a debut album, tour with The Winery Dogs and headline shows, this was … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Andreas Eriksson, Frontiers Records, Gibson Guitars, gig, hard rock, Inglorious, Nathan James, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: SNAKECHARMER – Islington Academy, 13 November 2015

Posted on November 23, 2015 by andynathan

None of us knew it at the time, but Snakecharmer’s winter tour, including this London date, proved to be Micky Moody’s farewell to the band, leaving them in a state of flux. On the night however it was a night … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Bad Touch, blues rock, Chris Ousey, gig, hard rock, Harry James, Islington Academy, Laurie Wisefield, Micky Moody, Neil Murray, review, Snakecharmer, Thunder, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

DVD review: LYNYRD SKYNYRD- Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd and Second Helping Live from Jacksonville at the Florida Theatre

Posted on November 22, 2015 by andynathan

Eagle Rock [Release date 23.10.15] CD/DVD/Bluray Live DVD’s from the post reformation Skynyrd have been a dime a dozen, but this latest release has an interesting twist to justify its existence. Rather than a standard Greatest Hits show, they took … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, CD, DVD, Gary Rossington, Johnny Van Zant, Live from Jacksonville at the Florida Theatre, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Mark Matejka, Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd, review, Ricky Medlocke, Second Helping, southern rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: MARTIN TURNER – Boom Boom Club, Sutton, 30 October 2015

Posted on November 13, 2015 by andynathan

Ten years ago, it was in this very Football Club clubhouse in suburban South London that Wishbone Ash founder bassist and vocalist Martin Turner came in from the cold and launched a new line-up playing Wishbone’s catalogue. His return here … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Boom Boom Club, Danny Willson, gig, Martin Turner, Misha Nikolic, review, Tim Brown, Wishbone Ash, Written in the Stars | Leave a comment

Gig review: ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL – Rock City, Nottingham, 23-25 October 2015

Posted on November 8, 2015 by andynathan

Santa Cruz - Rockingham Festival, Nottingham, 23-25 October 2015

Ten great years of melodic rock festivals at Nottingham’s Rock City seemed to have come to an emotional end with the final ever Firefest last year. However just 12 months on with the Rock City organisation having taken on the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 23-25 October 2015, Ammunition, AOR, Care of Night, Cinderella, Dan Reed Network, Dokken, Eclipse, Electric Boys, festival, gig, Giuffria, Gotthard, Issa, Jim Peterik, Last Autumn’s Dream, melodic rock, No Hot Ashes, Nottingham, review, Robby Valentine, Robert Tepper, Rock City, Rockingham, Romeo's Daughter, Royal Hunt, Santa Cruz, Serpentine, STAN BUSH, Survivor, TOM KEIFER, Vega | Leave a comment

Album review: STRYPER – Fallen

Posted on October 12, 2015 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release date 16.10.15] Few bands can have been subject to such misconceptions as Stryper. The overt way they wore their Christian faith on their distinctive yellow and black sleeves divided opinion when they emerged in the eighties and, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Christian rock, hard rock, Michael Sweet, Oz Fox, review, Stryper | Leave a comment

Album review: VOODOO HILL- Waterfall

Posted on October 12, 2015 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release date 16.10.15] Something of a blast from the past, the last of two Voodoo Hill albums was way back in 2004. While the brainchild of Italian guitarist Dario Mollo, for most fans however the interest will be … Continue reading →