Author Archives: jason

Album review: CLAIRE VINE – We Carve Our Path

Posted on February 10, 2026 by jason

Website [Release date 13.03.26] To release an album with no noticeable instruments, you must either be very brave or very established. I think Claire Vine is a bit of both. She has established herself as part of the psych folk band … Continue reading →

Album review: BROOKS WILLIAMS AND AARON CATLOW – Working In Wood

Posted on February 9, 2026 by jason

BROOKS WILLIAMS AND AARON CALLOW - Working In Wood

Website A fiddle, an acoustic guitar, two voices and an upright bass – a winner for Americana some might say, including this reviewer. Played live in the studio this ten track album is a great intro to Brooks Williams and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Aaron Catlow, acoustic, album, Brooks Williams, folk, instrumental, jazz, review, traditional, Working In Wood | Leave a comment

Album review: DENNIS CHURCHILL-DRIES – Crazy Is This Life

Posted on February 3, 2026 by jason

AOR Blvd Records [Release date 30.01.26] Former White Sister and Tattoo Rodeo vocalist Dennis Churchill-Dries is back with another album packed full of classy melodic rock. He’s joined by Steve Newman on guitar and keys, along with Newman drummer Rob … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, AOR Blvd Records, Dennis Churchill Dries, hard rock, melodic rock, review, rock, Steve Newman, Tattoo Rodeo, White Sister | Leave a comment

EP review: LEAVES’ EYES – Song of Darkness

Posted on February 2, 2026 by jason

Reigning Pheonix Music [Release date 06.03.26] Leaves’ Eyes have been around since 2003 and still feature vocalist (growls), keyboards player and producer Alexander Krull, with Finnish soprano Elina Siirala fronting the band since 2016. The EP also marks the recording … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Alexander Krull, Elina Siirala, EP, Leaves' Eyes, melodic metal, metal, review, Song of Darkness, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

Album review: GOTTHARD – More Stereo Crush

Posted on February 2, 2026 by jason

Reigning Pheonix Music [Release date 13.03.26] Gotthard released ‘Stereo Crush’ last year and now have a follow on eight-track EP. Five songs are previously unreleased from the ‘Stereo Crush’ sessions, ‘Mayday’ had only been available as a video, and there … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Gotthard, hard rock, KROKUS, Marc Storace, melodic hard rock, More Stereo Crush, review | Leave a comment

Single review: JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR – Hell Or High Water

Posted on January 28, 2026 by jason

Website “Can I help you sir?” “Yes I’d like some gospel blues served up with a soupçon of acoustic guitar and banjo, with lashings and lashings of raunchy electric guitar and topped off with an economic but searing guitar solo” … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged blues, blues rock, guitarist, Hell or High Water, Joanne Shaw Taylor, review, single, soul | Leave a comment

Book review: WOODCUT – THE MAKING AND THE MEANING by Andy Stuart

Posted on January 28, 2026 by jason

Kingmaker Publishing [Publication date 06.02.26] Written to accompany the new album from Big Big Train, ‘Woodcut – The Making And The Meaning’ follows the gestation of what would result in the Progressive Rock band’s first concept album, through to the early … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Alberto Bravin, album, Andy Stuart, Big Big Train, book, Clare Lindley, Greg Spawton, prog, prog rock, progressive, Progressive Rock, review, WOODCUT – THE MAKING AND THE MEANING | Leave a comment

News: AEROSMITH, SAVATAGE, CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL (February 2026)

Posted on January 27, 2026 by jason

SUZI QUATRO-London Palladium, 15 November 2023

Acid Reign will release a new album ‘Daze Of The Week’ on May 15. Aerosmith release ‘Aerosmith (Legendary Edition)’ on March 20 as a limited-edition deluxe 5LP box, a 4LP slipcase, black and colour vinyl, 3CD, CD, and digital. Steven Tyler and Joe … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, Listening Post, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged Aerosmith, albums, AOR, blues, Cambridge Folk Festival, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, Savatage, special editions, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review: PHIL THORNALLEY – Stacked

Posted on January 25, 2026 by jason

Facebook [Release date 23.01.26] Here at GRTR! Towers we love the work of Phil Thornalley, be it his solo pop/power rock delights or with Astral Drive, a band whose albums should be in any self-respecting music lover’s collection. On his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Casey Shea, melodic rock, Phil Thornalley, pop punk, pop rock, power pop, review, Stacked | Leave a comment

.Album review: AMY HOPWOOD – Gone to Flowers

Posted on January 25, 2026 by jason

Website [Release date 19,02.26] When I first put this album on I thought you’ve got to be joking, its just a bunch of nursery rhymes sung by a little girl. But then I thought of Ivor Cutler, a strange old … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Amy Hopwood, folk, Gone to Flowers, Ivor Culter, John Peel, melodic, quirky, review, traditional music | Leave a comment

EP review: SAM CARTER – Oakham Poachers

Posted on January 25, 2026 by jason

Website [Release date 05.12.26] Sam Carter is a BBC Folk Award winning finger picking singer songwriter, who has travelled the world playing his narrative rich songs. He carries on this fifteen year tradition with five songs on this EP. He … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged EP, folk, guitarist, Jean Ritchie, Oakham Poachers, review, Sam Carter, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Gig review: ELLES BAILEY – Wax and Beans, Bury, 19 January 2026

Posted on January 23, 2026 by jason

This is my first time attending one of these intimate record shop gigs, and what a delight it was. Elles Bailey, with her acoustic guitarist and best friend Demi Marriner in front of an audience of around fifty people. It … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 19 January 2026, blues, Bury, Can't Take My Story Away, Demi Marriner, Elles Bailey, gig, melodic, review, singer, soul, Wax and Beans | Leave a comment

Gig review: PAULIE BOY BLUES – The Eagle Inn, Manchester, 23 January 2026

Posted on January 23, 2026 by jason

Coincidentally, I have been thinking recently, where are all the up and coming guitar heroes? Starting in the late 60’s, early 70’s your favourite band would always have a guitar hero wouldn’t it, Ritchie Blackmore, Tony Iommi, Jimi Hendrix, Eric … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 23 January 2026, gig, guitarist, Jimi Hendrix, Manchester, Paulie Boy Blues, review, The Eagle Inn | Leave a comment

Album review: SEAN TAYLOR – First Light

Posted on January 23, 2026 by jason

Website [Release date 06.02.26] Multi instrumentalist and prolific songwriter Sean Taylor releases his fourteenth album First Light, full of eclecticity and surprises. His voice, reminiscent of JJ Cale is a pleasing toned whisper, blending well with the mostly acoustic backing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, First Light, folk, review, Sean Taylor, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: THE HARA – The Fallout

Posted on January 20, 2026 by jason

Mascot Records [Release date 23.01.26] This album from The Hara tackles mental health struggles and subjects of toxicity and self-doubt along with the pitfalls of the industry on their journey. Channelling this into their livewire performances has seen them pick up … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alt metal, indie, Mascot records, metal, review, The Fallout, the Hara | Leave a comment

Album review: VARIOUS – With A Little Help From My Friends, A Tribute To Matt Long

Posted on January 19, 2026 by jason

Website [Release date 20.03.26] Only the good die young they say, and bluesman Matt Long must have been a real good guy judging by the amount of artists offering their services on this tribute album. This list includes Joe Bonamassa, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Tribute To Matt Long, album With A Little Help From My Friends, blues, Catfish, charity, Elles Bailey, fundraiser, guitarist, he Royal Surrey County Hospital, Jac Shultz, Joe Bonamassa, review, The Cinelli Bros, Walter Trout | Leave a comment

Album review: BIG BIG TRAIN – Woodcut

Posted on January 16, 2026 by jason

InsideOut Music [Release date 06.02.26] Woodcut is the sixteenth studio album from Big Big Train, the progressive rock band originally formed back in 1990. It sees a band that has had more than its fair share of line up changes … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alberto Bravin, album, Big Big Train, Greg Spawton, melodic, Nick D’Virgilio, prog rock, progressive, review, Rikard Sjoblom, Woodcut | Leave a comment

Quick plays: AVALANCHE, UUHAI

Posted on January 11, 2026 by jason

AVALANCHE Armed to the Teeth [Release date 13.02.26] Avalanche are husband & wife duo Steven Campbell on lead vocals & bass, and Veronica ‘V’ Campbell on lead guitar, who are joined by Blake Poulton on rhythm guitar and drummer Bon … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged AC/DC, album, Armed to the Teeth, Avalanche, classic rock, folk, Human Herds, indie, metal, Quick Plays, review, rock, The Hu, traditional, Uuhai | Leave a comment

Album review: PETRA – Hope

Posted on January 5, 2026 by jason

Girder Records [Release date 12.01.26] 2026 could well be the year of the comeback and one highly anticipated is this new album from Petra, their first studio album since 2003’s ‘Jekyll & Hyde’. Petra have been touring on and off … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bob Hartman, Christian rock, Hope, John Schlitt, melodic rock, Petra, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: ZOE SCHWARZ – Colourful House

Posted on January 2, 2026 by jason

Website [Release date 31.10.25] Are they Blues? Are they jazz? Are they psychedelic? What the hell does it matter when they are are all fused together in such a seamless and powerful way. The Zoe Schwarz Blues Commotion release their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Blues Commotion, Colourful House, jazz, Pete Feenstra, psychedelic, review, Rob Koral, rock, THE DOORS, Zoe Schwarz | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVE RENEGADE – Haunted Heart

Posted on January 2, 2026 by jason

Bandcamp If you like taking journeys to despair and melancholy, look no further than this album by London’s Dave Renegade. This boy wears his pain on his sleeve and is not afraid to admit it. He himself acknowledges that it … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bandcamp, Dave Renegade, Haunted Hearts, Pete Kosanovich, review, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Gig review: PUNCHDRUNK SAINTS – Fairycroft House, Saffron Walden, December 27 2025

Posted on December 31, 2025 by jason

It is those no-man’s lands days between Christmas and New Year in 2025 and the Punchdrunk Saints have bravely decided to host their second ever gig after their debut in London’s 100 Club. Tonight’s gig at Fairycroft House, Saffron Walden … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged charity, Cockney Rejects, Dennis Stratton, Fairycroft House, gig, hard rock, Iron Maiden, metal, Micky Geggus, PTSD999, Punchdrunk Saint, punk, punk rock, review, Saffron Walden, Saturday December 27 2025, segregates | Leave a comment

News: DEMON, QUEEN, PETRA (January 2026)

Posted on December 28, 2025 by jason

Black Label Society - HARD ROCK HELL IX - Hafan Y Mor, Pwlhelli, Wales, 12-14 November 2015

The All-American Rejects release their first album since 2012. ‘Sandbox’ will be released in February via Too Lost. Alt Blk Era have announced a new EP, ‘Our World’, which will arrive on May 22 via LAB Records. Tori Amos releases … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged albums, AOR, blues, DEMON, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, news, Petra, Queen, re-issues, RIP, special editions, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review: BEYOND THE BLACK – Break The Silence

Posted on December 28, 2025 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 09.01.26] Amazingly Beyond The Black have been around since 2014 and this is their sixth album, although to this recent convert it seems like they only started out a few years ago! Beyond The Black’s line-up … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Beyond The Black, Break The Silence, Lord of the Lost, melodic metal, metal, review, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

Album review: CHARLOTTE SMITH & DAVID CLIFTON – The Tree In The Wood

Posted on December 24, 2025 by jason

Little Room Recordings [Release date 17.10.25] An album of traditional folk tunes reinterpreted by Charlotte Smith, a London based singer songwriter and David Clifton, an Oxford based guitarist and singer, formerly a member of the indie band Sensible Jerseys and … Continue reading →