Author Archives: jason

EP review: OBSESA – Let In The Light

Posted on December 31, 2020 by jason

OBSESA [Release date 26.12.20] Obsesa formed in 2017 in Bury St Edmunds (Vocals/Guitar: Jason Smith, Guitar: Adam Ingram, Bass: Matt Cooper, Drums: Pete Hutchins) have come out swinging and bludgeoning on their debut ep ‘Let In The Light’. Three tracks … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Doom Metal, EP, Let In The Light, metal, Metallica, Obsesa, review, speed metal, Thrash | Leave a comment

Album review: THE RODS – Expanded Remasters

Posted on December 31, 2020 by jason

In The Raw, The Rods Live, Let Them Eat Metal Rock Candy’s remastered & reissued programme often serves to bring a deserving band (and album) to a new audience. The Rods are the perfect example. Their eighties’ albums were in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, classic metal, David “The Rock” Feinstein, hard rock, live, metal, reissue, review, Rock Candy, the Rods | Leave a comment

Album review: HUMBLE PIE – The Atlanta Years

Posted on December 29, 2020 by jason

Store For Music [Release date 11.12.20] Steve Marriott is best remembered in the UK as the front man for the Small Faces . Also rememberd by many as Britain’s best blue eyed soul singer, and not least for his songwriting … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged blues rock, classic rock, concerts, Humble Pie, live, re-issue, review, rock, Small Faces, soul, Steve Marriott, The Atlanta Years | Leave a comment

EP review: COLLATERAL – Acoustic Covers Lockdown

Posted on December 29, 2020 by jason

ANGELO TRISTAN – Acoustic Covers Lockdown EP

Website [Release date 25.12.20] 2020 should have been Collateral’s breakthrough year on the back of a well-received album from both fans and critics alike, and tour plans laid. That was before the pandemic laid waste to all of that. However, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged acoustic, Aerosmith, Angelo Tristan, Bon Jovi, classic songs, Collateral, Covers, Def Leppard, EP, Leonard Cohen, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: LEGS DIAMOND – Expanded Remasters

Posted on December 27, 2020 by jason

Rock Candy Records [Release date 04.12.20] Legs Diamond has ceased trading and then later reopened for business several times since its inception in 1975, and is still gigging to this day. Enterprising UK label, Rock Candy Records remastered and reissued … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Expanded Remasters, hard rock, Legs Diamond, melodic rock, re-issues, review, Rick Sandford, Rock Candy | Leave a comment

Album review: THE SWEET – Isolation Boulevard

Posted on December 26, 2020 by jason

Website [Release date 18.12.20] First recordings by the revamped Sweet line-up that sees original member guitarist Andy Scott and long serving drummer Bruce Bisland joined by bassist/backing vocalist Lee Small (Phenomena, Shy, Lionsheart) and vocalist Paul Manzi (Cats In Space, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Digital only, Reissues | Tagged album, Andy Scott, classic rock, glam rock, Isolation Boulevard, Lee Small, Paul Manzi, pop rock, review, rock, The Sweet | Leave a comment

Album review: OCEAN HILLS – Santa Monica

Posted on December 23, 2020 by jason

AFM Records [Release date 27.11.20] Ocean Hills is the brain child of vocalist Zoli Teglas (ex-Ignite), having taken 30 years’ worth of experience in the music business to launch this project with some very talented, accomplished musicians - Peter Lukacs (guitars), Daniel Szebenyi … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, hard rock, Kiss, melodic, Ocean Hills, review, rock, Santa Monica, Zoli Teglas | Leave a comment

Quick plays: MARIOS POLITIS, SILENT SKIES, MOTHER ROAD

Posted on December 23, 2020 by jason

MARIOS POLITIS This Is My Story Alcyone Records [Release date 10.11.20] Marios Politis is a composer, singer and guitarist from Athens, Greece who has released an album of meaningful and thoughtful songs. The lyrics focus on introspection and personal experiences … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, alt rock, cinematic, Evergrey, hard rock, indie, Keith Slack, Marios Politis, melodic, Mother Road, review, Silent Skies, Tom S Englund, Vikram Shankar | Leave a comment

Album review: THE WILDHEARTS – 30 Year Itch

Posted on December 23, 2020 by jason

Round Records [Release date 04.12.20] My initial thought when I looked at this album was, I feel old! How can it have been 30 years since the Wildhearts exploded onto the music scene?? Returning to the classic Wildhearts line up … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 30 Year Itch, album, Ginger, melodic, punk, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, the Wildhearts | Leave a comment

EP review: HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT’S ADEQUATE – Feeling Great

Posted on December 20, 2020 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 18.12.20] One of the better things during 2020 have been to see the rise in interest and acclaim for the progressive duo Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate. Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate are Malcolm Galloway and Mark … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged album, EP, Feeling Great, Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate, melodic, prog rock, progressive, review | Leave a comment

EP review: LEWIS CLAY – Idle Hands

Posted on December 20, 2020 by jason

Website [Release date 25.12.20] 2020 has been a right shit show of that there can be no doubt, and it has hit the performing arts and live arena very badly, especially as most don’t manage to qualify … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged album, Foo Fighters, Idle Hands, Lewis Clay, modern rock, Our Lady Valentine, review, rock, singer songwriter, Wildhearts | Leave a comment

Album review: NEAL MORSE – Jesus Christ The Exorcist: Live at Morsefest 2018

Posted on December 19, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 04.12.20] The studio album was released first as now Neal Morse and Frontiers release a live performance of ‘Jesus Christ The Exorcist’, filmed at the 2018 Morsefest. It is an all-star ensemble with regular … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Jesus Christ The Exorcist, Live at Morsefest 2018, melodic, Neil Morse, Petra, review, rock, rock opera, Spock's Beard, Ted Leonard, theatrical | Leave a comment

Album review: KEVIN GODLEY – Muscle Memory

Posted on December 19, 2020 by jason

State 51 [Release date 18.12.20] Kevin Godley is ex 10cc and was one half of a duo with Lol Creme. His first solo album, Muscle Memory, is a post modern permutation of songs largely written at his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 10CC, album, electronica, Kevin Godley, Muscle Memory, pop, quirky pop, review | Leave a comment

Single reviews: RICKY WARWICK, VOODOO SIX

Posted on December 18, 2020 by jason

Ricky Warwick – ‘You Don’t Love Me’ Black Star Riders frontman Warwick has long been one of the best and most respected figures in the business. From his work with the dirty groove machine The Almighty, through … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged acoustic, Black Star Riders, classic rock, Luke Morley, review, Ricky Warwick, rock, singles, Thunder, Voodoo Six | Leave a comment

EP review: ICONIC EYE – Back From Beyond The Sun

Posted on December 13, 2020 by jason

www.iconiceyemusic.com [Release date 04.12.20] Iconic Eye formed back in 2016, although this latest line-up only includes one member from the start, guitarist/keyboards/songwriter Greg Dean. The rest of the line-up is Neil Hackett (lead guitar), Mike Dagnall (bass, backing vocals) and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged AOR, Back From Behind The Sun, Dante Fox, EP, FM, Iconic Eye, Jefferson Starship, melodic rock, review, rock, Romeo's Daughter, Vega | Leave a comment

Album review: JOHN DIVA & THE ROCKETS OF LOVE – American Amadeus

Posted on December 13, 2020 by jason

JOHN DIVA & THE LOVE ROCKETS – American Amadeus

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 15.01.21] John Diva & the Rockets of Love’s 2019 debut album ‘Mama Said Rock Is Dead’ charted in the top 30 of the German album chart and they had successful tours around Europe. Now … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, American Amadeus, glam rock, John Diva, melodic hard rock, review, rock, sleaze rock, the Rockets of Love | 1 Comment

Album review: MARK VENNIS & A DIFFERENT PLACE – Fighting On All Fronts

Posted on December 12, 2020 by jason

Cadiz Music [Release date 27.11.20] Moviehouse MD and modern day renaissance man, Mark Vennis, fresh from producing acclaimed documentary, Rebel Dread, has just released his third album, Fighting On All Fronts. It’s an album Vennis recorded primarily with long time … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Different Place, album, blues, Fighting On All Fronts, Mark Vennis, review, roots rock, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVID COURTNEY – Isolation Symphony

Posted on December 12, 2020 by jason

The Store For Music [Release date 18.12.20] Those in the know are well aware that David Courtney is a Grammy award winning composer, producer and songwriter. Over the years, his musical partnerships with Roger Daltrey, Leo Sayer, Eric Clapton, David … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, cinematic, Dave Gilmour, David Courtney, Isolation Symphony, Leo Sayer, melodic, pop, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: UNRULY CHILD – Our Glass House

Posted on December 11, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 04.12.20] When Unruly Child arrived in 1992, Melodic Rock bands were crashing and burning all around them. AOR had been shot down in flames by the bands of the Pacific North West. Low altitude, below the radar … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Frontiers, Marcie Free, melodic rock, Our Glass House, prog rock, review, Unruly Child | Leave a comment

Album review: VANDEN PLAS – The Ghost Experiment, Illumination

Posted on December 9, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 04.12.20] Vanden Plas are something of an institution in their native Germany, and indeed increasingly in the wider world. The Ghost Experiment, Illumination is their 12th studio album. So many Progressive Rock bands succumb to Must Have … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Illumination, melodic metal, prog metal, prog rock, review, The Ghost Experiment, VANDEN PLAS | Leave a comment

Album review: ART OF ILLUSION – X Marks The Spot

Posted on December 8, 2020 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 29.01.21] This is the debut album by Art Of Illusion, a duo consisting of composer and producer Anders Rydholm (Grand Illusion) and singer Lars Säfsund (Work Of Art) – see what they did there with the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Anders Rydholm, AOR, Art Of Ilusion, Grand Illusion, Lars Safsund, melodic rock, pomp rock, review, Work Of Art, X Marks The Spot | 1 Comment

Album review: PHENOMENA – Still The Night

Posted on December 6, 2020 by jason

Cherry Red [Release date 27.11.20] Tom and Mel Galley put Phenomena together in 1984. Glenn Hughes, Don Airey, Cozy Powell, Neil Murray had been enlisted…Whitesnake versus Deep Purple, a metalised marriage made in hard rock heaven. The following year they … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, classic rock, Cozy Powell, Glenn Hughes, Mel Galley, melodic rock, Neil Murray, Phenomena, Review. Tom Galley, rock, Still The Night | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE BALSAMO – The Millennium Tapes

Posted on December 6, 2020 by jason

Facebook [Release date 04.12.20] Steve Balsamo has unearthed these songs during lockdown that were recorded back at the start of the millennium as the album title suggests. Balsamo worked with Micky Lister on these songs. Lister was signed back in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, mellow, melodic, Micky Lister, pop, review, singer songwriter, Steve Balsamo, the Millennium Tapes | Leave a comment

Book review: Limelight: Rush in the 80’s by Martin Popoff

Posted on December 5, 2020 by jason

[Publication date 20.10.20] Martin Popoff’s follow up to ‘Anthem: Rush in the ‘70s’ he now covers the band’s 80’s albums – both studio and live. Different from the ever expanded ‘Track By Track’ books in that although Martin Popoff critiques … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged album, book, Classic Albums, classic rock, Limelight, Martin Popoff, melodic, prog rock, review, rock, Rush | Leave a comment

EP review: HM JOHNSEN – Serenity

Posted on December 4, 2020 by jason

EP link [Release date 27.11.20] Norwegian singer songwriter HM Johnsen certainly has an interesting backstory as his 2017 debut album ‘Chased’ was funded by a small community in western Norway, which allowed the album to be mastered at Abbey Road. … Continue reading →