Author Archives: jason

Album review: TIMSON AOR – Next Level

Posted on January 12, 2025 by jason

Website [Release date 28.02.24] Timson AOR are back with their second album, released almost a year after their enjoyable debut ‘Forever’s Not Enough’. Timson AOR consists of Mark Timson (guitars, bass, keys, synths, drum programming) and Lukky S (vocals, lead … Continue reading →

Rising Stars: ANDRY (interview)

Posted on January 10, 2025 by jason

Andry Lagiou, an Athens-born vocal powerhouse, describes herself as “the missing link between Ronnie James Dio and Christina Aguilera.” A former runner-up on The Voice of Greece and the frontwoman of The Harps, she has made a significant mark on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged Andry, Andry Lagiou, Baby Mistress Records, Blaze Bayley, interview, Kings of Thrash, metal, Rising Stars, Skies | Leave a comment

Rising Stars: SPLEEN (interview)

Posted on January 10, 2025 by jason

SPLEEN ARE: Samuele Riccucci – Guitar and Vocals, Matteo Innocenti – Drums and Backing Vocals, Olmo Fantini – Guitar and Backing Vocals, Alberto Sanna – Bass Spleen are a fierce and feisty Italian four-piece. Earlier this year they signed with renowned rock … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged interview, punk, punk rock, Rising Stars, single, Spleen, The Damned, XTC | Leave a comment

Album review: RINGO STARR – Look Up

Posted on January 10, 2025 by jason

Decca Records [Release date 10.01.24] Being a member of the biggest band of all time seems to be the weightiest of dual edged swords. Whilst the expectation of any new material from a former Beatle is hugely anticipated, it’s inevitable … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alison Krauss, Beatles, country, Larkin Poe, Look Up, Molly Tuttle, review, Ringo Starr, T Bone Burnett | Leave a comment

EP review: LEADFEATHER – Roll The Dice

Posted on January 8, 2025 by jason

Website [Release date 14.02.25] With so many of the so called ‘heritage’ bands hanging up their spurs and retiring, fans old and new seek acts that tick the boxes of loud guitars and huge 1970’s swagger. In recent years the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged classic rock, EP, hard rock, Leadfeather, Led Zeppelin, NWOCR, review, rock, Roll The Dice | Leave a comment

Album review: JESSICA LYNN – All I Own

Posted on January 3, 2025 by jason

Self-released [Release date 17.01.25] Second full album from Jessica Lynn and we are lucky that she managed to record this one, as following a routine sinus surgery it led to a battle with post-operative complications and muscle tension dysphonia (MTD), which … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, All I Own, country, country pop, Jessica Lynn, pop, review, singer songwriter | 1 Comment

Album review: MORGANWAY – Kill The Silence

Posted on January 1, 2025 by jason

Earache Records [Release date 31.01.25] Morganway are back with a new album and their line-up remains as on their 2023 release ‘Back To Zero’, namely Callum Morgan (vocals, bass), Kieran Morgan (guitar, vocals), SJ Mortimer (lead vocalist), Matt Brocklehurst (keyboards, vocals), Nicole J Terry (fiddle, vocals) … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Amerciana, folk, Kill The Silence, Morganway, pop rock, review, rock | Leave a comment

News: JACK MOORE, GENERATION RADIO, THE DOOBIE BROTHERS (January 2025)

Posted on December 31, 2024 by jason

The Adventures release their first new studio album in over thirty years on March 28. Titled ‘One More With Feeling’ it will be released through Cherry Red Records. Don Airey releases his latest solo album ‘Pushed to the Edge’ on … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions | Tagged albums, AOR, blues, folk, Generation Radio, gigs, Jack Moore, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, special editions, The Doobie Brothers, tour dates | Leave a comment

Upcoming: Festivals UK & Europe (2025)

Posted on December 24, 2024 by jason

Please check artist and festival websites for latest information. Your festival not listed? Contact us! ore: Upcoming (UK tours and gigs, 2025) Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, Check … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News | Tagged 2025, AOR, classic rock, European, festivals, folk, Frontiers, Guilfest, indie, Maid of Stone, melodic rock, metal, rock, Steelhouse Festival, uk | Leave a comment

Album review: EARLY JAMES – Medium Raw

Posted on December 22, 2024 by jason

Easy Eye Sound [Release date 10.01.2025] ‘Medium Raw’ is the third album from Early James and one, as the album title suggests, recorded with a sound that thrives on a lived-in, real-world ambiance. Dan Auerbach (the Black Keys) once again … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Dan Auerbach, Early James, Medium Raw, review, rock, The Black Keys | Leave a comment

Album review: WE ARE BODIES – The Love Was All We Had

Posted on December 13, 2024 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 06.12.24] We Are Bodies is the British duo of Dave Pen (BirdPen, Archive) and Robin Foster. They create anthemic electro-prog soundscapes that combine guitars and electronics with lyrical subjects inspired by love, loss, paranoia and….robots! Now, before you … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, electronic, indie, melodic, progressive, review, The Love Was All We Had, We Are Bodies | Leave a comment

Album review: DELLA NOVA

Posted on December 12, 2024 by jason

Facebook [Release 13.12.24] Della Nova is a project born from the early days of lockdown, and has been meticulously crafted by Alex, the band’s frontman. The new album has been four years in the making, having gone through various changes … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alt metal, debut, Della Nova, metal, modern rock, review, rock, self-titled | Leave a comment

Feature: Baker’s Dozen – Librarians With Hickeys

Posted on December 7, 2024 by jason

LIBRARIANS WITH HICKEYS - How To Make Friends By Telephone

Librarians With Hickeys are an indie pop rock duo consisting of Ray Carmen and Mike Crooker. Here both of them choose an eclectic Baker’s Dozen… Ray Carmen (in more or less no particular order) 1. Paul McCartney – Maybe I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES | Tagged alternative, Bakers Dozen, feature, indie, Librarians With Hickeys, Mike Crocker, Paul McArtney, playlist, pop, pop rock, power pop, Ray Carmen, Robyn Hitchcock, rock, XTC | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE VAN MORRISON ALUMNI BAND – The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 25 November 2024

Posted on December 6, 2024 by jason

Few artists have gained the stature of Van Morrison, the Belfast born troubadour a true legend whose blend of soul, jazz, blues and rock is oft imitated but seldom bettered. Whilst his recorded output has never been less than industrious … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 25 November 2024, blues, Bury St Edmunds, jazz, Jo Harman, pop, rock, soul, The Apex, The Van Morrison Alumni Band, Van Morrison | Leave a comment

Album review: CORY MARKS – Sorry For Nothing

Posted on December 1, 2024 by jason

Century Media [Release date 06.12.24] Album number three from Cory Marks, with his last album, 2020’s ‘Who I Am’, making the UK and Australian country charts, plus number 16 in the album charts in his native Canada. The single of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bad Wolves, Cory Marks, country, country rock, hard rock, Mick Mars, Motley Crue, Nickelback, review, rock, Sorry For Nothing | Leave a comment

News: AVANTASIA, GOTTHARD, MICKEY JUPP (December 2024)

Posted on December 1, 2024 by jason

GLENN HUGHES- Electric Ballroom, London, 25 October 2023

Airforce (who feature former Iron Maiden guitarist Doug Sampson) release their new album ‘Acts of Madness’ on February 21 through ROAR Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks release a CD/DVD package ‘Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks Live- Perpetual Change’ … Continue reading →

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

Single review: SPLEEN – Making Plans For Nigel

Posted on November 28, 2024 by jason

YouTube Spleen have been around since 2019 and now comprises Samuele Riccucci on guitar and vocals, Matteo Innocenti on drums and backing vocals, Olmo Fantini on guitar and backing vocals, and Alberto Sanna on bass. A brave move to cover … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Covers, Making Plans For Nigel, New Wave, pop, punk, punk pop, review, Robbie Williams, single, Spleen, XTC | Leave a comment

Feature: PHIL VINCENT’s Baker’s Dozen

Posted on November 24, 2024 by jason

A Baker’s Dozen, in which various musicians choose 13 songs – a baker’s dozen – to make a playlist. The following rules apply – Maximum of three songs from any artist Maximum of two songs from any album Maximum of two … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES | Tagged Bakers Dozen, Beatles, feature, hard rock, heavy metal, Jon Butcher Axis, Judas Priest, melodic rock, metal, Phil Vincent, pop, prog rock, Queen, RAVEN, Thin Lizzy | Leave a comment

Album review: PHIL VINCENT – Master of Deception

Posted on November 22, 2024 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 22.11.24] This is Phil Vincent’s 26th solo album! That is excluding the various bands he appears with like D’Ercole and Tragik. Mastered again by Jacob Hansen (who certainly seems to have added some punch to last few … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, hard rock, Master of Deception, melodic rock, Phil Vincent, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: CROSSBONE SKULLY – Evil World Machine

Posted on November 20, 2024 by jason

Better Noise Music [Release date 22.11.24] Crossbone Skully is the band formed by Alice Cooper and Hollywood Vampires guitarist Tommy Henriksen. He’s joined by guitarists Anna Cara and Sam Koltun, bassist Chris Wyse and drummer Alex Boch. That’s not all … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AC/DC, album, Alice Cooper, classic rock, Crossbone Skully, Def Leppard, Evil World Machine, hard rock, Hollywood Vampires, Johnny Depp, Motley Crue, Mutt Lange, review, rock, sleaze rock, Tommy Denander, Tommy Henriksen | Leave a comment

Book review: On track…SPARKS, ROXY MUSIC, DAVID BOWIE

Posted on November 17, 2024 by jason

On Track…Sparks 1969-1979 by Chris Sutton (Sonicbond Publishing. 2024) Chris Sutton has penned a few titles previously for SonicBond including a couple on Alice Cooper and an AC/DC one. Unlike some titles in the series this Sparks one features interviews … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged art rock, book review, Brian Eno, Bryan Ferry, Carl Ewens, Chris Sutton, Classic Albums, classic rock, David Bowie, electronic pop, glam rock, Michael Kulikowski, On Track, pop, rock, Roxy Music, Sonicbond Publishing, SPARKS | Leave a comment

Album review: DEWOLFF- Muscle Shoals

Posted on November 17, 2024 by jason

Mascot Records [Release date 06.12.24] “The singing river ? Damned if there ain’t soul in the silt itself. Musician folks been heading down this way for years and I’ll wager I’ve seen ‘em all – yes sir, Muscle Shoals, Alabama. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, blues rock, DeWolf, Lynyrd Skynrd, Muscle Shoals, Otis Redding, review, rock, soul | Leave a comment

Gig review: HRH XVII, Great Yarmouth, 7-9 November 2024

Posted on November 15, 2024 by jason

Hard Rock Hell (HRH) was back for its 17th instalment “Valhalla”. Rockers from up and down the country were already here in their masses. The atmosphere was already building and I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this weekend. Thursday … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged gothic rock, hard rock, Hardcore Superstar, HRH XVII, Lizzy Borden, metal, Molly Karloff, November 2024, Review. festival, rock, South Of Salem, the Darker My Horizon, The Hot One Two, Wednesday 13 | Leave a comment

Feature: CASEY MAUNDER’s Bakers Dozen

Posted on November 13, 2024 by jason

The first Baker’s Dozen, in which various musicians choose 13 songs – a baker’s dozen – to make a playlist. The following rules apply – Maximum of three songs from any artist Maximum of two songs from any album Maximum … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES | Tagged Bakers Dozen, Casey Maunder, Cheap Trick, feature, Get Out and Push, hard rock, melodic rock, playlist, Spotify, Tigertailz | Leave a comment

Album review: MASSIVE WAGONS – Earth To Grace

Posted on November 12, 2024 by jason

Earache Records [Release date 08.11.24] Amazingly this is album number seven from Massive Wagons, and their fourth on Earache Records, with their last two albums both making the UK top 10 album chart. No pressure then lads! The pre-released songs/singles … Continue reading →