Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album Review: BLACK SABBATH – Technical Ecstasy (Super Deluxe 5LP Vinyl Box Set)

Posted on September 21, 2021 by alanjones

BMG / Sanctuary Records [Release date: 1 October 2021] Following the superb ‘Super-Deluxe’ releases of ‘Paranoid’, ‘Volume 4’ and ‘Sabotage’ in the last couple of years, it is now the turn of ‘Technical Ecstasy’ to receive the sumptuous multi-disc … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile) | Tagged 5LP Box Set, Bill Ward, Black Sabbath, Geezer Butler, heavy metal, Ozzy Osbourne, review, Steven Wilson, Technical Ecstasy, Tony Iommi | Leave a comment

Album review: MY GLASS WORLD – Still Life With Machine Gun

Posted on September 21, 2021 by brianmc

My-Glass-World-Still-Life-With-Machine-Gun-scaled-e1625192232698

Luxury Noise [release date: 24.09.21] Everything Absent Or Distorted was a (now defunct) “sprawling, American, Indie Rock Ensemble”. They recorded their song ‘Still Life With Machine Gun’ in 2006. 15 years later, My Glass World have recorded their own song … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dexy's Midnight Runners, Elvis Costello, Jamie Telford, lockdown, NICK LOWE, Ocean Vuong, review, Sean Reed, The Jam | Leave a comment

Album review: TOMMY CASTRO Presents A Bluesman Came To Town: A Blues Odyssey

Posted on September 21, 2021 by petefeenstra

Alligator Records [release date: 17.09.21] Every since breaking nationally on NBC’s Comedy Showcase, San Francisco’s Tommy Castro has enjoyed a well founded reputation in the new blues vanguard for his willingness to explore new avenues in the blues genre. Down … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Deanna Bogart, funk, guitar, Jimmy Hall, Keith Crossan, Kevin McKendree, review, rock, soul, Terrie Odabi, Tom Hambridge, Tommy Castro, Tommy Castro Presents A Bluesman Came To Town: A Blues Odyssey, Tommy MacDonald | Leave a comment

Album review: PARADOX – Heresy II, End Of A Legend

Posted on September 17, 2021 by brianmc

AFM Records [release date: 24.09.21] German giants of Thrash, Paradox are well known within the genre. They have a sizeable coterie of discerning fans who’ve followed them since the band’s inception in 1986. Had their chosen genre been say, power … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged AFM Records, album, Cathars, Charlie Steinhauer, Europe, Helloween, Iron Saviour, Paradox, review, thrash metal | Leave a comment

Album review: SAVATAGE – Sirens and Dungeons Are Calling (remasters)

Posted on September 16, 2021 by brianmc

ear-MUSIC [release date 3.09.21] We’re cranking the machine way back to 1982, and Savatage’s twin debuts, Sirens and Dungeons Are Calling, both independently released. The band, Jon and Criss Oliva, Keith Collins and Steve Wacholz recorded and mixed all the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Criss Oliva, Ear Music, EP. remasters, heavy metal, Jon Oliva, LP, review, Savatage | Leave a comment

Album review: INGLORIOUS- Heroine

Posted on September 14, 2021 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release Date 10.09.21) In the seventies it was not uncommon for bands to release two albums a year but it is virtually unheard of these days. So I was surprised when I learned that a little over six … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Covers, Inglorious, melodic rock, Nathan James | Leave a comment

Album review: LEAVES EYES – The Last Viking, Midsummer Version

Posted on September 14, 2021 by brianmc

AFM Records [release date: 17.09.21] Leaves Eyes’ latest release, The Last Viking, Midsummer Version, is a multi media concept album, a high impact audiovisual story. The “Last Viking” was Harald III of Norway, known as Harald Hardrada (Harald the Hard … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 1066, AFM Records, album, Audiovisual, Celtic, DVD, England, folk metal, Harold Hardrada, Norway, review, symphonic rock, YouTube | Leave a comment

Album review: BONNIE TYLER – The East West Years 1995-98 (3 CDs)

Posted on September 13, 2021 by brianmc

Cherry Red [release date: 17.09.21] Bonnie Tyler’s two most famous songs, ‘Total Eclipse Of The Heart’ (1983) and ‘It’s A Heartache’ (1977) are among the best selling singles of all time, with combined sales of over 12 million. She’s enjoyed … Continue reading →

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Album review: IRON MAIDEN – Senjutsu

Posted on September 12, 2021 by david.wilson

Parlophone [Release date 03.09.21] It’s been almost 6 years since Iron Maiden released Book Of Souls to an eagerly waiting world. For me it was one of the most disappointing releases of the band’s career, over long, plodding and ultimately boring, not a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Adrian Smith, album, Book Of Souls, Bruce Dickinson, CD, Dave Murray, heavy metal, Iron Maiden, Janick Gers, Kevin Shirley, Nicko McBrain, Parlophone, review, rock, Senjutsu, Steve Harris, Writing On The Wall | Leave a comment

Album review: GUS G – Quantum Leap

Posted on September 12, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

AFM Records [Release date 08.10.21] When I interviewed Gus G back stage in Manchester in 2012 all the talk was how he had fared with Ozzy. He contributed to the album ‘Scream’ (2010) and there were high hopes of a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Firewind, guitar, guitarist, Gus G, instrumental, metal, Quantum Leap, review | Leave a comment

Album review: EDGE OF PARADISE – The Unknown

Posted on September 12, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [release date 17.09.21] Edge Of Paradise is a duo made up of Armenian/ Russian/ American singer, “the female Robin McAuley”, Margarita Monet, and American guitarist and songwriter, Dave Bates. The Unknown is their fourth album, and second on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dave Bates, Edge Of Paradise, Frontiers, Howard Benson, Margarita Monet, Mike Plotnikoff, review, Symphonic Rock Metal, Unknown | Leave a comment

Album review: NEWMAN – Into The Monsters’ Playground

Posted on September 11, 2021 by andynathan

AOR Heaven (Release date 10.09.21) For a remarkable near quarter of a century Steve Newman has turned out a series of finely crafted albums. He never remotely hinted at the big time, but as compensation his name enjoys almost universal … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, melodic rock, NEWMAN, Steve Newman | Leave a comment

Album review: IAN PARRY’s ROCK EMPORIUM – Brute Force

Posted on September 11, 2021 by brianmc

Metal Mind [release date 14.07.21] Singer/songwriter, Ian Parry has always been master of his own destiny, moving from project to project and label to label over the course of his 30 year career. He counts Hammerhead, Elegy, Ayreon and Vengeance … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Allan Sorensen, Ayreon, Elegy, Hammerhead, Ian Parry, Kris Gildenlow, Lucas Sillito, Metal Mind, Neo Classical, Patrick Johansen, Patrick Rondat, review, Rock Emporium, symphonic metal, Vengeance | Leave a comment

Album review: PETER H NILSSON – Sign Of Myself

Posted on September 11, 2021 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 10.09.21] Peter H Nilsson’s debut ‘Little American Dream’ was a very enjoyable AOR/ West Coast listen and still played regularly by this reviewer. The good news is that this follow-up album sees Nilsson still teamed up … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Chris Biano, melodic rock, Peter H Nilsson, review, Sign Of Myself, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: BRIAN SETZER – Gotta Have The Rumble

Posted on September 10, 2021 by jason

Surfdog Records [Release date 27.08.21] The 70’s and 80’s were a glorious time for music. Whilst that may smack of rose-tinted spectacles and the purposeful forgetting of several horrific ‘novelty’ records that came out in those decades, few can argue … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE PETAL FALLS – All These Years

Posted on September 10, 2021 by jason

[Release date 03.09.21] Just about a year ago I reviewed this band’s debut album, ‘Workin All Night, Workin All Day’ and I was literally blown away. I knew then that this band had reach and would appeal to a broader … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, All These Years, AOR, Keith Leahy, melodic rock. rock, review, the Petal Falls | Leave a comment

Album review: BRAINSTORM – Wall Of Skulls

Posted on September 10, 2021 by brianmc

AFM Records [release date 17.09.21] Judging by this new release, Brainstorm turned the pandemic related lockdown to good advantage, in writing and recording Wall Of Skulls. It’s no more than an incremental step up from last album, Midnight Ghost, but … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Brainstorm, Maiden, power metal, Priest, review | Leave a comment

Album review: GAMMA RAY – 30 Years Live Anniversary

Posted on September 8, 2021 by brianmc

Ear Music/Edel [Release date 10.09.21] In 2020, it looked like this could become the new normal. A live gig without an audience. Kai Hansen’s Gamma Ray know what it is to play live…they’ve been doing it for 30 years. It becomes … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Gamma Ray, Kai Hansen, live, power metal, Ralf Scheepers, review, Teutonic Metal | Leave a comment

Album review: THE LIVESAYS – Not What I Bargained For

Posted on September 5, 2021 by jason

www.thelivesaysmusic.com [Release date 03.09.21] The Livesays – singer/songwriter/guitarist Billy Livesay, drummer Howard Goldberg, bassist Jorge Laplume, Victor “Cuqui” Berrios on Hammond B-3 organ, Tim Murphy on piano – are back with their second album in two years. During the pandemic … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Billy Livesay, blues rock, Clarence Clemmons, melodic, Not What I Bargained For, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, Springsteen, The Livesays | Leave a comment

Album review: OVERKILL – The Atlantic Years 1986-1994

Posted on September 5, 2021 by jason

BMG [Release date 29.10.21] New Jersey band Overkill, named after the Motorhead album/song, formed in 1980 and were part of the early US thrash scene. Nineteen studio albums, three live and three EPs later, there’s quite a legacy there. There … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, Reissues | Tagged Bobby Elisworth, box set, metal, NWOBHM, Overkill, review, The Atlantic Years 1986-1994, thrash metal | Leave a comment

Album review: AL ROSS & THE PLANETS – Blue Crystal

Posted on September 5, 2021 by brianmc

Wienerworld Music [Release date 10.09.21] Al Ross & The Planets’ “stylistically diverse” (it sez ere) second album, Blue Crystal, had a difficult birth. As well as being handicapped by the pandemic’s side effects of lockdown and quarantine, this international band … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: JACK RUSSELL’S GREAT WHITE, LEGENDS PLAY THE BEATLES, ACROSS THE SEA

Posted on September 4, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

JACK RUSSELL’s GREAT WHITE Great Zeppelin II Deadline Music/Cleopatra [Release date 13.08.21] There can be few reasons for revisiting Zeppelin back catalogue unless you can bring something new to the party. And, in truth, something more radical and it might … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged Across The Sea, Air Supply, album, Andrew Gold, Ann Wilson, classic rock, concept album, Glenn Hughes, Great White, Great Zeppelin II, Howard Jones, Jack Bruce, Jack Russell, John Wetton, Judy Collins, Led Zeppelin, Legends Play The Beatles, Molly Hatchet, prog rock, review, space rock, Steve Morse | Leave a comment

Album review: THREE COLOURS DARK – Love’s Lost Property

Posted on September 4, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Firefly Music [Release date 10.09.21] www.threecoloursdark.com 2020 marked the musical reunion of Rachel Cohen and Jonathan Edwards founder members of long-standing prog rockers Karnataka. In the hiatus following The Reasoning (Cohen) and Panic Room (Edwards) they released an exquisite debut … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, Dave Gregory, Jonathan Edwards, Karnataka, Love's Lost Property, Luna Rossa, Panic Room, prog, progressive, Rachel Cohen, review, singer, songwriter, Steve Balsamo, The Reasoning, Three Colours Dark | Leave a comment

Album review: BETWEEN WORLDS (feat Ronny Munroe) – Between Worlds

Posted on September 3, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [release date: 10.09.21] Ronny Munroe, Alessandro Del Vecchio (Frontiers’ inhouse producer / writer / arranger) and Pete Alpenberg, now aka Between Worlds, have brought in the heavy artillery for this, their self titled debut. After ten years fronting Metal … Continue reading →

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Album review: ANETTE OLZON – Strong

Posted on September 1, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers Records [release date 10.09.21] A Symphonic Rock album for the ABBA generation, Anette (Dark Element/ Nightwish) Olzon’s collaboration with maestro, Magnus Karlsson, titled Strong, is huge, confident and full of heartstopping hooks. It has a lovely gloss to it… … Continue reading →