Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album review: JONAS LINDBERG & THE OTHER SIDE – Pathfinder

Posted on October 21, 2016 by alanjones

ModeMusic – [Release date: 15.09.16] Whenever I read the accompanying press handout on a new release and see the words “we wanted to explore our heavier side” – I always approach it with a modicum of trepidation, fearing that a … Continue reading →

Album review: RED BUTLER – Nothing To Lose

Posted on October 21, 2016 by petefeenstra

Red Butler Original [Release date 11.11.16] From the sudden explosive opening burst of ‘Got To Make It’, Red Butler confidently announce that they have moved on a quantum jump from their ‘Freedom Bound’ debut album. ‘Nothing To Lose’ lights a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best Of 2016 | Tagged album, Alex Butler, blues, Charlie Simpson, Freedom Bound, funk, Jane Chloe Pearce, Mikey Topp, Nothing To Lose, Red Butler, review, rock, Sandi Thom, Wayne Proctor | Leave a comment

Quick plays: WHITE WIDDOW, ARENA

Posted on October 20, 2016 by jason

WHITE WIDDOW Silhouette AOR Heaven [Release date 28.10.16] White Widdow return with album number four and they carry on where their last album, ‘Crossfire’, left off, with lots of catchy and hook filled AOR tunes – ‘Stranded’ and ‘Smile For … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, Arena, melodic rock, review, rock, Silhouette, White Widdow | Leave a comment

Album review: DEMON – Cemetery Junction

Posted on October 20, 2016 by jason

Spaced Out Music [Release date 28.10.16] Since their last album, 2012′s ‘Unbroken’, Demon have had one line-up change with Karl Waye joining on keyboards replacing Paul Farrington. His is a significant one as this album harks back more the keyboard … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Cemetery Junction, Dave Hill, DEMON, melodic, NWOBHM, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: DATURA4 – Hairy Mountain

Posted on October 20, 2016 by jason

[Release date 28.10.16] How far is it from the west coast of Australia to the west coast of the USA ? Turns out that, musically, it’s about a five minute trip in a space-buggy powered by stardust and riff-diesel. Fremantle’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Datura4, Hairy Mountain, review, rock, southern | Leave a comment

Album review: GARY WRIGHT & WONDERWHEEL – Ring Of Changes

Posted on October 18, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

Esoteric [Release date 29.07.16] Best known for his hit single ‘Dreamweaver’ in 1976, and his time in Spooky Tooth, Gary Wright’s ‘Ring Of Changes’ was made in 1972 but, in spite of a single release (included as a bonus track), … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Foreigner, Gary Wright & Wonderwheel, George Harrison, Mick Jones, review, Ring Of Changes, rock, The Beatles | Leave a comment

Album review: URIAH HEEP – Salisbury (reissue)

Posted on October 18, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

BMG [Release date 28.10.16] The Heep reissue series continues with their 1971 “progressive” offering, and reinforced with a bonus “alternative” disc including previously unreleased material. Cynics might wonder why we are again being ask to re-buy the music of our … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, David Byron, heavy rock, Ken Hensley, metal, Mick Box, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Salisbury, Uriah Heep | Leave a comment

Album review: AISLES – Hawaii

Posted on October 18, 2016 by alanjones

Presagio Records [Release date: 29.07.16] Ahh, Aisles, geniuses or not – it’s a very fine line between between the two isn’t it, and this had me thinking all the way through. I reviewed the Chilean (yes, Chilean) progressive rock outfit’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Aisles, album, Chile, Hawaii, prog, Progressive Rock, review | Leave a comment

Album review: THE ANSWER – Solas

Posted on October 18, 2016 by jason

Napalm Records [Release date 28.10.16] The Answer celebrated the 10th anniversary of their debut album ‘Rise’, an album they have struggled at times to live up to. However, on this new album ‘Solas’ (the Gaelic word for light) they have … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, folk, Gaelic, review, rock, Solas, THE ANSWER | Leave a comment

Album review: WINTER MOUNTAIN – I Swear I Flew

Posted on October 17, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

Astral Fox Records [Release date 18.11.16] The sophomore album by Cornish singer songwriter Joe Francis, who otherwise goes by the name of Winter Mountain (formerly a duo with Donegal’s Marty Smyth), is a mishmash of influences. Featuring contributions from Seth … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, folk, I Swear I Flew, Joe Francis, pop, review, singer, songwriter, WINTER MOUNTAIN | Leave a comment

Quick plays: AMANDA RHEAUME, SKYWARD, EILERA, ANDY BENNETT

Posted on October 17, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

AMANDA RHEAUME Holding Patterns [Release date 21.10.16] On her last release Keep A Fire (2014) we suggested that Ottawa songstress Amanda Rheaume’s song writing is more ‘popular’ than ‘pop’ and a pleasant enough Radio 2 style listen. In that sense, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Amanda Rheaume, Andy Bennett, chill-out, Distant Light, Eilera, Face Your Demons, Hang Massive, Holding Patterns, review, rock, singer songwriter, Skyward, Thinkin' Drinkin' Singin', trip hop | Leave a comment

Album review: ROD STEWART – Sir Rod Stewart and some of his early faces

Posted on October 17, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

The Store For Music [Release date 21.10.16] 2-CD When ‘Sir’ precedes Rod’s name, and the album artwork features a Spitting Image/ Newzoid caricature of the man, it’s natural to have some doubts about the depths that have been plumbed to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, and some of his early faces, Blind Melon, Chris Farlowe, Chris Thompson, compilation, Doogie White, review, Rod Stewart, Steve Overland | Leave a comment

Album review: PETRICHOR – What We’ve Noticed

Posted on October 17, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 02.01.16] Written, recorded, and produced over four years – from the middle of high school to college – What We’ve Noticed is a remarkably mature debut from Massachusetts-based seven piece band Petrichor. With three vocalists and the use … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, fusion, Petrichor, prog, Progressive Rock, review, What We've Noticed | Leave a comment

Album review: HOLON – The Time Is Always Now

Posted on October 17, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

Release date [12.08.16] The Time Is Always Now is a set of proggy ‘songs’ written over ten years by Norwegian guitarist Ronny Pedersen. Not considered suitable for his existing projects, the songs are a nucleus of a collaborative concept project. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Holon, Norway, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Ronny Pedersen, The Time Is Always Now | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACKBERRY SMOKE – Like An Arrow

Posted on October 17, 2016 by jason

Earache Records [Release date 15.10.16] Blackberry Smoke are back with the follow-up to last year’s ‘Holding All The Roses’, an Album of the Year selection here at GRTR! and a rare five star album from me. So no pressure then … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Blackberry Smoke, classic, country, Greg Allman, Like An Arrow, review, rock, southern | Leave a comment

Album review: CRY OF DAWN featuring Goran Edman- Cry of Dawn

Posted on October 17, 2016 by andynathan

(Release Date 23.09.16) In melodic rock circles, the name of Goran Edman is spoken of in hushed terms as one of the genre’s top vocalists, in a long career ranging from singing with John Norum and Yngwie Malmsteen to gracing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Cry of Dawn, Daniel Flores, Goran Edman, melodic rock, Michael Palace | Leave a comment

Album review: HOW WE LIVE – Dry Land (Steve Hogarth)

Posted on October 16, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

David Randall chatted to Steve Hogarth about his career in July 2014. In this hour special, tracks include How We Live and Marillion, plus Steve’s solo work. Esoteric [Release date 26.08.16] ‘How We Live’ is an important part of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Colin Woore, Dry Land, eighties, How We Live, Marillion, pop, reissue, review, rock, Steve Hogarth | Leave a comment

Album review: SANTANA IV – Live At The House Of Blues Las Vegas

Posted on October 16, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

Eagle Rock/Universal [Release date 21.10.16] 2-CD/DVD If the classic Santana III line-up only make one ‘comeback’ album we should be thankful for this year’s ‘Santana IV’. And back in March, ahead of its release, the band played the legendary House … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Carlos Santana, funk, fusion, Gregg Rolie, latin, Live At The House Of Blues Las Vegas, Michael Carabello, Michael Shrieve, Neal Schon, review, rock, Santana | Leave a comment

Album review: ESP – Invisible Din (Tony Lowe, Mark Brzezicki)

Posted on October 16, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

Sunn Creative [Release date 11.11.16] ESP is an interesting collaboration as it features producer/guitarist Tony Lowe and Big Country drummer Mark Brzezicki, the latter maybe not someone you’d associate with progressive rock. Tony Lowe composed all the music and Alison … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alison Fleming, Big Country, ESP, Invisible Din, Mark Brzezicki, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Tony Lowe | 1 Comment

News: Win AC/DC Book and Black Sabbath ‘Ultimate Collection’ (Competitions)

Posted on October 16, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

“In Full Flight” is a limited edition 128 page photographic account of AC/DC during the years 1978-1982. Covering the final months with Bon Scott and earliest times with Brian Johnson, the book also features relevant quotes from contemporary magazines, memorabilia, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Competitions, NEWS | Tagged AC/DC, Black Sabbath, book, CD, competition, compilation, In Full Flight, Ozzy Osbourne, photographic, prize, The Ultimate Collection, Tony Iommi, win | Leave a comment

Quick plays: FOREST FIELD, CTP (Christian Tolle Project)

Posted on October 15, 2016 by jason

FOREST FIELD Lonely Desert Rock Company [Release date 21.10.16] Thankfully this time the band have an album cover more suited to their prog rock leanings than last year’s ‘Angels’ cover. The band is focused around Peter Cox who wrote all … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, Christian Tolle Project, CTP, Forest Field, John Parr, Lonely Desert, melodic rock, Michael Voss, Now & Then, Phil Vincent, prog, progressive, review, Steve Lukather | Leave a comment

Album review: SERIOUS BLACK – Mirrorworld

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Phil Berisford

AFM Records [Release date 09.09.16] European supergroup Serious Black return with their sophomore release “Mirrorworld” less than 2 years after debut “As Daylight Breaks” hit the racks. The backbone of vocalist Urban breed, Dominik Sebastian (guitars), bassist Mario Lochert and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AFM, album, Alex Holzwarth, Bob Katsionis, Dominik Sebastian, Jan Vacik, Mario Lochert, melodic hard rock, Mirrorworld, review, Serious Black, Urban breed | Leave a comment

Album review: NO POWER NO CROWN – The Wake Up Call

Posted on October 13, 2016 by jason

One of the most energetic and entertaining live bands out of the Charlotte, NC area also happens to be one that tends to fall under the radar. They’re called No Power No Crown and they’ve been delivering their brand of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, metal, NO POWER NO CROWN, review, rock, Stuck Mojo, The Wake Up Call | Leave a comment

Quick plays: X-CALIBER, CHRISTILLOW, HAVOC

Posted on October 13, 2016 by jason

If I have built a reputation as a reviewer (have I?) it would be that I tend to write about the oddball and obscure bands from the past as well as homegrown talent from my area. I’ve always sought out … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Back For The Kill, Christillow, Havoc, melodic, metal, review, rock, Standing In The Rain, Warriors Of The Night, X- Caliber | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL ARMSTRONG – s/t

Posted on October 12, 2016 by jason

Harbour Light Music After a quick search on the website I realised I had reviewed a single by Michael Armstrong, ‘Radio Days’, which makes this debut album. This self-titled album has been available since last year via Amazon and the … Continue reading →