Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album review: CACTUS – The Birth Of Cactus 1970

Posted on February 5, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Purple Pyramid/Cleopatra [Release date 21.01.22] Following other heavyweights such as Iron Butterfly and Vanilla Fudge, Cactus fashioned their own brand of bluesy heavy rock at the turn of the sixties. It was a supergroup in the making with ex-Fudgers Carmine … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album review, blues rock, Cactus, Carmine Appice, hard rock, Jim McCarty, live, The Birth Of Cactus 1970, Tim Bogert | Leave a comment

Album review: SLADE – Alive, Slade In Flame (splatter vinyl)

Posted on February 5, 2022 by jason

BMG [Release date 26.11.21] BMG continue their excellent Slade reissue campaign. The West Midlands glam rock legends had many a hit in the 70s. Fronted by Noddy Holder, they were the face of laddish glam hard rock. After a difficult … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 70's rock, album, Alive, BMG, classic album, glam rock, hard rock, Jim Lea, Noddy Holder, reissue, review, rock, Slade, Slade In Flame | Leave a comment

Album review: PETER KNIGHT & JOHN SPIERS – Both In A Tune

Posted on February 3, 2022 by jason

Website [Release date 11.02.22] Peter Knight defines a progressive musician as he always seeks to further his music, be it traditional tunes given a new arrangement, or his own compositions. Famous of course as a member of Steeleye Span until … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bellowhead, Both In A Tune, folk, Gigspanner, instrumental, John Spiers, Peter Knight, progressive, review, Steeleye Span | Leave a comment

Album review: EMPATH – Visitor

Posted on February 2, 2022 by jason

Fat Possum Records [Release date 11.02.22] Upon first listen to Empath’s new album Visitor, a rich blend of artistic influences jumped out within the individualistic sound the Philly foursome have to offer. Psych-rock royalty like 13th Floor Elevators, The Velvet … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Empath, Fat Possum Records, indie, psych rock, psychedelic, review, rock, Visitor | Leave a comment

Album review: UK SUBS – A Punk Rock Anthology 1978-2017

Posted on February 1, 2022 by jason

Edsel [Release date 28.1.22] The UK Subs back catalogue is the gift that keeps on giving, surely qualifying them as one of the most compiled groups of the punk/new wave era. The beauty of this 56 track 2CD set is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Punk Rock Anthology 1978-2017, album, Alvin Gibbs, punk, review, rock, UK Subs | Leave a comment

Album review: PRAYING MANTIS – Katharsis

Posted on January 31, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 28.02.22] Only occasionally since their debut have Praying Mantis registered a decent sized blip on the radar of rock music in the UK. It was in Japan – where NWOBHM labelling was less meaningful – that the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Frontiers, Japan, Journey, melodic hard rock, metal, Pony Canyon, Praying Mantis, review, Survivor, Troy Brothers | Leave a comment

Album review: BETH HART – A Tribute To Led Zeppelin

Posted on January 30, 2022 by jason

Provogue/Mascot Label Group [Release date 25.02.22] A brave move by Beth Hart to take on the musical catalogue of such an iconic band, some would argue the various covers of Led Zeppelin’s music has been done to excess already. However, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Tribute To Led Zeppelin, album, beth Hart, blues rock, classic rock, Covers, Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin, review, Robert Plant, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: OYSTERBAND – Read The Sky

Posted on January 30, 2022 by jason

Running Man Records [Release date 04.03.22] After an 8-year gap – as the band explain “hey, we were busy” – the Oysterband return with their twelfth studio album, (fourteen including their two collaborative albums with June Tabor). Oysterband have been … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, folk, folk rock, melodic, Oysterband, Read The Sky, review | Leave a comment

Album review: FASTER PUSSYCAT – Babylon, The Elektra Years (4 CD boxset)

Posted on January 30, 2022 by brianmc

Cherry Red [release date: 25.02.22] Faster Pussycat were one of a number of apparently identikit Glamrock bands who emerged from the LA Club scene in the mid eighties. Many fell by the wayside, but some stood out. Faster Pussycat … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, boxset, Bret Muscat, eighties, Faster Pussycat, glam, Greg Steele, LA Club scene, metal, review, sleaze rock, Taime Down | Leave a comment

Album review: CLIVE MITTEN – Tales From A Misspent Youth Vol.1

Posted on January 29, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Bumnote Records [Release date 28.01.22] www.twelfthnight.info Do we really need more cover versions? Do we really need to hear another take on ‘Tubular Bells’? There seems to be a trend, maybe as rock gets old, to revisit and occasionally reinterpret … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Clive Mitten, Genesis, instrumental, Pink Floyd, prog, progressive, review, rock, Supertramp, Tales From A Misspent Youth Vol.1 | Leave a comment

Album review: LANA LANE – Neptune Blue

Posted on January 29, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 28.01.22] Neptune Blue is Lana Lane’s first album release since 2012. The close knit band that surrounds her includes her husband/ producer/ keyboard player, Erik Norlander, with Jeff Kollman on guitar and John (Asia) Payne on vocals, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alan Parsons, album, AOR, Asia, Erik Norlander, Frontiers, Jeff Kollman, John Payne, Lana Lane, melodic rock, progrock, review, symphonic rock | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE VAI – Inviolate

Posted on January 28, 2022 by jason

Favored Nations/Mascot Label Group [Release date 28.01.22 - vinyl 18.03.22] With over 40 years in the music industry, Steve Vai should need no introduction, he is a virtuoso guitarist, composer and producer, considered by many as one of the greatest … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, fusion, guitarist, instrumental, INVIOLATE, progressive, review, rock, Steve Vai | Leave a comment

Album review: BATTLE BEAST – Circus of Doom

Posted on January 25, 2022 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 21.01.22] Album number six from Battle Beast, after a bit of a gap since 2019’s highly enjoyable ‘No More Hollywood Endings’. Their line-up remains the same, namely Eero Sipilä (bass), Pyry Vikki (drums), Janne Björkroth (keytar), … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged 80's music, album, Battle Beast, Circus of Doom, melodic metal, Nuclear Blast, power metal, review, synth metal | Leave a comment

Album review : GIRLSCHOOL – From London To Nashville (2 CD Set)

Posted on January 24, 2022 by brianmc

The Store For Music [Release date: 21.01.22] Girlschool experienced their share of heartache… label let downs, revolving door membership issues, conflicting views on musical direction and the struggles to sustain their ambitions in the face of all of the above, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 2 CD Set, albums, Biker Rock, Camden Palace, garage rock, GIRLSCHOOL, live, MTV, Nashville, Radio Rock, review | Leave a comment

Album review: URIAH HEEP – vinyl picture discs

Posted on January 23, 2022 by jason

…Very ‘Eavy …Very ‘Umble, Salisbury, Demons And Wizards, The Magician’s Birthday BMG [Release date 28.01.22] Led by the ever present and ever grinning guitarist Mick Box (the sole remaining founding member), Uriah Heep are iconic legends in British progressive rock. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged BMG, classic rock, David Byron, Demons And Wizards, Ken Hensley, Mick Box, picture discs, prog rock, reissue, review, rock, Salisbury, The Magician's Birthday, Uriah Heep, Vinyl, …Very ‘Eavy …Very ‘Umble | Leave a comment

Album review: TOKYO BLADE – Fury

Posted on January 23, 2022 by brianmc

Dissonance/Cherry Red [Release date: 21.01.22] It’s interesting to note that Tokyo Blade’s current members, including guitarist Andy Boulton and vocalist Alan Marsh, were with the band almost from the beginning, but left and rejoined at various intervals since the band’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alan Marsh, album, Andy Boulton, heavy metal, lockdown, power metal, review, Thin Lizzy, Tokyo Blade | Leave a comment

Album review: GRAHAM BONNET – The Historic Collection (2 CDs)

Posted on January 22, 2022 by brianmc

Store For Music [Release date 21.01.22] Graham Bonnet needs little or no introduction. His 5 decade back catalogue is a rich and constant source of reissues and expanded versions. This double CD package sees his 1991 album, Here Comes The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Denny Laine, Graham Bonnet, James Brown, Lieber & Stoller, live, melodic hard rock, Ray Davis, review, Sam Cooke, Van Morrison | Leave a comment

Album review: DAN REED NETWORK – Let’s Hear It For The King

Posted on January 19, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Drakkar Entertainment [Release date 17.06.22] In 2022 all we need is some live music and a Dan Reed Network album. This is the band’s third album of their more recent renaissance following 2018′s ‘Origins’ which sprinkled some new stuff along … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dan Reed Network, funk, Let's Hear It For The King, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: EDGE OF FOREVER – Seminole

Posted on January 19, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 21.01.22] Edge Of Forever’s mainman, Alessandro Del Vecchio’s description of the band’s fifth album is worth reading. You get the gist, but its over the top, disconnected language gives the impression it’s an outtake from Spinal Tap. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Aldo Lonobile, Alessandro Delvecchio, Edge Of Forever, hard rock, Hardline, Marc DeSalvia, power metal, review, Secret Sphere | Leave a comment

Album review: HEAL & HARROW

Posted on January 18, 2022 by jason

Heal & Harrow - Rachel Newton & Lauren MacColl

Website [Release date 04.02.22] Composer, singer and harpist Rachel Newton (The Shee, The Furrow Collective, Spell Songs) and fiddle player Lauren MacColl’s (Salt House, Rant) new project, Heal & Harrow, is a tribute to those persecuted during the Scottish Witch … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, folk, Heal & Harrow, Lauren MacColl, Rachel Newton, review, traditional music | Leave a comment

Album review: iVARDENSPHERE – Ragemaker

Posted on January 17, 2022 by jason

Metropolis Records [Release date 04.02.22] Albums like this one are why, after nearly twenty years reviewing for GRTR!, my love of discovering and hearing new music shows no signs of waning. Not for everyone this one, as industrial-tribalist iVardenspehere weaves … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, atmospheric, electronics, instrumental, iVARDENSPHERE, progressive, Ragemaker, review, soundtrack | Leave a comment

Album review: JOHN MAYALL – The Sun Is Shining Down

Posted on January 16, 2022 by petefeenstra

Forty Below [Release date 28.01.22] John Mayall’s 5th album for his producer Eric Corne’s Forty Below label may or may not be his 43rd in all, but it’s surprisingly good. Surprising, because despite 6 guests and 3 covers it’s still … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bernard Allison, Bobby Rush, Buddy Miller, Carolyn Wonderland, Eric Corne, Greg Rzab, harmonica, Jake Shimabukuro, Jay Davenport, John Mayall, keyboards, Marcus King, Melvin Taylor, Mike Campbell, review, Roosevelt Sykes, Scarlet Rivera, Sugarcane Harris, The Sun Is Shining | Leave a comment

Album review: THE FERRYMEN – One More River To Cross

Posted on January 16, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 21.01.21] The Ferrymen are Magnus (Freefall/ Heart Healer) Karlsson, Ronnie (Lords Of Black/ Rainbow) Romero and Mike (Rage/ Axel Rudi Pell) Terrana. One More River To Cross is their third album on Frontiers, and this is a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Axel Rudi Pell, Freefall, Frontiers, Lords Of Black, Magnus Karlsson, melodic metal, Mike Terrana, power metal, Rage, Rainbow, review, Ronnie Romero, the Ferrymen | Leave a comment

Album review: DOM PRAG – Needle & Thread

Posted on January 15, 2022 by jason

Website [Release date 04.02.22] Dom Prag has been steeped in the traditions of the classical guitar since childhood, then learning to play blues and composing songs of his own. He still plays in the classical style, however, his song writing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dom Prag, folk, Needle & Thread, Phil Beer, review, singer songwriter, the Wilderness Yet | Leave a comment

Album review: ERIC GALES – Crown

Posted on January 15, 2022 by petefeenstra

Provogue [Release date 28.01.21] Eric Gales opens his 21st album ‘Crown’ with a track called ‘Death Of Me’ with the open ended: “My name is Eric Gales, any questions?” It’s a more ambivalent intro than you might at first imagine, … Continue reading →