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Upcoming Gigs & Albums
Latest Album Reviews
Latest Gig Reviews
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Gig review: ANTHRAX – Hammersmith Apollo, London, 23 November 2024
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Gig review: BLACK STONE CHERRY- Wembley Arena, London, 23 November 2024
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Gig review: SQUEEZE – Roundhouse, London, 22 November 2024
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Gig review: CARDINAL BLACK – Sub 89, Reading, 15 November 2024
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Gig review: SUZI QUATRO – London Palladium, 13 November 2024
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Gig review: HRH XVII, Great Yarmouth, 7-9 November 2024
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Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS
Album review: THE DUST CODA – Mojo Skyline
Earache Records [Release date 26.03.21] The Dust Coda’s latest album Mojo Skyline was recorded at Modern World Studios with the multi-platinum, award-winning producer Clint Murphy (Manic Street Preachers, Thunder, Devilskin), following on from their self-titled debut in 2017. The album … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, hard rock, Led Zeppelin, Mojo Skyline, New Wave of Classic Rock, review, rock, The Dust Coda
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Album review: BLAZE BAYLEY – War Within Me
Blaze Bayley Recording [Release date 09.04.21] If you like your rock of the metal variety you are in for a treat – this is a blistering, classic metal album in the making. The guitar work is simply put superb – … Continue reading
Album review: SERENADE THE STARS – Astronomy
Facebook Serenade the Stars are a Buckinghamshire based band consisting of vocalists Matthew Harman and Coral Smith, guitarist Damian Carruthers (who is also the band’s main songwriter), bassist James Wrigley and drummer James Burton. They formed back in 2017 and … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Astronomy, Deacon Blue, Del Amitri, melodic, pop, pop rock, review, Serenade The Stars
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Album review: THUDWAIL – Ignition
Self release [Release date 30.10.20] ‘Ignition’ is a reflective, ambient, acoustic album full of subtle moods, textures and grooves that drip with feel. It’s acoustic guitar driven music with a meditative and contemplative feel that is predicated on intricate dynamics, … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged acoustic, ambient music, Andy Summers, Danny Tongeman, David Sylvian, didgeridoo, Eberhart Weber, EBow, ECM records, Eno, guitar, instrumental, John Abercrombie, Jonas Hellborg, Martin Finlayson, Paul Cruikshank-Inns, Ralph Towner, Robert Fripp, Shawn Lane, Thudwail, Will Pike
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Quick plays: CARL VERHEYEN, THE MASTELOTTOS
CARL VERHEYEN Sundial (Cranktone Entertainment) [Release date 01.04.21] More laid back Lockdown noodlings, this time from a guitarist perhaps best known for his work with Supertramp. Verheyen’s idea was to create something varied and there were no constraints in terms … Continue reading
Album review: ONE THOUSAND MOTELS – Get In Where You Fit In
Universal Music [Release date 30.04.21] One Thousand Motels is a bit of a punk supergroup if you will, consisting of the Damned drummer Rat Scabies, and bassist/multi-instrumentalist Chris Constantinou, who has worked with Adam Ant, Sinead O’Connor, Bow Wow Wow … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Chris Constantinou, Get In Where You Fit In, gospel, One Thousand Motels, pop, punk, Rat Scabies, review, rock, The Damned
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Album review: ARION – Vultures Die Alone
AFM [release date: 9.04.21] Over the 10 years since their debut, Arion have swapped teenage Eurovision notoriety for cutting edge symphonic rock. Like other Power Metal bands, their music is emphatic, and heavy on the drama. They know how to … Continue reading
Album review: GARY HUGHES – Decades
Frontiers Records [Release Date 12.03.21] With Gary Hughes having just released his first solo album in a long while, the simultaneous release of this generous 29 track double compilation is very timely as an opportunity to discover (or rediscover) the … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, AOR, compilation, Gary Hughes, melodic rock, TEN
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Album review: A RISING FORCE – Undertow
HighVolMusic [Release Date 07.05.21] A Rising Force brings together several seasoned Minnesota musicians in a new band. They include guitarist Leni DiMancari, who was an original member of Hericane Alice but is better known, at least to me, as the … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged A Rising Force, album, Brian Lorenson, Lane Allen, Leni DiMancari, Mark Westlund, Undertow
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Album review: CHEZ KANE
Frontiers Records [Release Date 12.03.21] Chez Kane is one of three sisters fronting Kane’d, who have gained a reputation pre-pandemic as an enjoyable live act. This is her debut solo album, though equal uncredited billing goes to Danny Rexon, lead … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, AOR, Chez Kane, Crazy Lixx, Danny Rexon, melodic rock
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Album review: SMITH KOTZEN (Adrian Smith, Richie Kotzen)
BMG [Release date 26.03.21] What have rock stars been doing in Lockdown? Streaming, recycling back catalogue, a bit of gardening, maybe even new material. And some have joined forces with others. Strength in numbers, or something. Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged Adrian Smith, album, blues rock, guitar, hard rock, Iron Maiden, melodic rock, Mr Big, Poison, review, Richie Kotzen, Smith Kotzen
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Album review: GARY HUGHES – Waterside
Frontiers Records [Release Date 12.03.21] It’s been a relatively quiet period for Gary Hughes, the usually prolific Ten mainman- over two years since Ten’s last album but a whopping 14 since his last album under his own name. Now, on … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Dann Rosingana, Darrel Treece-Birch, Gary Hughes, melodic rock, TEN
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Album review: THE FLEUR DE LYS – Circles: The Ultimate
Countdown Records / Acid Jazz [Release date 26.3.21] Formed in Southampton in 1964, The Fleur De Lys had an ever-changing line up during their short lifetime, the mainstay being drummer Keith Guster who has assisted with this new 25 track … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
Tagged album, Circles, Fleur de Lys, Keith Guster, pop, R&B, review, soul, The Ultimate'
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Album review: UNDERKING – At Hell’s Gate
Bandcamp [Release date 23.04.21] Underking is in fact a one-man band consisting of Maxwell Jeffries hailing from Nottingham and this is Underking’s third album. Maxwell has been working on this album for over a year, with the songs covering “topics … Continue reading
Album review: REACH – The Promise Of A Life
Facebook [Release date 23.04.21] Reach was founded in 2012 and settled on a power trio consisting of Ludvig Turner (vocals, guitars), Marcus Johansson (drums) and Soufian Ma´Aoui (bass). Reach have released two albums prior to this one and have played … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, alternative, melodic, modern rock, Muse, pomp rock, Queen, quirky, Reach, review, rock, The Promise Of A Life
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Album review: THE OUTLAW ORCHESTRA – Power Cut
Website [Release date 26.03.21] The Outlaw Orchestra, who love southern rock, blues and country, via their hometown of Southampton, follow up last year’s enjoyable ‘Pantomime Villains’ with this mini-album. As singer/guitarist Dave Roux explains “When we’re not on the road, … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, blues, country, EP, Outlaw Orchestra, Power Cut, review, rock, southern rock
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Album review: BEN RANDALL – Before The Rain
Thoroughbred Music [Release date: 02.04.21] www.benrandallguitar.com For me, it’s always been about the guitar. Back in the day, from the moment I heard Paul Kossoff’s wailing Les Paul on the early Free albums, I was hooked. Koss, Blackmore, Iommi, … Continue reading
Album review: SUNSTORM – Afterlife
Frontiers Records [Release date 12.03.21] Gone are the days of the Joe Lynn Turner fronted Sunstorm. Gone are the days when the band’s songs were written by Diane Warren, Desmond Child, Bob Halligan jnr, The Martin (Vega) Brothers and other … Continue reading
Album review: JULIAN TAYLOR BAND – Desert Star
Julian Taylor chatted to Pete Feenstra on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sunday 28 March, 20:00 GMT including tracks from ‘Desert Star’. Aporia Records [Release date 28.05.21] Julian Taylor Band’s ‘Desert Star’ is the album that refuses to lie down. … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview
Tagged album, Canada, Desert Star, funk, Joey Landreth, John Mayer, Julian Taylor, Julian Taylor Band, Prince, R&B, review, rock, roots, soul, Stevie Wonder, Toronto
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Quick plays: CITIZEN, NAD SYLVAN, ESCAPE
CITIZEN Life In Your Glass World Run For Cover Records [Release date 26.03.21] Formed in 2009, Citizen – vocalist Mat Kerekes, guitarist Nick Hamm, and bassist Eric Hamm – return after almost 4 years away with their new album, ‘Life … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
Tagged album, alt rock, alternative, Citizen, Escape, Fire In The Sky, Genesis, hard rock, Life In Your Glass World, Nad Sylvan, prog, review, rock, Spiritus Mundi
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Album review: THE ALMIGHTY – Welcome To Defiance (7 CD Boxset)
HNE / Cherry Red Records [release date 26.03.21] Glasgow band, The Almighty, was formed in 1988 and revolved around Ricky Warwick on guitar and vocals. (He now does the same job for the Black Star Riders.) Such was the band’s … Continue reading
Album review: THE BAND – Stage Fright (50th Anniversary Edition)
Capitol / UMG [Release date 12.2.21] Often regarded as a poor relation to The Band’s peerless first two albums, this 2CD anniversary edition of “Stage Fright” (overseen by Robbie Robertson) invites fresh appraisal with a new mix and revised running … Continue reading
Album review: METALITE – A Virtual World
AFM Records [release date 26.03.21] Coming soon to a Melodic Metal dancefloor near you, Metalite and their third album, A Virtual World. Afficionados will already know the band incorporate elements of trance and electronica into their streamlined melodic metal variant. … Continue reading
Album review: SECRET SPHERE – Lifeblood
Frontiers Records [Release date 12.03.21] If Italy’s Secret Sphere aren’t the EU’s Power Metal poster boys, then they should be. They are a relatively unsung band who’ve battled through multiple line up changes, and come up smelling of roses every … Continue reading
Album review: JOEL HOEKSTRA’S 13 – Running Games
Frontiers [Release date 12.02.21] Joel Hoekstra, best known as the current guitarist for Whitesnake and Trans-Siberian Orchestra (and previously as a member of Night Ranger and the Broadway show Rock of Ages), returns with album number two from his solo … Continue reading
