Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album review: ORDEN OGAN – The Order of Fear

Posted on June 29, 2024 by jason

Reigning Pheonix Music [Release date 05.07.24] Album number eight by the power metal veterans Orden Ogan (well, they have been around since 1997 under the Orden Ogan name!) and their first for their new record label, Reigning Phoenix Music. Mainman Sebastian “Seeb” … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, melodic metal, metal, Orden Ogan, Order of Fear, power metal, Reigning Phoenix Music, review, Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann | Leave a comment

Album review : KRYPTOS – Decimator

Posted on June 29, 2024 by brianmc

AFM Records [Release date : 05.07.24] On their magnificent seventh album now, Indian heavy metal band, Kryptos still have their eyes on the prize. It’s always tantalisingly out of reach for most bands. Few ever get their hands on it. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged AFM Records, Decimator, heavy metal, India, Kryptos, Nolan Lewis, NWOBHM, review | Leave a comment

Album review : THE BYRON BAND – On The Rocks… Again, 3CD Box Set

Posted on June 26, 2024 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date : 28.06.24] CD1: On The Rocks (1981) CD2: Demos recorded for unreleased second album (1982) CD3: Rehearsal Recording (1981), plus Live In Liverpool (1980) The title of the Byron Band’s debut album, On The Rocks, is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Byron Band, David Byron, On The Rocks, review, Robin George, rock, Uriah Heep | Leave a comment

Album review: CIRCULINE – C.O.R.E.

Posted on June 24, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

Inner Nova Music [Release date 20.09.24] There’s nothing quite like a bit of old school schmoozing. Circuline have, let’s say, a certain maturity of years (their bassist Shelby excluded) and – therefore – a maturity of outlook. Old timers like … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, C.O.R.E., Circuline, Dave Bainbridge, prog, Progressive Rock, review | Leave a comment

Album review : CHATEAUX – Spirit Of The Chateau (3 CD Reissue)

Posted on June 23, 2024 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date : 21.06.24] CD1: Chained And Desperate (1983) CD2: Firepower (1984) CD3: Highly Strung (1985) Led by guitarist, Tim Broughton, English metal band Chateau signed to Ebony Records, a NWOBHM startup label, in 1981. The band (previously … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, Reissues | Tagged Chateaux, Firepower, Grim Reaper, Highly Strung, Krys Mason, NWOBHM, review, Spirit Of The Chateaux, Steve Grimmett, Tim Broughton | Leave a comment

Album review: ATLANTIC – Another World

Posted on June 22, 2024 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 21.06.24] Atlantic is the brainchild of guitarist and songwriter Simon Harrison, who released their debut album ‘Power’ back in 1994 (re-issued by Escape in 2008). It was originally planned to be a one-off – until now … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Another World, AOR, Atlantic, Dare, Escape Music, FM, Grim Reaper, Journey, Lionsheart, Mark Grimmett, melodic rock, review, Simon Harrison, Steve Grimmett | Leave a comment

Album review : PALLAS – Eyes In The Night (The Recordings 1981-86, 7CD boxset)

Posted on June 21, 2024 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date : 28.06.24] You have to credit Cherry Red with their even handed approach to reissues/remasters. No offence to fans of neo-Prog band, Pallas, but the band is not front page news, and never have been, but … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged boxset, DVD, Eddy Offord, ELP, Genesis, King Crimson, London, Marillion, neo prog, Pallas, review, Scottish, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review : MAGGIE E. ROGERS – Chasing Sunsets

Posted on June 21, 2024 by petefeenstra

‘Chasing Sunsets’ is a lyrically strong and musical versatile album rooted in the folk, singer songwriter and storytelling tradition. Significantly subtitled; ‘ Songs of love, life…and the sun’, the 11 tracks gather a momentum through M.D. Mike King’s inventive arrangements … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, blues, Chasing Sunsets, Damien Nolan, funk, jazz, Maggie E Rogers, Mike King, Mirco Altenbach, Noel Harrison, review, rock, Roger Inniss, singer, songwriter, Tom Waits | Leave a comment

Album review: FRANK ZAPPA & THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION – Whisky A-Go-Go 1968

Posted on June 21, 2024 by jason

UMC [Release date 21.06.24] Singer, instrumentalist and composer Frank Zappa is widely considered one of the foremost, innovative, prolific and off-the-wall musicians to ever record, and he often took an anti-establishment view too. With his band The Mothers Of Invention, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album by Frank Zappa, fusion, guitarist, jazz, review, rock, The Mothers Of Invention, Whisky A-Go-Go 1968 | Leave a comment

Album review: VICIOUS RUMORS – Welcome To The Ball (Remaster)

Posted on June 20, 2024 by brianmc

Rock Candy [Release date : 24.05.24] Rock Candy Records are perhaps, unfairly, more associated with AOR and Melodic Rock than they are Metal, but among reissue labels they have no peers when it comes to value judgement. The always underrated … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Reissues | Tagged Bruce Dickinson, Carl Albert, Geoff Thorpe, heavy metal, Mark McGhee, power metal, review, Rock Candy Records, Vicious Rumors | Leave a comment

Album review : AXE – The Offering (Remaster)

Posted on June 18, 2024 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [Release date 24.05.24] Third time lucky for Axe. The Offering, released in 1982, got enough sales and radio airplay to put them firmly on the USA’s Melodic Rock map, leading directly to tours with Kiss, The Scorpions … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, Axe, Bobby Barth, Edgar Riley, Kiss, melodic rock, Mike Osborne, remaster, review, Rock Candy Records, Scorpions, ZZ Top | Leave a comment

Album review : THE LADDER – S/T (Remaster)

Posted on June 17, 2024 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [Release date : 24.05.24] Another “obscure” 1980’s American AOR album, rescued by Rock Candy Records. It was “big in Japan” though. Aren’t they all. The Ladder – writers Joe and Lou Parente, with vocalist Frank Mancano – … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, ATCO, Chicago, David Foster, Frank Mancano, Joe Parente, Lou Parente, Philadelphia, review, Rock Candy, The Ladder | Leave a comment

Album review : STRIDER – Exposed and Misunderstood (Remasters)

Posted on June 16, 2024 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [Release date: 24.05.24] In 1970, Strider formed in London. Wrong place, right time? Right place, wrong time? Who knows. Certainly wasn’t for lack of talent or quality songs. Hugely popular with a core UK fanbase, Strider could … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Babys, blues, Eddie Money, Exposed, Gary Grainger, Misunderstood, review, rock, Rock Candy, Rod Stewart, Strider, Terry Brock | Leave a comment

Album review: ATLANTIS DRIVE – Atlantis Drive

Posted on June 16, 2024 by jason

Pride & Joy Music [Release date 14.06.24] Composer and guitarist Markus Pfeffer (Barnabas Sky, Lazarus Dream) is the mastermind behind Atlantis Drive. As Markus explains – “I had a very clear goal with this album: To take up the sound … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Atlantis Drive, hard rock, Lazarus Dream, Mark Boals, Markus Pfeffer, melodic, melodic rock, Pride & Joy Music, review | Leave a comment

Album review: JOE BONAMASSA – Live at The Hollywood Bowl With Orchestra

Posted on June 16, 2024 by petefeenstra

J&R Adventures [Release date 21.06.24] Joe Bonamassas’s ‘Live at The Hollywood Bowl With Orchestra’ is a triumph of ambition and execution, as a well chosen catalogue of songs are inbued with fresh energy and a bigger musical sweep. You’d be … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Barbra Streisand, blues, Bob Ezrin, Bobby Bland, British Blues Invasion, Calvin Turner, Chris Whitley, guitar, Joe Bonamassa, Josh Smith, Led Zeppelin, Lemar Carter, Live at The Hollywood Bowl With Orchestra, Michael Kamen, orchestra, Pink Floyd, Rashawn Ross, Reese Wynans, review, rock, Warren Haynes | Leave a comment

Album review : TKO – Total Knockout – The Complete TKO 5 CD Boxset

Posted on June 15, 2024 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date 28.06.24] CD1: Let It Roll (1979) CD2: Lost Demos (1980) CD3: In Your Face (1981) CD4: Below The Belt (1984) CD5: Early Mixes 1979, 14 years before Brad Sinsel’s War Babies became the only band not … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Adam Brenner, Brad Sinsel, hard rock, Kjartan Kristofferson, review, Rick Keefer, Rick Pierce, Suicide Squad, TKO, Total Knockout | Leave a comment

Album review: ROB TOGNONI – Rebel

Posted on June 14, 2024 by petefeenstra

MIG Music [Release date 18.01.24] Seemingly always a “Rebel”, it’s curious that it’s taken Aussie rocker Rob Tognoni until something like his 27th album to embrace the outsider theme as an album title. Ever since outgrowing the “latest big thing” … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AC DC. The Kinks, album, David Bowie, Jimi Henrix, Keith Richards, Rebel, review, Rob Tognoni, rock, Slawek Semeniuk, The Rolling Stones, Thin Lizzy | Leave a comment

Album review : JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR – Heavy Soul

Posted on June 14, 2024 by petefeenstra

Journeyman Records [Release date 07.06.24] Joanne Shaw Taylor’s ‘Heavy Soul’ is a decent album with a handful of good songs, some fluid guitar playing and moments of intuitive band interplay, but the inclusion of 3 covers and the overall aim … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alison Prestwood, Anton Fig, Beth Neilson Chapman, Bob Clearmountain, Carmen Vandenberg, funk, guitar, Joan Armatrading, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Kenny Gamble, Kevin Shirley, Leon Huff, review, rock, soul, Van Morrison | Leave a comment

Album review : ANVIL – One And Only

Posted on June 13, 2024 by brianmc

AFM Records [Release date: 28.06.24] There’s Old School Heavy Metal bands, and there’s Anvil. On their 20th album now, the aptly titled One And Only, these Canadian legends have shed any pretence of “modernising” their sound, reaching back to the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged anvil, Canadian, Chris Robertson, heavy metal, old school metal, review, Robb Reiner, Steve Kudrow | Leave a comment

Album review: TERAMAZE – Eli: A Wonderful Fall From Grace

Posted on June 13, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

Wells Music [Release date 24.05.24] teramaze.bandcamp.com/ For some strange reason I have only just become acquainted with this Australian prog metal band. This latest offering is their eleventh full-length album, so I have some catching up to do. Strangely again, over … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Australia, Eli: A Wonderful Fall From Grace, melodic, prog metal, progressive metal, review, Teramaze | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION – V

Posted on June 12, 2024 by petefeenstra

J&R Adventures [Release date 14.06.24] After a 7 year hiatus, the Anglo-American super group Black Country Communion return with an album that rocks hard. There’s plenty of intensity, spirit and a handful of decent tunes with plenty of early 70’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AC/ DC, album, Angus Young, Black Country Communion, blues, Deep Purple, Derek Sherinian, funk, Glenn Hughes, guitar, Jason Binham, Joe Bonamassa, JOE COCKER, Kevin Shirley, Led Zepplein, Paul Kossoff, review, rock, Stevie Wonder, vocal | Leave a comment

Album review : AS I ROVED OUT – THE STORY OF CELTIC ROCK 1968-78 (3CDs)

Posted on June 12, 2024 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date: 21.06.24] Celtic music dates back to the 17th century. It’s part of the musical scenery in western Europe… mainly Portugal, Spain and France. And across the Atlantic in Canada … most especially among the island communities … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Al Stewart, Cape Breton, Celtic rock, France, Ireland, Newfoundland, Pentangle, Portugal, review, Runrig, Scotland, Spain, TASTE, Thin Lizzy | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DAVE FOSTER BAND – Maybe They’ll Come Back For Us

Posted on June 11, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

English Electric Recordings [Release date 31.05.24] Several years ago when I saw The Steve Rothery Band playing live Dave Foster provided support, and then reappeared in the Marillion guitarist’s band. Half way through Foster’s own set, an ethereally toned guitar … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Big Big Train, Mark King, Maybe They'll Come Back For Us, Panic Room, pop prog, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Steve Rothery, The Dave Foster Band | Leave a comment

Album review: HUNGRYTOWN – Circus For Sale

Posted on June 9, 2024 by jason

Big Stir Records [Release date 21.06.24] Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson are Hungrytown, who have released three albums since they formed in 2005. All three have won accolades and Year’s Best Of recognition from within the roots and folk community and beyond. Expectations … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 60s pop, album, Aliento Chamber Players, Americana, Bert Jansch, Circus For Sale, folk, Hungrytown, Ken Anderson, pop, Rebecca Hall, review | Leave a comment

Album review: COLLATERAL- Should’ve Known Better

Posted on June 8, 2024 by andynathan

Cargo Records (Release Date 24.05.24) After bursting on the scene five or six years ago, Kent melodic rockers Collateral’s rise to the top has been a bumpy one – which has included the pandemic striking at the very moment they … Continue reading →