Category Archives: ALL POSTS

SANTANA – Greatest Hits: A Night In Montreux

Eagle Vision (2012) This is a new blu ray DVD release which perfectly captures Carlos Santana and his cohorts playing through a stunning set of Santana’s greatest hits. This gig was recorded during the band’s European tour in July 2011 … Continue reading

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JAMIE HARTMAN – Girlwise

The second single lifted from his upcoming album ‘III’ and already it has been playlisted by BBC Radio 2. It is a very breezy and most important of all, catchy tune that given a little luck could easily be a … Continue reading

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SAVAGE MESSIAH ‘Plague of Conscience’

Savage Messiah is an English outfit producing metal that grabs one’s attention.  This is the band’s third release and has been available for free download on Earache’s web page. The artwork belies the true nature of the band’s music: while … Continue reading

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COMSORTIUM PROJECT – re-issues

Lion Music www.lionmusic.com Ian Parry’s brainchild, Consortium Project, was born in 1999 following his previous solo album “Thru the looking glass” in 1995.  The project lived for no fewer than 13 years, with the release of five epic tales, reaching … Continue reading

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HOLY FORCE – S/T

http://www.holyforceband.com Music By Mail (2012) Holy Force is a power metal outfit formed by guitarist Ango Chen.  He penned 14 songs, three of them instrumentals, for this, the band’s debut release, which features Mark Boals (vocals, ex-Yngwie), Mike LePond (bass, … Continue reading

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MARK NORTHFIELD – Alterations

Mark Northfield has taken a novel idea on this ten song album whereby the first five songs have their riffs taken and then used in the final five songs. It has a large musical cast with nine vocalists joining himself … Continue reading

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Iced Earth/Symphony X/Warbringer: Old Friends and An Act of Kindness

 By Chris Martin It’s no big secret really, but I tend to be a fairly nice guy. I have a very tough exterior, and tend to put out a serious vibe that tends to push people away. Truth be told, … Continue reading

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Quick Plays – Trillium, Johnny Bennett, Skeletal Damage, Epigene

Johnny Bennett “Gone Missing” (www.johnny-bennett.com) I don’t know much about Johnny Bennett except that he is an American singer songwriter whose blues edged 2nd album “Gone Missing” was recorded in Oxfordshire and is now available from www.johnny-bennett.com. The album itself … Continue reading

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TOXIC FEDERATION – ‘Distance’

Cargo Records 2012 (Ed’s note: band now called Fahran) This Midlands based band were formed in 2006 yet have an average age of just 20 and if their new album  is anything to go by, then they deserve to be … Continue reading

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TRISTAN MACKAY – ‘Out Along The Wire’

 Battered Hat Records 2011 Singer songwriter Tristan Mackay was first inspired to pick up the guitar after hearing Clapton’s “Unplugged” album and you can certainly hear that in his style of playing.  Having released a couple of EPs and had … Continue reading

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POPA CHUBBY – ‘Back to New York City’

 Provogue 2011 American Blues Rock guitarist Popa Chubby has been nothing short of prolific in his output over the last decade. Releasing six studio and four live albums in the last ten years, “Back to New York City” is his … Continue reading

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THE LAYABOUTS – ‘Strange Behaviour’

 Homeless Records 2012 Madrid based four piece The Layabouts new album “Strange Behaviour” delivers 10 tracks in just 29 minutes- energetic burst of sleaze, punk and garage rock infused music that sounds more American or English than Spanish. Whether it … Continue reading

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CHEERLEADER – ‘Vegas Or Bust’

 Angry Shark Records 2012 Cheerleader are not to be typecast as just Scandinavian rock as these boys don’t quite fit into that mould, and that is a good thing. Hailing from Sweden the band has a bigger sound than most … Continue reading

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DONNIE VIE – Wrapped Around My Middle Finger

Livewire/Cargo Records 2012 Written by, partly produced by and featuring the multi-instrumental skills of Enuff z Nuff frontman Donnie Vie, his new solo album “Wrapped Around My Middle Finger” has just been released and will be hard to prise away … Continue reading

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SEETHER – Holding On To The Strings Better Left To Fray

10 Q’s with the band Wind-Up Records 2012 South African post grunge rockers Seether are back with their 6th album, the snappily titled ‘Holding On To The Strings Better Left To Fray’. It has been four years since the band’s … Continue reading

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HOME RUN – Black World

 Tarzan Music 2012 Italian band Home Run have released their second album ”Black World”, which finds the band with not only a new rhythm section but a new guitarist – however on listening you could easily believe they have been … Continue reading

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X-UFO – Vol.1: The Live Files!

 (www.x-ufo.co.uk) More than a mere tribute band to UFO, each member of X-UFO has played with the band (bassist Rocky Newton actually played in MSG but that’s good enough for me!!)  and has a strong musical pedigree to match. Recorded … Continue reading

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STEVE THORNE – Crimes & Reasons

GEP/SPV 2012 www.steve-thorne.co.uk Steve Thorne returns with his fourth album, playing the majority of the instruments bar Nick D’Virgilio (Cirque Du Soleil/ex-Spock’s Beard) and Bob White on drums with Tony Levin and Gary Chandler (Jadis) also guesting. Also former IQ … Continue reading

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INFERNAL OVERDRIVE – Last Rays Of The Dying Sun

(Small Stone Records 2012) www.smallstone.com Infernal Overdrive are a four piece fronted by Marc Schleicher (lead guitar/vocals) and they meld classic 70′s rock from the likes of Cactus, Grand Funk Railroad, Blue Oyster Cult and more modern bands like QOTSA … Continue reading

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MELT – Armageddon Party

Powderfinger I have come across many rock genres and sub-genres in my time, but Melt have introduced me to yet another in the shape of ‘ dark alternapop’, so what the hell is it ?? Fronted by classically trained singer, … Continue reading

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DEAD CELLS – Tear Down The Heavens

Dead Cells play rock music. This may sound like a simplistic statement, but that is exactly what you get, straight ahead, no frills rock which is refreshing to hear. The band formed a couple of years ago and have released … Continue reading

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SHOOT THE DEAD – The Rage

Manilla PR Shoot The Dead claim to have taken their name from George Romero zombie movies and with a new single called ‘The Rage’ I was expecting a full on hardcore metal experience, but names and titles can give you … Continue reading

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SHOWBIZHEROES – Climb To A Fall

Manilla PR This is the second single release from Indie rockers Showbizheroes . The band recorded the track at their own DIY studio and it is a good effort. The band are purveyors of catchy indie rock with good playing … Continue reading

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THE MIXUPS – Your Side

Manilla PR This is the latest single from Glasgow based 4 piece The MixUps and is part of a plan to release a single every month for a year. The band sound like Yellow Submarine period Beatles spliced with Squeeze … Continue reading

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MAD MAX – Another Night Of Passion

SPV www.spv.de Mad Max have always had a cult status in the melodic rock world after their 1987 album ‘Night Of Passion’ received rave reviews but never sold like it should have. There have been various Mad Max line-ups in … Continue reading

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