Category Archives: ALL POSTS

Album review: LAYLA ZOE – Into The Blue, Live In Concert

Posted on October 15, 2024 by petefeenstra

Layla Zoe Music [Release date: 13.09.24] To say Layla Zoe warms to the notion of being an independent artist, is to understate her willingness to both dig deep for her emotions in a concert situation, and fly in the face … Continue reading →

Album review: RUBY DAWN – Blood On Water

Posted on October 14, 2024 by alanjones

Self-released [Release date 01.11.24] Hailing from Wokingham in the UK, Ruby Dawn are a rather fine progressive/art-rock band consolidating their progressive credentials with this follow-up to 2023’s ‘Beyond Tomorrow’, which, from all accounts, was an excellent debut in itself. Fronted … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Blood On Water, Progressive Rock, review, Ruby Dawn | Leave a comment

Album review: ARIES DESCENDANT – The Ashes Of Deceit

Posted on October 14, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 18.10.24] An amazing sense of musical ambition can often be found among European Rock and Metal bands. Often that ambition is rooted in the classics, or at least how the classics have been interpreted by contemporary musicians. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Aries Descendant, Frontiers The Ashes Of Deceit, John Weingarten, Niklas Sonne, review, symphonic rock | Leave a comment

Album review : STEVE HOWE – Guitarscape

Posted on October 14, 2024 by jason

HoweSound [Release date: 27.09.24] With more than one hundred albums featuring his name in the recording credits, to offer guitarist Steve Howe the title of a truly accomplished musician should come as no surprise to anyone – still, it does … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Asia, Dylan Howe, guitarist, Guitarscape, instrumental, progressive, review, rock, Solo, Steve Howe, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review : FATE – Reconnect ‘N Ignite

Posted on October 13, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 18.10.24] As Frontiers Records powers up its fourth quarter release schedule for 2024, it’ll be interesting to see if the label can maintain the quality we have become used to. Already with good stuff from Fans Of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Cruisin For A Bruisin, Fate, Frontiers, Hard Melodic Rock, Per Johansson, Reconnect 'N' Ignite, review, Torben Enevoldsen | Leave a comment

Album review: WILLIE DOWLING – The Simpleton

Posted on October 13, 2024 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 01.11.24] A new Willie Dowling album, whether it be under his own name or as part of one of his many fine groups like the Grip, Honeycrack, the Dowling Poole et al, is always a treat. On … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, review, The Simpleton, Willie Dowling | Leave a comment

Album review: BOBBY ‘BORIS’ PICKETT – The Monster Mash

Posted on October 13, 2024 by jason

Decca [Release date 11.10.24] Bobby Pickett, a comedian and singer/songwriter, recorded this track after fronting a band called the Cordials by night, while attending auditions by day. Part of his act would include a monologue imitating Boris Karloff (probably best … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Bobby ‘Boris’ Pickett, classic pop, Decca, HaLLoween, pop, review, The Monster Mash | Leave a comment

Gig review: SAMANTHA FISH – Koko, London, 6 October 2024

Posted on October 12, 2024 by Davoski

The splendid Koko was brimming full for the return of Samantha Fish to these shores with her own band, following last year’s shows with Jesse Dayton. And great to see the crowd that welcomed The Zac Schulze Gang’s support slot … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 6 October 2024, band, blues, gig, guitarist, Koko, review, rock, Samantha Fish, Zac Schulze | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE KNIGHTLEY – The Winter Yards

Posted on October 12, 2024 by jason

Website [Release date 04.10.24] With Show of Hands on ‘an indefinite break’, Steve Knightley releases this, his first solo studio album in 17 years. Guest artists on the album include his Show of Hands partner-in-crime Phil Beer, Phillip Henry (Edgelarks), Madrid-based Track … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, contemporary music, folk, melodic, review, Show Of Hands, songwriter, Steve Knightley, The Winter Yards | Leave a comment

Gig review: APOCALYPTICA – SWG3, Glasgow, 3 October 2024

Posted on October 11, 2024 by david.wilson

Many years ago I attended a guitar masterclass with the legendary singer/songwriter Gordon Giltrap. It was just one man with an acoustic guitar, but the sound and sheer ferocity of riffage he managed to extract from his poor, tortured acoustic … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 3rd Oct 2024, Apocalyptica, cello, Eicca Toppinen, gig, Glasgow, James Hetfield, live, Master Of Puppets, Metallica, One, Perttu Kivilaakso, Plays Metallica Vol 2, Rob Trujillo, Sad But True, SWG 3 | Leave a comment

Album review : NIGHTMARE – Waiting For The Power, The Early Years (3 CD Set)

Posted on October 10, 2024 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date : 11.10.24] French cult Metal band, Nightmare, released the album, Encrypted, last year. Their 12th since forming in 1979. We reviewed it in GRTR! a few months ago. In another scoop for Cherry Red, remasters of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged Cherry Red, French, Grenoble, Heavy Metal. NWOBHM, Nightmare, review, The Early Years, Waiting For The Power | Leave a comment

Gig review: MARTIN TURNER – 100 Club, London, 3 October 2024

Posted on October 9, 2024 by andynathan

2024 has seen Wishbone Ash founder member Martin Turner tour a set based around the Live Dates Volume Two album: perhaps less heralded than its predecessor, this 1980 release shows the ‘Mark 2’ phase of the band at their finest … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 100 Club, Danny Willson, gig, Live Dates Volume Two, Martin Turner, Misha Nikolic, Sonny Flint, Wishbone Ash | Leave a comment

Album review: CLEANBREAK – We Are The Fire

Posted on October 8, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date : 11.10.24] We Are The Fire is the second album from Cleanbreak, Mike (Riot/Riot V) Flyntz and Frontiers’ wunderkind, James Durbin. While Mark Reale and Rhett Forester were getting all the headlines with Riot and Riot V, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alessandro Delvecchio, Cleanbreak, Frontiers, hard rock, James Durbin, metal, Mike Flyntz, review, Riot V, Stryper, We Are The Fire | Leave a comment

Album review: SMASH ATOMS

Posted on October 8, 2024 by jason

M-Theory Audio [Release date 11.10.24] This year SMASH ATOMS have been bubbling under, mainly from the overwhelming and surprising response the Swedish quartet have received from commercial/active rock radio. Servicing their first single/video “Down” inspired a dozen stations to immediately … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, debut, grunge, review, rock, self-titled, Smash Atoms | Leave a comment

Album review : THUNDER – The Complete EMI Recordings 1989-95 (7 CD boxset)

Posted on October 8, 2024 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date 27.08.24] Thunder rose from the ashes of Terraplane, a two album English band who never escaped from label interference. Singer Danny Bowes and guitarist, Luke Morley, along with Gary “Harry” James, Ben Matthews and Mark “Snake” … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Backstreet Symphony, Behind Closed Doors, Danny Bowes, EMI, hard rock, Laughing On Judgement Day, Luke Morley, review, Thunder | Leave a comment

Gig review: VINCENT FLATTS FINAL DRIVE – Slim Jim’s Liquor Store, Islington, London 4 October 2024

Posted on October 7, 2024 by petefeenstra

Tonight is the sort of gig that restates the true staples of rock and roll, namely the holy trinity of a great band, a welcoming venue and receptive audience. Birmingham’s Vincent Flatts Final Drive is the kind kick ass band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 4 October 2024, AC/DC, Americana, Bernard Allison, Bertie, boogie, Captain Beefheart, funk, Gary Harper, live, London, review, Rich Shelton, rock, Russ Cook, Slim Jim's Liquor Store, Starfighters, Steve Burton, The Georgia Satellites, Vincent Flatts Final Drive | Leave a comment

Album review: SUNJAY – I’m Just Like You

Posted on October 6, 2024 by jason

Website [Release date 11.11.24] This latest album by singer, songwriter and blues guitarist Sunjay is a tribute to blues legend Chris Smither. The album features 15 of Chris Smither’s original songs, it was originally recorded as a private gift for Smither’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, blues, Chris Smither, folk, guitarist, I'm Just Like You, review, singer songwriter, Sunjay | 1 Comment

EP review: CLUB PARADISE – Life On TV

Posted on October 6, 2024 by jason

Facebook [Release date 11.10.24] Club Paradise is made up of school friends Ryan Young (vocals/guitar), Jackson Vert (lead guitar), Harry Webb (bass) and Nathan Hogg (drums). They have been together for over a decade and it shows in that they have a tight sound/decent production values. The EP features … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Club Paradise, EP, indie, indie pop, indie rock, Life On TV, melodic, pop rock, review | Leave a comment

Album review: RADIOACTIVE – Reset

Posted on October 6, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date : 11.10.24] Swedish musician/songwriter/producer, Tommy Denander has been an integral part of the AOR/Melodic Rock scene for more than 25 years now. He’s worked closely with countless musicians in the genre, most notably Bobby Kimball, Alice Cooper … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Bobby Kimball, Jeff Paris, Jim Jidhed, Jimi Jamison, Mutt Lange, RADIOACTIVE, Reset, review, Robin McAuley, Tommy Denander, Toto | Leave a comment

Album review: SLIK – The Complete Slik Collection (2 CDs)

Posted on October 6, 2024 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date : 11.10.24] This is as much a story about two songwriters, Scotland’s Bill Martin and Irishman, Phil Coulter, as it is the story of Scottish band Slik who enjoyed a 3 year lifespan, 1975-1977. Martin and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Band Aid, Bay City Rollers, Bill Martin, Cherry Red, Live Aid, Midge Ure, Phil Coulter, review, Rich Kids, Slik, ULTRAVOX, Visage | Leave a comment

Album review: HOUSE OF LORDS – Full Tilt Overdrive

Posted on October 5, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date : 11.10.24] More of a commitment than an album title, the House Of Lords 12th recording, Full Tilt Overdrive, follows through on the “in your face melodic hard rock” of their 2022 release, Saints and Sinners. It … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Drive She Said, Frontiers, House of Lords, James Christian, Jimi Bell, Mark Mangold, melodic hard rock, review, Touch | Leave a comment

Gig review: BLUE NATION- The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 27 September 2024

Posted on October 5, 2024 by andynathan

Blue Nation are a band making a growing name for themselves. They’ve actually been around quite some while, but about 18 months ago I’d been impressed enough by their support slot with Laurence Jones to buy a CD, so the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Blue Nation, blues rock, gig, Luke Weston, Neil Murdoch, Nick Sharman, The Cavern | Leave a comment

Album review: FANS OF THE DARK – Video

Posted on October 2, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date : 11.10.24] There’s a lot to love about Fans Of The Dark’s third album, Video. Their last album, Suburbia, was a nostalgic look at the life we led in the eighties – primarily teen culture, home entertainment … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alex Falk, Cliff Martinez, Fans of the Dark, Freddie Allen, Frontiers, Houston, Maria Bava, Oscar Bromval, review, Rickard Gramfors, Suburbia, video | Leave a comment

News: JESSE DAMON, NICKY HOPKINS, NEIL YOUNG (October 2024)

Posted on October 1, 2024 by jason

Dream Theater - Manchester O2 Apollo, 13 February 2014

After Lapse release their new album ‘Pathways’ on December 13 on Frontiers. Arch Enemy release their twelfth studio album, ‘Blood Dynasty’, on March 28 via Century Media Records. Joan Armatrading has announced that her new album, ‘How Did This Happen And What Does … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged albums, AOR, blues, folk, gigs, Jesse Damon, melodic rock, metal, Neil Young, news, Nicky Hopkins, re-issues, RIP, special editions, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review: KALANDRA – A Frame Of Mind

Posted on September 30, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

By Norse Music [Release date 13.09.24] What is it with Scandinavia – still enticing and alluring with it’s Scandi Noir blend of melancholy and repressed emotion? If you want an album to soothe the soul as we head out of … Continue reading →