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Latest Album Reviews
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Latest Gig Reviews
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Gig review: THE DARKER MY HORIZON – Dirty Rockers, Dudley, Saturday 24 October 2020
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Gig review: MARK MORRISS- Cabbage Patch, Twickenham, 3 October 2020
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Gig review: GARY FLETCHER AND NICK RITCHIE – Cabbage Patch, Twickenham, 2 October 2020
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Gig review: COLLATERAL – Leo’s, The Red Lion, Gravesend, Friday 4 September 2020
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Gig review: THE DARKER MY HORIZON – The Victoria, Swindon, Thursday 27 August 2020
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Featured Album Reviews
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Album review: JEFFERSON AIRPLANE – Long John Silver/Thirty Seconds Over Winterland
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Book review: The Development Of Large Rock Sound Systems – Chris Hewitt
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Album review: DOUG WAHLBERG BAND – Flying Under The Radar
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Album review: TODD RUNDGREN – A Wizard A True Star, Live
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Album review: DARWIN – Darwin 2: A Frozen War
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Features
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Feature: Collectible Collections – MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND – 40th Anniversary Box Set
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Feature: Albums that time forgot … NATIVE CAIN – The Primitive Soul
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Feature: Albums that time forgot…EUROPE – Secret Society
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Feature: Albums that time forgot…JAMES LABRIE – Elements Of Persuasion
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Feature: Albums that time forgot…DON DOKKEN – Up From The Ashes
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Feature: Albums that time forgot … CODE OF SILENCE – Dark Skies Over Babylon
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Category Archives: PURE METAL (All posts)
Album review: EVERGREY – Escape Of The Phoenix

AFM Records [Release date 26.02.21] Evergrey, led by the formidably talented writer/producer/guitarist/vocalist, Tom Englund, are now on their 12th album. Escape Of The Phoenix once again revisits the band’s idea of adult contemporary metal. It’s a dark, sinewy sound, braced … Continue reading →
Album review: BLACK SABBATH – Vol.4 Super Deluxe Edition

WIN A COPY!! Competition closes 14.02.21 Sanctuary (5LP) [Release date 12.02.21] Now here really is a special edition of a genuinely classic album, by one of the original developers of the whole heavy metal genre, Black Sabbath. Originally a blues … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, Reissues
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Tagged Bill Ward, Black Sabbath, box set, Geezer Butler, heavy metal classic album, Ozzy Osbourne, review, Steve Wilson, Tony Iommi, Vinyl, Vol.4 Super Deluxe Edition
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News: CHEAP TRICK, FM, LEAGUE OF LIGHTS (February 2021)

Cheap Trick release their new album ‘In Another World’ on April 9 via BMG. Sweet Oblivion featuring Geoff Tate release their second album ‘Relentless’ on April 9 via Frontiers. FM release a double live album ‘Tough It Out Live’ on … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, All Posts, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged blues, Cheap Trick, classic rock, festivals, FM, folk, gigs, League Of Lights, metal, New releases, news, rock, tours
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Album review: ACCEPT – Too Mean To Die

Nuclear Blast [Release date 29.01.21] Accept, the German masters of heavy metal for more than 40 years and key influencers on bands such as Metallica and Iron Maiden, return with their 16th studio album – ‘Too Mean To Die’. Accept … Continue reading →
Album review: IRON SAVIOR – Skycrest

AFM Records [Release date 04.12.20] Installed like a figurehead at the prow of European heavy metal, Piet Sielck’s Iron Savior proudly trail the story of this classic musical movement behind them. You could argue that along with Kai Hansen, Sielck … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
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Tagged AFM Records, album, Helloween, IRON SAVIOR, melodic metal, metal, Piet Sielck, power metal, review, Skycrest
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Album review: IRON MASK – Master Of Masters

AFM Records [Release date 05.12.20] For those who live and work outside Power Metal territory, bands like Iron Mask sound much like every other Power Metal band. When you’re on the inside though, perspective comes easy. Different musical styles readily … Continue reading →
Album review: SORCERESS OF SIN – Mirrored Revenge

Bandcamp [Release date 27.11.20] Sorceress Of Sin formed in 2020 in Cambridge, based around vocalist/lyricist Lisa Skinner and her husband, drummer Paul Skinner. By day they run a post office but after hours they go all power metal! Joining them … Continue reading →
News: FOO FIGHTERS, RAINBREAKERS, KISS, JOHN SYKES (January 2021)

Foo Fighters have released a new song ‘No Son Of Mine’ taken from their upcoming album ‘Medicine at Midnight’, out February 5 on Roswell Records/Columbia Records. John Sykes (ex-Blue Murder, Whitesnake) released a new song ‘Dawning Of A Brand New … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, All Posts, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions
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Tagged blues, EP, folk, Foo Fighters, gigs, John Sykes, Kiss, metal, New releases, news, Rainbreakers, rock, singles, tour dates
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EP review: OBSESA – Let In The Light

OBSESA [Release date 26.12.20] Obsesa formed in 2017 in Bury St Edmunds (Vocals/Guitar: Jason Smith, Guitar: Adam Ingram, Bass: Matt Cooper, Drums: Pete Hutchins) have come out swinging and bludgeoning on their debut ep ‘Let In The Light’. Three tracks … Continue reading →
Posted in All Posts, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, Single and EP reviews
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Tagged Doom Metal, EP, Let In The Light, metal, Metallica, Obsesa, review, speed metal, Thrash
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Album review: VANDEN PLAS – The Ghost Experiment, Illumination

Frontiers [Release date 04.12.20] Vanden Plas are something of an institution in their native Germany, and indeed increasingly in the wider world. The Ghost Experiment, Illumination is their 12th studio album. So many Progressive Rock bands succumb to Must Have … Continue reading →
News – NEAL SCHON, HEART, MAGNUM, THE DARKNESS (December 2020)

Journey’s Neal Schon (pictured) releases his new album ‘Universe’ this month. Dream Theater have started work on their new album. In the meantime they have released a seasonal medly ‘The Holiday Spirit Carries On’, available for download at dreamtheaterofficial.bandcamp.com Magnum … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, All Posts, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions
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Tagged albums, blues, festivals, folk, gigs, Heart, Journey, Magnum, metal, Neal Schon, New releases, news, rock, tours
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Album review: MAJESTICA – A Christmas Carol

Nuclear Blast [Release date 04.12.20] ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens is one of my all-time favourite books and has been adapted for TV and film many times. Now we have Swedish symphonic metal band Majestica giving their take on … Continue reading →
Album review: ELLEFSON – No Cover

Combat Records/earMUSIC [Release date 20.11.20] Ellefson, the solo band of Megadeth bassist and co-founder David Ellefson, have a double album of covers for your enjoyment. Even the cover artwork is a homage to Def Leppard’s ‘On Through The Night’ album … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
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Tagged album, Bumblefoot, Cheap Trick, classic rock, Covers, David Ellefson, Doro, Jason McMaster, Megadeth, metal, Ministry, Motorhead, Nazareth, No Cover, review
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Album review: PYRAMAZE – Epitaph

AFM Records [Release date 13.11.20] “Epitaph” is the sixth album in sixteen years from Danish metallers, Pyramaze. This is a band who rebuilt their line up in 2015, after significant loss of key members in 2011. That shakeup reflected an … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
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Tagged AFM Records, album, Epitaph, melodic metal, power metla, prog metal, pure metal, Pyramaze, review
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News – BLACKMORE’S NIGHT, H.E.A.T., ORANGE GOBLIN (November 2020)

Blackmore’s Night release a festive themed four song EP ‘Here We Come A-Caroling’ on December 4 via earMUSIC. The same label release the band’s new studio album ‘Nature’s Light’ next spring. Lizzy Borden releases ‘Best of Lizzy Borden, Vol. 2‘ … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, All Posts, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged Arthur Brown, Blackmore's Night, classic rock, Crashdiet, H.E.A.T., Massive Wagons, metal, news, Orange Goblin, prog rock, rock
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News – AC/DC, BILL BAILEY, INGLORIOUS, FLOGGING MOLLY (October 2020)

AC/DC (pictured above) have been teasing new activity via their website and UK press adverts. They have now confirmed that vocalist Brian Johnson, bassist Cliff Williams and drummer Phil Rudd are officially back in AC/DC, joining Angus and Stevie Young. A … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, All Posts, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged AC/DC, Bill Bailey, classic rock, Flogging Molly, folk, gigs, Inglorious, metal, New releases, news, punk, rock, tours
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Album review: LEAVES’ EYES – The Last Viking

AFM Records [Release date 23.10.20] Leaves’ Eyes are nothing if prolific, with eight albums, eight EPs and a live album since they formed back in 2003. ‘The Last Viking’ marks the final part of the band’s Viking trilogy, telling the … Continue reading →
Album review: RISING STEEL – Fight Them All

Frontiers [Release date 04.09.20] Second album from Grenoble’s finest metal band, Rising Steel. And you can see the tongue in their cheek from space. Allegedly. The band’s amusingly phallic name is the first Freudian nod and wink. And then, endearingly, … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
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Tagged album, Fight Them All, Frontiers, melodic metal, metal, review, Rising Steel
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Album review: FORNDOM – Fapir

Nordvis Produktion [Release date 03.04.20] A new genre has been created: Viking Chill-out and Forndom is the King. Skillfully mixing the best of Icelandic bands like Sigur Ros along with traditional Scandinavian folk, this Swedish artist brings a stunning world … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
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Tagged album, chill, Fapir, folk, Forndom, melodic, review, rock, Viking
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News – KING CRIMSON, NEIL YOUNG, ULTRAVOX (September 2020)

King Crimson release a 26-disc set, ‘The Complete 1969 Recordings’, through Panegyric on October 23. It features a brand new Dolby Atmos mix by Steven Wilson of the band’s 1969 debut album ‘In The Court of the Crimson King’, and includes … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, All Posts, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged albums, Broken Teeth, classic rock, country, folk, King Crimson, metal, Neil Young, New releases, news, Nightwish, pop, prog, re-issues, rock
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