-
-
-
If you can't find what you're looking for - or wish to refine your search to include only references to the key search term - try putting inverted commas around the search term e.g. "Steve Lukather" or "Black Star Riders"
For example if you enter Black Star Riders the results will include all instances of "Black" "Star" and "Riders". The search will also be slower.
-
Our star rating
***** Out of this world
**** Pretty damn fine
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan of the artist or genre
** Instant bargain bin fodder
* Ugly, just ugly
Switch site
-
Upcoming Gigs & Albums
-
Latest Album Reviews
-
Album review: RITA BLISS – One More Winter
-
Album review : SEVEN SPIRES – A Fortress Called Home (Master Key Edition / 3CDs)
-
Album review : SHAKRA – Just Live Loud
-
Album review: KRIS BARRAS BAND – Monsters We Made
-
Album review: THE UGLY GUYS – Highway Shoes
-
Album review: STEVE HACKETT & STEVE ROTHERY – The Roaring Waves
-
-
Latest Gig Reviews
-
GRTR! Greats
-
Featured Album Reviews
-
Features
-
Interviews
-
Single & EP Reviews
-
DVD Reviews
-
Book Reviews
-
News
-
Quick Categories
Categories (All)
Category Archives: PURE METAL (All posts)
Album review: SKINDRED – Smile

Earache Records [Release date 04.11.23] This reviewer knew Skindred by name but never really listened to them (more fool me!) until hearing ‘Gimme That Boom’ on a new arrivals playlist on a streaming service. Then off down to HMV to … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
|
Tagged album, Benji Webbe, melodic, metal, pop rock, punk, ragga metal, rap, review, Skindred, Smile
|
Leave a comment
Album review : OLIVER / DAWSON SAXON – Screaming Eagles – The Complete Works (6 CD boxset)

Cherry Red [Release date: 25.08.23] CD1 : Motorbiker (studio album 2012) CD2 : ReLanded (Live 2000) CD3 : It’s Alive Pt 1 (2003) CD4 : It’s Alive pt2 (2003) CD5 : Victim You (Son Of A Bitch, pre OD studio … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
|
Tagged 6 CD boxset, album, Bill Byford, boxset, Graham Oliver, heavy metal, NWOBHM, old school metal, Oliver Dawson Saxon, review, Screaming Eagles - The Complete Works, Steve Dawson
|
Leave a comment
Album review: PROMETHIUM – Bleeding The Ghost

Load 4 Records [Release date 15.09.23] Post-pandemic has seen a lot of bands undergo line-up changes, and in some cases calling it a day, as musicians re-evaluate what they want to do and achieve musically. Promethium are one such band … Continue reading →
Album review : HELL IN THE CLUB – F.U.B.A.R.

Frontiers [Release date: 11.08.23] This outstandingly good Rock / Metal band have everything going for them except their band name and their album art. Neither of which do them any favours. Just as well the music is so good. Constructed … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
|
Tagged album review, Alice Cooper, Andrea Buratto, Backyard Babies, Crash Diet, Davide Moras, Elvenking, FUBAR, Glamrock, Hell In The Club, metal, Motley Crue, rock, Secret Sphere, Viking metal
|
Leave a comment
Album review : SCREAM MAKER – Land Of Fire

Frontiers [Release date 14.07.23] Although Polish Melodic Metal band, Scream Maker are usually bracketed beside the bands they have frequently toured with, like Saxon, Judas Priest, Megadeth, Slayer and others, their own material drills down into the DNA of the … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
|
Tagged album, Deep Purple, Frontiers, Guns'n'Roses, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Land Of Fire, Megadeth, melodic metal, review, Ronnie James Dio, Saxon. Slayer, Scream Maker
|
Leave a comment
News: BRUCE SOORD, MESHUGGAH, OF MICE AND MEN (August 2023)

The Anchoress will release a covers album ‘Versions’ on October 6 through Drowned In Sound. Atlantea, the new progressive rock project by Ten’s Darrel Treece-Birch, has signed a record deal with Lion Music. Ronnie Atkins releases his third solo album, … Continue reading →
Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, 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, blues, Bruce Soord, classic rock, folk, gigs, Messugah, metal, news, Of Mice And Men, prog rock, Re-issues/special editions, RIP, The Pineapple Thief, tour dates
|
Leave a comment
Album review : IRON SAVIOR – Riding On Fire – The Noise Years 1997-2004, 6 CD Boxset

Cherry Red [Release date 28.07.23] “A constant and independent force within the Power Metal universe”. No prizes for attributing this quote to Iron Savior mainman, Piet Sielck. It could easily have come from his Iron Savior buddy, Kai (Gamma Ray) … Continue reading →
Album review: RAY ALDER – II

Inside Out [Release date: 09.06.23] When asked to compile a list of the most influential vocalists of the Progressive Metal genre, Ray Alder’s is, undoubtedly and reservedly so, one of the very first names that comes to mind. Having been … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Pure Metal/Album reviews
|
Tagged album, Fates Warning, II, Jim Matheos, metal, prog metal, progressive, Ray Alder, review
|
Leave a comment
Album review : EDGE OF PARADISE – Hologram

Frontiers [Release date: 14.07.23] Fresh off a ten date US tour with Lacuna Coil, Edge Of Paradise release Hologram, their fifth album, their third on Frontiers. The band is a duo comprising of Armenian/ Russian/ American singer, Margarita Monet, and … Continue reading →
Album review : HATEBREED – The Rise Of Brutality / Supremacy (2CD Deluxe Ed)

Cherry Red [release date: 14.07.23] “Heavy Music is this cleansing, therapeutic and cathartic experience for so many”. So says Jamie Jasta, frontman of US Grammy nominated, Metal/ Hardcore band, Hatebreed. No surprise then to learn that his band are longtime … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
|
Tagged album, Black Label Society, Grammy, Hardcore, Jamie Jasta, metal, reissue, Slayer, SLIPKNOT
|
Leave a comment
Album review : ALL FOR METAL – Legends

AFM Records [release date : 07.07.23] We distinctly remember reviewing All For Metal’s trailer single, ‘We were Born In Valhalla’, back in December last year, and referring this dubious claim to a Fact Check website. Well, they never got back … Continue reading →
Album review: BLOODBOUND – Tales From The North

AFM Records [release date 7.07.23] Since the early nineties, Northern European Metal bands have progressively sought to explore and celebrate the history and impact of Viking Culture. “Viking Metal” has grown considerably since then. One of today’s key exponents is … Continue reading →
Album review : PYRAMAZE – Bloodlines

AFM Records [Release date 23.06.23] Bloodlines is the seventh album in eighteen years from Danish metallers, Pyramaze. This is a band who rebuilt their line up in 2015, after significant loss of key members in 2011. It took the new … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
|
Tagged album, Bloodlines, Classics, Epitaph, Jacob Hansen, melodic metal, prog metal, Pyramaze, review
|
Leave a comment
Album review : WINTERSTORM – Everfrost

AFM Records [Release date 14.07.23] It’s always the case with music like Winterstorm’s – a refreshing mix of Nordic Viking metal, folk, and fast-paced orchestral power metal – that you have to get with the programme to really appreciate it. … Continue reading →
Album review : WITHERING SCORN – Prophets of Demise

Frontiers [Release date: 07.07.23] Withering Scorn is a band made up of experienced, successful heavy metal musicians, assembled by brothers, Glen and Shawn Drover, both ex Megadeth and Eidolon. They are joined by ex Fates Warning bass man, Joe DiBiase … Continue reading →
News: DIO, MARC HUDSON, LINDISFARNE (July 2023)

Angra have signed with Atomic Fire Records who release their new album ‘Cycles Of Pain’ on November 3. Any Given Sin release their latest album ‘War Within’ via Mascot Records on August 4. Asking Alexandria have confirmed the release date … Continue reading →
Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, 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, blues, classic rock, Dio, Dragonfroce, folk, gigs, Lindisfarne, Marc Hudson, metal, news, prog rock, Re-issues/special editions, RIP, tour dates
|
Leave a comment
Album review : FALSE MEMORIES – Hybrid Ego System

Frontiers [Release date: 09.06.23] Guitarist, Francesco Savino founded False Memories in 2015, but it was only when he recruited vocalist, Rossella Moscatelli in 2018 that the band’s career gained some momentum. We reviewed the debut, The Last Night Of Fall … Continue reading →
News: RICK SPRINGFIELD, QUEEN, PHIL VINCENT (June 2023)

Aerosmith release a 44 track ‘Greatest Hits‘ on August 18 on various formats including 3CD and 4LP sets. Albany Down release their new album ‘Born In The Ashes’ on September 1. They have released the first single off the album … Continue reading →
Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, 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, blues, folk, gigs, metal, news, Phil Vincent, Queen, Re-issues/special editions, Rick Springfield, RIP, tour dates
|
Leave a comment
Album review: WEAPON – New Clear Power

Pride & Joy Music [Release date 19.05.23] There have been a few changes in the Weapon camp since their 2019 album ‘Ghosts Of War’, with original guitarist Jeff Summers leaving the band in 2021, and they can now revert to … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
|
Tagged album, Danny Hynes, hard rock, melodic metal, metal, New Clear Power, NWOBHM, review, Robert Majd, Steve Mann, Weapon
|
Leave a comment
Album review: ELEGANT WEAPONS – Horns For A Halo

Nuclear Blast [Release date 26.05.23] Elegant Weapons may be releasing their debut album, however, the album’s line-up is a bit of a metal supergroup. It features Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner, along with fellow Priest band mate, drummer Scott Travis. … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
|
Tagged album, Andy Sneap, debut, Elegant Weapons, heavy metal, Horns For A Halo, Judas Priest, metal, MSG, Nuclear Blast, Pantera, power metal, Rainbow, review, Richie Faulkner, Ronnie Romero, UFO
|
Leave a comment
News: ALICE COOPER, OASIS, TRIUMPH, (May 2023)

Bryan Adams has released a new anti-war song titled ‘What if There Were No Sides at All.’ Black Label Society are starting work on their next studio album. Black Stone Cherry (pictured) release their latest album ‘Screamin’ At The Sky’ on … Continue reading →
Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, 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
|
Tagged Alice Cooper, blues, folk, metal, news, Oasis, prog, rock, Triumph
|
Leave a comment
Album review: SCREAMACHINE – Church Of The Scream

Frontiers [Release date 12.05.23] While not immediately lovable, Italy’s Metal monsters, Screamachine’s second album, Church Of The Scream inexorably works its way under your skin. And remains there. So, get your headphones on and say a prayer. They band hit … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
|
Tagged Accept, album, Alice Cooper, Church Of The Scream, Edoardo Taddei, KROKUS, Motley Crue, Paulo Campitelli, review, Savatage, Screamachine, speed metal, Valerio Carrichio
|
Leave a comment
Album review: ELVENKING – Reader Of The Runes (part 2), Rapture

AFM Records [Release date 28.04.23] Heavy metal pirates, Elvenking, set sail again, boldly going where few bands dare to go. It’s no exaggeration to claim that this album is a unique heavy metal experience. Operatic, symphonic, folky, very lyrical, not … Continue reading →
EP review: DANIELE LIVERANI – The Wheel Of Emotion

Spotify [Release date 30.03.23] After being lost for more that 30 years in old tapes, Daniele Liverani issues these four unreleased songs. Recorded back in 1992 with a 4 tracks and minimal home recording equipment tools, the tracks have been restored and … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, Single and EP reviews
|
Tagged Daniele Liverani, EP, guitarist, instrumental, metal, review, symphonic, The Wheel Of Emotion
|
Leave a comment
Album review : BIOHAZARD – Urban Discipline and No Holds Barred, Live In Europe (2 CD Deluxe Digipack)

Cherry Red [release date: 14.03.23] New York band Biohazard are credited with fusing hardcore metal, punk and hip hop. Five years after formation they signed with Roadrunner Records and released their groundbreaking album, Urban Discipline. Urban Discipline (1992) This influential … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
|
Tagged 2 CD Digipack, album, Deluxe, Fishbone, hip hop, Kyuss, metal, New York Times, punk, review
|
Leave a comment


