Tag Archives: hard rock

Quick plays: HEARTWIND, CAPTAIN BLACK BEARD

Posted on May 1, 2018 by jason
HEARTWIND Higher and Higher

HEARTWIND Higher and Higher AOR Heaven [Release date 25.04.18] Heartwind hail from Sweden and were formed by guitarist Goran Engvall (ex-Hitworks) and keyboard player Mikael Rosengren (Constancia, Token). They are joined by drummer Peter Svensson (Constancia, Faith), vocalist German Pascual … Continue reading →

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Gig review: G3 2018 – JOE SATRIANI, JOHN PETRUCCI, ULI JON ROTH – Manchester Apollo, 27 April 2018

Posted on April 28, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
G3 2018 - JOE SATRIANI, JOHN PETRUCCI, ULI JON ROTH - Manchester Apollo, 27 April 2018

There was a moment in this latest iteration of the global guitar circus that it all fell into place. Two-and-a-half hours in, during a stellar version of ‘Super Funky Badass’ Joe Satriani underlined why we worship our guitar heroes. The … Continue reading →

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Gig review: THE DEAD DAISIES/The Treatment/The Amorettes – O2 Academy, Bristol, 14 April 2018

Posted on April 23, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
THE DEAD DAISIES - O2 Academy, Bristol, 14 April 2018

Supergroups come and go, more often than not exploding onto the scene with excitement then invariably disappearing due to the sound of clashing egos… This is not necessarily the case with The Dead Daisies: yes, they have had more line … Continue reading →

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Album review: FARGO – Constellation

Posted on April 23, 2018 by jason

SPV [Release date 25.05.18] Right, strap yourself in – I’m going to be as charitable as I can here because I think it’s crass and churlish to be overly critical if someone else has been there and done it and … Continue reading →

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Album review: JK NORTHRUP & DAVID CAGLE – That’s Gonna Leave A Mark

Posted on April 19, 2018 by jason

MelodicRock Records [Release date 30.03.18] An interesting match-up here as guitarist JK Northrup is well known to hard rock fans for his work with King Kobra, Paul Shortino et al, however vocalist David Cagle will be a new name and boy does he have a rocking good vocal! … Continue reading →

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Album review: REVERTIGO

Posted on April 16, 2018 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 23.02.18] Revertigo is a Swedish duo comprising Mats Levén on vocals (Therion, Candlemass, Yngwie Malmsteen) and Anders Wikström (Treat) on guitar. Long-term friends and occasional collaborators Revertigo is the name of their new project together. The duo … Continue reading →

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Album review: DIZZY REED – Rock ‘n Roll Ain’t Easy

Posted on April 8, 2018 by jason
DIZZY REED - Rock ‘n Roll Ain’t Easy

Golden Robot Records [16.02.18] Dizzy Reed is better known as the keyboard player, and second longest serving member, of Guns n’ Roses (after Axl Rose himself, of course) having joined the band in 1990. “Rock ‘n Roll Ain’t Easy” is … Continue reading →

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Album review: RAVEN – Wiped Out

Posted on April 8, 2018 by jason
RAVEN - Wiped Out

Dissonance Productions [Release date 27.04.18] Formed in the north of England in the mid 70s by brothers John (bass, and vocals) and Mark (guitar) Gallagher, Raven were a trio associated with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Playing what … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE KUT – Valley Of Thorns

Posted on April 1, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
THE KUT - Valley Of Thorns

Cargo Records [Release date 13.04.18] Formed in 2005 by frontwoman and self-taught multi-instrumentalist Princess Maha (she sings and plays guitar, bass, drums and piano), this London based all-female 3 piece have been frequently mentioned in the same breath as Courtney … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: SCOTT MATTHEWS, SHIRAZ LANE, MIKE LEPOND’S SILENT ASSASSINS

Posted on March 31, 2018 by jason

SCOTT MATTHEWS The Great Untold Sheido [27.04.18] Album number six from the Wolverhampton singer songwriter Scott Matthews, who has gone for a sparse sound and production on this album. His guitar playing is simply superb, which coupled with his haunting … Continue reading →

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Album review: GREYBEARDS – For The Wilder Minds

Posted on March 24, 2018 by jason
GREYBEARDS - For The Wilder Minds

Attitude Recordings [Release date 04.05.18] Sweden seems to export rock bands these days like China exports plastic shit – at least for now until Trump’s trade war kicks in – but is every one a Volvo? On the evidence of these … Continue reading →

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Album review: BULLET – Dust To Gold

Posted on March 24, 2018 by jason
BULLET - Dust To Gold

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 20.04.18] This is the sixth album from Swedish rockers Bullet and it really depends on your bag….if you’re into Accept-cloned, dandruff-shifting riff and roll, then “Dust To Gold” (and probably the other five) are for you. Not a … Continue reading →

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Gig review: HRH AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, Saturday 10 March 2018 (Day 3)

Posted on March 19, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
Skid Row - HRH AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, Saturday 10 March 2018

With Night Ranger polishing off Friday with such aplomb the omens were good for the Saturday, which on paper had a stronger line up. When arriving on site on Thursday I found out that The Quireboys were to stand in … Continue reading →

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Album review: RITCHIE BLACKMORE’S RAINBOW – Memories In Rock II

Posted on March 18, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
RITCHIE BLACKMORE

Minstrel Hall [Release date 06.04.18] 2-CD/DVD In 2017 Ritchie Blackmore returned with his harder rock hat on to a series of arena shows in the UK. Evidently buoyed up by the successful summer sojourn a year before and no doubt … Continue reading →

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Gig review: SKID ROW/NIGHT RANGER – Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 12 March 2018

Posted on March 16, 2018 by andynathan
SKID ROW - Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 12 March 2018

Co-headline tours make business sense,  especially when the bands concerned have flown over from the USA: in Skid Row’s case this double header was part of an extensive UK tour, with Night Ranger’s  briefer stop over focused around a headline … Continue reading →

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Album review: BURN – Ice Age

Posted on March 13, 2018 by jason
BURN - Ice Age

Melodic Rock Records [Release date 28.02.18] Burn released their third album ‘Global Warning’ back in 2007 (and in a nod to that album the opening instrumental on this album is titled ’Global Warning’), followed by an appearance at Firefest the following … Continue reading →

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Album review: THUNDERMOTHER – s/t

Posted on March 1, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
THUNDERMOTHER

Despotz Records [Release date 23.02.18] Some all-female, Swedish, rock ‘n’ raunch, anyone? What hot blooded male’s interest could possibly not be piqued by such an invitation?  Shame on you, in these overly politically correct times. With all bar founder member/guitarist/songwriter … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: THE ZIPPERS, MATTHEW FISHER, CHRISTINA MARTIN, DARLING WEST

Posted on March 1, 2018 by jason

THE ZIPPERS Angel Air [Release date 09.03.18] Back in the late 80′s it seemed the major record companies signed up any band with long hair and guitars, only for them to record an album and then never get it released. The … Continue reading →

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Gig review: STONE BROKEN – Islington Assembly Hall, London, 24 February 2018

Posted on February 28, 2018 by andynathan
STONE BROKEN - Islington Assembly Hall, London, 24 February 2018

One of the healthiest factors in the current music scene is that, alongside long-established and recently reformed names, a whole new generation of classic rock bands are coming through and growing in popularity. Indeed one of the fastest-growing Facebook groups … Continue reading →

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Album review: VOODOO CIRCLE – Raised On Rock

Posted on February 23, 2018 by jason
VOODOO CIRCLE - Raised On Rock

AFM Records [Release date 09.02.18] Inspired by the likes of Rainbow and Deep Purple, Germany’s Voodoo Circle have been delivering melodic hard rock for a decade now. Recently, Voodoo Circle underwent a metamorphosis that both of those aforementioned bands have had … Continue reading →

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Album review: DEAD CITY RUINS – Never Say Die

Posted on February 19, 2018 by jason
DEAD CITY RUINS - Never Say Die

AFM Records [Release date 13.04.18] Now here’s something of a novelty, a rock band from Australia who actually don’t sound like AC/DC – meet Dead City Ruins from Melbourne and their third offering Never Say Die. Built on very solid … Continue reading →

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Gig review: JOANOVARC, HELL’S GAZELLES, KILLIT, BLACK WHISKEY – Giants Of Rock, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018

Posted on January 29, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
KILLIT - Giants Of Rock, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018

A spotlight on some of the upcoming bands that graced the Giants of Rock stages in 2018… Dubbed the ‘new queens of rock’ JoanovArc immediately impressed with an energetic and high-quality performance. Big drums, powerful bass, nice heavy guitar and … Continue reading →

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Gig review: OPERATION: MINDCRIME (Geoff Tate) – Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd, 14 January 2018

Posted on January 20, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
OPERATION: MINDCRIME - Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd, 14 January 2018

I won’t bore you with the details of the acrimonious Queensryche break up and fall out that followed, but in summary after a court case in 2012/14 Geoff Tate is the only person that can perform the classic Operation Mindcrime … Continue reading →

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Album review: BLOOD RED SAINTS – Love Hate Conspiracies

Posted on January 10, 2018 by jason
BLOOD RED SAINTS - Love Hate Conspiracies

AOR Heaven [Release date 26.01.18] Blood Red Saints return with their second album and joining the original trio of Pete Godfrey (vocals), Rob Naylor (bass) and Lee Revill (guitars) are guitarist Neil Hibbs (ex-Shy) and Andy Chemney on drums. There are a … Continue reading →

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Album review: BILLION DOLLAR BABIES – First Ever Live Show Flint 1977

Posted on January 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
BILLION DOLLAR BABIES - First Ever Live Show Flint 1977

Gonzo Multimedia [Release date 17.11.17] The ill-fated Billion Dollar Babies project is something of a holy grail amongst acolytes of the original Alice Cooper band.  And there are many, myself included. The last time this recording hit the streets was … Continue reading →

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