Tag Archives: hard rock

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays, Reissues | Tagged albums, Americana, Angel Air, Christina Martin, country, Darling West, Fleetwood Mac, hard rock, Matthew Fisher, Procul Harum, review, rock, the Zippers | Leave a comment

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

Posted on February 28, 2018 by andynathan

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Bad Flowers, blues rock, Chris Davis, gig, hard rock, Jared James Nichols, Kieron Conroy, review, Rich Moss, Robin Haycock, Stone Broken | Leave a comment

Album review: VOODOO CIRCLE – Raised On Rock

Posted on February 23, 2018 by jason

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AFM Records, album, Alex Beyrodt, hard rock, melodic, Rainbow, Raised On Rock, review, rock, VOODOO CIRCLE | Leave a comment

Album review: DEAD CITY RUINS – Never Say Die

Posted on February 19, 2018 by jason

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Budgie, Dead City Ruins, Glenn Hughes, hard rock, Never Say Die, review, rock, Thin Lizzy | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 26-29 January 2018, Black Whiskey, blues rock, Giants Of Rock, gig, hard rock, Hell's Gazelles, Joanovarc, Killit, Minehead, review | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 14 January 2018, GEOFF TATE, gig, hard rock, Muni Arts Centre, Operation: Mindcrime, Pontypridd, progressive metal, Queensryche, review | Leave a comment

Album review: BLOOD RED SAINTS – Love Hate Conspiracies

Posted on January 10, 2018 by jason

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Blood Red Saints, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, hard rock, Love Hate Conspiracies, melodic, Paul Laine, review | Leave a comment

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

Posted on January 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alice Cooper, Billion Dollar Babies, Dennis Dunaway, First Ever Live Show Flint 1977, hard rock, Michael Bruce, Neal Smith, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION – Hammersmith Apollo, 4 January 2018

Posted on January 8, 2018 by Davoski

About time. Over six years on from their last shows, Black Country Communion were hitting the boards again. Just when we thought it was all over, the band put on a brace of shows full of zest and rediscovered comradeship … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 4 January 2018, Black Country Communion, Deep Purple, Derek Sherinian, gig, Glenn Hughes, Hammersmith Apollo, hard rock, Jason Bonham, Joe Bonamassa, review | Leave a comment

Album review: HEAVEN & EARTH – Hard To Kill

Posted on January 4, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Quarto Valley Records [Release date 13.10.17] It would be cruel to say that ‘Heaven & Earth’ is Rainbow-by-numbers but, cripes, bandleader – UK-born Stuart Smith - looks like Ritchie (check the CD booklet!!) and apparently was mentored by him. The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, hard rock, Hard To Kill, Heaven & Earth, Kenny Aronoff, Lynn Sorensen, Rainbow, review, Ritchie Blackmore, Stuart Smith, Ty Baillie | Leave a comment

Album review: AUDREY HORNE – Blackout

Posted on January 1, 2018 by jason

Napalm Records [Release date 12.01.17] Norwegian hard rockers Audrey Horne return with their sixth album and first in three years since 2014′s ‘Pure Heavy’. Now that album and its predecessor, ‘Youngblood’ had some real first pumping anthems, however ‘Blackout’ lacks … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AUDREY HORNE, Blackout, classic rock, hard rock, Iron Maiden, Norwegian, review, Thin Lizzy | Leave a comment

Album review: SKID ROW – Skid/34 Hours (reissues)

Posted on December 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

BGO [Release date: 21.07.17] 2 on 1 CD “I remember Paris in ‘49” … five words guaranteed to cue the leery lads of the night to grab and clinch their squeezes for that last, up close smooch in the smoke … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 34 Hours, album, blues rock, Gary Moore, hard rock, Phil Lynott, review, Skid, Skid Row, Thin Lizzy | Leave a comment

Gig review: BRIAN DOWNEY’S ALIVE AND DANGEROUS – Nells Jazz and Blues, West Kensington, 25 November 2017

Posted on December 1, 2017 by andynathan

If Philip Lynott was the creative force and public image of Thin Lizzy and their twin lead guitars their defining musical sound, Brian Downey was the rock on which the band was based. His understated but effective drumming style was … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Alive and Dangerous, Brian Downey, classic rock, Federal Charm, gig, hard rock, Live and Dangerous, review, rock, Thin Lizzy | Leave a comment

Album review: SANTA CRUZ – Bad Blood Rising

Posted on November 28, 2017 by jason

M-Theory Audio [Release date 10.11.17] Finnish band Santa Cruz have just released 3rd album “Bad Blood Rising” which, with its heavy yet melodic sleaze, builds nicely on its earlier predecessors whilst encompassing a more modern edge. Opening track “Young Blood … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bad Blood Rising, hard rock, review, rock, Sanat Cruz, sleaze | Leave a comment

Album review: BABYLON A.D. – Revelation Highway

Posted on November 26, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 10.11.17] Frontiers have released some outstanding albums this year and new album “Revelation Highway” from San Francisco’s Babylon A.D. is right up there amongst the best of these. Nearly 30 years since the band first formed they … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Babylon A.D., Frontiers, hard rock, Revelation Highway, review, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review – DEEP PURPLE – Hydro, Glasgow, 22 November 2017

Posted on November 25, 2017 by david.wilson

On the 22nd June 1985 I made a very long trip south, on the oldest bus known to man to stand in a flooded field near Stevenage, to witness the return of Deep Purple mark 2 at Knebworth. It was a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 22 November 2017, blues, Cats In Space, classic rock, Deep Purple, Don Airey, Europe, gig, Glasgow, hard rock, Ian Gillan, Ian Paice, Joey Tempest, John Norum, pop rock, review, Roger Glover, Steve Morse, The Hydro | 1 Comment

Album review: JEFF SCOTT SOTO – Retribution

Posted on November 23, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 10.11.17] You do wonder at times when Jeff Scott Soto (JSS) finds time to rest, as he is involved in the recently released album from Sons Of Apollo, he has his more metal edged Soto band, there … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, hard rock, Howie Simon, Jeff Scott Soto, melodic, Retribution, review, rock, Sons Of Apollo, Soto | Leave a comment

Album review: VON HERTZEN BROTHERS – War Is Over

Posted on November 21, 2017 by petefeenstra

Music Theories Recordings [Release date 03.11.17] ‘War Is Over’ isn’t so much a concept album as a dramatic prog rock album with associated musical influences, ranging from classic, hard and symphonic rock, to more poppy and synth influences. There’s plenty … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Anathema, Caravan, classic rock, Eric Norlander, Grateful Dead, hard rock, Jethro Tull, Kie Von Hertzen, King Crimson, Lana Lane, Paul Buckmaster, pop, prog rock, Pye Hastings, review, Robert Engstrand, symphonic rock, synth, Von Hertzen Brothers, War Is Over, Wishbone Ash, Yes | Leave a comment

Quick plays: PENDULUM OF FORTUNE, TOMI MALM, THE ESKIES

Posted on November 21, 2017 by jason

PENDULUM OF FORTUNE Searching For The God Inside [Release date 08.12.17] Pendulum Of Fortune are based around former Eloy drummer Bodo Schopf, who is joined by Pink Cream 69/Almanac vocalist David Readman, guitarist Vladimir Shevyakov and bass player Franky R (who … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, And Don't Spare The Horses, AOR, Dennis Ward, hard rock, Headstrong, melodic, Pendulum Of Fortune, Pink Cream 69, review, rock, Searching For The God Inside, soul, The Eskies, Tomi Malm, Walkin' On Air, West Coast | Leave a comment

Album review: ROSE TATTOO – Tatts Live In Brunswick 1982

Posted on November 10, 2017 by jason

Golden Robot [Release date 24.11.17] Classic Australian hard rock band synonymous with the shaven headed frontman Angry Anderson and a tattoo or two, as well as a few AC/DC connections, Rose Tattoo were formed in the mid 70s and took AC/DC’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Angry Anderson, blues, hard rock, live abum, Pete Wells, review, rock, Rose Tattoo, Tatts Live In Brunswick 1982 | Leave a comment

Album review: KISS THE GUN – Nightmares

Posted on November 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

3MS Music [Release date 01.12.17] No ‘new kids on the block’, Kiss The Gun are a bunch of seasoned players. Sort of. Formed in Salisbury when a pair of old duffers playing in local covers bands – Dave South a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, classic rock, hard rock, Kiss The Gun, Nadin Zakharian, Nightmares, review | Leave a comment

Album review: DEEP PURPLE – A Fire In The Sky

Posted on November 5, 2017 by jason

Parlophone [Release date 15.09.17] British classic rock legends are still going strong, and basking on the back of the rather wonderful ‘iNfinite’ album, released earlier this year. And while compilations may be so common they’re on a street corner with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Fire In The Sky, album, best of, classic rock, compilation, Deep Purple, hard rock, Ian Gillan, Jon Lord, review, Ritchie Blackmore, rock, Steve Morse | Leave a comment

Album review: EUROPE – Walk The Earth

Posted on October 21, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Hell & Back Recordings [Release date 20.10.17] Europe returned to our shores, and our record racks, in 2005 on the back of an excellent comeback album. During the last decade they’ve consolidated their revival with a succession of generally well-received … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dave Cobb, Europe, hard rock, Joey Tempest, John Norum, melodic rock, review, Walk The Earth | Leave a comment

Album review: BIGFOOT

Posted on October 19, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 13.10.17] Bigfoot are a five piece hailing from Wigan, not the natural home of the Bigfoot beast but one that houses this band who have a penchant for classy hard rock. The line-up consists of vocalist Anthony Ellis, guitarists … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bigfoot, classic rock, debut, Frontiers, hard rock, Jeff Scott Soto, melodic, review, rock, self-titled | Leave a comment

Gig review: NAZARETH – 229 Club, London, 13 October 2017

Posted on October 17, 2017 by andynathan

When their seventies hit making days in the UK ended, Nazareth seemed to concentrate on less fickle foreign markets, and opportunities for more recent fans like me to see them in the UK seemed few and far between. Yet in … Continue reading →