Tag Archives: hard rock

Gig review: MONUMENT AND OUTLOUD, Barfly, Camden, London- 17 April 2015

Posted on April 25, 2015 by andynathan

The contrasting styles of Monument and Outloud have combined for what by all accounts has been a successful tour and a good value double bill, but at their London show at the Barfly not all went to plan. One of … Continue reading →

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Album review: JETTBLACK – Disguises

Posted on April 21, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
JETTBLACK - Disguises

Cherry Red [Release date 06.04.15] High Wycombe’s Jettblack have only partially registered on my ageing cortex in recent years, and in truth they’ve not really made an impression.  Years ago they toured with Airbourne, more recently with Reckless Love.  But … Continue reading →

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Gig review: UFO – The Ritz, Manchester, 19 April 2015

Posted on April 20, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
UFO - The Ritz, Manchester, 19 April 2015

On the way to the gig in the car, and playing the latest album ‘A Conspiracy Of Stars’, I was reassured that this was still the hard rock album of the year nearly six months in.  But, as it turned … Continue reading →

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Gig review: HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, BONAFIDE – Live Rooms, Chester, 19 March 2015

Posted on April 7, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Hardcore Superstar - Live Rooms, Chester, 19 March 2015

By the time Oceans Black hit the rather cramped stage there is a reasonable crowd to see what turns out to be an excellent set from this relatively new band.  Although only formed back in 2014 they have been honing … Continue reading →

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Gig review: EUROPE, BLACK STAR RIDERS – Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 20 March 2015

Posted on March 30, 2015 by andynathan
BLACK STAR RIDERS - Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 20 March 2015

A co-headlining double bill of two of classic rock’s most currently prolific touring bands, both with new albums to promote, sounds like a value package made in heaven. However there were grumbles earlier on the Black Star Riders and Europe … Continue reading →

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Album reviews:THE DARKER MY HORIZON – Acquiesce

Posted on March 29, 2015 by jason
THE DARKER MY HORIZON - Acquiesce

www.thedarkermyhorizon.com [Released 23.03.15] A new band maybe, but they feature two former members of Sacred Heart in vocalist/guitarist Paul Stead and guitarist Mark Stephenson. Former Crimes Of Passion bassist Simon Fearn and drummer Gavin Tester round out the line-up. One … Continue reading →

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Album review: TALON – Fourplay

Posted on March 25, 2015 by jason
Talon - Fourplay

Escape Music [Release date 23.03.15] The fourth album from Talon and one that sees the return of the band’s original vocalist Michael O’Mara. That has been a masterstroke as he sings up a storm on this album and it is … Continue reading →

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Gig review: THUNDER – Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, 14 March 2015

Posted on March 16, 2015 by andynathan
THUNDER - Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, 14 March 2015

To slightly misquote one of their own songs, Thunder are proof that you can’t keep a good band down. Their split in 1999 after a decade of success only lasted three years before they reformed to make another four albums, … Continue reading →

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Gig review: ECLIPSE, TAINTED NATION, REACH – Camden Underworld, London, 10 March 2015

Posted on March 15, 2015 by andynathan
ECLIPSE, TAINTED NATION, REACH - Camden Underworld, London, 10 March 2015

For the second time in three days the Camden Underworld played host to a value triple bill of three up and coming melodic rock bands, on this occasion with home grown meat in a Swedish sandwich (or smorgasbord perhaps?) However, the … Continue reading →

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Gig review: NIGHT RANGER – Islington Academy, 12 March 2015

Posted on March 14, 2015 by jason
NIGHT RANGER - Islington Academy, 12 March 2015

Once something of a holy grail for UK rock fans, Night Ranger visits are now regular on these shores – well London anyway. This was their third trip since 2011 but the band’s stock is high at the moment, last … Continue reading →

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Gig review: EUROPE, BLACK STAR RIDERS – Manchester Academy, 13 March 2015

Posted on March 14, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
EUROPE - Manchester Academy, 13 March 2015

I am still not convinced that two- or three-way bills are the best way forward for some of our premier bands.  The last time I saw Europe was a three-way with FM and Foreigner and notwithstanding poor sound (for the … Continue reading →

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Album review: BLACK STAR RIDERS – The Killer Instinct

Posted on February 23, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Black Star Riders - The Killer Instinct

  Nuclear Blast [Release date 23.02.15] Album number two, and Black Star Riders are still operating in Phil Lynott’s shadow.  Perhaps any band with Scott Gorham is going to major on Lizzy’s sweet sounding harmony guitar but with Ricky Warwick’s … Continue reading →

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Album review: UFO – A Conspiracy Of Stars

Posted on February 14, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
UFO - A Conspiracy Of Stars

SPV [Release date 23.02.15] UFO are another of our “heritage” bands who for the past few years have toured consistently and released new albums.  In short, they are still relevant.  And, arguably, ‘A Conspiracy Of Stars’ is their best offering … Continue reading →

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Interview: JOHN PARKER and MICHAEL O’MARA of TALON

Posted on February 11, 2015 by jason
Talon - Fourplay

Talon release their fourth album, ‘Four Play’ on Escape Music on March 20th. They are back with original vocalist Michael O’Mara who fields the questions along with founder member drummer John Parker… What have you got planned for the next … Continue reading →

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Album review: ECLIPSE – Armageddonize

Posted on February 11, 2015 by andynathan
ECLIPSE - Armageddonize

Frontiers Records [Release Date 20.02.15] In the crowded field of Scandinavian melodic rock hopefuls, Eclipse took a massive step forward with their fourth album in 2012, ‘Bleed And Scream’ which topped many end year best ofs. It was another triumph … Continue reading →

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Album review: H.E.A.T. – Live In London

Posted on February 11, 2015 by andynathan
H.E.A.T. - Live in London

earMUSIC [Release Date 20.2.15] 2014 saw young Swedish melodic rockers H.E.A.T. gain significant traction with their fourth album ‘Tearing Down The Walls’ (GRTR! critics’ best of 2014). They really seem to have a special relationship with the UK audiences, so it … Continue reading →

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Interview: Rising Stars – THE TOI

Posted on January 28, 2015 by jason
The Toi - band photo

Glaswegian three piece rock band the Toi consist of Pol Healy (vocals/guitar), Andy Carr (bass/guitar/vocals) and Stevie Mclay (drums/vocals). They release their rather good debut album, ‘Water Into Wine’ on March 2nd. Over to Pol for the answers… Brief history … Continue reading →

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News: MAGNUM, ECLIPSE, MASTODON – Monday 19 January 2015

Posted on January 19, 2015 by jason
Magnum - The Tivoli, Buckley, 20 April 2014

In the studio and working on their next albums are Magnum and Mastodon. Soilwork will release their first live DVD/Blu-ray, ‘Live In The Heart Of Helsinki’ on March 13th via Nuclear Blast. HMV is the biggest seller of physical music … Continue reading →

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Album review: SOTO – Inside The Vertigo (Jeff Scott Soto)

Posted on January 13, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
SOTO - Inside The Vertigo (Jeff Scott Soto)

Interview edit: Jeff Scott Soto with David Randall, 13 January 2015 (15:04) Jeff is featured in an hour long special “Favourite Tracks from Favourite Artists” when he chooses the music and chats about his career, including Talisman and Journey Get … Continue reading →

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Gig review: THE JOKERS The Monarch, Camden, 7 January 2015

Posted on January 8, 2015 by jason

A cold and rainy Wednesday night in early January in Camden may not be the best time to stage a gig, however full marks to the Jokers for travelling down from Liverpool to play. They had a rather famous drummer … Continue reading →

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Album review: AMMUNITION – Shanghaied

Posted on January 1, 2015 by jason
Ammunition Shanghaied

AOR Heaven [Released 26.01.15] Wig Wam may sadly be no more, but the band’s ex-members are certainly busy with guitarist Trond Holter teaming up with Jorn Lande on their rather good ‘Dracula’ themed album and now vocalist Åge Sten Nilsen … Continue reading →

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Gig review: H.E.A.T., Islington Academy London, 10 December 2014

Posted on December 13, 2014 by andynathan
H.E.A.T., Islington Academy London, 10 December 2014

Photo: Jim Templeton-Cross 2014 will go down for H.E.A.T. as the year when the young Swedes made their most significant breakthrough yet since exploding onto the scene with their debut album in 2008. For proof, look no further than GRTR! … Continue reading →

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Album review – LAWLESS – R.I.S.E.

Posted on November 26, 2014 by jason
Lawless - R.I.S.E.

Escape Music [Released 08.12.14] Quick follow-up from the band’s debut album ‘Rock Savage’ released last year sees Lawless carry on with their classy brand of melodic/classic Brit metal. The band feature two members of Demon – vocalist/rhythm guitarist Paul Hume … Continue reading →

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Album review: FOREIGNER – The Best Of Foreigner 4 And More

Posted on November 24, 2014 by jason
FOREIGNER - The Best Of Foreigner 4 And More

Frontiers www.frontiers.it [Release date 08.12.14] Foreigner are are getting like fellow classic rockers Styx and REO Speedwagon releasing live albums and re-recording classic songs, as opposed to recording new music. Their last studio album was 2009′s excellent ‘Can’t Slow Down’ … Continue reading →

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Gig review: NAZARETH – Metropolis Studios, London, 14 November 2014

Posted on November 17, 2014 by GRTR! HQ
Nazareth - Metropolis Studios, London, 14 November 2014

A new chapter in Nazareth’s long history was captured for posterity at this very special gig. They used Metropolis, one of London’s top studios in a converted power station in Chiswick, to record a live DVD in front of an … Continue reading →

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