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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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Single & EP Reviews
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News
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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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Tag Archives: Helloween
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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Quick plays: UNISONIC, RON POPE

UNISONIC Live at Wacken earMUSIC [Release date 21.07.17] Unisonic are the band formed by ex-Helloween members Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen (of Gamma Ray fame), joined by Denis Ward (Pink Cream 69 and many production credits), Mandy Meyer (Asia/Krokus) and … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, Quick Plays
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Tagged album, country, Denis Ward, Helloween, Kai Hansen, Live at Wacken, metal, Michael Kiske, power metal, review, rock. Gamma Ray, Ron Pope, Ron Pope & the Nighthawks, Unisonic, Work
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Album review: MASTERPLAN – PumpKings

AFM Records [Release date 28.07.17] Masterplan is one of those bands that as soon as someone mentions the name you automatically think, “What a great band!” At least I do. Since their inception in 2003, they’ve consistently released some killer … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts
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Tagged album, Helloween, MASTERPLAN, power metal, PumpKings, review, Roland Grapow
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Quick plays: EZOO, KAI HANSEN & FRIENDS

EZOO Feeding the Beast earMUSIC [Release date 02.06.17] Graham Bonnet has been very busy of late with his own Graham Bonnet Band releasing a studio and live album and now this, Ezoo which features guitarist Dario Mollo (Voodoo Hill/Tony Martin). … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, Quick Plays
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Tagged album, Dario Mollo, Ezoo, Gamma Ray, Graham Bonnet, Helloween, Kai Hansen, Rainbow, review
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Gig review: HARD ROCK HELL IX – Hafan Y Mor, Pwllheli, Wales, 12-14 November 2015

Thursday When the line-up was announced for this year’s 9th chapter of the Hard Rock Hell journey there were the usual naysayers but to be fair it’s the same for every festival… However one thing that topped everything was the … Continue reading →
Posted in All Posts, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events
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Tagged 12-14 November, Attica Rage, Black Label Society, Black Spiders, gig, Hafan Y Mor, Hard Rock Hell IX, heavy rock, Helloween, LAWLESS, metal, Pwllheli, review, Saxon, The Screaming Eagles, Trucker Diablo, UFO, Wales
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Album reviews: GAMMA RAY – Sigh No More/Heading For The East

earMUSIC [Release date 25.09.15] Another anniversary edition, Gamma Ray’s second album Sigh No More was originally released back in 1991. It came out just as grunge was starting, although metal bands were never hit as much as the hair metal … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, Reissues
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Tagged album, anniversary edition, Gamma Ray, Heading For The East, Helloween, Kai Hansen, power metal, Ralf Scheepers, reissue, review, Sigh No More
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Album review: GLORYHAMMER – SPACE 1992: Rise Of The Chaos Wizards

Napalm Records [release date 25.09.15 ] Angus McFife and his merry band are back in another tale of daring do. This time taking on the galactic hordes in the defence of the mighty galaxy of Fife … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS
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Tagged Aberdeen, album, Alestorm, Anstruther, CD, Christopher Bowes, Crail, Dragonforce, Dundee, East Neuk Of Fife, Edguy, GLORYHAMMER, Helloween, Paul Templing, power metal, review, rock, Space 1992 - Rise Of The Chaos Wizard, Tales from the Kingdom of Fife, Thomas Winkler
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Album review: GAMMA RAY – Heading For Tomorrow

earMusic [Release date 24.07.15] Gamma Ray were formed after Kai Hansen left Helloween, the band he helped co-found, back in 1988. Back then this was big news as Helloween were riding a massive wave of popularity (they had played Monsters … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, Reissues
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Tagged 25th anniversary edition, album, classic, debut album, Gamma Ray, Heading For Tomorrow, Helloween, Kai Hansen, metal, power, review
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Album review: KISKE SOMERVILLE – City of Heroes

Frontiers Records [Release Date 17.04.15] Despite the rather unimaginative name, some of rock’s most respected names are behind this project. The singers are former Helloween and more recently Place Vendome singer Michael Kiske and Trillium singer and vocal coach Amanda … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts
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Tagged album, Amanda Somerville, AOR, city of heroes, Helloween, Kiske Somerville, Magnus Karlsson, Mat Sinner, melodic rock, Michael Kiske, power metal, review, symphonic rock, Trillium
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News: THUNDER, SHINEDOWN, TANK – Sunday 22nd February 2015

Shinedown are currently recording their next album and plan a summer release. Axel Rudi Pell releases ‘Magic Moments – 25th Anniversary Special Show’ on CD/DVD on 27th April via SPV. Thunder charted at number nine in the UK album charts … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, All Posts, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS
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Tagged alternative, Axel Rudi Pell, Helloween, metal, news, RAVEN, rock, Shinedown, Tank, Thunder, UK albums chart
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Album review: UNISONIC – Light Of Dawn

earMUSIC [Release date 04.08.14] Arguably, 2014 has already been a good year for the power metal genre: Gamma Ray, Edguy and Freedom Call, amongst others have spun out very worthy platters. German supergroup Unisonic have easily augmented that roster … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts
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Tagged album, Dennis Ward, Gamma Ray, Helloween, Kai Hansen, Light Of Dawn, Mandy Meyer, Michael Kiske, power metal, review, Unisonic
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Singles and EP reviews: THE YOUNG FOLK, AMY SIMPSON, UNISONIC

THE YOUNG FOLK – Way Home Pixie Pace Records [Released 26.05.14] www.theyoungfolk.com Dublin based alt-folk band The Young Folk release their debut UK single and feature Anthony Furey (son of George from the legendary the Fureys & Davy Arthur). This … Continue reading →
Posted in All Posts, Single and EP reviews
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Tagged Amy Simpson, EP, Fairy Tales, folk, Gamma Ray, Helloween, Kai Hansen, Michael Kiske, pop, power metal, review, singer, single, songwriter, Stories & Myths, The Way Home, The Young Folk, Unisonic
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Album review: IRON SAVIOR – Rise Of The Hero

AFM Records www.afmrecords.de There is a fair number of German metal bands that have a direct link to Helloween in one form or another. Iron Savior were founded by ex-Helloween man Kai Hansen, then Blind Guardian drummer Thomen Stauch and … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts
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Tagged AFM Records, album review, Blind Guardian, Helloween, IRON SAVIOR, Mando Diao, metal, power metal, Rise Of The Hero
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Album review: FREEDOM CALL – Beyond

SPV [Release date 24.04.14] Album number eight from Freedom Call and a couple of line-up changes with a new drummer Ramy Ali, along with the return of original bass player Ilker Irsin. I have to admit Freedom Call are one … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts
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Tagged album, Beyond, Freedom Call, Gamma Ray, Helloween, metal, power metal, review
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Album review: DRIVING MRS SATAN – Popscotch

www.drivingmrssatan.com Does the world need an album of metal covers by acts like Helloween, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Anthrax, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Slayer and Faith No More? You might not think so, but when it’s something as unique as Popscotch, by … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts
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Tagged acoustic, album, Black Sabbath, Driving Mrs Satan, Helloween, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, metal, Metallica, pop, Popscotch, review, rock
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Album review: ARMORY – Empyrean Realms

Metavania Music (Release date – out now) This album was actually released on the 12th of November 2013 and has only just come to my attention, it has been my loss it would seem! Armory formed back … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts
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Tagged album, Armory, CD, Empyrean Realms, Helloween, Massachusetts, power metal, prog, review
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Quick plays: GINGERFEET, ANDI DERIS & THE BAD BANKERS, NIGHTMARE BOYZZZ

GINGERFEET – High And Above: The First Wave https://www.facebook.com/gingerfeetindia You don’t get many new funk rock/metal bands come along nowadays so it’s a bit of a treat to have this new band from India Gingerfeet come along. They have a … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, Quick Plays
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Tagged ANDI DERIS & THE BAD BANKERS, Bad Patterns, funk rock, GINGERFEET, Helloween, melodic metal, Nightmore Boyzzz, power pop, punk, review, RHCP
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Album review: MASTERPLAN – Novum Initium

AFM Records [Release date 14.06.13 June 14th] “Novum Initium” or “A New Beginning” to those who do not understand Latin is the fifth album from Masterplan and their first since “Time to Be King” back in 2010. Roland Grapow and … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts
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Tagged album, Helloween, MASTERPLAN, Novum Initium, power metal, review, Roland Grapow
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Album review: TIMO TOLKKI’S AVALON – The Land of New Hope

Frontiers www.frontiers.it Ex-Stratovarius mainman Timo Tolkki returns again with a new project after relative failures with both Revolution Renaissance and Symfonia. Stratovarius was Tolkki’s band from 1986 through to 2008 when after 4 years of turmoil Tolkki called it a … Continue reading →
Gig review: HELLOWEEN – The Forum, Kentish Town, London, 16 April 2013

If you are a frequent visitor to our pages, especially our gig reviews section, you would have undoubtedly noticed that on the 15th of April, a day prior to the one featured in this review, I attended a magnificent Pain … Continue reading →
Posted in All Posts, GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews
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Tagged 16 April 2013, Gamma Ray, gig, Helloween, Kai Hansen, Kentish Town Forum, London, metal, power, review, rock, Shadowside
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