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Album review : JON ANDERSON – Survival And Other Stories / Earth Mother Earth (2 CDs / remasters)
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Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL – The Stables, Milton Keynes, 14 March 2026
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Gig review: A VERY SPECIAL EVENING OF MOTT THE HOOPLE – Riverside Studios, London, 27 February 2026
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Gig review: EMERALD MOON – Le Marquee, Peyrignac, Dordogne, SW France, 7 March 2026
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Tag Archives: metal
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
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Tagged albums, blues, classic rock, Dio, Dragonfroce, folk, gigs, Lindisfarne, Marc Hudson, metal, news, prog rock, Re-issues/special editions, RIP, tour dates
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Gig review: BLOODYWOOD – The Mash House, Edinburgh – 12th June 2023

My phone pinged and the text read ‘Hi pal, do you fancy going to see Bloodywood in Edinburgh’. I must admit my first reaction was ‘who?’, but the answer was ‘yup, let#s rock!’. So, it was a night out in … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 12th June 2023, Alice Guala, Blake Cornwall, Bloodywood, Download Festival, Edinburgh, gig, India, Jayant Bhadula, Karan Katiyar, Lake Malice, live, metal, New Delhi, Rakshak, Raoul Kerr, rap, rock, The Mash House
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Album review: BLACK SABBATH – Live Evil

WIN a copy of Live Evil! BMG [Release date 02.06.23] 1982, and twelve years after their debut, the fathers of heavy metal finally released their first official live album. And what a cracker it is. And the reason for releasing … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
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Tagged Black Sabbath, classic album, classic rock, Deluxe, heavy metal, Live Evil, metal, reissue, review, Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi
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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
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Tagged albums, blues, folk, gigs, metal, news, Phil Vincent, Queen, Re-issues/special editions, Rick Springfield, RIP, tour dates
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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
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Tagged album, Danny Hynes, hard rock, melodic metal, metal, New Clear Power, NWOBHM, review, Robert Majd, Steve Mann, Weapon
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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
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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
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Album review: RAVEN – Faster Than The Speed Of Light

Cherry Red Records [Release date 26.05.23] One of the finest speed metal bands to come out of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, three piece were formed in the early 70s and grew up listening to (and playing) classic … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
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Tagged album, athletic rock, box set, Faster Than The Speed Of Light, metal, RAVEN, review, speed metal, thrash metal
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Gig review: JOE SATRIANI – London Palladium,17 May 2023

There’s never been much doubt that Joe Satriani is from another solar system, his skill with a guitar like nothing on this Earth. Always one the most outstanding players out there, his literally jaw dropping skills have been the envy … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 17 May 2023, Deep Purple, gig, guitar instrumental, guitarist, Joe Satrian, Kenny Aronoff, London Palladium, metal, review, rock, The Elephants Of Mars
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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
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Tagged Alice Cooper, blues, folk, metal, news, Oasis, prog, rock, Triumph
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Album review: ANGEL – Once Upon A Time

Cleopatra Records [Release date 21.04.23] Whilst it is good to see a seventies band re-appear (in white suits) to capture former glories ‘Once Upon A Time’ isn’t the album to achieve modern notoriety. The problem is the inconsistent production. Maybe … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album review, Angel, glam, metal, Once Upon A Time, pop
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Gig review: SABATON – Hydro, Glasgow – 18th April 2023

The much delayed ‘Tour To End All Tours’ had finally reached Glasgow and the legion of Scottish Sabaton fans were eager to see what Sweden’s finest had in their war chest. Sabaton have gone from strength to strength over the … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 18th April 2023, 1916, Baby Metal, concert, Eurovision, gig, Gimme Chocolate, Glasgow, Hydro, Kami band, live, Lordi, metal, Moametal, momometal, Motorhead, Mr Lordi, power metal, Primo Victoria, rock, Sabaton, SU-Metal, Swedish, The Great War, The Other One, The Tour To End All Tours
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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
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Tagged Daniele Liverani, EP, guitarist, instrumental, metal, review, symphonic, The Wheel Of Emotion
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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
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Tagged 2 CD Digipack, album, Deluxe, Fishbone, hip hop, Kyuss, metal, New York Times, punk, review
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News: RAVEN, THE FIERCE & THE DEAD, CRAZY LIXX (April 2023)

Fates Warning vocalist Ray Alder release his second solo album, ’II, on June 9 via InsideOut Music. A 40th-anniversary super deluxe edition of Black Sabbath’s ‘Live Evil’ is released on June 2 through BMG. Bonfire have re-recorded their ‘Point Blank’, ‘Fireworks’ and … 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
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Tagged Americana, blues, classic rock, country, Crazy Lixx, folk, gigs, metal, New releases, news, pop, punk, RAVEN, rock, The Fierce & The Dead, tours
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Album review: ICARUS FALLS – Hollow

Facebook [Release date 03.03.23] Icarus Falls hail from West Sussex in the UK, consisting of Doug Hay (vocals), Harvey Wigg (guitar, vocals), Lawrence Trousdale-Smith (guitar), Vinnie Denton (bass) and Josh Harris (drums). As well as having the pandemic hit their … Continue reading →
Gig review: THOSE DAMN CROWS – Islington Assembly Hall, London – 24th February 2023

The Assembly Hall had a celebratory atmosphere about the place and a keen sense of anticipation was in the air ahead of Those Damn Crows. Support came from fellow Welsh rockers, James And The Cold Gun who helped to bubble … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 24th February 2023, Blink Of An Eye, Dave Winchurch, gig, Ian Thomas, Islington Assembly Hall, James And The Cold Gun, live, London, metal, rock, Ronnie Huxford, Shane Greenhall, Those Damn Crows, Wales, Who Did It
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News: WHITESNAKE, POWER QUEST, DEMON (March 2023)

Bryan Adams has finished work on his latest album which is due for release later this year or early 2024. The Alarm release their latest album ‘Forwards’ on June 2. The title track and ‘Next’ have been released ahead of … Continue reading →
Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, Listening Post, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Interviews, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged classic rock, folk, gigs, metal, New releases, news, Power Quest, punk, rock, tours. Demon, Whitesnake
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Album review: LOVEBITES – Judgement Day

JPU Records [Release date 24.02.23] I first became aware of Lovebites a few years back when they opened for Dragonforce. Not knowing the band’s musical leanings, I was very surprised that night at their blend of power and thrash metal … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Asami, Dragonforce, Haruna, Japan, JPU Records, Judgement day, Lovebites, Medori, metal, Myaki, power, review, rock, Steve Harris, symphonic, Thrash
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Album review: THE HAYLEY GRIFFITHS BAND – Melanie

Posh & Rock Records [Release date 20.01.23] We first came across Hayley Griffiths when she fronted Karnataka for a time, including one studio album in 2015. Her departure (with others) from that band was apparently acrimonious but she has dusted … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Karnataka, Melanie, metal, prog, Progressive Rock, review, The Hayley Griffiths Band
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Album review: WIG WAM – Out Of The Dark

Frontiers [Release date 10.02.23] Hard to believe Wig Wam began strutting their Glam/Classic Rock stuff two decades ago.Their flirtation with Eurovision is well documented, but the band’s post 2014 downtime gap is not. What we do know is that the … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, comeback, Eurovision, glam rock, metal, Out Of The Dark, review, Wig Wam
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News: GLEN MATLOCK, SAXON, GRAND DESIGN (February 2023)

Angel release their new album ‘Once Upon A Time’, via Cleopatra Records on April 21. Babylon A.D. release ‘Live Lightning’ via Perris Records on March 17. Elles Bailey releases an expanded version of her ‘Shining in The Half Light’ album on 17 March. The expanded version includes … 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
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Tagged classic rock, folk, gigs, Glen Matlock, Grand Design, metal, New releases, news, punk, rock, Saxon, Skindred, tours
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Album title: BEYOND THE BLACK – Beyond The Black

Nuclear Blast [Release date 13.01.23] Fifth album from Beyond The Black and the third since the 2014 revamped line-up which left vocalist Jenifer Haben as the sole original member. Beyond The Black is completed by lead guitarist Chris Hermsdörfer, rhythm … Continue reading →
Album review: KING KRAKEN – MCLXXX

Website [Release date 27.01.23] King Kraken are a 5 five piece from South Wales, formed in September 2018, who are taking the metal scene by storm, festival by festival, gig by gig. Their new album entitled ‘MCLXXX’ is just about … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, debut, King Kraken, MCLXXX, metal, review, rock, Romesh Dodangoda
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News: MR BIG, TREVOR RABIN, PINK FLOYD (January 2023)

A.C.T. release a new six song EP ‘Falling’ on March 3. Bryan Adams releases a live version of his 2022 Royal Albert Show, where he played all of his ‘Cuts Like A Knife’ album, on February 3. MVD Marquee Collection … Continue reading →
Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Exhibitions, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged folk, Frontiers, gigs, metal, Mr Big, new albums, news, pop, prog, Pure Metal/News, re-issues, RIP, rock, special editions, tours
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Gig review: GUN – Barrowlands, Glasgow – 10th Dec 2022

Christmas comes but once a year and you can be sure that there will be a date with Gun at the Barra’s with the same regularity. This annual event has now become part of many a Christmas schedule in the … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 10th Dec 2022, Barrowlands, Better Days, Calton Sessions, Dante Gizzi, Empyre, Gin Annie, Glasgow, Gun, Jools Gizzi, King Herd, live, metal, Paul McManus, rock, Staea Your Fire, Taking On The World
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