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Tag Archives: metal
Book review: NU METAL A DEFINITIVE GUIDE, ON TRACK…KORN by Matt Karpe

Nu Metal A Definitive Guide SonicBond Publishing [Publication date 24.09.21] Author Matt Karpe has been busy of late with two of his books published in quick succession. This Nu Metal guide is very comprehensive and a perfect introduction to a … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS
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Tagged book, Matt Karpe, metal, Nu Metal A Definitive Guide, On Track... Korn, review, SLIPKNOT, Staind, Tool
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Gig review: BRITISH LION- Camden Underworld, London, 4 December 2021

The phrase living legend is overused but in the world of metal Steve Harris deserves this description, as Iron Maiden’s founder member, single-minded visionary, principal songwriter and with his prominent bass playing a big part in the band’s sound. Hell, … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged Airforce, British Lion, gig, Iron Maiden, metal, Richard Taylor, Steve Harris
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News: ELLES BAILEY, STONEDEAD, URIAH HEEP (December 2021)

Tim Arnold releases his new album, ‘Maybe Magic’, on January 7 via Bandcamp. Pretty Maids vocalist Ronnie Atkins releases his new solo album ‘Make It Count’ on march 18 via Frontiers. Elles Bailey has opened pre-orders for her next album, ‘Shining in … Continue reading →
Posted in 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 alternative, blues, blues rock, Elles Bailey, festivals, folk, gigs, indie, melodic rock, metal, news, pop, prog, rock, Stonedead, tours
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Album review: RHAPSODY OF FIRE – Glory For Salvation

AFM Records [Release date 26.11.21] Italian symphonic metal legends Rhapsody (for that is what they were originally called) return with their 13th studio album and is the second in the The Nephilim’s Empire Saga concept series, and follows on from … Continue reading →
Gig review: PHIL CAMPBELL & THE BASTARD SONS – Thekla, Bristol, 18 November 2021

First of all, what a venue, for the uninitiated, the Thekla is a floating music venue, it was a cargo ship in days gone by. It well and truly commands its place in Bristol’s thriving music scene. The staff are … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 18 November 2021, Bristol, Florence Black, gig, guitarist, live music, metal, Motorhead, NWOCR, Phil Campbell, review, The Bastard Sons, Thekla
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Gig review: HARD ROCK HELL XIV, Great Yarmouth, 4-6 November 2021

37 bands – 2 stages Friday 5 November This festival is a new experience for me and what an utterly joyous experience it was too from the get go, arrival was smooth, the venue is really easy to navigate round, … Continue reading →
Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2021)

Compiled by Jason Ritchie All dates are subject to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions. Please check artist and venue websites for latest information. Your tour not listed? Contact us! UK Festivals 2021 2022 Tour Dates (UK & Ireland) 2021 Tour Dates … Continue reading →
Posted in Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS
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Tagged 2021, AOR, gigs, Ireland, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, tour dates, tours, uk
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News: POWER QUEST, BEARDED THEORY, GIANT (November 2021)

Annihilator release their latest album, ‘Metal II’, on 18 February via earMUSIC. Asia are to release a 10CD boxset The Official Live Bootlegs Volume 1 through BMG Records on 26 November. There will also be a digital album featuring a … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged alternative, Bearded Festival, blues, Buckcherry, Faster Pussycat, festivals, folk, Giant, gigs, indie, melodic rock, metal, news, pop, Power Quest, prog, rock, tours
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Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2022)

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check with venue and/or relevant website(s) to confirm availability. Updated 05/10/2022 Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2023) UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2022) To search quickly within … Continue reading →
Posted in Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS
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Tagged 2022, AOR, dates, Europe, gigs, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, ROW, Tour, USA
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Rising Stars: TOLOACHE

Toloache are a Switzerland/UK based progressive metal band named after a plant famously used during mystical rituals by Mexican shamans known for its intense hallucinations. Their new single ‘Watching Close’ is out now. Andrina Travers from Toloache answers our questions… … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars
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Tagged Andrina Travers, interview, metal, new release, new single, Rising Stars, rock, Toloache, Watching Close
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Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) October 2021 – December 2021

Compiled by Jason Ritchie January-March 2021 April-June 2021 July-September 2021 January-June 2022 October 1st ASKING ALEXANDRIA ‘See What’s On The Inside’ Better Noise Music RONNIE ATKINS (PRETTY MAIDS) ’4 More Shots’ (EP) Frontiers BLACK SABBATH ‘Technical Ecstasy’ (4CD, 5LP) BMG … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, NEWS, Re-issues/special editions
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Tagged alternative, AOR, blues, CD/DVD, folk, indie, melodic rock, metal, New releases, October 2021 – December 2021, pop, prog, rock, upcoming
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News: Albums of the Month (July 2021 – September 2021)

EDGE OF PARADISE The Universe (Frontiers) It’s passionate, articulate symphonic metal, occasionally conducting lightning raids onto hard rock terrain… ****1/2 Review by Brian McGowan AMANDA LEHMANN Innocence And Illusion (indie) Lehmann is not afraid to explore different moods on this … Continue reading →
Posted in Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS, NEWS
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Tagged albums, Amanda Lehmann., August 2021, blues rock, classic rock, Edge Of Paradise, heavy rock, Iron Maiden, July 2021, melodic rock, metal, Progressive Rock, review, September 2021, Steve Hackett, symphonic metal, the Petal Falls, Tommy Castro
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Gig review: INGLORIOUS – Islington Assembly Hall – 22nd September 2021

The award for busiest band of 2021 might have to be Inglorious. They finally got to play material from the two albums they have already released on an extensive tour of 20 dates, taking in several places off the usual gig circuit. After contenting myself with local shows … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 22nd September 2021, Danny De La Cruz, gig, Inglorious, Islington Assembly Hall, live, London, Mercutio, metal, Nathan James, Phil Beaver, review, Rob Lindop, rock, Tim Prottey-Jones
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Album review: KK’S PRIEST – Sermons Of The Sinner

EX1 Records [Release date 01.10.21] Fans of the perennial metal gods Judas Priest have been lucky on the albums front in recent years. First we had two killer albums from Priest itself. Both 2014’s Redeemer of Souls (recorded after the … Continue reading →
Album review: GUS G – Quantum Leap

AFM Records [Release date 08.10.21] When I interviewed Gus G back stage in Manchester in 2012 all the talk was how he had fared with Ozzy. He contributed to the album ‘Scream’ (2010) and there were high hopes of a … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Firewind, guitar, guitarist, Gus G, instrumental, metal, Quantum Leap, review
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Gig review: STONEDEAD FESTIVAL – Showground, Newark – 28th August 2021

“It was quite simply great for everyone – bands and fans alike - to be back in the groove doing what they love, and the set up was as a good festival should be…” Stonedead Festival was set up by genuine music fans who wanted to recapture some of the spirit of … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 28th August 2021, Absolva, Black Star Riders, Blaze Bayley, Cats In Space, Dead Mans Whisky, festival, Giraffe, Gun, HEAT, inflatable, Kris Barras, Krusher, Massive Wagons, metal, Myke Gray, Newark, rock, showground, Stonedead, Stonedeaf, Stop Stop Stop, Terrorvision, The Hot Damn, Uriah Heep, Wayward Sons
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Album review: OVERKILL – The Atlantic Years 1986-1994

BMG [Release date 29.10.21] New Jersey band Overkill, named after the Motorhead album/song, formed in 1980 and were part of the early US thrash scene. Nineteen studio albums, three live and three EPs later, there’s quite a legacy there. There … Continue reading →
News: ANVIL, TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT, ALAN PARSONS (September 2021)

Abba release a new album ‘Voyage’ – their first in 40 years – on November 5. They have also announced a new live show, ‘Abba Voyage’, will open at the new 3,000 capacity Abba Arena in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Exhibitions, 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 Alan Parsons, albums, alternative, Americana, anvil, blues, country, festivals, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, New releases, news, pop, prog rock, RIP, rock, singles, Temperance Movement, tours
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News: VANGELIS, SLADE, GENESIS (August 2021)

Bryan Adams has signed with BMG who will release his new album later this year. Elles Bailey has released a new single ‘Cheats & Liars’. It’s the first single from her third album ‘Shining in the Half Light’ which is due next … Continue reading →
Posted in 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 Album News, All Posts, Americana, Band Entrees & Exits, blues, books, country, Festivals & Large Events, folk, melodic rock, metal, rock, Vangelis
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Album review: GEEZER BUTLER – Manipulations of the Mind – The Complete Collection/The Very Best of Geezer Butler

BMG [Release date: 30.07.21] Widely respected as the bassist that invented the heavyweight bottom-end of the metal genre, and rightly held in esteem for being the main lyricist of Black Sabbath, Geezer Butler’s solo material has been packaged into a … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
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Tagged album, bass, best of Black Sabbath, Burton C Bell, Deen Castronovo, Doom, Geezer Butler, Industrial, metal, review
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Album review: DEE SNIDER – Leave A Scar

Napalm Records [Release date 30.07.21] Dee is back and he sounds angry, be afraid, very afraid! This album follows on from Dee’s last album ‘For The Love Of Metal’ released in 2018 and is once again produced by Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed fame. After the demise … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, CD, Charlie Bellmore, Dee Snider, George 'Corpsegrinder' Fisher, Hatebreed, Jamey Jasta, Leave A Scar, metal, Nick Petrino, NYHC, rock, Twisted Sister
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Album review: TANTRIC – The Sum Of All Things

Cleopatra Records [Release date 23.07.21] Tantric have been around since 1999 and have more ex-members (especially drummers) to give Spinal Tap a run for their money! Vocalist/rhythm guitarist Hugo Ferreira is the sole remaining original member joined by bassist, backing … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Cleopatra Records, grunge, Hugo Ferreira, metal, modern metal, nu-metal, review, Sum Of All Fears, Trantric
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News: Albums of the Month (April 2021 – June 2021)

SMITH KOTZEN (BMG) Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) and Richie Kotzen (Poison, Mr Big, Winery Dogs) have pitted their combined guitaring and songwriting skills to fashion nine tracks of pure unadulterated hard rock heaven. ****1/2 Review by David Randall THE DUST … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS
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Tagged albums, alt rock, April 2021, classic rock, hard rock, Ian McNabb, indie rock, June 2021, May 2021, metal, review, Smith Kotzen, symphonic metal, The Dust Coda, The John Williams Syndicate, Timo Tolkki's Avalon, Trucker Diablo
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Album review: RESURRECTION KINGS – Skygazer

Frontiers [Release date 16.07.21] The Resurrection Kings are less of a supergroup, and more a ragtag collection of talented musicians who struck gold at the box office a few times, but most often found their place in supporting roles. Craig … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Black Sabbath, Derringer, Dio, Dokken, Foreigner, Frontiers, Giuffria, metal, Resurrection Kings, review, rock, Rough Cutt, Skygazer
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Album review: HEAVY WATER – Red Brick City

Silver Lining Music [Release date 23.07.21] With, amongst others, the sons of both Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris and Bruce Dickinson’s sons kicking up serious dust in The Raven Age and As Lions respectively, it’s no surprise that Seb Byford stepped … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Biff Byford, hard rock, Heavy Water, metal, Red Brick City, review, rock, Saxon, Seb Byford, Stereophonics
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