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Gig review: SOUTH OF SALEM – Thekla, Bristol, 27 March 2025
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Gig review: JIZZY PEARL’S LOVE/HATE – The Underworld, Camden, March 13 2025
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Gig review: GRAHAM GOULDMAN – Cadogan Hall, London, 20 March 2025
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Gig review: THE DARKNESS – G Live, Guildford, 11 March 2025
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Gig review: FISH – O2 Academy, Glasgow, 9 March 2025
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Gig review: WILL WILDE- 100 Club, London, 4 March 2025
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Tag Archives: metal
Album review: CATFISH – Time To Fly

Self Release [Release date 22.03.25] ‘Time To Fly’ is both a well chosen title track and a conceptual theme for the final Catfish album which marks the legacy of the late Matt Long, the band’s singer songwriter, guitarist. It’s an … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, blues, Catfish, Chloe Josephine, Clare Torry, grunger, Joe Bonamassa, Matt Long, metal, Paul Long, Radiohead, review, rock, Wishbone Ash
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News: HOLLOW SOULS, BTO, LEMMY (April 2025)

Babymetal have signed to Capitol Records, which will release the group’s new album, ‘Metal Forth’, on June 13. Bachman-Turner Overdrive have released the single ’60 Years Ago’, their first new music in over 25 years. Hinder release their new album ‘Back … 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 albums, AOR, blues, BTO, folk, gigs, Hollow Souls, Lemmy, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, special editions, tour dates
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Gig review: SOUTH OF SALEM – Thekla, Bristol, 27 March 2025

It’s quite a novelty stepping on to an old German cargo ship to see a gig in the cargo hold and in 2024 Thekla celebrated its 40th anniversary as a live music venue. Judging by the snaking crowd greeting the … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 27 March 2025, Bristol, gig, hard rock, metal, review, South Of Salem, Thekla
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Album review: IZZY REIGN

FiXT Music [Release date: 21.03.25] Each week, when compiling our radio sequence ‘New to GRTR!’, there have been an increasing number of artists fusing electronica elements or EDM (electronic dance music) with rock and alternative metal. Maybe I am just … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged EDM, electronica, industrial metal, Izzy Reign. album, metal, review, rock, synth, synthwave
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News: BILLY IDOL, RUSS BALLARD, PINK FLOYD (March 2025)

Russ Ballard releases a double album entitled ‘Songs From The Warehouse/The Hits Rewired’, out on April 18 via Frontiers. The first CD contains new songs, while the second CD includes brand new recordings of famous hits he either penned or … 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/Interviews, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged albums, AOR, Billy Idol, blues, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, Russ Ballard, special editions, tour dates
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Album review : VISION OF DISORDER – Vision of Disorder / Imprint (2 CD Deluxe Digipak)

Cherry Red [Release date : 28.02.25] The early nineties was a strange time for Heavy Metal. US band, Vision Of Disorder emerged from a morass of subgenres and splinter groups, all following different paths, all pursuing different objectives, mostly with … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
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Tagged Cherry Red, Dave Sardy, Doom Metal, Hardcore, Hendrix, Imprint, metal, Rammstein, review, Vision Of Disorder, VOD
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Album review: DREAM THEATER – Parasomnia

InsideOut [Release date 07.02.25] Dream Theater’s sixteenth studio album marks the return of drummer Mike Portnoy after a 15 year hiatus. While the album ambitiously explores themes of sleep disturbances it does lack the innovative spark that once defined the … Continue reading →
News: RUSH, IQ, CANDICE NIGHT (February 2025)

Bryan Adams released the title track of his forthcoming album ‘Roll With The Punches’ on February 7. The album is due later this year and was co-written with Robert John “Mutt” Lange. Deko Entertainment release a 50th anniversary edition of Angel’s … 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 albums, AOR, blues, Candice Night, folk, gigs, IQ, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, Rush, special editions, tour dates
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Album review: JULIET’S NOT DEAD – This World Is Ours

TMR Records [Release date 07.02.25] Hailing from the North East, Juliet’s Not Dead are an adrenaline fuelled, driven band with the sole intention of thrilling their audiences at every show. Having just finished recording the follow up to the highly … 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, HRH, Juliet's Not Dead, melodic metal, metal, review, rock, This World Is Ours
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Album review : THE FERRYMEN – Iron Will

Frontiers Music [Release date : 24.1.25] This new Ferrymen album should make some solid advance sales on the basis of Stan W Decker’s front cover artwork alone. Take a look. Classy. Ronnie Romero, Magnus Karlson and Mike Terrana are back … Continue reading →
Rising Stars: ANDRY (interview)

Andry Lagiou, an Athens-born vocal powerhouse, describes herself as “the missing link between Ronnie James Dio and Christina Aguilera.” A former runner-up on The Voice of Greece and the frontwoman of The Harps, she has made a significant mark on … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars
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Tagged Andry, Andry Lagiou, Baby Mistress Records, Blaze Bayley, interview, Kings of Thrash, metal, Rising Stars, Skies
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News: JACK MOORE, GENERATION RADIO, THE DOOBIE BROTHERS (January 2025)

The Adventures release their first new studio album in over thirty years on March 28. Titled ‘One More With Feeling’ it will be released through Cherry Red Records. Don Airey releases his latest solo album ‘Pushed to the Edge’ on … 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
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Tagged albums, AOR, blues, folk, Generation Radio, gigs, Jack Moore, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, special editions, The Doobie Brothers, tour dates
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Upcoming: Festivals UK & Europe (2025)

Please check artist and festival websites for latest information. Your festival not listed? Contact us! ore: Upcoming (UK tours and gigs, 2025) Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Upcoming (Tours & Releases)
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Tagged 2025, AOR, classic rock, European, festivals, folk, Frontiers, Guilfest, indie, Maid of Stone, melodic rock, metal, rock, Steelhouse Festival, uk
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Album review: DELLA NOVA

Facebook [Release 13.12.24] Della Nova is a project born from the early days of lockdown, and has been meticulously crafted by Alex, the band’s frontman. The new album has been four years in the making, having gone through various changes … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, alt metal, debut, Della Nova, metal, modern rock, review, rock, self-titled
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News: The Best of 2024 – The Get Ready to ROCK! Reviewer Selections (December 2024)

We started 2024 with the sad news that Tony Clarkin of Magnum had passed away just days before the release of the band’s latest album. The band have been venerated over the years by GRTR! and were celebrated in our … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, The Best of 2024
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Tagged 2024, albums, Amelia Coburn, best of, Black Sabbath, blues rock, Brave Rival, breakthrough acts, classic rock, Honeymoon Suite, live acts, melodic rock, metal, Progressive Rock, reissues, reviews, Scarlet Rebels, Starchaser, Steve Hackett, Walter Trout
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Album review : ILLUSION FORCE – Halfana

Frontiers [Release date : 13.12.24] Five year veterans of the Japanese rock/metal scene, Illusion Force have now been recognised by Frontiers’ Music as indeed, a force to be reckoned with worldwide. They cite Dragonforce and Helloween as being among their … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
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Tagged Dragonforce, Frontiers, Gagaku, Helloween, Illusion Force, Japan, Jinn Jeon, metal, review, rock, Shiramoura brothers
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News: AVANTASIA, GOTTHARD, MICKEY JUPP (December 2024)

Airforce (who feature former Iron Maiden guitarist Doug Sampson) release their new album ‘Acts of Madness’ on February 21 through ROAR Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks release a CD/DVD package ‘Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks Live- Perpetual Change’ … 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 albums, AOR, AVANTASIA, blues, folk, gigs, Gotthard, melodic rock, metal, Mickey Jupp, news, re-issues, RIP, special editions, tour dates
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Gig review: ANTHRAX – Hammersmith Apollo, London, 23 November 2024

It’s been a while. 35 years in fact, since I last saw Anthrax. March 1989 at this very venue. I had to look it up, but I needn’t have bothered. During a mid-set chat, Scott Ian listed all the times … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 23November 2024, Anthrax, gig, Hammersmith Apollo, Joey Belladonna, Kreator, live, metal, review, Scott Ian, Thrash
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Feature: PHIL VINCENT’s Baker’s Dozen

A Baker’s Dozen, in which various musicians choose 13 songs – a baker’s dozen – to make a playlist. The following rules apply – Maximum of three songs from any artist Maximum of two songs from any album Maximum of two … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES
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Tagged Bakers Dozen, Beatles, feature, hard rock, heavy metal, Jon Butcher Axis, Judas Priest, melodic rock, metal, Phil Vincent, pop, prog rock, Queen, RAVEN, Thin Lizzy
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Gig review: HRH XVII, Great Yarmouth, 7-9 November 2024

Hard Rock Hell (HRH) was back for its 17th instalment “Valhalla”. Rockers from up and down the country were already here in their masses. The atmosphere was already building and I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this weekend. Thursday … Continue reading →
Album review: MASSIVE WAGONS – Earth To Grace

Earache Records [Release date 08.11.24] Amazingly this is album number seven from Massive Wagons, and their fourth on Earache Records, with their last two albums both making the UK top 10 album chart. No pressure then lads! The pre-released songs/singles … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Earth to Grace, hard rock, Hundred Reasons, Massive Wagons, melodic, metal, punk, review, Wildhearts
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Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2025)

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check artist and venue websites for latest information. Your tour not listed? Contact us! To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system), or Command+F (on … Continue reading →
Posted in Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, Upcoming (Tours & Releases)
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Tagged 2025, AOR, gigs, Ireland, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, tour dates, tours, uk
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Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2024)

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check artist and venue websites for latest information. Your tour not listed? Contact us! To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system), or Command+F (on … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS
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Tagged 2024, AOR, gigs, Ireland, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, tour dates, tours, uk
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Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD/Bluray) 2025

Compiled by Jason Ritchie To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system), or Command+F (on a Mac) on the keyboard. The “F” stands for “Find,” and it works in every … Continue reading →
Posted in Upcoming (Tours & Releases)
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Tagged 2025, album, blues rock, Bluray, CD, classic rock, DVD, hard rock, heavy rock, melodic rock, metal, New releases, Progressive Rock, reissue, singer songwriter
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News: BONFIRE, MOGWAI, KID KAPACHI (November 2024)

Ambush have signed with Napalm Records with a view to release a new album next year. Tori Amos releases a new live album, ‘Diving Deep Live’, via Decca on December 6. A remastered 2CD/2DVD box set version of ‘An Evening Of Yes Music Plus’ … 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 albums, AOR, blues, Bonfire, folk, gigs, Kid Kapachi, melodic rock, metal, Mogwai, news, re-issues, RIP, special editions, tour dates
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