Tag Archives: review

Album review: JOHN POWER – The Complete Studio Recordings 2002-2015 (Box set)

JOHN POWER - The Complete Studio Recordings 2002-2015 (Box set)

Edsel Records [Release date 27.04.15] Having released all four Cast albums in ‘deluxe’ format, Edsel have now turned to the solo work of The La’s and Cast frontman John Power.  The Complete Sessions brigdes his 3 releases between 2003 and … Continue reading

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Album review: NIGHTWISH – Endless Forms Most Beautiful

NIGHTWISH - Endless Forms Most Beautiful

Nuclear Blast [Release date 30.01.15] Delain’s April Rain (2009) was my introduction to symphonic rock/metal, and Within Temptation The Unforgiving (2011) completed my education.  I’ve subsequently discovered that a little ‘symph’ goes a long, long way.  Metal meets Eurovision is … Continue reading

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Album review: KARNATAKA – Secrets Of Angels

KARNATAKA - Secrets Of Angels

Immrama [Release date 30.03.15] To be blunt, the first impressions of Secrets Of Angels – played live at Bury Met in February – weren’t great.  The band blamed the venue and the lack of an adequate sound check, but as … Continue reading

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Album review: TODD RUNDGREN – Global

TODD RUNDGREN - Global

Esoteric Antenna [Release date 13.04.15] I think it’s fair to say that with the release of a new Todd Rundgren album no-one – not even his hardcore fans – quite know what to expect. In the case of ‘Global’ Rundgren … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE ENID – Union Chapel, London, 31 March 2015

Union chapel is already brim full of fans sat on the lines of wooden pews, making polite conversation when I arrive half an hour before the gig. Such is the anticipation of The Enid’s dedicated crowd of followers. I only … Continue reading

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Album review: LAURENCE JONES – What’s It Gonna Be

LAURENCE JONES – What

Ruf  [Release date 13.04.15] Laurence answers his own question on ‘What’s It Gonna Be’ by filling his own blank canvas with heartfelt, meaningful songs fleshed out with an impressive variety of harmony vocals, burning solos and tight ensemble playing that … Continue reading

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Album review: KARIBOW – Addicted

Karibow - Addicted

Rock Werk Records   [Release date: 26 October 2014] Hailing from Germany, Karibow is the brainchild – and, as far as I can make out, the sole preserve of – Oliver Rüsing, an exceptional multi-instrumentalist – who, again as far … Continue reading

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Album review: ANNABELLE CHVOSTEK – Be The Media

ANABELLE CHVOSTEK - Be The Media

Those expecting a folk roots album from former Wailin’ Jenny singer songwriter Annabelle Chvostek can think again. After releasing two albums on Canada’s most foremost folk label Chvostek has gone back to her independent roots, picking up a 1957 Kay … Continue reading

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Album review: PISTOLS & VULTURES – Seven

PISTOLS & VULTURES - Seven

It’s rare that a PR blurb says so little, and it takes some digging to discover that Pistols & Vultures are an Ipswich/Colchester based ‘alternative’ rock band formed in 2009 whilst Carnell Cook: (vocals), Alex Green (guitars, bass, percussion and … Continue reading

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Album review: THE PRETENDERS – Reissues (Box set)

Pretenders

Edsel [Release date 16.02.15] ‘Icon’ is an overused word in the entertainment industry.  But not so in the case of Chrissie Hynde the driving force behind, and in all but name, The Pretenders – one of the most successful bands … Continue reading

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Album review: LESOIR – Luctor Et Emergo

LESOIR - Luctor Et Emergo

The PR blurb for their latest release would have you believe Transience received rave reviews beyond their homeland.  If that’s true, they’re well hidden from Google’s search engine. The sessions for Luctor Et Emergo sees the band (Maartje Meessen – … Continue reading

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Gig review – THE BLACKOUT – The Garage, Glasgow, 26 March 2015

 THE BLACKOUT – The Garage, Glasgow, 26 March 2015

The music business is a fickle world. A couple of years ago I had a chat pre-gig in Edinburgh with Gavin Butler about the band’s then new release, the album ‘Start The Party’, and the band’s upcoming festival dates at … Continue reading

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

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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Gig review: ROBIN TROWER – The Lowry, Salford, 29 March 2015

ROBIN TROWER - The Lowry, Salford, 29 March 2015

Forty years might separate Robin Trower’s biggest success and Joanne Shaw Taylor’s latest album, but both tap into that deep vein of soulful, heart-felt blues rock.  Only this month Trower has become a fully certified elder statesman of rock, celebrating … Continue reading

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Album review: STEVE ROTHERY – The Ghosts Of Pripyat

STEVE ROTHERY - The Ghosts Of Pripyat

Self-released  -  [Release date 02.02.15] What’s a reviewer supposed to do when confronted by perfection? Our whole raison d’être here at GRTR! is to give an opinion that informs the reader; (a) whether the music being reviewed is worth a … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE STRANGLERS – The Roundhouse, London, 6 March 2015

The Membranes opened up with a 20 minute set of good humoured, post-punk anarchy. John Robb on bass and lead vocals is a great front man with plenty to say. ‘Spike Milligan’s Tape Recorder’, a minor hit from the mid … Continue reading

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Quick plays: THE GENTLE STORM, WINDSOR DRIVE, FINLAY MORTON

THE GENTLE STORM – The Diary Inside Out www.insideout.de [Released 23.03.15] A new name but a very experienced duo behind the name, namely Arjen Lucassen of Ayreon fame and Anneke van Giersbergen, the former Gathering vocalist and last seen on … Continue reading

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Album Review: EMPIRES OF EDEN – Architect Of Hope

MelodicRock Records [release date 09.03.15] Empires Of Eden is the brainchild of Australian guitarist Stu Marshall who currently trades his wares alongside the mighty Ross The Boss in Death Dealer and “Empires of Eden” is the follow up to 2012’s … Continue reading

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Album reviews:THE DARKER MY HORIZON – Acquiesce

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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Gig review: HAMMERFEST VII – Pwllheli, Wales, 14 March 2015 (Day 3)

HAMMERFEST - Pwllheli, Wales, 14 March 2015 (Day 3)

Day 3 Despite two hard days of partying the wasted souls came out to play early today and made it for the first band on the Stoner stage.  At every festival you can usually find a new band that really … Continue reading

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Gig review: HAMMERFEST VII – Pwllheli, Wales, 13 March 2015 (Day 2)

Kamelot, HAMMERFEST - Pwllheli, Wales, 13 March 2015 (Day 2)

Day 2 Friday starts with a much drier morning with a bit of sun to burn those retinas open, also no doubt some massive hangovers as the over-indulgent among us get over their first night adrenaline/drinking sessions.  Theycan be no … Continue reading

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EP review: BLUEMINDED – Blueminded

Blueminded

Self-released  [Release date: April 2014] Blueminded describe themselves as a ‘poprockband’ but really they are doing themselves a disservice as this debut EP definitely has a vein of progressive rock weaving its way through the four tracks on offer here. … Continue reading

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Gig review: HAMMERFEST VII – Pwllheli, Wales, 12 March 2015 (Day 1)

HAMMERFEST - Pwllheli, Wales, 12 March 2015 (Day 1)

So once again it’s time for the Pirate hordes to invade and take over the Hafan-Y-Mor site and by the amount of water falling out of the sky arriving on the Black Pearl wouldn’t have been out of place. This … Continue reading

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Gig review: WILKO JOHNSON – Ritz, Manchester, 18 March 2015

Wilko Johnson, Giants Of Rock - 9 February 2014

For the second time in as many years I have the pleasure of watching a show by Wilko Johnson, by now I’m sure everyone knows of his incredible journey in the past two years which has taken him from being … Continue reading

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Gig review: KAMELOT – O2 Islington Academy, London, 14 March 2015

KAMELOT – O2 Academy Islington, London, 14 March 2015

Support Acts: Gus G, Skarlett Riot. Four years ago, Progressive/Symphonic Power Metallers Kamelot witnessed the departure from their ranks of Roy Khan – their charismatic and imposing frontman who, during his fourteen year tenure with the band, helped bring to … Continue reading

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