Yearly Archives: 2013

Album review: DIZZYBLOOM – Heroes For Ghosts/Oceans

Dizzybloom - Heroes For Ghosts

I don’t know what I was expecting from a band called Dizzybloom formed in Austin, Texas in 1995.  But what it wasn’t, was a British sounding female fronted melodic post-prog band vying for the space occupied, in the UK at … Continue reading

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Album review: RORY GALLAGHER – Kickback City/Live In Cork

Kickback City

Sony Music [Release date 28.10.13] This release is a rather interesting twist on an artist’s legacy.  In recent years we’ve been treated to definitive remastered albums under the careful eye of Rory’s younger brother Donal but ‘Kickback City’ is an … Continue reading

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Gig Review: QUEENSRYCHE – Islington Academy, 12 October 2013

Queensryche are the benchmark against which any progressive metal band must measure themselves. But they’ve had troubled times. Recent albums have sold poorly and last year, front man Geoff Tate was unceremoniously dumped after a back stage bust up. Tate … Continue reading

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Gig review: RECKLESS LOVE – Islington Academy, 10 October 2013

Over three years and now three albums since they exploded onto the scene, Finnish glam metal revivalists Reckless Love have defied critics who thought they were a flash in the pan and in the words of one of their songs … Continue reading

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Album review: THE LUCID DREAM – Songs of Lies and Deceit

THE LUCID DREAM – Songs of Lies and Deceit

Holy Are You Recordings [Release date 01.10.13] A joyous little collection of reverb mayhem. ‘Songs of Lies and Deceit’ is rooted securely in the quality pop jangle of The Stone Roses and the Jesus and Mary Chain. The Lucid Dream … Continue reading

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Album review: IN THE SILENCE – A Dream Gone Mad

Sensory [Release date 27.01.14] An interesting new band. In The Silence, hailing from Sacremento, California, have released their first full-length album of dark, doom, prog crossover material. ‘A Dream Gone Mad’ is an album of two halves in many ways. … Continue reading

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Gig review: STATE OF EDEN – The Jubilee, Sunbury, 12 October 2013

State Of Eden played their second gig and their first in a public venue, the cosy Jubilee pub. Only downside is the pub’s layout meant you can only see half of the band in certain areas due a wall blocking … Continue reading

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Album review: ALTER BRIDGE – Fortress

Alter Bridge - Fortress

Roadrunner [Release date 25.09.13] After their well received ‘III’ album and Myles Kennedy gaining yet more exposure as part of Slash’s band, Alter Bridge are back and the expectations are high for this new album. Fear not as they have … Continue reading

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Gig review: QUIREBOYS – The Garage, Glasgow, 11 October 2013

The Quireboys’ annual autumnal visit to The Garage in Glasgow has has now become a firm favourite of my wife and I. There is always a great atmosphere at the gig and a special bond between band and audience that … Continue reading

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Album review: COLDSPELL – Frozen Paradise

Coldspell

Escape Music www.escape-music.com Album number three from ColdSpell and Tommy Hansen (Helloween/Pretty Maids) is again at the mixing desk. Good to see the keyboards and Hammond playing of Matti Eklund higher in the mix and like the Pretty Maids the … Continue reading

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Gig review: DEEP PURPLE – Manchester O2 Apollo, 12 October 2013

Deep Purple - Manchester O2 Apollo, 12 October 2013

He may have disappeared once too often behind the drum riser to what appeared to be a ‘recreation’ area – no doubt with full access to ‘Strictly’ – but Ian Gillan is not quite ready to join the pipe and … Continue reading

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Album review: LAYLA ZOE – The Lily

Cable Car Records [Release date: 30.o8.13] Canadian blues singer Layla Zoe offers a highly personal take on the blues. She’s a confident singer with an expansive range, who finds the perfect foil in the shape of German blues guitarist and … Continue reading

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Interview with MATT BARLOW (Ashes Of Ares, ex-Iced Earth) – 27 September 2013

There are not many singers whose contribution to the mid-90s Metal scene has been as instrumental as that of ex-Iced Earth front man Matt Barlow – a man whose unique pipes have blasted classic compositions, such as “Dante’s Inferno” and … Continue reading

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Album review: CHEMIA – The One Inside

Chemia - The One Inside

DCM Records [Release date: 04.11.13] Poland is something of a hotbed for progressive rock, it is therefore somewhat surprising when you hear an absolutely cracking album from a Polish band which sounds like it could have been conceived in a … Continue reading

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Gig review: ROMEO’S DAUGHTER, Camden Underworld, 4 October 2013

After some rare wider exposure playing Fairport’s Cropredy Convention in the summer, Romeo’s Daughter,  were back playing to their loyal fanbase with this Friday night Underworld show. Indeed it was a double bill of arguably the two best female fronted … Continue reading

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Album review: HENRIK FREISCHLADER BAND – Live In Concerts

Cable Car [Release date: 28.10.13] It says something for Henrik Freischlader’s ability to captivate and enthral us with his guitar led, groove laden blues-rock that he is confident enough to release a live 4 CD box set. He’s already released … Continue reading

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Album review: JOHN LEES’ BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST – North

Esoteric Antenna [Release date: 07.10.13] ‘North’ is an unlikely but successful return to recording by John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest. It’s an unlikely return because for the best part of 5 years, the band’s  guitarist and composer Lees actually retired, … Continue reading

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Album Review: LEVELLERS – Green Blade Rising / Truth And Lies

        Eagle Records – Release Date: 7 October 2013 Following the full-blown remastered / repackaged / bonus material / multi-disc re-issues of the Levellers’ China Records back catalogue in 2012, here we have Eagle Records measly attempt … Continue reading

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Gig review: DANA FUCHS – The Borderline, London, 8 October 2013

DANA FUCHS – The Borderline, London, 8 October 2013

If the ‘Bliss Avenue’ CD was an interesting introduction to New York’s hard hitting vocalist and songwriter Dana Fuchs, her live show quickly revealed all her qualities. As she made clear at the outset, her songs deal with ‘the dirty … Continue reading

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Gig review: JONNY LANG – The Borderline, London, 3 October 2013

Jonny Lang’s overdue return to London was a qualified success. At his best, as on the spiritual ‘That Great Day’, his mastery of the material showed a maturity that makes him a totally convincing while boy soul singer.  His sense … Continue reading

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Album review: EUROPE – Live At Sweden Rock – 30th Anniversary Show

EUROPE - Live At Sweden Rock - 30th Anniversary Show

Interview edit: Joey Tempest, 10 October 2013 The Europe frontman talks about the ‘Live At Sweden Rock’ set earMUSIC 2-CD/DVD/Bluray [Release date 21.10.13] Since the dawn of GRTR! we have followed closely the progress of Europe, firstly Nikk Gunns and … Continue reading

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Interview: 10Q’s with THE ANSWER

 Singer Cormac Neeson gives the latest on the new Answer album ‘New Horizon’ ahead of their upcoming European tour dates… 1. What are you currently up to? (recording, gigs, plans etc.) – I’m just back from a promo trip to … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT, The Graveltones – Academy 2, Leicester, 30 September 2013

The Temperance Movement

There was a buzz of excitement and expectation coming into tonight’s gig for a few reasons, The Temperance Movement are riding on a high after release of their same titled debut album, The Graveltones have just launched their debut album … Continue reading

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Album review: JOE COCKER – Live At Montreux 1987

Joe Cocker - Live In Montreux 1987

Eagle Rock (CD/DVD) [Release date 07.10.13] Joe Cocker’s career started in 1961, although he didn’t release a solo album until 1969. Remarkably the songs he is best known for singing were written by other people, yet he has the ability to … Continue reading

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News: HRH AOR2 adds more acts to line-up including legendary AOR singer Robin Beck

HRH AOR2

HRH AOR have announced more acts for next spring’s extravaganza including US legendary Female  AOR sensation Robin Beck, LAs  House of Lords, La Paz, Dynazty, ColdSpell, Bonafide and many more great acts. HRH AOR is pleased to welcome the Florida-based, … Continue reading

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