Monthly Archives: January 2014

Album review: MASSACRA – Day Of The Massacra

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Yiannis

Century Media – Out Now. Death Metal may be a much loved musical genre by many, the author of this review included, but it never was what you would describe as massively popular. The only time when things looked quite … Continue reading →

Interview with CHRISTOFER JOHNSSON & THOMAS VIKSTROM (Therion) – 20 December 2013

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Yiannis

Kristofer Johnsson, leader and founding member of the Swedish Symphonic Metal giants Therion, is a man who has always been in possession of a clear musical vision – a vision that he has promoted and defended with much passion throughout … Continue reading →

Posted in INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Interviews | Leave a comment

Gig review: NOEL McCALLA/JIM MULLEN – Half Moon, Putney, 19 January 2014

Posted on January 21, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

When a vocalist begins his set by launching into a cover of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine”, you could be forgiven for slight trepidation, or even thinking you’ve wandered into the wrong gig altogether. After all, covers gigs, such as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 19 January 2014, Average White Band, fusion, gig, guitar, guitarist, Half Moon, Jazz rock, Jim Mullen, Kokomo, Mezzoforte, Moon, Morrissey Mullen, Noel McCalla, Putney, review, soul | 1 Comment

Album review: PRIMAL FEAR – Delivering The Black

Posted on January 21, 2014 by jason

Frontiers www.frontiers.it [Release date 24.01.14] Another year…another Primal Fear album (it seems that way anyway)…and with Primal Fear you know exactly what to expect – Teutonic metal a la Judas Priest. It’s predictable but is that always bad – look … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Delivering The Black, Judas Priest, Kamelot, Mats Sinner, power metal, Primal Fear, Ralf Scheepers, review, rock | Leave a comment

News: Get Ready to ROCK! Radio – February 2014 Highlights

Posted on January 21, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

February 2014 Highlights More information at the dedicated website All times, GMT Photo: Noel Buckley Tuesdays 19:00 Pete Feenstra Rock & Blues NEW! In the first hour of our Tuesday blues rock marathon, Pete signposts upcoming and established artists who … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged blues, Camel, Caravan, classic rock, Don Airey, February 2014, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, playlist, progressive, UFO | Leave a comment

Album review: ARMORY – Empyrean Realms

Posted on January 20, 2014 by david.wilson

Metavania Music (Release date – out now) This album was actually released on the 12th of November 2013 and has only just come to my attention, it has been my loss it would seem! Armory formed back … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Armory, CD, Empyrean Realms, Helloween, Massachusetts, power metal, prog, review | Leave a comment

Album Review: WHITE COAST REBELS – Hangin’ With The Bad Boys

Posted on January 20, 2014 by david.wilson

Self Release [Release date – out now] White Coast Rebels may be a name familiar to anyone who has spent time on the sun kissed beaches of the Costa Blanca. The band are based in the holiday region and play … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Benidorm, CD, Costa Blanca, Hangin' With The Bad Boys, metal, review, rock, White Coast Rebels | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACK DIAMOND – Last Man Standing

Posted on January 20, 2014 by david.wilson

On Parole Productions [Release date – out now] When listening to this album one thing springs to mind – Iron Maiden. The band have an obvious love of Eddie and pay homage to Britain’s finest throughout the album. Where ‘homage’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Black Diamond, CD, Iron Maiden, Last Man Standing, metal, review, rock | 1 Comment

News: RIP – Dennis ‘Fergie’ Frederiksen

Posted on January 20, 2014 by jason

Frontiers Records are sad to announce the death of Dennis ‘Fergie’ Frederiksen, who recorded and released his final two studio albums with the label (’Happiness Is The Road’ and ‘Any Given Moment’) while suffering from inoperable cancer that he had … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged AOR, Dennis ‘Fergie’ Frederiksen, Frontiers, Le Roux, melodic rock, Ricky Phillips, RIP, Tommy Denander, Toto, TRILLION | Leave a comment

Quick plays: DREGEN, BENEDICTUM, AXEL RUDI PELL, BROKEN ARROW, NASHVILLE PUSSY

Posted on January 19, 2014 by jason

DREGEN – S/t (Spinefarm) Swedish guitarist Dregen has lent his sleazy punk metal touches to Backyard Babies and The Hellacopters (an original member of both) as well Supershit666 and more recently Michael Monroe, appearing on the acclaimed Horns And … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Axel Rudi Pell, Benedictum, Bobby Rondinelli, Broken Arrow, Dregen, Into The Storm, Johnny Gieoli, Nashville Pussy, Obey, review, rock | 1 Comment

Album review: DON AIREY – Keyed Up

Posted on January 19, 2014 by jason

Interview edit: Don Airey 19 January 2014 The full interview will be broadcast on Sunday 2 February at 18:00 Mascot [Release date 17.02.14] Virtuoso and legendary keyboard player (and all round nice guy) Don has played with pretty much everyone … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Carl Sentance, Darrin Mooney, Deep Purple, Don Airey, Gary Moore, jazz fusion, keyboards, Keyed Up, Lawrence Cottle, Rainbow, review, rock, Whitesnake | 1 Comment

Album review: RAINBOW – The Singles Box Set 1975–1986

Posted on January 19, 2014 by jason

Universal (19 CD set) [Release date 2.02.14] Those lovely guys at Universal have really gone to town (again) here – and a set that will be beyond most fans’ needs (or price range); but the extravagance here matches the marvel … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Cozy Powell, Don Airey, Graham Bonnet, Joe Lynn Turner, Rainbow, review, Ritchie Blackmore, The Singles Box Set 1975–1986 | Leave a comment

Album review: ANGRA – Angels Cry: 20th Anniversary Tour

Posted on January 19, 2014 by jason

earMUSIC [Release date 24.02.14] Formed in 1991, this Brazilian power metal band have won many fans, playing with progressive and melodic angles. This live set, recorded in Sao Paolo in their native Brazil, celebrates the 20th anniversary of their Angels … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Angels Cry: 20th Anniversary Tour, ANGRA, Brazil, Fabio Lione, Kamelot, power metal, RHAPSODY OF FIRE | Leave a comment

Album review: FOREIGNER – I Want To Know What Love Is – The Ballads

Posted on January 18, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

earMUSIC [Release date 03.02.14] You can’t help thinking this ballads collection is something of a cash-in in advance of the band’s spring tour with Europe and FM. There are no new tracks but newcomers may be interested in the note-perfect … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, compilation, Foreigner, I Want To Know What Love Is - The Ballads, Jeff Pilson, Kelly Hansen, Mick Jones, review | Leave a comment

Album review: SILENT FORCE – Rising From Ashes

Posted on January 17, 2014 by jason

AFM Records [Released 27.01.14] Alex Beyrodt is a busy man. Early in 2013 we had a Whitesnake orientated release from Voodoo Circle and then there is the imminent release of the new Primal Fear album Delivering The Black. In between … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Alex Beyrodt, Mats Sinner, Michael Bormann, review, Rising From Ashes, rock, SILENT FORCE | Comments Off

Album review: BERGGREN KERSLAKE BAND – The Sun Has Gone Hazy

Posted on January 16, 2014 by jason

AOR Heaven www.aorheaven.net [Released 27.01.14] An interesting one this as it sees the return of legendary drummer Lee Kerslake of Uriah Heep and Ozzy Osbourne fame, working with Stefan Berggren, who has sung in a number of bands including Company … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 70's rock, BERGGREN KERSLAKE BAND, Company Of Snakes, Lee Kerslake, Ozzy, Stefan Berggren, The Sun Has Gone Hazy, Uriah Heep, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Album Review: FREQUENCY DRIFT – Over

Posted on January 14, 2014 by alanjones

Gentle Art Of Music [Release Date: 14.02.14] Frequency Drift have been at the zenith of Europe’s purveyors of melancholic progressive rock for a few years now – their previous two releases, ‘Ghosts’ (2011) and ‘Laid To Rest’ (2012) were both … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Frequency Drift, German, Germany, Over, Progressive Rock, review, RPWL | Leave a comment

News: IAN ANDERSON of JETHRO TULL new album and tour

Posted on January 14, 2014 by jason

After two magic years on the road with the Thick As A Brick shows, legendary Prog Rock icon Ian Anderson embarks upon a UK tour, following the release of his new concept album ‘Homo Erraticus’ in April. The 22-date UK … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged 2014, April, classic rock, concept album, Homo Erraticus, Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull, May, prog rock, progressive, rock, Thick As A Brick, tour dates, UK tour | Comments Off

Album review: THE PECKHAM COWBOYS -10 Tales From The Gin Palace

Posted on January 14, 2014 by jason

Cargo Records [Release date 14.02.14] “10 Tales From The Gin Palace” is the second album from South London’s The Peckham Cowboys and as the title would suggest, the album contains 10 tracks of sleazy, debauched, catchy rock n roll and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 10 Tales From The Gin Palace, album, review, THE PECKHAM COWBOYS | Comments Off

Interview with ROB CAVESTANY (Death Angel) – 10 December 2013

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Yiannis

It’s both humbling and inspiring to find a band that has been around for as long as Californian Thrashers Death Angel have, still seemingly thirsty for success, especially when this thirst translates into the creation of songs as impressive as … Continue reading →

Posted in INTERVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Interviews | Tagged 10 December 2013, Death Angel, interview, Rob Cavestany, thrash metal | Leave a comment

Gig review: TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA – Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, 4 January 2014‏

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Yiannis

The first time that I saw Trans-Siberian Orchestra live, it turned out to be one of the musical highlights of the year for me. The year was 2011, the venue exactly the same as tonight (note: then called The Hammersmith … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged 4 January 2014, Al Pitrelli, Chris Caffery, classical, Eventim Apollo, gig review, Hammersmith, London, metal, Paul O'Neill, rock, symphonic, Trans Siberian Orchestra | 2 Comments

News: The Best of 2013 – rock albums and live acts as selected by reviewers, readers and listeners

Posted on January 13, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Deep Purple - Manchester O2 Apollo, 12 October 2013

The Top Albums of 2013 (as selected by our readers and listeners) 1. DEEP PURPLE Now What?! 2. THE ANSWER New Horizon 3. ALTER BRIDGE The Fortress 4. BLACK STAR RIDERS All Hell Breaks Loose 5. MOTORHEAD Aftershock 6. SOUND … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, The Best Of 2013 | Tagged ALTER BRIDGE, Best of 2013, Black Star Riders, Deep Purple, Family, live acts, progressive, rock, Saxon, Steve Hackett, THE ANSWER, top albums, Wilko Johnson | Leave a comment

News: VANDENBERG’s MOONKINGS announce their debut album and two UK dates in April

Posted on January 12, 2014 by jason

Vandenberg’s MoonKings debut album ‘MoonKings’, the first release from Adrian Vandenberg in 16 years, will be released on 24th February 2014 through Mascot Records. For an appetizer, check out the band recording ‘Lust And Lie’s at the famous Wisseloord Studios … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, NEWS | Tagged David Coverdale, Mascot records, news, Vandenburg's MoonKings, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Interview with LEIF JENSEN (Dew-Scented) – 10 December 2013

Posted on January 12, 2014 by Yiannis

Lady Luck has not always been on the side of the German Thrash/Death Metal powerhouse Dew-Scented but that never stopped them from pursuing their goal of performing honest and good quality music to their loyal fans. An hour or so … Continue reading →

Posted in INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Interviews | Leave a comment

Album review: LEAF HOUND – Live In Tokyo

Posted on January 11, 2014 by david.wilson

Ripple Records ( Release date – 13th January 2014) Leaf Hound are a band of legend. Born in 1969 the band underwent a couple of line-up changes before releasing their first album ‘Growers Of Mushrooms’. This … Continue reading →