Monthly Archives: October 2014

Album review: MR BIG – The Stories We Could Tell

Mr Big - The Stories We Could Tell

Frontiers Records [Release Date 29.09.14] Mr Big appear to be back to stay, despite the unfortunate news of drummer Pat Torpey’s progressive illness. Three years after returning with the somewhat dry sounding ‘What If’, this latest release sees them back … Continue reading

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Album review: XTASY – Revolution

XTASY – Revolution

MelodicRock Records [Release date 13.10.14] Andrew McNeice, the man behind melodicrock.com, has tapped into the Spanish melodic scene for Xtasy and their debut album Revolution. Xtasy were founded back in 2011 by guitarist Jorge and vocalist Silvia and they recorded … Continue reading

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Gig review: TOSELAND – 100 Club, London, 8 October 2014

Toseland - 100 Club, London, 8 October 2014

You could construct a whole musical Room 101 of top class sportsmen who unwisely thought their talents would translate to the music business – from Hoddle and Waddle to Pat Cash and John McEnroe. However former World Superbikes champion James … Continue reading

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Gig review: FLYING COLORS – Islington Assembly Hall, London,13 October 2014

Flying Colors - Islington Assembly Hall, London, 13 October 2014

Due to the queuing system for the gig (they really need to have more than one person manning the ticket desk) I missed most of the support set from guitarist John Wesley (he’s worked with Porcupine Tree, Fish and more … Continue reading

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Album review: RIGOR MORTIS – Slaves To The Grave

RIGOR MORTIS – Slaves To The Grave

Rigor Mortis Records – Out Now. The story of Texan Speed/Thrash Metal quartet Rigor Mortis is a pretty fascinating one indeed. Having first formed back in 1983 by schoolboy friends Harden Harrison (drums) & Casey Orr (bass), they were the … Continue reading

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Album review: EXODUS – Blood In, Blood Out

EXODUS – Blood In, Blood Out

Nuclear Blast – Out Now. There has been a significant number of changes taking place in the line-up of the California-based Thrash Metal legends Exodus over the last thirty four years but none has come close to being more debilitating … Continue reading

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News: BAND OF FRIENDS (feat. Gerry McAvoy, Ted McKenna) play UK dates 17-19 October

Band Of Friends

Band Of Friends UK dates in October Band Of Friends – bassist Gerry McAvoy (Rory Gallagher/ Nine Below Zero/ Champion Jack Dupree/ Deep Joy), drummer Ted McKenna (Rory Gallagher/ Sensational Alex Harvey Band/ Greg Lake/ Gary Moore) and guitarist-vocalist Marcel … Continue reading

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Album review: WHITESNAKE – Live In ’84 Back To The Bone

Whitesnake - Back To The Bone

Frontiers www.frontiers.it [Released 07.11.14] Here’s a song for ya. 1984 was a good year for British rock music – and is surely epitomised by Whitesnake’s Slide It In. OK, I’m biased, possibly, but Slide It In is by far my … Continue reading

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Gig review: DESTRUCTION – The Underworld, London, 8 October 2014

DESTRUCTION – The Underworld, London, 8 October 2014

Support Act: Shrapnel, Lost Society, Evil Invaders Review by Yiannis (John) Stefanis Photos by Yiannis (John) Stefanis Attending Metal shows, even those taking place right in the middle of the week, is, strangely, still something I do with the passion … Continue reading

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Album review: BRIAN TARQUIN & HEAVY FRIENDS – Guitars For Wounded Warriors

BRIAN TARQUIN & HEAVY FRIENDS - Guitars For Wounded Warriors

Purple Pyramid Records/Cleopatra [Release date 22.09.14] Brian Tarquin is a prolific producer/musician who in recent years has specialised in above-par tribute albums, such as those to Jeff Beck and Led Zep.  This time he pays tribute to the ‘brave men … Continue reading

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Album review: STRYPER – Live At The Whisky

Frontiers Records [Release date 22.09.14] First we had a cover’s album, then re-recordings of old numbers and then finally a decent new album and now Stryper’s comeback continues with the obligatory live album (with me being cynical, this is a … Continue reading

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Album review: SIMON PHILLIPS – Protocol II

Simon Phillips - Protocol II

Inakustik [Release date 13.10.14] It’s been fourteen years since the release of ‘Vantage Point’, Simon Phillips’ last solo album.  This is understandable given that for most of that period he’s been tied up drumming for Toto.  But of course in … Continue reading

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Album review: VAINAJA – Kadotetut

VAINAJA – Kadotetut

Svart Records – Out Now. How I love discovering new bands; and I am especially referring to those which, though respectful of their musical influences, are not afraid to try to bring something new to the table. The latest such … Continue reading

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Album review: DARK FORTRESS – Venereal Dawn

Dark Fortress - Venereal Dawn

Century Media – Out Now. Ever since their first demo “Rebirth Of The Dark Age” saw the light of day back in 1996, German sextet Dark Fortress has been one of the most prolific entities in the international Black Metal … Continue reading

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Single & EP reviews: THE DEAD DAISIES, DIAMOND DAYS

THE DEAD DAISIES – Face I Love EP

THE DEAD DAISIES – Face I Love EP Spinefarm Records  [Release date – Out Now] The Dead Daisies are a musical collective with a rotating line-up of well-known musicians. In 2014 the line-up consists of founders Jon Stevens (vocals) and … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE TREATMENT – 02 ABC 2, Glasgow, 7 October 2014

THE TREATMENT – 02 ABC 2, Glasgow, 7 October 2014

The Treatment are a band that have led a very charmed life since their inception in 2008. They now have two albums under their belt and have supported some of the biggest names in rock including opening for Motley Crue … Continue reading

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Album review: KISSIN’ DYNAMITE – Megalomania

KISSIN’ DYNAMITE – Megalomania

AFM Records [Release date 05.09.14] Kissin’ Dynamite are a young German rock band from the southern Swabia region of the country and even though they are still in their early twenties “Megalomania” is their 4th album. Debut album “Steel of … Continue reading

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Album review: PHI – The Waves Of Sound Remain

PHI - The Waves Of Sound Remain

Gentle Art Of Music   [Release Date 03.11.14] Despite being described by Phi themselves as ‘art rock’ this Austrian 3-piece’s musical debut screams progressive rock all day long – although, it has to be said, the prog metal template of … Continue reading

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Quick plays: GRAND DESIGN, 220 VOLT, JUDE GWYNAIRE

Grand Design - Thrill Of The Night

GRAND DESIGN – Thrill Of The Night AOR Heaven [Release date 29.09.14] Grand Design are back with their 80’s influenced hard rock, or as I like to think Def Leppard with a helium infused vocalist! Vocalist Pelle Saether has a … Continue reading

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Album review: IRON BUTTERFLY – In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (reissue)

IRON BUTTERFLY - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (reissue)

Salvo [Release date 27.10.14] In terms of psychedelic rock heavyweights of the late-1960s, they don’t come much heavier than Iron Butterfly.  Sometimes even credited for inventing the heavy metal idiom -  as epitomised by the 17 minute title track.  The … Continue reading

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Album review: KRUK – Be4ore

Metal Mind Productions (out now) Kruk are an established melodic hard rock act from Poland. Be4ore is the band’s 4th outing and mines a solid, old school seam of Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Rainbow, Whitesnake references. Kruk means Raven in … Continue reading

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Album review: THE TEXAS FLOOD – Young Dogs, Old Tricks

THE TEXAS FLOOD - Young Dogs, Old Tricks

To The Bone Records [Release date: 21.06.14] www.thetexasflood.co.uk Whilst relatively new-ish on the scene ‘The Texas Flood’ have done the groundwork and built up a solid fanbase by gigging and getting themselves out there. TTF entered a national competition, Highway … Continue reading

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Album review: JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE – Single Mothers

Loose [Released 29.09.14] Justin Townes Earle has led an interesting life that’s for sure, from stints in rehab through to a revolving door with record labels. He is also the son of legendary country artist Steve Earle, although as the … Continue reading

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Gig review: VOODOO VEGAS – Camden Barfly, 4 October 2014

Voodoo Vegas were headlining for the first time at the Barfly and they were worried if many would turn up, well it was pretty rammed and the crowd seemed mostly to be there for the headliners. I missed the first … Continue reading

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News: CHANTEL McGREGOR, STEVE HOGARTH and JOHN ILLSLEY radio features on Sunday 5 October

Chantel McGregor - Cambridge Rock Festival

Photo: Simon Dunkerley/GRTR! Special features on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio On Sunday 5 October, in The Pete Feenstra Feature, CHANTEL McGREGOR chats to Pete about her forthcoming album and about her career to date. (19:00 GMT) Chantel released her … Continue reading

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