Yearly Archives: 2014

Gig review: VARDIS – Hard Rock Hell, Pwllheli, 15 November 2014

Vardis - Hard Rock Hell, Pwllheli, 15 November 2014

Band reformations always form differences of opinions but the few thousand people watching Vardis on the main stage at Hard Rock Hell delivered their overwhelmingly positive verdict. After being apart for almost 30 years, drummer Gary Pearson, after a lot … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: SANTA CRUZ – The Barfly, Camden, London, 17 November 2014

SANTA CRUZ - The Barfly, Camden, London, 17 November 2014

A whole generation after grunge was supposed to have killed it, the sleaze and glam scene continues to thrive with younger Scandinavian bands leading a revival. The likes of Hardcore Superstar and Crash Diet have already made a mark and … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Gig review: NINE BELOW ZERO – O2 Academy, London, 19 November 2014

Wham bam. For about an hour, this was a fearsome, supercharged r ‘n’ b pummelling. Nine Below Zero, classic line-up back together to tour their first three – and most influential – albums, came out pumped and with all guns … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: CHASMA – Omega Theorian

CHASMA – Omega Theorian

Candlelight – Out Now. First formed in Portland/Oregon back in 2008, Black Metal outfit Chasma are one of the hundreds of young bands of their generation that began performing extreme Metal in hope of achieving one thing; making a career … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: POWERWOLF – The History Of Heresy I (2004-2008)

POWERWOLF – The History Of Heresy I (2004-2008)

Metal Blade – Out Now. It’s been eleven years since my career as a music journalist began and, to this day, there are times that I still find myself baffled by some of the decisions made by even of the … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, Reissues | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: CORROSION OF CONFORMITY – IX

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - IX

Candlelight – Out Now. Corrosion Of Conformity, the Sludge/Hardcore Punk band first formed in Raleigh/North Carolina back in 1982, may have never quite made it big but, throughout its long and turbulent career, has managed to gain the appreciation and … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: VICIOUS RUMORS – Live You To Death 2 – American Punishment

VICIOUS RUMORS – Live You To Death 2 - American Punishment

Steamhammer / SPV – Out Now. One can only assume that it is through sheer determination and/or stubbornness on the part of guitar maestro Geoff Thorpe that the US Metal powerhouse Vicious Rumors is still with us three and a … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: RIPPIKOULU – Ulvaja

RIPPIKOULU – Ulvaja

Svart Records – Out Now. Strange as it may sound to us today, there was a time when writing lyrics in any language other than English was the equivalent to artistic suicide for a foreign Metal band. Back in 1990 … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: VEGA – Stereo Messiah

Vega - Stereo Messiah

Frontiers Records [Release date 17.10.14] As one of the great hopes of British melodic rock Vega have not left the grass grow under their feet, this being their third album in under four years. It sees only minor tweaks to … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Quick plays: FRASER ANDERSON, PAIN OF SALVATION

Fraser Anderson - Little Glass Box

FRASER ANDERSON – Little Glass Box Membran [Release date 10.11.14] Scottish singer/songwriter Fraser Anderson has been releasing albums since 2004, having toured as part of Dougie MacLean’s backing band. On this album he is joined by guest musicians including Danny … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: LEVELLERS/The Selecter – William Aston Hall, Wrexham, 18 November 2014

LEVELLERS - William Aston Hall, Wrexham, 18 November 2014

There is something wonderfully timeless about a Levellers gig. Every time I have seen them over the past twenty-odd years they have always been the same, giving a full-on performance for their adoring fans and leaving nothing on the stage … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: ALLEN-LANDE – The Great Divide

ALLEN-LANDE – The Great Divide

Frontiers Records [Release date 20.10.14] Russell Allen and Jorn Lande return under the Allen-Lande moniker after a four year absence with “The Great Divide”. This time around however, song writing and guitars are courtesy of one Timo Tolkki…hmm…this bit worries … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: BLUES PILLS/THE VINTAGE CARAVAN/BLACK WOLF – The Dome, London, 18 November 2014

Blues Pills - Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 18 November 2014

And suddenly everything is 1971 again, from the three long-hair bands and their similar looking audience, to a stage full of Orange amps, virtuoso bass players, screaming guitarists, wah-wah pedals, the smell of patchouli and psychedelic posters. Blues is alive … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: SOiL, American Head Charge – Rock City, Nottingham, 1 November 2014

SOIL - Rock City, Nottingham, 1 November 2014

Another early start due to the trend of running club nights after the gig – but that didn’t seem to bother the crowd already queued up the road for tonight’s gig. Headliners SOiL had toured earlier in the year supporting … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: THE QUIREBOYS – This Is Rock n Roll II

THE QUIREBOYS - This Is Rock n Roll II

Off  Yer Rocka [Release date 27.10.14] This has been some year for The Quireboys. They are celebrating their 30th anniversary, have been on a worldwide tour and have recently released latest album “Black Eyed Sons”. They are also re-releasing their … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: STONEWIRE – When The Crow Flies

StoneWire - When The Crow Flies

22.11 Records [Release date 01.12.14] Strangely, StoneWire’s debut album “When The Crow Flies” turned up just after I witnessed their performance at the Legends Festival in Great Yarmouth. I was impressed by the bands live performance and was again on … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DVD review: Looking for Johnny – The Legend of Johnny Thunders

Looking for Johnny - The Legend of Johnny Thunders

Jungle [Released 3.11.14] Rock n Roll hero, Rock n Roll casualty, Rock n Roll junkie- take your pick, any of these three could describe Johnny Thunders- the New York Doll, punk icon and inspiration to many a band for years … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: RONNIE LANE MEMORIAL CONCERT

One For The Road - Ronnie Lane Memorial Concert

Angel Air [Release date: 04.08.14] A decade has passed since the memorial concert for Ronnie Lane was held at the Royal Albert Hall, dripping with artists paying tribute to the Small Faces/Faces legend.  Angel Air has taken the opportunity of … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: HARD ROCK HELL 8 – Pwllheli, November 2014 (Overview)

HARD ROCK HELL, Pwllheli, 15 November 2014

Photo: David Randall Seeing Grifter on the second stage made me reflect on the current state of the rock scene.  There are many similar bands plying their trade, in this case inspired by the heavy rock first purveyed widely by … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Leave a comment

Quick plays: GOOBER GUN, LIV KRISTINE, ANNE KEATING

Goober Gun

Self-released [Out now] https://www.facebook.com/Goobergun Goober Gun are a three-piece band consisting of Tim Hardwick (vocals/drums), Ian Hardwick (vocals/bass) and Paul Dymott (guitars). They have released an EP and toured all over the world. This debut album has some really good … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: NAZARETH – Metropolis Studios, London, 14 November 2014

Nazareth - Metropolis Studios, London, 14 November 2014

A new chapter in Nazareth’s long history was captured for posterity at this very special gig. They used Metropolis, one of London’s top studios in a converted power station in Chiswick, to record a live DVD in front of an … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Interview: NAZARETH – Metropolis Studios, London, 14 November 2014

Nazareth - Metropolis Studios, London, 14 November 2014

Pete and Lee Agnew with artist Rodney Matthews Andy Nathan took time out to chat to founder member Pete Agnew, vocalist Linton Osborn and guitarist Jimmy Murrison prior to the band’s DVD recording at Metropolis Studios in front of an … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: PROFETUS – As All Seasons Die

PROFETUS – As All Seasons Die

Svart Records – Out Now. Formed in Tampere, one of the southernmost provinces of Finland, back in 2006, Funeral Doom outfit Profetus was the vehicle that enabled guitarist/vocalist A.Maniken & keyboard wizard S.Kujansu express their love for atmospheric Doom/Death in … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: FALCONER – Black Moon Rising

Falconer - Black Moon Rising

Metal Blade – Out Now. When Falconer first rose from the ashes of the Viking/Black Metal noisemakers Mithotyn in 1999, the aim of its founding guitarist Stefan Weinerhall was to create an outfit whose musical output would be characterised by … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: ARCH ENEMY – War Eternal

Arch Enemy - War Eternal

Century Media – Out Now. Fans of the Swedish Melodic Death Metal combo Arch Enemy are probably still feeling the shockwaves from the news of Angela Gossow’s departure as this very review is being put together, but change is one … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment