Monthly Archives: April 2015

Album review: KISKE SOMERVILLE – City of Heroes

KISKE SOMERVILLE- City of Heroes

Frontiers Records [Release Date 17.04.15] Despite the rather unimaginative name, some of rock’s most respected names are behind this project. The singers are former Helloween and more recently Place Vendome singer Michael Kiske and Trillium singer and vocal coach Amanda … Continue reading

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Album review: RADIOACTIVE – F4ur

RADIOACTIVE - F4ur

Escape Music www.escape-music.com [Release date 17.04.15] This is indeed as the title suggests album number four from Radioactive, the first in nearly ten years. Radioactive is the brainchild of guitarist/songwriter Tommy Denander and on each album to date he has … Continue reading

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DVD Review: STATUS QUO – Aquostic! Live At The Roundhouse

STATUS QUO – Aquostic! Live At The Roundhouse

earMUSIC [Release date 13.04.15] I am sure that Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt would be the first to admit that they are not as young as they once were. At this point in their career it would be easy to … Continue reading

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News: HOUSE OF LORDS, TWISTED SISTER, DELAIN – Wednesday 8 April 2015

House Of Lords release their new album ‘Indestructible’ on June 3rd on Frontiers. Michael Bormann releases his latest solo album ‘Closer’ on May 22nd. Twisted Sister will perform two tribute shows, one in May and the other in June, to … Continue reading

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Gig review: RIVAL SONS – O2 Academy, Leeds, 28 March 2015

RIVAL SONS - O2 Academy, Leeds, 28 March 2015

Barely four months ago we were in Manchester witnessing an amazing gig from Rival Sons as they set out on a mini tour for the release of their new album ‘The Great Western Valkyrie’, the tour itself had to be … Continue reading

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Gig review: LORDI – Manchester Club Academy, 26 March 2015

LORDI - Manchester Club Academy, 26 March 2015

When I heard that the mighty Lordi were to play Manchester Academy I was expecting it to be in room 1 or 2 due to their extravagant stage show of theatrical props and pyrotechnics and not in the Club Academy … Continue reading

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Gig review: HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, BONAFIDE – Live Rooms, Chester, 19 March 2015

Hardcore Superstar  - Live Rooms, Chester, 19 March 2015

By the time Oceans Black hit the rather cramped stage there is a reasonable crowd to see what turns out to be an excellent set from this relatively new band.  Although only formed back in 2014 they have been honing … Continue reading

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Quick Plays: NINE BLACK ALPS, EDENIAL

Album review: NINE BLACK ALPS – Live From The Wishing Well         Hatch Records (Release date 04.05.15) After 12 years and 5 studio albums, UK Grunge rock exponents Nine Black Alps are about to release their first … Continue reading

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Quick plays: 23 ACEZ, LEFT FOR RED

Album review: 23 ACEZ – Redemption Wave         Mighty Music (Release date 12.01.15) A bit of Belgian rock in the shape of 23 Acez who have been together since 2010. Formed by Benny Willaert the four piece … Continue reading

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News: FRANK ZAPPA, FFS, YES – Monday 6 April 2015

The Radio Sun have titled their upcoming album ‘Heaven Or Heartbreak’ and it is produced by Paul Laine of Danger Danger fame. Johnny Solinger has left Skid Row and former TNT vocalist Tony Harnell has replaced him. Mike Oldfield releases … Continue reading

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Gig review: DAN REED AND DANNY VAUGHN – Camden Underworld, London, 31 March 2015

DAN REED AND DANNY VAUGHN - Camden Underworld, London, 31 March 2015

Danny Vaughn and Dan Reed share a lot in common. Leaders of critically acclaimed bands at the turn of the decade (Tyketto and Dan Reed Network) who never quite had the mainstream success they deserved. People who quit the music … Continue reading

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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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Gig review: PAT MCMANUS BAND – The Rock Den, Hatfield, 28 March 2015

It takes a brave man to promote live gigs in the current climate with so many other demands on people’s time, and particularly so within commuting distance of the bright lights of London and its established scene. So hats off … 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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News: DEBORAH BONHAM and KIKI DEE interview features – Sunday 5 April 2015

Deborah Bonham -  Giants Of Rock, February 2015

Kiki Dee, The Eclectic Mix, Sunday 5 April, 16:00 GMT Deborah Bonham, Favourite Tracks from Favourite Artists, Sunday 5 April, 22:00 GMT Two ladies of pop/rock are featured on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on Sunday 5 April. David Randall … Continue reading

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Quick plays: CHITRAL SOMAPALA, MARK SLAUGHTER

CHITRAL SOMAPALA – Sinhabumi [Release date 23.01.15] Chitral Somapala is a big name in his home nation of Sri Lanka and on this album he sings in his native language. Rock fans will know him from his time in Power … 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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