Monthly Archives: December 2015

Gig review: HARD ROCK HELL IX – Hafan Y Mor, Pwllheli, Wales, 12-14 November 2015

Posted on December 17, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Helloween - HARD ROCK HELL IX - Hafan Y Mor, Pwlhelli, Wales, 12-14 November 2015

Thursday When the line-up was announced for this year’s 9th chapter of the Hard Rock Hell journey there were the usual naysayers but to be fair it’s the same for every festival… However one thing that topped everything was the … Continue reading →

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Album review: INGLORIOUS – Inglorious

Posted on December 16, 2015 by jason
Inglorious

Frontiers [Release date 19.02.16] Inglorious formed in February 2014 and they are fronted by Nathan James, who has sung live with Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Uli Jon Roth, along with TV’s ‘Superstar’. The line-up is completed by guitarists Andreas Eriksson and … Continue reading →

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Album review: SIMULACRUM – Sky Divided

Posted on December 15, 2015 by david.wilson
SIMULACRUM – Sky Divided

Self Release  [Release date 28.08.15] This is the second album from Finnish prog metallers Simulacrum and rather good it is too. The band are led by Niklas on vocals and Chrism on keyboards who take care of the lyrics and … Continue reading →

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Album review: GRAAL – Chapter 1V

Posted on December 15, 2015 by petefeenstra
Graal - Chapter IV

Code 7 – Jolly Roger [Release date 25.05.15] It ten years since the Italian prog rock band Graal’s debuted with ‘Realm Of Fantasy’ and ‘Chapter 1v’ finds them honing their craft in a genre hopping mode while revelling in instrumental virtuosity. … Continue reading →

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News: Rock journeyman JAMES STEVENSON plays first solo gig, Thursday 17 December (Water Rats, London)

Posted on December 15, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
James Stevenson

Guitarist/songwriter James Stevenson plays his first solo gig at Water Rats, King’s Cross, London on Thursday 17 December (19:15).  James Stevenson has been an in-demand session player since his earliest outings with punk/new wave band Chelsea in the late 1970s.  … Continue reading →

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EP review and interview: DOLL SKIN – In Your Face

Posted on December 15, 2015 by jason

EMP Records (EP) There is no doubt that 2015 has been a great year for new music and ending the year on a high note is Doll Skin. Produced by Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, and released on his EMP Records … Continue reading →

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Gig review: DEF LEPPARD/ WHITESNAKE, Hydro, Glasgow, 10 December 2015

Posted on December 14, 2015 by david.wilson
DEF LEPPARD/ WHITESNAKE, Hydro, Glasgow, 10 December 2015

This run of shows must be one of the most hotly anticipated of 2015. A double header of Def Leppard and Whitesnake with Black Star Riders along as support, it promised an evening of classic rock heaven. Horrendous traffic (2.5 … Continue reading →

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Gig review: CRACKER – Dingwalls, London, 7 December 2015

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Davoski

A spirit-lifting gig on a miserable Monday night from an inventive band who refuse to be pigeon-holed. Cracker have variously been described as alt rock, alt country, country rock, post-punk and blues-folk. I kid you not. Who needs labels when … Continue reading →

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Album review: MEN ON THE HILL – M.O.T.H.

Posted on December 14, 2015 by jason
MEN ON THE HILL – M.O.T.H.

Imagine living in a post-apocalyptic, musical wasteland populated by pretentious jazz-loving “intellectuals” who get out of the bath to take a piss, adore Snorah Jones and listen to a hoaky amateurish local English-language radio station that only plays songs which … Continue reading →

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DVD review: THE ROLLING STONES – From The Vault

Posted on December 14, 2015 by jason
THE ROLLING STONES - From The Vaults

Eagle Vision [Release date 30.10.15] I am pleased to say that those very nice people at Eagle have delivered the goods once again and the latest releases in The Rolling Stones “From The Vault” series are from Tokyo in 1990 … Continue reading →

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Album review: BILLY SHERWOOD – Citizen

Posted on December 13, 2015 by Phil Berisford
BILLY SHERWOOD – Citizen

Frontiers Records [Release date 06.11.15] Billy Sherwood, man of many talents and currently bassist for Yes, has assembled an impressive cast of guest musicians for his “Citizen” album…but the question has to be can it deliver when so many of … Continue reading →

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Gig review: ROCK GODDESS/Praying Mantis/Desolation Angels – Islington O2 Academy, London, 3 December 2015

Posted on December 12, 2015 by Davoski
Praying Mantis, Cambridge Rock Festival, 2013

A night of NWOBHM resurrections. First up Desolation Angels. The band ambled on stage to a room of about 50 souls and did a bit of instrument fiddling over David Bowie’s ‘Boys Keep Swinging’ blasting from the PA. Not a … Continue reading →

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Gig review: DEEP PURPLE – 02 Arena, London, 3 December 2015

Posted on December 12, 2015 by andynathan
DEEP PURPLE - 02 Arena, London, 3 December 2015

One of the first lessons I ever learned in rock school was it was an (un?)holy British trinity of Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple who effectively invented heavy rock, or heavy metal as it was later badged. You … Continue reading →

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Gig review: PLANET ROCKSTOCK – Trecco Bay, South Wales, 4-6 December 2015

Posted on December 12, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
FM - Planet Rockstock - Trecco Bay, South Wales, 4 December 2015

Friday 4 December This is the third year for the Planet Rock annual festival and the second year at Porthcawl. I thought last year’s line-up would take some beating and, although thinking 2015 was a weak bill by comparison, I … Continue reading →

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Album review: RYAN McGARVEY – The Road Chosen

Posted on December 10, 2015 by petefeenstra
RYAN MCGARVEY – The Road Chosen

Justforkicks-Deu [Release date 07.11.14] Here’s an album that almost slipped through the cracks, but given it was released in late November last year and consequently missed ‘the best of’ lists, I think we’re allowed to sneak into the 2015 reviews. … Continue reading →

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Album review: FISCHER’S FLICKER – Fornever And Never

Posted on December 10, 2015 by petefeenstra
FISCHER

Lavender Kartydid Music [Release date 15.08.15] ‘Fornever And Never’ by Chicago Fisher’s Flicker is a bewildering musical journey that reflects its leader’s Scott Fischer’s eclectic musical background. Described by his PR as a ‘a vast musical amusement park’, Scott Fischer … Continue reading →

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Album review: GET WELL SOON – Love

Posted on December 10, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
GET WELL SOON - Love

Get Well Soon is a vehicle for the talents of German singer, songwriter and instrumentalist Konstantin Gropper.  A deep-thinker, his previous three releases – which have garnered critical acclaim in the mainstream press – have been influenced by folk, classical … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: MY FAIR FIEND, ARI AND THE ALIBIS, LOCUST HONEY STRING BAND, EUREKA

Posted on December 10, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
MY FAIR FIEND Making Monsters

MY FAIR FIEND  Making Monsters ‘Quirky’ is an oft used description in the singer songwriter world, but it does describe the sophomore release from Utah-based My Fair Fiend  a vehicle for the talents of singer songwriter Callie Crofts. Musically, the … Continue reading →

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Album review: DOUG WAHLBERG BAND – Flying Under The Radar

Posted on December 9, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
DOUG WAHLBERG BAND - Flying Under The Radar

www.dougwahlberg.com [Release date 29.09.15] It’s a shame this album runs out at only 8 tracks spread over a miserly 32 minutes, but in terms of quality it’s irreproachable. Mott The Hoople’s Ian Hunter described East Coast guitarist and singer / … Continue reading →

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Album review: STEELEYE SPAN – The Essential Steeleye Span: Catch Up

Posted on December 9, 2015 by jason
STEELEYE SPAN - The Essential Steeleye Span: Catch Up

Park Records [Release date  11.12.15] Steeleye Span released their 1996 record ‘Time’, their first album with Park Records, an association that has been maintained for nearly twenty years. Since signing with the label the band have released eight studio albums … Continue reading →

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Album review: SINCE EVER, SMELL MY PILLOW, MIDORI & EZRA BOY

Posted on December 9, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
SINCE EVER Isolation

SINCE EVER  Isolation Does the world need another symphonic metal band?  Discuss. When symphonic rock burst onto the scene it sounded fresh, vibrant, and most importantly gave rock something ‘different’.  But for some inexplicable reason, the genre has become formulaic, … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE RAVEN CHARTER – Reset

Posted on December 9, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
THE RAVEN CHARTER - Reset

Do It For Records [Release date 26.09.15] Founded in Denton, Texas, in 2005 The Raven Charter are something of an enigma.  Proggers?  Melodics?  Or Rockers?  Their debut long player suggests they could be all three.  And very fine ones at … Continue reading →

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DVD review: THE WHO – Live In Hyde Park

Posted on December 9, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
THE WHO - Live In Hyde Park

Eagle Vision [Release date 13.11.15] The archetypal rockers The Rolling Stones returned to Hyde Park to celebrate their 50 years in 2013.  In the summer of 2015 mod icons The Who did the same.  Perhaps it should be renamed Jurassic … Continue reading →

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Album review: TOMMY CASTRO & THE PAIN KILLERS – Method To My Madness

Posted on December 9, 2015 by petefeenstra
TOMMY CASTRO & THE PAIN KILLERS – Method To My Madness

Alligator [Release date 23.10.15] Tommy Castro’s ‘Method To My Madness’ is a slow burning, bluesy crossover album that is big on grooves, incisive solos, rich melodies and tight band interplay, but lacks killer songs. ‘Method To My Madness’ is a … Continue reading →

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Album review: ARON SCOTT – Earthquake

Posted on December 9, 2015 by petefeenstra
ARON SCOTT – Earthquake

CD Baby [Release date 04.08.15] Every now and then you stumble upon a kick ass album such as ‘Earthquake’ by Canadian rock guitarist Aron Scott, to remind us that the true spirit of rock & roll is very much alive. ‘Earthquake’ … Continue reading →

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