Quick plays: THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE, TUESDAY THE SKY

THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE Under Your Spell
Metropolis Records [Release date 09.06.17]

I first came across the Birthday Massacre with last year’s enjoyable ‘Imagica’ album, which was a reworking of some of their earlier songs, so was looking forward to hearing new songs from them.

‘Under Your Spell’ draws on the band’s strengths and includes a little metal riffery on ‘All Of Nothing’ and glorious synth pop on the title track. Heck, ‘Without You’ sounds like a female fronted Depeche Mode in that band’s 80′s prime – very catchy music and with a modern sound, albeit it with influences from the aforementioned 80′s era.

The Birthday Massacre are perfect for those who enjoy the intense electronica and cinematic feel of bands such as Depeche Mode. Although they are categorised with metal bands, they have a big pop vibe running through their music make them perfect for crossover into mainstream radio and online playlists. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

TUESDAY THE SKY Drift Inside Out [Release date 30.06.17]

Tuesday The Sky is the debut solo album by Fates Warning’s guitarist Jim Matheos (who is also in OSI). He is joined by drummer Lloyd Hanney, his long-time OSI collaborator and former Dream Theater keyboards player Kevin Moore (who guests on two songs) and Anna-Lynne Williams who adds vocals to some of the songs.

Jim Matheos wanted to create an ambient album based on musical influences such as Brian Eno, Boards Of Canada and Sigur Ros. Musically it is led as you’d expect by his guitar playing where he creates wonderful dreamy soundscapes on ‘Far And Away’ and then on ‘Dyatlov Pass’, adds more crunch to his playing. In fact on the latter you almost expect a vocal to start at any moment.

Jim Matheos has succeeded in his aim on this solo album and he will hopefully find a whole new host of listeners as he explores new musical avenues. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)