Monthly Archives: July 2018

Gig review: DEL AMITRI – Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, 26 July 2018

Posted on July 31, 2018 by andynathan

Back in the nineties Del Amitri were chart regulars, the Scots’ wryly bittersweet but cleverly structured, melodic songs making them one of the few bright spots in a bleak musical climate, at least for me. But the new millennium has … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Andy Alston, classic rock, Del Amitri, gig, Iain Harvie, Justin Currie, Kris Dollimore, review, Trashcan Sinatras | Leave a comment

Gig review: THUNDERSTICK – Leo’s Red Lion, Gravesend, 28 July 2018

Posted on July 31, 2018 by jason

Back in the early 80s after a three-album stint with Samson, masked drummer and NWOBHM pioneer Thunderstick (Barry Graham Purkis) formed a band of the same name. Female-fronted, first with Ana Marie Borg then with Jodee Valentine, it allowed Purkis … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 28 July 2018, classic rock, drummer, gig, Gravesend, Leo’s Red Lion, metal, NWOBHM, review, Samson, Thunderstick, Viixen | Leave a comment

Quick plays: DESTINIA, THE RADIO SUN, RAT SCABIES

Posted on July 30, 2018 by jason

DESTINIA Metal Souls Frontiers [Release date 13.07.18] Destinia is the new project featuring Japanese shred merchant Nozomu Wakai, who has released two albums to date under his own name – ‘Requiem For A Scream’ (2014) and ‘Anecdote Of The Queens’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Beautiful Strange, Destinia, Frontiers, Lords Of Black, melodic, metal, Metal Souls, Nozomu Wakai, Rainbow, Rat Scabies, review, rock, Ronnie Romero, shred, The Damned, THE RADIO SUN | Leave a comment

Album review: SAXON – Reissues (Innocence Is No Excuse, Rock The Nations, Destiny)

Posted on July 30, 2018 by jason

BMG [Release date 10.08.18] BMG complete their run of the CD remasters from Saxon and take in the mid to late 80s. This trio of albums by the NWoBHM legends are often overlooked, and looking back now they are far … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Biff Byford, Destiny, heavy rock, Innocence Is No Excuse, metal, reissue, review, Rock The Nations, Saxon | Leave a comment

News: Prog rockers CAMEL play Moonmadness in September 2018

Posted on July 30, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

CAMEL - Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 7 September 2018

Camel’s appearance at London’s Royal Albert Hall in September 2018 will be preceded by an extensive run of UK tour dates. The band – led by Andrew Latimer (guitar, flute, vocals) and featuring Colin Bass (bass guitar, vocals), Denis Clement … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS | Tagged Andy Latimer, Camel, Moonmadness, prog, Progressive Rock, September 2018, Tour, uk | Leave a comment

DVD review: ERIC CLAPTON – Life In 12 Bars

Posted on July 30, 2018 by jason

Eagle Vision [08.06.18] When it comes to guitar legends they don’t get much bigger, or more influential, then Eric Clapton. They also don’t come much more damaged and this excellent new biographical documentary brings us his story, warts and all. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged Blind Faith, Bluray, classic rock, Cream, Derek and The Dominos, documentary, DVD, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Life In 12 Bars, review, The Yardbirds | Leave a comment

Album review: WARREN GREVESON – Voyager (CD/DVD)

Posted on July 27, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Market Square [Release date 05.09.18] www.marketsquaremusic.com/voyager With the prolonged lunar eclipse at the end of July, scheduled flights to the outer reaches being planned for rich “space tourists” … in 2018 we are still fascinated with space and space travel. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, ambient, CD, DVD, instrumental, NASA, review, Space, synthesiser, Voyager, Warren Greveson | Leave a comment

EP review: DEAD AGENTS

Posted on July 26, 2018 by jason

Facebook [Release date 27.04.18] Hailing from the West Midlands (a big plus point in this reviewer’s unbiased opinion!), Dead Agents describe themselves as the “lost boys” of alternative rock. Dead Agents are Geoff Fry (drums), Adam Furmage (bass, vocals), David James Foster (vocal, rhythm … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars, Single and EP reviews | Tagged alt rock, Dead Agents, Diamond Head, EP, melodic, review, rock, the Bad Flowers | Leave a comment

Album review: BEN POOLE – Anytime You Need Me

Posted on July 26, 2018 by petefeenstra

Manhaton Records [Release date 14.09.18] ‘Anytime You Need Me’ is a very accessible, funk laden album with one eye firmly on the mainstream. From the hook led title track, through 10 groove laden cuts which come to rest on the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Anytime You Need Me, Daly, funk, Gary Clark Jr, grunge, Jimi Hendrix, John Mayer, Jonny Lang, Jude Cole, Mark Knopfler, Mayer Hawthorne, review, rock, soul, Steve Wright, The Allman Brothers, The Eagles, vocal, Wayne Proctor | Leave a comment

Album review: JERRY HULL – Strange Afternoons

Posted on July 26, 2018 by jason

Facebook [Release date 18.05.18] Jerry Hull is a singer, pianist, songwriter, and arranger, from Memphis Tennessee who is now based in Hull in the UK. ‘Strange Afternoons’, his sixth album, follows hot on the heels of his last album ‘Celebrate In … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Billy Joel, blues, easy listening, jazz, Jerry Hull, melodic, pop, review, rock, singer songwriter, Strange Afternoons | Leave a comment

Album review: BULLETS AND OCTANE – Waking Up Dead

Posted on July 26, 2018 by jason

Cargo Records [Release date 16.08.18] If you have never heard the band Bullets and Octane before, you will undoubtedly be sold within the first two tracks on new album “Waking Up Dead”. Pretty much picking up where 2013’s “15” left … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions | Tagged album, Buckcherry, Bullets And Octane, Gene Louis, glam, Hanoi Rocks, punk, review, rock, Waking Up Dead | Leave a comment

Album review: METRO VELOUR – Hey You

Posted on July 23, 2018 by jason

Facebook Based in the small picturesque village of Montauroux in the Côte d’Azur region of the south of France, Metro Velour are an old school garage punk band. The four-piece is composed of Sebastian Smith (rhythm guitar and vocals), Louis … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, garage rock, Hey You, Metro Velour, New York Dolls, punk, review, rock, Sebastian Smith, The Ramones | Leave a comment

Gig review: PEARL JAM – O2 Arena, London, 17 July 2018

Posted on July 22, 2018 by Davoski

Sometimes a gig so good comes along that any meaningful comparisons are blown away. Almost out of the blue, Pearl Jam delivered the kind of show that raises the arena-rock bar for all those that tread these boards after them. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 17 July, Eddie Vedder, gig, grunge, Lightning Bolt, live, Mike McCready, O2 Arena, Pearl Jam, review, Seattle, Stone Gossard | Leave a comment

Album review: THE VOODOO SHEIKS – Unstoppable

Posted on July 22, 2018 by petefeenstra

775402 Records DK [Release date 13.07.18] ‘Unstoppable’ is The Voodoo Sheiks’ 3rd album in 8 years and continues their quest to cement their unique style on the rhythm and blues circuit. It’s arguably their best album so far. It’s solid, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Adrian Thomas, album, Andrew Pullin, blues, Bo Diddley, Fabulous Thunderbirds, harp, review, rhythm & blues, rock, Slowblow Dave, Spencer Blackledge, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Voodoo Sheiks, Unstoppable | Leave a comment

Album review: COWBOY JUNKIES – All That Reckoning

Posted on July 21, 2018 by jason

Proper Music [Release date 13.07.18] “All That Reckoning” is the 17th studio album from Cowboy Junkies since they formed back in 1985. The album is easy to listen to with every song telling a story, whether that be deep, personal … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, All That Reckoning, alt rock, Americana, country, Cowboy Junkies, folk, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: AMANDA SHIRES – To The Sunset

Posted on July 21, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Silver Knife/ Thirty Tigers [Release date 03.08.18] I was impressed when Amanda Shires first featured on the GRTR! radar back in 2012 with her excellent Carrying Lightning album. In particular, her ‘Dolly Parton’ twang and vibrato, her haunting fiddle playing, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Amanda Shires, Americana, Dave Cobb, review, singer, songwriter, To The Sunset | Leave a comment

Album review: ROY BUCHANAN – My Babe

Posted on July 20, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Angel Air Records [Release date 17.08.18] It wasn’t until the mid-1980s – and a series of albums for the Alligator label – that Roy Buchanan really found his calling on album: fiery, blues rock. Back in the 1970s when he … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, blues, guitar, guitarist, My Babe, reissue, review, rock, Roy Buchanan | Leave a comment

Gig review: THUNDER – Caerphilly Castle, Wales, 14 July 2018

Posted on July 20, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

When someone mentions Thunder in Wales it is more often than not followed by a downpour, it is Wales after all. However in the current hot weather boom there was no sign of the wet stuff, and thankfully this Thunder … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 14 July 2018, Caerphilly Castle, Cats In Space, Danny Bowes, Hand of Dimes, Luke Morley, rock, Thunder, Wales | Leave a comment

Album review: FATES WARNING – Live Over Europe

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Yiannis

Inside Out [Release date 29.06.18] A live album by Fates Warning is always a pretty welcoming proposition, as the US Prog Metal giants belong to that elite category of bands whose live performances outdo, in principal, those featured in … Continue reading →

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

Quick plays: MOB RULES, MIKE VASS

Posted on July 19, 2018 by jason

MOB RULES Beast Reborn SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 24.08.18] Mob Rules have been around for awhile now and although never reaching the heights of popularity of some fellow power metal bands, they have built a large and loyal following. Their latest album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged albums, Beast Reborn, folk, melodic, metal, Mike Vass, Mob Rules, Notes From The Boat, power metal, review, rock, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

Album review: ALASCA – Plea For Peace

Posted on July 17, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

ALASCA Plea For Peace Good Deeds Music [Release date 03.08.18] Endorsed by both Bob Harris and Jan Akkerman, AlascA have to be something special, right? Well, the indie folk three piece – Frank Bond (songwriter, guitar, bass and vocals), Ferdinand … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alasca, album, Frank Bond, Plea For Peace, pop, review, rock | Leave a comment

Quick plays: AMANDA SOMERVILLE’S TRILLIUM, FLIGHT OF ICARUS

Posted on July 17, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

AMANDA SOMERVILLE’S TRILLIUM Tectonic Frontiers [Release date 08.06.18] The sophomore release by American-born, Dutch-based singer/songwriter Amanda Somerville’s symphonic metal project Trillium, is packed with melodies, riffs, solos and soaring vocals. The project’s well-received debut Alloy (2011) lead to support slots … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Amanda Somerville's Trillium, Flight Of Icarus, review, symphonic metal, Tectonic | Leave a comment

Album review : RSO (Richie Sambora & Orianthi) – Radio Free America

Posted on July 17, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

BMG [Release date 11.05.18] Frankly, I’ve never been totally convinced about Richie Sambora’s credibility as one of rock’s ‘great’ guitarists. His output since leaving Bon Jovi has been patchy, to say the best, and this latest offering, with current ‘squeeze’ … Continue reading →

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Gig review: VEGA – Camden Underworld, London, 7 July 2018

Posted on July 16, 2018 by andynathan

Vega are certainly putting in the hard yards to capitalise on their excellent new album ‘Only Human’ with arguably the UK’s leading contemporary melodic rock band playing an extensive tour, culminating in this London date. While they have yet to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 7 July 2018, AOR, Camden Underworld, gig, London, Marcus Thurston, melodic rock, Midnite City, Mikey Kew, Nick Workman, Rob Wylde, Vega | Leave a comment

Gig review: CORNBURY FESTIVAL – The Great Tew Estate, Oxfordhire, 14 July, 2018

Posted on July 16, 2018 by jason

After 14 years and appearances by some of the world’s biggest names in music the Cornbury Music Festival held its ‘last ever’ showcase of music and performances in July last year. However, barely three months after many fans asked for it … Continue reading →