Yearly Archives: 2021

Album review: GAMMA RAY – 30 Years Live Anniversary

Posted on September 8, 2021 by brianmc

Ear Music/Edel [Release date 10.09.21] In 2020, it looked like this could become the new normal. A live gig without an audience. Kai Hansen’s Gamma Ray know what it is to play live…they’ve been doing it for 30 years. It becomes … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Gamma Ray, Kai Hansen, live, power metal, Ralf Scheepers, review, Teutonic Metal | Leave a comment

Album review: THE LIVESAYS – Not What I Bargained For

Posted on September 5, 2021 by jason

www.thelivesaysmusic.com [Release date 03.09.21] The Livesays – singer/songwriter/guitarist Billy Livesay, drummer Howard Goldberg, bassist Jorge Laplume, Victor “Cuqui” Berrios on Hammond B-3 organ, Tim Murphy on piano – are back with their second album in two years. During the pandemic … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Billy Livesay, blues rock, Clarence Clemmons, melodic, Not What I Bargained For, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, Springsteen, The Livesays | Leave a comment

Album review: OVERKILL – The Atlantic Years 1986-1994

Posted on September 5, 2021 by jason

BMG [Release date 29.10.21] New Jersey band Overkill, named after the Motorhead album/song, formed in 1980 and were part of the early US thrash scene. Nineteen studio albums, three live and three EPs later, there’s quite a legacy there. There … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, Reissues | Tagged Bobby Elisworth, box set, metal, NWOBHM, Overkill, review, The Atlantic Years 1986-1994, thrash metal | Leave a comment

EP review: THE MANGOES – Pale Blue Dot

Posted on September 5, 2021 by jason

www.themangoesband.com [Release date 19.07.21] The Mangoes are a pop-rock duo formed by Tim Morse (vocals, keys) and Bret Bingham (lead vocals, guitarist, bass, keys, drum samples) in 2014 and conceived as a song writing collective. This new EP is as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Beatles, EP, melodic, Pale Blue Dot, pop, progressive, review, rock, Styx, the Mangoes | Leave a comment

Album review: AL ROSS & THE PLANETS – Blue Crystal

Posted on September 5, 2021 by brianmc

Wienerworld Music [Release date 10.09.21] Al Ross & The Planets’ “stylistically diverse” (it sez ere) second album, Blue Crystal, had a difficult birth. As well as being handicapped by the pandemic’s side effects of lockdown and quarantine, this international band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Al Ross & The Planets, album, BB King, blues, Cocker, country, Dolby, Jack Bruce, Lyndon Connah, Norman Beaker, pandemic, Patrick Leonard, review, Richard Page, Squeeze, Third Matinee, Van Morrison, Westcoast Rock | Leave a comment

Quick plays: JACK RUSSELL’S GREAT WHITE, LEGENDS PLAY THE BEATLES, ACROSS THE SEA

Posted on September 4, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

JACK RUSSELL’s GREAT WHITE Great Zeppelin II Deadline Music/Cleopatra [Release date 13.08.21] There can be few reasons for revisiting Zeppelin back catalogue unless you can bring something new to the party. And, in truth, something more radical and it might … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged Across The Sea, Air Supply, album, Andrew Gold, Ann Wilson, classic rock, concept album, Glenn Hughes, Great White, Great Zeppelin II, Howard Jones, Jack Bruce, Jack Russell, John Wetton, Judy Collins, Led Zeppelin, Legends Play The Beatles, Molly Hatchet, prog rock, review, space rock, Steve Morse | Leave a comment

Album review: THREE COLOURS DARK – Love’s Lost Property

Posted on September 4, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Firefly Music [Release date 10.09.21] www.threecoloursdark.com 2020 marked the musical reunion of Rachel Cohen and Jonathan Edwards founder members of long-standing prog rockers Karnataka. In the hiatus following The Reasoning (Cohen) and Panic Room (Edwards) they released an exquisite debut … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, Dave Gregory, Jonathan Edwards, Karnataka, Love's Lost Property, Luna Rossa, Panic Room, prog, progressive, Rachel Cohen, review, singer, songwriter, Steve Balsamo, The Reasoning, Three Colours Dark | Leave a comment

Album review: BETWEEN WORLDS (feat Ronny Munroe) – Between Worlds

Posted on September 3, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [release date: 10.09.21] Ronny Munroe, Alessandro Del Vecchio (Frontiers’ inhouse producer / writer / arranger) and Pete Alpenberg, now aka Between Worlds, have brought in the heavy artillery for this, their self titled debut. After ten years fronting Metal … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album review, Alessandro Delvecchio, Between Worlds, Chris Caffery, Frontiers Music, Jack Frost, Joel Hoekstra, Metal Church, Night Ranger, Ronnie Munroe, Trans Siberian Orchestra | Leave a comment

EP review: DEAD MAN’S WHISKEY – Breakout

Posted on September 2, 2021 by jason

Self-release [Release date 01.10.21] Dead Man’s Whiskey are back in action with an appearance at this year’s Stone Dead festival and a string of tour dates this month (September at the time of publication). This five song EP is produced … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged album, Breakout, Dead Man's Whiskey, EP, hard rock, John Mitchell, NWOCR, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: ANETTE OLZON – Strong

Posted on September 1, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers Records [release date 10.09.21] A Symphonic Rock album for the ABBA generation, Anette (Dark Element/ Nightwish) Olzon’s collaboration with maestro, Magnus Karlsson, titled Strong, is huge, confident and full of heartstopping hooks. It has a lovely gloss to it… … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Allen/Lande/Hearthealer//Freefall, Anette Olzon, Dark Element, Frontiers Records, Magnus Karlsson, Nightwish, review, symphonic rock | Leave a comment

News: ANVIL, TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT, ALAN PARSONS (September 2021)

Posted on August 31, 2021 by jason

UFO – Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 4 April 2019

Abba release a new album ‘Voyage’ – their first in 40 years – on November 5. They have also announced a new live show, ‘Abba Voyage’, will open at the new 3,000 capacity Abba Arena in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Exhibitions, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged Alan Parsons, albums, alternative, Americana, anvil, blues, country, festivals, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, New releases, news, pop, prog rock, RIP, rock, singles, Temperance Movement, tours | Leave a comment

Album review: MEDICINE HEAD – Warriors Of Love

Posted on August 31, 2021 by petefeenstra

Pete Feenstra chatted to John Fiddler in September 2021 playing tracks from the new album ‘Warriors Of Love’. Living Room Records [Release date 03.09.21] ‘Warriors of Love’ is a career high for Medicine Head founder member, British Lions and Box … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Radio interview | Tagged album, Allman Brothers, Americana, Belinda Campbell, blues, Bob Dylan, Box of Frogs, British Lions, Chuck Leavell, Dave 'Bucket' Colwell, drums, Dzal Martin, folk, interview, Jack Kerouac, JJ Cale, John Bonham, John Fiddler, Led Zeppelin, Medicine Head, Morgan Fisher, Pete Hope Evans, Pink Floyd, review, rock, Roy Shipston, The Waterboys, Tom Petty, Warriors Of Love | Leave a comment

Album review: THE MOTELS – All Four One, Little Robbers

Posted on August 30, 2021 by jason

BGO Records [Release date 03.09.21] The Motels are an American new wave band fronted by Martha Davis. This Motels double CD re-issue features the band’s two US Top 30 albums from the early 1980s. ‘All Four One’ (1982) features the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 80's pop, album, All Four One, BGO Records, Little Robbers, New Wave, reissue, review, synth pop, The Motels | Leave a comment

Album review: FINNY McCONNELL – The Dark Streets Of Love

Posted on August 29, 2021 by jason

Whiskey Devil Records [Release date 03.09.21] After 30 years of leading renowned Celtic punk rockers, The Mahones – who have released over 20 albums and shared stages with the Dropkick Murphys, Shane MacGowan, Stiff Little Fingers, Billy Bragg, The Buzzcocks, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bruce Springsteen, Finny McConnell, folk, review, rock, singer songwriter, The Dark Streets Of Love, The Mahones, The Pogues | Leave a comment

Album review: BLOOD RED SAINTS- Undisputed

Posted on August 27, 2021 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release Date 06.08.21) Blood Red Saints’ fourth album sees them come full circle, not only with a return to Frontiers Records, but to the style of their impressive debut album before exploring a more guitar dominated and modern … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Blood Red Saints, Lee Revill, melodic rock, Pete Godfrey | Leave a comment

Book review: ERJA LYYTINEN – The Blues Queen by Mape Ollila

Posted on August 26, 2021 by petefeenstra

Docendo Oy Publishing [Publication date 06.11.20] ‘Erja Lyytinen – The Blues Queen’ is a refreshingly honest biography about a hugely talented classically trained violinist turned rock blues guitarist, singer-songwriter, band leader and perfectionist in search of respect and acceptance. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged album, AYNSLEY LISTER, Carlos Santana, Davide Floreno, Erja Lyytinen, Europe, Finland, guitar, Ian Parker, Jennifer Batten, Mape Ollila, Nightwish, review, Shiley Bassey, Sibelius, Tasavallan Presidentti, The Blues Queen, Thomas Ruf, vocals | Leave a comment

Album review: M.ILL.ION – Back On Track

Posted on August 26, 2021 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 10.09.21] Four original M.ILL.ION members reunited in the autumn of 2020 – Hans Dalzon (vocals), CT Rohdell (guitar), Marcus Berglund (keyboards) and B.J Laneby (bass) – and they were joined by new recruits Henrik Andersson (lead … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR Heaven, Back On Track, classic rock, hard rock, M.ILL.ION, melodic hard rock, review, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE DARKER MY HORIZON & FRIENDS FESTIVAL, The Vic, Coalville, 20-22 August 2021

Posted on August 25, 2021 by jason

I think it would be fair to say that travelling to the venue on 20th was challenging for most, due to a number of accidents and roadworks everywhere, however, none so much as The Darker My Horizon (TDmH) as their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 20-22 August 2021, alt rock, Coalville, Daylight Robbery, festival, Guns for Girls, hard rock, live music, modern rock, Psycho Dollz, Rawkus Redz, review, rock, the Darker My Horizon, the Vic, Voddoo Sioux | Leave a comment

Album review: NIGHT RANGER- ATBPO

Posted on August 25, 2021 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release Date 06.08.21) Night Ranger’s first album in four years, the title ‘And the Band Played On’ is a nod to the challenges of making music during the pandemic, though to reduce the album title to its less … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Brad Gillis, Erik Levy, Jack Blades, Kelly Keagy, Kerri Kelli, melodic rock, Night Ranger | Leave a comment

Book review: On Track…TOM PETTY (Every album, every song) by Richard James

Posted on August 25, 2021 by andynathan

SonicBond Publishing (Release Date 30.07.21) The posthumous Tom Petty box set was titled ‘An American Treasure’, a fitting description of a legend of rock who did things on his own terms and has perhaps only been fully appreciated since his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, On Track, Richard James, Tom Petty, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers | Leave a comment

Album review: VANDENBERG – The Complete Atco Recordings 1982-2004 (4 CD Boxset w/bonus tracks)

Posted on August 24, 2021 by brianmc

Cherry Red [release date 27.08.21] Vandenberg (1982) Heading For A Storm (1983) Alibi (1985) Demos and Live (2004) Emerging unbloodied and unbowed from the golden age of AOR, Vandenberg’s 3 albums (now remastered) embody all that was good and all … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged albums, Alibi, bonus tracks, boxset, Coverdale, demos, Heading For A Storm, Japp Eggermont, Kolodner, live, melodic hard rock, review, Vandenberg, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Gig review: COLLATERAL – The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 19 August 2021

Posted on August 23, 2021 by andynathan

Back at the start of 2020, I began what I hoped would be a big gigging year with Collateral at a packed Cavern. It was also promising to be a breakthrough year for the Kent rockers whose first full-length album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Angelo Tristan, Collateral, gig, melodic rock, Rob Fenning, Todd Winger | Leave a comment

Album review: LYNCH MOB – The Elektra Years 1990-92 (2 CDs w/bonus tracks)

Posted on August 22, 2021 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date 27.08.21] A 2 CD Lynch Mob package. Wicked Sensation (1990) and Lynch Mob (1992). All that’s missing is the “best before 1989” label. And that problem undermined any notion of commercial success. Either one of these … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged albums, Dokken, George Lynch, Lynch Mob, Mick Brown, Oni Logan, review, Robert Mason, Wicked Sensation | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACKTOP MOJO – Blacktop Mojo

Posted on August 22, 2021 by jason

Self-released [Release date 13.08.21] Blacktop Mojo are a new name to this reviewer, however, the band have been around since 2012 and this is their fourth album. Blacktop Mojo consists if Matt James (vocals), Ryan Kiefer (guitar), Chuck Wepfer (guitar), … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Blackstone Cherry, Blacktop Mojo, blues rock, classic rock, Lynyrd Skynrd, modern rock, post grunge, review, Soundgarden, southern rock | Leave a comment

Single review: SANTANA – Move

Posted on August 22, 2021 by jason

BMG [Release date 18.08.21] ‘Move’ is the first single from Carlos Santana’s new album ‘Blessings and Miracles’, which is released on October 15 by BMG. This single also heralds the much-anticipated reteaming of Santana with Matchbox Twenty singer Rob Thomas. … Continue reading →