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Upcoming Gigs & Albums
Latest Album Reviews
Latest Gig Reviews
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Gig review: BLACK EYED SONS- The Lexington, London, 16 December 2024
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Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL- Thames Side Brewery, Staines, 8 December 2024
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Gig review: STRAY- The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 7 December 2024
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Gig review: THE SHEEPDOGS, THE COMMONERS- Islington Assembly Hall, London, 5 December 2024
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Gig review: GUN – Barrowlands, Glasgow, 14 December 2024
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Gig review: THE DAMN TRUTH – The Grace, London, 26 November 2024
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Featured Album Reviews
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Album review: AVAWAVES – Chrysalis (Anna Phoebe/Aisling Brouwer)
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Album review: URIAH HEEP – The Classic Rock Years (6 Disc Box Set)
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Album review : STARCHASER – Into The Great Unknown
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Album review: JAMES STEVENSON – Everything’s Getting Closer To Being Over
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Album review: THE UNION – The World Is Yours
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Album review: CRAZY LIXX – s/t
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Features
Single & EP Reviews
DVD Reviews
Book Reviews
News
Monthly Archives: November 2024
Album review: ELECTRIC TEMPLE – High Voltage Salvation
Eonian Records [Release date 06.12.24 ] An interesting trend in recent years has been for vocalist/frontmen to spread their largesse, perhaps due to economic as much as creative reasons. So, for example, we have that arch moonlighter Ronnie Romero in … Continue reading
Feature: Box Sets are for life, not just for Christmas…(December 2024)
The reissues and recycling still come thick and fast, not least in the unashamed “reissue” of vinyl – another income stream for the record labels designed to extract more wedge from our hard-pressed wallets. Here is our round-up of recommended … Continue reading
Album review : TAK MATSUMOTO GROUP – TMG II
Frontiers [Release date : 06.12.24] Through one of those close encounters you read about, Tak Matsumoto, guitarist and founder of leading Japanese rock band, B’z met up with Jack (Night Ranger) Blades and Eric (Mr Big) Martin in LA, in … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged B'z, Baby Metal, Budokan, Eric Martin, hard rock, Jack Blades, Japan, LiSA, melodic rock, Mr Big, Night Ranger, review, Tak Matsumoto Group
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Album review : POWELL PAYNE – Voila
Frontiers [Release date 6.12.24] There really should have been some kind of fanfare, a blaze of publicity, to accompany the release of Voila, debut album from Adam Payne, ex Airrace, and Mark Powell, ex Psycho Kiss. In this post-AOR age, … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged Airrace, AOR, Frontiers, melodic rock, Peter Cetera, Powell Payne, Psycho Kiss, review, Richard Marx, Voila
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Single review: SPLEEN – Making Plans For Nigel
YouTube Spleen have been around since 2019 and now comprises Samuele Riccucci on guitar and vocals, Matteo Innocenti on drums and backing vocals, Olmo Fantini on guitar and backing vocals, and Alberto Sanna on bass. A brave move to cover … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged Covers, Making Plans For Nigel, New Wave, pop, punk, punk pop, review, Robbie Williams, single, Spleen, XTC
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Gig review: ANTHRAX – Hammersmith Apollo, London, 23 November 2024
It’s been a while. 35 years in fact, since I last saw Anthrax. March 1989 at this very venue. I had to look it up, but I needn’t have bothered. During a mid-set chat, Scott Ian listed all the times … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 23November 2024, Anthrax, gig, Hammersmith Apollo, Joey Belladonna, Kreator, live, metal, review, Scott Ian, Thrash
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Gig review: BLACK STONE CHERRY – Wembley Arena, London, 23 November 2024
As they mentioned from the stage, Black Stone Cherry have been on tour for the best part of two years, touring their latest album ‘Screaming At The Sky’. Seemingly their favourite territory, the UK has seen them no less than … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Ayron Jones, Ben Wells, Black Stone Cherry, Chris Robertson, gig, Jen Ledger, John Cooper, John Fred Young, Skillet, southern rock, Steve Jewell
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Gig review: SQUEEZE – Roundhouse, London, 22 November 2024
It’s a tribute to the virtue of good songwriting and refusing to follow fashion that Squeeze have joined the select group of bands to be celebrating their 50th birthday (albeit with a few breaks apart). And yet, as Glenn Tilbrook … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 22 November 2024, Badly Drawn Boy, Chris Difford, gig, Glenn Tilbrook, London, Melvin Duffy, Roundhouse, Simon Hanson, Squeeze, Stephen Large
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Album review : RUTHLESS BLUES – Nice Work
Bandcamp [Release date 01.11.24] ‘Nice Work’ is an aptly titled album for a band who always managed to convey their natural exuberance in a straight forward mix of old school rock and blues. This is Ruthless Blues first studio album … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, bass, blues, Clive Edwards, drums, guitar, Hammind, harmonica, John Irish Earle, Martyn Taylor, Nice Work, review, Richard Taylor, rock, Ruthless Blues, sax, Stevie Smith
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Feature: PHIL VINCENT’s Baker’s Dozen
A Baker’s Dozen, in which various musicians choose 13 songs – a baker’s dozen – to make a playlist. The following rules apply – Maximum of three songs from any artist Maximum of two songs from any album Maximum of two … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES
Tagged Bakers Dozen, Beatles, feature, hard rock, heavy metal, Jon Butcher Axis, Judas Priest, melodic rock, metal, Phil Vincent, pop, prog rock, Queen, RAVEN, Thin Lizzy
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Album review: PHIL VINCENT – Master of Deception
Bandcamp [Release date 22.11.24] This is Phil Vincent’s 26th solo album! That is excluding the various bands he appears with like D’Ercole and Tragik. Mastered again by Jacob Hansen (who certainly seems to have added some punch to last few … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, hard rock, Master of Deception, melodic rock, Phil Vincent, review, rock
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Album review: CROSSBONE SKULLY – Evil World Machine
Better Noise Music [Release date 22.11.24] Crossbone Skully is the band formed by Alice Cooper and Hollywood Vampires guitarist Tommy Henriksen. He’s joined by guitarists Anna Cara and Sam Koltun, bassist Chris Wyse and drummer Alex Boch. That’s not all … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged AC/DC, album, Alice Cooper, classic rock, Crossbone Skully, Def Leppard, Evil World Machine, hard rock, Hollywood Vampires, Johnny Depp, Motley Crue, Mutt Lange, review, rock, sleaze rock, Tommy Denander, Tommy Henriksen
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Gig review: CARDINAL BLACK – Sub 89, Reading, 15 November 2024
Of all the new bands on the scene, Cardinal Black seem to be among those on the verge of a big commercial breakthrough. On this autumn tour, the London venue was at the Shepherds Bush Empire, though I couldn’t make … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged blues rock, Cardinal Black, Chris Buck, gig, New Wave of Classic Rock, soul, Tom Hollister
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Album review : FAITH NYC – Love Is A Wish Away
Good Deeds Music [Release date 22.11.24] A Motown sound that isn’t a Motown sound. Faith NYC is Felice Rosser’s band, which comprises percussionist, Fin Hunt, and guitar man, Justin Adams. Rosser sings and plays bass. Born and brought up in … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged Black Music, Faith NYC, Felice Rosser, Fin Hunt, Justin Adams, Motown, New York, punk, review, soul
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Album review : LUMINARE CHRISTMAS – Mistletoe Magic
Frontiers [Release date : 22.12.24] Founded by Chip Davis, leader of the 28 million selling, neoclassical ensemble Mannheim Steamroller, Luminare Christmas is a relatively new venture. Mannheim have two albums in the Top Ten Best Selling Christmas albums of all … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS
Tagged Chip Davis, Christmas, Denis DeYoung, Frontiers, Luminare, Mannheim Steamroller, Nutcracker, review, Styx, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi
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Gig review: SUZI QUATRO – London Palladium, 13 November 2024
After too long sharing a bill on revival shows or out of the touring spotlight altogether, the last couple of years have seen the welcome return of Suzi Quatro as a headline live act, cementing her legacy as a trailblazing … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged gig, glam rock, Jez Davies, Suzi Quatro, Tim Smith, Tommy Schneller
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Album review : SUNSTORM – Restless Fight
Frontiers [Release date: 22.11.24] Restless Fight is Sunstorm’s third with Ronnie Romero up front, this time with a few more “progressive” musicians alongside. Influential Italian guitarist/ songwriter Aldo Lonobile – and currently Frontiers’ head of A&R for Europe – has … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged Aldo Lonobile, Antonio Agate, Frontiers, hard rock, Italy, review, Ronnie Romero, Sunstorm
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Book reviews: On track…SPARKS, ROXY MUSIC, DAVID BOWIE
On Track…Sparks 1969-1979 by Chris Sutton (Sonicbond Publishing) Chris Sutton has penned a few titles previously for SonicBond including a couple on Alice Cooper and an AC/DC one. Unlike some titles in the series this Sparks one features interviews specifically … Continue reading
Album review: DEWOLFF- Muscle Shoals
Mascot Records [Release date 06.12.24] “The singing river ? Damned if there ain’t soul in the silt itself. Musician folks been heading down this way for years and I’ll wager I’ve seen ‘em all – yes sir, Muscle Shoals, Alabama. … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, blues, blues rock, DeWolf, Lynyrd Skynrd, Muscle Shoals, Otis Redding, review, rock, soul
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DVD review: MAN – God Walking Past (A review of the band’s career and recorded works 1968-1976)
Effigy [Release date: 18.11.24] ‘God Walking Past’ takes its title from Man member Deke Leonard’s description of the band’s music. He calls it “Impressive”, and the description could equally be applied to this thoroughly researched ‘not for prophet’ labour of … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS
Tagged Andrew Lauder, Barrie Marshall, Barry Melton, Clive John, Deke Leonard, DVD, Gav Crumpton, George Jones, Geraint Watkins, God Walking Past, Jenny Marshall, John McKenzie, Ken Whaley, Man, Martin Ace, Michael Heatley, Micky Jones, Nick Ring, Pete Feenstra, Phil Ryan, review, Terry Williams, The Bystanders, Tony Smith
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Album review : MARY COUGHLAN – Repeat Rewind
Strange Brew [Release date : 25.10.24] Mary Coughlan’s ‘Repeat Rewind’ is released hand in hand with the 40th anniversary of her career and provides the perfect showcase for her full range of talents, from heartfelt, humorous and ironic observations to … Continue reading
Album review : STORACE – Crossfire
Frontiers [Release date 22.11.24] Crossfire is only the second Storace “solo” release from an artist whose gravel gargling vocals have fronted many million selling albums. Any fan of the hard rock genre will recognise the talent Marc Storace has surrounded … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged AC/DC, Alice Cooper, Frontiers, Gotus, hard rock, Hollywood Vampires, KROKUS, Pat Aeby, review, Storace, Tommy Henriksen
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Gig review: HRH XVII, Great Yarmouth, 7-9 November 2024
Hard Rock Hell (HRH) was back for its 17th instalment “Valhalla”. Rockers from up and down the country were already here in their masses. The atmosphere was already building and I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this weekend. Thursday … Continue reading
Gig review: WHEN RIVERS MEET, CHANTEL MCGREGOR, XANDER AND THE PEACE PIRATES – Dingwalls, London, 7 November 2024
This show, one of the occasional live spinoffs from the Blues Power shows on one of GRTR!’s fellow radio stations, ticked a lot of boxes for me. I’ve steadily been getting more into When Rivers Meet but my ambition to … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Aaron Bond, blues, blues rock, Chantel McGregor, gig, Grace Bond, When Rivers Meet, Xander and the Peace Pirates
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Album review : VAN ZANT – Always Look Up
Frontiers [Release date : 22.11.24] Here are the Van Zant brothers, Donnie and Johnny, vocalists respectively with 38 Special and Lynyrd Skynyrd (50 million album sales between them), looking forward, going back. In 2017, University Of Northumbria’s Professor of American … Continue reading
