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Upcoming Gigs & Albums
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Gig review: CARDINAL BLACK – Sub 89, Reading, 15 November 2024
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Gig review: SUZI QUATRO – London Palladium, 13 November 2024
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Gig review: HRH XVII, Great Yarmouth, 7-9 November 2024
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Gig review: WHEN RIVERS MEET, CHANTEL MCGREGOR, XANDER AND THE PEACE PIRATES – Dingwalls, London, 7 November 2024
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Gig review: DEEP PURPLE – 02 Arena, London, 6 November 2024
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Gig review: ELLES BAILEY- Islington Assembly Hall, London, 2 November 2024
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Featured Album Reviews
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Single & EP Reviews
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Yearly Archives: 2024
Album review: BENJAMIN CROFT – We Are Here To Help
Galactic Receiver [Release date 03.05.24] www.benjamincroftmusic.com You could be forgiven thinking that Benjamin Croft is the latest U.S. fusion export. But Benjamin is British and this is his third solo album. He has worked in the States but relocated to … Continue reading
Album review: VEGA – Battlelines
Frontiers Records [Release Date 08.09.23] First of all an apology – Vega’s seventh album was released in Autumn 2023 but dropped under my reviewing radar at the time! It is the first since the departure of the Martin Brothers who … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Battlelines, Billy Taylor, Marcus Thurston, melodic rock, Nick Workman, Pete Newdeck, Vega
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Gig review: JACK J. HUTCHINSON – 02 Academy 2, Islington, London, 8 February 2024
Going somewhat under the radar, except for those in the know, Jack J Hutchinson has just put out his fourth album in the last few years, ‘Battles’, receiving a rave review from Jason Ritchie in the pages of GRTR! For … Continue reading
Album review: REVOLUTION SAINTS – Against The Winds
Frontiers [Release date 09.02.24] Album number five from Revolution Saints, the band led by Journey vocalist/drummer Deen Castronovo who first debuted in 2015. Revolution Saints had a major line-up change back in 2022 with Deen Castronovo joined by Foreigner bassist Jeff … Continue reading
Album review : SMOKING SNAKES – Danger Zone
Frontiers [Release date : 16.02.24] Swedish band, Smoking Snakes, release their debut album, Danger Zone this month. The banal band name and cliched album title will surely raise a wry smile on the face of even the most ardent genre … Continue reading
Album review : PHILIP SAYCE – The Wolves Are Coming
Forty Below [Release Date : 23.02.24] Philip Sayce’s ‘The Wolves Are Coming’ is a slash and burn affair full of hard rocking, wild burning riffs, some angst ridden vocals, a cute sense of dynamics and a preference for a wall … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, blues, funk, John Lee Hooker, Led Zeppelin, Peter Green, Philip Sayce, review, rock, The Beatles, The Wolves Are Coming
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Album review : WALTER TROUT – Broken
Provogue [Release Date : 01.03.24] Walter Trout’s ‘Broken’ is an apt metaphor for a reflective, philosophical and at times groundbreaking album, which ultimately celebrates life through the sheer joy of making music. A stylistically varied set is topped and tailed … Continue reading
Album review : HONEYMOON SUITE – Alive
Frontiers [Release Date : 16.02.24] They are indeed, performing here in the instantly recognisable melodic style that defined their key albums. There’s none of the artificial complexity that some bands seem to think is necessary as they move into the … Continue reading
Album review: SLADE – Till Deaf Do Us Part, Live At The New Victoria
BMG [Release date 23.02.24] BMG’s Slade reissue campaign continues with two more albums (both on CD and coloured vinyl). Formed by Noddy Holder, Jim Lea, Dave Hill and Don Powell in the late 60s, the band found enormous success with … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
Tagged album, BMG, classic rock, glam rock, hard rock, Jim Lea, live album, Live At The New Victoria, Noddy Holder, reissue, review, Slade, Till Deaf Do Us Part
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Album review : NEW GUITARS IN TOWN Power Pop 1978-82 (3 CD Set)
Cherry Red [Release date: 16.02.24] By the late seventies, a genre that had blossomed in the Sixties was rediscovered by a new generation of teenagers. And so the legacy of the Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Who and others skipped … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged Beach Boys, Beatles, Boomtown Rats, boxset, Elvis Costello, Feargal Sharkey, post-punk, power pop, The Jam, The Undertones, THE WHO
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Album review : ALBERT CUMMINGS – Strong
Ivy Music Company [Release date : 16.02.24] Albert Cummings is back with his 11th album called ‘Strong’. It reaffirms his blue collar and rock-blues credentials, while breaking new ground by carefully balancing emotionally charged, guitar driven aggression with lyrically fuelled … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged acoustic, Albert Cummings, album, blues, country, funk, Jimmy Oden, John Fogerty, Paul McCartney, review, rock, Strong, The Beatles
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Gig review: SOUTH OF SALEM – The Tivoli, Buckley, North Wales, 9 February 2024
South Of Salem could be construed as “old school” in 2024. Admittedly there’s nothing cutting edge in their Goth-inspired metal delivery but – by goodness – they deliver. We’ve been exposed to a series of singles from the band in … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 9 February 2024, Buckley, gig, goth, horror, metal, North Wales, review, South Of Salem, The Tivoli
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Interview: BRING BACK PERSEPHONE
I have been involved in the music industry long enough to know that bands with passion and clear musical vision are not lacking in this world. One such band, Metalcore enthusiasts Bring Back Persephone, just so happens to hail from … Continue reading
Single review: COLLATERAL – Glass Sky
YouTube [Release date 09.02.24] Kent rockers Collateral return with this stadium sized groove monster and it’s here to set the world alight. Kings of the giant hook and blistering melodic rock riffs, this is another barnstorming number that grows and grows … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged Collateral, Glass Sky, hard rock, melodic hard rock, review, rock, single
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Album review : PROCOL HARUM – Shine On Brightly (Vinyl Remaster)
Cherry Red [Release date : 23.02.23] Procol Harum’s second album, originally released in 1968. This cutting edge remaster, transferred to 12″ vinyl, takes us into the studio, listening to the recording sessions, hearing each note, each sound, near or far, … Continue reading
Gig review: FLORENCE BLACK – Manchester Academy 3, 3 February 2024
As I entered the venue for the sold out show saw a diverse crowd with a nice mix of ages. The atmosphere was already rocking and they hadn’t even hit the stage yet. I managed to catch the last few … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 3 February 2024, classic rock, Florence Black, gig, hard rock, James And The Cold Gun, Manchester Academy 3, punk, review, rock, Trucker Diablo
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Album review : SONS OF LIBERTY – The Detail Is In The Devil
Pete Feenstra chatted to Fred Hale, founder member and guitarist with Sons Of Liberty, for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast 1 September 2024. Independent [Release date : 23.02.24] This is the Sons of Liberty’s third album in six … Continue reading
Album review : KMFDM – Let Go
Metropolis Records [Release date : 02.02.24] KMFDM’s 23rd album is a mixed bag of sights and sounds, each one contributing to a predominant image of a patchwork musical quilt. Each track is an auditory outcry, all cleverly stitched together in … Continue reading
Album review: JACK J HUTCHINSON – Battles
Website [Release date 09.02.24] Jack J Hutchinson is back with another jam packed album full of riffs, hard rocking blues and catchy choruses. ‘Battles’ is produced & co-written with Josiah J Manning (Kris Barras Band, Inglorious), with fellow Kris Barras … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Battles, blues rock, guitarist, hard rock, Jack J. Hutchinson, melodic, review, rock
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Gig review: LUKE MORLEY- Islington Academy, London, 31 January 2024
With Thunder off the road for the foreseeable future, Luke Morley has been able to devote more significant time to his solo work. Last year’s ‘Songs from the Blue Room’, a mellow collection of songs sounding nothing like his main … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Chris Childs, Dean Howard, gig, Hillbilly Vegas, Jack Taylor, Luke Morley, Sam Tanner, Thunder
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Gig review: LEAFHOUND- Camden Underworld, London, 26 January 2024
Many of us would like to attend a gig by our favourite artists to mark a milestone birthday. Only a select few though have the contacts to actually put on a special concert, but Darius Drewe is one such. He’s … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Cosmo, Darius Drewe, Dave Winkler, Dominic French, gig, Heavy Metal Kids, Keith Boyce, Leafhound, Luke Rayner, Peter French, Peter Herbert, Simon Gordon, Star Circus
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Book review: Hello Tolworth, I’m Ziggy by Tim Harrison
Good Life Publishing [Publication date:17.09.21] ‘Hello Tolworth, I’m Ziggy, The life And times of the Toby Jug pub, and the launch of David Bowie’s most famous character’ is a meticulously researched book that is at its best when covering Bowie … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS
Tagged and the launch of David Bowie's most famous character, book, Chicken Shack, David Bowie, Edgar Broughton, Family, Fleetwood Mac, Free, Gary Brewer, Hello Tolworth, I'm Ziggy: The life and times of the Toby Jug pub, Jethro Tull, JOE COCKER, Led Zeppelin, Little Sister, review, SavoyBrown, Stray, TASTE, Ten Years After, The Groundhogs, The Toby Jug, The Yardbirds, Tim Harrison
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Album review: ROBERT HART – Circus Life
Escape Music [Release date 26.01.24] A new solo album by former Bad Company and Distance singer Robert Hart is always a ‘must listen’ for any melodic hard rock fan. On this album he is joined by Heartland’s Steve Morris and … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, AOR, Bad Company, blues rock, Circus Life, FM, hard rock, Harry James, Heartland, Lonerider, melodic rock, review, Robert Hart, Solo, Steve Morris, Steve Overland, Thunder
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Album review: PATTERNS ON THE WINDOW – The British Progressive Pop Sounds Of 1974 (3 CD Boxset)
Grapefruit (Cherry Red) [Release date : 16.02.24] 1974. The UK seemed to be locked into an endless cycle of political and economic crises. The 3 day week. Fuel shortages, and an unheralded post war recession in full swing. Hardly a … Continue reading
News: ELLES BAILEY, HEART, BON JOVI (February 2024)
Lee Aaron will be releasing a covers album ‘Tattoo Me’ via Metalville Records on April 26. Ayreon release ’01011001 – Live Beneath The Waves’ through Music Theories Recordings/Mascot Label Group on May 17. Elles Bailey releases a new EP ‘The Night Owl & the Lark’ on February … Continue reading
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
Tagged albums, AOR, blues, Bon Jovi, Elles Bailey, folk, gigs, Heart, melodic rock, metal, news, prog rock, reissues, RIP, rock, tour dates
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