Monthly Archives: May 2025

Gig review: KALANDRA – The Tivoli, Buckley, 29 May 2025

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‘A Frame Of Mind’ has been a favourite album of mine and made my ‘Best of 2024′ and I was sorry not to have seen the band playing a brief UK tour in late September last year. I couldn’t believe … Continue reading

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News: STYX, JOHN FOGERTY, RISE AGAINST (June 2025)

BAD COMPANY - Manchester Arena, 24 October 2016

Airbourne released a new song, ‘Gutsy’, on June 6 – their first new music in six years. Amorphis their new studio album ‘Borderland’ on September 26 via Reigning Phoenix. Asia have signed with Frontiers and plan to release a live … Continue reading

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Album review : RENAISSANCE – Running Hard – The Albums 1974-76 (4 CDs)

RENAISSANCE 150 running-hard

Cherry Red [Release date: 30.05.25] This 4 CD Renaissance boxset comprises: CD1 : Turn Of The Cards (1974) CD2 : Scheherazade And Other Stories (1975) CD3 : Live At Carnegie Hall Part 1 (1976) CD3 : Live At Carnegie Hall … Continue reading

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Album review: TRAGIK – Crescendo

Tragik-Crescendo

Rock Company [Release date 28.05.25] Tragik are back with album number thirteen and their first in two years, which is some gap for them, although Phil Vincent has been busy with his other musical projects. Joining him are Vince O’Regan, … Continue reading

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Gig review: CHANTEL McGREGOR – The 100 Club, London, 23 May 2025

CHANTEL MCGREGOR - The 100 Club, London, 23 May 2025

Before concentrating on Chantel’s set, a quick word about Blue Nation, who kick off proceedings tonight with a highly entertaining 45 minute set. The Brummie band have some great songs and a ‘let’s have fun’ ethic that shines through their … Continue reading

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Album review : THE SPEAKER WARS – s/t

SPEAKER 150 WARS image

Frontiers Music [Release date 23.05.25] Writer/producer, Stan Lynch and singer/musician, Jon Christopher Davis crossed paths several years ago in Nashville. Songwriters both, they discovered an emotional connection, subsequently writing a bunch of songs together. This would eventually manifest itself as … Continue reading

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Gig review: MAYHEM ROCK FESTIVAL- 229 Club, London, 16 May 2025

MAYHEM ROCK FESTIVAL- 229 Club, London, 16 May 2025

The first ever Mayhem Festival was a showcase for the 21st century generation of Swedish glam bands, both new and with a longer pedigree. The format was that the three co- headliners would all play sets of equal length, though … Continue reading

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Gig review: QUARANTUNE ROCKS – The Victoria, Coalville, Leicestershire, 17 May 2025

King Kraken - QUARANTUNE ROCKS - The Victoria, Coalville, Leicestershire, 17 May 2025

As many of you know, Quarantune Rocks was set up as a music haven during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Established by music fans for music fans, it quickly grew into a friendly, music supporting group that decided as soon … Continue reading

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EP review: HAXAN – Death Of Me

HAXAN - Death Of Me

www.haxan.co.uk [Release date 28.05.25] South Wales rock trio Häxan return with their highly anticipated EP ‘Death Of Me’, a blistering follow up to their acclaimed debut album, ‘White Noise.’ Produced by Grammy nominated Romesh Dodangoda (Motörhead, Bring Me The Horizon, … Continue reading

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Album review: THE DEAD DAISIES – Lookin’ For Trouble

THE DEAD DAISIES - Lookin' For Trouble

SPV [Release date 30.05.25] This is the eighth studio album from the band and marks a diversion from the usual formula, an album of blues covers. It could be construed as a mark-time affair before – in this band’s case … Continue reading

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Album review : RONNIE ROMERO – Live At Rock Imperium Festival (CD+DVD)

RONNIE 150 ROMERO Imperium

Frontiers [Release date : 23.05.25] Ronnie Romero’s merge of heavyweight hard rock and high powered melodic metal may well have been built on Dio’s lasting legacy, but as time as progressed he’s clearly found his own metier. And in performing … Continue reading

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Gig review: BRYAN ADAMS – 02 Arena, London, 15 May 2025

BRYAN ADAMS- 02 Arena, London, 15 May 2025

After last year’s second set of Albert Hall residencies, it was back to a more conventional tour for Bryan Adams. Considering he hasn’t had a hit in years and it has been his photography if anything that has kept him … Continue reading

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Album review : THE FLOWERPOT MEN – Midsummer Dreaming, An Anthology 1967-70

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Cherry Red [Release date : 23.05.25] English musicians/songwriters/singers, John Carter and Ken Lewis achieved limited success in the sixties, scoring two top ten hits as the Ivy League, in 1965 and 66. Meanwhile, aside from breeding an anti consumerist counterculture, … Continue reading

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Album review: DARKFISH – Beyond

DARKFISH - Beyond

Bandcamp [Release date 02.07.25] There have been many albums inspired by the universe and space – the final frontier. Sheila Maloney’s first excursion using the alter-ego Darkfish provides further exploration. Sheila has worked with the David Cross Band and her … Continue reading

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Gig review: MICHAEL SCHENKER – The Garage, Glasgow, 13 May 2025

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Herr Schenker is at a point in his career where anniversaries are coming along as regularly as Glasgow buses. Having been in the business this long, the milestones keep on coming and his year it is Michael’s time in UFO … Continue reading

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Album review: AVAWAVES – Heartbeat

AVAWAVES - Heartbeat

One Little Independent Records [Release date 09.05.25] This is the third album from chill-out duo Aisling Brouwer and Anna Phoebe and should be essential listening; just great for those long evenings when you can actually sit out and enjoy the … Continue reading

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Album review : YOUNG AND WILD – A Decade of American Glam Metal 1982-92

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Cherry Red [Release date : 23.05.25] The Eighties in the USA: some rock bands rode the Glam Metal wave, propelled by MTV’s insatiable appetite for the genre’s hypnotic theatrics (and, let’s face it, some really great songs). They discarded the … Continue reading

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Album review : DON FELDER – The Vault – 50 Years Of Music

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Frontiers Music [Release date : 23.05.25] Don Felder enjoyed two six year stints as a member of The Eagles. The second ended in 2001. His vocal presence was limited. He was a prolific songwriter, though Don Henley and Glen Frey … Continue reading

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Rising Stars: SLY WITHERS

SLY WITHERS

Australian Alt-Rock band Sly Withers released a new single on April 17 entitled ‘Restless’. Sly Withers are Jono Mata (guitar and vocals), Sam Blitvich (guitar and vocals), Shea Moriarty (bass) and Fraser Cringle (drums). Sam & Jono answered a few … Continue reading

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Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL – Hampton Hub, London, 1 May 2025

BRAVE RIVAL- Hampton Hub, London, 1 May 2025

Over the past two years Brave Rival have been one of my very favourite new bands, and judging by the various awards they have received (including ‘Fight Or Flight’ being GRTR!’s joint classic rock album of the year for 2024!) … Continue reading

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Album review : STATUS QUO – Live! (Super Deluxe 8 CD Edition)

STATUS 150 QUO Live deluxe

earMusic [Release date : 16.05.24] You’ve really got to hand it to whoever guides Status Quo through the pop and rock music jungle, carefully mining their back catalogue. Brilliantly marketed, with ads that hit all the right notes in the … Continue reading

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Album review : GIANT – Stand And Deliver

GIANT 150 Stand image

Frontiers Music [Release date: 16.05.24] This is the Kent Hilli, Jimmy (One Desire) Westerlund version of Giant, along with original members, David Huff and Mike Brignardello. The signature sound of any band is provided by its vocalist, closely followed by … Continue reading

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Feature: THE DARKER MY HORIZON’s Bakers Dozen

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The Darker My Horizon recently release their fifth album, ‘From Out Of The Ashes’ on March 23 – ten years to the day of  the release of their debut album ‘Acquiesce’. Baker’s Dozen, in which various musicians choose 13 songs – … Continue reading

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Album review : ART NATION – Re-Revolution

ART NATION 150 Rere Image

Frontiers [Release date : 16.05.25] Sweden’s Art Nation are getting considerable push from the Frontiers Music label. This month we get a replay of their first rodeo, Revolution (2015), coming hard on the heels of last month’s impressive new album, … Continue reading

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Rising Stars: BLACKLIST UNION

Blacklist Union press photo

Blacklist Union return with new single ‘Mississippi Moonhound’ — a swampy, swaggering anthem delivering a powerful blast of wild and untamed rock ‘n’ roll. The new single captures the feeling of being haunted by your past while howling into the … Continue reading

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