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Monthly Archives: May 2026
Gig review: CHEZ KANE- Camden Underworld, London, 24 May 2026
The release of Chez Kane’s third album ‘Reckless’ has seen her most sustained burst of touring activity in the UK yet. Only a couple of months after some acoustic promotional shows (which this website reviewed in Kingston) was an … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Chez Kane, Dave Winkler, female fronted, gig, Harry Scott Elliott, James Ready, melodic rock, Oscar Charlton, Star Circus
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Album review : QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE – Who Do You Love? The Recordings 1967-1972 (7CD Boxset)
Cherry Red [Release date 29.05.26] Quicksilver Messenger Service – yet another of the “summer of love”s musical heroes – bubbles back to the classic rock surface. These are the real heroes, an authentic rock band who, for better or worse, … Continue reading
Album review: W.A.S.P. – The Seven Savage 1984-1992
Madfish [Release date 17.01.26] Formed in LA in 1982 by guitarist and vocalist Blackie Lawless, W.A.S.P. have been going strong for over 40 years and still producing some excellent metal. A little rough and raw, but they’ve rocked hard and … Continue reading
Gig review: THE KARMA EFFECT – The Fighting Cocks, Kingston upon Thames, 21 May 2026
The Karma Effect’s main tour is later this year but, with the release of third album ‘Cruel Intentions’ came a limited number of album launch shows including this one in Kingston, also home of Banquet Records who do a remarkable … Continue reading
Single review: SHARON LAZIBYRD – Quand je vois le Monde
Website [Release date 29.05.26] Sharon Lazibyrd as been on the GRTR! musical radar for some years now and it was a pleasant surprise to receive an advance listen to this song, ‘Quand je vois le Monde’, the second single from … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged folk, melodic, Quand je vois le Monde, review, Sharon Lazibyrd, singer songwriter, single, Tides Keep Turning
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Album review : MARTIN PAGE – The First And Last Freedom
IroningBoard Records [Release date 01.04.26] On his 11th album now, successful songwriter (‘These Dreams’, ‘We Built This City’, ‘King Of Wishful Thinking’ and many more) Martin Page’s softly softly approach to his own material remains untouched. He tells us : … Continue reading
News: JACK J HUTCHINSON, KAMELOT, SALIVA (June 2026)
Audrey Horne release their latest album ‘Achilles’ through Napalm Records on September 4, with ‘Insanity’ released as the first single on June 11. The Bites release their new, self-titled, album on September 18 through Earache Records. Metalville is reissuing of … 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 AOR, blues, folk, gigs, Jack J. Hutchinson, Kamelot, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, Saliva, special editions, tour dates
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Album review : BRIAN ROBERTSON – Diamonds And Dirt (2 CD Reissue)
Cherry Red [Release date 29.05.26] Scottish guitarist/ songwriter Brian Robertson played on what were arguably Thin Lizzy’s top 5 studio albums. Over a four year period, 1974-78, he contributed as guitarist and co-writer with Phil Lynott on Nightlife, Fighting, Jailbreak, … Continue reading
Album review: TARJA – Frisson Noir
earMUSIC [Release date 12.06.26] Tarja Turunen releases her tenth studio album and one she calls the “heaviest record of her career”. There are a few notable guest appearances including fellow ex-Nightwish member Marko Hietala, Dani Filth (Cradle of Filth), Apocalyptica, and Chad Smith (Red … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Apocalyptica, Dani Filth, Frisson Noir, gothic, Marko Hietala, melodic metal, metal, Nightwish, review, symphonic metal, Tarja, Tarja Turunen
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Gig review: MAYHEM ROCK FESTIVAL- The Nest, Nottingham, 16 May 2026
The Mayhem Festival aims to bring the best of what might be described as the Swedish glam metal scene- ranging from sleaze to melodic rock- to these shores. After a trio of shows last year with a triple headline of … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Confess, Dave Dalone, Eclipse, Erik Martensson, Erik Modin, festival, gig, glam rock, H.E.A.T., Jimmy Jay, Joey Draper, John Elliot, Jona Tee, Kenny Leckremo, Magnus Henriksen, Mayhem, melodic roick, sleazze rock, Smoking Snakes, South Of Salem, Suicide Bombers, Sweden, Toxic Rose, Trench Dogs, Wasted Wizards
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Album review: BRICK BRISCOE – Found Footage
Facebook [Release date 20.04.26] Brick Briscoe, what a great discovery. Hands up who’s heard of him. One or two at the back yeah. So I’d never heard of him either, but I’m damned glad I’ve been hipped to him now. … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Brick Briscoe, Found Footage, guitarist, indie, Leonard Cohen, review, singer songwriter, Tom Waits
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Gig Review: MOONLIGHT – THE PHILIP LYNOTT ENIGMA – Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow 20 May 2026
Phil Lynott was a larger than life character who wore his heart on his sleeve and became one of rock’s most iconic frontmen. Part rockstar, part poet, his songs and lyrics have touch many throughout his career. This show is … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview
Tagged Dancing In The Moonlight, Enigma, Eric Bell, gig, interview, live, Moonlight, Pavilion Theatre, Peter M Smith, Philip Lynott, radio, review, Thin Lizzy
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Gig review: CHRISTOPHER CROSS – Bristol Beacon, 20 May 2026
For some Christopher Cross represents a moment in time, basically 1980, when his debut solo album was a major success. He went on to win five Grammys a year later and his career was established. Of course, since that time, … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 20 May 2026, AOR, Bristol Beacon, Chris Difford, Christopher Cross, classic rock, gig, melodic rock, review, Squeeze
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Album review: CLAIRE HAMILL BAND – A House Among The Trees
Bandcamp [Release date 25.04.26] Claire Hamill, the grand dame of British folk, rock and prog, who you may well have never heard of releases her 12th solo album since 1971. There are not many female survivors from this period and certainly … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged A House Among The Trees, acoustic, album, Claire Hamill, Claire Hamill Band, folk, folk rock, Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, prog, progressive, review, rock
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Gig review: CASSIDY PARIS – The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 14 May 2026
A lot has happened to young Australian rocker Cassidy Paris in the 21 months since she was last at this venue. Last spring, days after I saw her supporting Harem Scarem, a UK tour suddenly collapsed amid distressing personal circumstances. … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Adam Payne, Cassidy Paris, gig, melodic rock, Pete Newdeck, Powell Payne, Steve Janevski, The Cavern
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Album review : FAITH NYC – Love Is A Wish Away
Bandcamp [Release date : 15.05.26] Faith NYC is immensely talented singer/ writer/ bass player, Felice Rosser. “Felice Rosser brought her Detroit ears to punk, having been teethed on Motown. Reggae became a powerful influence too” (Rolling Stone/ New York Times … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged Bandcamp, blues, Detroit, Faith NYC, Felice Rosser, Justin Adams, Love Is A Wish Away, New York, punk, rock'n'roll
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Album review : THE 5th DIMENSION – Let The Sunshine In – The Soul City and Bell Albums (6CD Boxset)
Cherry Red [Release date 29.05.26] The 5th Dimension, five vocalists, three male, two female, burst onto the US music scene in 1966. Nobody comes from nowhere of course, no matter what the media headlines might say. Each one, Jimmy Davis, … Continue reading
Album review: VIRGINMARYS – Beyond The House of Fires
Website [Release date 22.05.26] The Virginmarys new album is both new and old, in that is their reinterpretation of their most recent album, 2024’s ‘Beyond the House of Fires’. This time around the Virginmarys – Ally Dickaty and Danny Dolan … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, alt rock, alternative, Beyond the House of Fires, indie, melodic, review, rock, Virginmarys
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Gig review: LUKE JAMES WILLIAMS – Wax and Beans, Bury, 15 May 2026
This is the second time I’ve been to this venue, and I would highly recommend it for anybody in the Bury/Rochdale/Heywood area. Get to see an artist in an intimate setting whilst drinking coffee or alcohol. The first time was … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 15 May 2026, Bury, Col Anderson, gig, indie, Limes Hotel, Luke James Williams, melodic, poet, review, singer songwriter, Wax and Beans
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Single review: THE ROLLING STONES – In the Stars/Rough and Twisted
I went to a gig in a record shop and as I was waiting for the artist to come on, I spied the new Stones single In The Stars, so it was my duty to buy it wasn’t it. I’ve … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged blues, blues rock, classic rock, In the Stars, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, review, rock, Rough and Twisted, single, The Rolling Stones
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Gig review: COLIN BLUNSTONE – The Sub Rooms, Stroud, 14 May 2026
Colin Blunstone represents that rare and sadly dying breed of consummate performer, with six decades of trial and tribulation in the music industry. A real trooper. As Colin recounted tonight his period of chart activity with The Zombies was short … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 14 May 2026, classic rock, Colin Blunstone, gig, review, singer songwriter, Stroud, The Sub Rooms, The Zombies
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Album review: BEGGARS BLISS – S/t
Website [Release date 22.05.26] Derby based Beggars Bliss formed in 2024, with a mantra of – “if it’s not fun, it’s not worth doing.” Their line-up is Henry John (vocals, guitar), Milly Ayesha (keyboards, vocals), Dan Griffiths (bass, vocals) and Chris … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Beggars Bliss, blues rock, classic rock, debut, hard rock, review, self-titled
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Gig review: WILL WILDE – Thames Side Brewery, Staines-upon-Thames, 3 May 2026
Blues rock is a genre that rewards individual virtuosity, but 95 per cent of the time the star is a guitar hero. So Will Wilde stands out from the crowd with his chosen instrument being the harmonica. I’d been very … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Ben Maxwell, blues, blues rock, gig, harmonica, Mat Day, Russell Carr, Steve Rushton, Thames Side Brewery, Will Wilde
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Album review : ROBIN BECK – Living Proof
Frontiers Music [Release date : 15.05.26] Despite releasing 11 albums, many of them just bristling with songs written by proven hit makers, Robin Beck has survived an absence of best selling music, beyond her debut single ‘The First Time’, in … Continue reading
Album review: W.A.S.P. – s/t
Madfish [Release date 21.05.26] Record label Madfish have been working some of the early W.A.S.P. catalogue, including The Savage 7 CD boxset. Here is the band’s 1984 debut and in line with all the other Madfish releases I’ve encountered, it … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
Tagged album, Blackie Lawless, Chris Holmes, hard rock, metal, re-issue, review, self-titled, sleaze, W.A.S.P
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