Album review: ANGEL – Once Upon A Time

ANGEL - Once Upon A Time

Cleopatra Records [Release date 21.04.23]

Whilst it is good to see a seventies band re-appear (in white suits) to capture former glories ‘Once Upon A Time’ isn’t the album to achieve modern notoriety.

The problem is the inconsistent production. Maybe this is designed to give the album a seventies under-produced authentic sound?  This is best demonstrated on a potential highlight ‘Black Moon Rising’. In particular the appalling drum sound.

There’s nothing actually wrong with the songs or the performances.  Evidently another example of musicians recording separately and the music bounced through the ether to be re-assembled.

Back in action again is original vocalist Frank DiMino with founder member guitarist Punky Meadows and both lift this album.  They are joined by the line-up on previous album ‘Risen’ (2019).

The band was originally discovered by Gene Simmons who signed them to his Casablanca label.  A fair few “names” passed through their ranks including Greg Giuffria (House Of Lords), Fergie Frederiksen (Toto), Rudy Szaro (Quiet Riot etc) and Steve Blaze (Lillian Axe).

Any band who can put out a track ‘Once Upon A Time An Angel And A Devil Fell In Love (And It Did Not End Well)’ deserves our utmost respect.  File under “not to be taken too seriously”.  And do look at the band logo whilst standing on your head.  ***

Review by David Randall


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio


David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply