Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Album review: MAGNUM – Live At KK’s Steel Mill

MAGNUM - Live At KK's Steel Mill

SPV Steamhammer [Release date 10.01.25] Twelve months on from Tony Clarkin’s passing, and marking 50 years since he formed the band with Bob Catley, Magnum’s latest (and maybe last) live hurrah allows us more grieving time. The band had put … Continue reading

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News: The Best of 2024 – The Get Ready to ROCK! Reviewer Selections (December 2024)

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We started 2024 with the sad news that Tony Clarkin of Magnum had passed away just days before the release of the band’s latest album.  The band have been venerated over the years by GRTR! and were celebrated in our … Continue reading

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News: Albums of the Month (August – December 2024)

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A quarterly feature highlighting album releases rated highly by the GRTR! review team and worthy of your investigation MARY COUGHLAN Repeat Rewind (Strange Brew) … it is everything you might expect from a vocalist who has a rare ability to … Continue reading

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Gig review: STEVE HOGARTH – The Crypt, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, 5 December 2024

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What we need in the pre-Christmas period is a warm and cosy festive gig, maybe in an unusual location, to lift the flagging spirits. To help us take our mind off political posturing, the smell of Musk, Black Friday overspend, … Continue reading

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Album review: ELECTRIC TEMPLE – High Voltage Salvation

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

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Feature: Box Sets are for life, not just for Christmas…(December 2024)

BLACK SABBATH - Anno Domini 1989-1995

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

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EP review: PARADISE SINS – Desires

PARADISE SINS - Desires

www.facebook.com/paradisesinsband [Release date 06.12.24] Paradise Sins are a recent formation (2022) and look back to 1980s melodic hard rock for their inspiration. This five track EP is their second main calling card to date (following the previous EP ‘Untamed’) but … Continue reading

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Album review: KINGS OF MERCIA – Battle Scars

KINGS OF MERCIA - Battle Scars

Metal Blade Records [Release date 25.10.24] One thing you can’t accuse Steve Overland of is being work shy. The revival of his first love, FM, is not enough for the industrious frontman. Since 2004 he’s also produced albums as Shadowman … Continue reading

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Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2025)

BLACK STONE CHERRY AND THE DARKNESS- Wembley Arena, London, 4 February 2023

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check artist and venue websites for latest information. Your tour not listed? Contact us! To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system), or Command+F (on … Continue reading

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Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2024)

Fairport Convention - Cropredy, 13-15 August 2015

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check artist and venue websites for latest information. Your tour not listed? Contact us! To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system), or Command+F (on … Continue reading

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Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD/Bluray) 2025

LARKIN POE - Bloom

Compiled by Jason Ritchie To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system), or Command+F (on a Mac) on the keyboard. The “F” stands for “Find,” and it works in every … Continue reading

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News: Albums of the Month (July – September 2024)

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A quarterly feature highlighting album releases rated highly by the GRTR! review team and worthy of your investigation KALANDRA A Frame Of Mind (By Norse Music) Turn on the heat, settle down with your favourite tipple, and let ‘A Frame … Continue reading

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Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) 2024

MAGNUM - Here Comes The Rain

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Updated 28.10.24 To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system), or Command+F (on a Mac) on the keyboard. The “F” stands for “Find,” and it works … Continue reading

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Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2025)

HEART - O2 Apollo, Manchester, 30 June 2016

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check with venue and/or relevant website(s) to confirm availability. Updated 18.12.24 UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2025) To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, … Continue reading

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Album review: JOHN WETTON – Concentus (10-CD box set)

JOHN WETTON - Concentus (10-CD box set)

David Randall chatted to John Wetton in April 2009.  This interview was first broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio 19 April 2009 and now reissued in “The GRTR! Archive” series. Spirit Of Unicorn Music/Cherry Red Records [Release date 15.11.24] … Continue reading

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Album review: TRUCKER DIABLO – Social Hand Grenade

TRUCKER DIABLO - Social Hand Grenade

Big Unit Records [Release date 25.10.24] It’s a sad fact that many of the NWOCR bands doing the rounds at the moment started out at least 10 years ago.  The likes of Doomsday Outlaw and Sons Of Liberty come to … Continue reading

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Album review: KALANDRA – A Frame Of Mind

KALANDRA - A Frame Of Mind

By Norse Music [Release date 13.09.24] What is it with Scandinavia – still enticing and alluring with it’s Scandi Noir blend of melancholy and repressed emotion? If you want an album to soothe the soul as we head out of … Continue reading

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Gig review: JOHNNY HATES JAZZ – Waterside, Sale, 7 September 2024

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David Randall chatted to Clark Datchler for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio following an earlier interview tracing his early career with Johnny Hates Jazz.  He discusses the band, his solo career, and the 2024 tour dates.  First broadcast 14 April … Continue reading

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Album review: AUSTIN GOLD – Ain’t No Saint

AUSTIN GOLD - Ain't No Saint

TMR Rock Records [Release date 18.10.24] Austin Gold have made the Breakthrough Act category in successive years in our reviewer poll, most recently in 2022. That year’s album – ‘Those City Lights’ – saw the Cambridgeshire-based crew providing more distance … Continue reading

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Album review: GRYPHON – Gryphon Live ‘A Sonic Tonic’

GRYPHON - Gryphon Live 'A Sonic Tonic'

Talking Elephant [Release date 06.09.24] It’s some 50 years since Gryphon donned doublet and hose and became something of a media sensation with their blend of medieval folk rock. This is the band’s first ever live album although some of … Continue reading

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Album review: THE DEAD DAISIES – Light ‘Em Up

THE DEAD DAISIES - Light 'Em Up

SPV [Release date 06.09.24] One of my musical regrets in recent years is that I didn’t get to see The Dead Daisies UK tour with Glenn Hughes in December 2022 . As he does, Hughes sprinkled his gold dust over … Continue reading

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Album review: HEALTHY JUNKIES – Listen To The Mad

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Banana Castle Records [Release date 22.11.24] www.healthyjunkies.co.uk With the success of the 2024 Olympics the French must be feeling rather proud. A band with a French female singer might now have a distinct advantage. But Nina Courson is no Celine … Continue reading

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Album review: MICK PINI – Papa Voodoo

MICK PINI - Papa Voodoo

Pete Feenstra chatted to Mick Pini and Craig Marshall for his show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, playing tracks from the new album.  First broadcast 18 August 2024. Audio 54 Records/Cadiz [Release date 15.08.24] ‘Papa Voodoo’ is another collaboration … Continue reading

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News: Albums of the Month (April – June 2024)

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ATLANTIC Another World (Escape Music) This summer’s AOR album has arrived! Lush keys, harmonies, plenty of lovestruck lyrical themes, soaring guitar solos and the vocals of Mark Grimmett, who adds that extra bit of class to the whole musical proceedings. … Continue reading

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Album review: KISSIN’ DYNAMITE – Back With A Bang

KISSIN' DYNAMITE - Back With A Bang

Napalm Records [Release date: 05.07.24] German rockers Kissin’ Dynamite have been pounding away since 2006 but their current mission statement is simple: Bring Back Stadium Rock. ‘Back With A Bang’ supports their strategy with a series of hard rock anthems … Continue reading

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