Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

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 11.11.24 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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Album review: CIRCULINE – C.O.R.E.

CIRCULINE - C.O.R.E.

Inner Nova Music [Release date 20.09.24] There’s nothing quite like a bit of old school schmoozing. Circuline have, let’s say, a certain maturity of years (their bassist Shelby excluded) and – therefore – a maturity of outlook. Old timers like … Continue reading

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Album review: TERAMAZE – Eli: A Wonderful Fall From Grace

TERAMAZE - Eli: A Wonderful Fall From Grace

Wells Music [Release date 24.05.24] teramaze.bandcamp.com/ For some strange reason I have only just become acquainted with this Australian prog metal band. This latest offering is their eleventh full-length album, so I have some catching up to do. Strangely again, over … Continue reading

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Album review: THE DAVE FOSTER BAND – Maybe They’ll Come Back For Us

THE DAVE FOSTER BAND - Maybe They'll Come Back For Us

English Electric Recordings [Release date 31.05.24] Several years ago when I saw The Steve Rothery Band playing live Dave Foster provided support, and then reappeared in the Marillion guitarist’s band. Half way through Foster’s own set, an ethereally toned guitar … Continue reading

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Album review: FOCUS – Focus 12

FOCUS - Focus 12

David Randall chatted to Thijs van Leer for his weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio playing tracks from the new album.  First broadcast 9 June 2024 and featured in the second hour. Spirit Of Unicorn Music [Release date … Continue reading

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Album review: PSYCH! British Prog, Rock, Folk & Blues 1966-1973 (3-CD)

PSYCH! British Prog, Rock, Folk & Blues 1966-1973 (3-CD)

Decca/Universal [Release date 21.06.24] This 64-song 3-CD/2LP collection highlights a halcyon period for British psych rock and folk stretching from the mid sixties to the early 1970s. During that time Deram was the leading purveyor of the genre and this … Continue reading

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Album review: OLIVER WAKEMAN – Anam Cara

OLIVER WAKEMAN - Anam Cara

Elflock Records/Spirit of Unicorn Music/Cherry Red [Release date 10.05.24] Oliver Wakeman is best known as part of a veritable keyboard dynasty but out of the fatherly shadow he has been steadily making solid albums on his own terms. The latest … Continue reading

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