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Upcoming Gigs & Albums
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Gig review: ANTHRAX – Hammersmith Apollo, London, 23 November 2024
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Gig review: BLACK STONE CHERRY – Wembley Arena, London, 23 November 2024
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Gig review: SQUEEZE – Roundhouse, London, 22 November 2024
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Gig review: CARDINAL BLACK – Sub 89, Reading, 15 November 2024
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Gig review: SUZI QUATRO – London Palladium, 13 November 2024
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Gig review: HRH XVII, Great Yarmouth, 7-9 November 2024
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Featured Album Reviews
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Author Archives: GRTR! HQ
Album review: ACELSIA – Don’t Go Where I Can’t Follow
The debut from Norwegian three piece Acelsia, has a sound far bigger than its component parts. With all songs written by vocalist / pianist Marlene Markussen and guitar, bass and synth player Odd Henning, and with Bjorn Tore Erlendsen (of … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS
Tagged Alcelsia, Don't Go Where I Can't Follow, melodic, Norway, Norwegian, review, rock
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Album review: LARKIN POE & THOM HELL – The Sound Of The Ocean Sound
Edvins Records [Release date 04.03.13] 5 extended EPs and a live DVD over their two year career to date, and sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell have elected to share their first long playing outing with Norwegian songwriter Thom Hell. The … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged Americana, country, Larkin Poe, Lovell, Megan, pop, Rebecca, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, The Sound Of The Ocean Sound, Thom Hell
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Album review: ROBERT PALMER – Heavy Nova,Don’t Explain,Ridin’ High,Honey – Reissues
Edsel Deluxe Editions [Release date 14.01.13] Edsel Records have done a neat job with these 2 in 1 packages, brigading together Palmer’s 1988 – 1994 output in slip case outers, extensive artwork and bonus tracks. But never mind the packaging, … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS, Reissues
Tagged Don't Explain, funk, Heavy Nova, Honey, jazz, R&B, reissue, Ridin' High, Robert Palmer, rock, Vinegar Joe
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Quick Plays: The Val,Juruda,Chris While & Julie Matthews,Carrie Rodriguez,Annabelle Chvostek
The Val – Back The Val, named after vocalist Gabrielle de Val, are a truly European band. De Val herself, is German, but writes in English (although I wonder whether lyrics that refer to Humpty Dumpty and petticoats has perhaps … Continue reading
Album review: 10cc – Tenology
Universal/Mercury [Release date 19.11.12] It’s about time 10cc’s excellent back catalogue got a decent airing. Up to now all we’ve really had is a set of distinctly average re-masters. That is, with the exception of the release of their classic … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
Tagged 10CC, boxed set, compilation, Eric Stewart, Graham Gouldman, Kevin Godley, Lol Creme, pop, review, rock, Tenology
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Album Review: ERIC JOHNSON – Up Close Another Look
Mascot Records [Release date 01.04.13] Whilst I have always been aware of Eric Johnson and his influence on a whole raft of modern guitarists I have never really investigated his music. ‘Up Close – Another Look’ should change all that. … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Another Look, blues, Eric Johnson, fusion, guitar, guitarist, review, rock, Up Close
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Gig Review: Great British Rock & Blues Festival,Skegness 25-27 January 2013
Skegness hosts the first big rock festival of the year and it’s always an interesting mix of new and old. And that’s just the audience. Three days of rock and ruin, well maybe if you take excess to all areas. … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Gig review: FAMILY – Shepherds Bush Empire, London – 2 February 2013
Not just a reunion, more a polishing of the Family’s silver, ‘An Evening With Family’ proved what all die-hard fans always knew, Family made some timeless music. And if the underlying question to this two night stand at the Shepherds … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 1 & 2 February, Family, gig, Jim Cregan, London, reunion, Roger Chapman, Shepherd's Bush Empire
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Album review: PAUL RAYMOND PROJECT – Terms & Conditions Apply
Hear No Evil Recordings [Release date 28.01.13] Paul Raymond may be best known as the quiet one in UFO and perhaps surprisingly this is his sixth solo outing. ’Terms & Conditions Apply’ will appeal to UFO fans, but more broadly … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Michael Schenker, Paul Raymond, Project, Reuben Archer, review, rock, Stampede, Terms & Conditions Apply, UFO
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Album review: CODE OF SILENCE – Dark Skies Over Babylon
Mausoleum [Release date 25.02.13] Put together by Eden’s Curse bassist Paul Logue, Code Of Silence - if this debut album is anything to go by - is surely a band on the cusp of great things. Fronted by Brazilian vocalist Gus Monsanto … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, The Best Of 2013
Tagged Adagio, Ben Randall, Code Of Silence, Dark Skies Over Babylon, Eden's Curse, Gus Monsanto, hard rock, melodic, metal, Paul Logue, Power Quest, prog, progressive, review
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Rock Stars – DENNIS DUNAWAY (ALICE COOPER) Interview
DENNIS DUNAWAY TALKS ABOUT BLUE COUPE…AND ALICE By Patrick BRZEZINSKI with the help of Serge NADEAU Promo photo (above) : Bleacher & Everard Other photos : Patrick BRZEZINSKI Translation : Caroline Stephenson The news of the beginning of this new … Continue reading
Posted in INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars
Tagged Albert Bouchard, Alice Cooper, Blue Coupe, Blue Oyster Cult, Dennis Dunaway, interview, January 2013, Joe Bouchard, rock, Tour, uk
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News: CODE OF SILENCE RELEASE DEBUT VIDEO
British Melodic Metal band CODE OF SILENCE, fronted by Brazilian vocalist Gus Monsanto (Timo Tolkki’s Revolution Renaissance, Adagio, Symbolica, Lord Of Mushrooms), and young virtuoso guitar player Ben Randall (Power Quest), have released their debut promo video for the track … Continue reading
Posted in Album News, NEWS, Video
Tagged album, Ben Randall, Code Of Silence, Dark Skies Over Babylon, Gus Monsanto, hard rock, James Murrary, John Clelland, melodic, metal, Scott McLean, video
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Gig review: CARAVAN – The Lowry, Salford – 14 January 2013
The night was to start with a support slot from Garron Frith, A local Manchester singer songwriter who is building up a steady following. To describe a style is not always easy but he has been likened to Stephen Stills … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 14 January 2013, Canterbury Scene, Caravan, Geoffrey Richardson, gig, Jan Schelhaas, Lowry, prog, progressive, Pye Hastings, review, rock, Salford
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ROBBEN FORD – Bringing It Back Home
Provogue [Release date: 18.02.13] When it comes to feel, taste and tone, Robben Ford has to be your man. A guitarist for all seasons, Ford’s career has moved from his blues roots to, jazz fusion, new age, funk and back again … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged blues, blues rock, Bringing It Back Home, guitar, guitarist, Robben Ford
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LOGIC MESS – Element Of The Grid
Another band from the modern home of Progressive Rock Nirvana – Poland - Logic Mess have previously released an album under the name of Crystal Lake. Just why they felt Logic Mess was a better name I’ve no idea. Actually, ‘Element … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Element Of The Grid, Logic Mess, Poland, prog, progressive
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TOYZ – The Infinite Road
Every so often a disc shows up that looks just the same as a million others – classic prog-rock cover, picture of the band looking completely normal, track-list titles that would sit on any other album; ‘Departure’, ‘Face The Mirror’, … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Dutch, Holland, instrumental, prog, progressive, rock, The Infinite Road, Toyz
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HENRIK FREISCHLADER – House In The Woods
Cable Car CCR0311-39 If ‘House in The Woods’ isn’t quite a fully conceptualised album title, then Henrik Freischlader’s sense of introspection and ongoing search for a retreat offers a resonant statement of his current mindset. The funky, smoking grooves and … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, blues, guitar, guitarist, Henrik Freischlader, House In The Woods, rock
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Gig Review: SQUEEZE, HMV Forum, London, 12 December 2012
Squeeze belong squarely in a distinguished tradition of bands, from the Kinks to Madness, who have added a distinctively english dimension to popular music, particularly with their acute, socially observant lyrics. While their hit making days may be long gone, … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 12 December 2012, Chris Difford, gig, Glen Tilbrook, HMV Forum, Housemartins, London, Paul Heaton, pop, review, Squeeze, The Beautiful South
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STEVE LUKATHER – Transition
Mascot Records (Release date 21.01.13) There is a lot to like about ‘Transition’ from the production quality, the sincerity, to the musicianship. The lyrical themes are again based on Luke’s recent musical and personal rejuvenation and in truth the album … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, fusion, guitar, guitarist, Steve Lukather, Toto, Transition
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DBA (Geoff Downes/Chris Braide) – Pictures Of You
X2X Records DBA is a collaboration of Geoff Downes (Asia, Yes) and Chris Braide (producer for Lana Del Rey and David Guetta amongst others). If it owes something to the duo’s overt pop sensibilites as evidenced by Downes with The … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Asia, Buggles, Chris Braide, DBA, Downes Braide Association, Geoff Downes, Pictures Of You, pop, rock, Yes
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Album review: DAVE KILMINSTER – Scarlet – The Director’s Cut
www.davidkilminster.com Dave Kilminster is perhaps best known as a session guy – the one who answers Keith Emerson’s and Roger Waters’ call, and who has also appeared in Heather Findlay’s band more recently. ‘Scarlet’ is Dave’s first solo album, perhaps … Continue reading
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SNAKECHARMER – Snakecharmer
(Frontiers Records) Release date 21.01.13 It’s unusual when a ‘superband’ is greater than its constituent parts. But, if anything, Micky Moody and Neil Murray have created a wonderful vehicle – at last – for Chris Ousey (Heartland, Virginia Wolf ). His … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged Adam Wakeman, album, blues, Chris Ousey, Harry James, Heartland, Home, Laurie Wisefield, Magnum, Micky Moody, Neil Murray, review, rock, Snakecharmer, Thunder, Whitesnake, Wishbone Ash
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FM – Only Foolin’ – EP
(Riff City Records) www.fmofficial.com FM were the nearly-men of AOR in the mid- to late-1980s. The past few years has witnessed their comeback, attempting to make up for lost ground and the intervening years which have never been particularly kind … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged AOR, EP, FM, melodic, Only Foolin, review, rock, Steve Overland
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DEACON BLUE – Reissues – CD and DVD
(Edsel) The first thing to say about these reissues: this is how it should be done. Reissuing the original albums with just a handful of bonus tracks wouldn’t suit Edsel and they have really come up trumps. In some cases, … Continue reading
LEVELLERS – Reissues
(Edsel Records) The Levellers are one of the most enduring and, it must be said, likeable bands to have been around for the past twenty-five years. Their blend of anarchic punk anthems aligned to touching folk sensitivity has been a … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
Tagged album, Black Tar Rivers, bonus tracks, DVD, Edsel, Headlights, Hello Pig, Levellers, Levelling The Land, Mouth To Mouth, review, White Lines, Zeitgeist
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