Author Archives: andynathan

Album review: NORDIC UNION- Second Coming

Posted on December 18, 2018 by andynathan

Release Date 9.11.18 Erik Martensson has maintained a work rate in 2018 that would put the Stalinist-era miner Stakhanov to shame. His own band Eclipse had a quieter year but on top of his significant participation in the W.E.T. and … Continue reading →

Album review: TEN- Illuminati

Posted on December 18, 2018 by andynathan

Release Date 9.11.18 Ten were standard bearers of the then underground melodic rock scene in the nineties and have recovered after a lean spell to resume a prolific recording schedule- this being their sixth album in this decade alone. Singer … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Gary Hughes, melodic rock, TEN | Leave a comment

Album review: ACE – Five-a-Side/Time For Another/No Strings

Posted on December 18, 2018 by andynathan

BGO Records [Release Date 12.10.18] In most people’s eyes, Ace are a curiosity remembered only for an admittedly classic transatlantic hit single in ‘How Long’ and for giving a first break to one of the UK’s most respected blue eyed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Ace, album, Five-a-Side, Jon Woodhead, No Strings, Paul Carrack, reissue, review, Time For Another | Leave a comment

Album review: CREYE – s/t

Posted on December 12, 2018 by andynathan

Release Date 12.10.18 It is a sign of the march of time that former new kids on the of Scandinavian melodic rock block are now being succeeded by a third wave of impossibly young bands, and alongside the likes of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andreas Gullstrand, AOR, Creye, melodic rock, Robin Jidhed | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA – Camden Underworld, London, 30 November 2018

Posted on December 3, 2018 by andynathan

The Night Flight Orchestra are an intriguing proposition and proof that whatever their chosen musical field, musicians invariably draw on a love of other styles. In their case, singer Bjorn Strid and guitarist David Andersson of Swedish metallers Soilwork, discovered … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Bjorn Strid, gig, melodic rock, Night Flight Orchestra, review, soft rock, Soilwork, the Night Flight Orchestra | 1 Comment

Gig review: THE NEW ROSES – Camden Underworld, London, 29 November 2018

Posted on December 2, 2018 by andynathan

The New Roses are making up for lost time to launch a concerted push on the UK. Big in their native Germany, for some reason it has taken three albums and an EP, culminating in last year’s ‘One More For … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 29 November 2018, Camden Underworld, gig, hard rock, London, One More From the Road, review, The Brink, the New Roses, Timmy Rough | Leave a comment

Gig review: TERRY BROCK – Hope and Anchor, Islington, London, 22 November 2018

Posted on November 28, 2018 by andynathan

One of melodic rock’s great voices, Terry Brock is best known for lifting Strangeways’ ‘Native Sons’ and ‘Walk In The Fire’ albums to classic status. There is however much more to the Georgia native’s career, whether as an in-demand backing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 22 November 2018, Anna Portaluppi, AOR, gig, Hope And Anchor, Islington, London, melodic rock, NEWMAN, review, Shaun Bessant, Steve Newman, Strangeways, Terry Brock | Leave a comment

Gig review: DAN REED NETWORK – 229 Club, London, 23 November 2018

Posted on November 27, 2018 by andynathan

Photo: Simon Green Many bands pay lip service to their fans but Dan Reed Network have something of a unique communion with theirs, to the extent that their new album ‘Origins’ was recorded across the world, mixing old and new … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged album, Brion James, Dan Reed, Dan Reed Network, funk rock, gig, Hollowstar, Mason Hill, Melvin Brannon, Origins, review, Rob Daiker | Leave a comment

Gig review: BIG COUNTRY – Under The Bridge, London, 16 November 2018

Posted on November 21, 2018 by andynathan

For Big Country, their 1983 album ‘The Crossing’ is the gift that keeps on giving. It catapulted them to fame, established their trademark sound and to this day contains most of their best loved songs. Shortly after reforming at the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Big Country, Bruce Watson, gig, Jamie Watson, Mark Brzezicki, review, Simon Hough, The Crossing | Leave a comment

Gig review: JOHN FOGERTY AND STEVE MILLER BAND – 02 Arena, London, 25 October 2018

Posted on November 10, 2018 by andynathan

JOHN FOGERTY - 02 Arena London, 25 October 2018

Bluesfest has become a fixture in the gig calendar with its October concerts over successive nights in the different venues in the 02 complex. The definition of blues has been elastic to say the least- with Chic, Steely Dan and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Bluesfest, classic rock, Creedence Clearwater Revival, gig, John Fogerty, review, Steve Miller, Steve Miller Band | Leave a comment

Gig review: ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL – Nottingham Trent University Students Union, 19-21 October 2018

Posted on October 30, 2018 by andynathan

Tokyo Motor Fist - ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL, October 2018

Now in its fourth year, anticipation had been steadily growing ever since the line up was announced in February for Rockingham, which accurately bills itself as ‘three days of the finest melodic hard rock from around the world’. Proof of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Age of Reflection, Ammunition, AOR, Bigfoot, Boulevard, Creye, Departed, festival, Find Me, gig, Glass Tiger, Mason Hill, Massive, melodic rock, Nelson, Pink Cream 69, Pretty Maids, review, Rockingham, Tokyo Motor Fist, Vixen, Warrant, White Widdow, Wildness | Leave a comment

Gig review: WISHBONE ASH – Islington Academy, London, 18 October 2018

Posted on October 27, 2018 by andynathan

For all the quality of their recorded product, Wishbone Ash have always best been experienced in a live setting. It was therefore entirely appropriate that this year’s remarkable ‘Vintage Years’ box set included CD’s of no less than eight previously … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Andy Powell, Bob Skeat, gig, hard rock, Joe Crabtree, Mark Abrahams, melodic rock, review, twin guitars, Wishbone Ash | Leave a comment

Album review: GROUNDBREAKER

Posted on October 17, 2018 by andynathan

Frontiers [Release Date 14.09.18] While FM have come back better and more consistently diverse than ever, notably with this year’s ‘Atomic Generation’, many of the AOR purists among their fanbase still hanker for a repeat of their 1986 debut ‘Indiscreet’. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alessandro Delvecchio, AOR, FM, Groundbreaker, melodic rock, review, Robert Sall, Steve Overland, Work Of Art | Leave a comment

Album review: TREAT – Tunguska

Posted on October 17, 2018 by andynathan

Release Date 14.09.18 Elder statesmen of the thriving Scandinavian melodic rock scene Treat have, since reforming, pursued an updated sound rather than just revisit past glories. But unlike their great contemporaries Europe, they have done so without losing touch with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Anders Wikstrom, melodic rock, Patrick Appelgren, review, Robert Ernlund, Treat | Leave a comment

Gig review: PUNKY MEADOWS AND FRANK DIMINO (Angel) – Camden Underworld, London, 13 October 2018

Posted on October 17, 2018 by andynathan

PUNKY MEADOWS AND FRANK DIMINO OF ANGEL - Camden Underworld, London, 13 October 2018

Back in the late seventies, when news travelled a lot slower than in today’s globalised world, the average British rock fan was mainly reared on home grown bands with the odd colonial interloper like AC/DC and Rush. American hard rock … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 13 October 2018, Angel, Camden Underworld, Frank Dimino, gig, Heavy Pettin', London, melodic rock, Punky Meadows, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: KEE MARCELLO – Camden Underworld, London, 12 October 2018

Posted on October 16, 2018 by andynathan

Thirty years ago Europe proved The Final Countdown was no flash in the pan by recording their follow up album Out Of This World. Having played its predecessor to death, I was initially underwhelmed, but over the years it has … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 12 October 2018, Camden Underworld, Europe, gig, Kee Marcello, London, melodic rock, Out Of This World, P-O Nilsson, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: MARTIN TURNER – Boom Boom Club, Sutton, 5 October 2018

Posted on October 10, 2018 by andynathan

2018 is seeing a concerted attempt to cement the Wishbone Ash legacy. A box set that sets a new benchmark of comprehensiveness and packaging, attracted renewed interest in the band’s underappreciated back catalogue. Meantime, founder member Martin Turner, having milked … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Boom Boom Club, classic rock, Danny Willson, gig, Martin Turner, Misha Nikolic, review, Tim Brown, Wishbone Ash | Leave a comment

Album review: AIRRACE- Untold Stories

Posted on September 28, 2018 by andynathan

Frontiers [Release date 10.08.18] A third Airrace album in their off-and-on 35 year existence looked unlikely when guitarist and band leader Laurie Mansworth put the band on ice a few years back to concentrate on managing The Treatment, and even … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Adam Payne, Airrace, album, AOR, Laurie Mansworth, Linda Kelsey Foster, melodic rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE QUIREBOYS – 02 Forum, London, 14 September 2018

Posted on September 18, 2018 by andynathan

Playing a classic album in its entirety is now such a well established concert concept that bands are having to approach it a little differently. The Quireboys already did this many years ago to mark 20 years of ‘A Bit … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Aaron Buchanan and the Cult Classics, Erik Gronwall, gig, Guy Griffin, H.E.A.T., Homewreckers and Heartbreakers, Keith Weir, Paul Guerin, Quireboys, review, Spike, Those Damn Crows | Leave a comment

Gig review: Q5 – Camden Underworld, London, 25 August 2018

Posted on September 1, 2018 by andynathan

Q5 were one of the names those of us who read ‘Kerrang!’ cover to cover or visited Shades Records raved about in the mid-eighties, their debut ‘Steel The Light’ an outstanding piece of powerful yet melodic metal. But whereas their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 25 August 2018, Camden Underworld, Dennis Turner, Evan Sheely, gig, hard rock, James Nelson, Jonathan K, New World Order, Q5, review, Steel the Light | Leave a comment

Album review: GIOELI CASTRONOVO- Set the World on Fire

Posted on August 27, 2018 by andynathan

Release Date 13.07.18 Frontiers latest all-star combination reunites two members of Hardline- singer Johnny Gioeli, the one constant in their line up to the present day, and drummer Deen Castronovo who played on their debut, in between his service with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alessandro Delvecchio, AOR, Deen Castronovo, Hardline, Johnny Gioeli, melodic rock | Leave a comment

Album review: CLIF MAGNESS- Lucky Dog

Posted on August 26, 2018 by andynathan

Release Date 13.07.18 Clif (short for Clifton) Magness may not be a household name, but is one of those respected songwriters essential to the music business. His collaborations have covered artists as diverse as Steve Perry and Avril Lavigne, co-writing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Clif Magness, melodic rock, Robin Beck | Leave a comment

Gig review: IRON MAIDEN – 02 Arena, London, 10 August 2018

Posted on August 17, 2018 by andynathan

Photo: Andy Nathan It would not be an exaggeration to describe Iron Maiden as the people’s band. They inspire remarkable loyalty among their vast army of fans – I don’t think I have never seen a higher percentage of gig … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 10 August 2018, Adrian Smith, Bruce Dickinson, Dave Murray, gig, heavy metal, Iron Maiden, Janick Gers, Legacy of the Beast, London, O2 Arena, review, Steve Harris | Leave a comment

Gig review: GREAT BRITISH BEER FESTIVAL (Planet Rock Stage) – Olympia, London, 9 August 2018

Posted on August 14, 2018 by andynathan

Broken Witt Rebels - GREAT BRITISH BEER FESTIVAL - Olympia, London, 9 August 2018

While musical entertainment has been supplied for many years at the Great British Beer Festival, it has tended to be a bit ‘end of the pier’, whether it be oompah bands or covers acts. However this year the penny finally … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Bad Touch, blues rock, Broken Witt Rebels, classic rock, Danny Bryant, festival, Fireroad, gig, Great British Beer Festival, Mollie Marriott, Planet Rock, review, The Dust Coda | Leave a comment

Album review: SUNSTORM- The Road to Hell

Posted on August 13, 2018 by andynathan

(Release Date 08.06.18) The Sunstorm studio projects, now over a decade old, can be viewed in two distinct phases. A vehicle for legendary singer Joe Lynn Turner, the first three records were a showcase for his more AOR side with … Continue reading →