Author Archives: andynathan

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 →

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

Posted on October 27, 2018 by andynathan
WISHBONE ASH - Islington Academy, London, 18 October 2018

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 →

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Album review: GROUNDBREAKER

Posted on October 17, 2018 by andynathan
Groundbreaker

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 →

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Album review: TREAT – Tunguska

Posted on October 17, 2018 by andynathan
TREAT - Tunguska

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 →

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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 →

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

Posted on October 16, 2018 by andynathan
KEE MARCELLO - Camden Underworld, London, 12 October 2018

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 →

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

Posted on October 10, 2018 by andynathan
MARTIN TURNER - Boom Boom Club, Sutton, 5 October 2018

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 →

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Album review: AIRRACE- Untold Stories

Posted on September 28, 2018 by andynathan
airrace_us1

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 →

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

Posted on September 18, 2018 by andynathan
THE QUIREBOYS - 02 Forum, London, 14 September 2018

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 →

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

Posted on September 1, 2018 by andynathan
Q5 - Camden Underworld, London, 25 August 2018

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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

Posted on August 17, 2018 by andynathan
IRON MAIDEN- 02 Arena, London, 10 August 2018

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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Gig review: DEL AMITRI – Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, 26 July 2018

Posted on July 31, 2018 by andynathan
DEL AMITRI - Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, 26 July 2018

Back in the nineties Del Amitri were chart regulars, the Scots’ wryly bittersweet but cleverly structured, melodic songs making them one of the few bright spots in a bleak musical climate, at least for me. But the new millennium has … Continue reading →

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Gig review: VEGA – Camden Underworld, London, 7 July 2018

Posted on July 16, 2018 by andynathan
VEGA - Camden Underworld, London, 7 July 2018

Vega are certainly putting in the hard yards to capitalise on their excellent new album ‘Only Human’ with arguably the UK’s leading contemporary melodic rock band playing an extensive tour, culminating in this London date. While they have yet to … Continue reading →

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Gig review: STONE FREE FESTIVAL – Day 2 – 02 Arena, London, 17 June 2018

Posted on June 25, 2018 by andynathan
Anderson, Rabin & Wakeman - STONE FREE FESTIVAL- DAY 2 - 02 Arena, London, 17 June 2018

If day one of Stone Free exhibited classic rock at its heaviest and loudest, the Sunday – at least in the main O2 Arena- had a more progressive and thoughtful bent to it. However the Orange Amps stage was still … Continue reading →

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Gig review: BRYAN ADAMS – SSE Arena, Wembley, London, 30 May 2018

Posted on June 5, 2018 by andynathan
BRYAN ADAMS- SSE Arena, Wembley, London, 30 May 2018

When Bryan Adams released his ‘Ultimate’ album last year, I wondered wearily whether the world really needed yet another compilation to add to his catalogue, as there surely can be few potential fans left unaware of the best known elements … Continue reading →

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Album review: PERFECT PLAN – All Rise

Posted on June 2, 2018 by andynathan
PERFECT PLAN - All Rise

Frontiers Records [Release Date 20.04.18] The melodic rock world capital of Scandinavia is giving birth to an endless stream of bands- alongside now established names like H.E.A.T. and Eclipse, hardly a month goes by without a promising new band emerging … Continue reading →

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Album review: VEGA – Only Human

Posted on June 2, 2018 by andynathan

Release Date 11.05.18 British melodic rock standard bearers Vega are not ones to let the grass grow under their feet, this being their fifth album since 2010. Its predecessor ‘Who We Are’ was their most consistently convincing yet and indeed … Continue reading →

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Album review: NO HOT ASHES – s/t

Posted on May 1, 2018 by andynathan
NO HOT ASHES

Frontiers [Release date 23.03.18] They never made it back in the eighties, despite a big reputation in their native Northern Ireland, but No Hot Ashes have been festival favourites for the last few years and finally make it to an … Continue reading →

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Album review: W.E.T.- Earthrage

Posted on May 1, 2018 by andynathan
W.E.T.- Earthrage

Frontiers [Release date 23.03.18] In the extensive world of melodic rock collaborations, W.E.T. can be seen as the nearest to a supergroup, bringing together the talents of prolific vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, Eclipse’s main man Erik Martensson and Work of … Continue reading →

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Gig review: PAT MCMANUS BAND – Half Moon, Putney, London, 18 April 2018

Posted on April 23, 2018 by andynathan
PAT MCMANUS BAND - Half Moon, Putney, London, 18 April 2018

One of the most welcome developments of recent years has been the return of Pat McManus to the rock environment. The brothers in Mama’s Boys were one of the great bands that nearly made it big before drummer Tommy’s sad … Continue reading →

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Album review: AMMUNITION- S/T

Posted on April 16, 2018 by andynathan

Release Date 26.01.18 Ammunition are something of a supergroup among the thriving Scandinavian melodic rock scene, with their members having pedigree with various bands, notably main songwriters Age Sten Nielsen, former singer with WigWam who were early standard bearers for … Continue reading →

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