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Upcoming Gigs & Albums
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Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD/Bluray) 2025
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Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD/Bluray) 2026
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Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2025)
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Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2026)
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Upcoming: Festivals UK & Europe (2026)
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Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2025)
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Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2026)
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Latest Album Reviews
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Album review : KEITH WEST – Cross That Bridge, The Anthology 1965-99 (2 CDs)
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Album review : COUSINS & WILLOUGHBY – The Bridge
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Album review : WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS – Covers of The Beatles 1967-70
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Feature: All Boxed Up for Christmas (December 2025)
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Album review : LYNCH MOB – Dancing With The Devil
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Album review: CYTRUS – Duality
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Latest Gig Reviews
GRTR! Greats
Featured Album Reviews
Features
Interviews
Single & EP Reviews
DVD Reviews
Book Reviews
News
Author Archives: brianmc
Album review: SPIRITS OF FIRE – Embrace The Unknown
Frontiers [Release date: 18.02.22] Classic Metal band, Spirits Of Fire release their second album, Embrace The Unknown. The band was formed from scratch in 2017 by Chris (Savatage) Caffery, Steve (Testament) DeGiorgio, and Mark (Fates Warning) Zonder with the estimable … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts)
Tagged album, Aldo Lonobile, ANGRA, Chris Caffrey, Classic Heavy Metal, Fabio Lione, Fates Warning, review, RHAPSODY OF FIRE, Roy Z, Savatage, Secret Sphere, Spirits Of Fire, Testament, Tim Ripper Owns
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Album review: ZADRA – Guiding Star
Frontiers [Release date : 18.02.22] Guitarist/songwriter/vocalist, August Zadra’s main claim to fame is his lengthy tenure as Dennis DeYoung’s sideman, touring and recording with him since 2010. Guiding Star is his first “solo” album. A considerable weight of talent and … Continue reading
Album review : MECCA – 20 Years (3 CD reissue w/bonus tracks)
Frontiers [release date: 18.02.22] Mecca’s 20 Years bundles the band’s 3 albums, released over the last two decades, into an attractive package of original recordings, now remastered, with 5 bonus tracks spread across the 3 CDs. The self titled debut … Continue reading
Album review: MANIC SINNERS – King Of The Badlands
Frontiers [Release date: 18.02.22] Manic Sinners are Frontiers’ first signing from Romania. They are a talented, hard rocking trio of multi-instrumentalists who’ve borrowed heavily from the past, (who hasn’t?). If you’re going to borrow, borrow from the best. They’ve picked … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, AOR, Blue Murder, David Coverdale, Dio, Dokken, Frontiers, hard rock, Lynch Mob, Manic Sinners, melodic rock, review, Romania, Von Groove
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Album review: ALAN PARSONS – One Note Symphony (Live In Tel Aviv)
Frontiers [release date: 11.02.22] This was Alan Parsons and his travelling band’s fourth time gigging in Israel, enjoying the huge honour of appearing with the highly regarded Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra. Frontiers signed Parsons 4 years ago, releasing his “solo” album, … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged Alan Parsons, album, David Minasian, Frontiers, IM3 Global, Israel, Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, Jason Mraz, Jeff Kollman, live, Lou Gramm, Paul Dukas, PJ Olsen, review, Schuman, Tel Aviv, Tom Brooks, Trinity Houston
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Album review: GIRISH AND THE CHRONICLES – Hail To The Heroes
Frontiers [release date: 11.02.22] Highly derivative hard rock/metal from Bengaluru, India band, Girish And The Chronicles. They are now on their third album, and first on Frontiers. The album’s title, ‘Hail To The Heroes’ suggests a bunch of declamatory stadium … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, BlacknBlue, Coverdale, Frontiers, Girish, Hard Rock and Metal, India, Quiet Riot, review, Rough Cutt
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Album review: CITY OF LIGHTS – Before The Sun Sets
Frontiers [Release date: 11.02.22] Debut album from City Of Lights – Brit guitarist/writer Neil Austin and Greek vocalist Manos Fatsis (Hideaway). They are joined in the studio by members of Creye, Degreed and Art Nation. It’s clear that a passionate … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, AOR, Art Nation, Before The Sun Sets, City Of Lights, Creye, Degreed, Fatsis, Frontiers, melodic rock, Neil Austin, review
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Album review : DEGREED – Are You Ready
Frontiers [Release date: 11.02.22] Are You Ready is Degreed’s sixth album, and their first on Frontiers. Robin Erikkson, Mats Erikkson, Mikael Blanc and Daniel Johansson have come a long long way in six albums. Their focus is clearly on the … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, AOR, Brother Firetribe, Degreed, eighties, Frontiers, Harem Scarem, Leverage, melodic rock, Queen, review, Robin Erikssen, Wigelius
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Album review: JACK FRANCIS – Jack Francis
Good Deeds Music [Release date: 04.02.22] In introducing his remarkably lean and confident debut album, Jack Francis manages to namecheck Bruce Springsteen, and without realising it, Paul McCartney. There are echoes of ‘Yesterday’ in his story that the song, ‘Helena’, … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Americana, BBC radio, blues, Bruce Springsteen, country rock, Good Deeds Music, Jack Francis, Paul McCartney, review
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Album review : BRIX SMITH and MARTY WILLSON-PIPER – Lost Angeles
Cadiz Music [Release date: 17.o1.22] This one has an interesting story behind it. Brix Smith was originally named after The Clash standard, Guns of Brixton, which is pretty cool. In the 90’s she went to a gig in her native … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Brix Smith, John Peel, Manic Street Preachers, Mark E. Smith, Marty Willson-Piper, Oasis, Pulp, review, The Clash, The Fall, The Ramones
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Album review: PRAYING MANTIS – Katharsis
Frontiers [Release date: 28.02.22] Only occasionally since their debut have Praying Mantis registered a decent sized blip on the radar of rock music in the UK. It was in Japan – where NWOBHM labelling was less meaningful – that the … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Frontiers, Japan, Journey, melodic hard rock, metal, Pony Canyon, Praying Mantis, review, Survivor, Troy Brothers
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Album review: FASTER PUSSYCAT – Babylon, The Elektra Years (4 CD boxset)
Cherry Red [release date: 25.02.22] Faster Pussycat were one of a number of apparently identikit Glamrock bands who emerged from the LA Club scene in the mid eighties. Many fell by the wayside, but some stood out. Faster Pussycat … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, boxset, Bret Muscat, eighties, Faster Pussycat, glam, Greg Steele, LA Club scene, metal, review, sleaze rock, Taime Down
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Album review: LANA LANE – Neptune Blue
Frontiers [Release date: 28.01.22] Neptune Blue is Lana Lane’s first album release since 2012. The close knit band that surrounds her includes her husband/ producer/ keyboard player, Erik Norlander, with Jeff Kollman on guitar and John (Asia) Payne on vocals, … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged Alan Parsons, album, AOR, Asia, Erik Norlander, Frontiers, Jeff Kollman, John Payne, Lana Lane, melodic rock, progrock, review, symphonic rock
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Album review : GIRLSCHOOL – From London To Nashville (2 CD Set)
The Store For Music [Release date: 21.01.22] Girlschool experienced their share of heartache… label let downs, revolving door membership issues, conflicting views on musical direction and the struggles to sustain their ambitions in the face of all of the above, … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged 2 CD Set, albums, Biker Rock, Camden Palace, garage rock, GIRLSCHOOL, live, MTV, Nashville, Radio Rock, review
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Album review: TOKYO BLADE – Fury
Dissonance/Cherry Red [Release date: 21.01.22] It’s interesting to note that Tokyo Blade’s current members, including guitarist Andy Boulton and vocalist Alan Marsh, were with the band almost from the beginning, but left and rejoined at various intervals since the band’s … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged Alan Marsh, album, Andy Boulton, heavy metal, lockdown, power metal, review, Thin Lizzy, Tokyo Blade
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Album review: GRAHAM BONNET – The Historic Collection (2 CDs)
Store For Music [Release date 21.01.22] Graham Bonnet needs little or no introduction. His 5 decade back catalogue is a rich and constant source of reissues and expanded versions. This double CD package sees his 1991 album, Here Comes The … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Denny Laine, Graham Bonnet, James Brown, Lieber & Stoller, live, melodic hard rock, Ray Davis, review, Sam Cooke, Van Morrison
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Album review: EDGE OF FOREVER – Seminole
Frontiers [Release date 21.01.22] Edge Of Forever’s mainman, Alessandro Del Vecchio’s description of the band’s fifth album is worth reading. You get the gist, but its over the top, disconnected language gives the impression it’s an outtake from Spinal Tap. … Continue reading
Album review: THE FERRYMEN – One More River To Cross
Frontiers [Release date: 21.01.21] The Ferrymen are Magnus (Freefall/ Heart Healer) Karlsson, Ronnie (Lords Of Black/ Rainbow) Romero and Mike (Rage/ Axel Rudi Pell) Terrana. One More River To Cross is their third album on Frontiers, and this is a … Continue reading
JOE LYNN TURNER – Rescue You (Remaster)
Rock Candy Records [Release date 17.12.21] 1985, and the first of Joe Lynn Turner’s ten solo albums over the last 20 years, Rescue You, is released to huge acclaim. He’s clearly decided to distance himself from the rock/metal approach of … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged Al Greenwood, album, AOR, Bobby Messano, Chuck Burgi, Foreigner, Joe Lynn Turner, Lou Gramm, melodic rock, Rainbow, review
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Album review : LYNCH MOB – Lynch Mob (Remaster w/bonus tracks)
Rock Candy Records [release date: 17.12.21] Lynch Mob, the album, came two years after the 1990 debut, Wicked Sensation. This was more of a band effort, with all members collaborating on the songwriting. Oni Logan had gone, and the superb … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, bonus tracks, Dokken, George Lynch, hard rock, Keith Olsen, Lynch Mob, Mick Brown, review, Robert Mason, Rock Candy Records
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Album review: LOVERBOY – Keep It Up/Lovin’ Every Minute Of It (Remasters)
Rock Candy Records [release date: 17.12.21] The remasters of Loverboy’s third album, Keep It Up (1983), and their fourth, Lovin’ Every Minute Of It (1985) follow hard on the heels of the first two, Get Lucky (1981) and the self … Continue reading
EP review: CUSTARD DREAM – Blue Wave
3MS [release date: 17.12.21] Custard Dream is Ryan Davies, a young man who’s written, produced and performed everything you hear on this 6 track EP, Blue Wave. The label, 3MS, could be stylised as the gambler who likes to take … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged Custard Dream, EP, Hall&Oates, Led Zeppelin, New Wave, review, Ryan Davies, Synth poprock, WANG CHUNG
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Album review: DIRTY WHITE BOY – Bad Reputation (Remaster with bonus track)
Bad Reputation Records [Released 16.12.21] Dirty White Boy originally released Bad Reputation in 1990. Melodic hard rock had entered the new decade unconvincingly, and was rapidly evolving into a bloated, corporate rock cliché. Bad Reputation was a significant exception. The … Continue reading
Album review: STEVE GIBBONS BAND – Rollin’-The Albums 1976-78 (5CD boxset)
Pete Feenstra chatted to Steve Gibbons for Get Ready to ROCK! radio. First broadcast 16 January 2022. Cherry Red [Release date 07.01.22] The Steve Gibbons Band family tree has so many branches, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s an … Continue reading
Album review : ZELBO – In My Dreams
Frontiers [Release date 10.12.21] Melodic Rock/AOR band, Zelbo is named for keyboard player and founding member, Dag Selboskar. This relatively unknown Norwegian musician in fact has quite a pedigree. He debuted with the legendary Da Vinci. His DV bandmate, Bjorn … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, AOR, Bjorn Boge, Da Vinci, Dag Selboskar, Frontiers Records, In My Dreams, Ken Ingwersen, melodic rock, review, soft rock, Street Legal
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