Author Archives: david.wilson

Album review: D’VIRGILIO, MORSE AND JENNINGS – Sophomore

Posted on November 10, 2023 by david.wilson

InsideOut Music [Release date 10.11.23] ‘Sophomore’ is the aptly named second album release from the trio comprising three of the biggest names in prog rock, Neal Morse, Nick D’Virgilio and Ross Jennings. Their first album ‘Troika’, which was released in … Continue reading →

Gig review: EUROPE – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, 18 October 2023

Posted on October 23, 2023 by david.wilson

I recently interviewed Tommy Johannson of the Swedish band Sabaton. As an aside at the end of the interview I asked him, given the band’s love of all things historic, if he could go back to any point in time … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 18 October 2023, 40th anniversary, Europe, gig, Glasgow, hard rock, Ian Haugland, Joey Tempest, John Leven, John Norum, live, melodic rock, Mic Michaeli, review, Royal Concert Hall, Time Capsule | Leave a comment

Album review: TREVOR RABIN – Rio

Posted on October 9, 2023 by david.wilson

InsideOut Music [Release date 06.10.23] Rio is the first vocal led album Trevor Rabin has released since ‘Can’t Look Away’ in 1989. He has been busy in the interim with both solo instrumental releases and he has also become a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 6th Oct 2023, album, Big Mistake, country, Insideout Music, National Treasure, Oklahoma, Owner Of A Lonely Heart, progressive, Push, review, Rio, rock, Trevor Rabin, Yes | Leave a comment

Gig review: KISS – Hydro, Glasgow – 8th July 2023

Posted on July 14, 2023 by david.wilson

I first saw Kiss on the Lick It Up tour in October 1983 in the Edinburgh Playhouse and here we are nearly 40 years on to witness the band’s last ever UK show. I caveat that last statement by pointing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 8th July 2023, Benji Ward, End Of The Road, Eric Singer, Gene Simmons, gig, Glasgow, Hydro, Kiss, live, Paul Stanley, Skindred, The Wild Things, Tommy Thayler | Leave a comment

Gig review: PETER GABRIEL – Hydro, Glasgow – 22nd June 2023

Posted on July 5, 2023 by david.wilson

At the ripe old age of 73 you would forgive Peter Gabriel for taking things easy and retiring from music to live off the royalties of his past glorious. Mr Gabriel, however, has never been one to conform and has … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 22nd June 2023, Biko, Genesis, gig Hydro, Glasgow, I/O, live, Manu Katche, Peter Gabriel, Progressive Rock, Red Rain, rock, Solsbury Hill, Tony Levin, world music | Leave a comment

Gig review: BLOODYWOOD – The Mash House, Edinburgh – 12th June 2023

Posted on June 21, 2023 by david.wilson

My phone pinged and the text read ‘Hi pal, do you fancy going to see Bloodywood in Edinburgh’. I must admit my first reaction was ‘who?’, but the answer was ‘yup, let#s rock!’. So, it was a night out in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 12th June 2023, Alice Guala, Blake Cornwall, Bloodywood, Download Festival, Edinburgh, gig, India, Jayant Bhadula, Karan Katiyar, Lake Malice, live, metal, New Delhi, Rakshak, Raoul Kerr, rap, rock, The Mash House | Leave a comment

Album review: EXTREME – Six

Posted on June 9, 2023 by david.wilson

earMusic [Release date: 09.06.23] Extreme are back with their first album in 15 years, which is quite the hiatus by anyone’s standards. During that time the band have been working on and off and touring sporadically, but the guys are … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, CD, Ear Music, Extreme, funk, Gary Chirone, III Sides To Every Story, More Than Words, Nuno Bettencourt, Pat Badger, rock, Six | Leave a comment

Gig review: KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND – Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, 23 April 2023

Posted on May 9, 2023 by david.wilson

It’s hard to believe that Kenny Wayne Shepherd was a mere 18 years old when he wrote and released ‘Trouble Is..’. A mature, complex blues rock album launched into the world as part of an exciting vanguard of fresh-faced US … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 23 April 2023, BB King, blues, Bob Dylan, concert, country, gig, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Krown, Kenny McCormack, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, live, London, Noah Hunt, rock, Shepherd's Bush Empire, Trouble Is.. | Leave a comment

Gig review: SABATON – Hydro, Glasgow – 18th April 2023

Posted on April 26, 2023 by david.wilson

The much delayed ‘Tour To End All Tours’ had finally reached Glasgow and the legion of Scottish Sabaton fans were eager to see what Sweden’s finest had in their war chest. Sabaton have gone from strength to strength over the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 18th April 2023, 1916, Baby Metal, concert, Eurovision, gig, Gimme Chocolate, Glasgow, Hydro, Kami band, live, Lordi, metal, Moametal, momometal, Motorhead, Mr Lordi, power metal, Primo Victoria, rock, Sabaton, SU-Metal, Swedish, The Great War, The Other One, The Tour To End All Tours | Leave a comment

Gig review: THOSE DAMN CROWS – Islington Assembly Hall, London – 24th February 2023

Posted on March 3, 2023 by david.wilson

The Assembly Hall had a celebratory atmosphere about the place and a keen sense of anticipation was in the air ahead of Those Damn Crows. Support came from fellow Welsh rockers, James And The Cold Gun who helped to bubble … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 24th February 2023, Blink Of An Eye, Dave Winchurch, gig, Ian Thomas, Islington Assembly Hall, James And The Cold Gun, live, London, metal, rock, Ronnie Huxford, Shane Greenhall, Those Damn Crows, Wales, Who Did It | Leave a comment

Album review: ROBIN MCAULEY – Alive

Posted on February 16, 2023 by david.wilson

Frontiers Records [Release date 17.02.23] Robin’s last album ‘Standing On The Edge’ was my top album of 2021 so this new release has a lot to live up to. However, with Robin you know that quality is assured and with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Alive, Frontier Records, Grand Prix, Michael Schenker, MSG, Raiding the Rock Vault, review, Robin McAuley, Standing On The Edge | Leave a comment

Album review: LOVEBITES – Judgement Day

Posted on February 16, 2023 by david.wilson

JPU Records [Release date 24.02.23] I first became aware of Lovebites a few years back when they opened for Dragonforce. Not knowing the band’s musical leanings, I was very surprised that night at their blend of power and thrash metal … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Asami, Dragonforce, Haruna, Japan, JPU Records, Judgement day, Lovebites, Medori, metal, Myaki, power, review, rock, Steve Harris, symphonic, Thrash | Leave a comment

Album review: MOTORHEAD – Bad Magic: SERIOUSLY BAD MAGIC

Posted on February 12, 2023 by david.wilson

Silver Lining Music [Release date 24.02.23] “If the guys wanted to prove a point with this record then they have achieved that goal and then some. ‘Aftershock’ was a great album but with ‘Bad Magic’ Lemmy, Phil and Mikkey have … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Ace Of Spades, album, Bad Magic, CD, David Bowie, Heroes, Lemmy, live, Mikkey Dee, Motorhead, Mt Fuji Festival, Overkill, Phil Campbell, review, Rolling Stones, Seriously Bad Magic, Sympathy For The Devil | Leave a comment

Gig review: SKERRYVORE AND MANRAN – Albert Hall, Stirling – 29th December 2022

Posted on December 31, 2022 by david.wilson

This gig was another that felt a bit like being an extra in an episode of Dr Who, you know it’s 2022 but you are handing over a ticket for a show in 2020! Yup, this show has been hit … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 29th December 2022, Albert Hall, Alec Dalglish, Celtic, Craig Espie, Daniel Gillespie, Ewan Henderson, folk, Gary Innes, gig, Hoolie In The Hydro, Kim Carnie, live, Manran, Martin Gillespie, rock, Scott Wood, Skerryvore, Stirling, Take My Hand, The Angry Fiddler, Urar, You & I | Leave a comment

Gig review: GUN – Barrowlands, Glasgow – 10th Dec 2022

Posted on December 28, 2022 by david.wilson

Christmas comes but once a year and you can be sure that there will be a date with Gun at the Barra’s with the same regularity. This annual event has now become part of many a Christmas schedule in the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 10th Dec 2022, Barrowlands, Better Days, Calton Sessions, Dante Gizzi, Empyre, Gin Annie, Glasgow, Gun, Jools Gizzi, King Herd, live, metal, Paul McManus, rock, Staea Your Fire, Taking On The World | Leave a comment

Gig Review – STATUS QUO – SEC Armadillo, Glasgow – 26th November 2022

Posted on November 28, 2022 by david.wilson

One sure sign of life getting back to normal post Covid is Status Quo rocking into the Christmas period with their festive concerts. Long a staple of the Winter touring schedule, Quo’s annual jaunt is much anticipated and as predicted … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 26th November 2022, Andy Bowen, Caroline, Christmas, country, Down Down, Francis Rossi, gig, Glasgow, Glasgow Apollo, Green Door, Leon Cave, live, Rhino Edwards, Richie Malone, Rick Parfitt, rock, Rockin' All Over The World, SEC Armadillo, Shakin' Stevens, Status Quo, This Ole House, What Your Proposing | Leave a comment

Gig review: ROBBIE WILLIAMS – Hydro, Glasgow – 25th October 2022

Posted on November 2, 2022 by david.wilson

Alright, I may be stretching the ‘rock’ part here with Mr Williams. Apart from his song ‘Rock DJ’ and a mention of Kiss (without the make up) in ‘Strong’, the ex Take That man isn’t exactly known for his hard … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Angels?, Gary Barlow, Gary Nuttell, gig, Glasgow 25th October 2022, Hydro, Kylie Minogue, Let Me Entertain You, live, Oasis, pop, Robbie Williams, rock, Rock DJ, Take That | Leave a comment

Gig review: STEVE HACKETT – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow – 23rd Sept 2022

Posted on September 25, 2022 by david.wilson

Many classic rock bands are now in the position where every year is either the 40th or 50th anniversary of something, formation, landmark tours, album releases, you name it. What this does is allow bands the opportunity to cash in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 23rd Sept 2022, Craig Bludell, Firth Of Fifth, Foxtrot, Genesis, Glasgow, Jonas Reingold, live, prog, review, Rob Townsend, rock, Roger King, Royal Concert Hall, Spectral Mornings, Steve Hackett, Suppers Ready | Leave a comment

Gig review: STONEDEAD FESTIVAL – Newark Showground – 27th August 2022

Posted on September 13, 2022 by david.wilson

This year’s event was the 4th Stonedead Festival. Since it’s inception back in 2018 the crowd numbers have swelled to around 4500, which site wise is about the optimum number, and the event continues to go from strength to strength. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 27th August 2022, David Coverdale, HEAT, Kickin Valentina, Lancaster bomber, live, Michael Schenker, MSG, Newark Showground, Robb Weir, rock, Ronnie Romero, Shane Greenhall, Stone Broken, Stonedead Festival, These Wicked Rivers, Those Damn Crows, Tygers Of Pan Tang, UFO, Vandenburg, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Gig Review: BEARDED THEORY’S SPRING GATHERING – Catton Park, 26-29 May 2022

Posted on July 4, 2022 by david.wilson

When asked “How was Bearded Theory?”, the short answer is “Awesome! Brilliant! I had the best weekend!”. The long answer that I want to give is this… THURSDAY 26TH MAY We were really lucky and arrived on Wednesday, so Thursday … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 26th to 29th May, Bearded Theory, Blackballed, Bob Vylan, Catton Park, Cottons, Dreadzone, Dub Pistols, Echo Machine, festival, Flaming Lips, folk, Frank Carter, Frank Turner, Gaz Brookfield, indie, Jess Silk, Patti Smith, Pierce Brothers, Placebo, rock, Shame, ska, The Bar-Steward Sons Of Val Doonican, The Liines, The Now, the Selecter, The Skints | Leave a comment

Gig review: THUNDER – Wembley Arena, London – 28th May 2022

Posted on June 2, 2022 by david.wilson

Thunder appear to be on a hot creative streak at present. In the time since this tour was originally announced, pre-pandemic, they have released two albums with last year’s ‘All the Right Noises’ followed by a double album to boot … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 28th May 2022, Backstreet Symphony, blues, Cat's In The Cradle, Danny Bowes, Darren Griffiths Photography, Everything About You, gig, Harry James Ben Matthews, Kris Barras, live, London, Luke Morley, rock, Thunder, UGLY KID JOE, Wembley Arena | Leave a comment

Gig review: WHITESNAKE, Foreigner, Europe – Hydro, Glasgow, 2 May 2022

Posted on May 17, 2022 by david.wilson

For any rock fan old enough to remember the 70’s and 80’s the music of Whitesnake has been a constant soundtrack. The band may have had a revolving door installed in their tour bus for ease of access as members … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 12th May 2022, 80s, AOR, ballads, blues, David Coverdale, Europe, Foreigner, gig, Glasgow, Glasgow Apollo, Here I Go Again, Hydro, I Want To Know What Love Is, Ian Haugland, Is This Love, Joel Hoekstra, Joey Tempest, John Norum, Juke Box Hero, Kelly Hansen, live, Mick Jones, Reb Beach, rock, Rock The Night, Slide It In, Still Of The Night, The Final Countdown, Tommy Aldridge, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Gig review: SOUNDBAY FESTIVAL – Patti Pavilion Swansea – 25th – 27th March 2022

Posted on April 11, 2022 by david.wilson

Finally, after what seemed like a rollercoaster ride, Soundbay went ahead. All be it with a slightly rearranged line up, a couple of bands pulling out at the last minute due to illness, the core of the line up remained … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Anchor Lane, Baz Mills, Beth Blade, blues, Darren Griffiths Photography, Daxx and Roxanne, Florance Black, Howling Tides, live, Massive Wagons, Matti Alfonzetti, metal, Patti Pavilion, Ricky Warwick, rock, Scarlet Rebels, Soundbay Festival, Swansea, These Wicked Rivers, Valhalla Awaits, Wayward Sons | Leave a comment

Album review: GHOST – Impera

Posted on March 8, 2022 by david.wilson

Loma Vista Recordings [Release date 11.03.22] Papa and the Nameless Ghouls are back with album number 5. The last album, Prequelle, took us back to the time of the Plague, but here we join Ghost in more modern times. The concept … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, The Best of 2022 | Tagged album, Bon Jovi, Call Me Little Sunshine, Ghost, heavy metal, Hunters Moon, IMPERA, Loma Vista Recordings, Meloria, nameless ghouls, Papa, review, rock, Runaway, Tobias Forge | Leave a comment

Special Event: SABATON – Heugh Battery Museum, Hartlepool – 3 March 2022

Posted on March 8, 2022 by david.wilson

Get Ready to ROCK! Live Editor Dave Wilson caught up with Swedish metallers Sabaton at an unusual location prior to the release of their new album… The Heugh Battery in Hartlepool has been a strategic military position since the 17th … Continue reading →