Author Archives: Davoski

Album review: HOLLOWSTAR

Posted on May 15, 2019 by Davoski

www.hollowstar.co.uk [Release date: 03.05.19] This is a full debut album from four-piece hard rockers Hollowstar, who have previously put out only a couple of EPs up until this point. The album has been worth the wait. It serves up a … Continue reading →

Album review: FAT COPS – s/t

Posted on April 15, 2019 by Davoski

Absolute [release date: 01.03.19] It’s hard to work out whether this Fat Cops ensemble is a serious project, or whether a bunch of blokes with other, loftier careers have simply got together to have a bit of a blast. Maybe … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Al Murray, album review, Chris Deerin, Fat Cops, indie, pop, psychedelic, review, rock, The Wee Besoms | Leave a comment

Gig review: UFO – Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 4 April 2019

Posted on April 8, 2019 by Davoski

Can this really be the end? Whilst part of me dearly hopes not, there is something of a delicious irony about ever-present vocalist Phil Mogg choosing to fold the band on his own terms. During a ride that for about … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 4 April 2019, gig, Last Orders, live, Michael Schenker, Paul Raymond, Phil Mogg, review, Shepherd's Bush Empire, UFO | Leave a comment

Album review: THE THREE TREMORS – s/t

Posted on January 24, 2019 by Davoski

Steel Cartel [release date: 18.01.19] If your mojo is shaken and stirred by high octane falsetto metal shrieking, then this album will put it through a nutribullet. The Three Tremors is a fearsome triumvirate of lung-busting vocal power, headed by … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Harry Conklin, Judas Priest, power metal, review, Sean Peck, Tim 'Ripper' Owens | Leave a comment

Album review: DEVIL’S HAND featuring SLAMER/FREEMAN – s/t

Posted on December 31, 2018 by Davoski

Frontiers Music [Release date: 07.12.18] Mike Slamer has been a respected rock session musician, writer and producer for decades, although his profile is still relatively low. He is perhaps best known for forming bands with Kansas members, firstly Steve Walsh … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album review, Andrew Freeman, AOR, Devil's Hand, Last In Line, melodic rock, Mike Slamer, Streets | Leave a comment

Album review: MAGIC DANCE – New Eyes

Posted on December 30, 2018 by Davoski

Frontiers Music [release date: 07.12.18] Prime driver for this melodic rock/AOR outfit is Jon Siejka who created Magic Dance as a solo project in 2012. ‘New Eyes’ follows an earlier album ‘Vanishings’ and is the first output since the band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Jon Siejka, Magic Dance, melodic rock, New Eyes, review, synth pop | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE DEAD DAISIES – O2 Islington Academy, 19 November 2018

Posted on November 23, 2018 by Davoski

I’ve come to love the Massive Wagons only relatively recently. This year’s excellent and decent-selling album ‘Full Nelson’ seemed to move the band into different territory. This awakening finally cemented in my dulling brain that Massive Wagons and Monster Truck … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged David Lowy, Deen Castronovo, Doug Aldrich, Full Nelson, gig, John Corabi. Burn It Down, live, Marco Mendoza, Massive Wagons, O2 Islington Academy, review, The Dead Daisies | Leave a comment

Album review: SUPERSUCKERS – Suck It

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Davoski

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date: 21.09.18] Twelve albums in to a roller-coaster career and Supersuckers are still a hard band to pin down. Sometimes grunge, often country, but here channelling a very accessible and entertaining cowpunk/Motorhead hybrid. Mostly. Singer/bassist/mainman Eddie Spaghetti has … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, cowpunk, Eddie Spaghetti, review, Suck It, Supersuckers | Leave a comment

Gig review: KRIS BARRAS BAND – 100 Club, London, 24 September 2018

Posted on September 30, 2018 by Davoski

The support slot on this tour has featured a few different acts and the London show provided an opportunity for blues trio the Matt Edwards Band. We arrived mid-set and the delta-blues drawl of Matt’s vocals and gritty guitar playing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 100 Club, 24 September 2018, blues, blues rock, gig, Kris Barras Band, live, Matt Edwards Band, review, The Divine and The Dirty | Leave a comment

Album review: THE COCKNEY REJECTS – The Wild Ones (re-issue)

Posted on August 21, 2018 by Davoski

Cadiz Music [release date 04.06.19] Originally released in 1982, this Cockney Rejects album was the first foray for the creators of Oi! and street-punk into classic Rock. ‘The Wild Ones’ came along at a low point for the band. The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Leave a comment

Album review: MAD MAX – 35

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Davoski

Steamhammer/SPV [release date: 10.08.18] ‘35’ denotes the number of years that Mad Max have been together. Top marks for endurance. The melodic hard rockers formed in Munster, Germany have waited five years to follow-up 2013’s studio platter, ‘Interceptor’. Despite the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 35, album, classic rock, Mad Max, melodic rock, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: PEARL JAM – O2 Arena, London, 17 July 2018

Posted on July 22, 2018 by Davoski

Sometimes a gig so good comes along that any meaningful comparisons are blown away. Almost out of the blue, Pearl Jam delivered the kind of show that raises the arena-rock bar for all those that tread these boards after them. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 17 July, Eddie Vedder, gig, grunge, Lightning Bolt, live, Mike McCready, O2 Arena, Pearl Jam, review, Seattle, Stone Gossard | Leave a comment

Gig review: RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR – Day 2, Mote Park, Maidstone, 1 July 2018

Posted on July 7, 2018 by Davoski

The Cult - RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR - Day 2, Mote Park, Maidstone, 1 July 2018

Latest festival review ! (July 2019) The fourth renewal of this Classic, Southern, Blues and Prog festival had been brought forward by a month or so. It had also struggled to capture the imagination of many with its low-key roster. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 1 July 2018, Blackberry Smoke, Connor Selby Band, Fish, gig, GOLDRAY, Kris Barras Band, Laurence Jones, live, Mote Park, Ramblin' Man Fair, review, Sons Of Apollo, The Cult, The Last Internationale | Leave a comment

Album review: CREMATORY – Oblivion

Posted on April 29, 2018 by Davoski

Steamhammer/SPV [Release date: 13.04.18] ‘Oblivion’ is the 14th studio release from German gothic-metallists, Crematory. A number of key line-up changes over the last couple of years don’t seem to have freshened up the sound much and the album more or … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, CD, Crematory, gothic metal, Oblivion, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: ESP 2.0 – Half Moon, Putney, London, 17 April 2018

Posted on April 29, 2018 by Davoski

My first trip to the Half Moon for a good few years and although the pub at the front had had a sharp makeover, it was good to see that the venue through the swing doors had not changed at … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 17 April 2018, band, Esp 2.0, gig, Half Moon Putney, King Crimson, live, Mark Brzezicki, Peter Coyle, prog rock, Robert Fripp, the Lotus Eaters, Tony Lowe | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACKBERRY SMOKE – Find A Light

Posted on April 7, 2018 by Davoski

Earache Records [Release date: 06.04.18] Another fine, fine release from Southern/country rockers, Blackberry Smoke. Following on the fletchings of ‘Like An Arrow’ in 2016 and ‘Holding All the Roses’ in 2015, the band are becoming increasingly prolific and relentlessly excellent. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Blackberry Smoke, CD, Charlie Starr, country rock, Find a Light, review, southern rock | Leave a comment

Album review: MARILLION – All One Tonight – Live at the Royal Albert Hall (CD/DVD/Bluray)

Posted on March 31, 2018 by Davoski

Racket Records [Release date: 06.04.18] The 64th release (count ‘em) on Marillion’s own Racket Records label is a live recording of their Royal Albert Hall gig last October. Despite the prolific rate at which they produce concert material, the band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged All One Tonight, CD, DVD, FEAR, gig, live, Marillion, prog rock, review, Royal Albert Hall, Steve Hogarth, Steve Rothery | Leave a comment

Album review: CATTAIL BREW – It’s A Bit Difficult Really

Posted on March 30, 2018 by Davoski

Capital City Music Factory/Cargo Records [Release date: 30.03.18] Welcome back Fin, all is forgiven. Those excruciating Rod Stewart tribute videos on You Tube can now safely be forgotten. Waysted’s gravel-throated front man returns with half of redneck metallers American Dog … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged American Dog, Cattail Brew, Dogatized, Fin, It's A Bit Difficult Really, Pete Way, Steve Theado, Tommy Bolin, Waysted | Leave a comment

Album review: ANGRA – Ømni

Posted on March 25, 2018 by Davoski

earMUSIC [Release date: 16.02.18] Despite releasing eight albums since 1991, Brazilian band Angra’s symphonic/prog metal is a new sonic experience for me. Ninth album ‘Ømni’ is for the most part a pretty impressive outing within the genre. The album holds … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, ANGRA, Brazilian metal, power metal, prog metal, review, symphonic metal, Ømni | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT – Forum, Kentish Town, London, 9 March 2018

Posted on March 14, 2018 by Davoski

The Temperance Movement - Manchester Academy, 23 April 2014

There was a buzz about this gig. On the back of their third album smashing in to the actual charts at Number 6 and in the middle of a well-received tour, there was a sense that things were happening for … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 9 March 2018, blues rock, Deeper Cut, gig, live, Phil Campbell, review, The Forum, The Temperance Movement | Leave a comment

Album review: RICK PARFITT – Over And Out

Posted on March 4, 2018 by Davoski

earMUSIC [Release date: 23.03.18] Rick Parfitt gave almost 50 years of his life to Status Quo and his passing in December 2016 was felt keenly both within and beyond the world of entertainment. Quo are a household name and Parfitt, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Brian May, Chris Wolstenholme, John 'Rhino' Edwards, Over and Out, review, Rick Parfitt, Status Quo | Leave a comment

Album review: AXEL RUDI PELL – Knights Call

Posted on February 26, 2018 by Davoski

Steamhammer/SPV [Release date: 23.03.18] The prolific German axe-meister Axel Rudi Pell is back with another slab of committed power/melodic metal. Like clockwork, he releases an album of new material every two years. ‘Knights Call’ is Pell’s seventeenth release since leaving … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Axel Rudi Pell, Knights Call, metal, review, rock, Steeler | Leave a comment

Gig review: ALESTORM – Forum, Kentish Town, London, 22 February 2018

Posted on February 25, 2018 by Davoski

I pitched up at the Forum as Rumahoy were prowling the stage bashing out infectious lumps of good time rock to an enthusiastic, packed house of swashbucklers and buccaneers. Pirate metal was in town. The band were suitably attired as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 22 February 2018, Alestorm, Forum, gig, live, No Grave But The Sea, pirate metal, Piratefest 2018, review, Rumahoy | Leave a comment

Gig review: BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION – Hammersmith Apollo, 4 January 2018

Posted on January 8, 2018 by Davoski

About time. Over six years on from their last shows, Black Country Communion were hitting the boards again. Just when we thought it was all over, the band put on a brace of shows full of zest and rediscovered comradeship … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 4 January 2018, Black Country Communion, Deep Purple, Derek Sherinian, gig, Glenn Hughes, Hammersmith Apollo, hard rock, Jason Bonham, Joe Bonamassa, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: FISH – Islington Assembly Hall, London, 15 December 2017

Posted on December 19, 2017 by Davoski

French prog rock band Lazuli had pulled their support slot appearances on these London shows after frontman Dominique Leonetti was hospitalised. There was no time to fix up a replacement and news hadn’t got through to all the punters. As … Continue reading →