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Upcoming Gigs & Albums
Latest Album Reviews
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Album review: SCHEFF TOLLE ADRIAENS – Let’s Stop The World
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Album review: TRAGIK – Propaganda Elite
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Album review : ELECTRIC MOB – 2 Make U Cry And Dance (Digital Deluxe Edition)
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Album review: THE MILK MEN – Milky Way
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Album review: FATAL VISION – Four Sides To Every Story
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Album review : PRIDE OF LIONS – Unbridled
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Latest Gig Reviews
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Gig review: DEF LEPPARD + EXTREME – BP Pulse Live, Birmingham, 4 July 2026
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Gig review: GEORGE THOROGOOD AND THE DESTROYERS- Indigo2, London, 30 June 2026
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Gig review: HALESTORM’S LZZY AND JOE: UNPLUGGED – Islington Assembly Hall, London, 17 June 2026
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Gig review: THE WILDHEARTS – Tolbooth, Stirling, 30 May 2026
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GRTR! Greats
Featured Album Reviews
Features
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Single & EP Reviews
DVD Reviews
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Author Archives: jason
Album review: FAIRPORT CONVENTION – Moat On The Ledge
Eagle Rock [Released 24.03.14] Another good value 3-in-1 CD box set from Eagle Records that gathers together two live albums from Fairport Convention (who have had a lot of live albums released through the years!) and the band’s ‘XXXV’ studio … Continue reading
Interview: 10Q’s with OLIVER WAKEMAN
Oliver Wakeman tours with Gordon Giltrap during April promoting their ‘Ravens and Lullabies’ album and their band includes members of Arena and Threshold. Here we find out a little more about the tour, his time with the Strawbs… 1. What … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions
Tagged 10Q's, Gordon Giltrap, interview, keyboards, prog rock, Ravens and Lullabies, Rick Wakeman, theStrawbs, tours, Yes
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Album review: GOTTHARD – Bang!
Pias www.gotthard.com [Released 01.04.14] Solid hard rock is not something you associate with Switzerland, but Gotthard are one of Switzerland’s most successful bands. This is their 11th studio album, and second with vocalist Nic Maeder (after the death of original … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album review, Bang!, Gotthard, melodic rock, rock, Swiss
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Quick plays: MIDNITE SKY, KRUK, THE CRINGE, FUSION ORCHESTRA 2
MIDNITE SKY – Blood, Sweat and A Little More www.midnitesky.de [Released 1.12.13] German melodic rock band who have a passion for bands like Europe, Dokken and Bonfire. Kicking off with the Europe sounding ‘Hellfire’ the band don’t really have any … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
Tagged Before He'll Kill You, Blood, classic rock, Deep Purple, Doogie White, Fusion Orchestra 2, Jazz rock, KRUK, melodic rock, Metal Mind Productions, Midnite Sky, prog rock, Rainbow, Sweat And A Little More, the Cringe
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Album review: H.E.A.T. – Tearing Down The Walls
Interview with Eric Rivers, first broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 16 March 2014 (9:36) earMUSIC [Release date 14.04.14] Album number four by melodic hard rockers H.E.A.T. and the second with vocalist Erik Gronwell, who has really established himself … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best Of 2014
Tagged album, Eric Rivers, H.E.A.T., HEAT, interview, melodic rock, review, Sweden, Tearing Down The Walls
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Album review: TWISTED SISTER – Reissues
Eagle Records [Release date 17.03.14] An interesting trio on this budget box set as it skips the band’s debut album ‘Under The Blade’ and their biggest seller ‘Stay Hungry’ (which the band re-recorded in 2004 as ‘Still Hungry’). You Can’t … Continue reading
Album review: DAMN VANDALS – Rocket Out Of London
[Release date 07.04.14] Damn Vandals are cultivating a sound that is hard to ignore. The band’s urgent take on fuzzed up punk-tinged stoner rock makes you sit up and take notice. Chuck in a dominating vocal delivery with shoutey hints … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, DAMN VANDALS, punk rock, review, Rocket Out Of London, stoner rock
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DVD review: VANGELIS and the Journey to Ithaka
This is not a live concert or ‘best of’ his works performed live, instead it is a fascinating insight into the musical world of Vangelis. The thing that shines through the various interviews, which include Oliver Stone, Jessye Norman and … Continue reading
Album Review: STRAY – Live in Japan 2013
Angel Air www.angelair.co.uk [Release date 10.03.14] Stray hail from the golden age of classic rock in the 1970’s, but somehow missed out on the mainstream recognition and rewards hoovered up by the likes of Humble Pie, Quo and Thin Lizzy. … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, blues rock, DEL BROMHAM, Live in Japan 2013, review, rock, Stray
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Album Review: ALISTER ATKIN AND THE GHOST LINE CARNIVAL – To Evangeline
[Release date 03.04.14] The second album from singer/songwriter Alister Atkin is inspired by the coast and maritime life of Nova Scotia. Overall, it’s a pleasant, almost beautiful offering, and plays to the strength of Atkin’s smooth, honeyed voice. Sometimes layered … Continue reading
Album review: PATSY MATHESON – Domino Girls
Tomorrow Music/Proper Music www.pastsymatheson.co.uk [Released 31.03.14] Two years on from the excellent ‘Stories Of Angels & Guitars’ Patsy Matheson is back with a new album and a departure in that she uses a lot more guest musicians, along with a … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album review, Domino Girls, folk, Patsy Matheson, singer songwriter, Waking the Witch
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Book review: Led Zeppelin Then As It Was – At Knebworth 1979
(Fully revised & updated version) Tight But Loose Publishing www.tightbutloose.co.uk An updated version of the book chronicling Led Zeppelin’s two Knebworth gigs in August 1979 (the original book was published on the concert’s 30th anniversary in 2009). It was a … Continue reading
Gig review: DEADLY CIRCUS FIRE – Camden Barfly, 27 February 2014
First time I have seen a gig at Camden’s Barfly and it’s a small, but perfectly formed venue and a good sound. I only caught the last two songs by openers Reverted who played energetic thrash metal, although they have … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 27 February 2014, Camden Barfly, DEADLY CIRCUS FIRE, gig, review, rock
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Album review: ADAM SWEET – Small Town Thinking
NEO Music Adam Sweet’s full debut was released at the end of 2013 to favourable reactions. It is easy to see why. This is a sublime, often laid back album of confidence, competence and genuine talent. Only in his mid-twenties, … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged ADAM SWEET, album, blues rock, review, rock, Small Town Thinking
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Album review: HOUSE OF LORDS – Precious Metal
Frontiers www.frontiers.it [Released 21.03.14] The ninth album from veteran Melodic/Arena rock band House of Lords finds the band playing with the attitude and energy of a band half their age. With “Precious Metal” the band are mixing their classic sound … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, hard rock, House of Lords, James Christian, melodic, Precious Metal, review
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Quick plays: SONS OF THE SEA, JOSH TAERK, INGER LORRE, ADRIAN NATION, BIRDS OF CHICAGO
SONS OF THE SEA S/t Avow! Records [Released 03.03.14] www.menbran.net Sons of the Sea is a collaboration between producer Brendan O’Brien (Incubus/Pearl Jam/RATM/Springsteen) and Brandon Boyd of Incubus (not a band I have heard anything by although my daughter informs … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
Tagged Adrian Nation, Birds Of Chicago, folk, Hate In My Heart, Inger Lorre & The Chiefs of Infinity, Josh, Josh Taerk, Live At The Crossroads, Live From Space, Nigel Clothier, rock, roots, Sharp Practise, singer, Snowflake, songwriter, Sons Of the Seas, Steal With Pride
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News: WINGER announce new album and Download appearance
FIRST NEW ALBUM FOR 5 YEARS RELEASED ON FRONTIERS RECORDS 21.04.14 AND BAND ALSO CONFIRMED TO APPEAR AT DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL 15.06.14 One of the most misunderstood Hard Rock bands to emerge from the 1980’s is returning with their highly anticipated … Continue reading
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, NEWS
Tagged AOR, Beavis and Butthead, Better Days Comin, Download, Frontiers, Kip Winger, melodic rock, new album, new release, Winger
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Album Review: PSYCLON NINE: [Order of the Shadow: Act I]
Metropolis Records [Released 23.12.13] Picking up all the best reference points from Al Jourgensen’s demonic Ministry creation and shredded together in a moulinex with the sweeping drama of Rammstein, Psyclon Nine have produced an album of surprisingly good industrial metal … Continue reading
Album Review: THE MANIC SHINE – Let Go Or Be Dragged
Animal Farm Records This is a very original and encouraging debut album from Scottish borders-based quartet The Manic Shine. The ten tracks here each have it all going on. The material could broadly be described metal-tickled prog rock, with a … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Let Go Or Be Dragged, Orren Karp, Ozzie Rodgers, prog, Progressive Rock, review, rock, The Manic Shine
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Album review: INCURA – S/T
Inside Out [Released 24th February 2014] This Canadian band Incura have been around since 2003 having released a series of EP’s and this is their first album given a full release. Two things strike you on first listen, the high … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album review, Dream Theater, Incura, Inside Out, My Chemical Romance, prog metal, Queen, rock
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Book review: ‘Reinventing Metal – The True Story of Pantera’ by Neil Daniels
Backbeat Books Or to give the book it’s full title “Reinventing Metal- The True Story of Pantera and the Tragically Short Life of Dimebag Darrell”. Another in depth and insightful rock biography from the much published Neil Daniels. This time … Continue reading
Gig review: SPIN DOCTORS + DODGY The Garage, London Saturday 22nd February 2014
The last date of the Spin Doctors three date UK visit re-arranged from last autumn. It was a decent turn out at the Garage, although the curse of the 10pm curfew to allow for the nightclub after badly hit openers … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 90's, Chris Barron, DODGY, Good Enough, live, London, Nigel Clark, Saturday 22nd February 2014, Spin Doctors, The Garage, Two Princes
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Album review: BATTLEAXE – Heavy Metal Sanctuary
Steamhammer/SPV [Release date 24.02.14] Originally part of the mid 80s era New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWoBHM), Battleaxe released tracks on several compilations as well as two albums in 1983 and 1984; both have since been reissued on CD, … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Battaleaxe, heavy metal, Heavy Metal Sanctuary, NWOBHM, review
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Album review: THE DAMNED – Tiki Nightmare: Live At Shepherd’s Bush Empire July 2002
Salvo/Union Square (2CD/DVD) [Release date 10.02.14] Widely recognised as the first UK punk band, releasing a punk album and single (and I’m near the front of the queue to stick that up the nose of the Sex Pistols), The Damned … Continue reading
Album review: VANDEN PLAS – Chronicles of the Immortals : Netherworld
Frontiers www.frontiers.it [Release date 24.02.14] It has been a while since Vanden Plas released The Seraphic Clockwork back in 2010 but that’s not to say they haven’t been busy…far from it. German best-selling author Wolfgang Hohlbein suggested a collaboration with … Continue reading
