Author Archives: jason

Album review: BOSTON – Life, Love & Hope

Posted on November 23, 2013 by jason

Frontiers www.frontiers.it [Release date 09.12.13] Relatively quick in Boston terms at just over ten years since the last album ‘Corporate America’ and some songs of that album get reworked by Tom Scholz on this album, a man always on a … Continue reading →

Album review: DEF LEPPARD – Viva Hysteria!

Posted on November 22, 2013 by jason

Frontiers (2CD/DVD) www.frontiers.it One of Britain’s best and hardest working rock bands, Def Leppard have always been at the melodic end despite growing up with the NWoBHM scene. After the classic third album ‘Pyromania’ (which went diamond in the USA), the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, Def Leppard, Joe Elliot, Las Vegas, melodic rock, review, rock, Steve Collen, Viva Hysteria!, Vivian Campbell | Comments Off

Album review: RHAPSODY OF FIRE – Dark Wings Of Steel

Posted on November 21, 2013 by jason

AFM Records www.afmrecords.de [Release date 25.11.13] Rhapsody of Fire return with their first studio album since the amicable split of main songwriters Luca Turilli and Alex Staropoli in 2012 – Luca has his own version of the band called … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dark Wings Of Steel, Fabio Lione, power metal, review, RHAPSODY OF FIRE, rock | Comments Off

DVD review: VARIOUS – The Sunflower Superjam 2012

Posted on November 20, 2013 by jason

Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2DVD) www.thesunflowerjam.com The Sunflower Jam was started back in 2006 by Jacky Paice, wife of Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice and sister-in-law to the late Jon Lord, as a charity event to raise funds … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged Alfie Boe, Alice Cooper, Brian May, concert, DVD, Joe Bonamassa, Jon Lord, Micky Moody, review, Rick Wakeman, rock, Sunflower Superjam, The Temperance Movement | Comments Off

Gig review: MOTT THE HOOPLE – London O2 Arena,18 November 2013

Posted on November 19, 2013 by jason

After a successful reunion tour back in 2009 Mott The Hoople where they only played in London, they were back for a UK tour culminating at the O2 Arena which had a very good turnout especially as it was a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 18 November 2013, gig, Ian Hunter, London, Martin Chambers, Mick Ralphs, Mott the Hoople, O2 Arena, Overend Watts, review, rock, Thunder, Verden Allen | Comments Off

Album review: PROPHET – Asylum

Posted on November 17, 2013 by jason

Z Records www.z-records.com This best of rounds up highlights from the band’s three albums to date – ‘Prophet’ (1985), ‘Cycle Of The Moon’ (1988) and ‘Recycled’ (1991). ‘Cycle Of The Moon’ on its own should be any AOR/melodic rock fans … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album review, AOR, Asylum, best of, Danger Dange, Dean Fasano, melodic rock, pomp rock, Prophet, Russell Arcara, Ted Poley, Z Records | Leave a comment

10Q’s with PAUL LOGUE of EDEN’S CURSE

Posted on November 15, 2013 by jason

Eden’s Curse are back with a new album, ‘Symphony Of Sin’ on AFM Records and two new members. Here Paul Logue fills us in on what has been happening in the Eden’s Curse universe in the past year and what … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions | Tagged AFM Records, Eden's Curse, interview, melodic metal, Nikola Mijic, Paul Logue, Power Quest, Steve Williams | Leave a comment

Album review: RADIOACTIVE – Legacy

Posted on November 13, 2013 by jason

Escape Music www.escape-music.com Tommy Denander has played and appeared on over 2,000 albums now so it stands to reason when he had his own musical project, Radioactive, he’d have a decent number of musician friends to help him out. These … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album review, AOR, Bobby Kimball, Escape Music, FERGIE FREDERIKSEN, FM, Joseph Williams, Journey, Legacy, melodic rock, Neal Schon, RADIOACTIVE, Steve Overland, Tommy Denander, Toto | Comments Off

Gig Review: CHRIS REA – Bluesfest, Royal Albert Hall, 31 October 2013

Posted on November 12, 2013 by jason

For my money, Chris Rea is a legend. So this won’t be the most objective review I’ve ever penned. I was a fan of his sometimes off-beat pop/soft rock gems of the ‘80’s like ‘Stainsby Girls’, ‘On The Beach’ and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 31 October 2013, blues, Bluesfest, Chris Rea, gig, London, review, rock, Royal Albert Hall | Comments Off

Single & EP reviews: I AM I, IAN TOOMEY, KILL FOR EDEN

Posted on November 11, 2013 by jason

KILL FOR EDEN – Living On Mars (EP) Kill For Eden pushed out one of the most accomplished and promising metal debuts of the year this Spring. The band’s hallmarks are all about giant hooks, dynamic vocals and craftily insistent … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Bitches Sin, Dragonforce, I Am I, Ian Toomey, Kill For Eden, review, rock, single, Z P Theart | Comments Off

Album review: THE FIERCE & THE DEAD – Spooky Action

Posted on November 11, 2013 by jason

Bad Elephant Music www.fierceanddead.com An all instrumental album can often be a hard sell but when the music is as varied and enjoyable as this it’s not an issue. The Fierce and the Dead comprise of Matt Stevens (guitars), Kevin … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, instrumental, review, rock, Spooky Action, The Fierce & The Dead | Comments Off

Album review: TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA – Tales Of Winter Selections From The TSO Rock Operas

Posted on November 9, 2013 by jason

Decca [Release date 02.12.13] A timely ‘best of’ from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, who embark on a European tour in January after their traditional US pre-Christmas tour (the band are so popular they run two versions of the band in the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Al Pitrelli, Broadway, classical rock, epic, Jon Oliva, Paul O'Neill, pomp rock, Russ Kinkel, Savatage, Selections From The TSO Rock Operas, Tales Of Winter, Trans Siberian Orchestra, TSO, West End | Leave a comment

Interview: ZP Theart of I Am I

Posted on November 8, 2013 by jason

Vocalist ZP Theart first came to prominence fronting power metal band Dragonforce for ten years before leaving in 2010. Since then he has formed I Am I who released their debut album, ‘Event Horizon’ last year and now release a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions | Tagged I Am I, interview, metal, Power Quest, rock, See You Again, single, vocalist, ZP Theart | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACK LABEL SOCIETY – Unblackened

Posted on November 5, 2013 by jason

Armoury Records [Release date 23.09.13] Recorded at the Club Nokia in Los Angeles this highlights Zakk Wylde and the Black Label Society in acoustic mode, well as acoustic as Zakk Wylde can get! Derek Sherinian (Black Country Communion/Dream Theater) is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged 'Unblackened, album, Black Label Society, Derek Sherinian, DVD, metal, Ozzy Osbourne, review, rock, unplugged, Zakk Wylde | Leave a comment

Album review: LISA CUTHBERT – Paramour

Posted on November 4, 2013 by jason

www.lisacuthbert.com This is Lisa Cuthbert’s second album and she is joined by various guests including Sisters Of Mercy’s Dave Creffield (she’s appeared live with them) and she has supported Marillion. The album is a moving concept piece based on the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Clannad, LISA CUTHBERT, Marillion, Paramour, review, singer songwriter, Sisters Of Mercy, Tori Amos | Leave a comment

DVD review: MORRISSEY – 25Live

Posted on November 3, 2013 by jason

Eagle Rock www.eagle-rock.com This live DVD was shot at the intimate Hollywood High School in Los Angeles to mark Morrissey’s twenty five years as a solo artist. It’s a fans set list including some Smiths classics like ‘Meat Is Murder’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged 25Live, DVD, Eagle Rock, MORRISSEY, review, the Smiths | Leave a comment

Interview: JUSTIN FURSTENFELD of BLUE OCTOBER

Posted on November 1, 2013 by jason

Blue October has recently released their latest album ‘Sway’ which is one of my albums of the year and from band I had not heard of previously. As the band prepare for their upcoming European tour (including November 17th Birmingham … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged album of the year, BLUE OCTOBER, interview, JUSTIN FURSTENFELD, rock stars, Sway | Leave a comment

Quick Plays: DAVID GATES, MISTRESS, CRASHDIET, REINXEED, SAVATAGE

Posted on October 27, 2013 by jason

MISTRESS Loveteaser www.reverbnation.com/mistressrockband New Zealand band Mistress wants to bring back that 80’s hair metal sound…on a £2.53 budget judging by the sound. Mind you legendary producer Beau Hill does remix one song on here, ‘She’s A Sinner’. Siggy Signal … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged 80's hair metal, album, Bread, classic rock, Criss Oliva, DAVID GATES, Edsel, Falling In Love Again, First, Goodbye Girl, Jon Oliva, Loveteaser, MISTRESS, MOR, Never Let Go, Paul O'Neill, pop rock, progressive metal, ReinXeed, review, Rhino, Savatage, soft rock, Streets A Rock Opera, Tommy ReinXeed | Leave a comment

Book review: The Beach Boys In Concert by Ian Rusten and Jon Stebbins

Posted on October 26, 2013 by jason

Backbeat Books www.backbeatbooks.com You could sum this review up simply as this book is perfect for the avid Beach Boys fan. It lists nearly all of their concerts from their early days up until their 2012 reunion, although the later … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Al Jardine, Backbeat Books, book review, Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, classic rock, Dennis Wilson, Ian Rusten, Jon Stebbins, Mike Love, surf music, The Beach Boys In Concert | Leave a comment

Album review: STRYPER – No More Hell To Pay

Posted on October 25, 2013 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 04.11.13] Stryper were never one of my favourite Christian rock bands back in the days when I would seek out the new releases by Petra, Bloodgood, White Heart, X-Sinner and White Cross. The glammed up “guys” (from … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Christian rock, No More Hell To Pay, review, Stryper, white metal | Leave a comment

Album review: JONO – Requiem

Posted on October 23, 2013 by jason

www.jontheband.se Another great musical discovery from Sweden. Jono are centred around vocalist Johan Norrby who is joined by Within Temptation guitarist Stefan Hellebald and drummer Nicka Hellenberg, who appeared on the last Within Temptation album. Completing the line-up are Johan … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Freddie Mercury, Jono, pomp rock, Queen, Requiem, review, Stefan Hellebald, Swedish, symphonic metal, Within Temptation | 1 Comment

Album review: IRON MASK – Fifth Son Of Winterdom

Posted on October 21, 2013 by jason

AFM Records www.afmrecords.de Iron Mask are another new band on me though Fifth Son of Winterdoom is their fifth studio release following on from Revenge Is My Name (2002), Hordes of the Brave (2005), Shadow of the Red Baron (2010) … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AFM Records, album review, Fifth Son Of Winterdom, Iron Mask, metal, power metal | Leave a comment

Quick plays: BLACK RAINBOWS, NEVER TRUST, TIM GRIMM, JADED HEART

Posted on October 20, 2013 by jason

BLACK RAINBOWS – Holy Moon (EP) Heavy Psych Sounds Something in the Italian water as they not only produce a series of fine melodic rock/AOR bands but now have some rather good stoner/psych rock bands including this band Black Rainbows. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged Americana, AOR, BLACK RAINBOWS, EP, Fastball Music, High Bar Gang, Holy Moon, Italian, Italy, Jaded Heart, Lost And Undone, MASTERPLAN, melodic metal, metal, Morning Light, Never Trust, roots, Tim Grimm, Turning Point | Comments Off

Gig review: ALTER BRIDGE, SHINEDOWN, HALESTORM – Wembley Arena, 18 October 2013

Posted on October 19, 2013 by jason

Alter Bridge were back headlining Wembley Arena for the second time in as many years with Shinedown and Halestorm in support. The arena looked close to a sell out and with the seating removed in the arena area there were … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 18 October 2013, ALTER BRIDGE, Brent Smith, Fortress, gig, Halestorm, Judas Priest, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Mark Tremonti, Myles Kennedy, review, Shinedown, Wembley Arena | Leave a comment

Album review: TEARS FOR FEARS – The Hurting (30th anniversary edition)

Posted on October 19, 2013 by jason

Universal (3CD/DVD set) A real treat for Tears For Fears fans as this four disc set contains a DVD of the band’s 1984 show at the Hammersmith Odean; the original album; a disc of BBC sessions and a disc of … Continue reading →