Author Archives: jason

Album review: DOCKER’S GUILD – The Mystic Technocracy Season 2: The Age Of Entropy

Posted on February 2, 2023 by jason

Website Docker’s Guild is a massive progressive metal space opera which will unfold through five “seasons” and four “books” for a total of nine albums. It is masterminded by producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Douglas R. Docker. Joining him on this … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, concept album, Docker’s Guild, Douglas Docker, melodic metal, prog metal, progressive, review, The Mystic Technocracy Season 2: The Age Of Entropy | Leave a comment

News: GLEN MATLOCK, SAXON, GRAND DESIGN (February 2023)

Posted on January 31, 2023 by jason

GRAHAM BONNET BAND - The Tivoli, Buckley, 24 August 2018

Angel release their new album ‘Once Upon A Time’, via Cleopatra Records on April 21. Babylon A.D. release ‘Live Lightning’ via Perris Records on March 17. Elles Bailey releases an expanded version of her ‘Shining in The Half Light’ album on 17 March. The expanded version includes … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged classic rock, folk, gigs, Glen Matlock, Grand Design, metal, New releases, news, punk, rock, Saxon, Skindred, tours | Leave a comment

Album review: MILTON HIDE – The Holloway

Posted on January 29, 2023 by jason

Website [Release date 31.03.23] Milton Hide (AKA husband and wife Jim and Josie Tipler) release their second album, ‘The Holloway’, following on from 2o21′s most enjoyable ‘Temperature’s Rising’. Since then they have played many a show up and down the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, folk, folk rock, Jim Tipler, Milton Hide, progressive, review, Rosie Tipler, The Holloway | Leave a comment

Album review: THE NEVERLAND EXPRESS + CALEB JOHNSON – Paradise Found: Bat Out Of Hell Reignited

Posted on January 27, 2023 by jason

Deko Entertainment [Release date 27.01.23] A reworking of the classic Meat Loaf album ‘Bat Out Of Hell’, based on the live version Meat Loaf’s band the Neverland Express performed with the much missed frontman. Band leader and former Anthrax guitarist … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, American Idol, Anthrax, Caleb Johnson, classic rock, Jim Steinman, Meat Loaf, Paradise Found: Bat Out Of Hell Reignited, Paul Crook, review, rock, symphonic rock, the Neverland Express, theatrical rock | Leave a comment

Album review: CHRIS ROSANDER – The Monster Inside

Posted on January 22, 2023 by jason

Pride & Joy Music [Release date 17.02.23] Chris Rosander released his debut album ‘King Of Hearts’ in 2020 on the now defunct AOR Heaven. As the pandemic put paid to any live plans, Chris Rosander started work on making more … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Chris Rosander, hard rock, melodic rock, Perfect Plan, review, rock, The Monster Inside, Toto | Leave a comment

Single review: FEENSTRA & SIMPSON – Your Eyes Gave You Away

Posted on January 22, 2023 by jason

YouTube A new songwriter outlet for GRTR! writer, radio presenter and promoter Pete Feenstra as he he teams up with John Simpson. No not the TV news reporter but the John Simpson who helped found the Feelgoods, a Dr Feelgood … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged AOR, Feenstra & Simpson, John Simspon, Pete Feenstra, pop, pop rock, review, single, the Feelgoods, Tom Petty, Your Eyes Gave You Away | Leave a comment

Album review: CASEY MAUNDER – Until Your Heart Stops Beating

Posted on January 21, 2023 by jason

Website Once again the musical hand of fate plays a blinder as Casey Maunder sent his debut album in for possible review and boy is it a good one! Casey plays all the guitars, vocals, bass, keys and wrote all … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged album, Casey Maunder, hard rock, melodic rock, Noddy Holder, review, rock, Slade, Stereophonics, Until Your Heart Stops Beating | Leave a comment

Feature: GRTR!@20 Anniversary – Waking The Witch

Posted on January 17, 2023 by jason

Jason Ritchie charts the rise and demise of a favourite band… Waking The Witch initially consisted of Rachel Goodwin, Patsy Matheson, Jools Parker, and Michelle Plum, with Becky Mills replacing Plum in 2005, all of whom also worked as solo … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, GRTR!@20, The Rising Stars Revisited | Tagged Becky Mills, feature, folk, GRTR!@20, indie, interview, Patsy Matheson, Rising Stars, roots, singer songwriter, Waking the Witch | Leave a comment

Album review: JOHN BLEK – Until The Rivers Run Dry

Posted on January 15, 2023 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 17.02.23] This is John Blek’s eighth album and an artist that had not crossed my musical radar until now. The album was recorded over ten days and features Cathy Davy (vocals) – who has appeared on albums … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, folk, indie, John Blek, review, singer songwriter, Until The Rivers Run Dry | Leave a comment

Album title: BEYOND THE BLACK – Beyond The Black

Posted on January 13, 2023 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 13.01.23] Fifth album from Beyond The Black and the third since the 2014 revamped line-up which left vocalist Jenifer Haben as the sole original member. Beyond The Black is completed by lead guitarist Chris Hermsdörfer, rhythm … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged Beyond The Black, Beyond The Black Jennifer Haben, melodic metal, metal, review, self-titled album, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

Gig review: DEWOLFF – Paradiso, Amsterdam, Thursday 5 January 2023

Posted on January 10, 2023 by jason

DeWolff-Love-Death-And-In-Between-150x150

New Album – Love, Death & In Between (Album Launch Party Gig) GRTR! has been trumpeting the extraordinarily versatile southern rock, psychedelic/blues uber-combo, DeWolff, for years now and they have really excelled themselves with their new album, “Love, Death & … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Album Launch, Amsterdam, big band, blues, blues rock, DeWolff, gig, Paradiso, review, rock, Thursday 5 January 2023, van de Poel | Leave a comment

Album review: KING KRAKEN – MCLXXX

Posted on January 4, 2023 by jason

Website [Release date 27.01.23] King Kraken are a 5 five piece from South Wales, formed in September 2018, who are taking the metal scene by storm, festival by festival, gig by gig. Their new album entitled ‘MCLXXX’ is just about … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, debut, King Kraken, MCLXXX, metal, review, rock, Romesh Dodangoda | Leave a comment

Album review: HAMISH HAWK – Angel Numbers

Posted on January 3, 2023 by jason

Post Electric [Release date 03.02.23] Hamish Hawk’s 2021 album ‘Heavy Elevator’ turned this reviewer into a firm fan and expectations are high for this new album. Hamish Hawk again works with Rod Jones of Idlewind on the album. The title … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Angel Numbers, Hamish Hawk, Idlewind, indie pop, pop, review, Samantha Crain | Leave a comment

News: MR BIG, TREVOR RABIN, PINK FLOYD (January 2023)

Posted on December 29, 2022 by jason

Fleetwood Mac - Manchester Phones 4U Arena, 1 October 2013

A.C.T. release a new six song EP ‘Falling’ on March 3. Bryan Adams releases a live version of his 2022 Royal Albert Show, where he played all of his ‘Cuts Like A Knife’ album, on February 3. MVD Marquee Collection … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Exhibitions, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged folk, Frontiers, gigs, metal, Mr Big, new albums, news, pop, prog, Pure Metal/News, re-issues, RIP, rock, special editions, tours | Leave a comment

Album review: KELLY BAYFIELD – Wave Machine

Posted on December 27, 2022 by jason

Self-released [Release date 27.01.23] ‘Wave Machine’ is the debut album from Kelly Bayfield following on from the release of two singles, ‘Vapour Trails’ and ‘John Mahoney’. The songs gathered on this album arrived at some of the most significant points … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Anmericana, country, folk, Kelly Bayfield, Paul Sartin, Phil Beer, pop, review, singer songwriter, Wave Machine | Leave a comment

Album review: AUTUMN’S CHILD – Starflower

Posted on December 23, 2022 by jason

Pride & Joy Music [Release date 20.01.23] Autumn’s Child return with their fourth album ‘Starflower’, the second one released by Pride & Joy Music. The band still features Michael Erlandsson on vocals, keyboards & guitars, Pontus Åkesson on lead guitar, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Autumn's Dream, hard rock, melodic rock, Michael Erlandsson, Queen, review, Starflower, Styx, theatrical | Leave a comment

Album review: DOKKEN – The Elektra Albums 1983-1987

Posted on December 23, 2022 by jason

BMG [Release date 27.01.23] Formed in the late 70s by vocalist and guitarist Don Dokken, the band Dokken shot to fame in the 80s, with their very enjoyable (and successful) blend of hard rock, glam and AOR. BMG continue their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, Reissues | Tagged box set, Dokken, Don Dokken, George Lynch, glam metal, hard rock, melodic metal, metal, reissue, review, The Elektra Albums 1983-1987 | Leave a comment

Album review: URIAH HEEP – Sweet Freedom, Return To Fantasy (vinyl reissues)

Posted on December 23, 2022 by jason

BMG [Release date 20.01.23] BMG continue their marvellous reissue campaign, and these heavyweight discs not only feel and look as good as they sound, but fit in perfectly with the current trend for some quality vinyl. Prog legends Uriah Heep … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 70's rock, classic rock, coloured vinyl, David Byron, John Wetton, Mick Box, re-issues, Return To Fantasy, review, rock, Sweet Freedom, Uriah Heep | Leave a comment

Single reviews: LITTLE LORE, BROTHER FIRETRIBE, KING CUJO

Posted on December 20, 2022 by jason

LITTLE LORE Birds ‘Birds’ is the latest single from Little Lore, the alter-ego of London-based Americana singer-storyteller Tricia Duffy. She is joined on this song by Oli Deakin who adds the instrumental backing. Little Lore: “I wrote ‘Birds’ at a friend’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged alt rock, Brother Firetribe, folk, King Cujo, Little Lore, melodic rock, review, rock, singer songwriter, singles | Leave a comment

Album review: RINGO STARR & HIS ALL-STAR BAND – Live at the Greek 2019

Posted on December 18, 2022 by jason

BFD [Release date 25.11.22] When you are the most famous drummer on the planet and want to tour, there really is a who’s who of musicians in your little black book to call upon. Having first started playing with his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, Beatlyes, Greg Rolie, Live at the Greek 2019, pop, review, Ringo Starr & his All-Star Band, rock, Steve Lukather | Leave a comment

Album review: BARNABAS SKY – What Comes To Light

Posted on December 18, 2022 by jason

Pride & Glory [Release date 20.01.23] The all-star rock project Barnabas Sky, led by guitarist and songwriter Markus Pfeffer (Lazarus Dream, Winterland), is back a year later with album number two. Tyketto’s Danny Vaughn and Silent Rage’s Jesse Damon are … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Barnabus Sky, Dan Reed, Danny Vaughn, Doogie White, hard rock, Lazarus Dream, Markus Pfeffer, melodic metal, melodic rock, review, What Comes To Light | Leave a comment

Gig review: JOHN OTWAY – Face Bar, Reading, Thursday 15 December 2022

Posted on December 16, 2022 by jason

John Otway, Odeon Leicester Square, London, 7 October 2012

This time last year when penning my John Otway gig I noted… “Welcome to the Brave New World/1984 as this was the first gig I was asked to show my covid pass. Sign of the times but if it keeps … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Face Bar. Thursday 15 December 2022, gig, John Otway, punk, reading, review, rock, rock 'n' roll | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE KUT – The Six Six Bar, Cambridge, Sunday 20 November 2022

Posted on December 3, 2022 by jason

It’s been quite the year for The Kut, with leading light Princess Maha having been awarded two song writing awards and latest album GRIT having hit the Number One spot in the rock charts. Rounding off 2022 in celebratory style … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Cambridge, gig, punk rock, review, rock, Sunday 20 November 2022, The Kut, The Six Six Bar | Leave a comment

Album review: AMBERIAN DAWN – Take a Chance – A Metal Tribute to ABBA

Posted on December 2, 2022 by jason

Napalm Records [Release date 02.12.22] Amberian Dawn go full on ABBA tribute mode on their latest album, after doing a sterling job of ABBA’s ‘Lay All Your Love On Me’ (which is also on here) on their previous album, ‘Looking … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Amberian Dawn, melodic metal, pop, pop metal, power metal, review, Take a Chance - A Metal Tribute to ABBA | Leave a comment

News: METALLICA, POWER WOLF, KHYMERA (December 2022)

Posted on November 29, 2022 by jason

Ace Frehley is finishing off his new album for a planned release in early 2023. The Balladmongrels is a new band featuring Dogs D’amour frontman Tyla J. Pallas and singer songwriter Matty James Cassidy. Their debut album, ‘Trouble’, is set … Continue reading →