Author Archives: jason

Album review: EMPATH – Visitor

EMPATH – Visitor

Fat Possum Records  [Release date 11.02.22] Upon first listen to Empath’s new album Visitor, a rich blend of artistic influences jumped out within the individualistic sound the Philly foursome have to offer. Psych-rock royalty like 13th Floor Elevators, The Velvet … Continue reading

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Album review: UK SUBS – A Punk Rock Anthology 1978-2017

UK SUBS – A Punk Rock Anthology 1978-2017

Edsel [Release date 28.1.22] The UK Subs back catalogue is the gift that keeps on giving, surely qualifying them as one of the most compiled groups of the punk/new wave era. The beauty of this 56 track 2CD set is … Continue reading

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News: SAXON, ALICE COOPER, THE UNDERTONES (February 2022)

Accept have signed with Napalm Records. Aerosmith release ’1971: The Road Starts Here’ on April 8. Angel Nation release their new album ‘Antares on April 8 through Inner Wound Recordings. Autograph have signed with Frontiers with a new album due … Continue reading

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Album review: BETH HART – A Tribute To Led Zeppelin

BETH HART – A Tribute To Led Zeppelin

Provogue/Mascot Label Group [Release date 25.02.22] A brave move by Beth Hart to take on the musical catalogue of such an iconic band, some would argue the various covers of Led Zeppelin’s music has been done to excess already. However, … Continue reading

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Album review: OYSTERBAND – Read The Sky

OYSTERBAND – Read The Sky

Running Man Records [Release date 04.03.22] After an 8-year gap – as the band explain “hey, we were busy” – the Oysterband return with their twelfth studio album, (fourteen including their two collaborative albums with June Tabor). Oysterband have been … Continue reading

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Album review: STEVE VAI – Inviolate

STEVE VAI - Inviolate

Favored Nations/Mascot Label Group [Release date 28.01.22 - vinyl 18.03.22] With over 40 years in the music industry, Steve Vai should need no introduction, he is a virtuoso guitarist, composer and producer, considered by many as one of the greatest … Continue reading

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Album review: BATTLE BEAST – Circus of Doom

BATTLE BEAST – Circus of Doom

Nuclear Blast [Release date 21.01.22] Album number six from Battle Beast, after a bit of a gap since 2019’s highly enjoyable ‘No More Hollywood Endings’. Their line-up remains the same, namely Eero Sipilä (bass), Pyry Vikki (drums), Janne Björkroth (keytar), … Continue reading

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Album review: URIAH HEEP – vinyl picture discs

URIAH HEEP - …Very ‘Eavy …Very ‘Umble

…Very ‘Eavy …Very ‘Umble, Salisbury, Demons And Wizards, The Magician’s Birthday BMG [Release date 28.01.22] Led by the ever present and ever grinning guitarist Mick Box (the sole remaining founding member), Uriah Heep are iconic legends in British progressive rock. … Continue reading

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Album review: HEAL & HARROW

Heal & Harrow - Rachel Newton & Lauren MacColl

Website [Release date 04.02.22] Composer, singer and harpist Rachel Newton (The Shee, The Furrow Collective, Spell Songs) and fiddle player Lauren MacColl’s (Salt House, Rant) new project, Heal & Harrow, is a tribute to those persecuted during the Scottish Witch … Continue reading

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Album review: iVARDENSPHERE – Ragemaker

iVARDENSPHERE - Ragemaker

Metropolis Records [Release date 04.02.22] Albums like this one are why, after nearly twenty years reviewing for GRTR!, my love of discovering and hearing new music shows no signs of waning. Not for everyone this one, as industrial-tribalist iVardenspehere weaves … Continue reading

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Album review: DOM PRAG – Needle & Thread

DOM PRAG – Needle & Thread

Website [Release date 04.02.22] Dom Prag has been steeped in the traditions of the classical guitar since childhood, then learning to play blues and composing songs of his own. He still plays in the classical style, however, his song writing … Continue reading

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Album review: PETER GOALBY – Easy With The Heartaches

PETER GOALBY – Easy With The Heartaches

Cherry Red Records [Release date 10.12.21] Peter Goalby was the vocalist on a trio of albums released in the 80s by Uriah Heep – Abominog, Head First and Equator. After he left the band in 1986 little was heard from … Continue reading

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Album review: SAXON – Carpe Diem

SAXON - Carpe Diem

Silver Lining [Release date 04.02.22] Saxon, one of the world’s most consistent and reliable classic metal bands, a name synonymous with the New Wave Of British Heavy (NWoBHM); there were there at the start in the late 70s. Hits such … Continue reading

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Album review: KISSIN’ DYNAMITE – Not The End Of The Road

Kissin’ Dynamite - Not the End of the Road

Napalm Records [Release date 21.01.22] Kissin’ Dynamite is a German band, formed in 2007. Entertaining the public with great albums for over 20 years, they now release their new album, ‘Not the End of the Road’, and it would be … Continue reading

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EP review: JASON SWEENEY – Welcome To Bathvegas

JASON SWEENEY - Bathvegas

Facebook [Release date 07.01.22] We’ve played a couple of songs Jason Sweeney released last year on GRTR! Radio, including the rather good ‘She’s A Fighter’. Now he kicks off 2022 with a new five song EP where he is joined … Continue reading

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Album review: SONATA ARTICA – Acoustic Adventures: Volume One

SONATA ARTICA - Acoustic Adventures - Volume One

Atomic Fire Records [Release date 21.01.22] After Sonata Artica toured in 2016 with an acoustic set and then again in 2019. From these two successful tours the idea was born to capture these versions on two acoustic albums, the second … Continue reading

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EP review: MACHINE’S DREAM – Earth

MACHINE’S DREAM - Earth

Bandcamp [Release date 25.12.21] Machine’s Dream released this four track EP on Christmas Day via Bandcamp as a ‘pay what you can’ release. The EP not only serves as a taster from their new album due later this year on … Continue reading

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News: BIG BIG TRAIN, DIAMOND DOGS, NICK MASON (January 2022)

Dare - GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 26 January 2019

Alestorm begin work on their next album, ‘Seventh Rum Of A Seventh Rum’, which will be released on Napalm Records later this year. Arch Enemy will release their latest studio album, ‘Deceivers’, via Century Media Records on July 29. Big … Continue reading

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Quick plays: BLACKLITE DISTRICT, NORTHTALE

blacklite district 1990

BLACKLITE DISTRICT – 1990 AK19 Entertainment, LLC [Release date 31.12.21] Kyle Pfeiffer is better known by the name Blacklite District and has been releasing music since 2011. The album title gives a little clue to the sounds contained within, as the … Continue reading

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Album review: L.A. GUNS – Checkered Past

L.A. GUNS - Checkered Past

Frontiers [Release date 12.11.21] When vocalist Phil Lewis and guitarist Tracii Guns buried the hatchet and started working together again, they breathed new life into L.A Guns and, whilst retaining the sleaze and swagger of their 80’s and early 90’s … Continue reading

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Album review: AT THE MOVIES – The Soundtrack of Your Life Vol. 1 & 2

AT THE MOVIES – The Soundtrack of Your Life Vol. 1

Atomic Fire Records [Release date 07.01.22] Pretty Maids Chris Laney has been watching lots of movies during the pandemic and he noticed how great the soundtracks often were. So, At The Movies was born when he enlisted drummer Allan Sørensen … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE DARKNESS – 02 Academy, Bristol, Tuesday 7 December 2021

Darkness1

Never have I seen a queue so big so early at the 02 Academy in Bristol, particularly on a school night – and this had nothing to do with the time taken to show covid status and get in, which … Continue reading

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Album review: BITE THE BULLET – End of the Line

BITE THE BULLET - End of the Line

Escape Music [Release date 22.01.22] Bite the Bullet trace their origins back to 1986 and still feature the original duo of Mick Benton (Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards) and Graham Cowling (Drums). They released a strong comeback album, ‘Black and White’, … Continue reading

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Album review: HAWKWIND – Dust Of Time

HAWKWIND - Dust Of Time

Atomhenge [Release date 10.12.21] Synonymous with Space Rock and the surprise hit single Silver Machine, Hawkwind are one of the UK’s most revered and hard working rock bands. Formed in the late 60s, they mixed blues rock, progressive and space … Continue reading

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Gig review: JOHN OTWAY – Sub89, Reading, Wednesday 15 December 2021

Otway The Movie: Rock & Roll's Greatest Failure

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 live music and entertainment going then it is a small price to … Continue reading

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