Author Archives: jason

Album review: PHARMACOSE – Prescription Fiction

Pharmacose - Prescription Fiction

Indie [Release date 22.02.22] Rock is a genre that holds the key to so many subgenres. The umbrella term for so many artists, it may seem too broad a word. But sometimes we really do just need the reliability of … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE VIBRATORS – The Albums 1985-1990

THE VIBRATORS – The Albums 1985-1990

Captain Oi!/Cherry Red One of the finest bands of the original punk era, the early years of The Vibrators have already been comprehensively collected by Cherry Red in two previous box sets. Their commercially successful years were well behind them … Continue reading →

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Album review: BLACK VALLEY MOON – Songs From The Black Valley

BLACK VALLEY MOON - Songs From The Black Valley

Otitis Media Records [Release date 25.02.22] Black Valley Moon was formed in 2019 by guitarist Sam Williams (Down By Law) and started as an instrumental surf band, however, during the recent global pandemic they added vocalist Ray Vega. The band … Continue reading →

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Album review: ANDY IRVINE & PAUL BRADY

Andy Irvine & Paul Brady

Compass Records [Release date 04.03.22] Andy Irvine/Paul Brady is an album recorded by Andy Irvine and Paul Brady when they formed a duo, after Planxty broke up for the first time in 1975. For this recording they were joined by … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: PAUL TASKER, BLACK LAKES, D’ERCOLE

PAUL TASKER Tierra Quemada

PAUL TASKER Tierra Quemada Yellowroom Records [Release date 01.04.22] Paul Tasker is now releasing his second instrumental album, best known for being co-songwriter with Doghouse Roses and a previous member of the Willard Grant Conspiracy. The album’s title translates to … Continue reading →

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Gig review: THE HAWKMEN – The Face Bar, Reading, Thursday 3 March 2022

THE HAWKMEN FACEBAR 1

New venue to this reviewer, the Face Bar is a nice little venue tucked away from the main nightlife area of Reading. One thing Reading certainly has is a lively and varied nightlife! A decent sized crowd for a Thursday … Continue reading →

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Single review: MORS PRINCIPIUM EST – The Lust Called Knowledge

MORS PRINCIPIUM EST - The Lust Called Knowledge

AFM Records You have to confess that the emphasis is on the “Melodic” when Mors Prncipium Est are described as Melodic Death Metal. New album, ‘Liberate The Unborn Humanity’, which is an interesting proposition, is due out on 8 April … Continue reading →

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News: SKID ROW, STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL, BOWLING FOR SOUP (March 2022)

Belle and Sebastian’s new album ‘A Bit Of Previous’ will arrive on May 6 via Matador. Graham Bonnet Band will release a new album, ‘Day Out In Nowhere’, on May 13 via Frontiers. Don Airey guests on one song. Bowling For Soup … Continue reading →

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EP review: THE CRUX – Time and Space

THE CRUX – Time and Space

Facebook [Release date 22.04.22] The Crux were founded in 2009 by heavy metal loving brothers James Boyd & Neil Ward. Having released a self-titled EP in 2009 under the name Warcrux, they played multiple shows in Northern Ireland & Ireland … Continue reading →

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Album review: BIRD IN THE BELLY – After The City

BIRD IN THE BELLY – After The City

GF*M Records [Release date 25.02.22] Bird in the Belly return with their third record ‘After the City’. A concept record based around the novel ‘After London; or Wild England’ by Richard Jefferies, is an early example of post-apocalyptic fiction first … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE – Fascination

The Birthday Massacre – Fascination

Metropolis Records [Release date 18.02.22] Have you ever craved the thick tones of electric guitars over synths in a dark, electronic cocktail of gothic delightfulness? The Birthday Massacre might just be the thing you are missing. Unless of course, like … Continue reading →

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Album review: SEAN TAYLOR – The Beat Goes On

sean taylor the beat goes on

www.seantaylorsongs.com [Release date 14.01.22] Sean Taylor said he has made a deliberate attempt to accentuate a positive message of enjoying life through arts, love, music, things that bring people together. He sings “lose yourself in music, feel every note that … Continue reading →

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Interview: RONNI LE TEKRO

thumbnail_Ronni Le Tekrø 2 - photo credits Carl Eek

Ronni Le Tekrø is considered one of the world’s most influential metal guitarists, first and foremost with his band TNT, but also as a solo artist and studio musician. Tekrø has sold over 4 Million albums with TNT and was … Continue reading →

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Gig review: CHANTEL McGREGOR & AYNSLEY LISTER – The Stables, Milton Keynes, 6 February 2022

Chantel McGregor - RAMBLIN' MAN FESTIVAL - Day 3 - Mote Park, Maidstone - 21 July 2019

Original co-headliner, Finnish guitarist Erja Lyytinen, was unable to travel due to Covid restrictions. Fortunately, Chantel McGregor could call upon an old friend, Aynsley Lister, to join her for three nights of her tour, the last of which was at … Continue reading →

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Album review: TRICK OR TREAT – Creepy Symphonies

TRICK OR TREAT – Creepy Symphonies

Scarlet Records [Release date 01.04.22] ‘Creepy Symphonies’ is the seventh studio album from Trick Or Treat, who always entertain with their music. Like Freedom Call, Trick Or Treat like to think of their music as happy metal. Vocalist Alle Conti … Continue reading →

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EP review: LORDS OF RUIN – Ruin Within

LORDS OF RUIN - Ruin Within

Website [Release 24.01.22; streaming services from 14.02.22] Metal band, Lords of Ruin have released their long-awaited debut EP, following the inevitable Covid delays to production and release, which have affected so many up-and-coming bands. It literally stalled them in their … Continue reading →

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Single review: SKINNY KNOWLEDGE – I Wonder

SKINNY KNOWLEDGE - I Wonder

Facebook [Release date 25.02.22] Bournemouth based rockers, Skinny Knowledge follow up on their awesome debut album, ‘Don’t Turn Out the Lights’ with a new single, ‘I Wonder’. The single continues the band’s own brand of high energy, alternative rock that … Continue reading →

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Album review: JAMIE’S GUNS – Sex, Drugs & Weapons of War

JAMIE'S GUNS – Sex, Drugs & Weapons of War

Facebook [Release date 04.01.22] This band was one of my lucky finds in 2021, when I spotted the debut self-titled album in the NWOCR Facebook group, and I have been sharing their music far and wide ever since, whilst eagerly … Continue reading →

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Album review: JOHNNY COPPIN – River Of Dreams

JOHNNY COPPIN – River Of Dreams

Red Sky Records [Release date 25.02.22] Johnny Coppin is a singer songwriter who was a member of Decameron back in the 1970′s and has released over a dozen solo albums to date. He has toured as part of a duo … Continue reading →

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Album review: SLADE – Alive, Slade In Flame (splatter vinyl)

SLADE - Alive, Slade In Flame (splatter vinyl)

BMG [Release date 26.11.21] BMG continue their excellent Slade reissue campaign. The West Midlands glam rock legends had many a hit in the 70s. Fronted by Noddy Holder, they were the face of laddish glam hard rock. After a difficult … Continue reading →

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Album review: PETER KNIGHT & JOHN SPIERS – Both In A Tune

PETER KNIGHT & JOHN SPIERS – Both In A Tune

Website [Release date 11.02.22] Peter Knight defines a progressive musician as he always seeks to further his music, be it traditional tunes given a new arrangement, or his own compositions. Famous of course as a member of Steeleye Span until … Continue reading →

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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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