Author Archives: jason

Album review: TESTAMENT – Brotherhood Of The Snake

Posted on October 24, 2016 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 28.10.16] How many bands with let’s say a 20-30 year lifespan can you name that have consistently released excellent albums from album #1 to <insert latest>? It’s not as easy as it seems. Most bands with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Alex Skolnick, Brotherhood Of The Snake, Chuck Billy, metal, Nuclear Blast, review, Testament, Thrash | Leave a comment

Quick plays: WHITE WIDDOW, ARENA

Posted on October 20, 2016 by jason

WHITE WIDDOW Silhouette AOR Heaven [Release date 28.10.16] White Widdow return with album number four and they carry on where their last album, ‘Crossfire’, left off, with lots of catchy and hook filled AOR tunes – ‘Stranded’ and ‘Smile For … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, Arena, melodic rock, review, rock, Silhouette, White Widdow | Leave a comment

Album review: DEMON – Cemetery Junction

Posted on October 20, 2016 by jason

Spaced Out Music [Release date 28.10.16] Since their last album, 2012′s ‘Unbroken’, Demon have had one line-up change with Karl Waye joining on keyboards replacing Paul Farrington. His is a significant one as this album harks back more the keyboard … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Cemetery Junction, Dave Hill, DEMON, melodic, NWOBHM, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: DATURA4 – Hairy Mountain

Posted on October 20, 2016 by jason

[Release date 28.10.16] How far is it from the west coast of Australia to the west coast of the USA ? Turns out that, musically, it’s about a five minute trip in a space-buggy powered by stardust and riff-diesel. Fremantle’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Datura4, Hairy Mountain, review, rock, southern | Leave a comment

Interview: GUY BAILEY (THIRSTY)

Posted on October 19, 2016 by jason

Guy Bailey gives the latest on Thirsty, who’s latest album ‘Albatross’ is out now… 1. How pleased are you with the reception that Thirsty has continued to receive as a band? We are all delighted. From the very beginning, when … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions | Tagged blues, Chris Kimsey, Guy Bailey, interview, poetry, rock, Squeeze, Stoke City, Thirsty, Tyla | Leave a comment

Album review: THE ANSWER – Solas

Posted on October 18, 2016 by jason

Napalm Records [Release date 28.10.16] The Answer celebrated the 10th anniversary of their debut album ‘Rise’, an album they have struggled at times to live up to. However, on this new album ‘Solas’ (the Gaelic word for light) they have … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, folk, Gaelic, review, rock, Solas, THE ANSWER | Leave a comment

Single review: MIKE PETERS & THE ALARM – In The Poppyfields

Posted on October 18, 2016 by jason

The Twenty First Century Recording Company [Release date 11.11.16] These three songs were recorded on October 10 2015 in front of 2,000 fans at the Donald Gordon Theatre. Mike Peters and the Alarm were joined by the Welsh Pops Orchestra, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged classic, In The Poppy Fields, Mike Peters, Remembrance Day, review, rock, single, The Alarm | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACKBERRY SMOKE – Like An Arrow

Posted on October 17, 2016 by jason

Earache Records [Release date 15.10.16] Blackberry Smoke are back with the follow-up to last year’s ‘Holding All The Roses’, an Album of the Year selection here at GRTR! and a rare five star album from me. So no pressure then … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Blackberry Smoke, classic, country, Greg Allman, Like An Arrow, review, rock, southern | Leave a comment

Quick plays: FOREST FIELD, CTP (Christian Tolle Project)

Posted on October 15, 2016 by jason

FOREST FIELD Lonely Desert Rock Company [Release date 21.10.16] Thankfully this time the band have an album cover more suited to their prog rock leanings than last year’s ‘Angels’ cover. The band is focused around Peter Cox who wrote all … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, Christian Tolle Project, CTP, Forest Field, John Parr, Lonely Desert, melodic rock, Michael Voss, Now & Then, Phil Vincent, prog, progressive, review, Steve Lukather | Leave a comment

Album review: NO POWER NO CROWN – The Wake Up Call

Posted on October 13, 2016 by jason

One of the most energetic and entertaining live bands out of the Charlotte, NC area also happens to be one that tends to fall under the radar. They’re called No Power No Crown and they’ve been delivering their brand of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, metal, NO POWER NO CROWN, review, rock, Stuck Mojo, The Wake Up Call | Leave a comment

Quick plays: X-CALIBER, CHRISTILLOW, HAVOC

Posted on October 13, 2016 by jason

If I have built a reputation as a reviewer (have I?) it would be that I tend to write about the oddball and obscure bands from the past as well as homegrown talent from my area. I’ve always sought out … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Back For The Kill, Christillow, Havoc, melodic, metal, review, rock, Standing In The Rain, Warriors Of The Night, X- Caliber | Leave a comment

EP review: POWER QUEST – Face The Raven

Posted on October 12, 2016 by jason

Twas a sad day when Power Quest called it a day back in 2013. Main man Steve Williams joined Eden’s Curse and now in 2016 he’s brought Power Quest back after leaving Eden’s Curse amicably. Joining him are guitarist Gavin … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Ashley Edison, Dendera, EP, Face The Raven, interview, metal, power metal, Power Quest, Steve Williams | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL ARMSTRONG – s/t

Posted on October 12, 2016 by jason

Harbour Light Music After a quick search on the website I realised I had reviewed a single by Michael Armstrong, ‘Radio Days’, which makes this debut album. This self-titled album has been available since last year via Amazon and the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged ALBERT LEE, album, Elliot Randall, Michael Armstrong, Phil Palmer, pop, review, rock, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: EDEN’S CURSE – Cardinal

Posted on October 12, 2016 by jason

AFM Records [Release date 14.10.16] Based in Scotland, Germany, Finland and Serbia, this is the band’s fifth studio album for long time label AFM Records and with two new additions – keyboardist Christian Pulkinnen and drummer John Clelland – the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Cardinal, Eden's Curse, Leaves' Eyes, Liv Kristine, melodic, metal, power metal, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: BAD TOUCH – Truth Be Told

Posted on October 12, 2016 by jason

[Release date 02.12.16] Bad Touch hail from Norfolk, yet this album sounds like the Black Crowes jamming with Free. Their debut album, 2015′s ‘Half Way Home’ received rave reviews and they have built up a reputation as a fine live … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bad Touch, Black Crowes, Chris Kimsey, classic rock, review, rock, Rolling Stones, southern rock, Truth Be Told | Leave a comment

Album review: NIVA – Atmospherical

Posted on October 11, 2016 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 28.10.16] Tony Niva is the former Lion’s Share vocalist and also released the enjoyable Oxygen ‘Final Warning’ on Escape Music back in 2o12. On this album he is joined by Lars Chriss (who has played and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR Heaven, Atmospherical, Lion's Share, melodic, Niva, review, rock, Tony Niva | Leave a comment

Quick plays: ALBERT AF EKENSTAM, ROADKILL, FRACTALMIND

Posted on October 11, 2016 by jason

ALBERT AF EKENSTAM Ashes Kning Disk [Release date 14.10.16] ‘Ashes’ is the debut album from Albert af Ekenstam, who is a member of Tempel and his fellow band member Filip Leyman joins him on drums/keys/production. Singer/guitarist Sumie Nagano and trumpeter … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged Albert af Ekenstam, album, Ashes, Chris Goss, Extinct, Fractalmind, progressive, Rat Scabies, review, Roadkill, rock, singer songwriter, Stainless, The Mutants, Tragic Earth | Leave a comment

DVD review: YOUTH – Sketch, Drugs & Rock n’ Roll

Posted on October 11, 2016 by jason

Cadiz Music [Release date 23.09.16] Producer, artist, poet, DJ and bass player, who has also worked as a producer and remixer for the likes of Paul McCartney, U2, Guns n Roses, Primal Scream and Boy George (and that is just … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged alternative, David Gilmour, documentary, DVD, interview, Killing Joke, Paul McCartney, review, rock, Sketch Drugs & Rock n’ Roll, Youth | Leave a comment

DVD review: THE EVERLY BROTHERS – Harmonies From Heaven

Posted on October 11, 2016 by jason

Eagle Vision [Release date 09.09.16] Between 1957 and 1962 Don and Phil Everly dominated the pop charts on both sides of the Atlantic. With hits like ‘Wake Up Little Susie’, ‘Cathy’s Clown’, ‘Crying In The Rain’, ‘Bye Bye Love’ and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged 50's, 60's, DVD, Eagle Vision, Harmonies From Heaven, pop, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, the Everly Brothers | Leave a comment

DVD review: THE BEACH BOYS – Classic Albums Pet Sounds

Posted on October 10, 2016 by jason

Eagle Vision [Release date 23.09.16] One of the most important and significant albums in the history of popular culture, it is now 50 years since The Beach Boys released ‘Pet Sounds’, a hugely influential album that amazingly took 20 years … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged 60's, Brian Wilson, Classic Albums, DVD, Eagle Vision, Pet Sounds, pop, review, surf music, The Beach Boys | Leave a comment

DVD review: SCORPIONS – Forever And A Day

Posted on October 10, 2016 by jason

Eagle Vision [Release date 30.09.16] New Scorpions documentary ‘Forever and A Day’ was filmed on what was supposed to be that band’s farewell tour and climaxes with their final show in Munich, as such it is reflective, honest and insightful. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged classic, classic rock, DVD, Eagle Rock, Forever and A Day, Klaus Meine, review, rock, Rudolf Schenker, Scorpions | Leave a comment

Interview: THOSE DAMN CROWS

Posted on October 10, 2016 by jason

These Damn Crows – Shane Greenhall, Ian “Shiner” Thomas, Lloyd Wood, Ronnie Huxford and David Winchurch – have just released their debut album ‘Murder and the Motive’, which comes highly recommended by us here at GRTR! Over to the band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions | Tagged album, Bullet For My Valentine, interview, metal, modern, rock, the Murder and the Motive, Those Damn Crows | Leave a comment

Quick plays: REDLINE MESSIAH, OPERATION: MINDCRIME, SEVENTH WONDER

Posted on October 5, 2016 by jason

REDLINE MESSIAH Buzzbomd Records Redline Messiah hail from the Mid-West and are made up from a melting pot of Chicago and California punk and metal veterans. Having formed only last year, the band’s debut album is a punk laced melodic … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Chain Wallet, Frontiers, GEOFF TATE, indie pop, metal, Operation: Mindcrime, Prog Power USA, progressive metal, Queensryche, Redline Messiah, Resurrection, review, rock, Seventh Wonder, sleaze | Leave a comment

Album review: DIRKSCHNEIDER – Back To The Roots

Posted on October 5, 2016 by jason

AFM Records [Release date 28.10.16] If you don’t know who Udo Dirkschneider is, you’re either really young or not a metal fan. Former singer for legendary German metal band Accept, Udo has one of the most distinctive voices in the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged Accept, album, Back To The Roots, classic, Dirkschneider, metal, review, UDO | Leave a comment

Album review: TILT – Hinterland

Posted on September 29, 2016 by jason

Tilt Music Some albums come out of nowhere with no expectations and simply blow you away musically. Tilt’s debut ‘Hinterland’ is one of those albums and I was hooked from the first playing of this album. The album itself has … Continue reading →