Author Archives: jason

Gig review: BROKEN WITT REBELS – Water Rats, London, 2 April 2016

Posted on April 3, 2016 by jason

Another new venue to me, although it has been hosting gigs since the early 1960′s, albeit then under another name, The Pindar of Wakefield. Bob Dylan, the Pogues and, err, Katy Perry have graced the stage here. A front bar/dining … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged blues, Broken Witt Rebels, Danny Core, gig review, James Dudley, James Tranter, live, Luke Davis, rock, soul, Water Rats | Leave a comment

Album review: BELLOWHEAD – Live The Farewell Tour

Posted on April 1, 2016 by jason

Navigator Records [Release date 08.04.16] Bellowhead formed in 2004 and since then they have headed major UK and international festivals, selling out tours of major concert halls and selling in excess of 250,000 albums. Their last studio album, ‘Revival’ debuted … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, Bellowhead, folk, gigs, Live The Farewell Tour, Navigator Records, review | Leave a comment

Quick plays: ALMANAC, MOULETTES, BREAK THE SENSES

Posted on March 29, 2016 by jason

ALMANAC Tsar Nuclear Blast [Release date 18.03.16] Rage had a major line-up change last year, one of which saw guitarist Victor Smolski leave the band and he wasted little time in assembling Almanac. This album is a concept piece based … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Almanac, Break The Senses, David Readman, folk, metal, Moulettes, Perfect Nature, Pink Cream 69, power metal, Preternatural, prog, Rage, review, Tsar, Victor Smolski | Leave a comment

Album review: DRIVE, SHE SAID – Pedal To The Metal

Posted on March 28, 2016 by jason

Frontiers www.frontiers.it [Release date 15.04.16] Mark Mangold and Al Fritsch appeared under the Touch banner at the 2014 Firefest and this sparked them creating new music, hence now we have the first new Drive, She Said (DSS) album since 2003′s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Drive, melodic, Pedal To The Metal, pomp, review, rock, She Said | Leave a comment

EP review: IMPAVIDUS – s/t

Posted on March 25, 2016 by jason

www.impavidus.bandcamp.com/releases [Release date 27.1.16] Manchester born Impavidus are currently tearing venues all around the UK apart and their newly released EP is the damning evidence. Formed from members of both My Wooden Pillow and Driven Apart, Impavidus provide a cutting … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Arch Enemy, debut, EP, Gojira, Impavidus, Machine Head, metal, review | Leave a comment

Album review: AFRO CELT SOUND SYSTEM – The Source

Posted on March 22, 2016 by jason

ECC Records [Release date 29.04.16] Before starting this review a disclaimer of sorts in that this is one version of the Afro Celt Sound System (ACSS). The band reunited last year, however Simon Emmerson announced he was leaving and formed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Afro celt Sound System, album, dance, folk, Griogair, Johnny Kalsi, N’Faly Kouyate, review, Simon Emmerson, the Dohl Foundation, the Source, world music | Leave a comment

Album review: TAX THE HEAT – Fed To The Lions

Posted on March 19, 2016 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 08.04.16] I first came across Tax The Heat supporting prog/pomp rock veterans Kansas back in 2014 and was suitably impressed by their live show. Since then they have toured extensively and signed with Nuclear Blast. The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alt rock, blues rock, Fed to the Lions, Nuclear Blast, review, rock, Tax The Heat | Leave a comment

News: 7 Bands to Watch – Download 2016

Posted on March 19, 2016 by jason

Here GRTR!’s Dillon Grant casts his expert eyes and ears over seven of the ‘must see’ bands at this year’s Download Festival. You can read the full article here including some who just missed the cut. Download 2015 reviews 7. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, NEWS | Tagged alternative, Atreyu, Breaking Benjamin, Download, festival, Ghost, Gojira, Hardcore, Havoc, metal, Neck Deep, rock, The Amity Affliction | Leave a comment

Album review: METAL CHURCH – XI

Posted on March 17, 2016 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 25.03.16] Metal Church are back and they bring the incredibly impressive XI. This is your typical thrash release from Metal Church, and that’s not a bad thing. Formed in what is known as Thrash’s golden era … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, metal, Metal Church, Mike Howe, Nuclear Blast, review, XI | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DOWLING POOLE – One Hyde Park

Posted on March 14, 2016 by jason

369 Music www.thedowlingpoole.com [Released 08.04.16] The Dowling Poole’s 2014 debut album ‘Bleak Strategies’ easily made my year end top 10, so this new album has a lot to live up to. Based around the duo of Willie Dowling (Jackdaw4/the Grip/the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 10CC, album, Beatles, Jon Poole, One Hyde Park, pop, pop rock, power pop, review, THE DOWLING POOLE, Willie Dowling, XTC | Leave a comment

Quick plays: COLOUR OF NOISE, WHITE WINE

Posted on March 12, 2016 by jason

COLOUR OF NOISE www.colourofnoiseofficial.com The band maybe new, however two key members aren’t as the line-up features former Little Angels guitarist Bruce J Dickinson and on vocals Matt Mitchell (Furyon/ex-Pride). The band’s sound is steeped in the bands of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alternative, Bruce J Dickinson, classic rock, Colour Of Noise, esoteric, Furyon, hard rock, Little Angels, Matt Mitchell, punk, Quick Play, reviews, Sancho Panzer, Skin, synths, White Wine, Who Cares What The Laser Says?, Your Own Accord | Leave a comment

Gig review: SABATON – Glasgow Barrowlands, 3 March 2016

Posted on March 10, 2016 by jason

Pirates, tanks and a night to remember! Scotland’s very own Alestorm stopped over in Glasgow and with them came Sweden’s Sabaton and Bloodbound. The Barrowlands was, on the night a venue filled with a mix of Sabaton’s trademark bulletproof vests … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 3 March 2016, Alestorm, Barrowlands, Bloodbound, gig, Glasgow, metal, pirates, review, Sabaton | Leave a comment

Album review: DOOGIE WHITE & LA PAZ – Shut Up And Rawk

Posted on March 9, 2016 by jason

Metal Mind Productions [Release date 08.04.16] Doogie White & La Paz are back with their third album since they reunited back in 2009. Doogie White and guitarist Chic McSherry are the main songwriters again, between them creating a fine piece … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, Doogie White, hard rock, La Paz, Michael Schenker, Rainbow, review, rock, Shut Up And Rawk | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DUNWELLS – Light Up The Sky

Posted on March 8, 2016 by jason

Concord Records [Release date 26.02.16] The Dunwells debut album ‘Blind Sighted Faith’ is a firm favourite in my collection and there has been high anticipation for this follow-up. It has been a few years in the making, with the band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, electro, folk, harmonies, indie, Light Up The Sky, pop, review, rock, The Dunwells, vocals | Leave a comment

Album review: VAN CANTO – Voices Of Fire

Posted on March 8, 2016 by jason

earMusic [Release date 11.03.16] Van Canto are back and this time they have come up with a vocal metal opera. They have teamed up with German author Christoph Hardebusch, who has come up with the story line based on his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, choral, Christoph Hardebusch, EarMusic, metal, review, VAN CANTO, Voices Of Fire | Leave a comment

Album review: TOSELAND – Cradle The Rage

Posted on March 7, 2016 by jason

52 Music [Release date 11.03.16] Second album from the band Toseland, the band fronted by James Toseland, who switched bikes for the stage and music. The band’s debut album, Renegade’ gained favourable reviews including our own David Wilson who gave … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Cradle The Rage, hard rock, James Toseland, Little Angels, review, rock, Toby Jepsson, Toseland | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE CHRIS ROBINSON BROTHERHOOD – Paradio, Amsterdam, 3 March 2016

Posted on March 7, 2016 by jason

Call it ear-gasmic sonic science, like being wrapped in whisky-soaked cotton wool blanket of classic Americana – the superlatives escape me but you would be very remiss not to catch the Chris Robinson Brotherhood (CRB) as soon as you can … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Americana, Amsterdam, Black Crowes, blues, gig review, Paradio, rock, the Chris Robinson Brotherhood | Leave a comment

Album review: LEFT WITH PICTURES – Afterlife

Posted on February 29, 2016 by jason

Organ Grinder Records [Release date 29.04.16] Left With Pictures describe their music as an orchestral pop ensemble. They have been around since 2005 and consist of Tom Walker, Toby Knowles and Stuart Barter. They have released a series of EP’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Afterlife, album, atmospheric, classical, Left With Pictures, Organ Grinder Records, pop, review, synth pop, synths | Leave a comment

Album review: THE WONDER STUFF – 30 Goes Around The Sun

Posted on February 27, 2016 by jason

IRL records [Release date 19.03.16] This is the Wonder Stuff’s eighth studio album and the album’s title refers to the bands thirtieth year. Vocalist/guitarist Miles Hunt is the sole original member (and his uncle Bill was a member of both … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 30 Goes Around The Sun, album, alternative, classic, indie, Miles Hunt, pop, review, The Wonder Stuff | Leave a comment

Interview: EXUMER

Posted on February 27, 2016 by jason

Dillon Grant put some questions to Exumer’s founding member singer/bassist Mem V. Stein. The band has just released a new album, ‘The Raging Tides’, on Metal Blade Records. The new album, “The Raging Tides” is your fourth studio album and potentially … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Interviews | Tagged Exumer, interview, Mem V Stein, metal, Metal Blade Records, pure metal, the Raging Tides, Thrash | Leave a comment

Album review: MYRATH – Legacy

Posted on February 25, 2016 by jason

earMUSIC [Release date 29.04.16] As a fan of multi-cultural bands, in particular within the metal world, anything that is even remotely ethnic sounding is going to get a good word from me. So few bands will dare wear their roots … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Legacy, metal, Myarth, progressive, review, rock | Leave a comment

EP review: KODY – Letting Go

Posted on February 25, 2016 by jason

www.kodyofficial.com [Release date 05.03.16] Debut release from Kody who wrote and produced the four songs on here, as well as playing guitar. He is joined by Cosmas Mylon on bass and Francesco Azzariti on drums. Kody has poured a lot … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged alternative, EP, Kody, Letting Go, review, rock, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

EP review: SPREADING THE DISEASE – Viral

Posted on February 23, 2016 by jason

https://www.facebook.com/spreadingthedisease.official Spreading The Disease hail from Kent and the five piece consist of Adam May (vocals), Julien Riquelme (lead guitar), Martin Osborne (vocals/rhytmn guitar), Steve Saunders (bass) and Edd Saunders (drums). This is the band’s debut EP ahead of a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Single and EP reviews | Tagged Anthrax, EP, Machine Head, metal, review, screamo, SLIPKNOT, Spreading The Disease, Thrash, Viral | Leave a comment

Album review: AOR – L.A. Darkness

Posted on February 23, 2016 by jason

Escape Music www.escape-music.com [Release date 22.03.16] Frédéric Slama is back with the latest installment of the AOR series, number fifteen to be precise. Joining him are an impressive list of singers including Jeff Scott Soto and Steve Overland, plus Tommy … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Frederic Slama, Jeff Scott Soto, Kevin Chalfant, LA Darkness, melodic, Philip Bardowell, review, rock, Steve Overland, Tommy Denander | Leave a comment

Gig review: ENTER SHIKARI – Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, 19 February 2016

Posted on February 23, 2016 by jason

The King Blues – Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, 19 February 2016

Enter Shikari, a band renowned for their live performances, be it in the living room of bassist Chris Batten’s parent’s house (see video for ‘Sorry You’re Not a Winner’), the summer festival fields or in this instance, Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange. … Continue reading →