Author Archives: Yiannis

Album review: GRAND MAGUS – Triumph And Power

Nuclear Blast – Out Now. Having fronted Swedish Stoner Metal legends Spiritual Beggars for eight whole years (2002-10), guitarist/vocalist Janne “JB” Christoffersson decided to change course and move into more ‘classic’ musical territory by forming his very own heavy power-trio … Continue reading

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Album review: HELL – Curse & Chapter

Nuclear Blast – Out Now. Theatrics and Rock music have been enjoying a symbiotic relationship for many years and it is this interesting partnership that is often responsible for the atmospheric and lyrical themes of our beloved music. With legends … Continue reading

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Interview with JOE McGUIAN (Gama Bomb) – 1 February 2014

While most young musicians first pick up their instrument in hope of fame and fortune Joe McGuian, bassist of the Irish Thrash Metal combo Gama Bomb chose, a long time ago, to do so for what he described as ‘all … Continue reading

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Interview with ANDREAS KISSER (Sepultura) – 6 February 2014

If you had told my 18 year old self that one day I would be sitting face to face with Andreas Kisser, having a conversation about a new album, I would almost certainly have laughed in your face. Well, this … Continue reading

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Album review: VANDENBERG’S MOONKINGS – Vandenberg’s Moonkings

Vandenberg

Mascot Records [Release Date: 24.02.14] Adrian Vandenberg is back! The man responsible for the sensational guitar solo in Whitesnake’s all time classic “Here I Go Again” and whose collaboration with David Coverdale built the foundations for the amazing “Slip Of … Continue reading

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Rock stars: Interview with Adrian Vandenberg (Vandenberg’s Moonkings) – 22 January 2014

Adrian Vandenberg

Interviews are promotional tools that not all musicians are that keen on, so I often find it a challenge to engage the interviewee and extract some decent answers to those all-important questions we all have. Well, on the early evening … Continue reading

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Gig review: SEPULTURA – O2 Islington Academy, London, 6 February 2014‏

SEPULTURA – O2 Islington Academy, London, 6 February 2014‏

Review by Yiannis (John) Stefanis There are many bands out there, claiming to play high velocity Thrash Metal, but only a handful can do so with the energy and conviction which characterise the legendary Brazilian quartet Sepultura. When Andreas Kisser … Continue reading

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Album review: SEPULTURA – The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart

Nuclear Blast – Out Now. It’s been seventeen whole years since Max Cavalera, singer and rhythm guitarist of the Brazilian Thrash Metal combo Sepultura, decided to end his working relationship with the band he helped form in Belo Horizonte back … Continue reading

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Interview with JILL JANUS (Huntress) – 18 January 2014

Passion, determination, organisation…apart from luck, these are all attributes that any band needs to be in possession of if it’s to have any chance of making a career in the music business these days. It takes less than a minute … Continue reading

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Interview with DAVID BOWER (Hell) – 16 January 2014

Technically proficient, passionate, flamboyant, entertaining…these are words that perfectly describe the Nottingham-based Heavy Metal institution Hell – a band which has managed to win the hearts and minds of riff lovers across the globe over the last three or so … Continue reading

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Album review: PESTILENCE – Obsideo

Candlelight Records – Out Now. 2008 was a very important year for fans of old school Death Metal as it marked the return on active service of the Dutch Death Metal quartet Pestilence – a unique and technically outstanding outfit … Continue reading

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Album review: MASSACRA – Day Of The Massacra

Century Media – Out Now. Death Metal may be a much loved musical genre by many, the author of this review included, but it never was what you would describe as massively popular. The only time when things looked quite … Continue reading

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Interview with CHRISTOFER JOHNSSON & THOMAS VIKSTROM (Therion) – 20 December 2013

Kristofer Johnsson, leader and founding member of the Swedish Symphonic Metal giants Therion, is a man who has always been in possession of a clear musical vision – a vision that he has promoted and defended with much passion throughout … Continue reading

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Interview with ROB CAVESTANY (Death Angel) – 10 December 2013

Death Angel

It’s both humbling and  inspiring to find a band that has been around for as long as Californian Thrashers Death Angel have, still seemingly thirsty for success, especially when this thirst translates into the creation of songs as impressive as … Continue reading

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Gig review: TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA – Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, 4 January 2014‏

The first time that I saw Trans-Siberian Orchestra live, it turned out to be one of the musical highlights of the year for me. The year was 2011, the venue exactly the same as tonight (note: then called The Hammersmith … Continue reading

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Interview with LEIF JENSEN (Dew-Scented) – 10 December 2013

Lady Luck has not always been on the side of the German Thrash/Death Metal powerhouse Dew-Scented but that never stopped them from pursuing their goal of performing honest and good quality music to their loyal fans. An hour or so … Continue reading

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Gig review: THERION – O2 Islington Academy, London, 20 December 2013‏

Arkona

Support Acts: Arkona Review & Photos by Yiannis (John) Stefanis It was around the end of November that an acquaintance of mine asked me to name my favorite gig of the year to which my response was “It’s too early … Continue reading

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Album review: HAIL OF BULLETS – III: The Rommel Chronicles

Metal Blade – Out Now. Being both a huge Metal fan and a passionate historian with a particular fascination for all things WWII meant that I was hooked immediately back in 2006 on the old-school Death Metal quintet Hail Of … Continue reading

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Interview with LIV KRISTINE (Leaves’ Eyes) – 12 December 2013

Leaves

There are few people who I have thoroughly enjoyed talking to over the years in my capacity as a music journalist, and Liv Kristine, leading member of the Symphonic/Gothic Metal sextet Leave’s Eyes is certainly one of them. Hours prior … Continue reading

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Interview with MORGAN STEINMEYER HAKANSSON (Marduk) – 5 December 2013

I have spoken with quite a few musicians over the years but few can claim to have been as consistently enjoyable and professional as Marduk’s founding member Morgan Steinmeyer Håkansson. Currently on tour performing the “Those Of The Unlight” and … Continue reading

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Interview with OLA LINDGREN (Grave) – 5 December 2013

Ola Lindgren, Grave

When I decided to become involved in the world of music journalism a good decade ago, I did so with the hope that, in time, I would be given to meet some of my music heroes and get to talk … Continue reading

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Album review: DEICIDE – In The Minds Of Evil

Century Media – Out Now. When the Hoffman brothers decided to leave Deicide (or were ceremonially fired, depending on which version you choose to believe) back in 2004, many people felt that the days of the American Death Metal band … Continue reading

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Album review: ARTILLERY – Legions

Metal Blade – Out Now. Formed back in 1982 in a suburb of Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, Thrash Metal quintet Artillery possessed all the skill and passion necessary to make a name for themselves in the music industry but bad timing … Continue reading

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Gig review: DEATH ANGEL – London, The Underworld, 10 December 2013‏

Dew-Scented - London Underworld, 10 December 2013

Support Acts: Dew-Scented Review & Photos by Yiannis (John) Stefanis Five days on from the glorious Marduk/Grave show, I am back in The Underworld in Camden to see San Francisco Thrashers Death Angel, who are back in town, supporting their … Continue reading

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DVD review: DEEP PURPLE – Perfect Strangers Live

Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers Live (DVD)

Eagle Records – Out Now Deep Purple have experienced eight main member reshuffles since they first formed in Hertford back in 1968, however, it has been universally accepted that it is the work of the Mark II line up (Gillan/ … Continue reading

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