Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album review: LESOIR – Luctor Et Emergo

Posted on March 30, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

The PR blurb for their latest release would have you believe Transience received rave reviews beyond their homeland. If that’s true, they’re well hidden from Google’s search engine. The sessions for Luctor Et Emergo sees the band (Maartje Meessen – … Continue reading →

Quick plays: NATALIE MACMASTER & DONNELL LEAHY, DANNY SCHMIDT

Posted on March 30, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

NATALIE MACMASTER & DONNELL LEAHY One You might well ask why GRTR! is reviewing a Celtic / Breton fiddle album? And it would be a reasonable question to ask. But there are ‘rock’ connections. Firstly, one half of the main … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged acoustic, Aggravated, country, Danny Schmidt, Decade Dance, Elliot Smith, folk, Grant Langston, Hope You're Happy Now, Irish, Leather Leaf, Natalie Macmaster and Donnell Leahy, One, Owls, Seth Avett & Jessica Lea Mayfield, singer, songwriter, Telesma | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE ROTHERY – The Ghosts Of Pripyat

Posted on March 30, 2015 by alanjones

Self-released - [Release date 02.02.15] What’s a reviewer supposed to do when confronted by perfection? Our whole raison d’être here at GRTR! is to give an opinion that informs the reader; (a) whether the music being reviewed is worth a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dave Foster, Marillion, Panic Room, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Steve Hackett, Steve Rothery, Steven Wilson, The Ghosts Of Pripyat, Yatim Halimi | Leave a comment

Quick plays: THE GENTLE STORM, WINDSOR DRIVE, FINLAY MORTON

Posted on March 29, 2015 by jason

THE GENTLE STORM – The Diary Inside Out www.insideout.de [Released 23.03.15] A new name but a very experienced duo behind the name, namely Arjen Lucassen of Ayreon fame and Anneke van Giersbergen, the former Gathering vocalist and last seen on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Anneke van Giersbergen, AOR Heaven, Arjen Lucassen, Ayreon, Finlay Morton, folk, Inside Out, pop, prog, Quick Plays, review, rock, the Gentle Storm, Windsor Drive | Leave a comment

Album Review: EMPIRES OF EDEN – Architect Of Hope

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Phil Berisford

MelodicRock Records [release date 09.03.15] Empires Of Eden is the brainchild of Australian guitarist Stu Marshall who currently trades his wares alongside the mighty Ross The Boss in Death Dealer and “Empires of Eden” is the follow up to 2012’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile) | Tagged album, Architect Of Hope, Carlos Zema, Empires Of Eden, George Call, Jeff Martin, MelodicRock Records, metal, Mike Cotoia, Mike Dimeo, Ralf Scheepers, Raphael Dantas, review, Rick Altzi, Stu Marshall, Tony Webster | Leave a comment

Album reviews:THE DARKER MY HORIZON – Acquiesce

Posted on March 29, 2015 by jason

www.thedarkermyhorizon.com [Released 23.03.15] A new band maybe, but they feature two former members of Sacred Heart in vocalist/guitarist Paul Stead and guitarist Mark Stephenson. Former Crimes Of Passion bassist Simon Fearn and drummer Gavin Tester round out the line-up. One … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Acquiesce, debut album, hard rock, Mark Stephenson, modern, Paul Stead, review, Sacred Heart, the Darker My Horizon | Leave a comment

EP review: BLUEMINDED – Blueminded

Posted on March 28, 2015 by alanjones

Self-released [Release date: April 2014] Blueminded describe themselves as a ‘poprockband’ but really they are doing themselves a disservice as this debut EP definitely has a vein of progressive rock weaving its way through the four tracks on offer here. … Continue reading →

Posted in Quick Plays, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Blueminded, Blueminded EP, Progressive/Pop, review | Leave a comment

Album review: THE CROWN – Death Is Not Dead

Posted on March 28, 2015 by Yiannis

Century Media – Out Now. First formed in the picturesque city of Trollhattan (under the moniker Crown Of Thorns) back in 1990, Swedish Thrash/Metal quintet The Crown has experienced a steady influx of new and fairly talented personnel to and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Leave a comment

Album review: BLIND GUARDIAN – Beyond The Red Mirror

Posted on March 28, 2015 by Yiannis

Nuclear Blast – Out Now. With thirty one years of active service and numerous successful studio releases to show for it, German symphonic Power Metallers Blind Guardian are in the privileged position of having a major say in how the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Leave a comment

Album review: DR. JOHN – Anutha Zone/Duke Elegant (reissue)

Posted on March 27, 2015 by petefeenstra

Edsel [Release Date: 16.02.15] Anutha Zone doesn’t break any new ground, but is a celebration of all that is good about Dr. John. Cut in 1998, it’s an album full of timeless music with deeply embedded grooves and nuanced vocals … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Anutha Zone, blues, Bobby Broom, Carleen Anderson, Clive Deamer, Dr John, Duke Ellington, funk, Hugh McCracken, jazz, John Leckie, John Martyn, Jools Holland, London Community Gospel Choir, Mac Rebennack, Martin Duffy, Matt Deighton, New Orleans, Paul Weller, Portishead, Primal Scream, reissue, review, Ronnie Cuber, Sly & Robbie, soul, The Lower 911 | Leave a comment

Album review: EDEN’S CURSE – Live With The Curse

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Phil Berisford

AFM Records [Release date 13.03.15] “Live With The Curse” was recorded live in what can probably be classed as Eden’s Curse’s hometown of Glasgow back in late November 2014 in support of their rather excellent “Symphony Of Sin” album. This … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Code Of Silence, Eden's Curse, John Clelland, live, Live With The Curse, melodic metal, Nikola Mijic, Paul Logue, Power Quest, review, Steve Williams, Thorsten Koehne | Leave a comment

Album review: DR. JOHN – Creole Moon/N’Awlinz: Dis Dat Or D’Udda (reissue)

Posted on March 26, 2015 by petefeenstra

Edsel [Release Date: 16.02.15] Creole Moon is a return to the musical potpourri with which Dr John made his name as ‘The Night Tripper’, but the album doesn’t quite have the same magic as the latter, though it does bubbles … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged B.B. King, blues, Charlie Miller, Creole Moon, Cyril Neville, Dave Barthlomew, David Fathead Newman, Dr John, Earl Palmer, Fred Wesley, funk, jazz, Kevin Louis, Michael Doucet, N'Awlinz Dis Dat Or D'udda, R&B, Ralph Johnson Sr., Randy Newman, Sonny Landreth, soul, The Lower 9-11, The Wardell Quezergue Horns | Leave a comment

Album review: TALON – Fourplay

Posted on March 25, 2015 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 23.03.15] The fourth album from Talon and one that sees the return of the band’s original vocalist Michael O’Mara. That has been a masterstroke as he sings up a storm on this album and it is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Escape Music, Fourplay, hard rock, John Parker, melodic, Michael O'Mara, review, rock, Talon | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE HACKETT – Wolflight

Posted on March 20, 2015 by alanjones

David Randall chatted to Steve Hackett in early March 2015 for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, about the new album and the new tour ‘Acolyte to Wolflight’ (27:46) Inside Out [Release Date: 30.03.15] Steve Hackett’s star is definitely in the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Chris Squire, Genesis, Nick Beggs, Progressive Rock, review, Rob Townsend, Roger King, Steve Hackett, Wolflight | 2 Comments

Album review: FAIRYTALE – Forest Of Summer

Posted on March 17, 2015 by david.wilson

Magic Mile Music (Release date 01.03.2015) Fairytale are a German folk trio with a heavy Celtic influence in their writing and playing. ‘German folk’ I hear you cry, where is the rock link there?? The rock … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile) | Tagged album, Berit, CD, Celtic, Fairytale, folk, Forest Of Summer, Laura, Magic Mile Music, Oliver Opperman, review, The Ordeal | Leave a comment

Album review: TATTERMASK – Carpe Noctem

Posted on March 16, 2015 by jason

[Released 24.02.15] Beyond a shadow of a doubt one of the best bands in the Charlotte NC area to see live and listen to their albums would have to be Tattermask. Within a short amount of time they have become … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Carpe Noctem, metal, review, Tattermask | Leave a comment

Album review: SOMETHING CLEVER – Season of Darkness

Posted on March 16, 2015 by jason

[Released 17.03.15] Something Clever is a band out of Charlotte, NC. They’ve been around a couple years now and have slowly moved from an alt rock sound to more of a modern hard rock/metal outfit. They’ve been on my radar … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, metal, review, Season Of Darkness, Something Clever | Leave a comment

Album review: ARCHER – Culling The Weak

Posted on March 16, 2015 by jason

[Released 05.05.15] Sometimes a band comes around that just offers an interpretation of a sound that is tried and true and make it all their own. Catching Archer on stage opening for German metal legend Doro, I got the chance … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Archer, Culling The Weak, Doro, Grand Funk Railroad, metal, review | Leave a comment

Album review: ROBIN GEORGE – Dangerous Music II

Posted on March 16, 2015 by jason

Angel Air [Released 06.04.15] www.angelair.co.uk This album is the follow-up to Robin George’s hit album ‘Dangerous Music’ and it was meant to be released back in 1986. However his then management company went to market and because of the success … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Angel Air Records, calssic, Dangerous Music II, pop, review, Robin George, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: GILLAN – The Albums Collection

Posted on March 16, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Edsel [Release date 16.03.15] Boxed set, limited edition, 6-disc It is evident from these albums that singer Ian Gillan had an amazing band that, for whatever reasons, worked incredibly well. Several top 10 albums and singles for a start. As … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Bernie Torme, Colin Towns, Deep Purple, Double Trouble, For Gillan Fans Only, Future Shock, Gillan, Glory Road, Ian Gillan, Janick Gers, John McCoy, Magic, Mr.Universe, reissue, review, The Albums Collection | Leave a comment

Album review: THE SWEET – New York Groove Plus

Posted on March 15, 2015 by jason

Angel Air [Release date 06.04.15] www.angelair.co.uk This is a full release of the 2012 album previously available directly from the band and this version adds three bonus songs. The current line-up of the Sweet consists of original member guitarist Andy … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andy Scott, Angel Air Records, classic, covers album, glam, New York Groove Plus, review, rock, The Sweet | Leave a comment

Album review: IAN DURY/& THE BLOCKHEADS – Reissues

Posted on March 14, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Edsel [Release date 02.03.15] To most, Ian Dury will always be remembered as the cheeky chappy who – in 1978 – had a massive hit with ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick’. Dury’s Blockhead-related albums are now collected and re-formatted … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Do It Yourself, Edsel, Ian Dury, Ian Dury & The Blockheads, jazz funk, Laughter, live, Mr Love Pants, New Boots And Panties!!, pop, reissue, review, rock, The Bus Driver's Prayer & Other Stories | Leave a comment

Album review: CREPUSCULE – Vivv

Posted on March 13, 2015 by alanjones

Self-released – Release Date: 18 July 2014 This is definitely an album of despites. Despite having a name that sounds like a pustulent sore, despite having a cover that Slipknot might well have found too scary and despite the entire … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile) | Tagged Crepuscule, Progressive Rock, review, Vivv | Leave a comment

Album review: RICK SPRINGFIELD – Stripped Down

Posted on March 11, 2015 by jason

Loud and Proud Records/ear Music [Released 09.03.15] CD/DVD Rick Springfield is amazingly 65 years old having started in the music business back in the late 1960′s. He certainly doesn’t look his age and when you watch the DVD the predominately … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile) | Tagged acoustic, album, DVD, pop, review, Rick Springfield, rock, Solo, Stripped Down | Leave a comment

Album review: GUN – Frantic

Posted on March 10, 2015 by david.wilson

Morsecode Records [Release date – 23.03.15] Gun have been serving up their brand of pop tinged rock for the last twenty odd years and since their reformation in 2012 the guys have proved that there is still life in the … Continue reading →