Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album review: BURZUM – The Ways Of Yore

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Yiannis

Byelobog Productions – Out Now. Since his release from prison back in 2009, Kristian “Varg” Vikernes has found himself in a truly creative mode, with every passing year witnessing the release of another new Burzum album. His first recordings as … Continue reading →

Album Review: LAVIANTICA – Clessidra

Posted on June 2, 2014 by alanjones

Self Released – Release Date: 2 September 2013 Is there anywhere in Europe that isn’t producing progressive rock music of the highest order at the moment? Following in the solid tradition of Rock Progressivo Italiano big hitters of the seventies … Continue reading →

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Album review: BROTHER FIRETRIBE – Diamond In The Firepit

Posted on June 2, 2014 by jason

Spinefarm Records [Released 03.06.14] Album number three from the excellent Brother Firetribe and they have kept us waiting as their last album was released back in 2008. Vocalist Pekka Ansio Heino certainly has an amazing set of pipes on him … Continue reading →

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Album review: ARTHEMIS – Live From Hell

Posted on June 1, 2014 by david.wilson

Off Yer Rocka Recordings (Release date – 25th May 2014) A couple of years ago I headed to Wales for the annual Hammerfest shindig and one of the discoveries of that weekend were Italian thrashers, Arthemis. … Continue reading →

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Quick Plays: HUMBUCKER, DIESEL, MORNING DWELL, AZORIA

Posted on June 1, 2014 by jason

DIESEL – Into The Fire Escape Music www.escape-music.com [Out now] Diesel is a new, British rock outfit touted to play solid traditional rock in the manner of Bad Company, with firm roots in the classic vein of British hard Rock … Continue reading →

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Album review: BILLY JOEL – A Matter of Trust: The Bridge To Russia

Posted on June 1, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Sony Music [Release date 19.05.14] As I was passing through HMV this week – in awe of the growing racks of 180 gram vinyl (you’d need a course of body building supplements to walk out with Purple’s 9 LP Made … Continue reading →

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Album review: TESLA – Simplicity

Posted on May 30, 2014 by jason

Frontiers www.frontiers.it [Released 9.6.14] It’s hard to think that Tesla’s first album, “Mechanical Resonance”, came out in 1986- and now here we are nearly 30 years later and their seventhstudio album “Simplicity” is about to be released (although, if you … Continue reading →

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Album review: MOUNT SALEM – Endless

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Yiannis

Metal Blade – Out Now. 70s Heavy Rock is back in fashion. I do not suggest for a moment that bands like Black Sabbath, Cream and Pentagram ever stopped being a massive influence on young artists, especially those of a … Continue reading →

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Album review: TODD RUNDGREN – Reissues

Posted on May 29, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Edsel Records [Release date 19.05.14] Just when you thought it was safe to avoid further Todd Rundgren re-issues, along come another three. The first thing to say is that Edsel always do a marvellous job with their packaging. Yes these … Continue reading →

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Album review: VADER – Tibi Et Igni

Posted on May 28, 2014 by Yiannis

Nuclear Blast [Release date 30.05.14] Line-up changes have been a constant feature in the life of the Death Metal combo Vader since their inception back in 1983 but, as their relatively modest album collection clearly suggests, every new addition has … Continue reading →

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Album review: DESTRANGE – Are You Kidding Me? No.

Posted on May 28, 2014 by Yiannis

Metal Blade – Out Now. Attracting the attention of a label as established and well respected as Metal Blade is no easy feat, however, Italian Technical Metalers Destranged have achieved precisely that. It was on the strength of their 2012 … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE KILLERHERTZ – A Killer Anthem

Posted on May 27, 2014 by david.wilson

Mighty Music [Release date 26.05.14] Think Danish rock and Lars Ulrich and Volbeat no doubt spring to mind. The Killerhertz are hoping to be the next Danish band to make a breakthrough with this their debut album. The members have … Continue reading →

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Album review: ABINAYA – Beaute Paienne

Posted on May 27, 2014 by david.wilson

Symbol Music [Release date – out now] Abinaya means ‘passing on’ in Sanskrit apparently, which is a cheery thought to start a review with. Hailing from Paris these heavyweights appear to have a love for Brazilian thrashers Sepultura and are … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE ROCKET DOLLS – Eyes

Posted on May 27, 2014 by jason

www.facebook.com/therocketdolls [Released 28.07.14] The Rocket Dolls hail from Brighton and consist of vocalist and guitarist Nikki Smash, Benji Knopfler (son of a fairly famous guitarist!) on drums and bassist Tommy K. I reviewed their EP way back in 2009 and … Continue reading →

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Album Review: VAMPIRE – Vampire

Posted on May 25, 2014 by Yiannis

Century Media – Out Now. As someone who has been actively supporting extreme Metal bands for the last thirty or so years, I am both pleased and proud to find genres such as Thrash, Death and Black Metal in such … Continue reading →

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Album review: CHRIS BRAIDE – Fifty Dollar Planets And Twenty Cent Stars

Posted on May 25, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Cherry Red Records [Release date 05.05.14] Towards the end of 2012 Chris Braide and Geoff Downes released an album that may forever be termed “one that got away”. DBA’s ‘Pictures Of You’ was arguably one of the best albums of … Continue reading →

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Album Review: NIGHT RANGER – High Road

Posted on May 24, 2014 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release date 06.06.14] It’s encouraging to see Night Ranger try and break out of the nostalgia circuit and proving their enduring relevance with new product, this album coming three years after a return to form in Somewhere In … Continue reading →

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Album Review: HALO BLIND – Occupying Forces

Posted on May 24, 2014 by alanjones

Nautical Records [Release Date: 04.03.14] We’ve been waiting for Halo Blind. At long last, a British progressive rock band has put out an album to rival the fabulous stuff coming out of Eastern Europe and Scandinavia right now. And … Continue reading →

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Album review: CURVED AIR – North Star

Posted on May 24, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Curved Air Records [Release date 17.03.14] Another heritage band who for the past years have been re-acquainting audiences with their brand of quirky progressive art-rock. Sonja Kristina still retains her intriguing allure and the band is now bolstered by one-time … Continue reading →

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Album review : U.D.O. – Steelhammer Live From Moscow

Posted on May 24, 2014 by Phil Berisford

AFM Records [Release date 23.05.14] I’m not really a fan of live albums and these days they are a dime a dozen with certain bands releasing what seems like endless streams of them. So what does Mr Udo Dirkschneider have … Continue reading →

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Album review: FOCUS – Golden Oldies

Posted on May 24, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

In And Out Of Focus Records [Release date 14.04.14] They say rock is dead, the endless process of reinvention now limited, and the pioneers now ageing. There is no doubt that a great chasm will open within the next 10 … Continue reading →

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Album Review: KISS – Kiss 40

Posted on May 22, 2014 by david.wilson

Mercury Records [Release date 26.05.14] Does the world need another Kiss compilation album? There are many already on the market and any self-respecting rock fan will no doubt have a copy of one tucked somewhere in their collection. So what … Continue reading →

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Album review: POOBAH – U.S. Rock

Posted on May 22, 2014 by david.wilson

Ripple Records [Release date 10.02.14] This album was originally released back in 1976 during the peak of Poobah’s career and has now been lovingly re-mastered and reissued by Ripple Records. Poobah were formed by guitarist Jim Gustafson back in 1972 … Continue reading →

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Album review: FLOTSAM AND JETSAM – No Place For Disgrace 2014

Posted on May 20, 2014 by Yiannis

Metal Blade – Out Now. For better or worse, Flotsam And Jetsam will always be known as the band where ex-Metallica bassist learned his skills and that is perhaps the reason why “Doomsday For The Deceiver” (1986), the band’s debut … Continue reading →

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Album review : 21OCTAYNE – Into The Open

Posted on May 20, 2014 by Phil Berisford

AFM Records [Release date 23.05.14] This is a little different from AFM’s usual output of Teutonic metal and the change is refreshing to these ears. 21Octayne has been put together by current Axxis guitarist Marco Wriedt to create a band … Continue reading →