Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Formed in 2004 this is the band’s second album and for a three piece they make a wide soundscape. The band’s line-up is Benedict Harris-Hayes (throat/guitars/piano), Sam Street (drums/percussion) and Shaun Rayment (bass) plus the Lost Orchestra who add synths/sound … Continue reading →

 Released late 2011, the debut album from Sweden’s The Magnificent is aptly titled. The feel of the album sits somewhere between late ‘80’s Whitesnake and late ‘80’s/early ‘90’s Europe – big, polished and appearing to have used the latter’s “Prisoners … Continue reading →

Recorded in January 2011, whilst the band were playing promotional dates in Japan in support of their recent “What If…” album,  Mr Big are about to release new album “Live From The Living Room”.  Recorded in front of an intimate … Continue reading →

The 80’s saw a raft of pop medley albums from Star Sound’s ‘Stars On 45’ through to the popular Hooked On…series, where the classical ones conducted by Louis Clark (of ELO fame) proved very popular. Then there is this one … Continue reading →

Tony MacAlpine is back with an all new album that covers the many styles he can handle. He is much more than one of these see-how-many-notes-I-can-play fast guitar shredders and also can think outside of the box musically, something which … Continue reading →

 The DVD (also available on BluRay) version of the double live CD of Styx performing tow of their entire classic 70’s albums. The show was recorded at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis and includes a guest appearance by original bass … Continue reading →

A band from Manchester featuring Noel Fraser (vocals, guitar, keyboards, mandolin), Andy Chemney (drums. backing vocals), Steve Ferguson (guitar, backing vocals) and Mark Murray (bass). They cover a multitude of musical styles from rock to folk and blues and they … Continue reading →

A fifteen song compilation from the TV series 'Sons Of Anarchy' that like any compilation is a mixed bag. The Forest Rangers back-up most of the vocalists on here and the pick of the album are Paul Brady's version of … Continue reading →

There’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time – somewhere in the depth of my vinyl collection lies “How Long” the 1989 album issued by the original incarnation of the Michael Thompson Band. Frontiers re-issued this album a … Continue reading →

“Unbroken” is the fifth album from Fiona, and comes 19 years after her last release. Big, polished and harking back to the ‘80’s in places, the album was produced by House of Lords main man James Christian- whose wife, Robin … Continue reading →

Warp Drive caused a stir with their debut album 'Gimme Gimme' back in the late 80's but then along came grunge and knocked them for six. This is their second album which they started to record back in 1990 but … Continue reading →

Another emerging new British hardcore metal act, this time from Newquay. Envy The Fallen are exponents of fairly extreme metal core of the shouty vocal persuasion. It is fast and furious stuff from the off and over the six tracks … Continue reading →

Stemm have been about in various forms for a number of years and have developed into a very tight and very heavy hardcore metal band. Their music was adopted early in the band’s career as the soundtrack to the Ultimate … Continue reading →

With a name like Captain Black Beard I was fully expecting some full-on, swashbuckling Pirate metal from this crew. This album though is less “Aaaaarrrrrrrrrrrr” and more AOR. The Captain and crew have been playing around the clubs of Stockholm … Continue reading →

This is the band’s third album since starting out in 2004 and if you like melodic hard rock in the style of Treat, Pretty Maids, Edge Of Forever et al you need a copy of this CD. The opening salvo … Continue reading →

This is an unusual release for the Scorps, re-recording a number of fan favourite tracks after they announced their retirement… Seven of the thirteen tracks are from their own catalogue, while the remaining six songs are covers!  Being a fan … Continue reading →

Hugh Laurie is best known for his superb acting in “House”, but there’s a lot more to this Englishman than meets the eye: along with his love for motorcycles and motorcycle racing, he has a passion for the old blues.  … Continue reading →

This is the band’s first release since the highly acclaimed “Vox in Excelso” and this, like its predecessor, is a concept album – this time about the life of Marilyn Monroe. The songs are good, but not outstanding and this … Continue reading →

Ilium is an Australian melodic/power metal outfit with four albums under their studded belts.  “Genetic memory” is the band’s fifth release and the third with vocalist Mike DiMeo, who did time with Riot, as well as Masterplan. DiMeo’s voice is … Continue reading →

Trillium is Amanda Somerville’s solo delving into the world of power metal.  Her previous album, “Windows”, had a far more pop/rock flavour to it but, as she’s been involved with projects like Aina and Avantasia, it seems to be a … Continue reading →

It’s taken me some time to get to listen to this and the first thing that comes to mind is what took me so long?!  This is Shy’s reunion album after a six year hiatus… As it transpires, the album, … Continue reading →

Lee Small has the claim to fame of being the vocalist for Shy, as well as lending his vocals to Phenomena.  He teams up with guitarist Martin Kronlund (Gypsy Rose) for his first solo release. This is a lovely slice … Continue reading →

Eagle Rock This release is Gary Moore’s last to be filmed/recorded and is the first to be released posthumously.  Gary Moore had returned to his rock roots and this set is indicative thereof. His voice sounds a bit off in … Continue reading →

A double live CD featuring the band's current line-up plus original bass player Chuck Panozzo, performing the whole of tow of their classic 1970's albums – 'The Grand Illusion' and 'Pieces Of Eight'. There are also a DVD and BluRay … Continue reading →