Category Archives: ALL POSTS

Album review: BADHOVEN – Obsession

        ATS Records (Release date – out now) The last group I can think of that broke out of Austria were the Von Trappe Family Singers who went on to find success in America. With the right … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quick plays: HANZEL UND GRETYL, SASQUATCH, HIDRIA SPACEFOLK, TOMAS BERGSTREN. JAMES McMORROW

Hidria Spacefolk - Astronautica

HIDRIA SPACEFOLK Astronautica (Hidria Records) http://hidriaspacefolk.st/ This Finnish band formed in 1999 and their first album ‘Symbiosis’ came out in 2002.  The band seem to have evolved organically, and slowly, as band members have come and gone sometimes to have … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

News: Get Ready to ROCK! Radio – December 2013 Highlights

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio

December 2013 Highlights More information at the dedicated website All times, GMT Throughout December, a chance to hear again highlights from some of our 2013 shows. We’ll also be inviting listeners (and readers!) to vote for their favourite album and … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: REO SPEEDWAGON – Live At Moondance Jam

CD/DVD – Frontiers Records [Release Date 29.11.13] It’s a strange feeling to be reviewing a CD of a gig I have fond memories of attending, especially as it was nearly four years ago and the band are scheduled to play … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off

DVD Review: SPRINGSTEEN AND I

Springsteen & I

Eagle Vision [Release Date 28.10.2013] Bruce Springsteen is an artist who seems to inspire a unique awe and affection among his fans, so it somehow seems appropriate that he is the subject of a music film with a difference. Concert … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Album review: ZOE SCHWARZ BLUES COMMOTION – The Blues Don’t Scare Me

33 Jazz [Release date 04.11.13] Zoe Schwarz’s clarity of diction and unique phrasing mark her out as a special singer capable of making any song exclusively her own. She’s equally happy as a sultry, soulful blues singer or as a … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DVD review: MOVE ME BRIGHTLY – A Documentary Concert Film Celebrating Jerry Garcia’s 70th Birthday

Eagle Vision [Release date 28.1013] ‘Move Me Brightly’ is a trimmed version of an original 5 hour web cast of a concert organised by Bob Weir to celebrate what would have been Jerry Garcia’s 70th birthday. The 2 hours and … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: BOSTON – Life, Love & Hope

Boston - Life, Love & Hope

Frontiers www.frontiers.it [Release date 09.12.13] Relatively quick in Boston terms at just over ten years since the last album ‘Corporate America’ and some songs of that album get reworked by Tom Scholz on this album, a man always on a … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: MICK FARREN AND ANDY COLQUHOUN – Black Vinyl Dress

Gonzo [Release date 28.1013] Mick Farren once said: ‘I’m a lousy singer, but a brilliant rock star’. And while that may be true, the rock scene has all but dissipated and our anti heroes need to do more than come … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: FUGHU – Human – The Tales & Human – The Facts

Fughu [Release date 2013] Argentinean prog-metal band Fughu don’t do things by halves. Apart from releasing two separate albums as a double album, their complex music also wraps itself round two nightmarish librettos, the full drama of which is emoted … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: DEF LEPPARD – Viva Hysteria!

Def Leppard - Viva Hysteria

Frontiers (2CD/DVD) www.frontiers.it One of Britain’s best and hardest working rock bands, Def Leppard have always been at the melodic end despite growing up with the NWoBHM scene. After the classic third album ‘Pyromania’ (which went diamond in the USA), the … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Album review: RHAPSODY OF FIRE – Dark Wings Of Steel

Rhapsody Of Fire - Dark Wings Of Steel

  AFM Records www.afmrecords.de [Release date 25.11.13] Rhapsody of Fire return with their first studio album since the amicable split of main songwriters Luca Turilli and Alex Staropoli in 2012 – Luca has his own version of the band called … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off

Gig review: THE UNION – Manchester Academy 3, 8 November 2013

The Union - Manchester Academy 3, 8 November 2013

There was definitely no doubt who the crowd were here for tonight as the sea of Union T-shirts was clear to see, midway through their UK tour The Union are touring after the release of their DVD ‘Live in Guildford’ … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DVD review: VARIOUS – The Sunflower Superjam 2012

The Sunflower Superjam 2012

Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2DVD) www.thesunflowerjam.com The Sunflower Jam was started back in 2006 by Jacky Paice, wife of Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice and sister-in-law to the late Jon Lord, as a charity event to raise funds … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Album review: CRYSTAL GRENADE – Lo! And Behold

CRYSTAL GRENADE - Lo! And Behold

Gonzo [Release date 14.10.13] A wonderful name, Crystal Grenade.  One that belongs to Mancunian songstress Carol Hodge, described as ‘Shakespears Sister fighting Amanda Palmer and Tori Amos in a dimly lit Victorian pub’.  If that conjures up images of heavily … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: PAUL GUZZONE – Chasing The Moon

Triple Z Music [Release date 2013] New York based Paul Guzzone describes himself as ‘an electronic troubadour’.  He’s big on sonic textures, wry narratives, catchy hooks and songs that draw you in. ‘Chasing The Moon’ is an unlikely but successful … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: MOTT THE HOOPLE – London O2 Arena,18 November 2013

Mott The Hoople - London O2 Arena, 18 November 2013

After a successful reunion tour back in 2009 Mott The Hoople where they only played in London, they were back for a UK tour culminating at the O2 Arena which had a very good turnout especially as it was a … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Album review: GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS– Live At Montreux 2013

Eagle Rock[Release date 18.11.13] Having paid his dues through relentless road work – including a 50 states in 50 nights tour – and his self titled debut album in 1976 – George Throrogood made his major label breakthrough on Capital … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DVD review: FRANK ZAPPA – The Torture Never Stops/The Dub Room Special/Baby Snakes

Eagle Rock [Release date 14.10.13] Some familiar FZ material finds its way into to a 3 DVD box set which represents three different snapshots of a career that was moving into the audio visual domain. Of course Frank had already … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Interview with MICHAEL SCHENKER – 15 November 2013

Michael Schenker

If ever there was an example of looking to the past for a catalyst for the future, then ‘Bridge The Gap’ is it. Award winning guitarist Michael Schenker is back with some familiar faces on an album that plays to … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars, Pure Metal/Interviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: PROPHET – Asylum

Z Records www.z-records.com This best of rounds up highlights from the band’s three albums to date – ‘Prophet’ (1985), ‘Cycle Of The Moon’ (1988) and ‘Recycled’ (1991). ‘Cycle Of The Moon’ on its own should be any AOR/melodic rock fans … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: SAXON – Unplugged And Strung Up

Saxon - Unplugged And Strung Up

UDR Music [Release date 18.11.13] Saxon are one of the enduring British rock bands who have consistently delivered the metal clad goods. This new album though offers something a little different in that the band have taken some of their … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH – The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell – Volume 2

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH – The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell – Volume 2

Eleven Seven Music [Release date 18.11.13] This album is the second instalment of Five Finger Death Punch’s masterplan to dominate the top spot in my end of year best of album round up. ‘Volume 1’ released earlier this year gained … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: KT TUNSTALL – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, 16 November 2013

KT Tunstall, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, 16 November 2013

It’s probably fair to say that the albums since 2004′s award-winning ‘Eye To The Telescope’ may have progressively alienated those who loved its breezy, folky – and highly accessible – pop. Since that time KT Tunstall has released four more … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: CAPERCAILLIE – Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, 16 November 2013

 CAPERCAILLIE - Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, 16 November 2013

Capercaillie put down a marker for Celtic fusion back in the late 1980s.  They straddled the divide between the Celtic rockmeister Alan Stivell and the more commercial early incarnation of The Corrs.  Most recently, live gigs have been rare and … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment