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DORO – Under My Skin: A Fine Collection Of Doro Classics
(2CD) AFM Records www.afm-records.de Doro Pesch is a true metal legend who has given her all for her fans and music (a telling interview I read with her said how she gave up any idea of raising a family as … Continue reading
Singles Bar: NEKROFEIST, GHXST, WAR DRUM, SHATTERED DESTINY, GRIZZLY BEAR
Nekrofeist – Nekrofeist EP (Self Release) There appears to be a fair bit of Australian rock and metal hitting our shores at the moment. This EP is the latest to come in to my hands and is the best one … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged GHXST, Grizzly Bear, NEKROFEIST, SHATTERED DESTINY, WAR DRUM
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FLYING COLORS – S/T
Ear Music/Edel A supergroup consisting of drummer Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater), guitarist Steve Morse (Deep Purple/Dixie Dreggs), bassist Dave LaRue (Steve Morse/Dixie Dreggs), Neal Morse (Transatlantic/ex-Spock’s Beard) on keyboards/vocals and lead vocalist/guitarist Casey McPherson. The album was produced by the … Continue reading
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Tagged ELO, Flying Colors, Mike Portnoy, Muse, Neal Morse, Queen, Steve Morse
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Albums of the year…to date
Saga – 20/20 (Ear Music/Edel) Michael Sadler returns as the band release one of their finest albums to date. Jeff Scott Soto- Damage Control (Frontiers) Back with a more straight ahead melodic hard rock album. Flying Colors – S/T (Ear … Continue reading
Posted in Albums of the Year...to date, ALL POSTS
Tagged Arjen Lucassen, Asia, Blackberry Smoke, Casablanca, D A D, Estrella, Europe, Flying Colors, Freedom Call, Headspace, House Of Shakira, Jack Blades, Jamie Hartman, Jeff Scott Soto, LA Guns, Michael Thompson Band, Saga, Shinedown, Slash, Styx
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THE SWEET – New York Connection
www.thesweet.com The Sweet – the version fronted by original guitarist Andy Scott – return with an album of covers. The current line-up consists of the aforementioned Scott joined by Pete Lincoln (vocals/bass), Tony O’Hora (guitar/keys/vocals) and Bruce Bisland (drums/vocals). Yes … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged Andy Scott, Dead Or Alive, New York Connection, Russ Ballard, The Sweet
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Singles Bar: THE LOOK, FANTASY RAINBOW, THE BOY ROYALS, MORTDELAMER, DREAMSTEALER
The Look – Let It Go (Beat Town Records) Apparently the Look had a hit in 1981, namely ‘I am the Beat’ and DJ Chris Evans is a fan. Now they are back with this new song which isn’t too … Continue reading
TARJA – Act I
Ear Music/Edel 2012 (Double CD) www.tarja-act1.com Former Nightwish singer Tarja Turunen releases her first solo live album (there is also a companion DVD and BluRay releases). I will admit I am not the biggest fan of her voice but freed … Continue reading
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Tagged Act I, Nightwish, Tarja
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Rock Candy Roundup: Johnny Van Zant, Lionheart, Fastway, Paris
Johnny VAN ZANT Round Two ***1/2 The Last Of The Wild Ones **** Youngest of the Van Zant family, Johnny follows an enormous legacy in Ronnie (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and Donnie (38 Special). These solo albums (sometimes credited to The Johnny … Continue reading
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Tagged Fastway, Johnny Van Zant, Lionheart, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Motorhead, Paris, Rock Candy, UFO
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FM re-issues
Indiscreet **** Tough It Out **** Rock Candy Records Two classic AOR albums, where the band’s name sums up the sound perfectly. Formed by the former Samson rhythm section of drummer Pete Jupp and bassist Merv Goldsworthy, a few line-up … Continue reading
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Tagged FM, Rock Candy, Steve Overland
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VISION DIVINE – Destination Set To Nowhere
Ear Music/Edel 2012 Formed in Italy in 1998, this progressive power metal band release their seventh studio album with plenty of power and melody, Rhapsody’s Fabio Lione providing vocals with power, range and an operatic touch. From the outset the … Continue reading
RED JASPER – A Midsummer Night’s Dream/The Winter’s Tale
Angel Air 2012 www.angelair.co.uk The words ‘British’ and ‘quintessentially’ spring to mind listening to this eccentric brace of early 90’s releases from a former agitprop punk folk act that contrarily transmogrified itself into a progressive rock band. Seemingly in awe … Continue reading
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Tagged prog rock, Red Jasper
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L.A GUNS – Hollywood Forever
Deadline Music 2012 L.A Guns release their first original album in 7 years and not only will ‘Hollywood Forever’ go down as one of their best but the album also reminds me of why I liked the band in the … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged LA Guns, Phil Lewis
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Singles Bar: MINIATURE DINOSAURS, BLUEVEILS, JUNKFOXX, AGENTS OF CHAOS
Miniature Dinosaurs – Lemonade (Integrity Records) This is the first single to be taken from Miniature Dinosaurs forthcoming EP ‘Turn It On’ and it’s a decent listen. The band play an upbeat indie pop reminiscent of fellow scots Orange Juice, … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged AGENTS OF CHAOS, BLUEVEILS, JUNKFOXX, MINIATURE DINOSAURS
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THE KENNEDYS – Closer Than You Think
www.kennedysmusic.com Husband and wide duo Pete and Maura have released a string of albums to date, as well as being part of Nanci Griffith’s backing band. This is their first album to get a proper PR push here in the … Continue reading
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Tagged Closer Than You Think, THE KENNEDYS
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Muddy Waters and The Rolling Stones – Live at The Checkerboard Lounge Chicago 1981
Eagle Vision 2012 The Rolling Stones may have just celebrated their 50th Anniversary but back in 1981, when they were rapidly approaching their 20th, band members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Ian Stewart joined legendary blues player Muddy … Continue reading
MESHUGGAH – “KOLOSS”
MESHUGGAH – “KOLOSS” NUCLEAR BLAST (2012) My introduction to the Umea-based experimental metallers Meshuggah was what many would consider an adventurous one, as it included a very…challenging trip back from a prestigious UK Metal festival in my small car during … Continue reading
RHYS WILLIAMS – Great Falls
Right Track Records www.rhyswilliamsmusic.com This is his debut album having previously worked with Morrissey amongst others (he played flute on Morrissey’s ‘I’m Not Sorry’). He has a couple of name guests in pedal steel player BJ Cole and strings arranger … Continue reading
ERIK NORLANDER – The Galactic Collective
The Definitive Edition (2CD/DVD) A real ‘must have’ for fans that’s sure as Erik Norlander re-issues the Galactic Collective CD with a bonus CD featuring four reworkings of existing tunes including a marvellous extended musical workout on ‘Garden Of The … Continue reading
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Tagged Asia, Erik Norlander, Galactic Collective, John Payne
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BLACKMORE’S NIGHT – “A KNIGHT IN YORK” DVD
BLACKMORE’S NIGHT – “A KNIGHT IN YORK” DVD UDR/EMI (2012) Back in 1997, when guitar legend Ritchie Blackmore decided to abandon the world of classic Rock and instead indulge in his medieval folk musical fantasies with the help of his … Continue reading
AIRS – A Rock Opera
www.airs-rockopera.com Airs is a collaboration between lyricist/writer George Andrade and composer and multi-instrumentalist Steve Brockmann. They met on a Spock’s beard forum and keeping the Spock’s beard theme going Dave Meros and Alan Morse of the band guest on ‘Flight … Continue reading
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Tagged Airs, AOR, prog metal, prog rock, rock opera
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MOONSPELL – “ALPHA NOIR”
MOONSPELL – “ALPHA NOIR” NAPALM RECORDS (2012) You know when you really begin to realise that you are getting older? When a band whose music you first came across what seems like only yesterday are celebrating their twentieth anniversary! One … Continue reading
GRAND MAGUS – “THE HUNT”
GRAND MAGUS – “THE HUNT” NUCLEAR BLAST (2012) Since their inception back in 1996, Swedish Heavy Metal trio Grand Magus have experienced quite a few label changes in their quest to achieve maximum value in the Metal market. Though their … Continue reading
OZZY OSBOURNE – Speak Of the Devil
Eagle Rock 2012 This live DVD has been available as a Japanese import for some time but now those lovely folk at Eagle Rock give it a full release. This concert was recorded at Irvine Meadows, California on June 12th … Continue reading
ETERNAL ‘Chapter 1’
www.eternalsweden.com Another top hard rock band from Sweden shock! Yes Eternal are another in that long line of excellent Swedish melodic hard rock/metal bands and this is their debut album after releasing an EP back in 2008. Keyboard player Pontus … Continue reading
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Tagged Eternal, hard rock, melodic rock, Sweden
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THE KINKS – The Kinks at the BBC
Universal 2012 The Kinks have a sumptuous back catalogue and rightly deserve their place in the pantheon of British pop and rock greats. As befits this status, the band have been the subject of some weighty compilations. But none quite … Continue reading
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Tagged The Kinks, The Kinks at the BBC
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