Category Archives: ALL POSTS

Album review: BITE THE BULLET – End of the Line

Posted on December 19, 2021 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 22.01.22] Bite the Bullet trace their origins back to 1986 and still feature the original duo of Mick Benton (Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards) and Graham Cowling (Drums). They released a strong comeback album, ‘Black and White’, … Continue reading →

Album review: HAWKWIND – Dust Of Time

Posted on December 19, 2021 by jason

Atomhenge [Release date 10.12.21] Synonymous with Space Rock and the surprise hit single Silver Machine, Hawkwind are one of the UK’s most revered and hard working rock bands. Formed in the late 60s, they mixed blues rock, progressive and space … Continue reading →

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

Album review: MINISTRY – Bad Blood, The Mayan Albums, 2002-2005 (4 CDs)

Posted on December 17, 2021 by brianmc

Cherry Red [release date: 17.12.21] There are Industrial Metal bands and there is Ministry. After the breakthrough in 1983, Al Jourgensen’s minimalist metal-in-extremis became the benchmark for the genre pretty rapidly. You could argue that this 4 CD snapshot, originally … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged Al Jourgenson, albums, Bad Blood, boxset, industrial metal, Ministry, review, The Mayan Albums, thrash metal | Leave a comment

Album review: ORLEANS – New Star Shining

Posted on December 17, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Sunset Blvd Records [Release date 22.10.21] The 2021 Christmas offering from Orleans is something of a welcome surprise. The band have existed in some shape or form since their glory days in the late 1970s on the Asylum label, although … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Christmas, classic rock, festive, melodic rock, New Star Shining, Orleans, Xmas | Leave a comment

Gig review: JOHN OTWAY – Sub89, Reading, Wednesday 15 December 2021

Posted on December 16, 2021 by jason

Otway The Movie: Rock & Roll's Greatest Failure

Welcome to the Brave New World/1984 as this was the first gig I was asked to show my covid pass. Sign of the times but if it keeps live music and entertainment going then it is a small price to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged gig, John Otway, punk, reading, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, Sub89, Tom Webber, Wednesday 15 December 2021 | Leave a comment

Gig review: ALESTORM – Barrowlands, Glasgow, 5 December 2021

Posted on December 14, 2021 by david.wilson

For those who are unfamiliar with Glasgow, the Barrowlands Ballroom shares its name with Barra’s market which takes up a lot of the surrounding area. The Barra’s market used to be a huge affair which attracted people from all over Scotland looking … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 5th December 2021, Alestorm, Angus McFife, Barrowlands, Bootyard Bandits, Captain Yarrface, Christopher Bowes, Drink, gig, Glasgow, GLORYHAMMER, Hoots, live, Luke Philp, Mate Bodar, metal, Mexico, pirate metal, power metal, rock | Leave a comment

Quick plays: TAYLOR YOUNG BAND, AUTUMN’S CHILD

Posted on December 14, 2021 by jason

TAYLOR YOUNG BAND Mercury Transit Handrawn Records [Release date 08.10.21] Taylor Young drummed for the likes of The O’s, Young Heart Attack and Polyphonic Spree. Now he takes on the role of band leader and is joined by guitarist, vocalist … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, Autumn’s Child, Deep Blue Something, melodic rock, Mercury Transit, Mikael Erlandsson, pop rock, power pop, review, Taylor Young Band | Leave a comment

Album review: CHRIS FARLOWE & THE THUNDERBIRDS – Stormy Monday & The Eagles Fly On Friday

Posted on December 14, 2021 by jason

Repertoire [Release date 28.1.22] This 3CD set brings together more than 50 newly remastered tracks, recorded by the R&B/soul powerhouse Chris Farlowe between 1962 and 1969. It’s an eclectic mix of studio, radio session and live tracks, and a definitive … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Chris Farlowe, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, R&B, review, rock 'n' roll, soul, Stormy Monday & The Eagles Fly On Friday, the Thunderbirds | Leave a comment

Book review: NU METAL A DEFINITIVE GUIDE, ON TRACK…KORN by Matt Karpe

Posted on December 13, 2021 by jason

Nu Metal A Definitive Guide SonicBond Publishing [Publication date 24.09.21] Author Matt Karpe has been busy of late with two of his books published in quick succession. This Nu Metal guide is very comprehensive and a perfect introduction to a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Matt Karpe, metal, Nu Metal A Definitive Guide, On Track... Korn, review, SLIPKNOT, Staind, Tool | Leave a comment

Book review: THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE ROCK SOUND SYSTEMS – Volume 2 by Chris Hewitt

Posted on December 11, 2021 by petefeenstra

Chris Hewitt - The Development of Large Rock Sound Systems Volume 2

Dandelion Records & Books [Publication date 08.01.22] Chris Hewitt’s second volume of “The Development of Large Rock Sound Systems” is a lavishly illustrated, 500 photograph strong opus which charts the rise of big PA systems in rock music. It further … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Adrian Maben, Australian Pink Floyd, Bickershaw Festival, book, Book review: On Track…The Development Of Large Rock Sound Systems - Volume 2 by Chris Hewitt, Charlie Watkins, Chris Hewitt, ELP, Led Zeppelin, Mark Radcliff, Peter Watts, Pink Floyd, Pompeii, review, THE WHO, WEM | Leave a comment

Gig review: BRITISH LION- Camden Underworld, London, 4 December 2021

Posted on December 9, 2021 by andynathan

The phrase living legend is overused but in the world of metal Steve Harris deserves this description, as Iron Maiden’s founder member, single-minded visionary, principal songwriter and with his prominent bass playing a big part in the band’s sound. Hell, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Airforce, British Lion, gig, Iron Maiden, metal, Richard Taylor, Steve Harris | Leave a comment

News: Albums of the Month (October 2021 – December 2021)

Posted on December 9, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Albums of the Month (October-December 2021)

DEEP PURPLE Turning To Crime (earMUSIC) While the production is big, solid and bright, there’s also a live-in-the-studio feel, like it was recorded quickly and spontaneously. Listen with open ears and the album shows the band on great form, and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged Afterlight, albums, blues rock, Burntfield, classic rock, December 2021, Deep Purple, Eclipse, Leverage, melodic rock, November 2021, October 2021, Progressive Rock, review, singer, songwriter, Thea Gilmore, Thorbjorn Risager | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE JONES GANG- 229 Club, London, 3 December 2021

Posted on December 8, 2021 by andynathan

Few living people can claim as rich a classic rock pedigree as Kenney Jones- the only Small Faces member still with us, a mainstay in the Faces and Keith Moon’s replacement in the Who. Its not surprising then that the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Dave 'Bucket' Colwell, gig, Kenney Jones, Pat Davey, Robert Hart, Stevie Smith, The Faces, the Jones Gang, The Small Faces, THE WHO | Leave a comment

Gig review: LINDISFARNE – Backstage At The Green Hotel, Kinross – Friday 3rd December 2021

Posted on December 7, 2021 by david.wilson

The week prior to this gig I had watched the excellent documentary on BBC about the life and music of Lindisfarne’s guiding light Alan Hull. Alan’s creative genius is at the centre of the Lindisfarne legacy and his timeless masterpieces … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 3rd December 2021, Alan Hull, Backstage At The Green Hotel, Dave Hull Denholm, folk, gig, Ian Thomson, Kinross, Lindisfarne, live, Meet Me On The Corner, Mundell Music, rock, Rod Clements, Run For Home, Steve Daggett | Leave a comment

Album review: THE MURDER OF MY SWEET – A Gentleman’s Legacy

Posted on December 7, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 10.12.21] The Murder Of My Sweet’s latest release, A Gentleman’s Legacy, is a concept album, with a plot worthy of some of the better psychological thriller writers we may have encountered over the years. The band is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Abba, album, concept album, Dan Brown, Daniel Flores, Frontiers, Genesis, MURDER OF MY SWEET, Phil Collins, progrock, review | Leave a comment

Album review: CAP OUTRUN – High On Deception

Posted on December 6, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [release date 10.12.21] Swedish rock band, Cap Outrun’s debut album integrates Progrock with Melodic Rock. A bold mix of nostalgia and modernism. One of the prime reasons for Progrock’s popularity is the music’s illusion of improvisation. You’re not quite … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Chandler Mogen, Denis DeYoung, Lou Gramm, melodic rock, progrock, review, Steely Dan, Toto, Von Hertzen Brothers | Leave a comment

Gig review: BAD TOUCH – O2 Islington Academy, London, 2 December 2021

Posted on December 6, 2021 by Davoski

The gig was in the upstairs portion of Academy, which is more intimate than the main ground floor venue and provided for a vibrant, enthusiastic atmosphere. Something Piston appeared to thrive on. Their short, powerful set was packed with crowd … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 2 December 2021, Bad Touch, classic rock, gig, Islington Academy, live, Piston, review | Leave a comment

Book review: On Track…ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA by Barry Delve

Posted on December 5, 2021 by jason

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 03.12.21] After a highly readable book on Queen a couple of years ago Sonicbond now publish a book based on my other all-time favourite band the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). Wisely Barry Delve focusses solely on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Barry Dalve, Bev Bevan, book, classic rock, Electric Light Orchestra - Every Album, ELO, Every Song, Jeff Lynne, melodic, pop, pop rock, review, Roy Wood, Sonicbond Publishing | Leave a comment

EP review: THIRD LUNG – Dialogues Of The Fatal Few

Posted on December 5, 2021 by jason

Facebook [Release date 26.11.21] We enjoyed Reading four piece Third Lung’s 2019 EP ‘Sooner Or Later’ here at Ritchie towers and I was delighted to read they have a new EP out. The EP is a compilation of singles, plus … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged album, Dialogues Of The Fatal Few, EP, indie, melodic, review, rock, Third Lung | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVID CROSS & ANDREW KEELING – October Is Marigold

Posted on December 4, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Noisy Records [Release date 03.12.21] David Cross releases fine instrumental music via his own Noisy Records imprint. Cross was with King Crimson in the 1970s whilst Keeling has scored new versions of the band’s repertoire. You’d expect that their music … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andrew Keeling, David Cross, Electric Chamber Music Vol.3, flute, instrumental, King Crimson, October Is Marigold, review, violin | Leave a comment

Feature: An introduction to Christmas (rock) Music

Posted on December 4, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Christmas comes but once a year, and with it the usual mixed bag of toons. But not for us the familiar stylings of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ or ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’. We like to dig deep, a bit like … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES | Tagged Alan Davey, album, carols, Christmas, feature, Hawkestrel, Hawkwind, instrumental, Jethro Tull, playlist, review, Rick Wakeman, Thea Gilmore, Thijs van Leer, Xmas | Leave a comment

Album review : STAHLMANN – Quarz

Posted on December 4, 2021 by brianmc

AFM Records [release date: 10.12.21] 7th album from German band, Stahlmann. When Rammstein released their first album, in 1995, the German music press coined a new phrase, Neue Deutsch Harte. NDH became a cutting edge calling card for other bands … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged AFM Records, album, Germany, industrial metal, NDH, Neue Deutsch Harte, Rammstein, review, Stahlmann | Leave a comment

Album review: MERCURY X – Imprisoned

Posted on December 4, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [release date 10.12.21] In straddling the border between Progmetal and Symphonic Rock, Swedish band, Mercury X have staked out a fertile chunk of territory. This is their debut album (excluding two independent releases). It remains to be seen if … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Frontiers, Marillion. Pink Floyd, Mercury X, prog metal, review, Sweden, symphonic rock, The Flower Kings | Leave a comment

News: The Best of 2021 – Get Ready to ROCK! reviewers choose their Top Albums of the Year

Posted on December 3, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

2021 has been another horrendous year for live music, largely silenced by the coronavirus pandemic. In August, live events in the UK started cautiously with several festivals and, with restrictions lifting for smaller venues, some semblance of live music returned … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, The Best of 2021 | Tagged albums, Best of 2021, blues rock, breakthrough acts, classic rock, hard rock, melodic rock, Progressive Rock, reissues, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

EP review: ROLY WITHEROW – Down By The River

Posted on December 2, 2021 by jason

Website [Release date 03.12.21] Roly Witherow is a prolific and acclaimed composer in the world of film, theatre and TV. Roly released his debut album ‘Ballads and Yarns’ in 2020, which he now follows-up with this new five-track EP. Roly … Continue reading →