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Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2026)
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Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2025)
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Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2026)
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Category Archives: PURE METAL (All posts)
Gig review: LEPROUS – London, The Underworld, 9 November 2013
Support Acts: Blindead Review by Yiannis (John) Stefanis Photos by Emily Dgebuadze Two weeks or so ago I was contacted by Inside Out’s London PR rep about reviewing the upcoming London show of Norwegian Progressive Metal band Leprous. Up until … Continue reading
Posted in GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews
Tagged 9 November 2013, gig, LEPROUS, London, progressive metal, review, rock, Underworld
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Gig review: PARADISE LOST, Lacuna Coil, Katatonia – London, The Roundhouse, 3 November 2013
My introduction to the chromatic world of Death Metal took place exactly twenty three years ago and one of the albums responsible for my immediate conversion was Paradise Lost’s debut “Lost Paradise”. It was not at all surprising, then, that … Continue reading
Posted in GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews
Tagged 3 November 2013, anniversary, gig, Katatonia, Lacuna Coil, London, metal, Paradise Lost, review, Roundhouse
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Album review: THE VISION BLEAK – Witching Hour
Prophecy Productions – Out Now. Goth and Metal are two musical genres which, though closely related in some ways, are obviously quite distinct. It was in the early 90s and in the truly capable hands of bands like Anathema, Paradise … Continue reading
Album review: DEATH ANGEL – The Dream Calls For Blood
Nuclear Blast – Out Now. Twelve years ago, and following a ten year Sabbatical, the vast majority of the original line up of the Bay Area Thrashers Death Angel reunited for the purpose of participating in Thrash of the Titans … Continue reading
Interview with ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN (ex-The Gathering) – 19 October 2013
Meeting an artist whose work over the years has had a profound effect on you on a purely emotional level is like a double-edged sword: a good experience can further enhance your appreciation of them, whereas the opposite can cause … Continue reading
Album review: DUSKMACHINE – Duskmachine
Massacre Records – Out Now. Duskmachine are a ten year old Power/Thrash Metal outfit that started out like every other struggling, up-and-coming band. Following various line-up changes, however, they ended up being the right environment in which ex members of … Continue reading
Album review: AYREON – The Theory Of Everything
Inside Out [Release date 28.10.13] Telling a story through music is a tried and tested method and is certainly as old as Rock itself. Examples are too many to mention, but the most celebrated works would undoubtedly have to be … Continue reading
Album review: ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN – Drive
Inside Out – Out Now I have always been a strong supporter of the idea that the boundaries which separate the average musician from the real artist are strict and always clearly defined. Those who belong in the former category … Continue reading
Album review: SHADES OF REMEMBERANCE – Veil
Burn All Records [Release Date: 26.04.13] Ohio’s Shades Of Remembrance are metal band with proggy leanings on an album that straddles both genres rather than fuses the two. ‘Veil’ duly delivers enough speed, intensity, resolute playing and dark themes to … Continue reading
Album review: THE FLOWER KINGS – Desolation Rose
Inside Out – Out Now. It was almost a year ago that I was granted a thoroughly delightful and highly entertaining interview with Roine Stolt during which I openly questioned his priorities by stating that having a band like The … Continue reading
Album Review: DARK DESIGN – Prey For The Future
Heaven And Hell Records – Out Now. Young bands are the lifeblood of any music scene and innovations in recording technology have only seen their numbers grow in recent years. Sadly, easy access to said technology does not always guarantee … Continue reading
Gig review: ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN, Trillium – London Jazz Cafe, 19 October 2013
Fifteen years ago, at the now demolished Rodon Club in Athens and in the good company of another two thousand fans of atmospheric/progressive metal, the author of this review enjoyed one of the most artistically satisfying and emotionally charged performances … Continue reading
Album Review: CHURCH OF VOID – Dead Rising
Svart Records – Out Now. Debut albums from young and up-and-coming bands are released pretty much on a daily basis but, judging from many positive past experiences, it is mainly those which carry the seal of approval of the independent … Continue reading
Rock Stars: Interview with ROINE STOLT (The Flower Kings) – 2 October 2013
Normally, by this time of year, most of you would have made a decision as to which albums you consider as most important for 2013. Well, I strongly suggest that you postpone this exercise until the end of October, as … Continue reading
Interview with MATT BARLOW (Ashes Of Ares, ex-Iced Earth) – 27 September 2013
There are not many singers whose contribution to the mid-90s Metal scene has been as instrumental as that of ex-Iced Earth front man Matt Barlow – a man whose unique pipes have blasted classic compositions, such as “Dante’s Inferno” and … Continue reading
Album review: RUNNING WILD – Resilient
SPV – [Release date 7.10.13] Few bands can claim to have fans across the globe who are as passionate and devoted to their craft as those belonging to the legendary German Heavy/Power Metalers Running Wild. Even they, however, had their … Continue reading
Gig review: POWERWOLF, ASHES OF ARES – The Underworld, London, 27 September 2013
Friday the 27th of September was a day that I had been looking forward to with feverish antiscipation, the way I would have done when I was in my teens. Why? Well, Matt Barlow and his Power Metal troupe Ashes … Continue reading
Gig review: ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO – Jazz Cafe, London, 29 September 2013
This always promised to be a curious night, but if some of the audience were taking a leap of faith they were amply rewarded by a band who clearly relished a challenge as much a sharing their enjoyment with their … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Pure Metal/Gig reviews
Tagged 29 September 2013, Alex Skolnick Trio, fusion, guitar, guitarist, jazz, Jazz Cafe, London, rock, Testament
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Interview with MAURIZIO IACONO (Ex Deo) – 10 September 2013
When you put a passionate and dedicated student of history (yours truly) in the same room as a very intelligent musician who loves all things related to ancient Rome, the likelihood of the conversation following a pre-planned line of questioning … Continue reading
Album review: ANNIHILATOR – Re-Releases- Double Live Annihilation , All For You, Schizo Deluxe
UDR Music (Release date – out now) Following Annihilator releasing their new album ‘Feast’ recently, the band’s new label, UDR Music has re-released three of their previous albums to allow potential new fans to catch up on … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Pure Metal/Album reviews
Tagged album, All For You, Annihilator, CD, Double Live Annihilation, Jeff Waters, metal, review, Schizo Deluxe, Thrash, UDR
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Album review: FATES WARNING – Darkness In A Different Light
Inside Out [Release date 30.09.13] When Jim Matheos, leader of the Connecticut-based Progressive Metal legends Fates Warning, decided to put his band into a dormant recording state back in 2004, even he could not have expected this period to last … Continue reading
Interview with DANIEL CAVANAGH (Anathema/Leafblade) – 25 July 2013
Anathema are currently going through the most productive and commercially successful period of their long and fruitful career and that fact alone is enough to get guitarist and founding member Danny Cavanagh in high spirits. Smiling and accommodating, the forty … Continue reading
Gig Review: NILE, EX DEO – The Garage, London, 10 September 2013
I love autumn, especially when it follows a particularly hot summer: the air is once again fresh (as much as this is possible in London!), friends are back from holiday and, most importantly, it’s possible to attend an intimate Death … Continue reading
Album Review: ANNIHILATOR – Feast
UDR [Release date 26.08.13] This album is the 14th studio release from Canadian thrashers Annihilator. I have been aware of the band for many years but have never really warmed to them, even their ‘Alice In Hell’ … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Pure Metal/Album reviews
Tagged album, Annihilator, Feast, Jeff Waters, metal, review, rock, Thrash
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Album review: ASHES OF ARES – Ashes Of Ares
Nuclear Blast [Release date 6.09.13] The concept of high profile musicians combining forces and working on side projects is as old as Rock music itself – still, as if by instinct, I always find myself negatively predisposed towards any collection … Continue reading
