Category Archives: Pure Metal/Gig reviews

Metal gig reviews

Album review: INTENSE – Songs Of A Broken Future

Posted on March 21, 2020 by jason

Pure Steel Records [Release date 27.03.20] It has been nearly nine years since we last saw an album from Intense, during which time they have been busy inside and outside of the music scene (see interview below). The album was … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions, Interviews/Rock Stars, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, Pure Metal/Gig reviews, Pure Metal/Interviews | Tagged album, Intense, Karl Groom, melodic metal, metal, power metal, prog metal, review, Songs Of A Broken Future, Threshold | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA – Biebob, Vosselaar, 27 November 2018

Posted on December 3, 2018 by Yiannis

THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA – Biebob, Vosselaar – 27th November 2018

Had you asked me twenty or so years ago whether I would ever consider attending a show featuring a band whose singer is sporting a shiny purple suit the answer would be a resounding ‘no’. Funnily enough, that is exactly … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged 27 November 2018, Belgium, Biebob, gig, metal, Night Flight Orchestra, review, rock, Vosselaar | Leave a comment

Gig review: RIVERSIDE – De Casino, Sint Niklaas, 11 November 2018

Posted on November 17, 2018 by Yiannis

RIVERSIDE – De Casino, Sint Niklaas – 11th November 2018

The first time I attended a Riverside gig was back in April 2014 and those of you who read my review of the said show will remember that the overall experience involved a very long drive from London to Liverpool, … Continue reading →

Posted in GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged 11 November 2018, Belgium, De Casino, gig, Mariusz Duda, prog, Progressive Rock, review, RIVERSIDE, Sint Niklaas | Leave a comment

Gig review: POWERWOLF – Ancienne Belgique, Brussels, 28 October 2018

Posted on November 8, 2018 by Yiannis

It is immensely gratifying to have a band, whose career you have been closely following since day one, reach such great levels of success – case in point here being the German Heavy/Power Metallers Powerwolf. Not many people were supportive … Continue reading →

Posted in GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged 8 October 2018, Amaranthe, Ancienne Belgique, Brussels, gig, heavy metal, Kissin’ Dynamite, melodic metal, power metal, powerwolf, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: PRIMAL FEAR – Biebob, Vosselaar, 12 October 2018

Posted on October 25, 2018 by Yiannis

Ask me to compose a list with the best Metal albums for 2018 and you are almost certainly guaranteed to find Primal Fear’s latest studio effort “Apocalypse” somewhere near the very top. It may be a good two decades since … Continue reading →

Posted in GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged 12 October 2018, Belgium, Biebob, gig, heavy metal, metal, Primal Fear, Ralph Scheepers, review, Riot V, Vosselaar | Leave a comment

Gig review: VOIVOD – Magasin 4, Brussels, 9 October 2018

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Yiannis

Voivod – Magasin 4, Brussels, 9th October 2018

There was a time in my young adult life where the prospect of attending a Voivod show felt less of a possibility to manning a mission for the purpose of exploring the environs of planet Mars, so it is indeed … Continue reading →

Posted in GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged 9 October 2018, Bio Cancer, gig, Magasin 4 in Brussel, progressive metal, review, thrash metal, Voivod | Leave a comment

Gig review: SABATON / ACCEPT – 117 Piraeus Academy, Athens, 8 March 2017

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Yiannis

European Power Metal has always enjoyed a healthy level of support in my home country but not even the most optimistic of music fans would expect that a venue as big as the Academy (can accommodate approximately 1600 people), of … Continue reading →

Posted in GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged 117 Piraeus Academy, 8 March 2017, Accept, Athens, gig, Greece, power metal, review, Sabaton, Twilight Force | Leave a comment

Gig review: VARDIS & DIAMOND HEAD – Bush Hall, Shepherds Bush, London, 18 July 2015

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Yiannis

VARDIS – Bush Hall, Shepherds Bush, London, 18 July 2015

It’s been thirteen years since I started working for Get Ready to ROCK! and, during that time, I have had the pleasure of reviewing many London shows – yet, I have to admit that I didn’t know that the Bush … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged 18 July 2015, Bush Hall, Diamond Head, gig, heavy rock, London, NWOBHM, review, Vardis | 2 Comments

Gig review: EVERGREY – The Underworld, Camden, London, 20 June 2015

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Yiannis

My love affair with Progressive Power Metalers Evergrey began, as most love affairs tend to do, completely by accident. The year was 1999 and US legends Crimson Glory visited my native country Greece in order to promote their latest album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Leave a comment

Gig review: VOIVOD – The Underworld, Camden, London, 20 May 2015

Posted on May 25, 2015 by Yiannis

Support Acts: Krokodil, Desert Storm There are two types of bands in this world; those that you can do without and those that you cannot have enough of. Canadian Prog Thrashers Voivod do not simply fall onto the latter category … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged 20 May 2015, Camden, gig, London, metal, review, Underworld, Voivod | Leave a comment

Gig review: FLOTSAM & JETSAM – The Underworld, Camden, London, 18 May 2015

Posted on May 25, 2015 by Yiannis

Support Acts: Bliksem, Desolator Monday evening gigs are events that I normally like the plague but, then again, it is not very often that you have a band like Flotsam and Jetsam visiting London for a show – especially one … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged 18 May 2016, Camden, Flotsam & Jetsam, gig, London, metal, review, Underworld | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE GENTLE STORM – The Relentless Garage, London, 23 April 2015

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Yiannis

Support Acts: Stream Of Passion Review by Yiannis (John) Stefanis Photos by Yiannis (John) Stefanis It was twenty years ago that the Rutten brothers decided to entrust the young and up-and-coming Anneke van Giersbergen with the position behind then mike … Continue reading →

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Gig review: KAMELOT – O2 Islington Academy, London, 14 March 2015

Posted on March 28, 2015 by Yiannis

KAMELOT – O2 Academy Islington, London, 14 March 2015

Support Acts: Gus G, Skarlett Riot. Four years ago, Progressive/Symphonic Power Metallers Kamelot witnessed the departure from their ranks of Roy Khan – their charismatic and imposing frontman who, during his fourteen year tenure with the band, helped bring to … Continue reading →

Posted in GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged 14 March 2015, gig, Gus G, Islington Academy, Kamelot, London, metal, O2, power metal, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE PINEAPPLE THIEF – The O2 Islington Academy, London, 3 December 2014

Posted on December 6, 2014 by Yiannis

Ask me to name my favourite albums for 2014 and The Pineapple Thief’s “Magnolia” will certainly feature in my Top 10 list. Even though my introduction to Bruce Soord’s Alternative/Progressive Rock outfit only took place a couple of years ago, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged 02 Islington Academy, 3 December, London, prog, progressive, rock, The Pineapple Thief | Leave a comment

Gig review: ACCEPT – The Forum, London, 27 November 2014

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Yiannis

When the last of many attempts to reunite Udo Dirkschneider with the remaining members of Accept folded back in 2009, many fans of the German Heavy Metal combo, myself included, believed that the days of this musical institution were numbered. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged 27 November 2014, Accept, Forum, gig, heavy metal, Herman Frank, London, review, Voodoo Six | Leave a comment

Gig review: BIGELF – The Garage, London, 19 November 2014

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Yiannis

Support Acts: Bend Sinister / Jolly Review by Yiannis (John) Stefanis Photos by Yiannis (John) Stefanis Though first formed in Los Angeles twenty three years ago, it took the US trio Bigelf plenty of personal effort and the committed support … Continue reading →

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Gig review: DARK TRANQUILLITY – The Underworld, London, 9 November 2014

Posted on November 15, 2014 by Yiannis

Acyl - The Underworld, London, 9 November 2014

Support Acts: Amoral, Acyl Review and photos by Yiannis (John) Stefanis The secret to musical longevity is difficult to define, however, there are bands like the Gothenburg Melodic Death Metal quintet Dark Tranquillity who seem to know very well what … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Leave a comment

Gig review: MESSENGER – The Borderline, London, 15 October 2014

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Yiannis

Review by Yiannis (John) Stefanis Photos by Yiannis (John) Stefanis In the short period since they first came together as a band back in 2012, Psychedelic/Progressive Rock troupe Messenger have really made their presence felt in the music world. Having … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged 15 October 2014, Borderline, gig, Messenger, prog, progressive, psychedelic, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: DESTRUCTION – The Underworld, London, 8 October 2014

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Yiannis

Support Act: Shrapnel, Lost Society, Evil Invaders Review by Yiannis (John) Stefanis Photos by Yiannis (John) Stefanis Attending Metal shows, even those taking place right in the middle of the week, is, strangely, still something I do with the passion … Continue reading →

Posted in GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged 8 October 2014, Camden Underworld, Destruction, gig, London, review, thrash metal | Leave a comment

Gig review: ONSLAUGHT – O2 Islington Academy, London, 20 July 2014

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Yiannis

Artillery, O2 Islington Academy, London, 20 July 2014

Support Act: Artillery, Nightlord, One Machine Review and photos by Yiannis (John) Stefanis July is not the best of months to arrange a gig in London. This is the time of the year when most people are either counting their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged 20 July 2014, gig, London, metal, O2 Islington Academy, onslaught, review, Thrash | Leave a comment

Gig review: ANGRA – Camden Underworld, London, 24 June 2014

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Yiannis

Support Act: Stormborn Review by Yiannis (John) Stefanis Photos by Yiannis (John) Stefanis Planning a gig in London during the Football World Cup in full swing is equivalent to commercial suicide for most bands but the fact that it’s been … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged 24 June 2014, ANGRA, Camden, gig, London, metal, power metal, review, Underworld | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE FLOWER KINGS – O2 Islington Academy, London, 8 May 2014

Posted on May 9, 2014 by Yiannis

Sound Of Contact - O2 Islington Academy, London, 8 May 2014

Support Act: Sound Of Contact Review and photos by Yiannis (John) Stefanis Performing a show in London on the same day that Yes are headlining the legendary Royal Albert Hall is the worst scenario for any Prog Rock band and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged gig, Jonas Reingold, prog, progressive, review, rock, Roine Stolt, Simon Collins, Sound Of Contact, The Flower Kings | Leave a comment

Gig review: METAL ALLIANCE 2014 – Tremont Music Hall, North Carolina

Posted on April 24, 2014 by jason

I hate my Birthday. Hate it with a deep passion. It has nothing to do with getting older. I really couldn’t care less about my age. It’s just a number. I hate it mostly because I link my Birthday with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged Behemoth, gig review, Goatwhore, Metal Alliance 2014, North Carolina, Tremont Music Hall | Leave a comment

Gig Review: GAZPACHO – 02 Islington Academy, London, 15 April 2014

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Yiannis

Support Acts: Se Delan, Bruce and Jon from the Pineapple Thief Review and photos by Yiannis (John) Stefanis On the 15 April I decided to ignore the fact that I was travelling the following day, and surrendered instead to my … Continue reading →

Posted in GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged 15 April 2014, Gazpacho, gig, London, metal, O2 Islington Academy, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: WITHIN TEMPTATION/Delain – Manchester Apollo, 11 April 2014

Posted on April 17, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Within Temptation - Manchester Apollo, 11 April 2014

As I arrive at the venue tonight a full hour before it opens the draw of the bands is evident as the queues are already stretching up the road for this rearranged show. The tour originally due to be in … Continue reading →