Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

In vocalist Emil Ekbladh, Sweden’s Dirty Passion have a singer with a sound that is reminiscent of the early ‘90’s albums by that better known Swedish band Europe. This is not a bad thing but it is an observation that … Continue reading →

 I was tempted to write “the most authentic Guns n Roses record since “Appetite For Destruction”” but that really doesn’t do Aesthesia’s newly released second album “Shattered Idols” the justice that it deserves. Yes this album is the closest thing … Continue reading →

As a band Chicago’s Down & Dirty have an average age of just 18 years old- yet the influences they display on new album “Taste of Rock & Roll” are bands that had their heyday long before the boys were … Continue reading →

 31 years since the band was formed, and 21 years since the release of their last album, ”Delirium”, Wratchchild have released their 4th album “Stakkattakktwo”, and with vocalist Gaz Psychwrath taking the place of Rocky Shades, the band really are … Continue reading →

Norway’s Seks claim they are going to save us from radio dominated by Hip Hop and pop- and whilst that may never happen, they have released a debut album that harks back to ‘80’s arena rock and it is not … Continue reading →

 German band Hopscotch have self-released album number three, “Straight From The Heart”, a blend of heavy, sleazy, punk infused rock that reminds me of The 69 Eyes before they went heavily gothic.   Vocalist Markus Dangel has, for the most … Continue reading →

“Untapped” is the debut album from Houston’s Drought. The album is a solid piece of modern rock that will appeal to fans of Nickelback, Shinedown, and Alter Bridge etc- in particular tracks such as “Pick and Pen” and “Look At … Continue reading →

The 3rd album from New York’s D Drive, “3D” is released in an interesting 3D cover- which has actually been done quite well. Now that is out of the way, let’s concentrate on the album itself, 11 tracks of solid … Continue reading →

The CD is just what is needed to blow those winter cobwebs away. Featuring a solid rhythm section of  Monster Magnet’s Bob Pantella and Jim Baglino, the superb guitars of Garret Sweeney and the vocal talents of Mark Sunshine, Riotgod’s … Continue reading →

 Fresh from his sterling vocal performance on last year’s excellent Shy album, Lee Small makes a splash with this solo album. He has previously sung with other bands including Cloven Hoof, Pride and appears on forthcoming albums from Phenomena and … Continue reading →

 Finding notoriety with Samson (after a brief stint with Iron Maiden), the mask clad Thunderstick was perhaps better known for his image than his drumming skills, which is a shame because he’s actually quite thunderous.   After leaving Samson he … Continue reading →

Solid Dutch metal with a stellar cast and a decent follow up to their 2009 album Soul Collector. Hard to believe this band have been going 30 years now, and they still sound good.   With vocalist Leon Goewie is … Continue reading →

A three piece band featuring former Thunderhead/Primal Fear guitarist Henny Wolter, Freedom Call's drummer Klaus Sperling (who was also in Primal Fear with Wolter) and on bass/vocals Oimel Larcher, who sang in former Motorhead guitarist's 'Fast' Eddie Clarke's band. Clarke … Continue reading →

This is a confusing album. The band have been together for 16 years and although I follow music closely I had never come across the name before. This is History Of Guns' fourth album and looking at the bands Wiki … Continue reading →

Beyond The Bridge are a progressive metal band from Germany and this is their first release. The writing and recording process for the “Old Man & The Spirit” has definitely been a labour of love for writers Peter Degenfeld-Schonburg (guitars) … Continue reading →

This is the ninth studio album from Primal Fear, a band I have never quite 'got' musically as I often found them to be too much of a Judas Priest copycat at times. I am very pleased to be proved … Continue reading →

Craig Finn, for the uninitiated, is the front man of American indie rockers The Hold Steady and this is his debut solo album shortly to be released. Craig has left the more guitar driven sound of The Hold Steady behind … Continue reading →

Despite many years of exposure to the music industry, I am always amazed by its unique way of operating and the mass of contradictions that are endemic to it. Take, for instance, Anvil and the way they have been treated … Continue reading →

Now here is a band that have garnered a bit of heavyweight support early in their careers. Slipknot’s Joey Jordison has waxed lyrical about the band’s talents and Adrian Smith from Iron Maiden was impressed enough to invite singer Tarin … Continue reading →

SPOCK’S BEARD ‘The X-Tour Live’ Music Theories Recordings/Mascot   Recorded live at the Downey Civic Centre in September 2010 this live release will make the swansong of Nick D’Virgilio who left the band last year. They play all of the … Continue reading →

Five years on since their last album 'Retoxed' House Of Shakira are back. The band's line-up has changed radically as well with former Mind's Eye vocalist Andreas Novak joining the band, along with Basse Blyberg and Martin Larsson on bass … Continue reading →

Former hail from the home of country music, Nashville, but there is little of that city’s musical heritage evident in this the band’s second album. The band are billed as pop/rock and quote Cheap Trick, The Wildhearts and Elvis Costello … Continue reading →

Darker Half are a heavy metal band from the land down under, Sydney to be exact, but their influences are most definitely from the northern hemisphere. The band owe a lot to early Maiden more than anything else with a … Continue reading →

Tarja Turunen, as most people will no doubt know, was front women of Nightwish, a heavy metal band with major classical overtones. Tarja’s vocal delivery has always been very much in an operatic style, which was perfect for the majestic … Continue reading →