Category Archives: GIG REVIEWS

Gig review: FINNTROLL – Classic Grand, Glasgow, 1 October 2013

On a wet Tuesday night what better way to pass the evening than in the company of three top Viking metal bands? I wasn’t sure how big a crowd would venture out on a school night for an evening of … Continue reading

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Gig review: ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD – Boom Boom Club, Sutton, 28 September 2013

  Royal Southern Brotherhood may be considered the latest super group on the circuit, but the label appeared irrelevant to a line-up that celebrated its wealth of talent with a breathtaking two hour set. RSB is the considerable sum of its … Continue reading

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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

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Gig review: ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO – Jazz Cafe, London, 29 September 2013

Alex Skolnick Trio

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

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Gig review: POWER WOLF London Underworld Friday 27th September 2013

To the Underworld and another night when they cram four bands into a tight time frame. I wish they would stop this, yes its great to give bands some exposure but it means fewer songs for the headliner. Majesty were … Continue reading

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Gig Review: GLORYHAMMER – Classic Grand, Glasgow – 26th September 2013

It may have seemed like an ordinary Thursday night in Glasgow but something glorious was stirring in the heart of the city. The faithful flocked from all corners of Glasgow and beyond, wizards, warlocks, knights and warriors, all with swords … Continue reading

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Gig review: PRETTY MAIDS – Camden Underworld, 22 September 2013

One of the most enduring bands from the European metal scene, Danish outfit Pretty Maids, have not played these shores since 1985 amazingly enough, other than an appearance at Firefest.  In the circumstances it was disappointing that even the Underworld … Continue reading

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Gig review: KIP WINGER- The Borderline, London, 21 September 2013

The overused media format ‘an evening with’ was for once an appropriate one to describe Kip Winger’s solo show  with a difference, from the moment he came on stage with a routine more suited to stand up comedy before strapping … Continue reading

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Gig Review: Y&T – ABC,Glasgow,19 September 2013

I have had a few rants in the past regarding gigs starting unexpectedly early due to venue curfews but tonight was the worst yet. Arriving at the ABC at 7.30pm I was greeted by the sight of the stage crew … Continue reading

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Gig Review: THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT – Oran Mor,Glasgow,18 September 2013

Every so often a band appears, seemingly from nowhere, who the press and media embrace. They appear in all the magazines, are played endlessly on the radio, and have grown men foaming at the mouth whilst waxing lyrical about the … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE GRAVELTONES – Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes,London,17 September 2013

Blink and you’ll miss them. The explosive Graveltones came, saw and conquered with a frenzied, hi-octane, riff driven wall of sound and the kind of visceral intensity not seen since the raw doorstep blues of Hound Dog Taylor. The band … Continue reading

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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

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Gig review: CROPREDY, 8-10 August 2013

Cropredy 2013

34 years ago, an English electric folk band played what was intended to be there final show in a field in Cropredy village, Oxfordshire. However, as the saying goes,  ‘best laid plans’,  a reunion tour was announced shortly after and … Continue reading

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Gig review: CAMBRIDGE ROCK FESTIVAL, 1-4 August 2013

Cambridge Rock Festival 2013

Haggis Farm Polo Club, Cambridgeshire Back in 2004 the first Rockingbeerfest three day festival took place under the blackened skies and torrential rain, quite contrastingly here we are today celebrating the 10th anniversary in 31degree bright sunshine. Under the leadership … Continue reading

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Gig Review: THE BLACKOUT – The Fleece, Bristol, 22 August 2013

Since touring with the Lost Prophets and winning Kerrang’s Best British Newcomer award in their early days, The Blackout have come a long way, recently releasing their fourth album ‘Start The Party’.  On the eve of playing the main stage … Continue reading

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Gig review: STEVE VAI – O2 Academy, Glasgow, 31 August 2013

This was the first time in a long time that I had ventured out to catch Steve Vai on stage. In fact the last time I saw him live he still had Devin Townsend up front and was confusing the … Continue reading

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Gig review: SOLFEST, Cumbria, 23-25 August 2013

Solfest, 23-25 August 2013

Solfest is a small festival with a big heart. It’s a celebration of music and community. Solfest feels like an enormous family reunion and perhaps even more so this year as it was Solfests 10th Anniversary. To celebrate the occasion … Continue reading

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Gig review: DEADLY CIRCUS FIRE – The Borderline, London, 23 August 2013

Deadly Circus Fire take their moniker from the Hartford circus fire of Connecticut in 1944, one of the worst fire disasters in US history. Many burned to death while others, overcome by hysteria, were reported to have run round in … Continue reading

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Gig review: HAWKWIND, Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, 24 August 2013

A very full and enthusiastic crowd tonight, possibly larger than usual as the band are playing the whole of their classic ‘Warrior On The Edge Of Time’ album, in sequence and recently re-issued on Cherry Red Records. I have seen … Continue reading

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Gig review: SOS Festival, Manchester, 20-21 July 2013

SOS Festival, 20 July 2013

Now in it’s sixth year, SOS festival is a chance for Rocksector Records to showcase it’s impressive repertoire of rock and metal acts alongside other established and emerging artists. Tucked in a pocket of Radcliffe, within ten miles of the … Continue reading

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Gig review: LAST IN LINE – Islington Academy, 1 August 2013

LAST IN LINE + SWEET SAVAGE + DENDERA A two thirds full Islington Academy to see the surviving members of the classic Dio line-up from the early/mid-80’s, no mean feat as August is never a great month for gigs outside … Continue reading

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Gig review: ROCK THE PARK – London, Ontario, Canada, 26-27 July 2013

My hometown London has been rocking various parks all summer, from the Stones and Bon Jovi at Hyde Park to Springsteen at the Olympic Park. But to our colonial cousins ‘across the pond’ , London is a mid sized city … Continue reading

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Gig Review: IAMI – Classic Grand, Glasgow, 4 August 2013

Tonight’s gig was part of a tour package rolling around the country entitled ‘The Headbangers Balls Tour’. The tour was organised by the band Reign Of Fury to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust, a cause close to the … Continue reading

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Gig review: ANVIL – The Garage, London, 30 July 2013

Support Acts: Asomvel, Skreamer. Last time I visited The Garage was five days ago for Kscope’s celebratory gig, headlined by the mighty Anathema. I had firmly resolved to stay away from that place until the weather had cooled down as … Continue reading

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Gig review: REO SPEEDWAGON – Empire Rockfest, Belleville, Canada, 25 July 2013

A couple of hours East of Ontario, Belleville is a modestly sized city of only around 50,000, but for three days it was the AOR capital of the world. Somehow the organisers, the local Empire Theatre, had lined up Journey … Continue reading

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