Tag Archives: hard rock

Album review : TAK MATSUMOTO GROUP – TMG II

TAK TMGII 150

Frontiers [Release date : 06.12.24] Through one of those close encounters you read about, Tak Matsumoto, guitarist and founder of leading Japanese rock band, B’z met up with Jack (Night Ranger) Blades and Eric (Mr Big) Martin in LA, in … Continue reading

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Feature: PHIL VINCENT’s Baker’s Dozen

PHIL VINCENT – Master of Deception

A Baker’s Dozen, in which various musicians choose 13 songs – a baker’s dozen – to make a playlist. The following rules apply – Maximum of three songs from any artist Maximum of two songs from any album Maximum of two … Continue reading

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Album review: PHIL VINCENT – Master of Deception

PHIL VINCENT – Master of Deception

Bandcamp [Release date 22.11.24] This is Phil Vincent’s 26th solo album! That is excluding the various bands he appears with like D’Ercole and Tragik. Mastered again by Jacob Hansen (who certainly seems to have added some punch to last few … Continue reading

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Album review: CROSSBONE SKULLY – Evil World Machine

CROSSBONE SKULLY - Evil World Machine

Better Noise Music [Release date 22.11.24] Crossbone Skully is the band formed by Alice Cooper and Hollywood Vampires guitarist Tommy Henriksen. He’s joined by guitarists Anna Cara and Sam Koltun, bassist Chris Wyse and drummer Alex Boch. That’s not all … Continue reading

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Album review : SUNSTORM – Restless Fight

SUNSTORM 150 Restless iamge

Frontiers [Release date: 22.11.24] Restless Fight is Sunstorm’s third with Ronnie Romero up front, this time with a few more “progressive” musicians alongside. Influential Italian guitarist/ songwriter Aldo Lonobile – and currently Frontiers’ head of A&R for Europe – has … Continue reading

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Album review : STORACE – Crossfire

STORACE 150 Crossfire image

Frontiers [Release date 22.11.24] Crossfire is only the second Storace “solo” release from an artist whose gravel gargling vocals have fronted many million selling albums. Any fan of the hard rock genre will recognise the talent Marc Storace has surrounded … Continue reading

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Gig review: HRH XVII, Great Yarmouth, 7-9 November 2024

hrh2

Hard Rock Hell (HRH) was back for its 17th instalment “Valhalla”. Rockers from up and down the country were already here in their masses. The atmosphere was already building and I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this weekend. Thursday … Continue reading

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Feature: CASEY MAUNDER’s Bakers Dozen

CASEY MAUNDER - Get Out and Push

The first Baker’s Dozen, in which various musicians choose 13 songs – a baker’s dozen – to make a playlist. The following rules apply – Maximum of three songs from any artist Maximum of two songs from any album Maximum … Continue reading

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Gig review: DEEP PURPLE – 02 Arena, London, 6 November 2024

Gig review: DEEP PURPLE – 02 Arena, London, 6 November 2024

They may not have the same veteran status as the headliners of this show, but Reef are celebrating 30 years in the business this year. No mean feat, with founding members Gary Stringer on vocals and Jack Bessant on bass. … Continue reading

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Album review: MASSIVE WAGONS – Earth To Grace

MASSIVE WAGONS - Earth To Grace

Earache Records [Release date 08.11.24] Amazingly this is album number seven from Massive Wagons, and their fourth on Earache Records, with their last two albums both making the UK top 10 album chart. No pressure then lads! The pre-released songs/singles … Continue reading

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EP review: PARADISE SINS – Desires

PARADISE SINS - Desires

www.facebook.com/paradisesinsband [Release date 06.12.24] Paradise Sins are a recent formation (2022) and look back to 1980s melodic hard rock for their inspiration. This five track EP is their second main calling card to date (following the previous EP ‘Untamed’) but … Continue reading

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Album review: KINGS OF MERCIA – Battle Scars

KINGS OF MERCIA - Battle Scars

Metal Blade Records [Release date 25.10.24] One thing you can’t accuse Steve Overland of is being work shy. The revival of his first love, FM, is not enough for the industrious frontman. Since 2004 he’s also produced albums as Shadowman … Continue reading

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Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD/Bluray) 2025

LARKIN POE - Bloom

Compiled by Jason Ritchie To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system), or Command+F (on a Mac) on the keyboard. The “F” stands for “Find,” and it works in every … Continue reading

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Album review: FATAL VISION – Three Times Lucky

FATAL VISION - Three Times Lucky

Art of Melody  [Release date 22.11.24] Fatal Vision originated in Ottawa, Canada during the late 1980s, carving out a niche in the Melodic Rock scene with influences from iconic bands like Asia, Bad English, Journey, Survivor, and Van Halen. After … Continue reading

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Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) 2024

MAGNUM - Here Comes The Rain

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Updated 28.10.24 To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system), or Command+F (on a Mac) on the keyboard. The “F” stands for “Find,” and it works … Continue reading

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Album review: TRUCKER DIABLO – Social Hand Grenade

TRUCKER DIABLO - Social Hand Grenade

Big Unit Records [Release date 25.10.24] It’s a sad fact that many of the NWOCR bands doing the rounds at the moment started out at least 10 years ago.  The likes of Doomsday Outlaw and Sons Of Liberty come to … Continue reading

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Album review: NO FAVORS – The Eleventh Hour

No Favors - Eleventh Hour

Pride & Joy Music [Release date 22.11.24] Can’t not give No Favors a listen as they hail from my home town of Stoke-on-Trent! No Favors were formed in the ’80s, which included rhythm guitarist Carl Ogden, who remained a constant … Continue reading

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Album review : CASANDRA’s CROSSING – Garden Of Earthly Delights

CASSANDRAs CROSSING Garden image 150

Frontiers [Release date: 25.10.24] George is back. Has he ever been away? George Lynch, ex-too many to mention, returns in tandem with up and coming vocalist/songwriter, Casandra Carson. Their debut is called Garden Of Earthly Delights … the cover art … Continue reading

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Album review: CLEANBREAK – We Are The Fire

CLEANBREAK We Are The Fire image 150

Frontiers [Release date : 11.10.24] We Are The Fire is the second album from Cleanbreak, Mike (Riot/Riot V) Flyntz and Frontiers’ wunderkind, James Durbin. While Mark Reale and Rhett Forester were getting all the headlines with Riot and Riot V, … Continue reading

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Album review : THUNDER – The Complete EMI Recordings 1989-95 (7 CD boxset)

THUNDER boxset image 150

Cherry Red [Release date 27.08.24] Thunder rose from the ashes of Terraplane, a two album English band who never escaped from label interference. Singer Danny Bowes and guitarist, Luke Morley, along with Gary “Harry” James, Ben Matthews and Mark “Snake” … Continue reading

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Album review : D-A-D Speed Of Darkness

D-A-D - Speed Of Darkness

AFM Records [Release date 04.10.24] Not often we review a museum piece. Copenhagen’s Peoples Museum is celebrating D-A-D’s 40 years in the music business this year. The band itself is recognising this milestone with a double album of brand new … Continue reading

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EP review: ALL I KNOW – Stiletto Nightmare

all-i-know

Website [Release date 01.08.24] This refreshingly ‘80’s inspired slab of keyboard heavy melodic rock would have been all over the radio in years gone by, but for now bands like All I Know are keeping the light flickering for legions of … Continue reading

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Album review: MOONSTONE PROJECT – New Life

MOONSTONE PROJECT – New Life

Escape Music [Release date 18.09.24] Moonstone Project is masterminded by guitarist and songwriter Matt Filippini. ‘New Life’ is a re-issue, of sorts, as it sees the Moonstone Project’s 2006 album ‘Time To Take A Stand’, being completely remixed and remastered … Continue reading

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Single review: CIRCUS 66 – Save The Damn World

circus 66

Facebook [Release date 20.09.24] Having already made a seismic impression with their live shows and debut album ‘Follow the Black Crow’, sizzling four-piece Circus 66 unleash this new chapter from their soon to be released sophomore ‘Elements’. For those who’ve caught … Continue reading

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Album review: TONY IOMMI featuring GLENN HUGHES – The 1996 Dep Sessions, Fused

TONY IOMMI featuring GLENN HUGHES - Dep Sessions 1996, Fused

BMG [Release date 04.10.24] The two albums guitar legend and Black Sabbath founder Tony Iommi recorded with bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes get a well deserved reissue, as well as a first time release on vinyl. Marvellous. The Dep Sessions, so called … Continue reading

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