Tag Archives: hard rock

Album review: MASS – When 2 Worlds Collide

Posted on May 10, 2018 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 25.05.18] This is album number eight from Mass who have been making music since the mid-80′s. On this album the added keys/strings provided by Jeremy Heussi add another dimension to the band’s classy melodic hard rock … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS | Tagged album, Escape Music, hard rock, interview, Mass, melodic rock, Michael Sweet, review, rock, Stryper, When 2 Worlds Collide | Leave a comment

Album review: DON AIREY – One Of A Kind

Posted on May 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

earMUSIC [Release date 25.05.18] Don Airey can be considered rock royalty and in a quiet sort of way, and in down time from his Purple “day job”, finds the time to release consistently excellent solo albums. This is the successor … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Carl Sentance, classic rock, Deep Purple, Don Airey, Gary Moore, hard rock, Laurence Cottle, One Of A Kind, review, Simon McBride | Leave a comment

Quick plays: HEARTWIND, CAPTAIN BLACK BEARD

Posted on May 1, 2018 by jason

HEARTWIND Higher and Higher AOR Heaven [Release date 25.04.18] Heartwind hail from Sweden and were formed by guitarist Goran Engvall (ex-Hitworks) and keyboard player Mikael Rosengren (Constancia, Token). They are joined by drummer Peter Svensson (Constancia, Faith), vocalist German Pascual … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, Captain Black Beard, hard rock, Heartwind, Higher and Higher, review, rock, Struck By Lightning | Leave a comment

Gig review: G3 2018 – JOE SATRIANI, JOHN PETRUCCI, ULI JON ROTH – Manchester Apollo, 27 April 2018

Posted on April 28, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

There was a moment in this latest iteration of the global guitar circus that it all fell into place. Two-and-a-half hours in, during a stellar version of ‘Super Funky Badass’ Joe Satriani underlined why we worship our guitar heroes. The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 27 April 2018, classic metal, Dream Theater, G3 2018, gig, guitar, guitarist, hard rock, Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Manchester Apollo, progressive metal, review, Scorpions, Uli Jon Roth | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE DEAD DAISIES/The Treatment/The Amorettes – O2 Academy, Bristol, 14 April 2018

Posted on April 23, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

THE DEAD DAISIES - O2 Academy, Bristol, 14 April 2018

Supergroups come and go, more often than not exploding onto the scene with excitement then invariably disappearing due to the sound of clashing egos… This is not necessarily the case with The Dead Daisies: yes, they have had more line … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 14 April 2018, Bristol, classic rock, Dean Castronovo, Doug Aldrich, gig, hard rock, John Corabi, Marco Mendoza, O2 Academy, review, The Dead Daisies | Leave a comment

Album review: FARGO – Constellation

Posted on April 23, 2018 by jason

SPV [Release date 25.05.18] Right, strap yourself in – I’m going to be as charitable as I can here because I think it’s crass and churlish to be overly critical if someone else has been there and done it and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 70's rock, album, Constellation, Fargo, hard rock, Peter Knorn, review, rock, SPV | Leave a comment

Album review: JK NORTHRUP & DAVID CAGLE – That’s Gonna Leave A Mark

Posted on April 19, 2018 by jason

MelodicRock Records [Release date 30.03.18] An interesting match-up here as guitarist JK Northrup is well known to hard rock fans for his work with King Kobra, Paul Shortino et al, however vocalist David Cagle will be a new name and boy does he have a rocking good vocal! … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions | Tagged album, David Cagle, Eric Ragno, hard rock, JK Northrup, KING KOBRA, melodic, melodic rock, MelodicRock Records, review, rock, That's Gonna Leave A Mark | Leave a comment

Album review: REVERTIGO

Posted on April 16, 2018 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 23.02.18] Revertigo is a Swedish duo comprising Mats Levén on vocals (Therion, Candlemass, Yngwie Malmsteen) and Anders Wikström (Treat) on guitar. Long-term friends and occasional collaborators Revertigo is the name of their new project together. The duo … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, debut, Frontiers, hard rock, Mats Leven, melodic rock, Revertigo, review, rock, Therion, Treat | Leave a comment

Album review: DIZZY REED – Rock ‘n Roll Ain’t Easy

Posted on April 8, 2018 by jason

Golden Robot Records [16.02.18] Dizzy Reed is better known as the keyboard player, and second longest serving member, of Guns n’ Roses (after Axl Rose himself, of course) having joined the band in 1990. “Rock ‘n Roll Ain’t Easy” is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Axl Rose, Dizzy Reed, Golden Robot Records, Guns 'N' Roses, hard rock, keyboards, review, Richard Fortus, Ricky Warwick, rock, Rock ‘n Roll Ain’t Easy | Leave a comment

Album review: RAVEN – Wiped Out

Posted on April 8, 2018 by jason

Dissonance Productions [Release date 27.04.18] Formed in the north of England in the mid 70s by brothers John (bass, and vocals) and Mark (guitar) Gallagher, Raven were a trio associated with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Playing what … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, hard rock, heavy metal, metal, NWOBHM, RAVEN, re-issue, review, Wipe Out | Leave a comment

Album review: THE KUT – Valley Of Thorns

Posted on April 1, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Cargo Records [Release date 13.04.18] Formed in 2005 by frontwoman and self-taught multi-instrumentalist Princess Maha (she sings and plays guitar, bass, drums and piano), this London based all-female 3 piece have been frequently mentioned in the same breath as Courtney … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, hard rock, metal, punk, review, The Kut, Valley Of Thorns | Leave a comment

Quick plays: SCOTT MATTHEWS, SHIRAZ LANE, MIKE LEPOND’S SILENT ASSASSINS

Posted on March 31, 2018 by jason

SCOTT MATTHEWS The Great Untold Sheido [27.04.18] Album number six from the Wolverhampton singer songwriter Scott Matthews, who has gone for a sparse sound and production on this album. His guitar playing is simply superb, which coupled with his haunting … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged albums, Frontiers, hard rock, metal, Mike Lepond, Mike Lepond's Silent Assassins, Quick Plays, reviews, rock, Scott Matthews, Shiraz Lane, singer songwriter, Symphony X | Leave a comment

Album review: GREYBEARDS – For The Wilder Minds

Posted on March 24, 2018 by jason

Attitude Recordings [Release date 04.05.18] Sweden seems to export rock bands these days like China exports plastic shit – at least for now until Trump’s trade war kicks in – but is every one a Volvo? On the evidence of these … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Attitude Records, Bonafide, For The Wilder Minds, Greybeards, hard rock, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, Sweden, The Cult | Leave a comment

Album review: BULLET – Dust To Gold

Posted on March 24, 2018 by jason

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 20.04.18] This is the sixth album from Swedish rockers Bullet and it really depends on your bag….if you’re into Accept-cloned, dandruff-shifting riff and roll, then “Dust To Gold” (and probably the other five) are for you. Not a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bullet, Dust To Gold, hard rock, review, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: HRH AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, Saturday 10 March 2018 (Day 3)

Posted on March 19, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Skid Row - HRH AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, Saturday 10 March 2018

With Night Ranger polishing off Friday with such aplomb the omens were good for the Saturday, which on paper had a stronger line up. When arriving on site on Thursday I found out that The Quireboys were to stand in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 10 March 2018, AOR, Blood Red Saints, Dare, festival, gig, hard rock, HRH AOR, Joan ov Arc, melodic rock, Midnite City, Pwllheli, Quireboys, review, Skid Row, Wales | Leave a comment

Album review: RITCHIE BLACKMORE’S RAINBOW – Memories In Rock II

Posted on March 18, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Minstrel Hall [Release date 06.04.18] 2-CD/DVD In 2017 Ritchie Blackmore returned with his harder rock hat on to a series of arena shows in the UK. Evidently buoyed up by the successful summer sojourn a year before and no doubt … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Deep Purple, DVD, hard rock, interview, live, Memories In Rock II, review, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Ronnie Romero, uk | Leave a comment

Gig review: SKID ROW/NIGHT RANGER – Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 12 March 2018

Posted on March 16, 2018 by andynathan

SKID ROW - Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 12 March 2018

Co-headline tours make business sense, especially when the bands concerned have flown over from the USA: in Skid Row’s case this double header was part of an extensive UK tour, with Night Ranger’s briefer stop over focused around a headline … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 12 March 2018, Bad Touch, gig, glam rock, hard rock, London, melodic rock, Night Ranger, review, Shepherd's Bush Empire, Skid Row, Toseland | Leave a comment

Album review: BURN – Ice Age

Posted on March 13, 2018 by jason

Melodic Rock Records [Release date 28.02.18] Burn released their third album ‘Global Warning’ back in 2007 (and in a nod to that album the opening instrumental on this album is titled ’Global Warning’), followed by an appearance at Firefest the following … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Burn, Chris Green, hard rock, Ice Age, melodic rock, NEWMAN, review, Steve Newman, Tyketto | Leave a comment

Album review: THUNDERMOTHER – s/t

Posted on March 1, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Despotz Records [Release date 23.02.18] Some all-female, Swedish, rock ‘n’ raunch, anyone? What hot blooded male’s interest could possibly not be piqued by such an invitation? Shame on you, in these overly politically correct times. With all bar founder member/guitarist/songwriter … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, hard rock, review, Sweden, Thundermother | Leave a comment

Quick plays: THE ZIPPERS, MATTHEW FISHER, CHRISTINA MARTIN, DARLING WEST

Posted on March 1, 2018 by jason

THE ZIPPERS Angel Air [Release date 09.03.18] Back in the late 80′s it seemed the major record companies signed up any band with long hair and guitars, only for them to record an album and then never get it released. The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays, Reissues | Tagged albums, Americana, Angel Air, Christina Martin, country, Darling West, Fleetwood Mac, hard rock, Matthew Fisher, Procul Harum, review, rock, the Zippers | Leave a comment

Gig review: STONE BROKEN – Islington Assembly Hall, London, 24 February 2018

Posted on February 28, 2018 by andynathan

One of the healthiest factors in the current music scene is that, alongside long-established and recently reformed names, a whole new generation of classic rock bands are coming through and growing in popularity. Indeed one of the fastest-growing Facebook groups … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Bad Flowers, blues rock, Chris Davis, gig, hard rock, Jared James Nichols, Kieron Conroy, review, Rich Moss, Robin Haycock, Stone Broken | Leave a comment

Album review: VOODOO CIRCLE – Raised On Rock

Posted on February 23, 2018 by jason

AFM Records [Release date 09.02.18] Inspired by the likes of Rainbow and Deep Purple, Germany’s Voodoo Circle have been delivering melodic hard rock for a decade now. Recently, Voodoo Circle underwent a metamorphosis that both of those aforementioned bands have had … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AFM Records, album, Alex Beyrodt, hard rock, melodic, Rainbow, Raised On Rock, review, rock, VOODOO CIRCLE | Leave a comment

Album review: DEAD CITY RUINS – Never Say Die

Posted on February 19, 2018 by jason

AFM Records [Release date 13.04.18] Now here’s something of a novelty, a rock band from Australia who actually don’t sound like AC/DC – meet Dead City Ruins from Melbourne and their third offering Never Say Die. Built on very solid … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Budgie, Dead City Ruins, Glenn Hughes, hard rock, Never Say Die, review, rock, Thin Lizzy | Leave a comment

Gig review: JOANOVARC, HELL’S GAZELLES, KILLIT, BLACK WHISKEY – Giants Of Rock, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018

Posted on January 29, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

KILLIT - Giants Of Rock, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018

A spotlight on some of the upcoming bands that graced the Giants of Rock stages in 2018… Dubbed the ‘new queens of rock’ JoanovArc immediately impressed with an energetic and high-quality performance. Big drums, powerful bass, nice heavy guitar and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 26-29 January 2018, Black Whiskey, blues rock, Giants Of Rock, gig, hard rock, Hell's Gazelles, Joanovarc, Killit, Minehead, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: OPERATION: MINDCRIME (Geoff Tate) – Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd, 14 January 2018

Posted on January 20, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

OPERATION: MINDCRIME - Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd, 14 January 2018

I won’t bore you with the details of the acrimonious Queensryche break up and fall out that followed, but in summary after a court case in 2012/14 Geoff Tate is the only person that can perform the classic Operation Mindcrime … Continue reading →