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Tag Archives: metal
EP review: LEAVES’ EYES – Song of Darkness

Reigning Pheonix Music [Release date 06.03.26] Leaves’ Eyes have been around since 2003 and still feature vocalist (growls), keyboards player and producer Alexander Krull, with Finnish soprano Elina Siirala fronting the band since 2016. The EP also marks the recording … Continue reading →
News: AEROSMITH, SAVATAGE, CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL (February 2026)

Acid Reign will release a new album ‘Daze Of The Week’ on May 15. Aerosmith (pictured) release ‘Aerosmith (Legendary Edition)’ on March 20 as a limited-edition deluxe 5LP box, a 4LP slipcase, black and colour vinyl, 3CD, CD, and digital. Steven Tyler and … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, Listening Post, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged Aerosmith, albums, AOR, blues, Cambridge Folk Festival, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, Savatage, special editions, tour dates
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Album review: THE HARA – The Fallout

Mascot Records [Release date 23.01.26] This album from The Hara tackles mental health struggles and subjects of toxicity and self-doubt along with the pitfalls of the industry on their journey. Channelling this into their livewire performances has seen them pick up … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, alt metal, indie, Mascot records, metal, review, The Fallout, the Hara
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Quick plays: AVALANCHE, UUHAI

AVALANCHE Armed to the Teeth [Release date 13.02.26] Avalanche are husband & wife duo Steven Campbell on lead vocals & bass, and Veronica ‘V’ Campbell on lead guitar, who are joined by Blake Poulton on rhythm guitar and drummer Bon … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
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Tagged AC/DC, album, Armed to the Teeth, Avalanche, classic rock, folk, Human Herds, indie, metal, Quick Plays, review, rock, The Hu, traditional, Uuhai
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Gig review: PUNCHDRUNK SAINTS – Fairycroft House, Saffron Walden, December 27 2025

It is those no-man’s lands days between Christmas and New Year in 2025 and the Punchdrunk Saints have bravely decided to host their second ever gig after their debut in London’s 100 Club. Tonight’s gig at Fairycroft House, Saffron Walden … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events
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Tagged charity, Cockney Rejects, Dennis Stratton, Fairycroft House, gig, hard rock, Iron Maiden, metal, Micky Geggus, PTSD999, Punchdrunk Saint, punk, punk rock, review, Saffron Walden, Saturday December 27 2025, segregates
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News: DEMON, QUEEN, PETRA (January 2026)

The All-American Rejects release their first album since 2012. ‘Sandbox’ will be released in February via Too Lost. Alt Blk Era have announced a new EP, ‘Our World’, which will arrive on May 22 via LAB Records. Tori Amos releases … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged albums, AOR, blues, DEMON, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, news, Petra, Queen, re-issues, RIP, special editions, tour dates
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Album review: BEYOND THE BLACK – Break The Silence

Nuclear Blast [Release date 09.01.26] Amazingly Beyond The Black have been around since 2014 and this is their sixth album, although to this recent convert it seems like they only started out a few years ago! Beyond The Black’s line-up … Continue reading →
Single review: THE MOTHERZ – Sweat

Facebook With a name like The Motherz you’re not going to expect Abba are you. And how right you would be. To me they sound like the illegitimate offspring of Metallica and The Stooges. They claim to draw their influences … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
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Tagged classic rock, hard rock, metal, Motherz, review, single, Sweat
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Album review: GHOST – Skeleta

Loma Vista Recordings [Release date 25.04.25] Album number six from Ghost, produced by Gene Walker, who is actually Ghost main man Tobias Forge, as said Gene Walker name is a pun on the Swedish word gengångare i.e ghost, zombie. Interesting variety … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
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Tagged album, Ghost, hard rock, melodic, metal, Papa V Perpetua, pomp rock, review, Skeleta, Tobias Forge
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News: BRYAN ADAMS, THE KARMA EFFECT, THE GEMS (December 2025)

Bryan Adams releases ‘Bryan Adams & Friends: A Great Big Holiday Jam’ on December 8 via Bad Records – the same day the Christmas special of the same name premieres on Citytv and streams on Citytv+ in Canada. Asia release … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged albums, AOR, blues, Bryan Adams, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, special editions, The Gems, The Karma Effect, tour dates
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Gig review: SAXON – Hammersmith (Eventim) Apollo, 15 November 2025

A wonderful evening of classic rock at Eventim Apollo (that’s the Hammersmith Odeon in English), and well attended it was too, having the aura of a sellout. And after Saxon vocalist Biff Byford’s recent health scare (now clear of cancer), … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged Accept, Biff Byford, classic rock, Dirkschneider, gig, Hammersmith Apollo, heavy metal, metal, November 15 2025, NWOBHM, review, Saxon, Udo Dirkschneider
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Gig review: SAXON – 02 Academy, Glasgow, 9 November 2025

Mention Saxon to anyone and they will probably reply with ‘Ah, Wheels Of Steel!’. This song and album have become fixtures in any self-respecting rock fans collection and one of the defining albums from the NWOBHM period. The album has … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 9th November 2025, Accept, Balls To The Wall, Biff Byford, Brian Tatlet, Doug Scarrett, gig, live, metal, Nibbs Carter, Nigel Glockler, rock, Saxon, U.D.O, Udo Dirkschnieder, Wheels Of Steel
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News: THE DAMNED, SAMMY HAGAR, MAID OF STONE (November 2025)

Black Swan release their new album ‘Paralyzed’ on February 13 on Frontiers. Blackwater Drowning will release their new album ‘Obscure Sorrows’ on February 27. Brother Cane will release its first new album in 27 years, ‘Magnolia Medicine’, on April 17 on … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged albums, AOR, blues, folk, gigs, Maid of Stone festival, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, Sammy Hagar, special editions, The Damned, tour dates
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News: Albums of the Month (July – September 2025)

A quarterly feature highlighting album releases rated highly by the GRTR! review team and worthy of your investigation. We try and pick out a cross-section of albums that reflect the range of genres reviewed at the website. The star rating … Continue reading →
Posted in Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS, NEWS
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Tagged 2025, albums of the month, Americana, August, blues rock, classic rock, hard rock, July, melodic rock, metal, Progressive Rock, roots, September
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News: KING KING, ACCEPT, JULIAN LENNON (October 2025)

Jan Akkerman releases ‘My Focus – Live Under The Rainbow’ on December 12 via Artone/Music Theories Recordings. Black Label Society plan to release their new album early next year via MNRK Heavy/Spinefarm Records. Buzzcocks release their latest album ‘Attitude Adjustment’ through Cherry Red … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged Accept, albums, AOR, blues, folk, gigs, Julian Lennon, King King, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, special editions, tour dates
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Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD/Bluray) 2026

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check artist and venue websites for latest information. Your release not listed? Contact us! To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system), or Command+F (on … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, NEWS, Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, Upcoming (Tours & Releases)
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Tagged 2026, album, blues rock, Bluray, CD, classic rock, DVD, hard rock, heavy rock, melodic rock, metal, New releases, Progressive Rock, reissue, singer songwriter
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Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2025)

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check artist and venue websites for latest information. Your tour not listed? Contact us! To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system), or Command+F (on … Continue reading →
Posted in Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News
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Tagged 2025, AOR, gigs, Ireland, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, tour dates, tours, uk
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Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2026)

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check artist and venue websites for latest information. Your tour not listed? Contact us! To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system), or Command+F (on … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases)
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Tagged 2026, AOR, gigs, Ireland, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, tour dates, tours, uk
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Upcoming: Festivals UK & Europe (2026)

Please check artist and festival websites for latest information. Your festival not listed? Contact us! Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio Upcoming sessions: … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, NEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Upcoming (Tours & Releases)
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Tagged 2026, AOR, classic rock, European, festivals, folk, indie, melodic rock, metal, rock, uk
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Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2025)

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check with venue and/or relevant website(s) to confirm availability. Updated 29.12.2025 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 … Continue reading →
Posted in Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News
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Tagged 2025, AOR, dates, Europe, gigs, melodic rock, metal, our, pop, progressive, rock, ROW, USA
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Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2026)

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check with venue and/or relevant website(s) to confirm availability. Updated 28.01.2026 UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2026) To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases)
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Tagged 2026, AOR, dates, Europe, gigs, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, ROW, Tour, USA
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Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD/Bluray) 2025

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 →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, NEWS, Pure Metal/News, Upcoming (Tours & Releases)
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Tagged 2025, album, blues rock, Bluray, CD, classic rock, DVD, hard rock, heavy rock, melodic rock, metal, New releases, Progressive Rock, reissue, singer songwriter
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Album review: PEACE OF MIND – Blood Is the Price

Bandcamp [Release date 05.09.25] In my mind, when I think of underground metal, I think of Germany. Many great bands have hailed from Germany, Kreator, Sodom, Destruction and the mighty Rammstein to name a few. And I believe Peace of Mind … Continue reading →
Gig review: STONEDEAD FESTIVAL – Newark Showground, Nottinghamshire, 22-23 August 2025

‘If you build it they will come’ could almost be the motto of Stonedead, which is one of the undoubted and most heartwarming successes of the crowded festival calendar. The festival was originally founded not by corporates in the business, … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged Black Oak County, D*A*D, Danny Vaughn, Dead daisies, Enforcer, festival, Florence Black, gig, Jayler, King Kraken, metal, Myke Gray, Ozzy Osbourne, Primal Fear, Ricky Warwick, Stonedead, Sweet, Sweet Electric, The Almighty, the New Roses, Tyketto
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News: BON JOVI, AVATAR, THE HARA (September 2025)

Aerosmith and Yungblud have teamed up for a new song entitled ‘My Only Angel’. It is the band’s first music in over a decade. They release an five song EP ‘One More Time’ on November 21 which features ‘My Only Angel’, … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Interviews, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged albums, AOR, Avatar, blues, Bon Jovi, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, special editions, the Hara, tour dates
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