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Album review: MARIACHI EL BRONX – Mariachi El Bronx IV
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Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL – The Stables, Milton Keynes, 14 March 2026
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Tag Archives: metal
Album review: GEEZER BUTLER – Manipulations of the Mind – The Complete Collection/The Very Best of Geezer Butler

BMG [Release date: 30.07.21] Widely respected as the bassist that invented the heavyweight bottom-end of the metal genre, and rightly held in esteem for being the main lyricist of Black Sabbath, Geezer Butler’s solo material has been packaged into a … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
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Tagged album, bass, best of Black Sabbath, Burton C Bell, Deen Castronovo, Doom, Geezer Butler, Industrial, metal, review
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Album review: DEE SNIDER – Leave A Scar

Napalm Records [Release date 30.07.21] Dee is back and he sounds angry, be afraid, very afraid! This album follows on from Dee’s last album ‘For The Love Of Metal’ released in 2018 and is once again produced by Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed fame. After the demise … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, CD, Charlie Bellmore, Dee Snider, George 'Corpsegrinder' Fisher, Hatebreed, Jamey Jasta, Leave A Scar, metal, Nick Petrino, NYHC, rock, Twisted Sister
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Album review: TANTRIC – The Sum Of All Things

Cleopatra Records [Release date 23.07.21] Tantric have been around since 1999 and have more ex-members (especially drummers) to give Spinal Tap a run for their money! Vocalist/rhythm guitarist Hugo Ferreira is the sole remaining original member joined by bassist, backing … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Cleopatra Records, grunge, Hugo Ferreira, metal, modern metal, nu-metal, review, Sum Of All Fears, Trantric
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News: Albums of the Month (April 2021 – June 2021)

SMITH KOTZEN (BMG) Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) and Richie Kotzen (Poison, Mr Big, Winery Dogs) have pitted their combined guitaring and songwriting skills to fashion nine tracks of pure unadulterated hard rock heaven. ****1/2 Review by David Randall THE DUST … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS
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Tagged albums, alt rock, April 2021, classic rock, hard rock, Ian McNabb, indie rock, June 2021, May 2021, metal, review, Smith Kotzen, symphonic metal, The Dust Coda, The John Williams Syndicate, Timo Tolkki's Avalon, Trucker Diablo
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Album review: RESURRECTION KINGS – Skygazer

Frontiers [Release date 16.07.21] The Resurrection Kings are less of a supergroup, and more a ragtag collection of talented musicians who struck gold at the box office a few times, but most often found their place in supporting roles. Craig … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Black Sabbath, Derringer, Dio, Dokken, Foreigner, Frontiers, Giuffria, metal, Resurrection Kings, review, rock, Rough Cutt, Skygazer
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Album review: HEAVY WATER – Red Brick City

Silver Lining Music [Release date 23.07.21] With, amongst others, the sons of both Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris and Bruce Dickinson’s sons kicking up serious dust in The Raven Age and As Lions respectively, it’s no surprise that Seb Byford stepped … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Biff Byford, hard rock, Heavy Water, metal, Red Brick City, review, rock, Saxon, Seb Byford, Stereophonics
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Album review: THOR – Alliance

Deadline/Cleopatra [Release date 16.07.21] Canadian bodybuilder, historian, actor, and musician John Mikl Thor has produced some very fine metal over the years, debuting in the mid 70s. Since the turn of the millennium Thor has been particularly prolific, and this … 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, Alliance, Danko Jones, metal, power metal, RAVEN, review, Ross the Boss, Thor
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News: ENVY OF NONE, HOOKERS & BLOW, TROY REDFERN (July 2021)

Alcatrazz guitarist Joe Stump’s new solo instrumental record, ‘Diabolical Ferocity’, is due to be released on September 17 through Lion Music. Barclay James Harvest’s 1975 album, ‘Time Honoured Ghosts’, will be reissued in remastered and expanded form by Esoteric Recordings … 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, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged Album News, All Posts, Band Entrees & Exits, blues, books, classic rock, Colin Moulding, Festivals & Large Events, folk, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, gigs, Gigs and Tour News, Hookers & Blow, Inglorious, metal, New releases, news, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, pop, punk, Re-issues/special editions, RIP, rock, tours, Troy Redfern
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Gig review: BARE KNUCKLE + MORE HUMAN THAN HUMAN, The Victoria,Swindon,18 June 2021

The Vic in Old Town, Swindon is an established and well-known small music venue. With the current restrictions their capacity is reduced to 36, but they are not shying away from putting live music on and bands are queueing up … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 18 June 2021, Bare Knuckle, Covers, gig, metal, More Human Than Human, prog, review, rock, Swindon, The Victoria
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EP review: OVERDRIVERS – Rock Out!

Rock Of Angels Records [Release date 09.07.21] Overdrivers hail from France, although their sound owes more to Australia and the likes of AC/DC and Airbourne. This is their first new music since their 2018 album ‘She’s On Her Period’ (yes … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
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Tagged AC/DC, AIRBOURNE, EP, hard rock, metal, Overdrivers, review, rock, Rock Of Angels Records, Rock Out
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EP review: CROBOT – Rat Child

Mascot Records [Release date 18.06.21] Crobot have announced their new record Rat Child EP, which features a mighty cast of pure rock pedigree. It’s a punchy taste of what is to come in the future – this is a collaborative … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
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Tagged Anthrax, Crobot, EP, hard rock, metal, Rat Child, review, rock, Steel Panther
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News: CARAVAN, DONNIE IRIS, DOWNLOAD (June 2021)

Asking Alexandria have signed with Better Noise Music and have already started work on new music. Barenaked Ladies release their latest album ’Detour de Force’ on July 16. The Beach Boys will release a new five-CD box set, ‘Feel Flows — The … 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, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged blues, Caravan, classic rock, Donnie Iris, Download, folk, gigs, metal, New releases, news, pop, punk, rock, Rock Candy, tours
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Singles: NIGHT RANGER, PATRICK HEMER, VOODOO BLUE,

NIGHT RANGER Breakout (Frontiers) A taster from the band’s 12th studio album, ‘ATBPO’ (And the Bands Played On), due out on August 6. It is a typical, upbeat rocker from Night Ranger with guitars to the fore and the band … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
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Tagged alternative, Americana, country, folk, grunge, Hearts Apart, John Carroll Kirby, Just A Ride, melodic rock, metal, Night Ranger, Patrick Hemer, pop, review, rock, singles, Udo Dirkschneider, Voodoo Blue
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Album review: BLACK SABBATH – Sabotage (Super Deluxe Edition)

BMG [Release date 11.06.21] Following finely in the footsteps of the recent Paranoid and Volume 4 reissues, Black Sabbath’s 6th album Sabotage gets the full expansion works. And what a wonderful package it is. And much like its predecessors, … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
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Tagged album, Bill Ward, Black Sabbath, Classic Albums, classic rock, Geezer Butler, metal, Ozzy Osbourne, reissue, review, Sabotage. super deluxe edition, Tony Iommi
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Album review: KITT WAKELEY – Symphony Of Sinners And Saints

Website An interesting mix here, and following on nicely from Kitt Wakeley’s previous album, this is a high energy programmed sounding orchestral rock, with very big (almost TSO like) production. Imagine, if you will, a synth pop band going orchestral, … Continue reading →
Album review: ESCAPE THE FATE – Chemical Warfare

Better Noise Music [Release date 16.04.21] Escape the fate have shaken off their bad boy image and this album, ‘Chemical WarFare’ sees them reinvigorated and enthused – if you like rock n roll, I’ll be amazed if you don’t enjoy … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Blink 182, Chemical Warfare, ESCAPE THE FATE, metal, modern metal, review, Shinedown
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Album review: SKARLETT RIOT – Invicta

[Release date 07.05.21] With this latest album, Skarlett Riot have arrived at the forefront of the modern Metal scene. This UK quartet with a heavy hitting, superbly talented female vocalist and heavy, riff-led songs blending melody and raw power, Invicta … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Invicta, metal, modern metal, review, Skarlett Riot, Within Temptation
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Album review: TRUCKER DIABLO – Tail End Of A Hurricane

Self Release [Release date 07.05.21] Given the past year it feels like we are all at the tail end of a hurricane with a trail of devastation behind us but blue skies up ahead. Who better to take us there then … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, BTKOR, CD, metal, review, rock, Rock Kids Of The 80's, Simon Haddock, Tail End Of A Hurricane, Terry Crawford, Tim McGurk, Tom Harte, Trucker Diablo
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Quick plays: KATE VARGAS, TRICK OR TREAT, CRAIG CARDIFF

KATE VARGAS For the Wolfish & Wandering Bad Reputation This is Kate Vargas’s third album, released last year, and she has recently launched a Crowdfunding campaign to finance her next album. Her press bio has her down as a reformed … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
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Tagged album, All This Time Running, Americana, Craig cardiff, folk, For the Wolfish & Wandering, indie, Kate Vargas, melodic metal, metal, power metal, review, roots, singer songwriter, the Unlocked Songs, Trick Or Treat
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News: ASIA, ANTHRAX, TOBY HITCHCOCK, GENESIS (May 2021)

Alter Bridge plan to record their next album in 2022. Joan Armatrading’s new album ‘Consequences’ is released on June 18 via BMG. Asia are celebrating their 40th anniversary by releasing a 5CD boxset ‘The Reunion Albums: 2007 – 2012′ through … 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, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged Anthrax, AOR, Asia, blues, Darkthrone, festivals, folk, Genesis, gigs, Hardline, metal, Michael Wagner, news, prog, rock, Toby Hitchcock, tour dates
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Album review: BLACK SPIDERS – Black Spiders

Cargo Records [Release date 26.03.21] Get those middle fingers raised and hail the return of the mighty Black Spiders! The band are back with most of the original line up in place and they are rocking as hard as ever. … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Black Sabbath, Black Spiders, CD, Doom, FUBS!, metal, Pete Spiby, review, rock, Tiger Si, Wyatt Wendalls
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Album review: MOTORHEAD – Louder Than Noise… Live In Berlin

Silver Lining Music [Release date 23.04.21] High on my list of memorable gigs is a night spent with Motorhead at Newcastle City Hall back in November 2012. Motorhead were on top form that night and when you add in a … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged 2012, Ace Of Spades, album, Anthrax, Berlin, Lemmy, live, Louder Than Noise, metal, Mikkey Dee, Motorhead, Newcastle, Overkill, Phil Campbell, rock
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Album review: BLAZE BAYLEY – War Within Me

Blaze Bayley Recording [Release date 09.04.21] If you like your rock of the metal variety you are in for a treat – this is a blistering, classic metal album in the making. The guitar work is simply put superb – … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
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Tagged Absolva, album, Blaze Bayley, Iron Maiden, metal, review, War Within Me, Wolfsbane
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News: POWERWOLF, TONY IOMMI, OPETH, TRIFECTA (April 2021)

Lee Aaron (pictured) will release her latest album, ‘Radio On!’, on July 23. Bellowhead release a live album, ‘Reassembled’, on June 18. This was recorded at the band’s one-off online reunion show last December. The Black Keys release a blues … 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 classic rock, folk, fusion, gigs, jazz, metal, news, OPETH, pop, powerwolf, prog, rock, Staind, tour dates, Trifecta
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Album review: UNDERKING – At Hell’s Gate

Bandcamp [Release date 23.04.21] Underking is in fact a one-man band consisting of Maxwell Jeffries hailing from Nottingham and this is Underking’s third album. Maxwell has been working on this album for over a year, with the songs covering “topics … Continue reading →


