Tag Archives: metal

Feature: Music Industry v Covid 19

Whitesnake - DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL, Donington Park, Leicestershire, 14-15 June 2019

Many reading this will be furloughed writes Brian McGowan… over 6 million UK jobs have been so far. Many will not. Maybe you’re working from home. Maybe you’re less fortunate. You’ll know that the music industry is an integral part … Continue reading

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Album review: ESOTERICA – In Dreams

ESOTERICA - In Dreams

Esoterica [Release date 20.04.20] The dictionary definition of Esoterica is ‘things understood by or meant for a select few’. No one could ever accuse the London based sextet of either as their open-hearted take on modern rock is growing legions … Continue reading

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Single reviews: JESSICA LYNN, SCORPIONS, QUEEN + ADAM LAMBERT, ROBERT JON & THE WRECK

JESSICA LYNN - Run To

JESSICA LYNN Run To Jessica Lynn releases her first single of 2020 and despite the country label, this is one of those timeless pop power ballads. She has a vocal and a half, backed by a big production and guitar … Continue reading

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News: ALCATRAZZ, IRON MAIDEN, STEVE HOWE, KROKUS (May 2020)

KING KING - Koko, London, 7 February 2019

Alcatrazz release their first new album in over thirty years on July 31. Called ‘Born Innocent’ the line-up features founding members Graham Bonnet, Jimmy Waldo and Gary Shea Iron Maiden release ‘The Live Collection’ on June 19, which will feature … Continue reading

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Album review: MYRATH – Live In Carthage

earMusic [Release date 17.04.20] Carthage has a lot of history, not all good unfortunately. It was one of the richest cities in the ancient world and was the centre of the Punic empire which proved to be a thorn in … Continue reading

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Album review: CRYPTEX – Once Upon A Time

CRYPTEX – Once Upon A Time

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 08.05.20] Cryptex are the trio of Simon Moskon (lead vocals, keys), Marc Andrejkovits (bass, backing vocals) and Andre Jean Henri Mertens (guitars, backing vocals), with drums being handled by Simon Schröder. Cryptex have been around since 2011 … Continue reading

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Album review: TRIVIUM – What The Dead Men Say

Roadrunner Records [Release date 24.04.20] In the uncertain world of virus and lockdown that we are currently facing it can be a joyless existence. Tours postponed, album releases delayed and little in the way of light at the end of … Continue reading

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Interview: ARMORED DAWN

Armored Dawn, the Brazilian Viking metal band from Sao Paulo, released their album ‘Viking Zombie’ via The Orchard/Sony in the UK on 20 March. Get Ready To ROCK! posed a few questions for vocalist Eduardo Parras to answer – I … Continue reading

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Album review: KATATONIA – City Burials

Katatonia - City Burials

Peaceville Records [Release date 24.04.20] When, on the 28th of February 2020, I visited the “Gagarin 205” club for the purpose of attending what can only be described as an outstanding performance by the Prog Metal quintet Katatonia, never in … Continue reading

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Feature: Albums that time forgot – IOMMI – Fused (Tony Iommi/Glenn Hughes)

IOMMI - Fused (Tony Iommi/Glenn Hughes)

Sanctuary [2005] In 2005 Tony Iommi and Glenn Hughes collaborated on the album ‘Fused’.  It was Iommi’s second solo album.  The pair had worked together on ‘Seventh Star’ in 1986,  with drummer Kenny Aronoff, and this was originally destined to … Continue reading

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Album review: WOLFHEART – Wolves Of Karelia

Napalm Records [10.04.20] Finnish metallers Wolfheart master in something called ‘Winter Metal’ which appears to be a cross between fast and furious death metal and the wide soundscapes of Sigur Ros. It is a mix which works amazingly well and … Continue reading

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EP Review: BOMBS OF HADES – Phantom Bell

Black Lodge [Release date 17.04.20] Bombs Of Hades originally formed back in 2002 to party and play Crusty Death Metal (a new genre on me!) and have over the years released several albums and EP’s whilst honing their sound. This … Continue reading

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Album review: BLAZE BAYLEY – Live In Czech

Blaze Bayley Recordings [03.04.20] Blaze Bayley is one of rock and metal’s true survivors. Having been plucked from the excellent Wolfsbane to front Iron Maiden following Bruce Dickinson’s departure in 1994, he was then unceremoniously dumped by the band five … Continue reading

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Album review: JOE SATRIANI – Shapeshifting

JOE SATRIANI - Shapeshifting

Sony Music [Release date 10.04.20] We’ve always commented on the energy displayed by Satriani not least sustained during a two hour live show.  Recent albums have been pretty convincing too.  That energy permeates this latest offering and will surely translate … Continue reading

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Album review: LEGION – Redemption

LEGION - Redemption

Rock Company [Release date 18.03.20] Amazingly this is Legion’s eleventh studio album since forming back in 2010. The band’s line-up has also stayed pretty consistent with vocalist Phil Vincent and guitarist Vince O’Regan joined by bassist Gavin Cooper, drummer Any … Continue reading

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News: QUEEN, MARILLION, HELLOWEEN, DEVIN TOWNSEND (April 2020)

Quireboys - Giants of Rock, Butlins, Minehead, 26 January 2020

Hawklords release a new live album ‘Hawklords Alive’ on May 29. Marillion have started work on a new album during the current lockdown and are posting regular updates on their social media. Pattern-Seeking Animals (who feature current and former members … Continue reading

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Album review: TESTAMENT – Titans Of Creation

Nuclear Blast [Release date 03.04.20] The world may well have gone crazy at the moment with Coronavirus changing people’s day to day lives to such an extent that nothing feels normal. It is good then to have something to bring you some normality … Continue reading

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Album review: DYNAZTY – The Dark Delight

DYNAZTY - The Dark Delight

AFM Records [Release date 03.04.20] Dynazty’s first three albums culminated in the stirring melodic rock of “Sultans Of Sin” in 2012. By 2014, they had radically recalibrated their sound, trudging through the bland power metal of “Renatus” (2014) and “Titanic … Continue reading

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Album review: HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT’S ADEQUATE – Nostalgia For Infinity

HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT’S ADEQUATE – Nostalgia For Infinity

Bandcamp [Release date 06.05.20] Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate are Malcolm Galloway and Mark Gatland along with Kathryn Thomas on flute and vocals on one song. The theme of the album is the frailty of civilisation, from a variety of … Continue reading

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Album review: INTENSE – Songs Of A Broken Future

INTENSE – Songs Of A Broken Future

Pure Steel Records [Release date 27.03.20] It has been nearly nine years since we last saw an album from Intense, during which time they have been busy inside and outside of the music scene (see interview below). The album was … Continue reading

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Album review: SERIOUS BLACK – Suite 226

SERIOUS BLACK - Suite 226

AFM Records [Release date 31.01.20] “Suite 226” is seriously good Serious Black. The band have taken a lot of flak over the variable quality of their last couple of albums. Which isn’t surprising, knowing that the band’s refusal to conform … Continue reading

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Album review: SEVEN SPIRES – Emerald Seas

SEVEN SPIRES - Emerald Seas

Frontiers [Release date 28.02.20] If only all concept albums were like this one…bittersweet melodic metal anthems liberally laced with apocalyptic metal tragedy. It’s such an accomplished piece of music that it belies the fact it is only the US band … Continue reading

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News: KANSAS, FISH, HEATHEN, OZZY, BRIAN WILSON (March 2020)

HEART - O2 Apollo, Manchester, 30 June 2016

Ozzy Osbourne’s latest album ‘Ordinary Man’ debuted at number 3 in both the US Billboard and UK album charts. Fish is now hoping to release his long-awaited final studio album ‘Weltschmerz’ in July. Carcass have named their new album ‘Torn … Continue reading

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Album review: ARCHON ANGEL – Fallen

ARCHON ANGEL - Fallen

Frontiers [Release date 14.02.20] Archon Angel is a new project born from a meeting between producer/guitarist Aldo Lonobile (Secret Sphere) and former Savatage and Circle II Circle vocalist Zak Stevens during the making of Timo Tolkki’s Avalon’s Return To Eden … Continue reading

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Album review: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH – F8

Better Noise Records [Release date – 28.02.20] This is album number 8 from Five Finger Death Punch and it’s one that marks a number of firsts for the band. It is the first album to feature new drummer Charlie Engen, … Continue reading

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