-
-
-
If you can't find what you're looking for - or wish to refine your search to include only references to the key search term - try putting inverted commas around the search term e.g. "Steve Lukather" or "Black Star Riders"
For example if you enter Black Star Riders the results will include all instances of "Black" "Star" and "Riders". The search will also be slower.
-
Our star rating
***** Out of this world
**** Pretty damn fine
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan of the artist or genre
** Instant bargain bin fodder
* Ugly, just ugly
Switch site
-
Upcoming Gigs & Albums
-
Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD/Bluray) 2025
-
Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD/Bluray) 2026
-
Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2025)
-
Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2026)
-
Upcoming: Festivals UK & Europe (2026)
-
Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2025)
-
Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2026)
-
-
Latest Album Reviews
-
Latest Gig Reviews
-
GRTR! Greats
-
Featured Album Reviews
-
Features
-
Interviews
-
Single & EP Reviews
-
DVD Reviews
-
Book Reviews
-
News
-
Quick Categories
Categories (All)
Tag Archives: metal
Album review: PHANTOM ELITE – Titanium

Frontiers Records (Release date 22/01/21) On their second album now, Phantom Elite grew from the seeds of an HDK tour band, embracing Progressive Rock, Contemporary Metal and Symphonic Rock, evolving into what we see today. Fronted by Marina (Avantasia) La … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
|
Tagged album, Amanda Somerville, Frontiers, HDK, Marina La Torraca, melodic metal, metal, Phantom Elite, prog metal, review, Titanium
|
Leave a comment
News: FOO FIGHTERS, RAINBREAKERS, KISS, JOHN SYKES (January 2021)

Foo Fighters have released a new song ‘No Son Of Mine’ taken from their upcoming album ‘Medicine at Midnight’, out February 5 on Roswell Records/Columbia Records. John Sykes (ex-Blue Murder, Whitesnake) released a new song ‘Dawning Of A Brand New … 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
|
Tagged blues, EP, folk, Foo Fighters, gigs, John Sykes, Kiss, metal, New releases, news, Rainbreakers, rock, singles, tour dates
|
Leave a comment
Album review: EDENBRIDGE – The Chronicles of Eden Part 2

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 15.01.21] Second best of from symphonic metal band Edenbridge, with this volume drawn from their studio albums 5-10. Edenbridge, who have been around now for over twenty years, revolve around original members vocalist Sabine Edelsbacher and songwriter/multi-instrumentalist … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
|
Tagged album, best of, EDENBRIDGE, Karl Groom, melodic metal, metal, review, Robby Valentine, SPV, Steamhammer, symphonic metal, The Chronicles of Eden Part 2
|
Leave a comment
EP review: OBSESA – Let In The Light

OBSESA [Release date 26.12.20] Obsesa formed in 2017 in Bury St Edmunds (Vocals/Guitar: Jason Smith, Guitar: Adam Ingram, Bass: Matt Cooper, Drums: Pete Hutchins) have come out swinging and bludgeoning on their debut ep ‘Let In The Light’. Three tracks … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, Single and EP reviews
|
Tagged Doom Metal, EP, Let In The Light, metal, Metallica, Obsesa, review, speed metal, Thrash
|
Leave a comment
Album review: THE RODS – Expanded Remasters

In The Raw, The Rods Live, Let Them Eat Metal Rock Candy’s remastered & reissued programme often serves to bring a deserving band (and album) to a new audience. The Rods are the perfect example. Their eighties’ albums were in … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
|
Tagged album, classic metal, David “The Rock” Feinstein, hard rock, live, metal, reissue, review, Rock Candy, the Rods
|
Leave a comment
News – NEAL SCHON, HEART, MAGNUM, THE DARKNESS (December 2020)

Journey’s Neal Schon (pictured) releases his new album ‘Universe’ this month. Dream Theater have started work on their new album. In the meantime they have released a seasonal medly ‘The Holiday Spirit Carries On’, available for download at dreamtheaterofficial.bandcamp.com Magnum … 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, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions
|
Tagged albums, blues, festivals, folk, gigs, Heart, Journey, Magnum, metal, Neal Schon, New releases, news, rock, tours
|
Leave a comment
Album review: ELLEFSON – No Cover

Combat Records/earMUSIC [Release date 20.11.20] Ellefson, the solo band of Megadeth bassist and co-founder David Ellefson, have a double album of covers for your enjoyment. Even the cover artwork is a homage to Def Leppard’s ‘On Through The Night’ album … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
|
Tagged album, Bumblefoot, Cheap Trick, classic rock, Covers, David Ellefson, Doro, Jason McMaster, Megadeth, metal, Ministry, Motorhead, Nazareth, No Cover, review
|
Leave a comment
Album Review: RIVERSIDE – Lost ‘n’ Found – Live In Tilburg

Inside Out – [Release date: 11 December 2020] Where to start with the sadness of this release? Live in Tilburg was recorded in October 2015 – just four days before I saw them live in Manchester – one of my … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
|
Tagged Lost 'n' Found-Live In Tilburg, metal, Progressive Rock, review, RIVERSIDE
|
Leave a comment
News – BLACKMORE’S NIGHT, H.E.A.T., ORANGE GOBLIN (November 2020)

Blackmore’s Night release a festive themed four song EP ‘Here We Come A-Caroling’ on December 4 via earMUSIC. The same label release the band’s new studio album ‘Nature’s Light’ next spring. Lizzy Borden releases ‘Best of Lizzy Borden, Vol. 2‘ … 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/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
|
Tagged Arthur Brown, Blackmore's Night, classic rock, Crashdiet, H.E.A.T., Massive Wagons, metal, news, Orange Goblin, prog rock, rock
|
Leave a comment
EP Review: NUCLEAR POWER TRIO – A Clear And Present Rager

Metal Blade Records [ 30.10.20] Forget G20 summits or G7’S for that matter, where better for three world leaders to meet up but in a recording studio in Colorado. The premise of this EP is that Donald Trump (guitar), Vladimir … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
|
Tagged Allegaeon, CD, Cephalic Carnage, Donald Trump, EP, funk, Greg Burgess, Havok, Kim Jong Un, metal, Nick Schendzielos, Nuclear Power Trio, Pete Webber, Pyongyang, rock, Vladimir Putin
|
Leave a comment
Album review: SILVERA – Edge Of The World

Mighty Music [Release date 16.10.20] With worldwide lockdowns and the inability to get out on tour many bands over the last few months have taken to the studio as a refuge from the real world. As a result of this … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
|
Tagged album, Alterbridge, CD, Danish, debut, metal, Mighty Music, Nickelback, review, rock, Silvera, VOLBEAT
|
Leave a comment
Album review: GEEZER BUTLER – Reissues

WIN! Competition (closes 30 October 2020) BMG [Release date 30.10.20] Bassist Terry “Geezer” Butler is best known as a founder of Black Sabbath, and not only provided the band’s groove but much of the lyrics. While Black Sabbath endeavoured to … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
|
Tagged album, Black Sabbath, Black Science, Burton C Bell, Fear Factory, Geezer Butler, Industrial, metal, nu-metal, Ohmwork, Ozzy Osbourne, Plastic Planet, reissues, review, Tony Iommi
|
Leave a comment
Album review: MARILYN MANSON – We Are Chaos

Loma Vista Recordings [Release date 11.09.20] Marilyn Manson certainly doesn’t disappoint with album number eleven “We Are Chaos”, in fact, I would go so far as to say that this is currently my favourite Manson record to date. Produced by … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
|
Tagged album, alternative, electronica, Industrial, Marilyn Manson, metal, review, Shooter Jennings, We Are Chaos
|
Leave a comment
Album review: TRAGIK – Faith Healer

Rock Company [Release date 03.11.20] Album number nine from Tragik by my reckoning? It is another band that features the musician that never sleeps – Phil Vincent. With Tragik he handles vocals, bass and keyboards on the album. Tragik also … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
|
Tagged album, Faith Healer, hard rock, melodic rock, metal, Phil Vincent, review, Tragik
|
1 Comment
News – AC/DC, BILL BAILEY, INGLORIOUS, FLOGGING MOLLY (October 2020)

AC/DC (pictured above) have been teasing new activity via their website and UK press adverts. They have now confirmed that vocalist Brian Johnson, bassist Cliff Williams and drummer Phil Rudd are officially back in AC/DC, joining Angus and Stevie Young. A … 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
|
Tagged AC/DC, Bill Bailey, classic rock, Flogging Molly, folk, gigs, Inglorious, metal, New releases, news, punk, rock, tours
|
Leave a comment
Album review: LEAVES’ EYES – The Last Viking

AFM Records [Release date 23.10.20] Leaves’ Eyes are nothing if prolific, with eight albums, eight EPs and a live album since they formed back in 2003. ‘The Last Viking’ marks the final part of the band’s Viking trilogy, telling the … Continue reading →
Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) January 2021-March 2021

Compiled by Jason Ritchie January – March 2020 April – June 2020 July – September 2020 October – December 2020 April – June 2021 July-September 2021 October-December 2021 2021 January 1st THE BLACK KEYS ‘Brothers’ (10th anniversary edition) 8th Frozen … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, NEWS, Re-issues/special editions, Upcoming (Tours & Releases), Video
|
Tagged 2021, album, AOR, Bluray, CD, classic rock, DVD, February, heavy rock, January, March, melodic rock, metal, New releases, progressive, rock
|
Leave a comment
Album review: RISING STEEL – Fight Them All

Frontiers [Release date 04.09.20] Second album from Grenoble’s finest metal band, Rising Steel. And you can see the tongue in their cheek from space. Allegedly. The band’s amusingly phallic name is the first Freudian nod and wink. And then, endearingly, … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
|
Tagged album, Fight Them All, Frontiers, melodic metal, metal, review, Rising Steel
|
Leave a comment
Album review: STRYPER – Even The Devil Believes

Frontiers [Release date 04.09.20] Stryper’s 13th studio album, “Even The Devil Believes” follows hard the heels of “God Damn Evil” (their fourth on Frontiers). When you’re hot you’re hot. Vocalist/Guitarist/producer, Michael Sweet lets loose a high pitched howl as he … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
|
Tagged album, Even The Devil Believes, melodic, melodic metal, metal, Michael Sweet, review, Stryper, white metal
|
Leave a comment
Single reviews: CONSTANT FOLLOWER, ARCADIAN TEMPLE

CONSTANT FOLLOWER – Set Aside Some Time Sometimes, if you’re really lucky, you’ll stumble across a band that will truly make your heart swell and your life better. Constant Follower are one such band. Changing greys to multi coloured pastel … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
|
Tagged Arcadian Temple, Constant Follower, folk, melodic, metal, NWOBHM, review, rock, singles
|
Leave a comment
Album review: SOUTH OF SALEM – The Sinner Takes It All

Indie [Release date 25.09.20] South Of Salem hail from Bournemouth, consisting of vocalist Joey, guitarist Fish and Kodi, bassist Dee and drummer Pip. You can get some idea of the band’s music with the choice of producer Scott Atkins, who … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
|
Tagged album, debut, gothic, hard rock, horror metal, melodic, metal, review, South Of Salem, The Sinner Takes It All
|
Leave a comment
Feature: Albums that time forgot … CODE OF SILENCE – Dark Skies Over Babylon

Mausoleum Records (Europe) Rubicon (Japan) (2013) Described by GRTR! reviewer Alan Jones as ‘a truly genre-bending tour de force, which, whilst having melodic metal at its heart, makes frequent forays into the diverse worlds of progressive rock, heavy metal, shred … Continue reading →
News – KING CRIMSON, NEIL YOUNG, ULTRAVOX (September 2020)

King Crimson release a 26-disc set, ‘The Complete 1969 Recordings’, through Panegyric on October 23. It features a brand new Dolby Atmos mix by Steven Wilson of the band’s 1969 debut album ‘In The Court of the Crimson King’, and includes … 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/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
|
Tagged albums, Broken Teeth, classic rock, country, folk, King Crimson, metal, Neil Young, New releases, news, Nightwish, pop, prog, re-issues, rock
|
Leave a comment
Album review: VICIOUS RUMORS – Celebration Decay

SPV Records [Release date 21.08.20] Vicious Rumors found a home at Germany’s SPV Records four albums ago. In fact, Europe’s always offered a warm welcome to the band, right from the start, back in 1985. Now, everything has changed. But … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
|
Tagged album, Celebration Decay, Geoff Thorpe, metal, power metal, review, SPV, Vicious Rumors
|
Leave a comment
Album review: ONSLAUGHT – Generation Antichrist

AFM Records [Release date 07.08.20] When, on the 29th of April this year, the British Thrash metallers Onslaught announced that singer Sy Keeler had decided to once more part ways with the band, I felt pretty sad indeed. The band … Continue reading →

