Tag Archives: metal

Album review: BIFF BYFORD – School Of Hard Knocks

BIFF BYFORD - School Of Hard Knocks

Silver Lining Music [Release date 21.02.20] One of British heavy metal’s finest icons, vocalist (and occasional bassist) Biff Byford has fronted Saxon since the mid 70s, when they were called Son Of A Bitch. And after talk of a solo … Continue reading

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Gig review: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH – Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, 30 January 2020

This was my first visit to the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena and on arrival at the venue prior to the doors opening I was greeted with massive queues waiting to get into the sold out venue. Thankfully local boy and crack photographer Darren Griffiths was a … Continue reading

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News: MARILLION, NICK MASON, STYX, BLUE OYSTER CULT (February 2020)

MARILLION - Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 4 November 2019

Marillion release an expanded version of ‘Script For A Jester’s Tear’ on April 3 as a 4CD/Blu-ray package and on 4LP. Nick Mason’s Saucerful Of Secrets will release ‘Live At The Roundhouse’ (2LP, 2CD/DVD and Blu-ray) on April 17 through … Continue reading

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Album review: SONS OF APOLLO – MMXX

SONS OF APOLLO - MMXX

Inside Out [Release date 17.01.20] Second studio outing from the prog metal supergroup Sons Of Apollo who consist of vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, bassist Billy Sheenan, guitarist Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal, drummer Mike Portnoy and on keyboards Derek Sherinian. Sons Of … Continue reading

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Single reviews: SOLD, FALSE HEARTS, HELLZ

SOLD ‘Empty Words’ Seemingly making quantum leaps with each new release, Estonia band Sold have really hit things out of the ballpark with ‘Empty Words’. A snarling wildcat of a song, its mix of growling male and clean female vocals … Continue reading

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Album review: ALUNAH – Violet Hour

Heavy Pysch Sounds [Release date 29.10.19] Midlands four-piece Alunah show that, without doubt, you can take something primal and brutal but turn it into a thing of beauty. Their 60’s tinged doom metal follows in the footsteps of pioneers Black … Continue reading

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Album review: SERPENTYNE & OPEROSE

SERPENTYNE - Angels of the Night

Hell Fury Records [Release date 21.11.19] There is always so much to explore in music, as you explore every sub-genre of a sub-genre. Modern Symphonic Metal is a good case in point and, what was once just purely the domain … Continue reading

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Single reviews: SHADES OF GRAY, KOBURG, THUNDERSTICK

KOBURG - Position Of Power

SHADES OF GRAY – I Get Up In a dark world, there are few things that unite us and raise our spirits more than music.  Not many people understand this as fully as Myke Gray and the guitar guru/songwriter/producer offers … Continue reading

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Album review: KOBURG – Position Of Power

KOBURG - Position Of Power

Bandcamp [Release date 01.01.20] It sounds like a fairy tale but, at the stroke of midnight, as the old year passed into the next decade, a new Queen was crowned. Now, America has Amy Lee, Holland has Floor Jansen, Sweden … Continue reading

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News: FM, SKAGARACK, AIRRACE, NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA (January 2020)

FM - Giants Of Rock 2019

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Got news? We want to hear it! Contact us now FM (pictured) have completed work on their new album and it will be released on Frontiers in April. THE DOGS D’AMOUR are planning to release a … Continue reading

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Album review: MOB RULES – Beast Over Europe

MOB RULES - Beast Over Europe

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 13.09.19] Germany has long been a hotbed for rock and metal, with the Scorpions, Accept, Doro and Bonfire leading the way and the huge Waken Open Air festival bringing Teutonic thunder to the world. Celebrating their 25th … Continue reading

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Album review: ANVIL – Legal At Last

ANVIL - Legal At Last

AFM Records [Release date 14.02.20] It’s impossible not to love Anvil. Sure, prior to the 2008 ‘Anvil! The Story of Anvil’ documentary they were just scratching a living, playing anywhere and everywhere that would have them but that film was … Continue reading

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Quick plays: SANGUINE, GRAHAM PARKER & THE RUMOUR

SANGUINE - Cold Blood

SANGUINE Cold Blood   [Release date 06.13.19] Sanguine caught this reviewer’s attention with their 2016 release ‘Black Sheep’, where they successfully melded melodic metal riffs with the impressive vocals of Tarin Kerrey, along with some screamo vocals from guitarist Nick Magee … Continue reading

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News: CROWDED HOUSE, EAGLES, DENNIS DEYOUNG, 10CC, THE CULT (December 2019)

News compiled by Jason Ritchie Got news? We want to hear it! Contact us now Dennis DeYoung’s new album ’26 East: Volume 1,’ will be released Spring 2020 via Frontiers and will feature the duet “The Good Old Days” with … Continue reading

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Album review: PAUL DI’ANNO – Hell Over Waltrop: Live In Germany

PAUL DI

Metalville [Release date 31.01.20] Forever known as the original Iron Maiden vocalist (and something he’s somewhat played on over the years), Paul Di’Anno and his band were asked to play this festival in 2006 and the recently discovered tapes are … Continue reading

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EP review: THE SELF-TITLED – Beers & Bulls

THE SELF-TITLED - Beers & Bulls

http://www.theselftitled.com Four piece the Self-Titled have been around a few years, releasing their debut album ‘Defaced’ in 2012 and now they have a new four song EP ‘Beers & Bulls’ out. The band consist of vocalist Tom Procter, drummer Paul … Continue reading

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Album review: QUIET RIOT – Hollywood Cowboys

QUIET RIOT - Hollywood Cowboys

Frontiers [Release date 08.11.19] “After nearly ten years since the loss of his friend and co-founding member and bandmate Kevin DuBrow, and with careful consideration, soul searching and with the blessings and support of Kevin DuBrow’s family, Frankie has moved … Continue reading

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Album review: RAMMSTEIN – Rammstein

Spinefarm Records  [Release date 17.05.19] 10 years is a long time in anyone’s book but in musical terms it can be a whole career, or in the case of some X Factor winners a career can pass in 10 minutes. The fact … Continue reading

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Album review: CHANTEL McGREGOR – Bury’d Alive

Chantel McGregor - Bury

Tis Rock Music Ltd [Release date 24.09.19] ‘Bury’d Alive’ is an album that celebrates honesty, integrity and intensity. It’s honest because what you hear is what went down on the night. It’s full of integrity because Chantel McGregor champions new … Continue reading

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Gig review: HRH FESTIVAL, DAY 3 – Vauxhall Holiday Park, Gt Yarmouth, 9 November 2019

After the high of Saturday there was a more subdued feeling around the smaller arena as the early unplugged sessions got underway with CADENCE NOIR and DEVILFIRE.  A little thin on the ground at this early hour, the previous long … Continue reading

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Gig review: HRH FESTIVAL, DAY 2 – Vauxhall Holiday Park, Gt Yarmouth, 8 November 2019

First band on the mainstage were Highway To Hell winners, TWISTER.  The Durham band had been popular winners and the early start saw many seeking out breakfast and a brew to join the band in the main arena. The set-up … Continue reading

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Album review: RAY ALDER – What the Water Want

RAY ALDER – What the Water Want

Inside Out [Release date 18.10.19] It takes a lot of guts to step out from the safety an established band but Fates Warning frontman Ray Alder has produced an album of extraordinary depth and passion in this, his debut solo … Continue reading

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Gig review – DRAGONFORCE, Liquid Room, Edinburgh, 2 November 2019

Its 15 years since I first caught Dragonforce live at this very venue and although tonight is sold out we are still in a fairly small hall so what, if anything, does this tell us about the band’s career? For me it tells me … Continue reading

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Album review: OTHERWISE – Defy

OTHERWISE - Defy

Mascot Records [Release date 08.11.19] New signing to the Mascot label, although this is the fourth album from Otherwise. Otherwise are brothers’ vocalist Adrian and guitarist Ryan Patrick, bassist Tony “The Beast” Carboney and drummer Brian Medeiro. Opening with a … Continue reading

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Quick plays: D’ERCOLE, THE WAY, SPEARMINT

D

D’ERCOLE The Ballad Of C.L. Rock Company [Release date 11.10.19] It’s that man again, Phil Vincent, on another release following hot on the heels of the Forest Field album. D’Ercole is a band affair with Damian D’Ercole (guitar) and B.F. … Continue reading

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