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Album review: MARIACHI EL BRONX – Mariachi El Bronx IV
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Album review : JON ANDERSON – Survival And Other Stories / Earth Mother Earth (2 CDs / remasters)
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Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL – The Stables, Milton Keynes, 14 March 2026
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Tag Archives: metal
Album review: POWERWOLF – The Sacrament Of Sin

Napalm Records [Release date 20.07.18] Powerwolf are back with their seventh album, or as the band would put it their latest set of psalms! They have been building on their fanbase with each successive release and tour – they are … Continue reading →
Album review: HAKEN – L-1ve

Inside Out [Release date 20.06.18] UK prog metalers Haken have the world at their feet these days. Top ranking album reviews and in depth interviews adorn the pages of some of the most high profile music magazines such as … 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, Haken, Inside Out, L-1ve, live album, meldoic, melodic, metal, progressive metal, review
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Album review: MICHAEL ROMEO – War Of The Worlds, Pt. One

Music Theories Recordings [Release date 27.07.18] Former Symphony X guitarist Michael Romeo’s ‘War of the Worlds’ has very little to do with the enduring Jeff Wayne adaptation of the H.G. Wells classic sci-fi book. However, the title does give the … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Deep Purple, electro, Frank Zappa, guitar, H.G. Wells, Jeff Wayne, John Anderson, John Macaluso, John “JD” DeServio, Jon Anderson, metal, Michael Romeo, orchestral, Pearl And Dean, review, Rick Castellano, symphonic metal, Symphony X, War Of The Worlds Pt.1, Yes
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Album review: THE APOCALYPSE BLUES REVUE – The Shape Of Blues To Come

Provogue [Release date 20.07.18] ‘The Shape Of Blues To Come’ is a conceptual titled album that pushes the blues envelope into unexpected directions The Apocalypse Blues Revue is a head-on collision between metal (Shannon Larkin and Tony Rombola from Godsmack)and … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, blues, Brian Carpenter, David Gilmour, Dead Can Dance, Godsmack, goth, Jim Morrison, metal, Pink Floyd, Ray "Rafer John" Cerbone, review, rock, Shannon Larkin, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Apocalypse Blues Revue, The Shape Of Blues To Come, Tony Rombola
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Album review: ZAL CLEMINSON’S SIN’DOGS

Zal Cleminson chatted to Get Ready to ROCK! Radio about his career for an hour special first broadcast on Sunday 17 March 2019. Facebook Guitarist Zal Cleminson found fame in The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (SAHB) during the 70s, where … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars
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Tagged album, Alex Harvey, Bonnie Tyler, guitarist, interview, metal, Midge Ure, Nazareth, review, rock, SAHB, Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Sin’Dogs, Zal Cleminson
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Gig review: STONE FREE FESTIVAL – Day 1 – O2, London, 16 June 2018

Photo: Andy Nathan The Stone Free festival once again took over the O2 in London for a weekend of metal, prog and some of the best live whistling ever heard! Andy Nathan and Dave Atkinson were there to capture all … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 02, 16th June 2018, Anchor Lane, Buckcherry, Cory Clarke, Dave Mustaine, Daxx and Roxanne, Day 1, Dirty Thrills, festival, Klaus Meine, London, Megadeth, metal, Mickey Dee, Orange Goblin, Picture Books, rock, Rock You Like A Hurricane, Rudolph Schenker, Scorpions, Stone Broken, Stone Free Festival, TRIGGERFINGER, Warrior Soul, Winds Of Change
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Gig review: DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL – Donington Park, 8-10 June 2018

It was 30 years ago that I attended Donington for the first time for a Monsters of Rock festival (as it then was) that was summed up by the contemporary Kerrang! headline ‘The Triumph and the Tragedy’. A record crowd … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 2018, Axl Rose, Black Stone Cherry, Brent Smith, Donington Park, Download Festival, Greta Van Fleet, Guns 'N' Roses, Inglorious, metal, Monster Truck, Myke Gray, No Hot Ashes, Ozzy Osbourne, rock, Shinedown, Slash, Temperence Movement, The Struts, Thunder, Toby Jepson, Wayward Sons
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Gig review: VOLBEAT – ABC, Glasgow, 6 June 2018

There can’t be many bands who have their own personal busker, but walking down Sauchiehall Street towards tonight’s venue I could hear the strains of an acoustic guitar and someone blasting out a decent version of ‘Lola Montez’. Apparently the enterprising gentleman had been there most of the … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 6 June 2018, ABC Glasgow, Elvis, Fangclub, gig, Johnny Cash, live, Lola Montez, metal, Michael Poulson, review, Rob Caggiano, rock, Seal The Deal And Lets Boogie, VOLBEAT
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Quick plays: MISHAPED PEARLS, LORDS OF BLACK

MISHAPED PEARLS Shivelight [Release date 25.05.18] Mishaped Pearls latest album’s title Shivelight comes from a word created by the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins. The word describes the lances of sunshine that pierce through a woodland canopy. An apt description as Mishaped Pearls have … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
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Tagged albums, country, folk, Frontiers, Lords Of Black, metal, Mishaped Pearls, Rainbow, review, Ritchie Blackmore, rock, Ronnie Romero, Shivelight
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Album review: BLACK SABBATH – Supersonic Years The Seventies Singles Box Set

BMG [Release date 08.06.18] This is no ordinary reissue; for a catalogue that has been reissued more times stamps have first day covers, last year’s 8LP + crucistick box took reissues to a new sonic and packing level, and this … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
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Tagged 7" singles, Bill Ward, Black Sabbath, box set, classic rock, Geezer Butler, metal, Ozzy Osbourne, review, rock, the 70s Collection, The Supersonic Years, Tony Iommi, Vinyl
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Album review: ANTHRAX – Kings Among Scotland

Nuclear Blast [Release date 27.04.18] Hard to believe that it is 30 years since the release of the ‘Among The Living’ album from Anthrax. This was the album which spawned some of the band’s biggest songs and raised their profile to … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Among The Living, Anthrax, Barrowlands, big 4, DVD, For All Kings, Glasgow, live, metal, Nuclear Blast, review, Scotland, Scott Ian, Thrash
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News: Albums of the Month (January 2018 – March 2018)

Albums of the Month 2018 April 2018 – June 2018 July 2018 – September 2018 October 2018 – December 2018 THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT A Deeper Cut (Earache) “In a world of abundance of everything, The Temperance Movement shine like a … Continue reading →
Posted in Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS, NEWS
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Tagged 2018, albums of the month, AOR, February, January, March, melodic, metal, progressive, review, rock
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Album review: RAVEN – Wiped Out

Dissonance Productions [Release date 27.04.18] Formed in the north of England in the mid 70s by brothers John (bass, and vocals) and Mark (guitar) Gallagher, Raven were a trio associated with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Playing what … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
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Tagged album, hard rock, heavy metal, metal, NWOBHM, RAVEN, re-issue, review, Wipe Out
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Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) April 2018 – June 2018

Compiled by Jason Ritchie April 2nd MARILLION ‘All One Tonight’ (DVD) 6th THE AMORETTES ‘Born To Break’ Steamhammer/SPV BLACK RAINBOWS ‘Pandaemonium’ BLACKBERRY SMOKE ‘Find A Light’ Earache Records CALIBAN ‘Ich Blute Für Dich’ Century Media CHICAGO ‘VI Decades Live’ (4CD/DVD) … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases)
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Tagged 2018, album, AOR, April, Bluray, CD, DVD, heavy rock, June, May, melodic rock, metal, New releases, progressive, rock
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Album review: THE KUT – Valley Of Thorns

Cargo Records [Release date 13.04.18] Formed in 2005 by frontwoman and self-taught multi-instrumentalist Princess Maha (she sings and plays guitar, bass, drums and piano), this London based all-female 3 piece have been frequently mentioned in the same breath as Courtney … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, hard rock, metal, punk, review, The Kut, Valley Of Thorns
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Album review: EVERTHRONE

In 2015 the band Everthrone released easily one of the best albums that year (The Dawning, which in fact topped my Top 5 of the year without much competition). They decided to crowd fund the follow-up and without much fanfare … 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, Everthrone, melodic, metal, prog metal, progressive, review, The Dawnig
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Album review: KNIGHTMARE – Walk Through Fire

Bandcamp [Release date 16.03.18] Knightmare, out of the Raleigh, NC area have been around for a bit, and are a phenomenal live band to witness. A hybrid mix of USPM and NWOBHM, these young guys show the utmost respect, and … 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, Bandcamp, Knightmare, metal, NWOBHM, review, trad metal, Walk Through Fire
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Quick plays: SCOTT MATTHEWS, SHIRAZ LANE, MIKE LEPOND’S SILENT ASSASSINS

SCOTT MATTHEWS The Great Untold Sheido [27.04.18] Album number six from the Wolverhampton singer songwriter Scott Matthews, who has gone for a sparse sound and production on this album. His guitar playing is simply superb, which coupled with his haunting … Continue reading →
Album review: DEAN WEEN GROUP – Rock2

Schnitzel Records [Release date 16.03.18] Dean Ween, aka Mickey Melchiondo, is one half of the duo behind US band Ween, who split in 2012 and then returned in 2015 with live shows and a live album. This is the second … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, alternative, Dean Ween Group, funk, lounge, metal, Mickey Melchiondo, review, rock, Rock 2, soul, soundtrack, Ween
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Album review: ROSS THE BOSS – By Blood Sworn

AFM Records [Release date 20.04.18] Ross the Boss has already laid out a pretty legendary career. From his time with The Dictators to Manowar to Dick Manitoba’s Wild Kingdom to his most recent group DeathDealer, Ross has recorded some pretty significant … Continue reading →
Album review: SAXON – Reissues (Saxon, Wheels Of Steel, Strong Arm Of The Law)

BMG [Release date 30.03.18] Bastions of British Heavy Metal, Saxon formed in the late 70s and were at the forefront of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, alongside Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Samson and Girlschool et al. And while … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
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Tagged album, classic rock, metal, NWOBHM, reissue, review, rock. Biff Byford, Saxon, Strong Arm Of The Law, Wheels Of Steel
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Album review: LIONE CONTI – s/t

Frontiers [Release date 26.01.18] A few years ago Frontiers released a series of albums from Allen Lande – Symphony X’s Russell Allen and Jorn Lande – which are very good. Now in a similar idea i.e. linking two name vocalists … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Alessandro Conte, Fabio Lione, Frontiers, Lione Conti, melodic, metal, power metal, review, Rhapsody, RHAPSODY OF FIRE, Trick Or Treat
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Album review: MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST – Resurrection

Nuclear Blast Records [Release date 02.03.18] Most people will now be aware of the Schenker Fest project which has toured extensively over the last 18 months. The premise was to reunite his former MSG bandmates and gather the three vocalists … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, CD, Chris Glen, Doogie White, Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet, Kirk Hammett, metal, Michael Schenker, Michael Schenker Fest, MSG, Resurrection, review, Robin McAauley, rock, Steve Mann, Ted McKenna, Temple Of Rock
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Album review: AXEL RUDI PELL – Knights Call

Steamhammer/SPV [Release date: 23.03.18] The prolific German axe-meister Axel Rudi Pell is back with another slab of committed power/melodic metal. Like clockwork, he releases an album of new material every two years. ‘Knights Call’ is Pell’s seventeenth release since leaving … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Axel Rudi Pell, Knights Call, metal, review, rock, Steeler
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Album review: BOREALIS – The Offering

AFM Records [Release date 23.03.18] Borealis started out in 2005 as a female fronted symphonic metal band before guitarist Matt Marinelli took over vocal duties in 2007. They have changed bassists since their last album with Trevor McBride replacing original … 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, Borealis, melodic metal, metal, progressive metal, review, the Offering
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