Tag Archives: metal

Album review: THE POODLES – Prisma

Posted on February 6, 2018 by jason

Gain Music/Sony [Release date 26.01.18] The Poodles add to the growing list of rock acts who have released a covers album in the past few years. On ‘Prisma’ they tackle a variety of genres and eras, including a few surprise pop choices. Jakob … Continue reading →

Album review: W.A.S.P. – Re-idolized

Posted on February 3, 2018 by jason

Napalm Records [Release date 02.02.18] Moving away from the trashy, good-time, OTT lyrics of earlier albums, The Crimson Idol (released in 1993) saw Blackie Lawless and W.A.S.P. move into the territory of the concept album. The Crimson Idol tells the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Blackie Lawless, metal, Naplam Records, Re-idolized, review, rock, The Crimson Idol, W.A.S.P | Leave a comment

EP review: BLACK TREE VULTURES – Sanity Isn’t Perfect

Posted on January 19, 2018 by jason

Straight outta Bournemouth (with an attitude which says “f**k you, Compton !”) come spunky pistols Black Tree Vultures with their manic and muscly debut EP, Sanity Isn’t Perfect. Tipping the hat to several heavy rock protagonists and oozing piss-and-vinegar confidence, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged EP, metal, review, rock, Sanity Isn't Perfect, the Black Tree Vultures, Voodoo Six | Leave a comment

Album review: SAXON – Thunderbolt

Posted on January 15, 2018 by jason

UDR [Release date 02.02.18] Bastions of British heavy metal, NWoBHM stalwarts, basically if you like trad heavy metal, Saxon are where it’s at and have been for longer than I can remember. Album number 22 comes two and a half … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Biff Byford, heavy metal, metal, Motorhead, NWOBHM, review, Saxon, Thunderbolt | Leave a comment

Album review: LEAVES’ EYES – Sign Of The Dragonhead

Posted on January 11, 2018 by jason

AFM Records [Release date 12.01.18] Back in April 2016 Leaves’ Eyes parted ways with singer Liv Kristine, which led to various accounts of how the departure came about surfacing on social media and ill feeling between both parties. So this … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Leaves' Eyes, metal, review, Sign Of The Dragonhead, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

News: For Your Listening Pleasure…January 2018 – Toto, Judas Priest, Narrow Plains

Posted on January 7, 2018 by jason

A new monthly page where we give a brief mention and/or review to new lead songs from upcoming albums and more… Judas Priest are back with ‘Lightning Strikes’ off their upcoming album ‘Firepower’ which is due on 9 March via … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Editorial & Opinion, NEWS | Tagged albums, Alex James Brierley, Fiction Syxx, Judas Priest, Kayak, melodic, melodic rock, metal, New releases, new songs, pop, prog rock, rock, Simon Lewis, singles, the Darker My Horizon, the Narrow Plains, Toto | Leave a comment

Album review: CHRIS BAY – Chasing The Sun

Posted on January 7, 2018 by jason

SPV [Release date 23.02.18] Vocalist and guitarist Chris Bay is best known as the founder and frontman of German power metal band Freedom Call (formed Nuremberg, 1998), whose sound has centred around catchy guitar melodies and big vocal harmonies. Inheriting … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Chasing The Sun, Chris Bay, Freedom Call, metal, pop rock, review, rock, solo album | Leave a comment

Album review: ALMANAC – Kingslayer

Posted on January 4, 2018 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 24.11.17] Second album from the band Almanac, which was formed by former Rage guitarist Victor Smolski, who utilises a trio of vocalists, namely Andy B. Franke (Brainstorm), David Readman (Pink Cream 69) and Jeannette Marchewka (Lingua Mortis … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Almanac, David Readman, Kingslayer, metal, Pink Cream 69, power metal, Rage, review, Victor Smolski | Leave a comment

Gig review: The Choir Boy, A Bullet Belt & Lemmy by Tim Atkinson – Saffron Waldren, 28 December 2017

Posted on December 30, 2017 by jason

It is December 28th 2017 two years to the day of the passing of his lord Lemmy; after a treacherous walk uphill on sheet and black ice, a Jack Daniels and Coke is in my hand and I am compelled … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 28 December 2017, classic rock, metal, Motorhead, Phil Campbell, review, rock 'n' roll, Saffron Waldren, talk, The Choir Boy A Bullet Belt & Lemmy, Tim Atkinson, Wurzel | Leave a comment

Gig review: EXTREME/Dan Reed Network – Bristol Academy, 18 December 2017

Posted on December 23, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

A double bill tour that not only sees the return of Extreme to these shores – capitalising soon after a headline slot headline at this summer’s Ramblin Man – but also the return of the groove masters in Dan Reed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 18 December, Bristol Academy, Dan Reed Network, Extreme, funk, Gary Cherone, gig, metal, Nuno Bettencourt, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: ANVIL – Pounding The Pavement

Posted on December 18, 2017 by jason

Steamhammer/SPV (Release date 19.01.18) Few who have seen the brilliant ‘Story Of Anvil’ film could fail to fall in love with this band. But is being the world’s most loveable metal band enough to make you want to carry on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, anvil, metal, Pounding The Pavement, review, rock, SPV, Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow | Leave a comment

Album review: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH – A Decade Of Destruction

Posted on December 17, 2017 by david.wilson

Eleven Seven Music [Release date 01.12.17] It has been quite a tenth anniversary year for Five Finger Death Punch. It did appear at one point that the whole FFDP world may come crashing down and the future of the band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, CD, Decade Of Destruction, EarMusic, Five Finger Death Punch, Greatest Hits, Ivan Moody, metal, review, Rob Halford, rock | Leave a comment

Quick plays: PRIMAL FEAR, KRANKSCHAFT

Posted on December 12, 2017 by jason

PRIMAL FEAR Best Of Fear Frontiers [Release date 10.11.17] Primal Fear have been around since 1997 and to celebrate their twentieth year we have a two disc best of. Disc one has four new songs, although one ‘Area 16′ is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged albums, best of, Best Of Fear, Hawkwind, III Mysteries, Krankschaft, Matt Sinner, metal, Primal Fear, punk, Ralf Scheepers, reviews, space rock | Leave a comment

Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) January – March 2018

Posted on December 8, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Compiled by Jason Ritchie January 12th ASKING ALEXANDRIA S/T Summerin Records AUDREY HORNE ‘Blackout’ Napalam Records AVATAR ‘Avatar Country’ BLACK VEIL BRIDES ‘Vale’ CORROSION OF CONFORMITY ‘No Cross No Crown’ Nuclear Blast FLEETWOOD MAC S/T (re-issue of 1975 album with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases) | Tagged 2018, album, AOR, Bluray, CD, DVD, February, heavy rock, January, March, melodic rock, metal, New releases, progressive, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: KYLE SHUTT – Doom Side Of The Moon

Posted on November 30, 2017 by petefeenstra

Music Theories Recordings [Release date 08.12.17] ‘Doom Side Of The Moon’ celebrates 50 years of Pink Floyd by re-imagining a heavier version of ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’. It’s an attempt to get inside the textural richness of Pink Floyd’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alan Parsons, album, Clare Troy, Dark Side Of The Moon, Doom Side Of The Moon, electronica, Kyle Shutt, metal, Pink Floyd, review, Richard Wright, rock, Roger Waters, Santiago Vela III, The Beatles, the Sword | Leave a comment

The Best of 2017: top albums, top live acts – the reviewers’ choice

Posted on November 27, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

On Sunday 17 December on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, David Randall announced the popular poll results. This two-hour special includes artists voted for in the various categories: Top Albums, Top Live Acts, Top Breakthrough Acts. Every year we ask … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged albums, Best of 2017, blues, blues rock, breakthrough acts, gigs, heavy rock, listing, live acts, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, reissues, reviewer, rock, selection, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: TANKARD – Hymns For the Drunk

Posted on November 24, 2017 by jason

AFM Records [Release date 12.01.18] I’ve said it before and I’ll say it until I’m tits up and in the ground: Germany has produced some of the best Metal bands around. From so many varying sub genres, the German Metal … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Germany, Hymns For The Drunk, metal, review, TANKARD | Leave a comment

Album review: BLIND GUARDIAN – Re-issues

Posted on November 19, 2017 by jason

Battalions Of Fear/Follow Me Blind/Tales From The Twilight World/Somewhere Far Beyond/Tokyo Tales’/Imaginations From The Other Side/The Forgotten Tales (compilation)/Nightfall In Middle Earth/A Night At The Opera/Live Nuclear Blast [Release date 27.10.17] German power metal band Blind Guardian have produced some … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged albums, Blind Guardian, Hansi Hursch, metal, Nuclear Blast, power metal, re-issue, review, Thrash | Leave a comment

Gig review: ALICE COOPER – Manchester Arena, 15 November 2017

Posted on November 16, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

The release of Killer in 1971 was a defining moment in my love affair with rock and I’ve waited 40 plus years to see Alice perform with what remains of the original Alice Cooper band, Glen Buxton having passed away … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 15 November 2017, Alice Cooper, Fee Waybill, Manchester Arena, metal, rock, shock rock, The Mission, The Tubes, Wayne Hussey | Leave a comment

Album review: BARBARA BLACK – Ad Libitum

Posted on November 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 18.09.17] Barbara Black (not a very Spanish name) is, by all accounts, one of the best female voices on the Spanish female singer/songwriter, rock/metal scene. A classically trained singer, as well a pianist, and make-up artist and hairdresser … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Ad Libitum, album, Barbara Black, metal, pop, review, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST– O2 Ritz, Manchester, 4 November 2017

Posted on November 6, 2017 by david.wilson

Around this time of year there are cries around the country of ‘Christmas gets earlier every year’ as the first decorations are spotted and every TV ad features snowy scenes and perfectly wrapped presents. Manchester took this a step further … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 4 November 2017, Chris Glen, Gary Barden, gig, Graham Bonnet, Grand Prix, live, Manchester, metal, Michael Schenker, Michael Schenker Fest, MSG, review, Ritz, Robin McAuley, rock, Steve Mann, Ted McKenna, The Departed | Leave a comment

Album review: SCREAM SERENITY – Eye Of The Storm

Posted on November 3, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

3MS Music [Release date 01.12.17] A suitably named debut from a suitably named band. I feared I might be the wrong person to review this humungous slice of unbridled power combining the weight of Maiden, Metallica and Sabbath, but with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Eye Of The Storm, metal, review, rock, Scream Serenity | Leave a comment

Album review: LA GUNS – The Missing Peace

Posted on October 31, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 06.10.17] To be fair, I am a big fan of L.A Guns. Now before you assume that this review is going to be a one sided love fest, let me assure you that this is an upfront … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, glam, LA Guns, metal, Missing Peace, Phil Lewis, review, rock, sleaze, Tracii Guns | Leave a comment

Album review: DEVOID – Cup Of Tears

Posted on October 24, 2017 by jason

MelodicRock Records [Release date 13.10.17] Devoid is the brainchild of French guitarist Shad Mae and features vocalist Carsten ‘Lizard’ Schulz (Evidence One and many other guest vocal spots), keyboardist Jorris Guilbaud, bassist Ben Toquet and drummer Ben Wanders. Joining this core … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Carsten ‘Lizard’ Schulz, Cup Of Tears, Devoid, Evergrey, Freak Kitchen, Kamelot, melodic, metal, Progresive, review, Shae Mae | Leave a comment

Album review: SAXON – Decade Of The Eagle

Posted on October 24, 2017 by jason

BMG [Double CD/4 vinyl 180gm LPS Release date 17.11.17] British metal legends Saxon, still going strong, released what is considered the first album of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal genre. Originally called Son Of A Bitch, the band formed … Continue reading →