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Tag Archives: metal
Album review: TESTAMENT – Brotherhood Of The Snake

Nuclear Blast [Release date 28.10.16] How many bands with let’s say a 20-30 year lifespan can you name that have consistently released excellent albums from album #1 to <insert latest>? It’s not as easy as it seems. Most bands with … Continue reading →
Gig review: NICKELBACK – SSE Wembley Arena, 17 October 2016

Few bands have experienced the vitriol that has attached itself to Nickelback over the years, to the extent that the phenomenon was even the subject of academic theses. Yet the fact that, 15 years after they first stormed the charts … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 17 October 2016, Chad Kroeger, gig, live, metal, Monster Truck, Nickelback, review, rock, Wembley Arena
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Album review: URIAH HEEP – Salisbury (reissue)

BMG [Release date 28.10.16] The Heep reissue series continues with their 1971 “progressive” offering, and reinforced with a bonus “alternative” disc including previously unreleased material. Cynics might wonder why we are again being ask to re-buy the music of our … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
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Tagged album, David Byron, heavy rock, Ken Hensley, metal, Mick Box, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Salisbury, Uriah Heep
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Album review: NO POWER NO CROWN – The Wake Up Call

One of the most energetic and entertaining live bands out of the Charlotte, NC area also happens to be one that tends to fall under the radar. They’re called No Power No Crown and they’ve been delivering their brand of … 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, metal, NO POWER NO CROWN, review, rock, Stuck Mojo, The Wake Up Call
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Quick plays: X-CALIBER, CHRISTILLOW, HAVOC

If I have built a reputation as a reviewer (have I?) it would be that I tend to write about the oddball and obscure bands from the past as well as homegrown talent from my area. I’ve always sought out … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Back For The Kill, Christillow, Havoc, melodic, metal, review, rock, Standing In The Rain, Warriors Of The Night, X- Caliber
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EP review: POWER QUEST – Face The Raven

Twas a sad day when Power Quest called it a day back in 2013. Main man Steve Williams joined Eden’s Curse and now in 2016 he’s brought Power Quest back after leaving Eden’s Curse amicably. Joining him are guitarist Gavin … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions, Single and EP reviews
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Tagged Ashley Edison, Dendera, EP, Face The Raven, interview, metal, power metal, Power Quest, Steve Williams
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Album review: EDEN’S CURSE – Cardinal

AFM Records [Release date 14.10.16] Based in Scotland, Germany, Finland and Serbia, this is the band’s fifth studio album for long time label AFM Records and with two new additions – keyboardist Christian Pulkinnen and drummer John Clelland – the … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Cardinal, Eden's Curse, Leaves' Eyes, Liv Kristine, melodic, metal, power metal, review, rock
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Interview: THOSE DAMN CROWS

These Damn Crows – Shane Greenhall, Ian “Shiner” Thomas, Lloyd Wood, Ronnie Huxford and David Winchurch – have just released their debut album ‘Murder and the Motive’, which comes highly recommended by us here at GRTR! Over to the band … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions
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Tagged album, Bullet For My Valentine, interview, metal, modern, rock, the Murder and the Motive, Those Damn Crows
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Quick plays: REDLINE MESSIAH, OPERATION: MINDCRIME, SEVENTH WONDER

REDLINE MESSIAH Buzzbomd Records Redline Messiah hail from the Mid-West and are made up from a melting pot of Chicago and California punk and metal veterans. Having formed only last year, the band’s debut album is a punk laced melodic … Continue reading →
Album review: DIRKSCHNEIDER – Back To The Roots

AFM Records [Release date 28.10.16] If you don’t know who Udo Dirkschneider is, you’re either really young or not a metal fan. Former singer for legendary German metal band Accept, Udo has one of the most distinctive voices in the … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
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Tagged Accept, album, Back To The Roots, classic, Dirkschneider, metal, review, UDO
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Album review: AIRBOURNE – Breakin’ Outta Hell

Spinefarm Records [Release date 23.09.16] AC/DC are no more. Regardless of what Angus Young may say with the departure of Macolm Young, Brian Johnson and now Cliff Williams, the AC/DC we know and love are dead. This then throws down … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged AC/DC, AIRBOURNE, album, Angus Young, Breakin' Outta Hell, Joel O'Keefe, metal, review, rock, Steel Panther
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Album review: TILT – Hinterland

Tilt Music Some albums come out of nowhere with no expectations and simply blow you away musically. Tilt’s debut ‘Hinterland’ is one of those albums and I was hooked from the first playing of this album. The album itself has … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Camel, Dave Stewart, Fish, Hinterland, It Bites, John Mitchell, metal, Paul Dorley, progressive, progressive metal, review, Robin Boult, rock, Steve Vantis, Tilt
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Quick plays: ASTRALION, GEORGIA RUTH

ASTRALION Outlaw Cliches ahoy! Rampant guitar solos – check; choral backing vocals – check; keyboards set to thrash mode – check. If you like Stratovarious and HammerFall you may like this, but they really need to get a few musical … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
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Tagged albums, Astralion, Georgia Ruth, metal, power, Quick Play, reviews, singer, songwriter
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Album review: THOSE DAMN CROWS – Murder And The Motive

[Release date 26.09.16] Those Damn Crows is vocalist Shane Greenhall, drummer Ronnie Huxford, bass player Lloyd Wood and guitarists Ian “Shiner” Thomas and David Winchurch. They hail from Bridgend, Wales home to the metal beast that is Bullet For My … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, ALTER BRIDGE, Bullet For My Valentine, metal, modern, Murder and the Motive, review, rock, Those Damn Crows
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Quick plays: CRANSTON, CRUZH, THE LUCID DREAM

CRANSTON www.philvincentbands.com [Release date 22.07.16] Phil Vincent is a prolific solo and band artist who never drops the quality. Cranston is his latest incarnation and he is joined by Paul Sabu (Only Child/Sabu) on this one. Phil takes on the … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
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Tagged album, alternative, Compulsion Songs, Cranston, Cruzh, Halfway To Hell, Heroes Of Mighty Magic, Lynam, melodic, metal, review, rock, the Lucid Dream, Twilight Force
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Album review: DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT – Transcendence

Inside Out [Release date 09.09.16] Innovative, daring, experimental, compositionally challenging, surprising, addictive…check any review for a Devin Townsend Project album, either online or in any of the specialized musical magazines which help promote our beloved music around the globe, 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, Devin Townsend Project, fusion, metal, progressive, review, rock, Transcendance
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Album review: TARJA – The Shadow Self

earMUSIC [Release date 05.08.16] Tarja returns with her fourth album and on this one there are a few surprises, none more so than guest vocalist/growler Alissa White-Gluz of Arch Enemy on ‘Demons In You’. This one is possibly the heaviest … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Arch Enemy, classical, metal, Nightwish, review, rock, symphonic, Tarja, the Shadow Self, Turunen
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Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2016)
Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check with venue and/or relevant website(s) to confirm availability. Updated 18/12/2016 GO WEST December 23rd – Indigo at The 02, London PENDRAGON 30 Dec Riffs Bar, Swindon STATUS QUO + REO SPEEDWAGON Fri December 23 … Continue reading →
Posted in Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases)
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Tagged 2016, classic rock, concert, gig, listing, metal, Progressive Rock, rock, Tour
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Album review: GENERAL GREED – Rectifying For Justice

Mountain Side Records [Release date 08.04.16] Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that are the best. Far too often people overcomplicate matters and turn straight forward situations into major dramas. General Greed approach their music with a similar outlook, … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, General Greed, Looks Like Lucy, metal, Rectifying For Justice, review, Richard Loow, rock, VOLBEAT
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Album review: TOXICROSE – Total Tranquility

City Of Light Records [Release date 16.05.16 ] Toxicrose hail from Stockholm in Sweden and were formed back in 2010. Melodic metal is the order of the day here, sound wise the band remind me of Black Veil Brides but … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Black Veil Brides, metal, Motley Crue, review, rock, Total Tranquility, Toxicrose
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Album review: THE DEVILS MUSIC – The Devils Music

Coffee Jingle Records [Release date 02.09.16] There is an old saying that you should never judge a book by its cover. The same can be said for review CD’s, take this release for example, a copied CD with hand written … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Cradle Of Filth, D Rock, Dani Filth, Daniel Finch, Death Metal, Devilment, metal, review, rock, The Devils Music
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Album review: SABATON – The Last Stand

Nuclear Blast [Release date 19.08.16] Sabaton are a new band to these ears, although I have read about them previously and their stage show which is slightly OTT at times. Their new album focuses as the title suggests on famous … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, metal, Nuclear Blast, power metal, review, Sabaton, the Last Stand
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EP reviews: METAL ALLEGIANCE, LOVE/LESS, INTO THE FIRE

METAL ALLEGIANCE – Fallen Heroes Nuclear Blast [Release date 12.08.16] Metal Allegiance is a metal supergroup whose current line-up includes Megadeth’s Dave Ellefson, Alex Skolnick (Testament), Mike Portnoy and Mike Menghi. This three song EP pays tribute to the recent … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Single and EP reviews
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Tagged alternative, David Bowie, EP, Evanescence, Into The Fire, Love/Less, metal, Metal Allegiance, Motorhead, Nuclear Blast, reviews, rock, Soil, The Eagles
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Album review: ASSASSIN – License To Kill

Thanks to this little invention called the Internet I have managed to discover an amazing amount of music and bands – some of it stuff just hitting the shelves while others are items I’ve often heard or read about and … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Assassin, classic, heavy metal, License To Kill, metal, NWOBHM, review
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Album review: DENIAL – No Comment
Heaven and Hell Records [Release date 29.06.16] Old school Thrash Metal fans, especially those who are into finding those rare, obscure, and hard to find bands, need look no further for the coolest release of the year in this genre. … Continue reading →