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Album review: MARIACHI EL BRONX – Mariachi El Bronx IV
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Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL – The Stables, Milton Keynes, 14 March 2026
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Tag Archives: metal
EP reviews: ELEMENTS, V/VEGA

EP review: ELEMENTS – Where We Once Begun Self Release [Release date – 16.08.15] This is the second EP release from Southampton rockers Elements and it is a well honed affair. The band owe a lot to the likes of … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
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Tagged Don Bronco, Elements, EP, LA Guns, Leaving Lyra, metal, prog, review, rock, Skid Row, V/Vega, Where We Once Begun
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Gig review: SOS FESTIVAL – Radcliffe Civic, Manchester, 17-19 July 2015

It’s that time of year when the Civic Hall, Radcliffe gets its roof well and truly raised as the hordes of rockers and metal-heads gather for the annual SOS festival. Organized by Rocksector Records it showcases not only their own … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events
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Tagged 17-19 July 2015, Black Whiskey, Blaze Bayley, Furyon, gig, Knock Out Kaine, Manchester, metal, NWOBHM, Radcliffe Civic, review, rock, SOS Festival, The Amorettes, Triaxis, Tysondog
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Gig review: STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL Day 2 – Ebbw Vale, South Wales, 26 July 2015

Photo: Simon Dunkerley What a difference twelve hours can make, from beautiful blue skies to masses of mud, the lovely Welsh rain has made an appearance but, no matter, the show goes on. Skam had the unenviable task of starting … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events
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Tagged 26 July 2015, Colour Of Noise, Danny Vaughn, Day 2, Dee Snider, Doro, Ebbw Vale, FM, gig, heavy rock, melodic rock, metal, review, South Wales, Steelhouse Festival, Twisted Sister, Tyketto
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Album review: RIVERS OF NIHIL – Monarchy

Metal Blade [Release date 21.08.15] When a band records a first album that is so amazing, you wonder if that band will be able to follow it up and come even close to its greatness. Look at a band like … 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, Death Metal, extreme metal, metal, Metal Blade, Monarchy, review, Rivers of Nihil
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Album review: KILLER KHAN – Kill Devil Hills

My writing has given me so much satisfaction in my life. Not necessarily the writing itself, but certainly most of the events leading up to it, and some aspects that have remained with me forever. I have seen some amazing … 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, Kill Devil Hills, Killer Khan, metal, review, rock
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Gig review: RAMBLIN’ MAN FESTIVAL Day 1 – Mote Park, Maidstone, 25 July 2015

Photo: Paul Rodgers Another summer and yet another new festival joins the ranks of the many. This one however had the classic rock fraternity foaming at the mouth with a line up which comprised some of the biggest names in … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events
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Tagged 25 July 2015, Anathema, Biff Byford, Blue Oyster Cult, Camel, Dream Theater, FM, gig, Klaus Meine, Maidstone, metal, Mote Park, No Hot Ashes, prog, Ramblin' Man Festival, review, rock, Rudolf Schenker, Saxon, Scorpions, Toseland, Touchstone
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News: THE FACES, UDO, SUPERTRAMP– Thursday 6th August 2015

The Faces have announced a one-off reunion after 40 years. They appear on September 5th with a special gig as part of the 3rd Rock ’N’ Horsepower charity event for Prostate Cancer UK. Original surviving members Rod Stewart, Kenney Jones … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, Re-issues/special editions
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Tagged Accept, charity, classic, metal, news, Rick Davies, rock, Rod Stewart, Supertramp, The Faces, UDO
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Quick plays: IAN TOOMEY, DATURA4, DAVID COURTNEY, SKINAGE

IAN TOOMEY – Ascension Metal Nation [Released 04.09.15] Ian Toomey is the guitarist in Bitches Sin, a band that formed way back in 1980 and reunited back in 2008. This is his solo album, aided by legendary producer Chris Tsangarides, … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
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Tagged album review, Angel Air Records, Ascension, Bitches Sin, blues rock, classic, Datura4, David Courtney, guitarist, Ian Toomey, Leo Sayer, metal, NWOBHM, pop, Quick Play, rock, Roger Daltrey, Skinage, Solo
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News: JOEL HOEKSTRA, FOZZY, THE LEMONHEADS – Saturday 1st August 2015

Guitarist Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake/ex-Night Ranger) releases his new solo album, ‘Dying To Live’, on October 16th on Frontiers. Guests include Jeff Scott Soto, Russell Allen, Tony Franklin, Vinny Appice, Derek Sherinian amongst others. Nalle Påhlsson’s ROYAL MESS release their debut … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, Re-issues/special editions
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Tagged classic rock, Fozzy, GIRLSCHOOL, guitarist, Joel Hoekstra, melodic, metal, Motorhead, Nalle Påhlsson's Royal Mess, news, Reef, rock, rock 'n' roll, Saxon, the Lemonheads, UK tour, upcoming albums, Whitesnake
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News: SHOOTING STAR, MICHAEL MONROE, ART NATION – Saturday 25th July 2015

Shooting Star have released their new album ‘Into the Night’ for free as a download on their website. Download by going to www.shootingstarmaniacs.com and using the code “1980″. Art Nation release their new album ‘Revolution’ on AOR Heaven on 28th … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, Re-issues/special editions
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Tagged AOR, Avenged Sevenfold, classic, Hardcore Supertar, melodic, metal, Michael Monroe, news, punk, rock, Shooting Star, the Melvins, UK dates
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Quick plays: TONY IOMMI TRIBUTE, MARK MORRISS, GUNSHIP, CEREBELLION

VARIOUS – Great Lefty: Live Forever! www.tanzanmusic.com [Release date 04.05.15] An interesting double CD this one featuring a collection of Black Sabbath tribute bands, musicians and a couple of ex-Black Sabbath members, all paying tribute the master of the doom … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
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Tagged 80's music, album, Black Sabbath, Cerebellion, Covers, Great Lefty: Live Forever, guitarist, Gunship, Mark Morriss, metal, review, synths, the Bluetones, The Taste Of Mark Morriss, Tony Iommi, Tony Martin, tribute, vocalist
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News: SOS Festival, Radcliffe, near Manchester, 17-19 July 2015 (Metal and Rock)

This preview of the SOS Festival was broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on Sunday 12 July as part of ‘Assume The Position’ presented by David Randall (21:20) The 8th SOS Festival takes place 17-19 July at Radcliffe Civic … Continue reading →
Posted in Festivals & Large Events, NEWS
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Tagged 17-19 July 2015, Blaze Bayley, Furyon, heavy rock, Manchester, metal, Radcliffe Civic, rock, Skarlett Riot, SOS Festival, The Amorettes, Triaxis
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Album review: NEXT TO NONE – A Light In The Dark

Inside Out [Release date 29.06.15] When I was about 14 years old, I got beaten up by the meanest, toughest, most fearless kid in school – and he was only 10…not my finest hour. Now, at the ripe old age … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged A Light In The Dark, album, Dream Theater, Inside Out, Max Portnoy, metal, Mike Portnoy, Next To None, prog, review
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Album review: POWERWOLF – Blessed & Possessed

Napalm Records [Release date 17.07.15] Powerwolf are back with album number six and the second one I have heard by them having been mightily impressed by their last albums ‘Preachers Of The Night’. As their name suggests they play power … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Blessed & Possessed, metal, Napalm Records, power metal, powerwolf, review, speed metal
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Interview: ERIC A.K (Flotsam And Jetsam) – June 2015

Few bands who have been musically active for a good three decades can claim to have been as daring, innovative and talented as the Arizona Thrash Metalers Flotsam And Jetsam, and a lot of that has to do with the … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Interviews
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Tagged Eric AK, Flotsam And Jetsam, interview, June 2015, metal
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News: SPOCK’S BEARD, QUEENSRYCHE, RORY GALLAGHER – Thursday 2 July 2015

Queensryche will release their new album in October. AC/DC have added their music to streaming music services including Spotify and Apple. Spock’s Beard release their new album ‘The Oblivion Particle’ on Aug 21st on Inside Out. Sony have won a … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, Re-issues/special editions
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Tagged AC/DC, blues, classic, metal, news, prog, Queensryche, rock, Rory Gallagher, Smile, Spock's Beard, Spotify, upcoming albums
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Album review: GAMMA RAY – Heading For Tomorrow

earMusic [Release date 24.07.15] Gamma Ray were formed after Kai Hansen left Helloween, the band he helped co-found, back in 1988. Back then this was big news as Helloween were riding a massive wave of popularity (they had played Monsters … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
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Tagged 25th anniversary edition, album, classic, debut album, Gamma Ray, Heading For Tomorrow, Helloween, Kai Hansen, metal, power, review
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News: DEEP PURPLE, CRAZY TOWN, BLACKMORE’S NIGHT – Thursday 25 June 2015

Photo: Iain Scott/GRTR! CHRIS SQUIRE (1948-2015) Yes co-founder and influential bass player has died from acute erythroid leukemia. Crazy Town release their new album, ‘The Brimstone Sluggers’, on 28th August via Membran/The Orchard. Screaming Eagles release their new album ‘Stand … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, Re-issues/special editions
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Tagged Blackmore's Night, classic, Crazy Town, Deep Purple, folk, live albums, metal, new albums, news, rock, upcoming
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Interview: JANNE STARK (Constancia) – June 2015

Janne Stark is a busy man with a new Constancia album ‘Final Curtain’ out on July 10th on Melodic Rock Records, plus he is a member of Grand Design and Overdrive. All of this and he reviews and writes books … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions
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Tagged Constancia, Final Curtain, Grand Design, hard rock, interview, Janne Stark, June 2015, melodic, MelodicRock Records, metal, Overdrive
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Gig review: DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL – DAY 3, 14 June 2015

For any classic rock fan the Sunday line up was not to be missed with Slash, Motley Crue, in their last UK festival appearance, and Kiss all ready to show the young guns how a festival set should be done. … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events
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Tagged 14 June 2015, Alterbridge, Backyard Babies, Billy Idol, Color Of Noise, Donington Park, Download, Download Festival, festival, Gene Simmons, gig, HEAT, Kiss, metal, Mick Mars, Motley Crue, Myles Kennedy, Nikki Sixx, Paul Stanley, review, rock, Slash, The Dead Daisies, Tommy Lee, Tremonti, Vince Neal, Von Hertzen Brothers, We Are Harlot
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Quick plays: STEVE LOGAN, MRS FRIZZLE, DEADLOCK NCHC

MRS FRIZZLE Queen German’s can’t do pop. At least not convincingly. Or if they can, I can’t think of a single one that has managed to cross over to the world market. Mrs Frizzle are not likely to be the … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
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Tagged album, Deadlock NCHC, Deliverance, Hardcore, metal, Mrs Frizzle, pop, Queen, review, rock, singer, songwriter, Steve Logan, The Fill-In's
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News: VINDICTIV, CONSTANCIA, JOURNEY – Monday 22 June 2015

MelodicRock Records release the following two albums on July 10th. Vindictiv release ‘World Of Fear’ and feature Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen) on vocals. Also out on the same day is Constancia’s new album ‘Final Curtain’. The band features Mikael Rosengren … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, Re-issues/special editions
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Tagged AOR, Chris De Garmo, classic, gigs, Journey, melodic, metal, news, Queensryche, rock, tours, upcoming albums, VINDICTIV
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Gig review: DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL – DAY 2, 13 June 2015

Saturday dawned grey and wet, not a good combination, but hey there was rock to be had and we had our trusty ponchos, is it socially acceptable to wear a plastic poncho outside a festival site? The morning got off … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events
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Tagged 13 June 2015, Ace Frehley, Black Star Riders, Chuck Billy, Donington Park, Download, Faith No More, festival, gig, Kiss, Marilyn Manson, metal, Mike Patton, Muse, review, Ricky Warwick, rock, Scott Gorham, Testament, The Struts
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Gig review: DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL – DAY 1,12 June 2015

5am. Not the most rock ‘n’ roll of hours to rise on a Friday morning but when you have a 311 mile journey to the spiritual home of all things metal these sacrifices have to be made. What I do … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events
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Tagged 12 June 2015, Baby Metal, Black Stone Cherry, blues, Blues Pills, Clutch, Corey Taylor, Donington Park, Download, Dragonforce, Five Finger Death Punch, gig, Glenn Tipton, Ivan Moody, Judas Priest, Lacuna Coil, live, metal, review, Ritchie Faulkener, Rob Halford, rock, SLIPKNOT, The Cadillac Three
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Album review: SAVATAGE – Return To Wacken

EarMusic – Out Now For a band whose career never quite reached the commercial heights of giants like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Black Sabbath, US Progressive Power Metalers Savatage have managed to achieve many great things since their inception … 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, Jon Oliva, live, metal, power metal, Return To Wacken, review, Savatage
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