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Latest Album Reviews
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Album review : BRAZEN ABBOT – Live And Learn and Guilty As Sin (CD reissues)
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Album review : GRAHAM BONNET – Lost In Hollywood Again (Live)
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JIM PETERIK AND WORLD STAGE – River of Song – The Power Of Duets, Volume 1
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Album review: HENGE – Journey to Voltus B
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Album review : JIMI JAMISON – 1998 Live Hits
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Album review: DEWOLFF – Fuego!
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Latest Gig Reviews
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Gig review: STEVE OVERLAND AND JIM KIRKPATRICK- The Weir, Brentford, Middlesex, 9 December 2025
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Gig review: JOHN OTWAY – Face Bar, Reading, Thursday 11 December 2025
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Gig review: CURVED AIR – The Sub Rooms, Stroud, 20 November 2025
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Gig review: MARTIN BARRE & FRIENDS – Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 18 November 2025
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Tag Archives: metal
Album review: HELSTAR – This Wicked Nest

AFM Records www.afmrecords.de [Released 28.04.14] I believe the cover of Helstar’s latest release This Wicked Nest says it all really…a suit wearing skeleton complete with devil horns and a pentagram worked into the band logo. After listening…well yeah I was … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged AFM Records, album review, Helstar, metal, This Wicked Nest, thrash metal
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Album review: LACUNA COIL – Broken Crown Halo

Century Media [Release date 01.04.14] I’d like to say I liked this new album from Italian metallers Lacuna Coil. It’s got a huglly powerful sound, an exciting production, the songs are good and Cristina Scabbia’s vocals are pretty damn fine. … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Broken Crown Halo, Lacuna Coil, metal, review, rock
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Gig review: HAMMERFEST – Pwllheli, Wales, 13-15 March 2014

It’s been a long cold wet winter but now is the time for the Hammer Horde to rise up and make their way to the first of the HRH festivals of the year, Hammerfest VI Book Of The Dead. Now … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events
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Tagged 13-15 March 2014, Book Of The Dead, COC, Death, Enthroned, Extreme, Grand Magus, Hafan Y Mor, Hammerfest VI, Kreator, metal, Monster Truck, Overkill, Pwllheli, Thrash, Unleashed, Vintage Caravan, Wales
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Gig Review: GAZPACHO – 02 Islington Academy, London, 15 April 2014

Support Acts: Se Delan, Bruce and Jon from the Pineapple Thief Review and photos by Yiannis (John) Stefanis On the 15 April I decided to ignore the fact that I was travelling the following day, and surrendered instead to my … Continue reading →
Posted in GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews
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Tagged 15 April 2014, Gazpacho, gig, London, metal, O2 Islington Academy, review
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Gig review: HALESTORM, HMV Forum, London, 9 April 2014

The popularity of Halestorm in the UK is on a rapidly rising curve. Each headline show seems to be at a larger venue, and in 18 months they have progressed from the Islington Academy to the 2400 capacity Forum where … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 9 April 2014, gig, Halestorm, HMV Forum, London, metal, review, rock
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Gig review: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, Manchester Academy, 1 April 2014

Manchester Academy 1 is about to get its roof well and truly ripped off tonight as Five Finger Death Punch hit town, these American heavy groove metallers are eager to entertain the legendary Manchester crowd but before they get their … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 1 April 2014, Five Finger Death Punch, gig, Manchester Academy, metal, nu-metal, Pop Evil, review, rock
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Album review: ZOLTAR SPEAKS – Save As I Save

Self-release ( Release date 14.04.14) This is the debut album from Somerset based Zoltar Speaks who are named after the fortune telling machine encountered by Tom Hanks in the 80’s film ‘Big’. Featuring the vocals of Louise Body, the band … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Avenged Sevenfold, Big, CD, Evanescence, Louise Body, metal, review, rock, Save As I Save, Somerset, Thrash, Tom Hanks, Zoltar Speaks
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Album review: KLOGR – Blacksnow

Zeta Factory (Release date – Out now) Blacksnow is the second album release by Italian alt-rockers Klogr. Their first album, ‘Till You Decay’, was released back in 2011 and gained some good press. Since then the band have been touring … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, alt rock, Blacksnow, CD, Italy, Klogr, metal, review, rock, Rusty, Tool
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Album review: BRAINSTORM – Firesoul

AFM Records www.afmrecords.com [Released 07.04.14] Well these guys have most definitely passed me by…Brainstorm are a German metal band from the Swabia region of Bavaria (deep south in other words) and Firesoul is actual their 10th studio release! Formed way … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Brainstorm, Firesoul, metal, power metal, review
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Album Review: LUDER – Adelphophagia

Small Stone Records Luder. Little known, I suspect, outside knots of die hard progressive metal afficionados. This album should broaden the band’s appeal. It offers nine creative, convincing, eclectic compositions that draw, by turns, on waves of psychedelia and stoner, … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged Adelphophagia, album review, CD, Luder, metal, prog metal, Small Stone Records
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Upcoming: New Releases – Albums/DVDs (2016)
Compiled by Jason Ritchie Updated 31/10/2016 2016 November 4th GRAHAM BONNET ‘The Book’ Frontiers BON JOVI ‘This House Is Not For Sale’ FM ‘Indiscreet 30′ (re-recorded with 7 bonus songs) Frontiers THE FRAY ‘Through the Years: The Best Of’ Epic … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS
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Tagged 2016, albums, blues, Bluray, DVD, folk, melodic rock, metal, New releases, prog, progressive, rock
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Quick Plays: THE SPECTACLE, LIMB, SCREAM ARENA, STALA & SO, JS TOLAR, DISTANT PAST
Album review: THE SPECTACLE – Traitors Doforit records ( Release date – out now) I don’t know a great deal about this lot other than they are from Texas and that their blend of stoner rock and grindcore is as … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
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Tagged album, Andy Paul, country, Distant Past, grindcore, JS Tolar, Limb, Mary Sarah, metal, Paul Sabu, review, Rob Hoey, rock, Scream Arena, STALA & SO, stoner rock, The Continuum, The Spectacle, Utopian Void, Willie Nelson
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Album review: STEEL PANTHER – All You Can Eat

Open E Records [Release date 01.04.14] Steel Panther have been on the ascendance for the last few years and now have two albums under their belts coupled with sold out tours and festival appearances. The question has to be asked … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, All You Can Eat, Balls Out, CD, Lexxi Foxx, metal, Michael Starr, review, rock, Satchel, Steel Panther, Stix Zidinia
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Gig review: MONSTER TRUCK/ SCORPION CHILD – King Tut’s, Glasgow, 22 March 2014

Billed as the ‘Lords Of The Riff’ tour, tonight’s gig was a good value package bringing together three bands who have sparked a lot of interest in the rock world lately. Joining co-headliners Monster Truck and Scorpion Child were … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 22nd March 2014, Andrew Hunt, Aryn Black, Austin, Buffalo Summer, Canada, Darren King, Glasgow, Jeremy Widerman, Jon Harvey, King Tut's, Lords Of The Riff Tour, metal, Monster Truck, rock, Scorpion Child, southern rock, Texas
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Gig Review: STEEL PANTHER – 02 Academy, Glasgow, 19 March 2014

Wednesday night in Glasgow and costume shop owners for miles around are counting up their takings after a bumper day, having sold out of dodgy nylon wigs and animal print spandex. Steel Panther are once again back in town! … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 02 Academy, 19 March 2014, All You Can Eat, Balls Out, Community Property, Feel The Steel, Foo Fighters, gig, Glasgow, Hiding In Plain Sight, John Cusimano, Lexxi Foxx, live, metal, Michael Starr, QOTSA, review, rock, Satchal, Steel Panther, Stix Zidinia, the Cringe
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Album review: DANIEL TRIGGER – Army Of One

Two Sides Moon (Release date – Out Now) Daniel Trigger has been producing music for many years both as a solo artist and as part of the band Trigger who found some minor success in and … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Army Of One, CD, Daniel Trigger, David D’Andrade, Europe, metal, review, rock, Terry Sadowski.
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Album review: TWISTED SISTER – Reissues

Eagle Records [Release date 17.03.14] An interesting trio on this budget box set as it skips the band’s debut album ‘Under The Blade’ and their biggest seller ‘Stay Hungry’ (which the band re-recorded in 2004 as ‘Still Hungry’). You Can’t … Continue reading →
Book review: ‘Reinventing Metal – The True Story of Pantera’ by Neil Daniels

Backbeat Books Or to give the book it’s full title “Reinventing Metal- The True Story of Pantera and the Tragically Short Life of Dimebag Darrell”. Another in depth and insightful rock biography from the much published Neil Daniels. This time … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS
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Tagged Backbeat Books, book review, Brian Slagel, Dimebag Darrell, metal, Metal Blade, Neil Daniels, Pantera, Reinventing Metal- The True Story of Pantera
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Gig review: SKINDRED/SOiL – Manchester Academy, 2 February 2014

3 bands, 3 music styles and 1 outcome, one awesome night of entertainment. It’s the last night of the UK leg of Skindred’s ‘Kill The Power’ tour before they head off to Europe and beyond for the next few months … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 2 February 2014, gig, Manchester Academy, metal, reggae, review, rock, Skindred, Soil, Viza
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Quick Plays: HEAVY METAL NINJAS, TIDE, KATIE COLE

HEAVY METAL NINJAS – Interstellar Abduction Warner Music [Release date – out now] Heavy Metal Ninjas hail not from Japan as you might expect but from New Zealand. Lead by virtuoso guitarist Richie Allan, this instrumental six piece are here … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
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Tagged album, CD, country, country pop, Heavy Metal Ninjas, Interstellar Abduction, Katie Cole, metal, New Zealand, No 4, prog, review, Richie Allan, rock, Sheryl Crow, Slovakia, Steve Vai, Tide
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Album review: PERC3PTION – Reason And Faith

MS Metal Records (Release date – out now) Perc3ption are a Brazilian outfit who have been together since 2007. This debut album was released back in their native country last year and is only now reaching … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Brazil, CD, Luiz Fernando Poleto, metal, Perc3ption, prog, Reason And Faith, review, rock, Wellington Consoli
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Album review: IRON SAVIOR – Rise Of The Hero

AFM Records www.afmrecords.de There is a fair number of German metal bands that have a direct link to Helloween in one form or another. Iron Savior were founded by ex-Helloween man Kai Hansen, then Blind Guardian drummer Thomen Stauch and … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged AFM Records, album review, Blind Guardian, Helloween, IRON SAVIOR, Mando Diao, metal, power metal, Rise Of The Hero
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Album review: FREEDOM CALL – Beyond

SPV [Release date 24.04.14] Album number eight from Freedom Call and a couple of line-up changes with a new drummer Ramy Ali, along with the return of original bass player Ilker Irsin. I have to admit Freedom Call are one … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Beyond, Freedom Call, Gamma Ray, Helloween, metal, power metal, review
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Gig review: SEPULTURA – O2 Islington Academy, London, 6 February 2014

Review by Yiannis (John) Stefanis There are many bands out there, claiming to play high velocity Thrash Metal, but only a handful can do so with the energy and conviction which characterise the legendary Brazilian quartet Sepultura. When Andreas Kisser … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews
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Tagged 6 February 2014, gig, London, metal, O2 Islington Academy, review, Sepultura
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Album review: DEREK SHERINIAN – Reissues (Inertia,Black Utopia,Mythology,Blood Of The Snake,Molecular Heinosity)

Armoury Records (re-issues) [Release date 10.02.14] Sherinian came to wider attention with Dream Theater in 1994 and since he left that band in 1999 the volume of his session work has grown along with stints in Black Country Communion and … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
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Tagged Allan Holdsworth, Black Utopia, Blood Of The Snake and Molecular Heinosity, Derek Sherinian, Dream Theater, Inertia, John Petrucci, John Sykes, keyboards, metal, Mythology, Planet X, progressive, reissue, rock, Simon Phillips, Slash, Steve Lukather, Tony Franklin, Virgil Donati, Yngwie Malmsteen, Zakk Wylde
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