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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
Gig Review: VISTA CHINO – Bristol O2 Academy, 1 November 2013

Everyone who has loved metal and hard rock since the 90’s has heard of the mighty Kyuss. With the exception of the bass player the original line up are now reincarnated as Vista Chino. With a pounding new album, ‘Peace’, … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 1 November 2013, Bristol, gig, Kyuss, metal, Monster Truck, O2 Academy, review, Vista Chino
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Interview: ZP Theart of I Am I

Vocalist ZP Theart first came to prominence fronting power metal band Dragonforce for ten years before leaving in 2010. Since then he has formed I Am I who released their debut album, ‘Event Horizon’ last year and now release a … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions
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Tagged I Am I, interview, metal, Power Quest, rock, See You Again, single, vocalist, ZP Theart
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Gig review: PARADISE LOST, Lacuna Coil, Katatonia – London, The Roundhouse, 3 November 2013

My introduction to the chromatic world of Death Metal took place exactly twenty three years ago and one of the albums responsible for my immediate conversion was Paradise Lost’s debut “Lost Paradise”. It was not at all surprising, then, that … Continue reading →
Posted in GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews
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Tagged 3 November 2013, anniversary, gig, Katatonia, Lacuna Coil, London, metal, Paradise Lost, review, Roundhouse
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Album review: BLACK LABEL SOCIETY – Unblackened

Armoury Records [Release date 23.09.13] Recorded at the Club Nokia in Los Angeles this highlights Zakk Wylde and the Black Label Society in acoustic mode, well as acoustic as Zakk Wylde can get! Derek Sherinian (Black Country Communion/Dream Theater) is … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS
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Tagged 'Unblackened, album, Black Label Society, Derek Sherinian, DVD, metal, Ozzy Osbourne, review, rock, unplugged, Zakk Wylde
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Album review: SHADES OF REMEMBERANCE – Veil

Burn All Records [Release Date: 26.04.13] Ohio’s Shades Of Remembrance are metal band with proggy leanings on an album that straddles both genres rather than fuses the two. ‘Veil’ duly delivers enough speed, intensity, resolute playing and dark themes to … Continue reading →
Quick Plays: ANTLERED MAN, WINDRUNNERS, PATRIOT REBEL, DEADLY CIRCUS FIRE
ANTLERED MAN – The Devil Is Them New Heavy Sounds (Release date – out now) This is the second album from the London quartet Antlered Man. The four piece released their debut album last year to great reviews and toured … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
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Tagged album, ANTLERED MAN, CD, DEADLY CIRCUS FIRE, EP, metal, PATRIOT REBEL, prog metal, review, rock, The Devil Is Them, The King And The Bishop, Two Worlds, Undead, WINDRUNNERS
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Quick Plays: BLACK SUCCUBI, KILLER BEE, STUNTMAN MIKE, HELHORSE
BLACK SUCCUBI – Eye Of The Beholder Gateway Music (Release Date – out now) These Danish rockers have been together since 2005 and have undergone a number of line-up changes in their time together. This is the band’s second album … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
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Tagged album, BLACK SUCCUBI, Evolutionary Children, Eye Of The Beholder, HELHORSE, indie, KILLER BEE, metal, Oh Death, review, rock, STUNTMAN MIKE, Triangles
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ELECTRO-NOMICON – Unleashing The Shadows

No Remorse Records (Release date – out now) To many lovers of rock the passing of the great Ronnie James Dio was a sad day. The man had a unique power, strength and depth to his voice … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, CD, Electro-Nomicon, metal, review, rock, Ronnie James Dio, Unleashing The Shadows
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Gig review: ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN, Trillium – London Jazz Cafe, 19 October 2013

Fifteen years ago, at the now demolished Rodon Club in Athens and in the good company of another two thousand fans of atmospheric/progressive metal, the author of this review enjoyed one of the most artistically satisfying and emotionally charged performances … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews
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Tagged 19 October 2013, Amanda Somerville, Anneke Can Giersbergen, gig, Jazz Cafe, London, metal, review, rock, The Gathering, Trillium
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Album review: IRON MASK – Fifth Son Of Winterdom
AFM Records www.afmrecords.de Iron Mask are another new band on me though Fifth Son of Winterdoom is their fifth studio release following on from Revenge Is My Name (2002), Hordes of the Brave (2005), Shadow of the Red Baron (2010) … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged AFM Records, album review, Fifth Son Of Winterdom, Iron Mask, metal, power metal
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Gig Review: VOLBEAT – Manchester Academy, 18 October 2013

The last time Volbeat graced our shores for a UK tour was a couple of years ago. Back then the guys were only starting to stir up some interest around the country and were playing shows to around a thousand … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 18 October 2013, Anthrax, Denmark, gig, Iced Earth, live, Manchester Academy, metal, Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies, Rob Caggiano, rock, VOLBEAT
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Quick plays: BLACK RAINBOWS, NEVER TRUST, TIM GRIMM, JADED HEART

BLACK RAINBOWS – Holy Moon (EP) Heavy Psych Sounds Something in the Italian water as they not only produce a series of fine melodic rock/AOR bands but now have some rather good stoner/psych rock bands including this band Black Rainbows. … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
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Tagged Americana, AOR, BLACK RAINBOWS, EP, Fastball Music, High Bar Gang, Holy Moon, Italian, Italy, Jaded Heart, Lost And Undone, MASTERPLAN, melodic metal, metal, Morning Light, Never Trust, roots, Tim Grimm, Turning Point
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Gig Review: QUEENSRYCHE – Islington Academy, 12 October 2013
Queensryche are the benchmark against which any progressive metal band must measure themselves. But they’ve had troubled times. Recent albums have sold poorly and last year, front man Geoff Tate was unceremoniously dumped after a back stage bust up. Tate … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged Crimson Glory, gig, hard rock, Islington Academy, metal, prog metal, progressive, Queensryche, review, Todd La Torre
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Gig review: FINNTROLL – Classic Grand, Glasgow, 1 October 2013

On a wet Tuesday night what better way to pass the evening than in the company of three top Viking metal bands? I wasn’t sure how big a crowd would venture out on a school night for an evening of … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 1 October 2013, Classic Grand, Finntroll, folk metal, gig, Glasgow, metal, review, Skalmold, TYR, Viking metal
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EP Round-up: ANTHEM LIFE, BLEAK FALLS, LEFT FOR RED
ANTHEM LIFE – Sins Of Salvation EP Self Release ( Release date – out now) Hailing from Southern Finland, Anthem Life have been together for four years. Influenced by Metallica, Stone Sour and Avenged Sevenfold ,the band play metal with … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
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Tagged Anthem Life, BLEAK FALLS, EP, Left For Red, Mercy Flight, metal, review, rock, Sins Of Salvation, The Grass Gets No Greener
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News: Get Ready to ROCK! Radio – Latest playlist additions

Listen in to ‘New to GRTR!’ every Tuesday 16:00 GMT (repeat: Thursday 21:00, Saturday 17:00) for latest additions to our playlist. Latest Show: Tuesday 24 September 2013 DIZZYBLOOM Lost Memories (Wolf River Music) HERETIC’S DREAM Behind The Mirror (indie) … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS
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Tagged album, blues, featured, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, metal, playlist, power play, prog, progressive, radio, rock
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Album review: HERETIC’S DREAM – Walk the Time

Videoradio Formed in 2010, this Italian band could easily be put in a metal category but on close hearing this is more mainstream, even if a little on the heavy side. The songs are great but let down by Francesca … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Heretic's Dream, Italian, Italy, metal, review, rock, Walk The Time
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Album review: ANNIHILATOR – Re-Releases- Double Live Annihilation , All For You, Schizo Deluxe

UDR Music (Release date – out now) Following Annihilator releasing their new album ‘Feast’ recently, the band’s new label, UDR Music has re-released three of their previous albums to allow potential new fans to catch up on … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Pure Metal/Album reviews
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Tagged album, All For You, Annihilator, CD, Double Live Annihilation, Jeff Waters, metal, review, Schizo Deluxe, Thrash, UDR
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Gig Review: Y&T – ABC,Glasgow,19 September 2013

I have had a few rants in the past regarding gigs starting unexpectedly early due to venue curfews but tonight was the worst yet. Arriving at the ABC at 7.30pm I was greeted by the sight of the stage crew … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 19 September 2013, ABC, Dave Meniketti, Facemelter, gig, Glasgow, live, metal, review, rock, Y&T
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Interview: 10Q’s with STORMZONE

Guitarist Steve Moore takes us through the latest Stormzone album ‘Three Kings’, what the band have planned including Hard Rock Hell in December… 1. What are you currently up to? We’re ramping up to a really busy period towards the … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions
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Tagged 'Harv' Harbinson, classic metal, Hard Rock Hell, Jess Cox, metal, Neal Kaye, NWOBHM, Steve Moore, Stormzone, Three Kings
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Single & EP Review: ALL TO RUIN, DOOMED FROM DAY ONE, VALFADER
ALL TO RUIN Parables Self release [Release date 28.09.13] Hailing from Port Talbot in Wales this EP finds All To Ruins in feisty form. The guys play fast paced nu-metal and over the course of the 5 tracks there is … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
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Tagged ALL TO RUIN, Doom, DOOMED FROM DAY ONE, EP, metal, review, rock, single, VALFADER
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Single & EP Review: HAWK EYES, DIE NO MORE, KINDRED SHINS, BLACKWOLF
HAWK EYES That’s What This Is In One Ear Industries [Release date – out now] Hawk Eyes hail from Leeds and are a band that are starting to build some real momentum at the moment having recently played both the … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
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Tagged BLACKWOLF, DIE NO MORE, Doom, EP, HAWK EYES, KINDRED SHINS, metal, prog, review, rock, single
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Album Review: ANNIHILATOR – Feast

UDR [Release date 26.08.13] This album is the 14th studio release from Canadian thrashers Annihilator. I have been aware of the band for many years but have never really warmed to them, even their ‘Alice In Hell’ … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Pure Metal/Album reviews
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Tagged album, Annihilator, Feast, Jeff Waters, metal, review, rock, Thrash
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Album review: TOUCHSTONE – Oceans Of Time

Hear No Evil [Release date 07.10.13 ] Having signed a new deal with Hear No Evil/Cherry Red Records, Touchstone have adopted the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ principle with their fourth studio album and leading single ‘Flux’. Recorded … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged metal, Oceans Of Time, prog, progressive, review, Rob Cottingham, rock, Touchstone
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Gig Review: THE BLACKOUT – The Fleece, Bristol, 22 August 2013

Since touring with the Lost Prophets and winning Kerrang’s Best British Newcomer award in their early days, The Blackout have come a long way, recently releasing their fourth album ‘Start The Party’. On the eve of playing the main stage … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged Bristol, Gavin Butler, gig, live, metal, Reaper In Sicily, review, rock, Sean Smith, Start The Party, The Blackout, The Fleece
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