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Tag Archives: metal
Album review: ICARUS FALLS – Hollow

Facebook [Release date 03.03.23] Icarus Falls hail from West Sussex in the UK, consisting of Doug Hay (vocals), Harvey Wigg (guitar, vocals), Lawrence Trousdale-Smith (guitar), Vinnie Denton (bass) and Josh Harris (drums). As well as having the pandemic hit their … Continue reading →
Gig review: THOSE DAMN CROWS – Islington Assembly Hall, London – 24th February 2023

The Assembly Hall had a celebratory atmosphere about the place and a keen sense of anticipation was in the air ahead of Those Damn Crows. Support came from fellow Welsh rockers, James And The Cold Gun who helped to bubble … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 24th February 2023, Blink Of An Eye, Dave Winchurch, gig, Ian Thomas, Islington Assembly Hall, James And The Cold Gun, live, London, metal, rock, Ronnie Huxford, Shane Greenhall, Those Damn Crows, Wales, Who Did It
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News: WHITESNAKE, POWER QUEST, DEMON (March 2023)

Bryan Adams has finished work on his latest album which is due for release later this year or early 2024. The Alarm release their latest album ‘Forwards’ on June 2. The title track and ‘Next’ have been released ahead of … Continue reading →
Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, Listening Post, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Interviews, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged classic rock, folk, gigs, metal, New releases, news, Power Quest, punk, rock, tours. Demon, Whitesnake
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Album review: LOVEBITES – Judgement Day

JPU Records [Release date 24.02.23] I first became aware of Lovebites a few years back when they opened for Dragonforce. Not knowing the band’s musical leanings, I was very surprised that night at their blend of power and thrash metal … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Asami, Dragonforce, Haruna, Japan, JPU Records, Judgement day, Lovebites, Medori, metal, Myaki, power, review, rock, Steve Harris, symphonic, Thrash
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Album review: THE HAYLEY GRIFFITHS BAND – Melanie

Posh & Rock Records [Release date 20.01.23] We first came across Hayley Griffiths when she fronted Karnataka for a time, including one studio album in 2015. Her departure (with others) from that band was apparently acrimonious but she has dusted … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Karnataka, Melanie, metal, prog, Progressive Rock, review, The Hayley Griffiths Band
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Album review: WIG WAM – Out Of The Dark

Frontiers [Release date 10.02.23] Hard to believe Wig Wam began strutting their Glam/Classic Rock stuff two decades ago.Their flirtation with Eurovision is well documented, but the band’s post 2014 downtime gap is not. What we do know is that the … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, comeback, Eurovision, glam rock, metal, Out Of The Dark, review, Wig Wam
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News: GLEN MATLOCK, SAXON, GRAND DESIGN (February 2023)

Angel release their new album ‘Once Upon A Time’, via Cleopatra Records on April 21. Babylon A.D. release ‘Live Lightning’ via Perris Records on March 17. Elles Bailey releases an expanded version of her ‘Shining in The Half Light’ album on 17 March. The expanded version includes … Continue reading →
Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged classic rock, folk, gigs, Glen Matlock, Grand Design, metal, New releases, news, punk, rock, Saxon, Skindred, tours
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Album title: BEYOND THE BLACK – Beyond The Black

Nuclear Blast [Release date 13.01.23] Fifth album from Beyond The Black and the third since the 2014 revamped line-up which left vocalist Jenifer Haben as the sole original member. Beyond The Black is completed by lead guitarist Chris Hermsdörfer, rhythm … Continue reading →
Album review: KING KRAKEN – MCLXXX

Website [Release date 27.01.23] King Kraken are a 5 five piece from South Wales, formed in September 2018, who are taking the metal scene by storm, festival by festival, gig by gig. Their new album entitled ‘MCLXXX’ is just about … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, debut, King Kraken, MCLXXX, metal, review, rock, Romesh Dodangoda
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News: MR BIG, TREVOR RABIN, PINK FLOYD (January 2023)

A.C.T. release a new six song EP ‘Falling’ on March 3. Bryan Adams releases a live version of his 2022 Royal Albert Show, where he played all of his ‘Cuts Like A Knife’ album, on February 3. MVD Marquee Collection … Continue reading →
Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Exhibitions, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged folk, Frontiers, gigs, metal, Mr Big, new albums, news, pop, prog, Pure Metal/News, re-issues, RIP, rock, special editions, tours
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Gig review: GUN – Barrowlands, Glasgow – 10th Dec 2022

Christmas comes but once a year and you can be sure that there will be a date with Gun at the Barra’s with the same regularity. This annual event has now become part of many a Christmas schedule in the … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 10th Dec 2022, Barrowlands, Better Days, Calton Sessions, Dante Gizzi, Empyre, Gin Annie, Glasgow, Gun, Jools Gizzi, King Herd, live, metal, Paul McManus, rock, Staea Your Fire, Taking On The World
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Album review: DOKKEN – The Elektra Albums 1983-1987

BMG [Release date 27.01.23] Formed in the late 70s by vocalist and guitarist Don Dokken, the band Dokken shot to fame in the 80s, with their very enjoyable (and successful) blend of hard rock, glam and AOR. BMG continue their … Continue reading →
Gig review: ALTER BRIDGE – 02 Arena, London, 12 December 2022

A combination of bitter weather and transport snarl ups meant I missed opening act and Wolfgang Van Halen’s current project, Mammoth WVH. I was, however, in plenty of time to see Halestorm’s fiery, combative set. Plenty of others were too. … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 12 December 2022, ALTER BRIDGE, gig, gig review, Halestorm, live, Lzzy Hale, Mark Tremonti, metal, Myles Kennedy, Pawns and Kings, review, rock
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News: METALLICA, POWER WOLF, KHYMERA (December 2022)

Ace Frehley is finishing off his new album for a planned release in early 2023. The Balladmongrels is a new band featuring Dogs D’amour frontman Tyla J. Pallas and singer songwriter Matty James Cassidy. Their debut album, ‘Trouble’, is set … Continue reading →
Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Exhibitions, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged Ace Frehley, folk, Frontiers, gigs, Khymera, Level 42, metal, Metallica, new albums, news, pop, POWER WOLF, prog, rock, tours
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Feature: GRTR!@20 Anniversary – Metal – Primer

During the period 2003-2023 metal had morphed into various guises. Brian McGowan tries to keep up with it and surveys the period… Heavy Metal is a musical phenomenon that continues to gain in strength and popularity, worldwide. It has the … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, GRTR!@20, The Primer
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Tagged 2003-2023, Avenged Sevenfold, Blind Guardian, Edguy, Helloween, history, metal, power metal, Rammstein
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Album review: THRESHOLD – Dividing Lines

Nuclear Blast [Release date 18.11.22] Album number twelve from Threshold and their first in five years since the excellent ‘The Legend of the Shires’, which also marked the return of vocalist Glynn Morgan. A darker style and sound overall than … Continue reading →
Album review: AVANTASIA – A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society

Nuclear Blast [Release date 21.10.22] The ninth studio album from Avantasia, the musical concept created by Tobias Sammet. Vocal wise the list is as impressive as ever with Bob Catley, Floor Jansen, Geoff Tate, Ronnie Atkins and Eric Martin amongst … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
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Tagged A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society, album, AVANTASIA, Bob Catley, Eric Martin, Floor Jansen, Jorn, metal, progressive metal, Ralph Scheepers, review, symphonic metal, theatrical, Tobias Sammet
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Feature: IT’S CHRISTMAS! (2022 Style)

Here we round-up the Christmas offerings for this year, be they singles, EPs or albums. Get your favourite tipple and mince pies at the ready as we delve into 2022′s Christmas offerings… Pylon Poets give us ‘Say That You’ll Stay, a … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, FEATURES, Single and EP reviews
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Tagged album, blues, Bryan Adams, Christmas, EP, folk, metal, music, pop, Pylon Poets, review, rock, single, The Albion Band, the Albion Christmas Band, Tony Mitchell
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Album review: JOE LYNN TURNER – Belly Of The Beast

Mascot Label Group [Release date 28.10.22] The album’s title gives a clue to Joe Lynn Tyner going full on metal, courtesy of his new found musical companion producer/songwriter Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy, Pain, Lindemann). He has also recently revealed he has … Continue reading →
Album review: ALTER BRIDGE – Pawns & Kings

Napalm (Release date: 14.10.22) In an unpredictable world of turbulence and chaos, it is reassuring to know that Alter Bridge bring regular and dependable quality. As Autumn rolls around every third year, a new studio album from this heavy mob … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, album review, ALTER BRIDGE, hard rock, Mark Tremonti, metal, Myles Kennedy, Pawns and Kings, review, rock
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News: JOURNEY, REVOLUTION SAINTS, STONEDEAD, (November 2022)

The original line-up of Biohazard has reformed and play a series of summer festival dates including Bloodstock next year. The band are also planning to record new music. Buckcherry have completed work on their tenth studio album due for release … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged classic rock, festival, folk, gigs, GRTR!, Journey, metal, New releases, news, punk, Revolution Saints, rock, Rolling Stones, Stonedead, tours
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Gig review: QUARANTUNE ROCKS 2022, The Victoria Bikers Pub, Coalville 21 & 22 October 2022

A group of rock music fans who supported each other during Lockdown gathered at the Victoria Bikers Pub, Coalville on 21-22 October, for Quarantune Rocks 2022, a weekend of live music supporting new rock bands and small music venues. “For … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged Bastette, Coalville 21 & 22 October 2022, festival, gig, Guns for Girls, hard rock, King Kraken, metal, Quarantune Rocks, review, rock, the Darker My Horizon, The Victoria Bikers Pub, weekender
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Gig review: MONSTER TRUCK- Islington Assembly Hall, London, 11 October 2022

The main stage Saturday lineup at this year’s Download Festival was enlivened by two fine mid afternoon performances, one after the other, from Those Damn Crows, then Monster Truck. A bout of severe hay fever had stopped me fully enjoying … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged Brandon Bliss, gig, Jeremy Widerman, Jon Harvey, metal, Monster Truck, New Wave of Classic Rock, Ronnie Huxford, Shane Greenhall, Those Damn Crows
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Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) 2023

Compiled by Jason Ritchie January – June 2023 To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system), or Command+F (on a Mac) on the keyboard. The “F” stands for “Find,” and … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, NEWS, Re-issues/special editions, Upcoming (Tours & Releases)
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Tagged 2023, album, blues rock, Bluray, CD, classic rock, DVD, hard rock, heavy rock, melodic rock, metal, New releases, Progressive Rock, reissue, singer songwriter
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Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) July 2022 – December 2022

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) 2023 To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system), or Command+F (on a Mac) on the keyboard. The “F” stands for “Find,” … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, NEWS, Re-issues/special editions, Upcoming (Tours & Releases)
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Tagged 2022, album, blues rock, Bluray, CD, classic rock, DVD, hard rock, heavy rock, melodic rock, metal, New releases, Progressive Rock, reissue, singer songwriter
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