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Latest Album Reviews
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Album review : JON ANDERSON – Survival And Other Stories / Earth Mother Earth (2 CDs / remasters)
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Album review: MYRATH – Wilderness Of Mirrors
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Album review: MASSIVE WAGONS – Live At The Great Hall
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Album review: JAMIE WILLIAMS AND THE ROOTS COLLECTIVE – In The Moment
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Album review: JOE HICKS – Before It Gets Dark
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Album review: WARRANT – Belly To Belly Vol.1
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Latest Gig Reviews
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Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL – The Stables, Milton Keynes, 14 March 2026
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Gig review: A VERY SPECIAL EVENING OF MOTT THE HOOPLE – Riverside Studios, London, 27 February 2026
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Gig review: EMERALD MOON – Le Marquee, Peyrignac, Dordogne, SW France, 7 March 2026
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Gig review: MILKFEST, Indigo2, London, 1 March 2026
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Tag Archives: metal
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
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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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News: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, BIG STAR, SLADE (October 2022)

The Answer release a new single ‘Blood Brother’ on October 14. Jimmy Barnes releases ‘Blue Christmas’ on November 25. Black Country Communion plan to record their fifth album next year. Black Sabbath’s ‘Heaven And Hell’ and ‘Mob Rules’ albums will … Continue reading →
Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, 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 Big Star, Bruce Springsteen, classic rock, folk, gigs, GRTR!, metal, New releases, news, punk, rock, Slade, tours
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Singles: JMS, NICKELBACK, STRYPER, JESUS JONES

JMS Randy Savage YouTube JMS is back with another new song which is named after American wrestler Randy Savage. It is another gentle pop tune looking backwards (loving the namechecks to Cagney & Lacey and the A Team!) and forwards … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
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Tagged folk, Hamish Hawk, indie, Jesus Jones, JMS, metal, Nickelback, pop, prog, review, rock, single, Stryper
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Single reviews: DEAD JACKALS, COYOTE CREED, RICHARD MARX

DEAD JACKALS Insight Facebook They have a released an enjoyable EP to date and now the Dead Jackals – TommyK (Vocals/Bass), Jolly (Drums) and guitarists Sugarman Sam & Matthew Hudson – have released a stonking rock tune. Why is it … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
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Tagged Coyote Creed, Dead Jackals, folk, indie, metal, pop, prog, review, Richard Marx, rock, single, Swim Deep, The Livesays, ULTRAVOX
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Album review: DIAMOND HEAD – Lightning To The Nations

Silver Lining [Release date 30.09.22] Formed in the late 70s and part of the NWoBHM movement, Diamond Head epitomise the ‘Should have been huge’, ‘influential’ and ‘recognised after the event’ band. This, their debut, was originally released through their own … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
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Tagged album, Brian Tatler, classic album, Diamond Head, Lightning To The Nations, metal, NWOBHM, reissues, review, Sean Harris, Silver Lining
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News: JUSTIN HAYWARD, ANTHRAX, MAGMA (September 2022)

Lee Aaron releases her latest album ‘Elevate‘ on November 25 via Metallville Records. Arc Of Life release their second album ‘Don’t Look Down’ on November 18 through Frontiers. Black Veil Brides release a new EP entitled ‘The Mourning’ on October … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged Anthrax, AOR, blues, folk, gigs, JUSTIN HAYWARD, Magma, melodic rock, metal, news, pop, prog, rock, singer songwriter, The Alan Parsons Project, tours
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Single reviews: BILLY IDOL, 1+1 with MICHAEL ARMSTRONG, PERFECT PLAN

Billy Idol is lining-up his second EP release in just over a year with ‘The Cage’ due out on September 23. Ahead of this we can enjoy the title track which is a bit of a belter, featuring a heavy … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
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Tagged Billy Idol, folk, Hardline, indie, Johnny Gioeli, metal, Michael Armstrong, Perfect Plan, pop, prog, review, rock, single, White Skies
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Album review: SOIL – Play It Forward

Cleopatra Records [Release date 26.08.22] A covers album from Soil whose last studio album was released back in 2013, so this covers album should keep their fans happy, even if it contains no new original songs. ‘Playing It Forward’ is … 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, alt metal, Cleopatra Records, Covers, Helmet, metal, Motorhead, Play It Forward, Ramones, review, rock, Soil, Tom Petty
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Single reviews: PYLON POETS, AILYN, TABOO, BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN

Pylon Poets are back with a new single ‘Remedy’, released as the follow up to the band’s 2020 EP ‘Lucid Hallucinations’. Combining feelings of disillusion, growth, heartbreak and betrayal ‘Remedy’ packs a powerful punch as the band hone their rock … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
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Tagged Ailyn, album, alt rock, Beth Nielsen Chapman, melodic, metal, Pretty Maids, Pylon Poets, review, rock, singer songwriter, singles, Taboo
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Album review: SUNSTORM – Brothers In Arms

Frontiers [Release date: 12.08.22] All that accumulated weight from the Joe Lynn Turner era has been thrown overboard, and Version 2 of the new, invigorated Sunstorm is writing and performing with confidence and skill. Ronnie Romero remains from Version 2′s … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Doro, hard rock, Joe Lynn Turner, Luca Princiotta, metal, review, Ronnie Romero, Simone Mulanari, Sunstorm
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Album review: RESTLESS SPIRITS – Second To None

Frontiers [Release date: 12.08.22] Restless Spirits’ guitarist Tony (Lords Of Black) Hernando’s melodic rock project gains some momentum here, with 4 outstanding singers. 3 of them, Chez Kane, Kent Hilli and Renan Zonta are on the verge of wider recognition. … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Axel Rudi Pell, Chez Kane, Giant, Hardline, Johnny Gioeli, Journey, Kent Hilli, Lou Gramm, melodic rock, metal, Neal Schon, pop, Renan Zonta, review, Tony Hernando
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News: SAMMY HAGAR, RINGO STARR, GINGER WILDHEART (August 2022)

Artic Monkeys release their new album ‘The Car’ on October 21. Candlemass release their latest album ‘Sweet Evil Sun’ on November 18 on Napalm Records. The Commoners release their latest album ‘Find A Better Way’ on November 4. Conception have … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged AOR, blues, folk, gigs, Ginger Wildheart, metal, news, prog, Ringo Starr, rock, Sammy Hagar & the Circle, Sunjay, tours
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