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Latest Album Reviews
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Latest Gig Reviews
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Gig review: CARDINAL BLACK – Sub 89, Reading, 15 November 2024
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Gig review: SUZI QUATRO – London Palladium, 13 November 2024
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Gig review: HRH XVII, Great Yarmouth, 7-9 November 2024
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Gig review: WHEN RIVERS MEET, CHANTEL MCGREGOR, XANDER AND THE PEACE PIRATES – Dingwalls, London, 7 November 2024
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Gig review: DEEP PURPLE – 02 Arena, London, 6 November 2024
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Gig review: ELLES BAILEY- Islington Assembly Hall, London, 2 November 2024
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Featured Album Reviews
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Album review: THE ALARM – Equals
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Album review: GLENN SHORROCK – Glenn Shorrock Sings The Little River Band
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Album review: PSYCH! British Prog, Rock, Folk & Blues 1966-1973 (3-CD)
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Album review: THE BLUE HORIZON – Volume1
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Album review: THORBJØRN RISAGER & THE BLACK TORNADO – Songs From The Road
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Album review: THE KUT – GRIT
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Tag Archives: metal
Album review: ACCEPT – Too Mean To Die
Nuclear Blast [Release date 29.01.21] Accept, the German masters of heavy metal for more than 40 years and key influencers on bands such as Metallica and Iron Maiden, return with their 16th studio album – ‘Too Mean To Die’. Accept … Continue reading →
Album review: MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP – Immortal
Nuclear Blast Records [Release date 29.01.21] You would forgive Michael Schenker if he announced he was about to step back from music for a bit and take things easy. Now 65 and celebrating not only 50 years in the business but 40 … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Doogie White, Gary Barden, Immortal, Joe Lynn Turner, metal, Michael Schenker Group, Michael Voss, MSG, Nuclear Blast, Rainbow, Ralph Scheepers, review, Robin McAuley, rock, Ronnie James Dio, Ronnie Romero, Scorpions, UFO
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Single review: KING OF THE DEAD – Destroy My Name
Independent [Release date 08.01.21] The first few bars of interplay between rhythm and lead guitar from King Of The Dead could be Status Quo, but once the vocals are launched we’re back in NWOBHM territory. Pacey, piercing, high pitched, they … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
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Tagged Destroy My Name, King Of The Dead, metal, punk, review, rock, single
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Album review: IRON SAVIOR – Skycrest
AFM Records [Release date 04.12.20] Installed like a figurehead at the prow of European heavy metal, Piet Sielck’s Iron Savior proudly trail the story of this classic musical movement behind them. You could argue that along with Kai Hansen, Sielck … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
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Tagged AFM Records, album, Helloween, IRON SAVIOR, melodic metal, metal, Piet Sielck, power metal, review, Skycrest
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Album review: IRON MASK – Master Of Masters
AFM Records [Release date 05.12.20] For those who live and work outside Power Metal territory, bands like Iron Mask sound much like every other Power Metal band. When you’re on the inside though, perspective comes easy. Different musical styles readily … Continue reading →
Album review: SORCERESS OF SIN – Mirrored Revenge
Bandcamp [Release date 27.11.20] Sorceress Of Sin formed in 2020 in Cambridge, based around vocalist/lyricist Lisa Skinner and her husband, drummer Paul Skinner. By day they run a post office but after hours they go all power metal! Joining them … Continue reading →
Album review: PHANTOM ELITE – Titanium
Frontiers Records (Release date 22/01/21) On their second album now, Phantom Elite grew from the seeds of an HDK tour band, embracing Progressive Rock, Contemporary Metal and Symphonic Rock, evolving into what we see today. Fronted by Marina (Avantasia) La … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Amanda Somerville, Frontiers, HDK, Marina La Torraca, melodic metal, metal, Phantom Elite, prog metal, review, Titanium
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News: FOO FIGHTERS, RAINBREAKERS, KISS, JOHN SYKES (January 2021)
Foo Fighters have released a new song ‘No Son Of Mine’ taken from their upcoming album ‘Medicine at Midnight’, out February 5 on Roswell Records/Columbia Records. John Sykes (ex-Blue Murder, Whitesnake) released a new song ‘Dawning Of A Brand New … 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, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions
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Tagged blues, EP, folk, Foo Fighters, gigs, John Sykes, Kiss, metal, New releases, news, Rainbreakers, rock, singles, tour dates
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Album review: EDENBRIDGE – The Chronicles of Eden Part 2
SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 15.01.21] Second best of from symphonic metal band Edenbridge, with this volume drawn from their studio albums 5-10. Edenbridge, who have been around now for over twenty years, revolve around original members vocalist Sabine Edelsbacher and songwriter/multi-instrumentalist … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
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Tagged album, best of, EDENBRIDGE, Karl Groom, melodic metal, metal, review, Robby Valentine, SPV, Steamhammer, symphonic metal, The Chronicles of Eden Part 2
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EP review: OBSESA – Let In The Light
OBSESA [Release date 26.12.20] Obsesa formed in 2017 in Bury St Edmunds (Vocals/Guitar: Jason Smith, Guitar: Adam Ingram, Bass: Matt Cooper, Drums: Pete Hutchins) have come out swinging and bludgeoning on their debut ep ‘Let In The Light’. Three tracks … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, Single and EP reviews
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Tagged Doom Metal, EP, Let In The Light, metal, Metallica, Obsesa, review, speed metal, Thrash
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Album review: THE RODS – Expanded Remasters
In The Raw, The Rods Live, Let Them Eat Metal Rock Candy’s remastered & reissued programme often serves to bring a deserving band (and album) to a new audience. The Rods are the perfect example. Their eighties’ albums were in … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
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Tagged album, classic metal, David “The Rock” Feinstein, hard rock, live, metal, reissue, review, Rock Candy, the Rods
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News – NEAL SCHON, HEART, MAGNUM, THE DARKNESS (December 2020)
Journey’s Neal Schon (pictured) releases his new album ‘Universe’ this month. Dream Theater have started work on their new album. In the meantime they have released a seasonal medly ‘The Holiday Spirit Carries On’, available for download at dreamtheaterofficial.bandcamp.com Magnum … 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, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions
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Tagged albums, blues, festivals, folk, gigs, Heart, Journey, Magnum, metal, Neal Schon, New releases, news, rock, tours
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Album review: ELLEFSON – No Cover
Combat Records/earMUSIC [Release date 20.11.20] Ellefson, the solo band of Megadeth bassist and co-founder David Ellefson, have a double album of covers for your enjoyment. Even the cover artwork is a homage to Def Leppard’s ‘On Through The Night’ album … 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, Bumblefoot, Cheap Trick, classic rock, Covers, David Ellefson, Doro, Jason McMaster, Megadeth, metal, Ministry, Motorhead, Nazareth, No Cover, review
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Album Review: RIVERSIDE – Lost ‘n’ Found – Live In Tilburg
Inside Out – [Release date: 11 December 2020] Where to start with the sadness of this release? Live in Tilburg was recorded in October 2015 – just four days before I saw them live in Manchester – one of my … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged Lost 'n' Found-Live In Tilburg, metal, Progressive Rock, review, RIVERSIDE
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News – BLACKMORE’S NIGHT, H.E.A.T., ORANGE GOBLIN (November 2020)
Blackmore’s Night release a festive themed four song EP ‘Here We Come A-Caroling’ on December 4 via earMUSIC. The same label release the band’s new studio album ‘Nature’s Light’ next spring. Lizzy Borden releases ‘Best of Lizzy Borden, Vol. 2‘ … 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, Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged Arthur Brown, Blackmore's Night, classic rock, Crashdiet, H.E.A.T., Massive Wagons, metal, news, Orange Goblin, prog rock, rock
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EP Review: NUCLEAR POWER TRIO – A Clear And Present Rager
Metal Blade Records [ 30.10.20] Forget G20 summits or G7’S for that matter, where better for three world leaders to meet up but in a recording studio in Colorado. The premise of this EP is that Donald Trump (guitar), Vladimir … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
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Tagged Allegaeon, CD, Cephalic Carnage, Donald Trump, EP, funk, Greg Burgess, Havok, Kim Jong Un, metal, Nick Schendzielos, Nuclear Power Trio, Pete Webber, Pyongyang, rock, Vladimir Putin
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Album review: SILVERA – Edge Of The World
Mighty Music [Release date 16.10.20] With worldwide lockdowns and the inability to get out on tour many bands over the last few months have taken to the studio as a refuge from the real world. As a result of this … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Alterbridge, CD, Danish, debut, metal, Mighty Music, Nickelback, review, rock, Silvera, VOLBEAT
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Album review: GEEZER BUTLER – Reissues
WIN! Competition (closes 30 October 2020) BMG [Release date 30.10.20] Bassist Terry “Geezer” Butler is best known as a founder of Black Sabbath, and not only provided the band’s groove but much of the lyrics. While Black Sabbath endeavoured to … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
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Tagged album, Black Sabbath, Black Science, Burton C Bell, Fear Factory, Geezer Butler, Industrial, metal, nu-metal, Ohmwork, Ozzy Osbourne, Plastic Planet, reissues, review, Tony Iommi
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Album review: MARILYN MANSON – We Are Chaos
Loma Vista Recordings [Release date 11.09.20] Marilyn Manson certainly doesn’t disappoint with album number eleven “We Are Chaos”, in fact, I would go so far as to say that this is currently my favourite Manson record to date. Produced by … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, alternative, electronica, Industrial, Marilyn Manson, metal, review, Shooter Jennings, We Are Chaos
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Album review: TRAGIK – Faith Healer
Rock Company [Release date 03.11.20] Album number nine from Tragik by my reckoning? It is another band that features the musician that never sleeps – Phil Vincent. With Tragik he handles vocals, bass and keyboards on the album. Tragik also … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Faith Healer, hard rock, melodic rock, metal, Phil Vincent, review, Tragik
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News – AC/DC, BILL BAILEY, INGLORIOUS, FLOGGING MOLLY (October 2020)
AC/DC (pictured above) have been teasing new activity via their website and UK press adverts. They have now confirmed that vocalist Brian Johnson, bassist Cliff Williams and drummer Phil Rudd are officially back in AC/DC, joining Angus and Stevie Young. A … 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, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
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Tagged AC/DC, Bill Bailey, classic rock, Flogging Molly, folk, gigs, Inglorious, metal, New releases, news, punk, rock, tours
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Album review: LEAVES’ EYES – The Last Viking
AFM Records [Release date 23.10.20] Leaves’ Eyes are nothing if prolific, with eight albums, eight EPs and a live album since they formed back in 2003. ‘The Last Viking’ marks the final part of the band’s Viking trilogy, telling the … Continue reading →
Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) January 2021-March 2021
Compiled by Jason Ritchie January – March 2020 April – June 2020 July – September 2020 October – December 2020 April – June 2021 July-September 2021 October-December 2021 2021 January 1st THE BLACK KEYS ‘Brothers’ (10th anniversary edition) 8th Frozen … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, NEWS, Re-issues/special editions, Upcoming (Tours & Releases), Video
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Tagged 2021, album, AOR, Bluray, CD, classic rock, DVD, February, heavy rock, January, March, melodic rock, metal, New releases, progressive, rock
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Album review: RISING STEEL – Fight Them All
Frontiers [Release date 04.09.20] Second album from Grenoble’s finest metal band, Rising Steel. And you can see the tongue in their cheek from space. Allegedly. The band’s amusingly phallic name is the first Freudian nod and wink. And then, endearingly, … 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, Fight Them All, Frontiers, melodic metal, metal, review, Rising Steel
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Album review: STRYPER – Even The Devil Believes
Frontiers [Release date 04.09.20] Stryper’s 13th studio album, “Even The Devil Believes” follows hard the heels of “God Damn Evil” (their fourth on Frontiers). When you’re hot you’re hot. Vocalist/Guitarist/producer, Michael Sweet lets loose a high pitched howl as he … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Even The Devil Believes, melodic, melodic metal, metal, Michael Sweet, review, Stryper, white metal
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