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Tag Archives: modern rock
Album review: THE BLOODY NERVE – All Blood, No Treasure (Act 1)

Facebook [Release date 27.08.21] The Bloody Nerve brings together singer/guitarist Stacey Blood and vocalist Laurie Ann Layne – “rock ‘n’ roll guardians of the West” in their own words. A brave claim perhaps but they certainly do things differently and … Continue reading
Album review: HARDWICKE CIRCUS – The Borderland

Website [Release date 23.07.21] This band hail from Carlisle, apparently Hardwicke Circus is the first roundabout in Carlisle, as a the band say, they are the “greatest band you’ve never heard of”, somehow I think that is all about to … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, alt rock, Gaslight Anthem, Hardwicke Circus, modern rock, review, rock, Shinedown, The Borderland
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Gig review: THE DARKER MY HORIZON & FRIENDS FESTIVAL, The Vic, Coalville, 20-22 August 2021

I think it would be fair to say that travelling to the venue on 20th was challenging for most, due to a number of accidents and roadworks everywhere, however, none so much as The Darker My Horizon (TDmH) as their … Continue reading
Album review: BLACKTOP MOJO – Blacktop Mojo

Self-released [Release date 13.08.21] Blacktop Mojo are a new name to this reviewer, however, the band have been around since 2012 and this is their fourth album. Blacktop Mojo consists if Matt James (vocals), Ryan Kiefer (guitar), Chuck Wepfer (guitar), … Continue reading
Album review: ALL GOOD THINGS – A Hope In Hell

Better Noise Music [Release date 20.08.21] All Good Things signed with Better Noise Music in 2019 and now they unleash their debut album. All Good Things consists of Dan Murphy (vocals), Andrew Bojanic (guitars, bass, vocals, keyboards, producer), Liz Hooper … Continue reading
Gig review: THE DARKER MY HORIZON – Dirty Rockers, Dudley, Saturday 22 May 2021

I actually can’t quite believe that I am writing a gig review – a real live gig review, not a livestream, live music with an audience, in a rock venue, it’s been way too long. The anticipation of this gig … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Dirty Rockers, Dudley, gig, hard rock, modern rock, review, rock, Saturday 23 May 2021, the Darker My Horizon
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EP review: THE JAILBIRDS – Jungle

Golden Robot Records [Release date 21.05.21] Now this is a Canadian three piece called the Jailbirds, not the Aussie/Irish Jailbirds who have a penchant for AC/DC riffs, which could explain why on first listen I thought they had undergone a … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged album, ALTER BRIDGE, EP, hard rock, Jungle, modern rock, review, the Jailbirds
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Album review: MASON HILL – Against The Wall

7Hz Porductions [Release date 05.03.21] Mason Hill have had a proper rock ‘n’ roll rollercoaster ride to get to this point of releasing their debut album, some six years after first forming. They signed to a label, left said label, … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged Against The Wall, album, debut, Mason Hill, modern rock, Nickelback, review, rock
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Album review: REACH – The Promise Of A Life

Facebook [Release date 23.04.21] Reach was founded in 2012 and settled on a power trio consisting of Ludvig Turner (vocals, guitars), Marcus Johansson (drums) and Soufian Ma´Aoui (bass). Reach have released two albums prior to this one and have played … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, alternative, melodic, modern rock, Muse, pomp rock, Queen, quirky, Reach, review, rock, The Promise Of A Life
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Album review: SKINNY KNOWLEDGE – Don’t Turn Out the Lights

Self-release [Release date 05.03.21] Bournemouth based rockers, Skinny Knowledge deliver a frankly, awesome debut album that oozes attitude with great energy and a message to all those that are shallow or judgemental in our society – take note of the … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Digital only
Tagged album, debut, Don’t Turn Out the Lights, modern rock, review, rock, Skinny Knowledge
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Album review: JAMIE’S GUNS – Jamie’s Guns

I picked this album up as Jamie’s Guns had shared it on NWOCR Facebook group, I had a half listen while I was working, to the initial track “Whiplash”, stopped what I was doing, immediately played the album in its … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Bruce Springsteen, debut, Gaslight Anthem, Jamie's Guns, melodic, modern rock, review, rock
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EP review: LEWIS CLAY – Idle Hands

Website [Release date 25.12.20] 2020 has been a right shit show of that there can be no doubt, and it has hit the performing arts and live arena very badly, especially as most don’t manage to qualify … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged album, Foo Fighters, Idle Hands, Lewis Clay, modern rock, Our Lady Valentine, review, rock, singer songwriter, Wildhearts
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Album review: BLACK STONE CHERRY – The Human Condition

Mascot Records [Release date 30.10.20] Amazing to think Black Stone Cherry (BSC) celebrate their twentieth anniversary next year, with ‘The Human Condition’ being the band’s seventh studio album. Black Stone Cherry have certainly built up an impressive following here in … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Black Stone Cherry, ELO, melodic, modern rock, review, rock, southern rock, the Human Condition
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Gig review: THE DARKER MY HORIZON – Dirty Rockers, Dudley, Saturday 24 October 2020

Rock lives, music lives but only if we support it – our small music venues are on there knees trying to survive and actually attending this gig, nearly broke this rock chick’s heart for a number of reasons….. I have … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Dirty Rockers, Dudley, gig, hard rock, live music, melodic, modern rock, Paul Stead, review, rock, the Darker My Horizon
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EP review: MADRE SUN – The Speed of Light

Facebook [Release date24.07.20] Madre Son was formed by brothers Eduardo (bass, vocals) and Matt Cavina (guitar), along with guitarist Tyson Schenker (son of Michael). They are joined on the EP by drummer Flipi Stipp. They certainly have rock pedigree and … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged EP, hard rock, melodic, Michael Schenker, modern rock, review, rock, The Speed of Light, Tyson Schenker
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Album review: THE PETAL FALLS – Workin’ All Night Workin’ All Day

Rock Avenue Records [Release date 31.07.20] This is my new favourite album of 2020, by UK band, The Petal Falls “Workin’ All Night Workin’ All Day” and if the impressive production is anything to go by, this band most certainly has … Continue reading
Gig review: THE DARKER MY HORIZON – The Victoria, Swindon, Thursday 27 August 2020

So it’s Thursday 27 August and the wind down to a long weekend, what better way to get in the mood than to see live music – yes real, live, raw, rock in an amazing venue, the Victoria in Old … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Bryan Adams, Fall From Ruin, gig, hard rock, live, melodic, modern rock, review, rock, Swindon, the Darker My Horizon
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EP review: BLACK LESION – Mindless Feeding Device

Facebook [Release date 14.08.20] Black Lesion are a three-piece hard-rock band from Edinburgh, who had managed a few live dates under their belts before the pandemic struck. It is very frustrating and sad in equal measures that bands, particularly up … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged album, alt rock, Black Lesion, EP, grunge, Mindless Feeding Device, modern rock, review, rock
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EP review: COUNCIL, MARISA AND THE MOTHS

Website [Release date 23.06.20] Council is made up of 3 brothers and they are based out of NYC now. They have gone the organic route by building up a fan base by interacting with them, playing plenty of live shows … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged acoustic, Bastille, Council, electronica, EP, Get Numb, Imagine Dragons, Marisa And The Moths, melodic, modern rock, pop, review, rock, Stripped
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Album review: THE ROCKET DOLLS – The Art of Disconnect

Website [Release date 01.05.20] The Rocket Dolls are Nikki Smash (vocals, guitars), Joe Constable (bass, backing vocals) and Benji Knopfler (drums), back with their new album which was another affected by the PledgeMusic crisis. Undeterred, the Rocket Dolls re-launched the … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, grunge, modern rock, Nikki Smash, punk, review, rock, Rocket Dolls, The Art of Disconnect
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Single reviews: THE DARKER MY HORIZON, MILTON HIDE, ALLAN CLARKE, CWF, THE LICKERISH QUARTET

THE DARKER MY HORIZON Carpe Diem Another band utilising their lockdown time wisely are the Darker My Horizon, who made the video with help from their fans with all proceeds going to the NHS charities. Nice riff-tastic tune with lyrics … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged Allan Clarke, AOR, classic rock, CWF, folk, Jellyfish, melodic rock, Milton Hide, modern rock, New releases, pop, power pop, review, rock, singles, the Darker My Horizon, The Hollies, the Lickerish Quartet, Toto
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Quick plays: KIRSTY MERRYN, TOM KITCHING, GRACES COLLIDE

KIRSTY MERRYN Our Bright Night [Release date 24.04.20] Kirsty Merryn has only been on the folk scene for a few years, yet already she has been making a name for herself with glowing reviews for her debut album and supporting … Continue reading
Rising Stars: INDYA

Paul Monkouse interviews Natalie “Indya” West of rising stars INDYA… ‘’He hit me so hard I actually blacked out and when I came around, I could actually see stars’’. Natalie ‘Indya’ West is used to hard knocks but this one … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars
Tagged Goth Rock, Indya, interview, Jimi Hendrix, modern rock, Natalie West, progressive, rock
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