Tag Archives: review

Album review: ELECTRIC TEMPLE – High Voltage Salvation

Posted on November 29, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

Eonian Records [Release date 06.12.24 ] An interesting trend in recent years has been for vocalist/frontmen to spread their largesse, perhaps due to economic as much as creative reasons. So, for example, we have that arch moonlighter Ronnie Romero in … Continue reading →

Album review : TAK MATSUMOTO GROUP – TMG II

Posted on November 29, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date : 06.12.24] Through one of those close encounters you read about, Tak Matsumoto, guitarist and founder of leading Japanese rock band, B’z met up with Jack (Night Ranger) Blades and Eric (Mr Big) Martin in LA, in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged B'z, Baby Metal, Budokan, Eric Martin, hard rock, Jack Blades, Japan, LiSA, melodic rock, Mr Big, Night Ranger, review, Tak Matsumoto Group | Leave a comment

Album review : POWELL PAYNE – Voila

Posted on November 28, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 6.12.24] There really should have been some kind of fanfare, a blaze of publicity, to accompany the release of Voila, debut album from Adam Payne, ex Airrace, and Mark Powell, ex Psycho Kiss. In this post-AOR age, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Airrace, AOR, Frontiers, melodic rock, Peter Cetera, Powell Payne, Psycho Kiss, review, Richard Marx, Voila | Leave a comment

Single review: SPLEEN – Making Plans For Nigel

Posted on November 28, 2024 by jason

YouTube Spleen have been around since 2019 and now comprises Samuele Riccucci on guitar and vocals, Matteo Innocenti on drums and backing vocals, Olmo Fantini on guitar and backing vocals, and Alberto Sanna on bass. A brave move to cover … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Covers, Making Plans For Nigel, New Wave, pop, punk, punk pop, review, Robbie Williams, single, Spleen, XTC | Leave a comment

Gig review: ANTHRAX – Hammersmith Apollo, London, 23 November 2024

Posted on November 27, 2024 by Davoski

It’s been a while. 35 years in fact, since I last saw Anthrax. March 1989 at this very venue. I had to look it up, but I needn’t have bothered. During a mid-set chat, Scott Ian listed all the times … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 23November 2024, Anthrax, gig, Hammersmith Apollo, Joey Belladonna, Kreator, live, metal, review, Scott Ian, Thrash | Leave a comment

Album review : RUTHLESS BLUES – Nice Work

Posted on November 25, 2024 by petefeenstra

Bandcamp [Release date 01.11.24] ‘Nice Work’ is an aptly titled album for a band who always managed to convey their natural exuberance in a straight forward mix of old school rock and blues. This is Ruthless Blues first studio album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, bass, blues, Clive Edwards, drums, guitar, Hammind, harmonica, John Irish Earle, Martyn Taylor, Nice Work, review, Richard Taylor, rock, Ruthless Blues, sax, Stevie Smith | Leave a comment

Album review: PHIL VINCENT – Master of Deception

Posted on November 22, 2024 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 22.11.24] This is Phil Vincent’s 26th solo album! That is excluding the various bands he appears with like D’Ercole and Tragik. Mastered again by Jacob Hansen (who certainly seems to have added some punch to last few … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, hard rock, Master of Deception, melodic rock, Phil Vincent, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: CROSSBONE SKULLY – Evil World Machine

Posted on November 20, 2024 by jason

Better Noise Music [Release date 22.11.24] Crossbone Skully is the band formed by Alice Cooper and Hollywood Vampires guitarist Tommy Henriksen. He’s joined by guitarists Anna Cara and Sam Koltun, bassist Chris Wyse and drummer Alex Boch. That’s not all … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AC/DC, album, Alice Cooper, classic rock, Crossbone Skully, Def Leppard, Evil World Machine, hard rock, Hollywood Vampires, Johnny Depp, Motley Crue, Mutt Lange, review, rock, sleaze rock, Tommy Denander, Tommy Henriksen | Leave a comment

Album review : FAITH NYC – Love Is A Wish Away

Posted on November 19, 2024 by brianmc

Good Deeds Music [Release date 22.11.24] A Motown sound that isn’t a Motown sound. Faith NYC is Felice Rosser’s band, which comprises percussionist, Fin Hunt, and guitar man, Justin Adams. Rosser sings and plays bass. Born and brought up in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Black Music, Faith NYC, Felice Rosser, Fin Hunt, Justin Adams, Motown, New York, punk, review, soul | Leave a comment

Album review : LUMINARE CHRISTMAS – Mistletoe Magic

Posted on November 18, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date : 22.12.24] Founded by Chip Davis, leader of the 28 million selling, neoclassical ensemble Mannheim Steamroller, Luminare Christmas is a relatively new venture. Mannheim have two albums in the Top Ten Best Selling Christmas albums of all … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS | Tagged Chip Davis, Christmas, Denis DeYoung, Frontiers, Luminare, Mannheim Steamroller, Nutcracker, review, Styx, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi | Leave a comment

Album review : SUNSTORM – Restless Fight

Posted on November 17, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 22.11.24] Restless Fight is Sunstorm’s third with Ronnie Romero up front, this time with a few more “progressive” musicians alongside. Influential Italian guitarist/ songwriter Aldo Lonobile – and currently Frontiers’ head of A&R for Europe – has … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Aldo Lonobile, Antonio Agate, Frontiers, hard rock, Italy, review, Ronnie Romero, Sunstorm | Leave a comment

Album review: DEWOLFF- Muscle Shoals

Posted on November 17, 2024 by jason

Mascot Records [Release date 06.12.24] “The singing river ? Damned if there ain’t soul in the silt itself. Musician folks been heading down this way for years and I’ll wager I’ve seen ‘em all – yes sir, Muscle Shoals, Alabama. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, blues rock, DeWolf, Lynyrd Skynrd, Muscle Shoals, Otis Redding, review, rock, soul | Leave a comment

DVD review: MAN – God Walking Past (A review of the band’s career and recorded works 1968-1976)

Posted on November 15, 2024 by petefeenstra

Effigy [Release date: 18.11.24] ‘God Walking Past’ takes its title from Man member Deke Leonard’s description of the band’s music. He calls it “Impressive”, and the description could equally be applied to this thoroughly researched ‘not for prophet’ labour of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged Andrew Lauder, Barrie Marshall, Barry Melton, Clive John, Deke Leonard, DVD, Gav Crumpton, George Jones, Geraint Watkins, God Walking Past, Jenny Marshall, John McKenzie, Ken Whaley, Man, Martin Ace, Michael Heatley, Micky Jones, Nick Ring, Pete Feenstra, Phil Ryan, review, Terry Williams, The Bystanders, Tony Smith | Leave a comment

Album review : MARY COUGHLAN – Repeat Rewind

Posted on November 15, 2024 by petefeenstra

Strange Brew [Release date : 25.10.24] Mary Coughlan’s ‘Repeat Rewind’ is released hand in hand with the 40th anniversary of her career and provides the perfect showcase for her full range of talents, from heartfelt, humorous and ironic observations to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bob Dylan, Disney, Johnny Taylor, Karen Carpenter, Mary Coughlan, Peter Glenister, Repeat Rewind, review, singer, songwriter, The Beach Boys, Ultan Conlon | Leave a comment

Album review : STORACE – Crossfire

Posted on November 15, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 22.11.24] Crossfire is only the second Storace “solo” release from an artist whose gravel gargling vocals have fronted many million selling albums. Any fan of the hard rock genre will recognise the talent Marc Storace has surrounded … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AC/DC, Alice Cooper, Frontiers, Gotus, hard rock, Hollywood Vampires, KROKUS, Pat Aeby, review, Storace, Tommy Henriksen | Leave a comment

Album review : VAN ZANT – Always Look Up

Posted on November 14, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date : 22.11.24] Here are the Van Zant brothers, Donnie and Johnny, vocalists respectively with 38 Special and Lynyrd Skynyrd (50 million album sales between them), looking forward, going back. In 2017, University Of Northumbria’s Professor of American … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged .38 Special, Christian rock, Donnie Van Zant, Johnny Van Zant, Lynyrd Skynyrd, review, southern rock, Van Zant | Leave a comment

Gig review: DEEP PURPLE – 02 Arena, London, 6 November 2024

Posted on November 13, 2024 by Davoski

They may not have the same veteran status as the headliners of this show, but Reef are celebrating 30 years in the business this year. No mean feat, with founding members Gary Stringer on vocals and Jack Bessant on bass. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 6 November 2024, blues, Deep Purple, gig, hard rock, live, prog, review, rock, Smoke On The Water | Leave a comment

Album review: MASSIVE WAGONS – Earth To Grace

Posted on November 12, 2024 by jason

Earache Records [Release date 08.11.24] Amazingly this is album number seven from Massive Wagons, and their fourth on Earache Records, with their last two albums both making the UK top 10 album chart. No pressure then lads! The pre-released songs/singles … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Earth to Grace, hard rock, Hundred Reasons, Massive Wagons, melodic, metal, punk, review, Wildhearts | Leave a comment

Album review : STARCHASER – Into The Great Unknown

Posted on November 10, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 15.11.24] Second album from Swedish Melodic Metal band, Starchaser. The title track, ‘Into The Great Unknown’, a successful marriage of image and drama and music, gets us underway with a flourish. (Actually the “image” comes from the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Into The Great Unknown, Kenneth Jonsson, Lion's Share, melodic metal, Million, review, Starchaser, Sweden, Tad Morose, Ulrich Carlsson | Leave a comment

Album review: EVE GOODMAN – Summer Sun, Winter Trees

Posted on November 10, 2024 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 15.11.24] ‘Summer Sun, Winter Trees’ is Eve Goodman’s debut album, having released the EP ‘Wave Upon Wave’ previously. As Eve explains, “These songs are a capture of my moods, my headspace, and the symbols and imagery that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Eve Goodman, folk, review, singer songwriter, Summer Sun, Winter Trees | Leave a comment

Album review: MARK WIRTZ – Dream Dream Dream The Anthology (5 CD Boxset)

Posted on November 10, 2024 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date : 15.11.24] Long in the making, this Mark Wirtz Anthology misses out nothing in the fascinating life and times of this musical virtuoso – composer, producer, performer, conductor, author, (and ultimately, stand up comedian). Too much … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged boxset, Cherry Red, Dream Dream Dream, George Martin, Helen Ready, Keith West, Mark Wirtz, Marlene Dietrich, review, Teenage Opera, Tomorrow, USA, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review : VOODOO CIRCLE – Hail To The King

Posted on November 8, 2024 by brianmc

AFM Records [Release date 15.11.24] Love Whitesnake? Love Rainbow? Love Led Zeppelin? Here’s Voodoo Circle, just for you. 12 magnificent tracks. 60 magic minutes. Their finest hour. Sturdily melodic, hardbodied rock songs come at you relentlessly. You wait for the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AFM, Alex Beyrodt, David Readman, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Mat Sinner, melodic hard rock, review, VOODOO CIRCLE, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Album review : LIONVILLE – Supernatural

Posted on November 7, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 15.11.24] Art for Art’s sake. Lionville’s Italian founder, writer, guitarist and all round mainman, Stefano Leonetti has brought in Swedish vocalist Alexander (Art Nation) Strandell to replace the departed Lars (Work Of Art) Safsund. Strandell has achieved … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alexander Strandell, AOR, Art Nation, Frontiers, Lars Safsund, Lionville, melodic rock, review, Stefano Leonetti, Work Of Art | Leave a comment

EP review: PARADISE SINS – Desires

Posted on November 6, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

www.facebook.com/paradisesinsband [Release date 06.12.24] Paradise Sins are a recent formation (2022) and look back to 1980s melodic hard rock for their inspiration. This five track EP is their second main calling card to date (following the previous EP ‘Untamed’) but … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Desires, EP, hard rock, melodic, Paradise Sins, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: DEFECTS – Key Club, Leeds, 1 November 2024

Posted on November 6, 2024 by jason

Once again I was impatiently awaiting this gig. Filled with excitement I headed off to the Key Club in Leeds. Upon arriving I found the venue was small and intimate which was a massive bonus, the Stage was raised so … Continue reading →