Tag Archives: review

Gig review: MR. BIG – Koko, Camden, London, 17 October 2014

MR. BIG - Koko, Camden, London, 17 October 2014

Mr Big’s European tour to capitalise on their back-to-form new album ‘Stories We Could Tell’ squeezed in just a solitary UK show, their first in three years. It was unsurprising that the opulent surroundings of Koko were sold out, perhaps … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Album review: DEVON ALLMAN – Ragged & Dirty

Album review: DEVON ALLMAN – Ragged & Dirty

Ruf [Release date 20.10.14] ‘Ragged & Dirty’ takes its inspiration from the late Luther Allison’s funky wah-wah driven title track and provides Devon Allman with his overdue moment in the solo spotlight. It’s a chunky, funky, gritty example of the … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: HOUSTON, The Barfly, Camden, London, 16 October 2014

HOUSTON, The Barfly, Camden, London, 16 October 2014

When an AOR revival suddenly became flavour of the month late in 2010, the debut album by Swedes Houston was seen as the standard bearer of the new revolution. Even if live performances were a mixed bag, the quality of … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Book review: Tales of Deeply Vale Festival by Chris Hewitt

Tales of Deeply Vale Festival by Chris Hewitt

Ozit Morpheous records and books [Publication date October 2014] ‘Tales of Deeply Vale Festival’ is an aptly titled box comprising a book, and 6 CD’s. It was effectively started in 1996, when author Chris Hewitt, Dave Edwards, Cliff Jackson and … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: STEVE CROPPER with ANIMALS & FRIENDS – Live Rooms, Chester, 18 October 2014

Steve Cropper - Chester Live Rooms, 18 October 2014

Interview with Steve Cropper, chatting about his career (18 October 2014) I last saw The Animals and Steve Cropper back in 2011.  Sadly the setlist hasn’t changed much since then, inevitably built around the “hits” and some Colonel fans may … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: ELECTRIC SIX – The Human Zoo

Electric Six - The Human Zoo

Metropolis Records [Released 14.10.14] Electric Six have been going for some time now, first coming to many people’s attention with ‘Danger, High Voltage’ and ‘Gay Bar’, plus more recently a video with mainman Dick Valentine dressed as Freddie Mercury covering … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Album review: DENNIS DEYOUNG – The Music of Styx : Live in Los Angeles

DENNIS DEYOUNG – The Music of Styx : Live in Los Angeles

Frontiers Records [Release date 20.10.14] Styx are one of my all time favourite bands and Dennis DeYoung was the vocalist, keyboard maestro and genius behind some of their biggest hits…but their biggest hit Babe, which is obviously featured on here, … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: JUSTIN FURSTENFELD – Islington Academy Hall, 17 October 2014

Justin Fustenfeld is the main man of US band Blue October, a band I only discovered last year after reviewing their excellent ‘Sway’ album. Tonight it was just Justin and his acoustic guitar, as he played the second of three … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: DAUGHTRY, The Roundhouse, Camden, London, 12 October 2014

Daughtry - London Roundhouse, 12 October 2014

Chris Daughtry spoke to Get Ready to ROCK! Radio from deepest Virginia in August 2014.  In this edit he chats about American Idol and his album releases. (6:07) Six months on from a pair of shows at Shepherds Bush Empire, … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Gig review: MESSENGER – The Borderline, London, 15 October 2014

MESSENGER – The Borderline, London, 15 October 2014

Review by Yiannis (John) Stefanis Photos by Yiannis (John) Stefanis In the short period since they first came together as a band back in 2012, Psychedelic/Progressive Rock troupe Messenger have really made their presence felt in the music world. Having … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: LYRIEL – Skin And Bones

Lyriel - Skin And Bones

AFM Records [Release date 26.09.14] Lyriel are another one of AFM’s roster that has totally passed me by until now. This German band formed way back in 2003 and debut “Prisonworld” was released in 2005. “Autumntales”, “Paranoid Circus” and “Leverage” … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: LUNATIC SOUL – Walking On A Flashlight Beam

LUNATIC SOUL – Walking On A Flashlight Beam

Kscope – Out Now. Inspiration is an interesting thing. While most us mere mortals struggle to come up with anything remotely interesting to offer to the world in artistic terms, others like the Polish musician/composer Mariusz Duda are constantly creating … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: JIMMY BARNES – Hindsight

Jimmy Barnes - Hindsight

Provogue [Release date  27.10.14] While there’s still a healthy roll call of artists who can look back on a 30 year recording career, few of them still retain the fire and range of Australia’s adopted Scotsman Jimmy Barnes. ‘Hindsight’ is full … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: MR BIG – The Stories We Could Tell

Mr Big - The Stories We Could Tell

Frontiers Records [Release Date 29.09.14] Mr Big appear to be back to stay, despite the unfortunate news of drummer Pat Torpey’s progressive illness. Three years after returning with the somewhat dry sounding ‘What If’, this latest release sees them back … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Album review: XTASY – Revolution

XTASY – Revolution

MelodicRock Records [Release date 13.10.14] Andrew McNeice, the man behind melodicrock.com, has tapped into the Spanish melodic scene for Xtasy and their debut album Revolution. Xtasy were founded back in 2011 by guitarist Jorge and vocalist Silvia and they recorded … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: RIGOR MORTIS – Slaves To The Grave

RIGOR MORTIS – Slaves To The Grave

Rigor Mortis Records – Out Now. The story of Texan Speed/Thrash Metal quartet Rigor Mortis is a pretty fascinating one indeed. Having first formed back in 1983 by schoolboy friends Harden Harrison (drums) & Casey Orr (bass), they were the … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: EXODUS – Blood In, Blood Out

EXODUS – Blood In, Blood Out

Nuclear Blast – Out Now. There has been a significant number of changes taking place in the line-up of the California-based Thrash Metal legends Exodus over the last thirty four years but none has come close to being more debilitating … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: WHITESNAKE – Live In ’84 Back To The Bone

Whitesnake - Back To The Bone

Frontiers www.frontiers.it [Released 07.11.14] Here’s a song for ya. 1984 was a good year for British rock music – and is surely epitomised by Whitesnake’s Slide It In. OK, I’m biased, possibly, but Slide It In is by far my … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: DESTRUCTION – The Underworld, London, 8 October 2014

DESTRUCTION – The Underworld, London, 8 October 2014

Support Act: Shrapnel, Lost Society, Evil Invaders Review by Yiannis (John) Stefanis Photos by Yiannis (John) Stefanis Attending Metal shows, even those taking place right in the middle of the week, is, strangely, still something I do with the passion … Continue reading

Posted in GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: BRIAN TARQUIN & HEAVY FRIENDS – Guitars For Wounded Warriors

BRIAN TARQUIN & HEAVY FRIENDS - Guitars For Wounded Warriors

Purple Pyramid Records/Cleopatra [Release date 22.09.14] Brian Tarquin is a prolific producer/musician who in recent years has specialised in above-par tribute albums, such as those to Jeff Beck and Led Zep.  This time he pays tribute to the ‘brave men … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: STRYPER – Live At The Whisky

Frontiers Records [Release date 22.09.14] First we had a cover’s album, then re-recordings of old numbers and then finally a decent new album and now Stryper’s comeback continues with the obligatory live album (with me being cynical, this is a … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: SIMON PHILLIPS – Protocol II

Simon Phillips - Protocol II

Inakustik [Release date 13.10.14] It’s been fourteen years since the release of ‘Vantage Point’, Simon Phillips’ last solo album.  This is understandable given that for most of that period he’s been tied up drumming for Toto.  But of course in … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: VAINAJA – Kadotetut

VAINAJA – Kadotetut

Svart Records – Out Now. How I love discovering new bands; and I am especially referring to those which, though respectful of their musical influences, are not afraid to try to bring something new to the table. The latest such … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: DARK FORTRESS – Venereal Dawn

Dark Fortress - Venereal Dawn

Century Media – Out Now. Ever since their first demo “Rebirth Of The Dark Age” saw the light of day back in 1996, German sextet Dark Fortress has been one of the most prolific entities in the international Black Metal … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Single & EP reviews: THE DEAD DAISIES, DIAMOND DAYS

THE DEAD DAISIES – Face I Love EP

THE DEAD DAISIES – Face I Love EP Spinefarm Records  [Release date – Out Now] The Dead Daisies are a musical collective with a rotating line-up of well-known musicians. In 2014 the line-up consists of founders Jon Stevens (vocals) and … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment