Tag Archives: review

Album review: IVAN MIHALJEVIC & SIDE EFFECTS – Counterclockwise

Zeta Factory [Release date 01.04.13] ‘Counterclockwise’ is a concept album of sorts. It’s not an album with a single overbearing theme as such, but more of a cerebral examination of the state of our collective consciousness. Front man Ivan Mihaljevic … Continue reading

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Gig review: STEVE VAI – O2 Academy, Glasgow, 31 August 2013

This was the first time in a long time that I had ventured out to catch Steve Vai on stage. In fact the last time I saw him live he still had Devin Townsend up front and was confusing the … Continue reading

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Quick plays: REBELLIOUS SPIRIT, UGLY KID JOE, KING KOBRA

REBELLIOUS SPIRIT - Gamble Shot

REBELLIOUS SPIRIT – Gamble Shot (SPV) The recent success of Reckless Love has had an impact on a number of young bands. A good example of this is young German band Rebellious Spirit, whose logo is not dissimilar from the … Continue reading

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Album review: THE BLUES BAND – Live At Rockpalast

Repertoire [Release date 10.06.13] The Blues Band ‘Live at Rockpalast’ is that rare thing, a live DVD that connects as much with the viewer at home as the band did with the audience on the night. Too often a multi … Continue reading

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Album review: ALVIN LEE & TEN YEARS LATER – Live At Rockpalast

Repertoire [Release date 10.06.13] Alvin Lee & Ten Years Later actually came 5 years after the dissolution of Ten Years After. It was essentially a virtuoso power trio who relentlessly toured The US and Europe and on this live DVD … Continue reading

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Album review: EWAN DOBSON – Acoustic Metal

Candy Rat Records [Release date 06.02.13] ‘Once you see the line between metal virtuosity and classical music the challenge begins.’ So says Canadian guitarist Ewan Dobson whose 2 CD ‘Acoustic Metal’ is a challenging, innovative and hugely enjoyable CD. If … Continue reading

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Album review: FERGIE FREDERIKSEN – Any Given Moment

FERGIE FREDERIKSEN – Any Given Moment

Frontiers www.frontiers.it Fergie sang on Le Roux’s wonderful So Fired Up and then joined Toto for one of my absolute favourite Toto albums, namely Isolation…it was just a shame that his time in the band was so short. Back in … Continue reading

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Album review: MAGGIE REILLY – Heaven Sent

Maggie Reilly - Heaven Sent

Red Berry Records [Release date 11.11.13] www.maggiereilly.co.uk Maggie Reilly frequently features in our singer-songwriter sequence on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio and , since 2009 when we interviewed her, she has become a firm favourite. Her solo albums are always worth … Continue reading

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Album review: RAINBOW BRIDGE REVISITED

Gonzo [Release date 15.04.13] OK first things first. While the significance of Jimi Hendrix’s Rainbow Bridge concert was that it was his penultimate American show, there’s nothing of interest here for the Hendrix fans, outside of a few vague anecdotes … Continue reading

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Album review: TYR – Valkyrja

      Metal Blade Records (Release date – 17th Sept 2013) This is TYR’s seventh album and once again it plunges the listener into the dark world of Norse mythology and ancient gods. ‘Valkyrja’ is a concept album loosely … Continue reading

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Album review: SAGA – Spin It Again Live In Munich

SAGA – Spin It Again Live In Munich

Ear Music/Edel  [Release date 30.09.13] 2-CD Also available on DVD and Blu-Ray this was recorded on the band’s 2012 tour which marked the return of original vocalist Michael Sadler and the live debut of new drummer Mike Thorne. Saga have … Continue reading

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Gig review: DEADLY CIRCUS FIRE – The Borderline, London, 23 August 2013

Deadly Circus Fire take their moniker from the Hartford circus fire of Connecticut in 1944, one of the worst fire disasters in US history. Many burned to death while others, overcome by hysteria, were reported to have run round in … Continue reading

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Album review: UNTIL RAIN – Anthem To Creation

Escape Music www.escape-music.com   Until Rain hail from Greece and were formed back in 2004, since then they have released one full album and an EP. Now they have signed with Escape Music to release this rather good slab of … Continue reading

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Album review: BLUE OCTOBER – Sway

Up/Down Records www.blueoctober.com [Release date 26.08.13] Blue October are one of those bands that mean a big deal in their native US yet have yet to make a big splash over here in the UK and Europe. If you give … Continue reading

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Album review: DENNERS TRICKBAG – Denners Trickbag

      Target Records ( Release date – 9th Sept 2013) Michael Denner has produced some fine performances over the years both as a member of Mercyful Fate and in King Diamond’s band, his guitar work on the ‘Abigail’ … Continue reading

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Album review: MORELAND & ARBUCKLE – 7 Cities

Telarc [Release date 26.08.13] Moreland & Arbuckle are a power trio with a difference. They hail from Wichita Kansas and their blend of riff driven, southern influenced roots rock is shot through with essential blues influences, but not in the … Continue reading

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Gig review: SOS Festival, Manchester, 20-21 July 2013

SOS Festival, 20 July 2013

Now in it’s sixth year, SOS festival is a chance for Rocksector Records to showcase it’s impressive repertoire of rock and metal acts alongside other established and emerging artists. Tucked in a pocket of Radcliffe, within ten miles of the … Continue reading

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Album Review: CAROUSEL VERTIGO – Mighty

      Self-Release (Release date – 21st Oct 2013) Carousel Vertigo is the brainchild of two individuals brought together by a love of guitars and classic rock. Jansen Press and Vincent Martinez, both endorsed by Gibson Guitars, found themselves … Continue reading

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Album review: GORDON GILTRAP – Reissues

Gordon Giltrap - Perilous Journey

Esoteric [Release date 29.07.13] Gordon Giltrap should be certified A National Treasure.  He’s laboured tirelessly since the late-1960′s honing and preening his guitar style, dipping into various genres including prog, and generally maintaining the highest quality standards. These new reissues … Continue reading

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Album Review: STATUS QUO – The Frantic Four Reunion – Live At The O2 Academy, Glasgow

Status Quo - The Frantic Four Reunion

Fourth Chord Records [Release date 30.09.13] Anyone with even a passing interest in Quo will know the special relationship the group have with the city of Glasgow and, in particular, the late, lamented Glasgow Apollo. Many ageing rockers in the … Continue reading

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Album review: SONS OF HIPPIES – Griffons At The Gates Of Heaven

Cleopatra [Release date 16.07.13] Described as psych-space rockers, and more memorably as: ‘The Bangles on acid’, Sons of Hippies explore retro musical influences with colourful imagery and gothic moods. Their imposing wall of sound is interwoven with ominous poetic lyrics … Continue reading

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Quick plays: BALFLARE, CHRIS NORMAN

CHRIS NORMAN – There And Back

Album review: BALFLARE – Downpour Balfare are a Japanese power metal band who have been around since 2004 and this is their fourth studio album. The music is keyboard led and keyboards player Tommy is the star of the show, … Continue reading

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Album review: DEEP PURPLE – Slaves And Masters

DEEP PURPLE - Slaves And Masters

Hear No Evil Recordings [Release date 22.07.13] Slaves And Masters might be remembered as the album that split the Purple fans (and some critics) in the early-1990s, launched in an era that spawned albums such as Tyketto’s ‘Don’t Come Easy … Continue reading

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Album Review: SYNESTHESIA – Synners and Saints

      Steeltown USA Records ( Release date – out now) Synethesia claim to encompass many rock styles, taking in power and prog metal, thrash and punk, quite a heady mix. The results of this rock mash-up are rather … Continue reading

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Album Review: OVERTURES – Entering The Maze

      Sleaszy Rider Records (Release date – Out now) Overtures are an Italian metal outfit from Gorizia and ‘Entering The Maze’ is the band’s third album. Metal infused with a large dose of melody is the order of … Continue reading

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