Tag Archives: review

Album review: ARC OF LIFE – Don’t Look Down

Posted on November 13, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 18.11.22] Arc Of Life is a Progrock supergroup, arguably. In order of fame : Jon (Yes) Davison, Billy (Yes/ World Trade) Sherwood, Jay (Unruly Child) Schellen, Dave (Sound Of Contact) Kerzner and Jimmy (Air Supply/ Circa) Haun. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Air Supply, album, AOR, Arc Of Life, Billy Sherwood, Circa, Dave Kerzner, Don't Look Down, Frontiers, Jay Schellen, Jimmy Haun, Jon Davison, melodic rock, Mr Mister, progrock, review, Sound Of Contact, Third Matinee, Unruly Child, World Stage, Yes | Leave a comment

EP review: LAST IN LINE – A Day In The Life

Posted on November 13, 2022 by jason

Edel/earMusic [Release date 11.11.22] Last In Line, a name taken after the second Dio album (1984), features former Dio members, and were formed after the passing of renowned vocalist Ronnie James Dio. Playing all original material given the line-up, the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged A Day In The Life, Andrew Newman, Beatles, Dio, Last In Line, Phil Sousson, review, Vinny Appice, vinyl EP, Vivian Campbell | Leave a comment

Gig review: BEAUX GRIS GRIS AND THE APOCALYPSE – The Duke of York, Ipswich, Wednesday 9 November 2022

Posted on November 13, 2022 by jason

BEAU GRIS GRIS AND THE APOCALYPSE - November 2022

It takes a special kind of love that brings Californian based band Beaux Gris Gris and the Apocalypse to an Ipswich pub on a Wednesday night in late Autumn but rewarded with a packed and enthusiastic audience, it seems like … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Beaux Gris Gris and the Apocalypse, blues, blues rock, gig, Ipswich, live music, review, rock, The Duke of York, Wednesday 9 November 2022 | Leave a comment

Album review: ENUFF Z’NUFF – Finer Than Sin

Posted on November 12, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 11.11.22] If there’s any band that just keeps on keeping on, it’s Enuff Z’Nuff. The band has undergone enough line up changes to fill a Wikipedia page, yet the man who started it all, Chip Z’Nuff is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Beatles, Cheap Trick, Chip Z'nuff, Enuff Z'Nuff, Finer Than Sin, Frontiers, hard rock, psychedelic pop, review, Strawberry Fields | Leave a comment

Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL – The Blues Bar, Tring, 10 November 2022

Posted on November 11, 2022 by Davoski

So good to see live music being promoted and supported in my own neck of the woods. The Blues Bar at Tring now attracts quality live acts twice a month from its new venue on the edge of town. Tonight, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged band, blues, Brave Rival, gig, Life's Machine, live, review, Tring 10 November 2022 | Leave a comment

Gig review: KINGDOM OF MADNESS- 100 Club, London, 28 October 2022

Posted on November 10, 2022 by andynathan

When Mark Stanway abruptly quit Magnum midway through a tour late in 2016, a significant trinity was broken up, as he had been the longest serving band member after Bob Catley and Tony Clarkin, his keys playing a big part … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 100 Club, 28 October 2022, classic rock, gig, Kingdom Of Madness, London, Magnum, Mark Pascall, Mark Stanway, melodic rock, Mickey Barker, Mo Birch, review | Leave a comment

Album review: ABOUT US – About Us

Posted on November 10, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [release date: 11.11.22] It’s a pleasure to welcome a band from the Asian continent, About Us, to the world of AOR and Melodic Rock (despite the album’s Proggy cover). They are a well established, award winning band in their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Asia, Blue Tears, Bon Jovi, Danger Danger, Dark Horse, Eclipse, India, melodic rock, review, Unruly Child, Wigelius | Leave a comment

Album review: JERUSALEM – Jerusalem

Posted on November 10, 2022 by jason

Talking Elephant Records [28.10.22] The one and only album by Jerusalem was originally released back in 1971 on Deram Records. It has since been released on a number of unofficial and bootleg editions before this official CD release on Talking … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 70's rock, album, classic rock, Deep Purple, hard rock, Ian Gillan, Jerusalem, re-issue, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: RING OF FIRE – Gravity

Posted on November 9, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 11.11.22] Spend an hour with Ring Of Fire’s new album, Gravity, and you’re sure to find the music impossible to nail down. It’s a moving target. A neo-classical, Prog/Power Metal sub genre, or maybe that’s a a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Aldo Lonobile, Artension, Johnny Cash, Malmsteen, Mark Boals, neoclassical metal, power metal, prog metal, review, Secret Sphere, Shining Black, TSO, Vitali Kuprij | Leave a comment

Album review: AVANTASIA – A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society

Posted on November 9, 2022 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 21.10.22] The ninth studio album from Avantasia, the musical concept created by Tobias Sammet. Vocal wise the list is as impressive as ever with Bob Catley, Floor Jansen, Geoff Tate, Ronnie Atkins and Eric Martin amongst … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society, album, AVANTASIA, Bob Catley, Eric Martin, Floor Jansen, Jorn, metal, progressive metal, Ralph Scheepers, review, symphonic metal, theatrical, Tobias Sammet | Leave a comment

Album review: DR FEELGOOD – Damn Right!

Posted on November 7, 2022 by Davoski

Grand Records [Release date: 04.11.2022] Before we get on to the album review, there’s something we need to clear up. Calling the current incarnation of Dr Feelgood a tribute act is just too harsh. Whist some have pointed to the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Damn Right!, Dr Feelgood, r'n'b, review, rhythm and blues, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACK SABBATH – Heaven And Hell/Mob Rules (2022 reissues)

Posted on November 7, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

BMG [Release date 25.11.22] When we last reviewed these albums (in 2010) they were also reissues with bonus tracks. And in May that year Ronnie James Dio lost his battle with stomach cancer ahead of a major headlining gig lined … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Bill Ward, Black Sabbath, Geezer Butler, Heaven and Hell, Mob Rules, reissue, review, Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi | Leave a comment

Feature: IT’S CHRISTMAS! (2022 Style)

Posted on November 6, 2022 by jason

Love - Expressions Tell Everything (Box set)

Here we round-up the Christmas offerings for this year, be they singles, EPs or albums. Get your favourite tipple and mince pies at the ready as we delve into 2022′s Christmas offerings… Pylon Poets give us ‘Say That You’ll Stay, a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, FEATURES, Single and EP reviews | Tagged album, blues, Bryan Adams, Christmas, EP, folk, metal, music, pop, Pylon Poets, review, rock, single, The Albion Band, the Albion Christmas Band, Tony Mitchell | Leave a comment

Album review: RISING STEEL – Beyond The Gates Of Hell

Posted on November 6, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 18.11.22] Third album from French traditional (ish) metal band, Rising Steel, who still exist in the last century (in a good way). From their amusingly phallic name, to the way they deploy every rushing, thrashing riff that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Annihilator, Beyond The Gates Of Hell, Black Sabbath, Diamond Head, heavy metal, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, NWOBHM, review, Rising Steel, Thrash | Leave a comment

Album review: VOODOO RAMBLE – Can’t Write A Pop Song (When You’ve Got The Blues)

Posted on November 3, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Thoroughbred Music [Release date 10.22] In our reflections on two decades of rock it is a truism that out there are some wonderful bands and musicians who, for whatever reason, never hit critical mass. This is usually down to a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues rock, Boris Zamba, Can't Write A Pop Song (When You've Got The Blues), classic rock, hard rock, Pete Feenstra, review, Voodoo Ramble | Leave a comment

Album review: MIKE VASS – Decemberwell Decade

Posted on November 3, 2022 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 18.02.22] Mike Vass is always an artist coming up with new musical ideas that are both intriguing and enjoyable. On ‘Decemberwell Decade’ he celebrates his 2011 classic winter album with a brand new incarnation. The original album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Decemberwell Decade, folk, instrumental, Mike Vass, review, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: MANTRIC MOMENTUM – Trial by Fire

Posted on November 3, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 11.11.22] It’s a little off putting that Mantric Momentum’s Melodic Metal debut album, Trial By Fire, shares its title with numerous releases of the same name. From Henry Jackman’s movie music to Journey’s tenth studio album to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Christer Haroy, Divided Mutitude, Frontiers, Magnus Karlsson, melodic metal, Pyramaze, review, Terje Haroy | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE DIRTY STRANGERS – Esquires, Bedford, Thursday 27 October 2022

Posted on November 3, 2022 by jason

Without doubt, The Dirty Strangers are one of the best rock ‘n’ roll bands in the country. A bold statement maybe but for anyone who’s ever witnessed them live will understand. There’s an honesty here that’s shorn of any bull, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Alan Clayton, Bedford, Esquires, gig, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, The Dirty Strangers, Thursday 27 October 2022 | Leave a comment

Album review: JANICE BURNS & JON DORAN – No More Green Hills

Posted on November 3, 2022 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 28.10.22] Janice Burns & Jon Doran are an Anglo-Scottish duo who formed in 2017, after discovering a shared love of traditional music. As the duo explain the album’s theme is one of “songs of love, loss, and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, debut, folk, JANICE BURNS & JON DORAN, No More Green Hills, review, traditional | Leave a comment

Album review: JOE LYNN TURNER – Belly Of The Beast

Posted on November 2, 2022 by jason

Mascot Label Group [Release date 28.10.22] The album’s title gives a clue to Joe Lynn Tyner going full on metal, courtesy of his new found musical companion producer/songwriter Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy, Pain, Lindemann). He has also recently revealed he has … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Belly Of The Beast, Deep Purple, Joe Lynn Turner, melodic metal, metal, Rainbow, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: ALTER BRIDGE – Pawns & Kings

Posted on November 1, 2022 by Davoski

Napalm (Release date: 14.10.22) In an unpredictable world of turbulence and chaos, it is reassuring to know that Alter Bridge bring regular and dependable quality. As Autumn rolls around every third year, a new studio album from this heavy mob … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, album review, ALTER BRIDGE, hard rock, Mark Tremonti, metal, Myles Kennedy, Pawns and Kings, review, rock | Leave a comment

EP review: THE HOWLING TIDES – Blue Moon

Posted on November 1, 2022 by jason

Website [Release date 18.11.22] The Howling Tides are made up of Rob Baynes (lead vocals/guitar), Hayden Kirk (guitar/backing vocals), Adam Brewell (bass/backing vocals) and Steven ‘Herbie’ Herbert (drums). They’ve built their reputation and momentum with a series of releases and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Blue Moon, EP, hard rock, review, rock, the Howling Tides | Leave a comment

Album review: FEMME FATALE – Femme Fatale (2022 remaster)

Posted on October 31, 2022 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [Release date: 07.10.22] Femme Fatale’s self titled 1988 album was co produced by Rick Neigher and David Cole, who together wrote the opening track and single release, ‘Waiting For The Big One’, the band’s only Billboard Top … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged AC/DC, album, Alias, David Cole, Femme Fatale, Janet Gardner, Lorraine Lewis, remaster, review, Richard Marx, Rick Neigher, Vixen | Leave a comment

Gig review: DEEP PURPLE – O2 Arena, London, 20 October 2022

Posted on October 30, 2022 by andynathan

DEEP PURPLE- O2 Arena, London, 20 0ctober 2022

Deep Purple’s distinguished career is being extended by a late period, dare I say, Purple patch. Albums seem to be coming at a swifter rate and 2020’s ‘Whoosh’ received the band’s best reviews and chart placings in years, being followed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 20 October 2022, Blue Oyster Cult, classic rock, Deep Purple, Don Airey, gig, Ian Gillan, O2 Arena, review, Roger Glover, Simon McBride | Leave a comment

Album review: IAN HUNTER – Overnight Angels

Posted on October 30, 2022 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [release date: 07.10.22] Ahhh… the sweet smell of excess. In 1977, Ian Hunter’s third solo effort came off the back of two albums that were critical successes, but commercial failures. Clearly built on strong foundations, Overnight Angels … Continue reading →