Tag Archives: Sweden

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 : BROTHERS OF METAL – Fimbulvinter

Posted on October 26, 2024 by brianmc

AFM Records [Release date : 01.11.24] Fimbulvinter (the great winter) is the third album from Swedish eight man band, Brothers Of Metal, arriving hot on the heels of the very well received Emblas Saga. The Nordic countries have their own, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Brothers Of Metal, Dawid Grahn, Fimbulvinter, heavy metal, Nordic, Norse Mythology, Sweden, The Great Winter, Viking, Ylva Eriksson | Leave a comment

Album review : ECLIPSE – Megalomanium II

Posted on September 13, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date : 20.09.24] Eclipse vocalist Erik Martensson and guitarist, Magnus Henricksson, with help from the Crusner rhythm section, have created an enviable reputation over the years. And no doubt fans of this high performing Swedish melodic hard rock … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Eclipse, Erik Martensson, HEAT, Magnus Henriksson, Megalomanium 2, melodic hard rock, review, Sweden | Leave a comment

Gig review: ROCKNYTT CRUISE- Viking Line ‘Cinderella’, Stockholm, 21-22 April 2023

Posted on May 14, 2023 by andynathan

The rock cruise is now a well established business model in the world of classic rock, as fans of rock’s golden age reach their Saga-eligible years and are looking for new experiences and greater comfort than sleeping in tents and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 21-22 April 2023, AOR, Captain Black Beard, cruise, Dare, DEMON, Emotional Fire, Gathering of Kings, Grand Slam, Houston, melodic rock, Remedy, Rocknytt Cruise, Russ Ballard, Sweden, Weapon, Wildness | Leave a comment

Album review: MERCURY X – Imprisoned

Posted on December 4, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [release date 10.12.21] In straddling the border between Progmetal and Symphonic Rock, Swedish band, Mercury X have staked out a fertile chunk of territory. This is their debut album (excluding two independent releases). It remains to be seen if … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Frontiers, Marillion. Pink Floyd, Mercury X, prog metal, review, Sweden, symphonic rock, The Flower Kings | Leave a comment

Album review: MANIMAL – Armageddon

Posted on November 29, 2021 by brianmc

AFM Records [Release date 3.12.21] Armageddon is Swedish Power Metal band, Manimal’s 6th release. What it lacks in subtlety, it makes up for in bravado and sheer power, with the rough edges sanded down by a bunch of resilient, tough … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged AFM Records, album, Armageddon, Henrik Stenroos, Manimal, power metal, review, Samuel Nyman, Sweden | Leave a comment

Album review: INSANIA – V Praeparatus Supervivet

Posted on November 16, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 12.11.21] Few bands get back together after a 14 year breakup, but that’s what Sweden’s Power Metal band, Insania have done. Twin vocalists, twin guitars, bubbling bass and ahhh… that double kick bass drum thump on the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts) | Tagged album, Frontiers, Helloween, Insania, Iron Maiden, power metal, review, Sweden | Leave a comment

Album review: NERGARD – Eternal White

Posted on June 5, 2021 by brianmc

Pride & Joy Music [release date 21.04.21] Norwegian musician/songwriter/producer, Andreas Nergard creates symphonic experiences which enthrall audiences. The fact that he uses “Metal” as his chosen vehicle is almost incidental. You could add that the fact he uses voices is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Eternal White, Finland, Nergard, Norway, pop metal, power metal, Pride & Joy Music, review, Sweden, symphonic rock | Leave a comment

Album review: THUNDERMOTHER – Heat Wave

Posted on June 27, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

AFM Records [Release date 31.07.20] Heat Wave – Thundermother’s fourth album – finds the no frills, all-female, Swedish, rock ‘n’ raunchers still in line-up transition. With all bar founder member/guitarist/songwriter Filippa Nässil quitting the band after touring their 2015 sophomore … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, hard rock, Heat Wave, review, Sweden, Thundermother | Leave a comment

Album review: GREYBEARDS – For The Wilder Minds

Posted on March 24, 2018 by jason

Attitude Recordings [Release date 04.05.18] Sweden seems to export rock bands these days like China exports plastic shit – at least for now until Trump’s trade war kicks in – but is every one a Volvo? On the evidence of these … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Attitude Records, Bonafide, For The Wilder Minds, Greybeards, hard rock, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, Sweden, The Cult | Leave a comment

Album review: THUNDERMOTHER – s/t

Posted on March 1, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Despotz Records [Release date 23.02.18] Some all-female, Swedish, rock ‘n’ raunch, anyone? What hot blooded male’s interest could possibly not be piqued by such an invitation? Shame on you, in these overly politically correct times. With all bar founder member/guitarist/songwriter … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, hard rock, review, Sweden, Thundermother | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE QUIREBOYS – Tolbooth, Stirling, 7 December 2017

Posted on December 13, 2017 by david.wilson

Almost exactly a year ago local man Ross Wilson managed to lure The Quireboys to Stirling for a show under the ‘Rock For Strathcarron’ banner. The premise is that all profits raised from the gigs are donated to nearby Strathcarron … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 7 O'Clock, 7th December 2017, acoustic, blues, Filip Rapp, gig, Guy Griffin, Hey You, Keith Weir, live, Paul Guerin, Quireboys, review, rock, Rock For Strathcarron, Ross Wilson, Spike, Stirling, Sweden, The Gloria Story, Tolbooth | Leave a comment

Album review: KAIPA DA CAPO – Darskapens Monotoni

Posted on November 22, 2016 by alanjones

Foxtrot Records [Release date: 30.09.16] For all those progressive rock diehards out there who think that there has not been one note of music of any consequence written since the early seventies – prick up your ears, all your birthdays … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Darskapens Monotoni, Flower Kings, Kaipa Da Capo, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Roine Stolt, Sweden | Leave a comment

Album review: JONAS LINDBERG & THE OTHER SIDE – Pathfinder

Posted on October 21, 2016 by alanjones

ModeMusic – [Release date: 15.09.16] Whenever I read the accompanying press handout on a new release and see the words “we wanted to explore our heavier side” – I always approach it with a modicum of trepidation, fearing that a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Jonas Lindberg & The Other Side, Pathfinder, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Sweden | Leave a comment

Album review: DUST BOWL JOKIES – Dust Bowl Jokies

Posted on April 28, 2016 by david.wilson

Rodeostar/ SPV [Release date – 22.04.16] This is the second album by the Swedish sleaze rockers Dust Bowl Jokies following on from their debut released back in 2012. Swaggering sleaze/ glam rock is the order of the day here with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Aerosmith, album, CD, Dust Bowl Jokies, glam, Michael Monroe, review, rock, Rolling Stones, sleaze, Sweden | Leave a comment

Album review: TREAT- Ghost Of Graceland

Posted on April 27, 2016 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release date 15.04.16] One of the pioneers, alongside the more famous Europe, of the definitive Scandinavian sound, Treat’s 2010 return ‘Coup de Grace’ features prominently in many lists of the best melodic rock albums of the last decade. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Ghost of Graceland, melodic rock, review, Robert Ernlund, Scandinavia, Sweden, Treat | Leave a comment

Album review: ECLIPSE – Armageddonize

Posted on February 11, 2015 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release Date 20.02.15] In the crowded field of Scandinavian melodic rock hopefuls, Eclipse took a massive step forward with their fourth album in 2012, ‘Bleed And Scream’ which topped many end year best ofs. It was another triumph … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Armaggedonize, Eclipse, Erik Martensson, hard rock, melodic, review, Sweden, W.E.T. | Leave a comment

Album review: H.E.A.T. – Live In London

Posted on February 11, 2015 by andynathan

earMUSIC [Release Date 20.2.15] 2014 saw young Swedish melodic rockers H.E.A.T. gain significant traction with their fourth album ‘Tearing Down The Walls’ (GRTR! critics’ best of 2014). They really seem to have a special relationship with the UK audiences, so it … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, H.E.A.T., hard rock, Live in London, melodic, review, Sweden | Leave a comment

Album review: A SECRET RIVER – Colours Of Solitude

Posted on September 24, 2014 by alanjones

Self released [Release Date: 25.06.14] Given the lineage of great progressive bands from Scandinavia and the form of progressive rock music that tends to be their stock in trade – think Katatonia, Opeth, Beardfish and their brooding melancholia punctuated with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Secret River, album, Colours Of Solitude, Progressive Rock, review, Sweden | Leave a comment

Quick plays: GASOLINE STARS, DUST BOWL JOKIES, THOMAS ZWIJSEN, DR.JOHN

Posted on September 18, 2014 by david.wilson

GASOLINE STARS – Good Looks, Bad Behaviour Self Release Good Looks, Bad Behaviour is the debut full length album from Gasoline Stars who formed in 2012 in Sweden. Gasoline Stars are a fivesome although they have split with the drummer … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Bad Behaviour, blues, Cockaigne Vaudeville, Coldplay, Crucified Barbara, Dr John, Dust Bowl Jokies, Empire Of The Damned, epic rock, Falling Red, Gasoline Stars, Good Looks, guitar instrumental, Guns 'N' Roses, hair metal, In-Flight Safety, instrumental, jazz, metal, Motley Crue, Nylonized, review, rock, Ske-Dat-De-Dat…Spirit of Satch, sleaze rock, Sweden, Thomas Zwijsen | Leave a comment

Album review: WASTED SHELLS – The Collector

Posted on August 17, 2014 by david.wilson

Broken Bones Productions [Release date – out now] Yet more quality metal from Sweden, the clear waters in Scandinavia must have a high iron content which gets into the blood at an early age. Wasted Shells are the latest in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Broken Bones Productions, CD, In Flames, metal, Ola Svensson, review, rock, Sweden, The Collector, The Debt, Wasted Shells | Leave a comment

Gig Review: H.E.A.T. – Highbury Garage, London, 16 May 2014

Posted on May 18, 2014 by andynathan

Never was the Glen Frey classic ‘The Heat is On’ a more appropriate choice as a band intro. Not only was the Highbury Garage a sweltering sweatbox on the hottest day of the year to date, but Sweden’s melodic rockers … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 16 May 2014, gig, H.E.A.T., hard rock, Highbury Garage, London, melodic, review, Sweden, Swedish | Comments Off

Gig Review: ECLIPSE – Camden Underworld, London, 14 May 2014

Posted on May 18, 2014 by andynathan

Having built quite a reputation with their critically acclaimed last two albums, Are You Ready To Rock in 2008 and 2012’s Bleed And Scream, it is perhaps surprising that this was Eclipse’s first headline UK show, a sole date squeezed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Eclipse, Erik Martensson, gig, hard rock, Magnus Henriksson, melodic rock, Robban Back, Sweden, W.E.T. | Comments Off

Album review: JONAS LINDBERG – The Other Side

Posted on May 12, 2014 by alanjones

ModeMusic [Release date: 23.09.13] And the prog from Scandinavia just keeps on coming… Following in the considerable footsteps of Nordic brothers such as Airbag, Katatonia, The Flower Kings et al comes Jonas Lindberg with his second foray into the studio … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Jonas Lindberg, Progressive Rock, review, Sweden, The Other Side | Leave a comment

Album review: WINTER DAWN – By Embers Embraced

Posted on April 8, 2014 by david.wilson

Self Release (Release date – out now) Symphonic metal is a genre that can either delight me or distress me. I can usually tell how things are going to go within the first couple of minutes of the opening track … Continue reading →