Tag Archives: symphonic rock

Album review: ARIES DESCENDANT – The Ashes Of Deceit

Posted on October 14, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 18.10.24] An amazing sense of musical ambition can often be found among European Rock and Metal bands. Often that ambition is rooted in the classics, or at least how the classics have been interpreted by contemporary musicians. … Continue reading →

Album review : ALTERIUM – Of War And Flames

Posted on March 4, 2024 by brianmc

AFM Records [Release date : 08.03.24] Alterium is a new Italian Symphonic Metal quintet led by Nicoletta Rosellini (ex. Kalidia), a talented artist who juggles several media related careers. She also fronts Goth Metal band, Walk In The Darkness. Of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alterium, Freedom Call, goth, Kalidia, Lars Rettkowitz, metal, Nicoletta Rosselini, review, symphonic rock, Walk In The Darkness | Leave a comment

Album review: METALITE – Expedition One

Posted on January 8, 2024 by brianmc

AFM Records [Release date 19.01.24] Is this 15 track, high concept sci-fi metal album meant to be fun? Because it most certainly is. Not funny, but fun. It’s high energy, as well as high concept. It’s got a slick, sophisticated, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, concept, Edwin Premberg, Erica Ohlsson, Expedition One, Metalite, review, symphonic rock | Leave a comment

Album review: RENAISSANCE – The Legacy Tour 2022

Posted on September 22, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Symphonic Rock Recordings [Release date 15.08.23] Back in 2015 we saw Renaissance performing at a small venue in North-West England, The Citadel, which remains something of a mecca for prog bands. Since that time they have played several tours in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Annie Haslam, concert, live, October 2022, Progressive Rock, Renaissance, review, symphonic rock, The Legacy Tour 2022 | Leave a comment

Album review: THE NEVERLAND EXPRESS + CALEB JOHNSON – Paradise Found: Bat Out Of Hell Reignited

Posted on January 27, 2023 by jason

Deko Entertainment [Release date 27.01.23] A reworking of the classic Meat Loaf album ‘Bat Out Of Hell’, based on the live version Meat Loaf’s band the Neverland Express performed with the much missed frontman. Band leader and former Anthrax guitarist … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, American Idol, Anthrax, Caleb Johnson, classic rock, Jim Steinman, Meat Loaf, Paradise Found: Bat Out Of Hell Reignited, Paul Crook, review, rock, symphonic rock, the Neverland Express, theatrical rock | Leave a comment

Album review: ISSA – Lights Of Japan

Posted on January 20, 2023 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 20.01.23] Issa Oversveen is married to James Martin, ex of Vega. With his brother Tom, he’s written the bulk of the material here. And you can tell. Even with the best efforts of guitarist Simone Mularoni and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alessandro Delvecchio, Issa, James Martin, Lights Of Japan, melodic rock, Michele Guaitola, review, Simone Mulinari, symphonic rock, Tom Martin, Vega, Visions Of Atlantis | Leave a comment

Album review: EDENBRIDGE – Shangri La

Posted on September 6, 2022 by brianmc

AFM Records [Release date: 16.09.22] Edenbridge’s Sabine Edelsbacher has such an expressive voice. It flows, taking its time, making its mark. Her clear, classy enunciation adds an element of sophistication to every note she sings. Band leader, Arne “Lanvall” Stockhammer, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Arne Lanvall Stockhammer, Eric Maternsson, review, Sabine Edelbacher, symphonic rock | Leave a comment

Album review: DYNAZTY – Final Advent

Posted on August 28, 2022 by brianmc

AFM Records [Release date: 26.08.22] Guided by Love Magnusson and Nils Molin, the band’s influential guitarist and vocalist respectively, Dynazty successfully transitioned from melodic rock to symphonic rock several albums ago, with 2018′s Firesign getting the target “formula” just right. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Dark Delight, Firesign, Love Magnusson, melodic metal, Nils Molin, review, symphonic rock | Leave a comment

Album review: WINTER IN EDEN – Social Fake

Posted on May 17, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Firestreak Media [Release date 25.03.22] This is Winter In Eden’s fourth studio album and you may well be thinking: “I’ve never heard of them before”. You’re not alone. Although to be fair we were aware of their previous release ‘Court … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, progressive, review, rock, Social Fake, symphonic metal, symphonic rock, Winter In Eden | Leave a comment

Album review: VON HERTZEN BROTHERS – Red Alert In The Blue Forest

Posted on March 19, 2022 by petefeenstra

Doing Being Music [Release date: 18.03.22] Described by the 3 Von Hertzen Brothers – Kie, Mikko and Jonne – as 70 minutes of art rock, ‘Red Alert In The Blue Forest is a concept album written separately by all 3 brothers … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Caravan, Chris Squire, electro, folk, Jethro Tull, Jon Anderson, Jonne Von Hertzen, Kie Von Hertzen, Mikko Von Hertzen, power metal, prog, Pye Hastings, Red Alert In The Blue Forest, review, rock, symphonic rock, Von Hertzen Brothers, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review: LANA LANE – Neptune Blue

Posted on January 29, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 28.01.22] Neptune Blue is Lana Lane’s first album release since 2012. The close knit band that surrounds her includes her husband/ producer/ keyboard player, Erik Norlander, with Jeff Kollman on guitar and John (Asia) Payne on vocals, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alan Parsons, album, AOR, Asia, Erik Norlander, Frontiers, Jeff Kollman, John Payne, Lana Lane, melodic rock, progrock, review, symphonic rock | 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: LEAVES EYES – The Last Viking, Midsummer Version

Posted on September 14, 2021 by brianmc

AFM Records [release date: 17.09.21] Leaves Eyes’ latest release, The Last Viking, Midsummer Version, is a multi media concept album, a high impact audiovisual story. The “Last Viking” was Harald III of Norway, known as Harald Hardrada (Harald the Hard … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 1066, AFM Records, album, Audiovisual, Celtic, DVD, England, folk metal, Harold Hardrada, Norway, review, symphonic rock, YouTube | Leave a comment

Album review: ANETTE OLZON – Strong

Posted on September 1, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers Records [release date 10.09.21] A Symphonic Rock album for the ABBA generation, Anette (Dark Element/ Nightwish) Olzon’s collaboration with maestro, Magnus Karlsson, titled Strong, is huge, confident and full of heartstopping hooks. It has a lovely gloss to it… … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Allen/Lande/Hearthealer//Freefall, Anette Olzon, Dark Element, Frontiers Records, Magnus Karlsson, Nightwish, review, symphonic rock | Leave a comment

Album review: INNER STREAM – Stain The Sea

Posted on July 14, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 16.07.21] Produced by talented Argentinian producer, Guillermo De Medio, Inner Stream’s debut album, Stain The Sea is a minor delight of Symphonic Metal, programmed sounds and Gothic Rock. The band is primarily singer/songwriter, Inez Vera Ortiz, who … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Evanescence, Frontiers, gothic rock, Guillermo De Medio, Inner Stream, Rata Blanca, review, symphonic rock, Tarja Turunen, Vera Ortiz, Within Temptation | 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: ARION – Vultures Die Alone

Posted on April 2, 2021 by brianmc

AFM [release date: 9.04.21] Over the 10 years since their debut, Arion have swapped teenage Eurovision notoriety for cutting edge symphonic rock. Like other Power Metal bands, their music is emphatic, and heavy on the drama. They know how to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged AFM Records, album review, Arion, AVANTASIA, Kamelot, power metal, Stratovarius, symphonic rock | Leave a comment

Album review: METALITE – A Virtual World

Posted on March 23, 2021 by brianmc

AFM Records [release date 26.03.21] Coming soon to a Melodic Metal dancefloor near you, Metalite and their third album, A Virtual World. Afficionados will already know the band incorporate elements of trance and electronica into their streamlined melodic metal variant. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged A Virtual World, AFM Records, Amaranthe, dance, Jacob Hansen, Metalite, power metal, symphonic rock, Within Temptation | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACK ROSE MAZE

Posted on August 16, 2020 by jason

Frontiers Records [Release date 07.08.20] Black Rose Maze is Quebecois singer, Rosa Larichiutta. She comes to us via a major Canadian song contest, by way of The Trans Siberian Orchestra. So if you’re immediately imagining rock opera, and you’d be … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Black Rose Maze, melodic, review, rock, Rosa Larichiutta, symphonic rock | Leave a comment

Singles review: DREAMS OF AVALON – Under the Gun & Young Wild Hearts

Posted on August 16, 2020 by jason

Two teaser tracks released over the last month by Joachim (Astral Doors) Nordlund’s Melodic Rock band, Dreams Of Avalon. The full album “Beyond The Dream” is due for release at the end of August, by the Metalville label. It’s unadulterated … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged AOR, Astral Doors, Dreams Of Avalon, Joachim Nordlund, melodic rock, review, singles, symphonic rock, Under the Gun, Young Wild Hearts | Leave a comment

Book review: THE MOODY BLUES – Every Album, Every Song (On Track) by Geoffrey Feakes

Posted on October 10, 2019 by jason

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 22.08.19] The format follows the tried and tested Every Album, Every Song formula by tackling each album in chronological order. In this book though Feakes adds in piece about the album cover – the Moody Blues … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, classic rock, Every Album, Every Song, Geoffrey Feakes, Graeme Edge, John Lodge, JUSTIN HAYWARD, On Track, orchestral rock, pop, Ray Thomas, review, rock, Sonic Bond Publishing, symphonic rock, The Moody Blues | Leave a comment

Album review: RENAISSANCE – A Symphonic Journey (CD/DVD)

Posted on October 19, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Annie Haslam chatted to Get Ready to ROCK! Radio shortly before Renaissance’s UK dates in April 2015. This hour special includes tracks from the band’s albums. Symphonic Rock Recordings [Release date: 14.09.18] Bands to have hurdled a half century’s performing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged A Symphonic Journey, album, Annie Haslam, DVD, interview, prog, Progressive Rock, radio, Renaissance, review, symphonic rock | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DARK ELEMENT (featuring Anette Olzon & Jani Liimatainen)

Posted on January 16, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Frontiers Records [Release date 10.11.17] After Anette Olzon’s unceremonious departure from Nightwish in 2012 she took stock, brushed herself down, and fashioned the beginnings of a solo career. ‘Shine’ was released in 2014 and was one of my favourite albums, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Anette Olzon, Jani Liimatainen, Nightwish, pop metal, review, Sonata Arctica, symphonic metal, symphonic rock, The Dark Element | Leave a comment

Album review: VON HERTZEN BROTHERS – War Is Over

Posted on November 21, 2017 by petefeenstra

Music Theories Recordings [Release date 03.11.17] ‘War Is Over’ isn’t so much a concept album as a dramatic prog rock album with associated musical influences, ranging from classic, hard and symphonic rock, to more poppy and synth influences. There’s plenty … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Anathema, Caravan, classic rock, Eric Norlander, Grateful Dead, hard rock, Jethro Tull, Kie Von Hertzen, King Crimson, Lana Lane, Paul Buckmaster, pop, prog rock, Pye Hastings, review, Robert Engstrand, symphonic rock, synth, Von Hertzen Brothers, War Is Over, Wishbone Ash, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review: KOTEBEL – Cosmology

Posted on August 14, 2017 by petefeenstra

Musea [Release date 06.07.17] Kotebel is a Venezualan/Spanish prog rock band with classical and fusion influences. ‘Cosmology’ derives its title from the study of the universe and it’s an exploratory, quasi- conceptual prog album, that draws on composer and keyboard … Continue reading →