Ant May

I spend half my life at gigs or festivals and the other half writing the reviews and editing photos, and somehow find time for a full time job too. Who needs sleep - I've got coffee.

Epica – Omega

It’s certainly been an eventful year or so for the music industry with live music put on hold and any return still months away. While some bands have split or have parted ways with members, and others have gone on hiatus while the members take other work to survive. Some …

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Dio – Evil or Divine: Live in New York City

Evil or Divine: Live in New York City was recorded in 2002 and released on DVD the following year and on CD a further two years on. As with the other live release being reissued (Holy Diver Live) this month the album has been remastered and sounds great. The setlists …

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Dio – Holy Diver Live

Dio’s “Holy Diver live” has long been out of print. The 2006 release has now been remastered and is being released with new cover art. It’s available in digital formats as well as 2CD deluxe mediabook and on vinyl. A limited edition vinyl version features lenticular 3D art. The album …

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Delain split

Martijn Westerholt has today posted the following statement… Delain Goes Back to its RootsFor the last year or so, the collaboration within the band ceased to work as well as it once had. Some of us were no longer happy with the current roles in the band. We all tried …

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Marko Hietala quits Nightwish

In shock news, Marko has quit Nightwish. see his statement below and below that, the statement from Nightwish. Resignation announcement from Marko: Dear people. I am leaving Nightwish and my public life. For a quite a few years now I haven’t been able to feel validated by this life. We …

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Alexi Laiho dies aged 41

One of the most renowned guitarists in the world, Alexi Laiho, has passed away. The musician, most notably known as the front man of Children of Bodom, died in his home in Helsinki, Finland, last week. Laiho had suffered from long-term health issues during his last years. Alexi Laiho and …

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Ramblin’ Man Fair lineup announcement

Ramblin’ Man Fair festival 2021 are pleased to announce some key bands for the festival on the 16th to 18th July 2021. Ramblin’ Man Fair has established itself as a staple of the UK festival calendar with incredible bands, stunning surroundings and an awesome atmosphere. “Long live Ramblin’ Man Fair” – Johnnie …

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Eric Gales reschedules UK Tour to March 2022

Eric Gales has rescheduled his February 2022 UK Tour to March 2022. The tour follows the release of his album ‘The Bookends’ via Provogue/Mascot Label Group earlier in 2019. The album features collaborations with B. Slade, Doyle Bramhall II and Beth Hart.Tickets for all dates are on sale via www.thegigcartel.com. …

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Samantha Fish Rescheduled 2021 & 2022 UK Tour

Due to the ongoing pandemic situation, Samantha Fish has rescheduled her March 2021 UK Tour. She will now play three of her UK concerts in September 2021 (Newcastle, Edinburgh, and London), with a further five concerts in February 2022 (including the rescheduled Bath, Manchester, Nottingham). Additional dates in Cardiff and …

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Dio – Live album reissues announced

THE LIVE ALBUMREISSUE SERIESEVIL OR DIVINE: LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY+HOLY DIVER: LIVEOUT FEBRUARY 12TH 2021 PRE-ORDER LINKSEVIL OR DIVINEHOLY DIVER  Deluxe Reissues of DIO’s Live albums, Holy Diver Live and Evil Or Divine:  Live In New York City Newly Remastered and Newly Created Cover Art Limited Edition 3LP Vinyl …

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Magnum – Dance of the black tattoo

On a live album or compilation album (and this is both), the track listing is always going to be a matter of debate – put 100 fans of any band in a room and ask them to come up with a list of tracks and you’ll never get them all …

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Edenbridge – The chronicles of Eden part 2

“The chronicles of Eden part 2” is as the name suggests, the follow up to the 2007 release “The chronicles of Eden”. That was a “Best of” featuring material from the first 5 years of the band. The new album is anothe “Best of”, this time featuring material from the …

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Suzi Quatro releases new Christmas single

Trailblazing American rock vocalist and musician Suzi Quatro’s brand new Christmas single ‘My Heart And Soul (I Need You Home For Xmas)’ is released today, December 4th, on all digital platforms via SPV Records. A touching, heart-warming video for the song has also just been unveiled:-   Even in the …

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Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Straight to you Live

The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band will release their first live DVD at the end of November. There was a live album released a decade ago but not a DVD, and even if you prefer albums to DVDs, a new live release is definitely long overdue Kenny Wayne Shepherd says “People …

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George Benson – Weekend In London

Jazz icon George Benson has just released a new live album. It was recorded at an intimate show at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz club in London in 2019. Produced by Joe Bonamassa’s producer, Kevin Shirley it’s a great intimate live album. George Benson really shows why he’s such a legendary jazz …

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Cats in Space – Atlantis

Cats in Space

Cats in Space are back with their fourth studio album, Atlantis. Their fans are clearly excited about it - when the presale started, the vinyl copies and limited edition bundles sold out in 48 hours.

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Them – Return to Hemmersmoor

Them are a band with German and American members with a strong King Diamond influence. Their new album, “Return to Hemmersmoor” is the third part of a supernatural trilogy which started with “Sweet hollow” and “Manor of the se7en gables”. To that end, the first track is an intro which …

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Evildead – United States of Anarchy

Back in the late 80s when California and New York were spawning the thrash bands that went on to dominate the genre – Metallica, Exodus, Anthrax etc, one California band, Evildead was formed. Their first gig was alongside Dark Angel, Cryptic slaughter and Possessed in 1987 and they released an …

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