Event Reviews

Although UK tours pass through Bristol quite a lot, it’s very rare to see concerts here when the headline band in question are only playing two dates – usually the two cities involved are London and one other that isn’t Bristol. Naturally, therefore, the 400-capacity Fleece is packed out to …

Given the chance to see Anvil twice in the UK in 2 days was a chance not to be missed and the icing on the cake was interviewing drummer Robb Reiner and vocalist/guitarist Lips before the show in Glasgow! Click here to listen to the interview. Anvil had played the …

Opening band Scar City were hit with an unfortunate blow just before going on stage, their guitarist (who was present) felt too unwell to be able to play the set. To be hit with this blow last minute would throw the best of bands, but with some tweaks to the …

Tonight at the Underworld was to be an all-acoustic gig, with Thin Lizzy/Black Star Riders frontman Ricky Warwick headlining. First up was American singer Mark Curran.  I caught his band doing a full electric set a few weeks ago supporting Vega at the Barfly and enjoyed their set, so was …

It’s thirty minutes shy of midnight on a Wednesday evening in Stockholm’s Pub Anchor and the crowd has only begun to gather as Dala-Järna’s Benesser begin their show. The trio of David Olsson, Henric Hermansson and Rob Olsson are a likeable group of young guys who play a deceptively heavy …

Bruce Springsteen returned to Belfast for the 4th time to play in front of a 25,000+ crowd on his current Wrecking Ball Tour. A few of his faithful fans had been camping out in the hot weather to get a top spot in the Kings Hall Arena when it finally …

Half way along Sveavägen in Stockholm, lies Pub Anchor, the rock heart of Sweden’s capital. It’s a buzzing venue with great beer, food and music. Tonight people are gathering for the Pub Anchor debut of Lindesberg’s, My Endless Wishes. The intro music begins and all five members take their positions …

It is a testament to X-Ufo’s professionalism that this gig even went ahead as there were more band members onstage than punters in the crowd. Whether or not it was due to the fact it was Sunday night,i would of thought more than 3 would have turned up to see …

This year the United Kingdom has been blessed with a proper summer, with temperatures escalating to over 20 degrees and people whipping out their BBQs whilst attempting to catch a tan. However, on Saturday night, Belfast venue “The Limelight” saw the local metal crowd forego these leisurely pursuits in favour …

The French crusaders Lonewolf bring forth a sixth album ‘The Forth And Final Horseman’. Let’s strip the album down to basics. The album holds all the classic heavy/power metal characteristics such as twin guitar harmonies, fantasy-based vocals and anthem style song writing. The highlight throughout the entity is ‘The Poison of Mankind’; lyrically dramatic with …

Tonights gig was part of the “RLife: Live” series of events being held at Renaissance hotels, and was in aid of teenage cancer trust. The gig was being held in the Booking hall bar at the Renaissance hotel at London’s St Pancras station – which is the luxury hotel in …

My first live encounter with Warlord UK was on a 9 band bill called the Full Thrash Assault at the Snooty Fox in Wakefield a few months ago and their mix of brutal death metal with precision speed metal riffing was a real ear and eye opener, so when i …

After a day of high temperatures and sunshine, it was time for things to get really hot – Clutch’s gig at the Forum was sold out, so I was expecting things to get really hot in there as the place filled up. First up were General.  Hailing from Coventry they …

I have a kind of love hate relationship with the Electric Ballroom and gigs, mainly because they choose to only open the doors about 10 minutes before the first band comes on stage.  This has always confused me as it helps to ensure that most of the crowd don’t make …

Day three dawned quite bright and early, which was good as there was another full day ahead.  It took a while to get some breakfast so it was straight into the press room for interviews.   After this I walked round the corner to the acoustic stage for a bit of …

Demon Records are to going release on the 15th July a rare edition picture disc vinyl, of Saxon’s twelfth studio album ‘Dogs Of War’. Originally released in 1995, it was Saxon’s third for Virgin Germany and the last album to feature Graham Oliver. The album was notorious for the tempestuous artwork and Saxon’s …

Saturday dawned bright, but not so early (I do need some sleep) and brought with it a busy day indeed.  The day kicked off gently with a local breakie and then heading over to the main stage at 12.15 for Bull-Riff Stampede.  Having seen their set on the New Blood …

Planetmosh descended en-masse to take in the sights, the sounds and the craic as Scotland showed it does indeed know how to throw a party all in the name of rock and metal. As with all festivals though, trying to take in every band is impossible. You can read our …

There are many things I like and one of them is going to a festival for the first time. In its second year Les Fest, it wasn’t completely brand new but this fledgling festival is still definitely the new kid on the block. It was also the second time I …

It was the last day of what was a truly fantastic weekend of rock and metal and Les-Fest once again came to life early doors both on the main stage and the acoustic stage. I felt in need of a bit of R&R myself as Sunday morning arrived so the …