Album Reviews

Having earned 8/10 from PM with their debut ‘False Idols and Pyrite Thrones’ album at the beginning of 2012, Falmouth nu-thrash crossover mob KaiDekA return with this impressive sophomore, which cements their Slipknot-meets-MachineHead style with aplomb and panache. Right from the opening bars of ‘Pre-Requisite’, the south coasters hit the …

Proving that first impressions can indeed be deceptive, Vattnet Viskar, despite their Swedish monicker do not, in fact, hail from the northern wastelands of Scandinavia but rather from the shores of the eastern United States… their name (which translates as ‘The Water Whispers’), however, is a definite homage to the …

Think of Barcelona and you think of sun-kissed beaches, curvaceous ladies and cold sangria – and that is exactly the feeling that this debut album from Spanish AOR mob Hardreams evokes. This is bright and breezy hard pop-rock, filled with catchy hooks and pleasing melodies – but, not a lot …

While many of their fellow countrymen have sought to adapt traditional Irish mythologies to a more blackened style of metal, Mael Mórdha have deliberately crafted a sound which is very much rooted in the Celtic folk ethic, which gives their approach to the doomier end of the spectrum a more …

Given that they’ve been around in one form for eight years, it is understandable that this debut offering from south Wales trio Kamasupazundown should be an accomplished and mature offering, especially in the songwriting and musical ability stakes. And that is certainly true:  but, the problem is that it seems …

Alter Bridge are back with their fourth album – Fortress.  It’s been three years since their last album, ABIII, and the band have certainly been busy in that time, touring in support of the album as well as Mark Trmonti doing his solo tour and shows with Creed and Myles …

Since their formation in 1996,Birmingham based death metallers Warlord UK have weathered a storm which would have finished most bands but Mark White (the only original member left) has not been beaten even though they are now without a major record deal and being made to change their name from …

The interestingly named Slut Machine are an all female, punk band formed in Italy in 2011. They are now on to their third lead vocalist, Bianca. I had high hopes for this album and listening to the first track Lump In My Throat I thought, fast drumming, fast guitars just …

Female fronted alternative rock band White Clouds & Gunfire formed in Peterborough in 2009. Following their debut EP ‘Zero to Hero’ their album ‘For All the Non Believers’ was released on 2nd September 2013. A keyboard intoduction led into the opening song ‘Bruised not Broken’ a soft rock track with …

Swedish Metal Band Sister Sin’s first album Dance of the Wicked was originally released in 2013. Ten years later it has been re-released by Victory Records. Now with, not only all 8 original tracks but, 3 previously unreleased demo tracks, and a bonus track featuring German Rock Goddess Doro Pesch. …

Reckless Love are a Finnish Glam Rock band who these days do their own music and songs, after initially starting out as Reckless Life, a Guns N’ Roses tribute. Olli Herman, their very good-looking (he’s like the male equivalent of Pamela Anderson) frontman joined Crashdiet for a time before concentrating …

Arizona state metalheads Eyes Set To Kill reached a crossroads with fourth album White Lotus in 2011. Not content with being shoe-horned into a style that wasn't to their liking they struck out and partnered up with Century Media Records for their new release, Masks.

Sometimes, a band has to be seen in the flesh at a concert to be fully appreciated. Sabaton are one of those bands. This live DVD/CD is the band’s second live offering but their first full length concert video, filmed whilst on tour in support of their latest album release Carolus …

In 2009 Merciless Terror crawled from the depths of hell in Nottingham, UK. This band consists of four members, all ready to make your blood pump of adrenaline. This band is influenced by bands like Slayer, Malevolent Creation, early Sepultura and Bolt Thrower but I also hear some Exhumed similarities. …

Soulfly is the popular extreme metal outfit fronted by former Sepultura lead singer Max Cavalera. Since forming in 1997 the band have released eight studio albums which have earned widespread acclaim and which have been notable for a high volume of guest appearances from artists involved in largely disparate forms …

Replacing a forming member and vocalist in any band is never an easy task, but to have to replace once during the 2012 Warped Tour seemed an even harder task. One which the remaining members of IWABO were able to complete with some efficiency, managing to find a stand in …

Ambush is a nicely-produced, 13-track offering from Parma, Italy’s Celeb Car Crash. In contrast to their catastrophic name, this is a ‘safe’ album in the alternative rock, or nu-grunge vein. The band is competent, skilled, and versatile. Their sound could be described as vaguely reminiscent of Alice In Chains, or …

Evergrey guitarist Marcus Jidell released his solo album, Pictures From A Time Traveller, in 2013 through Lion Music. It’s definitely an instrumental guitar album, but it doesn’t fall prey to “backing tracky” sound, or overly indulgent ‘shred’ in any given passage. Fluid passages lull one into a drifting, borderless sea… …

Northern Ireland will always bring a big smile to my face. Not only as it’s my homeland, but there are a hell of a lot of great bands with huge energy, a lot of passion, spirit and soul throughout. A lot of Northern Irish bands seem to get overlooked somehow …

Northern Ireland’s Kashis originally planned to call this EP ‘The Monarchy Is Set To Kill’.  Now the lead off track, the former titular it is a pleasant blend of post-grunge, stoner and nu-metal which sets up the rest of the release nicely. ‘We Are The Blend’ has some beautiful, poppy …