Album Reviews

The greatest selection of albums, reviewed and rated

Bernie Marsden – ‘Kings’

The constant work ethic of Bernie Marsden sees him release ‘Kings’, his first solo album in 7 years via Conquest Music and Bernie Marsden’s Little House Music. The album is the first of the ‘Inspirations Series’ as Bernie pays tribute to his peers. The idea came out in 2018 when …

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Joe Bonamassa – Notches (single)

A more than welcome return from Joe Bonamassa sees him release a brand new single ‘Notches’ taken from a forthcoming studio album later on in 2021 and this strong song to say the least bodes well for it. These fiery four minutes are built on a laid back barroom boogie …

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Bastette – Exposed (EP)

Bastette, another band that have come my way via the NWOCR various artists album impress highly with their 5 track Exposed EP due for release on September 17th 2021 on RPM Records. Opening track ‘Stand Back’ has soothing keyboards and snappy snare work in the verses giving off a 1980’s …

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Dead Man’s Whiskey – Breakout (single)

dead mans whiskey

I only heard about Dead Man’s Whiskey just over a week ago from hearing them on the NWOCR compilation album with a stunning track called ‘War Machine’ and that quality also comes from this recently released single ‘Breakout’. This 5 piece London based band kick out the jams with not …

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Little Triggers – Yeh Man! (Single Review)

Liverpool’s Little Triggers have just released their new single Yeh Man! with an accompanying lyric video. The band allegedly wrote Yeh Man! after watching media coverage of businesses winning massive contracts to provide protective equipment for the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic, purely because of who they knew, not what …

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Bang Bang Firecracker – See Evil (EP1)

Strangely enough, Stoke metallers Bang Bang Firecracker played at the last gig I went to before the first lockdown in March 2020 when they opened up for Syteria. They took to the stage and really kicked out the jams and they’ve lost none of that fire as they’ve just released …

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Black Coast – Stranger’s Skin (single)

‘Stranger’s Skin’ the fourth single taken from the upcoming debut album Outworld due for release on November 19th 2021 will surely make November reign for Black Coast! It’s a tantalizing teaser of what’s to come as a foundation of earworm slamming riffs pave the way for a languid lead vocal …

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Takeaway Thieves – Soothe Me (single)

Takeaway Thieves

Blackpool bruisers Takeaway Thieves far from soothe us with ‘Soothe Me’, first single taken from their debut album ‘9’ released on September 9th 2021 via Rock People Management as it’s one of the heaviest songs I’ve heard by them. Maybe the impending release date has fired them up! Stop start …

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Troy Redfern – Ghosts

Troy Redfern

Friday 6th August 2021 sees Troy Redfern unleash his sixth studio album ‘The Fire Cosmic’ via RED7 Records. An early taster came from the potent single ‘Waiting For Your Love’ and now a free download track ‘Ghosts’ is now available from it to. Both of these tunes bode well for …

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The Hot Damn! – Dance Around (single)

the Hot Damn

Goddamn here comes The Hot Damn! with their debut single ‘Dance Around’ released on July 2nd 2021 via Rock People Management. The four ladies are not just a super group but a super duper group consisting of Gill Montgomery (ex- The Amorettes), Josie O’Toole (ex-Tequila Mockingbird), Laurie Buchanan (Aaron Buchanan …

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Troyen – No Going Back (single)

For me in my late teens the NWOBHM genre was a very exciting time for rock/metal music. It threw up a variety of styles of bands, some made it, some didn’t but most importantly some decided to give it another go, one of those being Troyen. Formed in 1981 in …

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The Quireboys – 7 O’Clock (Single Review)

The Quireboys debut album A Bit of What You Fancy, originally released back in 1990, spawned some classic tracks which are still a firm favourite with gig goers today. Hey You (it's) 7 O'Clock (time for a) Sex Party! Fast forward over thirty years and the band have recorded an anniversary edition of this quintessential album due to be released on 16th July 2021 via Off Yer Rocka Recordings.

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Dazzle Rebel – Condor Leader

I’m a firm believer in not just listening to the music that the printed magazines want us to but to look further afield to bands who self release their own music point proven by Condor Leader, the debut solo album from Dazzle Rebel due to be released on July 23rd …

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