Album Reviews

The greatest selection of albums, reviewed and rated

Magnum – Live at the symphony hall

In January 2018, Magnum released their 20th studio album, “Lost on the road to eternity”. Coming forty years afte the release of their debut album it was a great album that demonstrated that they’re still making great music and got great reviews. The release of the album was followed by …

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The Buzniks – The Buzniks

The Buzniks are a new band formed in 2017 by Squeeze bassist John Bentley. While he’s known for his work with Squeeze, he nearly didnt join them as he auditioned to join Suzi Quatro’s band the same day he auditioned for Squeeze, and was offered both jobs. He chose Squeeze …

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Heavy drapes – Crashing like stars

Heavy Drapes were a fast rising band on the punk scene and had grown rapidly in the space of a couple of years. Then in June this year, just 48 hours after performing at Rebellion festival in Amsterdam, singer Garry Borland died, not living long enough to see the release …

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Walter Trout – Survivor blues

Blues legend Walter Trout is back with a new album in January. It’s an album of cover versions, but whereas most people cover well known blues songs, Walter Trout has taken the opposite approach and chosen old obscure songs to cover and bring to a new audience. It’s an approach …

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T Clemente band – Man Machine

The T Clemente band was formed by guitarist and songwriter Teddy Clemente. “Man machine” is the band’s fourth album and has a definite 80s rock sound with a bit of a 70s influence. The first thing to hit me was the excellent vocals from Amanda Dieck. As the album progressed …

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Deer Tick – Mayonnaise

It’s around 15 months since Deer Tick broke their four year silence and released two albums on the same day – “Deer Tick Vol 1” and “Deer Tick Vol 2”. The two albums were very different musically hence why two albums rather than one double album, but the idea of …

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Thunder – Please remain seated

Thunder release their new album in January. It’s available as a single CD or a two CD edition as well as digital formats and vinyl. The album isn’t a typical new album though – there’s no new material and no cover versions either. Instead, Thunder have chosen to look back …

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Albie Donnelly’s Supercharge – Get hip

Albie Donnely was a founding member of Supercharge in 1974 and 44 years on he’s still going strong, doing lead vocals and tenor sax. Supercharge may not be a band some readers have heard of but they were signed by Richard Branson to his Virgin records label and among their …

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Flotsam And Jetsam – The End Of Chaos

If you Google Flotsam And Jetsam the answer you get is “Useless or discarded objects” which is way off the mark as they return with heads held high for their thirteenth studio album The End Of Chaos. Released on January 18th 2019 on AFM Records with stunning artwork from Andy …

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Electric Mary – Mother

“Mother” is the fourth studio album from Australian rock band Electric Mary. The band formed in 2003, and as well as three studio albums and a live album, they’ve also released several EPs and toured extensively. Over the years the band have toured with acts including Whitesnake, Judas Priest, Deep …

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Mr Shiraz – Mountains Of Kong

I first came across Mr Shiraz at The Picturedrome in Holmfirth, supporting Skindred in November. I felt awfully sorry for the guys as they were stood on stage waiting to start their set as the doors opened, but they pulled a great crowd in and was I made up for …

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Midnight Prophecy – Midnight Prophecy

One of the most impressive debut albums I’ve heard in 2018 comes from Midnight Prophecy as their self titled nine track opus has more gallops than the Grand National and more cheese than Wallace and Gromit could ever eat! On a more serious note they have raised the bar high …

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Crapsons – Deaths & Spelling Mistakes

Crapsons are a punk rock duo from Wirral. Well known for their on-stage energy, they cross over heavy, distorted punk riffs with comical, tongue-in-cheek lyrics, singing about every day pressing topics from death, sheds and biscuits. So after the success of their first single ‘You don’t Know When You’re Going …

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Cadence Noir – Physical Copy

It’s a miracle! It’s a Christmas miracle! Our saviour is here! No no no, not that fictional story we were told at school but the debut album Physical Copy by the five wise members that make up Cadence Noir!  The eight year wait has finally come to fruition with a …

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Blood Feast – Chopped, Sliced And Diced

Blood Feast are a five-piece thrash unit from New Jersey, USA. ‘Chopped, Sliced And Diced is their 8th release since (incredibly) 1987. They have released three full length albums in their 31 year career, and this will be their second EP release. The band split up originally in 1991. They …

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Zealot Cult – Spiritual Sickness

Formed in 2008 hailing from Ireland, Zealot Cult have built themselves a reputation based on hard work and attention to musical detail which is presented here on their first full length in all its glory. The title track arrives with a bang, no intro, no false sense of security – …

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Serrabulho – Porntugal

Serrabulho are a four piece grind / hardcore band from Portugal, releasing their third full length album, Porntugal, and I really do not know where to start with this one. This is proper hardcore thrash but when it comes to lyrics I can only describe most of them sounding like …

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Furor Gallico – Dusk Of The Ages

    Furor Gallico brings their unique brand of Folk Death Metal to the table with the long awaited album ‘Dusk Of The Ages’. Formed in 2007, the band have honed their sound into something rather special, combining highly contrasting styles of music together to create a real breath of …

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King Creature – To The Bone

King Creature were formed in 2013 and have had the amazing honour of supporting Motorhead at The Eden Sessions in 2015. I have to say I am stunned by opening track ‘World Of Sin’. This takes me back to Alice In Chains’ ‘Sap / Jar Of Flies’ EP. It’s hauntingly …

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