Album Reviews

The greatest selection of albums, reviewed and rated

Vandenbergs moonkings – Rugged and unplugged

Vandenberg’s Moonkings are back with a new album – Rugged and unplugged. As the title hints, it’s an acoustic album – mainly just Adrian Vandenberg playing acoustic guitar and Jan Hoving on vocals. The first thing to note is the length of the album – a disappointing 28 minutes. That’s …

Read More »

Dan Reed Network – Origins

With a UK tour planed for November, Dan Reed Network fans are in for a great month – not only are the band on tour, but the new album, Origins gets released. For the recording of the album the band took an unusual approach – they didnt shut themselves away …

Read More »

Them – Manor of the se7en gables

Them are a German band (with some US musicians involved) who formed in 2013 and released their debut album, “Sweet hollow” in 2016. Now they’re back with their second album. Sweet Hollow was a concept album that chronicled the bizarre journey of a man caught between unfortunate circumstance and unspeakable …

Read More »

Doyle Bramhall II – Shades

Doyle Bramhall II may not be a name you’re familiar with but he’s a guitarist who is well known to some of the worlds top stars as many of them have worked with them. He’s toured with the lines of Tedeschi Trucks Band, Roger Waters and Sheryl Crow and has …

Read More »

Seven More Days – Little Dark Pleasures

Before giving Little Dark Pleasures by Seven More Days a proper grilling, I blasted it out a few times in the car to and from four night shifts in the week. First play made me think it was “Pompous and who is that on guitar?” and the second play, “Grandiose …

Read More »

Flagelador – Predilecao Pelo Macabro

Sounding musically and technically very early Iron Maiden-ish, this Brazilian quartet from Rio de Janeiro are back with only their 4th full-length album in 16 years. They were formed in 2000 and are currently signed to Hellprod records. The vocals are delivered in their native Brazilian tongue which at first …

Read More »

Sodom – Partisan EP

While most people know the big 4 of thrash metal – Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, Megadeth, only true thrash fans will know the German equivalent – four equally influential bands, Destruction, Kreator, Tankard and Sodom. Formed in 1981, Sodom have released fifteen studio albums (and are in the studio working on …

Read More »

Beth Hart – Live at the Royal Albert Hall

In May this year, Beth Hart performed at the Royal Albert Hall in front of a capacity crowd. It was a superb show, lasting two hours and with Beth Hart in superb form. Now the show is being released on CD, Vinyl, DVD, BluRay and digital formats. For this review …

Read More »

Amaranthe – Helix

Amaranthe have just released their fifth album – Helix. When they first started it was a definite shock to many – a band daring to combine death metal with pop – think of it as Arch Enemy meets Abba. It’s an unlikely formula but as they’ve proved consistently over the …

Read More »

Electric Rebels – Heaven Tonight EP

Yet another episode in my long running saga of checking out the support bands at gigs and not just watching the headliners! This time it was the very raucous Electric Rebels from Manchester, opening a Falling Red show. Formed just over a year ago, they are kicking up some dust …

Read More »

Absolva – Defiance

Guitars GUITARS GUITARRRRRRS! I’ve never heard an album so drenched in axe work since The Power Of Rock And Roll by Frank Marino way back in 1981 as British heavy metallers Absolva launch a 180gm vinyl format of Defiance that is packaged in a gatefold cover and printed inner sleeves. …

Read More »

Blackrat – Dread Reverence

One of the underground’s best-kept secrets, BLACKRAT have been skilfully skirting the often-fine lines among metalpunk, thrash, crust, and traditional speed metal. Formed in 2012, this Canadian power-trio to date have delivered two cult full-lengths, 2013’s rough ‘n’ rowdy ‘Whiskey and Blasphemy’ and 2016’s far-more-epic ‘Hail to Hades’, laying on …

Read More »

Stormrider – Heavy Metal Machine EP

A chance viewing of Stormrider came with them supporting Troyen at the Salty Dog in Northwich recently and my standpoint of watching the opening band was well rewarded with their very impressive set! Formed in Manchester early 2017, they have released a four track EP titled Heavy Metal Machine that …

Read More »

In The Woods – Cease The Day

      In The Woods re emerge with their latest album ‘Cease The Day’, a progressive masterpiece It’s reasonably well documented that since the bands 2016 offering ‘Pure’, waters have not exactly run smoothly within the fold, indeed I did actually wonder if any new material would surface at …

Read More »

Deicide – Overtures of Blasphemy

Deicide have been with us almost 30 years with 50% of the original band still intact which is quite a feat in this day and age. This is the 12th studio album and first with new guitarist Mark English ex-Monstrosity. It is surprising to find that “In the Minds of …

Read More »

Superfecta – Disconnect

Primal Instinct, debut album by London based Superfecta showed promise in 2014 and is a great stepping stone towards 2018 release Disconnect, currently available on CD from Skyfire Interactive/Skyfire Records and on MP3 from Amazon UK. A change in line up seems to have tightened up their songwriting, point proven …

Read More »

Seven Hells – Prologue

Leicester band Seven Hells formed in late 2016. They’ve been working hard since then and recently released their debut EP, Prologue, and have plans to release their debut album in 2019. They won the Leicester final of the Metal 2 the masses competition and as a result played Bloodstock festival …

Read More »

Aonia – The Seven

It’s hard to believe, but “The seven” is actually the debut album from Aonia. The band have released EPs in the past (“Sunchaser” and “City of shadows”), dating back to 2011 and 2014, but until now have not released a full length album. It’s certainly a big year for them …

Read More »

John Butler Trio – Home

Award winning Australian rock band John Butler Trio have just released their new album, Home. It’s their seventh studio album in a twenty year career. Although they’re a trio by name and in the studio, they’ve recently increased to a five piece band for live shows. There’s a very personal …

Read More »