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 »Anthrax – State of Euphoria (30th anniversary edition)
When you remember buying an album when it came out, being asked to review the 30th anniversary edition tends to make you feel old. Surely it can’t be 30 years since this classic album came out? Sadly it’s true, so lets have a look what’s involved in this anniversary edition. …
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 »KMFDM – Live in the USSA
German band KMFDM are pioneers of industrial music and have influenced bands such as Rammstein. Founded as a performance art project by multi-instrumentalist Sascha Konietzko in 1984, they’ve gone on to release a string of albums (around 20) and are known for their live shows. Later this month they release …
Read More »Behemoth – I loved you at your darkest
Being a black metal band generally seems to involve playing to audiences small enough that the tiniest of venues is too large, and if any band dares to actually become successful the black metal audiences tend to desert them as “too mainstream”. Given that you’d be forgiven for wondering why …
Read More »Sari Schorr – Never say never
Sari Schorr released her debut album two years ago, and despite spending the last two years on the road touring, she’s now ready to release her second album – Never say never. In that time she’s lived in New York, Spain, France and several places in the UK as she’s …
Read More »Slaughter II – Slaughter II
Slaughter II released their self-titled debut album late last year. Recorded at Crack Studios in Hulme, Manchester and produced and engineered by Kevin Foy. Slaughter II features Brian Grantham the original drummer from Manchester punk rock band Slaughter and the Dogs and Edweena Banger who was in the rebranded Slaughter. …
Read More »