Album Reviews

Sometimes it’s a really bad idea to read a press release before listening to an album. The one for this album starts with “Hard rock harmonica hero”. My immediate reaction was “What the f**k? Harmonica? I’m not feeling optimistic about this one”. It’s also a covers album, so I was …

To say the least, Attrition is a major step forward for Hull based NWOBHM band Salem! Released on Dissonance Productions on February 23rd, this could be their Pyromania such is the quality of songwriting on display here. Kicking off with the title track ‘Attrition’, its hard hitting riffs from guitarists …

German thrash legends Kreator are reissuing four of their albums that were originally released in the 90s. The albums being reissued are 1990’s “Coma Of Souls”, 1992’s “Renewal”, 1995’s “Cause For Conflict” and 1997’s “Outcast”. Each of the albums has been remastered by Andy Pearce (Black Sabbath, Voivod, Motorhead, Anthrax) …

Guitarist and producer Michael Landau has over the years had a very impressive career. As a solo musician he’s released a number of albums as well as more with various bands, but as a session musician he’s worked with a string of artists. The list of artists he’s worked with …

We sell the dead is a new band whose members are Niclas Engelin (In flames, Engel), Jonas Slattung (Dromriket), Gas Lipstick (HIM) and Apollo Papathanasio (Firewind, Spiritual beggars). The album transports listeners to a Victorian world. It opens with background sounds that fit that time period and then you get …

When is a live album, not really a live album? That sounds a strange question to open a review of The Mission’s new Live album with until you look at where it was recorded. Generally a live album is recorded at one concert or more often, a run of concerts …

With their last album, 2015’s “Children of the night” having received so much critical acclaim, Swedish band Tribulation had their work cut out with the new album to try and match the success of that album. When you listen to “Down below” it quickly becomes obvious that they rose to …

        Doom Metal supergroup Towards Atlantis Lights take us on a dark historical journey deep into the past with ‘Dust Of Aeons’ With only four tracks but coming in at just under the hour mark, the first of which, ‘The Bunker Of Life’ lasting a mind boggling …

This album is billed as Sterling Ball, John Ferraro and Jim Cox present the mutual admiration society. It features a host of guests including Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Steve Lukathor, Steve Morse and Albert Lee. That’s a great talented lineup, and it all started from two friends wanting to make …

Loudness were formed in Japan in May 1981 and have been a prolific band releasing around 30 albums since then including live albums and English versions of their Japanese language albums. In 1983 they did their first US and European tours and signed a record deal with Atlantic records, in …

It’s hard to believe but it’s been ten years since Alestorm’s first album, “Captain Morgan’s revenge” was released. Since then they’ve released four more studio albums and are still singing about alcohol, women and piracy, and show no sign of stopping. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the release of …

Fans of Laurence Jones’ previous album Take Me High beware. The Truth, Jones’ fifth studio outing, is something of a departure from that which you might expect. A step away from the more rugged sound which has seen the Liverpool born, Warwickshire raised bluesman soar ever skyward, The Truth is …

Somehow between fulfilling his duties with Absolva and Iced Earth, Luke Appleton has written and recorded a four track EP titled How Does It Feel To Be Alive?, due for release via Rocksector Records on March 3rd 2018. Produced by his brother Chris Appleton at their studio in Manchester it …

Like a fine wine, Saxon mature to its finest age, although I expect lead vocalist Biff Byford,one of two original members from the bands beginnings in Barnsley 1977 (the other being guitarist Paul Quinn), he would probably prefer a mug of Yorkshire tea! Recently released new album Thunderbolt, number twenty …

Cats in space are a band I only saw live for the first time late last year, opening for Deep Purple, and they really impressed me, both on stage, and in their attitude with them coming out to the merch stand at an arena show as soon as they finished …

2016 was a year that saw the death of Die so fluid drummer Al Fletcher. After the death of their friend, the remaining members, Grog and Mr Drew stepped back to consider the future of the band. They eventually decided to make a new album. Before Al’s death a number …

The Koch Marshall Trio is Greg Koch, a guitarist described by Joe Bonamassa as “scary good”, Dylan Koch on drums, and organist Toby Lee Marshall on the Hammond B3. In terms of vocals, well, there are none – yes it’s an instrumental album. By now 90% of people reading have …

This certainly takes good parenting to the next level as guitarist Phil Campbell has three of his sons in his band Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons. Todd on guitar, Dane on drums, Tyla on bass guitar and they are all joined by Neil Starr on lead vocals. Their self …

There’s a warmth and integrity to Dan Patlansky’s ninth studio offering Perfection Kills. A kind of confidence and assuredness that is positively infectious.  That the South African is a consummate guitar play is unquestionable but, here, it is also clear that his songwriting is keeping apace, with ten tracks of …

The dynamism and at times mind-boggling enthusiasm Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa display laying down the ten covers that comprise Black Coffee – in just five days, it should be noted – is quite mesmerising. Their first studio album in four years this might be, but man-oh-man has it been worth …