Album Reviews

  January 2017 marks the release of the debut album from Akoma, titled Revangels. And although so early in the calendar, this surely has to be a contender for Symphonic Metal’s album of the year. Remember this bands name, for they are destined for the very top Symphonic, Gothic, Female …

To be honest I was never a fan of the David Coverdale/Glenn Hughes era of Deep Purple back in the day but my blinkered youthful naivety from well over thirty five years ago has been changed by this recent DVD release from ear@MUSIC. The previous line up with Ian Gillan …

Kentucky headhunters are a band that has been around in one form or another for almost 50 years, first as “Itchy brother” before splitting then reuniting with a new name – The headhunters.  Finding another band with that name led to a quick change to Kentucky headhunters, and thats what …

Lamb of God’s new EP isn’t just a typical “keep the fans happy till we write a new album” type of EP release, but instead is part of a charity campaign to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  The choice of charity is linked to the title track – The …

From tragedy comes triumph! It has been almost a year since the sad loss of Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister. The day after his death, drummer Mikkey Dee announced that the band was over. Guitarist Phil Campbell, who had been in the band since 1984 has now put together the Phil …

Finland has always been a breeding ground for outstanding doom bands and Spiritus Mortis are no exception. The band formed in 1987 and has an impressive array of demos and split releases along the way – this is actually only their 4th full length release. It has been 7 years …

A mixture of  Rik Emmett’s touring band in the new guise of RESolution9, plus the additions of  legendary guitarist Alex Lifeson of Rush and Dream Theater front man James LaBrie, makes the album RES 9 something of a force of nature on tornado proportions.  Bundles of slick, powerhouse guitar, a thumping bass …

Andy Bennett is best known as a member of Ocean Colour Scheme, in which he played guitar for over a decade before leaving the band last year to focus on his own solo projects.  He’s just released his solo album, Thinkin’ Drinkin’ Singin’ via Swan Music. In terms of the …

        Obzidian return with their third full length album ‘Obliteration Process’, marking a triumphant follow up to 2014’s acclaimed ‘Concrete Psychosis’, and what a hefty slab of Metal it proves to be       ‘Obliteration Process’ is one of those albums that just does not mess …

Jon Lord is best remembered by rock fans as the keyboard player from Deep Purple.  His Hammond Organ sound was a key part of Deep Purple’s music, but he was far more than just an ordinary keyboard player – he was a composer too.  By composer I don”t mean he …

There are some bands that tour every year, while others like the Rolling Stones very rarely tour.  If you live in the US then you’d say Heart fall into the first category, while those fans in Europe and the UK would say they’re in the latter category.  It’s been 12 …

Testament have always been a staple of the worldwide thrash scene, first introduced to the world supporting Anthrax in 1987.  This is the 11th studio album, unfortunately their history has been fraught with continuing line-up changes, illness and the general fickleness of the music industry. Throughout this, Testament have continued …

              Weltenasche represents Karg’s  fifth full release since forming in 2006, and is one hell of a powerful record, brimming with so much technical wizardry and jaw dropping ‘punch’, a real beauty to behold I’m full of admiration for anyone that can sit down …

This is more than just a live album from Pagan metallers Primordial. The unharnessed emotional intensity could be used for a super hero motion film soundtrack. The eighty minutes long Gods To The Godless opus will be available via Metal Blade Records on November 25th 2016. Their set was recorded …

The Camel of Doom re-released album Terrestrial is to put it bluntly a tough listen for those not familiar with the psych/doom genre.  On the other hand, for those that know all about it, what joy this album brings.  Kris Clayton, the driving force behind Camel Of Doom, has been making music since he was a 13 …

In the English language, the term ‘cheeky scamps’ is usually reserved for boys no older than 10 who are generally well-behaved and sweet, but amuse themselves by partaking in the odd prank and harmless game of knockdown ginger. That the expression is as equally fitting to Bowling for Soup twenty-two …

On the 17th October 2006, my 16 year old self walked into the Mandela Hall in Belfast to watch none other than the kings of cheesy, power metal; DragonForce. It was on this night that my teenage ears were also introduced to the support band who were none other than …

Cvlt (As Fvk) is the new album from Californian industrial rock band Death Valley High.  I have to confess they’re a band I havent listened to before, so for this review I was diving into the unknown.  After listening to the first few songs, my reaction can be descrbed as …

Aussie Wrecking Crew stalwarts Black Aces released their debut album Shot In The Dark at the end of September 2016 via French record label Bad Reputation. The album was produced by Craig Harnath and mixed by Jim Giddings at Hothouse Studios, St Kilda’s and mastered by Tony Mantz at Deluxe …

In the history of music when have you ever heard an album start with the band’s lead singer shouts “ha, ha, record this?!” What’s that? You can’t think of anyone? Well that was how Scottish giants Biffy Clyro kicked off their seventh release; “Ellipsis.” Suppose when you have been on …