Album Reviews

It could be argued that, for a while, Raging Speedhorn could have been regarded as one of the “also rans” of the heavy metal scene.  Breaking ground with their use of two vocalists – a combination extremely hard to work effectively effectively, especially in the hardcore subgenre – the band …

It doesn’t seem that long ago since The Dead Daisies came out of the woodwork, and in the space of only four years, the band are back again with their third studio album, ‘Make Some Noise‘, set for release worldwide on Friday 5th August 2016. In such a short period …

Moody, heartfelt and outstanding. Three words that quite nicely sum up the vibe running through Rich Robinson’s latest solo album, Flux. The Black Crowes founder member and guitarist has more than enough capability to pack so much into the thirteen original songs, broaching a broad spectrum of genres.  This is testament not only to his own self-belief, but …

If nothing else, Italian keyboard player Mistheria – real name Giuseppe Iampieri, who has included collaborations with the likes of Bruce Dickinson and Rob Rock in an 18-year career that has also seen him release a series of movie soundtrack-based albums – possesses a sense of the ambitious and the …

After a bit of a break from the whole writing thing, I am so happy to have something that is out of this world to review. To my great pleasure, a bunch of lads that dominated Dublin a few months ago are my next review. Incite are back and you’re …

I have been following my local scene in Northern Ireland for quite a few years now and I have seen some bands come and some bands go.  While my heart may have wept for the acts that decided to call it a day I have rejoiced with the ones who …

The Amorettes released their debut album ‘Game On’ nearly 18 months ago, and since then they just haven’t stopped touring, except to record this new album’ White Hot Heat’, which was crowd funded. Such is their popularity that at the end of the Pledge campaign, it was 300% funded. So …

Headline Maniac is a new project from three members of Eddie and the Hot Rods – Ian ‘Dipster’ Dean, Chris Taylor and Simon Bowley.  They actually put the power trio together as the opening act on the Eddie and the Hot Rods 40th anniversary shows, and after getting a good …

  Hell’s Addiction a Hard Rock band from the Dirty Old Town of Leicester release their second album Broken today (2nd July 2016) via TBFM Records. This hard rocking five piece formed in 2010 and released their debut album Raise Your Glass to rave reviews in 2012. I haven’t actually heard that …

In September last year the classic Ayreon album, The Human Equation was brought to life on stage at a theatre in Rotterdam for just one weekend.  Billed as The Theater Equation, as with the album, there was a large cast of singers including James LaBrie, Marcela Bovio, Anneke van Giersbergen, …

It’s hard, if not downright impossible, to fault the musical pedigree of the group of musicians who, over the past couple of years, have come together to create the entity that is known as Four By Fate.  Between them, they have played with a list of bands that you’d probably …

If you are expecting something akin to Stiltskin’s 1990s monolith Mind’s Eye from the band’s front man Ray Wilson’s latest solo album Song for a Friend – or indeed something as multi-layered as his contribution to the Genesis catalogue, Station to Station – then you’re going to be in for …

That difficult second album,eh? It can be a bit of a bother but, apparently, that’s not the case as far as West Midlands blues artist Rebecca Downes is concerned. With her debut Back to the Start from 2014 still basking in the glow of positivity, along comes her second offering …

German heavy metal legend Doro Pesch really knows how to celebrate an anniversary.  For her 20th and 25th anniveraries she put on special shows with a load of special guests.  They weren’t your typical 90 minute show either – the 25th anniversary show was well over 3 hours, and both …

This six track EP from Shildon/ Bishop Auckland based Alt rock band Black Nevada impresses from the off, a glorious chunky riif kicks the first track, “Not Your Enemy” off in great style, a distinctive vox from Jordan Bailey delivers a controlled performance, powerful yet clear, the riff is ever …

Cool is probably the best way to describe Dave Hanson’s Almost Horizontal. With its multi-genre musical idioms appealing to lovers of a great many genres – funk, rock, soul and even an occasional nod towards electro-pop – at its heart lies the blues and there is no getting away from …

Life is inevitable in its conclusion. No matter how we battle against it, it has only one end result.  It is how we meet that end that matters.  Do we go gently into the night?  Or do we face up to the light and ultimately face our fate with dignity …

                                        A lot has been going on in the Elmsfire camp since their 2010 offering ‘Thieves Of The Sun’, wholesale line up changes can often signal the end of many a …

After listening to thrash/death metal for over 30 years it takes a lot to surprise me anymore but Chesterfield based band Forgotten Remains are a welcome breath of fresh (or even fetid) air into the genres with their 3rd E.P Morbid Reality. Produced and recorded by Russ Russell they are …

Holy PHUQ! My album of 2016 has just blown me away. Never Outdrunk, Never Outsung – PHUQ live’ is the perfect example of how a live album should sound like, which is the feeling that you are at the show. In September 2015 The Wildhearts played 8 UK dates to …