Album Reviews

Having been trying to patiently wait until August for the release of Tarja‘s upcoming album ‘The Shadow Self‘, I was very pleasantly surprised to hear she was also treating us to an extra Prequel album whilst we wait ‘The Brightest Void‘. Kicking off with No Bitter End leading in with …

Hailing from Austin, Texas, Scorpion Child are bringing together psych and stoner Rock with a modernised twist. Since their self-titled debut album back in 2013, the band haven’t gone unnoticed, and have been involved in extensive worldwide tours alongside the likes of Monster Magnet, Clutch and Crobot, before announcing their …

Probably my favourite genre of rock/metal would be thrash for the sheer intensity it creates and Destruction are a fine example of this. Considered (and rightly so) to be in the top 4 of German thrash metal bands along with Kreator, Sodom and Tankard, their latest studio album Under Attack, …

The first sip of a perfectly poured pint of Guinness. The choreography of Riverdance. Sheamus’ Brogue Kick. The clash of the ash. Whatever way you look at it, Ireland packs a serious punch. Theories Divide can safely add themselves to the list. Formed in Dublin in 2008, the quartet have been …

The Few Step Digital Music Marketing Plan Releasing new music is always a special and exciting moment. You worked hard to create something that’s personal to you and now it’s time to share it with the world. But how do you get your tracks in front of as many people …

The Answer have certainly had a notable career to-date, and what better way to celebrate how it all started than with the re-release of their debut album, Rise, almost 10 years since it first hit the shelves. To this day, Rise remains the bands most successful album, selling over 100,000 …

American guitarist Paul Gilbert‘s latest studio effort, I Can Destroy, is a fun, uptempo rock album. The record’s 12 core songs (and one bonus track) are a treat to listen to. Jam-packed with good notes, for the legion guitarists anticipating the disc in hopes of busting their chops, it delivers …

On the 20th May, Flotsam and Jetsam released their album entitled Flotsam and Jetsam. This album marks the band’s 12th album release since their formation in 1981. As a band, Flotsam and Jetsam are intermittent in the way they hold my interest, my two favourite albums by them being No Place …

Anti-Nowhere League (ANL) are a British punk rock band well into their fourth decade. Despite numerous line-up changes and periods of inactivity, founding member and frontman, Animal is still keeping punk rock alive, With Shady on bass, Tommy H on guitar and newest member, Sammy Carnage on drums, making up the …

With the sludge scene becoming more and more recognised over time, lots of bands are carving out their own niches, while giving nods to older bands in the genre. False Gods are one such band. Wasteland opens with the almost primal drumbeats of Despot, which sound a little reminiscent of Walk With Knowledge Wisely by Crowbar. A heavy …

With underground sludge/stoner metal becoming more in focus over the past few years, two bands that have stood out amongst the wealth of talent are Gurt and Trippy Wicked, so a collaboration seems only natural, right? Guppy begins with the crushingly heavy Owlmegeddon by Gurt. Groove and balls is what this track boasts and it …

Staffordshire based trio Obey have been playing musical chairs since I last heard from them. Well, to be more correct, musical drum stools! Bassist Chris Poole has taken over drum duties following the departure of Matt Lane, so welcome Dan Ryder on bass guitar. New single ‘Gutless’ is a taster …

What’s the first thing you think of when I say Blackpool Rock? Something to get your teeth into? Something long pink and sticky? Now there’s some Blackpool Rock you need to get your ears into! Mass Vendetta is the latest album from Blackpool Punk/Rock Band The Senton Bombs released on 16th April …

Red Eye was always going to be a bitter/sweet album for me to review. 1985 saw the release of Vardis’ last studio album Vigilante and the following year saw them split. I’ve been a fan since 1979 so I was ecstatic when they finally got together again about 3yrs ago …

Successful crossover bands are like holographic, first edition Charizard Pokemon cards – they’re rare but magnificent in every way. When it comes to Hatebreed, we have ourselves such a band. For the past two decades they’ve blended metal and hardcore with effortless aplomb, able to excite both the fiercely loyal …

Although they have been kicking up dust since the turn of the millennium, PlanetMosh did not properly cross paths with psyched out Greek stoners Planet Of Zeus until they turned up on the Belfast team’s doorstep supporting Clutch on one of the few tours to go ahead in the wake …

Michael Schenker’s Temple Of Rock band have been growing at a great pace, a strong debut album ( Temple of Rock ) release followed by a strong tour, then an even stronger album release, ‘Spirit On A Mission’ which was in my top 10 albums of 2015, followed by an …

Great Western Valkyrie was one of my albums of the year when it came out in 2014 and was arguably the album that propelled Rival Sons to a new level. This coupled with their live performances garnered them a slot travelling across the world with Black Sabbath.  So it’s been with …

There is little else to say about the spellbinding new release from Norwegian industrial outfit, Mortiis than you need this in your life. From start to finish, this one packs a serious, experimental and groovy punch that should please all ears, especially those of the fans of the pointy eared …

Hailing from Manchester, The Hyena Kill are a sometimes stoner, sometimes experimental two-piece outfit from Manchester. Having made a mark on the underground scene, Atomised could very well put them on the map and establish them throughout the rest of the UK. Atomised begins with the blues swagger and instant …