To say reviewing an electronica album is out of my comfort zone is a bit of an understatement but after seeing a gig by The Webb a few months ago at Percy’s in Whitchurch, I was kindly given a copy of their second album Truth Delay by them after passing …
Read More »Shadows Of Violence – Revolt
Leeds based thrashers Shadows Of Violence hit hard and heavy with Revolt, due for release this summer. Formed in 2007 their chops have been honed as the title track, a brief news report skit tells about the band rioting across the UK. ‘Words Unchained’ is a surefire call to arms …
Read More »Jonestown – Dyatlov
So after a two year gap between Aokigahara, the debut album by Brighton lunatics Jonestown, those trusting people at Long Branch Records have removed their straitjackets and let them loose in the studio for an even more disturbing follow up titled Dyatlov. It really is hard to define them in …
Read More »Tygers Of Pan Tang – Hellbound, Spellbound (Live 1981).
Nostalgia can be a good or a bad thing with some bands but this is not the case for Tygers Of Pan Tang with Hellbound, Spellbound (Live 1981), a gem of an album recorded at Nottingham Rock City. It reaffirms my opinion that the NWOBHM movement was best represented in …
Read More »Fugitive – The Awakening
For a reviewer personally speaking, ten tracks is fine, twelve is a challenge but come on Fugitive! Fourteen of them. FOURTEEN with new album The Awakening but I digress as I’m only joking as it’s a fine hard rock album to say the least. Due for release on April 5th …
Read More »Bloody Times – On A Mission.
The aptly titled On A Mission album from Bloody Times available now from Rock N Growl Promotion sees the core trio of John Greely on lead/backing vocals, Raphael Saini on drums and Simon Pfundstein on bass guitar/backing vocals joined by an array of guest artists including ex Manowar guitarist Ross …
Read More »Wasted Life – World War Zero
Wasted Life. Punk rockers. The real deal, not the watered down shit that passes for punk rock that creeps ever higher at Download Festival every year. With their latest studio album World War Zero they have managed to do what Slayer did with Reign In Blood and that is to …
Read More »The Heretic Order – Evil Rising
As someone much wiser than me once said, “Never judge a book by its cover” and this certainly rings true with my first impression of The Heretic Order before I had heard any music from Evil Rising released via Massacre Records. Photos of the band and song titles suggested …
Read More »Beth Blade And The Beautiful Disasters – Show Me Your Teeth.
Sometimes you have to knock on a few doors to get on in the music business but with Show Me Your Teeth, the second studio album from Beth Blade And The Beautiful Disasters to be released on 25th January 2019, these twelve songs are taking a demolition ball to the whole …
Read More »Raven – Screaming Murder Death From Above : Live In Aalborg
In my opinion, the NWOBHM movement started in Newcastle Upon Tyne and Raven burst onto the scene when they signed to local label Neat Records in 1980 and released their classic single ‘Don’t Need Your Money’. They still play with the same verve, point proven on this warts and all …
Read More »Midnight Prophecy – Midnight Prophecy
One of the most impressive debut albums I’ve heard in 2018 comes from Midnight Prophecy as their self titled nine track opus has more gallops than the Grand National and more cheese than Wallace and Gromit could ever eat! On a more serious note they have raised the bar high …
Read More »Rush – Hemispheres (40th anniversary edition).
Hemispheres, the sixth studio album by Canadian trio Rush celebrates its 40th anniversary with four different formats, one of which is this 2xCD deluxe edition. The first CD is a remaster of the album and the second CD features a live set from the Pink Pop festival on the 4th …
Read More »Those Damn Crows – Murder And The Motive.
Once in a while an album comes out to reaffirm that rock is not dead (so that’s a big middle finger in the air to Billy Corgan and Gene Simmons) as Bridgend based Those Damn Crows do it with ease on the release of their debut Murder And The Motive. …
Read More »Twisted Illusion – I Have Music, I Have Life! (live)
On December 21st Twisted Illusion will self release their first live album I Have Music, I Have Life!. Recorded on their debut headlining tour on February 2nd 2018 at the B2 in Norwich, its sound quality took me back to my tape trading days when sometimes I was lucky enough …
Read More »Gang – All For One
Once again it’s time to bang our heads with the five French lunatics Gang and their latest studio release All For One, recently released via Underground Investigation. The press release statement of “Old school heavy metal” is reinforced by the CD inlay of “The flame of heavy metal is still …
Read More »The Deep – Watching You EP
It’s been a bit quiet on The Deep front lately which I’ve finally fathomed out. They have enlisted a new drummer Alan Mogg and been working on a soon to be released EP titled Watching You, which is very much worth the wait! Value for money is a certainty as …
Read More »Blaze Bayley – December Wind
If I could describe Blaze Bayley in one word it would be passionate, point proven by his second release of 2018 December Wind. The album is a stripped down acoustic release via Blaze Bayley Recordings on November 9th consisting of thirteen songs that run a gamut of emotions that include …
Read More »Seven More Days – Little Dark Pleasures
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 »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 »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 »