If it were ever to happen, Blaze Bayley O.B.E has a great ring to it I think. Since singing with Wolfsbane from 1988-94, Iron Maiden from 1994-99 and a solo career from then until the present day, he has doggedly flew the flag for British heavy metal. The title of …

An earlier start with almost twice as many bands as the previous day saw a mad dash for a Wetherspoons fry up before heading off once again to the Snooty Fox Club. On arrival a line up change saw planned third band Cadence Noir opening proceedings as they were two …

A welcome return for me to Wakefield for the annual Bad Ass Bash saw all the bands booked by event organiser Martin Short playing for free with the proceeds once again going to Ian’s Chain and chART charities. Seventeen bands for only £14.50 was a sure fire bargain with proceedings …

Its been a five year wait for Immortals, the latest studio album released via Century Media Records from Greek power metallers Firewind but the wait is well worth it as founding member Gus G leads from the front with guitar heroics throughout its nine tracks. Founded in Thessaloniki in 1998, …

Triple Threat, the new release from Annihilator is so named as it consists of a live set played at the 2016 Bang Your Head Festival, an Unplugged : The Watersound Studio sessions and a live DVD of the Bang Your Head Festival set. Currently released by UDR Music, it highlights …

Since their formation in Essen 1984, Kreator have consistently delivered an impressive caustic catalogue of thrash metal, proving that the Germans do it better than anyone else and Gods Of Violence their fourteenth studio album shows they are still at the forefront of that genre. Currently available on Nuclear Blast …

Big Rocks, the latest album from Swiss legends Krokus is the perfect way to cure the January blues! It is made up of thirteen songs, twelve covers and a new version of their ‘Backseat Rock ‘N’ Roll’ song which featured on their ground breaking 1980 Metal Rendezvous album. The dozen …

With their fourteenth studio album Metal Messiah, thrash metal legends Sepultura are still raising the middle finger to the “Bring back Max” computer keyboard warriors. Lead vocalist Derrick Green has fronted them for over twenty years now and personally speaking he has earned his stripes many times over, point proven …

Steadfastly moving on with the original line up since their formation in 1979, NWOBHM band Sparta release No Retreat, No Surrender on Suspect Records. Eight new tracks plus a travel back in time to 1981 for one song shows a rich vein of songwriting. A lo fi production makes it …

Almost a year ago, Quartz released Too Hot To Handle, an album consisting of sixteen demo tracks written between 1981/1982 remastered by Bart Gabriel and released on Skol Records. An announcement was made that a studio album of brand new material was planned and so here we have Fear No …

Now entering thirty five years on from their beginnings in San Francisco as a power trio known as Rubicon in 1979 onto the five piece Ranger until an enforced name change to Night Ranger in 1982 and apart from a hiatus between 1990-1996, they have steadfastly delivered some prime AOR …

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 …

Dennis from PlanetMosh spoke to Mark Sutcliffe, Trespass frontman before their set at HRH NWOBHM at the 02 Academy in Sheffield, 03/12/2016.  

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 …

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 …

It is a good sense of timing to say the least when I got the chance to review the latest Obituary release Ten Thousand Ways To Die a few days after seeing them crush all those who saw them play at the Academy 2 in Manchester a few days earlier. …

After a six year hiatus, Helmet have returned to the studio and released a new album titled Dead To The World. Released via earMUSIC, their formula of melody with muscle shines throughout the eleven tracks. Produced by lead guitarist and vocalist Page Hamilton who founded the band in New York …

Now this is what makes my reviewing hobby all worthwhile! Ian Gillan has been one of my favourite vocalists for many years and I bought the five albums in this box set individually back in the day. Fully endorsed by the man himself, The Vinyl Collection 1979 – 1982 box …

Now this is the perfect example of how to show respect to your fans! A planned interview with lead vocalist Lips and drummer Robb Reiner from Canadian metallers Anvil resulted in me just talking to Robb Reiner as Lips’ voice was barely a croak and he was worried about doing …

Dennis from PlanetMosh talked to Anvil drummer Robb Reiner prior to their set at Rebellion in Manchester, 21/10/2016.

At the ripe old age of fifty three I must admit to hearing only a handful of tracks by Kansas over the years but this has been rectified by being given the opportunity to review their comeback album The Prelude Implicit since the departure of front man Steve Walsh in …

Airbourne are a band you can rely on to put a smile on your face whilst you headbang like a loon and with Breakin’ Outta Hell, their strongest album to date, get those neck muscles ready when its released via Spinefarm Records on September 23rd 2016. Their fourth studio release …

Never one to rest on their laurels, The Sword have veered away yet again from their swashbuckling roots with new release Low Country. Formed in 2003 in Austin, Texas they trail blazed onto the music scene with some seismic stoner/doom metal. Their 2015 release of High Country saw them go …

Another year and another fantastic Rockwich Festival. For a measly £15 we got fifteen bands kicking out the jams from midday till midnight. As AC/DC once sang, “Aye aye oh, shake your foundations” which is what opening band Red Spektor certainly did. The Stoke based power trio hit their time …

Sunday comes around too soon as it means the final day of Bloodstock Open Air Festival. 2016 has been one of the strongest line ups I have seen and I’m already counting down the days to 2017. The plan on my schedule was to watch the first half of Ghost …

After a well deserved, senses saving nights sleep and full English breakfast, we lead our merry way to Bloodstock Open Air Festival for more metal. Cambion, first band of the day on the Ronnie James Dio stage had been highly recommended to me and they did not disappoint. Fronted by …

Due to holiday shifts being changed, I had to work the Thursday night which meant catching the first train I could get to Tamworth, early hotel check in, then mad dash to the Bloodstock Open Air Festival arena to catch Witch Tripper, first band of the day on the New …

Another recent album launch for me recently where the band play it in its entirety before I’ve heard it and once again have been blown away. A home gig for Obey meant a big crowd for their third studio album Maelstrom at the Sugarmill in Stoke. Before Obey did their …

Now this is what you call a punk rock show! Formed in New York in 1973, the old guard have finally returned to the UK. The Dictators, currently on a lengthy European tour, stopped off in Manchester to deliver a genre defining fifteen song, seventy five minute set. Two original members, …

You really do have to admire the tenacity of the members of Twisted Sister over the last forty years. From the apathy of record companies in their beginnings to the loss of their drummer A.J Pero. The Metal Meltdown DVD’s released by Loud And Proud Records consist of a concert …

Dublin based quartet The Devil Wants Her Swagger Back have created a sound that brings to mind the industrial thud of early Fear Factory with the velocity of The Berzerker on their latest E.P Malice. Due for release on October 1st 2016 it contains a production that hits hard but …

A last minute mad dash to the Son Of Shinobi album launch for The Silent Fury chose to be a very wise decision as they turned a packed out White Horse pub in Nantwich into a sauna whilst hammering it out. It was that good I just had to review …

Dennis from PlanetMosh talked to NWOBHM legends Vardis after their set at Wildfire Festival.  It was their first show in Scotland for over thirty five years and their first UK gig with new bassist Martin Connolly.  

Sunday:- The third and unfortunately the last day of Wildfire Festival 2016 but there are bands to be watched all day as Canterbury based Wretched Soul proceed to try and darken the blue skies at 11.30am with a visceral six song set. Opener ‘Bury The Heretic’ was nothing less than face melting …

Saturday :-  Day two of Wildfire Festival and after a bleary eyed walk to Wiston Lodge for a handful of bacon baps, it was time to head off for a full day of bands. A major improvement this year was having the two stages side by side with literally a few yards …

 Friday :- So here I am again, third year running for me at the fantastic Wildfire festival, run by the ever smiling Dave Ritchie. Situated in the rolling hills in the grounds of Wiston Lodge, the views are nothing short of stunning. Due to finishing work at 6.15am, catching an 8.00am …

Dennis Jarman from PlanetMosh talked to UK thrashers Solitary before their set at Wildfire Festival.

Dennis Jarman from PlanetMosh talked to NWOBHM legends Spartan Warrior after their set at Wildfire Festival.  

Dennis Jarman from PlanetMosh talked to Sky Valley Mistress after their electrifying set at Wildfire Festival.  

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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …

Dennis from Planetmosh talked to Brian Tatler, founder member of Diamond Head following their headlining set in Northwich. Hello Brian. That was a great set to end the NWOBHM night. Yeah. It was great. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Rasmus said onstage that this is the strongest the band has ever been. …

When event organisers Prometheus Promotions told me a few months ago that they were planning an evening of NWOBHM not far from me in Northwich, to say I was over the moon is an understatement as this genre of heavy metal has been in my blood since its formation. When …

Dennis Jarman from Planetmosh talks to Salem about their new album Dark Days, influences and Spinal Tap moments.                    

NWOBHM band Salem release their latest studio album Dark Days on April 29th 2016, available from Pure Steel Records and shows them in a strong songwriting vein following the 2013 release of Forgotten Dreams. April will prove to be a busy month as the day after Dark Days is released, …

Sandwiched in between opening band I.C.O.N and headliners UDO, Anvil did what they do best and that was to entertain an appreciative crowd with their proto speed metal. Unfortunately they have only been allotted 45 minutes on these 6 UK dates after being allowed an hour previously on this tour …

Dennis from Planetmosh talks to Anvil before their set about life on the road, their latest album Anvil Is Anvil and their documentary.    

Since forming in Birmingham in 2008, Dakesis released an EP and their debut studio album Trial By Fire by 2011and it shows the confidence that they have in themselves to follow these up with a 78 minute long concept album titled The New Dawn. Concept albums can strike fear to …

Another year, another Badass Bash at the Snooty Fox in Wakefield. An excellent venue for live music with a punchy p.a system cranking out some great live music from 18 bands hand picked once again by event organiser Martin Short. At a spritely 62yrs young he also compered the event …

It is hard to believe that the English seaside resort of Brighton could give birth to a band as vicious sounding as Jonestown. Their debut July 2014 release EP The Erebus And The Terror showed promise but their debut album Aokigahara raises the bar even higher. Available digitally from March …

The name Rasmus Bom Andersen may not be familiar with most rock/metal fans but since joining legendary NWOBHM band Diamond Head in 2014 as their lead singer, his debut European tour with them fired up the band enough to want to work on a new studio album, their 7th since …

Anvil Is Anvil. Not just the title of their forthcoming 16th studio album but a statement of intent. Due for release on February 26th 2016 via Steamhammer Records it shows the Canadian power metal trio in a rich vein of songwriting form carried on from their resurgence which resulted in …

Currently on a European tour, German thrash metal merchants Exumer are still playing with the intensity shown on their 1986 debut studio album Possessed By Fire with their recently released monstrous The Raging Tides. Released via Metal Blade Records it consists of 10 fierce originals and 2 inspired cover versions. …

I first saw Wigan based Bigfoot a mere few months after they had formed when they played a short set at the SOS Festival in Manchester, July 2014. Even then their song writing suss was evident and on seeing them a few times since at Wildfire Festival and Bloodstock Festival, …

Before the luxury of the internet, the only way I could listen to new hard rock/metal music in my mid teens would be from Chris Tetley on Piccadilly Radio and Tommy Vance on the Friday Rock Show on Radio 1, so from the latter in 1980 I heard a single …

2016 has got off to a noisy start thanks to the 5 noise merchants who make up Kent based bruisers Spreading The Disease. Formed in late 2014 by bass guitarist Steve Saunders with the line up complete within 6 months, a lot of promise is shown on this refreshingly genre …

With a new album in the can for Feb. 2016 entitled Not Guilty following the 2013 release of Forgotten Dreams, Salem fans can now listen to how they crafted their songwriting with In The Beginning, a superb 17 track compilation album of demo songs recorded between 1981-1983. Released via High …

Being a mainly rock/metal fan I’m not really sure how a folk metal band like Steel Threads got under my radar. I saw them live before I heard any recorded output at a local gig here in Crewe when some friends who rated them highly took me along and I …

R40 Live, Rush’s 10th live album is so named to celebrate their 40th anniversary with drummer Neil Peart in the band. They have actually been in existence since 1968, formed by current guitarist Alex Lifeson with bassist Geddy Lee joining a few weeks later before their second gig. This 3xCD …

The last studio album from Soldier entitled Dogs Of War gave them a hard act to follow but current release Defiant shows Soldier are still in a strong song writing vein. Although slightly more melodic it still rocks hard and shows the NWOBHM survivors are a force to be reckoned …

Currently on a seemingly never ending farewell World tour with dates booked for 2016, the Scorpions, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker will be releasing some very fan pleasing remastered albums on Nov. 6th 2015 on BMG Rights, distributed via SPV in Europe and Caroline International in the UK …

If there is ever a band that truly defines the meaning of the genre heavy metal then that band is Saxon and they have been hammering it out since 1976 when they were originally known as Son Of A Bitch. Their record company recommended a name change and so Saxon …

This debut album should really have been a stone cold classic from Metal Allegiance as their core musical line up consists of Mike Portnoy on drums, Alex Skolnick on guitar and Dave Ellefson on bass guitar with an array of guest vocalists but out of the 9 tracks, only 7 …

Planetmosh talked to Bernie Marsden after his sold out gig at the Crown Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire. That was a great show Bernie. Very nice it was to. Very good, very enjoyable. With Jim Kirkpatrick, hired hand. Stripped back songs played as they were written. How do you approach acoustic gigs …

Planetmosh talked to Steel Threads inbetween their 2 sets about forthcoming album The Rule Of Three and their influences.

After 3 electric gigs in 7 days, the next 4 of this tour by Bernie Marsden would be acoustic affairs, the first of which was at the Crown Hotel in Nantwich aided by guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick. On entering the venue I was a bit confused as it was in a …

Bournemouth based 5 piece Voodoo Vegas seem to have darkened the vibe of their songwriting since the release of debut studio album The Rise Of Jimmy Silver on new 4 track E.P Hypnotise. Available via i Tunes on October 12th, it bristles with maturity especially on the howling vocals of …

A major line up change in late 2014 saw long standing lead vocalist/guitarist Dave Padden leave Annihilator but after forming the band in 1984, Jeff Waters soldiers on taking vocal duties himself as well as delivering his usual breathtaking lead guitar work. Suicide Society once again proves the influence he …

So how is the best way to spend a Bank Holiday Sunday? Watching mindless television or doing D.I.Y around the house? No! Get up early and head off to Rockwich and watch 15 bands play from midday until midnight for a measly £10! Apologies to the bands I missed whilst …

Planetmosh talked to Rozey, frontman with Falling Red after their set at Rockwich Festival.

Planetmosh talked to Paul Macnamara, lead guitarist with Salem before their headlining set at Rockwich.  

Planetmosh talked to Avenger band members Gary Young and Ian Swift before their set at Rockwich Festival.      

Planetmosh talked to Defy All Reason after their set at Rockwich Festival.

After a hearty breakfast it was time to slap on the sun cream after being fried alive on the first day of Bloodstock and head off once more for more metal. First call of the day was not the beer tent but to the New Blood stage at the ungodly …

Sunday is always a bitter/sweet day at Bloodstock for me as on the plus side you have another day of metal but on the minus side when the day is over you have to wait another year for the next one. First band of the day on the Sophie Lancaster …

Another year another Bloodstock and 2015 was one of the best I have attended to say the least. All 4 stages threw up some incredible performances although 2 out of the 3 main stage headliners were below par for me. I headed off from my hotel in Tamworth early so …

Planetmosh talk to HanOwaR the day after their triumphant set at Bloodstock Open Air.

Thrash metal classics should be short, sharp and straight to the point. Slayer proved this with the 1986 release of Reign In Blood at just under the half an hour mark but Los Angeles based did it a year earlier with their debut Vicious Attack. The album has been re-issued …

Some bands treat their debut studio albums as a tentative step in their recording career whilst others go for the throat. Thankfully, County Kildare based quartet Stereo Nasty have taken the latter option with Nasty By Nature.  Early promise was shown by a three track EP just over a year …

I first heard soon to be released single ‘Justice Injustice’ when I was reviewing the Wildfire Festival in Lanark, Scotland in June. The song was that good I made it my highlight of Kaine’s  set and the recorded version certainly hits the mark. Lead vocalist Rage Sadler angrily barks like …

July 18th 2015 will be an important day for Vardis as it will see them playing live in London for the first time in 30 years at a double headlining show with Diamond Head at Bush Hall and 200 individually numbered 12″ vinyl copies of their new 200 M.P.H EP …

Perseverance is a word not used lightly by The Deep which is why Premonition has finally seen the light of day as all of the songs apart from ‘Cold Hearted’ (which was written in the early 90’s) were written in the early 80’s. The band were known then as Deep …

As yet another old saying goes, “All good things must come to an end”, so bleary eyed we headed off to the main stage for the final day of Wildfire Festival in more glorious sunshine. Another 11am start and opening band, Sheffield based trio Silverjet faced a packed out tent …

Saturday! The second day of Wildfire and the sun has put his hat on, as the old song once said. At the unholy hour of 11am, first band on the main stage were Leeds based The Idol Dead who were the perfect opener for the change of weather with their …

Wildfire Festival, previously known as Les-Fest in recent years returned in 2015 with an extra stage with over fifty bands spread out over three days, thus making the event in Wiston the place to be! The brain child of Dave Ritchie, his towering presence could be seen throughout the weekend …

Dennis Jarman from Planetmosh talked to guitarists Robb Weir and Micky Crystal of the Tygers Of Pan Tang before their set at Wildfire Festival 2015  

Dennis Jarman from Planetmosh talked to Lord Volture vocalist David Marcelis and bassist Simon Guerts before their set at Wildfire Festival.

Dennis Jarman from Planetmosh spoke to guitarist Paul Macnamara about Salem‘s history, their previous set at Wildfire the night before and musical influences etc.  

Dennis Jarman from Planetmosh talked to Holocaust frontman John Mortimer the day after their set at Wildfire Festival.  

The 180gm vinyl re-issues of Rush‘s back catalogue continues with their 7th studio album, Permanent Waves as part of the ’12 months of Rush’ celebrations via Universal Music. Originally released on January 1st 1980, a lot of fans, myself included must have thought it was April 1st as to the …

So after all the preliminary heats, quarter finals and semi finals, the Cheshire region of  the Metal 2 The Masses final attracted about three hundred metal heads at the Box in Crewe to watch Skeletal Damage, Headpress, Obey and Synapse battle it out for a place on the bill at …

It barely seems almost a year ago since I attended Les-fest, now renamed Wildfire, an annual 3 day classic rock & metal festival situated in the picturesque setting of Wiston Lodge, South Lanarkshire in Scotland. Now in it’s 4th year it has gone from strength to strength and organiser Dave …

PlanetMosh sat down with Obey, winners of the 2015 final of the Crewe Metal 2 The Masses. Check out what they had to say right after securing their place on the New Blood Stage at this year’s Bloodstock Open Air Festival at Catton Hall.  

PlanetMosh‘s Dennis Jarman sat down with Bloodstock’s Simon Hall and Sharon Cooke, event organiser for the Crewe Metal 2 The Masses competition. Check out what they had to say about this year’s Metal 2 The Masses, Bloodstock and the Bloodstock Family.

It would be too easy to say “Hemispheres by Rush is 2 long songs, 2 short songs, go buy it now” but as this is my favourite Rush album ever then it deserves more attention! On buying it at the age of 15 I was so struck by the music …

The second full length album from Birmingham based Captain Horizon sees them stretching their musical boundaries even more. Released on May 11th 2015 via Rocksector Records and a well attended album launch/gig in Birmingham on May 22nd shows the leaps and bounds they are making since they were formed by …

2015 started badly for Vardis when drummer Gary Pearson, who had doggedly searched for guitarist Steve Zodiac to reform the band again after a 30yr hiatus, decided to quit after the band had only been back together for almost 2yrs. Fans wondered what the future would hold but a few …

Dennis Jarman of PlanetMosh sat down the the guys from Vardis last weekend. Check out the video below:        

Formed in 1974 in Newcastle Upon Tyne by brothers John and Mark Gallagher, Raven have stuck to their guns through thick and thin resulting in their 13th studio album release ExtermiNation currently available via SPV/Steamhammer Records. Fan friendly formats include a CD Digipack with bonus track ‘Malice In Geordieland’ and …

Welcome back Nuclear Assault! Even though it will be short lived (they are calling this the ‘Final Assault’ tour), the New York based thrash metal legends have reformed for their 30 year anniversary and released Pounder. This blistering 4 track E.P and 2015 tour dates including a main stage slot …

May 11th 2015 will see the official release date of the long awaited debut album from Wrexham based Defy All Reason. Early promise was shown by a 4 track E.P Every Second Counts but they have now matured into a force to be reckoned with. 13 tracks at a running …

Welcome once again to the weird but wonderful world of Birmingham based Captain Horizon! This new single is a stunning taster lifted from their forthcoming album ‘Imitation Sun’, due to be released via Rocksector Records on May 11 with an album launch event on May 22 at the Birmingham Academy …

The resurgence of NWOBHM has resulted in bands who fell by the wayside back in the day to give it another go and the latest welcome addition is Suffolk based Trespass . This new release consists of 10 re-recorded tracks originally written between 1979-1982. They never got to release an …

It is hard to believe that it is 33 years since I heard the news of Randy Rhoads’ death in a tragic plane crash on Friday, March 19th 1982 on Tommy Vance’s Friday Rock Show on B.B.C Radio 1. I never got to see him play as even though I …

This is a timely release as it is made up of 2 previously released EP’s that were available only to fan club members and from the band’s official website which sold out fast . The 11 tracks here are compiled from ‘The Wild Cat Sessions’ from 2010 and ‘The Spellbound …

I last saw the Quireboys in November last year which was a plugged in gig. It was a high energy show as always but their latest UK tour is an acoustic affair minus Dave Mc’ Cluskey on drums and Nick Mailing on bass guitar but the Live Rooms gig last …

The old saying of good things come to those who wait can certainly be applied to Mansfield based Sparta and their fans as it has taken almost 35 years for their debut album Welcome To Hell to see the light of day. Formed in 1979 by guitarist Tony Foster, they …

When the Scorpions announced their retirement way back in 2010, the band let alone their fans would never have dreamed they would still be here in 2015 celebrating their fiftieth anniversary! Better still was the news of a new Scorpions album, Return To Forever to be released. It all started …

From their 2006 beginnings as Reign Of Terror to a name change to Reign Of Fury leading to a two year split before reforming as a punk band called Ransom (featuring three current members of Reign Of Fury), their songs became more metal orientated so they reverted back to Reign …

Love them or hate them, Venom turned a lot of heads and eardrums around with their debut 1981 release of  Welcome To Hell and it’s follow up Black Metal in 1982. Although they were tagged in the NWOBHM genre they heavily influenced many thrash and black metal bands. Original guitarist …

When the NWOBHM came to be in the late 1970’s it brought forth bands of various rock/metal styles, some of which made the big league and some of which did not and split but reformed to give it another try. Birmingham based Quartz are a prime example of one of …

Hyena, the fourth studio album by Cripper is so overwhelming I gave up taking notes about halfway through listening to it as it is almost impossible to describe these eleven tracks of an almost perfect mix of thrash and death metal. The focal point of the band for me is …

Panzer came to be when Stefan Schwarzmann, drummer from Accept approached Destruction vocalist Schmier to form a trio along with fellow Accept member Herman Frank on guitar. Since the album has been released via Nuclear Blast Records, Herman and Stefan have left Accept to concentrate on Panzer. Normally in the …

Welcome back Avenger ! Yet another North East based NWOBHM band showing they still have what it takes with the release of their new studio album The Slaughter Never Stops, available now via Rocksector Records. Avenger  formed in 1982 in Newcastle Upon Tyne  but unfortunately only got to record two …

Unfortunately the majority of the Unity Works crowd did not turn up until later on in the evening but to those that saw Defy All Reason’s set  they were in for an early Xmas treat as the band made the most of their stage time after their long trip from …

To say 2014 has been a big year for Vardis and their patient fans is an understatement. Following their reformation in 2013 after an almost 30 year hiatus, they played their 5th gig of 2014 at the Unity Works in Wakefield. This was a homecoming gig at a venue they …

My chat with Vardis prior to their headlining set.   Photo courtesy of Simon Dunkerley.