Album Reviews

Released via Motorhead Music on September 1st 2017, Under Cover, as the title suggests is a studio album of cover songs from  Motorhead. A few of these tracks are previously available on earlier albums but with this release they are all together and features a previously unheard song. All eleven …

Epica fans who loved the last album (The holographic principle) are in for a treat as Epica release “The solace system”. It’s a six track EP made up of songs that were recorded as part of the Holographic Principle sessions but which didn’t make it onto the album. Does this …

When the news broke last year that Black Country Communion were back together and working on a new album, the fans were definitely happy. It’s not surprising really – Black Country Communion are a band packed with talent – Joe Bonamassa, Glenn Hughes, Jason Bonham and Derek Sherinian. As a …

It feels like far more than three years since H.E.A.T last released an album but that’s just a sign of how good they are that their absence has been so noticeable. The fact that the band haven’t played a live show for 2 years has also made the wait feel …

Gizmodrome will be a new name to you but some of the members are extremely well known. To start with you have the drummer from The Police – Stewart Copeland , who also does most of the lead vocals for Gizmodrome. On bass you have Level 42’s mark King. Rounding …

UK Subs bassist Alvin Gibbs spent the best part of a year as part of Iggy Pop’s band on the Instinct tour following the release of the album of that name. This book is about that time, from when he first got the call to meet Iggy Pop through to …

When Jonny Lang’s first album for four years, Signs, dropped through the door the immediate thought was: “Blessed!” This proved a more than accurate reaction. Signs is an album of contrast, light and texture with a pulsating, nerve shredding opening five numbers finally cooling and growing mellower and more heartfelt …

Belgian rockers Triggerfinger have been making waves across Europe recently in support of Muse; a trait they hope to hammer home with the release of Colossus, the Lier originated band’s sixth – and arguably most diverse – album. If you’re expecting more of the same from this constantly evolving act …

The Forest Seasons is the new studio concept album from Helsinki based Wintersun.  Scandinavian epic metal on a grand scale. Wintersun are Jari Mäenpää (Vocals, Guitar), Teemu Mäntysaari (Guitar), Jukka Koskinen (Bass), Kai Hahto (Drums). No one could ever accuse Wintersun of being prolific in their output having produced only three studio albums since 2004.  Various reasons contributing …

Apex is the new concept album from Canadian power metal outfit Unleash The Archers which was released on 2nd June through Napalm records.  The album tells the story of the Immortal having been woken up from his mountain home and feeling excited to see the world again after a thousand years.  But who …

Oh my, what a second album Shaman’s Harvest have delivered in Red Hands, Black Deeds. An absolute powerhouse collection comprising of twelve songs that demand cranking up as loud as the ears can stand. Even the “quieter”, more considered numbers such as the opening title track and  A Longer View …

Hour of 13 – Salt the Dead: The Rare and Unreleased. Hour of 13 are one of those bands held in high reverence in underground circles and always create a stir when there is news of the band. Formed in 2006 and with a history that is less than straight …

In November 2015, the music world was shocked to the core when terrorists attacked the Eagles of Death Metal concert at the Bataclan in Paris leaving 89 people dead. Just three months later, the band returned to Paris and played a show at the Olympia venue. At the time, singer …

The Soapgirls are South African sisters bassist/vocalist Camille (aka Millie) and guitarist/vocalist Noemie (aka Mie), plus a drummer. While they may be based in Cape Town, South Africa they spend a large amount of their time in the UK and Europe touring to build up their fanbase. Their live shows …

Some things run in the family, and a great singing voice is clearly something Mollie Marriott got from her father – Small Faces/Humble Pie singer/guitarist, Steve Marriott. I saw Mollie Marriott’s gig at the Borderline in London earlier this year and was very impressed, and happily she’s now releasing a …

It’s exactly thirty years since Def Leppard released their classic album, Hysteria. It’s the album that turned them from asuccessful rock band to mega-stars and is one of very few albums to have ever been certified as Diamond in the US. To be certified Diamon, the album has to sell …

Last year Eluveitie suffered a major rift resulting in the departure of Anna Murphy, Merlin Sutter and Ivo Henzi. After their departure they decided they wanted to continue working together and formed Cellar Darling (which takes it’s name from the solo album released by Anna Murphy a few years ago). …

Argentinian band 42 Decibel have just released their 3rd album, Overloaded. Despite being Argentinian, their musical influences hail from elsewhere in the southern hemisphere – Australia, with ACDC and Rose Tattoo being two being influences on their sound. There are other influences – drummer and founding member Nicko Cambiasso also …

    Mastiff, Hull’s filthiest and heaviest export return with ’Bork’, a 25 minute assault on everything you hold dear   Following on from 2016’s self released eight track album ’Wrank’, Mastiff have now teamed up with APF Records and recorded a 6 track E.P. that really raises the bar. …

Describing themselves as alternative/progressive metal, Vendetta have a lot more strings to their bow than these two genres displayed in their current studio album Pale Glow.  Currently on digital download release from iTunes.apple, Spotify, Google Play and Tidal, its seven tracks threaten as Manowar said to “Blow your speakers”. The …