Album Reviews

The greatest selection of albums, reviewed and rated

Leaf Hound – ‘Live In Japan’ CD/DVD

"With a bluesy style riff on the lead guitar along with deep bass cords, this is one epic rock blues song you must hear. So why not go over to your stereo, iPod, or whatever you use and pour a little warm stoner blues milk onto your metal rock cornflakes!"

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Crystal Viper – Possession

Polish metallers Crystal Viper are back with their new album – Possession.  Like the previous album (Crimen Excepta), Possession is a concept album but whereas “Crimen Excepta” was about holy inquisition, black magic and witches, the new album is about a young girl called Julia who is possessed. In terms …

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Heaven Asunder – Among the Damned

When I saw Heaven Asunder support Blood Command at the Exchange in Bristol in June, I mentioned to watch out for a full review of them in the future. Well, that time is now. Released earlier this week, Among the Damned is the quintet’s debut album on S-a-N Ltd and their …

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MaYaN – Antagonise

If you’re not familiar with MaYaN , they are the side-project of Epica guitarist Mark Jansen.  For the first album (Quarterpast) he was joined by several colleagues from Epica and other musicians as well as a number of guest vocalists including Floor Jansen (Revamp, Nightwish), Henning Basse (sons of seasons), …

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Voodoo Sioux – Grotesque Familiares

Back in the 90s Voodoo Sioux looked set for success.  They were touring with the likes of Little Angels and Terrorvision, were played on Tommy Vance’s Friday Rock Show on BBC Radio 1, and signed to Bleeding Hearts/Music For Nations.  Clearly something went wrong as the band then went silent …

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Indica – Shine

Finnish band Indica released their first album in 2004.  Like the next three albums it was recorded in Finnish and while enjoying considerable success in Finland, the band had a far lower profile outside Finland.  In 2010 they released their first album sung in English – ‘A way away’.  It …

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Million Dollar Reload ‘As Real As It Gets’

There are not many bands that stick in my head nearly five years after seeing them for the first time, however Northern Ireland’s Million Dollar Reload are one of them. I first saw them at the 2nd Hardrockhell festival in 2008 when they played a 40 minute set on the …

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Dogface – Back on the Streets

Having retired to the Doghouse (so to speak) for over ten years. Swedish rockers Mats Leven (vocals) and Martin Kronlund (guitar) have resurrected Dogface with new members Mikael Carlsson on bass guitar and Perra Johansson on drums. Dogface last released albums Unleashed in 2000 and In Control back in 2002. November …

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Tribune – ‘Tales’

Tribune - Band Photo

This third album from Vancouver quintet Tribune is a nine song (or should that be ‘nine chapter’?) concept album, with each track inspired by an author such as HG Wells, Homer and HP Lovecraft. It’s a concept which is ambitious in its aspirations, but which ultimately fails to deliver on …

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