Album Reviews

The greatest selection of albums, reviewed and rated

Hex – God Has No Name

Spain’s masters of the riff, Hex, return with a rib crushing offering in the form of new album ‘God Has No Name’ released through Transcending Obscurity records The Death/Doom scene has been ever expanding for a number of years now, and no one has been flying the flag higher or …

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Holocaust – Elder Gods.

Holocaust - Elder Gods

Since founding Holocaust in Edinburgh 1977, guitarist/lead vocalist John Mortimer has released some impressive music to say the least and the bar has been raised even higher with current studio album Elder Gods. The trio is completed by Mark McGrath on bass guitar/vocals and Scott Wallace on drums. A shift …

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The Swamp Born Assassins – Dead Man’s Train

Choo choo! Here come the mad Scots  The Swamp Born Assassins with their latest studio album Dead Man’s Train. Ten first class travel tracks kick off full steam ahead with the title track as it literally burns up the track as ear rasping harmonica from frontman Charlie Moffat add nuances …

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CRO-MAGS – Don’t Give In

Hardcore Punk legends Cro-Mags have just signed with Victory Records (and Arising Empire Records in Europe) to release a three track EP ‘Don’t Give In’. Their first release since the ‘Revenge’ album’ in 2000! They head out on tour supporting the Misfits on several shows in the USA before heading …

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Curse of Lono – 4am and counting

I saw Curse of Lono on tour supporting Samantha Fish and while they were very good I wasn’t quite won over, which may have been that they’re very different musically to what I’d expected from a support on that tour, but I always think it’s good to give a band …

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Rantanplan – Rudeboys von der Reeperbahn

Rantanplan released their latest album “Stay rudel stay rebel” at the beginning of the year and are now following it with a 6 track EP. Rantanplan are a German ska-punk band. Formed in Hamburg in 1995 they have ten albums to their name. As a ska-punk band you’ve got that …

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JBO – Wer lässt die Sau raus

German band JBO aren’t very well known outside Germany (or German speaking countries anyway). It’s not just the fact they sing in German – Rammstein have proved that isnt an obstacle for international success, it’s more the fact they’re a comedy band and so not understanding the lyrics takes a …

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H.E.A.T – Live at Sweden Rock Festival

Swedish band H.E.A.T release their second live album on 26th July 2019. It’s their second live release but the previous one was only a live album (Live in London) so this is their first live DVD. As the name of the release tells you, this was recorded and filmed at …

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Sue – It Will Never End

Sue are a Noise Rock/Post-Punk/Punk Rock band from the West Midlands. Known for their wild performances and scratchy punk sound, they have been parading around their local scene with confidence and an obvious passion for what they do. ‘It Will Never End’  could have easily been called ‘It had Never …

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Alpha Omega – Alpha Omega.

At Bloodstock Open Air Festival, Saturday, August 12th 2018 on the Jagermeister Stage, Norwich based trio Alpha Omega played one of the most intense and loud sets I’ve heard in the ten years I’ve been going there. The Orange amps must have been made of sterner stuff than my hearing …

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The Odious – Vesica Piscis

If ever an album would cause confusion in one’s mind, ‘Vesica Piscis’  is that album, the highly anticipated follow up to The Odious’ late-December 2012 debut album ‘Joint Ventures’. You cannot pin this down to a single genre, no chance. First single from the album ‘Repugnant‘  which follows intro ‘Scape‘,  …

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MoLD – Horrors

Swedish band MoLD release their debut album, Horrors, in July. It’s an album that had a difficult start – early in the recording process Johan Liljeberg managed to set his amp on fire which resulted in several weeks of delay. Then halfway through the recording process their basement studio was …

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The Rods – Brotherhood of metal

The Rods were formed in 1980 by David Feinstein who had previously been a member of Elf with his cousin Ronnie James Dio. The band lasted till the late 80s and released several albums before eventually splitting. In 2008 the band reformed with the lineup from their 1982 album – …

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Gwyn Ashton – Sonic Blues Preachers

Born in Wales, Gwyn Ashton moved to Australia as a child in the 1960s, and has been playing guitar since an early age. For five years he fronted Band of Friends, the Rory Gallagher tribute act with Gerry McAvoy. The acts he’s toured with or supported over the years include …

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Hammerfall – Dominion.

As Queen once said, “You know it’s time for the hammer to fall” and it will on August 19th as Swedish power metallers Hammerfall unleash their eleventh studio album Dominion via Napalm Records. They hit hard and heavy from the off as ‘Never Forgive, Never Forget’ bludgeons with big powerchords …

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Words That Burn – Pyres

‘Pyres’ landed on my desk only last week so I’m a little late in reviewing this one as I do like to get reviews out a week prior to release, but not to worry. We’re here now and lovely too. Words That Burn are a four piece unit from Dundalk …

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T.O.W.E.R.S – Towers

Nottingham has always been synonymous with forests but could this be soon replaced with talk of ‘T.o.w.e.r.s’ This energetic young band have managed to simultaneously create an album with the sweet, nostalgic sound of the 80s hard rock (with a female twist) movement whilst also maintaining their own stylistic values; …

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DeWolff – Live & Outta sight II

Dutch psychedelic-blues band DeWolff released their latest studio album in May last year and now they’re following it up with a new live album – Live & Outta sight II. As the name suggests, it’s their second live album, with the original “Live & Outta sight” having been released in …

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Sons Of Liberty – Aged In Oak

If I had to describe Sons of Liberty as a drink they would defiantly be a bottle of Jack Daniels or Jim Beam. From the outset their new EP Aged in Oak oozes out heavy country infused riffs straight from the planes of Texas. The first track “If it ain’t …

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