Album Reviews

Stratovarius have a new album. Or is it an old one? Well it’s something in between. There are some new songs (three of them), there are some orchestral versions of existing songs (four of them) and there are a load of rare tracks such as songs that were previously only …

A Capella metal band Van Canto made their name with their covers of classic songs from bands like Nightwish, Sabaton, Metallica, Manowar and more. On this album however there are only two cover versions – Helloween’s “Ride the sky” and ACDC’s “Hells bells”. On the one hand it’s admirable that …

It’s been two years since Canadian band Monster Truck released “Sittin’ Pretty”. It was the album that brought them to a lot of peoples attention although it was actually their second album. Following it’s release on Mascot label group, they toured supporting acts such as Nickelback and Deep Purple, did …

Last year Alter Bridge played two nights at the Royal Albert Hall in London. They weren’t just standard shows though – these featured the band performing with the Parallax orchestra – a 52 piece orchestra. Needless to say, the shows sold out almost instantly, and those fans lucky enough to …

Manchester band Federal Charm release their third album on 14th September. Fecorded at Willow Terrace studios in Manchester, it was co produced by the band and John Simms who has produced albums for Blossoms. It’s the first album to feature the new vocalist, Tom Guyer. It’s immediately obvious when you …

British band Sulpher was formed in 2000 by Rob Holliday and Steve Monti who had previously played together in the band Curve in the 1990s. In 2002 they released their debut album, “Spray” and followed that up by touring in support of bands such as Sisters of Mercy, The 69 …

As Monty Python would say…And now for something completely different. I’m talking about the new mini-album from alternative rock band Thirsty. Thirsty was founded by Guy Bailey (former guitarist and founding member of the Quireboys) and Russian poet Irina D. That’s already starting to sound a bit unusual, but for …

Lynyrd Skynyrd have released a number of live albums over the years, but it’s been eight years since their last one. You might assume that this new album will focus on the newer material from the “God & guns” and “Last of a dyin’ breed” albums but you’d be wrong. …

It’s been six long years since Doro released her last studio album – Raise your fist. Since then she’s celebrated 30 years in metal with two massive shows with guests and an orchestra and released a live album/DVD from those shows. Now as she reaches 35 years in metal she’s …

              Crawl unleash a pure beast with their debut album ‘Rituals’ These Swedes sure know how to deliver a knockout blow with their debut full length offering ‘Rituals’, an album that takes the Death Metal genre to new heights with its intense brutality. Every …

                German Metalheads Horseman, saddle up and explode out of the stalls with their latest album ‘Of Hope, Freedom And Future’ With a history going back some ten years now, Horseman release their third full length album in the form of ‘Of Hope, …

I was lucky to catch these lunatics at Bloodstock Open Air Festival in 2017 as Torqued tested the resilience of the New Blood Stage with their seismic onslaught. So fast forward a year and they have just unleashed an over the top six track EP titled Resurgence, available on digital …

Never mind nature calling, when Vicious Nature call you had better be ready for some over the top heavy metal, point proven by their current six track EP VII available on physical CD from the band or an unlimited streaming and high quality download options from Confidential Records. The fearsome …

I first came across Millie Manders and the Shutup earlier this year at Bearded Theory festival – they were an act I knew nothing about but when they came on and started their set I was seriously impressed. Now just a few months on, they’re releasing their new EP – …

The Magpie salute was formed by Black Crowes gutiarist Rich Robinson and includes fellow former Black Crowes members Sven Pipien and Marc Ford. With a ten piece lineup, they have toured performing Black Crowes songs, Rich Robinson solo material and cover versions, and released their debut album last year – …

Mike Vernon may be a new name for many but he’s been in the music industry for many years, having founded Blues record label Blue Horizon which released singles and albums by acts including Rory Gallagher, Paul Kossoff, Christine McVie and Peter Green. As well as running the record label …

German hard rock band Mad Max release their new album “35” on the 10th August 2018. Why “35” as the title? Well it’s 35 years since the band formed, so it seems like a suitable title. It’s been five years since their last album (Interceptor) was released, but Mad Max …

Up for review today is the rather interesting concept album called The Art Of Manipulation from our fellow freaks on Ward XVI. They have come together to tell the tale of a female psychopath who has been locked away in a high security asylum whom, through exploring her past, develops …

“The cycle of need” is the second album from Leicester band Resin. Musically they’re hard rock with a healthy dose of Grunge, with the vocals in particular having that 90’s Seattle band sound. It’s a great sound that takes the best of both styles. One surprise is the addition of …

Burton Upon Trent based Theia have shown great promise with the studio album releases of Back In Line and Take The Pill but it has been fulfilled by the latest opus The Ghost Light. Out now on WDFD Records with eye catching artwork from Andy Pilkington at Very Metal Art …