Album Reviews

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 …

After a renowned career spanning over three decades, The Cult have released their tenth studio album, Hidden City, which hit the shelves yesterday (Friday 4th February 2016). Hidden City is the final chapter in The Cult’s rebirth trilogy, which includes Born into This and Choice of Weapon. As I embarked …

Germany’s Obscura has released Akroasis (which means “hearing” or “listening” in Greek), a modern, technical death metal disc with plenty of progressive overtones. Firmly rooted in darkness, overall, the sound has a distinctly European flair, invoking early Behemoth to mid-period Vader or later Centurian with blasts of speed, precision, and …

If ever you needed proof that the future of thrash metal is safe in the hands of the younger generation of bands seeking to re-invigorate the genre, then this third album from madcap Finns Lost Society is it. The young quartet first emerged into the collective metal conscience with their …

Avantasia are back with their new album.  As always it’s done on a grand scale with a whole host of guest singers and musicians, with guests this time including Sharon Den Adel (Within Temptation), Marco Hietala (Nightwish), Dee Snider (Twisted Sister) and Geoff Tate (Queensryche).  Check out the full list …

Trans-Siberian Orchestra formed 22 years ago and have been massively successful selling over 10 million albums, and playing around 1600 concerts (selling 12 million tickets in the process).  What makes them so sucecssful?  Well their albums are a superb blend of classical and rock music and that appeals to a …

Taking us back to the roots of true Blues, ‘Devil On The Loose’ is the debut album from Black River Delta set for release on 4th March 2016. Hailing from Sweden, this strong trio spent their summer locked away in a small wooden cabin near their hometown, using borrowed equipment …

Unhinged a punk rock band from Stourbrige in the West Midlands released their debut album Nostalgia on 11th December 2015, having formed in the summer of the same year. On their facebook page they site their influences  as “Oasis, H2O, The Offspring, Linkin Park, Pennywise, Agnostic Front and Clutch.” Nostaligia with …

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. …

London boys Karybdis step up the game and then some with the first release since their debut From The Depths. Their latest album Samsara is due to be released on the 19th February. Samsara features a dirty groove fused with melodic death that just…works. Every musical component in this release is perfectly entwined within …

Magnum to me are the quintessential British rock band, never a band to court controversy nor chase fame by wild antic’s on or off stage, they remain the gentlemen of rock. In fact they were one of the very first bands I ever saw ( at Wigan’s Pier Nightclub back …

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, …

Let’s not pretend – Super Collider and Thirteen were…questionable at best. This left me wary as I sat at my desk ready to hear the latest offering from Megadeth. Half the band had left in the last year, leaving Ellefson and Mustaine with what looked like nothing to continue the …

London based singer songwriter Millie Manders released her third EP Obsession Transgression via JTV Digital on 20th November 2015. Millie has a wide and varied musical background ranging from classical to jazz, punk to soul and, as well as singing, she also learnt to play the clarinet, saxophone and ukulele. …

Formed in Tamworth, Staffordshire in 2013. Heavy Metal band Hidden released their debut EP True Mercian Metal last year. Containing a short intro track  False Ones Must Die and three tracks packed with the classic NWOBHM sound of bands like Saxon and Judas Priest. Lots of screaming guitars and vocals …

19th February 2016 sees the latest studio album release from Canadian Rockers Monster Truck, entitled Sittin’ Heavy. After months on the road, the guys are ready to show us the new sounds they have to offer since the incredible Juno Award nominated Furiosity, released in 2013. Canada has provided some terrific Rock …

Simo will be a new name to most of you, but as an indication of how good they are, it was Joe Bonamassa who brought them to the attention of the record label – any band good enough to impress him is definitely worth a listen. So, what can you …

A few months ago, Witchcraft began releasing some very vague posts on their Facebook page. Fans were expectant. “Were the Swedish doom rockers hinting at a return?” Then came the announcement that in 2016, a revitalized Witchcraft would release their new album ‘Nucleus‘ on Nuclear Blast records. There was much …

Following his nigh on disastrous live return to the UK last October, with the complete shambles that was “Giuffria” at Rockingham this past October, former Dio guitarist Craig Goldy once more re-enters the rock ‘n’ roll arena with Resurrection Kings – a project that sees him teaming up with one …

Darrell Bath released his latest album Roll Up via Livewire/Cargo Records last month. Darrell is an accomplished guitarist, singer and songwriter having played with many well known Punk/Rock bands including stints in UK Subs, and The Dogs D’Amour contributing to their 1993 release “More Unchartered Heights of Disgrace“. He appeared on …