Tag Archives: Review

I am lucky enough to be able to review my first ever Delain album and what can I say.  This is most certainly an album which really packs a ‘Suckerpunch’. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Delain (you are about to be introduced to a slice of heaven) they …

We’ve always been told to eat, drink and do everything in moderation and to never, ever overindulge. It’s been ingrained in us that any addiction is unhealthy and dangerous. However, what we’ve been told is wrong; there are many addictions that are not only acceptable, but healthy using supplements like …

After a six-hour journey from the North on Friday, it’s safe to say I was more than ready to let my hair down, listen to some good music, and enjoy a hyped weekend at this year’s Ramblin’ Man Fair in Maidstone. Upon my arrival, a huge proportion of the weekend’s …

After a bit of a break from the whole writing thing, I am so happy to have something that is out of this world to review. To my great pleasure, a bunch of lads that dominated Dublin a few months ago are my next review. Incite are back and you’re …

I have been following my local scene in Northern Ireland for quite a few years now and I have seen some bands come and some bands go.  While my heart may have wept for the acts that decided to call it a day I have rejoiced with the ones who …

The Amorettes released their debut album ‘Game On’ nearly 18 months ago, and since then they just haven’t stopped touring, except to record this new album’ White Hot Heat’, which was crowd funded. Such is their popularity that at the end of the Pledge campaign, it was 300% funded. So …

  Hell’s Addiction a Hard Rock band from the Dirty Old Town of Leicester release their second album Broken today (2nd July 2016) via TBFM Records. This hard rocking five piece formed in 2010 and released their debut album Raise Your Glass to rave reviews in 2012. I haven’t actually heard that …

That difficult second album,eh? It can be a bit of a bother but, apparently, that’s not the case as far as West Midlands blues artist Rebecca Downes is concerned. With her debut Back to the Start from 2014 still basking in the glow of positivity, along comes her second offering …

Great Western Valkyrie was one of my albums of the year when it came out in 2014 and was arguably the album that propelled Rival Sons to a new level. This coupled with their live performances garnered them a slot travelling across the world with Black Sabbath.  So it’s been with …

Zakk Wylde released Book of Shadows II via Spinefarm Records on April 8th.  It’s his first solo release in twenty years, and is the follow up to his classic Book of Shadows album.  The album was recorded and produced at Wylde’s home studio, The Black Vatican. Wylde has previously released …

Although they have been kicking up dust on the UK scene for a little more than a decade now, building themselves a sturdy reputation in the process, Lincoln’s Knock Out Kaine didn’t really cross my radar until the early part of last year, with the release of their second album, …

It’s a Monday night in Belfast and the legions are gathering, their faces painted black and white and their armour made of leather and/or PVC.  Which can mean only one thing:  Cradle Of Filth have returned to the city after a 15-year gap, on the final night of their latest …

Saturday morning at Camp Hard Rock Hell dawned crisp and bright, with the day going on to prove to be warmest of the weekend.  And so, as the sun made its first appearance, and after a morning of hanging around the press area waiting on bands not turning up for …

After an early night due to travelling and working the day before, I woke up on the Friday of Hammerfest feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. Determined to catch everyone, the first band of the day were Stone Broken. The room was still only half full, perhaps …

Thanks to a mizzle which had blown in from the Irish Sea overnight, the first full day at Camp Hard Rock Hell dawns damp underfoot, as the faithful thousands wake from their late slumbers and prepare for the entertainment coming their way across the three stages. Having travelled from about …

Despite its remote location – in the crook of north Wales’ Llŷn Peninsula, between Snowdonia and the Irish Sea – Hard Rock Hell is undoubtedly one of the UK’s favourite festivals, often booking out a year in advance… and even before a single band is announced!  That was evinced yet …

On an unusually mild, bright early Spring evening in our wee neck of the woods off I set to what, according to the poster promises to be a great night of good old fashioned rock n roll.. As the lights go down, the opening band Massive Wagons take to the …

It had been quite some time since yours truly last descended the steps into the hallowed Mandela Hall…  almost exactly 18 months in fact.  And, as I stood outside the chilly Sunday night air awaiting my photographer, I could not help but note the eclectic nature of the hundreds of …

It always amazes me how certain social media channels are always filled with whinging, so called “rock fans” who complain that there are never any gigs on… I don’t know what sort of cloud cuckoo land they live in, because this, the official launch of Zlatanera‘s debut album, ‘Legerdemain‘, was …

It may have been just a relatively short six years since thrash legends Exodus last graced this very stage, but it has been a lot longer since the Steve ‘Zetro’ Souza fronted  incarnation was last in these parts… almost 27 years and 1989’s ‘Fabulous Disaster’ tour.  In fact, not one single member …