It took me a long time to get into Exodus, probably not listening to them properly until the turn of the century, and for a long time thought of them just as the band which Kirk Hammett left to join Metallica. […]

Before I start talking about the music, I must make comment on the logo they used on the last single, which was the word Underscore with three lines beneath it because they are a trio. What a simple and really […]

Sweden Private Press 55mins

Artwork By  Saida Krause Soderstrom

My Rating 90/100

I was delighted to receive a message from my friend Björn Sandström, asking me to check out his recently completed ‘s […]

Part of me is incredibly pleased that Coridian are based in Auckland, as it means I get to see them play, but another part of me really wishes they were in somewhere like London as if they could get in front of […]

My mother was a trained singer, while she and my dad met when they were both members of a choir founded and conducted by my grandfather. I was raised in the church, and perhaps unsurprisingly I was also a soloist, […]

The Albion Christmas Band features the combined talents of Simon Nicol (founder member of Fairport Convention) on acoustic guitar and vocals, Kellie While (Albion Band), acoustic guitar, vocals, Simon Care (Edward […]

I still find it wonderful that one of the unexpected side benefits of the release of my books is being brought back into contact with Maryen Cairns, who I first reviewed some 30 years ago! Over the last few years, […]

E rere ai is a song which originally came from a poem written by Riqi and his partner Floss (who appears in the video) which touches on love, hopes, and dreams. They are a Māori/Pakeha blended couple deeply in […]

Here we have the debut album by Wellington band Tahini Bikini, who at the time were Mads Taylor, (lead vocals, lyrics) Alex Coffey (keyboards, rhythm guitar, production), Lukas Jury (lead guitar), Cae Heke (bass), […]

Following on from the release of her first two singles earlier this year, alt-folk artist Greta O’Leary has now released her debut EP which contains five songs, including both singles. In the past I have likened G […]

I guess it will be a long time before I think of Anderson of anything different to how I first saw her, playing a grand piano wearing a wonderful ballroom dress as she opened for {Sol3 Mio}. We have kept in touch […]

I know I was not the only one within the metal scene to be excited when I heard there was a new release coming from Seas of Conflict. Although there have been significant line-up changes since I last saw them […]

This four-piece alt folk group was originally a solo venture by James Hunter, but he brought in others to work with him, and The Gatherers are now Taylar Mallo (bass), Jacob Gates (lead guitar) and Emerson […]

This multi-media project commenced in March 2020, and more than 2 ½ years later the release had come together with five songs (one of which is a remix of the opening title cut by electronic producer Paddy Free, […]

If it hadn’t been for an unfortunate clash with an event I had to attend, I would have been at Whammy a few weeks back to hear Goodnight My Darling, (Maxine Macaulay), and now I have listened to her debut album I […]

Last week I was fortunate enough to see husband and wife duo Lauren and Matt Barus, otherwise known as Terrible Sons, perform at Wine Cellar, and it was truly a magical evening. Both are wonderful singers, with […]

There are times when one hears a voice and it feels as if you are being held warm and safe, and that is definitely the case here with Whero who recently released her debut single. If she has not recorded under […]

Before I started writing this I went back to my review for the guys’ last album, Lifetime, and part of me thought about copying it pretty much word for word and see if anyone noticed, as I spoke at length as to h […]

This five-track EP is the latest release from Melbourne-based, Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland, New Zealand) multi-instrumentalist and songwriter/producer, Reuben Hudson. Featuring David Harris on drums (Princess […]

Here we have the latest release from Bad Jelly Collective, which comprises Ben Clark (vocals, guitar, production) and Dave Weir (bass). It is lengthy for a single, being 5:36, but that is due to the large amount […]