Kev Rowland

Vain: Disintegrate Together (2024)

by Kev Rowland | Sep 1, 2024 | Reviews

Vain are probably one of those Eighties glam metal bands which many have heard of, but few have actually heard. Originally working as a producer, singer Davy Vain produced the monster debut by Death Angel, ‘The Ultra-Violence’ (still a great album to this day) before...

U.K. Subs: The Last Will And Testament of UK Subs [Live] (2024)

by Kev Rowland | Sep 1, 2024 | Reviews

Apparently, the band announced that their 2022 studio album ‘Reverse Engineering’ would be their last and the 2023 tour in support of the album would be their final tour. They ended the tour with five consecutive sold out shows at London’s 100 Club, from which this...

Exodus: British Disaster. The Battle of ’89 (Live At The Astoria) (2024)

by Kev Rowland | Sep 1, 2024 | Reviews

The full title of this album is ‘British Disaster! The Battle of ’89 Live At The Astoria’, from which one might guess this is a live recording from 35 years ago when the band were promoting their third album, ‘Fabulous Disaster’. They may have lost Kirk Hammett to...

Sonata Arctica: Clear Cold Beyond (2024)

by Kev Rowland | Sep 1, 2024 | Reviews

Over the years there is no doubt that Sonata Arctica have released some really powerful melodic metal albums, but it is also true they have released some which have not really been up to standard, and their last album, 2019’s ‘Talviyö’ is one of those. Given they have...

Shawn Maxwell: J Town Suite (2023)

by Kev Rowland | Sep 1, 2024 | Reviews

On his twelfth album as band leader, Shawn Maxwell (alto & soprano saxophones, flute) takes us back to his hometown, Joliet, Illinois. It is not a very bright and lively release, but perhaps that is because Joliet is not the brightest and most inspiring of places,...