Hour Of Penance: Devotion (2024)

Hour Of Penance: Devotion (2024)

Originally formed in 1999, the still features guitarist Giulio Moschini who joined in time for their second album, 2004’s ‘Pageantry of Martyrs’, while Paolo Pieri (vocals & guitars) joined in 2010 and bassist Marco Mastrobuono (bass) in 2013, and they have now...
The Hollywood Stars: Starstruck (2024)

The Hollywood Stars: Starstruck (2024)

Originally brought together by music svengali Kim Fowley in 1973, The Hollywood Stars recorded three albums during the 1970’s, although only one was released during that decade. The original line-up broke up in 1974, at which point Fowley offered two songs to producer...
Hanging Garden: Citylight Sessions (2024)

Hanging Garden: Citylight Sessions (2024)

Formed in 2004, Finnish melodic doom/gothic outfit Hanging Garden released their eighth studio album, ‘The Garden’, in 2023 and have now followed that with a mini album containing five rearranged songs from that set. Recorded during an intimate live performance at the...
Gigo: The Divine Proportion (2024)

Gigo: The Divine Proportion (2024)

OK, so I am having a few issues getting my head around this album, and I will explain why. Back in 1980 I attended my first ever metal gig, Saxon supported by Tygers of Pan Tang. When the boys burst onto the stage with “Motorcycle Man” I knew my life would never be...
Funeral Leech: The Illusion Of Time (2024)

Funeral Leech: The Illusion Of Time (2024)

Four years on from their debut, ‘Death Meditation’, funeral doom outfit Funeral Leech are back with their second, with five songs coming in at just over 43 minutes in length. They have managed to keep the same line-up, so it is still Kevin Kalb (bass), Lucas Anderson...
Bruce Dickinson: The Mandrake Project (2024)

Bruce Dickinson: The Mandrake Project (2024)

Back in 1980 I turned 17, and NWOBHM was everywhere: I was in my element. I grabbed Sounds when it came out every week to find out about new bands, and religiously listened to TV on the Radio on Friday nights to hear the latest and greatest. It was through these means...