It is certain that when Violent Solution broke up in 1990, and thoughts turned to forming a new band, none of the guys expected to still be in it 30 years later. True, both Jan Rechberger and Olli-Pekka Laine had some time off for good behaviour, but they are both...

While I may be most well-known for writing about progressive rock and metal, folk music has always held a place very close to my heart as there is never any room to hide and it is just so special, connected to our roots. Five years ago, I flew to the other side of the...

I can’t remember the last time I was sent a CD in a slip sleeve – really nice, and something which doesn’t happen often these days. As one can tell from the title, this is a tribute album to composer and conductor Bernard Herrmann, who as well as collaborating with...

Some 40+ years ago an album grabbed me and millions of others, and it seemed like every metal and rock fiend I knew had a copy of ‘At Budokan’. Of course, it has been reissued multiple times over the years, and while I enjoy the extended complete concert version, it...

This is one of two Dan Rose albums issued on the same day last year. On this one we find electric guitarist Rose laying through a series of standards, which just a reverb on his guitar for company. It is unusual to her an album of solo electric guitar where the...

The other Dan Rose album released on the same day last year was ‘New Leaves’ which finds him duetting with pianist Claudine François (the cedilla is not included in the title for some strange reason – I even checked the label site). The two musicians first met in...

At times it is hard to remember that FM have been around for nearly 40 years. Formed in 1984 by the ex-Samson pair of bassist Merv Goldsworthy and drummer Pete Jupp along with the Overland brothers – vocalist/guitarist Steve and lead guitarist Chris Overland (both...

CD Private Press 53.49 Keyboard orientated Cinematic Progressive styled rock fusion. https://www.soniqtheater.de/ https://www.facebook.com/alfred.mueller.5 Rating 80/100 Imagine having a compilation album featuring music from every one of your favourite keyboard...

Time 53 mins Release Date: March 25, 2022 Label: Bravemusic Distrib Facebook.com/dayofdeparturedc Rating 90/100 ‘Day of Departure’ is, as such, a new band from ‘Washington DC but with origins in ‘Dale City Virginia. However, the statement ‘New Band’ is in itself...

To say I am looking forward to Lee’s album to be released is something of a massive understatement, as I have been listening to it for months now, and I am convinced it is going to have a major impact. This is the last single before ‘Gypsy’ is out, and I can’t wait...

One can discover pretty much everything they need about the new single from Wellington duo {In The Shallows} by looking at the cover, as Let It Go is packed full of sunshine, festivals and fun. Although related to their normal folk style, this sees Danni Parsons and...

There are very few advantages to being embarrassingly behind on my reviews, and the only one which comes to mind is that when I come to listening to something I have often forgotten where it came from, especially if it is a band I have not previously come across. That...

Normally, when a band like Lamb of God release a new album, they hit the road and play it anywhere and everywhere. But their self-titled release came out in 2020, and there was a pandemic which prevented them from doing this, so what to do? It was the first time that...

For anyone interested in folk music then surely Peter Knight needs no introduction, as apart from Maddy Prior he has spent more years involved in Steeleye Span than anyone else. This is essentially a “best of” collection, as Talking Elephant’s head honcho felt that...

Online release on Rockfold Records. 55 mins CD release on BGO Records. Genre Blues, Blues Rock. Mick Clarke - British Blues Rock Guitar https://www.mickclarke.com/ ttps://www.facebook.com/mickclarkeband Rating 80/100 As a young teenager of around sixteen, I was given...

Since releasing their debut EP back in 2018, Auckland pop/punk outfit {Melanie} have been making quite a name for themselves in the old-fashioned way of doing things, namely playing anywhere and everywhere, and having total belief in themselves and their music. When I...

I have often said, that to me the purest form of music is when a musician is performing acoustically, with no effects whatsoever, just stood on the stage with no room to hide. There is nothing then between the artist and the listener, just their voice and the...