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...
Alice Cooper: Breadcrumbs (2019)
A few months ago Alice Cooper reissued his 2019 EP, ‘Breadcrumbs’, with two additional tracks, “Don't Give Up" (his message of hope during the COVID-19 pandemic) and a live version of "Go Man Go", the studio of which appeared on the original. This is aimed solidly at...
Alison O’Donnell: Hark The Voice That Sings For All (2022)
Born in Dublin, Alison recorded her first single, “Feeling High” for SNP’s Simon Napier Bell and David Hemmings at the age of 15 with the cult folk-rock band, Mellow Candle. They signed to Decca’s Deram label in the early 70’s and gigged their album ‘Swaddling Songs’...
Wormwitch and Sadistic Ritual: Wormwitch and Sadistic Ritual (2024)
I don’t grab all the music which is sent to me for review, but there was something about the cover which made me think of the 90’s underground metal scene so I dove into this one, and I am so very glad I did. What we have here are three tracks each from blackened...
Steve Hunter: The Deacon Speaks (2024)
When it comes to being a guitarist’s guitarist, then Steve ‘The Deacon’ Hunter would probably top many lists, having worked with the likes of Gabriel, Mitch Ryder, Lou Reed, Aerosmith and many others, including a very long running relationship with producer Bob Ezrin....
Pete Ham: Gwent Gardens (2023)
One can only imagine what music the world would have heard from Pete Ham if he had not succumbed to his mental illness and committed suicide when he was just 28. By that time he had already written multiple massive hits, including Badfinger’s "No Matter What", "Day...
Motu: Acceding To The Apocalypse (2024)
Dr Richard Michelson (stage name: MOTU which stands for Music Of The Universe), is back with his 23rd album. On this he provides vocals, slide dobro, electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, harmonica, bass and pedal steel and is joined by Dee Michelson on vocals,...
Maryen Cairns: One Woman Band (2024)
I first came across Maryen more than 30 years ago when Progressive International sent me ‘The Pictures Within’ to review, but that was back in the days of letters and physical CDs, and I had no way of contacting the Australian singer/songwriter who was by then living...
Acts of Swine: Pork Grind Vol. 1 (2023)
When I saw that this EP was a mix of death metal and pork grind, and that the band said they were influenced by bands like Toto, Cardiacs, Fishbone, and Frank Zappa, I knew this was something I had to hear. Formed in 2016 by Brian Worth (vocals, guitar, kazoo, and...
Lazy Fifty: Sitting In The Shadows (2024) single
“Sitting In the Shadows” is the fourth single off Lazy Fifty’s upcoming album ‘Neighbour of the Beast’. This album is the second collaboration between Adrian Athy (vocals, guitars, bass) and renowned producer Greg “not my problem” Haver (Manic Street Preachers, Tom...