Album Reviews

Apart from the higher end of the scale – stadium and arena-filling acts – nobody is making money playing music these days. Even for acts that can draw a crowd to Academy-sized venues, nothing is guaranteed, and the thought that success could disappear just as quickly as it appeared must …

Did you do that seemingly harmless “My 9 albums” challenge/trend on social media? Of course not, as it involves using a viral tool created by some random online (it’s called viral for a reason). But if this reviewer did indeed upload images of his 9 favourite albums, then Ronnie James …

The departure of vocalist Alessia Scolletti in 2023 could have slowed the momentum that Italian symphonic power metal band Temperance had gradually built over the years since the band’s inception in 2013. Still, it paved the way for American vocalist Kristin Starkey (Jeez, referring to her simply as a “vocalist” …

With the release of the acclaimed Stuart Adamson biography, Stay Alive, by Scott Rowley, as well as the CD release of Adamson’s first recordings with archetypal Scottish punk band Skids, 2026 has been a decent year already for anyone with an interest in the much-missed Adamson, and the two legendary …

Seven seconds, that is all it takes for the toes to start tapping involuntarily. Seven seconds. Even now, after the track in question, “My Little Heartbreaker”, has long faded out, the toes are still tapping regardless, as the hooky melodies rattle around in the psyche. A reaction that signifies the …

Despite the millions of album sales, millions of followers, awards, and sold-out arenas, Europe would be the first to admit that, arguably, they have never received the respect that their output has deserved. The gazillion-selling, keyboard-parping “The Final Countdown” plays a part in that, as it was impossible to escape …

Solo albums by members of well-known bands are very rarely like the mother band’s material. Think Bruce Dickinson Vs Iron Maiden. Myles Kennedy Vs Alter Bridge. Freddie Mercury Vs Queen. Anyone expecting the new solo album from Kai Hansen to sound like his mother band, Helloween (or even the other …

LA-based quartet The Bites seriously impressed when they opened the show for The Dead Daisies in 2024. Not quite Jerry Lee Lewis in 1958 (allegedly) pouring lighter fluid over his piano and setting it on fire, before (allegedly) saying to the headliner, Chuck Berry, “Follow that!”, but the livewire act …

Another week, another batch of singles fresh out of the oven. A mixture of established names and some artists starting on their journey, all worthy of your attention, regardless of placement in the pecking order. Here are just a few of the current singles catching our attention. Click on the …

Brad Marr. Aussie now residing in Germany. One of the good guys. Formerly the frontman of the bloody Aussie nutters Massive. One of the best livewire acts around at the time, and also one of the unluckiest. They would book a tour, then a day later, some of the biggest …