Album Reviews

Tobias Sammet returns with Avantasia for his musical collective’s 10th studio album, ‘Here Be Dragons’, Sammet’s first album for his new label, Napalm Records. And although it begins in the same manner as previous albums ‘Ghostlights’ (2016), ‘Moonglow’ (2019), and ‘A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society’ (2022) – each …

15 seconds into ‘I Had A Name’ is all it takes to realise how crucial bassist/multi-instrumentalist/producer Eric Bass is to American multi-platinum rockers Shinedown. Once the gorgeous lilting melodies of the atmospheric opening track ‘A World Unseen’ fade away and Bass’s keyboard touches spring to life; his influence within Shinedown …

After the Scottish band Yashin announced their two final shows back in 2016, the UK alternative music scene lost an incredibly unique and special group – in particular, one that was so frustratingly underrated to the point that, if you were a fan of them, then they were automatically your …

Switzerland’s Paleface Swiss are back with their third full-length album, ‘Cursed’. ‘Cursed’ marks a change for the four-piece. It’s their first album to be released under the new name (they added ‘Swiss’ in 2023), but also the first to feature Cassiano Toma on drums. Coming in at just under half …

With the members of Scottish quintet The Breathing Method being – and said with respect – that bit older than the average fledgling band, they have the advantage of life experience. This shows throughout the debut album ‘After Everything Else’. ‘Demons’ is a strong example of this. Perhaps in the …

Mark Tremonti is a lifer. For him, this is not a fad or a trend. Metal is for life. It’s easy to imagine the likeable guitarist singer/songwriter standing in line outside his local wax emporium on Record Store Day to pick up a rare vinyl from acts like Celtic Frost, …

It’s that time of the year when thoughts turn to end of the year polls, and summations of what has gone on in the previous 12 months. Some fantastic albums saw the light of day in 2024, and team member Dave put the gravy boat down long enough to come …

Rock Star: Supernova was a 2006 reality TV hosted by Dave Navarro where contestants competed to become the lead vocalist for a newly formed supergroup featuring Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted, and former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke. Contestants performed a mixture of cover …

A lot of thought goes into the opening track of an album. Like the closing track, it is crucial to the album’s running order and overall vibe. ‘Tarot Woman’ opens Rainbow ‘Rising’, one of the all-time-great opening tracks, and by the way, the greatest Hard Rock album, ever. Same with …

Since forming in 2005, Sweden’s Tribulation have released five studio albums, with a sixth due November 1st via Century Media Records. Known for their blend of gothic rock and death metal the four-piece have earned a dedicated following over the past 20 years. The first full-length album since 2021’s Where …