Live Review : Geoff Tate + Kim Jennett @ Academy 3, Manchester on October 9th 2024

Nostalgia is a potent force. It’s your own personal Time Machine, allowing us to revisit the sounds and the essence of our past exploits. It also has highly redemptive and restorative powers. It allows the whitewashing of career indiscretions and focuses on the highs, while simultaneously burying the lows. Queensryche are case in point, as the 80’s morphed into the 90’s they seemed poised to join Maiden and Metallica in the really big league of metallic heavy weights. “Operation Mindcrime “had position them as the thinking person’s metal band and follow-up “Empire” increased tenfold their commercial clout, thrusting them into arena status. For a short smidgen of time they had the Midas touch and could do no wrong. Then grunge happened.

Live Review : Xander and The Peace Pirates @ Waterloo Music Bar, Blackpool, on October 3rd 2024

It’s a Thursday night in Blackpool, the weekend is almost within touching distance and what better way to bring a busy week to a close than to spend an evening in a great venue with an equally fantastic band providing some delicious rock n soul goodness. And no, that’s no typo, I did mean to type rock and soul; for that’s what Xander and the Peace Pirates deliver; music to provide a balm to the heart and mind and all points in between.

Live Review : Infected Rain + Skarlett Riot @ Rebellion,Manchester on August 30th 2024

Moldova's Infected Rain blew us away with their set at Bloodstock Festival a few weeks ago, and we couldn't pass up the chance to see them play a more intimate venue in Manchester. Their take on modern metal is unique and dynamic, and in Lena Scissorhands they have a charismatic and engaging focal point. We managed to catch up with Lena for a chat prior to the gig (Interview HERE) and then were treated to a superb headline set.

Live Review : White Lightning + Electric Lady + Madhouse @ Sotto, Liverpool on June 28th 2024

Liverpool, despite its importance in the overall history of music, is not exactly renowned for a hard rock scene. In recent months though, there has been a rumble in the underground. Quite literally, as a lot of the little venues that are springing up and hosting some pretty decent rock and metal bands are in basements. Tonight is no exception, but at least it’s not another dingy one. Quite the opposite really, as there are big windows to the street above the stage area which itself is surrounded by mirrors and lit by brightly-coloured LED strips. There is also decent Belgian beer on tap, places for the old and lazy to sit at the back, and some friendly bar staff. Unfortunately, tonight at least, there are also some Issues.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Jo Crosby30 June 2024SottoWhite Lightning, Electric Lady, Madhouse, Sotto, Liverpool, 2024, Gallery, PrintsComment

Live Review : Gorgoroth + Aeternus + Impalement + Aran Angmar @ Rebellion, Manchester on December 5th 2023

We are entering an interesting timeframe where bands that we consider rebellious upstarts and proponents of new blood are now celebrating landmark anniversaries. Gorgoroth are marking 31 years of hellish existence, not bad for a band that exists primarily to stick two-fingers up at the musical mainstream. To ensure that they are not supping bloodwine alone they have brought with them an impressive 3 bands undercard.

Live Review : Avatar + Veil Of Maya + Mastiff @ Academy, Manchester on February 18th 2023

Mastiff bill themselves as being “A Miserable Band From A Miserable Town” which makes sense being from Hull (I’ve seen Hull beat Widnes way too many times in the Rugby, so let me have this one lads, it’s only fair). Rugby League rivalries aside, Mastiff are a fantastic blend of Sludge and Hardcore, a combination that may seem out of place on this night, a celebration of everything grandiose & theatrical given the headliners.