Being able to keep a steady line-up over the last few years has proven difficult for German metal legends Accept. With guitarist Wolf Hoffmann being the only remaining member from the glory days of the seventies and eighties, this current incarnation is the first time since 2014’s Blind Rage the band has maintained stability for two or more successive albums. And even then, they have been temporarily deprived of the services of touring guitarist Philip Shouse.Continue reading
Tag Archives: Andy Sneap
ALBUM REVIEW: Judas Priest – Invincible Shield
While the philosophy of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” might work for some bands, UK metal gods Judas Priest are clearly not counted among them. Rarely repeating themselves from record to record, Priest have always preferred creativity over repetition, unafraid to take risks even when some level of criticism inevitably follows.
ALBUM REVIEW: Saxon – Hell, Fire and Damnation
As the old saying goes, change is the only constant, and when you’ve been around as long as NWOBHM legends Saxon, then some form of adjustment – enforced or voluntary – is usually never too far away. For the last eighteen years, the Yorkshire veterans have enjoyed their lengthiest spell ever of an unchanged line-up. This impressive run came to an end earlier this year when guitarist and co-founder Paul Quinn declared a hiatus.
Arriving from suitably prestigious stock, Quinn’s replacement (for this record) is none other than fellow NWOBHMer Brian Tatler, axeman for Midlands metal pioneers Diamond Head. Settling in with unerring ease, Tatler strikes up an instant rapport with co-guitarist Doug Scarratt, the pair going hell bent for leather on their first record together.
BOX SET REVIEW: Sabbat – Mad Gods And Englishmen – Noise Records
Considering the roots of speed and thrash metal can be traced back to the UK with bands like Venom and Motörhead, it was the American and European acts that enjoyed the most success during the mid-late eighties. The Big Four were selling records by the bucketload, Germany had its very own “Teutonic Trio” (which would itself eventually expand to a foursome), and even Canada and South America were producing top-quality acts.
ALBUM REVIEW: Saxon – Carpe Diem
With the heart attack suffered by frontman Biff Byford back in September 2019 and the global pandemic which followed shortly after, NWOBHM legends Saxon have had a rough old ride the last couple of years. Therefore, Carpe Diem (Silver Lining Music) – translated from Latin into English as “sieze the day” – stands not only as an album title but as a clear and heartfelt message to all.
Judas Priest Reverses Their Decision on Andy Sneap, He Will Stay with The Band
In a strange turn of events, Judas Priest has announced that Andy Sneap, who has spent several years touring with the band live, will in fact stay with the band and continue to perform live on tour. Glenn Tipton will continue to occasionally appear with the band as well, when possible. This is a reversal after the iconic two-guitar sound band decided to continue as a four piece, with Rob Halford calling Sneap to dismiss him on New Year’s day. Sneap responded by admitted to being disappointed, and the fanbase and media definitely reacted as well. Priest’s rescheduled 50 Years of Heavy Metal tour kicks off soon.
ALBUM REVIEW: Blaze Bayley – War Within Me
With a solo career that is now going over two decades strong, Blaze Bayley shows no signs of slowing down with his tenth full-length album. While War Within Me (Blaze Bayley Records) is an inevitable step back from the Infinite Entanglement trilogy that he released through the late 2010s, this has more to do with the sense of scale than any sort of quality concerns. If anything, the album is essentially a fun look back on everything that Blaze has accomplished thus far.
ALBUM REVIEW: Accept – Too Mean To Die
With only guitarist Wolf Hoffmann remaining from the original classic Accept line-up you could be forgiven for assuming this might eventually result in a decline in quality. And you may end up being proven right. Just not yet.
Judas Priest Announce 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour 2020
Judas Priest is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year with a world tour coming to the US in the fall. The 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour will also feature Sabaton as openers and is being fueled by the highest-charting album of Priest’s career ‘Firepower’ which peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200. Judas Priest originally formed in 1970 in Birmingham, England (an area that many feel birthed heavy metal). The original nucleus of musicians – Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, KK Downing and Ian Hill (along with several different drummers over the years) would go on to change the face of heavy metal. The band has made some of the greatest albums in music history. Judas Priest’s lineup also includes Scott Travis on drums, and Richie Faulkner on lead guitar. Andy Sneap has been touring with the band on rhythm and lead guitar since 2018. In 2017 (and again in 2019) Their latest studio album Firepower (produced by Sneap and Tom Allom) which received global success and critical acclaim and released via Epic Records in 2018. The band was nominated for the 2020 Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. Continue reading
Testament Shares New Single “Night of The Witch”, Reveal New Album Details
Testament will release their highly anticipated new album Titans of Creation, which will see its release April 3rd via their long-time label Nuclear Blast. The band recorded with their frequent collaborator’s producer Juan Urteaga and mixed by Andy Sneap, with artwork by the legend Eliran Kantor (Sepultura, Septicflesh). The band is streaming the sick new single ‘Night of The Witch’ right now! Continue reading