For those with the good fortune (and talent) to make an indelible mark on the music world, there are those who achieve mainstream fame, and then like a concurrent shadow are those so vital that their creative essence is absorbed into the very fabric of the music world. Continue reading
Tag Archives: classic rock
ALBUM REVIEW: Messa – The Spin
Messa’s fourth album, The Spin (Metal Blade Records), finds the band embracing their inner prog rock guitar gods, and channeling that energy in a few different directions. The first few songs might fake you out as they sound as if the band is heading in a more post-punk direction. The guitars gallop with more tension at a fairly brisk pace. This is certainly a shift from their earlier material that found them as more of a doom band. The vocals are very strong and well-defined from a songwriting perspective, which is the most important element of their sound. The band has always carried a smoky blues-based undercurrent, which is still present, though at times they wander off into more atmospheric shadows, as heard on ” At the Races”. Their guitarist begins to shine on this one, and his heroics do not let up from here. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: David Judson Clemmons – Everything A War
Those who dwell in these dark territories of underground Rock and Metal, of the noisy, the abrasive, the alternative, and the avant-garde are not always so open to big anthemic hooks. Sometimes our reaction to music that dares to rouse the spirits and attempt to soar can be somewhat dismissive. But let us not entirely close our ears and our hearts to hope, because sometimes in the right hands, the results of such sincere passions can be glorious and in the case of Everything A War (7 People Records/ Village Slut)—the latest record by former Prog-Metal frontman David Judson Clemmons (previously of Damn The Machine)—glorious is exactly what they are. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: The Darkness – Dreams On Toast
With their debut album Permission To Land, The Darkness enlivened a rock music scene dominated by the likes of The White Stripes, The Strokes, Evanescence, and Linkin Park amongst others. Their goofy lyrics and AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, and Queen sound struck a chord and twenty-two years later they are still at it with the release of their eighth record Dreams On Toast (Cooking Vinyl).Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Juliet’s Not Dead – This World Is Ours
Despite only releasing their first music at the turn of the decade, UK Rockers, Juliet’s Not Dead have been hard at work, grafting away, releasing numerous EPs and even their first debut album over the past 5 years. Now ready to demonstrate where the band plan to move onto, comes their sophomore release The World Is Ours (TMR Records). Just like the name implies, the band have lofty goals when it comes to their music. Hiring Grammy-nominated producer, Romesh Dodangoda, to bring that extra flair and sleek sound design to their music, the band have a lot of hopes and dreams riding on this album.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: The Night Flight Orchestra – Give Us The Moon
Retro-flavoured Swedes The Night Flight Orchestra (ft. Soilwork, Arch Enemy, Mean Streak members) are still at it with their seventh album Give Us The Moon (Napalm Records). With an insanely catchy AOR style, with an unabashedly high level of seventies and eighties-style cheese front and centre. Half the tracks here sound like they belong in some long-forgotten, coming-of-age film from 1985. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Jethro Tull – The Jethro Tull Christmas Album: Fresh Snow At Christmas
This week on the block, we have a Christmas album—and not just any Christmas album, but one from the legendary band Jethro Tull. At first, one might think, “What the hell?” But those who are die-hard Tull fans or just super fans of Christmas albums will remember this is not the band’s first venture into the realm of holiday music. The Jethro Tull Christmas Album—Fresh Snow At Christmas showcases the band’s love for the holiday season. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Massive Wagons – Earth To Grace
Earth To Grace (Earache Records) is the Lancastrian quintet Massive Wagons seventh album, following on from 2022s rather good, UK top ten hit Triggered. They have teamed up with new record producer Matt O’Grady (You Me At Six, Architects) this time round, their signature brand of humorous and catchy Classic Rock is very much intact but with tauter songwriting and slightly bigger, shinier choruses. Continue reading
PODCAST: Glacially Musical 205 – Foreigner’s “Double Vision” Reviewed with Don De Leaumont
In this episode #205, Nik, Keefy, and guest host Don De Leuamont of Southeast of Heaven and Talking the Talk with Don review Foreigner’s second album, Double Vision!Continue reading
CONCERT REVIEW: Rob Zombie – Alice Cooper – Ministry – Filter Live at PNC Bank Arts Center
How many bands must play together before it is considered a music festival? If the answer is four or more, a festival has been touring the USA and recently landed in Holmdel, NJ at the PNC Bank Arts Center. The Freaks On Parade tour is one of the strongest bills around with Filter, Ministry, Alice Cooper, and Rob Zombie providing an evening of unparalleled energy. Continue reading