While it’s certainly true that singer Tony Martin‘s time with Birmingham metal pioneers Black Sabbath is not exactly the most revered era in the band’s storied history, it’s also a little unfair to judge that period too harshly. Given the daunting, if not impossible job of following in the footsteps of Ozzy Osbourne, Ronnie James Dio, and even Ian Gillan, Martin also happened to enter the fold when the band were on somewhat of a downward turn. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Whitesnake
CONCERT REVIEW: Mr. Big – Jared James Nichols Live at KK’s Steel Mill
You can always tell how busy KK’s Steel Mill is going to be by the amount of available parking spaces near the venue. Tonight there are none. Not a one. Forget being able to swing a cat, inside KK’s tonight there’s barely enough room to swing a tardigrade.Continue reading
Bernie Marsden (Whitesnake) Three Track Single “Bad Reputation” Out Now – Final Album Coming Soon
Today, November 24th 2023, the second single from the new album by sadly deceased former Whitesnake guitarist, Bernie Marsden, is released digitally. “Bad Reputation” features a classic Bernie bluesy riff that highlights that he was at the peak of his powers to the very end. The 3-track digital single offers a sneak peek into the musical brilliance of his upcoming final album Working Man, and includes two tracks from the limited-edition bonus disc that accompanies the first pressing of the album. Find the “Bad Reputation” lyric video and more information in the article below.
ALBUM REVIEW: Michael Catton – Point Of No Return
Ace vocalist/songwriter Michael Catton’s first solo collection Point Of No Return (Mighty Music) sounds like a “Best of the Eighties” tribute album, while effectively showcasing the considerable talents of the man himself and all involved.
Whitesnake Co-founder and Guitarist Bernie Mardsen Has Died
Original Whitesnake Guitarist Bernie Mardsen has died. He was 72 years old. No cause of death has been revealed. The news was broken by Mardsen’s label Conquest Music and their PR team. You can read that notice below. A great Hard Rock and Heavy Guitarist and songwriter, Mardsen is best known for his work in Whitesnake, sharing composing credits on two of their biggest hits “Here I Go Again” and “Fool For Your Loving!” In addition, he released many solo albums, and had other bands and collabs such as UFO, Ringo Starr, ZZ TOP, MGM, and The Company of Snakes, and others. His former bandmate and friend David Coverdale of Whitesnake commented: “I’ve just woken up to the awful news that my old friend and former Snake Bernie Marsden has passed,” he wrote. “My sincere thoughts and prayers to his beloved family, friends and fans. A genuinely funny, gifted man, whom I was honored to know and share a stage with.”
RIP.
EP REVIEW: Omnium Gatherum – Slasher
Following on from 2021’s Origin, Finnish melodeath act Omnium Gatherum have gained a sixth member in former Arch Enemy guitarist Nick Cordle and recorded Slasher (Century Media), a thunderous four-track EP which plays directly to the band’s many strengths.
Rock For Ronnie Concert In The Park Benefiting Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund All-Star Talent Announced
The Rock For Ronnie Concert in the Park will take place on Sunday afternoon, May 7, 2023 at Los Encinos Historic Park in Encino, benefiting the. Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (https://www.diocancerfund.org). The Rock For Ronnie event, slated to be an afternoon of live rock music, silent and live auctions, food trucks and fun geared to the entire family, is the cancer charity’s first post-Covid event back in the park. The event just named a who’s who of Rock and Heavy Metal luminaries for the finale/all-star jam.
ALBUM REVIEW: Devin Townsend – Lightwork
It’s been three years since Canadian musical contortionist Devin Townsend confused the hell out of everyone with Empath, an album of such relentless eclecticism and stupefying eccentricity that even now it remains almost beyond comprehension. A kitchen sink album in every respect, our heroic Canuck threw literally everything into the mix. From death metal and jazz to Chad Kroeger and cats, Empath was the mindfuck to end all mindfucks.
ALBUM REVIEW: H.E.A.T. – Force Majeure
As subtle as a brick and as silly as a juggling monkey riding a unicycle, Swedish Hard Rockers H.E.A.T are back with new album Force Majeure (earMUSIC). It is the Swedes seventh record and despite its over the top, everything and the kitchen sink nature it is a damn good time. It is a rich mixture of AOR, glam metal and hard rock with big riffs, flashy solos and huge choruses coming at you thick and fast. Continue reading
The Weekly Ritual Rock and Metal News Show 7/1/22
Check out our weekly news show! We cover the major stories of the week in heavy music, rock, and metal news, tour dates, and festivals, New Music Friday, and more!