ALBUM REVIEW: Monster Magnet – A Better Dystopia


Monster Magnet probably needs no introduction to anyone who has paid any degree of attention to the alternative rock scene over the last 25 years or more. The band has always been unashamedly and unapologetically rockist in their approach. Largely ignoring scenes such as grunge as they have come and gone, Monster Magnet have managed to pump out album after album of classic heavy rock, and they continue to play to huge audiences. Somehow they have always stood out from the crowd of rock revivalists and “stoner” bands. Whilst the music of many of these retro bands so often feels tired and trite when compared to the 60s or 70s bands they try to copy, they always exuded a special kind of conviction, authenticity and raw power that sets them apart. Maybe this has something to do with (singer, guitar player and only original member) Dave Wyndorf having been born in 1956 and so having actually lived through the 60s and 70s. Either way, the music has always felt just as legitimate and classy as records by Motörhead or Deep Purple.

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ALBUM REVIEW – Boss Keloid – Family The Smiling Thrush


Following up a breakthrough album, such as Boss Keloid’s last opus Melted On The Inch (Holy Roar) which finished at #4 in Ghost Cult’s Album of the Year poll in 2018, is a challenging proposition. Stray too far from the magic formula and you risk undoing that giant stride taken forwards (even without being a band that has always taken efforts to ensure development and evolution of their sound is a given); repeat the previous approach and accusations of diminishing returns, or playing it safe, abound along with an invariably inferior product. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Saxon – Inspirations – Silver Lining Music


With no less than twenty-two studio albums behind them, NWOBHM legends Saxon are back again but with something a little different this time. Instead of just rummaging around in the attic for an old live recording, or throwing together a contractually obliged “Best Of…”, Barnsley’s finest have taken their time during lockdown to produce something a little more imaginative. Looking to the past, the band has recorded Inspirations (Silver Lining Music/Militia Guard), a collection of songs by artists who made an impact on them at the start of their musical journey. Continue reading


Hellfest 2021 Is Canceled


The organizers of Hellfest have been officially canceled after the French government culture ministry said summer events would be allowed to go ahead — but with a limit of 5,000 people, all of whom must remain seated, to meet COVID-19 restrictions.This is a bad sign for the upcoming European festival circuit this year as other countries are likely to follow the same protocols. The Union of Contemporary Music (SMA), which represents festivals, concert venues and producers, said late Thursday that the figure had been agreed at a meeting with culture minister Roselyne Bachelot. Hellfest, which drew 180,000 people in 2019, generally features a lineup which is 90 percent made up of international acts and 20 percent of spectators coming from abroad. Hellfest 2021 was to have featured Deftones, Faith No More, System of A Down, Judas Priest, Puscifer, Korn, Volbeat, Opeth, Dropkick Murphys, Northlane, Deep Purple, Wardruna, Rival Sons, Devin Townsend, Suicidal Tendencies, and more.

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ALBUM REVIEW: The Dead Daisies – Holy Ground


A new album and a new singer. The Dead Daisies’ latest album Holy Ground (SPV Steamhammer) is their first with the “voice of rock” Glenn Hughes, and his powerful pipes are a perfect match for the band’s well-honed classic rock. Having been in Deep Purple and more recently Black Country Communion Glenn is no stranger to famous bandmates and supergroups. The lead single ‘Unspoken’ shows that despite the ever-revolving door of bandmates, the music is as thunderous, hooky and rocking as ever.

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Watch Metallica Play a New Version of “Disposable Heroes” from Their Helping Hands Charity Concert


Metallica played their “Helping Hands” charity auction concert “Live & Acoustic From HQ: Helping Hands Concert & Auction”, which was streamed live earlier today (Saturday, November 14) from the band’s headquarters in San Rafael, California. In addition to Metallica originals and covers (Deep Purple, Bob Seeger, and Animals), the band played both acoustic and electric sets of music. During the electric set, the band played a reimagined version of “Disposable Heroes” — described by James Hetfield as “a heavy song we did acoustic, and we’re doing it heavy the acoustic-version way’ and “Wasting My Hate” from Load, performed for the first time since 2011, according to setlist.fm.Continue reading


Legendary Music Producer Martin Birch (Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple) Has Died


Legendary British producer Martin Birch, best known for engineering and producing albums by Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Fleetwood Mac, Whitesnake, Blue Öyster Cult, died yesterday (Sunday, August 9th). He was 71. His passing was confirmed former Deep Purple/Whitesnake frontman David Coverdale, who tweeted: “It is with a very heavy heart I’ve just had verified my very dear friend & producer Martin Birch has passed away. “Martin was a huge part of my life…helping me from the first time we met through until Slide It In…
“My thoughts & prayers to his family, friends & fans…Broken heart”Continue reading


NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: August 7th New Music Releases


Purchase And Stream All The New Music Released Today!

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Deftones, Faith No More, System of A Down, Judas Priest, Puscifer, Korn and More to Headline Hellfest 2021


Hellfest Open Air recently completed its first-ever online streaming festival. Hopefully, the real thing is coming back next summer! The venerable metal and rock fest announced their lineup for 2021, with most of the bands slated to have played in 2020, but canceled due to COVID-19. Deftones, Faith No More, System of A Down, Judas Priest, Puscifer, Korn, Volbeat, Opeth, Dropkick Murphys, Northlane, Deep Purple, Wardruna, Rival Sons, Devin Townsend, Suicidal Tendencies, and many more will perform. Ten more bands will be added soon. Thirteen bands slated to play in 2020, but cannot attend 2021 include Incubus, Mastodon, Infectious Groove, Thy Art Is Murder, Alter Bridge, Baby Metal, Joyous Wolf, Unleashed, Meshuggah, The Black Dahlia Murder, Periphery, Body Count and August Burns Red.Continue reading