NIGHTMARE Release Ninth Studio Album ‘The Aftermath’ May 23rd, 2014 Grenoble, France-based power metal band Nightmare issued ninth full-length studio album The Aftermath on May 23rd, 2014 through AFM Records. The outing was recorded, produced, mixed and mastered during March 2014 at Dreamsound Studio in Munich, Germany. Vocals were recorded during January 2014 at Peek […]

FISHBONE The Underworld, Camden, London, England May 23rd, 2014 Angelo Moore Pic: Neil Arnold How does one describe a Fishbone concert to anyone who has never seen such a spectacle? How does one even fit a seven-piece band onto such a small stage? Well, the answers lie in simply attending such an affair. Californian rockers […]

MOTHER ROADDrive Road Songs / AOR Heaven (2014)Rating: 8/10 As ‘The Sun Will Shine Again’ flitters into the ears like a masterful Led Zeppelin acoustic ditty, I’m suddenly reminded of how great some modern music can be. More so when the track kicks into a Guns N’ Roses-type swagger, and what better way for Mother […]

RIK PRIEM’S PRIMERik Priem’s Prime Avenue Of Allies (2014)Rating: 8/10 Rik Priem’s Prime is a surprisingly weighty affair from a new melodic rock band formed by Belgian guitarist Rik Priem (Frozen Rain). Priem is joined in his band project by vocalist Carsten “Lizard” Schulz (Dead End Heroes, Domain, Frozen Rain, Lavalle, Evidence One, Midnite Club), […]

SONIC STATIONNext Stop Avenue Of Allies (2014)Rating: 8/10 Like a lot of contemporary AOR bands, Swedish sextet Sonic Station have their heads very much buried in that summery, late night style of 80s rock. Y’know the sort: easy on the ears, gorgeously melodic, soft to the touch, fluffy throughout and anthemic. It’s a style of […]

PERFECT VIEWRed Moon Rising Avenue Of Allies (2014)Rating: 8/10 Italian rockers Perfect View was formed in 2008 by vocalist Max Ordine, guitarist Francesco Cataldo and drummer Luca Ferraresi. Initially the members were inspired by the likes of Winger, Van Halen and Toto, and when their line-up was completed by bassist Cristian Guerzoni and keyboardist Pier […]

HOLLYWOOD MONSTERSBig Trouble Mausoleum (2014)Rating: 7/10 I can’t get enough of these hard rock / heavy metal supergroups, and Hollywood Monsters is another beast bursting with talent. From its cover boasting a gargantuan fight between a giant ape and a Tyrannosaurus Rex to the staggering riffs and uptempo vibe, Hollywood Monsters’ debut is a fire-cracker […]

GOD’S ARMY ADGod’s Army AD Massacre (2014)Rating: 9/10 As ‘The World That Never Was’ begins its journey as a Motörhead-styled rattle and clank, I’m reminded that contemporary metal can still be a rewarding experience. God’s Army AD was founded by ex-Gallows Pole / Scanner rocker John A.B.C. Smith, and so with that in mind, I […]

OUTLOUDLet’s Get Serious AOR Heaven (2014)Rating: 6/10 Let’s Get Serious is the second album from Greek-American melodic rockers Outloud who have been on the rock ’n’ roll circuit since recording their debut platter, We’ll Rock You To Hell & Back Again, which emerged in 2009. The successful opus was followed in 2012 by an EP […]

SERCATIThe Rise Of The Nightstalker Grom (2014)Rating: 5.5/10 Belgian black metal has never really taken off, but Sercati, who hail from Liège, are certainly hoping to change that predicament. The Rise Of The Nightstalker is the band’s second offering and follow-up to their 2011 debut opus, Tales Of The Fallen. Sercati are fronted by bassist […]