RELEASE YEAR: 2024BAND URL: https://electrichigh.bandcamp.com/album/colorful-white-lies Apollon Records were kind enough to hand me a copy of this raw and raunchy debut offering by the Bergen-based hard rockers known as Electric High, and I am eternally grateful to them for that as this groove-laden, catchy, and energetic record ticks a lot of the boxes for me…
RELEASE YEAR: 2024BAND URL: https://tobyjepsonofficial.com/ Renowned songwriter, screenwriter, record producer, and radio host Toby Jepson is as talented as they come, but as much as I admire his work with Wayward Sons, it is rather refreshing to once again hear same brand-new solo compositions of his. “Look Out!” marks the first musical chapter of a…
RELEASE YEAR: 2024BAND URL: https://www.georgiathunderbolts.com/ US rockers The Georgia Thunderbolts have a wonderful knack for churning out crisp and candid tunes with an electrifying vibe to them, and this spright sophomore album of theirs is simply an essential listen. Not only does Rise Above It All show how resolutely great this band is but also…
RELEASE YEAR: 2024BAND URL: https://thecoldstares.bandcamp.com/album/the-southern The talented trio from Indiana known as The Cold Stares is gearing up to release this beautifully crafted and evocative record of theirs titled The Southern in September, and it is something to look forward to. Full of captivating ideas, classy melodies, emotive vocals, and sophisticated hooks, the album is…
RELEASE YEAR: 2024BAND URL: https://www.facebook.com/Eddieandthewolves/ What a delightful surprise this Derby-based act is! These talented and hard-rocking blues rockers conjure up a massive amount of groove and countless golden hooks on this refreshing and robust 9-song record of theirs, and the whole thing is literally a treasure trove of strong, bouncy riffs and superb vocal…
RELEASE YEAR: 2024BAND URL: https://www.facebook.com/HumanZooOfficial This is my first encounter with the German hard rockers known as Human Zoo and let me tell you right off the bat that I am wildly impressed with these guys and what they offer. We are off to a cracking good start with the bombastic and punchy album opener…
PHOTOGRAPHER: Oliver HaremsaPhotos copyrights belong to the photographer. No unauthorized usage allowed. Please contact photographer if you wish to reuse images in any context. Conducting an interview with the great Doogie White is always a pleasure and a real treat; not only is he a true gentleman but his discography is also utterly impressive…
RELEASE YEAR: 2024BAND URL: https://www.thunderonline.com/ The awe-inspiring British rockers Thunder are on grand form on this powerful live recording from the archives, which just goes to show that these gentlemen are at their fiery best when belting it out on stage in front of a loud, appreciative audience. Recorded at First Direct Arena in Leeds…
RELEASE YEAR: 2024BAND URL: https://www.thunderonline.com/ The fabulous British rockers Thunder have unearthed a cracking good and highly energetic live recording dating back to late December of 2006 when they played a surprise gig at the Planet Rock Christmas party, which took place at the Islington Academy in London as the title of the release aptly…
RELEASE YEAR: 2023BAND URL: https://omnibuspress.com/products/whatever-happened-to-slade-when-the-whole-world-went-crazee Whatever Happened to Slade? by Daryl Easlea is undoubtedly one of the most enthusiastic, warm-hearted, and passionate books on any band out there that I have come across for quite some time. This one basically reads like a love letter to not only one of the greatest yet most underrated…
RELEASE YEAR: 2023BAND URL: https://www.statusquo.co.uk/ Few acts are as cool and entertaining as UK legends Status Quo are, and their latest output is the second entry in their inspired Official Archive Series appropriately subtitled Vol. 2. Captured for posterity at the hallowed 02 Arena in London back in December 2012, this one is quite special…
RELEASE YEAR: 2024BAND URL: https://mesaverde.bandcamp.com/album/all-is-well I thoroughly enjoyed the debut offering by the eclectic Oslo-based ensemble known as MesaVerde, namely the engrossing KY album that came out in October 2022, and I was very much looking forward to this sophomore effort of theirs. In simple terms, All is Well surpasses its predecessor in every conceivable…
RELEASE YEAR: 2023 BAND URL: https://omnibuspress.com/products/white-knuckles-the-life-of-gary-moore-published-on-8th-september-2021?_pos=1&_sid=672ce29c4&_ss=r Being the huge fan and admirer of Martin Power’s epic book on Jimmy Page titled No Quarter that I am, I was naturally rather psyched and excited when a copy of White Knuckles landed on my doorstep. The role and significance of the immortal and sadly missed Gary Moore cannot…
RELEASE YEAR: 2023 BAND URL: https://nightranger.com/ I am incredibly fond of Night Ranger and their (mostly) stellar musical outputs, and it is always exciting to receive one of their records for review. This latest one is rather special and a welcome addition to their discography in that it adds an extra dimension to some of their…
VENUE: ForumDATE: 16.11.2023 ORGANIZER: Bergen LivePHOTOGRAPHER: C. NepperPhotos copyrights belong to the photographer. No unauthorized usage allowed. Please contact photographer if you wish to reuse images in any context. American rockers Rival Sons were back at the Forum in Bergen on a dark and cold Thursday night – and what a night it was!…
RELEASE YEAR: 2023 BAND URL: https://www.rivalsons.com/ No other outfit executes raw, vibrant hard rock quite like Rival Sons, and it is always a treat to hear and experience what these skilled Americans are up to in terms of their live activities and studio work. As to the latter, what we have here is their upcoming slice…
RELEASE YEAR: 2023 BAND URL: https://www.statusquo.co.uk/ This nicely packaged offering by legendary British boogie rockers Status Quo is a real treat to the eyes and ears; the booklet, band pictures, and overall layout look killer, and the actual musical content kicks ass. Recorded at the well-known Heineken Hall in Amsterdam back in October of 2010, these…
RELEASE YEAR: 2023 BAND URL: http://www.joelhoekstra.com/ The brilliant songwriter and guitarist Joel Hoekstra has not only done wonderful things for Whitesnake but also released a couple of fabulous solo records, the latest being this 12-track effort titled Crash of Life where he is joined by a stellar cast of friends and musicians, namely Vinny Appice, Tony…
RELEASE YEAR: 2023 BAND URL: http://sheburnsred.com/ Having not yet had the pleasure of listening to the previous offering by this Scottish hard rock act, namely the debut EP named Take Back Tomorrow from 2020, I had no idea what to expect from this upcoming album by She Burns Red. What I can tell you is that…
RELEASE YEAR: 2023 BAND URL: https://www.hollywoodvampires.com/ Recorded in Rio back in 2015 by the magnificent Hollywood Vampires, this CD/DVD is a riveting and massively entertaining experience that sees Alice Cooper, Joe Perry, Tommy Henriksen, Johnny Depp, Matt Sorum, and Duff McKagan tear through some of the best and most beloved rock songs of all time with…
