Smith/Kotzen is the collaboration of two guitarists who share a passion for hard rock. Richie Kotzen and Adrian Smith are both well known and respected guitarists. Kotzen began releasing solo albums at a time when shred guitarists had their heyday. In addition to more than 20 solo albums, Kotzen has also worked with numerous bands... Continue Reading →
Review DON AIREY “Pushed to the Edge”
There is a lot of side activity going on in the Deep Purple camp. Simon McBride's new album is out and now keyboard virtuoso Don Airey is launching a new longplayer too. "Pushed to the Edge" is the title of Don Airey's new effort and let's just shout it out. It is an electrifying classic... Continue Reading →
Review GOTTHARD “Stereo Crush”
Swiss hard rockers Gotthard have always faced the debate of whether or not they have traded in their rock roots for more mainstream music. No doubt, the band had some songs and moments where the boundaries between rock and almost pop were seamless, but for some time now, Leo Leoni and his bandmates have been... Continue Reading →
Review LORDI “Limited Deadition”
I don't think anyone older than three years is afraid of Lordi's masquerade, and the image of the horror rockers from Finland was never based on shocking. The whole fancy costumes and everything connected with it is more a tool to create an identity. It helped the band to get some attention in the early... Continue Reading →
Review SIMON McBRIDE “Recordings 2020-2025”
When Simon McBride joined classic rock pioneers Deep Purple in 2023, he was suddenly catapulted into the limelight, but his career had already seen its share of highlights. The Irish guitar virtuoso is one of the best of his generation. Being a part of Sweet Savage was the first real milestone for the guitarist, who... Continue Reading →
Review ALIEN “When Yesterday Comes Around”
There's more than one band called Alien, and this review is about the Swedish hard rock outfit that started in 1986. Hailing from Gothenburg, Alien made their debut in 1988. The album, as well as the two longplayers that followed, contain well-crafted hard rock with a very melodic touch. One of the challenges of Aline... Continue Reading →
VOLBEAT – new album and tour dates
Together with the announcement of their new album “God Of Angels Trust”, Volbeat are also announcing dates for a major world tour today. The “Greatest Of All Tours Worldwide” will also take the band to Germany in September/October 2025 - Volbeat will play a total of nine concerts in this country, supported by BUSH and... Continue Reading →
Review THE WILDHEARTS “Satanic Rites of The Wildhearts”
The Wildhearts are the brainchild of former The Quireboys member Ginger and formed in 1989. The band started out as a powerful rock band and released a great debut album with "Earth Versus The Wildhearts". What didn't add to the band's rise was an inconsistency, as many break-ups and hiatuses always demanded a restart. The... Continue Reading →
Review GINGER EVIL “The Way it Burns”
The roots of Ginger Evil go back to 2005 when the band started as Moonshine Inc. Even though the guys were composing, the search for a singer wasn't successful and the band was put on ice. Fortunately, Tomi Julkunen and Veli Palevaara decided to put the songs out of their hibernation a few years later,... Continue Reading →
Review ROBIN MCAULEY “Soulbound”
Robin McAuley is a singer with a voice that stands out from any other. The mixture of fine accentuated singing and a rough rock'n'roll voice defines his way of singing. It was the McAuley Schenker Group release "Perfect Timing" that put the singer in the spotlight, after he had also been part of Frank Farian's... Continue Reading →
Review SPIDERS “Sharp Objects”
Gothenburg, Sweden has a pretty vibrant rock and metal scene. Not only melodic death metal has a strong home base in Sweden's second largest city. There are also excellent rock bands coming from there. One of them is Spiders, who debuted in 2012 with an album called "Flash Point", which immediately entered the Swedish charts.... Continue Reading →
GOTTHARD – “Rusty Rose” is unveiled
While the world just celebrated one of the most romantic days of the year, Swiss hard rock icons Gotthard suddenly rouse us from slumber - namely with the third single from their upcoming album Stereo Crush, to be released on March 21, 2025 via RPM. Compared to their previous hit, "Thunder & Lightning," "Rusty Rose"... Continue Reading →
Live report GREEN LUNG, UNTO OTHERS & SATAN’S SATYRS, Gruenspan, Hamburg – February 14th, 2025
Two bands with impressive development have joined forces and embarked on a European tour. Green Lung and Unto Others are currently on the road with a stop in Hamburg at Gruenspan. Herndon, Virginia rockers Satan's Satyrs complete the package, and it's the latter that kicks off the evening with a 30-minute set. Satan's Satyrs play... Continue Reading →
LORDI – new album and tour
Monster rockers Lordi will launch their new longplayer “Limited Deadition” on March 21st, 2025 via Reigning Phoenix Music. Mr Lordi comments: "The writing of this song started out with its main keyboard riff. I played around with those mono sounds, trying to come up with something with a very 80s action movie opening score feel. 'Syntax Terror'... Continue Reading →
Review RAY OF LIGHT “Salute”
Ray Of Light has some roots that lead us back to the late 90's / early 00's when a German band called Frontline released several albums. With Stephan Kämmerer and Stephan Bayerlein, the line-up of Ray Of Light includes two guys from Frontline. The new line-up also consists of Gregg Cromack on vocals and Jörg... Continue Reading →








