The first time a Sinner album landed on my turntable was almost exactly 40 years ago. Back then, the band led by Mat Sinner had just released its fifth album, Comin' Out Fighting, and what came through the speakers made an immediate impression. Sinner has been a fixture in melodic metal ever since, releasing a long... Continue Reading →
Review VARIOUS ARTISTS “The Transformers – The Movie, The Soundtrack, The Reformatted Edition”
When The Transformers: The Movie premiered in theaters in 1986, it did not become the box-office success many had hoped for. The soundtrack also fell short of commercial expectations, despite featuring several memorable songs that would later develop a loyal following. Now, nearly 40 years later, Reigning Phoenix Music and Hasbro revisit the classic with The Transformers: The... Continue Reading →
GUS G. launches a new video
Internationally acclaimed guitarist, composer, and Firewind mastermind Gus G. released his fifth solo album Steel Burner on April 24, 2026. Marking his first solo offering in five years, the record delivers a blistering fusion of modern instrumental metal and carefully curated vocal collaborations with some of heavy music’s most legendary voices. Gus himself comments: “Confession” is the... Continue Reading →
“Leave it All Behind” – the new single from SINNER
With "Leave It All Behind", Sinner present the next single from their upcoming and final studio album, Boom Bang Goodbye, set for release on July 31, 2026, via RPM. The track begins with the atmosphere of a classic power ballad and gradually builds in intensity before culminating in a soaring, anthemic refrain. Combining '80s-inspired melodies with... Continue Reading →
Don’t go in the forest and go to AVATAR instead
Avatar have been exploring the dark soul of alternative and melodic death metal—and have been doing so with consistent success for over 20 years. With their penultimate album, “Dance Devil Dance,” released in 2023, they taught Beelzebub to dance; with their latest album, “Don’t Go in the Forest,” they skillfully navigated the tightrope between intricate... Continue Reading →
Review CYHRA “Requiem for a Pipe Dream”
The Swedish melodic metal band Cyhra is launching a new longplayer titled "Requiem for a Pipe Dream" . It is the band's fourth studio album and contains eleven new songs. Cyhra was founded in 2016 by Jake E. and Jesper Strömblad. The band focuses on melodic and modern-sounding metal, combining In Flames-style riffing with candy-sweet... Continue Reading →
Review GUS G. “Steel Burner”
Gus G. is busy with two outfits. Firstly, there is Firewind, which is led by the Greek guitarist. As well as this musical mothership, Gus G. also releases solo albums, with “Steel Burner” being the newest addition to the list. Unlike with Firewind, the solo albums focus on instrumentals as well as songs featuring various... Continue Reading →
Review VICTORIUS “World War Dinosaur”
Victorius has been providing melodic power metal since 2004, and with “World War Dinosaur”, the five-piece band from Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, is launching a new album. It's their eighth studio effort and they continue to do what they do best. Power metal with almost sugary-sweet melodies blast out of the speakers as soon as you press... Continue Reading →
Review HARDLINE “Shout”
Hardline started out as a sort of supergroup featuring Neal Schon, Deen Castronovo, and Todd Jensen, as well as brothers Johnny and Joey Gioeli. The band was founded in 1991 by the Gioeli brothers. Now, 35 years later, Hardline’s lineup has evolved, with Johnny Gioeli as the sole remaining founding member. This shift has not... Continue Reading →
Live report AXEL RUDI PELL & NEVERLAND, Fabrik, Hamburg – April 8th, 2026
The start of 2026 seems to be all about excellent guitarists, at least in terms of the live shows I've attended. First there was Smith/Kotzen, then Michael Schenker, and tonight it's the turn of German guitar wizard Axel Rudi Pell — all renowned names in the rock and metal community. Accompanying Pell and his bandmates... Continue Reading →
Review IRON SAVIOR “Awesome Anthems of the Galaxy”
Iron Savior revisits the '80s, but not when it comes to rock and metal. Piet Sielck and his bandmates have interpreted some of the most successful pop songs from a very colourful era. Prior to the album launch, some of the single releases showed that the endeavour is actually quite successful. The idea for the... Continue Reading →
Review STAINLESS “Lady of Lust & Steel”
Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Stainless launch their debut album, “Lady of Lust and Steel.” The band was founded in 2022 and released their first EP, “Nocturnal Rider,” which is now followed up by their debut album. Stainless is the brainchild of guitarist Jamie Byrum, and the album blends hard rock with metal influences. Both of... Continue Reading →
Review AXEL RUDI PELL “Ghost Town”
The list of studio releases from German guitarist Axel Rudi Pell is long. The former Steeler guitarist began his solo career in 1989 with the album “Wild Obsession.” This marked the beginning of an exceptional career that is still ongoing. Pell found his signature sound early on, fusing classic hard rock with metal. This defined... Continue Reading →
Live report AMARANTHE, EPICA & CHARLOTTE WESSELS, Inselpark Arena, Hamburg – March 6th, 2026
The Hamburg rock and metal community has nothing but choices tonight. A lot is happening on this Friday evening. The Norwegian rock force Gluecifer is in town, as is Keith Caputo. Die Happy is performing, and Hell Over Hammaburg, a two-day indoor festival, is taking place. As if that were not enough to choose from,... Continue Reading →
Live report SMITH/KOTZEN & SWEET ELECTRIC Gruenspan, Hamburg – March 5th, 2026
Some iconic guitarists are on tour right now. A few days ago, Michael Schenker brought back the great UFO days to Große Freiheit 36, and today, a few meters down the road, Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen are playing a show. With Smith being one of the legendary Iron Maiden guitarists and Kotzen being a... Continue Reading →

