Sweden’s servers of the studious Hammerfall return with their thirteenth album – Avenge The Fallen

Album number 8 for this Manchester based Black metal act, nearly 18 years on the go as well, let's see what they have cooked up for us this time!

Blues is a tricky genre. Because of its incredibly rich heritage and its influence on modern popular music, it is revered and held in almost mythical esteem by some of its die-hard fans.

Stryper are a remarkable band that defy the standard 'rock' categorisation. As has been well documented, Stryper are a band of Christian faith, but let me be very clear - if you only worship at the temple of rock then you still most definitely need Stryper on your playlist or better still, in your collection.

Manchester’s groove laden generators Barbarian Hermit with a sweet dose of cathartic creativity for latest release Mean Sugar

Marlow based, The Hot Damn! who formed in 2021 from the ashes of bands The Amorettes and Tequila Mockingbyrd, consisting of Gill Montgomery (The Amorettes), Josie O'Toole (Tequila Mockingbyrd), Laurie Buchanan (Aaron Buchanan and the Cult Classics) and Lzi Hayes (New Device/Sophie Lloyd band), are well known on the live circuit having rocked many festivals and venues around the UK.

Germany’s purveyors of atmospheric gallops and heavenly choruses Powerwolf return with their latest album Wake Up The Wicked

Portsmouth based, Brave Rival have come a long way since they started in 2019. Their debut album, `Life’s Machine’ received rave reviews and attracted the attention of Joe Bonamassa who loved their music.

If you’ve never heard of Sweet, then you must have been living on Mars for the last five decades as with more than 55 million records sold and 34 number one spots, these guys have been part of the soundtrack of many of our lives.

Kiwi four piece Black Smoke Trigger do things their own way, they toured Europe before the release of their first album, they release videos that burst 1 million views and set the band up as a visual experience as much as a musical one.

In recent times former Iron Maiden frontman Paul Di’anno’s health issues have been widely publicised and alongside this understandably has been a lengthy time away from live performance but through sheer perseverance, talent and a loyal fanbase the frontman is back where he belongs microphone in hand to unveil his latest creation Warhorse.

The old saying goes if you can’t beat them join them so The Cold Stares having been dubbed a Southern band for so long decided to face up and lean into it and have produced the sweet taste of a southern Summer sprinkled with hits and groove.

Previously unknown to me, The Commoners could be described as a 'Southern Blues Rock' band. To my ears The Commoners contain a heady mix of Black Crowes circa 'The Southern Harmony And Musical Companion' album, Rival Sons, a touch of Thunder and a variety of classic 1970s guitar and keyboard driven rock. Whilst that is a great mix I'm not sure that's really doing them fair justice so lets get started on the review!

Just when everyone is claiming that it's time for the old guard to step down, despite (or maybe because of) this perception, vintage bands are putting out some of their best material in years with recent albums by Saxon, Judas Priest, AC/DC and Scorpions some of their best of their careers.

To Celebrate three decades of their genre defining second album Finland’s Amorphis have released a special live version of Tales From The Thousand Lakes recorded at the world famous Tavastia which also includes a full live performance which I will be discussing here.

They really don’t come much more 1980s than this! Just one look at the cover of Palace’s fifth album, Reckless Heart, and we are immediately transported back 40 years! A drawing of a scantily-clad blonde with a HUGE Magnum-esque pistol in front of a sunset city-scape tells you all you need to know about the music herein.