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.

A polished, artful, and tasteful take on hard rock, SILVERA’s “World Behind Doors” is an album that brings all the best bits of rock, and leaves out the ego and vanity that so comes with the rockstar image.

From the shadowy streets of Wroclaw, Poland have returned to carve a path of sonic devastation once more with their latest release Hosanna.

German hard rockers Kissin’ Dynamite are quite literally, “Back with a Bang!”. The 5th of July 2024 sees the release of their 8th studio album, their previous release in 2022 ‘Not the End of the Road’ reached No.2 in the German Album Chart.

The rising of a red (blood) moon can mean many things to many people. Some beliefs take this fairly rare occurrence as a signal to explore your dark side and delve deep within ones extreme hidden emotions such as rage and grief. Others believe it is time to let go and heal.