NEAL SCHON – So U

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The beating heart of melodic rockers Journey and well-known guitarist Neal Schön has gathered the talents of Journey drummer Deen Castronovo in conjunction with bassist Marco Mendoza, known for his work with Black Star Riders, Ted Nugent and Whitesnake amongst others, and the three forces have produced an interesting album as a result. It would… Read more »


TEMPT – Under My Skin EP

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‘80’s style hair metal refuses to die. Do a Google search for any famous (or semi-famous, for that matter) hair band, and chances are they’re still around, plugging away on the club or festival circuit with one or two original members. So what’s one to make of Tempt, a band that has that ‘80’s pop/hair… Read more »


JESSIE WAGNER & ENVY – Army of the Underdog EP

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“Diamond in the rough” is an interesting phrase as it implies that there is a shiny jewel amongst some unpleasant or unwelcome surroundings.  The “rough” element could be interpreted as being uglier or distasteful.  However you wish to take this phrase, this reviewer wishes to use it in the context of a band member who… Read more »


DEBORAH BONHAM – Spirit

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The sister of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham has earned her stripes as she unveils the fourth studio album in her canon of solo work.  If you’re familiar with Fate of Nations by Robert Plant and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, the Cajun and folk subtleties, the underlying blues and the overall ability to incorporate some… Read more »


BLOODY HAMMERS – Under Satan’s Sun

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If you go travelling around you never know sometimes what you’re likely to find.  For example, crawling amongst the dusty shadows lurk the ominous spectre of Bloody Hammers in Transylvania County, NC.  Now on their third studio album, the sense of their identity is well defined and those of you familiar with Hammer House of… Read more »


SMASH FASHION – Big Cat Love

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After releasing two studio albums already to a modest fanfare, this L.A. based melodic and infectious troupe are here with album number three.  Sharing their brand of big cat love with their ever-growing audience, you receive an album which proudly shows off that title complete with songs that prove the influence of Marc Bolan, Sweet… Read more »


DIE SO FLUID – The Opposites of Light

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This three-piece made up of the charismatic Grog on vocals and bass, Mr. Drew on guitars and Al Fletcher beating the skins have already shared their musical exploits via three previous studio albums and several other releases.  There’s no time like the present to play catch-up with their style of hard rock.  Their latest studio… Read more »


ELVENKING – The Pagan Manifesto

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This Italian six-piece are ready to unveil their 8th studio album continuing their exploration of folk metal for the masses as their European audiences grow to impressive sizes.  All manner of folk-themed instrumentation dances arm-in-arm with the metal-fused majesty the band are known for which helps The Pagan Manifesto conquer any complacent pitfalls, and keeps… Read more »


HOLLOW – Mordrake

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Canadian Symphonic Death Metal.  Now that is a set of words one simply does not hear very often.  However, it is definitely a thing!  Hailing from Montreal comes Hollow with their debut release entitled “Mordrake”, a 12-track monstrous audio tapestry that has a little something for everyone with an ear for heavy metal. Mordrake infuses… Read more »


ALTER BRIDGE LIVE – Kansas City, MO

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Alter Bridge, nearing the last leg of their American Spring tour in support of their album Fortress, hit the Arvest Bank Theatre in Kansas City, MO on May 2, 2014. Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland is located in downtown Kansas City. The theatre, opened in 1927, was built in the French and Italian Baroque… Read more »


GUNS N’ ROSES – An Evening of Destruction/No Trickery

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The Joint, inside The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas,  is once again being called home for Guns N’ Roses second residency.  The announcement was made in February about the nine shows, which began May 21st  and runs through June 7th. Fans were greeted outside the venue by dominatrix dressed girls on stilts grabbing the… Read more »


SKID ROW – LIVE at The Coach House 5-16-14

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Just when you thought Southern California’s record breaking temperatures were about to cool down, in come the Jersey Boys—not Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons—Skid Row and they cranked up the heat a few more degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius, depending on what part of the planet you’re reading this from.  On a balmy Friday night… Read more »