In 25 words or less: There’s much to be enjoyed on this EP and importantly it’s great to acknowledge Joe’s mighty fine contribution to keeping the legacy of instrumental rock alive. For the majority of rock fans here in Australia, over the last decade or so, you are bound to have heard, read, or seen Joe Matera at some point.  […]

Rain rain go away. Seriously. Go away. It is awful tonight in Sydney yet people have come out in droves for yet another Sidewave. This time it’s Marilyn Manson, Coal Chamber, Wednesday 13 and Motionless In White. I walked in the door three seconds before Motionless In White started to see the crowd at almost three quarters capacity which is […]

The sold out crowd tonight at Sydney’s Manning Bar are here to see one of the most perfect line ups on a sidewave yet, consisting of Relient K, Jack’s Mannequin and Dashboard Confessional. What to expect?!?! I unfortunately missed Relient K, hey, Soundwave week is busy, don’t yell at me… I was upset too… BUT, Jack’s Mannequin what can I […]

After my mistake of not heading to last year’s Soundwave and the bruises from kicking myself, I was in no way missing Soundwave 2012. My biggest problem was how to split myself in to five people to be able to catch all the bands on this unbelievable bill. Seriously, what a line up. The trains were packed early and the […]

Thursday night and on the bill tonight is something a little different in Canadian folk rock duo Madison Violet. First support act Jordan Miller was as smooth as a single barrel scotch, with songs so easy to listen to and a killer voice to boot he entertained the small crowd that began to grow with each song sang. This cat […]

Sydney, never really renowned for coming out and supporting live music, well tonight I sit corrected as I’m here at the Beresford to see Screaming Bikini, the newest band lead by one of Australia’s best rock front women in Sarah McLeod who has formed and been doing the rounds with for a number of months now. In the midst of […]

In 25 words or less: Heavy. Heavy. Heavy. Awesome. Lamb Of God are back in a big way. This new album Resolution is so good that it’s hard to put into words. This is the heavy album I know I’ve been waiting for and although I got to hear it in November it was refreshing to hear it again in […]

It’s been almost four years since the South African rockers Seether have graced our shores and judging by the line to get into the Metro thirty minutes before the doors opened that was stretched half way up the block, these people were extremely eager to  get their dose of Seether. Support Numbers Radio were an interesting choice for the opening […]

My day began with the noisiest train trip I’ve ever been on as the capacity carriages were filled with people of all ages (me clearly the oldest at this point) headed to the 2012 Big Day Out. Packed with their water and hydrating liquids you can tell these concert goers are getting ready for their own personal Big Day… We […]

Let me start by saying that I’m a big fan of the Modern Rock / Metal genre. I say modern but by that I mean the majority of bands out there these days making music that have that heavy, dirty, crunchy yet still melodic style of Rock / Metal. So when a ballsy rocker of a new album comes out […]

In 25 words or less: During 2012 I doubt there will be many releases which will top Unbreakable for sheer METAL brilliance and enjoyment, an essential listen for any true heavy metal fan! Well what a way to kick off the year with this mighty slab of metal from Primal Fear titled Unbreakable, the bands ninth release.  I know this comment may […]

25 words or less: If you’ve been a fan of the past installments of Mollo/Martin or their past work, then this is a worthy addition to the collection… So if the “/” in made you think that Mollo/Martin involves two people…well you are spot on!  Mollo/Martin is made up of Italian guitarist Dario Mollo and former Black Sabbath singer Tony […]

Aussie Rock and Roll has always been a staple in the industry as we’ve produced just a few names you may have heard of, Rose Tattoo, AC/DC, Cold Chisel and Craig McLachlan & Check 1,2.  Well maybe not the last one, but you know what I mean, the Aussie ‘pub’ rock scene has always been a big one and with […]

David Myles is an accomplished folk / acoustic rock kinda guy hailing from Canada who’s quirkiness and amazing songwriting has earned him many accolades in Nova Scotia with many more to come no doubt. His new album ‘Into The Sun’ is so easy to listen to its like I wasn’t even doing it at one point. First single ‘Simple Pleasures’ […]

In 25 words or less: Hook infested pop with a hefty dose of rock crunch and blistering guitar solos! With a name like Nine Sons Of Dan, it’s not something you are going to forget in a hurry, right?  So it wouldn’t surprise if a whole bunch of you reading this are already familiar with these Gold Coast rockers, at […]

For the considerable fanbase, both nationally and internationally of Melbourne rockers Antiskeptic, 2011 sure has been a big year of developments.  Having played their last show back in 2008 at The Hi Fi in Melbourne, a few months back we finally saw the official DVD/CD release of this show, however not long after, we were also greeted with the news […]

In 25 words or less: Dark, foreboding, moody, haunting and menacing. Purveyors of their “toxic horror rock” since the band was formed back in 2007, following on from their 2009 EP release Faith In Chaos, Melbourne’s Hatchet Dawn now announce their arrival with debut album Rebirth.  Dark, foreboding, moody, haunting and menacing, listening to this album really could be from the […]

In 25 words or less:  Monster Truck is for those that love their ROCK loud, raw, sweaty, hairy and soaked in beer. Maybe this is not exactly something unique to myself, but when it comes to something that I haven’t heard before, whether it be a band name, album title or song title, I always like to play a little […]

In 25 words or less:  President Rd certainly makes for one musically chaotic, but brutally enjoyable listening experience. Now this shouldn’t be taken the wrong way, but it’s probably a good thing that this album from Sydney band The Bride only clocks in at around 26 minutes, as President Rd certainly makes for one musically chaotic, but brutally enjoyable listening experience.  There’s so […]

In 25 words or less: As with almost everything being released by the label Avenue Of Allies these days, this is a quality release definitely worth checking out. Italy’s Soul Seller first started way back in 1999 with brothers David and Mirko Zublena and here in 2011, with many line-up changes, comes their first album release, Back To Life.  Having […]

In 25 words or less: Sencelled deliver song after song of catchy melodic power pop addictiveness If listening to an album chock full of awesome melodic rock doesn’t bring enough bliss to my ears, then mix it full of awesome power pop moments and I am in heaven.  So yes, it goes without saying that this release from Swedish four piece […]

In 25 words or less: If you love European styled 80’s melodic rock, Time is a quality album worthy of your attention. Well here’s a first for me…it’s my first review of a band from Brazil.  Well mostly Brazil, with then a truly international cast of contributors.  Melodic rockers Paradise Inc. feature as it’s core a quartet of Brazilian musicians […]

In 25 words or less:  Just like the 1989 release No Respect, Enough Rope is an essential hard rock classic. With it being over 20 years now since the glory days of 80’s hard rock, it’s certainly been intriguing to say the least to observe the bands, albums and songs that have “survived” so to speak in 2011.  There is […]

In 25 words: A lethal combination of driving guitars, hooks, soaring choruses and pure addictiveness. Having first discovered Nottingham based Teenage Casket Company (TCC) on MySpace, yes MySpace, some 7 or 8 years ago, what I found in this “casket” was indeed a “best kept secret”.  A band that captured the essence of the anthemic style of power rock that […]

The early 2000’s really were a wasteland for fans of sleaze rock, glam metal and just hard rock in general.  Whilst around 2006 and the years beyond would see a proliferation of 80’s hard rock bands reuniting for reunion tours and being the catalyst for a bunch of USA festival line-ups such as Rocklahoma etc, a true hard rock/sleaze rock […]

Hailing from Italy, Absynth Aura first came into existence in 2007 and in 2011 have now released their debut album Unbreakable, after the formative years spent establishing the band in Italy and Europe.  Fronted by female vocalist Claudia “Klod” Saponi, Absynth Aura deliver a style of rock that whilst could be compared to the likes of fellow Italian’s Lacuna Coil, […]

Now here’s a release that all the truly dedicated sleaze merchants worldwide may have been waiting for….the CD release of Like An Empty Bottle from Italian sleaze rockers Jolly Power, previously only available on cassette tape.  That being said, quite obviously this is a very raw sounding release, however in a way that fits in perfectly with the brand of […]

In 25 words or less: One of the most enjoyable and unexpectedly awesome releases I have heard this year.  Simply magnificent! 2011 has definitely been a truly monstrous year for lovers of melodic rock, AOR and all things “keytastic” and just when we probably thought we had heard it all, along comes one of the most magnificent names in rock, […]

 In 25 words or less:  Best band names ever? – “Whiplasher Bernadotte”,”Skinny Disco”, “Nightmare Industries”, “Vice” and “Cat Casino”. Releasing a “greatest hits” album when you have only released 3 albums in your 11 year history may seem a little over the top…but then again, over the top is what those Swedish natives, Deathstars have built their foundations upon, with […]

The rain didnt deter the concert goers tonight who were here to see ‘The Getaway Plan’, a band that have been out of the spotlight completely for the last couple of years, but off the back of their new album ‘Requiem’ they were back and ready to show everyone that they mean business once again. Now obviously when a band […]