Category: Reviews

The Big Day Out 2012 – Sydney – 26 January

The Big Day Out 2012 – Sydney – 26 January

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 […]

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Drug Under – Forgive And Forget

Drug Under – Forgive And Forget

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 […]

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Primal Fear – Unbreakable

Primal Fear – Unbreakable

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 […]

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Mollo/Martin – The Third Cage

Mollo/Martin – The Third Cage

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 […]

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The Lazys – Temptation Never Liked You EP

The Lazys – Temptation Never Liked You EP

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 […]

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David Myles – Into The Sun

David Myles – Into The Sun

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’ […]

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Nine Sons Of Dan – Landslide EP

Nine Sons Of Dan – Landslide EP

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 […]

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Antiskeptic – Goodbye Goodnight, live at The Hi Fi 2008

Antiskeptic – Goodbye Goodnight, live at The Hi Fi 2008

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 […]

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Hatchet Dawn – Rebirth

Hatchet Dawn – Rebirth

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 […]

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Monster Truck – The Brown EP

Monster Truck – The Brown EP

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 […]

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The Bride – President Rd

The Bride – President Rd

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 […]

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Soul Seller – Back To Life

Soul Seller – Back To Life

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 […]

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Sencelled – Sencelled

Sencelled – Sencelled

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 […]

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Paradise Inc. – Time

Paradise Inc. – Time

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 […]

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Vain – Enough Rope

Vain – Enough Rope

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 […]

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Teenage Casket Company – Best Kept Secret

Teenage Casket Company – Best Kept Secret

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 […]

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Reborn In Sleaze: A Tribute To Dave Lepard

Reborn In Sleaze: A Tribute To Dave Lepard

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 […]

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Absynth Aura – Unbreakable

Absynth Aura – Unbreakable

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, […]

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Jolly Power – Like An Empty Bottle….Again

Jolly Power – Like An Empty Bottle….Again

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 […]

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The Magnificent – The Magnificent

The Magnificent – The Magnificent

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, […]

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Deathstars – The Greatest Hits On Earth

Deathstars – The Greatest Hits On Earth

 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 […]

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The Getaway Plan – Metro Theatre – November 25

The Getaway Plan – Metro Theatre – November 25

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 […]

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Rob Mancini – Rock ‘N’ Roll Circus

Rob Mancini – Rock ‘N’ Roll Circus

Rob Mancini is a name some rockers may know as the former frontman of bands such as ‘Hotwire’ and ‘Crush’ but if you have never heard of him, you’ll be so glad we now have. This new album from the Irish local of German/Italian background, his first album in almost a decade titled ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus gives us some […]

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Lou Reed & Metallica – Lulu

Lou Reed & Metallica – Lulu

In 25 words or less: “On paper this had every potential to be good, basically on every medium besides the recorded one this had potential to be good. Sadly…” Now, before I even start this album I have been warned. Basically the resounding reviews are saying it’s terrible, they don’t get it and my favourite which was something along the […]

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Trucker Diablo – The Devil Rhythm

Trucker Diablo – The Devil Rhythm

In 25 words or less: “This band needs to be heard, so listen, share, talk, tell everyone about Trucker Diablo…” Loud, crunchy, fast riff driven, bass heavy, gang vocal laden, classic rock and roll is pretty much how you could describe Trucker Diablo. Did I mention they’re from Northern Ireland? No? Well you’d have no idea when listening to them […]

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Captain Black Beard – Self Titled

Captain Black Beard – Self Titled

In 25 words or less: Melodic Kick Ass Rock I love it when a band you’ve never heard of makes an album this good. This to me is what I’m listening to now with the debut album from our newest ‘Best Thing You’ve Never Heard’ Captain Black Beard from Sweden (of course, I mean does any bad rock music come […]

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The Dirty Love – Black and White

The Dirty Love – Black and White

In 25 words or less: “Turn it up loud and support REAL musicians and rock ‘n’roll”…courtesy of The Dirty Love. Upon my first listen to The Dirty Love and their cracking album Black and White my overwhelming reaction was, “why hadn’t I heard of these guys before?”  Maybe it’s the fact they are based in Tasmania, as us mainland folk […]

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The Gloria Story – Shades Of White

The Gloria Story – Shades Of White

In 25 words or less: Shades Of White is easily one of the most enjoyable albums I have heard all year With a swag of influences that firmly rest in the era of 70’s glam and rock & roll both visually and musically, it has to be stated right up front that Shades Of White is easily one of the […]

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Greenthief – Retribution (EP)

Greenthief – Retribution (EP)

One thing is certain about Greenthief’s latest EP, Retribution and that is that it’s certainly unique and diverse in every regard.  From the, progressive, psychedelic and experimental musical overtones, right through to the CD booklet featuring a story about two little pigs..or is it a story about two little pigs?  On this their second EP, the Brisbane, Australia based trio, […]

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Megadeth – TH1RT3EN

Megadeth – TH1RT3EN

In 25 words or less: “It’s a heavy, at times classic sounding metal album and one I’ll be happy to listen to again” Im not sure if I’ll be berated for this but my favourite Megadeth album is ‘Countdown To Extinction’. So when I heard this new album from Dave and the boys was somewhat similar to that awesome album […]

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