Well! I'm mortified! As an (almost) life-long rock fan, how I've missed out on this seminal blues-rock band completely floors me! They've been around since 1965 and have been touring continuously since then, making them one of the longest running bands in existence. In the mid 60s, the British Blues Explosion developed out of the..
GORDON GILTRAP OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY – Exclusive Sample Chapter
The Wymer publication Perilous Journey, by Velvet Thunder writer Steve Pilkington, is the official biography of guitarist Gordon Giltrap, produced with the full involvement of Gordon himself. Presented here is a sample chapter from the book, to give a flavour of it, and hopefully entertain! We take up the story just after the Perilous Journey..
Primal Fear – Metal Commando (Nuclear Blast)
Primal Fear have been a trademark for high quality German heavy metal, ever since their eponymous debut came out in 1997. Combining the strengths of scene veterans Ralf Scheepers (ex-Gamma Ray and Tyran’ Pace) and the bass and guitar duo from Sinner – Tom Naumann and Matt Sinner, was already an attention grabber. 23 years..
Arena announce new lineup with Damian Wilson
Arena has parted ways with singer Paul Manzi, as announced on their official page 13 July: It is with sadness that we will be parting ways with singer Paul Manzi.He has been with us for ten years, three studio albums and a lot of touring, but these commitments, particularly the touring, were becoming a strain..
STEVE HOWE – Love Is (BMG)
From being at the very epicentre of the Summer of Love with psych legends Tomorrow, up to giving fans some of the most epic moments in the prog genre, guitar legend Steve Howe has most definitely been there, seen it and done it .. more than once .. and his contribution and influence has been..
THAT JOE PAYNE – By Name. By Nature.
A deeply thoughtful work which delves beneath the surface of the music to give the listener a real glimpse into what it is to be 'that Joe Payne'. Most people - or most prog fans,certainly - will probably know Joe Payne (with or without 'That') as the singer with bombastic symphonic band The Enid. When..
Lamb Of God – Lamb Of God (Nuclear Blast)
It is difficult to think of Lamb Of God as "veterans" but incredibly this Richmond, Virginia quintet has been around for 26 years now beginning life under the moniker of Burn The Priest in 1994, and it was following a name change that Lamb Of God made their entrance via the New Wave of American..
KANSAS – Singer Ronnie Platt gives his thoughts
Summer 2020 sees legendary US band Kansas releasing their seventeenth studio album, entitled The Absence of Presence, and it’s drenched in the sound which has made them one of the most iconic bands from the USA. You want classic rock, Prog rock and heart wrenching ballads, all played with the high quality of musicianship which..
Kyros – Isolation gigs, interview
Readers will recall the recent review of Kyros' latest album Celexa Dreams, launched in June of this year. It received positive reviews throughout the music press rock, demonstrating a skillful mix of Alt-Rock, Electronic Rock and Art Rock with heavy leanings towards Prog Rock. The band have cited influences as diverse as Porcupine Tree, Kate Bush, Muse, Radiohead, Rush, CHVRCHES, The Dear Hunter, Duran Duran, Trevor Horn, IQ, Spock’s..
STRAWBS – Burning For You / Heartbreak Hill (Esoteric)
Burning For You is a much better album than its reception at the time indicated ... while Heartbreak Hill is simply essential Strawbs. The very end of the original Strawbs career is covered here with these two Esoteric reissues, covering what was intended to be the last album they recorded in the 1970s, and the..