Dark Arena is an American progressive power metal band was formed originally around 1994 by guitarist Paul Konjicija (Antithesis) and they do appear to have something of a 'dark' past too. The original vocalist was John Marshall until his untimely death and he was briefly replaced by Tim 'Ripper' Owens with Owens then making way..
Ravenlight – Project Genesis (Novus Records)
That cannot be too many rock genres that have grown as much over the last few years as the female fronted symphonic rock band which has seen numbers rising exponentially. In the fledgling days almost exclusively the domain of the giants Nightwish, Within Temptation and After Forever but now every new day seems to bring..
Simon Collins – Becoming Human (Frontiers)
It's been a bit since we've heard from Simon Collins. Seven years, in fact, since his band Sound Of Contact's debut album Dimensionaut and twelve since his third solo album U-Catastrophe were released to much acclaim. But on 4 September, the long-awaited solo followup Becoming Human was born, an hour-long platter of fresh new material..
Greyhawk – Keepers Of The Flame (Fighter Records)
Just try to imagine for as moment a world where there was no Judas Priest, can you comprehend just how bleak and miserable that world would be? Remember, also, that it would not just be devoid of the greatest metal band that ever existed but also the uncountable bands that the mighty Priest has influenced..
FRASER EDWARDS – The Architect
The name of Fraser Edwards is new to me, but it seems he has created a little piece in history for himself - as the guitarist and creator of Sharky Sharky which is, apparently, a shark themed rock band for kids! I kid you not, I checked out their website and there it is in..
Victorious – Space Ninjas From Hell (Napalm Records)
Some music is deadly serious and not to be messed with whilst there are a few bands and sub-genres in which you can have a bit of fun and where the tongue is mostly firmly in cheek. Think specifically of Lordi, Evil Scarecrow and, to some extent, Slipknot and even Rammstein but it is in..
The Best Of Rory Gallagher (UMC)
Ireland has been no stranger to musical success, from the traditional folk of The Chieftains to the Irish soul of Van Morrison and Celtic pop acts such as The Cranberries, Clannad and Enya. Punk and New Wave saw a veritable wave of Irish bands such as The Undertones and the Boomtown Rats, while politico pop-rockers..
Pyrogenesis – A Silent Soul Screams Loud (AFM Records)
Another German band, Pyogenesis has had a long and illustrious career during which it has flirted with various styles including death, gothic, punk and now alternative metal. Originally, from Stuttgart this is the ninth album of often eclectic rock from a band that delights in exploring and pushing boundaries A Silent Soul Screams Loud is..
Newman – Ignition (AOR Heaven)
The British singer, guitarist and songwriter Steve Newman formed the band Newman in 1997 as a melodic rock band with an emphasis on hook laden songs with precise and incisive lyrics. By my reckoning, Ignition would now be album number 15 (if you include the Decade compilation album from 2008 which included a disc of..
Shakra – Mad World (AFM Records)
This Swiss hard rock band has been around now since the late '90s with Mad World being their twelfth album in what has been quite an interesting career. I’ve not followed their last couple of albums with 2011’s Back On Track being the last time I checked on them when they were on their third..