Fans of extreme metal surely know who Sebastian Ramstedt is. His contribution to no less than seven Necrophobic albums is a fact, but it should be noted that Sebastian has a central role in creating the two masterpieces which are the latest two albums of the Swedes – Mark Of The Necrogram and Dawn Of..
Interview with Jeff Carlisi (38 Special)
Where’s the dot? Everyone knows it’s DOT 38 Special… I can hear you out there, muttering under your breath about the lack of journalistic rigour. “Where’s the dot?” I hear you say. “Everyone knows it’s DOT 38 Special, because the band was named after the Smith & Wesson .38 Special bullet casing. Why, there’s a..
Tribute to Mike Howe of Metal Church + reprint of interview with Mike Howe in 2018
Mike Howe - Photo: Melissa Castro As we know, losing people is a fact of life. We hold musicians in high regard because what they bring to our lives; an album that stays with us forever, deliverers of songs that can change or enhance our lives or the ritual of a gig experience. Musicians become..
‘URIAH HEEP In The 1970s’ Book – Exclusive Sample Chapter
A short while ago the book Decades: Uriah Heep In The 1970s was published by Velvet Thunder writer Steve Pilkington via Sonicbond Publishing, telling the eventful take of the band's first decade in existence. We present here an exclusive sample chapter of the book for anyone to get a feel for what it contains. The..
Interview – Netta Laurenne of Smackbound and Laurenne/Louhimo
Netta Laurenne & Noora Louhimo. Photo by Robert Frankó RobeDroid Photography Maybe it is a sign of the times. The decline in physical music and the lost art of the first play of a new album and pouring over the details in the insert as part of the ritual. Not just the lyrics or the..
Interview with Ken Mary (Flotsam and Jetsam, Fifth Angel)
Blood In The Water, the new album by speed thrash legends Flotsam and Jetsam is obviously one of the highlights of 2021 so far, as you have recently read in the Lee Vickers penned review here. Thanks to Afm Records, Stoyan Tsonev got the opportunity for a phone talk with drums mastermind Ken Mary. Hello,..
STEVE HOWE: Discussing the strength of his latest ‘Homebrew’
Still caught up in the clutches of a global pandemic preventing touring, Steve Howe has once again fallen back on his inner resources and come up with another solo album, his 22nd, following on from 2020’s Love Is. In July 2020 he stated, 'In terms of writing and recording work, it (the lockdown) was a..
Quinn Sullivan
Oh my god, I'm about to go on stage with Buddy Guy... It’s a big deal when a blues legend like Buddy Guy plays in your home town. It’s an even bigger deal if you have the kind of dad who takes you to meet him backstage at a gig when you’re still of kindergarten..
DENNY SEIWELL – EX-WINGS DRUMMER TALKS ABOUT McCARTNEY-APPROVED ‘RAM’ REWORKING
This month in 1971 saw the release of Ram, the second solo album from Paul McCartney and the first to be released after the dissolution of The Beatles. And now, fifty years on, the album has been re-recorded, or rather ‘reimagined’, by a group of different artists, and has been given the blessing of McCartney..
Interview with Nekromantheon
Norwegian old school thrashers Nekromantheon have delivered a fantastic new album recently, which you can find reviewed HERE. That was the occasion to get in touch with the band and try to find out what keeps their flame burning. It is more than 9 years since your last full length Rise, Vulcan Spectre. Why we had..