One that never got published in the end, but through it should be out there somewhere, one my favourite Irish bands over the last few years, well worth checking out, Technical, Aggressive, and a little on the progressive side.
Black Aces – Shot In The Dark for Midlands Rocks
Aussie Rockers are ready to party, music might not sound hugely original, but there is something interesting and a little unusual about the vocals and delivery.
KHOMPA – The Shape Of Drums To Come for Midlands Rocks
Really interesting and different sounding work from a drummer, standard drum kit, 4 triggers, and hard work. Be prepared for something different and outside most people’s boxes.
Maverick – Big Red for Rockposer.com
The excellent new album from Maverick, out now on Metalapolis Records, worth more than just checking out.
Suicide By Tigers – Suicide By Tigers for Midlands Rocks
Excellent new Swedish Rock Band with an old school vibe.
Bloodstock 2016 – including my contributions for Overdrive
Here are the links to each days summary from this years Bloodstock Festival on Overdrive.
Christopher Shayne – Turning Stones for Midlands Rocks
A really excellent album for fans of Country/Rock/Americana and just plain old good music, these guys are going somewhere.
Blue Öyster Cult – Academy, Dublin – 28-07-2016 for Overdrive
An at times truly sublime performance from a band that are true legends of Rock.
Ramblin’ Man Fair – Day 1 – 23-07-2016 for Overdrive
Just an awesome day of a wide variety of music, impossible to be great music, great people and beautiful weather.
Blood Red Throne – Union Of Flesh And Machine for Midlands Rocks
Crushing new album from Blood Red Throne, Norwegian Death Metal of a very high standard.
Fates Warning – Theories Of Flight for Midlands Rocks
Stunning album from an unbelievably talented band, they just continue to make wonderful music and Theories Of Flights is a beautifully made album.
Hugely honoured that Fates Warning added the review to their Website and that Ray really liked it too.
http://fateswarning.com/2016/07/14/theories-of-flight-review-the-midlands-rocks-07142016/
Theories Divide – Outcast for Overdrive
An absolute pleasure to work on a really quality Irish Metal release, this is a cracking album, if you like your Extreme Metal with some melody, crunchy and crisp riffs, get your lugs wrapped around this, cracking album.
Luna Rise – Dark Days And Bright Nights for Midlands Rocks
Austrian Melodic Rockers Luna Rise, provide a very different sounding album, mixing melancholy, melodic and some pop overtones, take a listen and try something new.
Elm Street – Knock Em’ Out …With A Metal Fist for Midlands Rocks
Aussie Metalers Elm Street back with a really powerful hook to the guts, moving forward and smashing it.
Whitechapel – Mark Of The Blade for Midlands Rocks
Very interesting new album from a band that are pushing their own boundaries and continuing to evolve as they develop, continuing to enjoy their work and growth.
DARE – Sacred Ground for Rockposer.com
A very welcome return from the British AOR stalwarts with a really good album and one of the best ballads these ears have heard in a hell of a long time.
Illdisposed – Grey Sky Over Black Town for Midlands Rocks
Danish Death Metal legends Illdisposed continue to break necks and destroy ear drums.
Nervosa – Agony for Midlands Rocks
An excellent slice of Blackend Thrash Metal from one of Brazil’s premier Metal Bands, the three ladies shred like crazy on this new album, it’s killer stuff \m/ \m/
Massive – Destination Somewhere for Overdrive
More good time Rock ‘N’ Roll from Oz, these Melbourne guys really know how to kick it. Fun and sounding excellent, don’t miss out on these guys if they are near you later in the year on their return trip to Europe.
Death Angel – The Evil Divide for Midlands Rocks
Already one of my favourite albums of 2016, absolutely cracking stuff from a band that has continued to create meaningful and powerful music. This is for me their strongest release since the 90’s, bravo, terrific album all around, don’t miss out on this one.
Harbinger – Paroxysm for Midlands Rocks
First EP release for London Technical Death Metal band Harbinger, and it’s a damn fine effort to introduce themselves to the World.
Daxx And Roxanne – 4×4 for Overdrive
Sleazy Swiss Rockers show a lot of potential on this four track EP, certainly will be keeping an eye on them for a follow up album release, they definitely know how to Rock.
Iodine Sky – Tides for Rockposer.com
Manchester four piece alternative rock band Iodine Sky are definitely trying to make some waves with their debut album Tides, some excellent tracks on this one.
Flotsam And Jetsam – Flotsam And Jetsam for Midlands Rocks
Thirty years on from the release of Doomsday For The Deceiver this band are still creating and releasing really excellent Thrash Metal albums. This self titled 12th studio release is a monster – go check it out and go see them live in the UK & Ireland in October.
Destruction – Under Attack for Midlands Rocks
Teutonic Thrash royalty, Destruction have rarely strayed from the mission to obliterate your ears, the new album Under Attack is still really powerful, cutting riffs and in your face, and on the whole certainly one of the best releases since the reunion with Schmier around the turn of the century.
Devildriver – Trust No One for Midlands Rocks
Beast of an album just released from another Calafornian band, Devildriver, great that is still a Hardcore element in the vocals, these guys are still improving, and always great live.
The latest release from the Californian Alt Rock powerhouse. Have always thought they this was a band that required a bit of work to get into, but that should never be a problem, if anything it should be a plus, once you do get into an album like this it’s a joy.
Rob Zombie – The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser for Overdrive
The new album from Rob Zombie may not contain a huge amount of secrets in it’s style, but it’s been really well put together and is Zombie all over, if you like Gore splattered schlock rock this really is where it’s at.
POEM – Skein Syndrome for MidlandsRocks
Now that things are moving along quite nicely here’s another of my reviews gracing the pages of Midlands Rocks. Greek Progressive metallers POEM release their second album on a very non-expectant public. Great music and concept.
Dust Bowl Jokies – Dust Bowl Jokies for MidlandsRocks
Swedish sleaze rock with a massive touch of class, Dust Bowl Jokies have released an album that should be taken very seriously, great mix of styles and deliveries and songs that you want to come back to.
Amon Amarth – Jomsviking for MidlandsRocks
My take on the new Amon Amarth album, the Swedish Melodic Death Metal legends have made the bold step this time around of taking on a Concept album, and for me it works. Will we ever get to see the full thing in a live environment – it would be a night to remember.
Moonspell/SoulLine – Button Factory, Dublin – 29-03-2016 for Overdrive.ie
What a thrill it was to have a second band make their debut performance on a Dublin stage and again Overdrive where there to cover the occasion, thoroughly enjoyed Moonspell’s set, another cracking band.
Amorphis/Textures/POEM – Button Factory – 20-03-2016 – for Overdrive.ie
The amazing Amorphis visited Dublin recently for a show in the Button Factory, in fact it was their first ever Irish show and Overdrive where there to cover the event.