NWOBHM Thunder: Album Review
A Cherry Red three-disc collection from The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal 1978-1986. A reminder of a classic period for rock music and of how difficult it was to say NWOBHM…
Mike Ainscoe
Mike has been photographing and writing about bands going back many years. A former writer and Reviews Editor on Louder Than War as well as several online music blogs, he also contributes to Fireworks and to Powerplay Rock & Metal magazines.
Bleek Noir – Bite Thy Pigsty: EP Review
Some new material from the wonderfully bizarre Bleek Noir. New songs and instrumental versions make up Bite Thy Pigsty.
The Psychedelic Furs – Made Of Rain: Album Review
Their first album for thirty years, post punk influencers The Psychedelic Furs return with the obligatory same but different offering.
Lau – Live Series 1.0: EP Review
Going right back to their roots, Drever, O’Rourke and Green strip Lau back to what many believe they do best with some unplugged recordings.
The Wilderness Yet – s/t: Album Review
The Wilderness Yet, a new folk trio but with some familiar names, present an colourful array of original and traditional folk songs and tunes.
Barclay James Harvest – And Other Short Stories: Album Review
Back in 1971, Barclay James Harvest released their …and Other Short Stories album. The remastered and expanded version goes up to date with 5.1 and stereo remixes and a handful of period recordings.
Kimberley Rew & Lee Cave-Berry – Sunshine Walkers: Album Review
Sunshine Walkers, subtitled The Best Of Kimberley Rew and Lee Cave-Berry, does what it says on the tin and gives a mere tip of the iceberg overview of some highlights from the career of an unsung hero of British popular music.
Morse / Portnoy / George – Cov3r To Cov3r: Album Review
Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy and Randy George come up with the third volume of cover versions as well as rounding up their three efforts into a full anthology.
Dream Theater On Track: Book Review
We’re enjoying reading Jordan Blum’s analysis of the music of Prog Metal giants Dream Theater in the latest On Track addition to the bookshelves.
The Blinders – Fantasies Of A Stay At Home Psychopath: Album Review
How have Manchester’s adopted sons, the great musical hope The Blinders, followed the monolith that was Colombia?
sleepmakeswaves – these are not your dreams: EP Review
Three years since their 2017 release Made Of Breath Only, Australian instrumental Post Rock trio sleepmakeswaves return with a three EP extravaganza.
Massive Wagons – House Of Noise: Album Review
Massive Wagons follow up Full Nelson with House Of Noise. Another rip-snorter that redefines what we mean by British values. Out on Earache Records.
Kaprekar’s Constant – Meanwhile: EP Review
Having been impressed with their Depth Of Field album at the end of 2019, Kaprekar’s Constant delight us with an interim ‘no frills’ four track EP while they do the spadework for the next album.
Virginia Kettle – No Place Like Tomorrow: Album Review
No Place Like tomorrow – a solo album from Virginia Kettle, “the creative heart of Merry Hell,” that promises everything from Joni Mitchell to Victoria Wood.
The Residents: Meat, Metal & Bone: Album Review
San Francisco’s The Residents offer up an album based on the works of long-lost bluesman Alvin ‘Dyin’ Dog’ Snow.