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Orianthi - 'Some Kind Of Feeling'
‘Some Kind Of Feeling’ is the sixth studio album by guitarist, singer and songwriter Orianthi. When it comes to her curriculum vitae, there are very few
that can match that of the Australian, Orianthi Penny Panagaris. The ultra-talented musician was hired by the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson, for his London performances before his untimely death, and has also performed with Alice Cooper, Dave Stewart, Steve Vai and Richie Sambora (RSO), to name but a few.
Rock Metal Machine
Aug 102 min read


Powerhill - 'Generation X'
Powerhill hail from Switzerland and create self- proclaimed Farm Metal! These Hard Rockers don’t take themselves too seriously and are proud flag waving Gen X’ers who are lovers of the eighties Rock scene – which is abundantly clear in their music. Before you ask what is “Farm Metal”, it is more of a term coined by the band for their tongue-in-cheek approach to their music rather than a definable sound.
Rock Metal Machine
Aug 102 min read


Those Damn Crows - 'God Shaped Hole'
Welsh quintet Those Damn Crows have been causing quite a buzz on the Rock scene. This Modern Rock band is the antithesis of the New Wave Of Classic Rock that has gained popularity in recent times, offering something different and more contemporary whilst retaining a sense of melody.
Rock Metal Machine
Jul 51 min read


Robert Jon & The Wreck - 'Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes'
If you like your favourite bands to develop and evolve, to write about real life experiences, tour often and hard and produce a blend of Blues, Southern Rock with incredible talent, then stop right now. This is exactly where you need to be.
Rock Metal Machine
Jul 52 min read


Billy Idol - 'Dream Into It'
Move aside pretenders! The king of Punk-Rock is back and kicking arse as he reclaims his throne! The legend that is Billy Idol returns with his first full-length album in over a decade, and it’s
sublime! It’s reminiscing Billy, it’s rebellious Billy, it’s “I don’t give a shit” Billy, it’s “Billy Fucking Idol”, and I love him for it!
Rock Metal Machine
Jul 52 min read


Helloween - 'Giants & Monsters
Helloween are a German Power Metal band, and if you need any more intro than that you are definitely reading the wrong magazine. Often credited as the fathers of European Melodic Power Metal, they are one of those bands that has ebbed and flowed quality wise, but always seem to come back stronger, as on their 2021 self titled album, one of their best since forming in 1984.
Rock Metal Machine
Jul 52 min read


Harem Scarem - 'Chasing Euphoria'
I’d lost touch a bit with Haren Scarem during the last decade, listening to releases but not having the time to fully digest them (a future joy to come). I decided to rectify that by reviewing their new sixteenth studio release, a decision helped by also covering their recent cracking London show; I am so glad I did. Ihave many favourite songs across their discography, but none come close to matching the amazing self-titled debut and sophomore stunner ‘Mood Swings’, but I’ll
Rock Metal Machine
Jul 52 min read


Ghost - 'Skeletá’
What do you get if you take the shock and awe of Alice Cooper, the Goth-infused melancholy of bands like HIM or My Dying Bride, the classic Rock and Metal riffs of the seventies and eighties, and a stirring affinity for timeless melodies á la Def Leppard in their prime? The answer to that particularly vexing conundrum is Sweden’s Ghost, arguably the hottest property in any delineation of Melodic Rock right now.
Rock Metal Machine
Jul 12 min read


Star Circus – ‘From The Wreckage’
Star Circus’s sophomore album, ‘From The Wreckage’, cements the UK hard rockers’ reputation as one of the most inventive and emotionally resonant acts on the current scene. Led by Dave Winkler, the band delivers a collection that’s both a love letter to classic Hard Rock and a bold step into new musical territory, blending AOR sheen and nineties American Power Pop influences reminiscent of San Francisco’s cult heroes Jellyfish.
Rock Metal Machine
Jun 302 min read


The Darkness - 'Dreams On Toast'
Yes, part of this album talks about the way not so many people buy The Darkness albums any more, and it feels like since they returned in 2012 with the wonderfully named ‘Hot Cakes’, their albums have been sadly overlooked but fantastic quality.
Rock Metal Machine
Apr 132 min read


Sign Of The Wolf - 'Sign Of The Wolf'
Sign Of The Wolf is the brainchild of Fireworks Editor Bruce Mee, who along with Fredrik Folkare (Eclipse, Nordic Union) set out to write an album in the style of the seminal classic Dio-fronted albums of the mid-seventies and early-eighties.
Rock Metal Machine
Apr 132 min read


Lordi - 'Limited Deadition'
Full of great songs and skits, blistering riffs and melodies, it’s fair to say that Lapland’s foremost Metal group have released an absolute monster with their latest album!
Rock Metal Machine
Apr 122 min read


Gotthard - 'Stereo Crush'
Gotthard are certainly a band that divide opinions these days, since vocalist Nic Maeder joined the band in 2014, but I have always had a soft spot for them.
Rock Metal Machine
Apr 122 min read


Hannah Wicklund – ‘Live At The Troubadour’
I first became aware of Hannah Wicklund when I was sent the ‘Hannah Wicklund And The Stepping Stones’ album to review in 2018. I remember hearing the guitar work and her powerful voice,
Rock Metal Machine
Apr 112 min read


Arch Enemy – ‘Blood Dynasty’
I’ve always loved Arch Enemy, in all of their guises, from the beloved Angela Gossow era, through to the records that included her replacement, Alissa White-Gluz.
Rock Metal Machine
Apr 112 min read


Avantasia - 'Here Be Dragons'
A dragon is often portrayed as a massive, magnificent and powerful beast, and that’s quite appropriate title- wise as here be ten massive, magnificent and powerful tracks.
Rock Metal Machine
Apr 112 min read


W.E.T - 'Apex'
It’s funny that nowadays that the merest mention of a “Frontiers Project Group” can have the majority of Rock fans running for the hills
Rock Metal Machine
Apr 62 min read


Dream Theater - 'Parasomnia'
Here it is, the album where Mike Portnoy returns to the band’s drum seat; and the big question is... does it tick all the boxes?
Rock Metal Machine
Apr 62 min read


Sweet – ‘Isolation Boulevard’
It’s fair to say the seventies superstars Sweet have released one of the finest albums of 2024 in ‘Full Circle’,
Rock Metal Machine
Jan 162 min read


Threshold - 'Extinct Instinct' / 'Clone' Re-release.
Having had the pleasure of reviewing Threshold’s first two excellent remixes (‘Wounded Land’ and ‘Psychedelicatessen’)
Rock Metal Machine
Jan 162 min read
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