hutchie224RockMetal&Roll

  Iron Maiden. Probably, no, definitely, the biggest heavy metal band to ever come out of the UK. Rivalled only by Metallica and AC/DC in terms of Global stature. A massive force now celebrating 50 years since their formation in London’s East End in 1975. 50 years! And such is their pulling power, that as they roll into the UK leg of their Run for your Lives tour, the streets of the UK’s second biggest city are thronged with black t-shirted clad fans of all ages, sizes, and genders. With about 95% of them already wearing the band’s t-shirts, which are stretched across the decades, that doesn’t preclude big queues of excited fans at the band’s pop-up shop (Eddie’s Dive Bar) or outside the venue itself, where the real die-hards are baking in the afternoon heat as they wait patiently for doors to open. At £45 a t-shirt, you can see why the band are masters of the merchandise. The designs are as awesome as usual, and the stores do a roaring trade. Doors are open and the crowds flood i...

At the age of 74, and having undergone a liver transplant 11 years ago, one might forgive Walter Trout for hanging up his white Fender Strat and enjoying retirement in Denmark with his wife and family. Not a bit of it. Tonight, the Blues legend from New Jersey is back in Cardiff with his incredible band and for over 90-minutes holds the audience in the palm of his hand.  It’s Cam Cole who gets the honour of opening the evening. A one-man band of sorts, his blend of Delta Blues, Grunge and Rock is easy on the ear and whilst he’s slightly restrained due to playing drums and awesome slide at the same time, Cole is captivating throughout his 30-minute set.  He’s a curious animal. A cross between Johnny Depp’s Edward Scissorhands and The Mad Hatter, he’s a whirlwind of focus. Playing drums with your feet whilst scorching the fretboard with your hands is no easy style, but the man nails it. The Londoner who appeared on Ted Lasso is skilled and confident and holds the Tramshed’s earl...

Undeniably moving into the next tier, Bridgend’s finest Those Damn Crows fourth album is a glorious slab of melodic hard rock which sees them take the next step along a road which has looked easy, but which is based on huge amounts of hard work and effort.  If 2023’s Inhale Exhale moved the band to the position where they could command strong opening slots for the likes of ZZ Top and Rival Sons, then God Shaped Hole moves them comfortably into the Academy headliner position. When I reviewed Inhale Exhale, I predicted that the band were ready for the next step. And whilst God Shaped Hole may be more radio friendly than some of the darker tracks on album number three, the fourth release certainly contains enough for those who like their rock hard but with ample melody.  Those Damn Crows - O2 Academy Bristol 2023 As ever, the songs are crafted with honest simplicity that allows the hooks to dig deep and leave you humming the melodies for days after. Opener Dancing with the E...

The ideal soundtrack as I travel across the Portuguese interior by train, the sophomore release by Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen is a smooth as the coffee I sipped along the way.  A combination of bluesy rock swagger, the duo’s previous self-titled release is drenched with a quality that comes from decades of experience. Whilst it may not be the rapier thrusting of Iron Maiden, Smith’s style has always been more reserved, cleverer and with a distinctive style that makes his playing something special as well as instantly recognisable. Kotzen may sit slightly lower in the hall of fame, but not by much. Look up his history if you want some clarification. It’s feel-good rock music which has hooks big enough to snare an orca.  First single White Noise hangs in the memory for days, whilst the groove that underpins Black Light highlights not just the phenomenal guitar work but the vocal ability of both musicians. The crisp production allows room for the music to breath, and whils...

Let’s get straight to it. This is crossover thrash done with as little fuss as possible. A blasting four songs that bludgeon and smash the skull. There’s nothing remotely new about this but to be honest, this is genre where originality is not the key issue. It’s driving power, aggression and energy, and Leeds outfit Sidewinder bring it in spades.  Four tracks from a band only just over a year into their journey, and they have smashed it with four slabs of bruising crossover. It’s fast, frenetic, and oh so punishing. From opener Two Zero One which hits like a hammer, the addictive groove of the title track, or the ferocity of From Beneath They Shall Rise , it’s addictive stuff.  There’s a decent bit of dive-bombing guitar work, whilst the engine room is tight and focused. It also has a decent production which ensures that things are clear in the ears. Yes, the raw energy is here, but ain’t nothing wrong with a crispy bit of clarity.  Vocalist Damo sits in the right ballpa...

With their roots deep in the 1970s, Germans Bonfire are an institution whose discography stretches back way beyond the debut Bonfire album Don’t Touch the Light. But let’s not dwell on the past, for it’s the latest album Higher Ground that grabs the attention now and it’s with both hands that Hans Ziller and his band do indeed grasp it. 11 tracks spread over 45-minutes sees the band in prime form.  There are thick riffs that should please those who like their rock with big noise, whilst the band haven’t let their trademark melodies slip for one minute. It’s a glorious combination of melody and hard rock driven forward by the band’s founder member Hans Ziller, who at 66 is still cranking out memorable tunes that linger long in the memory. This is the first album to feature new singer Dyan Mair and drummer Fabio Alessandrini, the latter having a list of bands he’s featured in which is longer than your arm. Alongside these are bassist Ronnie Parkes and guitarist Frank Pané, both wi...