An Evening with Haken in Detroit
The concept of a seated metal show never entered my mind before An Evening with Haken. If anything, sitting at a metal show felt like a weird formality or, even worse, a sign of...
Nick Johnston: ‘Child of Bliss’ Review
Pinpointing the soul of a guitarist can be a greatly difficult task. Canadian guitarist Nick Johnston wears his openly: through the years he’s managed to pinpoint a sense of purpose in his playing and...
Rick Wakeman and the English Rock Ensemble at Drury Lane Theatre in London
At the start of last year Rick Wakeman did two headline shows in London playing Journey as well as Six Wives in full. And that was clearly a hit as now he’s back by popular demand, deciding...
A Performance From the Heart: Sammy Boller Live at The Sanctuary in Detroit
Sammy Boller’s Spotify Bio reads simply “I play completely from the heart.” and nothing else. After seeing him live, I can safely say that nothing more is needed. Boller attempts (and succeeds in) blending...
Is Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio the way forward?
The words “Dolby Atmos” instil fear for some mixing engineers and suggest an “easy” paycheck for others. A novelty for many listeners, but a transformative way of appreciating art for others. Is it really...
Borknagar: ‘Fall’ Review
What does it mean to be several decades into a career and still be releasing arguably your best material? Best ask Borknagar, the Norwegian progressive black metal band that never seem to stop topping...
Caligula’s Horse at Lincoln Hall in Chicago
Something happens when seeing a band live that you can’t capture from an album recording. The atmosphere the musicians create on the stage, the new context for listening to the music, the sheer visceral...
Chapel of Disease: ‘Echoes of Light’ Review
Any rock historian (and metal by extension) would tell you that its roots trace back to blues, folk and country music. Nostalgia for that era is a great thing and so many bands try...
Spock’s Beard at the 229 in London
On the first day of February, the notorious Spock’s Beard made their return to London after an almost 6 year break. Having no new record to tour with, or anniversary album to celebrate, the...
Ihsahn: ‘Ihsahn’ Review
Norway’s black metal scene is one of contrast. Since the 1990s, it has been a constant vantage point for some of the most brutal and unforgiving music to be inserted into earholes – with...
