The Rockstar Reviewer (Rambling Man's Reviews)

  Art Coverwork courtesy of STE Words Written by Anselm Anderson Swedish Rock act   The Chuck Norris Experiment  have released the third instalment of  B-Sides and Rarities  from the past couple of years. The release marks the twenty-second anniversary of the Swedish sextet. The band's brand of tongue-in-cheek humour and  energetic punk , combined with  blues-rock stylings , is an enjoyable introduction to the band. The band has been touring across Europe for over twenty years, sharing stages with notable acts such as  Turbonegro ,  The Hellacopters ,  Twisted Sister , and  Danko Jones . They have released twelve albums so far, and this collection of tracks demonstrates that they show no signs of slowing down. ' Hot Stuff 3 ' was released yesterday by  Ghost Highway Recordings  and  Chaputa Records , having been recorded at  Studio Meltdown  in  Kungsbacka  by  Kenny Boufadene . The band's exo...

  CoverArtwork Courtesy of San Pr Words Written by Anselm Anderson Today marks the final chapter of an emphatic trilogy by British Metalcore Heavyweights , Virtue in Vain . Nothing is All I Am ' is the third instalment exploring human emotions and psyche.  The trio began their journey in 2015 with their debut EP,  For All You Know is the Mask I Wore ,  focusing on the loss of identity, before 2019's   Dusk//Dawn looking at the consequences of a terrible night out, whilst 'Nothing is All I Am ' focuses on rebuilding a fractured mind. The trio of lead vocalist Hywel Thomas, guitarist Mason Williams, and drummer Daniel Bryant hail from South Wales deliver another dose of metalcore that hits like a sledgehammer to the head. The band replicates what many other British bands of the genre do, but they bring a story behind their music. Their emotional cries blend with powerful riffs and down-tuned instrumentals that resonate long after the music has stopped. Their...

  Art coverwork courtesy of Zbigniew Bielak, Review by Anselm Anderson:  German thrash metal titans Kreator return with their strongest release to date. Their 16th album, " Krushers of the World ," showcases a more experimental side of the band, blending elements of thrash, death metal , and traditional heavy metal . The album features songs inspired by famous horror films . The title reflects the band’s hard work and dedication, supported by a growing fanbase that began over forty years ago with their 1985 album, * Endless Pain * . Since then, the band has established itself as one of Germany's most prominent exports, producing classic albums such as * Coma of Souls * (1990), * Out of the Dark... Into the Light * (1988), and * Pleasure to Kill * . The quartet aims to build on their success in 2025 with the release of "Krushers of the World," which will be supported by a tour across Europe and the UK. Last year, lead vocalist and guitarist Mille Petrozza pu...

  Interview conducted by Anselm Anderson The Rambling Man seized the opportunity to speak with OOB Records and Friendly Folk Records founder Kathy Keller about her tenth anniversary, marking the creation of the ventures, which celebrate the best in folk and prog music from unsigned bands. I talked to her about the companies, their impacts, how she got started, and what it's like to spend ten years doing what she loves. Congratulations on your tenth anniversary with OOB Records and Friendly Folk Records. What are your thoughts on achieving this milestone at this stage in your journey?    Well, hitting the 10-year mark has been surprisingly emotional, filled with nostalgia and “what if” moments. I began with a passion for music as a journalist and by running My Music Matters Management and booking company, along with hosting Prog Core Radio shows. The pivotal moment came in 2017 when I was getting a bit too busy and had to choose between Prog and Folk while balancing a ...

Photo Credit: Chris Griffiths of Riff Photos Interview conducted by Anselm Anderson Good evening, Ross. Congratulations on your latest release, The Blood and the Blues. How has the reception been so far? Ross – Thank you kindly. It’s been good so far. I feel like my music is slow-burning. It may take time to resonate with the right audiences, but when it does, it’s potent. It sits in an in-between place between Blues audiences and fans of darker types of music. The lyrical content can be heavy, uncomfortable at times. It’s art. This makes it slightly niche, I guess. It’s not for everyone, and I am at peace with that. People have come back to my shows, bought the album, and I’m seeing audiences build up all over the UK, so clearly something is working. The album was released in November, providing listeners with a few months to engage with it. Could you elaborate on how the album will connect with your forthcoming UK tour? Ross – The overarching motif of my whole creative process at ...

  Written by Anselm Anderson Today, Alter Bridge releases their eighth studio album . The self-titled release features twelve tracks of their most deeply personal and heaviest material since 2007's Blackbird album. "Alter Bridge" follows up 2022's critically Acclaimed Pawn and Kings , and is once again produced by Michael 'Elvis' Baskette  at his legendary 5150 studios in Los Angeles . He consistently brings out the best in the band with his keen ear for their nuances. This is true for Alter Bridge. Baskette emphasises the band's strengths as writers and musicians, with the group aiming for a harder rock sound. They express more meaning and emotion compared to their previous albums. The songs feel darker, featuring a dark sound with more emphasis on solos and memorable riffs. In this release, guitarist Mark Tremonti takes centre stage with dual vocals on two tracks: ' Trust in Me ' and ' Tested and Able .' His quiet, melodic vocals ble...

  Photo: Altankhuyag Erdenebat Words by Anselm Anderson There are times when a band comes along and becomes an instant success, the music industry takes note and churns out its successor. Mongolian Folk band UUhai follow the success and signature sound of fellow countrymen The Hu . The band's use of traditional elements, such as horsehair and throat singing , aligns with the previously mentioned hu. However, the band's sound is more melodic and easier to listen to, in contrast to the commercially accessible features of the former. This Friday (5th January), UUhai will finally explode onto the international stage with their debut Human Herds , set for release via Napalm Records .  The seven-piece first gained notoriety after their first songs gained millions of views on YouTube . They have created an album inspired by folklore and societal themes in the Mongolian language . The band blends traditional Mongolian music with heavy metal.  Formed in 2020, the band were ...