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Author Paul Maddison

I grew up in the North East at the tail end of NWOBHM and US Power Metal scene and more noticably during the glam vs. thrash conflict. I then upped sticks to spend a good few years in the West Midlands during the late 90's.

Over the years I have become a fanatical collector of records, T shirts and CD's and in this current internet age, mp3's are not what i consider to be called part a record collection for the "record"!

I decided to start writing reviews as I thought that it would be a good way to give back some positive support for artists and a music phenomenon that has given me great pleasure over the years. I prefer to listen to bands that can really play their instruments and have a talent for melody and good arrangements. I try to be constructive with everything I endeavour within music. When on or off "duty" you will more than likely see me enjoying rather a few pints of the good stuff at the bar in the London area and maybe at some various other watering holes around the country...i don't bite, i just stumble a bit...

Long live metal with all its triumphs and tribulations, metal fans are a community, it's a lifestyle, it is everything to man and beast!

Iron Griffin – Curse of the Sky (Gates of Hell)

Iron Griffin is a project by Mausoleum Gate multi-instrumentalist Oskari Räsänen, the previous self-titled EP was reviewed here a couple of years ago. Iron Griffin are very much what is termed proto-metal, using a less distorted sound and pulling in… Continue Reading →

Overkill – The Wings of War (Nuclear Blast)

Overkill need no introduction, they are thrash masters and since I got into them in the 80’s I have never felt disappointed by one of their releases, no matter what people say, these are the dogs bollocks, always have been,… Continue Reading →

Traveler – Traveler (Gates of Hell)

This is another Canadian band I have enjoyed from their demo days since finding them on a well-known music platform. In this review cycle, this is a two pronged attack from vocalist Jean-Pierre Abboud (also of Gatekeeper – see review… Continue Reading →

Gatekeeper – Grey Maiden (Cruz Del Sur Music)

From their demo day’s Gatekeeper from Canada have been a touch special. They are one of those groups who may be labelled as a particular sub-genre of metal, but travel well between high standards of a fair few descriptions. In… Continue Reading →

Texas Metal Outlaws – S/T (Heaven & Hell)

This is a Texan super group, I first I thought this was the Texas Metal Legions destined to play Keep It True next year, but it’s not, although some of the same musicians feature. Primarily, it’s a project put together… Continue Reading →

Flight – A Leap Through Matter (High Roller)

Oslo’s Flight, now with a new label, continues with their interpretation of classic 70’s heavy rock. For me there’s a splash of Winterhawk, Ashbury with some progressive elements that figured predominantly in the mid-70’s UK scene. The band has spent… Continue Reading →

The Deep – Watching You (S/R)

The Deep came out with a fantastic debut release a while back, since then there’s been a terrific selection of live shows and each time I see this band I am reminded of how great a band they really are…. Continue Reading →

The Tempter – Turpis Rex (Dissonance)

The Tempter is a project of Alex Wank (Pungent Stench) formed with Tarpiu in the beginning of 2008 to let demons out and anger in. Written after a brief hiatus following Pungent Stench coming to an end, the results are… Continue Reading →

Interview – The Wizards

If you are in the market for a really cool heavy metal record, influenced by the greats whilst maintaining homage to classic hard rock of the 70’s, the this band are for you. The Wizards released one of the best… Continue Reading →

Lethean – The Waters of Death (Cruz Del Sur)

This is a project featuring multi-instrumentalist James Ashbey (Deceptor, ex-Solstice, Craven Idol and Doctor Death) and singer Thumri Paavana. Described as a cross between Doom, Epic Metal and NWOBHM, the thought is quite tempting. Immediately you are dragged into epic… Continue Reading →

Outlaw – Marauders (High Roller)

Outlaw were formed 3 years ago in Finland, Outlaw take influence from US Power Metal, the NWOBHM scene and traditional metal, a-la classic 80’s Priest and Maiden. From the initial track, ‘Hell’s Thunder’, vocalist Lee Anvel sounds like a cross… Continue Reading →

The Wizards – Rise of the Serpent (High Roller)

This Spanish band have been a great asset to my musical enjoyment, their previous release ‘Full Moon in Scorpio’ and even their debut were filled with occult doom rock and heavy metal influence. On this latest release, The Wizards have… Continue Reading →

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