The Rockstar Reviewer (Rambling Man's Reviews)

  Words by Anselm Anderson British trio RJ Archer and the Painful Memories made their comeback last week with their fourth album, titled "Infernow," a fiery eight-track release that channels all the disillusionment the band feels toward modern-day politics. This album stands apart from their usual blues-infused hard rock, as "Infernow" offers a more diverse sound, blending a range of influences and styles. If you’re a new reader, I’ve previously covered the band’s last album, “The Cost of a Loving Crisis.” RJ Archer was formed in 2019 when lead vocalist Richard brought together a few friends to start the band after winning studio time in a competition. " Infernow" is the follow up to that release, having recorded the album in 20 hours on one January afternoon this year. Recorded at Half Ton Studio, the album is twenty three minutes of raw rock 'n'' roll. Photo Courtesy of Richard Archer The album kicks off with the energetic blues of "I Ca...

 British heavy metal giants Saxon have announced the first UK and Ireland leg of their Gods of Thunder World Tour .  The eleven date tour will feature the revival of their legendary 30-foot mechanised Eagle for all UK and Ireland shows, with the exception of Cardiff due to venue restrictions. Saxon will also be bringing the  Castles & Eagles stage production. Originally constructed in the early 1980s as Saxon prepared to tour their seminal album Denim and Leather , the iconic Eagle was built by Midlands-based company LSD using airport runway landing lights. It made its first appearance during a pre-tour rehearsal in London before becoming an enduring symbol of the band. Towering above audiences during Saxon’s massive arena tours, the emblematic Eagle quickly became Saxon’s mascot and inspired the title of their acclaimed 1982 UK Top 5 live album, The Eagle Has Landed , leading to fans requesting its presence ever since. “We wanted to make the Gods of Thunder UK ...

Words by Anselm Anderson S epultura is getting ready to close the chapter on their remarkable forty-year career with the release of their final four-track EP, The Cloud of Unknowing , arriving this Friday, April 24th, via Nuclear Blast Records . The Brazilian Quartet wraps things up on a high note with their most heartfelt and inventive work yet. Each track explores a different side of the band’s emotions, blending thunderous drums, sweeping orchestral arrangements, and their signature fierce vocals and riffs. The band brought in American drummer Greyson Nekrutman for their latest tour across North America, Europe, and Latin America. His prodigious talent adds a fresh layer to the band’s often wild and chaotic brand of tribal metal . Nekrutman’s precise yet powerful hits blend seamlessly as the rest of the band pour their energy into this final chapter of their career. The band chose the legendary Criteria Studios as the place to record The Cloud of Unknowing, produced by long...

Photo Credit: Michael Selby Edited by Anselm Anderson Toronto’s The Get Alongs return with their first single “Come On,” from their upcoming album,  Second To None ,  which is due out on June 19, 2026 via Having Fun / We Are Busy Bodies . It’s dose of  jangly,  guitar rock leans towards The Brian Jonestown Massacre and early Oasis . The track is being released using bone conduction technology , which transmits vibrations through the skull. You can enjoy the experience by sucking on a limited-edition lollipop . Come On,” can only be heard while sucking on it The song plays directly inside a user's head using vibration technology. It works by transmitting audio vibrations through the teeth and jawbone to the inner ear, bypassing the eardrum entirely. That means that the song travels straight through your jaw and into your skull, bypassing the usual distance between listener and sound. All quite interesting like a Science class! Formed in 2017, the four-piece consists ...

[photo credit: Beatriz Mariano] Spanish melodic death metal band BLOODHUNTER will release their hotly-anticipated studio album, entitled “Sons Of The Abandoned”, on June 12, 2026 via ROAR – A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music . In support of the news,  BLOODHUNTER have released music video for their latest single “Threshold Of Hell”, featuring Fernando Ribeiro of Portuguese dark metal legends MOONSPELL . Guitarist Dani Arcos comments:  "I think it's the most complete song on the album. We worked really hard on it, both musically and in terms of sound effects, the collaboration with Fernando Ribeiro... and it also has a great groove." Vocalist Diva Satanica adds about the meaning behind the track: "It’s an anti-war song that dissects the mysteries of human behaviour and how it seems we didn’t evolve at all, making the same mistakes of the past. We wanted to emphasize this contradiction of being an anti-war song but using the typical sounds in this context, s...

  Words by Anselm Anderson Release Date: May 1st, 2026                                                Label: Eclipse Records Munich-based alternative metal band Antirope is set to drop their second album, "Bring Me to Zero," next month through Eclipse Records The quartet delivers a melancholic and unsettling set of tracks, recorded live at Patrick Fleischer 's home studio, LungFull Studios . The music feels brooding yet comforting, with crushing riffs merging into monotonous vocals, sludge-like instrumentals, and lyrics brimming with emotion. There is obvious influences by Black Sabbath , A Perfect Circle and Tool , which is conveyed through each outpouring of emotion throughout this release. Formed in Munich, Germany in 2015,  Antirope  of Slaven Stokic on vocals and guitar, Patrick Fleischer on guitar and backing vocals, Julie Fleischer on bass, and...

📸: Brandon Gullion TESLA have announced their new covers album, 'Homage,' set for release on July 17, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl . The album finds the band returning to their roots with a collection of covers honouring some of rock’s most timeless hits. It's an exciting moment for long term fans, as it marks their first material in six years. To whet appetites, Tesla have  shared a  cover of Climax Blues Band 's iconic track, "I Love You" (2026 Version). The new single arrives alongside an official video, available to view below. Tesla share their thoughts on the release; "'I Love You,' like all the tracks on 'Homage,' not only pays tribute to legends but gives us a chance to showcase our lead singer’s diversity as well as the musical dynamics we learned as a band many years ago." Watch the Official Video for “I Love You” (2026 Version)     Tesla started their career as a cover band, playing in California nightclubs before mo...