Rambling Man's Reviews

Photo credit: Richard Sibbald  Yesterday, Rush made a spectacular announcements in regards to their FIFTY SOMETHING TOUR . They will continue the tour in South America, the UK, AND Europe next year.  Last year, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame® Inductees, GRAMMY® Award-nominated icons, and RUSH Co-Founders Geddy Lee [bass, keys, vocals] and Alex Lifeson [guitar, vocals] announced their return to the stage for a very special tour in Canada, USA and Mexico in 2026 in celebration of RUSH’s music, legacy, and the life of late drummer and lyricist Neil Peart . The response was met with enthusiasm. The initial 22 dates sold out immediately, encouraging additional shows, resulting in a total of 58 shows across 24 cities, with over half a million tickets sold for 2026.  I n early 2027, the dates will be the first time the band has played in Europe in over a decade, and 17 years since visiting South America. The dates will see the band performing 24 shows across 13 countri...

[Photo by Jim Louvau] EXODUS prepare for a mammoth month in March with the release of the title track from their new album, Goliath , out March 20, 2026, via Napalm Records . With an accompanying music video, “Goliath” slows the tempo with winding, malevolent leads, powerful drums, and ominous string work by violinist Katie Jacoby , complemented by intricate guitar playing from the legendary Gary Holt . Even after 40 years since their debut, Exodus. continue to soldier on. The band's highly anticipated 12th studio album is their most dynamic release to date, featuring several collaborations and marking the return of Rob Dukes as lead vocalist.  EXODUS on “Goliath”: "'Goliath' may quite possibly be the heaviest thing we have ever done, and certainly the slowest song in our catalog, as close to doom metal as Exodus we get! Just pure evil, as sinister as it gets, featuring our friend Katie Jacoby, who laid down 18 tracks of strings in the middle harmony section, maki...

  Art Coverwork courtesy of San PR Rambling Man's Reviews introduces another exciting British Metal band this week. Death Assault is a quintet from Plymouth, England . Last week, they released their eleven-track, self-titled debut album . The release showcases modern metal characterised by harsh vocals , long, winding breakdowns, and goosebump-inducing riffs, reflecting a band on a serious path of destruction. They have been compared to Lamb of God and Slayer , particularly due to their groove-oriented riffs and aggressive vocals , as well as to Slipknot , which evokes a sense of having emerged from the metal scene twenty years ago. Like many fast-emerging bands, they formed after the pandemic era in 2022, and they comprise of  Darrell Baker (vocals), Bill Mander (guitar), Jake Ackrell (guitar), Wiktor Osiecki (bass), and Levi Spry (drums). The band follows up on their 2023 debut EP with a raw, unrelenting, and ferocious display of angst, anger, and frustration. Death A...

Photo courtesy of Duff Press PR Edited by Anselm Anderson Guitarist JOHN 5 will bring his first-ever solo tour to the UK and Europe in May 2026. Apart from a few shows in 2016, this is John’s first real tour across these shores. For over 30 years, JOHN 5 has been one of the most in-demand guitar players on the planet. John has shared stages and recording studios with Rob Zombie , Marilyn Manson, David Lee Roth, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Meat Loaf, Dolly Parton , and more, and is now a member of Mötley Crüe . As a long-term fan of the guitar maestro, I am really excited about this and about what his shows will be like. Since 2011, John has released over a dozen solo albums highlighting his unique style of playing that has entertained and mesmerised audiences around the world.  In 2025, John 5 released his latest album, which was the critically acclaimed “Ghost” – released in October 2025. Available HERE The tour will feature twelve UK appearances along with shows in Germany , the Netherla...

Photo Credit: Nick Pegg This past Friday, Montreal’s The Fake Friends released Let’s Not Overthink This , a full-length that blends post-punk rhythm / new wave late-night record. On Stomp Records , the record nods to Pylon , Wire , Parquet Courts , Cloud Nothings , and Franz Ferdinand , cutting through. The release has been described as a lively and wired album that reflects the city the band were brought up in. What began in 2020 as an opportunity to socialise became a regular occurrence for the group.  Founded by Frontman Matthew Savage and guitarist Luca Santilli, they were soon joined by longtime collaborators Felix Crawford-Legault, Michael Kamps, Bradley Cooper-Graham, and Michael Tomizzi until the lineup locked into place.  The record opens with “ Ministry Of Peace ,” a jittery broadcast that moves toward media noise and cultural static. Savage repeats “no truce” as the song builds, guitars cut through the haze. It sets up the album’s central theme: trying to hold ...

     [Photo Credit: Patric Ullaeus] Gothenburg ’s masterminds of melancholia, Prog Metal act   EVERGREY , hope to bring some cheer for their fans with the announcement of their fifteenth album, Architects Of A New Weave , which will be released on June 5, 2026 via Napalm Records , just days before the band takes the stage as special guest to  Iron Maiden , for two shows on their Run For Your Lives World Tour . The band will soon follow up this news with a music video for their first single, but you will need to stay tuned for when. Personally, I am interested in discovering what music they will bring. Lead vocalist  Tom Englund   explains the story about Architects Of A New Weave: “We’ve literally never had this much trouble picking singles. And honestly? That’s the best problem we could possibly have. Every song on this record is fighting to be the one you hear first—because we poured everything into making an album we’re flat-out obsessed with...

Photo Artwork courtesy of Rogue PR  Words written by Anselm Anderson Before the Sirens is another exciting new discovery on British shores. They released their most recent EP in December of last year, a follow-up to their debut EP, Desolate Seas and Darkened Skies . The EP is ' As it is Above, 'So it is Below , and the five-track brings an intense new sound with soaring vocal melodies and heavy riffs. The band is described as metalcore , but I argue they lean more towards a modern, accessible metal route. The band are fronted by vocalist Alun Davies , guitarist Chris Tiday , bassist Adam Aldridge and drummer Alex Budge . On this latest outing, they write about struggles and mental health .  Promo Shoot courtesy of Rogue PR. These themes are evident in the way the music is presented. In the opening track, "As It Is Above," vocalist Davies’s soft vocal textures blend seamlessly with the fierce riffs and pounding drums. This combination conveys a sense of imploration, ...