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Album Review: Kelowna-Superstar

  Photo courtesy of San PR Words by Anselm Anderson Scotland's Hard rock band Kelowna are set to release their debut album Superstar in a couple of weeks. The five-piece hails from "Up North" in the British Isles and received critical acclaim for their five-track EP last year. "Superstar" will be their first full-length, and an opportunity to listen to them. The ten-tracker is full of raw emotion and depth, capturing the band's different moods through bluesy riffs, powerful ballads, and soulful vocals. Formed in 2024, the band consists of vocalist Davy Wilson , lead guitarist Paul Moody, Bassist Simon Amos, Keyboardist Ian King, and drummer Rory McEwan. This combination produces magic on each track through every lick and insightful lyric. I hear similarities to bands like Bad Company , Deep Purple and Dire Straits because they capture the seventies sound with a thick tone and a feel-good vibe. Photo Courtesy of San PR Kelowna, like many British bands at ...
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Song Review: Little King- "Opus Perficit"

  Photo Credit: Rogue PR Words by Anselm Anderson Arizona's Progressive Rock band Little King have released a standalone single in support of their most recent tour across the States. The track has been released following last year's critically acclaimed "Lente Viviente". You can find a link to The Rockstar Review here "Opus Perficit" offers another side to the band's usual standard bluesy stuff. I think the last album opened the door to the band's penchant for experimenting with different ideas and styles. This is more progressive, with some nice acoustic instrumentals that lean more towards an expressive and emotional side for the band. The Rockstar Reviewer has covered the band for the last five years and has always been impressed by the band's musicianship and tendency to craft hook-laden tracks that capture the listener's attention from the start. The Texas-based trio formed over thirty years ago, but continue to push itself as a unit, a...
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Album Review: Madball-Not Your Kingdom

  Photo Credit: Nuclear Blast Records Words by Anselm Anderson NYC Hardcore Punk band Madball released their tenth studio effort today. " Not Your Kingdom " via Nuclear Blast Records. The quartet delivers fourteen high-tempo, aggressive tales of survival through conviction and pure punk energy. Formed in 1988,  the band originated as a side project for fellow New York Hardcore band Agnostic Front . They were formed by Fred Cricien , the younger half-brother of Agnostic Front vocalist Roger Miret . To date, Madball have released ten albums and four EPs, and they are often cited as an influence on the NYC Hardcore scene. I'm unfamiliar with the history of the band; this is the first release I've heard.  I am always intrigued to listen to something new, so I was excited to give this one a listen after reading about the band. Produced by Andrew Bayliss in Nashville, Tennessee, "Not Your Kingdom" doesn't feel like a political album. Instead, it presents itse...
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EP Review:The Something Ain't Rights- Rotten in the Brain

Photo courtesy of Peter Rasmussen Today, Punk band The Something Ain't Rights release their debut EP Rotten In the Brain via Hovercraft Records . The quartet blends post-punk and garage rock with a touch of country to create the perfect ingredients for a nine-track social commentary on modern-day America. Formed in Astoria, Oregon , The Something Ain't Rights have a rich history in the music scene. The band comprises musicians from New York, Washington DC, New Orleans, Texas and Oregon. Fronted by vocalist and guitarist Mike Vasquez , along with bassist Alpha Rasmussen , drummer Carrie Beveridge , and guitarist Dan McLure , they blend their passion for punk to create a cynical take on life in the States. They also perform as Beta Voids , a local punk band from Astoria. Vasquez is a professional engineer and the owner of Austin's Legendary Sweatbox Studios . He helped record and mix "Rotten in the Brain" at Cannon Deck Recording last winter. The album was inten...
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EP Review: The Larches- Nihilistic Majesties

Photo courtesy of San PR Words by Anselm Anderson North Eastern English five-piece The Larches are set to release their latest EP Nihilistic Majesties on July 24th. The band have worked to change their sound from an indie setup to a more  dissonant sludge metal sound . On this five-track release, the songs are drenched in thick, discordant riffs, snarling vocals, and a groove-oriented vibe, creating a chaotic, disillusioned sound. "Nihilistic Majesties" explores themes of collapse, isolation and endurance.  These are challenges any upcoming band aims to overcome in a tough music industry to break through. Formed in 2023, the band comes from Middlesbrough, England . I know it more for their industrial side, rather than anything else. However, The Larches aim to reflect their grievances in the only way they know how. The band consists of lead vocalist Noah Annandale , lead guitarist Sonny Evans , Rhythm guitarist Joel Hardwick , bassist Alfie Murphy and drummer George Moss ....
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LP Review: Outshine-Truthsayer

  Words written by Anselm Anderson Latst Week, Eclipe Records latest signings,  Gothic Rock act Outshine released their first studio album . Truthsayer , their fifth release overall, is  packed with haunting keys, dark vocals, and backbeats that perfectly capture the   dark, atmospheric metal  of the band. Outshine hail form  Gothenburg, Sweden , They have been round for over thirty years, touring  across the States and Europe. They’ve supported such acts like Paradise Lost  , performing to  over three hundred shows. Since joining Eclipse Records, the band consists of  founding vocalist Jimmy Boman , drummer Robert Petersson ,bassist Niklas Ingvarsson , and  guitarist and backing vocalist Par Arvidsson . "Truthsayer" was produced and recorded by Kenny Boufadene and Jimmy Boman at Studio Meltdown , Kungsbacka, Sweden, The duo capture the melancholy  of the band's nature through nine dark, eerie songs. Photo courtesy of ...
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Album Review: Bloodhunter-Sons of the Abandoned.

Art Coverwork courtesy of REIGN Phoenix Music Melodic death metal act Bloodhunter are set to release their fourth album, Sons of the Abandoned , this Friday via ROAR (A division of Reigning Phoenix Music. The music is fresh, brutal and melodic, set against the backdrop of crushing riffs and hellacious grooves that stick in the memory long after. I am new to the band, but have covered them recently because I hear comparisons with bands like Lamb of God and Arch Enemy . Formed in Galicia, Spain , in 2008, the band have been a rising force in Europe, developing their sound and appearing at Festivals, alongside notable names like Rainbow and Megadeth . Fronted by Female vocalist Diva Satanica , they have released the diverse and personal "Sons of the Abandoned". The ten-track release explores themes of toxicity, identity, and inner demons in a disillusioned world. My first thoughts on the album are how varied the music is. The long, melodic sections are full of emotion, w...
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Review: Stereophobia- Choke on This

Photo Credit: Eclipse Records   Words written by Anselm Anderson Last week, Stereophobia released their highly anticipated sophomore album, Choke on This , through Eclipse Records. This album follows their 2023 debut, No One Cares, and features a straightforward blend of alt-rock and grunge influences. Stereophobia is a power trio based in Lisbon, Portugal, consisting of guitarist and vocalist Mike Rocha, drummer Daniel Antunes, and bassist Bruno Santos. Produced by Miguel Camillo and mixed, mastered and recorded alongside Stereophobia at MC Studios. Choke on This consists of thirteen tracks filled with musically unsettling tones, angst-driven lyrics, and sonically enriching riffs that cut deep. Photo Credit: Rodrigo Vargas The album opens with an unsettling monologue that transitions into the intense cries of 'Maggots', which combines frenetic riffs and frenzied harsh vocals, propelling this album into a dramatic surge of grunge. The album maintains a grunge essence, echoing ...
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EP Review: Virtue in Vain-Nothing is All I Am

  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 and 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. ...
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Single Review: Allan James- Our dreams

Words were written by Anselm Anderson for Rambling Man's Reviews Allan James  is a much-accomplished singer-songwriter, based in Northern Virginia, USA James is a self-taught musician, who began playing guitar and singing songs aged 8 and by the time he reached his early teens, James had started to record and perform his original music for school, dances, and charities. James returned to the US following a successful stint as host of his own guitar TV show in Iceland, whilst living over there. Allan James achieved critical acclaim following the release of his debut single on local radio stations, as well as releasing  6 albums to date. James has always been at the forefront of utilizing technologies and using the internet to build a fanbase.  He now returns with " Our Dreams", the latest single off his forthcoming new album. A beautifully structured track that captures the soul with its succinct guitar play and poetic lyrics. The track conjures feelings of serenity...
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About Me

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The Rockstar Reviewer (Rambling Man's Reviews)
I am Anselm Anderson AKA The Rockstar Reviewer and have curated a comprehensive rock reading selection for enthusiasts You will find information on all the latest releases from the land of rock and metal..For all review/interview/ press requests, please email me using the contact form above.s. I started off writing guest posts for various online sites like RockChicMe, The Old School Project, Neon Music, The Rockpit and I'mMusicMagazine, which helped me hone my skills and develop my passion for music writing

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