The Rockstar Reviewer (Rambling Man's Reviews)

  Art Coverwork: Stan W Decker Northern German Powerhouse Mob Rules have been around for over thirty years, releasing thematic concept albums , master storytelling and powerful melodies. They are set to release their latest EP, titled " Stories From the Verdant Valley ", which features a five tracker, through ROAR . The EP follows on from the success of last year's full-length " Rise of the Ruler ", which told the story of a post-apocalyptic world . This was a continuation of their earlier albums, such as 1999's " Savage Lands " and 2000's " Temple of the Two Suns ".  Rise of the Ruler marked a turning point for the band, earning them critical acclaim for their ability to reach a wider audience with powerful,dynamic music. Photo credit courtesy of Karsten Koch The five tracks from  Stories from the Verdant Vale are songs that did not make the final cut for  Rise of the Ruler,  continuing similar theme s  from the album.  Vocalist Kl...

  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 ...

  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...

  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...

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...

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 ....

  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 ...

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...

Photo courtesy of Eclipse Records Last week, Australian Symphonic metal band ANA returned with their debut LP "Motivated by Death" via Eclipse Records . The album follows the success of 2023's critically acclaimed first EP The Art of Letting Go , . The eight songs look at the human experience, combining strong pop sensibilities, heavy guitars, and haunting sounds. Formed in 2023, the band calls themselves a "Couture rock" group. Their members include lead vocalist Anna Khristenko, guitarist Josh Mak, bassist Cody Lamb, drummer Andres Felipe Martinez Osorio, and keyboardist Mark Shi. They present themselves as masked "Super humans" as part of a comic series they created, published through Cynation Comics. Their performances and songs are inspired by the comics, a style reminiscent of prog rock band   Coheed and Cambria . Now, let's focus on their album Motivated by Death . This album was produced by Mak and Khristenko, wi...

Photo Courtesy of Nuclear Blast Records Words by Anselm Anderson Following an eight-year break, the Norwegian metal band  Dimmu Borgir  returns with "Grand Serpent Rising." This album is an important milestone for the band, celebrating their return after more than thirty years in the music scene. The title symbolises the Year of the Snake , marking the album's completion last February. The serpent represents change and growth, showing the band evolving with confidence. While the band is known for taking time on albums, eight years is taking the biscuit. Since their last release, 2018's Eonian , guitarist Galder rejoined his previous band. And since then, they have focused on "Grand Serpent Rising," an hour of intense Black Metal with orchestral elements. Co-founders "Silenoz " and "Shagrath" collaborated to create a masterpiece, featuring dynamic choir and string arrangements alongside their signature snarls. A Return to...

Photo Courtesy of NPRM Publishing Words by Anselm Anderson These days, it's rare to find a Southern rock band like Oklahoma's Hillbilly Vegas , which blends American blues and country traditions without sounding plain, reminiscent of Seventies bands such as Lynyrd Skynyrd , Blackfoot, and Molly Hatchet. Led by vocalist Steve Harris since their formation in 2011. Last Friday, the band released their new album " A La Mode " through independent label Quarto Valley Records , which focuses on Blues, Americana, Roots, and Jazz music. This release has many influences from Blues and Americana, as it explodes into memorable songs, slick riffs, and ol'school southern rock. The band has steadily grown their fervent fanbase through raucous live shows and relatable lyrics. They have even toured with some of the genre's Renowned names such as s Blackberry Smoke, The Kentucky Headhunters, and Ted Nugent. Photo Credit: Joe Ward The album begins w...

Words by Anselm Anderson On the back of last week's solo release, John Corabi returns with The Dead Daisies ' first live album, "Live Plus Five". The album captures the band's set at "Live at Stonedead" from 2025, plus additional tracks from various outings across Europe and America in 2024/25. The album covers tracks from the quintet's previous two releases: 2024's Light Em' Up and last year's Blues covers release Lookin' for Trouble,  plus tracks from earlier in their career, which includes covers of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son" and "Midnight Moses" by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. I don't usually cover live albums because it always feels like it is better to watch a band live so you experience the live feeling. However, I don't get many opportunities to see The Dead Daisies live in the UK; I was eager to cover this one. I feel this is a strong release, which covers all...

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 longtim...

  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 are obvious influences from Black Sabbath , A Perfect Circle and Tool , which are conveyed through each outpouring of emotion throughout this release. Formed in Munich, Germany in 2015,  Antirope features Slaven Stokic on vocals and guitar, Patrick Fleischer on guitar and backing vocals, Julie Fleischer on bass,...

  Words written by Anselm Anderson This upcoming Friday, English Heavy Metal band DA are set to unleash their much-anticipated self-titled debut album . This ten-track album blends modern rock vibes with classic rock influences , clearly drawing inspiration from bands like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest . It has a strong throwback feel to the NWOBHM era , mixing fast riffs with a dark, moody atmosphere and powerful, soaring vocals. DA emerged from the NWOBHM band Desolation Angels  when former guitarist Robin Brancher formed the group in 2021 with vocalist Matt Oakman. They were soon joined by bassist Neil Craddock and drummer Dan Smith.  Photo courtesy of San PR The album’s use of atmospherics adds depth and sincerity to the music. The opening track, " Daisy Chains ," kicks off with ominous cracks of thunder, gradually building in slow, rhythmic patterns before erupting into Oakman’s towering vocals, which play a significant role throughout the release. Another highli...