Rambling Man's Reviews

Photo courtesy of Anna Hass Edited by Anselm Anderson Blues Band Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast returns with “ Everything I Need ," a sweeping rock anthem inspired by the UK live-music community spirit . With a voice that can shake rafters and heal hearts simultaneously, this song captures the fire of connection, the resilience of live music, and the wild electricity that occurs only at concerts. Krisko’s vocals soar over rolling organ tones and iconic guitar riffs; Her voice is often compared to the emotional depth of Beth Hart and the raw magnetism of Grace Potter . It cuts straight to the bone as she powerfully belts the refrain: “You got everything I need / If the sun doesn’t come tomorrow / There’s no need for sorrow.”It serves as a reminder that even as the lights dim, the enduring human connection is what makes rock & roll worth fighting for. “‘Everything I Need’ came from the nights on tour in the UK last year, where the audience became the heartbeat of the room,...

Photo courtesy of Anselm Anderson Reviewed by Anselm Anderson Legendary NWOBHM icons Saxon celebrated over forty years of their second album ' Wheels of Steel " last night at a jam-packed 02 Apollo Theatre in Manchester, England . I arrived on a moderately cold evening under dusky clouds to watch Biff and co. play the album in its entirety. They were joined by former Accept frontman Udo Dirkschneider to celebrate forty years of ' Balls to the Wall ,' along with a local band called Untamed Silence . It was the latter who kicked off the night with their version of modern blues and powerful soulful vocals. The female-fronted band earnestly tried to get the half-full, sleepless crowd on their feet. The heavily tattooed vocalist strutted around the stage, belting out vocals and smiling at a crowd that finally showed signs of life under the glossy blue lights and smoke-filled stage. After a brief pause, the petite UDO took the stage, joined by guitarists Dee Dammers ...

Photo Credit: JJ Eringa PRESS RELEASE Multi-award-winning musician and songwriter / Freddie Mercury Scholarship Winner / PRS Guitars artist Leoni Jane Kennedy  is set to perform an acoustic tribute to Rush with special guest Eóin de Paor from Moving Pictures (Rush tribute UK). Tackling some obscure tracks and popular sing-alongs from throughout the many eras of Rush, Leoni and Eóin will play through songs from her reinterpretations album " New World Woman " alongside new tracks, set to be included on the next covers album in the near future. Discussing the dates, Leoni Jane Kennedy explained: “ We’re ecstatic to see that Rush are playing together again with Anika Nilles paying homage to Neil whilst also giving Rush fans like myself the opportunity to see Alex and Geddy perform a full set together live! In the meantime, across the pond in the UK, Eóin and I are so excited to be performing some of our favourite Rush tracks acoustically for audiences who may not get th...

Photo Credit: Chuck Brueckmann Alter Bridge have released their first single in over two years today with 'Silent Divide', the first track from their upcoming self-titled album. The announcement comes on the back of the band's Blackbird Festival in Wales, scheduled for next summer. The moody track opens with the distinctive guitar sounds of Kennedy and Tremonti, followed by the rhythm section of Marshall and Phillips. The chorus is driven by Kennedy’s haunting vocals as he sings: “Keep your head down, ride out the silent divide.” The track is accompanied by a new music video. In the opening scenes, an opening skit shows Tremonti, Marshall, and Phillips calling Kennedy’s mom to get the band back together as Myles hangs out in his mom’s basement.  The scene is a touching tribute to how the band began their career as the four guys play together in a small room. The video was directed by JT Ibanez. Watch the new music video for "Silent Divide" HERE :  The band team...

Alter Bridge L to R: Scott Phillips, Myles Kennedy, Brian Marshall, Mark Tremonti Photo Credit: Chuck Brueckmann Edited by Anselm Anderson Grunge icons Alter Bridge have unveiled details for their upcoming self-titled eighth studio album, due for release next year via Napalm Records. Alter Bridge   will be released on January 9th, 2026.  Producer Michael Elvis' Baskette will once again take over the reins as the quartet recorded the album over two months at the legendary 5150 Studio in California and Elvis’ recording studio in Florida. Alter Bridge's latest album features 12 brand-new tracks that highlight some of their most iconic musical moments. Songs like "Rue The Day," "Disregarded," and "Scales Are Falling" evoke the band's earlier hits. "Trust In Me" showcases Myles Kennedy and guitarist Mark Tremonti sharing vocal duties, with Myles singing the verses and Mark taking over the chorus. The roles are reversed in "Tested And ...

Photo courtesy of IN WE FALL WORDS BY ANSELM ANDERSON  Portuguese alt-rock band IN WE FALL has announced dates for their upcoming UK tour in November to support their recent debut album 'Inner Self', released last December. The band will embark on a four-date tour starting November 20th at Oldham Street in Manchester, England. They will then travel to Bradford, Yorkshire, on November 21st, where they will be joined by support acts Metallica Reloaded and Skies Turn Black. Metallica Reloaded will also support them at RealTime in Chesterfield. The tour will conclude at Little Buildings in Newcastle. Formed in 2022, IN WE FALL was founded by guitarist Carlos Carneiro and drummer Federico Lopes in a small villa in Portugal. They were soon joined by vocalist Daniel Moreira and bassist Luis Almeida, officially becoming a band in 2023. The group released three singles before completing work on their critically acclaimed debut album, "Inner Self," which was released in Decembe...

Edited by Anselm Anderson NWOBHM Icons Saxon have unveiled the video for 'Heavy Metal Thunder (live at Hellfest)', taken from their upcoming new live album 'Eagles Over Hellfest'. due out this week via Silver Lining Music PRE-ORDER AT THIS LOCATION Saxon has generated excitement with their new release ahead of their September European tour. "Eagles Over Hellfest" is a recording from their performance at last year’s Hellfest and serves as a sneak peek of what fans can expect during their “Castles & Eagles” headline shows in September 2025 at the Zénith venues in Paris, Nantes, and Toulouse.  Lead singer and founding member Biff Byford enthuses that 'Heavy Metal Thunder' is a revered classic, taken from the new album. Watch “Heavy Metal Thunder (Live at Hellfest)” here – videos courtesy of Sombrero & Co in collaboration with Hellfest Productions. 'Eagles Over Hellfest' revisits classic albums like "Strong Arm Of The Law" to ...

Photo Credit courtesy of Jimmy Fontaine Edited by Anselm Anderson Coheed and Cambria have announced a five-date UK tour in support of their new album The Father of Make Believe, which is out now via Virgin Music Group. Their tour begins in October at the O2 Academy in Birmingham, England. The tour will visit venues in Cardiff, Wales, Manchester, England and Brixton before finishing in Nottingham. This follows a co-headline arena tour with Mastodon , a headline set at 2000trees Festival this July, and a co-headline US tour with Taking Back Sunday this August and September.  Coheed and Cambria was formed in 1995 by lead vocalist and guitarist Claudio Sanchez, along with guitarist Travis Stever, after the breakup of their previous band, Toxic Parents. They later added drummer Josh Eppard to complete the trio, which is known for its unique blend of progressive rock and heavy metal. To date, the band has released eleven studio albums, all based on a science fiction storyline created ...

Photo courtesy of Mynxii White Punk rock band Rise Agains t returns with their first album in four years with the release of " Ricochet "   on August 15th, due on Loma Vista Recordings. The Twelve tracker was produced by GRAMMY®-winner Catherine Marks (Boygenius, Foals, Manchester Orchestra, St. Vincent) and mixed by Alan Moulder (Nine Inch Nails, Paramore, Queens of the Stone Age, The Killers), In their new release, Rise Against urges listeners to reflect on important questions before making decisions about their lives.'Ricochet' is a record massive in sound, rooted in unification, but is centred around positive change. It all starts with oneself, and on the searing lead single, ' I Want It All ,' Vocalist Tim McIlrath comments on the new release “The algorithm wants our attention so it is designed to make us laugh or cry, but mostly, it wants us to be angry, because that is how it spreads the furthest. Like a pile of marbles, hit hard. Who benefits from our...

Photo Courtesy of Jo Valero Edited by AnselmAnderson Ned Evett , known as the King of the Fretless Glass Guitar, has announced two solo headline shows in Ireland for June 2025. The two shows will be  on Tuesday, 3rd June 2025 at Whelan’s in Dublin, Ireland and then on Friday, 6th June 2025 at Voodoo Belfast in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Nashville-born Ned Evett has been credited with inventing the Fretless Glass Guitar through his live looping style and strong songwriting. He has had a productive start to the year as the opening act for Joe Satrian i and Steve Vai's summer tour 2025, as well  as touring and recording with  Built To Spill  and Leon Russell. Ned Evett comments about the upcoming shows: "I am so excited to be returning to Ireland before my epic tour with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai this summer, it's always been a special place for me in my heart as a performer!" Ned Evett’s latest album ‘Strange Kind Of Freedom’ is out now and was released in 2024. Y...

Edited by Anselm Anderson Multinational Retro rock band Lucifer has announced a series of select European tour dates, including one UK performance. Lead singer Johanna Platow returns with a completely new lineup, which consists of guitarists Rosalie Cunningham and Coralie Baier, bassist Claudia Gonzalez Diaz and drummer Kevin Kuhn. The tour follows the success of the recent album "Chapter V", and a subsequent European and US tour in support of Ghost and Coven. Post release, LUCIFER presented two duets, 'I Would Follow You Babe' with Graveyard’s Joakim Nilsson and their rendition of Leonard Cohen’s 'Who By Fire' with doom legend Bobby Liebling of Pentagram. Now, after touring Europe with Angel Witch and The Night Eternal, and a return to South America and Japan last year, the band’s founder, Johanna Platow, has  announced a string of  exclusive headline and festival shows  Rosalie Cunningham commented on her recent addition to the ranks: "I am thrilled t...

Edited by Anselm Anderson British band Wille And The Bandits  recently announced that they will perform a headline set on Friday 16th May 2025 at Abertillery Rock & Blues Festival 2025 in Abertillery, Wales.  This will be their only date in Wales on their headline 2025 UK and European tour. The evening will be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Abertillery Rock & Blues Festival. Richard Hughes, Chief Executive o f Awen Cultural Trust , the registered charity which runs the Met in partnership with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council , said: “We are delighted to be hosting the Abertillery Rock and Blues Festival in 2025, it’s a real highlight of the year. It’s great to be joined by the critically acclaimed Wille and the Bandits for the opening night; their only gig in Wales no less! Whether you are a regular Abertillery festival-goer or this will be your first time joining us, you won’t be disappointed. The team at the Met and the Rock and Blues Festival committee...