Rockstar Reviewer

Words by Anselm Anderson English singer/songwriter/guitarist Guy North is due to release his much-anticipated debut release Retreat  today (August 30th). The musician North, who originates from Wakefield in Northern England, incorporates a mix of blues and country music in his sound. He draws inspiration from a wide range of artists, including blues legend John Lee Hooke r and folk singer Cat Stevens.  Retreat, an album featuring several tracks from North's "One Song a Week" video blog, showcases his talent for acoustic instrumentation and poetic lyricism. North is also a member of The Thomas Wilby Band.  Throughout the album's 10 tracks, North weaves together beautiful and uplifting melodies. The alt-country ballad "A Night Out" sets the tone with its simple strumming and powerful vocals. This leads to the feel-good anthem "I Have a Friend," which features a catchy chorus and pop influences. This track is sure to resonate with listeners and evok...

Words by Anselm Anderson Tarja Turunen, also known as Tarja, gained popularity in the metal scene as the lead vocalist of Nightwish, a symphonic metal band, at the turn of the century. She captivated millions with her tenor vocals that included falsetto and octave-busting notes. Tarja pays tribute to her contemporaries and idols with a live album recorded at the Metal Church in Wacken, Germany. 300 fans watched her perform covers from bands like Linkin Park, Slipknot , Metallica, and Megadeth in a special one-time event that opened the Wacken Air Festival in 2016. EarMusic released Rocking Heels: Live at Metal Church last week. Tarja delivers powerful vocals and captivating melodies, accompanied by a string orchestra that breathes new life into these classics.  The LP opens with an emotional rendition of the Joe Satriani track "Always with You, Always with Me". Tarja's mesmerizing warm vocals are beautifully layered with the enchanting, melancholic violin and piano...

It is hard to believe NWOBHM Legends Girlschool is still going strong after forty-five years. An interesting point about that statement is that they recently released 'WTForty Five?', their fourteenth studio album, this past Friday via Silver Lining Music. The band is celebrating their forty-fifth anniversary with twelve tracks of energetic rock n' roll and punk attitude that fans have come to expect from them. The quartet was formed in 1978 and Lead singer Kim McAullife and drummer Denise Dufort are the only remaining original members. This upcoming release will be their first in ten years. I was excited about this release because I always have been a fan of NWOBHM, so this was an opportunity to listen to some fresh, new material from the all-female punk band. The sleazy track "It Is What It Is" provides a graphic depiction of the band's history. The addictive charge of fuzz-fueled guitar and the infectious screech of Mcauliffe create a sound that is reminisc...

  Words by Anselm Anderson Liverpudlian rock group  Attic Theory returns with 'Papier Mache', the latest single from their upcoming debut LP What We Fear the Most via ThunderGun Records.   The track is released today and features Candlebox vocalist Kevin Martin offering his soft, emotive voice. The band have premiered an accompanying animated video inspired by the 1975 blockbuster film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. This typifies the message behind the song about masking mental health issues because they don't fit in with conventional perceptions of people in society. As lead singer Lewis Wright explains the lyrics to the song are about someone who hides behind a mask and relies on medication to suppress their feelings. The lead singer adds he wants to convey that there is no harm in removing that mask and not being defined by your past self. The track's radio-friendly brand of Alternative Rock benefits from one of the genre's contributors in the guise of Kev...

Words by Anselm Anderson The Hu , rising stars of Mongolia, first grabbed my attention a few years ago when I saw a YouTube video of their cover of Metallica's classic 'Sad but True'. I was taken by their style of Mongolian metal, using traditional instruments, and their tales of Mongolian folklore. Therefore, I was keen to review this release when I saw it come through my Emails.  Rumble and Thunder  is a Deluxe edition of the hugely successful album, released last year via  Better Noise Records.  I was eager to listen to the album with additional treats for long-term fans. As you probably know, these records are just a rerun of the original with a few extras.  The album clocks in at over 90 minutes long, which features the original twelve tracks plus a reworking of the hit tracks with special guests in the guise of Alice in Chains, Bad Wolves, Serj Tankian and singer/songwriter LP . In addition, there are four acoustic versions too. Photo Credit: Khishigsure...

Words by Anselm Anderson English Songwriter Chris Riley of The False Poets has been busy this year with two lengthy releases from his side project entitled The Support Band.  I have chosen to review the shortest of the two Oceans of the Moon , released in May via Nice Mind Records. The Five-Track EP clocks in at One hour and three minutes and sees Riley team up with experimental noise maker Whitevanperil . The spacey release is an appetiser for the debut LP Imitations, released in June. Oceans of the Moon  is a giant step away from the '60s-influenced folk of The False Poets. Instead, it takes the listener on a crescendo of instrumental melodies entwined with blues, folk, and ambience, which will delight fans of Pink Floyd and Tangerine Dream. The echoes of washed-up waves awaken our senses on the opener 'Oceans of the Moon (Remix), which excites in evoking the sounds of early Pink Floyd. The guitar interplays with excellent production to create a sense of longing. Next...

Words by Anselm Anderson English Songstress Julia Mosley is set to release her fourth studio album Ballad of a Murderess next month via her own record label, Opalite Records. The follow-up to 2021's  Illuminate the Night  is her darkest release. It is a concept album that tells the tale of a Mythological world through three eras of the past, a quasi-present day and a Future Era.  The complex narrative is conveyed through engaging music.  I first became aware of Julia Mosley a couple of years ago and was taken aback by her versatile vocal range, accompanied by her ambidextrous piano skills. I remember comparing her between Kate Bush and Florence and The Machine. The album was the first to be recorded at Illumilight Studios in an Ancient Temple. This helps contribute to an eerie and sinister album. Mosley hails from Stoke-on-Trent, England, she first began writing songs at the age of Fifteen years old. The singer/songwriter has won numerous awards, gaining valuable...