Red Guitar Music

News, reviews and more

  • Home
  • News
  • Album Reviews
  • Live Reviews
  • Features
    • The Baker's Dozen
    • Inside The Song
  • Interviews
  • Tour News
  • Contact

The RGM Inbox: January 2022

January 10, 2022 by David Vousden in Ambient, Electronica, Hard Rock, Metal, Video, Sludge, Alternative Rock, Experimental, Post-Rock

Welcome to 2022 at Red Guitar Music. Updates have been a little sketchy recently at RGM as real life and the demands of having a day job in retail and/or family stuff tend to get in the way a little during the season of goodwill to all men. Hopefully, as we ease into the new year, we’ll be able to push on, shining a light on more great music, which was the plan back in 2014 and remains the plan in 2022. Today’s selection features impressive new musical offerings from Norway (Pjusk), the USA (KYOTY and Young Mountain) and, from the UK, Gilmore Trail. Enjoy.

Read More
January 10, 2022 /David Vousden
Pjusk, Somewherecold Records, KYOTY, Young Mountain, Gilmore Trail
Ambient, Electronica, Hard Rock, Metal, Video, Sludge, Alternative Rock, Experimental, Post-Rock
Comment

The Hard Place #6

January 25, 2021 by Rich Barnard in AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Metal, News, Rock, Prog Rock

If you like to hibernate over the winter then it’s likely that these words are reaching you as you continue to languish in an eiderdown-enrobed soft place. You’re cosy, you’re warm and you may well be under the impression that there is precious little to get out of bed for anyway. The Hard Place is here to tell you the f**k otherwise. The Hard place is a bucket of cold water hurled over your snoozings. The Hard Place is here, now, to drag you out of that pathetic torpor into a world where leaping from drum risers is de rigeur and staying up all night to a soundtrack of deafening guitars is a raison d’être. So, stop snivelling and get yourself dressed, preferably in something black and butt-squeezingly tight. Good. Now, ready yourself to rock.

Read More
January 25, 2021 /Rich Barnard
Hard Place, Wig Wam, Chez Kane, Smith/Kotzen, Iron Maiden, Yes, Adrian Smith, Richie Kotzen, Arc Of Life, Lodgic, World Trade
AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Metal, News, Rock, Prog Rock
Comment

Christmas Music @RGM

December 03, 2020 by David Vousden in Hard Rock, Metal, Xmas, Seasonal, Festive

I think we’d all agree that 2020 sucked in so many different ways. So with December now upon us and Christmas just around the corner, it’s time for some festive cheer. Nothing screams Christmas more than the Christmas song. Love ‘em or loath ‘em the Xmas ditty is guaranteed to bring seasonal cheer and a little positivity, so sit back and relax with your Eggnog or Babycham (do they still make Babycham?) as RGM takes you where other websites fear to tread with a selection of the best seasonal music for Christmas 2020.

Read More
December 03, 2020 /David Vousden
Dee Snider, Twisted Sister, Lzzy Hale, Halestorm, Christmas, Celine Dion, Gina Naomi Baez, Sofia Talvik, The Blue Highways
Hard Rock, Metal, Xmas, Seasonal, Festive
Comment

The Hard Place #5

December 02, 2020 by David Vousden in AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Metal, News, Prog Rock, Rock, Video

We all knew this winter was going to be hard. But nobody could have foreseen just how hard. Here, at the never-beating, black granite heart of The Hard Place, we’d like to think we can make it just that little bit harder. Just for you. “How hard?” you ask, expectant and not a little apprehensive. And the answer is “None. None more hard.” Walk with us now, barefoot, through the broken-bottle-strewn wasteland of rock’s best new releases.

Read More
December 02, 2020 /David Vousden
W.E.T., Cats In Space, A Primitive Evolution, A.P.E., Jason Bieler, Saigon Kick, Hard Place
AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Metal, News, Prog Rock, Rock, Video
Comment

The Hard Place #4

November 09, 2020 by Rich Barnard in AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Metal, News, Rock, Prog

It’s dark. You blink your eyes to try and take in some light but you realise that there is only black. You can barely move, surrounded by rock on all sides. Your heart races but then suddenly you realise you’ve been here before. Yes, you have come again to The Hard Place; you’re not sure how it happened but here you are. Here, and only here, will you satisfy your (understandably secret) desire to discover the very finest new things in the big-haired realm of melodic rock. Relax now, and let us show you the way…

Read More
November 09, 2020 /Rich Barnard
Hard Place, Creye, Phantom Elite, Boys From Heaven, Palace, Frontiers Music, Target Group
AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Metal, News, Rock, Prog
Comment

RGM presents The Hard Place #2

May 11, 2020 by Rich Barnard in AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Metal, News, Rock

Welcome back to The Hard Place, where the hair is big, the guitars are pointy and the teeth have almost certainly undergone a recent whitening procedure. In this, our second all-killer-no-filler roundup, we aim to pleasure you guiltily with the news of the latest melodic hard rock from all four corners of the globe; and we know that - for you - only the best will do. So, sit back, relax and remember, in The Hard Place, no-one can see you playing air guitar.

Read More
May 11, 2020 /Rich Barnard
Jorn Lande, Frontiers Music, Bloody Heels, Romeo's Daughter, Tokyo Motor Fist, Danger Danger, Trixter, Vagabond, Hard Place
AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Metal, News, Rock
Comment

RGM presents The Hard Place #1

April 01, 2020 by Rich Barnard in AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Metal, News, Rock

Welcome to The Hard Place, a tight-trousered treasure trove of new melodic hard rock from all over the world. Here at RGM we’re pretty picky when it comes to our big hair and braying guitars so, as ever, our focus is on quality over quantity.

Read More
April 01, 2020 /Rich Barnard
Shiraz Lane, Harem Scarem, Electric Mob, FM, Frontiers Music, Hard Place
AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Metal, News, Rock
Comment

Black Sabbath 50th Anniversary listening sessions - In The Dark

January 30, 2020 by David Vousden in Metal, Hard Rock, News

Heavy Metal pioneers Black Sabbath have announced the first event to mark their 50th Anniversary. Their debut album - which must surely rank as one of the most influential albums of all time - will be played back at an album listening session at Number 10, Hackney, London on February 11th, 2020. This isn’t just any listening session though as it’ll be In The Dark in conjunction with BMG and Pitchblack Playback in high-quality MQA audio (Master Quality Authenticated). More about the event, Black Sabbath and Pitchback Playback follows:

Read More
January 30, 2020 /David Vousden
Black Sabbath, Pitchblack Playback
Metal, Hard Rock, News
Comment

Amigo The Devil claims 'Everything Is Fine' October 19th 2018

October 10, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Folk, Metal, News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

The debut album by Amigo The Devil ‘Everything Is Fine’ is set for release October 19th (RGM Review) via Regime Inc/Membran. ‘Everything Is Fine’ is as striking an album as you’ll probably hear this year switching effortlessly from murderous folky troubadour to full-on metal assault in a heartbeat. Produced by Ross Robinson (Korn/Limp Bizkit) and with Audioslave/Rage Against The Machine drummer Brad Wilk involved metal credentials are assured but believe me when I say there is much more to ‘Everything Is Fine’. A track ‘Cocaine and Abel’ from the album:

Read More
October 10, 2018 /David Vousden
Amigo The Devil
Americana, Folk, Metal, News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates
Comment

Saxon reissues continue with three more albums on July 27th

June 14, 2018 by David Vousden in Classic Rock, Deluxe Reissue, Hard Rock, Metal, News, Video, Vinyl

August 10th (please note new release date due to manufacturing issues) will see the release of the third wave of Saxon reissues with three more albums getting the deluxe media book/swirl vinyl treatment. The late 80's found Saxon in transition as the band line-up evolved and the 'Innocence Is No Excuse', 'Rock The Nations'  and 'Destiny' albums are now ripe for re-evaluation. Once again these releases benefit from deluxe media book packaging for the CDs and impressively colourful vinyl (check out 'Rock The Nations'). The CDs will feature a host of bonus tracks including B-sides, demo and live tracks. A little more about Saxon, pre order links and track listings follow:

Read More
June 14, 2018 /David Vousden
Saxon, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM
Classic Rock, Deluxe Reissue, Hard Rock, Metal, News, Video, Vinyl
Comment

Black Sabbath announce 'Supersonic Years' 7" Ltd Ed Vinyl Box Set

April 12, 2018 by David Vousden in Box Set, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Metal, News, Vinyl

Black Sabbath return to the vinyl fray with a new limited edition 7" singles box set due June 8th. The new box looks like the ideal companion to last years gargantuan 'Ten Year War' offering as 'Supersonic Years' brings together the legendary metal acts 70's single releases. The set includes five rare single edits and the ten picture sleeves are a mix of hard to find worldwide reproductions and others exclusive to this set. The audio has been remastered by Andy Pearce and the set includes new liner notes. More about the box including a track listing follows:

Read More
April 12, 2018 /David Vousden
Black Sabbath, Heavy Metal, Box Set, Vinyl
Box Set, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Metal, News, Vinyl
Comment

Praying Mantis are defying 'Gravity' on new album.

March 09, 2018 by David Vousden in AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Metal, New Single, News

Here at RGM we're not opposed to listening to things of a heavier nature musically, but it must have plenty of melody. Praying Mantis have managed to tread the fine line between silk and steel for over forty years. In 2015 they released the excellent 'Legacy' and they're back in 2018 with new album 'Gravity' set for May 11th via Frontiers. The guys have released the title track from the album as a single and you can check it out and learn more about the band by reading on:

Read More
March 09, 2018 /David Vousden
Praying Mantis, NWOBHM
AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Metal, New Single, News
Comment

Rainbow to headline Stone Free Festival 2017

December 06, 2016 by David Vousden in Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Metal, Tour Dates

Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow will be the headline act for the second Stone Free Festival at the O2 in London on Saturday 17th June 2017 with tickets on sale from Thursday December 8th. More artists will be announced soon but in the meantime more about Rainbow and Stone Free Festival follows:

Read More
December 06, 2016 /David Vousden
Rainbow, Deep Purple, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Stone Free Festival
Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Metal, Tour Dates
Comment

Gillan - The Vinyl Collection unboxed by Ian Gillan

October 24, 2016 by David Vousden in Box Set, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Metal, Video, Vinyl

There are a million unboxing videos on Youtube but you don't often get the chance to see the artist doing the unboxing. Check out the following video as Ian Gillan reminisces about the albums he made with Gillan The Band.

Read More
October 24, 2016 /David Vousden
Gillan
Box Set, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Metal, Video, Vinyl
Comment

Hard Rockin' Vinyl Box Sets coming soon from Saxon and Gillan

August 16, 2016 by David Vousden in Box Set, Vinyl, Metal, Hard Rock

Hard Rock / Metal fans and lovers of vinyl in general will welcome two new box sets that are upcoming from seminal UK Metal act Saxon and Gillan the highly successful and influential act fronted by vocalist Ian Gillan. Saxon will release an 8 LP set of live recordings on gold vinyl while The Gillan Collection 79 -82 features exact, first pressing, replicas of the five releases on 180g heavyweight vinyl.

Read More
August 16, 2016 /David Vousden
Saxon, Gillan, NWOBHM
Box Set, Vinyl, Metal, Hard Rock
Comment
News RSS
Album Reviews RSS
Live Reviews RSS
Foreign Music CDJapan

Red Guitar Music is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites.

Powered by Squarespace