Metal Reviews

Robert Jon & The Wreck – One Of A Kind EP (Journeyman Records). Perfectly tooled and incandescent hard rocking blues for the masses. Its kick-ass soundtracking. @robertjonandthewreck Words: @pmonkhouse1

Album Review - Connor Selby - Connor Selby, Deluxe Edition (Provogue). This thoroughly solid album performed at this standard hints at huge potential ahead. Words: @liz_medhurst @connorjamesselby @provogue_records

A packed Birmingham Institute hosted a night of nostalgia. Hundred Reasons - Hell Is For Heroes - My Vitriol - O2 Institute Birmingham - 3 March 2023. Words and Photography: @andyshaw16 @hellisforheroesldn @hundredreasonsband @myvitriolofficial @o2institutebham

Album review - Meg Myers – Tzia (Sumerian Records). Tzia is certain to be one of the most outstanding albums of this year. Words: @pmonkhouse1 @megmyers @sumerianrecords

Review: Hanoi Rocks – Oriental Beat - 40th Anniversary - Svart Records. A thing of glorious nostalgia rather than a classic, yet still worthy of checking out. Words: @pmonkhouse1 @hanoirockss @michaelmonroeofficial

In Outsider, Night Demon bring their A-game and deliver in some style. I, for one, am chomping at the bit to experience these tracks in the live setting. Words: @hutchie224 @irongripheavymetal @nightdemonmetal

I have been very impressed with some of the broad-ranging Black Metal hailing from Australia of late, and Palaces Of Dust is no exception.

London-based Progressive Metallers Haken herald the return of original keyboard player Pete Jones with Fauna, their most ambitious album to date. @haken_official @charliegriffithsguitar @insideoutmusic

Album review: Stargazer – Life Will Never Be The Same (Mighty Music). It's a melodic dream, combining heavy riffs with the soaring vocals of Tore André Helgemo. Words: @hutchie224 @stargazer_thehardrockband @mightymusicdk

Norwegian legend's excellent 16th release weaves a mysterious tale steeped in Norse mythology. Words: @hutchie224 @enslavedofficial @nuclearblastrecords

The Giant's Fall / An essential listen for Sludge/Stoner/Doom fans. @thegiantsfall #FYCRecords

Royal Autumn - Life Is Strangely Accidental - A slick piece that's largely in the heavier part of accessible radio rock. @royalautumnband

Death Pill, the Ukraine hardcore punk power trio, unleash their self-titled debut album. Packed with punch and groove, and unrelenting addictiveness. @deathpill_band @newheavysounds

Lovebites - Judgement Day is a triumph. Wonderfully constructed and beautifully executed, it is a testament of the hard work the band has put in this last year. Words: @rock_pixs @lovebites_jp @jpurecords

Insomnium / Melancholic Finns draw on nightmarish inspiration for album number nine. Anno 1696 a phenomenal release in a year of incredible music. Words: @hutchie224 @insomniumofficial @centurymediarecords

Five years after their debut, Siege of Power return with This Is Tomorrow and for them, the pressure was definitely on regarding the follow-up's creation. @siege_of_power_ @metalbladerecords

Motörhead / Unboxing Bad Magic: SERIOUSLY BAD MAGIC. MetalTalk's Paul Hutchings looks at the new Limited Edition Boxset of Motörhead's 23rd and final studio album. @officialmotorhead @hutchie224 @phil_campbell_and_the_bs @mikkeydeeofficial

Wolves In Winter – The Calling Quiet (Argonauta Records). Intricate yet also bludgeoning and brutal, it's a bruising yet sensitive release. Quite the album. Words: @hutchie224 @wolves_in_winter_ @argonautarecords