December 21, 2024

Ian Hunter – Ian Hunter 1975

This excellent debut solo album from 1975 comes across like a live set. Hunter joins with ex-David Bowie axe man Mick Ronson to create a blistering rock ‘n’ roll album, brushing aside the mourning of the recently demised Mott The Hoople, who Hunter had fronted for the previous five years.

Birth Control – Hoodoo Man

Birth Control was first formed in Berlin, Germany, in 1966. There is a band still going under that moniker in 2022; in fact, they have just released a new album entitled ‘Open Up.’ But of course the Birth Control of 2022 (sic) is not what it used to be. The Birth Control of today is several generations down the line. However, this review is for their best-selling and certainly most renowned album, ‘Hoodoo Man’ from 1972.

Iron Maiden – Senjutsu

Senjutsu is the seventeenth studio album from Iron Maiden, the first in six years. However, the album was recorded back in 2019 but held back due to the pandemic. This is also the sixth studio album by this stable lineup. At over 80 minutes you certainly get a lot of bang for your buck.

Yngwie Malmsteen – Parabellum

This is Yngwie Malmsteen’s 22nd album. Parabellum, loosely translated from Latin means, “Prepare for War,” making it a very fitting album title even though it was only adopted as the album title at the last second before release. But with music and artwork of this quality, a title is the least of your problems.

Monster Magnet – A Better Dystopia

Monster Magnet’s A Better Dystopia is not a collection of your normal run of the mill rock standards. Not at all. The vaults have been dredged for a collection of forgotten, obscure classics by bands that deserved far more recognition. Not only is this a great album, it may also inspire a lot of people to search out and find the original artists. A must-have for rock music enthusiasts.

Baleful Creed – The Lowdown

With the release of their third album, The Lowdown, Baleful Creed have laid down their heaviest mark yet. Saying that, this is not Heavy Metal but bludgeoning Diamond Hard Rock.

Alice Cooper – Detroit Stories

A new studio album from Alice Cooper arrived in 2021, and it rocks! Full of Alice trademark horror, hard rock guitar riffs, humour, and catchy rhythms that work their way into your brain, it’s a storyteller’s delight. Smacking into the Billboard Charts at Number One upon release, it became Alice’s first number one since Billion Dollar Babies in 1973.

Strawbs – Settlement

Settlement is an incredible new album from the Strawbs written, recorded and produced during the band’s fifth decade.