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Queens Of The Stone Age / A Unforgettable Second Night In Boston

1 week ago | metaltalk.net | Tim Bugbee

In a realm of TikTok-fueled fourteen minutes of famers or the latest in an endless barrage of auto-tuned monotone and tired trap beat mumble rap, it is refreshing to see an actual rock band play two sold-out shows in a 5,000-capacity venue. At the risk of being painted as an elderly man yelling at the cirrus formations above, it was a breath of fresh air for Queens Of The Stone Age to hit town.
Battlesnake / Dawn Of The Exultants And The Hunt For The Shepherd

3 weeks ago | metaltalk.net | Brian Boyle

There was a time when blending mountainous Heavy Metal tunes and madcap-controlled lunacy was very much the norm. Thankfully, in 2017, Australia’s Battlesnake were formed, which brought the art of theatrical abandon and melodic barbarity back to the forefront. And with a new album titled Dawn Of The Exultants And The Hunt For The Shepherd, you suspect that will continue.
Bernie Marsden / Icons Pays Powerful Tribute To Blues Rock Legends

1 month ago | metaltalk.net | Brian Boyle

The list is endless, but collectively, if you put together names like Clapton, Beck, Page, Gilmour, and Knopfler, they probably still would not command the same love, affection and admiration as the hugely missed British blues rock legend Bernie Marsden. Icons marks the fourth instalment in his Inspirations series, where he takes hits and deep cuts from his music heroes, and gives them his own unique twist.
XIII Doors Bring Something Very Special To Dublin's Opium

1 month ago | metaltalk.net | Brian Boyle

If there is any justice left in this fruit loop world, then before long, Ireland’s XIII Doors will be headlining this venue. Tonight however, they have to make do with a high profile support slot to the legendary Michael Schenker, which ain’t too shabby at all.
Triaxis / Zero Hour - The Valleys Are Alive With The Sound Of Metal

1 month ago | metaltalk.net | Brian Boyle

South Wales’ finest, Triaxis, are back with a bang with the long-awaited follow-up to 2012’s critically acclaimed Rage And Retribution. Since their formation in 2006, their no-holds-barred brand of pulsating Metal has continued to recruit the headbanging masses. 2015 could turn out to be a massive year in the band’s fortunes. Release Date: 18th May 2015Words: Brian BoyleLike every true Metal album, you hope to have your ears virtually assaulted from right from the off.
Manchester's Finest Enter New Era With The Marauding Justice

1 month ago | metaltalk.net | Brian Boyle

If ever there was a band who encompass honesty, relatability and downright hard graft, it is Manchester melodic Metalers Absolva. Justice is their seventh album, and if that is indeed a lucky number and scores the band some proper food on-the-table success, then no one will deserve it more. Release Date: 16 May 2025Words: Brian BoyleAbsolva are now a hormone raging thirteen years old, and by the sound of opener Freedom And Glory, you could say their balls have well and truly dropped.
Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons Bring Motörhead Mayhem To Dublin

2 months ago | metaltalk.net | Brian Boyle

Some bands are just made for a Saturday night in Dublin, and there are not many more suited than Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons. While others sit at home looking square-eyed at the now bile-inducing Britain’s Got Talent, up off Wexford Street, Opium’s Got A Bunch Of Rowdy Welshmen is a much more worthwhile proposition.
Don Airey Shines Solo With Pushed To The Edge

2 months ago | metaltalk.net | Brian Boyle

An ivory-tickling goliath, whose Joanna seducing fingertips have illuminated some of the world’s biggest rock anthems, is probably underplaying the genius of the great Don Airey. Not content with scoring a fourth Number One album in a row with his regular day job in Deep Purple, he has now put on his solo hat for his new album Pushed To The Edge.
Smith/Kotzen Have The Musical Duo Market Cornered

Mar 27, 2025 | metaltalk.net | Brian Boyle

In 2020, Adrian Smith and Ritchie Kotzen teased rock fans the world over with a picture of their well-travelled guitars mysteriously and carefully placed against a load-bearing pillar. What subsequently followed was a critically acclaimed debut album that lit a fuse under the backside of classic rock. Four years on, the Smith/Kotzen are at it again with Black Light/White Noise.
"I've Never Felt Better"

Mar 19, 2025 | metaltalk.net | Robert Adams

With the latest Ricky Warwick solo album released Friday 14th, March, MetalTalk caught up with him via Zoom from Glasgow yesterday to chat about Blood Ties, The Almighty, Black Star Riders and sobriety. Ricky pops up on my Zoom screen bang on 10 am, looking fit and fresh with a “Hi Robert, great to see you again,” greeting. I had briefly spoken with him after his gig at The Craufurd Arms in Milton Keynes last Sunday.