Tag Archives: Blues Rock

Van Halst – World of Make Believe (2016) – Review

Posted on by — 1 Comment ↓
Listen on Apple Music
RockmusicRaider - Spotify Logo
RockmusicRaider Review - Van Halst - World of Make Believe - Album Cover

I can tell you what they are not. Van Halst are not some sort of an Evanescence clone, as was suggested by some.

Their debut World of Make Believe features some pretty strong similarities for sure. But they don’t imitate the typical sound of the latter, nor should they. If there has been a typical style left, that is, after the unhappy departure of the old band around Ben Moody.

Van Halst deploy a much fresher and – I daresay – a more thoughtful brand. Too tough and more varied than their alleged idols. And this is a good thing. … [...] Click to raid more!

Empty Trail – Hollow Hearted (2014) – Review

Posted on by — 2 Comments ↓
Listen on Apple Music
RockmusicRaider - Spotify Logo
RockmusicRaider Review - Empty Trail - Hollow Hearted - Album Cover

Not sure what it is with the Lone Star State. The flag? Stetsons? The water? Or is it the Texan climate that seems to churn out musicians of a special kind?

Empty Trail reaches us from Austin, TX with their 2nd EP Hollow Hearted which was released back in 2014. 

Now, if I hear one-man band, EP, and first EP used at the same time, I’ll start to worry. Then come start-up and such, and expectations are usually limited – teeth-grindingly limited. Heard it all before already.

Some of them bands are good. But often they range from cannot sing, … [...] Click to raid more!

Uriah Heep – …Very ‘Eavy …Very ‘Umble (1970) – Review

Posted on by — Leave a reply
RockmusicRaider - Spotify Logo
RockmusicRaider Review - Uriah Heep - ...Very 'Eavy ...Very 'Umble - Album Cover

…Very ‘Eavy …Very ‘Umble just takes off like a rocket with Gypsy straight into Uriah Heep‘s debut album back in 1970. And what a debut! Starting a first-ever album with a hit straight away is a feat not easily repeated. Stellar!

Of course with David Byron‘s pipes, Ken Hensley handling the keyboard madness and other things. Okay, he did some of the vocals too. Plus you got Mick Box doing the usual stellar things with his guitar. So, all should be good. Right? Well, not quite.

Because shortly after Gypsy ends, you kind of go ‘Now What’?

‘Tis a mixed bag for … [...] Click to raid more!

UFO – Phenomenon (1974) – Review

Posted on by — Leave a reply
Listen on Apple Music
RockmusicRaider - Spotify Logo
RockmusicRaider Review UFO Phenomenon - Album Cover

The first album Phenomenon of the Schenker years and the 3rd studio record in the long history of UFO is probably also one of the most famous. Nomen est Omen! Because young Michael Schenker and his guitar prowess hit the Hard Rock scene like a bomb back in time.

Coming over from the Scorpions, he actually launched UFO on this track of stellar Hard Rock and Heavy Metal with a more melodic approach. And – I daresay – a fuller sound to their music than other bands of this era were able to do. Of course, that the album wasn’t very refined … [...] Click to raid more!