Devin Townsend has been in the public eye for the last 31 years, first emerging as the lead vocalist in Steve Vai’s ‘Vai’ band project, which lasted an album and a tour, and fizzled out shortly thereafter. Yet that introduction…
View More Devin Townsend – PowerNerdAuthor: Colin Smoult
Haken
O2 Ritz, Manchester Friday, 20th September 2024 Haken … where have you been for the last 15 years of my life? I cannot believe that this band has passed me by during all that time. It’s my fault entirely for…
View More HakenBig Big Train / Stuckfish
Playhouse Theatre, Whitley Bay Thursday, 19th September 2024 Big Big Train have a career that spans back over 34 years, since their formation in 1990. For a band with that kind of longevity, you would have expected them to have…
View More Big Big Train / StuckfishAlberto Bravin – Big Big Train
I had already purchased my ticket for the Big Big Train show at Whitley Bay, yet through fellow TPA member Chris Simmons and his contacts, I managed to obtain permission to do an interview on the day of the gig.…
View More Alberto Bravin – Big Big TrainVarious Artists – Reimagining The Court Of The Crimson King
This release caught my attention primarily because of some of the musicians and singers featured on it, and Todd Rundgren being involved was certainly a huge personal bonus for me. It is, as the title implies, a ‘tribute’ project to…
View More Various Artists – Reimagining The Court Of The Crimson KingPorcupine Tree – Closure/Continuation. Live
Porcupine Tree are one of the most beloved British rock bands that feature progressive aspects within their music of the last quarter of a century. During the noughties, they cultivated a passionate fan-base, as the music took a more hard-rock…
View More Porcupine Tree – Closure/Continuation. LiveOpeth – Damnation: 20th Anniversary Vinyl Edition
2023 marks 20 years since Opeth released the Damnation album. At the time it was viewed by many as a big change in direction, although in essence it still contained a lot of the softer musical attributes which the band…
View More Opeth – Damnation: 20th Anniversary Vinyl EditionTanith / Ma Kelly’s Boys
Innisfree Sports & Social Club, Newcastle Tuesday, 21st November 2023 A Tuesday night in North Tyneside, why not go and see some live music? So off to the Innisfree, a working men’s club located right next to Longbenton Metro station,…
View More Tanith / Ma Kelly’s BoysDevin Townsend – Infinity: 25th Anniversary Edition
I struggle to believe that it’s been 25 years since Devin Townsend released this landmark album that greatly showcased his musical genius. I remember getting it as soon as it was released back in 1998, as I loved his previous…
View More Devin Townsend – Infinity: 25th Anniversary EditionPeter Gabriel – I/O
Imagine the scenario when an established recording artiste walks into a record company meeting, after not releasing a full album of new material for almost two decades: “I have this idea. I want to release a single every four weeks…
View More Peter Gabriel – I/O