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Author Andy Barker

I guess I got into Metal by accident at 7 years old when I was given my brother's old record player with ONE record. His mates had told him that Black Sabbath sounded just like Status Quo...he didn't agree so Black Sabbath's debut was that one record. I never looked back. Got a battered old 4 piece drumkit when I was Ten years old and by 14 I had vowed to make my fortune as a Rock Star.
The next fifteen years included a few years as the drummer in Holosade, plus stints in Company Of Wolves, Dominion, Diamond Dogs and Intense, eventually dispelling that ambition, so I ended up running a specialist Metal CD/Record/T-Shirt shop in York for 7 years. £40 grand a year in rent for a shop in York means I am now solely an online trader...
I still turn up every now and again playing drums, bass or guitar in the odd band, be it live or in the studio, because once you have been a musician...or a drummer...it's difficult to stop that creative urge.
When I write a review I remember what it was like to read a review of something I had been a creative part of. My opinion is just my opinion, and I try to be constructive. I believe that if a musician has taken the time to record his or her ideas then it has merit to someone and deserves respect. Music is all about personal taste, and if someone has taken the time to create it, the least I can do is take the time to listen.

Fifth Angel – When Angels Kill (Nuclear Blast)

For those who are unfamiliar with Fifth Angel, a brief history goes along the lines of; Released a rather excellent debut in 1986, for once living up to its hype, it could easily sit alongside releases by Queensryche and Crimson… Continue Reading →

Wonders – Beyond The Mirage (Limb Music)

Just two weeks ago I reviewed the impressive new offering from American/Greek Metal band Prydain featuring a certain Bob Katsionis on bass and additional guitars, a fortnight later the multi-instrumentalist turns up here on the keyboards for Italian Melodic Power… Continue Reading →

Prydain – The Gates Of Aramore (Limb Music)

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that there’s been a noticeable upsurge in the amount of fantasy themed Power Metal albums coming out recently, many of which were conceived during or just after the whole coronavirus malarkey. Up-beat Metal and… Continue Reading →

The Silent Rage – Nuances Of Life (Scarlet Records)

Greek Heavy/Power Metal band The Silent Rage are back after a lengthy break of seven years, with the weighty follow-up to their impressive debut “The Deadliest Scourge” and as you might expect with such a gap between albums, there have… Continue Reading →

Trold – Der Var Engang… (Mighty Music)

Well this is all very jolly isn’t it? Bringing the fun back to Folk Metal (just look at that cover art – was it ever going to be anything else?), Danish Metal band Trold might be relatively new to the… Continue Reading →

Elegant Weapons – Horns For A Halo (Nuclear Blast)

When you’re the first new guitarist to join a legendary Metal band since it last happened in 1974, it’s going to be tricky to stamp your own identity on that band. This was what the considerably talented guitarist Richie Faulkner… Continue Reading →

Sacred Outcry – Towers Of Gold (No Remorse Records)

If you’re a long-term Heavy Metal devotee (and it’s many associated sub-genres), there will probably be certain vocalists that you will instantly recognise as soon as you hear them. A unique delivery, tone and/or style that can be no-one else…. Continue Reading →

Battle Born – Blood, Fire, Magic and Steel (Prosthetic Records)

That popular British saying about waiting ages for a bus and then two arrive at once, suddenly seems pertinent to fantasy Power Metal bands. Last year the UK brought us Fellowship’s debut and now Battle Born unleash their first full-length… Continue Reading →

Tygers Of Pan Tang – Bloodlines (Mighty Music)

So many Tygers Of Pan Tang album reviews I’ve read in the past 20 years start by referencing the band’s NWOBHM past, many choosing to try and draw comparisons with their early 80’s sound and not really focusing massively on… Continue Reading →

Elvenking – Reader Of The Runes – Rapture (AFM)

Part One of Elvenking’s Reader Of The Runes Trilogy emerged in 2019, with the knowing stride and confident swagger of a Metal band who are happy with who they are and where they’re going. You’ve got to be confident in… Continue Reading →

Evermore – In Memoriam (Scarlet Records)

Evermore’s 2021 debut “Court Of The Tyrant King” was no doubt one of the best self-released Power Metal albums of that year. Deservedly it earned them a record deal with Scarlet Records and this well-established Italian record label is an… Continue Reading →

Saint Deamon – League Of The Serpent (AFM)

Four albums in Fifteen years isn’t the most regular of album output, but Scandinavian (Three Swedish musicians with a Norwegian vocalist) Melodic Power Metal Band Saint Deamon are not a band to be rushed. In the scheme of things, it’s… Continue Reading →

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