This EP from hard rockers Fire Red Empress serves as a not just a taster of what’s over the horizon for the UK band, but also a timely reminder that if self-released material can sound this good, the days of the major labels calling the shots are seriously numbered. Decamping to Denmark and hiring Jacob Hansen for production/studio duties, the band clearly made the right choice – even before taking note of how good these three songs actually are, it is almost impossible not to be floored by the actual sound. Having previously produced Epica and Evergrey, Hansen clearly knows the best way to get a big sound out of his clients. This is no exception – hard, loud and seriously well-rounded, it’s just perfect for the brand of hard rock on show.
Tag Archives: hard rock
REAL GONE GOES OUT: Winger – Islington Academy, London 21/06/2014
Winger have had more than their share of knockers in the past. In the early 90s they were blasted on an almost weekly basis by cartoon misfits Beavis & Butt-head; members of high profile rock bands weren’t any kinder with their childish jibes, while the music press were often too quick to write them off in the face of a changing musical tide. Such things surely would have hurt, but it doesn’t change the fact that the first three Winger albums are top-notch melodic rock affairs – albums that have aged better than those of some of their peers. Nor does it change the fact that Winger were – and still are – a superb live act.
DELUXE EDITION DREAMLAND: Iron Maiden – Killers
In 1995 the Iron Maiden catalogue was made available as special edition CDs. These briefly available “special editions” didn’t really live up to expectations – each had a bonus disc containing a handful of b-sides that almost every Maiden fan already owned. They were nice to have, especially for those missing a few items in their collections, but hardly special by any stretch. In 2002, the albums were reissued as “definitive remasters”, this time without bonus discs and with an extra track inserted into the running order of the first three releases. Hardly definitive – and to add insult to injury, the sound on these reissues (presumably okayed by Steve “Bomber” Harris) appeared compressed and not always sounding as good as any of the previous issues.
Crowsaw tour dates
As promotion for their current album ‘Smoke & Feathers’, UK blues rockers Crowsaw take to the road later in June, embarking on a tour visiting various towns and cities throughout the summer.
All confirmed dates are listed below.
Upcoming live dates for Slam Cartel
Following their high profile gig supporting Vandenberg’s Moonkings in London, UK rockers Slam Cartel have more gigs lined up for the coming months. They’re appearing all over the country – this time including a slot supporting Y&T. Check the poster below for further details [click to enlarge].