Mick Birchall Reviews

Recently, I discovered the wonderful music of Greek heavy metal titans InnerWish . I've really enjoyed discovering their music and loved their upcoming album, Ash Of Eternal Flame , so when the opportunity came to sit down with their drummer, Franki Samoilis , you better believe I jumped on it. In this interview, we talk about the new record, Franki's influences, and getting to work with Hansi Kürsch of the legendary Blind Guardian . Mick: So, this has been your first album since 2016, the self-titled one. How does it feel to have a new InnerWish album finally coming out? Franki: It's a relief. To finally have the new album out is a massive relief as we’ve been waiting for it for a while. It was supposed to be released in 2020. However, after COVID everything went downhill. In the end, we were very happy. It felt like a sign of good things to come. Maybe we wouldn't have been signed to Rising Phoenix Music if it had been released in 2020. So, with this timing and eve

Some bands take a while between releases while others go all-out guns ablaze. The latter applies to the fierce Italian power-metal act, Frozen Crown . Since their inception seven years ago they’ve already pumped out four records and this year 2024 they’re coming out with their fifth album, War Hearts —the sheer work ethic to keep putting out consistent music while on the road on multiple tours. You can just feel their passion for the metal world come through in their music. It also takes a lot to make music within the same genre feel fresh and new, but they’ve certainly found a way. This new record has been an exciting addition to my year with forceful music and passionate, emotive lyrics all simmered down to a tight 41 minutes and 16 seconds. Ten songs that are filled to the brim with epic tones, blistering riffs and captivating performances from all involved. I have to say as someone who has listened to a lot of power metal and has run the gambit of its highs and lows. This is a gre

Long-time readers of this blog will know that I’m no stranger to the southern rock outfit, The Outlaw Orchestra . I have spoken about them on this blog, from album reviews, to gig reports to interviews . I have always had an affinity for their music. Their unique blend of rock, bluegrass, and country has always caught my ear the right way. You’d think I’d be running out of things to write. Nope, not by a long shot! Their new album La Familia is another stepping stone for them and I’ve had the chance to listen to it, yeah I like it that should be a surprise. I think what makes this band work so well is their sheer insistence on making this concept work. It somehow feels rough and dirty yet clean and polished simultaneously. There’s something so simple and charming about this record. Like all of their music, they managed to have this down-to-earth relatability that lets the listener gravitate to their lyrics, while still enjoying some of the lighter tracks for what they are. There’s a c