Mick Birchall Reviews | Interviews, Gig Reports & Album Reviews

Spiders have always been one of those bands I’ve tried to keep a close eye on. I’ve loved their music for a long time, and even though I’ve never seen them live, their records stick with me. I remember buying the CD, Shake Electric , and being completely blown away by their 70s throwback sound and rock n roll ethos. They’re just an incredible band, and I encourage anyone reading this to listen to their discography, especially if you’re into that late 60s to early 70s rock sound that seems to have been lost somewhere in the modern-day rock scene. So, after listening to their latest fifth album, Crystal Eyes , and speaking with the lead vocalist Ann-Sofia Hoyles , I thought I’d give you my thoughts on the record and what I feel works about this latest offering. This album feels similar in some aspects but wildly different if you know what to listen to. Opening on the fast and furious “Creature of the Night”, the album starts on the right foot. If you’re new to Spiders, then you’ll be me...

You may remember that earlier this year I got to speak with Michael Beck and Paul Williams from the American rock band Escape The Hive . (Click Here to Read the Interview) When we spoke, they were talking about the new record and, from the first single, “Around The Sun”, I was quite excited for the record to be released. Now it’s been released and has been in my rotation for a little bit; I thought I’d follow up on that interview and take some time to share my thoughts. This album, Fight or Flight , is the follow-up record to their 2023 album, This Is Gonna Sting , and you can hear the development from one album to the next. Though they’re sticking to the same genre, there does feel like a notable progression from the first to this new album. I’ve been putting it on and letting it play from start to end, and I have to say, I do think this is an enjoyable listening experience. If you’re into that late-70s to early-80s AOR or glam rock, then I think this is an album you’ll very quickly ...

Have you ever discovered a band that’s been around for a long time and thought to yourself, “Wow, this is really my type of sound”? Well I have just had one of those moments. I have got the new albums from Southern metal act Texas Hippie Coalition , from Denison, Texas, USA. As someone who grew up on southern rock , heavy metal and country, this is a band that I instantly got into. Their sound was almost nostalgic to me, the bluesy riffs, the deep vocals, the vibe of going to a dive bar and listening to the local band with a beer in your hand. Yeah, that kind of band. It was something quite instant. I got quite the introduction as in 2026 the band has put out two brand new records. This is not a double-record, it’s two separate records that they’ve released at the same time. Which, I must say, is an interesting strategy. The two albums are Band of Outlaws and Stoned Cowboys . Which both sound pretty good to me. I know this type of music is not everyone’s cup of tea. To me though, ...

I have had many encounters with the British metal band, Green Lung . Yet, I have never really spoken about them on the blog. They’re a band I have run into many times on my travels and a band that always stays in my rotation. They’re a band that has always stood out to me. I saw them last year at Graspop Metal Meeting , and they were simply spectacular when they took to the stage. So when I got the opportunity to have a sneaky first listen to their new album, Necropolitan , I just wanted to go over why I appreciate them as a band. This album is their fourth record, and it’s been a little while since their previous effort in 2023. So, this is a treat for their fanbase. The band hired producer Tom Dalgety, known for his work with Opeth and Ghost , at Rockfield Studios, to record, mix and master the album. Which makes all the sense when you listen to the album. I would actually say this record is a perfect introduction to the band and their style, which is very reminiscent of old-school ...

I love Bandcamp Friday ! It’s such a genuinely good way to support the artists and bands that need extra support. I waited to get this album on Bandcamp Friday. They’re a band I’ve kept my tabs on for a little while now. Hostal Handshake are from Athens, Greece and a band I definitely recommend you go check out. They’ve been around since the early 2000s and had success with their debut album, Hellish , from 2007. It must have been a long wait for the die-hard, day-one fans, as they’ve returned 18 years later. This year, Hostel Handshake has released their long-awaited sophomore record, Stone Oracle . The music landscape might have changed dramatically since their last album, but they’re back with all the fire and fury you’d want from a band like this. I was introduced to them by word-of-mouth recommendations. I’ve been listening to them quite frequently. This album has actually been sitting on my Bandcamp wishlist for a little while now. Well, today is the day to do it; why not throw ...

I’ve always had a strange relationship with Kamelot . They’ve always been one of those bands on my periphery. I love power metal and symphonic metal; it’s a core part of my identity. However, for whatever reason, Kamelot has always just been one of those bands that don’t click in my head. Which makes no sense, since I am a fan of the overall genre and many of their contemporaries. However, I can never truly say that I’m a fan. I’ve seen them perform live many times over the years, and I’ll admit, they are impressive. I can’t truly fault them as musicians or songwriters. It’s so difficult to put my finger on it. So, with their fourteenth studio record, Dark Asylum coming out, I thought I would take an opportunity to listen to it and really try to engage with the material. Their longtime producer Sascha Paeth returns to helm the album, also contributing additional guitars, alongside Jacob Hansen, who oversees mixing and mastering. So the band are well within their realm of stability and...

Wille And The Bandits are one of those bands I always feel the need to keep up with. The songwriting genius of frontman Wille Edwards can not be overlooked and, in my opinion, they’re the most exciting rock band to break out of the UK’s illustrious southern rock scene. Their mix of southern boogie, hard rock, blues and country, all brought together in that jam-band style, makes them a specific delight to my ears; a boy who grew up on rock, blues and country music. I knew that the guys were working on new music after speaking with Wille  last year , and I promised myself that I’d talk about the album when it came out. I’m a little behind that promise to myself, but I’m getting around to it now. I have been listening to this album quite a bit, and I’ve been enjoying myself. The new album, Salt Roots , is an ideal example of why this style of music will just never die out. The production is fun, the songwriting is intriguing to take in, and it’s just one of those albums you need to ...

So, I have written about Evergrey a few times on this blog now. I don’t think that I’ve ever made it a secret that I really love this band. So, in that case, I don’t know if that puts me in a better or worse position to write about their new albums. As a fan, this might come off a bias. Yet, I think that having a deep love for this band makes me qualified to tell you what works and doesn’t work about their fifteenth album, Architects Of A New Weave . Ever since their 2014 album, Hymns For The Broken , it’s been clear that Evergrey has gone in a little bit of a different direction from their earlier work. They didn’t outright abandon the progressive metal label; however, it does feel that they're chasing that anthemic, stadium rock sound. Big catchy chorus lines and more punchy guitar solos. This isn’t a bad thing per se; it’s just different. The band have been writing for that bigger audience sound. Which certainly fits them, with a sound that hits the rafters and just keeps on g...

Man, has it been a while since I thought about Sevendust ? They used to be one of those bands that were all over my old MP3 players in school. I’ve only kept up with them from afar over the last decade or so. Like, whenever they put out a new single, I would give it a listen and throw it on a YouTube Music playlist. However, when they started putting out new music for this upcoming 2026 album, One , I felt a little different about this one. I wasn’t sure what drew me to this new album, whereas past albums had failed. Now that I’ve had a chance to listen to this new album in full, I think I might have an answer for that question. This new record is their fifteenth studio album and, once again, is produced by Michael “Elvis” Baskette, a staple of this sound for a while now, having worked with acts such as Alter Bridge and Mammoth. The Atlanta rock titans really came out of the gates swinging with this one. The album opens with the title track “One”, and it’s mostly what you would normall...

There’s such a special feeling when you find a record that sticks in your imagination. I remember discovering my music taste and the wider world of rock music. I went through a phase of listening to pure psychedelia and trip-stoner rock. Bands like Kyuss , Monster Magnet , Brant Bjork , Sleep , etc. Going through this little phase, I discovered a band that always lingered in my playlists and mixtapes. This band was today’s subject: the American rock band Masters of Reality . I think their record, Welcome To Western Lodge , will always be up there as a genuine masterpiece. Also, when I’m in the mood, their album, Pine/Cross Dover , is something that keeps my attention through the runtime. It’s been a little while since that last record in 2009, so my genuine shock when I saw that they were returning in 2025 with a new record, The Archer. This complete mindbend of a record hits just a well as the older stuff with a few more tricks up their sleeves. Frontman Chris Goss has put together y...

For a while now, I have been skirting the edge of the heavier aspects of heavy metal. Simply because I don’t feel like I can fully appreciate the full weight of the brutal tones and heavier aspects. However, I’ve been actively trying to understand the parts of the genre that have left a bad taste in my mouth previously. I’ve been digging into the depths of the Greek heavy metal scene and today’s band has something that speaks to me. The music that Euphrosyne play is not my usual cup of tea, but their debut album Morus has fascinated me no end! For a first record they already boast an impressive aptitude for the craft of songwriting and have crafted a concept album that tackles are pretty hefty subject, the death of a loved one. This record not only displays their musical talent but also their understanding of production, making the best listening experience possible. I feel for a debut album, this is such a solid piece of work that has made me deeply invested in them. From a lyrica...

It’s been a while since I took a good long listen to the weird world of Avantasia . Tobias Sammet ’s enchanting symphonic metal powerhouse is always such a pallet cleanser for me. There are always three things you’re guaranteed going into every Avantasia album: Wonderful vocals, epic orchestration and infinitely creative imagination. Their new album Here Be Dragons is yet another notch on the belt of Sammet’s ever-expanding career and I am so here for it. This album is jam-packed with inventive writing and each song has just the right amount of that over-the-top quality that we all love from them. The 10-track offering in its entirety was written and composed by Tobias Sammet himself, produced and recorded by Sammet together with Sascha Paeth , mixed by Paeth and mastered by Michael Rodenberg . This is the tenth record from the band and man it feels like they reinvent themselves with every release, yet somehow they keep that core that makes the Avantasia experience unique.  Like a...

As I dive deeper into my journey of heavy metal from Greece, I’m finding new bands coming out of the woodwork. I think at this point these bands are finding me rather than me seeking them out. It seems like the universe is just gift-wrapping them to me. This brings me to today’s subject, the band known as Countown . Their music was recommended to me by a friend and I was immediately intrigued. Fierce and intense nu-metal that feels like it was transported from the 2000s to the modern day. To formally introduce you to the band, they hail from Athens and their music is 100% sung in Greek, which gave this reviewer an extra challenge when it came to reviewing their music. They’ve been around for a hot minute forming over 12 years ago, and they have become somewhat of a critically acclaimed darling in the Greek metal scene. With fiery lyrics and an in-your-face attitude, they’re not to be slept on. This new album from them Χαιρεκακία (translated to Schadenfreude) is something I’ve been wai...

Well, it’s been a few years since I’ve talked about The Night Flight Orchestra on this blog. In all honesty, it’s been a few years since I paid attention. However, I got this album fly past my desk and I knew I had to listen to it. I’m so glad I did, as this one is an absolute certified banger of an album. Give Us The Moon is an exciting record that glistens with punchy production and sharp songwriting. It’s one of those albums that I’d feel comfortable recommending to anyone who even has a passing interest in music. It’s an album that will grab the attention of any listener, from your hardcore audiophiles to the casual, whose only experience with music is what goes on the car radio. This album will captivate you as instantly as it did for me. All of this is from a group of talented, versatile musicians who understand that the point of music is to invigorate the soul. Led by the charismatic vocalist, Björn Strid (most notably from the band Soilwork ), The Night Flight Orchestra has...

Certain musicians will go down in history as the greatest of all time. Every generation has its superstars. Then you have some that will cross the generational divide. I think Mark Tremonti is one of those stars for sure. Tremonti is one of my music icons. I grew up listening to both Creed and Alter Bridge as a teenager while learning to play the guitar, he was one of the artists that I tried to emulate and learn their songs, to middling success. Also, over the last decade, for those who don’t know, he’s had another project on the go. The aptly named solo project Tremonti . It's a metal-focused project that allows the guitarist to let loose and also is the lead vocalist. This new record, The End Will Show Us How , is the sixth release from this project and is a journey into new styles and lyrical themes. I have to say, I find Tremonti, as a band, explosive and versatile. The way they craft metal-anthem after metal-anthem is inspiring. Their previous album, Marching In Time , wa...

The seriously cool thing about running this blog is that I check out some absolute belting records. We’re only a week into 2025, and I might have just found one of the year's best metal records. You know you’ve found a good record when it just speaks to you on a primal level. Sometimes a band doesn’t need fancy gimmicks or over-the-top theatrics. The Halo Effect has already made quite the name for themselves in the last few years. Not just because they’re industry veterans, but because you can still hear that hunger, that strive to be better and to give their fans something fresh and interesting with each release. Their first album Days of The Lost from 2022 was a good initiation to this new sound. This new record March Of The Unheard is a complete refinement of that style and is a much-needed forward progression. I don’t know about you but when I hear the term melodic death metal, it’s a bit of a weird term. It doesn’t feel like a needed distinction. Where do you draw the line? ...