Mick Birchall Reviews

  What do you think of when you hear the band name, Kontrust ? Fun, heavy… lederhosen? Well, I always think of incredibly inventive music with a twist of insanity. So, it’s been nine years since we last had new music from the Austrian cross-over metal heavyweights. So far this year we have been exposed to new music from Kontrust with two new singles, thus far, and the announcement of their long-awaited fifth studio album Madworld (scheduled for release on 3rd November 2023). I was so happy to have the opportunity to sit down with Manuel Haglmüller and Julia Ivanova to discuss the upcoming album and the latest singles!  Mick: Well, it’s been nine years since the last album ( Explosive , 2014). I think we’re all looking forward to the new album. I just wanted to ask what the catalyst was for coming out with new material after a break from writing. Manuel: I think there’s a misconception that this is a “comeback” of sorts. But the reality is that we’ve never been gone. We have...

Photo Credit: Mark Powell It's been a hot minute since I set foot in the hallowed grounds of the Academy in Liverpool. The home of many good nights out. I knew going into this that this was going to be a great night of music from simply standing in the queue waiting to be let in. The patrons were so ready for the gig that excitement filled the atmosphere. I grew up on country music and southern rock. So I was looking forward to this one. I've recently had a crash course in the music of Robert Jon and The Wreck . Their music is something that I would have adored as a kid, which colours them in a positive light. Their most recent album, Ride In To the Light is a brilliant album, filled with passion and emotion. All-encompassed with that hard rock edge that puts it over the top! So, going into this show I had high hopes for sure. As the venue filled the anticipation was apparent. I always love this moment before a gig starts. People are fresh and the excitement is about ready for...

I seem to have a hot and cold relationship with Skindred . Whereby, I’ll completely forget about them for a while only to be suddenly reminded of their existence as they put out another banger of a record. Well, their new album Smile , it seems to be that time again. A fiery, intensive album that hits the mark right on the bullseye. In fact, in the time it's taken for me to do this review, this album has already skyrocketed up the charts and won the hearts of many rock fans out there. I, personally, found out about them with their 2011 album, Union Black I have tried to keep up to date with their music. However, I always seem to need to catch up to the fandom. So, will this album keep me around, well only time will tell at this point. For now, I can only tell you how I feel about this album after two weeks of playing it on and off. I think Smile is a solid record bearing all of Skindred’s usual hallmarks. Funky reggae, check; hard-hitting riffs, check; ridiculously catchy chorus’ ...

Sometimes an album comes out into the world and it takes you on a ride! For me this year that would be the latest record from Greek headbangers, Project Renegade . Their latest album, Ultra Terra is a whirlwind of heavy riffs and bombastic hook lines that just captivate the listener. With the release of this album, I got to sit down with vocalist Marianna to discuss the new album, the challenges of producing an album during the COVID pandemic, memories of touring and a few other fun stories. With the new album released, what's your personal favourite song on the album? That is a very difficult question because there are a lot of songs that are very dear to my heart. I love the latest single “Token” because it’s the most recent single. The album closer “No Country For White Flags” is special as it’s the first ballad we’ve done as a band and the first time I was so exposed, vocally. It was a totally different approach from all of our other songs. I also really love the composition ...