Mick Birchall Reviews

Photo by Mark Lear It’s autumn when the cold starts rushing in, the rain pours and bands come out in full force. There seem to be bands touring by the masses full and concert-goers come out by the dozen. This one was going to be a special one for me. Last year, I got to see this band in Liverpool and this year they dropped their new EP. Caitlin Krisko and The Broadcast are fast rising to be one of the premier blues rock bands set to take the 2020s by storm. Led by their eponymous vocalist Caitlyn and filled with blues soul to the brim. Their new EP, Blueprints has been a highlight of the year for many blues fans and their singles have been rattling around in my head for some time. After seeing them as a support act last year, I was rather interested to see what they could do as headliners. So I headed out to the Night and Day Cafe in Manchester, a good little venue a short walk away from Piccadilly train station. I was taken in by the ambience of the room and I waited for the music ...

Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with the incredibly talented vocalist Giada "Jade" Etro and the versatile guitarist/vocalist Federico Mondelli of the Italian power-metal band Frozen Crown . Our conversation revolved around their highly-anticipated fifth album, War Hearts , scheduled for release in October. During our interview, they provided fascinating insights into their creative process, the inspiration behind their lyrics, and shared compelling stories about their journey as heavy metal artists in Italy. As a result, I am now eagerly counting down the days until the album's release and eagerly anticipating the opportunity to witness their electrifying live performance in November! Mick: So we've got the new album War Hearts coming in October, it's your fifth album in seven years, how do you have so many ideas locked and ready to go? Jade: Yes, so we are a very creative band. We were born to be composers more than musicians, so we love music, wr...

I’ve been in love with the sound of country and southern rock since I was a small boy. So, I’m always on the hunt for that next sound that brings back that sense of nostalgia. There’s like the dulcet tones, the southern drawl and the heartfelt lyrics that just brings that sense of comfort for me. This year has given me some great records and another one to add to the collection is this record. I first came across The Georgia Thunderbolts from a recommendation. Their new single “Rise Above It All” had just dropped and I was immediately in love with this sound. I quickly learned that this single was building up to the release of their new album of the same title, Rise Above It All . This is their sophomore release acting as the follow-up to their 2021 album, Can We Get A Witness . I took a listen to all of their music, including their EPs and fell into a bit of a rabbit hole. They have all of the soul of the outlaw country but beefed up with hard rock elements that would make the most s...

I’ve been following the Greek metallers, Project Renegade , for some time. I have adored their music and feel like their two albums; Order Of The Minus and Ultra Terra are some of the best metalcore we’ve had in the last 10 years. Their music is awesome and speaks to me on an emotional level. I’ve wanted to check them out live since I first heard them, and I thought I would have to head over to Greece to do so. Well in the year of our lord 2024, it turns out that I wouldn’t have to. Earlier this year they announced a full-on UK tour in the run-up to their appearance at Depravation Festival in Swindon. You better believe I bought a ticket quicker than Speedy Gonzalez. The nearest date to me was the Preston show at a little venue called The Ferret. Fast-forwarding to the night of the show. I rocked up to the venue (a little early). I had never been to this venue before and was surprised at how cosy it was. Sat on top of the hill that was Fylde Road, I wouldn’t say there was a tonne of ...