Mick Birchall Reviews

The stand-out band of this year for me has been a small independent southern-rock band from North Carolina called Old Heavy Hands . I found their album Small Fires and instantly fell in love with their sound and it’s been in my rotation a lot this year. Their distinct style drawn from many influences made for a fantastic listening experience. I went back and listened to their first two records and I loved them even more. I wanted to get to know them and take a look under the hood of one of my favourite records of 2024. ( read my full review here ) In this blog, I got to sit down with one half of the dual vocalists, Nate Hall , and talk to him about the new album, his influences, the band's origins and learning to find balance in a busy life. MB: So, this year we had the release of your third album Small Fires , which I completely fell in love with. So, what was the thought process going into this one after Mercy ? NH: Well, we had the time to just write and focus on the songs. So,...

Wow. I never thought we would be here again. A new Linkin Park album. Earlier this year we were introduced to the all new version of the band. Like many of you, I grew up on the original albums, Hybrid Theory , Meteora and Minutes To Midnight . I remember loving their music but I dropped off of them ultimately as I was introduced to more and more music that deviated me from that sound. So it’s been a good 10 years since I really listened to a full Linkin Park record and then with the tragic loss of lead singer, Chester Bennington, I thought that would be it. They were a legacy act and one that would remain as a shining beacon of nostalgia. So yeah, when Mike Shinoda announced that not only would the band be returning with a new line up, there would also be new music coming with it. I was apprehensive but excited all at the same time. The new lineup performing on the record consists of returning members: Shinoda, Dave Farrell, Brad Delson and Joe Hahn. However, this record would have ...

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...