It doesn’t really seem to matter who is in Accept, everyone knows what they need to do, and off we go with another album. VIAC Accept – Too Mean To Die (2021) Accept – Too Mean To Die (2021)
Too Mean To Die
Heavy Metal
Nuclear Blast Records
2021
CD
11
Romance as affirmed by tragedy: former ivories driver with YES details the September 11th course to find the meaning of life. Less celebrated than his successors – Messrs. Wakeman, Moraz and Downes – despite his prominent presence on YES’ biggest hit Owner Of A Lonely Heart that signaled his return to the fold, Tony Kaye, as surprising as it may seem, has never had a solo career. VIAC Tony Kaye – End Of Innocence (2021) Tony Kaye – End Of Innocence (2021)
End Of Innocence
Prog Rock
Spirit Of Unicorn Music
2021
CD
16
I clearly remember hearing the debut Unruly Child album nearly 30 years ago and being blown away by their style of melodic hard rock which not only was catchy with great vocals but also kept a definite edge which prevented it from disappearing in a great pile of sugar. VIAC Unruly Child – Our Glass House (2020) Unruly Child – Our Glass House (2020)
Our Glass House
Hard Rock, AOR
Frontiers Music SRL
2020
CD
12
Taking friends on board, Aussie axeman fights the forlornness of his blues.GWYN ASHTON – Lonely On The Run (2021)
Often preferring to perform in a one-man-band format, this Welsh-born guitarist brandishes has long made raw sonics a part of his musical method, but when a song dictates a more polished approach, Gwyn Ashton can be unexpectedly soulful. VIAC GWYN ASHTON – Lonely On The Run (2021)
Lonely On The Run
Blues Rock
Gwyn Ashton Self-released
2021
Single
1
Trevor Bolder was the bass player in Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, Wishbone Ash and Uriah Heep, but passed away in 2013. VIAC Trevor Bolder – Sail The Rivers (2020) Trevor Bolder – Sail The Rivers (2020)
Sail The Rivers
Hard Rock
Bolder Records
2020
CD
10
This is one of those reviews which is even more pointless than normal, as if you are a fan of Nirvana then this is an essential purchase, and if not then whatever I say will not convince you to go out and buy a 6-LP set. VIAC Nirvana – Songlife (1967-1972) Nirvana – Songlife (1967-1972)
Songlife
Psychedelic Rock, Prog Rock, Folk Rock
Madfish
2021
Box Set - 6xLP
10x12x10x2x9x13
Dusted off in the past to remember the future and brought to the center of the eye, unique archive recordings get restored for the audiovisual glory. Formed in Hamburg in 1969, this English team were too eclectic for British taste with their widescreen psychedelic tapestries which couldn’t be restrained by prog binds, VIAC NEKTAR – …Sounds Like Swiss (2021) NEKTAR – …Sounds Like Swiss (2021)
…Sounds Like Swiss
Prog Rock
Think Like A Key Records
2021
2xCD, DVD
CD1-8, CD2-8, DVD-7
Neder-prog legends bring five decades of yodel delights to the stage with a prospect of another half-century of hocus pocus. Intermittent or not, fifty years of classical-informed musical frolics is no mean feat, and there are a few ways to celebrate this achievement. VIAC FOCUS – Focus 50: Live In Rio / Completely Focussed (2021) FOCUS – Focus 50: Live In Rio / Completely Focussed (2021)
Focus 50: Live In Rio / Completely Focussed
Prog Rock
In And Out Of Focus
2021
3xCD, Blue-ray
CD1-6, CD2-7, CD3-12, Blue-ray-13
It has been three years since The Valley Of Tears – The Ballads, a compilation that focused on their quiet, more otherworldly and dreamy side, and now they are back with a companion release which focuses on the harder side. VIAC Magnum – Dance Of The Black Tattoo (2021) Magnum – Dance Of The Black Tattoo (2021)
Dance Of The Black Tattoo
Hard Rock, AOR
SPV / Steamhammer
2021
CD
14
Five decades on since their insular inception, exponents of symphonic rock celebrate the joys of existence. Anniversary is a deceptive thing with regard to collectives whose lifespans are often intermittent, so their legacy means much more than years of service, and on such basis this ensemble qualify for half-a-century festivities. VIAC RENAISSANCE – 50th Anniversary – Ashes Are Burning: An Anthology – Live In Concert (2021) RENAISSANCE – 50th Anniversary – Ashes Are Burning: An Anthology – Live In Concert (2021)
50th Anniversary – Ashes Are Burning: An Anthology – Live In Concert
Symphonic Rock, Prog Rock
Symphonic Rock Recordings
2021
2xCD, DVD, Blue ray
11
Recorded in 1969, this was originally planned to be the third album for The Gods, before being released as being by Head Machine. The Gods were an important band in the late Sixties, less for their releases but who went through their ranks. VIAC Head Machine – Orgasm (1970) Head Machine – Orgasm (1970)
Orgasm
Hard Rock, Prog Rock
Major Minor
1970
LP
7
CD Aurora – AUCD5029 /UK, 2013/
Krautrock stalwarts make a convincing comeback to see tomorrow in the sky – and stay. They didn’t really build progressive structures, preferring to frolic instead of sophisticating things beyond the need; however, this collective have always been considered part of Krautrock, VIAC KARTHAGO – Live At Rockpalast 2004 (2021) KARTHAGO – Live At Rockpalast 2004 (2021)
Live At Rockpalast 2004
Prog Rock, Krautrock
MIG
2021
CD, DVD
13
Grand maestro of Italian art rock returns with a vengeance – wreaking torrential revenge on the past and bending the present to his own will. VIAC BERNARDO LANZETTI – Horizontal Rain (2021) BERNARDO LANZETTI – Horizontal Rain (2021)
Horizontal Rain
Prog Rock
DV More Records
2021
CD, digital, LP
9
FLAC, Snv-Italia
Triumphant, if low-profile, return of Texan bluesman sees him slowly reconquering European stages by storm. The ’80s and ’90s weren’t kind to John Nitzinger: he may have thrown in his lot with Alice Cooper in the beginning of the former decade but the guitarist would soon fall down on his luck to reemerge, VIAC NITZINGER – Live At Rockpalast 2001 (2021) NITZINGER – Live At Rockpalast 2001 (2021)
Live At Rockpalast 2001
Hard Rock, Blues Rock
MIG
2021
CD, DVD
8
The Flower Kings are back with their second album since their break, which saw long-time keyboard player Tomas Bodin no longer in the band. These days the line-up is Roine Stolt vocals, ukulele, guitars, additional keyboards and Hasse Fröberg (vocals, acoustic guitar), who has also been there since the beginning, bassist Jonas Reingold, who has now celebrated 20 years in the role, plus the new guys, Zach Kamins (keyboards) and Mirko DeMaio (drums). VIAC The Flower Kings – Islands (2020) The Flower Kings – Islands (2020)
Islands
Prog Rock
Inside Out Music
2020
2xCD
21
