Review by Peter Coates – www.facebook.com/InsideEdgePhotography

HEROES & MONSTERS
Heroes & Monsters
Released – 20^th Jan 2023
Frontiers Music

There is a significant volume of hard and melodic rock released under the Frontiers label, and a fair share of it leaves me unmoved, lacking any real spark of originality, and often seeing inter-changeable players and producers involved.

However, I am in no position to criticise the intent and dedication to releasing music, so can only comment on what resonates with me.

Every so often, something pops up that appears outside the normal Frontiers genre and the Heroes and Monsters project, formed by three rock n’ roll lifers and friends, bassist/vocalist Todd Kerns, guitarist Stef Burns, and drummer Will Hunt, seems to be one of these gems.

by Peter Coates – www.facebook.com/InsideEdgePhotography

SIMON McBRIDE – THE FIGHTER
Released – 27^th May 2022
EarMusic

Northern Ireland native, Simon McBride is currently on the road with Deep Purple filling in for Steve Morse and has released what he is calling his debut solo album The Fighter, via EarMusic. There were three prior albums released, the last of them 10 years ago, so this is a fresh start in recording terms at least.

Review by Pete Coates – facebook.com/InsideEdgePhotography

KRIS BARRAS BAND  –  DEATH VALLEY PARADISE
Mascot Records
Release Date 4^th March 2022

Steamrolling out of the end of 2021, the Kris Barras Band have announced their brand-new album, Death Valley Paradise, along with their most anthemic, call-to-arms song to date, My Parade.  The new album produced this time by Dean Weller (Enter Shikari, Bury Tomorrow, SiKth) will be released on 4th March 2022 via Mascot Records/Mascot Label Group (Black Stone Cherry, Fozzy, Crobot).

Review by Peter Coates – www.facebook.com/InsideEdgePhotography

NAKED GYPSY QUEENS – Georgiana EP
Released – Feb 11^th
MASCOT LABEL GROUP

I heard the first release from this EP a few months ago and started raving about the band then – loving the vintage classic rock sound, heavily amplified blues, rock solid drums and a twin-guitar assault steeped in the likes of MC5, Free, Deep Purple, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bad Company – all brought up to date with some supercharged hooks that combines that true classic rock sound with a modern southern-rock swagger!