Author: Steve Earles
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Killer – Volume One: The Mausoleum Years 1981-1990
As time passed heavy metal became broken into many sub-genres, but conversely the New Wave of British Heavy Metal continues to grow in stature and regard. It is rightly seen as a time of innocence, where heavy metal was played for fun, for the love of the music, and where song-writing really mattered. But the…
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Conversations With Neil Gaiman
One of the most interesting pieces is a 1987 interview/article that Neil did with Alan Moore. Moore notes the shoddy deal given by UK comics to its creators where their work is bought outright meaning they get no money from reprints, merchandise, film and computer game adaptations, etc. A most unfair state of affairs. I…
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I’m A Freak Baby 2
A Further Journey Through The British Heavy Psych and Hard Rock Underground Scene 1968-73 I didn’t hear the first volume of this series which is a shame as it is brilliant; it’s like a proto-metal box set for ‘Life On Mars’. It is a veritable musical time machine, aural archaeology spread over three splendid discs.…
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Phenomena Reissues
Phenomena began life in the 80s as the brainchild of Ton Galley. Tom wanted a return to the concept album of the 70s but in an 80s style. This he certainly achieved with Phenomena’s self titled debut. Featuring the talents of Tom, his brother Mel (Whitesnake, Trapeeze), the voice of rock himself Glenn Hughes (Sabbath,…
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27: The Legend and Mythology of the 27 Club by Gene Simmons
Most people reading this review will have heard of the legend of the 27 Club, basically a group of talented musicians all having in common the fact that they died aged 27. The myth began in the 60s with the death of Brian Jones. Over the years membership of the club increased with the likes…
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Iron Maiden: Album By Album by Martin Popoff
This is the best book ever published about Iron Maiden! For the following reasons: First, Martin Popoff is a great music writer, especially for our beloved genre of HEAVY METAL (say it loud we should be proud!), combining true knowledge and insight with an ability to tell a story and write genuinely engaging text. Secondly,…
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Steve Earles’s 2018 in metal
Every year, Hellbound writers submit their top albums of the year. They all get compiled into Hellbound’s Top Metal Albums of the year (coming soon). Top Albums of 2018 10. At the Edge of Time Artist: Crystal Viper Label: AFM Records Listen to At the Edge of Time on Spotify 9. Exsolve Artist: Jo…
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Reviews x3: Fractal Cypher, Striker, Jo Quail
Fractal Cypher – Prelude To An Impending Outcome Fans of Dream Theater will find much to enjoy here. Beautifully played progressive metal, and a release that bodes well for their future music. Transcendent! (Mini Album, Self-Release) https://fractalcypher.bandcamp.com/album/prelude-to-an-impending-outcome Striker – Play To Win Striker remind me of the good old days when great bands like Iron Maiden…
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Cancer – Shadow Gripped
There is an important and very true quote from Carl Jung in the CD booklet to Cancer’s excellent Shadow Gripped, which I will share with you. “It is a frightening thought that man also has a shadow side to him, consisting not just of little weaknesses and foibles, but of a positively demonic dynamism. The…
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Ominous Eclipse – Sinister
With a name inspired by the film Pitch Black, Ominous Eclipse tick off all the correct death metal boxes. However, the more one listens to Sinister the more one detects other influences and this bodes well for some longevity in their career. One to look out for in the future. (Self Release) Ominous Eclipse is Guitar, Vocals:…