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Robben Ford – Two Shades Of Blue (Provogue Records)

Down into the blues now with Robben Ford, the 74 year old veteran bluesman still delivering the goods on what I think is is thirteenth solo album, who who knows as he’s been a sideman for some of the best, in multiple bands peeling off those sophisticated guitar licks with ease.

From playing with Jazzman Jimmy Witherspoon, folks songstress Joni Mitchell, the mighty Bonnie Raitt, the man himself Miles Davis and even a damn Beatle in George Harrison. He’s five time Grammy nominated, constantly in flux, constantly hungry for something new and here he comes again with an eclectic new record.

Never wanting to repeat anything before, Two Shades Of Blue is an that spans the traditional funky blues on Make My Own Weather, some brass fuelled slickness on Black Night, while The Light Fandango and The Fire Flute, show off his six string skills, while a ballad like the title track is a tribute to his songwriting.

Ford’s move to London giving him the idea to make an album that’s a tribute to the legendary player Jeff Beck and it seems that Ford is very much channelling Beck on The Fire Flute especially, though there’s also a cover of Jealous Guy from another UK music icon John Lennon.

With about half of the record being instrumental you get a glimpse of Ford’s vocals but mostly it his guitar skills and the virtuosity of his band Ianto Thomas on drums, Jonny Henderson on keys, Robin Mullarkey on bass and a brass section of Paul Booth (saxophone), Ryan Quigley (trumpet) and Trevor Mires (trombone).

On their instrumentals there’s guests in the shape of Rollling Stones bassist, Darryl Jones, keyboardist Larry Goldings and drummer Gary Husband, these collection of players bolstering just how good this record is, and how diverse and talented the pool of London UK musicians is.

After a 67 year career you may think an artist like Robben Ford may rest on his laurels, but with Two Shades Of Blue he’s inspired by a whole country and a legendary artist to bring some of his best work. 9/10Anneke Van Giersbergen – La Mort (Self Released)

The second part of Anneke Van Giersbergen’s trilogy of EP’s La Mort, which translates to ‘the death’ is another beautifully, introspective offering which follows the overall concept of love, loss, and grief.

The EP’s are inspired by the passing of her parents within two months of each other, so these like the ones on La Vie some of her most personal songs and while not every song is about death, the atmospheric closing number Sail Towards The Sun, is about a boat her father built and how those journeys still hold a strong memory as part of the life of her father after his passing.

It’s a beautiful closing piece but not a solitary one as Van Giersbergen’s vocals are some of the most wonderful in the rock spectrum, they carry weight and fragility behind them, very like Dolores O’Riordan in terms of delivery and power, she’s adaptable to any sort of genre, as anyone who has followed her career will know.

On La Mort you get a mixture of styles with Anneke and her large live band, which features strings and horns, playing everything very well indeed. Be it the reverb drenched guitars of Fade In Fade Out, the throbbing 808 drumbeat of Blondie-like Handle Me With Care, the punky, funky, groove of Red Sky.

With The Gathering reunion dates on the way, the third part maybe a bit more of a wait but with La Mort and La Vie before it, there’s enough beauty and brilliance here to keep you excited for part three, if you can control your The Gathering fandom that is! 8/10

Robben Ford – Two Shades Of Blue (Provogue Records)

Down into the blues now with Robben Ford, the 74 year old veteran bluesman still delivering the goods on what I think is is thirteenth solo album, who who knows as he’s been a sideman for some of the best, in multiple bands peeling off those sophisticated guitar licks with ease.

From playing with Jazzman Jimmy Witherspoon, folks songstress Joni Mitchell, the mighty Bonnie Raitt, the man himself Miles Davis and even a damn Beatle in George Harrison. He’s five time Grammy nominated, constantly in flux, constantly hungry for something new and here he comes again with an eclectic new record.

Never wanting to repeat anything before, Two Shades Of Blue is an that spans the traditional funky blues on Make My Own Weather, some brass fuelled slickness on Black Night, while The Light Fandango and The Fire Flute, show off his six string skills, while a ballad like the title track is a tribute to his songwriting.

Ford’s move to London giving him the idea to make an album that’s a tribute to the legendary player Jeff Beck and it seems that Ford is very much channelling Beck on The Fire Flute especially, though there’s also a cover of Jealous Guy from another UK music icon John Lennon.

With about half of the record being instrumental you get a glimpse of Ford’s vocals but mostly it his guitar skills and the virtuosity of his band Ianto Thomas on drums, Jonny Henderson on keys, Robin Mullarkey on bass and a brass section of Paul Booth (saxophone), Ryan Quigley (trumpet) and Trevor Mires (trombone).

On their instrumentals there’s guests in the shape of Rollling Stones bassist, Darryl Jones, keyboardist Larry Goldings and drummer Gary Husband, these collection of players bolstering just how good this record is, and how diverse and talented the pool of London UK musicians is.

After a 67 year career you may think an artist like Robben Ford may rest on his laurels, but with Two Shades Of Blue he’s inspired by a whole country and a legendary artist to bring some of his best work. 9/10Anneke Van Giersbergen – La Mort (Self Released)

The second part of Anneke Van Giersbergen’s trilogy of EP’s La Mort, which translates to ‘the death’ is another beautifully, introspective offering which follows the overall concept of love, loss, and grief.

The EP’s are inspired by the passing of her parents within two months of each other, so these like the ones on La Vie some of her most personal songs and while not every song is about death, the atmospheric closing number Sail Towards The Sun, is about a boat her father built and how those journeys still hold a strong memory as part of the life of her father after his passing.

It’s a beautiful closing piece but not a solitary one as Van Giersbergen’s vocals are some of the most wonderful in the rock spectrum, they carry weight and fragility behind them, very like Dolores O’Riordan in terms of delivery and power, she’s adaptable to any sort of genre, as anyone who has followed her career will know.

On La Mort you get a mixture of styles with Anneke and her large live band, which features strings and horns, playing everything very well indeed. Be it the reverb drenched guitars of Fade In Fade Out, the throbbing 808 drumbeat of Blondie-like Handle Me With Care, the punky, funky, groove of Red Sky.

With The Gathering reunion dates on the way, the third part maybe a bit more of a wait but with La Mort and La Vie before it, there’s enough beauty and brilliance here to keep you excited for part three, if you can control your The Gathering fandom that is! 8/10

The history of punk rock is too often reduced to a handful of marketable fashion statements and the

Bhajan Bhoy – Meditations (Cardinal Fuzz (UK) / Feeding Tube Records (USA) DL | Streaming Released 17 April 2026 Buy here Another healing release from Bhajan Bhoy: four deep cuts that travel far into the psychedelic hinterlands. A serene record for difficult times, and those in need of succour could do a lot worse than […]

The post Bhajan Bhoy: Meditations – Album Review appeared first on Louder Than War.

The SKYND concert at London’s Electric Ballroom has proved, beyond any doubt, that there is much more to this act than just a weird concept of serial killer stories put to music.

Fact: Concepts sell tickets. And if it is the Eurovision you are going for, a concept, or even a gimmick, is perfectly fine. But what SKYND does is much more than just a concept. This is a look into the “dark shadows of an evil mind”, packaged with intriguing visuals and, first and foremost, very interesting music.

SKYND

Electric Ballroom, Camden – 11 April 2026

Words: Bogdan Bele

Photography: Gina Smith

This would be a good time to bring you up to date, if you are not in the know when it comes to  SKYND’s “true crime music”, as they call it. Every show is an investigation (or a series of investigations, if you prefer). Every song is about a serial killer case, and most of them also come with assorted videos and imagery.

There is no glorifying, as one would be tempted to think. There is deep analysis, though, and getting behind what led to people acting in such atrocious ways. Or taking a look into those minds, if you will.

The music is made by the eponymous SKYND, lead singer extraordinaire, joined by multi-instrumentalist Father on various instruments and production duties. Their output could be called dark electronic/industrial, with some Metal thrown in there for good measure. 

Despite the subject matter, the music is more accessible than one would imagine. You could even call some of the tracks incredibly catchy, with a pop feel (in the best possible way).

Live, we are talking about that same frontwoman on pretty much all of the voices, with Father taking up bass duties, joined by an additional musician on drums. Of course, a lot of makeup is used to conceal identities.

And that brings us to tonight’s show. There seems to be something getting in the way of my seeing SKYND live. I missed them at Hellfest several years ago (my fault, early morning, etcetera). However, because I really liked the music, SKYND was supposed to be the first show I would cover for MetalTalk.

Except they had the dates for the previous year listed on the website (which led to a bit of confusion, more etcetera). Was I very determined this time around? Damn right I was. However, Great British Railway’s signalling issue that cancelled all trains on my route was very close to not letting this happen. I went to a different station, on a different line, and made it despite that.

Now, the question was whether it would be worth the effort. As I realised one or two songs in, it absolutely was. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

I made it to London’s Electric Ballroom in Camden late. But not late enough to miss the start of tonight’s hostilities. There is no opening act, so I get some leeway (in your face, train!).

I look around me and cannot help but notice the diverse age ranges. It seems that true crime music has no age, not when it comes to its following. 

The stage is bathed in blue light and, after a short intro, SKYND gets on stage and goes straight into Michelle Carter, with its poignant “I love you. Now die!” chorus. This is mesmerising stuff, despite the sound not being perfect at the beginning, but it improves quickly. Even like that, the combination of very well done lighting (lots of strobe) and absolutely fantastic voice makes for a poignant start.

As we get to Elisa Lam, about a mysterious death at a hotel in Downtown Los Angeles, you cannot help but be amazed at how SKYND simply inhabits every character, not only in voice, but in facial expressions and movement.

A lot of vocal effects are used to convey the story, and whoever triggers them (their sound man, I would assume), most certainly is not in a dull line of work.

The new series about Russian and Soviet evil, for lack of better wording, makes its way into the show, with Tamara Samsonova and Andrei Chikatilo played in quick-fire succession. The Russian traditional theme that starts the former works great, and if you dare, I urge you to check out the two real stories that these are based on.

They go through most of their monster collection, with SKYND simply dominating the stage and drawing you into the story, from gesturing during the newsreel-like intros, and then stepping into each character’s mind.

The stage movement is adapted to each character, like using a cane in John Wayne Gacy’s case or seeming to be in the middle of automatic weapons fire during Columbine. The song ends, and this somewhat shy and very feminine voice thanks the audience. I can not imagine what it must mean for someone’s mind to do this every night.

The whole thing has a specific unity to it. It is a very well-built show, despite not having screens or pyro. Just great stage presence and very well-designed lights. And, while it is difficult not to focus on the main point of the show, which is SKYND herself, the instrumental parts are very well-executed, the two masked men providing a very apt backdrop for the stories. 

SKYND treats us to two new unreleased pieces. The first one of these, Jimmy Saville, with the lyrics “Let me touch you/’cause I’m untouchable,” makes you seriously think about the monsters sometimes hiding not in plain sight, but in the limelight.

The second new track arrives at the end of the show, but until then, there are several other highlights, in the likes of Mary Bell and my personal favourite SKYND song, Aileen Wuornos.

We are taken through a range of emotions and characters, from suicide cults – Jim Jones or Heaven’s Gate to the “dark shadows of an evil mind” – Gary Heidnik, an earlier track with a studio version featuring Korn’s Jonathan Davis.

The second new track I was mentioning earlier comes toward the end of the set. It is Mikhail Popkov, presumably the closer of the recent Russian series. It actually has a somewhat techno feel to it, and it is catchy and aggressive at the same time.

I look around me, and I see how some of the audience are more than fascinated by the songs. They dance, or at least move to the music, and they are so in the moment that it is incredible to watch. This is obviously more than just another Saturday evening in Camden.

Is SKYND for everyone? Most certainly not. It takes a certain curiosity.

Some might not want to wander into those places. However, if you do, the journey will certainly be interesting.

The post SKYND / Dark Shadows Of An Evil Mind Gather Over Camden first appeared on MetalTalk – Heavy Metal News, Reviews and Interviews.

What better way to pay tribute to a fallen comrade?

German heavy metal veterans MOB RULES have announced ‘Stories From The Verdant Vale‘, set for release on August 21st via ROAR – a division of Reigning Phoenix Music. To mark the announcement, the band unveil the first single, ‘Master Of The Black Crow‘, a high-energy track that pulls no punches! Driven by a striking, Celtic-inspired […]

The post MOB RULES Announce ‘Stories From The Verdant Vale’ appeared first on ROCKPOSER DOT COM.

Well, it’s finally happening. More than 20 years after they first became eligible for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Iron Maiden are to be inducted for the third time of asking.

The Heavy Metal behemoths who resume their Run For Your Lives World Tour next month in Athens have been nominated for the accolade twice before, in 2021 and 2023. Initially qualifying in 2005, their exclusion from the institution has been the subject of some controversy and a substantial amount of derision from fans, given that previous “non-rock” oriented inductees include Whitney Houston, Jay Z and Nina Simone. 

Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson has himself been highly critical of the Hall of Fame’s committee, saying, “It’s run by a bunch of sanctimonious Americans who wouldn’t know rock ‘n’ roll if it hit them in the face.” He also suggested they needed “to stop taking Prozac and start drinking beer.”

He followed up his comments in 2023 by telling the Telegraph, “I don’t want to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, because we’re not dead yet!”

Addressing fans on their website, Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood said, “We’d like to thank the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for including us (and former members who were all part of our story) in the 2026 roll call of inductees.

“Iron Maiden have always been about our relationship with our fans above anything else, including awards and industry accolades. However, having said that, it’s always nice to be recognised and honoured for any achievements within the music industry too!

“It also seems appropriate for the band to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year as we continue our 50th anniversary celebrations with our Run For Your Lives World Tour visiting the Americas and beyond.

“We would also like to congratulate our fellow 2026 inductees and extend our gratitude as ever to our fans for their loyalty, perseverance and support for over 50 years now! See you all, somewhere on tour.”

It was recently announced that Blaze Bayley would be included in Maiden’s list of nominees, which already featured Steve Harris, Bruce Dickinson, Janick Gers, Nicko McBrain, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Dennis Stratton and the late Clive Burr and Paul Di’Anno.

The induction ceremony will take place on 14 November, at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, coinciding with the Australian and Japanese leg of the band’s tour.

Iron Maiden Are Kings Of The Castle In Dublin

The post Iron Maiden To Be Inducted Into The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame first appeared on MetalTalk – Heavy Metal News, Reviews and Interviews.

Sometimes, all you need is some good rock music to get your day going, and if you pay

Visionary producer Bob Ezrin – who steered Alice Cooper to his greatest triumphs – looks back on decades of madness, mayhem and macabre genius