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  Frontiers Music [Release date : 10.04.26] We couldn’t help thinking that we’d heard this album somewhere before. Maybe it’ll come back to us. Deja Vu is the third album from Swiss melodic rock band, Fighter V. Emmo Acar (v), … Continue reading →

The post Album review : FIGHTER V – Deja Vu appeared first on Get Ready to ROCK!.

Live Review: Laura Jane Grace – Waterfront, Norwich

30th March 2025
Support: Bratakus, Muntjax

Words & Photos: Tom Atkin

It’s a bit of a change up for this evening, an emo/punk night in small venue and still something to look forward to! Hosted upstairs at the Waterfront tonight, fans know it is going to be a close up experience and always a fun time when they are packed in to this space.

First up this evening we have Norwich’s own MuntJax. An emo/pop punk band that are about two years deep into their career now. Every ounce of energy that they put in is blasted out with a great amount of passion. They knew that there were people in the room that had not heard of them before, and that they had to make that great first impression. And that they did, developing a connection with the crowd in a way that only emo bands can. They performed incredibly well, lyrics that have meaning along with guitars that ring back to a time when the genre was at its peak. 

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Next up we have Scottish punk rockers Bratakus. A group of sisters that were brought up in the realm of DIY punk, brash and raw., yet also strangely polite.

From the word go you can feel the intensity in their music, it is punk in its truest form (although accompanied by a drum machine, that was drunk apparently – IYKYK). Unapologetic about the noise they make as they stir up the crowd from the emo offering prior. This change of pace has hit the spot with the attendees, with the crowd starting to bunch up together more.

There is no letting up from the sisters as they put on what sometimes feels like a protest on stage, you can feel their opinions on politics throughout the lyrics, and they are delivered in a way that shows how much heart they put into what they are throwing in your face.  The crowd seemed to adore every minute of this set, and you can see why. An audience that is already heading to a punk rock show getting treated to a lesser known band that can kick it just as well as some of the greats. 

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

And now for the main event, Laura Jane Grace. Much like the rest of the artists tonight, she nonchalantly takes to the stage and those who don’t know her music would not expect what is about to happen.

For an artist that is used to playing much bigger venues, Laura is not phased a single bit by this evenings small surroundings. The crowd is here for it, they have now properly bunched up towards the front and there is a wide age gap amongst them, people that look like your regular ol’ desk worker through to the very obvious old school punks.

Opening with ‘Walls’the mood was set early, Laura’s voice managing to carry both a soft and a gritty tone at the same time. This song eases everyone in, and I imagine is followed by another song from her time as Laura Jane Grace in the Trauma Tropes, ‘WWIII Revisted’, giving everyone the reminder that this is going to be a punk rock show.

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Having been a centre point of several musical projects over the years means the catalogue of songs that Laura can dip in to is extensive, each branch with it’s own unique sound, but yet still retaining the core feeling that she provides to everything that she is part of. We have Laura Jane Grace, LJG in the Trauma Tropes, LJG and the Mississippi Medicals and then of course Against Me!. The latter I suspect being the main draw for the majority of people in here tonight.

The traditionally punk songs are fast and short. Thus the crowd gets a melded experience, chopping and changing through different periods of time in Laura’s career. Each one sang with the same passion thats been consistent through out her set. It is testament to the whole band, being able to comfortably smash out songs that feel like folk punk such as ‘Pints Of Guinness Make You Strong’ effortlessly transitioning into the crowd sing along of ‘Walking Is Still Honest’.

Theres also space to throw in some covers as well, an exceptional cover of Rowland S. Howards ‘Silver Chain’ along with paying homage to The Ramones with a great tribute to ‘Howling At The Moon’. Being punk and the short length of her songs we have a mammoth set, twenty eight songs in total. Every single song feels purposeful, grabbing the fans attention no matter what era of Laura’s career they discovered her in.

This show has been a complete joy, it felt like it belonged in this smaller part of the Waterfront. Gritty, close, and personal. Providing a space for everyone to connect, no judgements just a good fun Punk show.

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Full Gallery Here

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

For all the latest news, reviews, interviews across the heavy metal spectrum follow THE RAZORS’S EDGE on facebook, twitter and instagram.

The post Live Review: Laura Jane Grace – Norwich appeared first on The Razor's Edge.

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Live Gallery: Laura Jane Grace – Waterfront, Norwich

30th March 2025
Support: Bratakus, Muntjax

Photos: Tom Atkin

We look back at the eventful Laura Jane Grace show through the eyes of our photographer Tom Atkin!

Laura Jane Grace

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Bratakus

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Muntjax

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Photo Credit: Tom Atkin

Check out our review of the show here!

All photo credits: Tom Aktin

For all the latest news, reviews, interviews across the heavy metal spectrum follow THE RAZORS’S EDGE on facebook, twitter and instagram.

The post Live Gallery: Laura Jane Grace – Norwich appeared first on The Razor's Edge.

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Ace Frehley, born in 1951 and passing in 2025, became one of rock’s most recognizable guitarists as a founding member of KISS.

Fans knew him as the original lead guitarist and the man behind the “Spaceman” persona, a character that mixed science fiction vibes with rock attitude.

His presence helped shape not just how the band sounded, but also how it looked on stage.

Music and spectacle came together in a way that changed expectations for live rock shows.

Frehley’s raw guitar tone, creative instincts, and larger-than-life character played a major role in building the sound and identity of KISS.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Growing up in the Bronx, New York, Ace came out of a family that already had music in its DNA. Both parents had strong musical interests, so instruments and sound were part of everyday life.

That kind of environment gave him early exposure, even before he fully committed to playing.

School never really clicked for him. Struggles with academics and social life made things frustrating, and he often felt out of place. Music stepped in as a release, something that gave him control and direction when other areas didn’t.

Getting his first guitar as a teenager changed everything almost overnight.

Practice sessions turned into long hours of experimenting, figuring things out by ear, and building confidence.

Influences shaped his sound early on, especially British rock acts that were dominating at the time.

A few key inspirations played a major role in forming his style:

• Led Zeppelin, known for heavy riffs and powerful guitar presence
• Cream, which brought blues roots into a louder, more aggressive setting
• The Who, with their explosive energy and stage intensity

Instead of chasing perfection, he leaned into feel and instinct. Notes didn’t need to be flawless, they needed to hit emotionally.

That mindset gave his playing a rough, natural edge that separated him from more technical players.

At the same time, a rebellious attitude started to show. Confidence mixed with unpredictability, and that personality would later become a big part of how fans saw him.

Formation of KISS and Rise to Fame

 

 

 

 

 

 

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In 1973, Frehley walked into an audition with Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons and secured a spot that would shape his future. Style and attitude made an immediate impact.

Silver boots, a bold presence, and a confident attitude made it clear he wasn’t just another guitarist.

Creative input came quickly after joining. He didn’t just play guitar; he helped build the band’s identity.

Designing the KISS logo gave the group a strong visual edge, especially with the lightning-bolt “SS” that added aggression to the name.

Creation of the “Spaceman” character added personality and mystery, pulling ideas from science fiction and his own interests.

Live shows became a major reason for their rise. Performances turned into full-on spectacles with makeup, costumes, fire, and dramatic effects.

Frehley’s calm, almost detached stage presence made him stand out even more.

Fans connected with that contrast, seeing him as both cool and unpredictable. Concerts became something people talked about long after they ended.

Guitar Style and Musical Contributions

Ace Frehley’s guitar work focused on feel rather than complexity. Blue’s roots came through in his phrasing, while melody stayed at the center of everything he played.

Instead of filling solos with fast, technical runs, he built lines that stuck in people’s heads.

Solos often carried a vocal quality, almost like they were telling a story.

That approach made his playing easy to recognize.

The appeal of that kind of expressive, engaging style reflects a broader interest in dynamic entertainment experiences, whether through music or interactive formats like Megaways games online.

Stage performance didn’t stop at playing. His guitars became part of the show, with effects that grabbed attention and added excitement.

Smoke, lights, and even explosive visuals turned his instrument into something more than just a tool for music.

That energy carried into recordings, especially live albums, where his playing felt more alive and unfiltered.

Breakthrough and Peak Years in the 1970s

Momentum shifted in a big way with Alive! in 1975. That album captured the raw energy of their concerts and brought it to a wider audience.

Fans could finally hear what made their live shows so intense, and it helped push the band into mainstream success.

Studio albums kept building on that momentum. Destroyer in 1976 introduced a more polished sound, showing that the band could expand its style.

Love Gun in 1977 continued that success, with strong sales and radio presence keeping them in the spotlight.

Solo projects came in 1978 when each member released an album at the same time. Frehley’s record stood out as the most successful of the four.

“New York Groove” became a hit and stayed closely tied to his identity as an artist. Recognition as one of the leading guitarists of that era grew quickly during this period.

Personal Struggles and Departure from KISS

Success brought pressure, and personal struggles started to take a toll.

Substance abuse began affecting performances and reliability, creating tension within the band.

Differences in lifestyle and creative direction made things even harder to manage.

Distance between Frehley and the rest of the group became more noticeable in the early 1980s. Participation dropped, and communication broke down.

Eventually, that led to his official departure in 1982. That moment closed the chapter on the original KISS lineup, marking a major shift for the band.

Solo Career and Frehley’s Comet

Music stayed at the center of his life. In 1984, he returned with Frehley’s Comet, bringing his signature sound into a new project.

While it didn’t reach the same level of commercial success as KISS, fans remained loyal and continued to support him.

Solo albums followed over the years, each one carrying that familiar guitar tone and style. Career ups and downs often connected to personal struggles, but his influence didn’t fade.

Many fans and musicians continued to see him as a cult figure in rock, someone who stayed consistent in his approach to music.

Return to KISS and Later Years

Reunion with the original members in 1996 created massive excitement.

Fans showed up in huge numbers, eager to see the classic lineup back together with full makeup and costumes. Tour success proved that connection with audiences was still strong.

Later years brought more openness about past struggles, along with a stronger focus on connecting with fans. Honesty and authenticity became more visible in how he presented himself.

Summary

Ace Frehley built a career filled with major success and serious challenges.

Contributions to KISS shaped their sound, image, and stage presence in ways that still influence rock music.

Raw attitude, strong guitar work, and a bold persona made him one of the most memorable figures in the genre.