Tangerine Dream – 50 Years of Phaedra – at the Barbican (Kscope)

 
Tangerine Dream is truly a miracle. The band now operates without any of its core original members, yet it continues to thrive and amaze its fan base. Under the watchful eye of Thorsten Quaeschning, the group honors its legacy while also taking confident steps forward. The band’s recent studio album, Raum, reassured listeners that all is well within the Tangerine Dream camp—and that there are exciting things to come in the years ahead.

This release celebrates the 50th anniversary of Phaedra, the groundbreaking 1974 album. Not only do we get to hear the sounds the original trio stumbled upon half a century ago, but we also experience innovations that were technologically impossible at the time. You hear Phaedra, but you hear it fully realized. Some may argue in favor of the original sequences, yet this reinterpretation offers a fascinating and adventurous perspective. It keeps the music fresh, adding subtle twists while respecting the source material.

The rest of the concert blends classic themes from the past with newer tracks from the current lineup. The selections balance each other beautifully, creating a strong sense of continuity throughout the live recording. There is intensity, but also remarkable focus and precision. The beauty of this performance lies in its natural flow—nothing feels forced. The music simply carries you along, inviting you to journey inward through soundscapes designed for exactly that purpose.

Tangerine Dream created a powerful atmosphere at the Barbican in London. Quaeschning, Frick, and Yamane perform like high priests in a sonic ritual, shaping and controlling the sound while sharing an immersive experience with the audience. There is certainly enough “tangerine” here for this writer to keep dreaming and enjoying the ride. An incredible album—one that beautifully bridges the past and the present.

Mark Kadzielawa

Graham Bonnet Band – Lost in Hollywood Again (Frontiers)

Graham Bonnet keeps getting lost in Hollywood time after time! The man is a classic rock singer with an incredible catalog under his belt, and he’s still actively creating new music. This live set delivers a powerful overview of Bonnet’s long career—from his days in Rainbow to Michael Schenker Group, Alcatrazz, and finally his own Graham Bonnet Band. This set is hot whether you play it forward or backward. Killer songs, strong delivery, and an extremely fun time from start to finish.

Lost in Hollywood Again is a combination live CD and DVD. See it, hear it, breathe it—it's excellent whichever way you choose to experience it. The concert took place at the legendary Whisky a Go Go in 2024, an intimate venue with a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. From the first intro to the final note of “Lost in Hollywood,” this show absolutely rocks.

The performance kicks off with “Eyes of the World,” a perfect opener and arguably one of the finest tracks from Bonnet’s Rainbow era. The song builds beautifully, and once Bonnet begins to sing, the mood and momentum surge forward. The lead break is simply out of this world. Anthem after anthem follows—essentially a greatest-hits set delivered with confidence, passion, and total conviction.

The band clearly enjoys themselves on stage—you can see it in their expressions. They aren’t just performing; they’re flying with the music. Conrado Pesinato handles guitar duties, Alessandro Bertoni commands the keyboards, Francil Cassol powers the drums, and the ever-resourceful Beth-Ami Heavenstone anchors the low end on bass. They are excellent musicians who share a strong, positive chemistry. It’s refreshing to witness such genuine love for the music being expressed onstage.

Graham Bonnet himself remains a true survivor of rock’s golden era. While he may not have the same vocal power he once did, he still delivers a compelling show. Any limitations are more than compensated for by his attitude, professionalism, and forward momentum. Watching or listening to this performance is a reminder of the songs many of us grew up with—if we were lucky enough. The setlist is packed with outstanding material, ensuring that every listener will find a personal favorite.  There is even an instrumental surprise that digs deep into the Purple family.

With the Graham Bonnet Band currently working on a special upcoming studio release, Lost in Hollywood Again will more than satisfy fans in the meantime.

Mark Kadzielawa

Greyhawk – Warriors of Greyhawk (Cruz Del Sur Music)

 

Over the last couple of years, Greyhawk have truly developed into an outstanding heavy metal band. With each release, the band has shown clear growth and a steadily sharpening musical identity.  Warriors of Greyhawk should have been the album that firmly cemented their position—and technically, it still does. This is a flawless record: beautifully crafted, packed with catchy songs, and bursting with energy.

What momentarily halted Greyhawk’s momentum was a change in the vocal department. Rev Taylor departed to focus fully on his operatic career, and Anthony Corso stepped in as his replacement. Corso proves to be an ideal fit, bringing a strong melodic edge to the band. His performance on this album is absolutely superb, leaving no doubt that he is the right man for the job. With him at the helm, Greyhawk are poised to soar to new heights.

Warriors of Greyhawk excels from start to finish. There’s no learning curve here—just press play and let it flow. The album delivers a solid blend of traditional and power metal, driven by confident, adventurous songwriting. Rather than relying on excess, the band focuses on feel and skilled execution. Big chords, powerful hooks, and infectious sing-along choruses make it clear that Greyhawk are ready for any battle ahead.

With Warriors of Greyhawk, the band has clearly struck the right chord. The album showcases a tight, talented instrumental unit paired with a commanding and capable frontman. Its diverse songwriting makes for a highly engaging listen—one that invites repeated exploration. Few modern heavy metal albums achieve such a strong balance of material. While Greyhawk are technically re-establishing themselves with a new vocalist, this release represents a massive step forward in nearly every aspect. Excellent from beginning to end.

Mark Kadzielawa

Iron Brigade – Ill Fated Voyage (Stormspell Records)

 

Iron Brigade have finally released their debut album, and it’s an excellent one. Ill Fated Voyage offers a very different take on heavy metal, rooted in the pure essence the band projects and now reflects through their music. The album carries an early 1980s feel—uncompromising metal that was never commercial and never bent under pressure.

Ill Fated Voyage is packed with fast rhythms, strong guitar harmonies, pounding drums, and powerful vocals. Vocalist Daniel Butch is an outstanding singer and truly adds the icing on the cake to an already intriguing album. Every component of this machine works together to create something special.

Each spin of Ill Fated Voyage awakens the spirit of traditional heavy metal. The band isn’t breaking new ground, but what they do is refine and perfect what was handed down by the very best. The album has a clear personality, and the development of an original style is more than evident. Iron Brigade skillfully conceal their influences while adding their own perspective to established norms. Listeners will hear echoes of the past and may form their own interpretations of the material. And while there’s no shame in an Iron Maiden overtone here and there, Iron Brigade stand firmly on their own!

Ill Fated Voyage is well planned and expertly delivered. A great deal of thought went into this album, and that’s what makes it so compelling. There’s a depth that may not reveal itself immediately, but each listen brings you closer to discovering it. The production adds a raw, authentic edge—don’t expect any happiness here. This is mean metal delivered with fury. Iron Brigade aren’t just playing songs; they’re attacking!

Mark Kadzielawa

Aktor – Professori (Season Two) (High Roller Records)

 

Aktor is an international project combining the talents of Jussi Lehtisalo and Tomi Leppanen of Finland and Chris Black of the United States.  In the ten years since its inception, Aktor managed to release three records.  All excellent, but also very different from each other.  The band keeps their hand on the pulse and continues to move forward.  Their music can be described as heavy rock/hard rock.  If you like either genre, Aktor will get under your skin in no time.

“Professori (Season Two)” appears to be a concept album, where one theme flows from song to song.  In this case, it’s the mysterious disappearance of Professori and the struggle that follows.  Not only is the concept realizing itself lyrically, but the band also applies sounds and musical passages that create a feeling of mystery and suspense.

There are sounds on this album that could easily exist within the world of Rush, Saga, or Blue Oyster Cult, yet it is Aktor that brings it to you with sincerity and conviction.  Aktor is extremely original in its approach and execution; they give each song exactly what it needs.

“Professori (Season Two)” is a very ambitious record presented by a band that perfected their writing and delivery.  While concept albums sometimes leave you guessing, it’s mission accomplished for Aktor!  It’s quite amusing that musicians from different parts of the world can put their minds together and create such magic without regular interaction.  As Chris Black points out in one of the songs, “You won’t regret this.”

Mark Kadzielawa

Professor Emeritus – A Land Long Gone (No Remorse)

 

Professor Emeritus re-emerges with a new lineup and a brand-new album. It’s definitely the beginning of a new chapter in the history of this band. While their debut (“Take Me to the Gallows”) was very impressive, this is a band with a slightly different dynamic and sound. Both albums stand tall on their own, and it’s not fair to compare them.

“A Land Long Gone” is a solid dose of epic metal backed up by excellent musicianship. The songs are catchy, well balanced, and adventurous. There are many unexpected right and left turns that take the listener by surprise. The band challenges itself by incorporating variety of influences that a lot of texture to the song structures. All of this combined makes this record want to be played on a repeated basis.

Vocalist Esteban Julian Pena is a great addition to Professor Emeritus. His vocals soar all over this record, and the color of his voice adds certain electricity to the music. What’s also very impressive is the incredible rhythm section consisting of Jose Salazar on bass and Chris Avgerin on drums. Those two players are working overtime here, and they need to be heard! Guitarists Tyler Antram and Lee Smith are extremely proficient, and they complement each other extremely well.

“A Land Long Gone” is an excellent record; it captures a very special feel and shows a lot of potential for the years to come. Professor Emeritus is definitely on the right track. This is a great collection of songs; you play them, and as soon as the album is over, you simply want to hear it again. Professor Emeritus certainly adds another flavor to the already rich Chicago metal scene.

Mark Kadzielawa

MIP – Passing By (Analog Twins Records)

 

The first impression when you hold this album in your hands is that   something very dark and provocative is hidden within it. The cover photo—remarkably bold, by the way—brings to mind the imagery of the first season of True Detective. Even before hearing a single note, you can sense an atmosphere of darkness and uncertainty.

MIP stands for Make Impossible Possible—the new band formed by Artur Hajdasz, a longtime member of Made in Poland. That band was a legend of the Polish cold wave. For some reason, the name could no longer be used, but the abbreviation—and above all, the music—leave no doubt. "Passing By" is a clear continuation of that group’s legacy.

The “new” band consists of former members of Made in Poland, Agressiva 69, and Jesus Chrysler Suicide. Their musical résumés are impressive, but ultimately it all comes down to a simple question: is it good? The answer is a definite yes. Once you start listening to this album, it’s hard to stop.

Most of the material was created in England, where a key member of the group now lives. That’s probably why most of the songs are sung in English—it reflects the environment in which they were written.  Although London serves as a point of reference, the music still carries that distinct “Manchester” vibe that Made in Poland perfected years ago.

“Passing By” contains nine tracks, each different from the next. What binds them together is the overall mood of the album. This music immediately seeps into you; even the most subtle sounds penetrate deeply into your consciousness. You journey from track to track with MIP—it’s an incredibly pleasant, though dark, trip. Songs like “Look Left Look Right” and “Black Winter from the Sun” have a unique atmosphere, as do “Angel” and the title track.

You can hear immense precision in this music—everything feels mathematically coordinated, even when it sounds seemingly chaotic or unstructured. This makes listening to it an intellectual adventure.  Glimpses of dark intelligence are clearly present here, and it’s easy to fall under their spell for the duration of the album. Though this record will continue to challenge listeners for many months to come, there’s no doubt that MIP has created a truly outstanding album that proudly stands on its own.

Mark Kadzielawa