Latest Rock News - Album & Live Reviews

Review - Matt Wisdom, Photos Daniella Pagliuca It's become a rarity for me nowadays to attend gigs at the fabled Hammersmith Odeon (as most of us still refer to it). It was taken over by one musical after another for many years, with the landscape seemingly only levelling (to a degree), recently. Once a fortress for classic rock, I do hope the Odeon increases it's roster in that area. I first saw the Hogarth era Marillion here on the "Seasons End" tour, and when I enter the auditorium I'm sitting in more or less the same seat as I did then. It's great to see that the owners here are keeping the venue in fine fettle, with regular re-paints and a few tickles of titivation. Marillion are never ones to pander to convention, and the lengthy opener "Gaza" (from the "Sounds That Can't Be Made" album) is ample proof of that. Over the next few songs, things are levelled out in that respect, with "Seasons End", "Hotel Hobbies" and "Sugar Mice" more or less running into one another. Even after all these years, I still find it very interesting to hear Steve Hogarth singing the Fish era songs. Four "suites" from "An Hour Before It's Dark" come next, namely "Care". Whilst not even at the halfway mark, it's very striking to see how much variety and versatility Marillion have in their cannon. The arrival of "The Space..." also heralds the arrival of "Flowing Chords", a choir from Italy. When you hear the music pitched with them, it makes you think even more how much of a classical bent Marillion have in some of their output. To my mind "Easter" and "Lucky Man" work very well within this framework. The ethereal playing of Steve Rothery weaves so well with this. Steve has been at the forefront of Rock Guitarists for such a long time now. A player who knows exactly "when", with an incredible touch and a grasp of melody. One would imagine this can't be taught. I'd venture that Pete Trewavas and Ian Mosley are amongst the most underrated rhythm sections in music. I say that regardless of the many plaudits that they've received. Mark Kelly makes playing Keyboards look as easy as I'd make a cup of Tea, with glorious flurries abounding, left, right and centre. I can't even flurry making a cup of Tea either..... The main set closes with "Wave", "Mad", and "The Great Escape" (all from 1994's classic "Brave" album). Reflecting somewhat on the set at this point, it's so clear that Marillion are one of the masters of reinvention. Not an easy thing to do within the Prog/Neu Prog genre. Encores of "The Release" (From the "Seasons End" sessions) and "Man Of A Thousand Faces" (From "This Strange Engine") are a perfect fit to close the show out. In an ever changing planet, it's a relief to know that Marillion are going to.....keep on changing.

SLIPKNOT have announced their (sic)est Stadium Tour , crossing the globe Summer 2027. The tour, produced by Live Nation, launches July 3 at London’s historic Wembley Stadium connected by EE , in a UK and Europe exclusive. On July 16, SLIPKNOT touch down in D.C.’s Nationals Park to kick off their North American jaunt, which includes performances at Citi Field in Queens, New York, Chicago’s Soldier Field, Boston’s Fenway Park, Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park and more. The tour wraps with five South American performances in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Colombia. Featuring a brand new set, new staging and a setlist spanning across their career, these shows will be the ultimate SLIPKNOT experience to date. The band are joined by Bring Me The Horizon as direct support on all North American dates with a rotation of special guests along the way including: Acid Bath , Lamb of God, Motionless In White, Lorna Shore, Kublai Khan TX, Polyphia, Loathe , and Vended . Marilyn Manson, Lorna Shore, and Hatebreed support SLIPKNOT in London for the tour kick off. Manson and Hatebreed rejoin them in South America in September along with local support to warm up the crowd.


















