Back catalogue: Rock

Review: Given how much they became part of the rock establishment furniture in their later years, it's easy to forget what a radical and even threatening - using gay slang was a very different and altogether more dangerous prospect for a start - band Queen were in the early 70s. They cut a unique musical corner for themselves, not quite glam, not quite metal, but definitely leaning towards both, with Freddie Mercury's gusting voice and Brian May's raw guitar sound both thrusting away with plenty of feisty vigour. Anyone who's heard and loved thair legendary Live At The Rainbow 74 album - one that even avowed Queen haters have been known to admit has a certain charm - will appreciate the thrills on display just six or so miles up the North London road a mere year earlier. As ever, the heavier work works even better in the bearpit live atmosphere. Their rendition of 'Liar' approaches top marks on the 'one to Motorhead' rock scale, but the early rock 'n' roll medley and 'Carry On'-style larks of 'Hey Big Spender' are equally fascinating glimpses of these rock legends enjoying their formative years. A lot.

Review: The Queen I Collector's Edition is a comprehensive and remastered look at Queen's groundbreaking 1973 debut album. This x6CD + 1xLP box set presents 63 tracks, including 43 newly remixed versions, demos, live recordings and alternate takes, making it the most complete version of Queen I to date. For the first time, a Queen album has been given a full stereo remix, allowing listeners to experience the album the way the band originally intended. Key highlights include the restored running order, featuring the song 'Mad the Swine', which was left off the original 1973 release. CD1 delivers the 2024 remix of Queen I, while other discs offer demos from De Lane Lea Studios, unreleased sessions and backing tracks. CD5 features rare BBC recordings and CD6 presents live performances, including Queen's first-ever show at London's Imperial College in 1970 and tracks from their legendary Rainbow Theatre concert in 1974. The set is beautifully packaged with a 108-page book containing handwritten lyrics and rare memorabilia, alongside four photo prints and a fold-out poster. For Queen fans and collectors, this expanded edition provides an in-depth look at the band's early sound, showcasing their energy, creativity and unmistakable talent from the very start of their career.

Review: Queen's Rock Montreal album, compiled from two electrifying live performances in Montreal during 1981, stands as one of their pinnacle live releases. Originally filmed for theater projection, the subsequent DVD's audio was said to feel lacking at home, but after Queen regained publishing rights they remastered both audio and visuals, resulting in this exceptional vinyl pressing. The concert showcases Queen at their peak, fueled by Freddie Mercury's fervor. 'We Will Rock You' kicks off with thunderous energy, setting the stage for an unforgettable journey through Queen's hits. From the rockier rendition of 'Play the Game' to the anthemic 'Somebody to Love,' each track pulsates with live vigor. Freddie's charismatic banter adds flair, while songs like 'Save Me' and 'Sheer Heart Attack' shine with emotional depth and raw energy. The show's climax with 'We Are the Champions' leaves audiences exhilarated, capping off a near-flawless performance.

Review: Queens of the Stone Age are one of the most widely revered rock band of their generation. Over the course of 20 years Josh Homme's crew cooked up a distinctive body of work that includes 2007's Era Vulgaris. It's a record that touches on electronic and acoustic textures next to heavy, crunching rock and has guest appearances by Julian Casablancas of The Strokes and frequent QOTSA friend Mark Lanegan. This version of the record marks the first-ever release of Era Vulgaris on 12" vinyl.

Review: If anybody thought QOTSA's previous offering '...Like Clockwork' indicated a band trying out new ideas, they're making far greater leaps this time around. Die-hard fans might be a little confused by the enlistment of Mark Ronson as the album's producer, perhaps even more so by the strong influence on Josh Homme of Ronson's ubiquitous 2014 hit 'Uptown Funk'. The outcome of this surprising collaboration proves to be a heady blend of the band's usual desert-rock sleaze and a crisp, infectious and floor-filling sound. This is an album to move to, and this new direction of dancefloor focus makes the blistering fuzzbox riffs and contortion-inducing solos sound even more cool and confident than ever.

Review: Not be confused with UK rock act Quill featuring the legendary Jeff Lynne (ELO, Black Sabbath, The Move), Swedish stoner rock heroes The Quill have been an active entity within the realms of Scandinavian hard rock and metal since the early 90s. Returning with their highly anticipated 11th full-length and follow up to 2021's Earthrise, the current locked in line up of original vocalist Magnus Ekwall, who would depart the band in 2007 before rejoining in 2016, along with Christian Carlsson (Cirkus Prutz) on guitar, Roger Nilsson (Spiritual Beggars, Arch Enemy, Firebird) on bass, and drummer Jolle Atlagic (Hanoi Rocks, Electric Boys, Firebird), are at a stage where crafting the most sprawling variety of metallic magic is their primary concern, with Wheel Of Time conjuring elements of stoner rock, doom metal, psych, prog and even saccharine dollops of melodious AOR for all you Dad-Rockers out there.