Raymond Heleband is a music critic and photographer with a deep-rooted passion for rock and metal. He writes album reviews and concert reports for The Rock Online, where he combines sharp, honest commentary with a strong visual perspective. After initially writing for the Headbangerslifestyle platform—which ceased operations in April 2026—for seven years, his photography can also be seen regularly in Aardschok magazine.
Raymond captures the atmosphere of a performance in his photos and writing. His work features both established acts and up-and-coming talent. Music, photography, and authenticity are Raymond’s cornerstones. For years, he has made his mark on the music scene as a guitarist and composer and has built lasting friendships. Among the highlights he has experienced live are: Gotthard live in 1994 at Via Rock Geraardsbergen, Belgium, and Mötley Crüe live in 2009 at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, USA.
A chat with Linnéa and Filippa It’s Thursday evening, the day after Wacken, I may say. A real day after Wacken, and we had tonight at the Music Bunker in Aachen, a real old German bunker, which you have maybe noticed already. In front of me, we’ve got Filippa: and Linnéa: Yes, and they both are very happy that to get awake maybe today. Filippa: It’s always hard to play a gig after a really big gig. Yesterday was a big gig, like 20,000 people. Linnéa: Yeah, something like that. Filippa: How many fits in this room? 200. Linnéa: Probably. No, it’s a 400. Filippa: Oh, it’s a 400, yeah.…
A band that consistently delivers quality is undoubtedly Deep Purple, founded in 1968. And their latest album, ‘Splat!,’ is no exception. The follow-up to the ‘=1’ album, released in 2024, is already here just two years later. It seems clear that the addition of the newest band member, guitarist Simon McBride, has provided a significant…
Last Saturday was the big day. It was already the third edition of BOBfest!, the festival organized by Radio BOB! So off I went—on yet another lovely, sunny, and warm day—to Sparkassenpark to enjoy performances by Judas Priest, Airbourne, Beyond The Black, and Nestor, among others. Every year, a series of concerts is held at…
Tollrock has been a staple on my festival calendar for several years now. Even though Bospop also had a strong lineup, my choice was clear. I’m heading back to the German Eifel region for one of the most beautiful and fun festivals on my annual calendar. And that’s certainly no hardship, given the festival’s once…
A chat with Lee-La of The Damn Truth Yes, Lee, it’s the 30th of June. Time goes quick. In front of me, there is Lee. Lee-La, officially. Front singer of The Damn Truth. Back in Europe. Lee-La: We are always back in Europe. We can’t stay away. It’s a special bond already with Europe. Lee-La: Absolutely. It’s been quite a few years. We’ve been coming back and forth every time gets better and bigger.…
Savatage’s “latest” release ‘Madness Reigns From The Gutter’ is a live album featuring recordings from 1990. Recorded at The Palace in Hollywood, California, during the Gutter Ballet tour. This was originally a broadcast for the “Revvin’ At Eleven” radio show on 105.5 KNAC. The recordings from that show on June 29, 1990, were retrieved from…
Last Tuesday evening, I headed to the CULTclub Spirit Of 66 in Verviers. The Canadian rockers of The Damn Truth were on the lineup there, and it’s certainly no hardship to see this wonderful band perform live. They’re currently on a European tour, delighting fans with 24 shows in June and July. It’s their second…
In the midst of a massive heat wave, with temperatures hovering around 40 degrees Celsius, I drove my car to the always lively De Bosuil in Weert. Why? Because BAP, one of Germany’s legendary acts, had booked a club show there as a prelude to their 50th-anniversary stadium shows. A “warm-up” show A “warm-up”…
On Friday night, it was time once again to head to the poppodium Nieuwe Nor. Wings Of Steel, the American heavy metal prodigy’s everyone’s talking about right now, was performing in the Netherlands for the second time in their career. This was the kickoff to a series of European “festival” shows.. phönix rising The…
Titled ‘The Final Ride,’ a live album was released on May 29—the first in Lynch Mob’s career. George Lynch described the record by saying: “Captured loud, raw, and exactly how it was meant to be heard, this is Lynch Mob firing on all cylinders.” heart and soul Recorded during the band’s 2024 Tour at…
