 |
|
|
|||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
| MUSIC Gig Reviews, Club & Gig Listings And USA Discoveries! Scroll down to read through all articles or select one of the links below to jump to another section |
|||||||
| Lifestyle | Unsigned Stage | News | Chinwags | Arts | Features | Album Reviews | Club Focus |
|
Jett Black @ Camden Underworld
18th May 2011
Review/Photos by Sabrina Dersel
Judging by the ‘Dress to Impress’ Rock Chicks waiting patiently at the front row of the stage next to me, I am expecting a Motley Crue like band to emerge soon!
Lights off, the crowd cheer & Jett Black invade the stage, and owns it from the first second. These 4 UK guys are born to Rock!
Opening with “Two Hot Girls” and “Motherfucker”, the Underworld becomes a karaoke, this band has fans and very dedicated ones.
The atmosphere is brilliant, the singing is shared between the two guitarists and I have to admit Jon Dow does a better job at it, and it is not because he is shirtless!
Supported by killer riffs, ear shredding solos, catchy lyrics and huge hooks, their performance is delivered with a no bullshit attitude and a tight as hell live show!
I knew nothing about Jett Black before this show, but I was pleasantly surprised. If you re a fan of the late 80s/early 90s style of hard rock, without the hairdo, then you will definitely like them.
The band is having a lot of fun on stage, which spreads to most of the audience. Having supported bands like Whitesnake and played Festivals already, it is a nice feeling to see them on the intimate stage of the Underworld tonight.
With the rock ballad ‘Not Even Love’ ,Jett Black shows how good they are at rocking hard as well as turning it down a bit and still owns the place.
‘Get Your Hands Dirty’ the title track of their CD is a punching anthem, all is good in this song! This is how it s done and Jett Black got it.
I’m now all sweaty and left wanting more! I can’t say one bad thing about this band except that I would like to see them headline to get more time of their awesome music!
SetList
Two hot girls, Motherfucker, Slip it ON, When it comes to Lovin, Not Even Love, LTMT, Fooled By A Rose, Sleep, Get YOur Hands Dirty, Dangerzone
Jetblack: http://www.myspace.com/jettblackuk
|
|||
 CLUB LISTINGS CLICK LOGOS BELOW TO VISIT
|
| ||
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
| CHINWAGS Interviews With Bands, Performers, Artists and Generally interesting People! Scroll down to read through all articles or select one of the links below to jump to another section |
|||||||
| Lifestyle | Unsigned Stage | Music | Arts | Features | News | Album Reviews | Club Focus |
|
The Ocean Interview Interviewee: Robin Staps Venue: The Famous Cock
It was actually a terrific day for some time in a beer garden, the sun was shining and later in the evening, there was a brilliant prospect of seeing The Ocean and Earthtone9. But before all that, I journeyed to the Famous Cock to have a chat with The Ocean’s guitarist and songwriter, Robin Staps. After saying hello, we got down to talking about their recent tour, illness, bus troubles, upcoming DVD and Hellfest!
Danny: Hello! How are all of you doing? Robin: At this moment, very, very good! We’re sitting in this beer garden in London. London is showing us its sunny side! It’s cool! We’ve had a rough time recently though. It’s gotten better since Glasgow which was the second day of the UK tour. The first two shows were fat because we’d just got back from the US and had an awful 48 hours of no sleep, return trip journey! And then we had a show the same night in Birmingham, which was kind of a lame show. Then Durham was kind of shit too but then Glasgow, Manchester and Bristol were really good! It took a while to pick yourselves up? Yeah, but now we’re back on track. We have rose from ruins! We’re all just physically… Drained? Awesome, you’ve just finished touring with Job For a Cowboy and Between the Buried and Me. Did you have good time on the road with those guys? It was amazing! The best tour we’ve ever done! They were all really good shows, like, five or six-hundred upwards; most of them were like one-thousand people. It was a very interesting package. Obviously Between the Buried and Me are an amazing band, they don’t really do much live expect for playing which they know how to do well! And their fans are really open minded; they have to put up with their proggy-extraviganza, long epic-song monsters! So they were really open minded to our stuff as well, a lot of nights even better than Job For a Cowboy who were kind of odd on that bill because they kind of do the technical death metal stuff which didn’t really fit because of the other two bands but it was cool. It was interesting to have a diverse package and they were really cool guys. That’s another thing that made that tour really outstanding was that everyone was really humble, the guys in Between the Buried and Me had no rock star attitudes. We were treated very well as and opening act, we always played an hour after door to a full house. And those people are really, really cool. We had the best time out there. How were the crowds like there? Yeah they reckon that crowds (in America) are easier to excite than European crowds. You know sometimes here you get people standing there and clapping politely three times and that’s it! But there you get people going crazy; we don’t get moshpits or circle pits here. But every single night in America we had fourteen metre diameter circle pits, without even having to anything! It’s just the kids there like to dance there and to move. They’re very appreciative of the band which you realise the moment you get up on stage, even as an opening band. That was probably the best tour; we had some rough times due to our transportation situation, the bus company screwed us! A guy named Keith Gasket from Omni Pass rentals may he rot in hell, eternally! They basically ran away with our money and left us high and dry with a broken bus and didn’t provide alternate transportation system so we had to buy a van. We were travelling with a party of ten people because we thought we had a bus so we might as well bring some crew and make it nice for us! But once we had to get a van it turned out to be not the best decision because then we had to sort out hotel rooms and places for people to sleep for ten people every night. We had to cram ourselves into a twelve seated van with ten people and gear and that really didn’t work out! But, Between the Buried and Me were cool and transported a lot of our gear with them in their trailer and that was the only thing that made this tour work, otherwise we would have been completely fucked basically! So that part was shit but the shows were amazing! I’ve heard that you were making a live DVD, what is happening with that? We don’t really know. We’re just collecting material at the this point, we had a documentary filmmaker with us on the whole US tour and also here in Europe now till June 20th, so it’s like one long three and a half month tour. He’s with us all the time; he filmed a lot of shows in the US and a tour video blog or Vlog that you can check out on Decibalmagazine.com. So we’re collecting all of that material and releasing it probably sometime next year along with a full show we filmed in Switzerland where four of the band members are from. That was the record release show for Heliocentric where we played with an extended line-up of twelve musicians. And there’s going to be another show on there, one that we played at the museum of musical instruments that we played in January this year which was a strange kind of occasion. They’ve never really had a rock show there before. They had a collection of Cembalos (German name for Harpsichord) and Stradivari Violins and all this sort of stuff. The audience was seated so it was a very different show and we filmed that as well. And then possibly the London show which we’re filming tonight so there’s going to be a lot of material. You’ll be playing Hellfest soon, sharing the Terrorizor stage with bands like Ghost and Kylesa… And Kyuss and Knut which are some of my favourite bands! Is this a big thing to be playing with bands that you are fans of? Well this festival is amazing, it always has the best line-up for the last four or five years. I think the day that we’re playing and the stage that we’re playing has some of the most interesting bands. Hawkwind are playing, Kyuss lives are headlining and I want to watch every single band and it’s great to be a part of that. It’s definitely exciting. The Ocean has been quite prolific with releasing albums since Fluxion in 2004, releasing something every two or three years. Can we expect a new record in the next two years or so? In the next two years probably, not this year, that’s for sure! We’ve just done two albums last year and I think we deserve a studio break this year! We’re going to start writing in the summer probably and get ready to enter the studio probably sometime early next year. Springtime something like that. But nothing at all has been planned yet, there’s no material written. I can’t write while being on tour, I have to take some time off and find a place where I can find some peace and tranquillity. I’ll just take my guitar and my pro-tools with me and record some stuff. I can’t do that while I’m travelling. But we haven’t really written much new material so I can’t really tell you anything, but this year we’re going to focus on promoting the next two albums so we’re going to be on the road quite a lot. Going back to the US before the end of the year and probably doing another big European tour in the fall as well. This years going to be a live year, 2009 was a studio year as we did only one tour in the spring. The rest of that year we spent recording. So along with last year this is going to be a heavy touring year. Do you guys still record as the collective or do you record now as the live band? We’ll record as the Collective, but the Collective is not what it used to be. Right now the Collective is some people playing with us now whenever it fits and for special shows, like the museum show for example or the record release show. And on the albums, I’m still interested in working with all these classical instrumentalists; it adds a layer to our music that I couldn’t conceive. And that’s going to happen in the future again, we’re going to have strings, we’re going to have a brass section playing with us. So in the studio we’re definitely going to record with these people but it’s completely different players now. The players on Anthropocentric are different players than on Heliocentric. We have two people now who are sort of semi-fixed additional members; it’s a piano player with a beautiful name Irakli Mamrikishvili he’s from Georgia. He played the museum show with us and he’s also going to play Summer-Breeze with us and possibly Hellfest. And a Cello player called Dalai Theofilopoulou, an equally beautiful name from Greece. And those people are awesome because they’re not just classical musicians who are doing it for the experience, where you have to mute the screaming vocals that scare them away! They’re actually metal people, they’re classically trained but they listen to metal! It’s really cool to be on stage with them because we’re really used to playing to a click which a lot of these classical musicians are not because their tempos are being interpritated very loosely usually in classical music. It’s very different than in rock music where you have to know the dictation of the click or whatever! So we wanted to find the right people and those two are definitely the right kind of people and that’s why we’re going to be playing with them in the future. Not on usual club tours but on big festivals and one of special shows we’ll play with those people for sure. Awesome. When will you be playing any UK festivals? That’s a good question! Maybe Andy knows something about that? Are you guys coming back to the UK soon? Possibly, but nothing is planned yet. It depends on what type of touring offers we get. We’re headlining now in Mainland Europe. The UK leg of this tour is not a headlining tour. But we’re not planning to come back and headline anytime soon as we’re going to do another good support tour before we come back to headline. But when that’s going to happen I don’t really know yet. Probably in the fall we’ll be back here, one way or another but it’s too early to say now! Ok, well thank you very much, it’s been great to speak to you! Thank you!
Robin is a nice as pie guy and a pleasure to talk with. Definitely check out The Ocean’s music and their gig review that follows!
http://www.theoceancollective.com/heliocentric http://www.metalblade.com/theocean http://www.facebook.com/theoceancollective http://www.myspace.com/theoceancollective http://twitter.com/OceanCollective http://www.youtube.com/theoceancollective |
||
|
Band: Me Vs Hero
Interviewee: Sam Thompson (Vocals)
Location: Tour Van Outside The Forum
Date: 7th May 2011
On a lovely day before the Skindred show at London's Kentish Town Forum, we got the chance to speak to Me Vs Hero front man Sam Thompson before he had to run off for sound check before their slot on tonight’s bill, supporting Skindred!
How’s it going?
Sam: Fantastic thank you! A little… Tired and a little hung-over. Other than that…
Big party last night? Sam: It’s been long nights, big party nights. The Skindred boys are crazy and so are the Chiodos guys. I’ve been lead astray!
Strayed from the beaten path?! Is this your first big tour, in terms of playing larger venues?
Sam: Yeah. We did a tour with You Me at Six. We’ve been out with Elliot Minor before; I think we played the Forum with them. So not in terms of size as we’ve done similar stuff.
You’ve got your video, “Can you count suckers?” which was released at the end of last year. Was it a good laugh making a video?
Sam: Probably the best two of days of my life so far!
We recorded the video at my dad’s old house, he had a bit of money, he’s moved to Dubai now; just before he left, it’s this big house. We set up this big stage in the back garden, it wass probably the two hottest days of the year, so we had another guy called John Stone come down and do all the recording for us and stuff. We got all of our friends down for the video; it was like a “Warriors” theme video, like the film “The Warriors”. We got our friends to dress up as mimes and stuff, glam rockers…
What were the Yankee ones called? Sam: I think it’s the Yankees isn’t it? Something about Baseball… fury…
Both: Baseball Furies! Sam: Yeah that’s the one! So it was great, we got drunk for the whole two days. Our tour manager Danny who’s on tour with us now is actually on the cover of the album! He got so drunk! There’s a Cider called K, Special K. It just ruins ya! He had a few cans of that and was doing back-flips on this trampoline we’ve got. I think my brother asked him to do a front flip. So he stepped like this “big man”, does the front flip, overcooked it and face planted into the metal bar on the outside of the trampoline! Ouch!
Sam: He broke his nose, lost two teeth. He’s got a big scar on his head. So the actual picture on the album cover is actually him with blood all over himself!
Right after during the first few seconds after impact?!
Sam: Literally yeah! I went and got him some tissue and he’s holding it there. Just before he went to hospital.
Ah, that’s a great story about the album cover!
Sam: Haha!
Your record, The Day’s that Shaped Our Lives is pretty damn good!
Sam: Thank you!
How was the process of getting it to a label to get it out there?
Sam: We actually did a self release. We’re working with a lady called Julie Weir, who does Physical Noise. But not with the label side of things. They do Lostprophets, so at the time when we wanted to release our record, because it’s only a small indie label, everything they were doing was focussed on Lostprophets. So it wasn’t really right for us to be with them at the time. So we decided to go with a self release, to see how it goes and just to get it out. To see what sort of feedback we get and then, if down the line we sort of hook up with a label with the next album or to re-release this album, if that happens. In fact! I believe we’ve just started talks with a label that I can’t mention.
No exclusives then?!
Sam: Yeah, it’s very secretive. We’ve just had a meeting with our manager who’s just come down.
Is it a UK based label or is it worldwide as well?
Sam: It’s going to be worldwide hopefully.
Very cool!
Sam: But we’re in talks with a few labels and stuff, so hopefully, on the second album we’ll have a nice release for it!
Brilliant news! I was going to say you have a very, sort of American sound, in a sense because of all the pop-punk and the hardcore crossovers, there has become a massive blend of styles. My question is; have you had a good response in the US at all with your stuff. Sam: Yeah, we always, always, every time we post something on FB or I check out our Myspace pages, find there are always guys from America asking us to come out to America. You know there are shed loads of people in America, so it’s probably why you get more than you do over here. They seem to love it, I mean it’s hard to get pop-punk over in the UK, the thing that everyone listens to is Dance and Hip-Hop and R’N’B and stuff. That’s what the majority of people listen to, so we’re the outsiders. I think over there, rock music and stuff, is the norm!
Always in the College dorms!
Sam: Yeah! So yeah, we seem to be going down fantastic, we’ve yet to get over there; hopefully I think we’re in talks with sorting something out for the back end of this year, or the start of next year, to go over to North America.
But I think the kids have got it down in America. I wish we could swap it over! If they could have our Chavs!
Yeah! Nice!
Sam: And we could have their college music and college stations!
I would gladly trade it for that!
Sam: Gladly!
What are your plans for the rest of this year after this tour? Are you going to be playing the Slam Dunk festival again?!
Sam: Uh, we’re not, no! I think three years in a row is probably the limit! We’re probably going to have to take three years off before we can do it again! I mean thankfully we’re very good friends with Ben, the guy who puts it on. So it’s worked well in our favour being put on for three years, it’s a great festival and now he’s doing Glasgow this year as well! So, we’re gutted we’re going to miss it but, I mean, it’s just not right to put us on again and we know this anyway. But we’ve got Sonisphere! That we’ll be doing for the third year… that’s on the Red Bull stage on Sunday. It’ll be really, really good, I think it’s about a 4,000 capacity venue, er tent! That’ll be sweet. We’re doing Heavy Fest, which has an amazing line-up this year. And we’re doing Boardmasters down in Newquay. We’re all really big skate fans; we’ve brought our decks on tour with us so we’re really looking forward to that one!
You mentioned the second album earlier; do you have any sort of plan on when that will be ready?
Sam: We’ve just started writing it. We’re a few songs in, we got load of different ideas we’re bringing together and stuff. We’ve pretty much just done two tours back to back, we’ve got a new drummer in so we’ve been working on making the set as best as we possibly can for the tour, so we really haven’t been able to do much writing. Other than on laptops at home and Ross and Bob have been working hard, writing a lot of stuff. Hopefully we’ll get a few demos out, put a couple on the re-release of Days… in the summertime. But hopefully start recording at the end of this year. And then have something out hopefully start of next year.
A new record deal…
Sam: Hopefully yeah! Fingers crossed. We’ve been through so many labels, offers and deals and stuff. We’ve had to look over it and say “it’s not quite right for us”.
You have to pick the right one.
Sam: Exactly yeah. We want someone who can really work with you well; it’s not all about the money or anything. And also you don’t want to have to give everything away so that we’re gunna be in debt for the rest of our lives or we can’t afford to live! But what’s happening at the moment is really exciting and really promising.
Looking like a very good next couple of years for you.
Sam: I hope so, yeah. The start of something big for us, we’re only a young band, three and a half years or something. I mean Skindred are headlining the forum, 2,500 people tonight and they’ve been going eleven years. We’re very young in that respect. Hopefully over the next couple of years…
Keep plugging away…
Sam: Exactly, that’s the dream isn’t it?!
Awesome, is there anything that you’d like to add?
Sam: I don’t know, keep checking us out, and keep listening to new music! Some people like to stick to their favourite bands and don’t check out new bands, but its okay to like new bands and new music. Have a good summer, come and check us out at one of our gigs, go and get a copy of our album, Days… and yeah, stay safe people!
Cool, thank you Sam!
What a lovely chap! Be sure to check out the review of the Skindred gig featuring Me Vs Hero and also to keep a tab on these boys, they’re going to busy over the next few years!
Interview by Danny Draper
|
||
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
| INDEPENDENT NEWS Anything we hear, that we think you might wanna hear! Scroll down to read through all articles or select one of the links below to jump to another section |
|||||||
| Lifestyle | Unsigned Stage | Music | Arts | Features | News | Album Reviews | Club Focus |
|
PRIMUS RETURNS TO THE UK AFTER 14 YEAR ABSENCE!
American alt-rock-fusion mentalists PRIMUS have announced their return to the UK. The three-piece will play Manchester Academy on July 12th and London’s O2 Academy Brixton the following day. Famed for their funked up, far out and truly unique style, these shows will be warmly welcomed by PRIMUS fans, who have not had a chance to see the band since they last played at Brixton, back in June of 1997. Since then, the band have written the theme tune for popular animated TV show “South Park”, released two albums and undertaken several tours, but unable to take in the UK in that time. Currently working on their first new album in 11 years - due this summer - the trio will return to the UK after a fourteen year abscence to deliver favourites like “Jerry Was A Race Car Driver”, “My Name Is Mud”, “John The Fisherman” and “Tommy The Cat” at their only UK shows of 2011. A KILIMANJARO PRESENTATION BY ARRANGEMENT WITH WME
12 JULY MANCHESTER ACADEMY 0161 832 1111 13 JULY LONDON O2 ACADEMY BRIXTON 0844 477 2000 TICKETS ON SALE 9am FRIDAY 11th FEBRUARY 2011 FROM WWW.KILILIVE.COM / 0844 871 8803 |
Beecher Call It Quits... Again! Beecher have announced that they will be playing no further shows together and there will be no new material; they are once again calling it a day.
|
||
|
 SEPULTURA POSTS FIRST “KAIROS” TRACK-BY-TRACK BREAKDOWN ON FACEBOOK“Kairos” out July 12th on Nuclear Blast Records.
Brazilian/American veteran thrash metal act, Sepultura, has posted a track-by-track breakdown of the first four tracks of the band’s forthcoming 12th studio record, Kairos,on Facebook. 'Kairos' will hit stores in North America on July 12th The new record can be pre-ordered now here in various formats, coupled with a Kairos t-shirt, while supplies last. The track list for Kairos is…
1. Spectrum 2. Kairos 3. Relentless (2011) 4. Just One Fix (Ministry cover) 5. Dialog 6. Mask (1433) 7. Seethe 8. Born Strong 9. Embrace The Storm (5772) 10. No One Will Stand 11. Structure Violence (Azzes) (4648) The deluxe edition will also contain two bonus tracks, “Firestarter” (The Prodigy cover) and “Point Of No Return,” as well as a bonus making of DVD. Sepultura is currently running a special “Fan Video Contest” in celebration of the forthcoming record. The band is calling on fans to create the ‘official’ video for the new track, “Mask,” to be uploaded to the band’s official YouTube channel. Head over to: http://www.nuclearblastusa.com/Splash/Sepultura_Mask/index.html for complete details and prizes. Kairos was recorded at Trama Studios in São Paulo, Brazil, and produced and mixed by Roy Z. (Judas Priest, Halford, Bruce Dickinson, Helloween). Mastering was handled by Maor Appelbaum at Maor Appelbaum Mastering. Cover artwork comes courtesy of artist, Erich Sayers. Stay tuned for more information on Sepultura and Kairos. Sepultura online…
www.sepultura.com www.facebook.com/sepultura www.myspace.com/sepultura www.nuclearblastusa.com
|
|||
|
AUTOPSY ‘MACABRE ETERNAL’ TOPS CMJ "LOUD ROCK" CHART Long-awaited record out now on Peaceville Records The track list for Macabre Eternal is… Macabre Eternal can be purchased online as a hard copy CD or digital download on Amazon.com at: http://www.amazon.com/Macabre-Eternal-Autopsy/dp/B004UHF4WI, or through Peaceville’s webstore as a CD, double vinyl, or CD/t-shirt bundle pack here. Autopsy will play several festival dates in 2011 in support of Macabre Eternal.
|
 MY DYING BRIDE UNVEILS 'EVINTA' YORKSHIRE, UK – UK doom titan My Dying Bride is proud to announce the release of its special 20-year anniversary collection Evinta, out now on Peaceville Records.
The collectioncommemorates 20 years of doom and gloom from the elite British act, as it embarked upon a special project to re-work familiar melodies and themes from its extensive catalogue into long, flowing symphonic compositions, which includes new vocals and passages from vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe. These arrangements have been brought to life in co-operation with keyboard maestro, Johnny Maudling (of Bal Sagoth fame), as well as a clutch of talented classical musicians, and shared vocals courtesy of professional opera singer Lucie Roche. “Evinta. A project almost 15 years in the making. An idea that has sat smoldering and never really had a reason to burn alive until now. Nine albums worth of darkness recreated anew to mark 20 years of MDB. Music arranged to the soundscapes of sorrows past. Finally the 20th anniversary allows us to release this music in a form it has been desperately, woefully waiting for. Enjoy the Darkness.” - My Dying Bride  The track list for Evinta is… Disc Two:
1. Vanité Triomphante 2. That Dress And Summer Skin 3. And Then You Go 4. A Hand Of Awful Rewards Evinta is available as a two-disc set and deluxe three-disc edition with a 64-page book, inspired by My Dying Bride’s illustrious recordings of the past two decades.
Both formats, as well as a digital download, can be purchased on Amazon. An Evinta mini-site, containing an album audio teaser, desktop backgrounds, an iTunes app, and more, can be accessed here.. My Dying Bride has been the leading light of doom metal since the debut album As the Flower Withers was released on Peaceville Records back in 1992. Influenced by acts such as Celtic Frost and Candlemass, the band’s heavy atmospherics have carved a huge worldwide following over the years, as it remains a pinnacle of the genre. My Dying Bride online…
|
||
|
Art project featured in Expose 5, Revolution Art and more
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Paul Allender, world-renowned guitarist for the British extreme metal act Cradle Of Filth, has updated his online store with the first t-shirt design from his graphic design company Vomitorium. The “Cthulhu” is available as a men’s t-shirt or women’s tank top at: http://www.ed-stone.com/store/allendervomitorium. The first 100 Vomitorium customers will receive a signed “Cthulhu Rising” glossy print.
Allender’s art has already been featured in such graphic design publications as Expose 5 and Revolution Art, and he will be a featured artist at the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival and CthulhuCon in Los Angeles this September.
Aside from pursuing his art career, Allender has been hard at work advancing his musical career. Recently he has been collaborating with close friend DJ Unwind on a project of hauntingly hypnotic electronic/rock hybrid compositions. The first track “Indigo” can be streamed online at: http://djunwind.bandcamp.com/track/indigo-feat-paul-allender-timotha-lanae. Paul Allender online…
www.paulallender.co.uk www.facebook.com/PaulJAllender www.facebook.com/vomitoriumltd www.ed-stone.com/store/allendervomitorium http://reigninart.com/archives/cradle-of-filths-paul-allender-top-5 http://www.fangoria.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4437:exclusive-video-cradle-of-filth-speak&catid=83:featured-videos&Itemid=215
|
|||
|
NAPALM DEATH FRONTMAN PERFORMS GUEST VOCALS ON NEW SSS ALBUM British crossover thrashers SSS have revealed that NAPALM DEATH frontman BARNEY GREENWAY will appear as a guest vocalist on the band's forthcoming new album, titled PROBLEMS TO THE ANSWER.
|
ALL SHALL PERISH LAUNCHES “THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS” PRE-ORDER BUNDLES, AUTOGRAPHED HEADPHONES GIVEAWAY
“This is Where it Ends” out July 26th on Nuclear Blast Records OAKLAND, CA – Northern California extreme metal act All Shall Perish has launched several special pre-order bundle packs in anticipation of the band’s forthcoming record This is Where it Ends. Head over to: http://bit.ly/aspnbusa to order This is Where it Ends in your favorite media format, bundled with an All Shall Perish t-shirt, while supplies last.  All Shall Perish is calling on the fans to help spread the word about the impeding release via Twitter and Facebook. Fans who interact with the band via the social networking sites will be entered to win a copy of This is Where it Ends and an autographed pair of Skullcandy headphones. Head over to: http://www.nuclearblastusa.com/Splash/allshallperish/index.html for complete details, and be sure to check out a special video message from the band at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BewNpDsj59E. This is Where it Ends, All Shall Perish’s fourth full-length record and follow-up to the 2008 release Awaken the Dreamers, was recorded and mixed once again at Castle Ultimate Studios in Oakland with producer Zack Ohren (Decrepit Birth, Suffocation). Album art was brought to life by Brent Elliott White (Death Angel, Job For A Cowboy, Whitechapel). Two brand new tracks “Divine Illusion” and “Procession of Ashes” can be streamed online at: http://www.nuclearblastusa.com/Splash/allshallperish/index.html.  The tour will make a 26-date trek across the country beginning on July 9th at the San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, California. Tune in to: www.rockstarmayhemfest.com and: www.livenation.com for up-to-date ticketing information and show dates. Stay tuned for more information on All Shall Perish and This is Where it Ends. |
||
|
WORMROT POSTS MALAYSIAN TOUR VIDEO Singapore grindcore trio WORMROT have completed a mini-tour of Malaysia, following a mammoth six-week trek in the United States.
See WORMROT live on tour at the following shows: WORMROT w/ EVISORAX Sep. 01 - Cardiff, UK - Undertone Sep. 02 - Nottingham, UK - Old Angel Sep. 03 - Belfast, UK - Auntie Annie's Sep. 04 - Dublin, Ireland - Pint Bar Sep. 05 - Sunderland, UK - The Borough Sep. 06 - Glasgow, UK - 13th Note Sep. 07 - Liverpool, UK - The Masque Sep. 08 - Derby, UK - The Old Bell Hotel Sep. 09 - Bath, UK - Green Park Tavern Sep. 10 - London, UK - The Grosvenor WORMROT w/ MARUTA Sep. 16 - Wermelskirchen, Germany - NRW Deathfest Sep. 17 - Tilburg, Netherlands - Incubate Festival Sep. 18 - Trier, Germany - Exhaus Sep. 19 - Wroclaw, Poland - Wagon Club Sep. 20 - Prague, Czech Republic - Modra Vopice Sep. 22 - Budapest, Hungary - Szabad az A Sep. 23 - Ljubljana, Slovenia - Menza Pri Koritu Oct. 04 - Lisbon, Portugal - Side B Oct. 05 - Porto, Portugal - Hard Club Oct. 08 - Bordeaux, France - Heretic Club Oct. 14 - Kassel, Germany - Hotspot Oct. 15 - Eindhoven, Netherlands - Bloodshed Festival View the European tour flyer at http://earacherecords.com/myspace/wormrot_euro2011.jpg WORMROT's new album, DIRGE, is out now worldwide on limited edition CD with an exclusive bonus DVD, as well as on limited edition coloured vinyl LP. Get your copy now in Europe at http://j.mp/fIcGpc or in North America at http://j.mp/bz90KQ DIRGE is also available now worldwide on iTunes, including 10 exclusive bonus tracks which aren't available anywhere else. Get this exclusive version on iTunes now at http://j.mp/k1dYxF The official WORMROT DIRGE app has just been released for iPhone and iPad, and features the entire 25-track album available to listen to for free. Fans can also stay up-to-date with the latest WORMROT news, photos, videos, tour dates and more. Download the free WORMROT DIRGE app now at http://j.mp/jw8MFO Get more WORMROT news and info at: MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/wormrotgrind Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wormrot/237638635639 Tumblr - http://wormrot.tumblr.com Twitter - http://twitter.com/Wormrot |
AT THE GATES "SLAUGHTER OF THE SOUL/PURGATORY
A new, limited edition 2-CD set from Swedish melodic death metal pioneers AT THE GATES is out now to commemorate the last ever live shows of the legendary band.
The set features AT THE GATES' classic album, SLAUGHTER OF THE SOUL, complete with all bonus tracks, along with the band's definitive live album, PURGATORY UNLEASHED (LIVE AT WACKEN), which was recorded at Germany's notorious Wacken festival during the band's historic 2008 reunion tour. The two albums offer a total of 35 incredible tracks and come in their full, original packaging, housed together in a slipcase sleeve. Get the SLAUGHTER OF THE SOUL/PURGATORY UNLEASHED (LIVE AT WACKEN) 2-CD set now in Europe at http://j.mp/m1RZaL or in North America at http://j.mp/kRy3HY The set is also available now worldwide on iTunes at http://j.mp/jznUZK The full track listing is as follows: DISC 1: SLAUGHTER OF THE SOUL 01. Blinded By Fear 02. Slaughter Of The Soul 03. Cold 04. Under A Serpent Sun 05. Into The Dead Sky 06. Suicide Nation 07. World Of Lies 08. Unto Others 09. Nausea 10. Need 11. The Flames Of The End 12. Legion (Slaughterlord Cover) 13. The Dying (Unreleased Track) 14. Captor Of Sin (Slayer Cover) 15. Unto Others (1995 Demo) 16. Suicide Nation (1995 Demo) 17. Bister Verklighet (No Security Cover) DISC 2: PURGATORY UNLEASHED (LIVE AT WACKEN) 01. Slaughter Of The Soul 02. Cold 03. Terminal Spirit Disease 04. Raped By The Light Of Christ 05. Under A Serpent Sun 06. Windows 07. World Of Lies 08. The Burning Darkness 09. The Swarm 10. Forever Blind 11. Nausea 12. The Beautiful Wound 13. Unto Others 14. All Life Ends 15. Need 16. Blinded By Fear 17. Suicide Nation 18. Kingdom Gone View the slipcase cover at http://earacherecords.com/myspace/atg_2cdset.jpg Get more AT THE GATES news and info at: Official site - http://www.atthegates.se Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/AtTheGatesOfficial MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/atthegatesband |
||
|
SONISPHERE INCREASES CAPACITY  *SONISPHERE INCREASES CAPACITY - EXTRA DAY TICKETS AVAILABLE* After a fantastic response to the day ticket “Power Ballot” scheme launched by organisers last month, SONISPHERE FESTIVAL has successfully applied for increased capacity for the 2011 event at KNEBWORTH, and has received approval to release more tickets.
Due to space restrictions on the campsite, the increased capacity does not allow for extra weekend/camping tickets to be made available, but an extra allocation of single day tickets are on sale now. Day tickets are priced at £80 + booking fee and are available from www.sonispherefestivals.com With weekend camping tickets nearly sold out, those wishing to come and enjoy the full weekend and all SONISPHERE has to offer are advised to secure their tickets quickly. SONISPHERE KNEBWORTH takes place 8th - 10th July 2011 at KNEBWORTH HOUSE. For tickets and more info go to www.sonispherefestivals.com Line Up: THE BIG 4 - METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX BIFFY CLYRO SLIPKNOT BAD RELIGION AIRBOURNE ALESTORM ALL TIME LOW AMPLIFIER ANBERLIN THE ANSWER ANTERIOR ARCANE ROOTS ARCH ENEMY ARCHITECTS BLACK BREATH BLOOD RED SHOES THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER BLACK SPIDERS BLACK TIDE CANCER BATS CAVALERA CONSPIRACY CEREBRAL BALLZY CHERRI BOMB THE CRAVE DECADE THE DEFILED DEMONIC RESURRECTION DIAMOND HEAD DON BROCO EXIT TEN FIREWIND FLATS FLETCHER FOUR YEAR STRONG FOZZY GALLOWS GLAMOUR OF THE KILL GOJIRA GRINSPOON HAMMER OF THE GODS HAYSEED DIXIE HOUNDS HOUSE OF PAIN IN FLAMES INNERPARTYSYSTEM INME JAPANESE VOYEURS JETTBLACK KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES KILLING JOKE KYLESA LIMP BIZKIT LOWER THAN ATLANTIS THE MARS VOLTA MASTODON ME VS HERO MOJO FURY MOTÖRHEAD MY PASSION NO AMERICANA ONE MINUTE SILENCE OPETH ORANGE GOBLIN PANIC CELL PARADISE LOST PARKWAY DRIVE PERIPHERY PROTEST THE HERO PULLED APART BY HORSES REVOKER RICHARD CHEESE RISE TO REMAIN RIVAL SONS ROLO TOMASSI THE SAFETY FIRE SAINT JUDE SIX HOUR SUNDOWN SLAM CARTEL SONS OF ICARUS SONIC BOOM SIX SUM 41 SYLOSIS TEK-ONE TESSERACT THE SISTERS OF MERCY TITLE FIGHT THE TREATMENT TURBOGEIST TURBOWOLF THE VIRGIN MARYS VOLBEAT WATAIN WEEZER WHILE SHE SLEEPS YOU AND WHAT ARMY YOU ME AT SIX YOUNG LEGIONNAIRE COMEDY LINE-UP: BILL BAILEY STEVE-O SEAN HUGHES HOWARD MARKS BRENDON BURNS ANDREW MAXWELL ANDREW O NEILL TIFFANY STEVENSON BOB SLAYER JARRED CHRISTMAS JASON JOHN WHITEHEAD, JASON ROUSE JIM BREUER JIM SMALLMAN PLUS DJ SETS FROM: A1 BASSLINE ALFIE FOLD INNERPARTYSYSTEM STAN SB TEK ONE |
Rival Sons 'Pressure & Time' album out now in Europe! 'Pressure & Time' featuring ten tracks is available now in Europe on CD, limited edition audiophile vinyl, and digital download.
| ||
|
LOCK UP POSTS SECOND ALBUM TRAILER ONLINE
“Necropolis Transparent” out July 12th on Nuclear Blast Records BIRMINGHAM, UK – Lock Up, the death-grind super group featuring Shane Embury (Napalm Death, Venomous Concept), Nicolas Barker (ex-Cradle Of Filth, ex-Dimmu Borgir), Tomas Lindberg (At The Gates, Disfear) and Anton Reisenegger (Criminal, Pentagram), has uploaded a second album trailer for the upcoming album Necropolis Transparent to YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQT3QpZU9-g. Necropolis Transparent is slated to hit stores on July 12th via Nuclear Blast Records. The forthcoming record can be pre-ordered through the Nuclear Blast webstore at: http://store.nuclearblastusa.com/Search/lock_up.  The track list for Necropolis Transparent is…
Lock Up is… Shane Embury – Bass Nick Barker – Drums Tomas Lindberg – Vocals Anton Reisenegger – Guitar
|
|||
|
ARCH ENEMY POSTS FIFTH ‘KHAOS LEGIONS’ TRAILER ONLINE ‘Khaos Legions’ out next month on Century Media Records
SWEDEN – Sweden’s ultimate extreme metal act Arch Enemy has posted the fifth Khaos Legions album trailer as the band gears up for the release of its ninth studio album next month.
The new album will be availabe as:
ARCH ENEMY online
http://www.khaoslegions.com http://www.archenemy.net http://www.facebook.com/archenemyofficial http://www.myspace.com/archenemy http://www.twitter.com/archenemymetal http://www.youtube.com/archenemyofficial |
BLOODSTOCK 2011 LINE UP
REVOKER, ACHREN, HAMMER OF THE GODS, BLAKE & IMICUS JOIN BLOODSTOCK 2011 LINE UP
With a headline cast boasting MOTÖRHEAD, W.A.S.P and IMMORTAL, BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR introduces five fantastic up and coming acts, a testament to the importance organisers place on promoting new talent aside the well-established names on the bill. First up, rising Welsh stars REVOKER make their BLOODSTOCK debut. Having stunned audiences earlier this year opening up for ROB ZOMBIE, REVOKER are one of the most promising new bands on the UK scene. "It's an honour to be playing Bloodstock this year” comments guitarist Chris Green. “We've previously played here under a different name and it's great to see such a good festival becoming bigger and better. Hopefully we can grow as a band alongside this festival and have a long prosperous relationship!!" With their Roadrunner debut “Revenge For The Ruthless”, set for release next month, by the time BLOODSTOCK rolls around, their dangerous blend of fierce thrash and infectious choruses will be familiar favourites. Metal 2 The Masses winners ACHREN will be opening this years festival. A welcome return to the Glaswegian Black Metallers, ACHREN will be playing on the back of their shows at both Metalcamp & Wacken festivals, which are both prizes in the increasingly more valuable M2TM rewards. Formed in Scotland in 2003, ACHREN blend crushingly hard heavy metal riffs, death metal growls, black metal sentiments and a thrash mentality to create a unique and commandeering sound which over the course of their first two demos and subsequent releases have forged the term 'Blood Metal', a promising description for a band performing at BOA. Says frontman Scott Anderson: “The Metal 2 The Masses Initiative has given us a great chance to take the band to a different level. The whole team at Bloodstock work so hard to make it the best Metal festival in the UK and we can’t thank everybody enough for providing us with this great opportunity.” Fresh off their tour with New Orleans sludge legends Crowbar, HAMMER OF THE GODS announce their appearance at BLOODSTOCK this summer. Conjuring the spirits of the ancients, don’t miss these toga-clad warriors as they deliver some of the slowest, heaviest, nastiest grinding metal the great outdoors will have ever witnessed. With five studio albums under their belts since their formation in 2001, the term up and coming may not strictly apply to BLAKE, but they are certainly a band that have not to date had nearly the attention they deserve on these shores, an issue which BLOODSTOCK is proud to be addressing. Inspired by 70s style riff tradition, the Finnish foursome have stacked up a tally of hundreds of gigs with the likes of Black Label Society, Cathedral, Iggy Pop and Therapy?, even catching the attention of Jackass superstar Bam Margera, who included no less than three BLAKE songs in his “Viva La Spring Break” TV show. Find out why as they serve a Sabbath-style sermon at CATTON HALL this summer. Comparisons to Tool, Alice In Chains, Machine Head and Katatonia should give some indication to the versatility - and comply uncategorisable - nature of IMICUS’s music. Having previously played alongside the likes of Panic Cell, Deathstars, Sikth, Katatonia and Devil Sold His Soul, as well as BLOODSTOCK headliners W.A.S.P and MOTÖRHEAD, IMICUS offer something for every kind of rock fan, including no doubt the hordes at BLOODSTOCK. BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2011 takes place at Catton Hall August 12th - 14th. Tickets for the 2011 event are on sale now at www.bloodstock.uk.com <http://www.bloodstock.uk.com> BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2011 12th - 14th AUGUST 2011
Also appearing: Ronnie James Dio Stage W.A.S.P - IMMORTAL - MOTÖRHEAD DEVIN TOWNSEND - RHAPSODY OF FIRE - MORBID ANGEL - AT THE GATES - THERION - CORONER – KREATOR – NEVERMORE - EXODUS - TRIPTYKON - HAMMERFALL - GRAVE DIGGER - NAPALM DEATH - TAROT - WOLF – POISON BLACK - 1349 - IHSAHN - FINNTROLL - WINTERSUN - FORBIDDEN Sophie Lancaster Stage ANGELWITCH - CRIMINAL - LAWNMOWER DETH - ARTHEMIS - POWER QUEST - THE ROTTED - OCTOBER FILE - NEMHAIN - DEF CON ONE - SURVIVORS ZERO - BYFROST - DEADLY CIRCUS FIRE - PRIMEVIL www.bloodstock.uk.com Sponsored by Metal Hammer www.metalhammer.co.uk Scuzz TV www.scuzz.tv and Rock Radio www.rockradio.co.uk
| ||
|
ARCH ENEMY LAUNCHES ALL-NEW ARCHENEMY.NET
“Khaos Legions” in stores now on Century Media Records SWEDEN – Swedish extreme metal act Arch Enemy has launched a brand new official website at: http://www.ArchEnemy.net in celebration of the band’s latest studio album Khaos Legions. The all-new ArchEnemy.net contains updated news, tour dates, music, videos and more. Keep checking back for updates from the band as the Arch Enemy world tour makes its way
around the globe.
Khaos Legions, Arch Enemy’s first collection of new material since 2007, available from June 2011.
 The new Album can be purchased using the following links:
CD Format:
CD Deluxe Edition
ARCH ENEMY online...
http://www.khaoslegions.com http://www.archenemy.net http://www.facebook.com/archenemyofficial http://www.myspace.com/archenemy http://www.twitter.com/archenemymetal http://www.youtube.com/archenemyofficial http://www.hailsandhorns.com/interview/interview-with-angela-gossow-of-arch-enemy-by-john-jf-haag/ http://www.hailsandhorns.com/interview/interview-with-daniel-erlandsson-of-arch-enemy-by-john-jf-haag/ http://www.guitar.com/articles/ten-questions-christopher-and-michael-amott-arch-enemy |
WORMROT CONFIRMS TOUR
Singapore Grindcore trio WORMROT have confirmed the first dates for a European headlining tour, which is due to kick off on September 1st in the UK.
WORMROT vocalist ARIF ROT comments: 'It seems like forever since we grind UK and Europe, although it's only last year. We will be back twice as pissed off. Less talk, more grind! See you grinders real soon - nabey cheebai!' WORMROT w/ EVISORAX UK Dates: Sep. 01 - Cardiff, UK - Undertone Sep. 02 - Nottingham, UK - Old Angel Sep. 03 - Belfast, UK - Auntie Annie's Sep. 04 - Dublin, Ireland - Pint Bar Sep. 05 - Sunderland, UK - The Borough Sep. 06 - Glasgow, UK - 13th Note Sep. 07 - Liverpool, UK - The Masque Sep. 08 - Derby, UK - The Old Bell Hotel Sep. 09 - Bath, UK - Green Park Tavern Sep. 10 - London, UK - The Grosvenor WORMROT w/ MARUTA - Worldwide Dates: Sep. 16 - Wermelskirchen, Germany - NRW Deathfest Sep. 17 - Tilburg, Netherlands - Incubate Festival Sep. 18 - Trier, Germany - Exhaus Sep. 19 - Wroclaw, Poland - Wagon Club Sep. 20 - Prague, Czech Republic - Modra Vopice Sep. 22 - Budapest, Hungary - Szabad az A Sep. 23 - Ljubljana, Slovenia - Menza Pri Koritu Oct. 04 - Lisbon, Portugal - Side B Oct. 05 - Porto, Portugal - Hard Club Oct. 08 - Bordeaux, France - Heretic Club Oct. 14 - Kassel, Germany - Hotspot Oct. 15 - Eindhoven, Netherlands - Bloodshed Festival WORMROT's new album, DIRGE, is now available worldwide on limited edition CD with an exclusive bonus DVD, as well as on limited edition coloured vinyl LP. at the following links: http://j.mp/fIcGpc [or in North America at http://j.mp/bz90KQ] iTunes now at http://j.mp/k1dYxF iPhone and iPad, which features the entire 25-track album available to listen to for freeat http://j.mp/jw8MFO More WORMROT news and info at: MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/wormrotgrind Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wormrot/237638635639 Tumblr - http://wormrot.tumblr.com Twitter - http://twitter.com/Wormrot
| ||
| FEATURES Articles we think will interest you from past and present events to the history of burlesque! Scroll down to read through all articles or select one of the links below to jump to another section |
|||||||
| Lifestyle | Unsigned Stage | Music | News | Arts | Chinwags | Album Reviews | Club Focus |
|
Twilight vs "Real" Vampire movies "They have to suck your blood. And then you have to suck their blood. It’s like a whole big sucking thing”- Vampires in a Film & Television Context
|
|||
| Sophia Disgrace
Bio: Sophia Disgrace is an accomplished model, actress, published writer, exhibited artist, performer & trained body piercer based in London.
Her performance skills include; Fire, Glass walking, Stilt walking, Living Statuing, GoGo/Pole/Cage Dancing/Burlesque/Art Performances and Angle Grinding.
Interview Questions: Sophia thank you so much for giving us time in your busy schedule.
At what age did you become interested in the performing arts & when did you start performing? Ive always dabbled in performance- I did various forms of dance as a child and was always involved in singing/drama projects as hobbies.
Which are your favourite themes when performing? I like the idea of slightly off beat style performance work-anything which comes across as shocking and out there is good to me!
Where do you come up with your ideas & where do you get your inspiration from? Alot of my ideas come to me randomly, im always listening to songs on my MP3 and thinking up stuff to my music-so maybe you could say music is my biggest inspiration.
You have performed in many various places, where has been your most favourite to date? Probably dancing at Download Festival 2010 with The Genotorturers. The band were awesome, the crowd was huge and the sun was shining and it was Download! Ive been going there for years as a teen, so it felt kind of cool to perform there.
Do you have many performances planned this year? I have numerous projects lined up for this year, and feel lucky for this, however a summer holiday would be nice too :D
What preparations do you have before going on stage; do you ever get stage fright? I like to feel I’m well rehearsed, which helps !I also like to know all my props are in place and that I don’t need to pee or anything! I can get nervous, but that’s all part of the fun, feeling the adrenaline!
Do you have any funny stories regarding your performances, has anything ever gone wrong? I guess performance can be so impromptu that there is always room for errors, however whenever stuff hasn’t quite gone to plan, I just try and learn from it for next time, rather than dwell on it. You have many different styles to your performing, have you ever had any professional training? No, not since I was small, im all self taught, except for pole where I’ve had some tuition.
You also do a lot of acting, are you currently working on any films at present? I’ve just finished working on a couple! I’ve got one or two in the pipeline, but it’s still early days…so watch this space ;p
The modelling came first. I’ve been doing life-nude art-modelling from age 17/18 and then progressed into various other styles.
You also love reviewing, what do you like writing about? I love writing in general and always have done, anything from poetry to prose to reviews are good for me!
What are your goals for the future? My main goal for the future is to travel and for my family to be happy. I love travelling and really do have the bug for it. I went to Japan a couple of years ago and want to see more far out there places, I’ve done lots of Europe and abit of the states but want to see more! I hope to work as an international aid worker, eventually working in orphanages abroad. Im starting a BA Honours degree in Social Sciences next year so hope that will help with the latter career choice. I was homeless in my teens and had some tough times so I’m keen to give back. I’d also like to self publish a book, I’m working on it ;p And maybe start a band again, I used to sing in an all girl punk band, I’d like to do a blues style one I think this time. Oh and I want to get lots more pets, I love animals, ive got a baby crested gecko and am keen to get more when the time is right! What do you like to do in your spare time? In my spare time I enjoy reading, watching films and spending time with my family; my husband, and two little boys and friends. I also do some art and photography work.
Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to start in this business? Id say, be persistant, try hard and go for every thing you can! Oh and be polite and grateful for every thing-diva attitudes really aren’t cool no matter how big you are!
Do you have a website or contact info where you can be booked? My website is being sorted as I type this, you can however find me on Facebook,for all the latest goss on Sophia Disgrace!
Thank you so much for your time! Thank you :D x
Photos by Altercarnated Photography
|
|||
|
CRADLE OF FILTH “LILITH IMMACULATE” MUSIC VIDEO POSTED ONLINE
The track comes from Cradle’s latest studio release Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa, which hit stores last November on Nuclear Blast Records. The video was filmed in the UK last fall with director Ross Bolidai. Cradle Of Filth is…
Dani Filth (vocals)
Paul Allender (guitar)
James McIlroy (guitar)
David Pybus (bass)
Martin Skaroupka (drums)
Caroline Campbell (keys)
Cradle Of Filth online…
|
|||
| ARTS Books, Fashion, Theatre, Music and Comedy from around the Globe! Scroll down to read through all articles or select one of the links below to jump to another section |
|||||||
| Lifestyle | Unsigned Stage | Music | Chinwags | Features | Album Reviews | News | Club Focus |
| Happy birthday Sonic
|
|||
| UNSIGNED STAGE Here you will find our reviews of the best Unsigned Talent! Scroll down to read through all articles or select one of the links below to jump to another section |
|||||||
| Lifestyle | Arts | Music | Chinwags | Features | News | Album Reviews | Club Focus |
|
Shrapnel
The explosion of thrash metal in the 1980s was somewhat akin to that of a dying star – dramatic, far reaching, and complete with the kind of face melting intensity that would prompt many to cower under their dining room tables. However for fans of a certain age, the only way they were going to be present at this frontline barrage is if their mum was raising some hell backstage. Which might go some way to explaining how you got that long flowing ginger hair...? Fear not. For those without a pimped out time mobile and crazy scientist to boot, Shrapnel are the kind of 80s throwback you can get behind. Sounding like Slayer following a quick raid of the wardrobes of Metallica and Megadeth, from the off Shrapnel strike a blow as electrically charged as a Pikachu power-up party at the National Grid.
Screeching away from the starting blocks, ‘Toxic Slaughter’ displays all the characteristics of a straight-up crowd pleaser – with fists-in-air-group-chants and wrist-aching shredding that would put Freddie Krueger to shame. In a similar vein, ‘Eternal Death’ demonstrates the breadth of Shrapnel’s influences, whilst ‘Warhead’ rages with a pent-up aggression. In fact the only niggle with Shrapnel is that they almost sound too 80s at times. Whilst the production values are a major improvement on the time, and the band has been successful in capturing the frantic raw energy of those early leaders, Shrapnel run the risk of sticking too close to their influences.
Yet, by aligning themselves with the genre greats, the band do themselves no harm in terms of their ambition. And with only two years of history behind them, Shrapnel more than exceed expectations, not just for a band hailing from Norwich – a city not exactly on the map for its metal credentials – but for any UK act looking to keep alive the flames of thrash’s blazing trail.
|
||
| ALBUM REVIEWS Past and Present Albums under the Spotlight! Scroll down to read through all articles or select one of the links below to jump to another section |
|||||||
| Lifestyle | News | Unsigned Stage | Music | Chinwags | Features | Arts | Club Focus |
|
Aura – Deliverance Reviewer: Shelia Hamilton Spider Rock Promotion
Deliverance is the 2nd album from Aura. It's an oniric concept album telling of a man's dream: he travels through Palestine and lives again the sufferings of the Israeli people and Jesus Christ himself to reach his redemption, at the end. Each song has its own separate style and the album flows seamlessly from track to track as it progresses. It takes you on a melodic journey of 70’s psychedelic keyboard inspired progressive rock along with thought provoking lyrics. It is a beautiful created album. If you enjoy bands like Queensryche, Spock's Beard, Genesis, ELP, Yes then this is an album you want to listen to. It’s a good album to listen to all the way through or just play your favourites tracks. Track Listing: Aura are
AMORPHIS - 'The BEGINNING OF TIME'
Zodiac N Black
4.5/5
THE ORB [FEATURING DAVID GILMOUR] - Metallic Spheres
There was a kind of delicious inevitability about this pairing. Why? Well on two fronts it was always going to happen, The Orb have always been absolutely colossal Pink Floyd fans, their own music often paying a ore ambient homage to the PF musical legacy. the Orb’s own Guy Pratt has also been the Floyd’s bass guitarist for many years, and furthermore is/was Son In Law to the late lamented Floyd keyboard wizard Rick Wright. Whether you a fan of ‘Floyd, The Orb, or even minimalist Killing Joke…there is something for you to be found here. Gilmour’s fretwork is, as you always know to expect, languorous and dreamily passionate, he truly is a maestro, unarguably one of the greatest guitarists ever! He never overplays, simply adding splashes of depth and beautiful colour to The Orb’s already hypnotic sound. There will doubtless be those who argue that the album is simply too minimalist and ‘empty’, but I argue that it is that very powerful minimalism that makes this so haunting and charming. Is it Metal? NO! Is it Heavy Rock? NO! Is it rock? Questionable. So what is it then? It’s beautiful… and in this all to dark world – isn’t that worth just everything?
RABBITS - 'Lower Forms' Released: 2011 Relapse Rating 3.5/5 Reviewer: Muttley
What is it with bands theses days? How does the name Rabbits give any kind of indication WHATSOEVER as to what a band may be about musically? Hey-Ho. Moan over, who or what are Rabbits? Well, essentially they are scuzzy, low end, Desert/Stoner F*** Off Punk Rawkers from Portland, Oregon, who musically owe their allegiance to Corrosion Of Conformity, Melvins, Kyss, Leadfoot, Fu Manchu, and even Poison idea! Track Listings:
Laid 8 – Laid 8 [EP] 4/5
VANDEBUYST – Vanderbuyst [Self-titled]Album Review – Jo Blackened |
|||
| CLUB FOCUS All the latest from the UK and USA Alternative Club Scene! Scroll down to read through all articles or select one of the links below to jump to another section |
|||||||
| Lifestyle | Unsigned Stage | Music | Chinwags | News | Features | Album Reviews | Arts |
|