Looking Ahead to 2013

2013

AMULET

London NWOBHM band have already made a huge impact on the metal scene in uk, europe and even usa, 

The band will no doubt be playing numerous festivals here and in europe and notch up even more major support slots.

Lets hope for some new recordings!!!!

                                    

CATHEDRAL
Currently putting the finishing touches to what will be the last ever album from these British Doom legends. Produced by Lee Dorrian and Garry Jennings, with assistance from Jaime Gomez Arellano, The Last Spire is scheduled for an April 20013 release via Rise Above Records. Tracklisting is as follows;

01. Entrance to Hell
02. Pallbearer
03. Cathedral of the Damned
04. Tower of Silence
05. Infestation of Grey Death
06. An Observation
07. This Body, Thy Tomb.

Non-album track Vengeance of the Blind Dead will appear as a flexi disc on the front cover of Decibel magazine in their March issue (on sale February 7th).

The band also recently shot a fantastic promo for new track Tower of Silence,which will be available to view some time in January.

The track will appear on an exclusive Rise Above Records CD sampler to be given away with Classic Rock Magazine towards the end of the same month.

In related news, Septic Tank, a band featuring Cathedral members Scott Carlson, Garry Jennings and Lee Dorrian will make their debut live appearance at The Garage, Highbury & Islington on Friday 3rd May.

Septic Tank will release a very limited vinyl only EP titled The Slaughter via MCR Records, Japan, to coincide with the show. They will have a limited number of colour copies on sale exclusively at the event.

Tracklisting as follows;
Side A
01. Fatal Eclipse
02. Forest of Bones
Side B
01. Gotesque Cavalry of Mankind
02. The Slaughter

CHAOSANCT
Hopefully 2013 will finally see the release of their debut album, its been a long time coming, with James having to concentrate with Cradle Of Filth, drummer Matt playing with Monument and Paul and Dave forming a new band Bad Son.
In december they announced that Dan Abela was working on the recordings, so definatley some progress being made.

DIMMU BORGIR
Return with a 20th anniversary album, expect awesomeness!!!!!!

GENERATION GRAVEYARD
Well the band are currentley recording some new songs to add to the EP which didnt see the light of day this year due to various reasons.
Its is definatley coming out (so i have been told) and when it does go buy it, coz GG are a fucking brilliant band!

Bad Son - Bad Son EP (CD Review)

01.Wasters Of The World
02.Crawl Across To Me
03.Mother Mary

Dave Kutcha (Vocals)
Paul Scanlan (Guitar)
Frank Allain (Guitar)
Steve Worrall (Bass)
Tom Huskinson (Drums)

Formed in Summer 2012 as Critical Mass the London based band brings classic rock bang up-to-date with authentic riffs, strong vocals and a heavy bass lines.
Featuring past and present members of Akercocke, Chaosanct, Fen and Skaldic Curse the band now inhabits an infinitely more accessible rock territory while still managing to preserve a raw metal energy.
Drawing on a potent blend of influences including such masters of the genre as Led Zeppelin and Thin Lizzy to produce a classic rock sound that is uniquely their own.

Changing their name to Bad Son in November they have released a promo cd and continue to gig, with more planned for next year.

'Wasters Of The World' is a mid paced rocker full of great guitarwork and a superb vocal delivery from dave, really nice to hear him sing as opposed to scream.

The second track 'Crawl Across To Me' sounds like a track from Saxon's "Strong Arm Of The Law" album but with a much darker vocal.
A seriously kick ass guitar solo thrown in as well complete with high pitched harmony vocals.

Finally 'Mother Mary' starts with a Hendrix style guitar riff then moves into a near sleeze rock meets blues sound.

Overall a very impressive debut, classic rock in the modern style absolutley loaded with superb guitar and vcals backed by solid bass and drums.
Anyone who knows Dave from Chaosanct or Spitting Blood will simply be blown away by his "Singing" voice and while Paul has always been a class act guitarist the black and death metal genres he's better known for have never allowed him to play like this!

STUNNING!!!!!

Rating 10/10

For Fans Of: Saxon, UFO, Voodoo Six, Amulet, Cauldron

Stereo Juggernaut - Disco Smack (CD Review)

 01.Defeated By The Sea
02.Sign In & Out
03.Like A Star
04.December Came
05.Fallen
06.Rosie, I
07.In The Night
08.Fade Away

Ben Main (Vocals/Guitar/Keyboards)
Asha Carslaw-Maher (Bass)
Reuben O'Donoghue (Drums)

North London's self styled "Gabbagrunge" band have been playing the clubs and building up a solid reputation since 2009.

Their sound is an unusual blend of Alt-Post Rock, Dance Rhythms and Heavy Metal guitarwork, throw into that mix Piano Hooks and Rave Club synth patterns, oh and some nasty punk rock bass work and then you have an idea of just what a beast Stereo Juggernaut are!

They have notched up so many major support slots from Dave Evans (Ac/Dc), The Yo-Yo's, Ska legends The Selector and Generation Graveyard and played with indie bands to death metal bands!

So here is the latest release from the band called 'Disco Smack' and its free!

Kicking off with 'Defeated By The Sea' we are met by some epic synth work before the guitar kicks in, a distorted vocal effect is underpinned by what sounds like a xylophone whilst powerfull double kick drumming madness is pushing the pace.

From the heavy/dance mix of track one, 'Sign In & Out' has a much more mellow sound, bordering on a "Boy Band" vocal style complete with harmony vocal effects its something you would expect to hear on radio one and if released as a single would no doubt have thousands of girls rushing out to buy!

Euro dance beat comes blasting out of the speakers with 'Like A Star', another great vocal delivery backed by soild drumming and a pounding bass line to create a dark and moody song.

'December Came' starts with this great "ambience" then absolutley blasts into a heavy keyboard driven riff monster, reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails/Marilyn Manson in its approach.
At just under 3 minutes this song is way too short and definatley needs an extended remix.

Bordering on a heavy blues number, 'Fallen' is another great song with some awesome ear shattering vocal screams and a guitar solo to match.

Fuck me the opening to this one is creepy with some kid doing a nursery rhyme, but 'Rosie I' moves into a techno/rock vein, love the vocals on this one as well though Ben does manage to sound like Johnny Depp doing his english accent, this one is kinda like My Chemical Romance - only MUCH BETTER!

So 'Into The Night' has another spooky intro, this one then moves into pop/punk territory with some Rob Zombie like sampling throughout.
Towards the end the screaming vocals and drums borders on pure hardcore metal.

Finally 'Fade Away', basically a power ballad that builds as it goes with the bass and drums becoming more powerfull with each chord progression.This last song also sounds like it was recorded live in the studio in one take.

All in all an excellent release, with their blend of styles i cant help but wonder why Kerrang or the NME are not all over this band.

RATING 9/10

For Fans Of: Placebo, Prodigy, Chase & Status, Killaflaw, Enter Shikari, Pendulum

GET THE ALBUM HERE :
http://stereojuggernaut.bandcamp.com/

BEST OF 2012

Another mixed bag for the year, but here's my personal pick of the best albums:

NUMBER ONE

Witchsorrow's epic doom laden monster!

02.The Mercy House

03.Rob Zombie

 04.Gasoline Thrill

 05.Opera Diabolicus

 06.Devin Townsend Project

 07.King Lizard

 08.Aeternum

 09.Fear Factory

 10.Casino 13

MUSIC VIDEOS
Generation Graveyard, awesome video shot at Murder Mile

 Devin Townsend, just messing around in his back garden

 Amulet, taking the art of the video back to 1980, pure genious!!

MY TOP MOVIES
Not much to chose from this year but here are 3 worth seeing

SEPTIC FATALITY - INTO THE TOMB (CD Review)

01.Into The Tomb
02.Sadistic Maniac
03.Chuck Her In The Cooker

Phill Newton (Vocals)
Niall Roberts (Guitar)
Luke Rodgers (Guitar)
Neil Charlesworth (Bass)
Nick Robinson (Drums)

Septic Fatality are a 5 piece speed thrash band from Sheffield started as a project back in 2008 by guitarist Niall Roberts.
Drawing on thrash legends such as Testament, Overkill and Slayer as their reference point to create an intresting and unique mix of old-school thrash with a modern twist by  adding their own taste to the sound.

This first EP came out in October, the same month they supported the mighty 'Evile' in Sheffield.

Clearly not a band to iss the oppertunity to capitalise on the recent success they are already in Pre-Production for the new Septic Fatality EP has begun.

The band said "things are moving rather fast! We are aiming to release around 5-6 tracks on the next EP and intend to record it early to mid 2013. The songs will carry on from where we left off with “Into The Tomb” but pushing our sound even more, Opening doors and shutting some too".

Kicking off with 'Into The Tomb' you get hit with a punchy riff and solid drums with a shouty vocal, this could easily be classic old school thrashers 'Virus'.

'Sadistic Maniac' is faster with that typical proto thrash sound, quite anthemic and well put together.Some nice guitar work throughout was kind of expecting a screaming solo half way through but it didnt emerge, they opted for the punch and it worked!

Now 'Chuck Her In The Cooker' might sound like a Cannibal Corpse song title, in fact even the artwork evokes the grindcore scene, but this one is a punk/thrash hybrid like Toxic Holocaust.
Some craking guitarwork in this one, solid bass and drums punctuating throughout and suitably aggresive vocals!

A great little EP, nice to hear a band getting to grips with classic thrash but not getting caught up in the complex riffery and 8 minute epics that took the soul out of the scene.
They have created a typically British sounding style, which whilst clearly a nod to the past is definatley showing a way forward, bring on the next EP!

RATING 9/10

For Fans Of : Virus, Elimination, Municipal Waste, SSS, Toxic Holocaust

FACEBOOK PAGE :

http://www.facebook.com/septicfatality

ORDEN OGAN & MOB RULES (Promo CD Reviews)

ORDEN OGAN

German melodic metal band formed in 1996 came to the attention of the masses in 2004 when they released their first EP 'Testominium AD'.

Sice then they have forged forward creating their own style and trying wherever possible to advoid many of the genre's given musical cliches.

That said the promo disc i have to review tends to fall into very obvious cliches of european power metal, yes the vocal performance is quite outstanding, but the music is high spped technical power metal as personified by awful bands like Dragonforce and like that band its is all "Very clever" and well produced but actually is cold and empty without any soul.

So track one 'The Things We Believe In' starts with folkish acoustic guitar then moves into typical drum and guitar riffs, again what stands out is the vocal delivery which is faultless while the backing vocals and chorus is pure 'Turisas'.

The video is your typical "Post Apocalyptic" theme the only difference being snow instead of fire, nothing to get excited about.

The second track 'To The End' has a touch of the Megadeths about it, which is probably why Dave Mustaine likes the band and is tweeting about them.

So all in all a bit dissapointing, basically boring and unoriginal music BUT superb vocals!

RATING 3/10

For Fans Of : Blind Guardian, Dragonforce, Rhapsody.

MOB RULES

Another German band, Mob Rules formed in 1994, drawing on diverse influences from traditional metal to progressive rock and named after a Black Sabbath album.

'Ice & Fire' apparently was inspired by the story of abducted Columbian politcian Ingrid Betancourt' and the music was clearly borrowed from Metallica's 'One'.
Another shining example of BORING and pointless music.

Whats worse is that the album version is 7 minutes long (Another nod to Metallica then???)

RATING 0/10

For Fans Of : COLDPLAY

SISTER SIN - NOW AND FOREVER (CD Review)

Since 2002, SISTER SIN has worked hard to ear their position at the top of the metal scene and with a third album release on the way, they are clearly here to stay. The blueprints for Sweden's dirty metal cartel SISTER SIN were traced nearly ten years ago. Former bassist, Chris Martensson and current drummer Dave Sunderberg became fast friends, recognizing their mutual interest in 80's metal and their yearning to play the music unconventional to their home country. The pair quickly formed a band of their own in hopes to assault all ears around the world.

The search for the perfect front man began and they soon discovered vocalist Liv Jagrell. Although a female part wasn't their original idea, they decided to give her a shot and Dave explains, "It turned out she could sing better and had more balls than any of the other guys who tried out for the gig." With Liv on board, there was only one link missing: a guitarist.

Without hesitation, Dave phoned an old high school friend, Jimmy Hitula, who was known as the "best extreme metal guitar player around." With Jimmy's acceptance, everything was finally in place. The group finally began to craft their sound by fusing raw punk-rock energy with the power of classic metal. With their unique sound and line-up solidified, SISTER SIN gained widespread success in Europe and soon reached out to US based label Victory Records. The foursome signed to the label in 2008 and has since been able to successfully deliver their powerful sound to the US.

Back in 2010 i gave their album 'True Sound Of The Underground' an 8/10 it was good stuff, so now im gonna hit play and see what's changed...

Have to say the sound seems more melodic and mature, still in that classic 'Doro' vein but no way as raw as the previous albums and it has a crappy ballad called 'Morning After' which should be avoided at all costs.

Highlights include 'End Of The Line' which is full of power, screaming vocals and riffery!

RATING 7/10

For fans Of : Warlock/Doro, Girlschool, Scorpions

OTEP - SOUNDS LIKE ARMAGEDDON (CD Review)

Otep is a four-piece alternative metal band that began in Los Angeles, California in late 2000.

They were invited to play Ozzfest before they had even signed to a label after Sharon Osbourne witnessed their live performance. They have since played Ozzfest several times. Otep signed with Capitol Records after only a few shows and without a demo, purely on the power of their live performance.

Otep Shamaya has published two poetry books, spoken at the Democratic National
Convention in 2008, and is an avid painter. Some of the activist groups she supports
are RAINN, Carbon Rally, PETA, & WSPA

In 2009 Otep signed with Victory Records. Their 2009 album, Smash the Control Machine, included a reunion with former members Mark "Moke" Bistany on drums and Rob Patterson on guitar. The album also featured Koichi Fukuda on piano, and Emilie Autumn on violin, and a cowrite with songwriter, Holly Knight which resulted in 'You're A Woman Now'. Holly Knight previously cowrote Perfectly Flawed with Otep on The Ascension.The band appeared with 2Cents, Five Finger Death Punch & Shadows Fall on the 'Shock & Raw Tour' of North America in the fall of 2009.
In 2011, they released their 5th studio album, ATAVIST.

For more than a decade, OTEP has become an outspoken activist for positive global change and acceptance. She has amassed a devoted following known as the “Tribe” who support her endlessly and drive her meaningful music and message forward. Night after night OTEP continues to display an unruly force of high-energy and emotional hard rock that is unmatched. Having performed over 1,000 shows and sharing the stage with OZZY OSBOURNE, SLIPKNOT, MUDVAYNE, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH along with dozens of other notable names throughout hard rock and metal,OTEP has demonstrated she is one of the finest and most intense live artists today.

Sounds Like Armageddon is a special, career-spanning live CD intended to give the world a glimpse of how chaotic, passionate, poetic, and captivating OTEP is while on stage. Recently recorded on the 2012 Destroy To Create Tour.

10 storming live cuts or original tunes great versions of 'Ghostflowers','Rise, Rebel. Resist' every track is full of agression, melody and power, and one cracking version of Nirvana's Breed.

Pretty much designed for the fans, but a great introduction to the band if you have not heard them before.

RATING 8/10

For Fans Of : Slipknot, Arch Enemy, My Ruin

NEWS AND STUFF

 Awesome British metal acts AGE OF TAURUS and AMULET are supporting Enforcer.

 Cradle Of Filth return with a new album and major european tour, but only ONE uk show???? what the fuck guys a FULL UK TOUR PLEASE!!!!

 Xandria are supporting Kamelot! so symphonic rock heaven for some

HUNTRESS
And Hammerfest 5 (In Fear of the Dragon) have just announced HUNTRESS will grace the event now in its new location at Haven in Pwllheli in North Wales.

They’ll be joined by CANDLEMASS, Hatebreed, Destruction, Napalm Death, Enslaved, Senser, 4Arm, Stuka Squadron and Winterfylleth with many more to still be confirmed

HAMMERFEST 5 (In Fear Of the Dragon) takes place between March 14-17, 2012 in it’s new location of Haven. Hafan y Môr Holiday Park, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, North Wales.

KING LIZARD - A NIGHTMARE LIVIN' THE DREAM (CD Review)

01.Come Get Some
02.Kneel To The King
03.I Cant Be Your Lover
04.Hair Of The Dog
05.I Want You To Want Me
06.If It's A Sin
07.A Nightmare Livin' The Dream
08.Just To Hear You Say It
09.This Aint Love
10.Hard To Get
11.Down
12.Waterloo Ratz


Flash Roxx Sawyer (Vocals)
Niro Knox (Guitars)
Lee Benz (Bass)
Moyano El Buffalo (Drums)

London's own "Monsters Of Rock" first appeared way back in 2002 playing gigs and releasing a couple of demos, but it wasnt until 2006 that the band really began to get noticed with a solid line up that gigged everywhere and produced the 'Late Nite Dynamite' EP in 2007.

Finally their debut album 'Viva La Decadence' arrived in 2010 with songs produced by both Andy Brook (Shush/Catfight) and Chris Tsangarides (Thin Lizzy/Judas Priest).The record became a cult hit receiving rave reviews worldwide with it's upfront blend of full throttle guitars, irresistible hooks and catchy lyrics.

There then followed a couple of line up changes and a decision to 'up their game', An electric performance as the main support for Crucified Barbara in Paris, was followed by a main stage slot at France's renowned Motocultor metal festival. The band thrilled the capacity crowd who sang raucously along to their catchy hits as the sun went down.  Following this hit performance the band were given a headline show in Sweden at Stockholm's Harry B. James venue. Acclaimed shows and a growing reputation on the scene saw them put pen to paper on a fresh deal with Bad Reputation Records who reissued their debut album to further acclaim.

Work then began on the next album with producer Pedro Ferreira (The Darkness, Enter Shikari) at Snap Studios.

The finished album titled 'A Nightmare Livin' The Dream' is released this month.

'Viva' is a very hard act to follow and the bands party/sleeze style can be difficult to sustain whilst staying fresh, but one listen to this album puts any fears to rest because
right from the start we get a more mature approach and sound without compromising the soul of the band.

Kicking off with a killer riff 'Come Get Some' builds the tension like a moody thrash band before exploding with Flash's screaming vocals.
A real mover with catchy lyrics and solid backing vocals.

'Kneel To The King' is another "shout it out loud" rocker but with a dark edge, for review purposes this is the second listen to the song and already we are singing along!

Sounding like Motley Crue covering River Deep Mountain High, 'I Cant Be Your Lover' is another instant hit, it has a great breakdown full of melody and great vocal delivery followed by some outstanding Niro guitarwork that you have come to expect!

'Hair Of The Dog' Not a cover of the Nazareth classic but a fast paced high velocity rocker.

This one also not a cover! though Cheap Trick are no doubt an influence on the band.
'I Want You To Want Me' has an extremly catchy chorus and the song with its construction and delivery illustrate the quality of the band and is a great example of just how much the band have matured.

'If It's A Sin' has classic sleeze rock lyrics but with non typical music, showing up the majority of the genres bands that you dont have to do this like everyone else.

With a punchy bass line 'A Nightmare Livin' The Dream' is a fitting title track, it has all the swagger you expect from the band, great vocals, solid drumming and that great guitarwork.Its a bouncy song and i swear i can hear a brass section in the mix?

When it comes to the rock ballad King Lizard have already produced one of the greatest ever - and i do mean EVER! with 'Not For Me' so to my ears 'Just To Hear You Say It' is a great song and one up there with GNR's 'November Rain' and the line "I thought i heard you say it' will stick in your head for days to come, but 'Not For Me' cannot be topped.....Yet?

Building on the general mood from the previous song 'This Aint Love' is a real stand out track, a superb riff with a catchy little hook drives this one forward, its backing vocals gives it that sing a long anthemic quality.
The outro to the song has a great piece of acoustic guitar playing.

One of my all time fave tracks that has been on my mp3 player since it appeared on the Late Nite Dynamite EP in 2007 so not sure how a new version will sound, but the new version of 'Hard To Get' is actually very good, its a lot slicker, not as raw and more harmony in the vocal especially on the slow bit where Flash sings "You try to take me by surprise", definatley a more "Funkier" version.

Think i have found my fave song on the album,'Down' has a different feel to it, its a mid paced almost thrash like song, and by thrash i mean Megadeth style as opposed to Slayer.
Some great instrumentation in there from Niro and even a touch of death metal screaming from Flash, sum this track up as "Fucking Awesome!"

Finally ending on an old live fan fave with 'Waterloo Ratz', its a really good version and nails the bands authority once and for all that they really are the Sleeze rocking monsters of rock!

RATING : 10/10

For Fans Of : Buckcherry, Hanoi Rocks, LA Guns, Voodoo Johnson, Mercy House

SORROWS PATH - THE ROUGH PATH OF NIHILISIM (CD Review)

01.All Love Is Lost
02.The Beast (S.P.R.)
03.Honestly...
04.Fetish
05.Dirty Game
06.Mr.Holy
07.Getting Clser
08.Queen Of Doom
09.Prostitute
10.Hymn Of Differentiation
11.Empty Eyes And Blackend Hearts
12.Nihilism

Stavros Giannakos (Bass)
Angelos Ioannidis (Vocals)
Fotis Mountouris (Drums)
Kostas Salomidis (Guitar)
Giannis Tziligkakis (Guitar)

Greek Doom Metal band 'Sorrows Path' was formed by Takis Drakopoulos (bass) and Kostas Salomidis (guitar) back in November 1993. Both being inspired by bands like Memento Mori, Solitude Aeturnus and Candlemass and shortly after Angelos Ioannidis (vocals) and Kostas Farmakis (drums) joined them, the band began rehearsing and composing material.

January 1995 “Sorrows Path”, the band’s first demo, was released but shortly after that, Kostas Farmakis decided to leave the band and while the band was in a search of a new drummer Takis Drakopoulos tragically died.

Angelos and Kostas decided to continue with band and so after recruiting Stavros Giannakos on bass and Gregory Vlachos on drums released in May 1996 a new demo simply entitled “Promo 96".

After a break of some seven years they returned and finally released their first album.
By 2009 a new guitarist Giannis Tziligkakis joined in order to fulfil the band’s vision for a solid and heavier sound that the new material demanded. From that time, the band spent many hours rehearsing in order to work out the chemistry between them. Some months later, they started testing their power on stage and by the end of the 2009 everything was ready! The recordings, mixing and mastering of Sorrows Path new album was completed! All the artwork and photography for this album has been made by the most important of his kind in Greece, Seth Siro Anton (Paradise Lost).
Having earned some propositions from record labels worldwide, Sorrows Path agreed with the upcoming German label Rock it Up Records to become the “mother” of their new baby, named “The Rough Path of Nihilism”.

If ever a band are NOT Doom Metal then this is the band, only the song 'Prostitute' has the doom elements, as for the rest it high quality european symphonic metal, brilliant in its execution, well produced and layered with multi instrumental talent.

Vocalist Angelos sounds like the legendary Snowy Shaw and the music is of that standard.
Highly reccomended but i would suggest that the band re-brand themselves and get an image to match.

Rating 9/10
For Fans Of : De Profundis, Therion, Opera Diabolicus, Paradise Lost, Dimmu Borgir

Witchsorrow - God Curse Us (Cd Review)

01.Aurora Atra
02.God Curse Us
03.Masters Of Nothing
04.AB Antiquo
05.Megiddo
06.Breaking The Lore
07.Den Of Serpents

Necroskull (Guitar/Vocals)
Emily Witch (Bass)
David Wilbrahammer (Drums)

Formed in Hampshire in 2005 Witchsorrow are purveyers of Doom, ladend with slow pounding chords which blast from the Gibson SG, backed by powerfull bass and drumming!

Each song just builds up the tension in typical fashion, then with 'AB Antiquo' you get an atmosphereic couple of minutes before launching into the haunting 10 minute masterpiece 'Megiddo' which has a Triptykon edge about it.

Perhaps somewhat expected the Judas Priest mis-titled 'Breaking The Lore' is a fast paced metal tune.

Finally 12 minutes (Yes!!!!) of excellent Doom, just scream it out loud "DOOM!" awesome stuff PLAY FUCKING LOUD!

Rating 10/10

For Fans Of : Cathedral, Serpent Venom, Triptykon, Electric Wizard

Cauldron - Tomorrows Lost (Cd Review)

01.End of Time
02.Born To Struggle
03.Nitebreaker
04.Summoned To Succumb
05.Burning Fortune
06.Endless Ways
07.Relentless Temptress
08.Fight For Day
09.Tomorrows Lost (Sun Will Fail)

Cauldron the Canadian heavy metal band formed in 2006 in Toronto, take their influence from the NWOBHM scene of the early 1980's.
They were formed following the breakup of Goat Horn, with guitarist Brandon Wars leaving to form a new band, Zuku. Cauldron consists of Jason Decay on vocals and bass and Ian Chains on guitar.
Since forming, Cauldron has toured both North America and Europe, including a performance at the Keep It True Festival in Germany. In early 2007, they released a four-song EP, Into The Cauldron. It was composed of material originally intended for the next Goat Horn album.
Cauldron's song "Restless" is featured in a DC Shoes video of professional skateboarder Danny Way.
Drummer Al Chambers left the band in 2008 to join Relapse Records' Toxic Holocaust, and the position was filled briefly by Steelrider, the original drummer of Goat Horn. He was then replaced by Kill Cheerleader/Zuku/Crystal Castles drummer, Chris Rites. After Rites' departure from the band in 2009, Chris Steve of Canadian band Aggressor took over the role of drummer until December 2011. Chris Rites temporarily returned for the recording of Tomorrow's Lost.
In July 2012 Cauldron announced Myles Deck as their new drummer.

Tomorrow’s Lost was recorded in Spring 2012 with producer Jameson Elliott. Despite stating that it’s not a concept album as such, Cauldron guitarist Ian Chains explains: “As an album title it refers to varying degrees of hopelessness that we can somehow relate to.  It means striving hard to achieve something that may never see the light of day, or making poor decisions that come back to ruin everything for you.” Despite the bleak sounding influences, the nine album tracks pulsate with classic heavy metal licks and urge you to fist-pump with NWOBHM-inspired vocals.

Cauldron are a band who remain true to their heavy metal roots, and yet have the unique ability to span genres, continents and cliques with their irrepressible enthusiasm and style. Counting the likes of Alice Glass (Crystal Castles) and Lady Gaga’s best friend and DJ Lady Starlight among their high profile fans, Cauldron have a universal charm that has seen their legions of fans swell with every tour and record.

Cauldron’s anthemic songs really come to life on Tomorrow’s Lost; dripping with attitude and soaked in melody. Deliberately shunning modern production values, and transcending scenes and fads, Cauldron take you on a gloriously retro ride through the annals of heavy metal, inviting you to join them in believing that true heavy metal is more than a passing movement; it is a way of life.

Easily their best album to date, this tribute to NWOBHM is well executed, oh wait its not a tribute??? Damn i could have sworn that this was for Angelwitch and Witchfynde fans!

So if you want an authentic taste of what used to rock the UK in the good old days then this is a pretty good one to add to the collection.

Rating : 9/10
For fans Of : Amulet, Angelwitch, Witchfynde, Witchfinder General

VOIVOD - signs with Century Media Records; European tour announced for October

VOIVOD Line-Up (from left to right on bandpic):
Daniel “Chewy” Mongrain - Guitar
Jean -Yves “Blacky” Theriault - Bass
Michel “Away” Langevin - Drums
Denis “Snake” Belanger - Voice


Century Media Records is proud to announce the worldwide signing of Quebecois progressive metal pioneers VOIVOD! To coincide with the band’s 30th Anniversary - the band was founded in late January, 1983 - VOIVOD’s own company, Iron Gang Factory, joins with global powerhouse Century Media Records to release Target Earth on January 21st, 2013 throughout Europe and the 22nd in North America.

The band comments: “Our goal has been to find a partner for Iron Gang Factory to help get new VOIVOD music to the world and Century Media, we are proud to say, is the right company to do so globally. We can't wait to release tour and promote Target Earth.”

VOIVOD’s career path has endured as many shifts and disturbances as the music itself. From major label deals and big-time tours to slogging it out in clubs while metal went through growing pains in the mid 1990’s; from high profile bass players to unknown substitutes, the Quebecois prog metal pioneers have persevered through thick and thin to arrive at a comfortable place in 2012 -- a place of rebirth, rejuvenation and respect.

VOIVOD’s 30th anniversary celebrates their career as one of metal’s most influential bands. The handful of live albums, reissues and DVDs that began to surface in the past ten years proved how beloved this band really is, and now comes another album of inspired fresh material that proves VOIVOD still have many new paths to travel. What band continues to redefine and reinvent themselves 13 studio albums and 30 years into their career? There is only one answer to that question: VOIVOD.


VOIVOD have just announced a next European tour for October 2012 including the following headlining dates, as well as support shows with new label mates Arch Enemy in Spain:

VOIVOD – European Tour 2012:
Wed 03.10.12   The Exchange - Bristol
Thu 04.10.12   NQ Live - Manchester
Fri 05.10.12   The Well - Leeds
Sat 06.10.12   The Village - Dublin
Sun 07.10.12   Garage - London

Mon 08.10.12    Magasin 4 - Brussels, Belgium
Tue 09.10.12    Doornroosje - Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Wed 10.10.12    Turock - Essen, Germany
Thu 11.10.12    Loppen - Copenhagen, Denmark
Fri 12.10.12    Betong - Oslo, Norway
Sat 13.10.12    Brew House - Gothenburg, Sweden
Sun 14.10.12    Hafenklang - Hamburg, Germany
Tue 16.10.12     Cassiopeia - Berlin, Germany
Wed 17.10.12   Progresja - Warsaw, Poland
Thu 18.10.12     HooDoo Club - Prague, Czech Republic
Fri 19.10.12      Dürer Kert - Budapest, Hungary Tickets
Sat 20.10.12     Bloom Club - Mezzago (Milan), Italy
Sun 21.10.12    Bad Bonn - Düdingen, Switzerland
Mon 22.10.12    Le Korigan, Luynes, France
Tue 23.10.12     Totem - Pamplona, Spain + Arch Enemy
Wed 24.10.12   Cine Teatro - Corroios, Portugal
Thu 25.10.12     Capitol - Santiago de Compostela, Spain + Arch Enemy
Fri 26.10.12      La Riviera - Madrid, Spain + Arch Enemy
Sat 27.10.12     Razzmatazz 2 - Barcelona, Spain + Arch Enemy
Tue 30.10.12     MILK Club - Moscow, Russia
Wed 31.10.12   Nosturi - Helsinki, Finland

Magica - Centre Of The Great Unknown (Cd Review)

01.Center Of The Great Unknown

02.Masterspell

03.King Of The World

04.Open

05.The Earth Is Young

06.Step Into The Night

07.No Horizon

08.One Angry Gaia

09.Mark Of Cain

10.Under The Auroras

11.Daca 2012 

Ana Mladinovici (Vocals)

Bogdan Costea (Guitar)

Tibi Dutu (Bass)

Emilian Burcea (Guitar)

Sebastian Natas (Drums)

Founded in 2002 by guitarist Bodan Costea MAGICA shortly after recorded their debut album “The Scroll Of Stone”. After two months of hard work this concept album was ready to be released. Despite the lack of promotion the album got airplay on several big radio stations and also the print magazines showed huge interest in the band. Voted by readers of the “Heavy Metal Magazine” as “best newcomer of the year 2002” the band did not remain hidden from the international scene. The results were contract offers that also covered the French and South American territories, starting with “Lightseeker”, MAGICA´s second album from 2004. Then “Bittersweet Nightshade” became the band´s first video clip and the year 2006 saw them touring with After Forever and Nightmare. Several concerts with Leaves´ Eyes, Vanden Plas and Apocalyptica followed. A new video clip for the song “All Waters Have The Colour Of Drowning” has been unleashed in May 2007 and their first worldwide release “Hereafter” secured the international breakthrough for MAGICA.
Just ne and a half years later the fourth album “Wolves & Witches” received critical acclaim for being “the link between traditional teutonic Metal, female-fronted Metal and Symphonic Metal like Kamelot”. In 2010 MAGICA released “Dark Diary”, again praised by journalists and fans alike.

“The Center Of The Great Unknown” is a logical successor to MAGICA’s previous works, but even more fresh and with a better sound quality. The mixing was handled by Seeb Levermann (Orden Ogan). Tracks like “King Of The World”, “One Angry Gaia” or “No Horizon” show that MAGICA are a true constant when it comes to quality in this genre. Even more, they have developed their signature sound to a new level. And by the addition of a second guitarist (to replace the previous keyboard player), the new MAGICA is the most rocking ever

Bandleader Bogdan Coesta comments:
“The album’s concept is based on "The Diary of Admiral R. E. Byrd", "Godess of Atvatabar" by W. Bradshaw, "Beasts, Men and Gods" by F.A. Ossendowsky and a few more authors and adventurers.


Pretty much typical of the genre, euro power metal riffs in the style of Helloween, Ed Guy etc, female vocals in the style of Epica etc.

So not massivley original or outstanding, basically it does the job, so if this is your kind of music then its perfect for you.

Rating : 6/10

For Fans Of : Within Temptation, Epica, Achilla, Nightwish

MINDLESS SELF INDULGENCE UK SHOWS UPGRADED

The four-headed and many-limbed beast that is Mindless Self Indulgence has woken up after a three year slumber to ravage the UK with their ever unique brand of musical mayhem and stage-destroying live performances. MSI have confirmed that they will be returning to the UK in October 2012 for a run of headline dates to include shows in Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham and London. 2 of those shows - Manchester and Birmingham - have already been upgraded to bigger venues due to a lot of demand for MSI tickets.

MSI have been whipping crowds into a furious riot in cities across America with their heart-pounding electro-punk earlier this year. With sold-out shows in New York City, Chicago, and Toronto, Canada, to name a few, it's clear that their absence from the world of music has only intensified the cries of fans eager for their return.

Watch out United Kingdom... Jimmy Urine warns to wreak havoc on the eardrums of the innocent - the singer comments: "as soon as we announced our American tour last March we were flooded with requests from UK fans asking begging and demanding that we come back to England …..Despite the fact that MSI have not been to the UK in over 3 years and that we have not had a new record out since 2008, we have already sold out the smaller rooms that promoters were doubtful we would fill. They had to move us to bigger rooms which are also almost sold out. We didn't forget how much we like the UK and it looks like they didn't forget us! Fucking brilliant see you bastards in October!"

Mindless Self Indulgence UK dates are as follows:
Oct 25th - Manchester, Academy 2 ***upgraded***
Oct 26th - Glasgow, The Garage
Oct 27th - Birmingham, O2 Academy ***upgraded***

Oct 28th - London, HMV Forum

Tickets on sale now at Ticketmaster
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Mindless-Self-Indulgence-tickets/artist/717658