Best Of 2013

So it has been a good year for music, lots of great albums and ep's even some pretty professional demos have come my way.

But eventually i managed to get it down to a top 20......

1 TO 5 (Cathedral, Purson, Windhand, Ministry, Blood Ceremony)

6 TO 10 (Motorhead, Legend, Monster Magnet, Red Jester, Tank)

11 TO 15 (Hamerex, Kemakil, Satyricon, Age Of Taurus, Moss)

16 TO 20 (Rob Zombie, Kvelertak, Symphony Of Pain, Wolvserpent, Bloody Hammers)

Selim Lemouchi & His Enemies - Earth, Air, Spirit, Fire, Water (CD Review)

01.Chiaroscuro
02.Next Stop Universe B
03.The Ghost Of Valentine
04.The Deep Dark Waters
05.Molasses


Selim Lemouchi (Various)
Ries Doms(Drums)
Micha Haring (Drums)
Hans van de Perre (Drums)
Hansz Deijnen (Drums)
Job van de Zande (Bass)
Milko Bogaard (Vocals/Mini Moog/Mellotron)
Robby Geerings (FX/Drum-Synth/Guitar)
Oeds Beydals (Guitar)
Farida Lemouchi (Vocals)

“For what is Art if not the manipulation of Reality into what the Artist wills it to be. What is Art if not Magic?"

Since the demise of The Devil's Blood, Selim Lemouchi, has been on a journey of musical and self discovery; the results of which have been poured into this five track album. Unrestricted by traditional band or song structures, Earth Air Spirit Fire Water is a genre-defying creation.

Earth Air Spirit Fire Water was brought into being  with four drummers, a handful of guitar players, a few synthesizer players, several vocalists, a great cover-artist and many, many hours that were filled with laughter, tears, anger and spiritual communion.

The Devil's Blood were a band steeped in late 60's early 70's occult psych/rock, clearly since parting Selim has taken a different approach, from the opening of the first track we get treated to a sermon delivered with venom then the song starts and actually has quite a psychedelic feel, not unlike old style Hawkwind.In fact this style remains for the second song as well.

When 'The Ghost Of Valentine' hits the speakers we get more of what i expected, a simple ambient piece of electronica, beautiful synth playing with long sweeping notes running throughout.

The ghost of early Pink Floyd can be heard in 'The Deep Dark Waters' with some Bauhaus thrown in for good measure and it all ends with some great guitar work.

Ending with 'Molasses' and massive prog rock workout at 13 minutes, laden with piercing synths, guitar riffs, haunting vocals and even jazz elements.

Rating 8/10
For fans Of : Hawkwind, Tangerine Dream, Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, Can

Slowcoaches - Thinkers EP (CD Review)

Self titled 'Slack Metal' band formed in 2010 return with a new four-track EP, THINKERS. The EP follows on from their 'Tye Die Tapes' release, We're So Heavy back in May 2012.

Along with a fistful of new songs, Heather and Matty instigated another line up change, with the addition of Mazes' Neil Robinson on drums. The band maintains a fiercely DIY ethic and the past year have performed across the UK and Europe with bands including Mission of Burma and The Thermals.

Opening song 'Thinkers' sounds like L7 back in their SubPop days, its a raw guitar driven, grungey mix with riotgrrrl attitude.

'Total Block' is a distorted faced paced fuzz monster, simplistic in delivery like a classic 3 chord Ramones song.

The weirdly titled 'Biennal Drool' is the first to not feature Heather on vocals, the song is reminiscent of the post punk sounds of Buzzcocks and even a touch of Joy Division.

Finally 'Nightlife' sticks with that new wave vibe, the vocals are full of harmony and the music flows wiyhut becoming complicated.

Neat little ep, good old "DIY" ethics creating good easy to listen too sounds.

Rating 8/10

For Fans Of : L7, Hole, Buzzcocks, Throwing Muses, Sonic Youth

Red Jester - Nasty (NEW PROMO VIDEO)

Red Jester have just released a promo video for the song 'NASTY' as featured on the front cover cd of this months Classic Rock AOR magazine.
A strong hard rocking number with some slightly rude lyrics! that even got the attention of legendary music journalist Xavier Russell who also gave them a 7/10 review for their album.

Aside from the gig advertised above they have just been announced for the all day music festival to be held at the Leopard venue in doncaster.
More information here : https://www.facebook.com/events/533873806707245/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

News from the band is that they are recording a new EP for release early next year and also plan a new promotional video to be shot on location somewhere in Yorkshire!

Copies of the album are available from the band, contact them via facebook : https://www.facebook.com/RedJesterUKBand?fref=ts

Official Website : http://redjesteruk.wix.com/redjester

AND FINALLY THE VIDEO :

Crystal Viper - Possession (CD Review)

01.Zeta Reticuli
02.Voices In My Head
03.Julia Is Possessed
04.Fight Evil With Evil
05.Mark Of The Horned One
06.Why Can't You Listen?
07.You Will Die You Will Burn
08.We Are Many
09.Prophet Of The End
10.Thundersteel

Marta Gabriel (vocals/Guitar)
Andy Wave (Guitar)
Golem (Drums)
Michal Badocha (Bass)

Polish heavy metal band formed in 2003, was the vision of guitarist, singer and composrer Marta Gabriel.

This is their fifth release and is a concept album about young girl named Julia, where the movie-like story gets an unexpected twist.

The recording of this also includes contributions from 50 of their most loyal fans who added screams to be used in various songs, also the song 'Fight Evil With Evil'(recently released as a limited edition vinyl single) features legendary American singer Harry Conklin (Jag Panzer), while 'Julia Is Possessed' we can hear growling voice of Sataniac, vocalist of the German Black/Thrash Metal act Desaster.

The also pay homage to one of their influences with a cover of 'Thundersteel' originally recorded by Riot.

A solid album of classic 80's sounding euro metal, have to pick out 'Prophet Of The End' a great symphonic rocker full of melodic vocals and layered backing vocals.

Epic solo's, solid drumming all go to create an album of anthemic metal, surprisingly at times more Nightwish than Warlock.

Rating 8/10
For fans Of : Helloween, Dio, Warlock/Doro, Nightwish, Sister Sin

Black Messiah - Heimweh (CD Review)

01.Symphonia Pagana
02.In The Name Of Ancient Gods
03.Jotunheim
04.Wildsau
05.Edmund von Ostanglien
06.Nidhogg
07.Heimweh
08.Die Quelle Der Weisheit

Zagan (vocals/Guitar/violin)
Frangus (Guitar)
Meldric (Guitar)
Garm (Bass)
Agnar (keyboards)
Brooh (Drums)

Formed in 1992 in Germany, the band began with a tradition Black Metal style, their debut album "Spectres Of Black Knowledge" in 1998, however started to display a more refined sound drawing on folk/pagan influences which is the direction they continued with.

A stunning female vocal harmony greets the opening piece 'Symphonia Pagana' with some very atmospheic orchestration this leads us into 'In The Name Of Ancient Gods' a drum driven fast paced song that clearly displays the Black Metal influence both with the vocals overall feel to music.

The next song is in their native german, once upon a time that would have been a problem but thanks to Rammstein we have got used to it, but this is mucher darker!

'Wildsau' has a traditional folk vibe with flutes and accordian, a real happy drinking song, well sounds like it then it it goes into some black metal riffery and demonic vocals before returning to tradition, a little more black metal and then finally some squealing pigs!!

Do i detect Diamond Heads Am I Evil riff on 'Edmund Von Ostanglien' followed by Thin Lizzy's Emerald, well yes i do but thats a good thing because its used to perfection in creating an atmospheric song with a deep almost crooner like vocal delivery.

After the heavy sound of 'Nidhogg' we are then treated to a really beautiful folk ballad called 'Heimweh', again there is a fantastic female backing vocal and an emotional violin solo.
If you are a fan of classic folk rock and know the song Lady Margaret performed by the Trees then this would sit very nicley next to it.

It all ends with an 8 minute mini epic, starting acoustic guitar and then moving into heavy but melodic sounds with subtle keyboards, bells and other instrumentation all thrown in the mix and used to perfection.

A brilliant album one that blows away the recent offering from Turisas and rivals even Amon Amarth!

Rating 10/10

For Fans Of : Turisas, Blood Ceremony, Amon Amarth, Imperium Dekadenz, Cradle Of Filth

BB Blackdog - Live At Cask Corner 25.10.13 (Gig Review)

BB BLACKDOG

Cask Corner, Doncaster 25.10.13

One drummer and two bass players might seem an unusual line up for a rock group, but in this instance it is all that is required to create a unique,totally original sound and concept.

In an attempt to describe their music i am reminded of many things, the lead bassist and vocalist Dale Rowles has the vocal harmony of Jack Bruce mingled with the non folkish stylings of Ian Anderson, whilst his outstanding ability at playing a rickenbacker bass as a lead guitar (reminscent of Lemmy way back in 1973!) with the addition of say Geezer Butler and Les Claypool. Creating amazing sounds by what from my angle appeared to be a wah wah pedal and phaser f/x unit, he also threw in some slide guitar work, something which i have never seen on a bass in 36 years of going to gig's.

The second bassist Molly May Hooper ranges from the traditional job of a bass player to turning her hand to rhythm playing with some added f/x for extra depth.

Axel Boldt plays an unconventional drum kit, holding solid and rhythmic patterns throughout (also operating the bands self contained PA system and mixing desk) and perhaps more shockingly actually manages to wear more pink items than Sky London did when he was in King Lizard a few years back.

So to the music, some songs worked as pure seventies psychedelia harking back to the legendary Hawkwind (during one song i found myself singing 'Time we Left' in my head due to the hypnotic basswork) blended with german art rockers Can, others were in the hard rock style, i managed to pick out elements of Black Sabbath and Primus.

There were a few comical songs and a reggae number broken up by some blast beats and heavy riffing.

As to the lyrical content which ranged from Politics (Dale is a member of the Monster Raving Loony Party) to Ex Wives and some roosters coming to a nasty end at the farm!

We should also not forget Sex (and lets face it who would want to forget such a thing?) with songs about Gimps and Speed Dating showing the loving and caring side of initial relationship contact, the woman wanting security and romance, the man wanting to tie her up and err well you get the idea.

The final elements making the perfect evening were the humorous quips from dale in between songs I (imagine Viv Stanshall doing an impression of Graham Chapman) and crowd participation with members of the audience invited to wear rooster hats and dance like chickens and also a conga line running throughout the venue.

FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/BBBLACKDOG?fref=ts

Korn - The Paradigm Shift (CD Review)

01.Prey For Me
02.Love & Meth
03.What We Do
04.Spike In My Veins
05.Mass Hysteria
06.Paranoid And Aroused
07.Never Never
08.Punishment Time
09.Lullaby For A Sadist
10.Victimized
11.It's All Wrong

Jonathan Davis (Vocals/Bagpipes/keyboards/Programming)
Brian "Head" Welch (Guitar)
James "Munky" Shaffer (Guitar)
Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu (Bass)
Ray Luzier (Drums)

Guest Musicians
Zaylien (Keyboards/Programming)
Sluggo (keyboards/Programming)

Studio album number eleven and the first album to feature original guitarist Brian "Head" Welch since 2003's Take a Look in the Mirror.

I am hoping that with 'Head' back in the fold (i guess being back with the sex, drugs, bad language and satanism is okay now after his outburst many years ago?) and with 'Munky' saying they are trying to get back to the sound they had with the 'Issues' album that Korn are leaving all that skrillex crap behind and getting back to doing what they do best which is their own strange mix of rock/goth and hip hop.

Well here's hoping; Click Play and........

Well 'Prey For Me' certainly makes an impressive opening, really sounds like the old Korn, solid drum, that epic bass sound, the weird and quirky bits they thrown in (spookycore wasnt it once termed?), Davis vocal is on top form and the backing vocals work well.

From this point onwards every track sounds just as good, different moods, some more atmospheric than others, some get heavy some stay with that commercial edge.
What this album proves is that Korn can still play proper rock music (yeh okay call it Nu-Metal if you want, but that was always a weird tag anyway, pretty meaningless in reality) and dont need all this "dubstep" experimental crap.

Rating 8/10
For Fans Of : Slipknot, Fear Factory, Rammstein, Tool, Stone Sour

Paradise Lost - Tragic Illusion 25 The Rarities (CD Review)

01.Loneliness Remains
02.Never Take Me Alive (Spear of Destiny cover,Tragic Idol bonus track 2012)
03.Ending Through Changes (Tragic Idol Japan bonus track 2012)
04.The Last Fallen Saviour (Appeared on a Decibel 7” flexi 2012)
05.Last Regret Lost in Prague Orchestra Mix (Faith Divides Us bonus track 2009)
06.Faith Divides Us Death Unites Us Lost in Prague Orchestra Mix (bonus track 2009)
07.Cardinal Zero (Faith Divides Us bonus track 2009)
08.Back On Disaster (In Requiem album sessions 2007)
09.Sons Of Perdition (In Requiem Japan bonus track 2007)
10.Godless (The Enemy Single B-Side 2007)
11.Missing (Everything But the Girl Cover In Requiem bonus track 2007)
12.Silent In Heart (In Requiem  bonus track 2007)
13.Gothic 2013
14.Our Saviour 2013

Nick Holmes (Vocals)
Greg Mackintosh (Guitar)
Aaron Aedy (Guitar)
Steve Edmondson (Bass)
Adrian Erlandsson (Drums)

Jeff Singer (Drums on 2007 Tracks)

Of the three new recordings guitarist Greg Mackintosh said, “ 'Our Saviour’ was one of our present drummer’s favourite songs when he was a teenager, so when we were deciding on a really early track to re-record, this was high up on the list. This version is not meant to be better or even comparable to the original, which was of a certain time when perfection was not the order of the day. It was a time when music had charm and innocence. This new version is simply an affectionate look back on that time, and hopefully we did it justice.”

The other two are 'Gothic' a re-record of the genre defining title track from the 1991 classic and a brand new song 'Loneliness Remains'.
These three tracks will also appear on a 10” exclusive white Vinyl limited to 100 copies.

So if you are a fan but couldnt afford all the different limited edition releases then this is the perfect album, and if you do have all the tracks you get 3 new ones, so either way its a good compilation to own.

Im not that keen on the cover versions, but thats more of a case that i have no intrest in the originals.

Rating 8/10
For Fans Of : My Dying Bride, Anathema, Vallenfyre, Him, 69 Eyes

Blood Drive - Besides Expectations (CD Review)

01.Besides Expectations
02.In Limbo
03.Heart Breaker
04.Break At The Bend
05.Idol Sound

Matthew Lee (Guitar/Vocals)
Jon Stevenson (Bass)
Russ Smith (Drums)

Lincoln based band who formed at the beginning of this year, the trio having played together in a previous outfit decided to move into a more rock orientated direction drawing on influences from the Deftones to Alkaline Trio.

Opening with 'Besides Expectations' the sound is slightly reminscent of Foo Fighters mixed with some pop punk melodies.
A solid vocal performance and well played even if the music is a little simplistic in delivery.

Some nice guitar opens the next song 'In Limbo' and builds into some early grunge stylings creating an almost anthemic feel, throw in a quirky guitar solo towards the end and all in all pretty good stuff.

Some solid drumming drives along 'Heart Breaker', complete with a catchy chorus and a guitar riff perfect for mini mosh pits, this one is no doubt a live favourite.

Now 'Break At The Bend' has a very different feel, the opening has a touch of Metallica's 'One' about it, then it moves into some furious guitaring and agressive drumming with some clever pedal work thrown in.
The song has some interesting timing changes, bordering on Thrash riffs, to QOTSA harmony breakdowns.

Finally 'Idol Sound' has a goth/indie vibe, especially in the riff that could be one of Brian Moloko's.

Overall a good EP, lots of ideas and energy, if it lacks anything its the overall production, at times very "tinny", almost as if the whole thing was recorded live in one take as opposed to a month in the studio, needs a good mix to give it some warmth and depth.That said if this is the first then the second will be something to look out for.

They are already popular on the live circuit and their fanbase in increasing all the time, i would suggest you go check them out and buy a copy!

Rating 8/10
For Fans Of : Foo Fighters, Placebo, Alkaline Trio, Muse, Deftones, Nirvana

FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/blooddriveuk?fref=ts

Monster Magnet - Last Patrol (CD Review)

 01.I Live Behind the Clouds
02.Last Patrol
03.Three King Fishers
04.Paradise
05.Hallelujah
06.Mindless Ones
07.The Duke Of Supernature
08.End Of Time
09.Stay Tuned
10.Strobe Light Beatdown
11.One Dead Moon

Dave Wyndorf (Vocals)
Garrett Sweeny (Guitar)
Phil Caivano (Guitar)
Jim Baglino (Bass)
Bob Pantella (Drums)

Well after all these years they still manage to produce yet another superb album, it all still sounds like Captain Beefheart fronting a jam band with Steppenwolf and Hawkwind.

The epic track 'Last Patrol' is 9 minutes of Psyched out space metal full of tape loops and synth pulses mixing with great guitarwork.

A real throwback to the 60's with a sitar laden cover of Donovan's 'Three King Fishers' and the gospel element to 'Hallelujah' reminds me of Delany & Bonnie back in 1970.

Some beautiful tabla and acoustic guitar mixed in with some orchestration for the mantra like 'The Duke Of Supernature'.

'End Of Time' returns to the space rock, a tuch of Hawkwind's Master Of The Universe lurking in there, i love it when Monster Magnet do this stuff because they are one of the few bands who seem to understand this genre and re produce it with a nod to the past whilst keeping it up to date.

Synth and acoustic guitar are all that backs 'Stay Tuned' its a dark and slow song and really keeps the mood edgy.

The last 2 songs are bonus tracks, depending on which version you get.

Rating 10/10
For fans Of : Hawkwind, Mudhoney, Steppenwolf, Blue Cheer

Motorhead - Aftershock (CD Review)

01.Heartbreaker
02.Coup De Grace
03.Lost Woman Blues
04.End Of Time
05.Do You Believe
06.Death Machine
07.Dust And Glass
08.Going To Mexico
09.Silence When You Speak To Me
10.Crying Shame
11.Queen Of The Damned
12.Knife
13.Keep Your Powder Dry
14.Paralyze

Lemmy (Bass/Vocals)
Phil "Wizzö" Campbell (Guitar)
Mikkey Dee (Drums)

Well it could have been an all cover version album that was talked about last year and with the health scare with Lemmy it was possible that we wouldnt get an album at all this year, but they have returned with studio album number 22 (even though the press release says 21 they forget that 'On Parole' was an official album as well!!!).

It's a Motorhead album so you know what you are gonna get - fast, rockin rocks coming in at under 4 minutes, solid bass, brain crunching drumming, off the hip and in yer face guitar playing and THE voice of Lemmy!

So 'Heartbreaker' and 'Coup De Grace' start us off in time honoured style then we get 'Lost Woman Blues' a heavy blues song that really stands out, nothing short of awesome!

'End Of Time' returns us to what we expect then comes 'Death Machine' a song that could have been off the 'Bomber' album, its dark and menacing like an updated version of 'Sweet Revenge'.

A blues riff that sounds a little like Steppenwolf's 'The Pusher' leads us into a very laid back 60's sounding ballad called 'Dust And Glass' another great and standout track.

Haha the fast paced 'Going To Mexico' kinda sounds like 'Going To Brazil'.

Heavy and punchy 'Silence When You Speak To Me' (Didnt Spike Milligan write that in one of his books?) comes in as the albums longest track and works well.

I swear i can detect some piano in the mix on 'Crying Shame' but nothing in the bio sheet about it? Kick ass song though!

The next 3 songs are mid paced rockers leaving us with the final track 'Paralyze' which is one of the fastest on the album.

Actually one of the better albums from the last few years, the band sound younger and fresher that they have for a while now, weird is'nt it?

Rating 10/10
For Fans Of : Tank, Viking Skull, Ramones, Damned, Girlschool

Human Fortress - Raided Land (CD Review)

01.Raided Land
02.Child Of War
03.Wasted Years
04.The Chosen One
05.Shelter
06.Gladiator Of Rome (Part 2)
07.Dark Knight
08.Prelude
09.Pray For Salvation
10.Evil Curse
11.Restless Souls
12.Under Siege
13.Guard The Blind

Gus Monsanto (Vocals)
Todd Wolf (Guitar)
Volker Trost (Guitar)
Andre Hort (Bass)
Dirk Liehm (Keyboards)
Apostolos Zaios (Drums)

The beginnings of HUMAN FORTRESS reach back to 1997, when the Hard Rock band “Timezone” was founded in the Hanover area, which later should change their style towards Melodic Metal and rename to HUMAN FORTRESS. After a first demo, which was very well received in the underground, several contract offers came up so the band signed with Limb Music. The debut album “Lord Of Earth And Heavens Heir” was released to critical acclaim in 2001, followed by “Defenders Of The Crown” two years later. With several line-up changes (most significantly ex-Galloglass vocalist Carsten Frank replacing Jioti Parcharidis), the band’s third album “Eternal Empire” was released in 2008. Despite the album’s qualities, the down-tuned guitars, more modern overall approach of the material and the shouting of Frank were a departure from the epic melodic sound that HUMAN FORTRESS were known for. Shortly after the release of “Eternal Empire”, the band split. But at the end of 2008, original members Wolf, Trost, Parcharidis and Zaios started planning to resurrect HUMAN FORTRESS. In 2009 Jioti Parcharidis left the band again for medical reasons. It took a while to get together a stable line-up again, which was found by the addition of Dirk Liehm (keyboards), Andre Hort (bass) and Brazilian master vocalist Gus Monsanto (ex-Timo Tolkki’s Revolution Renaissance, Adagio).

And here we go again another slab of generic euro power metal, not the usual high speed guitar-fest but the melodic stuff with orchestration and "nice" keyboards.
If thats yur bag then this is pretty good stuff, well executed, ticking all the boxes as it goes along, if on the other hand you want something that stands out and that trys to push the genre further, then give this one a miss.

Rating 5/10
For Fans Of : Kamelot and all the other bands that sound like this!

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - Unvarnished (CD Review)

01.Any Weather
02.TMI
03.Soulmates To Strangers
04.Make It Back
05.Hard To Grow Up
06.Fragile
07.Reality Mentality
08.Bad As We Can Be
09.Different
10.Everybody Needs A Hero

Joan Jett (Guitar/Vocals)
Thommy Price (Drums)
Dougie Needles (Guitar)
Acey Slade (Bass)

Guest Musicians:
Dave Grohl (All Instruments : Any Weather)
Laura Jane Grace (Vocals : Soulmates To Strangers)

Returning after a lengthy break Joan Jett has recorded and album with a more serious tone covering topics from losing loved ones to Hurricane Sandy, social media and bullying.

Staring with 'Any Weather', Co-written with Dave Grohl (who plays bass and guitar as well as drums on the track!) and recorded in his 606 studio. Has a typical catchy melody and chorus that you would expect from both of them.

'TMI', a song that begins with the trademark drumbeat and turns into quite an infectious song, the subject matter deals with the "seriousness" of sharing too much on social media, not sure thats a huge deal after all nobody is forced to use such sites, but hey ho its a good song anyway.

Laura Jane Grace from Against Me co-wrote 'Soulmates To Strangers' and sounds like Joan is duetting with Courtney Love.

The destruction that Hurricane Sandy brught is the subject of the the groove-laden 'Make It Back'.

Personal sentiments with the next two tracks 'Hard To Grow Up' and 'Fragile', kinda hard songs to review when they deal with subjects of lost friends, relatives and pets, in what Joan has dubbed her "decade of death".

'Reality Mentality' is about reality television and how America (and most other countries) are obsessed with it.

'Bad As We Can Be' has a Ramones vibe whilst 'Different' has that old anthemic glam rock sound and finally 'Everybody Needs A Hero' is a pretty average ballad written by Kenny Laguna.

Rating 8/10
For Fans Of : Ramones, The Donnas, Hole, L7

The Vision Bleak - Witching Hour (CD Review)

01.Witching Hour
02.A Witch Is Born
03.The Bloksberg Rite
04.Cannibal Witch
05.The Wood Hag
06.Hexenmeister
07.Pesta Approaches
08.The Call Of The Banshee
09.The Valkyrie
10.Witchery In Forests Dark I
11.Witchery In Forests Dark II

Schwadorf (Guitars/Bass/keyboards)
Konstanz (voices/Drums/keyboards)

Three years after "Set Sail To Mystery", the masters of Horror Metal have undergone creative rejuvenation. With the spontaneity and playfulness of "Witching Hour", Schwadorf and Konstanz hark back to their debut „The Deathship Has A New Captain", and the slogan "creepy and haunting entertainment" has not been more topical and fitting ever since 2004. The comprehensive witchcraft concept of "Witching Hour" highlights the duo as morbid storytellers with a bizarrely brutal, yet also entertaining assortment of fairytales and myths up their sleeves. Familiar elements such as groovy, driving riffs, sublime, melodic lead guitars and Konstanz' unique voice are still the defining characteristics, yet new implementations like the haunting flute or the most versatile and sinister vocals so far are crucial to the fact that "Witching Hour" in its entirety sounds more dour and unfathomable than earlier recordings.

From the gothic intro of 'Witching Hour' you could be forgiven for thinking that this is going to be a nice ambient album..WRONG!
'A Witch Is Born' kicks in with some gothic tinged black metal with a hint of Rammstein thrown in !

A full onslaught of layered keyboards, guitarwork and drums follows until we arrive at parts one and two of 'Witchery In Forests Dark' totalling 16 minutes of epic music.
Starting with sound effects and simple keyboard, it gets more and more creepy (like a perfect horror movie soundtrack), lurking in the distance is the occasional guitar riff and then some demonic vocal effects.
Then just when you think its gonna kick into some metal, well it doesnt, it holds the ambience with a synth playing a "sitar" like sound, throw in more sound effects and a little symphonic undertone towards the end and you are left with a chill down your spine!

Rating 9/10

For Fans Of : Midnight Syndicate, Axis Of Perdition, Satyricon, Cradle Of Filth, Rammstein

Red Fang - Whales And Leeches (CD Review)

01.DOEN
02.Blood Like Cream
03.No Hope
04.Crows In Swine
05.Voices Of The Dead
06.Behind The Light
07.Dawn Rising
08.Failure
09.1516
10.This Animal
11.Every Little Twist

Bryan Giles (Guitar/Vocals)
Aaron Beam (Bass/Vocals)
David Sullivan (Guitar)
John Sherman (Drums)

Apparentley this band have roots as far back as 1972, but the Portland "ultimate hard-rockin’ party bringers" only seem to have appeared in 2005, however they now emerge from two years of constant touring with their new full length album ‘Whales And Leeches’.  This latest release sees Red Fang further maturing into top notch songwriters and musicians.  With the help of guests Mike Scheidt (Yob) and Pall Jenkins (The Black Heart Procession), ‘Whales And Leeches’ further propels Red Fang into the upper stratosphere of hard rock and metal elite.

First six tracks move in traditional stoner/doom style, well executed and full of energy.
However when we get to 'Dawn Rising' we get some sludge doom for seven whole minutes, and it is awesome, featuring guest vocals from Mike which adds some epic menace to the whole thing.

This darker sound continues with 'Failure' and then the album returns to the other style.

Bloody great big slab of an album and well worth tracking down.

Rating 9/10

For fans Of : Queens Of The Stone Age, Kyuss, Melvins

Esper Scout - Poet Curses (CD Review)

01.Assumpta Tang
02.Swallowing The Sun
03.No Gold
04.Gammal Gubbe
05.Fires
06.Wallet Of Brass Crowns

Sarah Statham (Guitar/vocals)
Kirsty Morton (Guitar/synth)
Rebecca Jane (Bass)
Lou Brinn (Drums)

Esper Scout are an experimental rock/progressive four-piece based in Leeds formed in 2011. They are driven by an enthusiasm for melody, harmony, textures and pedal effects as well as dynamic rhythms.

Having released e-single ‘Assumpta Tang’ in August to positive reviews (with accompanying VHSthemed video by Manchester’s WE ARE WULF collective),they are now releasing their longest collection of recordings to date in the form of ‘Poet Curses’. All six tracks were corecorded, produced and mixed by past collaborator Paul Crompton and Esper Scout at Eiger Studios and Hut 57 (ES’s home studio) on a ‘modest’ budget.

‘Poet Curses’ is an anagram of the band’s name and the artwork is a painting by Paul Crompton’s mother Annette who passed away before in winter 2012 and whose headstrong and
adventurous lifestyle is reflected in the lyrics to Swallowing the Sun. ‘Gammal Gubbe’
is Swedish for ‘old dude’ and is one of the terms the Gothenburg raised producer
taught the band during recording.

Well for experimental/progressive rock, this is a tag that most certainly does not apply in any form i am aware of, this is pretty straight forward indie rock, reminds me more of Throwing Muses than say Sonic Youth who might just fit that tag.

A solid little ep mind you, quite downbeat in places, well put together and a nice production allowing the layering of sounds to come through.

Rating 7/10
For fans of : Throwing Muses, Pixies, Auf Der Maur, Oceansize.

Allus On Drugs - Demo EP (CD Review)

01.Ted
02.Stir
03.How High
04.Sunset Yellow

Jason Moules (Vocals)
Damien Hughes (Guitar)
Tom Peden (Bass)
Andrey Pavlovic (Guitar)
Connor Fisher-Atack (Drums)

Allusondrugs are a 5 piece alternative rock band from Castleford in Yorkshire formed in the autumn of 2012.
Noted for their beautiful vocal harmonies soaring over huge, effect ridden guitars and pulverizing beats, this band will give you a screaming eargasm.
Their wild and intense live show can turn a room full of people into soup in minutes.

The band has spent the last few months gigging heavily and making home recordings of
their material that so far has ranged from psychedelic pop to fuzzed out stoner rock and
have just signed to Clue Records who recently released a limited edition cd single called 'Plasters'.

However this is a promo ep given away at gigs, well packaged and even came with a free sweetie!

We start with 'Ted' a screaming super fuzzed out mix of Mudhoney meets the Hives, a simple song about their friend "ted" who is apparently in heaven and watching porn!

With the catchy lyric "watch him as he shivers" i shall hazard a guess that 'Stir' is not about being stuck out in the cold, but a drug related matter set to some excellent subterranean pop music.

'How High' has a post brit pop sound reminiscent of Stereophonics, a great vocal performance backed by sub psychedelic riffs and solid drum beats.

A chilled out mellow song, 'Sunset Yellow' apparently about "Irn Bru", im not convinced its a homage to the scottish soft drink, i suspect it maybe something more "fun", the song has an hypnotic sound and is one that really stands out.

An interesting mix of sounds and influences all "possibly" influenced by something not musical?
I think they may have hit upon a new sub genre of indie or grunge with a sort of "StonerPop".

Rating 9/10

For fans of : Mudhoney, Nirvana, Stereophonics, Stone Roses, The Hives



FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/Allusondrugs