Stu's Reviews

January Gig Flyers

2012-01-04T15:57:00.003Z

My Ruin - A Southern Revelation (Cd Review)

2011-12-30T16:44:00.005Z

01.Tennessee Elegy
02.Highly Explosive
03.Walk of Shame
04.Deconsecrated
05.Middle Finger
06.Vultures
07.Seventh Sacrament
08.Reckoning
09.The Soulless Beast
10.Mean Street

Tairrie B Murphy (Vocals)
Mick Murphy (Guitar/Bass/Drums)

Produced by Mick Murphy & Joel Stooksbury ‘A SouthernRevelation’ was recorded at
Soundtrack Black Studio deep in the snow covered hills just outside of Knoxville,
Tennessee during the bone chilling month of January 2011. Unrepentant, unrestrained and unforgiving, this is without a doubt, My Ruin’s meanest and most pointed album to date.
A highly focused, intensely passionate and cleansing record that invites it’s listener on a personal journey of retribution. Staying true to their sound and confrontational lyrical delivery ‘A Southern Revelation’ stands alone in My Ruin’s catalog with renewed razor sharp, violent scream vocals and spoken word over stone cold crisp yet doomy metallic rock guitar riffs. While friendship is a fashion and honesty is the holiest disease, this is their seven daggers of Megiddo; this is their slaying of the beast.

The new album opens with a requiem; a visceral funeral for the sins of a friend as
‘Tennessee Elegy’ comes in with a thunderous roar of sound on top of white and snowy
ground. The harsh cold reality of the language hits after the intro explodes into
chugging riffs that are reminiscent of a large engine turning over in the dead of winter which sets the temperature for the record. As hot as a shot of Old No. 7 Whiskey, ‘Highly Explosive’ is a vitriolic and volatile Molotov cocktail of calmly spoken, contemplative anger fueled words that reach their boiling point, bursting into fiery spit choruses charged with big rock guitar chords and bashing drums. With its catchy 70’s style gritty riffs offset by abrupt changes of time signature musically kicking things up in the middle and then dragging the doom at the end, ‘Walk of Shame’ takes lyrical aim at those self important personalities so desperate for fame and rock stardom in a City of Angels.

Multi-instrumentalist Mick Murphy is a one man band who remains as solid as he is
unrelenting with each album recording. Like an old school pro, never missing a beat, he moves fluidly from instrument to instrument with his amped up head bang inducing song structures and bone crushing guitar, drum and bass lines as exquisite as ever. A master of heaviosity whose roots are still firmly planted in the Sabbath influenced swagger of the seventies complimenting his no nonsense thick riffs and huge solos.
Mick’s understanding of each instrument he is playing packs a power far beyond the strength of one musician. Mick has been called one of rocks ‘best kept secrets and most electrifying guitar players’ according to Michael Molenda, Editor in Chief of Guitar Player Magazine.

‘Deconsecrated’ is a fast and furious fateful liturgy to self preservation with the
innate desire to keep it sacred amongst the secular society of false friendships and
family values. The song burns its way true to form, from verse to chorus ushering in the stomping head banging mid section that pays homage to the albums title taking the listener on a journey of religiously inspired lyrical retrospect. Detailed with intense imaginative hatred and poetically cruel intentions, ‘Middle Finger’ is a snarling and sinister catchy mid tempo rocker that builds and grows like a grudge getting more aggressive musically enhancing the murderous violent fantasy theme. This is a cathartic and long overdue fuck you that conjures up images of brutality while vilifying and bitterly mocking the arrogance of a deceitful man devoid of conscience and destined to be punished for his lies and betrayal of trust. Setting the mood with it tripped out arrangement and haunting aesthetic as painful as it is personal, the Devil is in the details of ‘Vultures’ which is an honest, heartfelt lament reflected in a lyrical palette of remembrance for a complicated friendship set in the digital era of ego verses the analogue age of artistic integrity. With its slinky feel, ‘Seventh Sacrament’ is a dissonant and dirty memoriam to ‘Ghosts and Good Stories’ that faithfully speaks to the soul of the album and defines it as My Ruin’s 7th juggernaut of rock and roll atonement.

As the metal world’s patron saint of blasphemy and one of its most harrowing performers, Tairrie B has been a trailblazer for women in underground rock and one of the pioneers of ferocious-style female vocals with her trademark scream firmly in place since 1993. Often imitated but never duplicated with her distinct brand of stylish violence and storytelling, it’s her unique throat and unapologetic language that sets her apart from the many women who have followed in her footsteps over the years.
With My Ruin’s latest pièce de résistance ‘A Southern Revelation’, Tairrie remains true to self and form, once again reborn with a new fire inside her but as outspoken and confrontational as ever delving into the dichotomy of her dark places where God and the Devil play muse while continuing to perfect the craft she originated with her fine art of screaming.

Revenge is sweet and ‘Reckoning’ is a relentless steamroller of a track that pulls no punches delivering a well deserved raucous attack of reprisal. This is a merciless riff raging barn burner that rips apart a self-righteous reputation and reduces it to ashes.

The dark spoken word narrative tells the cryptic parable like tale of ‘The Soulless
Beast’ which is a metaphor to depict a man possessed, a malevolent monster of a track exposing the pure evil in a person that manifested itself into the Biblical
interpretation of the Anti Christ in the Book of Revelation. This is the albums slow and low grinder revealing rumbling verse parts which expand into loud choruses culminating in the doom heavy sound of classic stoner metal.

Album closer ‘Mean Street’ is My Ruin’s sexy red lipstick kissed version (tapping intro and all) of the opening track from Van Halen’s slightly underrated Fair Warning album.

My Ruins 7th album "A Southern Revelation" is available for free Download, information at
www.myruin.net

www.myruin.bandcamp.com

Rating 8/10
For fans of: Gasoline Thrill, Nashville Pussy, Lydia Lunch, Arch Enemy

Final Gig Flyers for the year

2011-12-28T09:58:00.005Z

BEST OF 2011

2011-12-27T13:16:00.004Z

So its that time to pick the best of 2011, not so easy this year as it was'nt the greatest year for outstanding releases, and we did have to suffer the biggest piece of shit ever commited to disc: Metallica & Lou Reed (art apparently, yeh with a capital "F").

But there are some diamonds in the rust and here they are....

ALBUMS

01.Donkerkarnuffel - Zombie Clown Apocalypse
02.Axis Of Perdition - Tenements (Of The Anointed Flesh)
03.Vallenfyre - A Fragile King
04.Turisas - Stand Up And Fight
05.Anaal Nathrakh - Passion
06.Hamerex - Rites Of Passage
07.Arch Enemy - Khaos Legions
08.Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats - Blood Lust
09.Venom - Fallen Angels

SINGLES/EP's

01.Amulet - Cut The Crap EP
02.Nemhain - Murder Mile EP
03.Mortad - Pandemic Paranoia EP
04.Phyrexia - Children Of The Dawn

VIDEOS'S

01.Rammstein - Mein Land

02.Devin Townsend Project - Juular

The Mangled Mind Speaks - Xmas & Other Storys

2011-12-24T12:55:00.004Z

As the song says "Marys boy child Jesus Christ was born on christmas day", which was
handy for him i suppose!Of course its all crap, we all know that it was Santa who was born on Christmas day to spread joy and happiness wherever he went and being Satan in disguise helped all those who were oppressed by the followers of that "Child", and bringing true peace and goodwill to all men as opposed to war and hatred!

Most celebrate with the Victorian standard of decorations and food, though many now
choose the American standard of over the top lights and displays.

But what of fact??

Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ,
celebrated generally on December 25 as a religious and cultural holiday by billions of
people around the world.A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it closes the Advent season and initiates the twelve days of Christmastide.

Yet the precise day of Jesus’ birth, which historians place between 7 and 2 BC, is
unknown.In the early-to-mid 4th century, the Western Christian Church first placed
Christmas on December 25, Theories advanced to explain that choice include that it falls
exactly nine months after the Christian celebration of the conception of Jesus, but more
likley is that it was selected to coincide with either the date of the Roman winter
solstice or of some ancient winter pagan festival.

In other words it is yet another example of Christians putting their crap on Pagan
festivals to force their views on normal people!
To complicate things further and to be "correct" there is a difference of 13 days between
the Julian calendar and the more generally used Gregorian calendar. Therefore those who use the Julian calendar or its equivalents should celebrate December 25 and January 6 on January 7 and January 19, but then lets not get facts and logic into the conversation when dealing with religion.

About AD 730, the English historian Bede wrote that the Anglo-Saxon calendar included the
months geola or giuli corresponding with either modern December or December and
January.He gave December 25 as the first day of the heathen year and wrote that the
Anglo-Saxons celebrated all night long to honor the Germanic Divine Mothers:
They began the year with December 25, the day some now celebrate as Christmas; and the
very night to which we attach special sanctity they designated by the heathen term
Modraniht, that is, the mothers' night — a name bestowed, I suspect, on account of the
ceremonies they performed while watching this night throughIn Latin, decem means "ten". December was also the tenth month in the Roman calendar
until a monthless winter period was divided between January and February.

Yule or Yuletide is a winter festival that was initially celebrated by the historical
Germanic people as a pagan religious festival.Yule is attested early in the history of the Germanic peoples; from the 4th century
Gothic language it appears in the month name fruma jiuleis.The festival was originally celebrated from late December to early January on a date determined by the lunar calendar.

Terms with an etymological equivalent to Yule are used in the Nordic countries for the
Christian Christmas (with its religious rites), but also for other holidays of the
season. Yule is also used to a lesser extent in English-speaking countries to refer to
Christmas. Customs such as the Yule log, Yule goat, Yule boar, Yule singing, and others
stem from Yule. The fact that Yule is not etymologically tied to Christianity means Yule
in the Nordic countries is also celebrated by many non-Christians and even by the non-
religious. The non-religious treat Yule as an entirely secular tradition.To complicate things further a number of Neopagans have introduced their own rites.

So have fun people but remember keep Religion in its place and out of the seasons fun!!

STU

EMILIE AUTUMN Book & Tour

2011-12-22T13:15:00.007Z

Beautiful, bizarre, and brazen sonic seductress and violinist extraordinaire, EMILIE AUTUMN wants you to fight alongside her on next year’s "Fight Like A Girl" tour. Known for her eccentric style and prodigious musical talent (she began reading notes before learning the alphabet and was already playing violin at four years old), Emilie spent her youth playing concert halls throughout the U.S. and Europe as a classical violinist before going mad, landing herself in an insane asylum and emerging as a rock singer with a murderous streak.

Taking its name from the title track and first single of her forthcoming album due out this ? the follow-up to her groundbreaking debut, "Opheliac", the Emilie starts her European tour in Scotland on the 9th March, ending in Manchester on April 14th.

Each show promises to be an experience. With a theatrical thread, a little classical flare, and the right dose of dirty rock 'n' roll attitude, the "Fight Like A Girl" tour will undoubtedly be EMILIE's most memorable run yet. If you're one of her affectionately dubbed "Plague Rats" or among the uninitiated, this is a sexy spectacle that's not to be missed. Beyond her violin virtuosity on stage, she elegantly strikes that effervescent balance between sex, violence, and English literature. Part Broadway, part burlesque, part rock concert, part history lesson, there's nothing quite like it anywhere…

"It's more brutal and bloody," affirms the ringleader with a playful grin. "There's more girl-on-girl action and glitter. The corsets are even tighter. It's become Victorian Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It's a rollercoaster. You're going to feel like you’ve stepped into a dark Disneyland."

That experience is propelled by the autobiographical drama at the heart of EMILIE's intriguing new literary tome, “THE ASYLUM FOR WAYWARD VICTORIAN GIRLS”. Released last year to widespread adoration, elements of the novel's wickedly dark narrative will be brought to life on stage, and they're also encapsulated in her new single and battle cry, "Fight Like A Girl".

MARCH

FRI 09 GLASGOW, GARAGE

SAT 10 NOTTINGHAM ROCK CITY

SUN 11 BRISTOL O2 ACADEMY

APRIL

FRI 13 LONDON ELECTRIC BALLROOM

SAT 14 MANCHESTER RITZ

“THE ASYLUM FOR WAYWARD VICTORIAN GIRLS” is available now

www.emilieautumn.com

GWAR European Tour 2012 Cancelled

2011-12-22T13:03:00.003Z

The European leg of GWAR's "Return Of The World Maggot" tour, scheduled to kick off in January 2012 has been cancelled after several promoters pulled the plug on shows, citing poor ticket sales.

GWAR spokesman Dave Brockie commented on the tour's cancellation:
"Several of the promoters were alarmed by the low ticket sales, and they decided to start pulling the plug on shows. It got to the point where we had lost so many shows that we simply could not afford to do the tour."

Brockie continued:
"We are super disappointed that this happened, and we apologize to all of our European fans for cancelling the tour. We did everything we could possibly do to save it, but it just didn't work out. The tickets are fully refundable so make sure you get your money back!"

NIGHTWISH - IMAGINAERIUM (CD Review)

2011-12-22T12:28:00.003Z

01.Taikatalvi
02.Storytime
03.Ghost River
04.Slow, Love, Slow
05.I Want My Tears Back
06.Scaretale
07.Arabesque
08.Turn Loose The Mermaids
09.Rest Calm
10.The Crow, The Owl And The Dove
11.Last Ride Of The Day
12.Song of Myself
13.Imaginaerum

Anette Olzon (vocals)
Tuomas Holopainen (keyboards/Piano)
Emppu Vuorinen (Guitars)
Marco Hietala (Bass/Vocals)
Jukka Nevalainen (Drums)

Additional Musicians/Guests:
Troy Donockley (Uillean Pipes/Tin Whistle/Vocals/Bodhran/Bouzouki)
Dermot Crehan (Hardanger Fiddle)
Dirk Campbell (Sorna)
Guy Barker (Trumpet)
Paul Clarvis (Ethnic Percussion)
Etephen Henderson (Ethnic Percussion)
Pekka Kuusisto (Violin)
Jenny O'Grady & Metro Voice Choir
Lynda Richardson & Young Musicians London Choir
Pip Williams & London Philharmonic Orchestra

Imaginaerum is the seventh studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish and is also their most ambitious to date.The album is a concept album as said by Tuomas in an interview telling the story of an old composer on his deathbed, reminiscing of his youth and is a sister piece to the movie of the same name directed by Stobe Harju.

According to Holopainen, Imaginaerum is the first Nightwish album to have a real intro song 'Taikatalvi', which is also one of few Nightwish songs performed entirely in Finnish, this song also introduces the snow flake theme of the album and movie, as the Finnish word "taikatalvi" means "magic winter". It is also the Finnish title of the book Moominland Midwinter.

'Storytime' has punchy riffs and a melodic chorus and still sounds poppy.

Described as a duel between the Devil and Mother Gaia, 'Ghost River' is more theatrical and weirder than the rest of the album.

'Slow Love Slow' is a jazz-like song inspired by American 1930's nightclub music, inspired by David Lynch's Twin Peaks.

'I Want My Tears Back' Has some nice pipes on it, but not that amazing.

'Scaretale' has been described as the bands take on Metallica's "Enter Sandman".

The instrumental 'Arabesque' was created soley for the movie soundtrack.

'Turn Loose the Mermaids' is a "celtic, ballad, sad, melancholic" song, with a sort of spaghetti western inspired section.

Finally a heavy (ish) song appears,'Rest Calm' and was inspired by 'Paradise Lost' and 'My Dying Bride'.

'The Crow, the Owl and the Dove' is the only one written by bassist-vocalist Marco Hietala, who has written several songs for the band in the past. Holopainen has pointed out that it's "kind of funny that the most poppy song on the album is composed by the most metalhead dude in the band".

'Last Ride of the Day' is a song about a roller coaster.

Coming in at an epic fourteen minutes is 'Song Of Myself' It is inspired by Holopainen's favorite poet Walt Whitman, and his famous poem of the same name, and the song includes a six-minute recitation of the poem.

The title track 'Imaginaerum' is the outro track of the album, conceived as what could run in the credits of the movie. Holopainen came up with the idea of making a medley of the album's main musical themes, and gave orchestral arranger Pip Williams free hands to make what he wanted of it, making it one of two songs off the album not composed entirely by Holopainen.

Rating:8/10
For fans of: Within Temptation, Epica.

REVCO/KORN/RAMMSTEIN (CD Mini Reviews)

2011-12-12T05:19:00.007Z

REVCO - GOT MIXXX?

Comprising of fifty minutes of non-stop continuous dancefloor ditties,'Got MiXXX?'is a
raunchy remix of the Cock’s Spring 2010 release 'Got Cock?'.Produced by RevCo founder, Al Jourgensen, and re-mixed by Blownload frontman Erie Loch.Has to be said that these 10 tracks are far superior to the original album whilst it juxtaposes trashy subjects with classy high-end production values making this RevCo’s most powerful sound to date!

Rating: 7/10
For fans Of: Ministry, KMFDM, Front 242

KORN - THE PATH OF TOTALITY
So Korn's traditional sound mixed with dubstep/drum and bass and electro house music,
collaborating with a number of producers for the album with each guest their own
individual tracks.
Realising the potential controversay Roadrunner released the following statement:
“ The Path of Totality is unlike any previous Korn release; it's an experimental record
which finds the band shifting gears and exploring new territory. For the record, Korn
collaborated with some of the leading dubstep and electronic music producers in the
world, including Skrillex, Excision, Datsik, Noisia, Kill the Noise, and 12th Planet.The
result is something completely new, yet utterly and definitively Korn.”
Singer Jonathan Davis describes the new album as "very well-rounded, with a mix of
mellow, upbeat tracks; possibly the most well-proportioned Korn album of all time."He also went on to talk a load of bollocks declaring The Path of Totality as "future
metal." "We're mixing metal and electro music, and you're not supposed to do that. Since
day one, Korn has always been all about going against the grain, experimenting, and
trying to take music different places."
In fact they are playing catch up big time as the likes of Linkin Park/Limp Bizkit have
been doing this for years now, if Korn want to go against the grain then perhaps that
should release a symphonic black metal album.
But for all the talk the album is not quite the trainwreck i expected with some of the
songs sounding much better than on their previous "Normal" album.

Rating: 6/10

For fans Of:Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Eminem, Skrillex.

RAMMSTEIN - MADE IN GERMANY 1995-2011
Rammstein formed in Berlin in 1994 by former european swimming champion and punk drummer Till Lindemann (vocals) and Richard Z. Kruspe (lead guitar), Paul H. Landers (rhythm guitar), Oliver "Ollie" Riedel (bass), Christoph "Doom" Schneider (drums) and Christian
"Flake" Lorenz (keyboards).

They are part of the 'Neue Deutsche Härte' scene (alongside others such as Oomph!, Eisbrecher, Die Krupps).Achieving worldwide fame with outrageous videos, amazing live theatrical shows with world class pyrotechnic effects, movie appearences and endless hit singles and albums (sales in excess of 16 million), all this whilst not compromising their sound or the fact that they sing in German.

This is a 2 cd set, disc one covers mainly singles and includes all the classics like 'Du
Hast','Sonne' and 'Keine Lust' and a new song 'Mein Land' (Reviewed eleswhere on this
blog).
Disc two is a compilation of remixes from acts as diverse as Pet shop Boys and Scooter to
Clawfinger and Devin Townsend (which is mental with banjos, fart noise and an annoying
meow meow refrain).

Rating: 10/10

For fans of: Laibach, Die Krupps, Static X, Fear Factory, Deathstars

CATHEDRAL/DEVIL'S BLOOD/UNKLE MATT & VIKING SKULL (CD Mini Reviews)

2011-12-11T03:55:00.009Z

CATHEDRAL - ANNIVERSARY
First official live album from Doom legends, and a fantastic package to boot!Comprised of two Cd's, the first is 'Back To The Forest' which is a live rendition of the entire 'Forest Of Equilibrium' album.The second disc is 'Fresh Winter' a general concert that has great versions of 'Vampire Sun', 'Hopkins Witchfinder General' to name but 2, but unfortunatley not a version of my all time fave track 'Skullflower'.
Definatley one for fans only but worth the wait.
Rating: 9/10

CATHEDRAL - A New Ice Age EP
Two brand new studio tracks to tie in with their farewell gig and available on good old fashioned vinyl.The A Side is 'Open Mind Surgery' a skuzzy doom rocker with Lee seemingly emulating Johnny Rotten on vocals, its heavy with a simplistic production giving it a great raw feel.The B Side is 'Sabbadaius Sabbatum', a typical Black sabbath copy sounding very much like 'Lord Of This World' with a few new bits thrown in, to be honest its Cathedral and therefore faultless in my opinion!

Rating 10/10
For fans Of: Black Sabbath, Pagan Alter, Pentagram, Blood Island Raiders.

DEVILS BLOOD - THE THOUSANDFOLD EPICENTRE
Dutch occult rockers latest album has been described by the bands guitarist/founder Selim Lemouchi as “The Devil’s Blood are pleased to announce the conception of a new Litter to be cast upon the sacrificial flames of the bull-headed God that resides on the plane of Gehenna. Eleven new children shall pass through His flames to become reborn in Chaos when the eleventh of November comes to pass in this foul year of their lord, two thousand and e...leven. We have taken 11 months to write and two months to record these monsters and to prepare, attach and inscribe the appropriate sigils, ornaments, chimes and bells upon these young-lings before releasing their serpentine malignity upon the world...”

Well what you get is 11 tracks of sixties inspired psychedelic/satanic rock with stunning female vocals blending Jinx dawson with Grace Slick and music as diverse as the pagan folk styles of 'Shocking Blue' to the space rock of 'Hawkwind'.
Frankly a brilliant album, superb production and real care taken with the composition of the music.

Rating 10/10For Fans Of: Coven, Jefferson Airplane, Black Widow, Witchcraft, Ghost, Electric Wizard.

UNKLE MATT WITH VIKING SKULL - HOLD MY PINT
Download only single from the Northampton rock group and featuring Unkle matt from CKY related band Shitbirdz.Its typical Skull stuff with lyrics about booze, birds n metal.Good sing a long chorus with "Hold my pint while i take a big shit honey, if your still there when i get back, then im on to a sure thing", yep another Roddy Stone classic!Cracking guitar solo thrown in for good measure as well.
Rating 10/10For Fans Of: CKY, Blood Island Raiders, Motorhead.

Donkerkarnuffel - Zombie Clown Apocalypse (CD Review)

2011-12-11T02:58:00.006Z

01.Blood For Donko
02.Funland
03.Givin' It The Big Un
04.The Greatest Show On Earth
05.Gypsy
06.Mourn For The Newborn
07.Divinus Infernus
08.Fire walk With Me
09.My Psychosis
10.Zombie Clown Apocalypse

Mr Bloody (Guitars)
Haggis (Vocals)
Pervo (Bass)
Skeats (Drums)

Formed in Jan 2010 by Jamie Blood (Spitting Blood) along with ex members of 'Unredempt' and 'Cycle VI'.
Creating a fusion of various influences from the hardcore style of 'Unredempt' adding the brutal and crushing 7 String Drop-Tuned riffs from 'Spitting Blood' and epic Blackened Death Metal passages from 'Cycle VI'.

Take it from me that Spitting Blood were nothing short of awesome, easily one of the best shredding death metal bands to ever grace the stage in London and it was quite a shock when Jamie announced that the band was finished, however Jamie was far from giving up and that somewhere inside his heart was a drive to up the steaks and create something even more devistating, and he and his cohorts have delivered with their self styled "Clowncore"!

The album was recorded by Tilman Wolf-Moore (Spitting Blood/Chaosanct/Xenochord) who also did the keyboards and samples.

So to the music that Jamie described to me as "Kinda like Spitting Blood but fine tuned with blackened metal endings & occasional keys...and a Zombie Circus theme running through it...enjoy!".

No sooner did i hit play on 'Blood For Donko' and was met with an instant blast of drums and guitars, no messing around this is straight in for the throat!
Not only is it brutal but the keyboard that runs through it with an almost ska beat gives it an almost un-nerving quality then about 2 minutes in a clowns horn goes off! crazy but it works, not many songs can make you bang your head and smile at the same time.

'Funland' keeps up the pressure with hyper speed drumming, non stop riffing, pounding bass, outstanding death grunt and clean vocals and some more madcap circus style organ.

Angry as hell song 'Givin' It The Big Un' packs a real punch with some fist in the air(face?) lyrics "my time is coming and i will destroy them all" kinda sums this one up!
Nice little gothy passage towards the end of the song adds another element to the sound.

'The Greatest Show On Earth' has the line "never before have you seen so much chaos" and also proclaims "Im the leader of the satanic circus", it makes me smile (in a good way)this music just fucking kicks on every level!

This track 'Gypsy' reminds me of 'Static X' at their heaviest, kind of has that
techno/death rhythm pattern and vocal style.

Absolutley love the keyboards and chorus sounds on this slab of metal 'Mourn For The
Newborn'.

A slow brooding, evil and dark riff and furious double pedal work introduce 'Divinus
Infernus', this one has a great shout it out backing vocal and again the brutality is tempered with some nice keyboard work.

'Fire walk With Me' manages to create a kind of death/groove hybrid, the drums seem to bounce through it whilst that riffing cuts through leaving the vocal to bludgeon the sences.

Another drum driven onslaught 'My Psychosis' continues to deliver the music at 100 miles per hour, nice little touches lurking in this one as well with goth tinges and symphonic keyboard mixed in.

Finally we come to the title track 'Zombie Clown Apocalypse', another song that makes me smile with its circus keyboard sound, laughing clown and clown horn mixed in with the pure power of guitar and drum and that huge screaming vocal.

Anyone who says that Britian cannot produce world class Death Metal needs to wake up and smell the plastic squirting flower, this is the best metal album of the year, it delivers on every level.

Rating 10/10
For fans Of : Decapitated, Strapping Young Lad, Send More Paramedics, Anaal Nathrakh

The copy i am reviewing is slightly different to what will later be available to buy on cd (an intro and two interludes will be added) and the artwork for said official release has yet to be finalised.

A dowload only version will be launched on 20th December at the Nambucca digital album release party and will be available for FREE download from
www.bandcamp.com/donkerkarnuffel

It will also be available through iTunes, Napster and Amazon MP3.
You can also get it via Spotify through
www.reverbnation.com/donkerkarnuffel

FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/pages/Donkerkarnuffel-Official/202791479803125

MOLOTOV SOLUTION/IRON SAVIOR/SAVAGE MESSIAH (CD Mini Reviews)

2011-12-09T22:46:00.004Z

MOLOTOV SOLUTION - INSURRECTION

Robbie Pina, guitarist of American band 'Molotov Solution' speaks on the inspiration behind their fourth full-length album “An insurrection is basically the taking down of a top figure like a king. If there is a main message to the album, it’s that people should educate themselves and take control of the problems we have as a society rather than waiting on a government to do what’s right.”
Produced by Will Putney at The Machine Shop (Suicide Silence, Four Year Strong) in New Jersey.
The album takes the band’s signature death metal foundation, peppered by elements of hardcore and grind but marries it with a groove and swagger previous releases from the band didn’t possess.
Also in full display is technical guitar leads and parts that shred as well as deliver full body breakdowns.

So heavy as hell, fast, some of the craziest drumming i have heard for a long time and screaming vocals.

Rating: 7/10
For fans Of : Morbid Angel, Cannibal Corpse, Meshugga.

IRON SAVIOR - THE LANDING

The history of IRON SAVIOR began in 1996 when the band was founded by Piet Sielck, Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray) and Thomen Stauch (Blind Guardian), at first only to be a studio project. But the musical direction was clear right from the start: traditional (and influenced by like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden) power metal with science fiction
concepts linked lyrics.
The rough, expressive voice of Sielck set additional accents that gave the band its own profile.
In 1997 they released their debut album "Iron Savior" which was received in the scene with lots of praise and quickly established the new band. With the second album "Unification” the savior made it to the top 100 of the German chart. It was followed by further studio albums in "Dark Assault" (2001), "Condition Red" (2003), "Battering Ram" (2004) and 2007´s "Megatropolis". Meanwhile, the line-up had changed. Since 2001, after the exit of Hansen, Piet Sielck remained the last of the three founding members, and he is still holding the band and their vision steadily on route.

Problem (or perhaps the positive) with this album is that it is typical european power metal, in other words its priest and maiden rehashed, sure its well done but so unoriginal.
Have to pick out some awesome bass work on 'Moment In Time' and a song that sounds so like WASP that i had to double check what i was listning to!!!

Rating: 6/10
For fans of: Gamma Ray, Helloween, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest.

SAVAGE MESSIAH - PLAGUE OF CONSCIENCE

British melodic thrashers Savage Messiah were formed in 2007 in London.The band consists of lead guitarist/singer Dave Silver, lead guitarist Joff Bailey, bassist Stefano Selvatico and drummer Mauricio Chamucero.
Savage Messiah have been around for a few years now and never seemed to have really cracked the big time, despite a ot of attention and critical acclaim and some high profile tour supports.
This latest offering doesnt excatly blow you away but then again its not crap either.

There is a marked progression musically and the song writing is very good, cant fault the guitarwork and overall the music is well put together, ultimatly its just a little uninspiring.

Rating: 7/10
For fans of: Megadeth, Primal Fear, Testament.

Iron Mask - Black As Death (CD Review)

2011-12-09T22:09:00.003Z

01.From Light Into The Dark
02.Black As Death
03.Broken Hero
04.Feel The Fire
05.Genghis Khan
06.God Punishes, I Kill
07.Rebel Kid
08.Blizzard Of Doom
09.The Absence
10.Magic Sky Requiem
11.Nosferatu
12.When All Braves Fall

Mark Boals (Vocals)
Dushan Petrossi (Guitars)
Vassili Moltchanov (Bass)
Roma Siadletski (Vocals/Shouts)
Mats Olausson (Keyboards)
Ramy Ali (Drums)

From the beginning passion always was the driving force for Belgian guitar master Dushan Petrossi. In the slipstream of his symphonic metal band Magic Kingdom, Petrossi followed his neo-classical influences with IRON MASK for 10 years now. All the dedication he put into the band finally resulted in the band becoming the more successful of the two.
Especially in Japan they are is hailed as one of the best neo-classical power metal band for years now, but also the following in Europe is steadily increasing.

This development surely will continue with the new (fourth) album "Black As Death“. Even more: the perspective for IRON MASK is very promising and it´s likely that the band will advance to the next level of popularity.
Their new vocalist ex-Yngwie Malmsteen frontman Mark Boals was chosen by Petrossi.

'From Light Into The dark' quickly sets the tone with great acoustic guitar and melodic electric guitar, leading in to powerhouse drumming for 'Black as Death'.
It continues in this vein till we hit 'Feel The Fire' which has more high pitched vocals, agressive drumming and screaming guitar work.
All goes well till we get the awful power ballad 'Magic Sky Requiem', but fortunatley the rest of the album returns to generic power metal with that symphonic touch that helps lift this album (slightly) above the average.

Rating : 7/10

For fans of: Firewind, Dio, Iron Maiden, Yngwie Malmsteen, Rainbow

December gig flyers

2011-12-02T21:49:00.009Z

Deathstars - The Greatest Hits On Earth (CD Review)

2011-11-17T19:41:00.003Z

01.Death Is Wasted On The Dead
02.METAL
03.Death Dies Hard
04.Blitzkrieg
05.Motherzone
06.Synthetic Generation
07.Tongues
08.Blood Stains Blondes
09.Cyanide
10.New Dead Nation
11.The Mark Of The Gun
12.Chertograd
13.Semi-Automatic
14.Syndrome
15.Play God
16.Opium

Andreas "Whiplasher Bernadotte" Bergh (Vocals)
Jonas "Skinny Disco" Kangur (Bass)
Emil "Nightmare Industries" Nödtveidt (Guitar/Keyboards)
Ole "Bone W. Machine" Öhman (Drums)
Oscar "Vice" Leander (Drums)
Eric "Cat Casino" Bäckman (Guitar)

For those of you who dont know 'Deathstars' are a Swedish band from Stockholm that perform industrial and gothic metal. Formed in 2000, the group are noted for their dark horror-themed lyrics, pessimistic and misanthropic social commentary, distinctive trademark face paint, dark stage uniforms and physical appearances that correspond to gothic fashion. They have released three full-length studio albums; Synthetic Generation (2003), Termination Bliss (2006) and Night Electric Night (2009).

Supporting Korn on their European tour throughout January and February 2008 and fellow Swede Adrian Erlandsson (Nemhain/Paradise Lost/At The Gates) filled in on the drumming duties for the tour.

At the end of this year they were picked by 'Rammstein' to support them on their european tour.

In celebration of the whole thing, the Swedes have arranged a collection of their hottest hits from the past three records now, which will be released just in time for the tour opening.

They have also recorded two new tracks for the release.

So its got 'Cynaide' and 'Blitzkrieg' on it so thats a 10/10 rating already, but it pretty much has all my other favourite death/glam tracks as well.

To the two new songs, the first is 'Death Is Wasted On The Dead' which sounds like a Type O.Negative song title if ever i heard one, musically sounds a bit like HIM jamming with Depeche Mode until that distinctive vocal comes in, nice and catchy but definatley on the melodic side.

The second track 'METAL' is a lot punchier and more typical of their work, heavy drum beats and cool riffs!

RATING 10/10
For Fans Of : Rammstein, Sisters Of Mercy, Marilyn Manson.

Nightwish - Storytime (CD Single Review)

2011-11-17T19:19:00.003Z

01.Storytime (Radio Edit)
02.Storytime (Album Version)
03.Storytime (Instrumental)

Anette Olzon (Vocals)
Tuomas Holopainen (Keyboards)
Emppu Vuorinen (Guitars)
Marco Hietala (Bass)
Jukka Nevalainen (Drums)

First single from the fourthcoming 'Imaginaerum' album.
The seventh album from the band and the second to feature vocalist Anette, this album is a concept album telling the story of an old composer on his deathbed, reminiscing of his youth. The album was produced alongside the movie of the same name, directed by Stobe Harju.

You can tell its Nightwish from the opening keyboard riff and that guitar sound never really changes, but its the vocal that still sounds odd, she still sounds like the AbbA girls (but then she did start off in an AbbA tribute band).

Its very commercial and not massivly inspiring though the choral and orchestral elements work well, but the album/movie project does sound very intresting.

RATING 6/10
For fans Of : Within Temptation, Epica, Achilla

Rammstein - Mein Land EP (CD Review)

2011-11-17T19:05:00.002Z

01.Mein Land
02.Vergiss Uns Nicht
03.My Country (The Bosshoss)
04.Mein Land (Mogwai Mix)

Till Lindemann (Vocals)
Richard Z. Kruspe (Guitar)
Paul H. Landers (Guitar)
Oliver "Ollie" Riedel (Bass)
Christoph "Doom" Schneider (Drums)
Christian "Flake" Lorenz (Keyboards/Samples)

'Mein Land' is the first single from the upcoming retrospective 'Made in Germany 1995–2011' due out soon.

Well having been somewhat controversial with their videos in the past (Porn/Cannibalisim/Drugs/Murder etc etc) it seems that the german's have decided to really push their boundaries and opted for Beach Boys imagery and Frankie Avalon beach movies!!!!!
That said we do get leather, fire, lesbians and boobs towards the end!!

Offensive video aside, the new single is still typical of the band, dancable industrial metal that is full of melody, catchy chorus (that despite being in their native tongue you can still sing a long too), punchy guitars, powerfull drum rhythms and signature sampling and keyboards.

'Vergiss Uns Nicht' has an evil nursery rhyme feel to it, with added epic breaks.

'The Bosshoss' is a bloody country and western version sung in english : Fucking mental!!

Finally the 'Mogwai Mix' is a dark techno version with heavily distoted vocals.

RATING 8/10
For fans Of : Nine Inch Nails, Rob Zombie, Deathstars

The Quill - Full Circle (CD Review)

2011-11-17T16:34:00.001Z

01.Sleeping With Your Enemy
02.Full Circle
03.Black Star
04.Medicine
05.Bring It On
06.River Of My Childhood
07.24/7 Groove
08.White Flag
09.Pace That Kills
10.No Easy Way Out
11.Running
12.More Alive Than You
13.Waiting For The Sun

Magnus Arnar (Vocals)
Christian Carlsson (Guitar)
George ’Jolle’ Atlagic (Drums)
Robert Triches (Bass)

Guest:
Conny Bloom (Sitar)

Formed in Sweden in the early 90's the Quill have released a number of very good albums and gained worldwide fans and even landed some good tour supports to the likes of Monster Magnet.
In 2005 the band almost fell apart when original singer left and George joined Hanoi Rocks, however in 2010 they regrouped with a new singer and have produced by far their best album to date.
The album offers up a selection of styles from classic 70's inspired stoner with 'Sleeping With Your Enemy' and 'Bring It On', a more modern take with 'Full Circle' and some epic acoustic ballads like 'River Of A Moonchild' which has a Whitesnake 'Child Of Babylon' feel.

To pick out a few that really stand out i would have to go for 'Black star' with some awsome Sitar from Conny Bloom (Jolle’s former Hanoi Rocks colleague and Electric Boys' frontman), it has a real psychedelic vibe whilst being a full on rocker.

'Pace That Kills' and 'Waiting For The Sun' are pure 'Audioslave' and has that big post Zeppelin riff that always delivers if done well.....and it IS done well!

There is only one track thats naff and that is 'No easy way Out', it has a country ballad feel and just doesnt cut it with all the other high energy music going on here.

RATING 9/10
For fans Of : Soundgarden, Monster Magnet, Kyuss, Viking Skull

Paradise Lost - Draconian Times MMXI (CD Review)

2011-11-15T17:02:00.004Z

01.Enchantment
02.Hallowed Land
03.The Last Time
04.Forever Failure
05.Once Solemn
06.Shadowkings
07.Elusive Cure
08.Yearn For Change
09.Shades Of God
10.Hands Of Reason
11.I See Your Face
12.Jaded
13.Faith Divides Us, Death Unites Us
14.Rise Of Denial

Nick Holmes (Vocals)
Gregor Mackintosh (Guitar)
Aaron Aedy (Guitar)
Steve Edmondson (Bass)
Adrian Erlandsson (Drums)
Milly Evans (Keyboards/Backing Vocals)

Draconian Times was their fifth album released back in june 1995.
Often hailed as a true modern classic (Though i prefer 1991's Gothic) the Halifax based band have been producing gothic/death metal since 1988.
The original album produced two minor hit singles 'The Last Time' and 'Forever Failure', the latter gained controverasy for its inclusion of the voice of Charles Manson.

As has been the recent trend with bands to perform classic albums live in their entirety the band opted for this one.

This is a superb fan package available in numerous formats including a Limited Deluxe Edition comprising of 2 DVDs + CD + extended 32 page booklet including press clippings from the original release, and a vinyl 2 Lp set.

The 2009 album 'Faith Divides Us' (when Adrian joined on drums) provides the last two tracks.

Well it pretty much does what it set out to do, its an electric performance of the album, to be fair it sounds better than the original, live brings a "feeling" to the songs that the studio tends to smooth out.

RATING ; 9/10
For Fans Of : My Dying Bride, Opeth, Anathema

My Dying Bride - The Barghest O’ Whitby (CD Review)

2011-11-15T15:27:00.001Z

01.The Barghest O' Whitby

Aaron Stainthorpe (Vocals)
Andrew Craighan (Guitar)
Hamish Glencross (Guitar)
Lena Abe (Bass)
Shaun Talyor-Steel (Drums)
Shaun Macgowan (Violin/Keyboards)

My Dying Bride were formed in Bradford in the north of England in June 1990 and along with Paradise Lost and Anathema became 3 of the most important and influencial bands from the north of England cutting a unique mix of Goth/Doom and Metal.

Now this track is 27 minutes long and has as its subject matter the "Barghest".
This is the name given here in Yorkshire to a legendary monstrous black dog with huge teeth and claws, though in other cases the name can refer to a ghost or Household elf, especially in Northumberland and Durham.One is said to frequent a remote gorge named Troller's Gill.
There is also a story of a Barghest entering the city of York occasionally, where, according to legend, it preys on lone travellers in the city's narrow Snickelways. Whitby is also associated with the spectre.
A famous Barghest was said to live near Darlington who was said to take the form of a headless man (who would vanish in flames), a headless lady, a white cat, a dog, rabbit and black dog. Another was said to live in an "uncannie-looking" dale between Darlington and Houghton, near Throstlenest.

The song is seen from the dogs perspective, brilliantly poetic : "It is my sins that you deplore, Count them fair, For i have more.To my mouth i carry you, In crimson teet, the breath i drew", is just one example.

The music is just as well constructed and thoughtout, often when bands go for these long songs they end up being 4 or 5 smaller songs put together with a recurring riff or hook, this however is indeed one complete piece.

The howling winds introduce us to doomy guitar and violin and awesome vocals.
Quite a fast drum rhythm is pounded out on the pedals, while the guitar keeps it simple with powerchords, back to great violin break, towards the end it gets very heavy as well.

RATING : 10/10
For Fans Of : Cathedral, Tryptikon, Paradise Lost, Anathema.

Even More November Gig's

2011-11-15T14:35:00.004Z

VALLENFYRE - A Fragile King (CD Review)

2011-11-14T01:37:00.007Z

01.All Will Suffer
02.Desecration
03.Ravenous Whore
04.Cathedrals Of Dread
05.As The World Collapses
06.A Thousand Martyrs
07.Seeds
08.Humanity Wept
09.My Black Siberia
10.The Divine Have Fled
11.The Grim Irony

Gregor Mackintosh (Vocals/Lead Guitar) (Paradise Lost)
Hamish Glencross (Rhythm/Lead Guitar) (My Dying Bride)
Mully (Rhythm Guitar)
Scoot (Bass) (Doom)
Adrian Erlandsson (Drums) (At The Gates, Brujeria, Paradise Lost, Nemhain)

There was a huge press release surrounding this project from Gregor Mackintosh, here is
the part explaining the musicians in the band :

"Adrian is already the drummer in Paradise Lost, and not only is he a great drummer and a
good friend, he also has a great pedigree and taste in music. He grew up in similar
musical circumstances to me in Gothenburg, Sweden. He started at a young age in At The
Gates and he was also in Skitsystem (who I think are a fantastic band). The Gothenburg
scene was a thriving scene for extreme music. I wrote to lots of people from Gothenburg
in the tape trading days (including Fredrik Wallenberg who went on to start Skitsystem
with Adrian). It was a small world indeed. Adrian thought it sounded like a lot of fun
and agreed. Hamish is a friend of many years. An all round lovely chap who grew up in my
home town of Halifax. Every time I go back to my home town I give Hamish a call to see if
he wants some ales in The Sportsman (one of the first pubs I ever went in and still the
same good old rock establishment today as it was then), to which he always says yes.
Again he has a good pedigree being the guitarist in My Dying Bride and a very good
knowledge of quality doom metal. I approached the subject of him playing with me on this
project during one of our hardcore drinking sessions in The Sportsman and in his usual
enthusiastic manner, he said he thought it was a bloody good idea. Scoot is the person
I've known the longest I think. Probably about 20 years ago I needed someone to rent a
room in my house and I was already an acquaintance of Scoot’s as we were both previously
part of the Halifax punks, so I asked if he wanted to move in, which he did. He was
playing in the band Doom (which he still does as well as a few others...Extinction of
Mankind, Alehammer) and was, and still is fanatical about underground crust, punk, metal
etc. I remember whilst living together I had to go and do a 7 week tour supporting
Sepultura in Europe [1993]. During that tour Max Cavalera never spoke one word to me.
Upon my return home I received a phone call and amazingly it was Max, but he didn't want
me. He wanted to talk to Scoot because he wanted him to play in his new band Nailbomb.
Typical. Scoot was interested in doing this VALLENFYRE project with me but wanted to hear
it so I had to knock together some demos. He is very specific in what he does and doesn’t
like so I was pleased when he said he loved the stuff. I was originally going to be
purely a guitarist for this project but because I didn't have any friends whose vocals I
thought fit the stuff, and because the lyrics were so personal I decided to handle them
myself and get another guitarist, so finally I asked Mully who is my friend from where I
live now. Every Thursday I go to his house and we have a few beers and listen to lots of
old school stuff as well as checking out newer underground stuff we've heard about.
Having only played in local bands previously, I assured him he would be among friends
playing the kind of music they love. He agreed".

On the recordings and name :

"The enthusiasm for the music from rest of the guys in the band convinced me to send a
demo to another friend called Jens Prueter who is head of A&R at Century Media Europe. I
didn't hear anything for a couple of weeks and then I got an email from Jens apologizing
for the late reply as he was on holiday, and that he was blown away by the demo and would
love to do something with it. This resulted in us recording a limited edition 7" [on
Imperium Productions] and an album between December 2010 and April 2011. Because we knew exactly how we wanted it to sound, we just needed someone we trusted to record it and mix it.
I asked another friend (and live sound engineer for Paradise Lost) James Dunkley to
record it for me and then it was mixed by Russ Russell at Parlour Studios [Napalm Death,
The Exploited, Dimmu Borgir, etc]. We are all really pleased with the result and look
forward to its release.
Oh and the name Vallenfyre came to me whilst reading a book on the old English language.
Vallen means "strong" and fyre means … “fire”. I just liked the sound of them together.
The album is called "A Fragile King" which is a reference to my fathers' battle with
cancer. The lyrics are predominantly about the same thing but also include gripes with
society, religion, politics and relationships as well. It's all pretty grim".

So that covers the history, lets move to the music.....

Both the album and single are nothing short of brain crunching Death/Doom of the highest quality.Growling vocals cut through an onslaught of drums and punchy guitar, extreme speed is often tempered with slow doom passages, constantly building mood and agression.
There are a couple of outstanding tracks to mind, firstly 'The Grim Irony', its slow, doomy, has great lyrics and superb guitarwork.
The second is the hyper speed punk sound of 'Humanity Wept' it is a very powerfull song.This stuff does not need to be talked about it just needs to be heard, this is without any doubt the best death metal album to come out of the UK for many years!.

RATING 10/10

For Fans Of : At The Gates, Paradise Lost, Napalm Death, My Dying Bride.

There is also a limited edition single

01.Desecration
02.Iconoclast

Iconoclast is not on the album, so you need to track this down as well.

BLUT AUS NORD - 777 The Desanctication (CD Review)

2011-11-13T05:05:00.002Z

01.Epitome VII
02.Epitome VIII
03.Epitome IX
04.Epitome X
05.Epitome XI
06.Epitome XII
07.Epitome XIII

Vindsval (Vocals/Guitar)
W.D. Feld (Drums/Electronics/Keyboards)
GhÖst (Bass)

Vindsval began a solo project, under the name "Vlad", in 1994. He released two demos before changing the project's name to Blut aus Nord, before the release of 'Ultima Thulée' in 1995. The next three albums were recorded with the aid of session musicians.

The project's most critically acclaimed release is 'The Work Which Transforms God', a concept album which, in spite of being mostly instrumental with none of the lyrics made public, is meant to challenge the listener's prejudices and preconceptions about reality and various metaphysical subjects.
A personal faveourite is the EP ' Thematic Emanation Of Archetypal Multiplicity' released in 2005.

On their followup release, 2006's MoRT, Blut aus Nord moved even further away from
traditional black metal. The sound on MoRT is closer to avant-garde metal, comprising a
mixture of dark and surreal noises and sounds that create a disturbing and bleak atmosphere.

Blut aus Nord's 2007 album Odinist: The Destruction of Reason by Illumination (the subtitle being a quote from Aleister Crowley), was leaked to the Internet on September

10, 2007. While the album's superficial sound is similar to that of MoRT, the album demonstrates a return to more traditional black metal songwriting and structure.

The band may be French but the name "Blut aus Nord" translates from German as "Blood from
the North".

777 – The Desanctification is the eleventh full length album and has the release date of 11.11.11.

This album is nothing short of genious, that music of this quality and intelligence is being made at a time when most bands put out the same tired old crap is a testament to Vindsval's continued vision.
Bursts of black metal are blended with fantastic melodys, atmospheric aural landscapes, demonic vocals and superb musicianship.

RATING : 10/10

For Fans Of : Axis Of Perdition, Aborym, Cephelic Carnage, Celtic Frost, Tryptikon.

BUCK SATAN/DEVIL'S BLOOD/METSATOLL/THE ROTTED (CD Mini Reviews)

2011-11-12T23:18:00.010Z

BUCK SATAN & 666 SHOOTERS - Bikers Welcome! Ladies Drink Free.

Yet another side project from Ministry's main man Al Jourgensen,together with Rick Nielson (Cheap Trick), Tony Campos (Static-X) and Mike Scaccia (Rigor Mortis).

What we have here is 12 tracks of Country & Western influenced rock which may have some great titles like 'Quicker Than Liquor' and 'I Hate Every Bone In Your Body Except Mine', but the music sucks!

Really if this is your kind of music then you wouldnt even know of Jourgensen and if you are a fan then why would you want to listen to this?

RATING : 3/10
For Fans Of : Hayseed Dixie, Bourbon Crow.

DEVIL's BLOOD - Fire Burning EP

Great 6 track ep from the Dutch duo & friends.
Stunning vocals and music with a very sixties occult rock sound.Aside from the two studio tracks 'Fire Burning' and 'Thousandfold Epicentre' there are some outstanding live tracks including the classic 'Christ Or Cocaine'.

RATING : 10/10
For Fans Of : Coven, Witchcraft, Ghost, Jefferson Airplane.

METSATOLL - Ulg

Next is some Estonian folk rock!
I know nothing of the band but have to say im quite impressed with its ecletic mix of flutes, harps and other etnic instruments mixed with the trappings of modern metal.

I guess the most off putting thing is the fact that its not sung in english (Though that never did Rammstein any harm).

This one has everything from full on metal, acoustic chill out to Jigs.

RATING : 8/10
For fans Of : Turisas, Therion, Finntroll, Sabbat, Jethro Tull.

THE ROTTED - Ad Nauseam

The usual mix of crust/punk and death metal was recorded earlier in the year at Parlour Studio with Russ Russell (NAPALM DEATH, DIMMU BORGIR, EVILE).

With artwork drawn by the bassist Reverend M.Trudgill apparently inspired by the lyrics and each part represents a different song.

From the opening punch of bass to the very last gutteral scream this is just 11 tracks of pure nasty in your face metal!

Fave tracks here are 'The Hammer Of Witches' and the doom laden 'Put Me Out Of Your Misery'.

RATING 9/10
For fans Of : Venom, Napalm Death, Entombed.

GWAR UK Tour Goes Ahead in Jan 2012

2011-11-12T05:30:00.001Z

Despite the tragic news that guitarist Cory Smoot (aka Flattus Maximus) had passed away only a few days ago, GWAR have confirmed, through their management, that the twelve date tour of the UK, planned for the month of January 2012, goes ahead as planned.

A full statement on the guitar position etc., will follow as soon as possible but lead singer Dave Brockie (aka Oderus Urungus) has officially announced the retirement of Flattus Maximus in honour of Cory.

"I heard Cory tell a story about how some 20 years ago he was fourteen years old, at his first GWAR show, grabbing at the rubber feet of our then-current Flattus, and how blown away he was at the fact that now HE was the one getting his feet pulled by the same kid that he used to be. Cory was always in awe of the patterns of life and went through it with a wide-eyed amazement that translated through his playing. I've never known anyone who could pick up literally any instrument and rock it the first time he touched it, and more than that make it look easy. Behind that rubber monster outfit, and sometimes even obscured by it, was one of the most talented and beautiful people I have ever known. I know everyone who's life was touched by Cory truly loved him, as do we, his bandmates and brothers."

Full dates below.

GWAR DATES UK JANUARY 2012

Thursday 12th Jan. Bierkeller. Bristol

Friday 13th Jan. Electric @ Brixton. London.

Saturday 14th Jan. Kasbah. Coventry.

Sunday 15th Jan. The Ritz. Manchester.

Monday 16th Jan. Spring & Airbrake. Belfast.

Tuesday 17th Jan. Button Factory. Dublin.

Wednesday 18th Jan. Central Station. Wrexham.

Thursday 19th Jan. The Duchess. York.

Friday 20th Jan. Sin City. Swansea.

Saturday 21st Jan. Rock City. Nottingham.

Sunday 22nd Jan. Sub89. Reading.

Tuesday 24th Jan. Highlights. Portsmouth.

A couple more gigs

2011-11-04T04:20:00.003Z

Cradle Of Filth - Evermore Darkly (CD Review)

2011-11-04T03:53:00.003Z

01.Transmission from Hell
02.Thank Your Lucky Scars
03.Forgive Me Father I Have Sinned (Elder Version)
04.Lilith Immaculate (Extended)
05.The Persecution Song (Elder Version)
06.Forgive Me Father (I'm in a Trance)
07.The Spawn of Love and War (Elder Version)
08.Summer Dying Fast ("Midnight in the Labyrinth" breadcrumb trail)

Dani Filth (Vocals)
Paul Allender (Guitar)
James McIlroy (Guitar)
Dave Pybus (Bass)
Martin Marthus Škaroupka (Drums)
Caroline Campbell (keyboards/Backing Vocals)

Evermore Darkly is an EP companion piece to the 2010 album Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa,
it features two new tracks. remixes and a dvd with their graspop festival appearence from june, a documentary and the music video for 'Lilith Immaculate'.

'Transmission from Hell' is a perhaps unintentionally funny spoken word piece from long
time collaborator Doug Bradley, and not a lot to add to that really.

The other new track is 'Thank Your Lucky Scars' a pretty heavy piece but nothing outstanding.

The alternative version of 'Forgive Me father' is actually good, no female vocals, a rawer vocal from Dani and some different keyboard.

'Lilith Immaculate' was always one of my favourite tracks from last years album and this
extended version just adds that slow classical piece into the middle, does it work? not totally sure to be honest.

This version of 'The Persecution Song' just sounds like a fairly well produced demo, okay
for curosity value.

The techno/rave/trance version of 'Forgive Me Father', well damn it, this is actually really good, reminds me of Mortiis.

Must be me but 'The Spawn of Love and War' dont sound much if any different from the original, and as such is perfectly fine.

Finally an orchestral version of 'Summer Dying Fast' originally from the 1994 album 'The
Principle of Evil Made Flesh'.Actually now in its third incarnation as it was reworked previously for the 2001 album 'Bitter Suites To Succubi'.
This track serves as a taster for the forthcoming Midnight in the Labyrinth collection planned for release next year.
Its a classical music interpretation, choral vocals and some neat dr.phibes organ,
intresting is the word here i think.

All in all an average selection but the dvd makes it all worthwhile.

Rating 7/10

For fans Of : Dimmu Borgir, Mortiis, Therion

Swine Of Hades (Album Review)

2011-11-04T02:19:00.008Z

01.Evo/Algy – Tune To The Music
02.Taake – Die When You Die
03.Sigh – Somniphobia
04.The Meads of Asphodel – There’s a God in my Gruel
05.Thus Defiled – And They Shall Fear The Night

'Tune To The Music' is a cover of Status Quo's 1971 song from their 'Dog Of Two Head'
album.Algy (Saints/Damned/Tank/Atom Gods/Warhead) and Evo (Angelic Upstarts/Warfare/Warhead) opt for sitar and flute to open this strange compilation cd, then with a shout of "Im fucking bored" the duo absolutley destroy the 12 bar melody of Quo with the kind of punk metal noise you would come to expect!

Fucking awesome!

Up next more noise from Taake with guest appearence from 'Mayhem's Necrobutcher and this
time its a cover of G.G.Allin's 'Die When You Die'.

The weird and wonderful 'Sigh' next with an original song called ‘Somniphobia’.Prepare for six minutes of strange synth sounds mixed with guitars and drums.

The Meads Of Asphodel serve up a track recorded during sessions for their ‘Murder Of
Jesus The Jew’ album.‘There’s A God In My Gruel’has a great jazz swing to begin with and a great vocal delivery from Metatron.

They still have those great little Hawkwind synth swirls that go to make them one of the most original black metal bands in the UK.Of course the song decends into extreme territory where the band always deliver!

‘And They Shall Fear The Night’ from Thus Defiled dates back to 2007 and boasts a guest
appearence from Sakis Tolis from 'Rotting Christ'.Coming it at over nine minutes its an epic and brutal conclusion to this release.

Rating 8/10

For Fans Of : Warfare, Taake, Sigh, Meads Of Asphodel, Thus Defiled

Amulet - Cut The Crap (Demo Review)

2011-11-04T00:13:00.002Z

01.Running Out Of Time
02.Black Magic Attack
03.The Hangman
04.Sign Of The High Priest

Jamie 'Leven' Elton (Vocals)
Marek 'Skillz' Stevens (Rhythm Guitar)
Will 'Dozer' Hutson (Bass)
Dave Sherwood 'On Drums' (Drums)

Guest Lead Guitar
Tone Deth

When it comes to new bands attempting the NWOBHM style they usually just play a watered
down vesrion of thrash metal, so when a group of talented musicians with thrash backgrounds form a band playing that genre create genuine authentic NWOBHM circa 1979 you HAVE to take notice.

Those responsible and clever enough to understand this music are Marek who used to be in
'Invasion' and currently runs the Live Evil Festival.
Jamie former bassist with 'Doctor Death' and Will a talented artist and tattooist who also did the bands artwork.
Drummer Dave has an impressive CV that includes 'Doreterna' and Thrash legends 'Virus'.

So the group of friends decided to form a band based on their love of NWOBHM, Doom and
Heavy Metal some time last year then recorded this ep with Jamie at the helm and mastering from another Jamie (Gomez Arellano) who was responsible for recording 'Ghost's' debut album.

The final element to this release is that its only available on "TAPE"!! and just 100 copies.

Stunning opener 'Running Out Of Time' has that classic early doom feel as if Wytchfynde
were jamming with Quartz, superb bass work, high pitched vocals, powerchords and a nice guitar sound all held together with a solid drum beat.

'Black Magic Attack' has a driving and very powerfull beat reminicent of early 'Diamond Head', there is a very well executed proto-thrash guitar break that is still the right side of 'Raven'.

Somebody really should have shouted "wakey wakey" at the beginning of 'The Hangman', its
got those great little powerchords running through it and another kick ass guitar solo.
The song is very catchy with its "he is the hangman" chorus.

Finally (and all too soon) we come to 'Sign Of The High Priest', this one has 'Diamond Head' written all over it, this one moves at a fast pace, great lyrics and pure NWOBHM at its most professional. The break down is brilliant with a top heavy bass line and crashing drums.

Fuck sake its like Amy has inticed me into the TARDIS and taken me back to the marquee in
1979 and handed me a demo tape!

Nothing but respect for this release, a band with real understanding of the genre, hopefully an album and some gigs to follow.

Rating 10/10

For Fans Of : Diamond Head, Mythra, Angelwitch, Wytchfynde, Quartz.

Venom - Fallen Angels (Album Review)

2011-11-01T17:17:00.002Z

01.Hammerhead
02.Nemesis
03.Pedal To The Metal
04.Lap Of The Gods
05.Damnation Of Souls
06.Beggerman
07.Hail Satanas
08.Sin
09.Punks Not Dead
10.Death Be Thy Name
11.Lest We Forget
12.Valley Of The Kings
13.Fallen Angels

Cronos (Bass/Vocals)
La Rage (Guitar)
Danny "Dante" Needham (Drums)

Hugely influential UK outfit now celebrating a full 30 years since the release of their
‘Welcome To Hell’ debut, will have a brand new studio album released on November 28th
via Spinefarm Records/Universal.

Lets face it they accidentelly invented a new genre and approach to heavy metal with that
debut album, though it was slated at the time and the band faced accusations that they
couldnt play, they proved themselves big time! I remember taking my prized white label copy to neal kay to play a track, he did then told me never to bring that disc again!

With their second album 'Black Metal' they gave name and rise to what would become the
most exciting and controversial sub-genre of rock music ever.

Titled ‘Fallen Angels’ and featuring 13 fresh recordings produced by main-man / bassist
Cronos, this is the follow-up to 2008’s ‘Hell’ release, and sees the trio adopting a style highly redolent of classic early Venom and creating a true 3rd album (At war With Satan was a great album, but had a smooth production and an ambitios side one) with modern studio technology employed only to increase the general level of nastiness.

Says Cronos: “When we make an album, it usually takes a few tracks to get into the vibe,
although this album’s vibe was very much present during the ideas stage… everything came
together so naturally. “We all started throwing ideas together on the South American tour, and then again during
the live shows of 2010, and so we knew from the start that we had some amazing new songs
to make a great album.“With any new album, you look for a few songs to put into the live set, although that is
going to be very difficult with this record, as we can nail the entire album live if we
want! “‘Fallen Angels’ is the result of a band that has spent nearly two years touring and
growing as a unit, and as the band grows tighter, so the songs get better and heavier,
and we instinctively know what each other is thinking, and the ideas flow easier. “This album is only the very start for this line-up; there will be many more albums and
live shows to come for Venom. It has taken a long time and a lot of changes to finally
deliver a Venom that can attack Black Metal the way it should be – fast, furious, tight
and terrifying. All Hell Breaks Loose… Hell Fucking Yeah !!!!!!!!!”

All in all a brilliant album, chaotic at times but raw and alive, oh and track 9 is not an Exploited cover as i thought it might be.

Rating 10/10

For fans Of : Warfare, Darkthrone, Exploited, Discharge, GBH, Ravens Creed

Some Other Gig's

2011-11-01T17:13:00.004Z

FLAME RETURNS

2011-11-01T16:56:00.009Z

The awesome, but short lived, night club for rockers who love alternative burlesque and fire girls, returns to a new venue this wednesday at the Purple Turtle in camden.

SO my friends Fire up your imagination for London's 'HOTTEST' Rock Night... With the most fieriest and FUN of London's wild and crazy performers.....Were going to rock your world and scorch your soul with our resident performers- Fire hotties Nympherno, Miss Joyce & Roar, Sizzling hot Michal on pole, Lydia Darling and Vixen De Ville taking to the sky and smoldering hot guests.Were going to Rock your socks off with guest DJ's playing Dirty Rock, Rock and Roll, Glam Rock, Sleezy Rock, Grunge Rock and Classic Rock! Old and New tunes to keep you partying all night long.Opening night Wednesday 2nd November and then every Wednesday after that!Request's welcome, air guitar encouraged! Affordable drinks and only £3 BEFORE 11.30 & £4 AFTER!!! Keep Rockin'.

Special guest DJ will be Nemhains LISA WITCH!

Vixen Deville

Laura London
Miss Joyce

Nymphero

FACEBOOK GROUP : http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=289290753616

Nemhain - Murder Mile EP (Review)

2011-09-27T13:23:00.002+01:00

01.Natural Born Sinners
02.Seriously Ill
03.Love 4 Death
04.Bad Moon Rising

Amber Erlandsson (Vocals)
Adrian Erlandsson (Drums)
Lisa Dickinson (Bass)
Sam Astley (Guitar)
Lakis K (Guitar)

Some 20 months since the release of the debut album 'From The Ashes' comes this download only EP to co-inside with their Bloodstock appearence.

'Natural Born Sinners' opens the EP with typical style and swagger that you expect from a band of this high standard.
Catchy as flu and twice as deadly with an instantly sing-a-long-able chorus of "I Take You Down" all pulled into gear with some cool Motorhead vibe!

Without a doubt one of the best songs ever 'Seriously Ill' has taken their "Blues stained punk" to a new and darker level, this is a moody, dark and sleazy homage to booze.At times its almost doomy and reminds me of a Cathedral.
Everybody will soon be screaming "Hair Of The Dog", like i said one of the best songs from the band full stop.
Its also clear that from those early days they have continued to mature both musically and lyrically and that they are continuing to push themselves forward.

Fast paced punker 'Love 4 Death' is a nod back to the 'Blood Runs Free' era and serves as a reminder that after 5 years they can still be "In your face", love the ending line i wonder if that was planned??

Finally their version of CCR's 'Bad Moon Rising', once again making a cover very much their own (Their version of Die Die My Darling was to die for), turning the upbeat original into a dark downbeat blues nightmare, stunning vocals and superb arrangement.
Brilliant slide guitarwork, driving drum beat and punchy bass, all of which make this a version that Nick cave would kill for.

Serving as a taster for the new songs for the next album it leaves you hungry and
definatly wanting more, im still hoping for the promised acoustic EP and a full UK tour.

Rating: 10/10

For Fans Of: Danzig, Distillers, Catfight, Motorhead, Generation Graveyard

STU

DOWNLOAD EP HERE :

http://tiefdruck-musik.de/2011/08/11/nemhain-the-murder-mile-ep-free-download/

OFFICAL WEBSITES:

http://www.facebook.com/Nemhainband

http://nemhain.com/

Hamerex - Rites Of Passage (Cd Review)

2011-09-26T13:10:00.003+01:00

01.Aftershocks Of Death

02.The Headless Horseman

03.Stalker

04.Hypnotise

05.The Lycan

06.Rites Of Passage

07.Army Of Darkness

08.To The End

09.The Gates Of Hades

10.Waste Away

Steve Blower (Guitar/Backing Vocals)

Chris Moules (Vocals)

Andy Firth (Bass)

Darren Kelsall (Drums)

Joe Wilson (Guitar/Backing Vocals)

Hamerex are a Yorkshire based Heavy Metal band formed in August 2004.An energetic and entertaining live band put together by Steve drawing on the early 80's scene but taking in a wider variety of influences.
Soon to follow was Chris Moules who applied for the role of vocalist with the band and
proving the best choice in the selection. After numerous changes from the original line-
up, Andy Firth joined the band on bass and added a darker edge to the music.

Soon after came veteran drummer Darren Kelsall and brought with him the pace and timing needed for a solid metal band.

In April 2009 the bands first E.P. 'Into War'was released. As this was nearing completion
Joe Wilson stepped into the recording studio on guitar completing the current line up.Soon after they signed to Swerve Records and the following May put out their second E.P.
'The Lycan', which gained them many positive reviews.

Last August they began work on their first album “Rites Of Passage” at Planet Platforms
where the drums and Steve’s guitars were recorded and from February 2011 the rest was
completed at Dee Dee Music including mixing and mastering which was done by guitarist Joe
Wilson and bassist Andy Firth.

The album is released on Monday 26th September 2011 on iTunes and on CD through the
band’s store. The album features 10 tracks that have been written at various times
through the bands 7 year history. The album artwork was sculptured and illustrated by
James Mullett who also did the previous two E.P. covers for the band.

'Aftershocks Of Death' has a great intro very reminiscent of Diamond Head's 'Am I Evil', some solid drumming kicks this opening track along at a nice pace and some pretty awesome riffing going on there too.

Wonderous old school thrash rhythms punctuate 'The Headless Horseman', i have also got used to the Roddy Stone style vocals in fact this could be a Viking Skull song!!!!

'Stalker' kicks off with some nice bass work before launching into a doom paced rocker with the riffs coming at you at such a rate you cant sit still for a second.

'Hypnotise' pounds like a battering ram (Judas Priest pun intended), classic british heavy metal nuff said!

Now 'The Lycan' is a fucking great song, but the vocal is a little strained at times, sounds like the singer is trying to sing too high and it does kill it a bit.

An epic 8 minutes of superb music starting with some great acoustic guitar then heading off into pounding riffage and gutteral vocals.At times 'Rites Of Passage' threatens to move well and truly into doom territory but it keeps a thrash edge, making for a good well balanced mix.

'Army Of Darkness' is a dark brooding song, but again i think the vocal is slightly off, though i think thats because they have put on some kind of vocal fx.

I have to say as soon as i hit play on 'To The End' i got Hatebreeds 'I Will Be Heard' in my head, this is quite a hardcore/metalcore song, good but seems slightly out of place with the rest of the tracks.

'The Gates Of Hades' has some more great riffing in it, and all in all gets the album back on track.

Finally we have 'Waste Away' yet another great song, mid paced well mixed (The drum pedal work comes through a treat!) awesome guitarwork, but again i feel some work needed on the vocals.

All in all this is one helluva album and proof that the best metal still comes from this side of the Atlantic, my only drawback is some of the vocals.

Rating : 9/10

For fans Of : Viking Skull, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Evile

STU

Sci'enta Dystene - Chords Of Snow (Demo Review)

2011-09-01T04:40:00.006+01:00

01.The First Chords of Snow After Distance
02.Cressida

Richard Creek (Drums)
Glynne Cicada (Guitar/Vocals)

Sci'enta Dystene are a London based 2-piece Experimental, Progressive, Avant-Metal Groove Rock band formed from the personal frustrations & confines of Sheffield city back in 2002.
Their concept was to create innovative, challenging, non-conformist musical dialogues in which to communicate with those like-minded enough to listen and are clearly on a missionto push themselves further into their own world where no idea is rejected & every new direction becomes possible, striving to create Heavier, Weightier, Innovative Atmospheres with Groove, Subtlety & raw Energy.

Their long history together shows from the unique chemistry that they share on stage, though they are currently looking for a committed Bassist to complete their circle.
Now duo's that create intresting music are few and far between, maybe Johnson/Blenkarn, Kenney/Hunt, Dinger/Rother and Satyr/Frost are the only ones worth a mention here and in some respects fit much of the ethos of Creek and Cicada.

The two tracks i was given to review are rehersal room recordings, which means they are rough, unpolished and slightly distorted...you know how music is supposed to be!
Itas not surprising that they are picking up a solid reputation on the music scene in London with music of this standard that both entertains and confronts.

From its quirky intro 'The First Chords Of Snow After Distance' soon shapes up into a very intresting 12 minutes of soundscapes, odd rhythms, driving chord structures blended with melody and at times some controlled madness.

'Cressida' is a more complex and darker affair, laden with samples, heavy guitar and strange timings, this one has the hallmarks of Axis Of Perdition covering Pink Floyds Interstella Overdrive, ts earie, heavy and weird!Longer at 13 minutes, yet doesnt seem that long when you play it.

Very intresting music indeed, i hope to hear more but also hope that if they get proper recording studio time that they dont overkill their vibe with too much production, the primitive live sound works well and sometimes less is more when laying down music (Think of Hellhammer, early Celtic Frost and Darkthrone).

Perhaps problems lie ahead for the band with where to place them in the music world, it is an unfortunate state of affairs where "genre placement" becomes a major issue for promoters and the press, here is a band who defiy the obvious tags and would in my opinion suit any bill from black metal to doom, prog to indie, i hope they can crack the market they deserve it and your ears need this!

Rating : 9/10

For Fans Of : Axis Of Perdition, Fantomas, (Early) Pink Floyd, Fifty Foot Hose, El Schlong.

STU

Official Website : http://www.scientadystene.com/

WEAPON - Ready For U (Single Review)

2011-06-07T11:11:00.005+01:00

01.Ready For U

Jeff Summers (Guitar)
Danny Hynes (Vocals)
Gavin Cooper (Bass)
Ian Sweeting (Drums)

Weapon, one of the greatest NWOBHM bands of all time, they released one single in 1980, Its A Mad Mad World/Set The Stage Alight', recorded an album for Virgin (Sadly unreleased until 2003) and legend tells of a soundboard live recording from the Motorhead "Ace Up Your Sleeve" tour that was labeled 'No Sleep Till Hammersmith' (So thats where that album title came from?).

Arch plagerists Metallica stole much of the singles B Side for their song 'Hit The Lights', yet the band never quite made it to the next level, however success was found with Wildfire, Statetrooper and Paddy Goes To Holyhead for some members whilst drummer Bruce found a degree of major fame with the reformed glam legends The Sweet.

Still here we are 30 years later and original members Danny and Jeff have a new line up and a brand new recording.

Its a melodic and catchy rocker, not the old style heavy metal but a more refined classic heavy rock sound, the vocals are as strong as ever and there is nothing to fault with the musicianship and songs production.

About time i say, a full album would be nice, though i believe a live album is promised later this year.

Rating 10/10

For Fans Of : Voodoo Six, Cavalar, The Answer, Black Candy Store

STU

THE VIDEO

TO BUY THE SINGLE :

http://www.weaponready4u.com/

MORTAD - Pandemic Paranoia EP (Cd Review)

2011-05-31T11:25:00.003+01:00

01.Pandemic Paranoia
02.Black Rose Deflowered
03.Stricken

Somi Arian (Vocals)
Jonathan Hughes (Guitar)
Joseph Perumal (Bass)
Szymek Lawik (Drums)

A progressive death metal band based in London but originally founded in Scotland in 2009 by Iranian vocalist, Somi Arian.

In June 2010 Somi relocated the project to London and joined forces with Jon 'Thrash' Hughes (Ex Catfight/Kain), a metal guitarist capable of writing incredible riffs. Joe Perumal soon stepped in to take responsibility for the brutally deep bass vibrations and finally, Szymek Lawik for the crushing drive and pounding drum duties.

Taking influences from Carcass and Lamb Of God, they quickly honed a sound built on an extreme metal foundation, while pushing the boundaries of the genre to create the most thought-provoking, brutal music to date.

Despite such little time passing Mortad have gone from strength to strength. In August the band entered the studio to record two tracks, which garnered a lot of attention and within two months they reached the position of number one metal band in the London charts on Reverbnation, only to reach the heights of number one in the UK in November, which they maintained for 7 consecutive weeks.

Due to the demand and positive reaction, from thousands of fans to their initial releases of two tracks, Mortad unveiled their first music video in December whilst the band recorded an additional two tracks. 2011 is poised to be filled with activity for Mortad ready to build upon the solid foundation laid down.

'Pandemic Paranoia' kicks off with a blistering wall of sound, basically heavy as fuck with screaming and quite evil sounding vocals.
The melodic breakdowns help give the song its overall substance and elevates the power of the piece.

This is a very drum driven track, 'Black Rose Deflowered' could easily be a DevilDriver outtake.
Again it is the agression that seems to drive the song through your brain like a nail gun on hyper settings!!

A nice, dare i say melodic?? intro greets this final song, 'Stricken', but dont let that fool you, its a third instalment of full on metal ear abuse!

A stunning EP and a very high quality of music, perhaps finally giving the UK a worthy contender to equal the might of Arch Enemy.

Rating 9/10

For Fans Of : Arch Enemy, Strapping Young Lad, Carcass, DevilDriver

STU

KUNT PUNCHER - TAKE DRUGS & EAT A KEBAB (Cd Review)

2011-05-02T16:12:00.002+01:00

01.Goody Bag Body Bag
02.Whole Licks In Bed
03.Rob From Halfords
04.Paedo In Speedos
05.Boon Is Fucking Ace
06.New Friend Request

Doyle (Vocals)
Lee4 (Guitar)
The Brown Lazer (Samples/Noise/Drums)
Fuck Off Donny (Guitar)

In 2009, in a grotty cupboard in North London, 3 guys are stood around a microphone
shouting off about a bald guy who works at Halfords. From this 'Takes Drugs And Eat A
Kebab' was born, marking a new sound in Grindcore, by the name of, Kuntpuncher. Sick of
been in bands with drummers, ego's and mediocre everyday metal tunes, Doyle (MyWar, River
Freshney, Teratoid), Lee4 (River Freshney, Dripback) and The Brown Lazer (Yes My Ninjas?,
Drunken Bastard) decided to step up and do what they wanted to do.

From playing shows with grindcore and metal bands, to playing sets covering The Black
Eyed Peas, Kuntpuncher have always set out to leave an impression and leave people
wondering what they just witnessed.

After self releasing the first ep, 'Take Drugs….', J.Randall (Agoraphobic Nosebleed)
came across Kuntpuncher and eventually released it on his recently formed Grindcore
Karaoke label. Within 2 weeks of 'Take Drugs'''' going live on the site, Kuntpuncher had
over 5000 downloads.

Currently recruiting a second guitarist Donny (Nebukadnezza, Damnas), Kuntpuncher have
gone on to record new tracks for compilations, upcoming splits, and are currently writing
new material for their first full length album.

This six track EP starts off with a "Do not listen" sample that in reality i should have
heeded!!!!

Yet this opening track has some great synth and sample use, mixed in with full on
agressive noise it creates a very intresting piece.

I have to say that this is actually quite good, the way they mix the sounds is perhaps
more intresting than the actual quality of the music (And the less said about the lyrics
the better).

RATING 7/10

FOR FANS OF : Anaal Nathrakh, River Freshney, Anal Cunt

STU

MAY GIGS

2011-05-02T16:05:00.005+01:00

HOLLOW SIN - NEUROMANCY (Cd Review)

2011-04-30T17:45:00.002+01:00

01.Hollow Sin
02.Harbinger
03.Severed
04.Speed Kills
05.Neuromancy

Andrew Lee (Vocals/Guitar)
Tom Goss (Guitar)
Harry Mitchell (Bass)
Dave Officer (Drums)

Young London melodic thrashers Hollow Sin have always produced a very high quality both live and on disc, as time has gone on they have continued to push themselves and take things to the next level.

This EP was recorded at the Hellfire Studios in Birmingham and shows a darker and even more technical approach creating a highly original and very listenable disc.

Every great band has a song named after themselves and 'Hollow Sin' is no exception,its fast and very well arranged and Andrew's vocals are stunning.
The guitar work and the melodic quality matched with the agression makes for awesome listening and the acoustic breakdown is stunning!

'Harbinger' has a bluesy intro before kicking into a bass riff (Which could have been a bit louder in the mix) with beautiful vocal laid over the top.
Then it gets heavy as fuck and is a real speaker blaster.

A mid paced rocker 'Severed' would be one for the radio stations and would be a big hit.
Some fantastic guitarwork, solid drumming and once again i have to say outstanding vocal delivery.

Full on thrash time with the aptly titled 'Speed Kills', this one has the powerhouse drums, pounding bass, solid riffs and screaming guitar solo's, kick ass vocals cut through the mix to make this a song Dave Mustaine would kill for.

The final track 'Neuromancy' has some great uplifting lyrics, its one of those defiant fist in the air songs that never fails to deliver.
Another quality song from a band who clearly have something to offer and needs to be taken further by a record company now!

There seems to be a secret track '6' on the ep, a heavy, bluesy rocker with some awesome riffing!

RATING 10/10

FOR FANS OF : Megadeth, Iron Maiden

April Gig's (Late Additions)

2011-04-26T13:23:00.003+01:00

APRIL GIGGAGE :)

2011-04-02T19:33:00.005+01:00

March Gig Flyers

2011-03-01T18:22:00.011Z

Red Jester - She Devil EP (Cd Review)

2011-02-05T16:44:00.003Z

01.Punching Bag
02.Resolve
03.By Your Side
04.Riding The Night
05.Problem Child
06.She Devil

Dan Faulkner (Guitar)
Jim Parkin (Vocals)
Darren Dodds (Bass)
Studley Drudd Fuck (Drums)

Hailing from the Midlands the four piece rock band formed in 2010 to, in their own words, "write and perform rock songs with the balls, soul, attitude, carefreeness and fun vibe".

What has impressed me already about this band is the level of professionalisim shown in presentation of their demo with full colour info sheets and on initial listen (and remember they have not been together long) the quality of the music and production of the tracks, so that said let me hit play again.

The opening track 'Punching Bag' has a great swagger to it, it moves like Motorhead's "No Class" and has a neat riff running throughout.

The bluesy 'Resolve' comes over like a slow version of Crue's take on "Helter Skelter", it has all the hallmarks of clasic rock complete with an epic guitar solo backed with a solid drum beat!

As with the two previous songs this also has an instant familiarity as well, though this typical rock ballad 'By Your Side' does fall slightly short of its potential, a stronger vocal and more backing vocals would add more depth to it and a bit more punch from the bass and drums towards the end would give it an "Epic" quality which i think the song deserves.

You know if this track 'Riding The Night' was issued as a single during the height of the NWOBHM scene in 1979 it would be considered a "Classic", its like Starfighters meets a very early Maiden, again the riffing is first class and the vocal is very catchy.

Now 'Problem Child' would have been that imaginary singles B Side!! (Except that the lyrics mention Nikki Sixx).
The bass work comes over really well in this one and that Dan fellow just cant help laying down some major riffage.

Finally 'She Devil' kicks off like Rob Zombies "Thunderkiss 65" before moving into a rhythmic pattern that gets the head going instantly!

Massivley impressive EP, all the elements of what modern genre "Classic Rock" bands play, with a touch of NWOBHM and some of the more rock orientated bands from the britpop era.

STU

Rating 8/10

For Fans Of: Cavalar, King Lizard, Voodoo Six, Cauldron, Ocean Colour Scene

Phyrexia - Children Of The Dawn EP (Cd Review)

2011-02-05T16:39:00.001Z

01.1914
02.Children Of The Dawn

Elliot Beaver (Vocals)
Dan Saunders (Guitar)
Vicki Thompson (Keyboards)
Paul Nazarkardeh (Guitar)
Simon McAuliffe (Bass)
Tom Atherton (Drums)

London's Phyrexia released an ep sometime back and it was good but lacked "production" this new EP recorded, mixed and mastered by Tom Sullivan brings a quality to these tracks and allows us to hear the full might of their excellent take on Epic Black/Extreme metal.

Can i just start by saying "Fucking Hell!!!" because thats the initial reaction to '1914'.
The power that comes through the speakers its brain melting, everything about this is just 100% better than their last EP.
The vocals are agressive and stunning and the drumming absolutley slays!
Superb guitar work in different styles from shred to near acoustic, the timing changes in the music and the subtle tones of dark piano just add layer upon layer of depth.

Symphonic Death/Black metal comes once again screaming out of the speakers!
'Children Of The Dawn' is a very harsh drum driven beast, with beautiful harmony underneath the mix coming from a slower synth sound.
About three minutes in you get this fantastic guitar solo and then it slows down for some screaming vocals before that awesome drum pattern kicks back in.

At this level the band now need an album and video, time everybody knew about them!!

STU

Rating 10/10

For fans Of : Cradle Of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Akercocke, Order Of Apollyon.

Feb Gig Flyers

2011-01-31T16:32:00.008Z

Vote Juggern0rt !!

2011-01-15T18:55:00.003Z

London metal band Juggern0rt have reached the final voting stage of the competition to support EVILE when they play the underworld as part of their tour.

The vote begins at 10.30AM and is open for 24 hours on FRIDAY 21ST JAN 2011 and whoever gets the most votes wins and gets the slot

HOW TO VOTE ....

go to:
http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/evile-regional-support-competition-finalists-revealed/

Then:
On the right side of the screen you will see the POLL BOX where you can vote. Simple

So..... on the day please just take a couple of seconds to vote for them and get as many people as you can to vote aswell and hopefully they will be at the Underworld along with Elimination and Mutant.

Five Second Rule Birthday Gig Details 22.01.11

2011-01-15T18:40:00.002Z

Here is a triple whammy for you... Frank, Damo and Manuela have joined force's and will be celebrating their birthday's together.

The evening will start at Nambucca where the birthday boy's will be playing a Rockin' set with their band Five Second Rule for the Dark Horse Festival.
FSR are on stage at 10pm!

Then around 11.30pm the party will move on to the Big Red... Who know's what will happen after that!

All attendee's will get into the gig for free! so if you can make it please click attending on this invite as this will be the guestlist given to Nambucca and anyone not on it will have to pay!

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=172943189413877

January Gig Flyers

2011-01-06T16:34:00.002Z

New Years Eve Gig Flyers

2010-12-30T22:29:00.004Z

Day Of Locusts - Ascent, Fire, Failure, Blood (Demo Review)

2010-12-30T22:25:00.002Z

01.Ascent, Fire, Failure, Blood

Simon Neill (Vocals/Guitar)
Leon Heinimann (Bass)
Dave Guy (Drums/Guitar)
Grizzle (Guitar)

Drawing on 3 favoured genres, Doom Metal, Progressive rock and Avante garde, back in 2008 Dave from 'Kopperhed' joined with Simon and Leon from 'Living with Disfigurement' to create "a beast of riff wrongness".

Taking their name from the 1939 novel by Nathanael West,which deals with the alienation and desperation of a broad group of odd individuals who exist at the fringes of the Hollywood movie industry.While they describe their music as "Pink Floyd meets Crowbar fighting in quicksand".

Weighing in at 15 minutes this is one very epic debut, stating with some very clever use of effects pedals it moves into superb doom territory, incredibley heavy with devistatingly heavy drums and very strong vocals.
Nice melodic guitar breakdowns puncutuate the wall of sound to create unique structure.
8 minutes in the song gives way to some very quite guitarwork which in turn leads to a very different kind of sound that blends melody with a dark ambience and some slide guitar reminiscent of classic Pink Floyd.

After this melodic break the doom laden riff returns bringing a third style to the song and with some well placed vocal/backing vocal that really adds something extra to the mix.

Just seems to get heavier and heavier as we come to the end, cant help but turn the volume up and move to the rhythm.

Totally stunning track, no faults, in fact needs to be longer!!!!

STU

Rating: 10/10

For Fans Of: Cathedral, Blood Island Raiders, Reverend Bizzare, Triptykon, Sunn o)))

Macmillan Cancer Support Charity Rock Gig At The Gaff January 8th

2010-12-18T20:51:00.003Z

On January 8th 2011 there is to be a big charity gig at the Gaff in Holloway Road, London, hosted by Deejay Mumin (Club dj/Recharged Radio)it promises to be an outstanding nights entertainment.

For your live entertainment we have :

AL B.DAMNED
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Al-B-Damned/215282925739

LIONSEX
http://www.facebook.com/pages/LIONSEX/5632879926

WASTED SINNERS
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wasted-Sinners/26117543301

UNCLE ROTTER
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Uncle-Rotter/145502885486373

For Aural delights DJ Angel and Deejay Mumin

For Visual Delights the Deadsexy Dolls.

All proceeds from this event will be going to Macmillan Cancer Support as part of Kate "Hardcore" Lane's efforts to raise £2.5k to run the London Marathon for them.

Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer. They provide practical, medical, emotional and financial support and push for better cancer care. One in three of us will get cancer. Two million of us are living with it. We are all affected by cancer. We can all help. They are Macmillan.

Charity Registration No. 261017

Event on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=107415549328341

Join Kate's Facebook group for the marathon at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=123146724405738

Or to donate directly please go to http://www.justgiving.com/katelane77

Generation Graveyard - Poison City EP (Cd Review)

2010-12-18T20:47:00.002Z

01.Poison City
02.All Hail The Plague
03.Murder Rock N Roll

Max (Vocals)
Spider (Guitar)
Pete Turner (Guitar)
Phil Roadkill (Bass)
Jonny (Drums)

Based in the depths of hell that is Camden, London the creature from that pit known as Generation Graveyard were formed early in 2008 by Vocalist/Dj Max (Pornscar, Muthafucker - take your pick and Ex Nothin To Lose).
With fellow musicians/Dj's Jonny (Le Shithouse!) and Phil Roadkill (Also a well know nightclub manager), guitarist Pete (Maleficient) and Spider.The band adopt a simple philosophy to their fucked up punked rock n roll : "Fuck the scene. Fuck the rules. Fuck genres. Fuck your twitter, Fuck your clique.This is music for the underdogs, the scumbags and the misunderstood.See you at the bar".

Throughout 2009 they built themselves a reputation as a very explosive live act and continue to increase their fanbase on a daily basis.

After numerous attempts to record demos, they finally found a studio strong enough to hold them and recorded three tracks at the beginning of this year.

Drums and a skuzzy riff kick off 'Poison City', great distorted vocals, nice catchy chorus of "This city is poison, this city will be my grave".

Always a live favourite and now given new life and a heavier edge, 'All Hail The Plague', Max's gruff vocal delivery over a heavy bass line leads into some great guitar work, pounding drums and awesome sing-a-long chorus, love it when Max screams "Death to your fucking age" a pure Fuck You and one worthy of Casey Chaos!

The doomy feedback intro to 'Murder Rock N Roll' soon leads to the chaotic and incendary vocal/guitar attack, perfect gang backing vocals, all driven by a solid high energy drum rhythm.
After the slow headbanging riff half way through we get a short but superb solo before returning to the song that quite simply says Generation Fucking Graveyard!!!

An all too short EP from a band who love and energy for their music just blasts through the speakers.

STU

Rating 10/10

For Fans Of: Kvelertak, Amen, Warrior Soul, New York Dolls, Germs, Dead Boys

Let Loose are back !!!!

2010-12-08T22:34:00.003Z

Let Loose were huge in the mid nineties and had many hits
including the 'feel good' Summer anthem
"Crazy For You"which peaked at number two in the charts in June 1994 .
It was one of the best selling singles of 1994 in the UK
and was only prevented from reaching the number one spot
by Wet Wet Wet's 'Love is All Around '.

Other Let Loose songs included:
"Seventeen"
"One Night Stand"
"Best In Me"
"Everybody Say Everybody Do"
"Make It With You"
"Take It Easy"
and "Darling Be Home Soon"

Two of the original members ,vocalist Richie Wermerling
and drummer Lee Murray have recently reunited and
are currently working on material both old and new .
The event below is not to be missed as they will be
performing together live as Let Loose
for the very first time in public since 1996 !!!!

Motorhead - The World Is Yours (Cd Review)

2010-12-08T22:21:00.001Z

1.Born To Lose
2.I Know How To Die
3.Get Back In Line
4.Devils In My Head
5.Rock ‘n’ Roll Music
6.Waiting For The Snake
7.Brotherhood Of Man
8.Outlaw
9.I Know What You Need
10.Bye Bye Bitch Bye Bye

Lemmy (Bass/Vocals)
Phil Campbell (Guitars)
Mikkey Dee (Drums)

How else can you start Motorhead album number 38 than with a song called 'Born To Lose'????
Lemmy sings "Go ahead put the blame on me, another reason to disagree, deaf to all the truth for sure, hear the hammer knocking at your door. But you know it’s all fairy tales".

Its pure Motorhead all the way, the bass, the drums, the guitar it never changes its always true, honest and straight forward rock n roll.

Other things never change either, a line from 'Get Back In Line' goes "If you think that Jesus saves, get back in line".
The rock n roll feel to 'Rock N Roll Music' reminds us that Lemmy has always held a large JD & Coke to said genre and reminds us all that "Rock n Roll music is the true religion. Never let you down you can dance to the rhythm".

There is a slight 'Audioslave' vibe to 'Waiting For The Snake' in the opening riff but dont let put you off!

The dark and quite outstanding song 'Brotherhood Of Man' plays like 'Orgasmatron' part two.
Lemmy growls "You cannot hide the truth from me I know what’s in your heart, Greed and jealousy each equal, all your days now dark. Mighty mountains fall in dust the world falls into hell, Faith in lying prophets, no one to lift the spell".
And if you need more that lays it on the line for humanity then, "We kill for money, wealth and lust, for this we should be damned. We are disease upon the world, brotherhood of man", sums it up.
Song ends with an awesome solo from Phil.

'Bye Bye Bitch Bye Bye' chalks up the end of yet another perfect (day) album!
I leave the final word to Lemmy :
"You don’t know a goddamm thing about the real world, Here’s a short sharp lesson, and I mean every word. You tell me that you love me but I’m just some other fool, So bite the bullet, eat your words, I’ll teach you the rules".

STU

Rating 10/10

For Fans Of: Viking Skull, Damned, Ramones

Mostly Autumn - Go Well, Diamond Heart (Cd Review)

2010-12-08T21:32:00.001Z

01.For All We Shared
02.Violet Skies
03.Deep In Borrowdale
04.Something Better
05.Go Well, Diamond Heart
06.Back To Life
07.Hold The Sun
08.And When The War Is Over…

Bryan Josh (Lead Guitar/Acoustic Guitar/Keyboards/Vocals)
Olivia Sparnenn (Vocals)
Andy Smith (Bass)
Anne-Marie Helder (Acoustic & Electric guitar/Flute/Keyboards/Vocals)
Gavin Griffiths (Drums)
Liam Davison (Electric & Acoustic Guitar/Vocals)
Iain Jennings (Keyboards/Synthesizers)

Formed in 1992 by Bryan Josh the English prog rock group Mostly Autumn have built a loyal following with little media coverage and no major label support and gained the attention of the likes of Jon Lord and Richard Wright and toured with with 'Blackmore's Night', 'Uriah Heep' and Jethro Tull.

19 albums later the band are attempting a slightly different musical direction and with the depature of original vocalist Heather Findlay last year is the debut for Olivia Sparnenn.

Overall the album sticks to celtic folk/rock influences and has little in common with any modern prog rock group i can think of.

Songs such as 'Deep In Borrowdale' show signs of a strong rock influence as does 'Something Better' with its nice guitar riff, however in the latters case the overall song is damaged by stupid lyrics.

Elsewhere i think the term "Ambient" could be applied, definatley too laid back for any listener, unless you still have those "New Age" tapes you brought at Glastonbury 30 years ago.

Very obvious post 'Final Cut' Pink Floyd influences show on 'Go Well, Diamond Heart' &'And When The War Is Over'.

Very talented musicians and great production cannot lift this beyond an average example of a genre that can still excite and be taken seriously by the modern music fan.

STU

Rating 5/10

For Fans Of: Clannad, All About Eve, Corrs, David Gilmore

King Lizard - Viva La Decadence (Cd Review)

2010-12-08T20:06:00.003Z

01.Viva La Decadence
02.Rain On You
03.Rock N' Roll Me
04.Hell Yeah
05.Video Lover
06.Kan't Kill Rock N' Roll
07.Never Be Mine
08.Not For Me
09.Riot
10.Taste The Hate
11.Outrageous
12.Late Nite Dynamite

Flash 'Roxx' Sawyer (Vocals/Piano)
Niro Knox (Guitars)
Alice Rain (Bass)
Sky London (Drums)

Guests:
Andy Brook (Intro to 'Never Be Mine')

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 has arrived with songs produced by both Andy Brook (Shush/Catfight) and Chris Tsangarides (Thin Lizzy/Judas Priest).

The title track 'Viva La Decadence' is inspired by the club 'Decadence' in London's SoHo, considered by many to be the spiritual home of all things Glam N Sleaze.
Riff heavy and full of high pitched screaming vocals, great backing vocals, rhythmic drumming and thumping bass, dare i say a perfect introduction to both band and album.

Angry as hell with a cool Crue vibe comes the ultimiate in "Fuck You" songs, 'Rain On You', when Flash sings "No matter what you do, im gonna rain on you" you get the feeling he means it!

'Rock N' Roll Me' with its dirty bass line transcribes from live to studio perfectly, intresting use of dual vocal to add a slight touch of menace and some epic solo work from Niro.

'Hell Yeah' really delivers that sleaze sound, and a very catchy chorus that you cant help singing along to and more face-ripping guitar solo's."You're going straight back to hell.......Yeah!".

Something strangley rhythmic abut the bass n drum intro to 'Video Lover' but then it is a sweet and touching love song about porn :)

'Kan't Kill Rock N' Roll' seems slightly slower than its live counterpart, have to say this ones not one of my favourites and despite the great solo and overall performance the song doesnt quite fire on all cylinders.

But then comes 'Never Be Mine', this is truly outstanding, a slow, dark n sleazy number that has a few timing changes a brilliant breakdown with melancolic vocals that builds into a creshendo that axl would kill for (espeially these days!).

"Just a picture packed away like a broken toy" is the opening line sung over some great acoustic guitar from producer Andy Brook, this is no ordinary rock ballad, in fact i will go as far as to say that 'Not For Me' is possibley the greatest example of said genre.
Flash's vocals are perfect, emotional yet strong, the drum pattern holds everything together helped by precision bass playing and breathtaking guitar solo's.
A song destined to be the 'Dream On' for its generation.

A seemingly out of place piano intro to 'Riot' just works so well that you almost forget that the cool bass line is about to herald the noise fest that always sends the audiences crazy every time.
There is a hint of Alice Coopers "Im Eighteen" running through this, but it is pure King Lizard that blows a big hole in the speakers!
Love the hint of piano later in the song as well and the police sirens is a nice touch at the end.

A fast paced Glam/Metal hybrid 'Taste The Hate' is a furious rocker as is the awesome 'Outrageous'.

The definitive King Lizard song 'Late Nite Dynamite' explodes on disc just as it does when performed live, it ticks every box required for perfect rock n roll entertainment.

Stu

Rating 9/10

For Fans Of: Hanoi Rocks, Guns N Roses, LA Guns, Girl, Motley Crue

Catfight - Never Go Back EP (Cd Review)

2010-12-08T18:48:00.003Z

01.Break
02.Walking On Steel
03.Hayleen

Samara Kain (Vocal/Rhythm Guitar)
Martha Lewis (Lead Guitar)
Nix (Bass)
Magzilla (Drums)

It was at the end of 2008 when Catfight started to take shape, eventually making their debut supporting Nemhain (a band with which Samara had played rhythm guitar for)in February 2009.
Numerous line up changes and one stunning ep followed quickly gaining them a reputation as "THE" band to see live.

By spring of this year they had notched up support slots to just about every genre of band from Thrash to Punk.
They then returned to the studio with legendary producer Andy Brook for a second EP.

Keeping up their grunge/punk influence with 'Break' this opener shows that the band have moved forward in terms of writing and that vocalist Samara has both the confidence and ability to lead the band to bigger and better things.

With an opening guitar riff not unlike Bryan Adams 'Run To You', 'Walking On Steel' is a brilliant, moody and dark song.
Great guitar solo and superb vocal delivery punctuate a worthy follow up to last years 'Kill Me Again' and is definatley Catfight Classic Number Two.

Think i'll call this the "Lesbian Grunge Rocker", not sure why just something about the lyrics i guess!
It has a typical Courtney Love style but none of the arrogance, the song is short and sweet and kicks ass!

STU

Rating 10/10

For Fans Of: Hole, Distillers, Throwing Muses,Nemhain

Dimmu Borgir - Abrahadabra (Cd Review)

2010-12-08T18:10:00.002Z

01.Xibir
02.Born Treacherous
03.Gateways
04.Chess With The Abyss
05.Dimmu Borgir
06.Ritualist
07.The Demiurge Molecule
08.A Jewel Traced Through Coal
09.Renewal
10.Endings And Continuations

Shagrath (vocals/keyboards/Effects)
Silenoz (Rhythm Guitar)
Galder(Lead Guitar)

Guests :
Snowy Shaw (Bass/Vocals)
Dariusz Brzozowski (Drums)
Agnete Kjølsrud (Vocals Track 3 & 10)
Garm from ULVER (Vocals On Track 10)
Gerlioz (keyboards)
Andy Sneap (Guitar On Track 3 & 9)
Ricky Black (Slide Guitar on track 10)
Orchestration and choir arranged by Gaute Storås and conducted by Rune Halvorsen
Recorded with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra
Schola Cantorum Choir

"Abrahadabra", loosely translated as "I will create as I speak", was created by author Aleister Crowley in his work, The Book of the Law.
For those who are intrested the five letters in the word are: A, the Crown; B, the Wand; D, the Cup; H, the Sword; R, the Rosy Cross; and refer further to Amoun the Father, Thoth His messenger, and Isis, Horus, Osiris, the divine-human triad.
To the band it represents an album title consisting of one word that goes hand-in-hand with the new material and the changes in musical and lyrical content.

So eleven months in production to create haunting, epic, atmospheric and ambient masterpiece with an array of musicians and a full ensemble orchestra, the Kringkastingsorkestret (the Norwegian Radio Orchestra), and the Schola Cantorum choir, totaling more than 100 musicians and singers.

The intro 'Xibir' is a pure orchestral piece and gives some clue to the maturity of the bands overall concept and the direction in which they wish to take "Symphonic Black metal" forward.

'Born Treacherous' is the perfect mix of "Traditional" Dimmu but it is the orchestration that creates a quite stunning song.

Powerful double peddling and vocal chorus introduces 'Gateways' a full blown mini epic with layered vocals and guest female vocals, awesome riffing and varied timing changes throughout.

At times 'Chess With The Abyss' bares some comparisons with Kamelot's March Of Mephisto, which featured a guest vocal from Shagrath some years back.
It also has that rare quality of being "Catchy"!

A self title song 'Dimmu Borgir', which translates as Dark Cities, also has a very catchy and infectious choral backing and gives us yet another outstanding song.

A ghostly howl, backward vocals and beautiful acoustic guitar lead into a hyper drumbeat and the song 'Ritualist', weird that the speed of the guitar and drums work so well against the slowness of the acoustic instruments.
Stunning vocal delivery from Snowy works well with Shagraths unique style.

A very different feel to 'The Demiurge Molecule' thanks to an out of charachter almost funky drum rhythm, but the song soon settles down into a pounding, slow and doomy song that has Shagrath screaming "I crave perfection", im thinking job done!!!

Creepy horror movie ambience, massive riffs, drums on speed, a middle section of vocal chorus like the Omen soundtrack, yep 'A Jewel Traced Through Coal' has it all amd more.
Have to say the bass really kicks through this one as well.

'Renewal' mixes the extremes of Black Metal with slower breakdowns that seem to "bounce" along.
The vocal presence of Snowy echoes throughout the slightly unusual tempo of the music.

'Endings And Continuations' features a guest vocal from Garm from Ulver, for this final song Dimmu have quite clearly made sure that every element they created for all the other songs appear together just to nail the point home that along with superb mixing and production that they have come of age and redifined a genre forever.

Stu

Rating 10/10

For Fans Of: Therion, Cradle Of Filth, Devil Doll, Apocalyptica

December Gig Flyers

2010-11-29T18:32:00.009Z

UKUNSIGNED ROCK THE DOME 10/12/10

2010-11-12T19:14:00.002Z

UKUNSIGNED ROCK organised by Ross Tovell present an awesome line up of bands at the downstairs part of THE DOME, TUFNELL PARK (178 Junction Road, Tufnell Park, London, N19 5QQ) located right opposite Tufnell Park tube station on the Northern Line!

A stunning line up to say the least!!!!

ACE MAFIA
Classic rock from the band featuring Richie Faulkner (Lauren Harris Band) and Bruno Agra (Zodiac Mindwarp)
http://www.myspace.com/acemafiarock
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Ace-Mafia/118224754709?v=info

AL. B. DAMNED
Bournemouth horror rock legends who outclassed the Murderdolls with their recent debut album 'The Darker Side Of Me'
http://www.myspace.com/officialalbdamned
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Al-B-Damned/215282925739
http://www.albdamned.com/

GENERATION GRAVEYARD
London death punks who have been compared to Amen, always explosive and about to release their debut EP, be afraid very afraid!!!!
http://www.myspace.com/generationgraveyard
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Generation-Graveyard/55068927130

THE DEATH TRUCKS
Want a blend of blues, stoner metal and punk ? look no further than the Death Trucks whose members together and apart have played, supported and toured with Skindred, Mad Capsule Markets, Mortiis, Panic Cell, Reuben, Johnny Truant, Milion Dead, Sikth, 80's matchbox B-line disaster and many many more
http://www.myspace.com/thedeathtrucks
http://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-DEATH-TRUCKS/241164741816?v=info

HOLLOW SIN
Like melodic well thought of thrash ? good then this group of 4 passionate individuals united by a common goal, to create music for the sole purpose of world domination and beer, will be perfect for you!
http://www.myspace.com/hollowsin
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hollow-Sin/48823135405?v=app_2405167945

As this is close to that yearly festive piss up (sorry i mean yule :), tickets will be £4 advance from the bands, contact them through myspace or facebook now.

Alternatively its still a huge bargain at just £5 on the door!

THE EVENT IS AGES 16+

The only gig to be at this weekend!!!!!

Xenochord - Absinthe (Cd Review)

2010-11-07T20:01:00.002Z

01.Confession
02.Absinthe
03.Delirium
04.Sunday Morning
05.Refuse To Obey
06.Greed
07.Gasping For Air
08.Maimed By Love
09.To The Living

Csabi Toth (Guitar)
Tomi Szabo (Vocals)
Gabe Nagy (Lead Guitar)
Joe Matrai (Bass)
Pete Aplin (Drums)

Guests:
Tilman Wolff-Moore (keyboards/sampler)
James McIlroy (solo on Greed)

Drawing on influences as diverse as Classical music to Black Metal, Xenochord have been creating original and complex "Progressive Death Metal" since 2007.
Describing themselves with a simple statement, "British Standard - German Quality - Scandinavian Style - HUNGARIAN PRIDE", the latter refering to their heritage.

Perhaps another important element to their music is a love of 'Absinthe', a quality to be admired from all perspectives!

Their debut album "Absinthe" is due out shortly and was mixed and produced by Tilman Wolff-Moore (Spitting Blood/Chaosanct/Samsas Traum) & James McIlroy (Cradle Of Filth/Chaosanct/Order Of Apollyon) who also makes a guest appearence on the track 'Greed'.

'Confession', Generic and brutal kick off to introduce you to a different breed of metal, sure it has the growling vocals and speed you would expect but this is in a class of its own.

The title track and a way of life, 'Absinthe' from the second the synth intro starts it creates this almost symphonic and rhythmic mood, its slow and pounding and intoxicating and is a fitting tribute to the true king of spirits.

With the mood now set 'Delirium' arrives, a perfect song in every way.The synth and bass intro reminisent of Faith No More's 'Epic' opens up to sweeping guitar solos then fires into devistating power and drum driven agression.
The lyrics are something to behold as well : "I can hear the trees talking, In the blooming desert, I can see the flowers walking, High over the mother earth,
Deep under the silted sea, Sun is shining with dark light,With closed eyes I can see, I can touch the screaming clouds".

'Sunday Morning' always a live favourite, awesome melodic guitar into powerchord structures to die for.

'Refuse To Obey' has an awesome atmospheric sampling intro and superb synth sounds intertwined with a fast becoming trademark of power, deathly vocals and melody.

'Greed' displays furious drumming, simplistic rhythm guitar, moves into a fear factory hi tech metal section and yes an awesome display of riffage from Mr McIlroy.

'Gasping For Air', dark and brooding, once again proving that superb musicianship and expert production can help create pure aural pleasure.

You would not believe the beauty of the pure symphonic intro to 'Maimed By Love' it's up there with 'Therion', then comes the full on metal attack, solid bass and drum work again punctuated by powerfull rhythms and outstanding solos and not forgetting that vocal attack.

Ending with something completly different the song 'To The Living' has another atmospheric intro and fantastic guitar from gabe, but instead of kicking in to a metal piece sticks with orchestration and spoken word, setting an ambient and calming end to a devistating album of sheer brilliance!

STU

Rating 10/10

For Fans Of : Cradle Of Filth, Celtic Frost, Meshuggah, Fear Factory

Cradle Of Filth Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa (Cd Review)

2010-11-06T17:49:00.002Z

01.The Cult Of Venus Aversa
02.One Foul Step From The Abyss
03.The Nun With The Astral Habit
04.Church Of The Sacred Heart
05.The Persecution Song
06.Decieving Eyes
07.Lilith Immaculate
08.The Spawn Of Love And War
09.Harlot On A Pedestal
10.Forgive Me Father (I Have Sinned)
11.Beyond The Eleventh Hour

Dani Filth (Vocals)
Paul Allender (Guitars)
James McIlroy (Guitars)
Dave Pybus (Bass)
Ashley Ellyllon (Keyboards/Backing Vocals)
Martin Škaroupka (Drums)

Guests:
Lucy Atkins (Vocals)
Dora Kemp (Backing Vocals)
Mark Newby Robson (Orchestration)
Andy James (Guitars)

Choir:
Ruth McCabe
Tim Cutts
Craig Miller
Philippa Mann
Dora Kemp
Anna Asbach-Cullen

Love them or hate them the one thing you cannot do is ignore them!
Since forming back in 1991 the Suffolk band have crossed boundaries of black metal and
goth to extreme metal, courted controversy by design and accident, made outstanding
albums and some which should never have seen the light of day!

The last few albums have been pretty average to be honest, but with James McIlroy
once more in the fold i have high expectations of a worthy follow up to the awesome
Nymphetamine album from 2004.

The concept behind the album is the demon Lilith, the first wife of the Biblical Adam.

'The Cult Of Venus Aversa' starts with some cool harpsicord and orchestration and we are introduced to Lilith then comes those trademark blast beats and a screaming Dani.
Its clear from this beginning that some time has been spent working on their sound to create something worthy of the name.

Keyboards and orchestration once again lift the next song, 'One Foul Step From The Abyss', and the next few songs move along with the same level of production and care, each song complimenting its predecessor.

'The Persucation Song' slows the pace with a simplistic but catchy guitar riff and some nice piano playing.

Up next is 'Decieving Eyes' a real heavy "Satyricon" vibe echoes through this but the choral backing lets you know that this is still "COF" at full blast.

'Lilith Immaculate' manages to tick every box with what you would expect and even adds a catchy chorus!

The next two tracks return to the albums formula, but the next song 'Forgive Me Father (I Have Sinned)' is a real surprise in as much as it borders on a commercial goth/metal "single", hell Dani even sounds like he's trying to sing (dare i say) normally, and the female backing works very well, catchy riffs and keyboards.
Way better than that "Temptation" crap they put out a few years back.

Finally the breathtaking, 'Beyond The Eleventh Hour' a dark gothic/black metal sleaze fest!
Stunning lyrics are delivered by both Dani and Lucy, the music is "all out" seemingly throwing everything they have into the mix to create 7 minutes of pure classic "COF"

All in all the perfect follow up to Nymphetamine and an album to restore faith in a band that deserve attention for the RIGHT reasons.

STU

Rating 10/10

For Fans Of : Dimmu Borgir, Satyricon, Therion

NOVEMBER GIG FLYERS

2010-11-06T16:57:00.004Z

Achilla, Feral, Juggern0rt, N.A.M.B Live @ Hollywood + Vine 15.10.10 (Gig Review)

2010-10-17T19:31:00.009+01:00

N.A.M.B
Local boys from Hull, 'Not Another Metal Band' open tonights gig with a short but furious set of catchy post hardcore/screamo, nothing to fault musically (if thats your favoured style of music of course).
The band need to tighten up with their stage presence and the backing vocals need to be delivered with a bit more confidence.

JUGGERN0RT
The first of tonights London based bands, the mighty Juggern0rt bring their devistatingly heavy music with not so much a sledgehammer effect, more of being hit by a solid steel wall at mach 10!
Unlike most bands who play this style of music, the technical ability of the musicians is second to none and vocalist James can hold his growls longer than anyone!
A very professional set, delivered with style and humor, highly entertaining and such was the response to them that they had to perform an encore.
If you are in london next month you can catch them along with Feral at the Arch Enemy after party.

FERAL

Performing tonight as a three piece with guitarist Laurence playing bass after just one rehersal, you would think they had been gigging like this for years.

An absolute blinder of a set, the melody and progression on their take of melodic thrash metal sets them almost in a class of their own.

All three of them clearly put their heart and soul into the music which has been wowing audiences in london for 2 years and now has won them fans in the north.

ACHILLA

The final night of their mini tour to promote their debut single 'Arashi'.

With their usual drummer away his place was taken by Neon Fly's Boris Le Gal and his performance alone was astounding and helped give the band a very heavy edge which allowed guitarist Dan to crank it up to 11 (no he really did the amp actually had 12 on it!) and bassist Costas to pound out the bottom heavy chords.

Vocalist Martamaria stalked the stage with her unique vocals and peformance.

Clearly moving away from the early symphonic/prog influence and maturing into a full on hard rock outfit, songs such as 'Arashi' , 'Devils Eyes' and 'Wild Flower' coming across like never before and getting a very positive reaction from the crowd.

KYRBGRINDER ON TOUR!!

2010-10-17T18:47:00.009+01:00

Hard rockin' funky, riffy, metal grooves, a keen sense of melody and an engaging appeal is what you can expect from the London based trio that is KYRBGRINDER.

Fronted by four times drummer of the year Johanne James, who is no stranger to the limelight, having played a variety of stages from small venues to major festivals around the world, treading the boards with the likes of Dream Theater, Psychotic Waltz, Breed 77, Hawkwind and Pain of Salvation. Johanne will be well known to many as the 'engine room' of Threshold, who are considered one of the leading lights of the progressive metal scene.

Johanne formed KYRBGRINDER as a means of sharing his unique style of hard driving, infectious melodic rock that refuses to be pigeonholed, appealing to a wide spectrum of fans.

KYRBGRINDER are: Johanne James on drums and lead vocals, Tom Caris on guitar and Alberto 'Albi' Flaibani on bass.

Following the release of their debut album 'Defiance' on the legendary metal label Mausoleum Records they have subsequently gigged extensively building a hard-core fanbase and an awesome live reputation.

The new album 'Cold War Technology' is now out and recieving great reviews, Now's your chance to catch them live!

http://www.myspace.com/kyrbgrinder

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kyrbgrinder/278919146030

More October Giggage!!!!

2010-10-13T15:59:00.004+01:00

October Gigs & News

2010-10-01T23:48:00.023+01:00

So with new albums from Cradle Of Filth and Dimmu Borgir and some great upcoming gigs, there is plenty to keep you going this month.
But to jump ahead to December 17th we see a brand new club opening up in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, it promises to bring Live bands and Dj's playing Goth/Alt/Industrial/Blackend Metal, and its free entry.

ACHILLA

Heading out on a mini tour to promote the Arashi single

SOLSIKK

Support slot to Tarja and a track on a new compilation CD!!

BIG RED PARTY TIME!

OTHER GIGS NOT TO MISS :

And Finally A sneak peak behind the creativity of FROM GREAT HEIGHT :)

Vote MERCY HOUSE for Kerrang/Guitar Hero Game!!

2010-09-15T17:40:00.002+01:00

London's finest RAWK merchants The Mercy House have made it through to the shortlist for the Kerrang/Guitar Hero competition.

In a statement the band said "However, we want YOU to understand WHY we need your vote. This is not a popularity contest, we've been there before and do not play that game... normally with online voting we'd just let fate decide, it's a joke, but this is different. This could reach millions of people and help unite those who realise they're not the only ones who want real rock music back. We want to send a message out there to all the big wigs sitting in their offices planning the next 'hit' single. Go peddle your shit somewhere else, that's what X Factor is fo... this can be the start of something different!".

Your vote is important, check them out and if you like please vote for them :)

Find them here :
http://www.myspace.com/themercyhouse
http://www.facebook.com/themercyhouse

KERRANG VOTE LINK :
http://warriorsofrock.kerrang.com/

AL B DAMNED - DARKER SIDE OF ME (CD REVIEW)

2010-09-01T21:14:00.003+01:00

01.Katch Em And Kill Em
02.From Transylvania With Love
03.So Far So Bad
04.Better Left Undead
05.Lust For Death
06.Hate 2 Love You
07.Dead On My Feet
08.I'd Take Your Life
09.Everything Can Burn
10.Play Dead For Me
11.Muthafucker
12.Pretty When Your Dead
13.Darker Side Of Me
14.My Queen Of Halloween 2010

Al.B.Damned (Vocals)
Kodi Kasper (Guitar)
StarFish (Guitar)
Danny Toxic (Bass)
Pip Sickness (Drums)

Guests
Ed Lacey from Bezerker (Bass) Lust For Death
Scoty Scurvy & Abby Normal from FDQFP13/Graveyard Boulevard (Voices) Play Dead For Me

Al was of course the leader of Texas Drag Queen Massacre since its inception in November 2003 until its untimely death in 2009.
TDQM had built up a solid worldwide reputation as a major force in horror punk/rock and were equals to that american phenomenon know as Frankenstein Drag Queens From Planet 13.

No sooner had the band finished and Al was back writing a solo album and soon found local musicians to back him, it became clear that far from being a one off that this was about to turn into a full blown band.

They made their debut in London at the Burlesque & Rock N Roll Show last October then followed it with a uk tour and released single Katch Em & Kill Em.

After more gigs and an increasing demand from fans the band went into the studio to record their debut album.

A new version of 'Katch Em & Kill Em' opens the album with the introduction of "Ladies and Gentlemen and freaks" immediatley kicking into a high voltage rocker with an anthemic sing-a-long chorus that simply slays every time.

A neat riff greets the ears to 'From Transylvania With Love' it keeps up the pace from start to finish, great lyrics, driving drums and great backing vocals complimenting Al's lead.

'So Far So Bad' is one of those sleazy, bouncy rockers that gets the feet tapping, throw in a couple of B-Movie samples and tongue in cheek lyrics and you have a near perfect song!

'Better Left Undead' starts with a sample from a trailer for an old zombie movie.The song treads generic horror punk themes and with its gang vocal backing adds a hint of trash to produce yet another great tune.

'Lust For Death' is a fucking monster of a song, with guest bass playing from extreme metal legends Bezerker's Ed Lacey, this is pure metal at its finest, agressive with a melodic chorus, screaming guitars and definitive drumming just move this along at a pace that stuns, and a face ripping solo that shreds with the best thrown in, what more do you need?

'Hate 2 Love You' is the one i still cant get my head around, there is nothing wrong with it but it just does'nt do anything for me, i just cant find anything to latch onto.

'Dead On My Feet' deals with the Zombie Apocalypse from the Zombies point of view, it starts with a sample from the trailer for 'Dawn Of The Dead' then armed with some awesome lyrics like "These dead white eyes that rotting skin, No recollection of where I’ve been,
I woke up in this cemetery and I can’t remember a thing, Am I going insane?".
Just brilliant in every way.

'Id Take Your Life' has some nasty metal riffs mixed with some great vocals and once again its as catchy as hell!

Oh wow, some superb acoustic guitar coming out of the speakers for 'Everything Can Burn' and Al's vocal is quite (dare i use the word?) beautiful.
This is a dark melancholic ballad that cries for sympathy but gets none even with lines such as "My family they betrayed me, Couldn’t be what they wanted me to be, All I ever got was hurt,But everything can burn".

The modern horror references in 'Play Dead For Me' make a refreshing change from the usual namechecking of 1950's legends.
This is the consumate modern horror song delivered with precision and perfection.
The guest voices at the end add some bad taste humor : "I like my women like i like my ice cream, cold and stored in the freezer!!!".

Oh hell yeah a real fuck you rocker called 'Muthafucker' think this could be many peoples facebook status "Well I can smile cause you are finally gone,Goodbye, Good riddance,
See you later, fuck you, fuck off".
Some awesome high powered backing on this neo rock n roll number and a solo worthy of Brian Setzer anyday!

'Pretty When Your Dead' is almost the sister song to 'Play Dead For Me', there is a touch of the Corey Taylor's on the chorus and musically not a million miles away from Stone Sour.There are some intresting timing changes and a few differing vocal styles thrown in as well.

'Darker Side Of Me', got to use that word "beautiful" again to describe Al's vocals here on yet another dark ballad as he sings "Something tells me to do the bad things that I do, There’s a devil on my shoulder and no angel to argue", the orchestration that also backs the song is outstanding.
Then half way through a rhythm not unlike Marilyn Manson's 'Beautiful People' kicks in with actual police report recordings from the murder trials connected with Manson.
Returning at the end to the slower mood, its a superb song and one which i could imagine Alice Cooper singing.

Finally a bonus song with a new version of the TDQM classic 'Queen Of Halloween', its slightly heavier and has another face ripping solo thrown in, and furious drumming to blow the speakers, a perfect end to a perfect album.

Now you can quote me on this and to hell with the consequences...."THIS IS THE ALBUM THE MURDERDOLLS SHOULD HAVE MADE!!!".

This is original, well produced, brilliantly arranged music that puts Al B Damned in the number one position not only for horror rock but without a doubt one of the best albums you will hear this year, and one which you will be playing for many years to come.

STU

Rating 10/10

For Fans Of: Alice Cooper, Murderdolls (Circa 2002), WASP, Marilyn Manson, AFI, White Zombie

CRADLE OF FILTH - LILITH IMMACULATE (Single Review)

2010-09-01T18:39:00.003+01:00

01.Lilith Immaculate

Dani Filth (Vocals)
Paul Allender (Guitar)
David Pybus (Bass)
Martin Skaroupka (Drums)
James McIlroy (Guitar)
Ashley Ellyllon (keyboard/Vocals)

First online single released as a taster for the new album 'Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa'.
The album concerns itself with Adam's first wife Lilith the Mesopotamian storm demon who was the bearer of illness and death.

First thing to say is that not liking their last 2 albums much i wasnt expecting any improvement, but this is Cradle back on form!

A superb track with distinctive vocals from Dani and superb female vocals harking back to the glory days of Midian.

Great guitarwork only to be expected with the return of James Mcilroy who played on the awesome Nymphetamine album years ago.
The keyboards bring that classic symphonic quality to the song and the overall feel is just one of aural pleasure and knowing that Cradle are rejuvinated and armed with superior firepower once again.

STU

Rating 9/10

For Fans Of: Dimmu Borgir, Satyricon, Graveworm

REAPING HAVOC - SERPENT OF HATE EP (CD Review)

2010-09-01T18:07:00.002+01:00

01. Riding Death
02. FUBAR
03. Hatevol
04. Selfdestructionology
05. Serpent Of Hate

Nick Green (Vocals/Guitar)
Hadrien Hadife (Guitar)
Gabriel J Garcia (Bass)
Shaz (Keyboards)
Jesel Gohil (Drums)

Reaping Havoc are a 5 piece extreme metal band from London formed in 2006. Although primarily a thrash metal band, a unique sound is created by incorprating the use of synthesizers, an edge of technicality and slight splattering of black/death metal resulting in an epic, yet brutal sound.
Most metallers would projectile vomit at the thought of thrash with keyboards, but those who dare often win.

Thrashy as hell with keyboards adding a near symphonic black metal quality to it, 'Riding Death' is an impressive start with its demoinic styled vocals and maidenesque guitarwork creating an atmospheric rocker.

The doom laden 'FUBAR' perfectly blends instrumentation to a level expected from certain Norwegian bands i could mention.

Well structured riffing, jazz styled drum rhythms, excellent vocals and a thrash punch with some unexpected timing changes help make 'Hatevol' a highly intresting track.
I really wanted this track to be longer as i felt that there was more to come especially when that jazzy keyboard kicked in.

'Selfdestructionology' keeping the old school thrash vibe and mixing up the black metal and keyboards make for yet another outstanding track.
gain worth pointing out here is the attention to the overall structure of the song, here is a band who clearly play by their own rules much like Celtic Frost and Voi Vod did to such an amazing standard many years ago.

'Serpent Of Hate' ends this all too short EP with furious double peddling, harmony keyboard and guitarwork held together with a solid bass line and excelent vocal delivery.

Intresting when you look at their listed influences as the likes of Children Of Bodom and Megadeth that they should create a sound far removed from them, there are few bands who can pull this style off, in fact 'Matron' are the nearest i can think of.

I for one expect greater things from this band and hope to hear more soon.

STU

Rating 9/10

For Fans Of: De Profundis, Matron, Satyricon, Voi Vod, Celtic Frost

MURDERDOLLS - WOMEN & CHILDREN LAST (CD Review)

2010-09-01T16:59:00.002+01:00

01.The World According To Revenge
02.Chapel Of Blood
03.Bored Til Death
04.Drug Me To Hell
05.Nowhere
06.Summertime Suicide
07.Death Valley Superstars
08.My Dark Place Alone
09.Blood Stained Valentine
10.Pieces Of You
11.Homicide Drive
12.Rock N Roll Is All I Got
13.Nothings Gonna Be Alright
14.Whatever You Got, I'm Against It
15.Hello, Goodbye, Die

Wednesday 13 (Vocals)
Joey Jordison (Guitar)
Roman Surman (Guitar)
Jack Tankersley (Bass)
Racci Shay Hart (Drums)

Guest
Mick Mars (Guitar) On Tracks 4 & 9

So the Murderdolls for anyone who doesnt know were formed in 2001 when Wednesday joined Joey from Slipknot in his side project band the Rejects who then changed their name.
After releasing as EP they then released to critical acclaim the album 'Beyond The Valley Of The Murderdolls', though it has to be said that all but 2 of the songs were new, the rest being remakes from Wednesdays previous bands Frankenstein Drag Queens and Maniac Spider Trash.
They rode high until January 2004 when Joey returned to Slipknot for the awesome Vol 3 album and Wednesday going solo eventually releasing the superb Transylvania 90210 album in 2005.

Then in february of this year it was revealed that the duo had reunited and were writing a new album together and putting together a new line up.
The attitude seems to be "piss people off and fuck the norm" and a need to get away from the horror rock formula which wednesday had made so popular and excelled at.

Album kicks off with a Marilyn Manson styled intro which then goes straight into 'Chapel Of Blood' and its a pretty average rock track, nothing that has that wow factor.

'Bored Till Death' is more in the style we came to love with Wednesday's solo stuff and has the obligatory use of the word "Muthafucker" !

'Drug Me To Hell' features Motley Crue's Mick Mars and as you would perhaps expect it has a good old Crue feel with that broody, dark edge that Wednesday brings.

'Nowhere' is the first song that has that Murderdolls feel, its catchy, anthemic and has a cool little riff running through it.

It may be punchy and have the generic lyric requirements for horror rock but 'Summertime Suicide' just comes over as a Wednesday 13 album track, it ticks the boxes but does'nt set them on fire.The same is true of 'Death Valley Superstars' amd the dissapointing 'My Dark Place Alone' which was also released as the single last month.

Mick Mars returns for 'Blood Stained Valentine' another classic Wednesday 13 styled song, but this one rocks, moody with great lyrics, good backing vocals and a great solo.

'Pieces Of You' im guessing Joey had a lot of involvement with this one as it echoes Slipknot's 'Before I Forget' with added horror punk hand claps.

Some great guitarwork greets 'Homicide Drive' throw in some dark vocals then screw it up by saying "supercallfragalistiexpcalidocious", what is this 5th grade lyric writing???

"I got nothing to lose, i got nothing to prove", okay fair enough Wednesday but if this sums you up on the song 'Rock N Roll Is All I Got' then im guessing you just dont care that much about what you are putting out and expecting people to buy.

'Nothings Gonna Be Alright' returns to formula with trademark riffs and drum beats.

Now the possibility of the band covering a Groucho Marx classic from the 1932 classic 'Horse Feathers' would have been inspired, but alas 'Whatever You Got, Im Against It' is an original song, its a light pop rocker with a 70's glam feel, could imagine the Sweet doing this.

Finally we come to 'Hello, Goodbye, Die' its an in your face rocker, that ends the album on a high!

Well what can i say im a fan have been since the FDQFP13 days, but this is so average and dissapointing, the talent is there the ability is there but the whole thing seems like a bad Wednesday solo album, the original album still stands as a classic and my advice is go put that on the player and leave this alone.

STU

Rating 5/10

For Fans Of: Wednesday 13, WASP, Motley Crue, Marilyn Manson

September gigs not to miss!!!!

2010-09-01T15:14:00.011+01:00

ACHILLA - ARASHI (Cd Single Review)

2010-08-23T20:36:00.003+01:00

01.Arashi
02.Volcano
03.Wild Flower (Acoustic)

Martamaria (vocals)
Daniele Panza (Guitars/Programming)
Gus Macricostas (Bass)
Vincenzo Infusino (Drums)

Guest
Gonzalo Carrera (Keyboards on Arashi)

Achilla are a London based four piece symphonic metal band made up of Hungarian singer,
Martamaria (a vocalist already in the Guniness Book of world records), Italian guitarist,
Daniele Panza (Ex Cavalar), Greek bassist Gus Macricostas and another Italian, drummer
Vincenzo Infusino. The band first formed in 2006 and there have been numerous line up changes before settling on the core quartet we have now.
Drawing on a myriad of influences that range from folk and progressive to good old heavy
metal they increasingly set themselves a reputation and high standard throughout 2009 and
soon came to the attention of TotalRock Radio, Metal Hammer magazine (Who had an earlier
version of Arashi on a cover mounted cd), Classic Rock magazine, Fireworks magazine,
Powerplay magazine (who had a demo of Wild Flower on their cover mounted cd) and even the
Guardian newspaper!

At the beginning of this year they set about recording their debut album 'Timeless' and also managed to tour the uk with 'Delain'.

This first single is released in digital form on September 1st and in physical form on the 16th (also the date for the official launch show at the Purple Turtle in Camden).

The song 'Arashi' will be know to many of you through the Metal Hammer cd anyway, but this is a far superior version.
Epic, Anthemic and Symphonic excellence, a truly great song that has everything you would expect from a band destined to be a leader in this genre.
This will no doubt have the same effect as a certain song called "Nemo" did a few years back (and we all know what that did to Nightwish's career).

'Volcano' has a cool bass and drum intro into some awesome guitarwork greet this first "new" track, clear and defined vocal comes through a superior production.
Some outstanding riffage from Daniele lifts this way above average and if this is representative of the album, then look out ears!

The exclusive acoustic version of 'Wild Flower' shows just why the "Achilla Acoustic Show" has become a popular duo (Marta & Dan) on the live circuit.
This is a much better version than appeared on the private released ep last year.
Superb in every possible way and in marked contrast to its electric brother, tis brings out different haunting qualities.

Without a doubt (ahem) "A Killer" little single, cant wait for the album.

STU

Rating 10/10

For fans of: Nightwish, Therion, Epica, Tristania, Within Temptation

UPCOMING GIGS FOR AUGUST

2010-07-31T19:08:00.010+01:00

Okay so this is not a gig but itis the release date for Al B Damned's debut album!!!!

THERION - SITRA AHRA (CD Review)

2010-07-31T18:04:00.002+01:00

01.Sitra Ahra
02.Kings Of Edom
03.Unguentum Sabbati
04.Land Of Canaan
05.Hellequin
06.2012
07.Cu Chulain
08.Kali Yoga III
09.The Shells Are Open
10.Din
11.After The Inquisition/Children Of The Stone

Christofer Johnsson (Guitars/Keyboards)
Christian Vidal (Guitar)
Nalle "Grizzly" Påhlsson (Bass)
Johan Koleberg (Drums)
Thomas Vikström (vocals)
Snowy Shaw (vocals)
Lori Lewis (Vocals)

Legendary Swedish heavy metal band founded by Christofer Johnsson in 1987.Despite the religious connotations their name is actually a homage to the Celtic Frost album To Mega Therion.

Beginning as a death metal band, they later turned to combining orchestral elements with their metal music, employing heavy use of choirs and classical musicians, not only as additions to but also as integral parts of the composition.

There are a number of slightly exagerrated claims such as "Therion is the first metal band with fully live orchestra", something that Deep Purple first did back in 1969 and "It is also the band which originated, popularised and influenced the symphonic metal genre", i would suggest the Italian band Devil Doll have more of a right in the "originated" and that it was Nightwish who "Popularised" the genre.

However Therion are almost certainly the best exponents of the genre that at times is more operatic than mere symphonic metal.

Musically taking its themes from different mythologies and is based on concepts ranging from occultism, magic and ancient traditions and writings. The majority of their lyrics were written by Thomas Karlsson, head and founder of the magical order Dragon Rouge, of which Johnsson is a member.
The band has seen many changes in line-up and style throughout its history, perhaps the most shocking was the departure of Karlsson in 2008, however in November 2009 a new line up was put together along with the announcemnet of the recording of this album.

Generic symphonic pomp is a perfect way to start this album and 'Sitra Ahra' ticks every box, with high female vocal and dark male vocal, full chorus, driving drums and powerchord structures and a blazing solo.

'Kings Of Edom' has an operatic start but quickly switches to folk/ballad influences.
Half way through the epic vocal chorus brings to mind Turisas, whilst dare i say that towards the end it has all the qualities of a Moody Blues song before heading into speed metal territory.

A serious nod towards doom metal heralds 'Unguentum Sabbati' a straightforward blast with awesome vocals and lurking in there some keyboard riffs from Phantom Of The Opera.

'Land Of Canaan' oh fuck!!!
Seriously how do i even begin to review this song???
Its a 10 minute mini opera that throws everything at you, okay so it has that spookycore start a la KoRn, then we enter classic euro prog metal, then harmonica and acoustic guitars that would make Ennio Morricone proud, which then morphs into battle metal territory with some great flute playing thrown in.
Then here comes that epic male choir, then damn we get some accordian and soprano female vocal to slow things down a bit.
Yet another tempo change with harpsicord leading to traditional eastern european folk with a vocal that could be Marilyn Manson duetting with Topol from fiddler on the roof!!!
A melancholy breakdown then blends into a mid tempo drum rhythm with violins and cello's and another male chorus, then a happy upbeat almost pop bit with some humming and a Kate Bush (ish) vocal blended with more opera.
This is just the most stunning song i have heard in a very long time!

Just how many vocal styles can they keep coming up with??? 'Hellequin' seems to be able to put in black metal vocals and Male tenor that could be Christopher Lee.
Some great 60's style organ playing add's to the ecletic mix to create yet another outstanding piece of music.

'2012' continues this pure aural delight that has a great pumping bassline, Iommi' style guitarwork, high male vocals, superb choral backing, and breakdowns with violins.

The anthemic 'Cu Chulain' with its echo of a traditional welsh male choir on the chorus mixing well with its hard rock verses and overall structure, definatley a touch of Thin Lizzy lurking in the background.
Funnily enough its not unlike a heavy metal take on pet shop boys go west!

Gothic and anthemic and heavy as hell, 'Kali Yoga III' and taking on the Krishna mythology way better than George Harrison ever did!
The song continues from parts one and two from their Sirius B album from 2003.

That wonderfull tenor vocal returns for 'The Shells Are Open' its an almost bouncy ska like backing, a typically operatic song.

Whoa!!! suddenly satyricon make an appearence (well not actually them) but could be with this full on black metal assault with the aptly titled 'Din'.
Furious double peddling and blast beats with full choral vocals create a stunning headbanger.

'After The Inquisition/Children Of The Stone' brings us to a gentle and calm finale.
Beautiful acoustic guitars lead into a pink Floyd/Moody Blues chill out.
The choir sounds almost childlike bringing to mind that song from the Lost Boys movie.

In terms of musicianship, structure, production and emotion this is quite possibly the best album you will hear this year.

STU (Valued contributions from Chelle).

Rating 10/10

For fans of: Nightwish, Epica, Tristania, Devil Doll, Cradle Of Filth, Turisas, Dimmu Borgir

PHYREXIA - WORLD ANNIHILATION EP (CD Review)

2010-07-30T18:24:00.001+01:00

01.Bladewing
02.Bloodfire Colossus
03.The Pyromaniac

Elliot Beaver (Vocals)
Daniel Saunders (Guitar/Vocals)
Paul Nazarkardeh (Guitar)
Bobby Dennis (Bass)
Rhys Sinclair (Drums)
Vicki Thompson (Keyboards)

Formed in 2007 the band play an organised blend of music which they call "Epic Melodic Dragon Metal",taking influences primarily from metal but all across the musical spectrum and beyond to create an original sound.

'Bladewing' has a classic symphonic/black metal sound, some quite good guitarwork and harmony keyboards and a nice Maidenish guitar solo towards the end.
The vocals however clearly need work unless tasmanian devil is what was intended.

Now for 'Bloodfire Colossus' the vocal is much better, still shouty and more akin to hardcore than the symphonic background would normally be used to.
The timing changes are well executed and again the guitarwork shines through and it sets the right mood.

The epic metal elements are here with 'The Pyromaniac' at times reminescent of early cradle Of Filth, but it's that vocal style which still sits uncomfortably for me.
The breakdown with 3 different guitar solos is well put together and the way the drums kick back in is very good.

This cd is good, dont get me wrong, but i really think that the music deserves a better vocal approach, its too hardcore to do the music justice.
The band clearly have the ability to produce music of a high standard and it will be intresting to see what they produce next.

STU

Rating 6/10

For fans of: Cradle Of Filth, Children Of Bodom, Mayhem

THE MERCY HOUSE - EP (CD Review)

2010-07-29T17:15:00.002+01:00

01.Greed
02.Lead The Way
03.Inversions

Drew (Vocals)
Dany (Guitar)
Dan (Guitar)
W.R (Bass)
Nick (Drums)

So for the last 16 months Mercy House have been working hard, very hard, numerous gigs, 4 demo cd's, support slots to major bands like Hamlet, Vains Of Jenna and Biohazzard.
Their popularity caught the attention of Kerrang, and both Metal Hammer and Classic Rock magazines put one of their songs on a cover mount cd.
The band seemingly grow from strength to strength and have now arrived at their first official cd release and are to emabark on their first big uk tour in September.

The Ep along with other merch is available from : http://themercyhouse.bigcartel.com

The dark, brooding 'Greed' kicks off this EP with pure majestic power, it brings to mind Judas Priest's 'Touch Of Evil' with Zeppelinesque qualities, superb production brings out every instrument to perfection.
Drew's vocal delivery is reminicent of Chris Cornell doing an impression of Johnathan Davis, but has those trademark high notes that still makes Drew "THE" rock vocalist in the UK today.
The multi tracking and layering of the vocals and their various styles just adds to a superb piece of work.

That relentless wall of power continues into 'Lead The Way'starting off with a bass riff that would fit any decent Korn track, the song has an Audioslave vibe.
Part ballad part rock monster it is a song destined for american rock radio and a subsequent begging letter to come and tour.

Im not sure how they have managed to do it but the breathtaking 'Inversions' has now reached a level of brilliance beyond my ability to describe, in fact one of the lyrics,"you wont find the answers, they are too deep inscribed, deep within the maze that is your mind" just helps to illustrate my fail here on words.
The music is tighter, the little vocal effects added here and there, the cleaness of the guitars to such clarity that each note has its own purity, i mean its just fucking perfect!
There are few modern songs that have those elements of "classic" but this song will be around to entertain many future generations.

That this band remain unsigned and yet can produce an EP to such a level as to rival (if not surpass) any signed band with a huge budget is nothing short of criminal, this band have a right to be taken to the world stage and the ability to back it up all the way to the top.

STU

Rating 10/10

For fans of: Audioslave, Helloween, Judas Priest, Whitesnake, Alice In Chains, Led Zeppelin

FLYTEONE - NEHULA (Free Download Album Review)

2010-07-24T15:27:00.003+01:00

01.Night Vision
02.I Am Unicron (Transformers Remix)
03.Dubplate
04.Pussyhole (Remix)
05.Welcome To Flight One
06.It Died A Quiet Death (Remix)
07.Fucking Croissant
08.I Kissed A Girl (Remix)
09.Woo Ha (Remix)

Tim Storey (Keyboards/Sampler/Electronics)
Adam Ever (Vocals: It Died A Quiet Death)

Tim is better known to most of you as the drummer for the rock group 'From Great Height', perhaps less well known is that his love of all musical genre's from Black Metal to Dub and his abilities as a multi-instrumentalist and producer make him an undiscovered talent as well as an asset to his band.
So here is the first downloadable album of his original electronic compositions and a few clever remixes.

'Night Vision' was actually the first song Tim ever wrote in the electronic field.
Whilst the overall feel is calm, chilling with epic sweeps the loops and phased main keyboard is a little too prominent and takes away much of the harmony that lays behind the mix.Nevertheless an impressive start.

The second track 'I am Unicron' was created as a Christmas present for one of his close friends.
The care and attention to this piece is obvious, even down to the maticulas recreation of the original sounds from the cartoon Transformers of which Unicron was a character.
This is an epic track with a clear nod to Tangerine Dream, its epic qualities ring through the speakers as does the stunning piano playing that eventually leads into some hi-energy beats at the end.

Old skool dub is on the agenda next with 'Dubplate', Tim's attempts to convey happy times of hot summer days in London after the onslaught of rain and snow echo gently with its laid back rhythmic sounds, delicate string orchestration and light pulsing synths.

Dizzee Rascal's 'Pussyhole' gets the full Flyteone treatment with an inspired face paced remix that retains the rapping but totally destroys (in a good way!) the original musical backing.

Echoes of Brian Eno ambience bring the mix back to earth (or should that be up in the air?) with 'Welcome to Flight One'.
Just fasten your seatbelts, sit back and enjoy the ride, but hope that the pilot isnt listening to it because its seriously laid back!

Something of a gamble seems to have paid off with 'It Died a Quiet Death', as Tim said " Well, I thought I’d give remixing my own bands song a go,i tried hard to incorporate Pauls big bassline, mikey’s soloing over the chorus and verse, and of course Adam’s synth towards the end, to give it that extra epicness".
Adam's vocal delivery gives the song an almost menacing element and the use of electronics essentially creates an entirley new song when adding drum 'n' bass/dubstep themes.

The title itself is worthy of praise 'Fucking Croissant', this may be filed under generic Dubstep with its repetitive structure designed for DJ’s, yet at times it has a slow almost industrial mood.

Katy Perry's homage to lipstick lesbians 'I Kissed a Girl' is the next remix target and Tim claims to have not heard the original until after he completed his version.
Now that was clearly a big advantage here as he has turned an upbeat happy pop song in a darker, sleazier almost gothic song bringing to mind Marilyn Manson's take on Tainted Love and Madonna's Justify My Love.

'Woo-hah' the Busta Rhymes classic from 2007 get taken into the realms of Jungle and Drum 'n' Bass with high velocity rhythms and thumping bass to recreate the song for a whole new genre of fans.

To get your copy of the album for free download just go to:
http://soundcloud.com/flyte-one
STU

Rating 8/10

For fans of: Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Ambient, Electronic, Dance Remixes

Such is the impact of Tim's work that he himself has since been remixed, you can find them here :
http://soundcloud.com/modo8-modrecordings

REVIEW of 'The Way we Feel' EP by Last Breath .

2010-07-22T14:10:00.003+01:00

Track 1: Drive All Night

Track 2: Craze

Track 3: Break Your Heart (Taio Cruz cover)

Band Members:

James Parkinson(vox and guitar)
Tom Parkinson(guitar and vox)
Mike Croft(drums)
James Gradwell(bass)

Bio :

Last Breath are a four piece melodic rock band from Blackpool.
Their sound has been described as being full of 'catchy rock pop hooks and low tuned rock riffs'
and could be England's answer to Nickelback .

Their first track 'Drive All Night' is a catchy pop number that has a nice melody and a fairly decent guitar solo in there.
The harmonies are very good and the song has an overall Mc Fly /Busted feel to it .

'Craze' comes as quite a suprise given the younger typical'boy band' sound of the first track.
This one has a heavier adult classic rock sound to it and has some awesome riffs!!
Can definately hear Nickelback,Jovi, and maybe even a hint of Metallica in there !!!

The last track is a cover of the Taio Cruz smash hit 'Break your Heart',
although you get the impression that they've attempted to give it a different, more rock based sound ,
they haven't quite achieved it and basically the song sounds just the same which is a shame...
but it will still no doubt be a crowd pleaser and will get their fans singing along .

I think that these guys have got the potential to go far ,
they've got all the ingredients needed ie sound,talent,looks and image...
but the question for me is, in which direction will they choose to go ???
The good McFly/Busted style pop that would please a more younger audience especially teenage girls ??
or
will they produce more of the excellent adult orientated rock that would appeal to an even wider audience ??

Chelle

8/10

BLACK CANDY STORE - BACK TO THE WALL (CD Review)

2010-07-21T22:44:00.003+01:00

01.Back To The Wall

02.Someday

03.Swine Seed

04.Recall

05.Wounded

06.Hollow

07.Humility

08.Bittersweet Euphoria

09.The Pledge

10.Upward Spiral

Arno (Vocals)

Julien (Guitar/Keyboards)

Flo (Drums)

Marco (Bass)

Formed in October 2008 in Southern France, the rock quartet set about creating the most original and authentic post grunge "Seattle Sound" and added a huge slab of classic 70's rock into the mix.
In August 2009 they went into the studio and self produced 10 tracks that were mastered by Dave Collins (Linkin Park, Soundgarden).

Title track 'Back To The Wall' has all the qualities of a Velvet Revolver outtake, thats not to say its a bad song, but it should have had a little more attitude.

It doesnt improve that much with 'Someday' a huge step backwards that plants the band firmly in bland Nickleback territory.

'Swine Seed' starts with a movie sample and lyrically deals with world hunger and makes the clever implication that big buisness will take care of it."Good health wont be so cheap, your lives are good indeed, i introduce our new shit, please applaud our swine seed".Direct reference to crops that do not reproduce themselves.Its a mid tempo rock ballad with some nice acoustic guitar throughout.

Those chris Cornell influences come out big time for 'Recall' and does it some justice.

'Wounded' has an awesome southern rock feel, fantastic acoustic and subtle slide guitar.The vocals are simply stunning and the production top rate, without a doubt the best song on the whole album and one which should be pushed onto the radio and even be released as a single, it has "hit" written all over it.

So a weird intro, unsettling timing changes and pure zeppelin worship are just three elements that make 'Hollow' my personal favourite.

That zepp feel continues with the slighly heavier 'Humility' but the backing vocals keep it radio friendly.

This may be one of those lighters in the air songs, but 'Bittersweet Euphoria' just doesnt quite cut it above an easy listening tag.

Fortunatley 'The Pledge' woke me up with a punchy drum kick and a good rhythmic powerchord structure.The second half of the song shows some classy musicianship with live active bass and a solo worthy of Jimmy Page himself.

Finally 'Upward Spiral' with its chord heavy headbanging moments ends an impressive but flawed debut that shows the band have the ability to go on and create something that will knock you out.

STU

Rating 6/10

For fans of: Audioslave, Stone Temple Pilots, Black Crowes, Mercy House.

SISTER SIN - TRUE SOUND OF THE UNDERGROUND (CD Review)

2010-07-21T19:55:00.003+01:00

01.Sound Of The Underground

02.Outrage

03.Better Than Then

04.24/7

05.Heading For Hell

06.I Stand Alone

07.Built To Last

08.The Devil I Know

09.Time's Aren't A-Changing

10.Nailbiter

11.Beat 'Em Down

Liv (Vocals)

Jimmy (Guitar)

Dave (Drums)

Benton (Bass)

Rejecting the "Gothenburg Sound" that Swedish legends 'At The Gates' single handedly started, Sister Sin looked back to the early 80's euro metal scene for their inspiration, dispite coming from the same town.

So seven years later after numerous high profile tours with the likes of Arch Enemy and Motorhead, several self released recordings and one official release they arrive at album number two and hope to break out into metals mainstream market once again having built up a following in America last year when their song 'On Parole' appeared on the Rock Band playstation game.
If you love metal then you will love this album, essentially it ticks the boxes with fast paced drums, good guitar work and straight forward vocal delivery.

There are a few tracks to pick out like the anthemic almost Motley Crue sounding 'Outrage' which is due to be released as a single soon.

'Time's Aren't A-Changing' has that "fist in the air" quality that will no doubt make this a firm live favourite.

The final song 'Beat 'Em Down' is a heavy as fuck fast paced tribute to Swedish boxing legend Ingemar Johansson complete with some clever use of boxing ring/crowd sound effects.

STU

Rating 8/10

For fans of: Warlock, Acid, Girlschool, WASP, Motorhead, Scorpions

DIRTY AGNES - THE GRUDGE (Free Download Song Review)

2010-07-20T21:33:00.003+01:00

01.The Grudge

Lakis K (Guitar/Vocals)

James McIlroy (Guitar)

Ravi Kesavaram (Drums)

Laura Claire (Bass)

A few months back band mastermind lakis said "It's hard to say what Dirty Agnes are about
- all we know is that it's a lot of fun in rehearsals, and that we did what we considered
to be a one off show. We are however, having a band meeting soon to discuss the possibility of turning it into a real band, so watch this space!".

The band, which is something of a supergroup, features Lakis from Nemhain/Love & Bullets
on guitar and vocals, he also produced and mixed the song.

Laura is ex Area 54, Ravi is from My Vitriol and James from Chaosanct/Cradle Of Filth.

Well this month the first song was released with a promise of more to come.

To get a free MP3 of the song contact the band at dirtyagnesband@googlemail.com

Coming in at just under 4 minutes this is a catchy high energy post grunge slice of
classic rock n roll that puts current darlings of the scene 'Reckless Love' to shame.
The song also has a good use of a movie sample half way through which throws in a nice
edge and reminds me of a Rob Zombie song.

What can you say solid drumming, pumping bass, great guitar sound and confident vocals, it delivers!

If this is to be the direction and sound of the band then Lakis really has no choice but
to go with it all guns a blazing!!!

STU

Rating 9/10

For fans of: Velvet Revolver, Alice In Chains, Buckcherry

THE ORDER OF APOLLYON - THE FLESH (CD Review)

2010-07-20T19:18:00.003+01:00

01.God Speaks

02.Ich Bin Das Licht

03.Word

04.Never

05.Fifth

06.White Dust

07.Four Beasts

08.Flesh Of Yhvh

09.Ex-Voto

10.L'Orgueuil

James McIlroy (Guitar)

Dan Wilding (Drums)

BST (Guitar/Vocals)

Peter Benjamin (Bass)

Formed in summer 2008 by former Aborted members Daniel Wilding and BST, the band began work on the first offering following the induction of guitarist James McIlroy (Cradle Of Filth/Chaosanct) and bassist Peter Benjamin (Akercocke).

The opus, entitled “The Flesh”, concentrates on the passage from the spiritual to the material,

and unlike the clinical sounding productions that intoxicate the metal industry.

The Order’s first release aspires to praise the extreme metal scene of the late 80’s/early 90’s.

The cult of Apollyon is set on dessiminating the message of our God the Supreme Being. It will drive the masses to accept the indubitable domination of the Holy Spirit and to repent their sins before the impending Judgement.

The disloyal scum shall writhe in Eternal Suffering, while a chosen elite shall bathe in glory and rapture. Unconditional devotion is the key.The tag line is more a statement of intent than a mere slogan:

"For his Name. For his Glory. For his Victory. Judgement is upon us. Join The Order."

A nice intro leads us into an aural onslaught of powerhouse drumming, well executed riffs and screaming vocals that have much more in common with Black metal than the more obvious extreme metal that they wanted to emulate.

In fact the opening song 'Ich Bin Das Licht' would not be out of place on Dimmu Borgir's 'In Sorti Diabol' album.

'Word' also has a near symphonic quality to it, however the speed and power keep this firmly in the "extreme" but clearly outclassing the majority of genre exponents by a clear mile.

The powerchord driven and brooding 'Never' blends rhythm with short bursts of high velocity metal to perfection, superb lyrics and the overall production and structure make this for me the best song on the album.

Track 5 with its inspired title 'Fifth' creates that wall of energy that requires a seatbelt on the sofa to appreciate, especially when played at 100% volume.

Both 'White Dust' and 'Four Beasts' stick to traditional form with blast beats punctuating the mayhem, with added guitar solos to die for.

As promised the song 'Flesh Of Yhvh' delivers on all levels, near demonic vocals backed with punchy chord work truly harken back to the glory' days whilst retaining the modern edge and influence.

The horror movie score quality to 'Ex-Voto' creates a sense of impending doom and the haunted vocal effects makes for an ambience that will require a change of underwear for some.

Finally 'L'Orgueuil' deals with the subject of pride, musically its a real headbangers delight with a solid heavy rhythm and enough melodic breakdowns to recover.

STU

Rating 9/10

For fans of: Anaal Nathrakh, Axis Of Perdition, Akercocke, Dimmu Borgir

LAURA LONDON PRESENTS FANTASTIQUE!! (Magic & Music & Cabaret Night August 11th)

2010-07-20T17:37:00.004+01:00

Laura London presents...FANTASTIQUE! A night of Magic, Music and Cabaret At Proud Cabaret, Modelled on a 1920s speakeasy.

Doors open 7.30pm
Show starts at 8.30pm -11pm, after which you are then invited to stay for drinks until late.
£10 on the door.

Proud cabaret are offering an amazing deal for their Wednesday supper club, where you will receive a delicious 3 course meal for £24.95 (Normally £49) this exclusive deal also includes free entry to our fabulous evening of entertainment.

Laura London.
The host of this fabulous night! She is an internationally acclaimed magician who's worked everywhere from Buckingham Palace to a theatre in NYC and has appeared on numerous television shows.
She has picked some of her favorite performers to bring you Fantastique!

Katherine Mills.
Her diverse and up to date style combined with her slight of hand dexterity is guaranteed to conjour up an air of elegance and wonder. Katherine has performed internationally and for the BBC as one of the few magicians of her genre.

Little Bo.
The head of Circa Cabaret, she will be delighting us with her saucy, comedy shows.
Little Bo is a woman of many talents including fire and stiltwalking but at Fantastique! she will be doing some cabaret... bumble bee style!

Alan Hudson.
This funny man has appeared at many prestigeous places including The Magic Castle in Hollywood, USA. He will perform his hillarious stand up comedy cabaret act with mind reading and magic. He remain a firm favourite throughout the comedy clubs in the UK and abroad.

Dani Glasson.
A beautiful lady who has recently come out of self imposed retirement to bring you the first in a series of fusion belly dance shows.

Claudia De La Creme.
A Swedish beauty who mixes burlesque and magic with absolute style and grace. Claudia is also the other half of London De La Creme, where she performs magical illusions with Laura London.

The Stillhouse Orchesra.
A superb duo musical act who perform country swing, bluegrass and other old time music. They will delight and make you laugh with covers of classic songs as well as their own original songs. Their combination of great voices and instrumental ability make them an absolute joy to watch.

Miss Rejoyce.
This professional dancer will show you burlesque the Aussie way. You may even see a touch of magic watching this high legged beau in action.

Mr Flay.
Escape Artist and Man of Action, The Irrepressible Mr Flay will add bravado and a touch of class to our cabaret. Full of dash and forged from raw daring-do, Flay has a variety of dramatic and death-defying stunts that will astound you!

Fay Presto.
Our headlining act is the fantastic Fay Presto, who is arguably Britain's premier close-up and cabaret magician. Having been previously nominated Tatler's 'Entertainer of the Year' and personally requested to entertain HM The Queen on no less than six occasions. Fay is the first choice entertainer to a host of celebrities and VIPs including Madonna, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Dustin Hoffman and Eric Clapton to name but a few.
Her television work has included 'Talking Telephone Numbers', Paul Daniels' Magic Show 'Secrets', Gay Byrne's 'The Late Late Show', John Lenahan's 'Stuff The White Rabbit', 'This Morning', 'James Whale', 'Trick on 2' and BBC's 'History of Magic' series (2004).

PROUD CABARET.
Corner of Dunster Court and Mark Lane, 1 Mark Lane, London EC3R 7AH.
Tel: 020 7283 1940
http://www.proudcabaret.com/

There is also a Facebook invite :

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=138153619545784&index=1

To book your table please contact Laura London ASAP at :

lauralondonmagic@yahoo.co.uk

TOVELL PROMOTIONS IN BUSINESS

2010-07-20T17:29:00.004+01:00

A new start.
Tovell Promotions are here to help your band with getting reviews, radio play and known to the general music loving hoards!!!!!

We are also happy to help promote your venue, club night and gigs.

www.facebook.com/chelle.stuart

www.myspace.com/Tovellpromotion

www.twitter.com/Tovellpromotion

EMAIL : Tovellpromo@yahoo.co.uk

Stu & Chelle

FROM GREAT HEIGHT - SPECTRES AT THE FEAST (Cd Review)

2010-07-09T18:15:00.005+01:00

01.Spectres At The Feast

02.It Died A Quiet Death

03.Invited In By

Adam Ever (Vocals/Keyboards)

Michael Alp (Guitar)

Paul Buckingham (Bass)

Tim Storey (Drums)

These are the first recordings since Tim joined late last year and show a clear forward
progression for the Enfield based rock group who are now deservedley gaining major press
attention.

Many great bands start life with a lable that does not really represent their body of
work, think of bands like U2, Simple Minds, The Jam who were essentially classed as
Punk/New Wave, this is true of FGH who gained a "Progressive" tag, yet drew comparisons
to a variety of artists as diverse as Marillion, David Bowie and Roxy Music.

What the band have done even at this relativly early stage in their, what will become a long, career is create a unique brand of commercially viable rock music that trancends genres from Extreme metal to stadium rock and intelligent pop music.

The dual attack of haunting vocal and guitar open up this first track 'Spectres at the
feast' before the song literallly explodes into a crescendo of keyboards and drums mixed
with absolute perfection.A truly epic song that blends agression with melody with defining keyboards making for an instant and very catchy hit.

The live favourite 'It Died A Quiet Death' is next, a mid tempo rock number with a great
guitar riff punctuating the quality throughout.Its anthemic qualitys are simply awaiting the massive audience cheering and singing along that a main stage support at Glastonbury has been crying out for.

The slow ballad quality to one of the earliest songs ever written by Michael Alp,
'Invited In By' showcases Adam's awesome and mature vocal delivery, but also the early
Progressive influences of Michael.The various timing changes, use of synth and the superb phased guitaring create a song that has truly epic qualities and with a drum fade out that just leaves you wanting more.

All in all a single of such professional standards i can but hang my head with pure
disbelief that this band are not signed and arranging a major European tour.

But good things comes to those who wait and in years to come From Great Height will be a household name.

STU

Rating 10/10

For fans of : Marillion, U2, King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, Simple Minds

UPCOMING GIG's

2010-07-06T15:01:00.006+01:00

Welcome to the updated and improved layout for Stu's Reviews.

NEWS:
The UK's answer to Nightwish, ACHILLA have just put up new recordings on their myspace as a taster to the upcoming self produced debut album.

SOLSIKK have now completed their debut album as well and have new songs to hear on their Myspace as well as some new promo pictures.

GENERATION GRAVEYARD have some demos on Myspace, one of which features me on backing vocals!!!!

FROM GREAT HEIGHT have put up their first recordings with new drummer Tim on their myspace and website, review of this new ep will be coming soon.

NEMHAIN have announced another european tour where chaos will no doubt ensue and numerous personal injurys :) for this September.

CATFIGHT have now become two bands, Samara decided to rename the old band as KAIN and pursue the original intention to have Catfight as an all girl band.

This is a stunning line up for an all dayer :

CLOVEN HOOF - http://www.myspace.com/clovenhoofofficial

Virus - http://www.myspace.com/virusthrash

Generation Graveyard - http://www.myspace.com/generationgraveyard

Ghost Train - http://www.myspace.com/therealghosttrain

9 Blind - http://www.myspace.com/9blind

Kyrbgrinder - http://www.myspace.com/kyrbgrinder

To Kill A Rose - http://www.myspace.com/tokillarose

*BAND TBC*

Sarajevo - http://www.myspace.com/sarajevotheband

Black Water - http://www.myspace.com/blackwaterbandleeds

Tickets are £8 advance from the bands, or £10 on the door.

You can now buy tickets from the following link (registration required)http://www.whatnext.org.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=50&category_id=11&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

If you book 36 hours before the show tickets will be on the door for you.

Cradle of Filth (Yness) will be had when Nemhain join Sarah for a couple of gigs!!!!

STONE CIRCLE - MYTH (Cd Review)

2010-05-30T16:35:00.002+01:00

01.The Puzzle

02.Tempest

03.The Greatest Lie

04.A Missing Star

05.The Sky Has Spoken

06.Closed Eyes

07.Grief

Joe Ashwin (Vocals/Guitar)

James Pearce (Bass)

Tom Skelton (Guitar)

Sam Hill (Drums)

Nick Young (Keyboards)

Brighton based band who began life In 2004 as “Obsidian”. This consisted of current members Joe Ashwin, James Pearce and Sam Hill, with Tom Skelton joining in 2005 to complete the current lineup. Stone Circle (then Obsidian) experimented with many styles within rock and metal, taking influences from bands such as Opeth, Amorphis and Katatonia. They began creating a dark progressive sound of their own encompassing many moods from somber, beautiful acoustic passages to aggressive riff driven sections bringing a death metal edge to the music. Something they have continued to progress at to this day.

'The Puzzle' is a stunning opening song full of intelligent black metal influences (especially vocally) superb drumming and a highly evocative blend of instrumentation.

The next track 'Tempest' is a more melodic affair with sweeping guitars and catchy riffs, even when the songs gets heavier the mood remains easy on the ear.

There is a nice Led Zeppelin/Pink Floyd feel to 'The Greatest Lie' musically but with a great death/black metal vocal and seriously cool lyrics: "The greatest poison the world has ever seen, promoting sickness of mind", just love this song!

The acoustic passage in 'A missing star' just has to be heard at full volume, it is just perfection and sits perfectley against the full on metal onslaught which surrounds it.

'The sky has spoken' is a screaming metal headbanging epic, their trademark melodic breakdowns allowing you time to catch your breath and the stunning guitar solo towards the end demands your upmost attention.

Dave Gilmour styled guitarwork punctuates the albums melodic masterpiece 'Closed eyes', a truley beautiful song.

We end with 'Grief', a song that seems to reflect all their styles from jazzy passages to the fringes of extreme metal and towards the end with an avant-garde synth distortion.

This is nothing short of brilliant, the band have matured to a very high professional standard and created real music that challenges the listener and draws them into an exceptional aural journey.

STU

Rating 10/10

For fans of : Opeth, Amorphis, Celtic Frost, Satyricon

JUGGERNORT - FULL METAL ASSAULT EP (CD REVIEW)

2010-05-01T15:17:00.002+01:00

01.D.O.A
02.Order Of Chaos
03.Humanity Lost...Not Found
04.The Demon Who Makes Trophies Of Man
05.Origins Of Evil

James Taw (Vocals)
Joel Hogan (Guitar)
Joe Heraghty (Drums)
Andy Hunter (Bass)

London based band who formed in 2008 with a single purpose of bring skull crunching metal to the hoardes.

'D.O.A' explodes into life with a bomb sample then full on brutality.Its shouty, in your face vocals just blast through the speakers, backed by hyper drum work, crunching riffs and basswork.

Up next is 'Order Of Chaos' drawing on black and death metal influences to create a six minute epic.

"we are just the blood on the face of destiny" is a great line taken from 'Humanity Lost'.Without a doubt my favourite track here, this one has it all in terms of great lyrics, great playing and a bass solo!!

Kicking off like "Blind" by Korn, 'The Demon Who Makes Trophies' soon evolves to a Slayeresque metal onslaught complete with a "You're all gonna die" scream of epic proportions.Coming in at over 7 minutes its yet another stand out track.

Finally 'Origins Of Evil' continues the pace, but with a cheeky melodic ending that calms you down quite nicley.

All in all a very well produced EP of stunning thrash/death influenced metal full of originality and clearley performed with style and understanding.

STU

Rating 9/10

For Fans Of : Slayer, DevilDriver, Hatebreed, Morbid Angel