December Gig Flyers

UKUNSIGNED ROCK THE DOME 10/12/10

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!!!!!

MARCH FLYERS

ACE MAFIA - VICIOUS CIRCLE (Cd Review)

01.No More Excuses
02.London Underground
03.Feel The Fire
04.Best Thing
05.Rolling
06.Difference
07.Someday
08.Open Your Eyes
09.So Cruel
10.Vicious Circle
11.Fallen From Heaven

K.Ghibli (Vocals/Guitar)
Richie Faulkner (Guitar)
Bruno Agra (Drums)
Geos Letona (Bass)

Formed in 2008 and based in good old Camden, the band hold a special place for me as their 'Feel The Fire' ep was the very first cd i reviewed on this blog on 30th August 2008.
So now i have been handed an advanced copy of the debut album 'Vicious Circle', time to hit play.........

'No More Excuses' is a great rocker with a BLS vibe, then its straight into 'London Underground' always my favourite song and after a year it still kicks with punchy riffs an awesome solo, great vocals and powerhouse drumming.Its a weird song lyrically about a man finally away from the rush hour nightmare of the Underground wishes he was back there while he is at the office ?!

'Feel The Fire' is a power ballad that also carries emotion and gives a nice break in the album.Wow is all i can say about 'Best Thing' its a fantastic song, a nice commercial sound that is boosted by some brilliant orchestration and guitar work.

The human condition is the subject of 'Rolling' dealing with the story of a man who loses his confidence, blames the world but sets to win it back by believing in himself and fighting his own self doubt.

'Difference' is pretty much a full on metal assault with a melodic breakdown thrown in and there is a really neat acoustic guitar solo in the mix as well.

Okay so it has a great solo in it but i cant really get into the ballad 'Someday' its one of those get your lighter out moments,but doesnt quite hit the mark for me.

The previous track is soon eradicated from my brain (Cell) with the moody 'Open Your Eyes' and then 'So Cruel' with its superb bass playing crashing through the speakers just gets that head a banging again.

The title track 'Vicious Circle' is a wonderful mix of guitar solos, crazy drumming and really strong vocals.

Finally 'Fallen From Heaven' comes up all too soon and as you might expect from the title its one of those big rock ballads, but this one is outstanding, a really nice acoustic intro is soon mixing with some furious double peddling and then once again the superb guitar playing from Richie, i tell you this one has it all and at six minutes it gives you plenty of time to get into and enjoy.

Rating 10/10

For fans of : Black Label Society, Guns N Roses, Velvet Revolver, Alice In Chains

STU

METALWORKS,CAVALAR - Live At The Monarch 28.09.08 (Gig Review)

Metalworks
Cavalar

The Monarch 28.09.08

Cavalar are one of those bands who simply put "Have it", their blend of Black Sabbath and good old fashioned heavy metal is a sight to behold.Vocalist Twitch looks like a young Paul Rogers (Free/Bad Company) with the vocal range to match, drummer Arn powers around the kit like Bill Ward and John Bonham, and like Bonham often just uses his hands instead of the sticks !Superb basswork from Max who clearly enjoys the stage experience and some great guitarwork from Dan who rather annoyingly looks about 14! (Looks and talent - where did i go wrong?).

To the music..and its headbanging time with a good mixed selection of older classics Deadman,Rush and V-Red with the newer material like Genocidal Mind and the epic Stand Up In The Air.
Everything was brought to a clsoe with the superb Devils Country, which Twitch pointed out was on their cd available at the merch stand.
Except that it was'nt because they had sold every single copy they took with them, and that was a big box full, which in itself proves just how impressive they were :)

To Metalworks and there was a buzz in the air before they even took to the stage, why? i hear you ask, because tonights show was with guitarist Richie Faulkner, now he's been playing with the band over the last 14 years but is better know to many as Lauren Harris' guitarist and recentley as a member of Ace Mafia.They also had a different bassist tonight.

As ever the set starting with Free,Deep Purple etc was performed to a standard way above what you would expect from a covers band, Richie's guitar work was quite something, a perfect mix of technical ability and playing from the soul, at times like Randy Rhoads and reminding me of Jeff Beck.
They did a great vesion of UFO's Doctor Doctor which i am told is a song they used to open with years ago, this was followed up by a couple of Thin Lizzy classics and then into Metallica.
If anything i would have to say that vocalist Steff seemed a little subdued tonight and the band overall came over in a much more serious manner than the last time i saw them.I guess thats the beauty of a flexible line up that each time is different.

Now i would love to tell you about the rest of their set but i cant for two reasons..one, thanks to Boris 'Bendy-Bus' Johnson we had to leave at 11 o'clock to catch the last tube from Camden which was at 11:15.Tubes to 3am anybody???? (Seem to recall Bozza saying something about helping out London's night culture with public transport), the second reason is that some of my friends who stayed to watch the set out got so wasted on Jagermeister that they could not remember anything other than that were "Fucking great, did some Ac/Dc stuff and Maiden and that bloke on guitar was awesome".
So yet again its a total thumbs up (Or horms in the air) for Metalworks who continue to entertain and impress with each show.

I was talking to Steff who was saying that they are going to be working on a whole batch of new songs which im looking forward to hearing,how about an old Quo track guys???

STU


Cavalar

Metalworks

ACE MAFIA - Feel The Fire (CD Review)

1.Feel The Fire
2.Best Thing
3.London Underground
4.Rollin'

K.Ghibi - Vocals/Guitar
Richie Faulkner (Lauren Harris Band)- Lead Guitar
Bruno Agra (Zodiac Mindwarp & Love Reaction) - Drums
Geos Letona - Bass

Any band that starts their record with a ballad are either mad or genius,well Camden based rockers Ace Mafia are definatley the latter,crafting their debut ep with great care.

Showing clear influence from Guns N Roses and Motley Crue,throw in some Zakk Wylde guitar and vocals reminicent of Jerry Cantrell what you get is an overall mature rock sound,well produced and expertly executed.Feel The Fire is made for late night rock radio.Best Thing has flute on it (! more Magnum than Jethro Tull) and sampled string section,its really catchy and has that "Makes you nod your head and tap your feet" quality.London Underground is my favourite track,but there is a temptation to sing Sabbaths 'Hole In The Sky' in places,that matters not because this song "Kicks".Rollin' closes the ep and just leaves you wanting.

What can i say,just a brilliant self released ep of solid hard rock,theres only a couple of hundred at the moment so contact the band at their myspace,or if you are in Camden you might be able to pick one up at the Eclipse Tattoo Studio where one of the band members works.

Rating : 10/10
Get This If You Like : Black Label Society,Alice In Chains,Motley Crue,Guns N Roses.

Contact : www.myspace.com/acemafiarock

STU