Wildside Riot - No Second Take (Cd Review)

01.All Hail The Wasted
02.Wildside Riot
03.Broken Toys
04.Fukk Em
05.Candiis Gone Bad
06.That’s What Sunday Mornings Are For
07.Babe I Gotta Go
08.Angel On My Back
09.My Paradise
10.Glitter-Tramps
11.Wasted Lust
12.My Woman
13.There Is A Bullet For Each Of You

Rocky Shades (Vocals)
Joss Riot (Guitar)
Jimmy Gunn (Guitar)
Gaz Wilde (Drums)
James Crofts (Bass)

Back before the days of American influenced galm/sleaze rock, Wrathchild (formed in 1980) were one of the leaders of traditional british glam rock.
Fronted by the larger than life Rocky Shades they tore up the uk till 1989 when the onset of grunge took its toll on the home market.

In 2006 Rocky reformed Wrathchild known as "RSW" whilst the other members reformed their own version, seemingly beset by various problems Rocky regrouped as Wildside Riot in december 2010 and officially returned to the music scene in july 2011.

Throughout last year they recorded an album, shot a promotional video and started to gig to ever increasing popularity.

Kicking off with a slow drum beat 'All Hail The Wasted' hails the return of a very british sounding band, which to my ears is a great relief!
Its simple, anthemic and has a great riff running through it.

"what are you afraid of? Its only rock and roll" asks the opening sample to the self titled song, and it is indeed rock and roll, hitting all the right chords without tring to be clever.

'Broken Toys' is a drum driven rocker with almost rockabilly style timing and guitar.Cracking guitar solo at the end!

Now i would have expected 'Fukk Em' to have that old Wrathchild feel due to the spelling, however this rocker reminds me of classic Zodiac Mindwarp due to that 'Prime Mover' riff.

Sleazy guitar opens 'Candiis Gone Bad', this is another song that has that 50's rock n roll feel, it really bounces along and Rocky's vocal is bang on.

There i was banging my head gently to the rockin sounds of 'Thats What Sunday Mornings Are For' then it went all slow with moody vocals, dammit this is one of those rock ballad love song type things Arggghhh!

Oh no not again this time it's 'Babe I Gotta Go' not quite a love song but one of those bitter sweet goodbye songs!!
Its got great harmony on the backing vocals and some nice acoustic guitar running through but couldnt listen to this one again.

So far we have had rock, then ballad type songs and now we have a funky little tune called 'Angel On My Back' definatley a touch of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers with a slightly gospel sounding backing vocal.
This song is so different from everything else on the album that it sticks out - But in a good way, this one is fucking awesome!

Another slowish, bouncy tune with a 50's tinge, 'My Paradise' is an uplifting song delivered in a downbeat style.

'Glitter Tramps' gets us back on track with the no shit heads down rock, anthemic and punchy.

This one, 'Wasted Lust' sounds like an outtake from Van Halen's 1984 album, i was expecting more just by the songs title, it's okay but i was dissapointed.

'My Woman' is a mid paced rocker that would be perfect for radio play.

Finally 'There Is A Bullet For Each Of You' ends the album on a high, slightly tounge-in-cheek lyrics and solid instrumentation and a sing a long chorus, destined to be a crowd pleaser.

To sum up, i am pleased to say that Rocky and his cohorts have produced a great album that has (on the whole) avoided that Motley Crue/Guns N Roses sound that has come to define this genre these days.
Rocky's vocals remain his own and with the exception of 'Wasted Lust' has remained true to the sound he became known for 30 years ago!

Rating 9/10

For Fans Of: Mercy House, Zodiac Mindwarp, King Lizard, Wasted Sinners, Ace Mafia





FACEBOOK
http://www.facebook.com/Wildsideriot?fref=ts

Pure Negative - Insert Twist Pull (CD Review)

01.Overture
02.Insert Twist Pull
03.7th Empire
04.The Return
05.I Work For Dick Jones
06.Cider Complex
07.World Falls Down
08.Your Misery

Cletus Van Damme (Vocals)
Hillion (Bass)
Stevil (Guitar)
Faraz (Guitar)
Hellhog (Drums)

Described as "The bastard child" of ex-Ted Maul drummer Hellhog (Dripback) and former Labrat axe grinder Stevil formed in June 2007.

An EP release, and several line-up changes later, Pure Negative; now with ex- 50 Calibre bass monster Hillion, vocal terrorist Cleatus Van Damme (Affluenza), and ex-Damnas six string abuser F-Bomb (River Freshney) on board, are taking over!

Following their blistering performace at the 2011 Bloodstock festival their lethal brand of technical prog/metal madness was taken into the studio with producer Dan Foorde (Sikth) and mastered by none other than Russ Russell.

So aside from the weird orchestral 'Overture' the rest of the album is full on in your face metal performed at a very high standard.

Brutal in every way, yet skillfully pieced together, every instrument mixed to perfection to allow clarity delivered with a sledgehammer!

Some stunning Bass guitar in '7th Empire' and all held together with screaming vocals and quality rifferey!!!!

Rating 10/10

For Fans Of : Damnas, Ted Maul, Affluenza, Mastodon, Meshuggah

FACEBOOK :
http://www.facebook.com/purenegative666

Ancient VVisdom - Deathlike (Cd Review)

01.The Beginning
02.Let The End Begin
03.Life On Earth
04.Deathlike
05.Far Beyond Good & Evil
06.Rebirth
07.Look Alive
08.Waiting To Die
09.Death Or Victory
11.Never Live Again
12.Here Is The Grave


From the dark corners of Austin, Texas, singer/songwriter Nathan Opposition, his brother Michael Jochum (electric guitar) and acoustic guitarist Justin "Ribs" Mason have been annihilating the underground rock scene under the moniker of ANCIENT VVISDOM.

Utilizing unusual instrumentation including a bowed stand-up bass, synths, and machete/bamboo percussion over their acoustic guitars, the band set out to develop an enticing yet macabre sound -- which Opposition describes as "the root of rock n' roll and blues" -- on their 2011 debut release "A Godlike Inferno," which garnered the band a strong cult following. Classic Rock called the album a "dark and brooding beast," comparing it to "the dirty glam swagger of Ziggy-era Bowie," while Kerrang! praised its "hypnotic tone and rich soundscapes."

Determined to spread their infectious sound to the masses, the band took on an opening spot for Ghost's inaugural U.S. headlining tour in 2012, as well as a performance at the Scion-sponsored Death Comes Ripping showcase at that year's South By Southwest festival that left concertgoers begging for mercy. Buoyed by nominations for "Best Underground Band" at Metal Hammer's Golden Gods Awards and for "Best New Band" at Classic Rock's annual awards, the band then headed overseas, a jaunt that included performances at Norway's Inferno Festival and the prestigous Roadburn Festival as well as a live broadcast on BBC Radio, where they premiered a new track (the fittingly titled "The Last Man on Earth").

ANCIENT VVISDOM have been further honing in on their archaic sound ever since, producing a mesmerizing follow-up to "A Godlike Inferno" at Diamond Factory Studios in Austin. Their new album, "Deathlike," holds true to its moniker, putting the listener into a state of repose.Their only hope lies in Opposition's vocals -- which, combined with the impassioned acoustic instrumentation, leaves listeners at the edge of their seat as they try to comprehend the depth of his haunting lyrics. Once again mixed and mastered by "A Godlike Inferno" engineer/co-producer Jason Buntz, who this time partnered with Enormous Door founder Jack Control (Jet, The Darkness, ...Trail Of Dead), "Deathlike"s sound remains true to the band with it's rich acoustic tones and heavy electric guitars chugging through an apocalyptic world. "Deathlike" will be released by Prosthetic Records on Feb. 5, 2013 in the U.S.

If you like Doomy acoustic goth with dark country and folk undertones then this may well be the perfect album for you.
Laden with ambience and occult influence's.

Rating 8/10

For Fans Of : Nick Cave, Joy Division, Earth, Sunn O))), The Doors, Boyd Rice

FerreTT - Year Of The Ferret (Cd Review)

01.Do We Need an Earthquake?
02.My Cock.....Your Funeral
03.Much Too Young
04.Sweet Action
05.Ferrets in Town
06.Cry of the Black Footed Ferret
07.They Eat The Living!
08.Wild Nonstop Nights
09.Twincest
10.FerreTT Beach U.S.A.
11.Drinking Beers
12.Wrath of the Wizard

King of the Night Time World (Vocals)
Nicky G. (Guitars)
Scott Hart (Guitars)
Dangerous Dave (Bass)
Sammi the Ferret (Drums)

 Guest Musicians :
Leigh FoXXX (keyboards)
Ian Purdy (Synthersizer)

Since this recording, Dangerous Dave has moved out of state so we have replaced him with Lex Slade.

The band formed in March of 2011 and the record was recorded throughout 2011 and 2012 and mixed and mastered in the fall of 2012.Guest vocals on "FerreTT Beach U.S.A." by

Legendery Danish Surf Rocker Axel Johanson. The artwork was done in Italy by Robert Toderico.

Nicky G. and Dangerous Dave also played in a progressive death metal band called Rainbow Teeth, but under different stage names.

This american band are something of a mystery, in that there are no pictures of them only pictures of ferrets!

Not too sure what to make of this lot, its got an obvious Glam metal style, yet lurking in there are some doom elements.
Lyrically its a nod to Steel Panther and vocally have to say more than a touch of the uk's Brian Conolly from the legendary Sweet.

The silly named 'Cry Of The Black Footed Ferret' is done in the style of the "Epic Ballad" complete with keyboards and anthemic guitar work.

The short interlude 'They Eat The Livin' is a synth driven piece that is pure 80's electro a la Kraftwerk, this leads into 'Wild Nonstop Nights' which turns out to be quite a heavy song with solid drums throughout punching the piece out, some pretty cool guitarwork in there as well.

The 9 minute epic 'Wrath Of The Wizard' ends n an epic powermetal/doom.glam hybrid rocker.

So all in all a mixed bag of songs, not your typical glam band, not typical heavy metal either.

Well put together, good musicianship and silly lyrics, ultimatley an intresting album well worth a listen.

Rating 9/10

For Fans Of : Steel Panther, Wrathchild UK, WASP, Cinderella, Alice Cooper, Spinal Tap.

FACEBOOK :
http://www.facebook.com/FerreTTNation

Generation Graveyard - Deletist (Track Review)

01.Deletist

Max (Vocals)
Jimmy Von Snig (Drums)
Pete Turner (Guitar)
Phil Roadkill (Bass)
Arno Von Detrius (Guitar)

Camden based rockers Generation Graveyard were formed early in 2008 by Vocalist/Dj Max
With fellow musicians/Dj's Jonny and Phil along with 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.
By 2012 Spider had left to be replaced by Arno and the band notched up some impressive support slots to bands like 'Warrior Soul'and 'Anti Nowhere League'.
They returned to the studio to cut their second EP and also filmed a promo video.

The new EP is due out soon but the band have released a one track download as a taster along with a performance video.

What you get is 2 minutes of skuzzy/death-punk delivered at high velocity, clearly designed to smash you straight in the face before you can draw breath!

You can get the track by following the link below and yu can catch them live supporting 69 EYES or at the filth fest that is Antichrist.

All hail the plague!!



Rating 10/10

For Fans Of : Amen, Warrior Soul, Germs, Skitsystem, Discharge, Warfare.

DOWNLOAD TRACK HERE : http://gengrave.bandcamp.com/track/deletist

Blood Red Shoes - The Water EP (Cd Review)

 01.Red River
02.Black Distractions
03.Idle Hands

Laura-Mary Carter (Guitars/Vocals)
Steven Ansell (Drums/Vocals)

 Having just completed a lengthy UK tour with New Jersey rockers The Gaslight Anthem following the release of their critically acclaimed album ‘In Time To Voices’, Brighton rock n’roll who formed way back in 2004 return with a brand new three-track EP and a headline appearance at the 02 Empire in Shepherd’s Bush January 22nd. Also joining them on the bill will be Rolo Tomassi and Wet Nuns.

Titled ‘Water’ and released January 21st through V2 on 10” vinyl and download, the three new tracks were recorded in Dallas TX this October by John Congleton (The Roots/The Walkmen/Explosions In The Sky).

“One of the first times Laura and I actually met was at a show that John Congleton's band The Paper Chase were playing in London 8 years ago,” explains Steven Ansell. “We've known John since then and always been in touch about doing some recording sometime....so we finally made it happen at the end of our recent US tour. We did it super fast down at his studio in Dallas Texas, straight after our last show of the US tour. The songs themselves are some of the most out-and-out rock riffs we've ever written, inspired a lot by driving around the USA and pure badass rock n roll immediacy - they're much looser, faster, and less considered than ‘In Time To Voices’ and we wanted to capture that feeling and not make it too perfect.

Pure New York rock (err but from Brighton), its simplistic, rhythmic and very catchy, basically its the White Stripes (in reverse) with a hint of T-Rex!

RATING 8/10

For fans Of: White Stripes, Strokes, The Gossip

Looking Ahead to 2013

2013

AMULET

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

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

Lets hope for some new recordings!!!!

                                    

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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