Vote MERCY HOUSE for Kerrang/Guitar Hero Game!!

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)

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)

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)

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)
JG (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 incorporating 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 demonic styled vocals and maidenesque guitar work 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 interesting 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 excellent 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)

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!!!!