Another monster week of gigs...

IT'S Bank Holiday Monday, the day when we are - if you believe the mainstream media and its advertising support - meant to be in the garden or scouring the shelves of the DIY emporium.  Are we? Like hell we are!

Tonight (August 26th) we're making a beeline for Belsonic to see the festival come to its conclusion when Bullet for My Valentine and Bring Me The Horizon play with opening act, the mighty, earth-shatteringly heavy Gojira.

Taking a pause for all of 24 hours we'll then be hitting Alkaline Trio, those Illionois dark punk masters of catchy tunes with sinister overtones. The Matt Skiba lead act are one of those creative bands that don't come along too often; for every chart bothering song there is a melancholic tale of murder, betrayal, lust and wasted love. There are still a few tickets left for this Limelight1 show - and don't forget their afternoon acoustic set at Head Records.

Then there's guitar maestro Stevie Vai on Thursday in the Mandella Hall and Altus and Astralnaut...more information when we get a chance and see what way the land lies after tonight and tomorrow....

See y'all there

[PS don't forget our Soundgarden competition]

Sounding the bells for Belsonic's metal conclusion

BELFAST'S Belsonic festival is under way this week, and will roll on to its conclusion when Bullet for My Valentine, Bring Me The Horizon and Gojira take the Custom House Square on Monday, 26th August.

And while attention has been focussed for many rock fans on Nine Inch Nails Belsonic appearance on 21st August (this coming Wednesday), the Bank Holiday triple bill is one worth making the time for amongst rock and metal fans.

Some regular readers of this blog have certain set views of Bullet for My Valentine, while nearly one and all are massive fans of the French eco-metallers Gojira.

Before jumping to any conclusions it is worth taking the time to consider what Bullet for My Valentine has achieved, and set aside any pre-conceived notions about the Welsh for four-piece; a particular form of metal snobbery can come into play with any band not 'cool' enough, as can be witnessed on some national and international forums.

What cannot be denied is the success of Bullet for My Valentine in terms of sales, crowds and coverage, without essentially changing their contemporary metal sound.

Four albums under their wings the Bridgend band has become such a headlining act that they play arena dates on both sides of the Atlantic as headliners; not so long ago they were appearing at the Limelight complex (which again shows what a springboard that venue can be!).

The latest album from BFMV. Temper, Temper is already achieving chart success across the globe - without any airplay on mainstream.

While Bring Me the Horizon will bring its own set of fans Gojira will attract those who wish to push their metal tastes that little bit further. Touring across European festivals the French metallers have been gaining new fans and even seen a dedicated troupe of fellow countrymen journey far and wide at attend festival dates such as Bloodstock.

Backing their quite awesome 2012 Roadrunner release - L'Enfant Sauvage - fans can expect a set list which will include tracks such as The Heaviest Matter in the Universe, Explosia and maybe even Toxic Garbage Island and Wisdom Comes - we just can't wait!

Tickets are still available from Ticketmaster and all usual outlets.

Nailed to the Belsonic Mast

NINE Inch Nails are the latest act to be added to the Belsonic line-up with an appearance from Trent Raznor and crew on Wednesday 21st August.

Support comes from local technical noisenicks And So I Watch You from Afar.

And, with the Bullet for My Valentine/Bring Me The Horizon are Gojira, the heavy as hell French Enviro-metallers on Bank Holiday Monday, August 26th.

With Lamb of God on in August this could be a neck snapping month...

Bullet for Belsonic...good week of announcements

NOT only did this week see the tremendous news that Slayer will be making a long overdue return to Belfast to play the Limelight on June 12th, but among the Belsonic 2013 August headliners will be Bullet for My Valentine, with support from, Bring Me The Horizon.

Whatever next we ponder...Metallica for the Diamond Rock Club? Machine Head for The Empire? Oh well, with so many announcements you'll just have to keep your eyes peeled here and on the Limelight, MCD, Distortion Project and Diamond Rock Club pages!