ALBUM REVIEW: Massive Wagons grab you good and proper on Full Nelson

WELL holy fuckity fuck but Massive Wagons have gone and done it again - produced an album chock a block with wall-to-wall great songs.

'Full Nelson - their first release on Earache - is further tribute to what the band is capable of: tunes, riffs, melody and muscle.

True, the regurgitation of older tracks such as 'Back To The Stack'. 'Ratio and 'Tokyo' help pad it out, and new nine songs have real kick and a massive set of balls that enables them to pull off a wondrous set of songs that in true Massive Wagons style have hard rock sensibilities mixed with occasional metal sensibilities.

But more than that - the ever-present awareness of what they are doing, combined with acute observational lyrics.

Many will have already tracks from this as they gear up for unleashing 'Full Nelson' but when taken as a collection they all work so well together.

For example 'Last On The List' follows the edge of 'Hate Me' into the delightful poignancy of 'The Ballad of Verdun Hayes'.

Whether a new label has really given them more a expressive outlet is a moot point as the band's previous two releases are strong enough to stand proud in any discography. But there is a sense of a band more comfortable here - and that doesn't mean they are in any way laid back.

From the opener 'Under No Illusion' this is an act wanting to show all-comers that they are on the verge of even greater things.

Bax manages to go from eviscerating social commentary through to deep emotional resonance ('Northern Boy') while Adam and Steve weave guitar magic.

The first three tracks set out the intent from Massive Wagon, as the title song, the wondrous critique of social media norms on 'China Plates' plus the singalong glory of 'Billy Balloon Head' are more than enough to satisfy any rock fan.

But this is a band not content with just a few great songs. The entire album is packed with revelatory poise. 'Summertime Smile' is The Cult and Aerosmith hybrid that exceeds their influences as Bowz (bass) and Alex (drums propel the track forward.

However, it is 'Northern Boy' that is at the heart of 'Full Nelson'. The well-thought out musical passages, the sense in the lyrics of what life is like in 2018 outside the Geater London bubble makes this a track to go back to time and time again.

It would be possible to analyse each and every track on this album and still not come close to the experience of listening to it, wallowing in it...and loving every minute.

Put it this way - Earache and their PR partners may have sent us the preview review, but when it is released we'll be buying our own copy to sit proudly in our collection.

Review by Jonathan Traynor

Full Nelson is released on Earache on August 10th

ALBUM REVIEW: The Temperance Movement bare all on A Deeper Cut

IT'S a rare band that exposes all their problems in public, let alone open their hearts in songs - yet The Temperance Movement have done that on their latest release 'A Deeper Cut'.

They have produced a set of tracks that sum up the journey of the band - melancholic and triumphant.

For many The Temperance Movement were in the past a Marmite band - you either loved them or walked away. But on 'A Deeper Cut' they have exposed every heartache, every travail and every pain.

It could be that is what makes this a remarkable rock album.

Perhaps it is best summed up on 'Beast Nation'. Languid, introspective and self-deprecating. One to play with the headphones on, a private moment to think about oneself and what others are feeling. "Come inside and dry your eyes".

The loss of founder members, the past addictions of singer, Phil Campbell, are something they willingly, but to really feel the journey the band have been on - from the early heady days, then downward, they now rise.

Their brand of southern infused hard rock can come across as a bit 'light' to some, but the edge is retained musically as much as in the lyrical depth. 'Built in Forgetter' has a chorus the demands you join in, but has structure and exudes coolness no matter what the day throws at you.

On the other hand you have the contrast between the up tempo 'Backwater Zoo' and the painful but beautiful 'Children' sums up this album. The ability to wear the heart on the sleeve without remorse despite the regrets. "I never thought I'd be so dumb as to blame people for things I've done" - says it all about their journey.

The Temperance Movement have admitted that they were tempted to work with other writers, but it is a good thing for the sake of this album that they have kept faith with their own ability.

The journey is best summed up on the closer 'The Wonders We've Seen'. This brings the band full circle. This showcases that the five-piece that can look back, that can admit were things have gone wrong and emerge stronger and better.

Make no mistake, this is not a heavy album, but it is heavy in emotion and is much better for that.

Review by Jonathan Traynor

A Deeper Cut is released on February 16th on Earache
The Temperance Movement play The Empire Belfast on February 28th

NEWS: Massive Wagons sign worldwide deal with Earache Records and plan next album

WITH an ever-growing fanbase, and many loyal devotees here in Northern Ireland we're pleased that Massive Wagons are taking the next step in their career by signing a worldwide deal with Earache Records.

Formed in Lancashire by brothers Adam (guitar) and Alex (drums) Thistlethwaite, both in their 20s, MW are the newest rock 'n' roll hopefuls to sign to Earache.  Rounded out by Barry "Baz" Mills (vocals) and Adam Bouskill (bass), and as the press release says Massve Wagons "play straight-up, feel-good rock 'n' roll in the English tradition - no gimmicks, no agenda."

The band have been nurtured and developed by Off Yer Rocka for several years - and have expressed their thanks to the label for enabling them to develop to this point in their rock 'n' roll journey.

And, good news for fans is that Massive Wagons hope to release their latest album early in 2018

"You always hear people talk about 'making it'; rock fans chatting about who they think will 'make it' or who they'd like to see 'make it'," said frontman Baz.

"I've never really known what that truly means to be honest - I suppose everyone has a different take on what it means to them - but if you ask me, I'd say 'making it' means being lucky enough to reach a platform where our music is taken seriously, recognised and respected; where our music will be cemented in history, referenced in the future maybe by our peers as a band that did something; remembered by rock fans.

"I wanna leave a legacy - however big or small that is, I want to leave our mark, and although I want to take this thing much further, I firmly believe through signing with Earache that we have achieved this.

"I'm so proud to sign this deal; to be able to work with such a huge label like Earache is a dream come true.  The new Wagons album is just about written, next is the studio, then the biggest, baddest release yet.  Bring it on!  I just wanna thank the people at Earache for having faith in what we do and giving a group of guys from the street an opportunity to stand out.  Much love and rock on."

"We're mega excited to have signed to the world's toughest and truest hard rock and metal label, Earache Records," adds lead guitarist Adam.

"We have always been impressed by their artists and are extremely confident that the best material we're writing has found its rightful home in Earache for many years to come.  We are straining at the leash to get stuck into 2018 and beyond."

Gama Thrash...

It's a wee bit overdue but congrats and big up to Gama Bomb for signing with the Earache label...and they've even been mentioned by the non-metal NME in a feature on Thrash!

But most of all a big up to Philly and Luke for rating Among The Living as one of the top 5 Thrash albums, as it is a platter rarel off the Belfast Metalheads Reunited Decks of Doom. Nice to know the young 'uns have taste. :)