Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes will play a headline show at Oh Yeah Centre, Belfast on Tuesday March 21st 2017.

Formed in 2015 by former Gallows and Pure Love frontman Frank Carter, they release their new album 'Modern Run' on January 27th 2017.  Tickets go on sale Friday November 18th at 10am/

The follow-up to 2015’s storming ‘Blossom’ is titled ‘Modern Ruin’ and lands via their own imprint International Death Cult via Kobalt Label Services on Friday 27th January 2017.

Billed as a ‘daring, boldly anthemic record’ and Frank Carter’s ‘most infectious to date’, the album was mixed by Catherine Marks (Foals/ Wolf Alice) and recorded by Thomas Mitchener, the band’s former touring bassist in his own Broadfields Studio.

As a tantalising taster, the band have unleashed another song, 'Lullaby’, which follows in the footsteps of blistering current single 'Snake Eyes'.

Oh Yeah Centre, Belfast, Tuesday March 21st 2017, Doors 7pm, 14+ Show. Tickets £15 + Booking Fee

COMIN' ATCHA: Avatar return to Oh Yeah Centre in November

SWEDISH metal band AVATAR announce a headline show at Oh Yeah Centre, Belfast on Monday November 21st 2016. The band’s new album 'Feathers & Flesh' was released in May of this year. 

And, last time they were here it was a helluva good show (review of it is here).

Avatar came of age as “little brothers” of sorts of the famed Gothenburg scene that spawned the celebrated New Wave Of Swedish Death Metal. 

Within Avatar’s diverse songs, a steady focus on the fluid and organic power of the riff (recalling the thunderous foresight of heavy metal’s original wizards, Black Sabbath) takes flight combined with an adventurous sprit veering off into the astral planes of the psychedelic atmosphere conjured by pioneers like Pink Floyd back in the day. 

Avatar has found a footing that combines the best of rock n’ roll, hard rock and heavy metal’s past, present and future into an overall artistic presentation that is thought-provoking, challenging and altogether enchantingly electric. With the grandiose showmanship of American professional wrestling, the snake oil salesmanship of early 20th century vaudevillian troubadours and the kinetically superheroic power of early Kiss, Avatar lays waste to lesser mortals with ease. Whether somebody gets their rocks off listening to Satyricon or System of a Down, they’ll find something suitably deranged here. 

“We’re in this weird field, caught in a triangle between extreme metal, rock n’ roll and what can be described as Avant-garde,” confesses Avatar vocalist Johannes Eckerström. The all-enveloping theme park vibe of the band’s music and visual counterpart means that, naturally, “it’s turning into something bigger.”

“I have been in this band for ten years. I grew up in this band,” Eckerström explains. “We’re somewhat veterans on the one hand. But we’re the new kids in the neighborhood in America at the same time.”

Tickets, priced £16 (+booking fee) on sale Monday July 18th at 9am from www.shine.net, www.ticketmaster.ie Katy’s Bar & Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.

Apocalyptic anthems aired as Avatar's showmanship rolls into Belfast

THERE comes a time when the end of days is predicted, when pestilence, war and hunger rampage through a ravaged world. Such days are yet to have their revelation not rapture; but until the harbingers of the apocalypse are in hand in the shape of Avatar.

On Thursday, 12th June the carnival of chaos in the shape of the Swedish circus metal act rolled through Belfast's Oh Yeah Centre, in an all-ages gig promoted by The Distortion Project.

But before the revelatory rhymes of Avatar, auguries from the bowels of dead goats predicted much cod horror in the shape of Little Miss Stakes. Luminescent paint, masks and fake flames brought forth their Northern Ireland take on the dark punk metal of Misfits and Wednesday 13.

Awful sound plagued their set, and at times vocals and melodies were lost in the mix. However, the band could also do more with their songs to bring a sharper sound to bear. And, if you're playing up the character of the masked madman fronting a cod-horror outfit, stay in character when introducing songs or trying to build a relationship with the audience.

That said, what does scream out from Little Miss Stakes is the potential to develop further with the right guiding hand. The basis of a band is being built, and stronger foundations now need to be created, with the likes of 'Dr Frankenstein' solid ground to work with.

Solid ground slipped away from the anticipating audience, as Sinocence roared on to stage with the anthemic 'Long Way Down'. Shortly to celebrate 13 years as a band, that experience and drive was evident as it shocked and awed some of the younger members of the crowd.

And, it was halfway through the second song, 'Occam's Razor' that the sound settled down and those in attendance realised that they were bearing witness of heavy metal in its purest form.

Despite the cramped stage and heat, Sinocence kept on delivering, causing spontaneous headbanging, horns being raised and joyous clapping.

'Metal Box' and 'Monster...' drew welcome applause and Sinocence not only warmed up the room for the headliners, but also won new fans amongst the teenagers.

Avatar do not need to work on their craft; their unique sound melds the molten intensity of metal and the circus stylings, with the skill of an alchemist working in  a booth at a funfare where only the wary dare tread.

From opener 'Torn Apart' to 'Queen of Blades' it was a high energy, high tempo set; their recent tour of America has brought the vision of the band to heady heights.

Eckerstrom's is the ringmaster for the rapture, a make-up clad master of the three-ringed circus - he at point lapping up the acclaim for his singing, while the second ring has simply outstanding guitars of Jarlsby and Ohstrom; all rounded up by Sandelin (bass) and the compelling character of Alfredsson (drums) lurking like angry rhythmic beats.

Eckerstrom's vocal range from clean to growling is a feature, the make-up and his massive mouth (no seriously, he could swallow a cow whole with that gub!) painted with a smile that hints of joy and doom.

Title track of their most recent release, 'Hail The Apocalypse' brought those at the Oh Yeah Centre close to fever pitch in an already hot and sweaty room.

Closely followed by the threat of 'What I Don't Know' the shape of the evening was clearly being laid down as their latest release allowed Jarlsby and Ohstrom to weave intricate patterns in an aural landscape that hinted at a wasteland, but brought light into a world of dark.

The banter in between songs of Eckertrom was as well rehearsed as any mad leader of the masses into damnation. From the bonding of metalheads together as a global family to an equality statement about those little people who want to regard other humans as sub-human through to references to Belfast his schtick is clichéd but with a knowing nod to the audience.

'Vulture's Fly' was a highlight of the set, while 'Let It Burn' was, to coin another cliché, incendiary. Rounding off the main part of the show with 'Tsar Bomba's' breakneck pace, the encore of 'Smells Like A Freakshow' and 'Queen of Blades'; brought the curtain down on the show, with an invitation to meet the band at the merch stall.

Avatar are not to everyone's taste, particularly with Eckerstrom's take on Rob Zombie meets Alice Cooper style, but it is a fair bet that after Avatar round off their festival dates they will be ready to gain more momentum and build further on theira growing fanbase.

Hallowed cries from within the carnival are not those of souls lost in the abyss, but the screams of delight. Had more people attended the event, then it is sure that the screams would grow ever louder; and should Avatar once again return to these shores they will attract a bigger adulatory crowd.

Review by JonnyPictures courtesy of Metalplanet.

Dee, Isiah and Solomon - the brothers who are Radkey prep for June 25th Oh Yeah show

RIGHT - you're all ready for the Avatar show tonight (June 12th) at the Oh Yeah Centre? Good, then while you're there you might just want to consider another date at the Cathedral Quarter venue, punk brothers in arms, Radkey.


Claiming influences as diverse as the Misfits, The Who, Ramones and Death have been bubbling around for a couple of years, and with their Devil Fruit ep out now, they're taking the brave step of a brief UK and European jaunt...hey, don't sneer, it worked for Green Day.


The sound of Radkey follows what you would expect from a punk act from St Joseph, Missouri...if you know what we mean...


Also, they are sufficiently self deprecating in their own way. Check out their website and click the band profile. After three lengthy paragraphs about their interests and hobbies the final line reads: "They also like music too."


With a good vocal hooks from Dee one US reviewer helped dispel any myths about them..."They're much more than scabby Ramones fans"


Yes, indeed they are. Tickets for this +14 show are £11 and on sale now.

Avatar deliver a dark carnival of the apocalypse

IN the mid-20th Century writer Ray Bradbury published the seminal dark fantasy book, Something Wicked This Way Comes, about a carnival of nightmares - a novel only spoiled by its sickly sweet ending. Sweden's Avatar have no such sweet endings on their soon to be released album, Hail To The Apocalypse.

Avatar's dark vision showcases bloodied armies, tortured souls, and a palace of music where doubt sits with sadism and masochism. Laughter? That only comes when you are in on the joke.

A weirdly compelling mélange of metal styles draws listeners in, much as Bradbury's fictional carnival was a draw for the teenage protagonists in his novel.

Add a dash of comedic metal, a dash of melodrama, circus guitar riffs, a drop of black metal and a dash of death metal and you may, just may, get close to what Avatar deliver on this album.

From the furious opener, the eponymous 'Hail To The Apocalypse', the circus elements reign on the hypnotic 'I Don't Know' followed by death metal riffs come fast and furious on 'The Death of Sound'

Johannes Michael Gustaff Eckerstrom performs vocal gymnastics throughout the album but it is Tom Ohrstrom and Kunn's guitars who add the flourishes, the strange combination of styles from straightforward riffing on 'Vulture's Riffing' through the dark melancholia on 'Something In The Way' and 'The Tower'.

Lyrically, behind the mask of the demented ringmaster, Eckerstrom delivers with panache punchy lines that range widely, but all have an inherent darkness that is in itself challenging.

Standout tracks 'Murderer' and 'Tsar Bomba' sum up the experience, with the former's incantations behind metal riffing and dark melodies, and Tsar Bomba's black metal charge only softened by a stunning range of solos that range from the sublime to the plain silly in an enjoyable exercise.

The challenge presented to John Alfresson (drums) and Henrik Sandelin (bass) to keep up with the varied pitches and rhythms inherent on this platter is undoubtedly more than just coming in on '1'; but as both have been with the band since its inception from 2003 they are no doubt used to the weirdness, such as on the funfare that is 'Puppet Show' and the wacky journey on 'Get In Line'.

Last time out Avatar enjoyed success with the release in 2012 of Black Waltz, hitting the Swedish album charts at #25; but as openers for Avenged Sevenfold/Five Finger Death Punch's autumn/winter tour they have gained valuable road chops. They're now beginning the European tour cycle for Hail The Apocalypse, including the June 12th date at Belfast's Oh Yeah Centre.

How they bring to life the over-the-top dynamism of Hail The Apocalypse and Black Waltz to the stage in smaller venues is as intriguing as the lyrics of 'Something In the Way' (one of the lines is: "It's okay to eat fish, because they don't have any feelings...")

What is certain is that Hail...deserves a wide audience, an audience prepared to live with pathos, bathos and belly laughs together with the frowns of concentration just trying to keep up with the madness.

Album closer, The Tower, is perhaps the most 'straight' song on display, with its menacing atmosphere, duplicitous themes and haunting melody building to a traditional heavier mid section and a gradual fade out.

So, raise your drinks, your horns and salute the apocalypse, buy a ticket to the dark carnival and ride the merry-go-round where you may just meet your deathly clone.

Hail The Apocalypse is released on Sony/Gain on May 14th.

The June 12th Belfast date at the Oh Yeah Centre is a Distortion Project show. Tickets, priced at £12 available from Ticketmaster and usual outlets. This is a +14 show, and no alcohol will be on sale (but there are a number of bars nearby for older fans...)

Below is the video for the title track from Hail The Apocalypse...a small taste of the Dark Carnival...

Is it just me...

STIFF Little Fingers received the Northern Ireland Music Awards (NIMA) ‘Legends’ award at the biggest event yet on Wednesday 2nd November, and proceeded to show the young whippersnappers just how a proper band delivers a live performance.

Later that same evening I had the privilege, together with my son, to see another legend in the shape of ex-Guns ‘n’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan deliver another solid, stonking set at the Spring and Airbrake with his current touring outfit Loaded. These two legends are worthy of the status in a world where hyperbole is the norm and every numptie who can play two or three chords is given a wow factor.

Attending the Northern Ireland Music Awards was a mixed blessing – the chance to see SLF again being uppermost. But while one must accord congratulations to AU, Oh Yeah and Belfast City Council for organising the event, I was left feeling very much confused for what the mainstream passes off for music. Is it just me? Am I getting too old? But all bar And So I Watched You From Afar left me cold, and for large parts bored.

General Fiasco are an obvious favourite amongst the many teenagers and twentysomethings in the crowd, but even my son was bored by what was a performance that seemed to me to lack depth. Wearing ties and looking like they had just come out of a prep school party.

As for Cashier No. 9...well it was difficult to tell whether they were Byrds wannabes, or some sort of take on reviving the eclecticism of the 60s and 80s. Dogged by technical problems (errr guys even if everything goes down sing something! Or rehearse properly with your gear!) they left in a huff after two songs.

Returning after some much needed refreshment we came across what seemed to be a distorted guitar riff...only to find it was a sample – The Japanese Popstars where on stage. Ohh dear me, Satan must be reserving a very special place in hell for people who ‘perform’ with a couple of samplers and their Apple Mac laptops open. Sure they can mix other people’s music and add yet more samples of other people’s music and other people’s music (getting the theme here) what’s the point. Go programme computer games soundtracks or play Call of Duty, but don’t pass it off as a performance. If you can’t write music...

Is it just me? Am I getting too old?

Salvation was at hand however. Having no real live experience of And So I Watch You From Afar it was a delight to have an edgy, over the top instrumental wall of guitars, bass and drums: the bastard child of alt rock and Mastodon, there was something electric on stage. And for a change it was no faux angst. Tony announced he was leaving ASIWYFA before diving into the crowd. Due adulation, ecstatic scenes among the appreciative and the thrown down guitar... One cannot tell what the future is for ASIWYFA and Tony, but well worth tracking it down.

Radio Ulster’s Rigsy and Emma Fitzpatrick of Citybeat did an admirable job as hosting the event, but special mention must go to Stuart Bailie for organising it, and for Belfast City Council for being so open to Northern Ireland music for being among the backers (can’t figure out the Invest Northern Ireland link, but hey perhaps local bands should be applying for a special rock grant!).

BBC Northern Ireland’s Mike Edgar gave a glowing accolade to SLF, complete with a video charting their history (and some fashion mistakes). But what can you really say. Off stage they could be a group of middle aged men gathered round for a natter and wee bit of craic. But onstage there is a fire and an intensity that few can match even when they are only there for a 20-minute blast through.

Suspect Device, Strummerville, Wasted Life - all delivered like the fury of the late 70s and early 80s was still burning in Jake Burns heart. And with a new – long-awaited album follow-up to Guitar and Drum promised one can only see the Stiffs go from strength to strength.

This is beginning to read like a GCSE attempt at a review rather than a serious journalistic analysis, but what the hell:

With the final chords of Alternative Ulster echoing it was a quick dash to the Spring and Airbrake, thanks to the kind folks at CDC Leisure, to catch the last half of Duff McKagan’s Loaded. Laconic, every bit the Californian superstar punk, heavy rock icon, Duff’s set was almost like he was the resident act for the venue. Chatting to the front row as if with old friends.

But make no mistake about it; this is not a man on nostalgia trip. Yes the Gunner’s It’s So Easy was punched out to the crowd’s delight, while Attitude summed up a lot about the man. The acoustic version of Wasted Heart, however, showed that this is a man and a band prepared to see what comes next rather than resting on past glories.

So, why in the world did it take so long for SLF to be accorded Legends status? Why was the Spring and Airbrake not rammed to the rafters for Duff? And why was local hard rock and metal talent not received accolades and awards in the Ulster Hall? Trucker Diablo, Last Known Addiction, Million Dollar Reload, Worldsend etc etc etc may have small flaws each, but those flaws are tiny, minuscule compared to the flawed fashionable ones.

I posit two reasons: first, fashions fickle fingers swaying from the arms of the playlists of BBC, (un)Cool FM and Citybeat and the pages of AU. The second one is related, but all the more serious: airplay.

The rock and metal scene exists despite being blacklisted from the radio stations and print media. With the right airplay on mainstream stations I have no doubt that hard rock venues and album sales would enjoy a resurgence. Mime-along acts enjoy their allotted scandal rag half hour of fame and sell-out the Odyssey for their pre-pubescent fantasist girls and their mums, but the conversion of the 12,000+ that went to Iron Maiden and Metallica in the Odyssey from weekend rockers to regular attendees for local acts is but an airplay step away. One can but dream that next year’s Northern Ireland Music Awards will offer due recognition to hard rock and metal acts, and SLF get another Legends award, to paraphrase a certain cosmetic advertisement: Because They’re Worth It!

URGENT! Wanna be an extra in a rock video

The Answer want you! Yes you! The band are filming a video at the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast today from noon until 5pm. If you can make your way along they need faces old and new to turn up.

So, if unlike me you're not stuck in work head down and you could see yer bake plastered on Scuzz and Kerrang TV alongside Cormac and crew.

UPDATE: if you can only get along for a while they are auditioning for future filming