WE'VE been toying about this album for a wee while here at Belfastmetalheadresunited, gradually finding more and more to commend in Cursed Sun's Premonitions.
Truth be told we have had a copy for several weeks now, but we've played it in the car, played it while walking the dog (who gave it a four paw review...) and listened in the serenity of a darkened room while sipping the Devil's Buttermilk.
Our first impression was of competency, our next - and final judgement - is that Cursed Sun have produced a début platter that stands up as an opening for what could be a promising future - how far that future can extend when operating from Northern Ireland remains to be seen.
Yes, there are parts of this album that sound derivative at times, but you inevitably have parts of the
'genre' when you are in the 'genre'. More of that later....
But, notwithstanding that point Premonitions stands up as a rounded album. After the opener, 'The Necrotic Gift' it kicks into a higher gear with 'White Horse'.
From there it is a helter-skelter ride through frenetic riffs and impassioned lyrics.
Cursed Sun have laid down a tight CD, with guitarist McCleery showing off a variety of solo styles, with nods to Nile, Arch Enemy, Dimebag and Adrian Smith. But they are 'nods to' not copies of.
Singer, Andew Cassidy can pound out the songs as well as many a chanter, and in time he will find more firmly his own voice amidst the crowd. There is evidence here that it is coming through with a mix of intonations on 'The Vultures' emerging.
And it is on that track that Cursed Sun put forward a more choppy approach with the timing of the riff and rhythm just varying enough to keep it interesting.
Also standing out are 'Between These Walls' and closer 'Descension' both of which have an oppressive vibe suitable for this dystopian landscape we occupy in 2013.
Cursed Sun are unfortunate in that Premonitions is coming out at a time when labels and UK promoters are not really sure what is the 'next thing' in metal. Is it old school thrash? Is it progressive black metal?
We have always despised the labelling of bands into genres and sub-genres, and when it comes down to it, it is either good 'metal' or not good 'metal'. Cursed Sun's Premonitions falls into the former category.
That is not to say the album is not without flaws - no band has ever produced the perfect album (well Metallica have, but we're biased!).
At times Premonitions does suffer from a sameness between one track and another, but given a lot of metal suffers from that, it is a flaw easily rectified as they grow as recording artists. Also, at times the tempos seem locked in rather than loose in the groove - again something that can be translated from the live environment into the studio with more experience.
But these are just the reviewer being a nit-picker - listen to 'Cruelty Concept' about four minutes in and Cursed Sun show they have the ability to shift the tone before ennui can settle in; equally 'In Sufferance' showcases guitar and bass in a melodic mélange before the heads get banging again.
Overall Cursed Sun have delivered on Premonitions and if you have any doubts live with it a while and love the black hole of delicious metal that they can suck you down into!
Friday, March 01, 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Primordial go back to the beginning
WITH their last album 'Redemption at the Puritan's Hand' setting a new standard for Celtic Death/Folk metal, Primorial are now going back to basics - well not quite: the Skerries outfit are going back to the vibe that kicked off their career.
Their debut album 'Imrama' will be officially released on vinyl for the first time ever on April 2nd. The version out there already is, according to their label, "a bootleg of low quality. If you have purchased it you have been ripped off."
This official version will include a remaster of the album as well as a free poster and will be released as a Gatefold-LP with the original artwork!
Even though they are sometimes, like prophets in their own land, not given due accord, Primordial have time and time melded the dark tales and heroism of Ireland's past (both north and south) and inspired the likes of their label mates, Darkest Era, to incorporate legacy with whatever genre of metal is your preference.
With Imrama you can now get back to where it al began.
Their debut album 'Imrama' will be officially released on vinyl for the first time ever on April 2nd. The version out there already is, according to their label, "a bootleg of low quality. If you have purchased it you have been ripped off."
Even though they are sometimes, like prophets in their own land, not given due accord, Primordial have time and time melded the dark tales and heroism of Ireland's past (both north and south) and inspired the likes of their label mates, Darkest Era, to incorporate legacy with whatever genre of metal is your preference.
With Imrama you can now get back to where it al began.
Friday, February 01, 2013
Oh Lord, it's Lordi
REMEMBE that day a few years back when metal en masse voted across Europe to acclaim Lordi as Eurovision winners? You do, good! Because the Finnish mentalists are to play Belfast.
Here are the details:
The Distortion Project in association with Limelight Belfast presentsLORDITo Beast Or Not To Beast Tour 2013+ GuestsLimelight 1, Belfast
Saturday May 4th 2012
Tickets on sale priced £21 (excluding booking fee) from www.limelightbelfast.com www.ticketmaster.ie Katy’s Bar & Ticketmaster outlets nationwide. Northern Ireland customers 0844 277 44 55 & Republic of Ireland customers 0818 719 300
Lordi is ready for the release of the sixth studio album To Beast Or Not To Beast. The new album is musically the most aggressive Lordi album yet. The seeds of the new approach in Lordi’s music were originally planted and inspired by the technical and brutal way the band’s former drummer Otus played Lordi songs. For the first time in Lordi´s history, Mr Lordi was not the one, who set up the tone of the upcoming material. Amen wrote 3 riffs in the spring of 2011 inspired by late Otus´ drum patterns. Those riffs were to become the musical guidelines of the new album To Beast Or Not To Beast.
Year 2012 marked two anniversaries for Lordi, both the 20th year birthday since the bands birth and the 10th anniversary of the release of their debut album Get Heavy. However, all the planned celebration was quickly toned down hard, as the drummer Otus passed away on February 13th. After the time of silence, the band played the confirmed gigs and summer festivals accompanied by a musician mysteriously named as The Drummer. Another line-up change became reality in early August, when the long-time keyboard player Awa played at the anniversary show in Rovaniemi. That was her last gig with Lordi.
In late August 2012, the band went again to USA to record the sixth studio album under the production of Michael Wagener. In December, a new keyboardist Hella and a new drummer Mana were officially announced to be the new members of Lordi.
Lordi’s new album “To Beast or not to Beast” will be released on the 1st March. A single, entitled “Riff” will be out on February 8th.
Tickets onsale this Monday
http://www.lordi.fi/https://www.facebook.com/LordiOfficial
http://www.youtube.com/Lordiofficial
Well you can't say you weren't warned...
Here are the details:
The Distortion Project in association with Limelight Belfast presentsLORDITo Beast Or Not To Beast Tour 2013+ GuestsLimelight 1, Belfast
Saturday May 4th 2012
Tickets on sale priced £21 (excluding booking fee) from www.limelightbelfast.com www.ticketmaster.ie Katy’s Bar & Ticketmaster outlets nationwide. Northern Ireland customers 0844 277 44 55 & Republic of Ireland customers 0818 719 300
Lordi is ready for the release of the sixth studio album To Beast Or Not To Beast. The new album is musically the most aggressive Lordi album yet. The seeds of the new approach in Lordi’s music were originally planted and inspired by the technical and brutal way the band’s former drummer Otus played Lordi songs. For the first time in Lordi´s history, Mr Lordi was not the one, who set up the tone of the upcoming material. Amen wrote 3 riffs in the spring of 2011 inspired by late Otus´ drum patterns. Those riffs were to become the musical guidelines of the new album To Beast Or Not To Beast.
Year 2012 marked two anniversaries for Lordi, both the 20th year birthday since the bands birth and the 10th anniversary of the release of their debut album Get Heavy. However, all the planned celebration was quickly toned down hard, as the drummer Otus passed away on February 13th. After the time of silence, the band played the confirmed gigs and summer festivals accompanied by a musician mysteriously named as The Drummer. Another line-up change became reality in early August, when the long-time keyboard player Awa played at the anniversary show in Rovaniemi. That was her last gig with Lordi.
In late August 2012, the band went again to USA to record the sixth studio album under the production of Michael Wagener. In December, a new keyboardist Hella and a new drummer Mana were officially announced to be the new members of Lordi.
Lordi’s new album “To Beast or not to Beast” will be released on the 1st March. A single, entitled “Riff” will be out on February 8th.
Tickets onsale this Monday
http://www.lordi.fi/https://www.facebook.com/LordiOfficial
http://www.youtube.com/Lordiofficial
Well you can't say you weren't warned...
Monday, January 28, 2013
Beware MOD alert!
BRADLEY Wiggins not withstanding we have a bit of a problem with MODs - all relates back to the 80s and their hijacking of rock bands and New Wave bands and a devotion to 'fashion' rather than the music. Which makes it all the more worrying that the arrival of The Who in Belfast will see the parkas and scooters out in force.
Here's the blurb:
Here's the blurb:
THE WHO, one of rock’s legendary and defining bands, has announced an Irish and UK arena tour where they’ll perform their iconic 1973 double album QUADROPHENIA in its entirety, along with a selection of WHO classics.
TICKET INFORMATION
8th June: The O2, Dublin
10th June: Odyssey Arena, Belfast
Tickets are on sale this Friday, 1 February at 9am from Ticketmaster outlets and online at www.ticketmaster.ie
The tour follows on from a hugely successful North American, tour, praised by press and fans alike as probably the definitive interpretation of Quadrophenia and “a rock 'n' roll lover's dream come true” (Telegram.com, Boston). “QUADROPHENIA is their (The Who’s) boldest and most fully realized albums,” writes Rolling Stone, “but it's never quite gotten the live show it deserves – until now”.
Orange Goblin and the ancient art of headbanging
THERE'S something unique about Orange Goblin gigs - something that straddles space and time to reach through the infinite wormholes of multi-dimensional travel to pull the adherents of the ancient art of heaadbanging into 2013.
So, that may be a bit of hyperbole right out of a Michael Moorcock novella, but Orange Goblin, back in Belfast on Sunday night (January 27th) bridged that space between young and old, that space between doom and groove, that space between hope and oblivion to lay down the Goblin gospel of heavy metal.
However, it looked as if the night would be off to less that auspicious start with the Foyle river gods, Triggerman struggling with guitar issues. But Bap and his merry crew, with some help from Admiral Sir Cloudeseley Shovell's guitars, managed to turn in a blistering, all beit truncated set. Worms, Thon Strange Brew and Flowers highlights. A long journey, technical hitches and Bap recovering from the flu spurred them on, keeping the focus and laying it down just as the Guardians of Heavy Metal in the Ancient Ale Halls have decreed.
In contrast Admiral Sir Cloudeseley Shovell were a band that failed to engage most of the crowd, who seemed not to be able to get a handle on what they were actually aiming to achieve. Was it stoner, was it trip-rock, was it NWOBHM...probably a combination of all these plus a bit of 70s space rock and a frisson of grunge.
Onstage the three-piece seemed disengaged, with little interplay between the two frontmen (the guitarist/singer looked like Noddy Holder's bastard child, and the bassist sported sideboards that would have honoured the 17th Sea Lord the band are named after).
One senses there is a really great band trying to get out, but with a little more stage presence and showmanship and a tighter arrangement this could be a good act worthhy of their own heaadline club tour in the future.
But if it is showmanship, tight music and sheer presence then look no further than Orange Goblin!
Despite this being only the second date in what promises to be a lengthy 2013 sojourn across the globe the London quartet were tighter than a gnat's arse in a thunderstorm.
Reaching back through the back catalogue and hurtling us towards last year's release of A Eulogy for the Damned this was a helter skelter ride of pure, unadulterated, no flannel, no fucking about heavy metal.
Ben Ward dominating the stage both in height and charisma, Joe Hoare unassuming but with ferocious riffing and solos, all naled by Martyn Millard and Chris Turner's rhythm section pummeling the crowd into a blissful oblivion with a bottom end that rumbled through the rafters and floorboards of Limelight2.
All the usual suspects were on the setlist, but an honourable mention has to go to The Filthy and The Few and The Fog - dedicated naturally to the Late John Carpenter.
Goblin fans know the score - they come for a party, arrive ready to share the songs, share the good time and bathe in the brilliance of heavy metal played by a band that gets more assured and more astounding each and every time.
Interviewed last week Martyn told us that the band were looking at 2013 as the year when they turned professional: we've always known Orange Goblin were as professional as it comes when on stage and Belfast can now look on as willing partners to the Goblin crew reaping the rewards of the years building the fanbase.
But a fanbase cannot simply be built, it has to be nurtured with good shows, good tunes and camaradarie with the paying punters. Orange Goblin have done all that and more - we emerged blinking into the sodium glare of streetlights, sweaty and with ears ringing, we were the filthy and not so few and we're ready for each step of the Goblin's journey to global conquest.
So, that may be a bit of hyperbole right out of a Michael Moorcock novella, but Orange Goblin, back in Belfast on Sunday night (January 27th) bridged that space between young and old, that space between doom and groove, that space between hope and oblivion to lay down the Goblin gospel of heavy metal.
However, it looked as if the night would be off to less that auspicious start with the Foyle river gods, Triggerman struggling with guitar issues. But Bap and his merry crew, with some help from Admiral Sir Cloudeseley Shovell's guitars, managed to turn in a blistering, all beit truncated set. Worms, Thon Strange Brew and Flowers highlights. A long journey, technical hitches and Bap recovering from the flu spurred them on, keeping the focus and laying it down just as the Guardians of Heavy Metal in the Ancient Ale Halls have decreed.
In contrast Admiral Sir Cloudeseley Shovell were a band that failed to engage most of the crowd, who seemed not to be able to get a handle on what they were actually aiming to achieve. Was it stoner, was it trip-rock, was it NWOBHM...probably a combination of all these plus a bit of 70s space rock and a frisson of grunge.
Onstage the three-piece seemed disengaged, with little interplay between the two frontmen (the guitarist/singer looked like Noddy Holder's bastard child, and the bassist sported sideboards that would have honoured the 17th Sea Lord the band are named after).
One senses there is a really great band trying to get out, but with a little more stage presence and showmanship and a tighter arrangement this could be a good act worthhy of their own heaadline club tour in the future.
But if it is showmanship, tight music and sheer presence then look no further than Orange Goblin!
Despite this being only the second date in what promises to be a lengthy 2013 sojourn across the globe the London quartet were tighter than a gnat's arse in a thunderstorm.
Reaching back through the back catalogue and hurtling us towards last year's release of A Eulogy for the Damned this was a helter skelter ride of pure, unadulterated, no flannel, no fucking about heavy metal.
Ben Ward dominating the stage both in height and charisma, Joe Hoare unassuming but with ferocious riffing and solos, all naled by Martyn Millard and Chris Turner's rhythm section pummeling the crowd into a blissful oblivion with a bottom end that rumbled through the rafters and floorboards of Limelight2.
All the usual suspects were on the setlist, but an honourable mention has to go to The Filthy and The Few and The Fog - dedicated naturally to the Late John Carpenter.
Goblin fans know the score - they come for a party, arrive ready to share the songs, share the good time and bathe in the brilliance of heavy metal played by a band that gets more assured and more astounding each and every time.
Interviewed last week Martyn told us that the band were looking at 2013 as the year when they turned professional: we've always known Orange Goblin were as professional as it comes when on stage and Belfast can now look on as willing partners to the Goblin crew reaping the rewards of the years building the fanbase.
But a fanbase cannot simply be built, it has to be nurtured with good shows, good tunes and camaradarie with the paying punters. Orange Goblin have done all that and more - we emerged blinking into the sodium glare of streetlights, sweaty and with ears ringing, we were the filthy and not so few and we're ready for each step of the Goblin's journey to global conquest.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Orange Goblin's Martyn speaks - we listen in awe! EXCLUSIVE
When a band has been around as long as 18 years they can go
two ways – out the door or on to yet further success: for Orange Goblin the
second option is the one proving that longevity can result in greater rewards
and the just triumph of god solid heavy metal.
As Orange Goblin prepare for their Limelight2 date on
January 27th we caught up with the bass maestro Martyn Millard who
provided an insight into where 2013 will take the band, thoughts about the
unifying strength of metal and the prospects of QPR staying in the Premiership…
But first, we like all sensible men and women wanted to know
just how Orange Goblin gave birth to their finest release to date, A Eulogy for
the Damned, which by all accounts had a little trouble before its birth.
And Martyn was brutally honest on why it took so long for
this masterpiece to hit the shelves.
“The length of time it took to come out was generally down
to our inability to rehearse on a regular basis and get off our backsides.” he said.
“It’s certainly our most mature work to
date but I'd put that down to the longevity of the band and what we we've been
through over the past 18 years, rather than tweeking songs for months on end
until they were right.
“We had 1 song (Red Tide Rising) which was written 2 or 3
years ago but the rest were written very close to the recording date and just
kind of happened in a very short space of time”
The last time Orange Goblin played in Belfast was yet
another live tour de force from a unit that seems to revel on the stage and
translate the intensity of recorded output into a ferocious live set. Just how does
the band always seem to keep their ‘game’ at such a high intensity?
“We're not entirely sure to be honest,” said Martyn. “I
guess it’s a big melting pot of us genuinely loving the songs, loving playing
live, feeding off of the energy we get from the audience and maybe being fans
and quite down to earth ourselves.”
Perhaps one of the magic ingredients for Orange Goblin is
that they’re not ‘stuck up’ rock prima donnas.
“Yes, I believe that has helped us as we have such a good
relationship with our fans. We are always are approachable. “We will being in
the bar a lot of the time talking to people about music and football etc,and
not hiding away in dressing rooms. I think people feel like they can connect
with us - we are no different to them, which is exactly how it is and how it
should be!”
That connection – along with a straightforward work ethic (despite
earlier comments about getting off their backsides) saw its just rewards in
2012 when Orange Goblin netted arms full of accolades, including being named as
Terrorizer’s Best Band of the year.
“In all honesty we were stunned by the Terrorizer
poll results. To win 'best band' and feature in so many other of the categories
was fantastic and truly humbling.We never expected those results,ever!
“We knew we had released a decent record so if the
album was in the top 20, we would have been over the moon but for people to
vote for us over so many categories was unbelievable. So thank you from all of
us if you voted! Whether we deserve it or not is a question other people may
have to answer, not us .I think we deserve a little recognition certainly!”
And, the just reward for a commitment to getting
out there - and to paraphrase another singer – getting down to business is a
solid following of devoted fans.
“It takes a long time to build up a fan base and 99 times
out of 100, the only way to get that is by jumping in a van and playing up and
down the country as much as you can,” explained Martyn.
“We've always been lucky and the four of us get on so well
that we just treat it as a trip away with your mates. It just so happens that
an hour or so of that time is us playing on stage. You have to enjoy it. If you
don’t enjoy gigging and playing in different cities then there ain’t much point
being in a band really.”
With that base behind them 2013 promises to be a momentous,
busy, globetrotting year for the mighty Goblin’s march to, well to world
domination!
“2013 is huge for us,” Martyn continued. “The opening show
of the in Dublin on Saturday (26th January) will be our first as a
'professional' band.
“It’s taken 18 years but we finally have a chance to
properly tour the world, so that is exactly what we are trying to do.
“After the UK tour we head down under to take part in the
Soundwave festivals as well as some club shows with Kyuss Lives and Red Fang. From
there we fly straight to the US and Canada where we tour with Clutch for 7
weeks. We have 60 club shows in Europe pencilled in for the summer which are
waiting on festival confirmations and then we hope to go back to the States, South
America, Japan, New Zealand and maybe even India, but these are only being
talked about so nothing definite. But as you can see it is going to be a busy
year.”
One area of the fan base that is a times excluded from
access to the live power of Orange Goblin is the under 18s, who cannot get to
shows in pubs and clubs – a source of concern for Martyn: “The youngsters are
the future of anything, be it metal, politics or whatever, so to alienate them
is dangerous. I understand the laws but there are ways round it.
“In the US, some of the bars are split down the middle, so
you have drinkers and over 21's on 1 side and non drinkers and under 21's on
the other. It’s a strange set up, but at least the teenager gets to see his
favourite band thus keeping the music alive in the younger generation. We don’t
people like teenagers becoming disillusioned with our music and going elsewhere
because we are not accessible.”
Throughout the so-called Troubles the flag of metal and punk
helped save a generation of fans from alienation and despair here in Northern
Ireland, and metal bands like Orange Goblin know the responsibility they bear
in helping music as a unifying force, something Martyn is acutely conscious of:
“I think music, no matter what type or genre, is a way of
bringing people together,o r at the very least a form of escapism.
“But rock/metal has a bond which its fans feel an allegiance
to: much more than any other form of music. That is what makes this type of
music special and that is why bands have to keep playing, no matter what the
troubles or problems .It’s a way of life!
“A religion in itself. Just without the bullshit!”
Metal as a no bullshit religion – that’s something we can
get behind! And let’s face it, if you haven’t already began to worship at the
altar of Orange Goblin it’s time you got your groove on, neck brace and stand
by and drinking arm well limbered up.
Come January 27th we’ll be there to see the
Martyn and his trust cohorts rip apart Ormeau Avenue in Belfast – see y’all
there!
But before finally wrapping up the interview we had to ask
about QPR. Martyn is a long standing fan and tweets regularly about the highs
and lows of following the Loftus Road men. But with this season so chaotic, what
is the future for QPR:
“Harry is doing a great job but it won’t be enough. Mark
Hughes left a terrible and unbalanced squad of players behind that was beyond
repair. You never know but i think the job is too big...even for H!”
Some tickets
still remain for the Orange Goblin show and are available from usual outlets or
from Katy’s Bar. A Eulogy for the Damned is out now on Candlelight Records.
Orange Goblin comp winner
Congratulations to Barry who won a pair of tickets to see Orange Goblin return to Belfast on January 27th at Limelight2.
Thanks to everyone who entered. If you're names not Barry and you've not received your congratulatory email then you now have no excuse at all not to march out and buy a ticket to see the mighty Orange Goblin.
Oh - the answer - Frequencies from Planet Ten - and we'll not name the person who got that wrong!
Coming soon - an interview with Orange Goblin's bassist Martyn Millard, who reveals what 2013 has in store as the band takes on being 'professional' for the first time.
Thanks to everyone who entered. If you're names not Barry and you've not received your congratulatory email then you now have no excuse at all not to march out and buy a ticket to see the mighty Orange Goblin.
Oh - the answer - Frequencies from Planet Ten - and we'll not name the person who got that wrong!
Coming soon - an interview with Orange Goblin's bassist Martyn Millard, who reveals what 2013 has in store as the band takes on being 'professional' for the first time.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Moody, melodic, post-hardcore, post punk...WTF
A REVIEWER in a Belfast newspaper last week described a band as: "Moody. melodic, post-harcore, post-punk, informed, indie rock".
What in the name of Lemmy is that? Regular readers of this blog will know that we detest labels. Sometimes they are useful to help classifications, but we usually stick with 'metal', 'hard rock', or 'punk'.
If you get another helpful definition like 'groove', 'doom' or 'death' then you can usually tell what's coming. And we happily report on anything within our range from Journey to Zombified.
We happily take hard rock in the AOR spectrum to the heaviest that Nuclear Blast, Grindscene and Metal Blade can offer.
Which makes it all the more irritating that reviewers spend all their time with hair splitting and labelling.
Then when it all comes down to it we turn the pages of today's Belfast Telegraph to see an initiative that promises support for up and coming local talent. Where's the hard rockers in the line-up? Where's the metal bands? Not one can be seen in this line-up of no doubt earnest shoe gazers.
So, if you are an up and coming band in the hard rock, metal or punk genre let's see you knocking your pans out and we'll at least give you the backing. Following on from ou recent review of 7 Days Dead (from Northern Ireland) we'll be reviewing Cursed Sun's (also from Northern Ireland) excellent Premomitions shortly and Triggerman's (another one from Northern Ireland) support slot with Orange Goblin this Sunday coming.
To all the local hard rock, metal and punk there are sites and local radio stations out there that have your back - you don't need to pander to the pretentious and be all moody, melodic, post-harcore, post punk to get a listen.
And don't forget that you can still enter the competition to win a pair of tickets to see Orange Goblin on January 27th by clicking here. But remember you only have until 5pm today (21st January).
What in the name of Lemmy is that? Regular readers of this blog will know that we detest labels. Sometimes they are useful to help classifications, but we usually stick with 'metal', 'hard rock', or 'punk'.
If you get another helpful definition like 'groove', 'doom' or 'death' then you can usually tell what's coming. And we happily report on anything within our range from Journey to Zombified.
We happily take hard rock in the AOR spectrum to the heaviest that Nuclear Blast, Grindscene and Metal Blade can offer.
Which makes it all the more irritating that reviewers spend all their time with hair splitting and labelling.
Then when it all comes down to it we turn the pages of today's Belfast Telegraph to see an initiative that promises support for up and coming local talent. Where's the hard rockers in the line-up? Where's the metal bands? Not one can be seen in this line-up of no doubt earnest shoe gazers.
So, if you are an up and coming band in the hard rock, metal or punk genre let's see you knocking your pans out and we'll at least give you the backing. Following on from ou recent review of 7 Days Dead (from Northern Ireland) we'll be reviewing Cursed Sun's (also from Northern Ireland) excellent Premomitions shortly and Triggerman's (another one from Northern Ireland) support slot with Orange Goblin this Sunday coming.
To all the local hard rock, metal and punk there are sites and local radio stations out there that have your back - you don't need to pander to the pretentious and be all moody, melodic, post-harcore, post punk to get a listen.
And don't forget that you can still enter the competition to win a pair of tickets to see Orange Goblin on January 27th by clicking here. But remember you only have until 5pm today (21st January).
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Goblin monsters are back (win tickets!)
Sunday 27th January - Orange Goblin and Triggerman. For those that have been touched by the Globlin's fierce grooves and got down to Triggerman's rifftastic you'll already know this is a metal party. If you need a bit of convinciing, well your heart, soul and black little metallic heart should shake itself loose from the bonds of servitude to the scene and open up now to the very best of UK heavy metal.
And if you don't believe us at how good Orange Goblin are - here are the views of some national journalists:
And, speaking of Eulogies - well we were even if you were not - Orange Goblin released their seventh album last year 'A Euology for the Damned', which dare we say it is one of the finest slabs of metal we encountered in the whole 12 months.
On record Orange Goblin are fantastic, live they are on another level: the huge presence of Ben Ward dominating the stage, with Joe Hoare's guitar a counterpoint and Martyn Millard (bass) and Chris Turner (drums) laying a foundation that at times threatens the earth's axis, so powerful is the groove.
17 years Orange Goblin have been on the scene - why the music industry does now collectively bow down in gratitude is currently being studied by Prof Stephen Hawking as one of the geat mysteries of the universe.
But enough of our collective fawning at the feet of Orange Goblin.
Do you want to go see Orange Goblin and Triggerman at Limelight2 on 27th January. Option one: go to Ticketmaster or Limelight.com and spend the measly sum of £16 (if you haven't already done this we say again, why not?). Option 2. Enter the competition to win a pair of tickets to see Orange Goblin.
Simply email the answer to this question here:
What was Orange Goblin's first album.
Competition closes at 5pm on 21st January.
Usual terms and conditions apply:
And if you don't believe us at how good Orange Goblin are - here are the views of some national journalists:
- “It has to be said that Orange Goblin shows are very predictable….you know they are going to be brilliant before they even hit the stage!” – Terry Bezer (Kerrang!)
- “Consistently one of the greatest live bands the UK has produced in recent decades!” – Dom Lawson (Metal Hammer
- Put simply, Orange Goblin are the best metal band in Britain!” – Malcolm Dome (Classic Rock)
And, speaking of Eulogies - well we were even if you were not - Orange Goblin released their seventh album last year 'A Euology for the Damned', which dare we say it is one of the finest slabs of metal we encountered in the whole 12 months.
On record Orange Goblin are fantastic, live they are on another level: the huge presence of Ben Ward dominating the stage, with Joe Hoare's guitar a counterpoint and Martyn Millard (bass) and Chris Turner (drums) laying a foundation that at times threatens the earth's axis, so powerful is the groove.
17 years Orange Goblin have been on the scene - why the music industry does now collectively bow down in gratitude is currently being studied by Prof Stephen Hawking as one of the geat mysteries of the universe.
But enough of our collective fawning at the feet of Orange Goblin.
Do you want to go see Orange Goblin and Triggerman at Limelight2 on 27th January. Option one: go to Ticketmaster or Limelight.com and spend the measly sum of £16 (if you haven't already done this we say again, why not?). Option 2. Enter the competition to win a pair of tickets to see Orange Goblin.
Simply email the answer to this question here:
What was Orange Goblin's first album.
Competition closes at 5pm on 21st January.
Usual terms and conditions apply:
- If you're not in you can't win
- Winners will be selected randomly
- There is no cash alternative
- Tickets are in the form of a guest pass
- Seriously, if you're not in you defintely can't win
- By entering you agree that you are available to attend on 27th January to have your world rocked
- By entering you have a chance of winning
- There are no re-draws, penalty shoot-outs or duels, the winner is the winner, end of story
- If you don't win we'll let you know so you can dash off and buy tickets
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Week's worth of punch on 7 Days Dead ep
Ahh we love a wee taste of heaviness, and we love it when it comes with swaggering like a metallic groove monster marching from our speakers and pumelling our ears into gleeful submission. And that's why we're loving the forthcoming debut ep from 7 Days Dead.
Tracks 'Broken' 'By Any Means', 'Come Undone' and 'Haunted' have been rocking our wee cotton socks off and by themsleves forcing the volume level to 11.
For those of you who may not have come across 7 Days Dead before here's the brief synopsis. When Interrogate folded in 2011 guitarist Mark Johnston and drummer Stephen Brown dusted themselves down, grabbed hold of bassist Chris Cassidy for bass duties and Ryan McManus, swore them into the 7 Days Dead covenant of heaviness and rose phoenix-like with a mission to pummel the unwitting into conversion to their vision.
The result is four tracks that meld honest hard rocking with a metal vibe. Brown's addiction to double bass runs doesn't overpower like so many pseudo feet tappers, but rather provides a backbeat with Cassidy's bass to anchor the sound. The fills on 'By Any Means' are well-balanced like a scaffold for Johnston and McManus to build the architecture of the song.
Indeed this is a common strength for all of the songs: hard and heavy and no frightened of melody alongside the metal riffing and rhythm section pounding.
Put simply - another damn fine selection of sings from a damn fine local band. Hell, Norn Iron rocker and metallers prove once again that we are the region demographically with more talent that any other patch of earth.
Check out the week's worth of punch from 7 Days Dead yourself and make sure to head along on February 16th when the Distortion Project hosts the ep launch at Limelight2.
Tracks 'Broken' 'By Any Means', 'Come Undone' and 'Haunted' have been rocking our wee cotton socks off and by themsleves forcing the volume level to 11.
For those of you who may not have come across 7 Days Dead before here's the brief synopsis. When Interrogate folded in 2011 guitarist Mark Johnston and drummer Stephen Brown dusted themselves down, grabbed hold of bassist Chris Cassidy for bass duties and Ryan McManus, swore them into the 7 Days Dead covenant of heaviness and rose phoenix-like with a mission to pummel the unwitting into conversion to their vision.
The result is four tracks that meld honest hard rocking with a metal vibe. Brown's addiction to double bass runs doesn't overpower like so many pseudo feet tappers, but rather provides a backbeat with Cassidy's bass to anchor the sound. The fills on 'By Any Means' are well-balanced like a scaffold for Johnston and McManus to build the architecture of the song.
Indeed this is a common strength for all of the songs: hard and heavy and no frightened of melody alongside the metal riffing and rhythm section pounding.
Put simply - another damn fine selection of sings from a damn fine local band. Hell, Norn Iron rocker and metallers prove once again that we are the region demographically with more talent that any other patch of earth.
Check out the week's worth of punch from 7 Days Dead yourself and make sure to head along on February 16th when the Distortion Project hosts the ep launch at Limelight2.
Trucker Diablo - The Rebel **Official Video**
In case you missed the launch of the Trucker Diablo single The Rebel, watch the video, buy the song and rock like a beer-fuelled bastard. What other reaction did you expect from us? Its Trucker Diablo, on top form and we're loving every second!
Trucker Diablo - The Rebel **Official Video**
Trucker Diablo - The Rebel **Official Video**
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
It's Belfast (show) business for Maiden frontman in February
WOULD you Adam 'n' Eve it but Bruce Dickinson is to appear in Belfast...only don't expect another high octanse set of heavy metal on February 7th.
The singer formerly known a Bruce Bruce in his Samson days will be guest speaker for the Institute of Directors Annual Dinner in the Europa Hotel.
In an extensive plug for the IoD's dinner the chairman of the Institute, Mervyn McCall, plugs Mr Dickinson's appearance with the following quotation in today's News Letter:
"We are thrilled to have secured such a rock heavyweight as the guest speaker at out annual dinner.
"The dinner is the highlight of the Institute's year and I'm sure everyone who attends will be greatly anticipating hearing from Bruce and how he combines his musical and business careers."
Mr McCall may be ignoring the fact that it is called show business and we recommend he watches the Belly of the Beast Iron Maiden documentary to see the real business about putting on Iron Maiden shows around the globe.
Why Bruce would choose to be a guest speaker for a bunch of business suits is clear to anyone who knows the man's current business interests, which include being a pilot, heading a major aircraft maintenance employer and a fencing equipment company called 'Duellist'.
Bruce's appearance and all these business interests aside we want to know (a) when will there be a new Maiden album and (b) when will he front Maiden again in Belfast.
The singer formerly known a Bruce Bruce in his Samson days will be guest speaker for the Institute of Directors Annual Dinner in the Europa Hotel.
In an extensive plug for the IoD's dinner the chairman of the Institute, Mervyn McCall, plugs Mr Dickinson's appearance with the following quotation in today's News Letter:
"We are thrilled to have secured such a rock heavyweight as the guest speaker at out annual dinner.
"The dinner is the highlight of the Institute's year and I'm sure everyone who attends will be greatly anticipating hearing from Bruce and how he combines his musical and business careers."
Mr McCall may be ignoring the fact that it is called show business and we recommend he watches the Belly of the Beast Iron Maiden documentary to see the real business about putting on Iron Maiden shows around the globe.
Why Bruce would choose to be a guest speaker for a bunch of business suits is clear to anyone who knows the man's current business interests, which include being a pilot, heading a major aircraft maintenance employer and a fencing equipment company called 'Duellist'.
Bruce's appearance and all these business interests aside we want to know (a) when will there be a new Maiden album and (b) when will he front Maiden again in Belfast.
Thursday, January 03, 2013
Sabbath top the charts....
BLACK Sabbath are one again top of the charts...well they're top of the
t-shirt charts anyway!
In a remarkabla piece of trivia...well as long time Sabbath fans we're
interested in this sort of trivia...the reformation of Ozzy, Geezer and Tony
under the Sabbath banner has prompted a surge of interest in bearing the Sabbs
banner upon their chest.
That is according to HMV!
The t-shirt concerned is from the 1978 tour (ironically not one of their
best) and sits proudly ahead of such rock luminaries as The Beatles and Rolling
Stones. Here's the full top-10:
1. Black Sabbath - US Tour 1978
2. Led Zeppelin – US Tour 1977
3. Led Zeppelin – 'Celebration Day'
4. David Bowie - Smoking
5. Bruce Springsteen - Sand Tour
5. Foo Fighters - Gold logo
6. AC/DC - Angus Young And Brian Johnson
7. Metallica - Skull Explosion
8. Rolling Stones - Union Jack Tongue
9. Beatles – 'Sgt. Pepper...'
10. Guns N' Roses – 'Appetite For Destruction'
And yes - we know that makes 11 t-shirts, but that's HMV's figures!
More interestingly - well it is to us - you will note that seven of
these tops are from hard rock or heavy metal acts. Some of these purchases are
obviously being made by mums and dads for their little hard rockin' children,
but set beside the story carried in no less a newspaper than The Times it sort
of makes sense.
Yes, The Times has declared that 2013 is to be 'the year of heavy
metal', which, if we are to be honest worries us.
Yes, it will be great for more hard rock and metal acts sell more albums
and merch (especially our local standard bearers) but what does it mean when
the mainstream declares metal as the 'next big thing' as if it hadn't been
around for the past 40 odd years.
Does it mean that 2014 metal is dropped? Will we see more rock
orientated acts on reality TV shows? Will celebs start sporting classic acts
t-shirts (remember Beckham once wore the Exodus Bonded in Blood t-shirt!)?
All of those things are worthy of concern, but on a more hopeful note it
might mean that more little hard rockers and metalheads come into the fold, are
exposed to the local rock and metal acts and become lifelong devotees to the
dark side, where there awaits a sweaty club full of long hairs and weirdos,
where you own a computer to organise your playlists, where you discover the
joys of vinyl, and the rock t-shirt has tour dates on the back and you actually
were at one of the tour dates.
In short - as Sabbath would say - they'll have sold their souls to rock
'n' roll! Come to the Sabbat dearies, it's much warmer here!
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Washing away the pain as the Eagles swoop
ON the Screaming
Eagles début platter, From the Flames, the refrain comes from vocalist
Chris Fry that he can’t “…wash away your pain”. But rest assured that if you
want to relief from your pains through the cathartic power of rock ‘n’ roll the
Screaming Eagles are up to the task.
From the Flames is an album infused with the riff, paying
homage to the masters of hard rock with a whiskey glass in hand and a beer
chaser nearby – where the anarchic is tamed by a rhythm section, and the guitar
tone is torturously balanced between sweet soloing and sleazy riffing.
At times it does pay a little too much homage to the likes
of AC/DC, especially on the second track ‘Down the River’ with vocal
intonations close to Mr Scott; but that is nit-picking at an extreme level –
and it is homage rather than slavishly following a template.
Instead this is a slab of portentous power, which builds and
builds and gets better with every listen.
The first four tracks are enough to please the most ardent
rock ‘n’ roller, but it is when ‘Vampire’ bites into your aural senses that Screaming Eagles find
their real fangs and identity. This is the Northern Irish take on blues
drenched hard rock; it’s the Lagan delta not the Mississippi flood plains that
formulate the power clout. Down and dirty, menace and passion - the Eagles are
coming to rescue us from the mundane.
Golden Eagles were the deux ex machine used by Tolkien in so
many of his works, from their role in the coda of the Hobbit, through to
rescuing Gandalf and their contribution to the battle at the gates of Mordor.
The Screaming Eagles could have been dreamt up by an author to be the plot
saviours for all of us fed up with auto-tuned bimbos and play-by-numbers
metalcore.
‘Devil in the Dust’ in particular sneaks into your very
black heart, with a chorus that nibbles into your consciousness and a structure
that reflects the best of rock.
And the flag of rock is proudly perched at the promised land
on ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Soul’ – like Marines at Iwa Jimo Screaming Eagles hold the
standard of rock aloft and shove aside the doubters - salvation does indeed come
from a six-string.
Overall From the Flames is a statement of rock – a statement
that you may sideline hard rock and metal, you may deny us the airplay, you may
shun our long hair and anachronistic ways, you may walk by us in your business
suit or party dress, but you will never stop us rockin’, and you will never
stop us loving the rock.
Chris Fry’s impressive pipes, Adrian McAleenan’s finely
crafted playing and the tight as a shark’s ass rhythm section of Ryan Lilly
(bass) and Kyle Cruikshank (drums) deliver an album that grows on you gradually
before smashing its way into your sensitivities. If some ‘lame ass’ Yank band
or average Englander rock type recorded this distribution deals would be proffered
and hyperbole would spill from the national magazines. If there is justice in
this world these will follow for Screaming Eagles.
Once again Northern Ireland has shown that we are a tiny
slab of the land on the outer rim of Western Europe that has more talent in our
1.8million population when it comes to rock and metal. Screaming Eagles are
worthy of their place on the roll call of Norn Irish hard rock excellence.
That pain you may be suffering will not be taken away by
music, but From the Flames will wash it away for a while, as you wallow in rock
‘n’ roll and you find that it is better than any pain killer of anti-depressant.
Copies of ‘From the Flames’ are available from the band’s site for the
princely sum of five of those pounds sterling. The album will also be on sale
at forthcoming Screaming Eagles gigs.
Saturday, December 08, 2012
Scott Ian talks - spoken word tour
OF the so-called Big Four of thrash, Anthrax have always been under-rated, but at their recent Limelight show they showed a power, prowess and passion with an intensity and joy few can match.
After the travails and turmoil of previous years this line-up seems to have nailed the Anthrax sound.
Which is why it will be so intriguing to hear first hand from no less than Scott 'NOT' Ian. The outspoken guitarist and band spokesman and leader is undertaking a spoken word tour, with a date at the Limelight 2 pencilled in for June 6th next year: D-Day no less!
More details of Scott's Speaking Word tour when we get it!
After the travails and turmoil of previous years this line-up seems to have nailed the Anthrax sound.
Which is why it will be so intriguing to hear first hand from no less than Scott 'NOT' Ian. The outspoken guitarist and band spokesman and leader is undertaking a spoken word tour, with a date at the Limelight 2 pencilled in for June 6th next year: D-Day no less!
More details of Scott's Speaking Word tour when we get it!
Unexpected Giant release
IT is a privileged position to be able to receive and listen to albums forwarded to us and review those that we deem worthy. Unlike the magazines we haven't the staff to review all of the titles sent through, but occassionally one drops into the inbox and we go - "hold on this is pretty good, but who the fuck are they?"
Hence when we read the blurb about Giant X we hadn't a bloody clue who they were or what to expect for their début release on Steamhammer/SPV. But ignorance aside this platter of Teutonic hard rock is damn good - not ground breaking, just damn good.
Clean production, riffs a plenty and a varied pace and nice take on classic NWOBHM and twin guitar attacks.
Going by the highly original title 'I' Giant X have a wee classic rock vibe that will put a smile on the those who need a wee lift on the dark nights of winter. We're sorry, but if the track 'The Count' doesn't have you grooving your aural senses need a re-boot.
However, the radio-friendly vibe of the 'The Count' is only one side of Giant X. This is the vehicle of Rolf Kasperak and Peter J. Jordan, who is probably best known for his role in Running Wild.
The 12 track album displays a versatility with hooks that get right deep into your brain and meaty choruses.
Hence when we read the blurb about Giant X we hadn't a bloody clue who they were or what to expect for their début release on Steamhammer/SPV. But ignorance aside this platter of Teutonic hard rock is damn good - not ground breaking, just damn good.
Clean production, riffs a plenty and a varied pace and nice take on classic NWOBHM and twin guitar attacks.
Going by the highly original title 'I' Giant X have a wee classic rock vibe that will put a smile on the those who need a wee lift on the dark nights of winter. We're sorry, but if the track 'The Count' doesn't have you grooving your aural senses need a re-boot.
However, the radio-friendly vibe of the 'The Count' is only one side of Giant X. This is the vehicle of Rolf Kasperak and Peter J. Jordan, who is probably best known for his role in Running Wild.
“Our material consists of
consciously multi-layered numbers, more in the tradition of Kiss, Queen, Billy Talent, Thin Lizzy and Van Halen, in other words: rock music in the tradition of the seventies, eighties and nineties – our shared musical roots. The main thing for us was that people would be able hear the lightness and spontaneity of our collaboration,” Jordan explains.
Compared to Running Wild (we did some quick revision to make sure we were right about the derivation) Giant X have a wider range of source material to draw upon. At times there is a hint of blues riffing to offset the power metal rock range with 'Badland Blues' hinting at having listened to a wee bit of Cinderalla in the past. Set along with that is the likes of the mid-paced groove of 'Friendly Fire' and the balladic 'Nameless Heroes'.
And, we make no apologies but 'Let's Dance' makes us crack open a beer, pour the bourbon and party.
Giant X display a range of talent, while at the same time are able to plunge deep into a range of influences without being slaves to the past. Fashionable - probably not. The scenesters and metal snobs will hate it. But for the rest of us, get down, and get rocking to Giant X.
Giant X release 'I' on Steamhammer/SPV on January 18th 2013 in Germany and the rest of us have to wait until January 21st
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Belfast Telegraph - you can piss away off!
FIRST of all thanks to all who read this blog - this is the 1,001st post and from our inbox loads of you still read the ramblings contained within.
Now down to business - that's the rock 'n' roll business. Before starting I want to say the Belfast Telegraph can piss away off.
Yes - the biggest circulation daily newsaper in Northern Ireland can just fuck off and die, with their attitude to hard rock and heavy metal. It rehards it as something barely worthy of a few paragraphs when they deem it worthwhile to allow reviewers like Andrew Johnston to pen a few token lines.
And their true nature is revealed in their 'business' section today (20th November) when in a feature about how the music industry can be a source of income blah blah blah fucking blah...
Did they mention ANY Northern Irish hard rock acts? No. Did they mention ANY Northern Irish heavy metal acts? No.
So let us take stock here for a moment. Northern Ireland has, and is, producing some of the finest hard rock and heavy metal acts, supported by venues like the Diamond Rock Bar, and promoters like James at the Distortion Project, and SO
:NI.
While we doff our hats to the work of Stuart Bailie at the Oh Yeah Centre we have to wonder just exactly WHAT THE FUCK hard rock and heavy metal have to do to be recognised as a valid and potent part of the Northern Ireland music scene?
We have had SLF and Therapy! blazing a trail. We have had Sweet Savage influencing generations of NWOBHM followers, not least Metallica.
We have the likes of The Answer playing to hundreds of thousands across the globe, but regarded as a light feature piece for the mainstream media.
We have Million$Reload and Stormzone with record deals, and Trucker Diablo proving that a party doesn't mean banality.
We have Worldsend touring the UK; we have Sinocence blazing a metal trail, we have the hardcore sounds of By Any Means; and we have the smart, intelligence in musical and lyrical terms of A Little Bitter.
And that's not to mention the likes of Baleful Creed, Double Wide etc etc. The Belfast Telegraph did feature Bakken, but one wonders if that was a result of the back story rather than the music...wait a minute it definitely was the back story.
Instead of featuring this wealth of talent we have a feature piece name checking shoe gazing numpties with dodgy fringes and checked shirts. (Believe us, after attending the NI 2011 Music Awards we could use more colourful language about the so-called talent!)
So what other 'entertainment' stories did the Belfast Telegraph cover today? Well Page 3 had the illusionist David Mead pulling some 'outstanding' feat of levitation, or as we prefer to call it self-publicity (and we dislike the land of woo as much as Mr Mead...)
Then on Page 6 we have a picture and story about 'I'm a Celebrity just shoot me; sorry that I'm a talentless knob stuck in the jungle.
On Page 15 we have a jolly wee story about the Orange Order doing self-deprecating Christmas cards.
There's a wee mention on Page 18 that Snooze Patrol are doing a charity gig this Yuletide (hands up the hundreds of you out there who have played, organised or attended a charity gig...yep there's hundreds of y'all who do that without needing Gary Shitebody and his band promotion disguised as charity...)
Then comes the 'Life' Feature section where there is more about 'I'm a wannbe talent trying to be a celebrity in some Australian carefully controlled TV exploitation show - this time with the veneer of 'concern' at bullying.
So, apart from a few paragraphs grudgingly inserted occassionally the largest circulation daily paper in Northern Ireland has all but said we don't want those smelly, long-haired hard rock and metal types.
The easiest thing would be to turn our back on the mainstream media, and say 'screw you' we'll just get on.
But the money men read this type of coverage. Of the 54,000 to 60,000 circulation of the Belfast Telegraph there are few who actually 'read' the snippets on music, but every publicity chance and every piece of coverage counts.
Why should the darlings of the scenesters and the fawning BBC types get more share of the column inches?
Do they 'sell out' shows more than the hard rock, metal and punk acts? If they do, it is a marginal call at best, and with the mainstream media behind them to such an extent they should be at arena level by now.
So, Belfast Telegraph you can fuck away off and alienate the thousands of rock and metal fans.
And to all of you who have been to a rock or metal gig recently, have (legally) downloaded and paid for a track from a local rock and metal artist; you are the proof of what a music community is, and that community is one that still exists, still flourishes despite the sneers and sideways glances.
Hold yer heads up high, raise a glass and raise the horns!
Thank you to all the promoters, all the bands, all the fans and all within the community we have shared a handshake or a pint with. And until they recognise us, the Belfast Telegraph and its like can fuck away off!
Now down to business - that's the rock 'n' roll business. Before starting I want to say the Belfast Telegraph can piss away off.
Yes - the biggest circulation daily newsaper in Northern Ireland can just fuck off and die, with their attitude to hard rock and heavy metal. It rehards it as something barely worthy of a few paragraphs when they deem it worthwhile to allow reviewers like Andrew Johnston to pen a few token lines.
And their true nature is revealed in their 'business' section today (20th November) when in a feature about how the music industry can be a source of income blah blah blah fucking blah...
Did they mention ANY Northern Irish hard rock acts? No. Did they mention ANY Northern Irish heavy metal acts? No.
So let us take stock here for a moment. Northern Ireland has, and is, producing some of the finest hard rock and heavy metal acts, supported by venues like the Diamond Rock Bar, and promoters like James at the Distortion Project, and SO
:NI.
While we doff our hats to the work of Stuart Bailie at the Oh Yeah Centre we have to wonder just exactly WHAT THE FUCK hard rock and heavy metal have to do to be recognised as a valid and potent part of the Northern Ireland music scene?
We have had SLF and Therapy! blazing a trail. We have had Sweet Savage influencing generations of NWOBHM followers, not least Metallica.
We have the likes of The Answer playing to hundreds of thousands across the globe, but regarded as a light feature piece for the mainstream media.
We have Million$Reload and Stormzone with record deals, and Trucker Diablo proving that a party doesn't mean banality.
We have Worldsend touring the UK; we have Sinocence blazing a metal trail, we have the hardcore sounds of By Any Means; and we have the smart, intelligence in musical and lyrical terms of A Little Bitter.
And that's not to mention the likes of Baleful Creed, Double Wide etc etc. The Belfast Telegraph did feature Bakken, but one wonders if that was a result of the back story rather than the music...wait a minute it definitely was the back story.
Instead of featuring this wealth of talent we have a feature piece name checking shoe gazing numpties with dodgy fringes and checked shirts. (Believe us, after attending the NI 2011 Music Awards we could use more colourful language about the so-called talent!)
So what other 'entertainment' stories did the Belfast Telegraph cover today? Well Page 3 had the illusionist David Mead pulling some 'outstanding' feat of levitation, or as we prefer to call it self-publicity (and we dislike the land of woo as much as Mr Mead...)
Then on Page 6 we have a picture and story about 'I'm a Celebrity just shoot me; sorry that I'm a talentless knob stuck in the jungle.
On Page 15 we have a jolly wee story about the Orange Order doing self-deprecating Christmas cards.
There's a wee mention on Page 18 that Snooze Patrol are doing a charity gig this Yuletide (hands up the hundreds of you out there who have played, organised or attended a charity gig...yep there's hundreds of y'all who do that without needing Gary Shitebody and his band promotion disguised as charity...)
Then comes the 'Life' Feature section where there is more about 'I'm a wannbe talent trying to be a celebrity in some Australian carefully controlled TV exploitation show - this time with the veneer of 'concern' at bullying.
So, apart from a few paragraphs grudgingly inserted occassionally the largest circulation daily paper in Northern Ireland has all but said we don't want those smelly, long-haired hard rock and metal types.
The easiest thing would be to turn our back on the mainstream media, and say 'screw you' we'll just get on.
But the money men read this type of coverage. Of the 54,000 to 60,000 circulation of the Belfast Telegraph there are few who actually 'read' the snippets on music, but every publicity chance and every piece of coverage counts.
Why should the darlings of the scenesters and the fawning BBC types get more share of the column inches?
Do they 'sell out' shows more than the hard rock, metal and punk acts? If they do, it is a marginal call at best, and with the mainstream media behind them to such an extent they should be at arena level by now.
So, Belfast Telegraph you can fuck away off and alienate the thousands of rock and metal fans.
And to all of you who have been to a rock or metal gig recently, have (legally) downloaded and paid for a track from a local rock and metal artist; you are the proof of what a music community is, and that community is one that still exists, still flourishes despite the sneers and sideways glances.
Hold yer heads up high, raise a glass and raise the horns!
Thank you to all the promoters, all the bands, all the fans and all within the community we have shared a handshake or a pint with. And until they recognise us, the Belfast Telegraph and its like can fuck away off!
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Reflections on Vaughn, 'Thrax and SLF
IN every reviewers life there comes a time to put aside the notepad and the carefully hewn phrase from the bedrock of lingual sources and just enjoy the fecking gig.
Amongst the amateur crowd there is a temptation to assume that the wide world of the 'tinterweb gives them carte blanche to type their views, without ever realising that a little used 19th century law 'technically' means they must have permission to review. In the modern era the '+1' is that tacit permission, or a specific referral by the record label or publicist.
That is why it is important to distinguish - and we always do - between reviews and reflections.
So these are reflections on three recent gigs - Danny Vaughn at the Diamond, Anthrax in Limelight (1) and SLF at the Ulster Hall.
The précis of the reflections? Well all three performances can be summed up in two wordsw: "FUCKING AWESOME!"
Classic adult-orinetated rock, thrash metal and Belfast punk - all FUCKING AWESOME in their own sweet indistinguishable way.
All three acts had several things in common - a considerable back catalogue to draw upon; more recent and in some cases brand new tracks; and a professional, yet engaging ability to connect with their audience.
Danny Vaughn's acoustic solo set was an example of what intimate gigs should be, up close and personal, able to chat with individual members of the audience and draw from right back to Waysted days to up to date Tyketoo songs.
Anthrax went right back to Deathrider and up to date with new tracks, of which Fight 'Em Til You Can't Fight No More is outstanding.
SLF drew from Inflammable Material through to two new tracks Trail of Tears and My Dark Time. And hats off and considerable kudos to Jake Burns. It taskes a real man to share his pain live and onstage.
The son of Belfast 14 stood in front of a packed Ulster Hall to say that the new album had been delayed because he had been suffering from depression, but it work was now well underway - My Dark Time explained it more in song.
So, we applaud and bow down to Jake for his honesty and candour and we hope he knows all our thoughts are with him: and equally if any of you out there are feeling similarly, please speak to someone, call a helpline, just get help and surround yourself with people who care.
There - reflections not a review. Danny Vaughn, who could be a journeyman but who has the voice to amaze and stun; Anthrax, possibly more fierce and more fun than ever; and SLF, sons of Ulster with the flame of youth burning brighter than when they were young.
We'd like to leave you with this thought, taken from an SLF t-shirt "Assume Nothing: Question Everything!"
And, remember, if you feel stressed or depressed, get help because you are valuable to you and all those that care about you!
AOR, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal....FUCKING AWESOME and more honest and challenging than any numptie on wank-factor...
Amongst the amateur crowd there is a temptation to assume that the wide world of the 'tinterweb gives them carte blanche to type their views, without ever realising that a little used 19th century law 'technically' means they must have permission to review. In the modern era the '+1' is that tacit permission, or a specific referral by the record label or publicist.
That is why it is important to distinguish - and we always do - between reviews and reflections.
So these are reflections on three recent gigs - Danny Vaughn at the Diamond, Anthrax in Limelight (1) and SLF at the Ulster Hall.
The précis of the reflections? Well all three performances can be summed up in two wordsw: "FUCKING AWESOME!"
Classic adult-orinetated rock, thrash metal and Belfast punk - all FUCKING AWESOME in their own sweet indistinguishable way.
All three acts had several things in common - a considerable back catalogue to draw upon; more recent and in some cases brand new tracks; and a professional, yet engaging ability to connect with their audience.
Danny Vaughn's acoustic solo set was an example of what intimate gigs should be, up close and personal, able to chat with individual members of the audience and draw from right back to Waysted days to up to date Tyketoo songs.
Anthrax went right back to Deathrider and up to date with new tracks, of which Fight 'Em Til You Can't Fight No More is outstanding.
SLF drew from Inflammable Material through to two new tracks Trail of Tears and My Dark Time. And hats off and considerable kudos to Jake Burns. It taskes a real man to share his pain live and onstage.
The son of Belfast 14 stood in front of a packed Ulster Hall to say that the new album had been delayed because he had been suffering from depression, but it work was now well underway - My Dark Time explained it more in song.
So, we applaud and bow down to Jake for his honesty and candour and we hope he knows all our thoughts are with him: and equally if any of you out there are feeling similarly, please speak to someone, call a helpline, just get help and surround yourself with people who care.
There - reflections not a review. Danny Vaughn, who could be a journeyman but who has the voice to amaze and stun; Anthrax, possibly more fierce and more fun than ever; and SLF, sons of Ulster with the flame of youth burning brighter than when they were young.
We'd like to leave you with this thought, taken from an SLF t-shirt "Assume Nothing: Question Everything!"
And, remember, if you feel stressed or depressed, get help because you are valuable to you and all those that care about you!
AOR, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal....FUCKING AWESOME and more honest and challenging than any numptie on wank-factor...
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
Journey and Whitesnake confirm Odyssey date
JOURNEY and Whitesnake have confirmed an appearance at the Odyssey on May 16th. As yet no word as to whether Thunder will be joining them, as they are also on the bill for the mainland UK dates....
Press release in full below:
Press release in full below:
Together for the first time in Belfast
Journey and Whitesnake
Odyssey Arena, Belfast - Thursday 16th May
Tickets on-sale: Wednesday 14th November at 9am.
Journey and Whitesnake are set to appear onstage together for the first time ever in May 2013.
Journey, one of the most popular American rock bands of all time, are responsible for creating some of the best-known songs in modern music. Over the years they have gained multiple accolades - including 19 Top 40 singles, 25 Gold and Platinum albums and single 'Don't Stop Believin'' holding the #1 digital catalogue song in history. In 2011 they drew nearly a million fans to their 2011 Eclipse World Tour which included a sold-out UK leg and ranked in the Top 15 Tours of the year. In the same year the band were awarded the prestigious "Legend Of Live Award" at the Billboard Touring Awards in honour of the band's significant and lasting contributions to live music and the touring business, and in acknowledgement of their commitment to the fans and the art of performing live. Journey will be joining the tour with their line-up of Neal Schon (guitars, backing vocals), Jonathan Cain (keyboards, backing vocals), Ross Valory (bass, backing vocals), Deen Castronovo (drums, percussion, backing vocals) and Arnel Pineda (lead vocals).
Journey's Neal Schon said of the tour: "Looking forward to getting back to the UK and playing our best for you all. You guys are the very best, cheers and see you soon. We will be rocking!"
Co-headlining the 2013 tour are the legendary Whitesnake who carry a rightful & righteous reputation as one of the world's leading rock'n'roll bands. Founded and formed by Deep Purple singer David Coverdale, the band have earned multi-platinum albums and multiple top 10 hits worldwide, including 2 number 1 singles with 'Here I Go Again' and 'Is This Love' as well as the unforgettable hammer of 'Still Of The Night'. Bombast, bravado, talent and passion have helped establish Whitesnake as the perennial platinum favourite they have become and they're back with a vengeance in 2013, with plans to release a live DVD ahead of the tour as well as a double album."Unfinished business..." as Coverdale says slyly. "We all wanted the last tour to continue as we got closer to the end...After a year in the studio we're ready to rock on stage again...We're coming back for more..."
Harnessing Coverdale's blues and soul roots & fuelled by incendiary guitarists Doug Aldrich & Reb Beach you have all the elements needed to shape the 'Snake's hard rock identity.
Tickets are on sale Wednesday 14th November at 9am.
Ticketmaster
In person: From 100 Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide
By Telephone (24 Hour): ROI - 0818 719 300, Northern Ireland - 0844 277 44 55
Buy Online: www.ticketmaster.ie
Odyssey Arena Box Office
Tel: 028 9073 9074
Buy Online: www.odysseyarena.com
Tickets priced from £44 including booking fee
For more see:
Thursday, November 01, 2012
Inflammable Material
"It won't change cos it's always been the same
People hating, people fighting, they say it's so,
Do you believe that? Perhaps you do but it's only up to you." *
GONNA get a wee bit controversial here, but those shy and retiring, influential and awesome punks in Stiff Little Fingers have once again proved the just because you get older doesn't mean you slip on the slippers and slide off to ranting at the TV screen; yep SLF are taking a stand.
They are using their November 16th Ulster Hall gig to throw their weight behind the Integrated Education Fund, after bassist Ali McMordie learned that his old north Belfast primary school had achieved integrated status.
They will use the gig to highlight the Integrated Education Fund and make a financial contribution.
As Paul Caskey, IEF Campaign Director, said: "They are a band that always brought young people together in our community and it is wonderful that they are helping to continue that by supporting integrated schools. SLF helped inspire people to look beyond sectarianism and the establishment here – to encourage us to realise we hold more in common than what might divide us."
Whether you agree with integrated education or not, you got to take your hat off to a band that is more than self-obsessed image whores.
* Stands to Reason - SLF
People hating, people fighting, they say it's so,
Do you believe that? Perhaps you do but it's only up to you." *
GONNA get a wee bit controversial here, but those shy and retiring, influential and awesome punks in Stiff Little Fingers have once again proved the just because you get older doesn't mean you slip on the slippers and slide off to ranting at the TV screen; yep SLF are taking a stand.
They are using their November 16th Ulster Hall gig to throw their weight behind the Integrated Education Fund, after bassist Ali McMordie learned that his old north Belfast primary school had achieved integrated status.
They will use the gig to highlight the Integrated Education Fund and make a financial contribution.
As Paul Caskey, IEF Campaign Director, said: "They are a band that always brought young people together in our community and it is wonderful that they are helping to continue that by supporting integrated schools. SLF helped inspire people to look beyond sectarianism and the establishment here – to encourage us to realise we hold more in common than what might divide us."
Whether you agree with integrated education or not, you got to take your hat off to a band that is more than self-obsessed image whores.
* Stands to Reason - SLF
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Henry Cluney beneft gig
REGULAR readers will know that we have a particular soft spot for Stiff Little Fingers, one of the most influential, yet least acknowledged bands ever to come from Northern Ireland. Thus we were saddened to learn that original member Henry Cluney has been taken ill with a brain tumour.To help with Henry's medical costs a benefit gig is taking place in Belfast's Black Box on the 1st December.
Appearing on the bill will be The Defects, The Outcasts, Protex, The Sabre Jets, Shock Treatment 21, Brian Young (Rudi), Jim Reilly, The Androids and a Henry Cluney Tribute band.
Tickets are £10 and you can make a £5 donation if you are unable to attend. Full details here: http://www.blackboxbelfast.com/event.aspx?e=2024.
As it says in the blurb:
"This is more than a fundraiser this is a celebration of all that is great about the Northern Ireland music scene past and present."
Welcome to a creed of pain as 'III' hits our most baleful fears
LET’S face it, heavy music isn’t always designed for reflect
happy thoughts. In our world of distorted guitars, heavy bass and damned drums
lyrically our music is a mélange of flavours of hatred and hopelessness, torment
and terror.
Yet we often emerge invigorated from the fire of metallic
passion able to look life anew; a cynic’s heart is the heart of the true optimism,
optimism that one day the world and its people will not be messed up forever.
To those outside the circle, well as Baleful Creed put it at
one point in this EP: “You people don’t have a clue”
This is Baleful Creed’s third adventure into the magical
mystical world of EPs. And they have cunningly entitled it ‘III’ in case we get
confused where to put it in our alphabetised, ordered by release date collections
And this is a worthy addition to your collection of local
excellence.
Double F.S. kicks with a slow-burn, down and dirty opening
before the tempo stabilises into a rolling riff; the chorus kicking a melodic
shock to the taste of filthy rhythm before the solo caresses the bottom feeders
to rise to another levelTrack two Autumn Leaves has a dark, dreamy quality, with a persistent riff underpinning the nightmare theme, the resonant lyric of a shallow grave adding to the haunting bluesy groove.
Next up we have a down-tuned Sabbath circa Masters of
Reality butting heads with Down with agony and a snarl in Thorazine. It has a
sweet chorus of hope after the riff has nailed your ass to the floor of despair.
For a song named after the controversial schizophrenia drug
the dreamy mid-section sits just about right, before that riff and snarl come
back with a vengeance and hope resurfaces.
Angst never felt so good
And here is a lot of the BC secret: for all the influences
and nods to the past they have carved their own furrow; the music isn’t always
what is expected, and the lyrics have an intelligent undertow.
This is evident on Illuminati with its brief atonal
counterpoint in the opening serving to keep you off balance before the ferocity
of the lyric smashes complacency and the bridge gets you prepped for the next
onslaught of brutal lines. The hope in here is the hope of the cathartic feeling
when a fist smashed into an enemy’s face that makes everything feel better:
Concluding with six minutes of heavy groove on Misanthrope,
there is clean, sweet singing and a blues sensibility – misanthropy is a hatred
of the human race in general; but if BC hate
us all so much why are they sharing these great tunes. Four odd minutes into
the groove the tempo arches upwards for dual solos that are measured as well as
shredding: a fitting coda for this chapter of BC’s development.
And it is development, there are subtle touches and
arrangements that at first seem straightforward, but have hidden treasures. ‘III’
is a waypoint for Baleful Creed, a significant milestone for the band and yet
further proof that for all the misery and misanthropy you can produce something
truly enjoyable.Coma time again
BACK in April of this year an alcohol-induced coma was complemented by an awesome display of how to rock the shit right out of Ormeau Avenue - yep Orange Goblin and alcohol messed us big time and we enjoyed the hell out of it.
While our collective livers may tremble at this post, the rest of our functioning body parts are screaming hell yeah - Orange Goblin are coming back to Belfast!
Screw you if you haven't fallen for the satanic groove of Orange Goblin - they're the boogie with a kick in the balls, they're the subtle wrecking crew that leaves you wrecked and screaming for more; and on 27th January waste shall be laid, riffs shall be riffed and necks will ache.
The Goblin deserve to be screwing with the heads of the totalitarian state we live in, but until then there's no justice, there's just us...ready to sing along to A Eulogy for the Damned (they're most recent release).
Orange Goblin shows are always a party with purpose; a gig that gives more; and a majestic mess (hey Paddy, did we really get that messed up last time....).
Ink the date in yer metal calendar - 27th January, 2013, Limelight2: 16 notes well spent to join the company of Orange Goblin; liver transplants you pay for yourself.
[Seriously - Orange Goblin actually write pretty challenging songs, with lyrics that has our editors musing about the meaning of life....and that's when they're all not shit-faced and stoned]
While our collective livers may tremble at this post, the rest of our functioning body parts are screaming hell yeah - Orange Goblin are coming back to Belfast!
Screw you if you haven't fallen for the satanic groove of Orange Goblin - they're the boogie with a kick in the balls, they're the subtle wrecking crew that leaves you wrecked and screaming for more; and on 27th January waste shall be laid, riffs shall be riffed and necks will ache.
The Goblin deserve to be screwing with the heads of the totalitarian state we live in, but until then there's no justice, there's just us...ready to sing along to A Eulogy for the Damned (they're most recent release).
Orange Goblin shows are always a party with purpose; a gig that gives more; and a majestic mess (hey Paddy, did we really get that messed up last time....).
Ink the date in yer metal calendar - 27th January, 2013, Limelight2: 16 notes well spent to join the company of Orange Goblin; liver transplants you pay for yourself.
[Seriously - Orange Goblin actually write pretty challenging songs, with lyrics that has our editors musing about the meaning of life....and that's when they're all not shit-faced and stoned]
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Bad, bad boys in big boat of noise
FOR those of you, faithful readers under the age of 16 you may not remember two vital things. Firstly, them there MP3 files weren't always how you listened to music, and secondly, Norn Iron rock and metal music has always had a healthy disrespect of conventions and 'scenes'.
Now, pop pickers you can recapture these two quaint old traditions: veteran noiseniks and doomsters writ large Bad Boat have re-released the Lonely Doom 12" Ep on delicious transparent purple 180gm vinyl.
Ahhh, the nostalgia - 12" EPs, a format that you could luxuriate in, and with Bad Boat, a format to scare the neighbours cats, terrify Tyrannosaurs and make smiley happy people weep with fear.
Bad Boat kicked around the lot quite a lot in the early noughties, and through shufflings of personnel managed to maintain a sound like having your ears dragged through the most delicious sludge you've ever heard.
This is not happy, clappy doom like some of the lesser spotted English proponents push out on sample CDs on the front of magazines. This is doom and sludge like Cathedral missed a down-tuning trick, as if Iommi's moustache grabbed the Gibson SG and dragged a minor chord from Satan's arse. This is Bad in the best of senses.
Title track harkens back to the earliest of Sabbath's riff-tastic nastiness. Lonely Doom is for those nights when you're sitting looking up at the stars wondering when this misery will shift. It's cathartic, and its feckin' heavy.
Second track, Mechanical World is a cover of the proto-metal hippies Spirit track, and maybe doesn't hold up as well as the self-penned material; but that is perhaps because the other tracks have a visceral deathliness to them.
Now kiddies, before enjoying the rest of the EP you'll have to do something that you'll never had to do before with yer CDs. You'll have to be careful, because even if it says 180gms this EP just gets heavier.
Grab your jaw before it hits the deck, because Lucky to Be Breathing is eight minutes plus where Tom Clarke's vocal intro supplants a subtle guitar development which builds behind a slow pound of bass and drums. We vaguely remember hearing this live circa 2008/09 but that damned wah scrambled our senses to oblivion. This is a track that builds like an avalanche, slowly advancing down the hillside of your aural senses, before you are swept up in its wake, thankful not to be buried, and grateful not to die. Cathedral? Nah, this is Clutch on better drugs. Although there is no way to prove this there are parts of Clutch's latest release 'Strange Cousins from the West' that nod towards the Bad Boat vibe here.
Rounding things off is an Uphill Struggle. No, you numpties, that's the song title not the effort required. Here's psychadaelia mixed with doom, sludge and a shed load of introspective heaviness. Sway like a spide who's taken mushrooms for the first time shithead because this rolls along barely under control, weighed down with the sheer weight of metal. Then it gets fast and nasty. We love it.
This is an EP that recalls a band weighty in talent, and a band that deserved more acclaim. There are only 250 hand numbered copies of this 12" EP available now on Freak Flag records. Buy one now, or regret it forever. You don't even need a record player, hold it near a speaker and the slowed down terror within will have those cones vibrating.
PS: we hear a whisper that BB may be rehearsing ahead of a re-emergence. Where do we sign for tickets?
Now, pop pickers you can recapture these two quaint old traditions: veteran noiseniks and doomsters writ large Bad Boat have re-released the Lonely Doom 12" Ep on delicious transparent purple 180gm vinyl.
Ahhh, the nostalgia - 12" EPs, a format that you could luxuriate in, and with Bad Boat, a format to scare the neighbours cats, terrify Tyrannosaurs and make smiley happy people weep with fear.
Bad Boat kicked around the lot quite a lot in the early noughties, and through shufflings of personnel managed to maintain a sound like having your ears dragged through the most delicious sludge you've ever heard.
This is not happy, clappy doom like some of the lesser spotted English proponents push out on sample CDs on the front of magazines. This is doom and sludge like Cathedral missed a down-tuning trick, as if Iommi's moustache grabbed the Gibson SG and dragged a minor chord from Satan's arse. This is Bad in the best of senses.
Title track harkens back to the earliest of Sabbath's riff-tastic nastiness. Lonely Doom is for those nights when you're sitting looking up at the stars wondering when this misery will shift. It's cathartic, and its feckin' heavy.
Second track, Mechanical World is a cover of the proto-metal hippies Spirit track, and maybe doesn't hold up as well as the self-penned material; but that is perhaps because the other tracks have a visceral deathliness to them.
Now kiddies, before enjoying the rest of the EP you'll have to do something that you'll never had to do before with yer CDs. You'll have to be careful, because even if it says 180gms this EP just gets heavier.
Grab your jaw before it hits the deck, because Lucky to Be Breathing is eight minutes plus where Tom Clarke's vocal intro supplants a subtle guitar development which builds behind a slow pound of bass and drums. We vaguely remember hearing this live circa 2008/09 but that damned wah scrambled our senses to oblivion. This is a track that builds like an avalanche, slowly advancing down the hillside of your aural senses, before you are swept up in its wake, thankful not to be buried, and grateful not to die. Cathedral? Nah, this is Clutch on better drugs. Although there is no way to prove this there are parts of Clutch's latest release 'Strange Cousins from the West' that nod towards the Bad Boat vibe here.
Rounding things off is an Uphill Struggle. No, you numpties, that's the song title not the effort required. Here's psychadaelia mixed with doom, sludge and a shed load of introspective heaviness. Sway like a spide who's taken mushrooms for the first time shithead because this rolls along barely under control, weighed down with the sheer weight of metal. Then it gets fast and nasty. We love it.
This is an EP that recalls a band weighty in talent, and a band that deserved more acclaim. There are only 250 hand numbered copies of this 12" EP available now on Freak Flag records. Buy one now, or regret it forever. You don't even need a record player, hold it near a speaker and the slowed down terror within will have those cones vibrating.
PS: we hear a whisper that BB may be rehearsing ahead of a re-emergence. Where do we sign for tickets?
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Aeon's death metal teaser...
ON 20th January Swedish Satanic Death metal madballs Aeon land at Belfast's Voodoo, with support Dyscarnate, Ageless Oblivion, Warpath and one still to be confirmed. AGELESS OBLIVION, WARPATH + 1 TBC
Not for the faint-hearted or God-botherers!
You can check out an exclusive track premiere via Metal Hammer Germany here: http://www.metal-hammer.de/video-audio/premieren/article330691.ece
Coming out in November through with Metal Blade Records, the 15-track Aeons Black was recorded at Empire Studio in Östersund, Sweden, engineered, mixed and mastered by Ronnie Björnström (Garageland Studios) and features cover art by Kristian "Necrolord" Wåhlin (Bathory, At The Gates, Dissection, Emperor et al).
Doors are 8pm and entry is a paltry £12...
http://www.aeon666.com
https://www.facebook.com/aeon666
http://www.metalblade.com/Aeon
Not for the faint-hearted or God-botherers!
This week Aeon revealed the opening track from their forthcoming new full-length, Aeons Black! Entitled "Still They Pray,"
You can check out an exclusive track premiere via Metal Hammer Germany here: http://www.metal-hammer.de/video-audio/premieren/article330691.eceComing out in November through with Metal Blade Records, the 15-track Aeons Black was recorded at Empire Studio in Östersund, Sweden, engineered, mixed and mastered by Ronnie Björnström (Garageland Studios) and features cover art by Kristian "Necrolord" Wåhlin (Bathory, At The Gates, Dissection, Emperor et al).
Doors are 8pm and entry is a paltry £12...
http://www.aeon666.com
https://www.facebook.com/aeon666
http://www.metalblade.com/Aeon
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Mon the Biffy, Mon the Goblin etc etc etc
BIFFY Clyro, Orange Goblin, Enslaved, Aeon, Grand Magus coming up –
2013 is shaping up just fine…
2012 has yet to draw to a close and already a torrent of gig
announcements have been made or are about to be made for the New Year
You can check out the welter of gigs still left to drain
your pockets in 2012 through the rockradioni gig
list, the Distortion
Project pages or the Limelight
listings, but make sure you don’t sell that kidney too quickly on ebay because
2013 has already seen some great shows prepped and ready.
And, now MCD have announced Biffy Clyro are to play the
Odyssey Arena date on March 29th, with tickets on sale this coming
Friday.
And, Orange Goblin, in announcing a spring tour, said “Irish
dates to be added” on their Facebook post last night…
Hang on to your hats, wigs and bum fluff because more exciting news will emerge as autumn moves towards winter...
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