Storm front set to hit Helfast

WITH less than two days to go before the Helfast mini-festival opens its doors for an afternoon and evening of noise, we caught up with Stevie Moore, guitarist with headliners Stormzone – a band with rightly justified high sights for the future.

For Stormzone it has been a year of touring as they prepare for the imminent release of the new album Three Kings.

And with a recent support slot with Saxon safely tucked under their belts, Helfast festival at Belfast’s Limelight2 looks set to the opening chapter for another book of successes.

After their apparent unjust treatment at the hands of a certain American singer, Saxon proved a much more enjoyable and professional slot for Stormzone.

“It really was ‘a dream come true’ for us,” said Moore. “We have toured with a lot of bands over the years and this pairing with Saxon, being at the forefront of the NWOBHM, was just the absolute perfect match for us.

“The audience was geared up for the kind of music and performance we deliver, and the whole thing couldn't have gone better for us.”

And for the band it was a cert that they were looking forward to being on the bill with the English metal legends.

“We're all big fans of the band so it's hard not to feel a little starstruck when you're hanging out with Biff, swapping tales from the road!”

And their treatment...”Saxon and their crew were extremely professional and courteous throughout the tour, and we were lucky enough to enjoy a few beers with them after the shows. “

With these support slots safely notched up to experience Moore reflected on the positive road experiences they have had hitting the festival stages across Europe, which has bonded them ever tighter together as a band and as friends.

 “Stormzone is definitely five brothers united in a common goal, and we also have our team around us that give just as much as we do,” he said. “If you see some of the backstage footage of us available on YouTube etc, there are no separate dressing rooms and back-biting, it's a bunch of guys who are genuinely excited to be doing what we do and it shows!”

Moore continued: “The tours and festivals we've done have been a cross between work and a holiday, from my own personal point of view.

“There's a job to be done but everyone is pulling in the same direction, so there's always time for cutting loose and having some fun. I try to keep Facebook and twitter up to the date with the more light-hearted side of things, as people may have noticed from the pictures of our recent trip to the Metal Assault festival in Wurzburg...”

On the road the last Stormzone album, Zero to Rage (review here) has been nestling down nicely with previous releases as Moore explained.

“There are a few of the songs that have become "standards" in our set and will probably always be that way. Now that we have a bigger pool of material to choose from, you can't play as many songs from each album as you'd like to, so we like to make sure the fan favourites are in there with a little surprise every now and then.

 “It's quite a feeling to look out and see fans from Spain, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, all over Europe, singing every word to songs like Fear Hotel and Where We Belong,” said the axeman.

 “And when you find out that some of the fans have literally driven across Europe to come to a festival to see Stormzone, it's hard to express to them what it means to you that they would do that. You find yourself scrabbling for things to give them - picks and drumsticks don't quite cut it in those scenarios!”

With Helfast knocking on the doors, and appearances at Dundalk’s NSX Festival and Hillsborough’s Sunflowerfest, the band are gearing up for the release of Three Kings.

“We've just finished recording and mixing the album, which will be available in July on Metal Nation Records,” said Moore.

“We are beyond delighted at how it has turned out. It'll show another step up for the band in terms of song-writing, sounds and overall production.

“I can't wait to have people hear it, I'm so proud of what we have achieved with this album, and going by the reaction to a sneak preview played on the radio last weekend, I know the fans will be as pleased as we are.”

No matter the weather there’s a major Storm Front moving in, and from what Moore explained – you have a choice, stand in the Stormzone and relish the metal – or get out of the way.

 
Helfast takes place on June 1^st at Belfast’s Limelight2. Joining Stormzone on the stage will be Altus, Warcrux, and Triggerman. Helfast is a joint promotion between The Distortion Project, Paradise City and Blink Management. Tickets, priced £10 will be available on the door.

Sinning the metal way with The Distortion Project

SO, it’s a sunny Saturday afternoon in Belfast, unaccustomed highs on the thermometer, uncultured types stripping off around City Hall...what does the self-respecting metal fan do in these circumstances?

Well, as it is a Saturday afternoon, heading to the Limelight2 for a wee blast of Sinocence flavoured fun at The Distortion Project was the prime option this weekend (25th May).

Yes, returning to the stage after a short hiatus the boys were back with another blast of their technical terror.

A last minute bill change aside, it was an afternoon in four acts with varying degrees of theatricallity.

Opening were September Cross, who delivered a well-measured and entertaining take on old school metal, with NWOBHM influences to the fore. They proved that it is possible to pay homage to the masters that are Maiden and Diamond Head without slavish copying.

Tight and fluid, September Cross have pretty much it all, but could use a few wee refinements in terms of stagecraft – you are allowed to move around the stage and engage everyone.

Definite promise from the Cross here!

Stagecraft is never a problem for By Any Means – furious hardcore delivered with an in-your-face power, bouncing about the audience, pounding the stage, challenging the crowd to like them or get out – By Any Means demand your respect; whether you like their hardcore hell, they deserve your respect. Give it.

Red Six delivered, by contrast, a little too much stagecraft: however, the musical landscape was crowded in the right way: much aplomb musically and with a little more development they could be the antidote to mediocrity that they promise. Not afraid to mix brutality with harmony they are one to watch.

There is something compelling about Sinocence’s brand of metal. While you can hear the influence of the likes of Megadeth, Sinocence have learned what Mustaine has forgotten  - that is that the song comes first not the widdly guitar bits! And they are not afraid to deliver harmony and space for tunes to develop.

Although the band claimed to be a bit ring rusty there is nothing that a casual punter could spot – seasoned observers could pick at some looseness around newer songs, but with that looseness came a bit of groove.

As tight as any band may wish to be, live is where the vibe and the groove of songs can grow – Sinocence are growing and with them there is the promise of much more to come.

Live the guitar work transcends the sometimes hard work of listening to twin guitar attacks, and the shade and subtlety many lack comes shining through – a winner of a 45-minute set, and here’s hoping the band keep that looseness rather than tightening live performances too much.

So – surprise, surprise – our darkened hearts chilled by this four-band behemoth of a line-up come 9pm and the sun was still shining...what next for Belfast’s metal fans?

NB - this was the exact time when Sinocence's new video for 'Long Way Down' was débuted nationally - here it is for you to have a gawk at!

Nailed to the Belsonic Mast

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

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

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

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

No sin as Sinocence return to slay Limelight again

THIS Saturday Sinocence are back to lay waste to the Limelight2 once again as the Distortion Project lays on a five-band show on May 25th (this coming Saturday).

Still out there plugging their awesome No Gods, No Masters Vol 1 EP Sinocence are backed by Dead Label, By Any Means, Red Six and September Cross.

As always with Saturday afternoon's at the Distortion Project doors at Limelight2 are at 4pm and the event runs until 9pm.

Tickets are a measly £5 and there is a selection of drinks promotions (we stopped reading when we saw Jager at £2...)

A perfect warm-up to June 2nd's Helfast with Stormzone, Triggerman et al...(Competition for that wonderment is here)

Win VIP tickets to see Stormzone at Helfast

YOU know you're all winners here, but for some lucky readers we're offering you a chance to be a special part of Belfast's Helfast Saturday of metal madness.

Yes, on June 2nd the mighty Stormzone, the river gods, Triggerman, far-out Nasa Assassin, the crushing Warcrux and the débutantes Altus will be laying waste to Limelight 2.

And in case you haven't yet pocketed your tickets The Distortion Project, with Blink Management and Paradise City have two (yes that's TWO!!!!) VIP tickets into Helfast on Saturday 1st June up for grabs, to witness the Stormzone, Triggerman,  NASA Assassin, Warcruz and Altus (doors 2pm).

The prize, for you and a friend, also includes entry to the venue to watch the Stormzone soundcheck and a visit to the Stormzone dressing room to take part in the pre show Toast. To win, simply answer the following question:

What is the title of the first Stormzone album?

To enter, simply e-mail The Distortion Project with the answer. You have until 1pm on Friday 31st May to enter, and the winner will be chosen at random, and announced on Friday evening.

Winners will be notified via e-mail. Please note that entries will ONLY be accepted via e-mail. Private message answer will not be accepted. Good luck!

Big truck rumbles on with songs from Songs of Iron album launch

NORTHERN Ireland has a proud history in terms of rock music: from the 60s years of Them and Van Morrison, through to the punk revolution of the 70s, the NWOBHM success of Sweet Savage, and more triumphs of Therapy?, Ash, and The Answer .

The current crop is not shabby either, with Stormzone, Million$Reload amongst the vanguard.

But for all the growing national and international success of our rock bands, there still is a moment when home grown talent brings their newly released work back to their spiritual roots.

Whether that band achieves acclaim beyond Northern Ireland’s shores or not, that is the moment when local fans know there is no justice, there’s just us...

Such was the case on Saturday night (May 18^th) when the Big Truck that is Trucker Diablo came back to the Diamond Rock Club, Ahoghill to launch their new album, Songs of Iron.

And, what a way to do it!

With a half hour acoustic set and then playing Sons of Iron to an eager audience.

During their acoustic set Trucker even unveiled two excellent songs that didn’t make it on to Songs of Iron – which is testament in itself to the strength of the new album’s 15 tracks.

After a brief respite for the band to set up and the crowd to enjoy refreshments Trucker unleashed the Iron – from surefire hits like Drive and The Rebel, through to the US FM friendly Highway Radio there was no foot put wrong, and the fist-pumping Year of the Truck is a stomping rallying cry to fans new and old.

Trucker are as at home on the huge festival stages, and equally the friendly intimacy of the Diamond lends itself to the party atmosphere generated by straightforward, honest, hard rock mayhem.

All four men, Tom, Simon, Glenn and Terry are accomplished musicians in their own right, but equally as a unit they gel on stage and keep it heads down rock and roll.

While fans already know Trucker have bucketloads of talent, that 2013 will bring new fans from festival stages and wider tours.

This is the Year of the Truck, when the Big Truck will rumble through the gears with Songs of Iron pounding out to win over those who have not yet received the blessings that the Year of the Truck offers...

Is this Journey end?

THERE are a ladies of a certain age, who remember the chart hits of the 80s, and who in the words of Bowling for Soup always wanted to be “dancing on the hood of Whitesnake’s car”.

Said ladies were much in evidence in the seated area of the Odyssey Arena last night, whether beguiled by Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing played on the children’s programme Glee, or simply trying to remember what it was like before they settled into the boredom of domestic hell.

This made it all the more the pity that more of them were not present when Thunder opened proceedings... Despite not having the full sound system, and at times a dodgy mix, Thunder reminded those who made the early start time just what blues-based hard rock should really sound like.

Those who made it in revelled in older tracks like Back Street Symphony and Low Life in High Places, and Danny Bowes, Luke Morley and co have been round the block long enough to carry (relatively) newer tracks off with aplomb.

And, it was a nice touch to catch out the crowd at the end of Low Life in High Places, by delaying the final word for just long enough to tease all.

With the cavernous Odyssey Arena, filling up nicely for Whitesnake promoters MCD deserve a commendable mention for daring to bring this line-up to Belfast just days after – despite the obvious appeal for those ladies of a certain age only there for Journey.

And it was those ladies who were mightily impressed by the trim shape of Doug Aldrich, while envious axe slingers could only nod appreciatively at his playing.

One of the great secrets of Dave Coverdale has been his ability to surround himself with musicians who complement and enhance the canon of Whitesnake songs with musical ability and stage moves.

Pushing 62 Mr Coversdale still cuts a healthy presence on the stage, his banter and trademark introductions (“Here’s A Song for Ya!) not so much clichés but a reminder that this is band not yet in its halcyon, fading days.

Those not familiar with Whitesnake of old might have suspected the guitar solos and Tommy Aldridge’s (impressive) drum solo were a chance for Mr Coverdale to catch his breath, but it has always been Coverdale’s aim to give just exposure to what the more cynical might say is his backing band, but in reality are his onstage compatriots.

Drawing on songs from 80s classics through to an impressive rendition of their latest release’s title track Forevermore Whitesnake presented a cohesive force onstage, and making the empty spaces of the ice rink’s towering roof seem a little less foreboding.

Doug Aldrich’s solo was nicely rounded off when joined by Reb Beach to trade licks and shapes – and Mr Beach coming out with a harmonica was ‘interesting’ but a sure nod to the blues’ roots of the band.

When the ladies overcame their admiration for Mr Aldrich’s body shape and swooning ever so slightly at the thought of a 61-year-old singer still in great shape they were waiting for the ‘hits’; which Whitesnake duly delivered in the form of Fool for Your Loving and Here I Go Again.

But it was a nod to those who remember 1982 that the set concluded with Still of the Night. As always the band left the strains of ‘We Wish You Well’ as images of departed band colleagues were played on the backdrop – Mel Galley, Cozy Powell and Jon Lord.

And when it comes to backdrops, where Whitesnake combined simplicity, branding and capturing on stage images on a larger scale, Journey’s backdrop veered between existentialism through to just plain weird.

A low screen along where any rock act should just have a row of Marshall speakers was at times made almost invisible by track spots through to a backdrop of squares that at times were nauseating just to watch. No doubt this was planned by someone as a statement, but it would have perhaps been better utilised by the likes of Tool or for a field filled with people on acid trips.

It smacked of ‘trying too hard’.

There is little doubt that Arnel Pineda is a fine front man, his vocals capturing many nuances of Steve Perry in the ‘so-called’ classic line-up, (despite occasional mic problems) but herein lies the problem. It is all too close.

Whereas each iteration of the Whitesnake line-up as enhanced and altered the dynamic, Pineda  was seemingly brought in to help Neal Schon, Ross Valory, and keyboardist/rhythm guitarist Jonathan Cain re-capture from their breakthrough area.

There is a whiff of sanitised rock about Journey, lost in the stadia they can perform in, but perhaps better captured in smaller settings.

And, for many of the crowd they voted with their feet as the crowd noticeably thinned out during their set.

Of course, ‘classic’ FM radio tracks were aired- saving Don’t Stop Believing until the end -but at times it felt like a run through of the Greatest Hits album, which frankly sounds better on the car studio. Only real stand-out track was Wheel in the Sky, which was ruined by an overly complicated ending.

While enjoyable enough Journey have not managed to capture the sheer joy of helping the audience throw away cares in the exuberance of the night.

Unless they are able to produce some new, sellable material that crowds can warm to, they will fall far short of the balance Thunder and Whitesnake achieve and many similar acts manage without straining the patience of fans new and old alike.

Glee may have done a disservice to Journey, but it may be a fatal blow for the band as their star wanes when others of a similar vintage keep on playing.

Jazz metal - who would have thunk it!

WE'RE always open to new ideas here - well if it's rock, metal or punk, we'll give it a blast. But Jazz Metal?

Our chums at Indie Recordings have re-signed Norwegian act Shining, who have been given the tag of being jazz metal.

As regular readers know we're not into sub-genre definitions, but we had to check this out and it turns out theyre rather good!

With new album 'One One One' the band have just released a rather tasty wee video ahead of the release in June.

The video features the song I Won't Forget'.

“We are extremely happy and excited to finally be able to show you our new video!"said Shining’s front man, Jørgen Munkeby.

The song “I Won’t Forget” is my absolute favorite of all the tracks we’ve ever made, and to be able to top this track off with such a beautiful, crisp and clean science fiction video is a dream come true”,

Director Kyrre Larsen, from the Blæst production company, comments: “Since I first heard Blackjazz, I've somehow associated the sound of Shining's music with science-­fiction. I tried to create a sense of this in the video for "Fisheye” in 2012. "I Won't Forget" builds on that video, but I wanted to take things one step further -­ and also avoid the style of imagery usually associated with heavier music.”

We're sold! Turns out we like Jazz Metal!

Here's the video:

Why wear 'coloured' jeans and why oddness in metal and rock is cool...

WARNING - RANT AHEAD: And Devin Townsend & Steve Earle...

THERE is an alarming trend amongst male folk in Northern Ireland - that is wearing coloured jeans and chinos...

We're sorry - that's just wrong! You know the type of trouser we're talking about, that awful orange jean, or green tinged chino, often accompanied by some 'stylish' sweater. If you find yourself tempted to buy, or worse still wear such items be prepared to hand in your memberhip card for the male gender.

No, we're not being discriminatory, we couldn't care less if you are black, white, gay, straight, bi-sexual, or any orientation or cultural background; if you come with the male 'equipment' downstairs and wear these abominations you are more interested in fashion than any male should be...

Let us be clear the only colours acceptable in jeans are blue denim or black; the only colour chinos should have are that proper chino colour: better still have a few extra pockets around the thighs in the off-chance you'll be mistaken for a roadie. Combat trousers of any colour are also acceptable.

When you slough off the suit of subjucation or peel off the work clothes you now know that 'coloured' jeans are verbotten if you are a member of the male species. We can, however, suggest a recovery programme of selected CDs, gigs like Devin Townsend, Lordi, Saxon, Black Sabbath and even one Mr Steve Earle...group counselling is also available on request.

As to the ladies - you are all beautiful and can wear whatever you want at gigs...

But why rant about the absurdity of followers of 'fashion' - also known as lining the pockets of the corporate bitches of the high street?

Well we are acutely aware that being a little bit odd, or off-the-wall is a good thing in metal and rock - even in country rock. When Devin Towsend plays the Stiff Kitten this coming Sunday you will see an example of an extreme guitar widdler, with a vision that at times is as much about being bonkers as being a genius, a line he treads closely, just on the side of genius.

As to Lordi on Saturday...no more needs to be said, but we know when they shrug off the stage costumes they pull on a pair of jeans.

But let us also look at the case of Steve Earle, whose Copperhead Road album still stands the test of time as a country/southern rock classic. When Mr Earle takes to the stage at the Limelight on June 2nd you know he won't be wearing coloured jeans.

And, most of all when Saxon come on stage at the Mandella Hall this coming Friday not one of the gig goers will not know the words to their classic fan tribute - Denim and Leather...

We know that most metal and rock performers, and a fair amount of the fans are odd to say the least,  but odd is much cooler than following the fashionistas any day of the year!

Awesome Audrey, Superb SAHG

THERE is a school of professional thought that when reviewing gigs a journalist should stand cooly at the back of the venue, surveying the scene in a detached, aloof manner, with his pen poised to record pithy phrases and putdowns.

Screw that!

With more than 20 years experience of journalism both on news desks and reviewing music we must have misplaced that guidebook. Much better to sample the atmosphere at the front, pint in hand and horns hoisted aloft.

And last night (Monday 29th April) it was impossible to remain detached when bands as superb as SAHG and as awesome as Audrey Horne hit the Limelight stage.

SAHG opened the proceedings and not minding whether the audience was yet to build laid down a space rock, psychadelic, tourde-force - but to be honest we were won over when they managed to segue some of the twin solos and riffs from Thin Lizzy's Emerald to their opener. (They later denied that this was just for Irish dates, as they have included that for years.

With songs as strong as new single Slip Off the Edge of the Universe, Firechld and Godless SAHG are here to stay and we reckon a headlining tour may not be far around the corner.

However, the evening was let down slightly by the stand-in band The Mercy House. Grant us the mercy not to spend any time slagging off a band who genuinely seemed to put in so much effort, but they seemed to pulling in different directions, with guitarists and bassist headbanging away while the singer was doing his best to look like Sebastian Bach.

Audrey Horne...Dear Lord Lemmy - they are good!

Those three words could sum up the show, but fail to convey the delivery, poise, confidence, and passion that the entire band laid down - it would simply be wrong to pick out any member as they all pounded the audience into adoring submission.

Opening up with Redemption Blues they rattled through huge parts of this year's album Youngblood, and with a few older tracks. The Cruel Sea and There Goes a LAdy were notable, but then again there was not a dropped phrase, a stupid interlude or daft posturing. This was a twin-guitar outfit, laying down hard rock they it was meant to be: surging vocals, guitar harmony solos and a rhythm section nailed down to the foundations of the Limelight2.

Audrey Horne are as tight an outfit and as good a set of international performers that have graced a Belfast stage in many a long while. They deserve to reach the heights!


Special mention for The Distortion Project for laying this night on - cheers as always Mr Loveday - and to Napalm Records for keeping faith with SAHG and Audrey Horne. And a huge thank you on behalf of the audience to all band members who took the time to chat after the gig.

You can see the band's own photo of the crowd on Facebook here.

Mastodon, Zeppelin and Radiohead...read on!

WELL, no Belfast date, but don't forget your June slice of prog-metal weirdness as Mastodon play in Dublin on June 12 and 13th at The Academy - given the first night clashes with Slayer and Walking Dudes in Belfast some might be tempted to see the Atlanta men once again.

The gigs are as The Hunter tour draws to a close and they begin work on their sixth album to date.

Brent Hinds has been giving some hints as to what we can expect from the men who take progressiveness to the next level, add large doses of heaviness and then crack your skull (and Skye!) with musical dexterity.

 "A lot of the stuff I'm writing is in open G-Minor," said Hinds. "I'm playing a lot of slide guitar and just getting really Jimmy Page-y on the place and getting really eerie and Radiohead-ish and very spooky soundy."

Mastodon with a mix of Led Zep, Radiohead and their usual manic metal flourishes...we can't wait!

Beardiness heavy mayhem

IF there is one quintessential rule in any music genre - but especially in metal - it is to get yourself a memorable name. And only the stupidest person would deny that 7.5 Tonnes of Beard is a memorable name.

The next rule is to get yourself some damn good music. And sometimes the more extreme that music the better.

7.5 Tonnes début release 'Denied The Basics' landed in the Belfastmetalheadsreunited mailbox with a thud that registered on the Richter Scale. It has more sludge than a blocked sewer pipe, and more doom than Satanists denied their anti-depressants. 7.5 Tonnes of Beard deliver edgy brutality that will not only kill your neighbours lawn in that time-honoured Motorhead phrase, but will clear the neighbourhood of all fauna and flora of a nervous disposition.

This is five tracks of hell for easy-listening rock fans.

Openers Grit and Shallow Man, with their down-tuned slow torture meld into a drudge of deathly howls, with Micky Higgins voice sounding as if in pain and forced to gargle acid.

Guitars here are instruments that the Spanish Inquisition would find extract confessions aplenty from the most recalcitrant of sinners. And the lyrics...well we know some tender hearts read our blog but face-eating is here, amongst other dystopian jewels of horror.

At times there is little here to make reference to, and we dug out some old Crass and yep, there are similarities, but they are passing: Crass were never this intense.

For those that may think after a couple of spins that 7.5 Tonnes of Beard are a one-trick pony, there are subtleties in the terror, with closer Sign of the Cross having more dynamics than most bands playing doom could imagine.

The combination of Coles and Adger on drum and bass respectively lay down a solid core of constant shifting immensity, over which Higgins returns to his tortured wails before the tone and tempo shift downwards as this seven and a half epic from 7.5 Tonnes of Beard draws to a discordant close...

This is music that would persuade that persuade the TV psychopath Dexter to move from Miami and find somewhere darker to ply his deadly trade.

This is music that will strip the souls of the innocents from their sunshine hearts.

This is music that lays bare the dark core in the heart of each human.

And we love it!

What a week of rock 'n' feckin' roll!

OH DEAR Lord Lemmy forgive us humble mortals for we be bereft of the funds to be worshiping at the glorious altars of rock and metal this week!

And what a week there is in store for us humble souls...

Saturday - take your pick - Limelight 2's Distortion Project with By Any Means, Skypilot, Warcrux and Death By Consent or should it take your fancy Million$Reload are recording a live album at the Diamond Rock Club.

With Sunday set aside to recover, Monday sees the immense Audrey Horne, backed by Mercy House and SAHG at Limelight 2.

Younger types with weird tastes might like to take on board Enter Shikira on Tuesday night in Belfast or Derry the following night, but really you shouldn't...

Thursday, May 2nd will see Maverick, Sweet Taste and Infamy at Belfast's Voodoo, before Stormzone blow Saxon off the stage on Friday at the Mandella Hall...

Come Saturday May 4th Finnish rockers Lordi will be ripping apart the Limelight before Sunday, May 5th sees the Devin Townsend Project tear The Stiff Kitten a new one...

First off we'd like to see all of these, but we can't (boo hiss I hear you call!), so will be only making limited appearances. But that doesn't stop you turning up and rocking out!

Oh, and don't forget that Trucker Diablo will be launching Songs or Iron on May 18th (review here).

In the meantime here's Audrey Horne's Redemption Blues to whet your appetites....

Four letters for Monday night

OKAY people, by now you shouldn't need any more reasons to head along to see Audrey Horne on Monday night other than seeing the immense Audrey Horne, but we'll give you another four letter reason to make sure you are there - SAHG.

Norwegian doom psychedelia rock, SAHG is a one of the many projects King has in the bag, and this Bergen band are worthy of a few minutes of your time! [And, yes we know of all the controversies around King's other stuff with Gorgoroth, but we couldn't care less, we just like good metal!]

Their new album is due out in October, and they have just released the first track, Firechild (see link below).

NB - In a change from the original line-up for Monday night, Mercy House now occupy the middle spot between SAHG and Audrey Horne.

 SAHG Firechild

Beastly lords hit Belfast

EUROVISION victors and over-the-top metalheads Lordi are getting set to rock Belfast's Limelight 1 on May 4th, with a Finnish explosion with, of course hard roll hallelujahs

With their sixth album to date - "To Beast or Not to Beast" currently doing the rounds, and single "Riff" gaining radio play across Europe the band has set a new direction, but not without tgragedy sowing the seeds for the Lordi re-birth.

 

The new tone and brutal approach was set by former drummer Ortus, when he took more of the song-writing responsibility, inspiring guitarist Amen to lay down the riffs that were the architecture for the new material.

 

Then, jut as the band were preparing for their 20th anniversary drummer Ortus passed away in February and keyboardist Awa decided pursue other paths.

 

Re-grouping after this was not going to be easy but in 2012 they fulfilled summer festival dates and now with new keyboardist Hella and drummer Mana behind the kit Lordi are ready to hit the stages again.

 

Sure it is easy to mock their schlock horror of Lordi, but there is one thing that they are not short of, and that s hooks, riffs and catchy choruses.

 

And on that night of Eurovision, when that arch-cynic Terry Wogan was left speechless, rock and metal fans across the continent were dialling in their votes with glee as the mediocrity was thrown out in a hail of masks and rock.

“To Beast or not to Beast” was released on the 1st March.  Tickets for this Distortion Project/Limelight gig are 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

Audrey Horne competition winners

THE winners have been drawn from the Belfastmetalheadsreunited/rockradioni Audrey Horne competition; the Jager baseball hat was filled with more than 100 entries and drawn from the hat were Wayne and Mark/

They have already been notified via email, so if you didn't get an email - you're NOT a winner.

Which means you've now no excuse not to get your hard rockin' arses down to the Limelight on April 27th for what promises to be one of the best, but unheralded shows of the year.

Yep - Audrey Horne have snuck up on many of us with the sheer Norwegian hard rock. Read the album review here and below is a wee taste of their tasty wee video for lead album track Redemption Blues.

Iron grooves, killer hooks - bow to the Big Truck!

WHEN it comes to Trucker Diablo you can be guaranteed of a superb live show, but after the phenomenal success of début album The Devil's Rhythm, can they repeat it on record, or will they suffer from second album syndrome that afflicts so many bands?

Rather than just take our views on this we enlisted three other reviewers for their take on the Trucker sophmore release, Songs of Iron, which hits record stores and online retailers on May 18th.

But, first, what was our take on it...can the recording live up to the airing of several of these tracks on stages from the Diamond to Tennents Vital?

The answer is a resounding yes!

From opener Red Light through to closer I Want to Party With You this is a statement of intent, a declaration that Trucker Diablo can lay it down whenever and whereever they choose - a band maturing nicely and confident in their abilities to pen great songs.

Heavy vibes, just check out Year of the Truck; choruses to die for, check out second single Drive; power ballads to catch the emotions; check out Maybe Your The One...

There are no weak tracks, rather they compete with each other in quality, enabling the listener to pick their own favourite for repeated plays.

Nods to influences are here, but Songs of Iron is not a slavish rehash of hard rock also ran riffs. Skynyrd and even the Foo Fighters would die for some of these hooks, and many a so-called first division act should just roll over in the path of the Big Truck. In fact the riff off Highway Radio is so much better than anything than Skynyrd or other Southern Boogies acts have penned in decades.

Bulldozer is a slam in the face song pushing the iron to the fore, without sacrificing melody in its ferocity.

 

There are a few trims that could have been done, as the outstanding Rock Hallelujah could be 30 seconds shorter, but that is only mentioned because we struggled to find any real weaknesses on Songs of Iron.

As much as we were blown over by this we decided to check out what others thought. First up is our student correspondent Nadia, recently returned from efforts to prove that you can drink a whole country dry...

"As every procrastinating student will know there's nothing to brighten a sunny day stuck in the library than a bottle of sweet liquor and good music. After the ever popular summer hit "Drink Beer, Destroy", I was unsure whether Trucker Diablo could top their last offering The Devil Rhythm, but oh how wrong this procrastinating student was…

"As ever with Trucker, joyous riffs come bounding out of my cheap headphones, which manage to make the opening track all the better - it doesn't need fancy equipment, a true rock and roll album, a good start. The defiant "Year of the Truck", reminds us who Trucker Diablo are (like we needed reminding) with riffs left, right and centre, and a chorus that tells us that "noting's going to stop me now", which is good news, this writer doesn't want to see Trucker Diablo go anywhere anytime soon.

 

"The lead single "The Rebel" we heard first hand at Tennant's Vital 2012, and every time I hear it, it just keeps getting better. A song it's difficult not to smile at when listening to. Tunes follow about love lost and love found, which even with the unrelenting need to bounce when listening to this album, you genuinely feel Tom's heart and soul going into every lyric, from the ballad with a soaring solo to "Rock Hallelujah" (thankfully not an homage to Eurovision winners past), the album reminds you that rock music can be fun, even with a side order of straight faced lyrics.

"Like all good rock and roll albums there are ups and there are downs, but there is not a single song on this offering that can be described as bad, or even mediocre, and every one should be enjoyed with a beer firmly in hand. The band believe in this album, and they're playing each song as if it's their last (which we very much hope it isn't) which just makes it sound all the better. So many bands these days play for the sake of it, these guys don't.

"This is an album that you can't help but enjoy, and with every listen you will grow more and more attached, and with sunny days ahead I can see many a summer barbecue with a group of like-minded hallions and a beer or seven, with Songs of Iron playing out into the evening. If you have't heard of Trucker Diablo yet, WHY THE FUCK NOT?"

 

Convinced yet? We then sought out then views of self-confessed Trucker fanboy Darren - if anyone can spot a flaw he is close enough to the band to pick it up...

 

"Alright I’ll play my hand before we start, I’ve an interest here in that I help the Trucker boys out with promotion etc, so over the last 2-3 years I’ve seen a lot of shows, and stuff that goes on in the background that would bore the life out of you if I told you! Having said that, I’ve been busting for people to hear this album, and now its finally getting out there for you, the good people, to enjoy!

"Unlike its predecessor, The Devil Rhythm, a lot of the songs on this album have been honed and fine tuned in a live setting over the last year or two, and it tells. Everything on this album is tight, Tom Harte’s lead vocals, like the song writing, show a growth in maturity and quality that comes from the bands extensive live performance’s over the last 2 years and the experiences gained therein.

 

"One thing Trucker do not do, is limit their “genre”, their influences range from Metallica and Anthrax to Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackberry Smoke and anywhere in-between. Take the opener Red Light On with its pounding bass line (a feature of both Trucker albums is the bass is never hidden, you can hear it riffing along in parity with the guitars), swing up a gear into Year of The Truck which wouldn’t be out of place on a Metallica album, and by the time you hit track 4, current single Drive, which is gaining daytime radio play on many FM stations, you’re into radio friendly hard rock territory...but always with a bite, just check out the solo! Infact every solo on this album has you reaching for your air guitar and making “wanking” faces as you play along.

"Some of my favourite tracks on this album are at the back end, the stomping groove of Whens It Gonna Rain, the Southern country style of Highway Radio, and the awesome double guitar solos of album closer I Wanna Party With You, that rumbles to the end like an 18 wheeler going down the gears.

"Tackling topics from social disorder on Streets Run Red, to (and I quote Metal Hammer) “a beefy number about Axl Rose being a dick” in Not So Superstar, the Lord of all rock vocalists Ronnie James Dio on Rock Hallelujah, to having to break down barriers in life that stop you getting anywhere on Bulldozer, Truckers philosophy is clear, Big Riffs, Big Choruses, Big Bass, Big Solos…….Big Truck!"

But we themn put the album to the biggest test... our Black Metal editor Zakk, who thinks Deicide are pussies and that Gorgoroth need to toughen up a bit.

His view on Songs of Iron...

"Hell yeah - buy it you...." [Editor's note we've deleted the rest of his comments owing to risk of offending public decency, but it was something about sacrificing a goat - at least we think that's what he said - to praise Thor, Satan, Odin, Loki and other deities for Songs of Iron.

So, overall our editorial team here rated it, the man closest to the band spotted no flaws and we think that Trucker have nailed the myth of second album firmly to the front of the Big Truck, were it flaps uselessly in the path of iron grooves and killer hooks. Bow down mortals it's the Year of The Truck - ten out of ten guys!

Songs of Iron is released on Ripple Records on May 14th, launch party at the Diamond Rock Club on May 18th.

You ready for the Horne - win tickets to see Audrey Horne rock Belfast

BELFASTMETALHEADSREUNITED, in association with RockRadioni and Audrey Horne, are delighted to launch a competition to win two tickets for the superb Bergen-based rockers show in the Limelight on April 29th.

For those who haven't got the horn for Audrey Horne just yet, then why not! Hard rock at its purest, twin guitars, soaring choruses and ample riffage, the new album Youngblood is an aural treat just waiting for you to devour (review here).

To win one of the tickets answer this (really, really) difficult question:
"WHICH SCANDANAVIAN COUNTRY ARE AUDREY HORNE BASED?

Answers to be emailed here before midnight on Friday, 19th April, 2013.

Good Luck!

Total honesty, brutal intensity - :Lamb of God

WHEN Lamb of God play the Limelight on August 12th, you can be sure of one thing - brutal intensity. But fans will also appreciate - as should any music fan with a sense of justice - the total integrity of this band; singer Randy Blythe above all.

This was the tour that nearly didn't happen. Blythe was charged with the manslaughter of a fan in Czech Republic at a 2010 concert. Blythe could have done what many people would have and stayed behind legal machinations, but instead he faced the charges - and was acquitted in March of this year.

He spoke movingly about the family of fan's tragedy, speaking from personal experience after losing a child.

And it this integrity, this total commitment, this intense desire to always, always deliver, to always fight lyrically and musically that Lamb of God bring to the stage each and every time.

Their albums are a testament to what metal can deliver - not just catharsis, but confronting each and every member of the audience, with each and every song.

2012 album Resolution being a case in point, further refining what they deliver to a point that the sheer face melting metal has been tempered into a fine blade to scythe the metal clichés all too prevalent from some US bands.

Come August 12th Belfast will once again see Lamb of God deliver.

From Bergen the Youngblood explodes...

SOMEWHERE in Norway there is a factory producing great music - and somehow - we're not sure we missed the release earlier of Audrey Horne's fantastic album Youngblood - and what an epic hard rock album it is.

From the start it is hard rock the way it is meant to be played as Redemption Blues tears out with strong vocals and battling twin guitar attack.

This is a band that knows it roots - from the sound of many two axe bands such as Lizzy and UFO, through to the echoes of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.

And, with the rousing Straight Into Your Grave tipping a hat to Death Alley Driver and the Bonnet epoch of Rainbow.

Throughout Youngblood this is hard rock laid down with passion and verve - taking what could have been another formulaic clatter of songs and giving them the edge - as proved by the title track, which has a refrain that most bands that would die for.

The only weak track is There Goes a Lady - it stands head and shoulders above the usual crap, but it does tend towards what one expects of the hard rock genre.

However, the rest of the album has balance, poise, and the sort of hooks and riffs - check out Pretty Little Sunshine and you may never get the chorus out of your head.

The balance is evident in the arrangement of the album - the lyrically similar to Alestorm - The Open Sea is followed by the frenetic This Ends Here and the album closer The King is Dead has the mid-paced power many seek and few will find.

Lyrically it is darker than many hard rock acts can manage, but this lends an edge to the songs.

Fans of local acts Trucker, Million$Reload, A Little Bitter and Screaming Eagles will find much to enjoy here - but most of all this is an album that stands for itself.

As guitarist Ice Dale told Belfastmetalheadsreunited earlier (see interview here) this was an album that was targeted at their own tastes.

"Actually we didn't think too much when we made this album," said Dale. "We just jammed and had a lot of fun. There are a lot of influences from all the bands we listened to when we grew up and we just mixed it with our own sound and our own way of approaching it."

Surely that is the secret for great rock and metal.

Youngblood is now available on Napalm Records and Audrey Horne will be playing the Limelight on April 29th - see ya there!