Florence releases her fifth studio album, Dance Fever
“The frontwoman’s star continues to burn brightly….Dance Fever sees Welch return to the euphoric, stadium-sized anthems that defined her early career” – Vogue Listen HERE Florence + The Machine today releases her highly-anticipated new album, Dance Fever. The album features previously-released tracks ’My Love’, ‘Free’, ‘King’ and ‘Heaven is Here’, […]
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Liverpool rock’n’rollers – MEXICAN DOGS – have just released their self-titled EP via Fretstore Records.
The new EP arrives as the band unleash the flaming-hot grooves of their final single from the release:“When It’s Gone”. LISTEN HERE Thundering through a riotous blend of fuzzy reverb, vintage-tinted guitar lines, heady instrumentals and booming vocals, “When It’s Gone” is the latest offering […]
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PRIMAL FEAR to release now-pre-orderable deluxe edition of self-titled debut album in celebration of 25th band anniversary on July 15th, 2022. Also a lyric video for classic track ‘Chainbreaker’ unveiled.
L-R (1998):Tom Naumann (guitars), Mat Sinner (bass, vocals),Ralf Scheepers (vocals), Klaus Sperling (drums)Photo Credit: Rainer Ill Founded by bassist Mat Sinner and vocalist Ralf Scheepers, and completed by guitarist Tom Naumann and drummer Klaus Sperling shortly after, German metal commandos PRIMAL FEAR started to pave […]
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Hardwicke Circus aka The Hardwickes
Ltd Ed live ‘Prison album’ and new single Hardwicke Circus [aka The Hardwickes] announce that their next release will be ‘At Her Majesty’s Pleasure’ on 27 May 2022. This is an ‘official bootleg’ live album recorded at HMP Standford Hill and HMP Elmley [on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent] during […]
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BEX DROPS ANARCHIC MUSIC VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE “TIPTOE” : OUT NOW
LISTEN HERE || WATCH HERE PLUS ANNOUNCES A SHOW AT TGE ALTERNATIVE ESCAPE FRIDAY 13 MAY, BRIGHTON A 19-year-old visionary from Guildford, BEX is causing noise with self-righteous lyrics, cutting-edge riffs and protruding bass wobbles. BEX has dropped a brand new single – “Tiptoe,” – sees the artist’s 2022 debut and […]
NewsLISTEN HERE || WATCH HERE
PLUS ANNOUNCES A SHOW AT TGE ALTERNATIVE ESCAPE FRIDAY 13 MAY, BRIGHTON
A 19-year-old visionary from Guildford, BEX is causing noise with self-righteous lyrics, cutting-edge riffs and protruding bass wobbles. BEX has dropped a brand new single – “Tiptoe,” – sees the artist’s 2022 debut and features heavy bass plucks, annihilating drums, and witty vocals across a riotous music video.
|| LISTEN TO “TIPTOE” HERE || WATCH THE VIDEO TO “TIPTOE” HERE||
Describing herself as, “A punk-rocker who wants the music to speak again” BEX is a young artist looking to reshape the rock industry through a lens of hard-hitting riffs, feminist lyrics and cutting-edge videos. Amongst this BEX balances out all the things that “suck,” such as: sexism, racism, fast fashion, judgementalism and heartbreak with pleasantly uplifting things like: riffs, self-expression, expressive art, inclusion, equality, feminism and last (and certainly not least) respect.
Speaking about the track she says:
“Lyrically ‘Tiptoe’ is about males who take advantage of women, ‘just because we perform it doesn’t welcome you off stage’. The chorus reflects on men taking action and the consequences that come from it:
‘TipToe
Cause a riot overstep the line
Resist arrest just to prove your lies
Cause a riot just to step aside
Neglect then strike
Prove them right
You are a swine’
Musically the track is just riffs, fat riffs. A simple punk structure with two alternative bass lines that compliment each other. ‘Tiptoe’ is simple but meaty. The song is filled with alot of rage and rebellion against female norms, standing up for myself/ourselves and other females who have been in vulnerable situations. The track is in favour of post modern feminism.”
Recorded in the first lockdown, “Tiptoe,” is a track produced by Sam Cramer, and with BEX’s bass tones all created by hand on a custom pedalboard.
“Tiptoe” arrives with a vivid official video co-directed by BEX herself and videographer/photographer Olivia Brissett. Matching the soaring and beckoning energy of the track, BEX says of it:
“The video is a visual representation of my anger and rage in the song. Also representingfemale empowerment, and lastly… showing off my handmade outfits and masks.”
Honourably gifted across the arts, BEX is not just a musician, as she admits, “I hand painted the artwork on a canvas,” about the single’s artwork. Continuing her love for curating BEX expands on some of the projects she’s working on:
“I have been making a zine that I am going to get printed, it’s like a little lyric and expansion book, all handmade. I also self directed the music video and I am currently in the process of editing it! I love making things, I made all the outfits for the music video as well as the masks. Nearly everything is DIY, I love having the ability to portray my personality creatively.”
Taking influence from her love of renowned bands Rage Against The Machine,Paramore, System of a Down and The Pretty Reckless, BEX has the hairs on your arm rising with her distinctive brand of angsty punk-rock.
Starting out as a bedroom project in the summer of 2020, BEX decided to take her love for rock music that inch a bit further by picking up a bass and playing covers of her favourite riffs on instagram. Starting off with a mere 2,000 followers at the beginning of the year to a skyrocketing 35,000 by the summer, it’s fair to say BEX has an impeccable vision and is on her way to an ascending journey through the music industry.
Now onto a staggering 60K+ followers across her Instagram, Facebook and TikTok it’s fair to say BEX has a comfortable string of fans surrounding her. Making pals with not just her fans, but musical creators too as BEX has spent her summer laying down some face-melting riffs and rousing, call-to-arms choruses with collaborators including WARGASM, and playing live streams for IKEA/Live Nation and eMusic.
Her debut track“Tiptoe”, sees BEX bring her vision to new heights with a stomping first release of the year. Now preparing to air it live in the coming weeks, BEX will be performing at Brighton’s The Great Escape sister festival: Alternative Escape with a show on Friday 13 May.
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Los Saints Release New Song & Video ‘IDK’
Los Saints Release New Single + Video “IDK” “Don’t let the longing and regret behind the lyrics fool you — the guitar-led track glitters with optimistic tones.” Alternative Press Chula Vista indie/alt rock trio Los Saints (comprised of Angel Mariscal, Emiliano Garcia, and Gianluca Exposito) has released […]
NewsLos Saints Release New Single + Video “IDK”
“Don’t let the longing and regret behind the lyrics fool you — the guitar-led track glitters with optimistic tones.” Alternative Press
Chula Vista indie/alt rock trio Los Saints (comprised of Angel Mariscal, Emiliano Garcia, and Gianluca Exposito) has released a new single titled “IDK.”
The track was recorded in Los Angeles by Keith Cooper of Dear Boy and follows the band’s previous single “Foound You Somewhere”. The band plan to release their debut EP in May.
Says Mariscal: “IDK is my attempt to document what it’s like for someone with social anxiety to enter a relationship for the very first time and the trouble this can cause, from my experience of course. The chaos is real!”
Watch the video/stream the song HERE
Watch the video for the previous single “Fouund You Somewhere” HERE
What others are saying about Los Saints:
“…pairs angular, melodious guitars reminiscent of ‘80s post-punk jams with the sentimentality of a pop breakup song.”– Remezcla
“Los Saints don’t mess around ..Some scratchy chords right out of the Strokes playbook, then — bam — the Chula Vista-bred trio launches into a chorus the feels like you’ve just taken off over the deep blue seas west of San Diego International Airport.”– Buzzbands
“Los Saints are your next indie obsession…reminiscent of veteran indie-rockers The Strokes. Perfect to play on a late-night drive.”
– The Honey Pop
ASIA IN ASIA, LIVE AT THE BUDOKAN ARENA, TOKYO, DECEMBER 1983
DELUXE BOX SET, 2LP, 1CD & DIGITAL Released on 10th June Multi-platinum selling English supergroup ASIA recently announced they are to release ASIA In Asia – Live At The Budokan, Tokyo, 1983, as a Deluxe box set containing: 2LP, 2xCD, 40 page 12” book, Blu-ray […]
NewsDELUXE BOX SET, 2LP, 1CD & DIGITAL
Released on 10th June
Multi-platinum selling English supergroup ASIA recently announced they are to release ASIA In Asia – Live At The Budokan, Tokyo, 1983, as a Deluxe box set containing: 2LP, 2xCD, 40 page 12” book, Blu-ray video, printed memorabilia and ‘ASIA’ pin badge, through BMG Records on 10th June 2022. Also available as a 2LP Gatefold, 1CD and Digital Formats.
Pre-order here: https://asiaband.lnk.to/budokanPR
Here’s a link to a live performances of Sole Survivor and Here Comes The Feeling from the concert:
ASIA, Geoff Downes (The Buggles & YES, keyboards & backing vocals), Steve Howe (YES, guitars & backing vocals) and Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, drums) with special guest Greg Lake (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, bass & lead vocals), visited Japan at the end of two years of touring to promote their phenomenally successful eponymous debut album (1982) and the follow-up Alpha (1983).
The second of three shows at the historic Budokan arena in Tokyo, on 6th December 1983, would make history as first live broadcast between Japan and MTV in America, an amazing achievement for its time. This performance has previously only been available on VHS. The concert featured some of ASIA’s biggest and most memorable tracks including, Time Again, Only Time Will Tell, Sole Survivor, Wildest Dreams and the global hit single Heat Of The Moment.
Greg Lake stepped in, at short notice, following the sudden departure of ASIA’s founder member John Wetton ahead of the Japanese dates. Despite a short period for Lake to learn the songs, and some changes to the arrangements to accommodate Lake’s different vocal range, the Japanese shows were hailed a great success.
Carl Palmer was proud of his former ELP bandmate for performing exceptionally in the situation. “Greg Lake did a great job jumping into John’s shoes. So many songs to sing, he did it so well. It was impressive.”
Geoff Downes, too, was pleased with the event, especially given the massive undertaking. “It was a grand and sumptuous affair. The stage was the iconic ‘A-frame’ shape we had for the US tour. I think we pulled it off admirably in the end. There were some good people behind us: crew, lighting designers, cameramen and backing singers, it was quite a production.”
“The show was an important global commitment,” says Steve Howe, “so we had to rise to the occasion, which we did, with Greg’s help. We couldn’t have done it without him, for sure.”
For Downes, the release stands as a testament to the band’s resilience. “It deserves its place in the Asia catalogue. Aside from its musical strengths, it demonstrates the level of professionalism that we have always striven to bring to the ASIA name.”
This newly packaged box set includes:
· Exclusive new artwork by Roger Dean
· Colour vinyl 2LP of original MTV Telecast concert audio, remixed 2022 from the master tapes, with two previously unreleased, post broadcast encore tracks
· 2 x audio CD:
· Live at The Budokan Arena, Tokyo, Japan, MTV satellite telecast concert (6 December 1983, USA time), remixed 2022 from the master tapes by Matt Wiggins and Rick Nelson
· Live at The Budokan Arena, Tokyo, Japan, previous night’s show (6 December 1983, Japanese Time), remixed 2022 from the master tapes by Hiroki Furutani
· Audio-visual Blu-ray of restored original broadcast concert with 2022 remixed audio (Duration: 1hr 20 mins), plus restored original concert laserdisc featuring alternate camera angles (Duration: 1hr). 40 page, deluxe 12” book with rare and unseen band photos, memorabilia and extensive new sleeve notes new quotes from the original band members
· New, bespoke metal and enamel ‘ASIA’ logo pin badge
· Printed memorabilia:
· 2 x exclusive new Roger Dean artwork A3 posters
· 2 x reproduced live broadcast original concert tickets
· Replicated, matt laminated original AAA backstage pass
· Original concert VHS advert
· 3 x glossy 8” x 5” rare band photos
ASIA In Asia – Live At The Budokan, Tokyo, 1983 Tracklist (2 x LPs, CD1 & CD2)
1. Introduction From Mark Goodman (MTV)
2. Time Again
3. The Heat Goes On
4. Here Comes The Feeling
5. Eye To Eye
6. Steve Howe Solo (Sketches In The Sun)
7. Only Time Will Tell
8. Open Your Eyes
9. Geoffrey Downes Solo (Ihiri – The Setting Sun / Bolero)
10. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes
11. Wildest Dreams
12. Carl Palmer Solo
13. Heat Of The Moment
14. Sole Survivor
15. Cutting It Fine
16. Daylight
ASIA In Asia – Live At The Budokan, Tokyo, 1983 is available as a Deluxe box set containing: 2LP, 2xCD, 40 page 12” book, Blu-ray video, printed memorabilia and ‘ASIA’ pin badge, as well as 2LP, 1CD & Digital formats on 10th June 2022 through BMG Records. Pre-order here: https://asiaband.lnk.to/budokanPR
About ASIA
ASIA was a true rock ‘supergroup’ bringing together the talents of John Wetton, Carl Palmer, Geoff Downes and Steve Howe who had already amassed tens of millions of record sales with their collective bands of the 70s.
Leaving behind their progressive roots, ASIA embraced the commercial FM rock sound that dominated US airwaves and took that, and the new MTV video channel, by storm. The single Heat Of The Moment was a world-wide monster smash and their eponymous 1982 debut album spent an incredible 9 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard chart as ASIA became the biggest selling album of the year and world tour dates sold out.
A second album, Alpha, was released in 1983. The four original members reconvened in 2006 for a world tour, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of that incredible success, and the album Phoenix followed.
While the members were still heavily involved in other projects, they came together again to record Omega in 2010 and XXX in 2012, both albums were acclaimed by their faithful fans and supported by more world tours.
Steve Howe stepped back from ASIA to concentrate on his work with YES and was absent for 2014’s Gravitas. Following this tour came the news of John Wetton’s treatment for cancer, a fight he sadly lost in 2017.
ASIA in Asia – Live at the Budokan, Tokyo 1983 – out 10th June
Website: https://originalasia.com/
Facebook – Original Asia
Twitter – @OriginalAsia Instagram – asiatheband
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Thunder – Dopamine
Two rock bands stick out for me one from each side of the Atlantic, both brilliant live and neither have quite reached the heights their music has deserved. The American band is Y&T their English brother from another mother being Thunder so you can guess […]
Album reviewsTwo rock bands stick out for me one from each side of the Atlantic, both brilliant live and neither have quite reached the heights their music has deserved. The American band is Y&T their English brother from another mother being Thunder so you can guess how I felt when the latest Thunder release appeared in my inbox for review. Dopamine is their 14th studio album and is a 16-track double CD/LP, so when you consider they released ‘All The Right Noises’ a little over a year ago the band really has been busy. The band has always revolved around the axis of guitarist, songwriter and Thunder co-founder Luke Morley and lead singer Danny Bowes the rest of the band is made up of Ben Matthews part of the twin guitar set up, long standing member Chris Childs on bass and completing the rhythm section, also part of the Thunder furniture, Harry James on drums.
Dopamine part one opens with the first single off the album ‘The Western Sky’. The track opens with a trademark chunky Luke Morley riff that is the bedrock of the song. Power house drumming sets up a relentless beat and the ageless defying wonderful voice of Danny Bowes firmly takes the reins guiding the track past the winning post. A vintage Thunder start. This is swiftly followed by ‘One Day We’ll Be Free Again’ which opens in classic style guitar and vocal only, then the musical tension starts to mount with the addition of the drums before going into overdrive with a huge female chorus that would flatter any Gospel community choir. The guitar solo in the break is pure joy the whole track could be a rocking hymn to the final ending of the pandemic and is one of my highlights on this release. The next track ‘Even If It Takes A Lifetime’ slows things down just a little, opening with a country steel guitar then the bass and drums follow on to back a luscious vocal. The whole effect is a rocky blues/country tone and once again fine use of the female chorus infuses the sound. A track that stirs memories of many of the fine down tempo Thunder songs of the past, yet staying fresh and vibrant, making a new highwater mark for the band. ‘Black’ comes next opening with thunderous drums from Harry James and apocalyptic bass from Chris Childs as befits the darker lyrics. The interchange of the dual guitars of Morley and Ben Matthews is both subtle and musically engaging and is the signature tune of the track. Changing the tempo ‘Unraveling’ is a gentle ballad, featuring some lovely piano from Matthews, angelic harmonies and a sweet guitar solo from Morley. It’s best described as a torch song for love not quite lost and is also an album highlight. The beat picks up with ‘The Dead City’ which is a typical Thunder playbook song but this time twinned with an off-key chorus that’s set against the faultless straight-up chords of the verse. Danny’s vocal plays seamlessly with both themes and neatly knits the tune together. ‘Last Orders’ heads into a country direction, in fact you could say it has a Spaghetti-Western vibe. The first verse is paired back and acoustic with just Luke and Danny and it’s not until the second verse that the band burst in. This is the point were the main guitar riffage starts gradually building up the vibe with a wonderful bass line filling in the sound. Next is the explosion of heavier drums; electric guitar takes over from acoustic and the power is turned full on. This eclectic mix is also one of my highlights.
The second part of this epic double opens with ‘Dancing In The Sunshine’, twin guitar driven and a vintage Thunder good time song and like the rest of the album with its superb production it’s like Thunder on steroids in overdrive. The pace slows with the funky blues infused with jazzy overtones of ‘Big Pink Supermoon’. Showcasing once again Danny’s exquisite vocal control and Luke’s inherent mastery of fast blues playing wrapped up with a backdrop of keyboard and intricate bass line. The cherry on the cake is the sax solo all woven together to make an intriguing whole. This swiftly followed by the latest single ‘Across The Nation’. If ever a song was designed for playing live this is the one as it has all the keys for crowd participation and is destined to become another anthem for the band. With an archetypal Thunder lyric, a full barrelled rock riff complimented with suitable keys and a quality guitar solo it has all the ingredients in the right mixture. ‘I Don’t Believe The World’ comes next and what a treat for the ears this is. It’s a classic Thunder sonic masterpiece painted on a broad canvass. Starting with solemn keys and Danny’s plaintiff vocal highlighted by a slow tempo and dramatized by a subdued melody powered by keys and the bass line. Add sky high harmonies in the chorus, making full use of the female choir to set the sound stage and taking as given the soul searing guitar breaks from Luke, it’s a 5-star classic and yet another highlight for me of this truly remarkable album. Next up is ‘Disconnected’. The heartbeat of this track is the drums of Harry James cascading throughout. There is a certain something that harks back to the magnificence of The Beatles ‘Sgt. Pepper’ as well. A nice touch is the use of double tracking some of Danny’s vocals. It’s a track that pays its dues to Thunder’s classic rock routes fired up with a scorching modern production, very tasteful indeed and at times made me think were did I put my flowery shirt with the big collar whilst knowing I’d never get into it now even if I found it. The last but one track ‘Is Anybody Out There’ which is another slow tempo ballad composed of mostly vocal and piano. To me it could be a plaintiff plea from someone in Covid isolation wanting reassurance, but my view may be coloured by having to isolate being classed vulnerable so please decide for yourself. The end is reached via the wonderful ‘No Smoke Without Fire’. Beginning with an acoustic style having a metronomic rhythm and Danny pouring so much soul into the vocal you can taste it. Subtly the tempo builds until the whole band launch in. A seamless transition reaching a crescendo when the female choir explode the chorus. Then back to the stripped back style for the first half of the solo, before it explodes again with the full band. Subtle textures are woven in up to the end crowned by Luke’s signature guitar playing.
Just in case you are wondering where does the title of the album come from seeing there is no track titled ‘Dopamine’ I’ll leave you with the words of Luke Morley he tells it much better than I can. “I read a fascinating article by an American psychologist who said that social media forces us to become dopamine addicts. We’re validated and liked on social media, which releases the dopamine and so we get addicted to it. We take more and more selfies in the hope of more and more validation and the album cover reflects this. People are surrounded by amazing things that they’re missing because they’re so self-obsessed”. In that reflection Luke has come up with so much more than a quick trick like fix. How do you sum up this 16-track absolute monster of an album? Track after track of quality, superb production & musicianship and a lead singer who, amazingly, is still in his prime and a master of his craft. Somehow after all these years the band have managed to retain the artistry and freshness of back in the day, 1989 to be precise with Backstreet Symphony and add an even more visceral depth and power, also adding maturity without sounding dated. Linked to the great production, this is an album that is hot in the running for my release of the year. For over 30yrs Thunder have been a standout British rock band and from this showing there seems no sign of that changing or even diminishing.
Rating: 9.5/10
Record Label: BMG
Website: https://www.thunderonline.com
Release date: 29th April 2022
Highlight tracks: ‘One Day We’ll Be Free Again’, ‘Unraveling’, ’Last Orders’, ‘I Don’t Believe The World’.
Album Review: Rob Birtley
Archive Images: Reg Richardson
Cats in Space release NEW VIDEO for ‘Poke The Witch’ from their forthcoming Double Album
Cats In Space: Official ‘Poke The Witch’ Video! “We never thought we would be upstaged by dancing dogs and a Witch…!” But that’s all part of the wonderful new video for CATS in SPACE brand new single ‘POKE THE WITCH’, the first release from their […]
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| “We never thought we would be upstaged by dancing dogs and a Witch…!” But that’s all part of the wonderful new video for CATS in SPACE brand new single ‘POKE THE WITCH’, the first release from their forthcoming album ‘KICKSTART THE SUN’. Film maker James Heron spent over six weeks bringing to life the band’s most adventurous video yet, and it was worth every second to see the end result. The amazing ‘Mel Sparkles’ is the star of the show playing the part of the Witch… we hope you enjoy it! |
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Finnish alternative death metal band Extinction In Progress have released their debut album!
Finnish alternative death metal band Extinction In Progress released their long-awaited debut album Shades of Pale via Inverse Records. The basis of the album is cast firmly from modern, aggressive death metal, in which emotions from a wide spectrum are skillfully woven into: from fragile, beautiful […]
NewsFinnish alternative death metal band Extinction In Progress released their long-awaited debut album Shades of Pale via Inverse Records. The basis of the album is cast firmly from modern, aggressive death metal, in which emotions from a wide spectrum are skillfully woven into: from fragile, beautiful melancholy to crushing despair.
The band comments the release followingly:
“This record has been under construction since 2019 and we’re really excited to finally reveal it to others! It’s everything we want to express with our music. We’re very proud of the result.”
Listen to Shades of Pale album on:
Youtube: https://youtu.be/tMloJIQsJ1U
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Op5aDc
Bandcamp: https://extinctioninprogress.bandcamp.com
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B09TFKLZ44
Tidal: https://listen.tidal.com/album/218254137
Apple Music: https://apple.co/3rF3Sdm
Watch Cold, Pt. 2: Mårran music video: https://youtu.be/em1w6_greAs
Extinction In Progress was formed in the year 2011. The lineup took root after the first demo and haven’t changed since. After releasing few demos and EPs their full-length debut album Shades of Pale is finally released in 2022.
Extinction in Progress – Shades of Pale (2022)
Track list:
1. Cold, Part 1: The Queen
2. Cold, Part 2: Mårran
3. The Wedding
4. The Loudest Silence
5. Ashes
6. Limbo
7. Feasting Upon A False God
8. Devouring Of Human Flesh
9. Motherland
Line-up:
Juho Ahlgren: vocals
Joni Kinnari: guitars
Samuli Kaakinen : guitars
Atte Kuvaja: bass
Antti Nurmikoski: drums
Links:
https://www.extinctioninprogress.com
https://www.facebook.com/ExtinctionInProgresshttps://www.instagram.com/extinctioninprogress
Simon McBride Releases new single “Don´t Dare”. His first album “The Fighter” on earMUSIC is set for release May 27th
‘THE FIGHTER’ is a fantastic, impressive, and multi-layered album. It is indebted to the blues and rock tradition, but never anachronistic, always modern, but never concerned about trends. Songs like the great ‘SHOW ME HOW TO LOVE’, the straight rocker ‘KINGDOMS’ and the new high-energy single […]
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Burning Witches & Nervosa Double Header – w/ Recall the Remains, the Robin 2
It’s a Wednesday night, Easter is on its way and Bilston was about to be torn a new one as Thrash and Death Metal enthusiasts descended on the Robin 2 to hear the Swiss Misses [sort of] of the Burning Witches perform a double-header with […]
Gig reviewsIt’s a Wednesday night, Easter is on its way and Bilston was about to be torn a new one as Thrash and Death Metal enthusiasts descended on the Robin 2 to hear the Swiss Misses [sort of] of the Burning Witches perform a double-header with Brazil’s Nervosa all supported by Recall the Remains.
The evening gets underway with Midlands Metalcore band, Recall the Remains.
On stage I have to admit they look like they’ve been assembled from a disparate collection of other bands; the fairly clean lines of guitarist Zach Bowden contrast sharply with the somewhat androgynous appearance of bass player Jordan Barnes contrasting further with the Americanised looks of vocalist, Jacob Collins. Guitarist Elliot Rowe and drummer Anthony Morris make up the numbers. It’s an intriguing mix.
The gutterals came straight away with ‘Lifetaker’, which started so sweetly – well for at least 6 seconds, before the headbanging got underway. Jacob led the way with the vocals supported by both Zach and Jordan. The band moved on to ‘First Inversion’ a high energy track from their Dead Dreams EP and ‘Darker Path’ from the same EP followed. The gutterals of Jacob were complimented by the refined voice of Jordan as the song moved to and fro between the pair. ‘Fever Dream’ came next and was followed by ‘Fairfield’, probably the heaviest track of the set, and another opportunity for Jacob and Jordan to work together again; it also provided a soundboard for a nice bass solo from Jordan. The set finished with ‘Our Hell’, for me the most musical track of the night. Overall a very good set, lots of energy and while the vocals of Jacob are the centrepiece, those of Jordan could fit in with just about any rock music genre.
Although thought of by many as a Brazilian band, Nervosa can truly be considered an INTERNATIONAL band with current band members coming from Brazil, Italy, Greece and Spain. These mistresses of thrash metal are fronted by vocalist Rocío Vázquez, aka Diva Satanica, with Prika Amaral (guitar), Mia Wallace (bass) and Eleni Nota (drums) alongside.
Following a short intro the band open up with ‘Kings of Domination’ from Perpetual Chaos, the band’s 2021 album, released by Napalm Records. This proved to be a heavy metal anthem with added growls, screeches and gutterals provided by Diva Satanica who, by her own admission, is not a melodic vocalist in any sense of the word.
Tonight’s set, as a whole, was focused on that most recent album, Perpetual Chaos with just a handful of songs coming from two of the band’s previous three albums.
‘People of the Abyss’, a more ‘traditional’ death metal offering came next followed by the absolutely manic ‘Genocidal Command’ a thrash metal track played at 100mph!. Next on the menu was ‘Death!’, not literally you understand, but one of the songs from the band’s first album, Victim of Yourself [2014]. The last time I saw this played was around seven or eight years ago when the band was a 3-piece. We’re back to the present with ‘Time to Fight’, which I found more repetitive than some of the other songs but it did have an excellent guitar solo from Prika as part of the package. Staying in the now, ‘Venomous’ came next which started with a nice heavy metal riff that lasted probably less than 10 seconds before Diva Satanica screamed her lungs out!
The invitation to start a mosh pit was received by a somewhat mixed reaction as only three or four people took up the offer for ‘Into Mosh Pit’, again from 2014’s Victim of Yourself. ‘Kill the Silence’, the single offering from Downfall of Mankind [2018] was followed by the most recent album’s title track quickly followed by ‘Blood Eagle’ from the same album.
The audience were given a bonus as Laura from Burning Witches came on stage to share vocals for a couple of songs.
The set finished with another oldie, ‘Masked Betrayer’ a bit of old school thrash from Victim of Yourself.
The band retire for a few moments to gather their thoughts, catch a breath and let the fans yell for more before they return with a triple header of ‘Rebel Soul’, ‘Guided by Evil’ and ‘Under Ruins’ all from Perpetual Chaos to round off their evening and set the scene for co-headliners, Burning Witches.
The ‘hair game’ from Prika and Mia of Nervosa was a strong one but I’ve a feeling that from the Burning Witches is likely to match it.
Tonight’s Witches comprise Laura Guldemond, Romana Kalkuhl, Larissa Ernst, Lala Frischknecht & Jay Grob – hair game on!
The setlist is a little more balanced than Nervosa‘s with the 2021 release, Witch of the North supplying four songs, Dance with the Devil from 2020 adding a further three songs and 2018’s Hexenhammer a further two. The final two songs, which included a single encore, come from the band’s first album, Burning Witches/Burning Alive from 2015.
A short intro is followed by ‘Executed’ from Hexenhammer, a heavy rock kick to the balls that Laura and the band deliver to the cheers of the crowd. Already the hair game is strong as the riffs flow, the vocals emanate, the bass drills down. Dance with the Devil provides the next two songs; ‘Wings of Steel’ and ‘Sea of Lies’ before ‘Flight of the Valkyries’ from the current album takes over. A restrained, and rather melodic, start belies what is to follow as melody transforms into thunderous thrash metal. Fans at the front risk being whipped to death by Laura’s dreadlocks as she shakes, shimmers and flicks her hair in a frenzy. Somewhere between songs Laura found the time to say hello but no time was wasted on pleasantries.
The claim that ‘We Stand as One’ was enough to encourage the audience to chant along to the opening bars of what seemed another melodic opening but which lasted only a few seconds before heavy riffs take over for an anthemic rock experience. The ‘Lucid Nightmare’ that followed was anything but lucid; the smoke, strobed lighting and hair-covered faces made sure of that. Laura screams the lyrics to a song that started at 100mph and stayed there.
The title track from The Witch of the North album came next, not as energetic as other songs tonight, lyrics a little strained perhaps, but it still had the fans chanting along. This all changed as the band flew into the popular ‘Hexenhammer’; nothing too melodic about this one, it’s a hard-hitting lump of skull-crushing metal.
We’re at the end of the show and the band take the fans right back to their origins and the first album as ‘Black Widow’, all thrash and screams, and ‘Burning Witches’, almost classic heavy metal, finish the set, the songs split by Laura’s goodbyes and a very short intermission which only lasted long enough to catch your breath again.
The girls of Nervosa and Burning Witches both delivered what each is best at; death metal on the one hand with thrash & heavy, HEAVY metal on the other. A hot and sweaty venue was allowed to clear and give the staff the chance to look for any cracks in the structure from what was a VERY loud show. Nonetheless, it was excellent all round, and that includes the lads of Recall the Remains, well outnumbered by the heavy metal hellraisers of Nervosa and Burning Witches.
Words & images: Reg Richardson
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Finnish melancholic metal band DENIGRATE’s third album out now!
Finnish 1996 founded melancholic metal band DENIGRATE has released their third full length album. Album titled “Blackguard” is doom metal flavored and maybe the darkest album so far by the band. Since Denigrate was found the inevitable vibe of the band was to be dark, […]
NewsFinnish 1996 founded melancholic metal band DENIGRATE has released their third full length album. Album titled “Blackguard” is doom metal flavored and maybe the darkest album so far by the band.
Since Denigrate was found the inevitable vibe of the band was to be dark, melancholy, tormented, observative.
The quantity of albums released is really not the thing in this band. From the first released album in 2003 to the latest 3rd one in 2022 called “Blackguard”, decades has changed and so has the band.
After no more than two albums released, after big-time local momentum with a finnish cover song, after mandatory hiatus, after some line-up changes, Denigrate 2022 is at it’s hardest core.
“Blackguard” takes you deep, slowly, irreparably. It’s the place where all beauty and evil befalls.
Listen to “Blackguard”:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3xJsWnk
Youtube: https://youtu.be/KSnStPUvvuU
Bandcamp: https://denigratefin.bandcamp.com/
Apple: https://apple.co/3v4x6oh
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Oud9Pu
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/us/album/299552157
Tidal: https://listen.tidal.com/album/218923967
DENIGRATE:
Galzi Kallio: Vocals
Pekka Pyrhönen: Bass,
Seppo Nummela: Guitar
Tipi Toivanen: Drums
ISRC-codes:
01. Sonata Del Diavlo (FI3FC2239301)
02. The Fear And The Fever (FI3FC2239302)
03. Rara Avis (FI3FC2239303)
04. Aureole (FI3FC2239304)
05. Perfida (FI3FC2139301)
06. The Dead Saluting (FI3FC2239306)
www.denigrate.me | www.facebook.com/denigrateCamp | denigratemail@gmail.com
