HERE ARE THE ROCK MATRIX MAIN HEADLINES THIS WEEK
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MONDAY 12 JULY and BEYOND
UNIFIED SOUNDS EVENTS
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13/07/10 - Trashy Tuesday
Acts playing: STRANGERS LANE, BRAIN ACHE, INTERNAL SKARS, ROB BATLEY
Venue: Bull n Vic, Dartford, Kent
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17/07/10 - Live At The Lion (Bloodstock warm up)
Acts playing: SPLINTERED SOUL, ZOCALO, SNAKEBITE, SONS OF TORMENT, MUDSTONE, FREE BEER TOMORROW, THE LAKOTA KID
Venue: Red Lion, Gravesend, Kent
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21/07/10 - Looks Dirty!
Acts playing: GENERATION GRAVEYARD, THE ELECTRIC WASTED, KITTY LIPS, SILICONE BULLET, KILLING WITH STYLE
Venue: Dirty South, Lee, London
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05/08/10 - METABOLIC - Pre Bloodstock Party
Acts playing: TBC
With Bloodstock fast approaching it is only right we celebrate the UKs best metal festival with a night of METAL (and other rockish music as usual) which also includes Bloodstock tickets to GIVE AWAY!!!!
Venue: Ivory Lounge, Bexleyheath
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For those with no access to Facebook all the above events and more can be seen in the eventmatrix gig guide.
MONDAY 12 JULY and BEYOND
SELECTED EVENTS BY OTHERS
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16/07/10 to 18/07/10 - DV8 Festival
Acts playing: WAYNE HUSSEY, FADERHEAD, SCREAMING BANSHEE AIRCREW, DEVILISH PRESLEY, THE EDEN HOUSE, MODULATE, ZOMBINA AND THE SKELETONES, GENE LOVES JEZEBEL, NOISUF-X, NOSFERATU + many many more!
Venues: Stereo, York, The Duchess, York, Fibbers Barfly, York
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23/07/10 - Unholy Club
Acts playing: DJ 69, BEHOLDER, CHAOSANCT, SANGUINE
Venue: Scala, Kings Cross, London
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24/07/10 to 25/07/10 - High Voltage Festival
Acts playing: ZZ TOP, ELP, FOREIGNER, JOE ELLIOT'S DOWN N OUTZ, GARY MOORE, UFO, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, DOWN, CATHEDRAL, CLUTCH + many many more!
Venue: Victoria Park, London
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30/07/10 to 01/08/10 - Sonisphere Festival
Acts playing: IRON MAIDEN, RAMMSTEIN, ALICE IN CHAINS, PLACEBO, PAPA ROACH, LACUNA COIL, SLAYER, ANTHRAX, ALICE COOPER, MOTLEY CRUE + many many more!
Venue: Knebworth Park, Knebworth
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13/08/10 to 15/08/10 - Bloodstock Open Air
Acts playing: SPLINTERED SOUL (Kent Metal 2 The Masses winners 2010, ZOCALO (Kent unsigned slot winners 2010), ECHOES FALL (Essex Metal 2 The Masses winners 2010), SILAS (Essex unsigned slot winners 2010), SNAKEBITE (Kent Metal 2 The Masses winners 2009), TWISTED SISTER, CHILDREN OF BODOM, FEAR FACTORY, BLOODBATH, DEVIN TOWNSEND, CANNIBAL CORPSE, BEHEMOTH, OBITUARY, KORPIKLANNI, DORO, GOJIRA, SONATA ARCTICA, EDGUY, GWAR, GORGOROTH, LEAVES EYES, SUFFOCATION, ROSS THE BOSS + many many more!
Venue: Catton Hall, Derby
If you attended or know any of the bands who played in the Kent or Essex Bloodstock Metal 2 The Masses please also look at this event, which details all the bands playing from the Kent and Essex areas:
Link to Facebook Kent/Essex Bloodstock M2TM event page
You can purchase your Bloodstock tickets from us:
PURCHASE BLOODSTOCK TICKETS HERE
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BAND SERVICES
Want to be in a band or play a gig?
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Band: AGENLAND
Need: DRUMMER + 2 GUITARISTS
Details: Melodic Death Metal Band featuring 2 ex-Storm The Gates members. Must have a good level of musicianship. Previous stage experience preferable, but not required. Influences include: At The Gates, Dethklok, Amon Amarth, Kataklysm, Bodom, Megadeth, Sabbath.
Contact: James on adrenachrome_69@hotmail.com
Link: Agenland gumtree page
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Band: BAND NAME TBC
Need: VOCALIST
Details: Needs to be able to sing both clean vocals and some dirty metal growls! The band is based in Gravesend.
Contact: ryan_sedge@hotmail.co.uk or ring 07773240833
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Musician available: KEVIN EARDLEY
Plays: SINGER
Details: Classic rock singer looking to work with like minded musicians. Influences include everyone from Rush, AC/DC, Deep Purple to Mastodon, Alice In Chains and Dokken.
Contact: 07891584862
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Band: FARADAY CAGE
Need: BASSIST
Details: Influences include Radiohead, DJ Shadow, Aphex Twin, Nick Drake to Jeff Buckley. We are 15 going on 16 we would prefer our bassist to be 14-16 (maybe 17). We also want someone who is devoted to practice quite frequently. We are from Welling and Abbey Wood and would prefer our bassist to be from around those areas.
Contact: faradaycageband@hotmail.com
Link: Faraday Cage Rock Matrix profile
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Band: COMETH OF SOLACE
Need: DRUMMER
Contact: andylittlebritain@msn.com or ring 07941865704
Link: Cometh of Solace Rock Matrix profile
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Musician available: TOM FITZGERALD
Plays: MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST / SONGWRITER
Details: Based in Dartford with own equipment and studio, looking for others. Influences: A Perfect Circle, Soundgarden, Tool, Muse, Radiohead etc.
Contact: ring 01322 284 009
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Musician available: DARREN HOLMES
Plays: SINGER
Contact: dareneholmes@hotmail.co.uk
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GIG REVIEW
Fozzy @ Garage - 15/05/10
2pm show:
As I arrived at the Garage in Highbury there seemed to be an air of anticipation. Having been newly renovated it was very impressive and intimate especially for a smaller sized venue. The flames on the screen added to the atmosphere.
The first support act was Nightvision (5.5/10). The venue was very empty, about 50 people max. It was a shame they were put on so early as they were a very good support act and could have supported later. They had a hard rock/metal American style slightly like Shinedown or Alter Bridge, although they are from Lincolnshire.
Halcyon Way (3.5), the second support act also played the evening show. The heavy metal act from Atlanta are making a new album at the moment. The lack of style was more obvious having followed Nightvision. Their Testament, Chimaira, Dream Theater and In Flames influences were interesting but the band were not that good compared to the first support act.
Classic rockers The Jokers (5) were up next. They formed in 2006 in Liverpool and today they did covers such as Shelter Shelter and ended on their single 'Hell to La' from the new album called 'The Big Rock And Roll Show'. They sounded like a rip off from David Bowies Gin Genie song looked like they were all in different bands. The singer was a cross between Bon Jovi, Jim Morrison and the guy from Rocky Horror show. Their arrogance left an unpleasant feel in the air. You could clearly see influences such as Led Zeppelin, Cream and David Bowie.
As the day went on more people were appeared in the venue. The majority of people were male wearing Fozzy (7.5) t-shirts. The crowd looked between 18-30 and it was clear to see most of the people were there to see Chris Jericho, though at the same time were looking forward to seeing the band perform. Now, with fifth album 'Chasing The Grail' just released, Fozzy have the ammunition to tour with. Wrestling superstar Chris Jericho is the main star but this doesn't discount the superb sound the Stuck Mojo guys make.
As soon as they went on stage their were Y2J chants. The other band members looked amused by this. 'Martyr' was played early and was a crowd pleaser. They went on to play 'Enemy' and songs from previous albums as well as promoting the new material. Looking at the crowd the atmosphere was electric and people were singing along with the songs showing that they were not just their for Chris Jericho. The whole band looked very close and were tight. Halfway through their were more chants of both Y2J and Fozzy. Chris laughed and said the crowd should make up their mind as to which chant they will do. The crowd carried on chanting throughout out and got progressively more Fozzy chants as they carried on.
The venue was very empty compared to the evening show and Fozzy were doing meet and greets after the matinee show. The band looked very happy to meet their fans and humble by the turnout though it wasn't as busy as you would expect.
It was great to finally meet them. More bands should do meet and greets at an affordable price or free with a show ticket. It was also good to see a gig in the day rather than just in the evening. It looked like not everyone knew that the band were doing meet and greets as some people who had gone to the matinee show left and queued up again for the evening show whilst the signing was happening.
7pm show:
The turnout was much better than the matinee show and had a more mixed crowd. Some people looked like they were here for the support acts rather than just Fozzy. Again the audience was mainly male but mixed ages.
Death Valley Piledriver (5.5) kicked off the evening show and the name says it all really - wrestling fans?? Influences from Pantera, Skid Row, Down, Black Sabbath could be heard. They had a loyal following as many chants of DVP were chanted especially as some made it down from their hometown of Peterborough.
Vocalist Rektor displayed some brutal vocals whilst the riffs were thrashy and solid. Having won last summers Terrorizer's Fear Candy unsigned competition and entering other competitions they look like they are here to make a statement. It certainly looks as if these guys are here to stay and no doubt be playing some festivals very shortly.
Halcyon Way (5) looked more relaxed than the previous set they played. They released their debut album late last year and seem to be sure in the direction they are going. Most of the songs follow a similar structure, contain melodic choruses and a great vocal performance. Singer Sean Shields throws in some grunts. They looked like they were having fun and enjoying playing to more people!
Essex band Forever Never (6.5) formed in 2004 and seem to get better as time goes on. Having supported bands such as Stone Sour, Breed 77 and Panic Cell they certainly seem to be building a reputation. They have also supported Fozzy in 2006 and Stuck Mojo on an Eastern USA tour, they were back once again supporting Fozzy for the three UK dates.
The Fozzy crowd seemed to give them all their attention. They made full of the use of the stage. Forever Never tread a fine line between underground and mainstream meaning the likes of 'Empty promises' and 'Never Enough' feel like hidden treasures. If you haven't seen them before this is a band not to be missed!
As Fozzy (6.5) got on stage, there were Y2J chants all the way from the back. Once again Chris's presence was obvious as many people were there for him rather than the whole band with 'Martyr' and 'Enemy' again being the crowd favourites. In one song Rich Ward and Chris Jericho both took turn on vocals. Rich Ward would be great if he did some more vocals on the songs rather than Chris Jericho as he has a very distinctive tone to his voice. Later on they played a Stuck Mojo song and a friend of mine wearing a Stuck Mojo t-shirt was on stage singing along. There were also people singing into the audience that were familiar with Stuck Mojo and could appreciate the work Rich Ward and Frank Fontsere had done. Though Fozzy claimed that they would play two different sets for the matinee and the evening the sets were very similar, although no one seemed to complain. They should have mixed it up a bit more by singing a couple more Stuck Mojo songs or just breaking up the set by finishing on the songs they sang at the beginning at the matinne show.
The crowd were even louder and energetic than earlier, with the evening including a mosh pit and crowd surfers. This might have been because there were more people there and earlier had been a little school-fuelled. I will certainly see them again, after seeing them four times now.
Fozzy defiantly made a statement that they are to be taken seriously and they are HUGE rock stars!!
Review by Taj Shoker
GIG REVIEW
Reckless Love @ Camden Barfly - 24/05/10
It had to happen. Have you noticed? The increase of sleazy riffs, big 80’s hair and the smell of hairspray slowly creeping their way back into a 'commercial' space here in the UK.
There could be several reasons for this, but the most obvious is the success of Los Angeles four-piece Steel Panther. The sad old record companies may be crumbling but those within the corridors of power wouldn't have missed the slew of sold out shows, culminating in the Brixton gig earlier this year. Then there was the Download Festival in 2009: Def Leppard, Whitesnake, Tesla, Buckcherry, Hardcore Superstar, New Device and Backyard Babies all contributed to one of the best festivals at Donington in years, and to think these types of bands have basically been ignored by the biggest English rock festival for the first 6 years of its existance. One look at this years line-up shows the likes of AC/DC, Tyketto, Enuff Z'Nuff, Y&T, Aerosmith, Billy Idol, Slash, Cinderella, Ratt, Skin, Michael Monroe and Reckless Love all sitting proudly side-by-side the usual festival fodder. Obviously, clubs and pubs like Decadence and the Intrepid Fox in London and magazines such as Classic Rock have never strayed from this hard rocking path but for the first time in a long while the exposure has increased elsewhere.
If a crest of a wave is still on the horizon then Finnish rockers Reckless Love have timed their swim to perfection. Their debut album was released this year complete with a cover harking back to the 4 segment design of classics from Van Halen, Motley Crue and Poison. The music is inspired by this very period and live they don't disappoint.
Tonight they play to a sold out Camden Barfly packed full of more expectant faces than a mothers and babies hospital. The sweat-box conditions and the music blasting from the DJ booth gives a Sunset Strip feel to proceedings, adding to the excitement.
Having missed Jettblack it was Brijitte West and The Desperate Hopefuls (6/10) who kicked off the night. In truth with an England football match on downstairs and 99% of the crowd only there to see one band it was not the easiest slot to play. Despite this the likes of 'Long Island Lolita' and Brijitte's distinctive New York twang proved to be a pleasant platform for the headliners to build on.
Their debut album may have only been out for a few months but that doesn't stop a portion of the crowd singing back nearly every word for large parts of Reckless Love's (8.5) set. The likes of 'Feel my heat' and 'Badass' are spat out, the Poison and Def Leppard influences pouring from the stage in a river of cheesy delights. 'Romance' complete with its Dokken-esque verses sounds even better live than on cd while the chilled out tones of 'Sex' recalls the sonic undercurrent of Sammy Hagar era Van Halen. The disco-pop beat of 'Back to paradise' is one of the highlights of the night, and one which sees the entire venue moving.
The vocals from Olli Herman are note perfect and are backed by some nice solos from Pepe whose venue-wide smiles signify a successful live debut in the UK. The biggest female screams of the night are reserved for when Olli Herman removes his t-shirt as well as for 'Beautiful bomb', the video of which has helped make this song a hit in the hard rock clubs. The song encapsulates what the band are about, bouncing along on a road of cheesy lyrics, a kick-ass chorus and gloriously simple guitar riff. When 'One more time' is aired it has the feel of a twenty year old classic, ending this fine performance and sending the sweaty fans to the after show with a smile on every face.
Reckless Love have truly arrived and like it or not, hair metal (or whatever you choose to call it) is back in your face and I for one am not getting out of its way!
Review by Alan Hicks
GIG REVIEW
Download Festival - 11-13/06/10
In its short life the Download festival has become famous for the odd turkey headliner (My Chemical Romance, Feeder… you get the idea) but there were no such problems this year. In fact the festival boasted some of the biggest bands in the world in the form of AC/DC, Aerosmith and Rage Against The Machine.
FRIDAY:
While UNEARTH (7/10) and TRIGGER THE BLOODSHED (7) got things off and running with their own lethal doses of metalcore and death metal it was ANATHEMA's (8) wonderfully crafted prog-metal that really kicked things into gear on the newly named Ronnie James Dio stage. The likes of 'Lost control' float over the crowd along with the dazzling sunshine, dispelling any fears of rain, for this day at least.
By the time KILLSWITH ENGAGE (7.5) hit the main stage the arena and the surrounding tents are packed, the sun taking turns with the clouds in the weather stakes. Front man Howard Jones may have been in the band for 8 years but the power he generates is still a revelation every time he belts out 'Life to lifeless', a song which former vocalist Jesse Leach made his own in recording.
The only downside of the festival site was the Pepsi Max stage which seemed to be tucked away in the far reaches of oblivion, which is a shame as a lot of the big performances would take place in this tent. It was here that TYKETTO (8) showed Donington Park what it had been missing so far with a set of classic rock gems. 'Wings' and set closer 'Forever young' showcasing an impressive vocal display from Danny Vaughn.
Arriving back at the Dio stage late meant there was only time to catch 'Wecome home' from COHEED AND CAMBRIA (7.5) which as usual sounded gloriously massive. The final band on the main stage was THEM CROOKED VULTURES (7). With Dave Grohl, Josh Homme and John Paul Jones in the ranks they only had to appear on stage to send half the crowd into raptures. Their 70s rock approach needed to be witnessed from close quarters to really be appreciated as the sound just drifted into the far reaches of the camp sites, taking the cool bluesy vibe with it.
Anyone who was lucky enough to capture AC/DC (8.5) on their Black Ice tour last year already knew how well the new album material sits aside the classic tracks. Tonight was no exception. Playing on their own stage they rolled through hit after hit, starting with 'Rock n roll train'. The way the train bursts through from the back of the stage sets up one hell of a stage show, the likes of 'Highway to hell', 'Thunderstruck' and 'The jack' sending the whole site into musical ecstasy.
SATURDAY:
The rumbling southern metal of GODSIZED (8) reminds a comfortably filled Pepsi Max tent why it was so important to drag ones self up at such an early hour. Godsized are one of the best metal bands to emerge from these shores in a long time and the major riffing here unleashes a wave of head banging, resulting in plenty of sore red necks. This is in contrast to HELLYEAH (6.5) on the main stage who despite getting the approval of the huge crowd, never seem to produce anything of real interest in their music. ATREYU (6.5) up the energy a little while over on the Dio stage ROLO TOMASSI's (6) jazzcore ends up sounding like Eva Spence screaming over a bunch of jamming sixth form students.
The day gets back on track on the Pepsi Max stage with SYBREED (7). The nice In Flames-esque twist to their electronically tinged goth metal sits nicely before RECKLESS LOVE (8) take over proceedings. If their debut show at the Camden Barfly two weeks earlier was a statement of intent to their English fans then this performance rammed that statement home in decisive fashion. Olli Herman cavorts around the stage with a seemingly endless supply of colourful sun glasses, kicking the air in a way in which David Lee Roth would have been proud of. The likes of 'Badass' and next single 'Romance' are greeted like hair metal classics by a crowd lapping up the pop-tastic atmosphere. This Finnish foursome has truly arrived, now watch them go.
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH (7) are very nearly thrown off the main stage by the organisers for inviting the crowd over the barrier, meaning the security area is flooded with eager fans. The testosterone-filled leanings of their music does begin to wane after a while but 'Hard to see' and 'Ashes' still present a nice slab of commercial metal to the day. The Dio stage is rammed for CANCER BATS (7) whose punkish metal attack is somewhat muted by the size of the stage, even a cover of the Beastie Boys classic 'Sabatage' failing to have the impact everyone expected. LAMB OF GOD (7.5) are old hands at whipping festival crowds into frenzies and 'Redneck' does just that. The set is filled with enough groovy riffs to fill a lifetime and keep the sweat soaked crowd happy.
Fans of Evanescence gathered for WE ARE THE FALLEN (6.5) on the Dio stage. The band is a virtual copy of the aforementioned group. This of course is not surprising since they contain no less than three ex members. The main difference though is former American Idol contestant Carly Smithson can actually sing live. A cover of Madonna's 'Like a prayer' goes down surprisingly well. The likes of MEGADETH (7.5) on the main stage have no need of cover versions as they have a back catalogue most bands could only dream of. The set lacks the ferocity of a club show but with ammo as hard hitting as 'Wake up dead', ‘In my darkest hour', Holy wars' and Hangar 18' it is impossible to be too disappointed. Strangely it's the clean cutting 'Trust' that really gets things going before 'Sweating bullets', Symphony of destruction' and 'Peace sells' reminds the English midlands why Megadeth are one of the BIG four.
RECKLESS LOVE (6.5) play a second set, but this time on the Jagermeister acoustic stage. The simplicity of the songs and the charisma contained in their delivery means they retain their catchiness, even after being stripped to the bare bones.
It is amazing that DEFTONES (8) have even managed to tour let alone release a fine album after such a traumatic few years. Their performance on the main stage today is the perfect companion to the Saturday evening breeze with 'Rocket skates' and 'Diamond eyes' showing off the strength of their latest release.
While Deftones continue to impress the Bedroom Jam tent was rammed thanks to Gibraltar five-piece BREED 77 (8). Last years 'Insects' album has added a harder edge to the band's sound and this has made their live performances hit harder than ever before. 'The battle of hatin' storms through the tent like a lightning bolt, while the atmosphere crackles with excitement as 'La ultima hora' and 'Zombie' are aired.
When RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE (8.5) returned to these shores at Reading in 2008 you could tell they had been away for a while but they end Saturday night with the biggest bang of the weekend. Zack de la Rocha is in imperious form, spitting out the lyrics with a renewed angst, the endless troubles of the world providing him with plenty of ammunition. As usual Tom Morello discharges his unique riffs lifting people’s fists into the air en masse for the first time at the festival. A crush at the front of the stage halts the set for a short spell with Zack asking the crowd to take a few steps back, but even this doesn't stop the momentum. 'Testify', 'Bombtrack' and 'Know your enemy' sound as fresh as ever and the inevitable climax of 'Killing in the name' brings Saturday night to an end in style.
SUNDAY:
With the sun bursting from the skies in the morning it was set to be another hot day. Maybe too hot for the American goth rock sound of DOMMIN (6) which seemed to dissipate in the heat. 3 INCHES OF BLOOD (7) faired better on the Dio stage with their orc busting fantasy metal firing everyone up, 'Deadly sinners' being an obvious highlight.
It has been pretty hard to miss SAXON (7) the last few years as they seemed to have played every festival known to man in that time. Not that you would want to miss them when they play the likes of the Donington inspired 'And the bands played on' and 'Denim and leather'. CINDERELLA (7) hit the crowd with 'Push push', 'Gypsy road' and 'Shake me' but it's the ballad 'Nobody's fool' which really lifts the day from its slumber. Tom Keifer's breathless five second saxophone solo adds a bizarre moment to the set.
One of the biggest draws of the weekend was the one and only SLASH (8.5), but it was Alter Bridge and Slash solo band front man Myles Kennedy who stole the show. Beginning the set with 'Ghost' the most sort after vocalist in rock music put on the best Ian Astbury voice ever managed by anyone but The Cult man himself. Slash shines on the four Guns N Roses covers with around 70,000 people singing every word to 'Nightrain', 'Sweet child o mine' and 'Paradise city'. Even 'Slither' by Velvet Revolver gets an airing, Myles once again handling the song with ease, making it blindly obvious who Velvet Revolver have their eye on to fill their current vacancy. The presence of Lemmy for one track tops off an excellent set.
It had all started so well. Good weather, beer, a packed crowd and ex Generation X man BILLY IDOL (7.5) strutting around while belting out 'Ready steady go', 'Dancing with myself' and one of the festival highlights 'Scream'. Then it rained. In fact it poured down for over three hours soaking the entire site, everyone outside and Mr Idol’s hair. Even Steve Stevens spent half the set spitting out water. The sun kissed Donington earth turned into a quagmire.
These were not the best conditions to watch most bands let alone the wrist slitting prog of PORCUPINE TREE (7.5), but the band have not crept into the lives of so many metal fans for nothing. Since the monumental release of 'Fear of a Blank Planet' they have constantly appeared in the rock press, 'Anesthetize' effortlessly combining heaviness with delicacy on a rain swept Dio stage.
With rain still pelting down any band that were not in top gear would possibly drive large portions of the crowd back to their tents, into the undercover stages or to the nearest food stall with a roof. Motorhead were made for many things and thankfully crowd retention is one of them. Their last showing at Download was a tired and sloppy affair. Apparently Lemmy couldn't operate that early in the afternoon but with a later slot MOTORHEAD (8) power home a defining performance. Mikkey Dee pounds away at the drums with arms bigger than the average Ford Fiesta, while Lemmy commands the stage, the band and the crowd before him. 'Going to brazil' and 'Killed by death' are just two highlights.
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS (7.5) do surprisingly well considering the grungy rock styling of 'Vasoline' and 'Plush' are rubber stamped by the Californian sun itself, but it's all about AEROSMITH (8.5) by this time. The gigantic Aerosmith sheeting falls to reveal the band playing 'Love in an elevator', immediately starting a mass sing-along. 'Back in the saddle' and 'Mama kin' quickly follow in what must be the best opening trio of songs of the whole festival. The reported problems within the band, and with Steve Tyler in particular seem to be a million miles away as the front man, decked out in a gold outfit bends his elastic arms around Joe Perry during 'Eat the rich' and 'Livin on the edge'. The extended jamming and ballads drag the middle of the set down a little but the wet, drunken crowd lap it up, determined not to be beaten by the English summers biggest enemy. As 'Dream on', 'Walk this way' and 'Toys in the attic' bring the festival to a close Download seems to be over for another year far too quickly.
Review by Alan Hicks
ALBUM REVIEW
The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang
(14/06/2010 SideOneDummy Records)
Given that so many bands have exploded in the recognition stakes with their third album. It is only natural that plenty of searching has evidently been painstakingly undertaken before The Gaslight Anthem penned this 3rd album, 'American Slang'. Brian Fallon's vocals seem to have grown even more expressive. This is certainly needed early on, as a grinding guitar intro is provided by Alex Rosamilla, in the forlorn blues lagged, but energy spurting and bemused, 'Stay Lucky'. A clear echo attaches to the vocals and the percussion of the strident Ben Horrowitz, who initially drives the woe-begotten, 'Bring It On'. Then a mid tempo groove is thoroughly settled into. Fallon's gritty and clear delivery of the lyrical bemusement starts to become more striking:
"Give me the fevers that just won't break and give me the children that you don't wanna raise.
And, tell me about the cool, who you sings anymore songs if it's better than my love? Bring it on."
At times, the vocal delivery of Fallon is more reminiscent of Jesse Malin than Springsteen, although there is still enough here to keep the Springsteen comparisons rolling. 'The Queen Of Lower Chelsea', features a grimy atmospheric lag that comes out through the life-weary vocals. A slowly twining jazz-blues guitar lob makes for a reflective change of pace.
Brutal life is bathed in melancholy robust percussion and starkly detached vocals, 'Boxer'. Before chiming guitars add to the texture of this searing commentary on hard and weary life. Nostalgia is never far away from a The Gaslight Anthem song and, it trickles from the kicking key-changing 'Old Haunts', into the lively jazz-pop pushed and soul rock jaded, 'The Spirit Of Jazz'. This New Brunswick, New Jersey quartet continues to filter their songs with weary but non-patronizing tales of a hard life that could well keep them on easy street for some time yet.
Rating: 4/5
Review by Dave Adair
METAL BLADE NEWS
PRIMORDIAL 2-CD re-issue of 'Spirit The Earth Aflame' available now!
Click on image above to go to the Metal Blade myspace page
Become a fan of Metal Blade on Facebook
Click on band links below for info:
It's hard to put the PRIMORDIAL experience into words. This Irish band has managed to establish their own territory, away from the cliches of the metal scene in general and the pagan scene in particular. PRIMORDIAL live and breathe the spirit of their ancestors, putting it into captivating creations full of sorrow and pain on the one hand and confidence and strength on the other. Perfectly balanced between slow, dragging anthems and pure metallic fury, they always manage to create a world full of enthralling myths, where mist engulfs wonderful landscapes, only to reveal them in all their glory just at the right time.
After the successful re-issues of 'Imrama' and 'A Journey's End' it's about time to bring on the third album in the PRIMORDIAL re-issue series! 'Spirit The Earth Aflame' was originally released in the year 2000 and is again available now as a 2-CD Digipack with O-card and golden print.
Track listing 'Spirit The Earth Aflame':
- Spirit The Earth Aflame
- Gods To The Godless
- The Soul Must Sleep
- The Burning Season
- Glorious Dawn
- The Cruel Sea
- Children Of The Harvest
- To Enter Pagan
Tracklisting bonus disc:
- The Darkest Flame
- In Graciousness (live)
- A Blacker Art (live)
- Total Destruction (Bathory cover / live)
- Inside The Eye Of Algond (Rotting Christ cover / live)
- To Enter Pagan
- The Calling
- Among The Lazarae
- Soul Must Sleep (live)
Spirit The Earth Aflame is available for £11.99 on www.play.com.
BAND QUEST 2010 NEWS
All the results from all the finals!
London Alternative Final - 27/06/10
1st - PASSION FOR CATS
2nd - They Came From Japan
3rd - Facade
4th - The Fetts
5th - The Martis Project
6th - Ghost In Mirrors
7th - Grimhilde (no show)
8th - Shaun Grimsley (no show)
9th - Red Fire Dawn (no show)
London Metal Final - 26/06/10
1st - SUNRISE FALLING
2nd - Kill The Machine
3rd - Brutai
4th - Silas
5th - Sons Of Torment
6th - Seven7
7th - Diachronia
8th - Mekanizm
9th - Metal Cross
Essex Metal Final - 31/05/10
(incorporated Bloodstock M2TM)
1st - ECHOES FALL (M2TM winner)
2nd - Silas (unsigned stage slot)
3rd - Snake Eyes
4th - Brutai
5th - The Furious Horde
6th - Near Death Experiment
7th - Merciless Fail
8th - Eradication
9th - Ionise
Kent Metal Final - 30/05/10
(incorporated Bloodstock M2TM)
1st - ZOCALO (unsigned stage slot)
2nd - Cursed As Angels
3rd - Splintered Soul (M2TM winner)
4th - Inner Fire
5th - Sanity Burns
6th - Seven
7th - Training Icarus
8th - Kill The Machine
9th - Karybdis
10th - Callous
Kent Alternative Final - 23/05/10
1st - CITIES FALL SILENT
2nd - Strangers Lane
3rd - Colt.44
4th - Everyone's Straight But Kate
5th - This Blank Page
6th - Trash Monroe
7th - The Conspiracy Theory
8th - The Grafters
Band Quest 2010 may be over but bands interested in taking place in Band Quest 2011 should register their interest here: www.bandquestuk.com/apply.
For more information on Band Quest please go to www.bandquestuk.com
PHOTOGRAPHY NEWS
Altercarnated show some face
Altercarnated photography, one of the official Band Quest photographers have recently added more of their Band Quest shots to their Facebook fan page.
Here are just 2 examples of their work:
CITIES FALL SILENT
GHOST IN MIRRORS
Altercarnated photography also have a myspace page.
All of the Band Quest photos can be found via the official Band Quest photos page.
CD RELEASE NEWS
Fusion CDs unleashed on world
All the bands who took part in Band Quest 2010 had the opportunity to appear on one of two compilation CDs. The albums are now available.
Both the Metal Fusion and Music Fusion albums are available at any of the Unified Sounds live nights. They will be located at either the front desk as you enter or on the stall (if there is one).
The albums cost £3 each or 2 for £5. Any purchase includes a free Altascope magazine featuring all of the bands who took part in Band Quest 2010. £1 from every purchase goes towards Childrens Leukemia.
Only enough CDs are sold to break even and they are also sent to industry.
If you cannot attend ANY of our events please email your interest.
I wish to purchase Metal Fusion
I wish to purchase Music Fusion
ADVERT
This Intrepid Fox doesn't bite!
Conceived by rock n' roll, born the bastard child of punk; raised on streets filled with trash, worshipped on the altar of rock and welded to the engine by metal...!!! Ladies and gentlemen, we give you the infamous INTREPID FOX...
From it's beginnings in the heart of Soho in the sixties, once patronised by the likes of Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood, hellraising actors Richard Harris and Peter O'Toole; the seventies led to the Sex Pistols and Malcolm Mclaren proclaiming it "like an old friend"; Slash could be seen propping up the bar in the eighties whilst the nineties provided a watering-hole for such legends as Lemmy and Zakk Wylde...
Re-located to it's new lair in St Giles in 2006, the Fox continues to uphold the alternative spirit, playing host to Iron Maiden, Bullet For My Valentine, Buckcherry, Zodiac Mindwarp and Backyard Babies to name a few, always providing a safe haven for London's rockers and goths, punks and metallers alike...
Always entertaining and fun, frequently deranged n' impossibly handsome the wily old Fox continues to rock this town like a motherfucker...!!!...'nuff said...
Check out the calendar for weekly events! Our resident DJ's Fri & Sat in the upstairs bar from 9PM are:
Dj Lola (Unholy), Danny Serrano (Mercy House), Devilman, Lucyfur (Denim & Leather), Adam Lightspeed (Electric Ballroom), Ben Christo (Sisters Of Mercy) Jonny Graveyard (Generation Graveyard), Sky London (Tres Calaveras), Danny (Breed 77), DJ Griffin (Torture Chamber), Duncan & Giles with "Last Men Standing".
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK:
MON-WED 3PM til 11PM
THUR 3PM til MIDNIGHT
FRI-SAT 3PM til 2AM
SUN 5PM til 11PM
So rev up yer party machine, accept no imitations and leave yer fuckin' eagle at the door...
LISTEN
Radio and Podcasts
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ONLINE RADIO:
TotalRock:
Need a station that plays the best in old AND new rock, metal, punk, goth etc etc music? Then TotalRock is for you. You can listen now by using the:
TotalRock Radio Player
Some TotalRock shows you should listen out for this week:
Wednesday 6pm-9pm: Talita Twoshoes - Two live hours of fun, craziness and music from Talita. Weekly updates from Feebz in Luxembourg, Axeman of Wolf in Sweden and Philly from Gama Bomb in Ireland. Surprise guests and the usual eclectic selection of great music.
Thursday 9am-12pm: Nix's Breakfast Bomb - Rock n' Metal n' Glam n' Punk to explode your eardrums and start the day.
Friday 6pm-9pm: Sex To 9 with Maria - Sensual metal and exotic latin passion.
Email your requests here: studio@totalrock.com
Request line: 0871 2500 777 (National Rate)
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PODCASTS:
Bloodstock:
Each week keep up-to-date with the build up to Bloodstock.
Click here for Bloodstock Podcast
Amped Rock:
At Amped Rock Sky London and Tazz Stander source the world to bring you the best of the best, in rock and metal. If you want to know before everyone else, or just keen to open your mind to new music be sure to listen every month. From the biggest bands to the best of unsigned it's all here.
On the 1st of each month we will release the next episode, so don't miss out on the podcast that the bands themselves listen to. Subscribe, follow, facebook and more importantly listen!
www.ampedrock.com
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VIDEOS
Latest video releases, interviews + more
Each newsletter we bring you a set of different videos ranging from the new releases from signed acts, band interviews, live videos, unsigned bands to older videos which have been plucked from the golden vault that is YouTube.
DV8 Festival special:
DEVILISH PRESLEY - Voodoo Goddess video
ZOMBINA & THE SKELETONES - Zombie Hop video
INKUBUS SUKKUBUS - Witches video
WAYNE HUSSEY - Bird of Passage live video
Other:
GRAND DESIGN - Air it out video
SOILWORK - The Panic Broadcast Bonus DVD Trailer
SOILWORK - The Panic Broadcast track by track talk through
SPECIMEN - Slimelight show promo
CONTACT
Links and Emails
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EMAILS:
Gig booking: annika@unifiedsounds.co.uk
Newsletter queries: alan@rockmatrix.co.uk
Reviews: alan@rockmatrix.co.uk
General: adam@unifiedsounds.co.uk
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LINKS:
Facebook group - Band Quest/Unified Sounds
www.myspace.com/rockmatrixpromotions
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