HERE ARE THE ROCK MATRIX MAIN HEADLINES THIS WEEK
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MONDAY 17 MAY and BEYOND
BAND QUEST / UNIFIED SOUNDS EVENTS
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18/05/10 - Trashy Tuesday
Acts playing: FACADE, CAPTAIN BUGGANUTT AND THE BISCUIT TINS, JIMMY AND THE NOISE + 1 more TBC
Venue: Bull n Vic, Dartford, Kent
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19/05/10 - New X Factor
Acts playing: PHARAOHS, THEY CAME FROM JAPAN, LESKYE
Venue: New Cross Inn, New Cross, London
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21/05/10 - Live At The Lion
Acts playing: INDIAN WHISKEY, MISS WORLD, GOKKUN, ALWAYS SCARLET
Venue: Red Lion, Gravesend, Kent
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22/05/10 - New X Factor
Acts playing: THE RUMOUR, LE RIVIERAS, DAREN HOLMES
Venue: New Cross Inn, New Cross, London
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23/05/10 - Band Quest 2010: Kent Alternative Final
Acts playing: KYOTO DRIVE (special guest headliners), IN THE RED (2009 Band Quest winners - guests), COLT.44, CITIES FALL SILENT, TRASH MONROE, THIS BLANK PAGE, STRANGERS LANE, THE GRAFTERS, THE CONSPIRACY THEORY, EVERYONE'S STRAIGHT BUT KATE, ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ, MY LAST MISTAKE, PAUL RELF
Venue: Bull n Vic, Dartford, Kent
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30/05/10 - Band Quest 2010: Kent Metal Final
Acts playing: MAIN STAGE - DENOUNCE (Cutting Edge guest headliners), CURSED AS ANGELS, ZOCALO, CALLOUS, SANITY BURNS, KILL THE MACHINE, KARYBDIS, SPLINTERED SOUL, SEVEN, INNER FIRE, TRAINING ICARUS
SECOND STAGE - SANCTORUM (Cutting Edge guest headliners), INTO EXILE, AVENGE THEE + NAIME, 2ND2NONE, MISTIKSIN
Venue: Red Lion, Gravesend, Kent
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31/05/10 - Band Quest 2010: Essex Metal Final
Acts playing: MAIN STAGE - FOREVER NEVER (Very special guest headliners), SILENT DESCENT (Cutting Edge guests), NEAR DEATH EXPERIMENT, ECHOES FALL, THE FURIOUS HORDE, SILAS, BRUTAI, ERADICATION, IONISE, SNAKE EYES, MERCILESS FAIL
SECOND STAGE - KILLING WITH STYLE (Guest headliners), METAL CROSS, DISMANIBUS, SILICONE BULLET, UPON THESE SHORES
Venue: Edge Bar, Romford, Essex
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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 10 MAY and BEYOND
SELECTED EVENTS BY OTHERS
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21/05/10 - Redeemer Club
Acts playing: DJ 69, THE MERCY HOUSE, NIGHT BY NIGHT + more
Venue: Scala, Kings Cross, London
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23/05/10 - Bulletfest 3 (London Metal Fest)
Acts playing: MAN OF KIN, 9BLIND, KARYBDIS, MAXDMYZ, AFTER DEATH, GLASS ARTERY, HOSTILE THEORY, PHYREXIA
Venue: Scala, Kings Cross, London
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03/06/10 - METABOLIC - PRE DOWNLOAD PARTY: 3rd night of New Massive Monthly Rock Night
DJs spinning: TBC
After the success of the first 2 events Metabolic is back on THURSDAY 3RD JUNE for its third instalment.
Venue: Ivory Lounge, Bexleyheath
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27/06/10 - Orphaned Land
Acts playing: ORPHANED LAND, ARKAN + more
Venue: Underworld, Camden, London
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13/08/10 to 15/08/10 - Bloodstock Open Air
Acts playing: BAND QUEST BLOODSTOCK METAL TO MASSES WINNERS FOR KENT + ESSEX, SNAKEBITE, 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
Link to Eventmatrix event page
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NEEDED
Want to be in a band?
Click on image above to go to the Rock Matrix home page
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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Band: GHOST IN MIRRORS
Need: BASSIST
Details: Auditions end of may. Very good level of musicianship required. Preferably drives or at least has a license. Self motivated AND willing to help with promotion. Already one album out: ghost-in-mirrors-the-music. Tour in july. Album recording in winter 2010. Influences: king Crimson, genesis, tool, opeth, deftones, mars Volta, Bjork etc.
Contact: ghostinmirrors@hotmail.com or 07896 198 390
Link: Ghost In Mirrors myspace page
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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
Band Quest Kent Metal Semi 2 @ Red Lion - 23/04/10
The Band Quest pressure is certainly on, now that the metal semi-finals have come to the Red Lion. It's been a while since the first band of the night has played to a full room, but tonight was a good night for Training Icarus (9/10), unleashing their exotic sounding set upon the crowd. The singer returned to the venue with more confidence, bantering with the crowd: 'I think we're going to win'. But she still clung to her microphone stand, which kept back some of the onstage energy. Luckily other players more than made up for this: the guitarist unleashed some beefy riffs and searing solos, while the bass and drums brought some stomping rhythms that had the crowd clapping along and raising their horned fists up at the stage. Pre-recorded keyboards and backing vocals added a hidden layer to Training Icarus' performance.
Next on were local metal titans Cursed As Angels (7), smashing apart what would be a night of melodic metal with their own take on the metal genre. This band take a no nonsense approach to music, ripping out some deceptively simple riffs while the vocals tie everything together. The singer switched with ease between deep Devildriven roaring and soaring chorus singing, leaning out into the crowd and bantering plenty. Cursed As Angels really made the most of the stage tonight, the singer, bassist and lead guitarist all right at the front, playing down into the crowd. Though not the most sophisticated band on tonight, they were probably the most fun.
Closing the night were the operatic quintet Splintered Soul (9). The crunchy bass played it's own part in the melody and rhythm of each song, while the guitars duelled and overlapped with a refined clarity. The vocals also show some incredible skill, covering a broad register with some amazing high notes bringing each song up to a climax. Their closing song really summarises what this band is about: being original intricate and dynamic, each instrument contributing it's own piece of the puzzle and while the men watched their instruments the front-woman owned the stage, commanding the crowd and swinging her arms almost as though conducting the band. While Training Icarus clearly gave Splintered Soul a run for their money, the latter has shown us the reason why their gigs are always well attended.
Review by Adam Evans
GIG REVIEW
Band Quest Kent Metal Semi 4 @ Red Lion - 30/04/10
The Lion's second metal semi-final brought some heavy talent to the venue tonight. Shatterpoint (8/10) ripped straight into some sweaty, guttural blues metal. Driven by deep grooves, band pounded along, every instrument locking together and making every beat slam through the air. Between songs, the band roared down at the crowd like silverback gorillas in mating season, eager for the win. "And we're on first!" the singer exclaims, crowd cheering back at him. This is a great start to the evening and the bar has been set high for the next two bands.
But the next band had no problem smashing the bar down and unleashing the thrash violence that is Sanity Burns (9) upon the crowd. Mixing their old and new thrash influences, this band has created a hybrid rhythmn that borders between Testament and Lamb Of God. Pounding drum beats and wailing wah-wah solos show that this band have brought skills from all around the thrash genre, but what really sets this band apart is the intense frontman. Barely leaving the front of the stage for the entire set he screamed down at the audience with bold aggression, making sure the band can not go unnoticed. If you like your thrash with a fist in the cheek, then Sanity Burns are more than happy to oblige.
The closing act for tonight is another bout of thrash metal, courtesy of Seven (8). However, taking the opposite tact from Sanity Burns, this band are all about harmonising lead guitars, high Ian Gillian style vocals and clever riffing. The audience is at is biggest tonight, yet for such a talented band the crowd seem to be a little unwilling to mosh. While the other two bands had an undeniable energy onstage, perhaps this band just aren't aggressive enough for the Red Lion.
Review by Adam Evans
GIG REVIEW
The Drums @ Edinbrugh Corn Exchange - 06/05/10
It is an ambitious task, to name oneself after a musical instrument. Automatically, semantics would suggest that you have rhythm, the ability to perform well, and above all, sustainability. Having watched The Drums live however, it can safely be said: they titled themselves well.
Supporting Florence + The Machine on their UK Tour, The Drums took to the stage at Edinburgh's Corn Exchange. Hailing from Florida and New York alike, the American attitude filled the room and the minds of the adoring fans alike. There was nothing mechanic about it, it was sheer cool and class. For a band that is swiftly swimming in to the mainstream, supporting Florence Welch definitely appeared to be a wise move to make. Their united crowd of individuals appeared to be fully behind the music, moving anthemic bedroom beats in to the Corn Exchange's main stage.
For a band that has been described as 'clap-hands kitch', as an audience member, I felt the serene sense of musical calm that I imagine early Beatles audiences felt. Perhaps it was the kitsch, perhaps it was the clapping; but the delicate balance of quality and calming, upbeat yet emotional music left me with the irrepressible feeling that something amazing was in the making.
In terms of showmanship, they managed a powerful set without being invasive, pumping out the little known classics to an army of appreciative followers throughout the set. Catching their own gig is highly recommended, The Drums don't miss a beat.
Review by Rebecca Monks
METAL BLADE NEWS
CANNIBAL CORPSE filming two shows on Evisceration Plague tour!
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:
Florida's kings of death metal, CANNIBAL CORPSE, are set to film the following shows with director Denise Korycki (Wild Wind Productions) who also shot and directed Centuries of Torment – The First 20 Years. Centuries of Torment was released on July 8th 2008 and entered the Billboard Music Video Charts at #8 in its first week of release.
LOCAL BAND NEWS
O.M.T split!
Although not really local they made such an impact in the few shows they played in North Kent it is a great shame to see south coast melodic metalcore outfit O.M.T split up. In the 3 short years they were together they put on storming performances at their 2009 Band Quest heats which eventually led to an appearance at the Bloodstock Festival. The success continued in the form of a tour supporting Breed 77 in 2010 via a show stealing performance at the Cutting Edge Showcase event at the Underworld late in 2009.
They received acclaim from the likes of Anterior and Breed 77 as well as releasing a fine album.
Komodo Rock review of the O.M.T album 'Anamantium'
The announcement below can be found on their offical O.M.T facebook page.
"OMT are finally over - thanks to everyone for all your support over the years and who knows maybe you will see us play one final show in the future!!"
LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHY NEWS
Band Quest gets Altercarnated
Click on image above to go to the Altercarnated Photography myspace page
Click on links below for info:
Altercarnated Photography have covered a selection of Band Quest dates this year with impressive results! View just some of the photos here:
Cities Fall Silent, Bull and Vic, Dartford, 060410
Karybdis, New Cross Inn, New Cross, 310310
The Grafters, Bull n Vic, Dartford, 230310
Beartrap, Dirty South, Lewisham, 100310
Silicone Bullet, Dirty South, Lewisham, 180210
Ghost In Mirrors, Bull n Vic, Dartford, 090210
INTERNATIONAL ARTIST NEWS
DIO passes away
The legend that is Dio has died.
"Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45am 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private good-byes before he peacefully passed away. Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all. We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us. Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss. Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever."
- Wendy Dio (taken from www.ronniejamesdio.com)
You can leave your condolences on Facebook.
BLACK SABBATH - Heaven and Hell video
LINKS AND EMAILS
Podcasts, Links, Video and Emails
VIDEOS OF THE WEEK:
O.M.T - Windows To Your Soul video
CRUNK CITY - Crunk City presents CCTV: Episode 1 video
LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE - The Letter video
NECRONOMICON - The Time Is Now video
BRAIN DRILL - Beyond Bludgeoned video
FURY UK - I See Red live video
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PODCASTS:
Bloodstock Metal 2 The Masses:
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 Sander 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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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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