HERE ARE THE ROCK MATRIX MAIN HEADLINES THIS WEEK
(click on headlines to read full story)
MONDAY 22 to SUNDAY 28 FEBRUARY
BAND QUEST 2010 EVENTS
This week the following bands battle it out for a chance to win a place in the semi-finals of this years Band Quest! With chances to win places at Festivals, cash prizes, and more, as well as a chance to be on one of this years compilation CD's!
So come along and place your votes (alongside the 3 judges)!
THIS WEEKS BAND QUEST HEATS:
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22/02/10 - Event 11, Essex Metal Heat 3
Acts playing: ECHOES FALL, ABANDON THE FAITH, KILLING WITH STYLE
Venue: Edge Bar, Romford, Essex
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23/02/10 - Event 12, Kent Alt Heat 3
Acts playing: BLAME JANE, THIS BLANK PAGE, THE CONSPIRACY THEORY
Venue: Bull n Vic, Dartford, Kent
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25/02/10 - Event 13, London Metal Heat 3
Acts playing: SONS OF TORMENT, SILAS, METAL CROSS
Venue: New Cross Inn, New Cross, London
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26/02/10 - Event 14, Kent Metal Heat 4
Acts playing: TRAINING ICARUS, TEMPEST LOVE, INTO EXILE
Venue: Red Lion, Gravesend, Kent
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28/02/10 - Event 15, London Alt Heat 2
Acts playing: THE FETTS, PASSION FOR CATS, THE GRAFTERS
Venue: Dirty South, Lee, London
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Entry for all heats is just £3.00. Advanced tickets are available from the bands as well as WeGotTickets website (click on the buy ticket image to the left).
Buy a ticket in advance and arrive before 9.30pm and be in with the chance of winning a £10.00 bar voucher.
Please check the website for more details: www.bandquestuk.com.
For those with no access to Facebook all the above events and more can be seen in the eventmatrix gig guide.
MONDAY 22 to SUNDAY 28 FEBRUARY and BEYOND
NON BAND QUEST EVENTS
With most of our live nights coming from the Band Quest side of things over the next 3-4 months don't expect this section to be that big. This doesn't mean we will only be running Band Quest events, as the event below shows....
THIS WEEKS NON BAND QUEST EVENTS:
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26/02/10 - Live At The Lion
Acts playing: THE GRAFTERS, RED FIRE DAWN, MUDSTONE
Venue: Red Lion, Gravesend, Kent
Link to Facebook event (this is downstairs from the Band Quest gig)
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Romford Roxx
Romford Roxx will soon be returning to Essex on Mondays on 1st March. While Band Quest takes place downstairs other bands will play upstairs adding a non-Band Quest twist to each Monday night.
Venue: Edge Bar, Romford, Essex
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SELECTED EVENTS BY OTHER PROMOTORS:
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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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NEEDED
Want to be in a band?
Click on image above to go to the Rock Matrix home page
Band: COLT.44
Need: DRUMMER
Details: We will shortly be holding auditions for a new drummer at banana road studios in Erith. We are a signed band from Bexley, London. We've been about since 2007 and we play grunge/rock music similar to Staind, Puddle of Mudd, Nickelback, Seether. Our album 'One Horse Town' has had several reviews in Kerrang, Big Cheese and other international music magazines, as well as acclaim from bruce dickinson and puddle of mudd. No timewasters.
Contact: www.myspace.com/colt442
Link: Colt.44 Rock Matrix profile
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Band: I WISH I WAS AN ASTRONAUT
Need: DRUMMER
Details: Should be able to get to Dartford/Erith area on Sundays for practice. Influences isn't a big deal but we would say our main influences are Brand New, Alexisonfire, At The Drive-In, Refused, early Feeder. Age 18+, Driving is a bonus but no big deal. We wan't the drummer to be more than just a beat in the background.
Contact: lcarver73@gmail.com
Link: www.myspace.com/iwiwaa
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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: STORM THE GATES
Need: DRUMMER
Details: We are about to form a new band from the remaining members of Storm The Gates. The name will change.
Contact: stormthegates2008@googlemail.com
Link: www.myspace.com/stormthegatesuk
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Band: TEMPEST LOVE
Need: GUITARIST
Contact: tempest-love@live.com
Link: www.myspace.com/tempestloveuk
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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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Band: PRINCE KATOCO
Need: DRUMMER
Contact: cmp5000@hotmail.co.uk or ring Chris on 07506 550 303 or spoek@tiscali.co.uk or ring Joe on 07738 820 290
Link: www.myspace.com/princekatoco
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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
Lamb of God @ Brixton Academy - 13/02/10
Click on band links below for info:
The Brixton Academy is sold out tonight and you're about to find out why. Four US bands, all very loud and very, very angry.
Opening the night are Between The Buried And Me (8/10), a melodic-metal band that sound like a punchup between Opeth and Suicide Silence. They lay down the mood for their set with a soft instrumental intro before jumping onstage with power metal shreddery and then a bruising death-metal blast beat. It's not easy for a band to switch from death to thrash, then hardcore and after all that having the singer leap onto keyboard for an epic instrumental ending, but BTBAM's playing is seamless. True prog style has one of their songs totalling up to around the twelve minute mark, but their small following stayed keen throughout and despite playing to a less than half-full room, BTBAM get a good sendoff. A brilliant start to the evening.
Second on is August Burns Red (8), who leap onstage and deliver a relentless array violent metalcore, complete with raw, punky riffs and bass booms that slam into your chest like a hefty fist. By the second song the frontman sets up a wall of death and it's clear that the audience is theirs. It has doubled since the last band and all are banging their heads in time. Their set is a blur barely pausing between songs and they leave everyone hungry still for more.
If Cannibal Corpse ever drop the torch for death metal Job, For A Cowboy (7) will be the band to pick it back up. Make no bones about it, they are the fastest and most intense band tonight, blastbeats galore and frantic riffing from the axemen. They even brought a little variety to their set-list with a doom track from their new album. The only thing that gnawed away at me as I watched their performance was the singer. Now and again the way the ran back and forth and his high-pitched shrieking reminded me of a senile and very angry grandmother, not seeming to know which way to run, scolding "If I've told you once I've told you a thousand times...", but this is surely just my over-active imagination. A fairly strong performance, but by now Brixton has reached it's capacity and it's clear who most of them are here to see.
Long before LOG (10) are due on, fans are chanting "Lamb of God! Lamb of God!" At the front, the sweaty moshers are getting restless. By the time their smooth intro music plays, the crowd are roaring. Then the band step on and all hell breaks loose. They are not the fastest band tonight, but their technical flair and groove-drenched riffs give them an edge that is displayed in top form. Walk With Me In Hell resonates this, mixing some grand guitar riffs with a crunching chorus. "We sold this motherfucker out" shouts Randy and it shows: there is a sea of pounding fists and the lyrics are screamed right back at the band. The pinnacle of the night is undoubtably their single 'Redneck' their second to last song. A thoroughly satisfied crowd leave Brixton tonight, privileged with four great acts in one night.
Review by Adam Evans
GIG REVIEW
Band Quest Kent Metal Heat 2 @ Bull n Vic - 16/02/10
It seems like only a few weeks ago when SNAKEBITE were celebrating their route from Band Quest 2009 to Bloodstock, but here we are in the second week of Band Quest 2010 already.
Competition veterans ZOCALO (8/10) know the highs and lows of the road to Bloodstock. They reached the final in the initial competition but were dumped out the first round in 2009 by a massive sounding FALLING EMPIRE. ZOCALO are a different beast this year though. The addition of a second guitarist in the form of INNER FIRE man Nik Sampson means the rhythms of Pete Humphries can remain at the forefront of the bands sound, taking the crowd on a ride through groove city. Hardly anyone in the rammed venue could stand still as ZOCALO moved into the semi-finals.
Next up were ABANDON THE FAITH (7.5) who went onto blitz the crowd with a twenty-five miniute set of combustible riffs and guttural growls. The initial hesitancy identified some members lack of stage time but the overall set was like a short, sharp shock to the senses. The music was not just a flat out aural battery though, containing enough twists and turns in its deathcore meets seering metal attack to keep every minute of the set interesting and suggesting this band could be one hell of a handful when they have played more than two gigs. If INTO EXILE were the best new band of last year then ABANDON THE FAITH are gunning for that title this time around.
Headliners FATE BUILT REASON (6.5) had a lot to do if they were going to see off the challenge of the first two bands. Their metalcore approach entertained on the most part but lacked a crucial cutting edge. Despite this the melody driven choruses hinted at a more exciting future.
If there are many more nights like this one then the future for Band Quest and local music is gonna be a whole lotta rosie.
Review by Alan Hicks
GIG REVIEW
Band Quest London Metal Heat 2 @ Dirty South - 18/02/10
Last Thursday's edition of Band Quest could be described as a battle arena between metal acts: 'Brutai', 'This addiction' and 'Silicone bullet'. The venue itself was fairly packed with loyal followers whose blood hungry taste for metal was about to be quenched.
Silicone Bullet (7/10): The opening act were a 70's to early 90's rock induced band who flared instant affection from the venue. A well-collaborated display of vocal ranges amidst their solid groove presented these guys as a worthy opener, one to indeed set the ball rolling. The fangs of 'Steel Panther' sink deep into the flesh of the South London quintet who shows no misdirection in sound or style. The vocalist pull's out some funky shades during the set, divulging an Axl Rose appreciation, one in which the man himself would nod approvingly to. These guys conjure up memories of 'The Antiques Rock show' on Sky channel 'Scuzz' as 'Silicone Bullet' are able to embody the pioneers of 80's metal.
This Addiction (8): Tilted between the opening and headlining acts of 'Band Quest' were the thrash driven vehicle known as 'This Addiction'. These guys stormed through their set with enough punches to compete with Rocky Balboa. These guys were a revitalising and destructive as they shift between a well refined growling narrative to piercing clean vocals, a dualistic responsibility swaying between Edd and Matt. The quartet suffered from being a band member short, however the south London Slayer boys transcend all obstacles with fortitude and unity: through the thunderous drumming and paint stripping guitar solo's. A small mosh pit sufficed mid set as the acclaim of 'This Addiction' became resonate throughout the venue.
Brutai (10): the final act of the evening was a titanic force that could be felt even before they came on stage. Before any of the bands played the reverence of the headliners tightened the air around the venue, only to release its stranglehold as each musician assumed their designated instruments. The blood hungry fans gathered and scurried filling up as much space as possible as 'Brutai' launched into there set propelling themselves with metal driven riffs, furious drumming and demonic vocal tones. The crowd mirrored this chaotic progression with moshers Jimmy Hicks and Sam Nixon who set the venue ablaze with violent mosh pits to which fans intercepted accordingly: creating an anarchic landscape to which the sound of Brutai governed.
The quartet themselves represents a corrosive breed of metal, death and metalcore that is razor sharp and ready to sever the heads of innocent bystanders. Felix and Henry prevail with their guitar wizardry depicting a truly apocalyptic yet epic sound, while Mike shows no signs of relenting his assault on the senses with his hurricane progression of drumming. Crouchman's bass abilities intertwine into 'Brutai's' flawless execution: One that should set them up for the 'Band Quest' finals. The gravity of these guys is enough to pull meteors from space and engulf the world below in flames.
Review by Ben Spencer
METAL BLADE NEWS
AEON complete work on new album 'Path Of Fire'!
Swedish satanic Death Metallers AEON have completed the work on their new album Path Of Fire!
Path Of Fire was recorded at the Empire Studio in Ostersund / Sweden in September 2009 and mixed at Mana Studio / St. Petersburg, Florida by Erik Rutan in October 2009. Some minor changes were made in January 2010. The mastering was done by Alan Douches for West West Side Music in New York. All artwork and layout made by Daniel Dlimi.
Comments the band: "We are happy to announce the album is finished by now. Path of Fire is probably the most intense Aeon album up to date. And with a production that sounds more organic and "classic deathmetal" rather then the nowadays typical "supermodern, compressed right-the-fuck-out of dynamics, loudness war" production…you are all in for a real treat. Folks…this IS death metal! Needless to say, we are really happy with how the album turned out and and we can't wait for you to get a chance to listen to it."
Path Of Fire will be released later this year by Metal Blade Records. More album details and release dates will be announced later on so keep your eyes open.
OTHER NEWS
Snakebite confirmed for Bloodstock main stage appearance!
Click on image above to go to the Snakebite myspace page
Joining the likes of Heaven and Hell, Children of Bodom and Cannibal Corpse at Bloodstock will be METAL 2 THE MASSES / Band Quest Metal winners SNAKEBITE.
Taken from News page on the Bloodstock website.
The four piece heavy metal band from South-East London won over BLOODSTOCK's M2TM judges with their heart-stopping cocktail of classic rock groove, hell-for-leather thrash and a seemingly endless torrent of gargantuan riffs, earning them a slot on the bill of this prestigious festival.
"Metal 2 The Masses has been the ultimate experience for us" says the band. "To be sitting here now, knowing that we're set to play the Wacken alongside having played (and about to play AGAIN) the only true Metal Festival in England just doesn't feel real! We appreciate this opportunity loads, and want to work our balls off to make the effects of all this last, as this is the easily the best chance an unsigned band could ever be given....."
The BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR METAL FESTIVAL 2010 will take place at Catton Hall, Derbyshire from 13th - 15th August.
VIDEOS/LINKS/EMAILS
Useful links and emails
VIDEOS OF THE WEEK:
ARMA GATHAS - Studio Diary I (studio diary video)
Diabulus In Musica, Making Of: Secrets (studio diary video)
Vader - Never say my name (offical music video)
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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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