HERE ARE THE ROCK MATRIX MAIN HEADLINES THIS WEEK
(click on headlines to read full story)
MONDAY 29 to SUNDAY 04 APRIL
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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29/03/10 - Event 35, Essex Metal Heat 7
Acts playing: NEAR DEATH EXPERIMENT, DIE KUR, ROY STONE
Venue: Edge Bar, Romford, Essex
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30/03/10 - Event 36, Kent Metal Heat 9
Acts playing: BREAKNECK, 2ND2NONE, DYSTOLIC
Venue: Bull n Vic, Dartford, Kent
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31/03/10 - Event 37, London Metal Heat 8
Acts playing: NEURONSPOILER, KARYBDIS + 1 more act TBC
Venue: New Cross Inn, New Cross, London
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02/04/10 - Event 38, Kent Metal Heat 10
Acts playing: SHATTERPOINT, SUBVERSION, YOUR CONSPIRACY
Venue: Red Lion, Gravesend, Kent
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04/04/10 - Event TBA, Kent Metal Heat 11
Acts playing: SEVEN + 2 more acts TBC
Venue: Red Lion, Gravesend, Kent
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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 29 MARCH 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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29/03/10 - Romford Roxx
Romford Roxx continues next week on the 5th April.
Venue: Edge Bar, Romford, Essex
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02/04/10 - Live At The Lion
Acts playing: LIFE UNDER SURVEILLANCE, TCT + one more act TBC
Venue: Red Lion, Gravesend, Kent
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03/04/10 - Dish The Dirt
Acts playing: CITIES FALL SILENT + more acts TBC
Venue: Dirty South, Lee, London
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SELECTED EVENTS BY OTHER PROMOTORS:
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01/04/10 - METABOLIC - EASTER PARTY: Launching The New Massive Monthly Rock Night
DJs spinning: DJ 69 (Unholy, Club AntiChrist), DJ CHAZ BARNES (Subversi0n) + 2 more TBC
After weeks of considerations and consultations and ensuring this is something everyone wanted, Rock Night's are BACK! Inspired by the Deon Weston Memorial night a collective of people will ensure this Monthly night is Massive and remembers its roots and Man behind the Memorial aka Spider!
Venue: Ivory Lounge, Bexleyheath
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09/04/10 - Unholy Club
Acts playing: DJ 69, DJ SPUNKY LOBSTER + 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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13/08/10 to 15/08/10 - Bloodstock Open Air
Acts playing: BAND QUEST BLOODSTOCK METAL TO MASSES WINNERS FOR KENT + ESSEX, HEAVEN AND HELL, 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
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: 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
Trivium + Chimaira @ Koko 17/03/10
Despite wretched weather, the atmosphere couldn't be more energetic as the fans wait for this night of epic proportions to start. After a few beverages and finding my place, the venue bursts into life with openers, Rise to Remain (7/10). Their "new-era" British Metal sound has no trouble in impressing both old and new metal fans with face-melting solos and crushing riffs. Despite his apparent "illness" Austin Dickinson's vocals are on top form, no doubt doing his dad proud.
Second on are Knoxville boys, Whitechapel (8) whose groove laden death metal, whilst confusing to some, impresses the more hardcore death metal fans. Despite this, they play brilliantly, implementing one of the heaviest tones I've heard for years whilst keeping it brutally tight. First impressions certainly don't count for this band as their vocalist, Phil Bozeman is the last person you'd expect to have such crushing vocals.
Next up are the almighty Chimaira (8); A band that have always had quite an impressive following here. Their set is nothing less than expected: Brutal and unforgiving. Although vocals and lead guitar were only turned up half way through the set, it doesn't hinder relentless head banging nor immense circle pits. Their set is consistently strong, playing such fan favourites as "Power Trip", "Resurrection" and "Severed" before a crescendo of heaviness with the epic "Nothing Remains" and the utterly amazing "Pure Hatred".
Last but certainly not least, headliners Trivium (9) explode onto stage with the gut-wrenching "Rain". It's hard not to be impressed with their solid sound, flawless tone and epic melodies as they play some their best material since they appeared on the scene in 2003. The fans head bang gratefully as Trivium storm through their set, playing ferocious songs: "Pillars of Serpents" and "Insurrection". Despite a line-up change, their set is an onslaught of pure metal ecstasy that puts past performances to shame and having seen Trivium numerous times, I can honestly say that this is most certainly their best performance to date. Their set finishes with the mighty "Pull Harder..." leaving most of the fans incapacitated after a relentless maelstrom of circle pits and bone crushing heaviness. Trivium prove, once again, their place in metal history and that, in the words of Matt Heafy "We will always be back!"
Review by Frazer Bowdery
GIG REVIEW
Band Quest Kent Metal Heat 7 @ Red Lion - 19/03/10
Sizen (7/10) split opened tonight's competition with their polished set of Southern-Metal. The gritty bass, foot-stamping rhythms and bellowing vocals all mixed together like a good whiskey. The bluesy solos oozed with powerful melodies, adding a whole new level to the songs. The confident frontman marked his territory, striding about and hopping from the drum platform. A measly turnout meant that only a few dedicated fans really moved, but Sizen proved tonight that they can really perform, they just need a full house to play to.
A Chaos Within (6), came up second, sporting chequered shirts and fringes. "Maybe they'll be a little punky", I thought, but I was proved very wrong, when they let rip with some screamo" metal. With some simple but effective song-writing, they performed some unique tunes to the still rather small crowd, the singer leaping about and screaming into his microphone. What let them down, sadly, were their vocals. The lead vocals were retched out as though the frontman was trying to regurgitate a half-digested chicken, whereas the clean chorus vocals (supplied by the guitarist) sounded almost bored. While ACW haven't been the strongest act tonight, they show promise in their songwriting. Perhaps we will see the band return stronger sometime in the future.
Just before Cursed As Angels (8) make their entrance, a swarm of fans fill the room, leaving this last band with the only decent turnout. Fists pumped, cheers closed every song and Cursed As Angels deserved it, the singer and axemen getting right to the edge of the stage and leaning over the crowd as they played. While it's not overly technical metal, these guys are going for clarity, the riffs doing their job and every note of the solos ringing clear. While Devildriver is one obvious influence, they are going for something more accessible, the choruses far more singable,the versatile vocalist switched between screaming and singing in the same breath. Cursed As Angels stole the show tonight, but had the crowd been there for Sizen, maybe there would have been a greater battle between them.
Review by Adam Evans
GIG REVIEW
Band Quest Essex Metal Heat 6 @ Edge Bar - 22/03/10
Darkened clouds hovered treacherously over Romford this night, and that wasn't just because The Furious Horde were in town. Southend thrashers Legion had pulled out late the night before meaning solo act Roy Stone was virtually flown in to save the day.
Anyone who has seen ROY STONE (6/10) will admit the speed of his guitar playing is at times inhuman. The hands move in a continual blur of guitar wizardry, moving up and down the fret board in a Dragonforce-like display of ability. The Roy Stone of 2010 is not just about guitar playing though. The time spent in classic metallers Conquest seems to have reignited his thirst for actual songs. Aided by backing tracks Mr Stone works his way though a set of 80s style metal, which is not a million miles away from Ozzy Osbourne's early solo work. The voice compliments this style but the overall effect is flawed by a guitar sound that can only be described as tinny.
IONISE (7.5) on the other hand bring a strong sound to the table, with only the vocals holding back their overall Trivium-esque attack. The songs are well constructed, making for a interesting listen. The guitarist seems to be the most confident, striking an axe player pose at every opportunity while throwing in some nice solos. The bass player looks to be the happiest person alive as he bounces around his side of the stage, his bass lines wrapping themselves around every second of every song.
Black metallers THE FURIOUS HORDE (8) have been around a while and the experience showed. The corpse-painted five-piece delve into Dimmu Borgir and Emperor territory with a keyboard led onslaught on the senses. They confidently unleash waves of blackened riffs and twisted melodies, owning the stage in the process. The keyboard sound is near perfect, providing the band with a gothic undercurrent while the extremities of the vocals demand the whole of Romford takes note of their progress to the semi finals.
The Furious Horde look like they could scare small children and tonight sound like they could scare the other semi-finalists.
Review by Alan Hicks
METAL BLADE NEWS
ARMORED SAINT hit the charts with La Raza in the US, Canada and Germany!
Click on image above to go to the Metal Blade myspace page
Click on band links below for info:
Los Angeles California's ARMORED SAINT has entered the Billboard charts with La Raza, the band's latest and first release since 2001's Revelation. La Raza debuted at #49 on the Hard Music Albums Chart, #18 on the Heatseekers chart, #52 on the Top Independent Albums chart, and #2 on the Hard Music Core Stores chart. ARMORED SAINTīs La Raza also entered the official German album Charts coming in at #96! Congrats to the boys and the first German Chart entry in their career! In addition to hitting charts in both the US and Germany, the band also entered the Canadian charts coming in at #85 on the Independent chart!
La Raza is the band's first album since Revelation in 2000 and their sixth in total. The album's foundation was laid back in 2008 when Joey Vera and John Bush began writing new material for what would become La Raza and the album was completed in December at Tranzformer Studios in Burbank, CA. The album was produced by bassist Joey Vera, and engineered by Bryan Carlstrom and his assistant John Nuss. Recording was mostly done with analog equipment and the final album mix was delivered on 1 inch tape. This gives La Raza the most organic sound as possible.
LOCAL BAND NEWS
The Custard Chuckers for Download!
Click on image above to go to the Custard Chuckers myspace page
Click on band links below for info:
Local comedy acoustic duo The Custard Chuckers have secured a Download Festival slot.
That's right, AC/DC, Rage Against The Machine and Aerosmith and now the Custard Chuckers - Download is shaping up to be one corker of a festival this year!
The duo will perform in the Comedy Tent on the 11th June. Don't miss it!
BIO:
The Custard Chuckers are Nathan Leech and Ben Little and they are an acoustic comedy double-act from Dartford, Kent. This duo of cheeky chaps were formed in 2001 while Nathan was studying performing arts and Ben was studying tech at the same theatre collage. Over an accidental meeting at the college's local public house, they discussed their musical tastes and found that their sense of humour were not like any others at the college. Nathan with his guitar and Ben with his bongos went back to Ben's house... 20 cans of Fosters later - The Custard Chuckers were born! The Custard Chuckers are a very unique comedy act who say what they want, where they want and to whoever they want to say it to. With 30 plus songs of gut wretching, beer spitting and totally out of this world humour, this act will leave you wanting more and more each time. With a new and improved type of toilet humour... The Custard - Taken from www.myspace.com/thecustardchuckers
ADVERT
Intrepid Fox
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 motherfker...!!!
Check out the calendar, our resident dj's Fri & Sat in the upstairs bar from 9PM: Dj Lola (Unholy) & Danny Serrano with "METAL DEMENTIA", playing all things hard n' heavy. Max (Generation Graveyard) & Rich Jones (The Loyalties) with "3rd GENERATION NATION", playing dirty gutter punk n' roll. Devilman, Lucyfur & Lucretia with "DENIM & LEATHER", playing tunes n' drinking booze. Adam Lightspeed (Electric Ballroom) & Ben Christo (Sisters Of Mercy) with "HELL YEAH", Jonny Le Shithouse (Generation Graveyard) & Sky (King Lizard) with "DIRTY BOMB", playing hard n' sleazy rock wiv a touch o' metal. Dj Lola & Dany (Breed 77) with "ALCOHAULIN' ASS", playing metal and stoner. Duncan & Giles with "LAST MEN STANDING", playing metal and hard rock. Shel with "SHOCK TREATMENT", playing all things glam.
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK MON-WED 3PM til 11PM THUR 3PM til MIDNIGHT FRI-SAT 3PM til 2AM SUN 5PM til 11PM We are an over 18's venue, ID will be required if you look under 21 We reserve the right to refuse admission (no football colours, chavs or suit n' ties unless it's rock n' roll...!!!)
Taken from the Intrepid Fox myspace page.
Address details for the Intrepid Fox.
Free entry for all.
LINKS AND EMAILS
Podcasts, Links, Video and Emails
VIDEOS OF THE WEEK:
CANNIBAL CORPSE - Priests of Sodom video
BREED 77 - Special La Ultima Hora video
VAN CANTO - Last Night of the Kings video
ARKONA - Liki Bessmertnykh Bogov video
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PODCASTS:
Bloodstock Metal 2 The Masses:
Each week keep up-to-date with the build up to Bloodstock.
This week they blast out some SANCTORUM and SNAKEBITE, so that means you just have to listen:
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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