Shardborne to release debut album in July

Irish instrumental prog metallers Shardborne – who play the PlanetMosh-backed Perverting The Innocent festival later this year – are to release their full-length debut, 'Living Bridges', via Out On A Limb Records on July 10 . The band said of the album – the follow up to their 2011 'Aeonian Sequence' EP:  "[It's] progressive metal drawing influence from many genres such as

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Ginger Wildheart - Songs & Words - Manchester 09/05/2015

Way back in 1939 Winston Churchill described the Russians as being "a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma." I can't help thinking this is also an apt description of Ginger Wildheart's Songs and Words show. It's not a gig, It's not stand-up comedy. It's not theatre. It's not literature. It's not any of thoseWay back in 1939 Winston Churchill described the Russians as being "a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma." I can't help thinking this is also an apt description of Ginger Wildheart's Songs and Words show. Ginger Wildheart – Manchester 2015 It's not a gig, It's not stand-up comedy. It's not theatre. It's not literature. It's not any of those things but somehow it manages to be all of them at the same time. Occasionally it could even be described as a talking therapy session for Mr. Wildheart with the audience as (avid) listeners. It's basically a story, the story of Ginger's life in music between the formation of the Wildhearts in late 1989 and the completion of his 555% pledge campaign in 2012. Over the years there have been so many rumours, stories and lies that Ginger decided the best way to put the record straight was to go out and tell it like it was himself. Set in a shabby-chic, quirky, historic all-seated venue the stage is almost bare. Two acoustic guitars and two microphone stands wait to be used. There is one table to stage left belonging to Jase Edwards containing beer and a laptop and [...]

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New Release from Steve 'N' Seagulls "Farm Machine" On Spinefarm Records International

With over 12 million YouTube views for their take on AC/DC's ThunderstruckSteve'N'Seagulls bring their unique style to the UK for a run of shows to celebrate the release of their debut album Farm Machine on Spinefarm Records. Barnyard Boogiemen STEVE'N'SEAGULLS, go from Viral Sensation to signed act with over 12 million Youtube views for Thunderstruck https://youtu.be/e4Ao-iNPPUc     Steve'N'Seagulls bring their unique styleWith over 12 million YouTube views for their take on AC/DC's ThunderstruckSteve'N'Seagulls bring their unique style to the UK for a run of shows to celebrate the release of their debut album Farm Machine on Spinefarm Records. Barnyard Boogiemen STEVE'N'SEAGULLS, go from Viral Sensation to signed act with over 12 million Youtube views for Thunderstruck     Steve'N'Seagulls bring their unique style to the UK for a run of shows including two performances at the Great Escape Festival in Brighton on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th to celebrate the release of their debut album Farm Machine What became a genuine international phenomenon actually started out on a farm in central Finland; in a barn, to be precise… There, in said barn, a bunch of like-minded countrymen—with the emphasis on "country"—played a customized version of AC/DC's "Thunderstruck," wearing the daftest outfits they could find. They filmed the event, posted the results on YouTube, and within a couple of weeks, the clip had accumulated over five million views. It's now topped out at 12 million. Pretty impressive, right? For Steve 'N' Seagulls, this was a bolt from the blue, but then, as history shows us, the greatest stories ever told tend to start in a [...]

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Enter Shikari announce new single and video

New single 'Torn Apart – 8th June 
'Best British Band' and 'Best Single' nominations at Kerrang! Awards Enter Shikari this week release a video for the track 'Torn Apart', directed by Mike Tyler who was also responsible for the video for the band's previous single 'Anaesthetist'. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/xndh_CwGCn8 The track is the third "proper" single from the UK Top 10 album 'The Mindsweep', andNew single 'Torn Apart – 8th June 
'Best British Band' and 'Best Single' nominations at Kerrang! Awards Enter Shikari this week release a video for the track 'Torn Apart', directed by Mike Tyler who was also responsible for the video for the band's previous single 'Anaesthetist'. Check it out here: The track is the third "proper" single from the UK Top 10 album 'The Mindsweep', and follows hot on the heels of the announcement of Enter Shikari's nominations for 'Best British Band' and 'Best Single' (for 'Anaesthetist') in this year's Kerrang! Magazine Awards. 'The Mindsweep' was released in January 2015 through Ambush Reality / Play It Again Sam Recordings and is the fourth full-length studio album from Enter Shikari since forming at school in 2003. Since the album's release, the band have undertaken a sold out UK tour (that culminated in two nights at London's Roundhouse) and comprehensive treks around both Europe and North America. They are just about to embark on a tour of Australia and their eighth trip to Russia, before beginning an exhausting UK / European festival season that will see them headline the Second Stage at Download Festival, headline NASS Festival, and play headline / high-profile slots at the likes of Glastonbury, T In The Park, Rock Am Ring / [...]

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Death Angel to release 'A Thrashumentary' DVD and live album. Playing UK shows this August

San Francisco Bay Area thrash veterans DEATH ANGEL are pleased to announce the release of 'A Thrashumentary'. The DVD release was directed, shot and edited by Tommy Jones(KATAKLYSM, SOILWORK, LAMB OF GOD, CARCASS, TESTAMENT) of Videohammer Studios . It will be released on July 17th via Nuclear Blast Records. The release will also include aSan Francisco Bay Area thrash veterans DEATH ANGEL are pleased to announce the release of 'A Thrashumentary'. The DVD release was directed, shot and edited by Tommy Jones(KATAKLYSM, SOILWORK, LAMB OF GOD, CARCASS, TESTAMENT) of Videohammer Studios . It will be released on July 17th via Nuclear Blast Records. The release will also include a full live album entitled 'The Bay Calls for Blood'. "It is with great excitement that I finally get to share this DEATH ANGEL news," comments vocalist Mark Osegueda. "'A Thrashumentary' is finally complete and ready for release this summer! The film tells the story of DEATH ANGEL from our inception to the present day. With many guest appearances by some of our peers, and contemporaries who happen to be some of the most respected players in the genre. It covers the highs, lows and highs again of the band and the thrash metal movement. A must have for any metal fan!" "The even better news is 'A Thrashumentary' will be accompanied by an official live album called 'The Bay Calls for Blood', which was recorded in our hometown of San Francisco! We are so proud of this recording and performance that we decided to release it [...]

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Forever Never release new video single and announce slots at Isle of Wight and Y Not? Festival

Essex Metallic Rockers in FOREVER NEVER have not only released a stellar new single that's currently being playlisted on Kerrang! Radio and was featured as Front Magazine's video of the day, but they've only gone and announced two killer Festival slots for 2015. Forever Never will be performing at Y Not? Festival alongside the likes ofEssex Metallic Rockers in FOREVER NEVER have not only released a stellar new single that's currently being playlisted on Kerrang! Radio and was featured as Front Magazine's video of the day, but they've only gone and announced two killer Festival slots for 2015. Forever Never will be performing at Y Not? Festival alongside the likes of Snoop Dogg, Don Broco and Young Guns, and will also be performing at the prestigious Isle of Wight Festival alongside Blur, Basement Jaxx, Hacktivist and more. Forever Never's new single 'Never Giving Up' can be heard for the next few weeks on Johnny Doom's radio show over at Kerrang! Radio, and Alex Baker will be spinning it, too. Their video was filmed by Sitcom Soldiers

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The Darkness announce uk tour

The Darkness are pleased to announce the Blast of Our Kind tour. The Blast of Our Kind tour will commence on November 30th in Norwich and culminate in a triumphant show at London's Roundhouse on December 20th. It is the first, and a golden, opportunity for enthusiasts to see The Darkness on their own stage inThe Darkness are pleased to announce the Blast of Our Kind tour. The Blast of Our Kind tour will commence on November 30th in Norwich and culminate in a triumphant show at London's Roundhouse on December 20th. It is the first, and a golden, opportunity for enthusiasts to see The Darkness on their own stage in support of the new, fourth album 'Last of Our Kind'. 'Last of Our Kind' is an album of unparalleled beauty and power. It is to be released on June 1st, at which point children and adults alike will rejoice. The first single 'Open Fire' has already been unveiled and the video, directed by Simon Emmett, is currently lording over the internet, stamping it's scaly feet and pecking at cyber grubs like a magnificent peacock. http://smarturl.it/openfirevid The album also features 'Barbarian', which was released as a 'teaser track', with a brutally beguiling animated lyric video illustrated by Nick Roche. http://smarturl.it/barbarianvid Blast of Our Kind will be The Darkness' first UK tour since 2013. Those in attendance will be awestruck by the all-new material and downright delighted by the early works as The Darkness rip through their repertoire of ruddy great songs with new drummer Rufus [...]

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Rockmantic 2016 Valentine Weekender

Now in its fourth year, Rockmantic returns with what is set to be its strongest line up to date. The first four bands have been announced & Sweden's hottest property CONFESS are confirmed to headline the Saturday night. Trailblazing through the UK earlier this year, the five piece set hearts racing & heads banging inNow in its fourth year, Rockmantic returns with what is set to be its strongest line up to date. The first four bands have been announced & Sweden's hottest property CONFESS are confirmed to headline the Saturday night. Trailblazing through the UK earlier this year, the five piece set hearts racing & heads banging in England, Scotland & Wales. Confess have most recently been confirmed to perform at the most prestigous CRUEFEST at the Whisky a go go in Hollywood, LA this July. Newcastle's RUSTED HERO join the pack. Originally winning the fan vote at last year's Rockmantic. Rusted Hero was a hugely popular & a must 'rebook' option. The band who blend a similar sound to Slash & Black Stone Cherry are a full on powerhouse live. Edinburgh based THE KING LOT have that knack of writing amazing songs you would swear you had heard before. From the spiky 'As They Burn' to the shiny pop rock of 'One Of These Days' they then go and complete the full package with the subtle ballad 'Until My Dying Day'. Described as the lovechild of  Guns N Roses & Bon Jovi – who would argue? The last of the first four [...]

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Deez Nuts - Word Is Bond

Melbourne, Australia's Deez Nuts brought forth their fourth studio album, Word Is Bond, in the spring of 2015. Word Is Bond is a 14 track disc filled with monolithic, aggressive hardcore crossover thrash metal that will sear your feet to the floor and melt your face simultaneously. The overall sonic texture on Word Is Bond isMelbourne, Australia's Deez Nuts brought forth their fourth studio album, Word Is Bond, in the spring of 2015. Word Is Bond is a 14 track disc filled with monolithic, aggressive hardcore crossover thrash metal that will sear your feet to the floor and melt your face simultaneously. The overall sonic texture on Word Is Bond is consistent, with each song being relatively similar to each other song. When those songs are filled with skull-jarring, bone-crunching riffs, homogeneity is a very good thing! The modern, crisp mix is overall vocal and guitar-forward, but well-balanced. Instrumentation is relatively simplistic, as to be expected from the genre. Musicianship is adequate and competent. Each song has a spartan amount of layers, effects, and so on to serve the song – the album is not over-produced. Song durations are "punk" short, for the most part. Ideas are well-chosen and sparingly wrapped into each song, which ends up as an aural near-equivalent to reading shorter sentences or text messages. Vocalist JJ Peters has a deeper, more convincing voice with a slightly grittier delivery. Lyrics are vitriolic, negative, and loaded with swearing: the songs effectively channel negativity and hostility. Deez Nuts's lyrical prosody is fairly rap-ish, so [...]

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SixStringNoise - Snake Side Brotherhood

SixStringNoise, from Greece, has independently released Snake Side Brotherhood, a ten song album. This offering, the band's third, shows a natural progression in musicianship, songwriting, and technical mastery. As a duo, Markos and Alex have come up with a cohesive batch of songs which run a gamut from grunge or alternative metal, to hard-hitting heavySixStringNoise, from Greece, has independently released Snake Side Brotherhood, a ten song album. This offering, the band's third, shows a natural progression in musicianship, songwriting, and technical mastery. As a duo, Markos and Alex have come up with a cohesive batch of songs which run a gamut from grunge or alternative metal, to hard-hitting heavy metal. As with the band's previous release, Likewise, Snake Side Brotherhood draws ready comparisons to American grunge (Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots) and alternative metal (Alter Bridge, Creed). This disc hits harder and is more tenacious, though, and has none of the production flaws which plagued the digital version of Likewise. Snake Side Brotherhood's overall mix is crisp, clear, and loud. Instruments are very well balanced and there's no sense of an instrument becoming lost in the mix. Production features fairly typical layering, and includes some very nice ideas. As with previous releases, the musicianship is solid, the performance being across-the-board quite enjoyable. The music is globally nicely accessible, with very sparse, if any, quirkiness. First and foremost, this is a contemporary alternative metal disc with leanings to other genres. Snake Side Brotherhood is heavy; there's no doubt about that. Grunge influence is most noticeable, [...]

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Golden Gods Announce Full Line Up

Golden Gods Announce Full Line Up Monday 15th June 2015, IndigO2, The O2, London #GoldenGods *FULL MAIN STAGE LIVE LINE-UP ANNOUNCED* Hosted by Scott Ian with live performances from… KILLING JOKE AT THE GATES BABYMETAL FEAT. DRAGONFORCE WE ARE HARLOT SUICIDAL TENDENCIES Taking place at IndigO2 in London on 15th June 2015, the Orange Amplification presents the Metal Hammer Golden Gods in association withGolden Gods Announce Full Line Up Monday 15th June 2015, IndigO2, The O2, London #GoldenGods *FULL MAIN STAGE LIVE LINE-UP ANNOUNCED* Hosted by Scott Ian with live performances from… KILLING JOKE AT THE GATES BABYMETAL FEAT. DRAGONFORCE WE ARE HARLOT SUICIDAL TENDENCIES Taking place at IndigO2 in London on 15th June 2015, the Orange Amplification presents the Metal Hammer Golden Gods in association with World Of Warships once again has the fans at its core and brings them together with the artists, shoulder to shoulder, like no other event. By simply voting for your favourite bands to win awards atwww.metalhammer.com/gods you are automatically in with a chance of winning a pair of money-can't-buy tickets for the evening. "The Metal Hammer Golden Gods are the annual thermometer for the health of the metal scene, and the world's only live metal awards show," said Alexander Milas, Editor-in-Chief of TeamRock and Metal Hammer. "Judging by the stunning breadth and diversity of this year's nominees, it's safe to say our world is as vibrant as ever, and we can't wait to celebrate it with our readers. Horns up!" Voting will be open until 12pm GMT on Monday 25th May atwww.metalhammer.com/gods Our host, Anthrax icon [...]

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State Champs announce September Dublin show

Following the release of their explosive debut EP in 2013 and 'The Acoustic Things' late last year, New York pop-punkers STATE CHAMPS have announced a headline show at the Academy 2, Dublin on September 16th. Tickets €15.35 including booking fee go on sale this Wednesday at 10am from Ticketmaster! *This is an over 14s show.'   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5bxXQ5GkhI State Champs,Following the release of their explosive debut EP in 2013 and 'The Acoustic Things' late last year, New York pop-punkers STATE CHAMPS have announced a headline show at the Academy 2, Dublin on September 16th. Tickets €15.35 including booking fee go on sale this Wednesday at 10am from Ticketmaster! *This is an over 14s show.'   State Champs, consisting of Derek Discanio, Tyler Szalkowski, Ryan Graham, Evan Ambrosio and Antonio Diaz came together with every intention of making it clear that they were a group of friends that wanted to make great music and have a good time. And with the instant chemistry the band shared with their formation, they knew their intention was possible. "You can only play alone for so long before you get the urge to collaborate and experiment with other musicians," says Tyler Szalkowski. "When you realize the limitless potential to what you can create with you and your friends musically, it's just like someone turned the lights on." Since their start back in 2010, State Champs has been at the forefront of the pop punk revival, becoming a fan and critic favourite with their first official release, Overslept. Recorded at Getaway Studios in Massachusetts with Jay [...]

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In This Moment - 'Sex Metal Barbie' video

In This Moment - 'Sex Metal Barbie' video In This Moment have unveiled a brand new video for 'Sex Metal Barbie', a track taken from their current 'Black Widow' album. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZqWLIQaKM4&feature=youtu.be The band's fiery frontwoman Maria Brink also directed the 'Sex Metal Barbie' clip, explaining to Loudwire; "Directing it was a liberating experience. When you write music that youIn This Moment – 'Sex Metal Barbie' video In This Moment have unveiled a brand new video for 'Sex Metal Barbie', a track taken from their current 'Black Widow' album. The band's fiery frontwoman Maria Brink also directed the 'Sex Metal Barbie' clip, explaining to Loudwire; "Directing it was a liberating experience. When you write music that you are very passionate about, being able to bring the visual aspect of it alive with the music is what ties everything together.  Sex Metal Barbie is all about rising above hate. I used other people's hatred to create this song and concepts. I really wanted this video to convey that other people's perceptions of us are just their own twisted and warped views. I wanted a sarcastic and delusional visual to bring this video alive." She continues; "I want to thank all the people who feel compelled to express negativity toward us for all the inspiration. I couldn't have done it without them." In This Moment completed their first UK headline tour in March, culminating in a sold out KOKO show in London.  They're currently nominated for 'Best Live Band' in the 2015 Relentless Kerrang! Awards, which is being held in the capital in June. [...]

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King Parrot Stream New Album 'Dead Set'

King Parrot Stream New Album 'Dead Set' The Aussie thrash metal/grindcore/punk mad men, KING PARROT, have teamed up with Metal Hammer UK to launch an advance stream of the band's forthcoming album, Dead Set. The album is set to be released on May 15th in Europe (Agonia Records), May 19th in North America (Housecore Records) and May 15th in Australia(Rocket/EVP).  Dead Set is available for listening inKing Parrot Stream New Album 'Dead Set' The Aussie thrash metal/grindcore/punk mad men, KING PARROT, have teamed up with Metal Hammer UK to launch an advance stream of the band's forthcoming album, Dead Set. The album is set to be released on May 15th in Europe (Agonia Records), May 19th in North America (Housecore Records) and May 15th in Australia(Rocket/EVP).  Dead Set is available for listening in full HERE The follow-up to 2013's Bite Your Head Off effort, Dead Set was produced by Phil Anselmo (Pantera, Down) in Nodferatu's Lair Studio (Down, Eyehategod, Superjoint Ritual). Anselmo also stars in the video for Like A Rat, the first track released from the new album, and firmly gives them the seal of approval, saying: "King Parrot are a fine body of fellows, and it is our absolute pleasure to be working with these assaulting-yet-charming devils. Their best years are ahead of them!" Of the new album, vocalist, Matt Young, comments: "King Parrot are proud to release our new album 'Dead Set' via Agonia records this May. It's been a long process but we happy to say that we are ready to move ahead and get this sucker out. We wanted to work together with the best people in the business to make this a great record and when Phil (Anselmo) said he wanted to be involved it [...]

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Marilyn Manson - 'The Mephistopheles of Los Angeles' Video

Marilyn Manson - 'The Mephistopheles of Los Angeles' Video Check out the new video for Marilyn Manson's 'The Mephistopheles Of Los Angeles' directed by Francesco Carrozzini (Sia, A$AP Rocky, Beyonce) featuring Michael K. Williams (The Wire, Boardwalk Empire) and filmed in Los Angeles. The track comes off his critically acclaimed album 'THE PALE EMPEROR' available now via CookingMarilyn Manson – 'The Mephistopheles of Los Angeles' Video Marilyn Manson Check out the new video for Marilyn Manson's 'The Mephistopheles Of Los Angeles' directed by Francesco Carrozzini (Sia, A$AP Rocky, Beyonce) featuring Michael K. Williams (The Wire, Boardwalk Empire) and filmed in Los Angeles. The track comes off his critically acclaimed album 'THE PALE EMPEROR' available now via Cooking Vinyl/Loma Vista. Check it below and see him live in the UK at Download Festival. "The Marilyn Manson that stands before is in 2015, proves he's still a god" –KERRANG "vicious dance-floor metal banger" – ROLLING STONE "The Bowie-influenced new album is Manson's tightest and most commercial since 1998's mega-selling Mechanical Animals." – LOADED MAGAZINE "No-one else does wanted decadence with such persuasive panache" – UNCUT "The Pale Emperor , is one hell of a return and right up there with his best!" –THE SUN NEWSPAPER The Pale Emperor available here: itunes- Deluxe –  http://po.st/PaleEmpiTunesDLX Amazon – CD deluxe – http://po.st/PaleEmpAmzDLX UK Tour Dates: 13-Jun-15              Donington Park               UK                   Download Festival Links: www.marilynmanson.com www.cookingvinyl.com

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Iron Kobra - Might & Magic (Dying Victims Productions)

[embed]https://flic.kr/p/rL9o1C[/embed] Iron Kobra from Germany appeared in 2008 and have released a series of singles and one full length before this current offering. They introduce themselves on this album with an intro about playing on 10 – it sets the scene perfectly for what can only be described as a wild and unkempt slab of metal.Iron Kobra from Germany appeared in 2008 and have released a series of singles and one full length before this current offering. They introduce themselves on this album with an intro about playing on 10 – it sets the scene perfectly for what can only be described as a wild and unkempt slab of metal. Soundwise these guys are sitting somewhere in middle England 1981-1983, its raw and rambunctious with little finesse and buckets of attitude. This is heavy metal played from the heart, they have got into the studio and laid it down exactly as I imagine these guys sound on a stage, nevermind about the polish, we are going matt black. "Fire!" demonstrates this attitude with a hammering riff, thundering drums which are really boxy sounding but have a certain charm. The guitar playing is excellent lots of interplay on harmonies and chugging riffs. The John Gallagher style screams and the aggressive vocals just add to this rowdy atmosphere. All the classic influences are in here, Maiden, Running Wild, Jaguar and a whole plethora of other NWOBHM influences."Wut im Bauch" is the only song on the album that is sung in German and is an interesting addition to [...]

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Nuclear Assault - Pounder E.P

Welcome back Nuclear Assault! Even though it will be short lived (they are calling this the 'Final Assault' tour), the New York based thrash metal legends have reformed for their 30 year anniversary and released Pounder. This blistering 4 track E.P and 2015 tour dates including a main stage slot at the UK's Bloodstock OpenNuclear Assault – Pounder Welcome back Nuclear Assault! Even though it will be short lived (they are calling this the 'Final Assault' tour), the New York based thrash metal legends have reformed for their 30 year anniversary and released Pounder. This blistering 4 track E.P and 2015 tour dates including a main stage slot at the UK's Bloodstock Open Air Festival on the 8th of August are a very big deal for me as I have not seen them since 1988 when they supported Slayer on their South Of Heaven tour. The 2 sets I saw in Manchester and Newport gave the headliners a hard act to follow considering how partisan Slayer audiences can be. Out of the quartet, 3 of the original line up are here. Bassist Dan Lilker, vocalist/guitarist John Connelly and drummer Glenn Evans are joined by Erik Burke on lead guitar who played with the band between 2002 – 2004 and from 2011 to the present day. All 4 tracks transcend the 30 year gap between their beginnings and the present day. Dan Lilker left Anthrax so as to play more aggressive music and formed Nuclear Assault with John Connelly 30 years ago and this pairing [...]

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Frosthelm - The Endless Winter

Mixing the blackest of extreme metal with thrash breaks/parts is the thing that made me review "The Endless Winter" by Frosthelm. It was too odd to not give it a good listen to and tell you what I thought. I love this band; Frosthelm have cracked the code and managed to fuse Norwegian roots withMixing the blackest of extreme metal with thrash breaks/parts is the thing that made me review "The Endless Winter" by Frosthelm. It was too odd to not give it a good listen to and tell you what I thought. I love this band; Frosthelm have cracked the code and managed to fuse Norwegian roots with the best Americanized thrash this side of 1986. The riffs are razor sharp instead of the standard drone feel of traditional BM. The "set standard" of drone, marching black metal is still here but it has been altered and taken in a new direction.  The doomy riffs are broken not by blastbeats by with facemelting thrash solos and riffs. The lads layer the guitar tone and solos of thrash to pack the entire album with an extremely sharp metallic punch that will win over doubters from the second track on. Speaking of which, "A Storm of Teeth" sounds like an Evile with its opening riff but the darker undertones are there from the kick into the song proper. There is so much going on with the composition of the tracks on this album that I can only say that it fuses both the best of [...]

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NLC/Rockin' For The Children - The Maze, Nottingham: 2nd-3rd May 2015

The Fifth NLC/Rocking For The Children Festival took place at The Maze, Nottingham over May Day Bank Holiday Weekend 2015. This now annual event is organised by David Tonge (AKA Big D) and his family and friends with a lot of time and hard work going into the organising. Last year was my first time,David Tonge – AKA Big D The Fifth NLC/Rocking For The Children Festival took place at The Maze, Nottingham over May Day Bank Holiday Weekend 2015. This now annual event is organised by David Tonge (AKA Big D) and his family and friends with a lot of time and hard work going into the organising. Last year was my first time, and having enjoyed it tremendously, I immediately booked time off work and a hotel for this year's event. It wasn't all a smooth ride with bands breaking up along the way giving Big D the headache of finding replacements but on the weekend everything went smoothly. The Maze is a small venue about twenty minutes walk from the centre of Nottingham. There's a pub at the front with a great range of ales, pictures on the wall of stars like Elvis Presley, Adam Ant and Debby Harry and beer barrels as tables. Then behind the pub is the venue and at the very rear a Beer Garden where you can go for a smoke or just to cool down after dancing  to one of the many bands.  Fundraising events like a tombola and cake sale were held in the pub for the [...]

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Beth Hart - Barbican, London - 8th May 2015

The night opened with Irishman Miles Graham.  He performs doing vocals and playing acoustic guitar, and has two musicians with him, one on the Cajon (a box shaped drum that the drummer sits on as he plays), and one on bass.  His set is very good - a classic singer-songwriter style, and he talks toThe night opened with Irishman Miles Graham.  He performs doing vocals and playing acoustic guitar, and has two musicians with him, one on the Cajon (a box shaped drum that the drummer sits on as he plays), and one on bass.  His set is very good – a classic singer-songwriter style, and he talks to the audience a lot between songs, telling them about himself.  For some of the songs the bassist puts the bass down and Miles hands him the guitar to play, leaving Miles to concentrate on vocals.  It's a great set that ends with a cover of the Hall & Oates song "Maneater". Photo: John Bull – Rockrpix.com Beth Hart took to the stage to huge applause and immediately ran to the piano.  She greeted the audience and said that she wanted to start things off quietly, so she sat down and performed the first song solo.  What can I say other than WOW?  Her voice is simply amazing, and she sings with a passionate bluesy voice as she plays – it's absolutely spellbinding stuff and this is just the first song. After that the band joined her and kicked things up a notch.  As the band [...]

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