THE COCKROCKETS
'Craters Of War'

Prepare to be wanked, willy-slapped, tossed off, eh the puns keep on coming (er-hem). Aptly named The Cockrockets, this London mob accentuate the brilliance found within the punk rock style, sure you cannot tie them down to one genre as upon hearing their latest album 'Craters Of War' it is clear they weave together a sound from an array of different styles and that in itself makes the album 100% unique. Don't expect any pleasantries or politeness circulating the lyrics either, this band does not know niceness, they only know how to flip the middle finger so precisely it would make your attempt obsolete. Expect groovy riffs to caress your hearing whilst the rocking atmosphere soothes your soul and the rest of the musical elements finish you off. The Cockrockets are sure to go far, but how far is the big question.

Download This: "We Don't Wanna Die"

For Fans of: Sex Pistols, The Clash, George Carlin-esque banter apparently.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

ACCIDENTS WILL HAPPEN
'Prologue'

Whether by fad or by trend, it seems to be the norm these days for rock bands to have a female vocalist and try to avoid the nastiest of cliche's as becoming 'just another Paramore wanna be', of course there are bands that defy that and do their own thing, Accidents Will Happen fall into that category. Sure their debut EP 'Prologue' glimmers with a whole array of different rock songs that will be sure to get anyone's musical taste-buds tickled, there is only one down side to the EP and that focuses one the song 'We Are', and the reason behind that? The guitar riff in the beginning (and throughout) does not bode well with the rest of the music, it seems well out of sync and should not be there either! Despite that the rest of the song dishes out a good sound and level of eccentricity. For the EP itself, it is a fair decent attempt by the band and with their minds firmly set on a sound, we could see more Download Festival worthy material being produced in the near future.

Download This: 'Time'

For Fans of: Don Broco, Biffy Clyro, 'down-right outrageous rock music'

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

EARLYRISE
'What If'

Bands like Earlyrise are so tough to pigeonhole into one genre, sure they are a rock band but they lace said music genre with elements of pop, electronic music and bizarrely some pop punk in the vibrancy of the vocals. Unleashing the beautiful terror from their sexy sensational debut album 'What If', the Illinois quintet have evidently primed themselves for taking the world by storm with their unique style of rock music. Now before you laud them as another Paramore band, no they sound nothing at all like them, if anything imagine them as the female-fronted version of Mallory Knox or Black Veil Brides (Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones era and minus the make-up). What with angelic vocals leading the front-line and the music itself delivering a full-on party sound that would liven up anyone's day or night, 'What If' could be debut rock album of the year easily and as long as Earlyrise keep this sound going, we could see them at Download Festival early as next year, watch this space.

Download This: "Face Me"

For Fans of: Mallory Knox, Black Veil Brides, We Are In The Crowd

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

IVY JAMES
'Ivy James'

Singer-songwriter Ivy James delivered her debut self-titled EP last year and to be frank it is something rather special. Having won a whole host of award nominations such as the Best Young Songwriter by the Toronto Independent Music Awards in October 2012, it is clear even with this EP that she has talent in her blood. Take for example the song 'Galaxies' and then listen to it next to perhaps Adele's 'Skyfall' and there resides a comparison in the vocals, that powerful and exhilarating deliverance that for an 17 year old is as close to as 'child prodigy' as you can get. Make no mistake about it her self-titled debut EP is going to take her places and as it gives her well-earned attention in her native Canada, with this effort now in the open I can see her making a name for herself across the Atlantic, especially in the UK. Armed with an acoustic guitar and a voice that emanates the softer rock side to fellow Canadian singer Avril Lavigne, Ivy James is a musician to watch.

Download This: "Ashes To Ashes"

For Fans of: Avril Lavigne, Katie Melua, Adele, Lene Marlin

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

CAROUSEL VERTIGO
'Mighty' feat their single "I'm A Comin' World"
MOLANO MUSIC

What happens when two virtuoso guitarists come colliding on one stage? Total musical Armageddon. As America meets France with this sensational line-up, entering onto the rock circuit is Paris-based rockers Carousel Vertigo of which their 70's style of rock is simply awe-inspiring. Featuring a rally of killer riffs, exuberant drumming and Bon Scott-era AC/DC vocals that when coming altogether summon a sound that will crunch anyone's senses into overload.  'Mighty' is the band's debut album and on it is their upcoming single "I'm A Comin' World", what rock fans can expect from this lot is a smooth and sensational deliverance of high voltage rock that evidently will keep anyone rocking and partying all night long. Let's be honest, rock will never die as long as bands like Carousel Vertigo keep the classic elements intact, and wasn't it AC/DC who said "Let there be light, sound, drums, guitar. Let there be rock"? Boy were they right.

Download This: "Mighty Good Woman"

For Fans of: AC/DC, Aerosmith, Airbourne

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

DIGITS
'Acquiesce To Violence'

One ponders thought whether the band was meant to be an algorithm for numerical music, whatever the meaning behind the band is it's a good one as demonstrated on their upcoming re-release of their successful EP 'Acquiesce To Violence'. Taking pinches of influences from a plethora of rock styles, the North-Eastern scamps magic up a winning score to set their career firmly in motion. Featuring a spectacular array of rock songs that will get anyone dancing or waving their arms in the air, or whatever modern rock fans do these days, it will get you moving, guaranteed. Echoing in the footsteps of a whole plethora of punk and melodic rock bands, Digits are ready to slash the British scene in half as an 'Acquiesce To Violence', this is just the beginning...

Download This: "Golden"

For Fans of: Biffy Clyro, Hundred Reasons, Deftones

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

REMEMBER DECEMBER
'Two Can Play That Game'

Canvey Islanders Remember December make their mark with their upcoming EP 'Two Can Play That Game', proving that their home place is not just an island known for the floods or the oil refineries. Carefully molded to deliver a powerful punching style of pop punk / rock, Remember December have gone full out on this one and with this effort as good as it is, they could be on their way to national recognition. Glass-shattering vocals drive this unbelievably emphatic EP to new heights for the band, whilst the solidarity in the drumming and crunchiness of the riffs sharpen the sound so much that you would need to put insurance on your hearing in case you become infected by the EP's sensational sound, this is guaranteed to get you hooked and rooting for the band, because with this EP they are sure to go far.

Download This: "Run With The Wolves"

For Fans of: 30 Seconds To Mars, You Me At Six, We Are In The Crowd, The Hype Theory

'Two Can Play That Game' is out 30th September

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

THE AREOLA TREAT
'Pleasure Machines'

Indie / Punk Rock from Malta you say? Correct. Making noise for themselves are The Areola Treat whose latest release 'Pleasure Machines' certainly fits the bill as a credible rock release, full of gusto and powerful compositions, I honestly want to see this lot representing Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. 'Pleasure Machines' delivers erotically charged vocals that are strapped down by the funky riffs and the solid drumming that pushes this release forward so much that The Areola Treat could easily be Malta's next biggest rock export. Most guys will get a bit of a reaction to the artwork as well as the music (if you know what I mean), but joking aside the artwork does reflect the band's attitude that rock music must be naked to get the true sounds out and what a sound it is.

Download This: "Subsonic Speed Shades"

For Fans of: The Clash, Kasabian, Sex Pistols

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

VOLTRAGE
'Bad Reputation'

Franco-Belgian quintet Voltrage delivered a blast from the past with their debut album 'Bad Reputation' released last year, simply put imagine a helium-filled Bon Scott and the musical power of Guns 'N' Roses, yeah you get the picture. Voltrage are another modern day rock band obsessed with the 80's rock vernacular and with their debut album deliver a sound that truthfully emanates the greats of AC/DC, Aerosmith, Guns 'N' Roses, etc, etc. With high-pitch vocals delivering such a painful experience to your hearing, you may begin to think that Voltrage have a 'Bad Reputation' themselves, in that they have a 'Bad Reputation' for delivering sensationally rocking music, it is that bad it's good. Give their mark though because Voltrage will certainly appeal to the fans of classic 80's rock, make no mistake they are pretty damn good.

Download This: "Girls Gone Wild"

For Fans of: AC/DC, Guns 'N' Roses, Kiss

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

BLACKWOLF
'Mr. Maker'

Just what the doctor ordered, another rock act... well not just any old rock act, perhaps thee rock act to reboot the entire music industry and crush that glut of over-processed pop music that dominates the radio waves. 'Mr. Maker' is the latest single by Bristolian rock 'n' rollers Blackwolf and boy it packs a Jack Daniel and chilling moment in it, given the lads have been going just under two years now and have already amassed a plethora of feats including supporting Revoker, Voodoo Six and The Union amongst others. Now armed with this single and their foreseeable debut album, there is nothing that will stop BlackWolf from reaching the very pinnacle of the music industry. It would seem that the old ways tend to be the best as BlackWolf prove here, erotic riffs gently glide behind the sheer atomic power of the vocals, whilst the background generating of cymbal crashes and lush drumming deals with the solidarity of this track, 'Mr. Maker' would fit nicely on BBC Radio 2. Has anyone got Ken Bruce's number?

'Mr. Maker' is out on September 30th / BlackWolf's as of yet untitled album is due out January 2014

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

EVILYN
'The End'

South London is now being graced by one promising band known as Evilyn, these four lads take influences from a range of different bands such as Muse, 30STM, A7X and AFI, whilst threading together their own unique sound package as found on their double A side 'The End', interestingly enough this music could also be taking influence from bands like Bauhaus and the whole goth, punk and new wave styles, so the music itself has a whole range of different times flowing through it, but the release is sure to capture much attention as a starting point for this band to build achievements on, sure the second song has some comparisons to steampunkers Fearless Vampire Killers, but Evilyn are a different kettle of fish and it's that obvious fact that makes them a one to watch in 2013.

Download the double A-side here: http://evilyn.bandcamp.com/album/the-end

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

BLACK MARKET SEROTONIN
'Something From Nothing'
SUPERSTAR DESTROYER

At first it seems that 'Something From Nothing' the debut album by Manchester's Black Market Serotonin is a redeveloped 80's synth rock megalithic release, but closer inspection reveals elements from David Bowie and the modern sounds of Deftones, Porcupine Tree and Muse, evidently drawn from their collaborative mix of progressive rock and synth elements and also how the trio manage to keep their unique sound going without deviating to established sounds. 'Something From Nothing' is an album that oozes delicious riffs, sensational drumming and emotional vocals, all of which when brought together deliver a sound that will echo throughout 2013 as the band set their eyes on exploding all over the British rock scene.

Download This: "The End of History"

'Something From Nothing' is out Monday 29th April 2013 via Superstar Destroyer Records

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

AYS
'Suburban Haze'
LET IT BURN

On the dawn of their 10th anniversary, Germany's self-confessed Hardcore Punk addicts AYS unleash hell with their upcoming new EP 'Suburban Haze', oozing vocals that are guaranteed to make you sick in the stomach as well as killer riffs and powerful drumming. However that's just the basics of it, the intricate composure and face-smacking sensation that comes as a result by the all-out assault by this five-man machine, AYS are gearing themselves up to slaughter Europe with their killer sounds, just make sure health and safety are on sight as there may be a moshpit within a moshpit. 'Suburban Haze' should also come with a health warning that serious headbanging may also be induced, the next step from these Germans will be an interesting one.

Download This: "Orphans"

'Suburban Haze' is out 8th March 2013 via Let It Burn Records

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

KING & COUNTRY
'Mountains'
Self-Released

"Snowdonia is set to experience a new style of earthquake"

The amazing thing about the Welsh rock and metal music scenes is that it seems to be always the southern regions that produce said music, a modern example comes in the form of King & Country of whom comprise of four laddies hailing from Bridgend and the musical talents derived from elements that come from the classic pop punk / post-hardcore style, namesake on par with Lower The Atlantis and newcomers Mallory Knox, but what sets aside 'Mountains' as a must have EP this year is that the four tracks extrude a variation of sound to cater for many tastes and with their evident display of punching the right musical notes, King & Country are sure to set the nation on fire with their sensational rock anthems.

Download This: "Soldiers"
For Fans of: The Blackout, Story of the Year, Lower Than Atlantis

"Mountains" is out 6th May 2013 via the band and online digital retailers

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

GET OFF MY SHOES
'Let's Not Rush Out And Tell The World'
THANKS BUT NO THANKS

Somewhat of a newcomer to the European front-line, or are they? Three years in and Belgium's hottest new Indie rockers come rolling into town to drop their highly-anticipated debut EP 'Let's Not Rush Out And Tell The World', it features a catalogue of songs whirling around the core of the release in all different directions, taking on board influences from bands like Bloc Party and Weezer, they are sure to make an impact in 2013 and perhaps may wind up on the covers of Kerrang! Magazine. 'Let's Not Rush Out And Tell The World' is the new sound of Indie Rock and it is a damn good starting point for this five-piece, so instead lets rush out and tell the world that Get Off My Shoes are now Belgium's hottest rock export.

Download This: "We're Going Down But We Don't Care"
For Fans of: Weezer, BlocParty, Foals, Two Door Cinema Club

'Let's Not Rush Out And Tell The World' is out Monday 1st April 2013 via Thanks But No Thanks Records

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

THE MARQUIS OF VAUDERVILLE
'The Great Promenade of Fools & Ghosts'

Steampunk is almost certainly on the up-rise as a recognized musical form of art, bands dress in Victorian style dress and play an eclectic music mix, Dallas' The Marquis of Vauderville is no exception, weaving together a luscious mix of progressive rock and psychedelic punk rock to deliver their nineteen-track opus 'The Great Promenade of Fools & Ghosts' of which spews out similarities to that of David Bowie (Ziggy Stardust), Pink Floyd and The Cure, consequently this is another album that most rock fans will adhere to, however for the Goths, Steampunks and passionate people of Victorian times, this is a memento of epic proportions.

Download This: "Bright Star Hope"
For Fan of: The Cure, David Bowie, Pink Floyd

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

LETS TALK DAGGERS
'Fantastic Contraption'
TANGLED TALK

Built and constructed to ignite riots simultaneously across the rock scene, Lets Talk Daggers may require anger management as they unleash their upcoming mini-album 'Fantastic Contraption', what emerges initially from this release is a mixture of brutal slaying drums that are sliced apart by the savage sounds of the riffs and vocals together. Some may dub them 'anarcho-punk', but in reality they are a gruesome mix of punk hardcore, screamo, alternative rock and fast music, faster than your last ejaculation, that said as the band pumps out more fluidity in their music, it gets to the point where The Dillinger Escape Plan and Fall of Troy come head on together and the result is grizzly, besides the release title may be an indirect Wallace & Gromit pun.

For Fans of: Fall of Troy, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Blakfish.

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

'Fantastic Contraption' is out via Tangled Talk Records on 25th March 2013

APHERIUM
'The Cycle'

What happens when a band forms and broods in a place that is hardly known for rock or metal bands? Total hegemonic chaos, arising from the knowledge that bands like Apherium know they are fighting to put their home town of Yeovil on the map, but when taking into account their debut album 'The Cycle' and the sound they aim to deliver, it can't be helped but notice that this could be a winning score. Pinching influences from mainly Post-Hardcore, Punk Rock and Thrash Metal, Apherium weave together a sound that may prove yet to be the one that will attract the major media outlets to sniff the scent left behind as 'The Cycle' cements itself in rock history, sure there is room for improvement, especially in the volume department, but apart from that the band sheds out some slick sick and savage sounds.

Download This: 'In The Light'

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

MILESTONE
'Medicate The Night'

On 13th May 2013, South Wales will experience an earthquake, no not another Metalcore band trying to be the next Bullet For My Valentine, but rather a new rock release. Milestone the four-piece rock 'n' roll boy-band are preparing to unleash their debut EP 'Medicate The Night' upon the masses, listeners can expect to hear classic rock sounds derived from the likes of the Foo Fighters that seem to sound out across the entire release, whilst the atmosphere that is set in motion covers the entire room with the feeling of getting down, dirty and drinking a bottle of Jack Daniels. After all, 'Medicate The Night' should cast new light on the region and for the band, shine a light to join the league of exciting British rock bands in the year 2013.

'Medicate The Night' will be out on Monday 13th May through all digital outlets.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

THE HYPE THEORY
'Heartsick'
SMALL TOWN

Chelmsford Pop Punk / Power Pop maestros The Hype Theory have the honor of releasing their latest single 'Heartsick', continuing on their powerful ballad like sound manufactured over the years, this is a promising sign that their next album will be the apocalypse many alike will be waiting for. With angelic vocals that can only equate to the power experienced in a tornado outbreak, the music follows suit with fist-punching beats and slashing riffs that together added with the vocals, concoct to make The Hype Theory. 'Heartsick' shows the lighter side of the band also towards the end with the faint fading of an acoustic guitar that just adds another dimension to this sensational group.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

'Heartsick' is out 22nd April via digital outlets

Fans can pre-order the single here: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/heartsick-single/id627696605?uo=4

The band's second album "Captives" is to be released 27th May and a free album release show will follow 3 days after.