Alt-018 - Die Kammer, Screaming Eyes, Stitched Up Heart, Neverstar, Clear The Auditorium, Deathstars, Killing Jimmy, Indigo Darkpsych, Lazywall, Sakara

DIE KAMMER
'Season I: The Seeming & The Real'
DELICIOUS

Die Kammer are a rather eclectic mix of musicians, weaving together a sound that pinches elements from Gothic Rock, Classical, Cabaret and Chamber Music, as well as bits of Folk Music, they are a tough band to categorize in one genre. Evidently their premier album 'Season I: The Seeming & The Real' broods in the deepness of the guttural German vocals that give such depth and atmosphere, resulting in the instant connection with the early Gothic Rock bands such as Bauhaus. But what also makes 'Season I: The Seeming & The Real' a breath of fresh air, is the unique chemistry flowing free between the plethora of instruments residing in this musical adventure. To be quite frank, this album could easily be the perfect accompaniment to the Christmas celebrations or as a delightful listen at any folk or alternative music festival. Wherever and whenever you listen to it, you can be assured that Die Kammer are a highly promising group, let's see if they can continue this sound on their forthcoming release 'Season II: Views From The Inside' released next year.

Download This: "Labyrinths Of Despair"

For Fans of: Bauhaus, Drachenflug, Schandmaul

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

SCREAMING EYES
'For Whom The Sins Are Over'
THIS IS CORE

Unleash the Italian stallion known as Screaming Eyes and be prepared to have your head blown off, this five-piece Hardcore mob unleash hell on their latest EP 'For Whom The Sins Are Over'. Soldering together the sheer velocity experienced in the original Hardcore sound with a modern sound of Metallic Hardcore, this ten-legged army whip out a sound that will make Italy shake on it's very foundations. As if the leaning tower of pisa is actually leaning, but if you add the sound of Screaming Eyes, it will be the fallen tower of pisa. Whilst the Hardcore contemporaries tend to originate from either the US, Australia or the UK, it is now the turn of the Italians to crack skulls open with such force that it will make your life not worth living, because 'For Whom The Sins Are Over', the virtues of Screaming Eyes are already in motion... watch this band with interest.

Download This: "In The Name Of The Father"

For Fans of: Alexisonfire, Hatebreed, Rise To Remain, Imminence

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

STITCHED UP HEART
'Grave'

Possibly one band to watch in 2014, Californian sex-bombs Stitched Up Heart recently unleashed their highly infectious single 'Grave' and with it comes that classic alternative rock beat, aggressive vocals and very bouncy riffs, but this is no Paramore-gone-hardcore, by any means no. The single 'Grave' takes elements from the alternative rock, Gothic / emo subculture and add that unique sparkle to it to make it a single anyone should have on their music player. With that emphatic extreme range of vocal levels, tied in with a sound that speaks bags of imagination, 'Grave' is the song that will push this highly promising rock band across the Atlantic. It is so good, you would need to replay it over again and again just to conquer your thirst for more, now all that's needed is a house party as 'Grave' provides the perfect soundtrack.

Download 'Grave' here: http://www.reverbnation.com/stitchedupheart

For Fans of: The Birthday Massacre, Evarose, Die So Fluid, 'hormonally-charged rock'

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

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NEVERSTAR
'Ill Be Waiting'
SMASH DOWN RECORDS

If you want the softer and more symphonic-eloquent form of Evanescence, then Hertfordshire crew Neverstar is for you, upon listening to their latest offering 'Ill Be Waiting' you can be sure to be welcomed by really sharp female vocals that will shatter your hearing so hard it will leave you gasping for more. Furthermore through the ingenious and deep emotional feeling coursing through the guitars and drums, the music created is one of elegance and beauty, now if Neverstar were to develop any soundtrack to any film then their song "Not Over Yet" would befit some of the scenes in The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, it is that dramatic and unique and yet this could be the start of something remarkably sensational, released in 2013 and rocking out 2014, Neverstar's 'Ill Be Waiting' is a sound to remember and the band is one to watch with interest this year.

Download This: "Not Over Yet"

For Fans of: Evanescence, Within Temptation, Avantasia, Vanilla Ninja

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

CLEAR THE AUDITORIUM
'The Final Broadcast'

As if the cold war wasn't scary enough, here comes the Wales Post-Hardcore / Electronicore outfit Clear The Auditorium with their forthcoming EP 'The Final Broadcast', which they have set out to send reminders of how cold, dystopian and dark the post-WW2 times were. They have carried on their theme of a futuristic world that is full of uncertainty, promise and almost an Orwellian perception of what is happening and what could happen, even with their 'intermission' track delivering that totalitarian music experienced in the film 'V For Vendetta'. Sitting right at the core of 'The Final Broadcast' is the use of electronic music, moreover the use of morse code to introduce 'We Are The Danger' really sends out a sonic punch that is guaranteed to shake the Welsh valleys free of any exposed boulders, whilst amalgamating around the edges are crunchy riffs, funky grooves, emphatic vocals and sensational drumming sequences, all of which sum up to signal Clear The Auditorium as a GMA band to watch.

For Fans of: Linkin Park, Enter Shikari, The Progidy, Muse

'The Final Broadcast' is out 8th May 2014

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

DEATHSTARS
'The Perfect Cult'
NUCLEAR BLAST

It's been five years since Deathstars, the Swedish masters of sexual "Dark Rock", released their well-received glam-tinged "Night Electric Night". Now the quartet is back (minus Cat Casino) and harder than ever. 'The Perfect Cult' glimmers with that extra special sound the band has mustered over their career, that sound that makes them who they are. With infectious Electro-Industrial keyboard elements forming the foundation for a monstrous assault of tripwire riffs, ballistic drums and Whiplasher's unrelentless and unforgettable vocals, Deathstars have shifted into fifth gear for what is poised to be the best album of their career. Adopting a dystopian and Orwellian attitude that is tinged with the darkness of their Gothic posterior and blackened hearts, it is clear that Deathstars are back in black and mean business... the kings of Swedish Dark Rock are here to stay.

Download This: "Bodies"

For Fans of: Motionless In White, The Birthday Massacre, Gothminister, The Kovenant

"The Perfect Cult" is out in June via Nuclear Blast: 13th (EU), 16th (UK) and 24th (USA)

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

KILLING JIMMY
'Killing Jimmy'

It's finally out, Killing Jimmy's self-titled EP is now out and unleashed upon the Essex rock wilderness. Infusing together a mixture of Punk Rock, Pop Punk and Alternative Rock, this Southend unit have certainly upped their game over the times gone by and with this release are sure to start making a name for themselves outside of their home county. As for the EP itself, it is spear-headed by Rosie's ability to unleash vocals that wallow within the likes of Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious, and with their musical foundation taking bits from the likes of Sum 41, maybe Busted but certainly not Girls Aloud (although Mark might disagree), Killing Jimmy are on the yellow brick road to breaking out nationally.

Download This: "Life's A Bitch"

For Fans of: Sum 41, Sex Pistols, Rise Against

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

INDIGO DARKPSYCH
'All That Remains'

Malta may not the be the first country to spring to mind when thinking of Alternative or Nu Metal bands, but quartet Indigo Darkpsych are sure to make their nation known on the music map. Their 2013 effort wallows in the darkened waters of Evanescence and Lahannya, is charged up with both Slipknot's and Korn's charm and is lead by vocals that Amy Lee would drool over all night. It's rare to find a female leading a Nu Metal style band, bands like Exilia and Infected Rain spring to mind, but as for this treasure, 'All That Remains' is the future sound of Alternative Nu Metal, loaded with infectious grooves, sensual vocals, catchy riffs and an atmosphere that is just as good as Slipknot's Download appearance. R.I.P. Paul Gray.

Download This: "Shining Inside"

For Fans of: Exilia, Slipknot, Evanescence, Korn

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

SAKARA
'Blood & Stone'
RAVENHEART

Well this certainly is an interesting project, coming direct from Herefordshire is the artist Sakara aka Laura Sakara Marshal. This definitely sits within the Avant Garde music