STILL BUST '77 For You (57 For Me)' MATT Smothered with enough rotten guts to make any slaughter house smell like a florists, Still Bust call the shots with their new EP '77 For You (57 For Me)'. This 'tight-as-a-nun's...' unit have constructed a release that is set to assimilate anyone who cannot hardcore dance straight if either tipsy on WKD or wasted on beer; yes you can dance drunk, it's just not cool, but what is cool is the astounding and captivating sound these four chaps have lashed together. If you're looking for no nonsense lyrics, skull-cracking drums, outrageous vocals and skin-ripping riffs, then look no further as Still Bust promise to deliver that with their new EP, just remember to sign the will. For they will leave you limbless and lifeless, begging for mercy. Pre-order the release here For Fans of: Gallows, Agnostic Front, Dead Kennedys "77 For You (57 For Me)" is out 8th September via Matt Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON WORM IS GREEN 'To Them We Are Only Shadows' ATA:DIGITAL When it comes to electronic music, you would not immediately think of Iceland as a productive scene unlike it's metal counterpart. But when Worm Is Green drop their latest album 'To Them We Are Only Shadows', you get this feeling of a cold, bitter and crisp atmosphere, as if they recorded the album in the middle of the icy wilderness and not a recording studio. Much akin to the 1980's style of electronic music, but molded into the more modern contemporary electronic music sound, 'To Them We Are Only Shadows' has a vibrant sound to it, mixing a truly inspiration ambient atmosphere with delicate vocals that soothe the mind and soul, in fact this may well be called easy listening. Slow-paced, full of flavor and dark feelings brewing around the senses, yup this is one album any electronic music fan should own. Download This: "Let's Just Live My Love" - Click to listen For fans of: Yellow Magic Orchestra, Sigur Rós, Aphex Twin [8] RHYS STEVENSON WE DIE TONIGHT 'Solitude' The UK has seen it's fair share of up-and-coming Metalcore bands in recent years, but when We Die Tonight come along and drill their flag of brutality deep within the pavements of London, the expectation of a full-on, face-punching onslaught is deeply expected. Hallelujah, the quartet's latest offering 'Solitude' wields together the unrelenting ferocity of Metalcore with the catchiness of Post-Hardcore, and then sprinkles on top elements of Technical Metal, Hardcore and Melodic Metal. We Die Tonight were never a complex bunch, that is, no fancy riffs and no flash sounds. This is well and truly shown on 'Solitude' where they slap down on the table, a megaton-of-Metalcore with such a ferocious force, your heaviest hangover has just been outclassed eternally. Download This: "Create" - click to listen For Fans of: Bury Tomorrow, Despite My Deepest Fear, Buried In Verona [8] RHYS STEVENSON KESÄ
'Kesä' SVART For the more adventurous rock fans, attention should be drawn to the self-titled debut album by Finnish quintet Kesä. Simply because of two things, firstly they sing in Finnish and secondly they have delivered some rather spectacular music. Lashing together the more modern punk rock sound with the new romanticism movement and adding some industrial influences, 'Kesä' is perhaps the weirdest-yet-eccentric album to emerge out of Finland since the birth of the Finnish gothic rock movement. But the Finnish music scene has rarely disappointed and with this effort, it continues to excite, 'Kesä' is one album you should have in your collection, whether you can understand the lyrics or not. It's that exciting. Recommended track: "Vahdinvaihto" For Fans of: Sex Pistols, Tangerine Dream, Culture Club 'Kesä' is out 30th April via Svart Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON
0 Comments
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 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 BLUE MOVIE 'Delusions In Technicolor' + '8mm Lovesongs' So what happens when Duran Duran meets Nine Inch Nails, simple you get Blue Movie. First off their 2012 release 'Delusions In Technicolor' takes the rock sound of first said rock band and the electronic and industrial influences of NIN and lashes them together. What you get on 'Delusions In Technicolor' is how Alternative Metal should really be, taking in that darker and more Gothic sense of rock music and adding the synthesizers in the background to give that chilled feeling. 'Delusions In Technicolor' is definitely bringing back the best of industrial / alternative metal to modern times, with vocals that Trent Reznor would be impressed and music that can be likened to the likes of Depeche Mode and Duran Duran, 'Delusions In Technicolor' is an album that ought to be out on the radio waves in in major stores, it is that good. But what about their first release '8mm Lovesongs'? Well in an ideal sense, '8mm Lovesongs' is a little more industrial than later works, even so it does not reach the same level that 'Delusions In Technicolor' does. '8mm Lovesongs' brings out a more Gothic feel to it as well, for a debut release it certainly ticks all the boxes, it's powerful and it's different. Again it is not on the same par as later releases but it does pack a strong sound to it, a sound that broods in the past of early Disturbed and early NIN, but to have the two sounds crossing as they do without a total faux pas happening is just magical, there is not much to say about this release overall in that it does leave a lasting impression. Download These: "A Nuclear Calm" + "Murder Will Out" For Fans of: Nine Inch Nails, HIM, Duran Duran, The Rasmus [8.5] + [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON KILL HER FIRST 'Anatomy 101' German Screamo rockers Kill Her First are the real deal, in fact their latest release 'Anatomy 101' saw daylight in 2010, Ok so that maybe some time ago but the album is still as fresh as preserved yoghurt. Mixing the attitude of punk rock with the fist-clenching power of Screamo and the embodiment of metal, this is crude attitude on legs. Whilst the musical concept may not be new, the sound this five-piece delivers is phenomenal. With a selection of songs on 'Anatomy 101' that spans across a plethora of different rock and metal styles, there is something for everyone to indulge into. Consider them a gem of the German rock scene because they truly add something remarkable to it. 'Anatomy 101' is guaranteed to appeal to a wide range of listeners. Download This: "No More Games" For Fans of: Alesana, early-Black Veil Brides, Anomie [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON DALAPLAN 'Dalaplan' GAPHALS To the non-Swedish speakers this release could be very interesting to listen to, whilst on the other hand those learning to speak Swedish ought to buy this album to improve their speaking and listening skills. 'Dalaplan' the self-titled album by the same band is a mixture of punk and Synth rock and is served up well in a unique way, perfect to play at any house party although make sure the furnishings are all from Ikea to get that entire Swedish feeling. Although some songs tend to have a rock 'n' roll feel to them, don't get put off by that as the entire album has something for everyone, whether you speak the lingo or not 'Dalaplan' is an album that is sure to get the band some well earned attention across Europe and the world. Dalaplan are poised to step into the Swedish rock 'n' roll hall of fame in the near future. Download This: "Redan Död" For Fans of: Paramore, ABBA, Elvis Presley, Ladytron 'Dalaplan' is out 18th September 2013 via Gaphals in the CD, LP and digital formats. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON KILLAFLAW 'Broken Idol' WALL OF SOUND Not being funny but Killaflaw's upcoming EP 'Broken Idol' should have been a Summer release as it packs some serious bass-line that would get even the most raving listeners of BBC Radio 1 onto the dance-floor and break-dancing, whilst at the same time the rock fans will be playing air guitar to the unmistakable Led Zeppelin influences flowing in and out of the waves of techno genius. 'Broken Idol' defines the new sound of rock 'n' rave and perhaps could spark off a whole new wave of bands adhering to this phenomenal sound. Liverpool's Killaflaw have certainly upped the game up with this new EP and evidently have proven that the musical boundaries can be taken beyond the limits. Latching together songs that wallow in the heavier side of bass and the slower side to rock 'n' roll, Killaflaw's 'Broken Idol' may well be their key to scoring appearances at Download next year... 'Broken Idol' simply leaves you gasping for more and leaves you totally speechless. Now PUMP UP THE NOIZE LADS! For Fans of: The Prodigy, Led Zeppelin, The Chemical Brothers 'Broken Idol' is out 4th November 2013 via Wall of Sound Records [10] RHYS STEVENSON BLEAK FALLS 'The Grass Gets No Greener' The artwork might be gruesome but that just sums up the vileness of Bleak Falls' upcoming EP 'The Grass Gets No Greener', make no mistake about it this Sussex balaclava lot will hurt your hearing with their highly propulsive and energetic concoction of Melodic Hardcore and merciless Alternative Metal, furthermore if you were to take a pinch of salt from the seaside resort of Worthing and sprinkle it over this tight musical unit, you have something that will almost certainly cause heads to turn in the coming year or so. 'The Grass Gets No Greener' implies that their music is wedged in the atmosphere of perhaps Doom Metal and having a rather emotional state, thus taking the warmth out of the listener before injecting the sound of Bleak Falls becoming a nationally recognized band, the storm has just begun... For Fans of: Cancer Bats, Terror, Deftones 'The Grass Gets No Greener' is out 18th November through all digital stores. [8] RHYS STEVENSON VULGARRITY 'Funkeology' DOG HILL The concept of having relatives in a project or band is not new, look at The Jackson 5, the BeeGees, etc, but to have a brother and sister in one project is not usually heard of. However what Shawn and Tracy Garrity do here is a similar concept to that of Australian industrialists Angelspit, two minds, two forces, two sounds molded into one. Their third album 'Funkeology' released early January this year shines brightly with the dual two-tone coming from both the rock and industrial backgrounds, think Led Zeppelin meeting Fear Factory, you get the picture. 'Funkeology' is taking alternative rock to newer heights and making it a far more adventurous, with the sound of a thousand cyber-beats pummeling away at any one time with the riffs and drums riding solo like two hells angels riding their Harley-Davidsons along to this phenomenal sound all the way down Route 66. Download This: "Middle Finger Machine Gun" For Fans of: Led Zeppelin, Rage Against The Machine, Fear Factory, Alice In Chains [8] RHYS STEVENSON UNDER HEAVEN 'Nocturnes For The Divine & The Damned' RAVENHEART Once again the Canadian duet between Matthew Binks and Tammy Everett comes clashing together in a magical explosion of drama, music and elegance. Embracing the darkess with their second album 'Nocturnes For The Divine & The Damned', Under Heaven summon their sensational sound once again and delinquently deliver a performance reminiscent of many scenes in the Phantom of the Opera film. Wielding together the beauty of classical with the solidarity of metal, topping it with a dusting of new age and sprinkling industrial beats into the background, this album is a must have for any music fan. Crafted ideally to lay down and fall asleep to or ultimately drive home to after a rough and tough day at work or the gym, 'Nocturnes For The Divine & The Damned' by Under Heaven is the sound of the upcoming Autumn and Winter, when the fires are lit and the cold shut out, embrace the warmth of Tammy's vocals and the calmness of Matthew's composing as time slowly ticks by. Download This: "The Ghost I Am" For Fans of: Evanescence, The Military Wives Choir, Epica, Therion. [9] RHYS STEVENSON MORDIGANS 'El Sabor De Una Taza De Te' Andorra is not really internationally known for their rock or metal music, except perhaps more recently for the metal band Persefone. So what about rock? Enter Catalan-singing quartet Mordigans with their mix of rock 'n' roll and Hard Rock, now you can jive to this music or you can place yourself at the heart of American rock 'n' roll in the 1960's, especially with the song 'I Love My Ways' sounding similar to that of Elvis Presley's 'Hound Dog'. It certainly is not the accent, but what makes this band all the unique is that they deliver a sound that is sure to get any classic rock fans bone tickled. 'El Sabor De Una Taza De Te' is the latest album by Mordigans and it goes without hitch saying that this release will be loved by those of the Spanish-speaking communities. However if they were to enter the Eurovision, their chances of success are relatively good, they are that good. 'El Sabor De Una Taza De Te' is a sensational release that will get Andorra dancing. Download This: "Matador" For Fans of: AC/DC, Elvis Presley, Queen, Radio Futura [9] RHYS STEVENSON CHASING SKINS 'Chasing Skins' Romanian Alternative / Electro Rockers Chasing Skins make their first move by dropping their debut self-titled album loaded with a sound that speaks a thousand volumes, just thinking about how Gothic Transylvania is and how this band can easily have the soundtrack to a modern version of Dracula, perhaps a Tim Burton adaptation? But regarding the album 'Chasing Skins', it glistens with the elements of synth riding on the classic sounds of rock music and whilst the vocals seem to do the commandments on this album, the music itself delightfully follows in behind to create an album that whilst is unique, it lacks that final panache in respect to the almost Industrial sound it tends to drag in. None the less it is a decent enough album that ought to garner some attention across the European continent. Download This: "Use Me" For Fans of: The Human League, The Rasmus, H.I.M. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON ERILAZ 'Black God Of The Hunt' DANSE MACABRE What with the Gothic traits bleeding out of the heart of the Finnish alternative music scene, it was only a matter of time before the latest installment in the EBM / Industrial style was instated, entering the 4th dimension is Erilaz with their sensational debut album 'Black God Of The Hunt', poised as a sonorous mix of Nine Inch Nails, Das Ich and the rudimentary classic elements of Beethoven wafting around the background, 'Black God Of The Hunt' was always going to be an album that spits fire, seeps ice cold atmospherics and radiates musical nuclear fall out. From start to finish, Erilaz conduct the elements so well that they form a sound that shall captivate a whole new audience. Elaborately binding a plethora of electronic music styles to the hard-hitting force of Metal music, 'Black God Of The Hunt' is definitely the sound of the forthcoming Winter, the inevitable cold and bitter darkness beckons... Download This: "Kuolema Sinut Tänä Syksynä Korjaa" For Fans of: KMFDM, Das Ich, Frontline Assembly, 'Suomi IDM' [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON BRIGHT YOUNG PEOPLE 'Liberties + Woe' It's always a pleasure to recognize unique talent when it comes around, this time the spotlight shines on North Western rock scamps Bright Young People, whose upcoming single 'Liberties + Woe' glimmers with the old style Nirvana teen spirit and a wallowing between heavy pop rock and indie rock, whatever you want to call it this trio are sure to become a favorite amongst the Brit rock sphere, 'Liberties + Woe' carries a whole armada of catchy riffs, hooks, vocals and drum beats that would make 1960's, 70's rock come back to life once again. With two tracks that sit on opposite fence posts in the whole soft rock style, the upcoming single will almost certainly get these lads some well earned attention. Subtle hints of The Clash and Muse seem to drift in and out of the shadows on the premier track 'Liberties', but it is down to the listener to catch on to where those hints are. For Fans of: Iggy Pop, Nirvana, Muse 'Liberties + Woe' is out 28th October via Evil People [8] RHYS STEVENSON STEAK 'Corned Beef Colossus' Early assumptions would be that these four lads were once aspiring butchers until their selection of luxury meats were found to contain 100% horse meat in them, then again that's nothing for Londoners Steak as they unleash their latest serving of Stoner Rock in the form of their EP 'Corned Beef Colossus', a juicy and crunchy rocking sound that will get anyone off their feet and doing air guitar movements oppan gangnam style. Besides the intentional puns, 'Corned Beef Colossus' is a decent enough release that should appeal to a myriad of rock and metal fans alike, featuring a host of slick riffs that gently glide over the percussion and over rough, thick bass tunes whilst the vocals deliver the all important final blow, listeners in the end should consider themselves mince meat. Download This: "Acid Dave" [8] RHYS STEVENSON DEAD CULT DIARIES 'The World Is Too Small' WARNER MUSIC FINLAND Considered to be a breath of fresh air for the Finnish rock scene, pop punk rockers Dead Cult Diaries get down to business with their debut album 'The World Is Too Small' released back in April, what separates female-fronted five piece from the Paramore trap is that they stick to their guns and create their own phenomenal sound that can only be described as a whipped up pot of The Rasmus, Vanilla Ninja and The Birthday Massacre via the stark similarity of riffage on 'Boys And Toys' which can be likened to the intro of 'First Day of My Life' by The Rasmus. The comparison with Estonia's Vanilla Ninja derives from the heavenly angelic vocals both vocalists share, as for the link with The Birthday Massacre, simply the electronic feel here and there. All in all, 'The World Is Too Small' is a factual statement and Dead Cult Diaries is the most anticipated Finnish rock export since the glory days of HIM, The 69 Eyes and The Rasmus. Download This: "The Story's Over" For Fans of: The Rasmus, HIM, Vanilla Ninja, The Birthday Massacre, Evarane [9] RHYS STEVENSON MEKA-NISM 'The Dance At The End Of The World' FU RECORDS When it comes round to mixing different music styles to create something it can be a tricky business, but bands like Meka-nism make light work of it, instead they lauded the foundations of metal and rock music with a plethora of different elements including electronic music, opera, Japanese pop, folk, etc etc - basically experimental music. 'The Dance At The End Of The World' serves well as the band's latest release and explodes in a radioactive spectrum of colorful sounds, from the blackness of the evil vocals that drive the red-hot riffs and drumbeats, whilst the icy blue chilling atmosphere serves well for the green fading away on the heart monitor, after all this Floridian four-piece are the more softer and sharper kind than their fellow countrymen Deadstar Assembly, none the less it's a breath of fresh air. Download This: "Tyranny Reigns" For fans of: Ayria, Exilia, Deluhi, Alien Vampires [8] RHYS STEVENSON KAMIKAZE TEST PILOTS 'Kamikaze Test Pilots' English / Zimbabwean rockers Kamikaze Test Pilots sounded off last year with their highly anticipated debut self-titled album. Mixing together different elements taken from the Hard Rock, Punk Rock and Heavy metal music styles, the four piece (now three piece) fuse together a unique sound of traditional Zimbabwean rock with the brutality of the English metal. 'Kamikaze Test Pilots' takes listeners on a magical and bizarre journey that cannot be felt elsewhere, talk about ethnic music. This is a music style that no one else has ever mustered, think of the ragga style of Skindred being mixed with the traditional African music, you get the idea. A truly cosmopolitan release that should appeal to rock fans everywhere. Download This: "Dinosaur" [7.] RHYS STEVENSON THIS DEVASTATED FAN 'Plot & Debauchery' Hailing from the North-West, Alternative rockers This Devastated Fan made light work of conjuring up a winning score for their third album 'Plot & Debauchery', squeezing out a delinquent array of melodies and sensational sounds that shows similarities with bands like Placebo and Biffy Clyro, whilst inevitably caressing and harnessing their own style of powerful rock. 'Plot & Debauchery' is a soundtrack that speaks more than a thousand words and illuminates up as one of those releases that should be in any rock fan's collection. An essential classic sits right here and has a lot of elegance going on that smothers the production so nicely, it sets the tone for future as a bright and prosperous one. Download This: "Barricade" For Fans of: Biffy Clyro, Muse, The Horrors and Placebo [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON WHERE THE SKELETONS PLAY 'Blue Serotonin' Let's be honest if you're looking for a duo that look like they come from Hollywood Undead, play music that would be apt on The Matrix soundstrack or have riffs that would be associated with a Nu Metal band and develops an atmosphere of eternal bliss, chances are Where The Skeletons Play are your right choice. Their latest effort 'Blue Serotonin' demolishes the rules set in stone and plays rock their own way, dragging into it a feeling of calmness and tranquility, which in hindsight is hard to do as rock is meant to be energetic, but this London duo do the exact opposite. It's the sort of music you could listen to and fall asleep too much more easily and without the need for sleeping pills. So on a dark night Where The Skeletons Play, a specific type of Blue Serotonin may be available... a blue pill. Download This: "Perspex Queen" For Fans of: Deftones, NIN, Razorlight [8] RHYS STEVENSON PAABEL 'Üle Järve' Now this is something different, imagine this: mixing the traditional music elements of your home nation with contemporary music and then producing it as one musical masterpiece. Such a music group is Paabel who hail from Estonia, their 2012 album 'Üle Järve' is enriched with the classical sounds of traditional Estonian music with lashes of rock, folk and ballads. Funnily enough it is the sort of music that you could easily drive to, fall asleep to, you know easy listening? With some songs having an upbeat feel to them whilst others simply (with the beautiful aid of the Estonian language) sooth and calm the mind, leaving a tranquil emotion behind in the listener's repertoire. Paabel may as well be one of a kind, but even so they are an absolute delight to listen to if you like the softer side of folk and rock, 'Üle Järve' is an absolute essential for those who love soft music. Download This: "Kosjalaul" For Fans of: Gregorian, Eluveitie, Tyr, Dropkick Murphy's [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON FUCKSHOVEL 'This Is What We Are' Is this the Sex Pistols reincarnated? It would seem that way, well yeah Fuckshovel might as well be haha. Here we have their epic debut album 'This Is What We Are', a solid display of ballsy punk rock that would get the holiest of priests blaspheming all the way down to the pub, for proper holy water, er-hem. The great thing about the album and indeed this band is that both don't follow the Sum 41 root, that watered down version of punk rock aka pop punk, they stick to their guns and let the bullets do the talking, shredding out riffs and shrapnel-like vocals like no tomorrow. Given due that it took around three years for the first album to see the light, it was well worth the wait and at the same time the band have managed to prove themselves as proper modern punk rockers, 'This Is What We Are' has the middle finger written all over it. Download This: 'Black' For Fans of: Sex Pistols, Pantera, The Clash [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON BLACK MAGIC SIX 'Brutal Blues' You would need to be bloody drunk to appreciate this music, sure Black Magic Six are a decent enough Punk rock duo, but the verses in the lyrics are so damn repetitious, they need not to learn each song! 'Brutal Blues' is the latest offering by the Finnish two-piece and quite frankly, it's a little bit of a mockery at times when there are far more better bands out there that sound greater, perhaps it's ones opinion but the overall feeling from this release is utter disappointment. Credit for the attempt but for the overall product to actually reach a reasonable level, this duo would have needed double studio time just to adjust the corrections! [4] RHYS STEVENSON SOUNDS & SCENARIOS
'Teenage Tendencies' Pop punk these days seems to be as common as emo and scene girls, they are everywhere. But it's always the first wave that are the best, just ask Sounds & Scenarios. The Northamptonshire pop punk boys deal justice with their latest release 'Teenage Tendencies', it takes the very essence of early pop punk bands to the modern day and keeps the true sound going. Bouncy beats form the basis for the guitars to layer a happy smacking of riffs in time with the vocals. 'Teenage Tendencies' is a release that should put Sounds & Scenarios on the map, how long before Kerrang! sniff this lot out is anyone's guess, but they certainly are that sort of material, you can see this lot at Download in years to come. Download This: "A Girl I Know" For Fans of: Sum 41, Bowling For Soup, Busted, Mallory Knox [8] RHYS STEVENSON DARK SHADOWS '11:11' '11:11' might be the time that the release was finished at, whether it was or not it is a gracious album that crosses every T and dots every I in the Post Punk / Gothic Rock chambers. The band behind the blast is Dark Shadows, hailing from Australia this trio take the old school sounds of Bauhaus and The Cure and weave a new sound to the masses. Engineered to epic levels, '11:11' is a classic example that the old ways are usually the best and in this case Dark Shadows do well to prove this to be the truth. In fact, fans of Siousxie & The Banshees may well relate to this lot more than the Bauhaus fans, but that is anyone's guess. Salient point behind this luscious release is that has enough vibrating energy to capture a whole new audience. Download This: "Blame" [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON EVA JADE LANDON 'Evalution' SHE'S TROUBLE Electro-pop / Power Pop Music is usually a goldmine and when artists like Eva Jade Landon come storming out of the underground with such a level of creativity that eclipses the likes of Carla Rae Jepsen and Lady Gaga, you know something is coming. The latest release 'Evalution' is a non-stop torrent of electric music that would get anyone on the dance floor, raving and ripping out all of life's worries on a Friday or Saturday night. If the release was a freshers week, Eva Jade Landon would be the one tipping plenty of different sounds into the mix to end up with a cocktail that is deserving of mainstream attention. 'Evalution' carries everything one would want for a dance anthem soundtrack, even so it would seem doubtful that she will go quietly and as a result Europe better be prepared for what can be dubbed as the next greatest electro-pop export from the USA. This is more than a musical evolution, this is a musical 'Evalution'. Download This: "Walk Away" [9.5] RHYS STEVENSON MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE 'Halloween Music Collection' Perhaps this maybe the ideal soundtrack or soundtracks to a horror or Gothic fiction franchise, sure not on the scale of the Saw heptology but in essence Dracula, Van Helsing and the like. In fact, Midnight Syndicate of whom are a duo from Ohio, create an atmosphere that circulates the darkened surroundings found when listening, so much so this would be ideal to listen to on a ghost hunt or when camping out near a graveyard as most goths would agree this music is exceptionally unique and utmost emotionally connected to personal feelings and the like. 'Halloween Music Collection' is a twenty-two track filled release that will keep many mesmerized for a long, long time and overall is an essential for those who like the old style of Gothic music, stretching back to Gothic church music. Download This: "Awakening" [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON ARMONIGHT 'Tales From The Heart' RAVENHEART MUSIC The Italian musicians love their Gothic music, it is as if they were born to be goths or at least dress like them and play music relating to the subculture. No wonder then when sextet Armonight unleash a torrent of darkened melodies via their release 'Tales From The Heart', they do so with a sensational outburst of angelic vocals, blade-swiping riffs and solid drumming, all of which together add up to develop an atmosphere that could be likened to bands such as Evanescence and Lacuna Coil. This is what you call heavenly music and bodes the band well, as they are sure to garner greater attention over the next few years as they share with the listener, the stories and 'Tales From The Heart' that binds this band together. Download This: "When You See Me Cry" [9] RHYS STEVENSON THE DROPPER'S NECK 'Second Coming' Essex in recent times has had a sudden upsurge of rock bands from all strains of the music virus, so when a bunch of lads known as The Dropper's Neck set sail to release their debut album 'Second Coming', much is riding on this release. What strikes immediately is the inescapable fact of them owning their own sound and not a recycled clump of 'been-there-done-it' music. Call it Alternative Punk Rock but with a few added twists here and there, such as similarities to bands like The Horrors and bizarrely the vocals draw comparisons with the late 70's Gothic rock era, namely the Bauhaus song 'Bela Lugosi's Dead'. But as standard the album is sure to turn heads as this lot are certainly Download Festival material (let's hoping they're paying attention). For Fans of: QOTSA, Pulled Apart By Horses, Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster 'Second Coming' is out Monday 29th July 2013 via major outlets. [8] RHYS STEVENSON ...SOIHADTO... '...soihadto...' PFC Besides a really bizarre name, the Baltimore boys finally unleashed their self-titled album. What comes with it is a rather inexplicable event, basically it's experimental rock but without any experimentation as such, confusing eh? '...soihadto...' can be labelled as one of those albums (and bands) that somehow do not know where they want to go with their music, regardless of how clean and organized the finished production is, the band are all over the place. On the other hand it would seem that benefits this lot to the core, but sadly as a result it lacks elements of class and so whilst the band have deservedly crafted a decent enough album, it is not cutting edge and nor is it anything special, just another album. Download This: "Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso" [5.5] RHYS STEVENSON UNDER HEAVEN 'What Lies Between' RAVENHEART Reminiscing of the bygone chamber opera music era is easier said than done, unless of course you are indulging in Canada's Under Heaven and their latest album 'What Lies Between'. Silencing the darkness and harnessing a symphonic sound has not proven to be much of a challenge for the duo, even if the elaborate background sounds of the violin and Spanish guitar adds a unique style to the framework laid out by these two musicians. This is no Within Temptation, no Epica or no other Symphonic Gothic Metal band that sounds anything like the aforementioned two bands, no Under Heaven are in their own league and with 'What Lies Between' firmly set to get them some well earned attention, this could be Canada's finest hour. Download This: "Behind The Shadows" [8] RHYS STEVENSON CARTEL 'Collider' LAB The instant feeling that this could be the sound of the summer is already on the tongues of many people, well for starters Cartel employ that specific style of rock that would go down well playing on a stereo whilst working on a sun tan or having a garden party. In fact 'Collider' the band's fourth release exploits the bouncier and more chilling side to rock as to set the tone for what could be their best release to date. Spewing out a myriad of influences, Cartel are priming themselves to take their calming rock music to greater heights and are sure to grab the attention of more people along the way, what separates this quartet from the other pop rock all-male bands out there is that they keep the listener on their toes as the unexpected drops every seconds. 'Collider' is out 20th May 2013 via LAB Records [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON ESCAPE THE FATE 'Ungrateful' ELEVEN SEVEN MUSIC Take Escape The Fate as a ten-legged machine as they simply do not slow down, preparing to unleash their best album to date, the American Post-Hardcore suave experts return to the core that made this band what they are today. Catchy riffs embedded on a funky rhythm that would make bands like Guns 'N' Roses listen up, whilst at the same time the vocals command a whole new sound, powerful cleans and mind-blowing growls that tussle for control against the eccentric harmonics erupting from the erotically charged guitars and sublimely inserted auto-tune snippets. If this is not the soundtrack of the summer, it is without any doubt the soundtrack that Escape The Fate will live on by, 'Ungrateful' is the TNT of Post-Hardcore and explodes on every dimension in every possible direction. Download This: "Forget About Me" 'Ungrateful' is out 13th May 2013 via Eleven Seven Music [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON WORDS
'Division Of The Masses' Wallowing in the minefield of Post-Hardcore wannabes, are a group Californian gold miners by the name of Words. Sure the vocals at times are not completely related to Post-Hardcore and more or less sometimes stray into Melodic Hardcore as a result. But here we have the EP 'Division Of The Masses' which the product of Words and words are exactly what will be said after music lovers clock up this EP. The saddening thing is that there are points where one would expect harsh vocals to be at but they fail to materialize and so in some parts of the songs, the momentum is lost. Overall the EP is a valiant effort, but with some tweaking and fine restructuring, Words could become a potential for breaking out into the international scene. [6] RHYS STEVENSON |
Please follow Global Mainstream Arts (https://globalmainstreamarts.weebly.com/) from now on as this website will cover all non-metal music.
© 2011-2022
|