((Catch Up))

The Christmas laziness seems to have struck many of my friends and family so I turn to music to entertain me. I have been listening to alot of new stuff over the past week or so and below is a short round up the band that caught my ear....If that makes any sense.

Tonight, We Dance!

Dont confuse these guys with the same named band minus the ! as these guy are far better. They play a mix of hardcore, electronica and indie rock. They could be likened to Rolo Tomassi but with less synth and more guitar. They arent signed yet but just released an album entitled "Everything happen in my life scared me"... Im not if because they are italian they may have translated the title wrong or its meant to be that way but Its a sweet album.

Ladytron

These gusy have been around a while but I only just heard about them. The album I grabbed was the most recent release called "Velocifero" and although starting of with a brilliant opening track and a few good ones after it drops in quality about half way through. But that intro song is damn good.

Cloudkicker

I have been searching for an instrumental metal band for sometime and although I have come across a few they werent any good. This guy is very good though. Its a one man band all done in his bedroom but the quality is amazing. With elements of math rock  in there its not one to get bored of. There are no images of this genius so I have included some of the artwork from his release "The map is not the territory".

((A Gift From Me To You))

So there we have it folks. Christmas is gone and new years beckons, Im frightened of what the new years brings people and what its leaving behind... An array of truly great albums. This here is a list of the ones that were damn good but didn't make top ten. I recommend you at least listen to these bands if not buy the albums.

John 5 - Requiem

Lightspeed Champion - Falling Off The Lavender Bridge

Paul Gilbert - Silence Followed By A Deafening Roar

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forvever Ago

Does It Offend You Yeah? - YHNIWYAGYIT

Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles

Children Of Bodom - Bloodrunk

Annotations Of An Autopsy - Before The Throne Of Infection

Joe Satriani - Proffesor Satch

36 Crazyfists - The Tide & Its Takers.

Meshuggah - ObZen

Heaven Shall Burn - Iconoclast

Fuck Buttons - Street Horrrsing

Exit Ten - Remember The Day

Ed Banger Records Volume Three

Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires

Black Tide - Light From Above

Dead Swans - Southern Blue

Maybeshewill - Not For Want Of Trying

Avenged Sevenfold - Self Titled

SebastiAn - Remixes

Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone

Glasvegas - Glasvegas

Ratatat - LP3

Don Cabellero - Punkgasm

Destroy The Runner - I, Lucifer

Seasick Steve - I Started Out With Nothing

Producers With Computers - Volume 1.

Mr.Oizo - Lambs Anger

Mogwai - Hawk Is Howling

Out of the above list I specifically recommend Ratatat, Fuck Buttons, SebastiAn, Mr.Oizo & Maybeshewill. All of these i have enjoyed at some point in the year and although not top ten material still carried enough musical stylings to please me.

The 10 0f 2008 Part.2

Ok. Its here. The second installment of the top 10 albums of the year. It was very hard to choose these and order them as every one was first place quality. There is still some doubt but I think this is my final decision.

5.Metallica - Death Magnetic

 This album was my most anticipated of the year as it is the first album Metallica have released since the frankly awful St.Anger. The hype was incredible, rumor had it that they had reverted to there former glory and brought the classic Metallica sound back with a vengeance. They had.

Nothing surprised more than loving this album, With tracks like Cyanide & All nightmare long reminding us what Metallica are all about and pounding riff after relentless riff into your skull this album was the savour the band needed. It felt almost like a re-debut... An apology for not being on top form recently and what an apology it is. 

4.Haunts - Haunts

 I only got into this band a few months ago and the album in question was only released a month or so ago. All of this aside this is one of the most amazing albums I have ever heard. The debut from this band astounded me and for a while I wasn't sure what to make of it. Was it good? Was it typical? No, it was amazing and worthy of a place on this list. Songs like Black Eyed girl & Breaking up are beautifully harrowing and with the noir side of this band mixed with modern sounds and brilliant lyrics this album had to come in my top 5 of 2008.

3.Late Of The Pier - Fantasy Black Channel 

 This album can do no bad in my eyes. Late of the pier are a band I have liked for a wile now and their debut was highly anticipated. So much so me and a friend arranged to meet up and listen together.It has been that album that I turn to when in need of a boost ad every song oozes happiness and fun. In particular the song "Focker" has given me the most... Those closest will understand. The synthy electro rock sound this band have sewn there signature on is amazingly unique and no matter what happens I will always love this album. Thank you Fantasy black channel.

2.Bullet For My Valentine - Scream ,Aim, Fire

 This was my hardest to place album on the list it battled for first constantly but just missed out. Bullet awed me with their first album and kept fans waiting a long time for the second. Well worth the wait though. The band had changed there sound and matured a great deal. I bought the album on the day of release and saw the band the next day, I didn't get time to listen properly but after seeing them live I knew this was an album to remember. Some of the songs are tearjerkers and some fill you with rage but all will give you something unique. Metal is suffering at the moment and Bullet, In my eyes could be the saviors. Check out songs Hearts burst into fire and Say goodnight.

                                                 

                  1.Bring Me The Horizon - Suicide Season

So here it is. The number one album of 2008. No other album gives me a feeling like this one. It fills me with passion for whatever is sung. This album wouldn't be the same if Oli Sykes wasn't the singer. He puts so much passion and anger into his vocals that its hard not to be swayed to follow every word he says. I was first hooked on this when I head the song Chelsea Smile and it blew me away. The raw energy in the song mixd with the brilliant guitar tones and drums  was unlike anything I had ever heard before. The albums couldn't come quick enough and when It did I was left gasping for air. Songs like Diamonds Arent Forever & No Need for introductions leave the mind, body and soul exhausted. I saw this band live not long ago and the live experience tops most others I have ever seen. The crowd chants and general atmosphere was so intense and I was left addicted to shouting about sleep and weak people. This album isn't for the light hearted its more for people who maybe used to be light hearted then something happened that changed that. Be warned this album isn't going to give in without a fight.

The 10 0f 2008 Part.1

Right, This is it. My top ten of 2008 Part 1. It hasn't been easy but its been done and you are about to view half of the final result, Be gentle.

10. Metronomy - Nights Out

 This album was a weird entry for me, It caught me by surprise as I had only previously listened to one or two Metronomy songs before. I downloaded this and was blown away by the avant garde electronic sound produced by just three men. The albums brilliantly epic intro and outro mixed with such classics as Radio Ladio and Heartbreaker make this one of the best electronic albums of 2008.

9. Dan Le Sac Vs. Scroobius Pip - Angles

 I wasn't really into hip hop before I fell in love with these guys. There clever and witty essex tinged rap is simply brilliant. I went to see them live when I had only heard 2 or 3 songs but there live show was amazing, I was counting down the time until the album. It is one of the best debuts I have heard in a while and defiantly one of the most controversial. Highlights are Fixed, Waiting for the beat to kick in and Thou shalt always kill.

8.Rolo Tomassi - Hysterics

 Rolo Tomassi crept on to the scene with a few Ep's that gained recognition from a range of magazines from NME to Metal Hammer, Clearly these guys were ones to watch. Described as not indie enough for indie kids and not metal enough for metal kids they filled a gap that needed to be bridged. Debut album Hysterics filled it perfectly with energy filled songs like Abraxas and Scabs that are filled with 8 bit synth sounds, hardcore guitar rhythms and a women's guttural demonic screams no one was sure what to make of them, All i made of them was that Hysterics was a damn good album.

7. Bloc Party - Intimacy 

  Being one of the few people who really adored Bloc Party's second album I was in high hopes for Intimacy. It was released very abruptly by Bloc Party and you were able to but it on download way before it was released, I couldn't wait and grabbed it as soon as I could. I knew I was in for something special when the first song "Ares" kicked in and Kele's voice sent shivers up my spine. This album has such a unique sound that i found it very hard to place I wasn't sure wether to place it first or last. Tracks that get me going are Talons, Trojan Horse & Mercury.

6. You Slut! - Critical Meat

 After a friend showed me thestrangely titled song "Mybloodyjesusexploreronfire" by this brilliantly named group I knew I was on to something special. I heard they had released an album a few months before and did my very best to purchase it.As they were unknown it was harder than expected but I managed and wow what an album. Entirely instrumental Critical Meat is way ahead of the game with plenty in the songs to justify not having lyrics. The whole album flows into one brilliantly crafted masterpiece with riff after relentless riff pounding into you. Highlights are On the count of 13 & Mybloodyjesusexploreronfire. I await more from this band.

Well thats it, Now all thats left is my top 5 of 2008. I am eager to get writing on them but I will take a break and think long and hard about my choices.

((Worship))

Credit for this post goes to Electrorash & Disco Dust.

Worship is an Electro artist from Switzerland whose obvious main influence is Kavinsky. Very unknown at this point in time Worship creates epic 80' synth anthems that could easily soundtrack a movie. I mean just look at that artwork!

He recently released  a set of three songs in a similar form of Justice's Planisphere as in there are 3 parts to this set. They are brilliant pieces of electro genius that make you want to get into the dolorian from back to the future and find the nearest hoverboard. 

I hope Worship gets the credit he deserves as few artist's creating this sort of music are any good, But Worship is defiantly one of them.

Worship - Ritual Action (The Dome Part2).mp3

Check out Worship's other stuff at:http://www.myspace.com/worshipyourself

//Behold//

I seem to attract odd bands at the moment and the one I'm about to introduce is no exception.

Insert Disc are very unknown two piece from Texas who by the looks and sound of things don't take themselves seriously at all. They have mixed insane electro synth arpeggios and melody's with the drumming from what sounds like cubase mixed with Slayer.

I know, I know this sound stupid and in theory it probably is but the music isn't that bad. The drums need sorting out but all in all its pretty good stuff.

I understand where the creators are coming from. I enjoy both heavy heavy metal and electro so its nice to see some sort of decent combination.

Note: The caption to the above picture was "Zomg cliched metal logo where you cant read WTF the band name is..... But at least its the color of Kirby LOLOL"

Insert Disc - Kupwn.mp3

Haunts - Haunts

Its taken me a while to come to review this album as I have been busy with college work and other tasks at the moment but it is now time to do this album justice.

I first got wind of Haunts when I downloaded the album and was blown away by the production and amazing sound that the band has produced as a debut, I couldn't wait until the release date so I could purchase a copy.

The self titled album opens up with "London's Burning" which was released on Halloween as an album teaser and gives you a taste of Haunts new wave/rock sound. One thing you notice is Banks' (Lead Singer) voice, It takes a while to grow on you but I think it has similar properties to that of Johnny Cash's voice, Very bland and low but somehow very appealing.

The second track is titled "Underground" and is a brilliant mix of catchy one liners and haunting (Excuse the pun) synth sounds.

My personal highlight of this album is the very mellow "Breaking Up" which is a simple song that really does put you in a spot of breaking up with someone you love, even if your not or never have been in that position. Its complex and peaceful guitar line underlining Banks' voice is a masterpiece and when the drums come in the song finally feels complete, then the ending leaves you exhausted and tired as if you have just witnessed something epic.

This album really took me by surprise  and its not often I find an entire album I enjoy, Haunts have blown me away with their debut and Im left begging for more, Im hoping you will be to.

Haunts - Breaking Up.mp3

News From The World Of John 5

John 5 has been keeping quite for the past few months but it seems the rule of the bus applies, You wait for ages and 2 come along at once.

Scheduled for release later this year is John 5's remix album "Remixploitation" and his 2nd instructional DVD entitled "Behind The Player" both of which have been only just been announced on his website.

The DVD is much more about John's time with Rob Zombie and features appearances from John's band that he used on his solo albums.

Unfortunatly that is all I know at this point in time but we are promised more information soon so I will post back here. Featured above is the promotional artwork for John's remix album.

Producers With Computers - Volume 1.

To be blunt with you for some reason I couldn't review this But I love it.

So its £6 for 21 tracks all with witty and surprisingly true lyrics, Worth buying without a doubt.

Highlights include a feature from Scroobius Pip, three amazing remixes (Hey Arthur theme tune, Toy Story theme tune and Summer of 98 by The Secret Handshake) and a dubstep song that uses samples from Anchorman.

Producers With Computers - Colon Bracket.mp3

Producers With Computers - Put Your Hood Up.mp3

Mr.Oizo - Lambs Anger

Having only encountered Mr.Oizo opening 2 of the 3 Ed Banger compilations I was interested to hear his solo work. For some reason I assumed this was Mr.Oizo's first album but that is far from the truth, In fact he has released 4 albums and 7 EP's Making him one of the most active members of the Ed Banger crew.

Lambs Anger Opens with "Hun" which introduces you to Mr.Oizo's avant-garde electro sound, With his characteristic weird electronic vocals featuring constantly throughout the album you get your first snippet in Hun with "This is me again, Mr.Oizo. Your about to hear a collection of recorded stuff. Some are good, some are bad, some are just ok. Turn Of The light, read a book... you are ready". Now I dont know about you but when I first heard that it was pretty epic.

Next we have "Pourriture 2" which is much easier to listen to as it has a heavy electro vibe and despite another strange intro is actually a very good song.

But what has come through as a clean favorite for me is "Z". Although not the best titled track on the album (Others include Bruce Willis Is Dead, Gay Dentists and Cut Dick) it is one of the strangest and best. With dissonant synth heavy lines and simple but effective drum beats. You dont wether to love it or hate it. 

I got this album purely out of interest and Mr.Oizo hasn't disappointed, This album is a strange one but none the less a good one.

Mr.Oizo - Z

Destroy The Runner - I, Lucifer

Good new metal bands seem to be few and far between at the moment and with the influx of electro at the moment it seems my love for this dark and heavy genre is waning. But Destroy The Runner have given me a glimpse of hope, with there melodic metalcore sound they produce heavy yet pleasing music mixing distorted guitars and vocal growls with melodic singing and clean interludes.

I, Lucifer is the bands debut album and as debuts go its pretty good. They did release one other album before this it was with a different singer and so the band see this as their first release.

The album opens with the strangely titled "Crumbs For The Murder" which isn't anything special but defiantly showcases the bands sound and sets you up with some brilliant melodic breakdowns.

Second we have "Isabella's" which for those of you who don't like screaming is a good place to start as the harsh vocals are minimal and the guitars are easy on the ears. For me the standout track was hard to decide as most of the songs are pretty good and although sounding all the same are still very different if that makes any sense. But none the less I deem "Its Always Colder In Paris" as my favorite track, The drums are relentless, the guitars heavy but soulful and the vocals although leaning a bit too much towards the pop side of things are pretty good.

Its not an album that blows all others out the water but its still pretty good.

Destroy The Runner - Its Always Colder In Paris

Bring Me The Horizon - Suicide Season

Anyone who has listened to Bring Me The Horizon's earlier work will tell you Suicide Season is very different, It has a much more mature sound to it and has defiantly progressed from the E.P. and In my opinion the new sound is 100 times better than before.

Bring Me The Horizon's fanbase has been growing ever since the release of the bands debut E.P "This Is What The Edge Of Your Seat Is Made For" and although most of the admirer's aren't very reputable characters this doesn't stop the band being brilliant.

The Comedown is the opening track and is the first single which is hard to understand as it isn't the strongest track but nonetheless it shows you how the band have progressed, Next is Chelsea Smile which in my opinion is the best track on the album. The riffs are simple but relentless with plenty of machine gun picking to keep you happy, this combined with Oli Syke's new vocal approach and the oddly fitting electronic drum breakdown gives you 5 unforgettable 5 minutes.

Other highlights from Suicide Season Include Diamonds Aren't Forever which  features catchy chants from the band and lyrics that you will muttering for days. If you hadn't heard about it Oli's was accused of urinating on a groupie's face and she later took him to court where he was denied all charges, Oli has reacted to this by releasing a minutes worth of anger in the brilliantly titled "Now Need Introductions, I Have Read About Girls Like You On The Back Of Toilet Doors" Which features the line "And After Everything You Put Me Through, I Should Have Fucking Pissed On You"... You can hear the anger in his voice, Its terrifying.

I expected alot from Suicide Season and it has delivered, Truly a great album from a band that are only just coming into their own.

P.S Brilliant artwork aswell.

Bring Me The Horizon - No Need For Introductions

Rolo Tomassi - Hysterics [Joint Reveiw]

Written by Me and CC of 2STEPSFORWARD4STEPSBACK

It takes a force of 2 to review an album as mental as this. We are of course talking about 'Hysterics', the debut album from Sheffield based Rolo Tomassi. It's hard to believe their widely recognised self-titled EP was released two years ago, as the band themselves are still pretty young. Now with their first full length, they can really show what they're made of - and they haven't disappointed. Previous releases were on up and coming label Holy Roar, home to the likes of Gallows, Dananananaykroyd and the now defunct I Was A Cub Scout. But this was released on Hassle, where Rolo Tomassi truly are the cat among the pigeons. And the pigeons are getting destroyed.

The bloodbath begins deceptively with the politely titled "Oh, Hello Ghost'. Eerie synth noises lure you in, as singer Eva Spence begins to haunt with a soft lullaby. But when the bassline joins her, you know that something terrifying is coming. It breaks open 1 and a half minutes in, with heavy guitars and crashing drums. Schoolyard chants come in, with help from brother James Spence. Then with 30 seconds left, Eva's demonic growls make their first appearance with "When you come to point your finger you'll find three are pointing back". Yes, we had to check to booklet. It's an epic opener. A highlight for both us has to be 'Abraxas', coming on like a full horror movie, in just 2 minutes 20. Orchestral jabs greet the breakdown as furious synth and a crash cymbal completely alter the tempo. It's amazing to hear, and makes you wonder how they ever wrote it.

'An Apology To The Universe' and 'Everything Went Grey' are instrumental numbers, which Rolo Tomassi do with ease. They supply breathers between Spence's onslaught, and show that the band are much more than a one trick pony. 'Macabre Charade' actually has boy/girl harmonies between the siblings that builds up into the sounds of static-electricity. The album climaxes with 'Fantasia'; probably the most all-out closer either of us has heard this year. Starting with melancholic piano, the song twists and turns through its 14 minutes like an angry sea serpent. It reaches its stride with Eva apparently arguing with herself. A young girl pleading for the other to "calm down" with a furious beast screaming back"I'M CALMED DOWN". Is she schizophrenic, possessed, or a seriously multi-talented frontwoman with something to prove?

Although 'Hysterics' isn't to everyone's taste, it's appealing to more people than any other hardcore record of the moment. The reason for this is simple; They're young, talented, and they're doing something drastically different. These 2 reviewers have very different tastes, and it takes something special to unite our praise. This has done it.

Rolo Tomassi - Abraxas

//Behold//

Whilst browsing another blog I read I came across these guys, Now I don't usually like most of the artists recommended by this particular blog but I felt drawn to Outrun.

Outrun are an Australian electro-pop band who sound like they came straight out of the 80's, which makes sense as the are aptly named after a classic driving game from the 80's era. They use game sounds, heavy synth lines and the occasional electro drum loop to pack one hell of a vintage punch.

With three members Outrun sounds bigger than they actually are, Lead vocalist Dan Preston's voice isn't in anyway stunning but you really do get enthralled by it. Every synth line is catchy and unforgettable and I expect their debut album (Out on the 18th October) to be brilliant.

Imagine Metronomy but with a more electro vibe.

Outrun - Neuromancer

Metallica - Death Magnetic

Its always hard to review an album you have been waiting a long time for.

I have been waiting 5 years for this.

At 11:37 am on Thursday the 11th of September I discovered that HMV had started selling Death Magnetic a few days early, At this point I asked a friend to escort me to my nearest place of purchase for support if they had sold out.

But they hadn't and I bought the digi-pack for £12.99, It was the best £12.99 I have ever spent.

This album had alot riding on it, It was the make or break for many Metallica fans as the founders of metal needed to create something special to make up for St.Anger. They have done it, even as a fan I didn't believe it could be done. But it has.

Death Magnetic opens with what sounds like a heartbeat and then a simple mellow guitar riff comes in...then BANG, Metallica are back with an amazing riff, a new sound and proper guitar solo's. Everything about the next 1 hour and 20 minutes is brilliant metal, Metallica have gone and done what was expected of them after ...And Justice For All. The major comeback for me is that of Kirk's guitar solo's, With a distinct lack on St.Anger and a few fiddly bits on the two Load albums that couldn't really be called solo's the fast and furious sound of Kirk's fingers are back soaked in Wah and mind numbingly good.

The best song is this 10 track masterpiece is without a doubt All Nightmare Long, With its catchy chorus, Arabian sounding intro and machine gun picking verse its a classic Metallica track.

All I have left to say is that this is possibly my worst review ever, I haven't really reviewed Death Magnetic as such I have just kept saying how amazing it is over and over again. But I cant help it, its just that good.

P.S I have put up the second best track on the album as I don't want you hearing the best track and thinking that it doesn't get any better and not buying the album.

Metallica-The Day That Never Comes

Born Of Osiris - The New Reign

I was lucky enough to go to the Summer Slaughter tour this year and whent only really to see As blood runs black & Annotations of an autopsy but I came out liking three bands, the third being Born Of Osiris.

They simply blew me away, every member looked completely insane in that way that hannibal does...All in the eyes.

I came home and downloaded their album and instantly loved it. This chicago based 6 piece have been known under 4 names in the past and only settled on Born Of Osiris  in 2007 and got signed pretty much instantly only to release their debut album a few months later.

What an album it is, Opening with the song "Rosecrance" you are blasted away by just how heavy and relentless this band are. Vocalist Ronnie Canizaro has a brilliantly brutal voice and the best track to hear this on is without a doubt "Bow Down" which aptly opens with the lines "Fucking Bow Down".

Some of the guitar work on this album is breathtaking, Its hard to mix complex guitar lines and heavy riffs together without straying into the realms of Dillinger Escape Plan etc. but Born Of Osiris have done it, and well.

I highly recommend this album to anyone who is a fan of As Blood Runs Black,Suicide Silence and other such metalcore/death metal bands.

Born Of Osiris - Bow Down

Planisphere

Just when you wonder if Justice are ever going to create some new original material and stop doing remixes they go and throw this at you. When asked to create the music for the Dior Homme fashion show Justice came up with what they call "Planisphere". With 4 parts to this epic soundtrack Justice have given us a taste of the direction they are going in. One of the most controversial parts to these electro tracks is the lengthy guitar solo in part four which shows Justice's more rock side.

Justice have also announced the release of a live album in November entitled "Justice A Cross The World".

I am holding my breath.

Justice - Planisphere Part 1

Metronomy - Nights Out

Nights Out, Metronomy's second album has been described as the modern day thriller and that is one hell of a expectation to live up to, But in my opinion Nights out is far better than Thriller ever was...But I'm bound to be biased as Thriller was before my time.

"Nights Intro" opens the 12 track album up with low electronic groans and a detuned guitar that gives a very wonky feel to the song. On the first listen you really are put off by all these odd sounds you are hearing but when the second track "The End Of You Too" kicks in it all starts to make sense and "Nights Intro" couldn't have been a stronger opening track. "The End Of You Too" is another instrumental that throws Metronomys sound into your face and prepares you for what you are about to hear from such brilliant tracks as Radio Ladio, A Thing For Me & Heartbreaker.

One of my favorite tracks from the album is My Heart Rate Rapid which is quirky, exciting & catchy. With such a repetitive little riff and minimal lyrics you wonder how it can be such a brilliant track but just because a riff is repetitive doesn't mean its bad, in this case I want to hear more of it, I want more of that strange synth sound that surrounds the guitar and more harmonized singing to give it the edge. A Truly stunning track.

Night Out does exactly what it set out to do, Give people something fresh and strange to listen to without resorting to mind-numbing repetition or distorted unlikeable sounds.

9

Metronomy - My Heart Rate Rapid

((Changing))

It seems that my recent disappointment with my As level results shows im not suited for average college, But my results did show that I am suited for a music college. So now I am applying for BIMM and need to be damn good at guitar so here is another list of what I have been learning to get my playing up to scratch.

Metallica - One : Its thats song that everyone learns the intro to and doesn't go any further, Im going further.

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/m/metallica/one_tab.htm

Bring Me The Horizon - Traitors Never Play Hangman : Thanks to the bands new song "Chelsea Smile" they have got my interest.

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/b/bring_me_the_horizon/traitors_never_play_hangman_tab.htm

Still Remains - Stay Captive : After hearing a rare B-side from the bands final album I went back and re-learned this piece.

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/s/still_remains/stay_captive_tab.htm

Maybeshewill - Not For Want Of Trying

After hearing You Slut!'s debut album and being blown away by instrumental bands I had to go searching for more. On my searches I found Maybeshewill a Leicester based instrumental rock group that had released an album earlier this year entitled "Not For Want Of Trying"...I was intrigued.

After listening to the album I decided It was pretty good. I didn't think anything could top "Critical Meat", and this didn't...but it came pretty damn close.

Opening with the strangely titled song "Ixnay On The Autoplay" Not for want of trying sets of at a mellow pace that falsely leads you to believe them to be something their not, as when "Seraphim & Cherubim" kicks in you understand why they have been compared to You Slut! and Mogwai. This track is a masterpiece of interesting and intense guitar riffs mixed with simple but affective drumming.

The band have been known to use electro style drums and patterns in their songs and the best example of this is possibly "We called for an ambulance but a fire engine came" which displays a heavier side of Maybeshewill and leads into a almost SebastiAn style heavy electro ending.

This album isn't as good as "Critical Meat"...But it isn't far off, Good things await this band and the ever growing instrumental rock scene.

Maybeshewill - The Paris Hilton Sex Tape

Reading Festival 2008 -RUNDOWN

So this year I decided to follow in my friends footsteps and go to Reading Festival as this years line up out did last years by a mile.

Here is a list of the bands I saw In order:

FRIDAY

1.Biffy Clyro (Surprise Acoustic Set)

2.Hexes

3.Blackhole

4.The Briggs

5.Mat Read.

6.Biffy Clyro

7.Friendly Fires

8.Late Of The Pier

9.Rage Against The Machine

SATURDAY

1.Seasick Steve 

2.Foals

3.Justice

4.Bullet For My Valentine

SUNDAY

1.Bring Me The Horizon

2.Black Tide

3.Lightspeed Champion

4.Tenacious D

5.Metallica

The bands in italics are the ones I really fucking enjoyed, The best of which was without a doubt Metallica as they put on an amazing performance and played a whole range of songs to please every single fan out there. Wow.

The follow up to this post will be mp3 links to some of the set I saw when I manage to get hold of a reasonable amount.

//Behold//

When I heard that a band called Silent Descent had fused metal with trace the image of Enter Shikari came into my head, despite this I gave them the benefit of the doubt and grabbed a few songs.

Wow.
This is how you fuse two very different genre's. Silent Descent have created a melodic trance metal sound that ticks every box and keeps you enthralled until the last second.

Unfortunately the bands following is rather small but with a recent interview in Metal Hammer and a growing interest in metal fusion genre's Silent Descent looks set to become huge.

P.S. With a song sampling the fantastic film "300" They will always have my vote.

Silent Descent - Duplicity

///Reading Update///

So its now only 3 days till Reading and let me tell you I'm damn excited and thought I should express my excitement to you via this here blog.

As you can tell by looking at the poster above the line-up this year is...well to say the least amazing and anyone who isn't attending this sublime festival is an idiot and should seriously reconsider themselves as a music fan.

Because I'm nice I thought I would tell you the bands I'm most looking forward to seeing and the track I most want to hear.

Slipknot - An old track but none the less amazing, Also looking forward to hearing some tracks from the new album.
Slipknot - My Plague.mp3

Metallica - The band I have listened to since I was 12 and I cannot wait to see them, I had to upload this one.
Metallica - Creeping Death.mp3

Bullet For My Valentine - Having already seen this band once this year I'm still anticipating hearing them again as they are one of my favourite bands.
Bullet For My Valentine - Forever And Always.mp3

Justice - Again I have seen this electro duo already this year but I cant miss out, It was one of the best gigs I have ever been to.

Justice - Waters Of Nazareth.mp3

Rage Against The Machine - Because they are Rage Against The Machine and I may never get the chance to see them again.

Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name.mp3

Late Of The Pier - After waiting to buy their debut and not downloading it there is no way I'm missing these guys.

Late Of The Pier - Broken.mp3

Black Tide - Light From Above

Black Tide seem to be spicing up the current metal with a reincarnation of the old school thrash sound which is growing ever popular. I myself disagree with the thrash affair circulating the metal scene at the moment as thrash lived and died in the 80's and some things just shouldn't be brought back.

However Black Tide have found a medium that I can handle, A blend of old school thrash and modern heavy metal that is enough to excite the ears of any male into metal aged from 13 to 40. With lead vocalist Gabriel being only 15 and every other member aged 20 or under this guys are hot stuff for their age and recently played Download and are on the bill for Reading along with a slot on Bullet For My Valentines tour later this year.

Light From Above is the bands debut album and for a first its not bad, With catchy melodic riffs and enough notes in the solo's to put shredders to shame it shows prosper for Black Tide. The title track "Shockwave" really does introduce you to what Black Tide are and although not a stunning track defiantly leaves you wanting more. Second track seems dwarfed by the opening song but none the less is still a decent track, The third track "Warriors Of Time" leans to heavily on the power metal side of things for my liking but makes up for it with its Iron Maiden sounding riffs and damn good solo.

Although I believe the hype on this band to be too much to soon they do seem hopefully to bring metal to more viewers with their more accessible sound.

Black Tide - Shockwave.mp3
Buy Light From Above

//Behold//

Occasionally you hear about A band that is gaining in popularity in many "groups" of musically adept people. Recently that band has been Rolo Tomassi, a female fronted, Sheffield based 5 piece that is causing an uproar all over England.

Rolo Tomassi play what can only be described as a fusion of electro/hardcore/punk/jazz/metal and indie so you can see how they are appealing to almost everyone. So far they have released an E.P and A split with Cutting pink with knives both of which have gained recognition and attention from music press. Rolo Tomassi's debut album "Hysterics" is out on the 22nd of September but until then here is "Abraxas" which will be on the album.

Rolo Tomassi - Abraxas.mp3

Buy Rolo Tomassi's EP

(((July)))

July hasn't been a great month for album releases so most of my top songs are old material that I have only just got into. However we have heard some new stuff from Slipknot which puts us in high hopes for the album, A new Metallica track surfaced and had fans affirmed that the new album is better than St.Anger. Bloc party also released a new track from there forthcoming album which was met with mixed opinions and Late Of The Pier had Heartbeat, a track of the debut album leaked which has made he wait even harder because the track is outstanding.

Anyway here are my top 12 tracks from July:

1.The Blood Brothers - Set Fire To The Face On Fire

2.Slipknot - Psychosocial

3.Bolt Action Five - Tree Friend Tree Foe

4.Late Of The Pier - Heartbeat

5.Bloc Party - Mercury

6.Patrick Wolf - Tristan

7.Errors - Cutlery Draw

8.Metallica - Ecstasy Of Gold

9.Trash Fashion - Why Cant We Be Friends

10.Producers With Computers - Put Your Hood Up

11.Turisas - Rasputin

12.Polarbear - Jessica

A mixed month ranging from marauding metal to spoken word tracks and electro.

Below is my Three favourite tunes from the month, Enjoy.

Late Of The Pier - Heartbeat.mp3

Bloc Party - Mercury.mp3

Metallica - Ecstasy Of Gold.mp3

As I Lay Dying - An Ocean Between Us

After hearing this christian metalcore group on a recent metal hammer cd I was intrigued to hear more. They sounded like the one band I had heard who could pull of the metalcore sound without falling to far into the metal or the hardcore genre.

An Ocean Between Us was released in August 2007 and was the bands fourth studio album. This gained the group worldwide recognition with over 115'000 copies sold worldwide and leading to a sold out World tour a few months later.

The opening track is one of those openers that when heard for the first time stuns you and lets you know your about to hear something very special. It builds up into dual guitar harmonies that put hair metal to shame then masterfully fades into the 2nd track "Nothing Left which was the single and you can understand why. The first riff has enough force to leave any man weak at the knee's and with Tim Lambesis' first gut wrenching scream you know why this was the single. This then uses the guitar feedback to fade into "An Ocean Between Us" which is alot faster and more relentless than the previous two tracks but lacks the melodic line you come to expect from hearing the previous tracks.

An Ocean Between Us is defiantly a good album but lacks the catchy melodies of some of metalcore's bigger names and most of the songs, although good, sound very similar to each other.

As I Lay Dying - Nothing Left.mp3
Buy An Ocean Between Us

Metallica - Death Magnetic [Artwork]

Metallica have now released the cover art for their upcoming album "Death Magnetic". Metallica have reverted back to their old font on the Metallica logo and got rid of the much hated ninja star "M" many Metallica fans despised.

I definitely rate this artwork higher than such albums as "Load" or "St.Anger" It just seems much more 80's Metallica.

//Lost & Found//

Its not often I hear a song that gets me so excited I stop blinking and moving if only to improve my hearing for the duration of the track.

Tree Friend Tree Foe by Bolt Action Five is the song all this commotion is about.

I hear this masterpiece of Electro/rock and look forward to hearing about tours,albums etc. Only to find out they broke up only a few months ago having released nothing but a few E.P's

I want all who visit this blog to get this track and check out all the others available for free download on the bands myspace page.

Bolt Action Five - Tree Friend Tree Foe.mp3

Myspace Link

Dir En Grey - The Marrow Of A Bone

Asian metal is on the rise...Bands such as Seikima II and Malice Mizer have been around the block and achieved worldwide fame but its only now when Dir En Grey release their 6th album to date do I finally accept that Asian metal is good despite not being able to understand a word they are saying.

"The Marrow Of A Bone" as I mentioned before is Dir En Grey's 6th studio album and has finally got them the recognition they deserve. Formed in 1997 Dir En Grey signed to firewall records and have been with them ever since without a single change in lineups, Not many bands do that believe it or not.

The album opens with I thought were the recorded mad mutterings of a Asian monk as all you get is some melodic chord shapes from the guitar and quite Japanese lyrics. I was not impressed by this opener but the 2nd track makes up for it. The opening riff to "Lie Buried With A Vengeance" is as classic a riff can get but somehow feels recycled and fresh to give a feel of familiarity without being the same old stuff we are used to. Kyo the vocalist has amazing talent and can range from very soul full singing to the harsh screaming that we would usually only hear from hardcore bands.

The standout track Is by far "Ryoujoku No Ame" which despite the unpronounceable name is an amazing display of talent from every member of the band with Guitarist's Kauro & Die creating a brilliant harmony that pans from speaker to speaker.

For me this is a new era, Asian Metal rules.

Dir En Grey - Ryoujoku No Ame.mp3

Buy The Marrow Of A Bone

Turisas - The Varangian Way

When first hearing of Turisas in an old copy of Metal Hammer I immediately scorned them for trying trying to bring such instruments as the accordion into a metal band, This tallied up with there strange viking appearance threw me right off.
But when hearing their cover of "Rasputin" on a compilation CD recently it got me intrigued, They sounded so full and new I just had to give the album a listen.

"The Varangian Way" is Turisas' 2nd album to date and If I do say myself a breath of fresh air for the metal scene. Violins and guitars working in harmony to create something I have come to call folk metal.

The album opens with the symphonic "To Holmgard & Beyond" which incorporates everything from the accordion to what sounds like half an orchestra. Very few songs that try to make you feel or visualize something ever work but To Holmgard & Beyond really does make you think your standing on a hill in some far flung European country with your fellow vikings preparing for war, It sends a proud shiver down your spine. The next track opens with the accordion and I instantly thought " This is to much bring back the metal" but I didn't have to wait long as little before 20 seconds later the guitars pound in only aided by the perfectly placed double bass pedals.

Unfortunately "Rasputin" is on the deluxe edition of "The Varangian Way" but nonetheless this album can only be described as a front runner on new European heavy metal, Folk metal has been tried before by the likes of Skyclad but Turisas have opened it up to a whole group of people.

Turisas - To holmgard And beyond.mp3
Buy The Varangian Way

8/10

- Tablature -

This is my second installment on the songs Im learning at the moment. Now I am hitting A2 music my level of playing has to increase and all of these songs are pushing my limits to the edge, Here's hoping I pull them off...

Joe Satriani - Crowd Chant

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/j/joe_satriani/crowd_chant_tab.htm

As Blood Runs Black - In Dying Days

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/a/as_blood_runs_black/in_dying_days_tab.htm

Paul Gilbert - The Gargoyle

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/p/paul_gilbert/the_gargoyle_tab.htm

Walls Of Jericho - With Devils Amongst Us All

When miraculously finding out that Ed Banger signed artist SebastiAn had remixed Walls Of Jericho on his latest track "Dog" I just had to give them a listen. Further more I found it hard to believe that the vocals sampled from the band on SebastiAn's track were female...

I wasn't sure where to begin but when usually starting out on a band I look at their second most recent album and hope it gives me a taste of the bands sound.

With Devils Amongst Us All is Walls Of Jericho's 4th album and begins with the brilliantly titled track "A Trigger Full Of Promises" which opens with an awesome 80's sounding thrash riff that wouldn't feel out of place in any Megadeth collection. This doesn't mean that Walls Of Jericho are just following the current thrash metal up rise as after the initial skull pounding riff you hear a more diverse complex sound that combined with the simply breathtaking vocals of Candace Kucsulain leaves you wondering why this underground metalcore band aren't one hell of alot bigger?

A Trigger...Then flows into "I Know Hollywood And You Ain't It" another brilliantly titled track which possibly shows Candace Kucsulain at her vocal best with gut-wrenching screams and enough adrenaline to leave you sweaty and very scared.

The rest of the album follows the awesome track names with songs such as "Another Day, Another Idiot" & "Try.Fail.Repeat" both of which are packed full of breakdowns and riffage galore.

All in all a good album and a band I will be looking further into

P.S If your no fan of female's making the vocal talents of most men in the metal scene seem shamefull try "No Saving Me" which features Candace singing to her scientific best.

Walls Of Jericho - A Trigger Full Of Promises.mp3
Buy With Devils Amongst Us All

7/10

~ June ~

Below are my top 12 tracks of June 2008. There was going to a be a link to a mixtape of them but the site was messing up and taking far too long to do so I gave up.

1. Justice - Sure You Will
2. Paul Gilbert - The Gargoyle
3. You Slut! - On The Count Of 13
4. John 5 - Sounds Of Impalement
5. Bullet For My Valentine - Ashes Of The Innocent
6. Joe Satriani - Starry Night
7. 36 Crazyfists - The All Night Lights
8. MGMT - Electric Feel [Justice Remix]
9. Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone
10. Tesseract - April Song
11. Metallica - Master Of Puppets [Old School Remix]
12.Queens Of The Stone Age - Millionaire

Paul Gilbert - Silence Followed By A Deafening Roar

After being lucky enough to see Paul Gilbert preform a few new tracks at London Guitar show a week or so ago I was holding out that I would go home and see his album for sale, I was Happy to see I would only have to wait a week...And a week I did wait.

"Silence Followed By A Deafening Roar" is Paul's 13th studio album and although his previous album "Get Out Of My Yard" being scorned as to much of a variation from Paul's Racer X days this stunning new album returns fans to a state of metallic shred bliss.

The self titled opening track throws you of course with its ballad feel and melodic slow intro but prevail to just over a minute and you can already hear the Racer X piercing the lining and giving you a taste of what is to come.
The second track is another of Paul's classically influenced tracks entitled "Eudaimonia Overture" which begins with some outrageous 3 fingered tapping and slips into what I can only describe as a beautiful little riff which raises spirits and send you rushing to the nearest guitar to attempt Paul's mesmerising sound.

My 2...Yes 2 stand out track's of this album are without a doubt Norwegian Cowbell & The Gargoyle which show Paul's inspirational guitar work at its best. Norwegian Cowbell is melodic and catchy with some of the best licks on the album. The Gargoyle could be described as Iron Maiden on speed with Paul's tone and use of classic sounding scales giving you an urge to make your hair big and stuff your trousers with the nearest implement available.

Its hard to judge a Instrumental album as you have to take into account skill of playing combined with the song structure to make sure it isn't just sweeping scales or basic riffs...Silence Followed By A Deafening Roar sums this up. Contender of shred album of the year without a doubt.

Paul Gilbert - Norwegian Cowbell.mp3
Buy Silence Followed By A Deafening Roar

You Slut! - Critical Meat

You Slut! are a 4 piece instrumental group from Derby and aren't very well known in the British music scene at this point in time, But they will be!

Critical Meat is an 8 track album that was only released in japan as the band didn't have enough money to produce it here and with reviews from magazines giving nothing less than 4 stars its makes you wonder why?

The album opens with "Cut & Shut by You Slut!" which introduces you very quickly into You Slut!'s sound. Next comes "On the count of 13" which in my opinion is the best track on the album as its melodic yet dramatic guitars simply pierce the mind and have you humming the tune for days to come and loving it!

The final track is a grand finale, "Mybloodyjesusexploreronfire" is the first track I heard by You Slut! and what a track it is. The guitar work yet again has you enthralled and with effects being used to epic proportions it really is a track to remember.

Overall Critical Meat is an amazing instrumental album open to anyone who isn't used to instrumentals and to those who are get ready for something new & fresh.

You Slut! - Mybloodyjesusexploreronfire.mp3
Buy Critical Meat

John 5 - Requiem

John 5 is a guitar virtuoso who is way ahead of the game in solo guitar playing, He fuses country/bluegrass with metal and rock to create a mix that's mindblowingly fresh and refuses to let anything stop him from producing more & more great albums. His previous three albums were received with open arms into the shred community and John's third album "The Devil Knows My Name" was voted best shred album of 2007 finally getting him the recognition deserved.

Fans of John 5 will not be disappointed with Requiem.

Requiem's opening track was released on John's myspace several months ago and was entitled "Sounds Of Impalement", this is a stunning piece of guitar work personifyng John's technique and signature sounds all in just over 4 minutes. Next up is "Heretic's Fork" which again displays immense handling of the guitar and techniques only John 5 can pull off such as chicken pickin and banjo rolls on the guitar, the opening riff to this track is powerful enough to have skeptics blown away and there minds changed.

This flows perfectly into Noisemakers File in which the intro shows a slightly more mellow side to John's playing with clean sounding guitars and typically country scales & themes being used, but once again this leads into a rock influence and John perfectly fused the two.

By now your thinking sounds good and whats with the odd track names, well John 5 decided to entitle all of the tracks on "Requiem" after unknown torture devices all of which should end with a "Requiem" meaning funeral piece of music. It just so happens Requiem is the final track on the album and what an ending it is. The slow tempo mixed with the slightly disturbing guitar lines leaves you satisfied that what you just heard was something rather special and unique.

John 5 - Sounds Of Impalement.mp3

Buy Requiem

- May Round Up -

This is my monthly round up some of the best songs of May 2008, Its been a mixed month with what seem to be the greatest tracks I have heard all year.

Elle Milano - Juliette's Dead - I wasn't keen on this band but this song is bloody brilliant, Unlike there previous work its very electro based with an amazing intro and lyrics that wrap there way around the mind.

Furyon - Souvenirs - Brighton based metal group progress into new realms with this 8 minute long masterpiece containing several intense solo's and a mid song cliffhanger that leaves you gasping for more.

Exit Ten - Technically Alive -New metal act Exit Ten's opening track to there latest alum is surely one of the best melodic metal tracks of the year, Not much can come close to Exit Ten.

TesseracT - Demo

Its not often you hear music that moves you through & through and yet fills you with a hollow feeling that cant be filled. TesseracT's demo puts you through all this and more.

TesseracT's website says that the initial idea was to "Create heavy music that moves you; embraces and enhances you; giving you what you think you want and then taking you somewhere totally unexpected, like a journey or an adventure", and this is exactly what you get, something pure and simple yet so deep and heavy theres no limit as to how to describe it.

Although this demo only has 3 songs totalling up at 19 minutes its enough to show you how good and how unique TesseracT are. The second track (For all you Fredrik Thordendal fans out there) opens with what is uncannily like Special Defects and then morphs into it's own realm of musical features.

Take the Symphony X front man (Russel Allen) and put him with Meshuggah/Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects and you get an idea what TesseracT sound like.

TesseracT - April Song.mp3

Buy TesseracT Demo

Scroobius Pip - No Commercial Breaks

As most of you will know Scroobius Pip just released an album with Hip-hop producer Dan Le Sac entitled "Angles" which has been received with open arms.

What most of you wont know is that Scroobius Pip released a solo album several years ago which consisted of him, a few unknown artists and his 16 track recording desk set up in his home in Stanford Le Hope, This was called "No Commercial Breaks".

This low-fi, badly recorded solo project comes across dull and thin to those more accustomed to his collaboration with Dan le Sac but when you get past the idea that there are beats missing and no relative singles on there you can start to enjoy it for it is, Lyrical genius.

It opens with 1000 words possibly the most well known of all his solo tracks which consists of nothing more than a piano and Scroobius' mellow voice and yet it becomes much more accomplished as the track plays through. The album then goes into "Muses" and much more welcoming tracks such as "Development" and "Angles" both of which have been re-recorded and added to the Dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip roster. "First Time I Met Musik" is one of the finest on this 10 track disc and speaks of his unsettled attitude to the current music scene in the form of a lady called Musik.

All in all this has nothing on "Angles" but for anyone out there willing to listen to Scroobius Pips spoken word minus the input of Dan le Sac "No Commercial Breaks" is the place to start.

7/10

36 Crazyfists - The Tide And Its Takers

I first heard about this band many years ago from a friend and immediately judged them on there name, shit.

I gave them a second chance as there supporting Exit Ten on a tour at the moment and I thought I should give them a listen and where to start but there most recent album "The Tide And Its Takers".

After giving it a full listen you think its nothing special but when you leave your computer or CD player and start doing other things you find yourself craving more of Brock Lindow's harsh yet pleasing voice.

The opening track "The All Night Lights" is a awe inspiring display of brutal breakdowns and melodic phrase's which pretty sets you up for the rest of the album and yet warns you of whats about to come next. The next few tracks are all brilliant and then when you reach "Clear The Coast" you just cant quite believe how good an album this is for a band with such a dire name. The next track after "Clear The Coast" is about as melodic the album gets and yet you still feel the adrenaline that this band brings coursing through your veins.

Overall a stunning album that deserves a palce in any metal fans collection.

8/10

For fans of: Still remains, Exit ten, Machine Head.

- Reading Overveiw -

This is just a brief post on the current Reading Lineup. For me personally there's not much going on Friday except Rage Against The machine so for the hell of it I will probably see Dizzee Rascal, Serj Tankian & QOTSA.
Saturday is better but there is a clash that I still cant resolve...Bloc Party or Bullet For My Valentine! Other than that Justice, Seasick Steve & Gallows should all be great.

Now Sunday is the grand finale! Lets start with Metallica. Everyone has a band they have been listening to since they knew what music was and it got them hooked on their current music selection, for me that band was Metallica...Nothing on earth can stop me seeing them. Slipknot are one of my all time favourite bands just because before I bought Duality single at the age of 13 I didn't know what heavy was, looking forward to seeing them. Avenged Sevenfold have only recently got my blessing as their latest album is a mix of metal and old school rock, they should be good live with synyster gates being an awe for all guitarists.
Unfortunately While Ill be at the main stage all of Sunday other bands like Crystal Castles & Digitalism will be playing the dance tent which I would have loved to have seen but It will be worth it.