Archive for June, 2017

Laurus Nobilis Music Famalicão 2017

Posted in News with tags , , , on 29th June 2017 by Pieni

Laurus Nobilis motto has always been “celebrate music” and on its third edition, there will be the double of such celebration with a second stage and a larger bill. This second stage will be called “Palco Revelações” – Breakthrough Stage – supporting new talents to the point of where attending these performances is free.

The main stage, named after one of the biggest supporters of the fest – the salumeria Porminho – will welcome some big names of the Portuguese scene plus an international headliner: Amorphis. So it’s only fair that for this you’ll have to pay a ticket:

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Schedules and more info at: http://laurusnobilis.pt/horarios/http://laurusnobilis.pt/horarios/

https://www.facebook.com/laurusnobilismusic/

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Fields of Nephilim announce exclusive winter solstice show

Posted in Misc., News with tags , , , on 28th June 2017 by izaforestspirit

The legendary British goth rock band Fields of the Nephilim have recently announced that they will be doing an exclusive show in The UK this winter. The event named ‘Saturnalia’ will take place at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London on the winter solstice, 21st December 2017.

The show is named after a pagan festival which also takes place on the winter solstice. Winter is one of the prominent themes of this particular performance. The audience can expect “a truly spellbinding set celebrating the band’s illustrious career.”

You can check out the poster below:

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For more information visit:

http://www.fields-of-the-nephilim.com

https://www.facebook.com/FieldsOfTheNephilim

 

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Cellar Darling – This Is The Sound

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , on 25th June 2017 by Mickelrath

 

Cellar Darling

This Is The Sound

Folk rock, Folk metal

Released: 30 June 2017

via Nuclear Blast Records

OK, to address the elephant in the room. I was, and still am, not a fan of Eluveitie. Never got into their music like people said I should. So, I really don’t know much of the politics or behind the scenes of why Anna Murphy, Merlin Sutter and Ivo Henz decided to leave the band. Yet, that is the situation we’re in and now from those three, we now have, Cellar Darling. Their debut album is a pretty fun listen. I have to admit the sharp tones and the catchy melodies were enough to whet my appetite. Yet, when I listened more and more I found that this album has a lot to offer both in music and in the lyrics.

First off, to reiterate, This Is The Sound, sounds wonderful. The production is full of big guitars and, massive bass lines that get the blood pumping. All of the folk instrumentation sound great too. Weaving in and out so seamlessly. Everything on the album is designed to make the band seem a big a possible. So as you can imagine it’s quite an impactful album with every clash of the drums and every blast of the guitars feel larger than life.  Genuinely a good feeling to my ears when you hear a band like that. You can hear this from the first track  ‘Avalanche’. Anna Murphy’s vocals hit hard too. Her voice is powerful, but it’s not all power there are some dynamics here. The way her vocals alone manipulate the emotion, tension and intensity of the songs is a testament to her charisma as a front woman.

This album oozes with great riffs, beautiful atmosphere and infectious melodies. Yet, none of it feels overdone. It just flows very nicely and the band have great chemistry, everything just feels like it blends together really nicely. The harshness of the rock instruments provide the songs with a lot of weight. While the folk element complements the heavy sounds and really gives the music another layer. Again it never feels like it’s too much, it always has that nice balance so every element works off the other rather one. As a whole I’ve really like this album, it’s a nice pleasant listen.  I wouldn’t say it’s the most amazing thing in the world but it’s definitely been worth a listen or two.

4/5

Mick Birchall

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Cradle of Filth announce new album and UK tour

Posted in Misc., News with tags , on 20th June 2017 by izaforestspirit

Cradle of Filth are back with a new album coming this autumn. This new opus of Gothic horror will be called ‘Cryptoriana – The Seductiveness Of Decay’ and it is scheduled to hit he shops worldwide on 22nd September 2017 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.

Here is what their frontman Dani Filth had to say on the subject:

“The album is deeply infused with Victorian gothic horror and thus the title is a reflection of that.

“’Cryptoriana’ implies the Victorian’s infatuation with the supernatural, the grave and the ghoulish. And the subtitle ‘The Seductiveness Of Decay’ further cements this attraction to death and the glittering lengthy process of self-annihilation.”

The cover art was designed by the Latvian artist Arturs Berzins. You can check it out here:

The band will also embark on a full scale tour of The U.K. and Ireland starting at the end of October 2017. Here is the schedule:

30.10. Belfast – Limelight
31.10. Dublin – Academy (Halloween Show)
02.11. Manchester – Academy 2
03.11. Glasgow – Garage
04.11. Birmingham – O2 Institute 2
05.11. Leeds – Church
07.11. Oxford – O2 Academy
08.11. Southampton – Engine Rooms
09.11. Norwich – Waterfront
10.11. London – Electric Ballroom
11.11. Bristol – Bierkeller

For more information visit:

http://www.cradleoffilth.com/

https://www.facebook.com/cradleoffilth/

 

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Solitary – The Diseased Heart Of Society

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , on 18th June 2017 by Paul Macmillan

Solitary
“The Diseased Heart Of Society”
Thrash metal
Released March 03rd 2017
via UKEM

If you pretty much live for the full Baskin Robbins, 31 flavours of thrash, Solitary’s latest release is an absolute must for your collection! No messing about with too much unnecessary cross-over into other genres, The Diseased Heart Of Society just gets straight to the point. It’s doubtful this would be a surprise to those aware of the band’s 2014 live opus I Promise To Thrash Forever. While this might put certain restraints on musical endeavours, Solitary pull it off with such flair you wouldn’t ever care.

This could be down to them being an expert hand at cherry-picking the essence of some utterly classic albums, without simply replicating them. There are definitely some shades of Master Of Puppets, as well as the hugely underrated …And Justice For All. I think I pick up a hint of The New Order era Testament (in fact I Promise… features an excellent cover of Into The Pit), as well as incredible lead-work nods to Rust in Peace and/or Countdown To Extinction. While these are artists who play in the same park, if not by the same rules, Solitary have created their own hybrid game. I think they might have pinched all the newer equipment, too.

Sharp, crisp guitars, thundering drums, driven bass make the production on this release a bit of a gold standard for me, and highly enjoyable to listen to for that aspect alone. This musical backdrop makes the perfect nest to carry what is possibly my personal favourite element of TDHOS; the vocals. Now, there is certainly an undeniably English accent, but the delivery fully puts me in mind of German band Rage’s frontman Peavy Wagner! That might not work for everyone, but right here, that is God status!

As much as I would normally lean towards it, I’m not sure if diversification would help in this case, or end up being a bit of a downer. The thrash energy is high, the solos are on fire, and the hooks are plentiful. One thing I do know is this is a solid keeper, and a prime example of the UK metal, and thrash, scene.

Paul Macmillan

4.5/5

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Maxdmyz – Alchemical Metal (EP)

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , on 17th June 2017 by Paul Macmillan

Maxdmyz
“Alchemical Metal” (EP)
Released April 17th 2017
Electronic/metal
Released via Renegade Records

This swift EP from London’s Maxdmyz is an odd, and mildly confusing one. Hell, I don’t even know for sure how we’re supposed to pronounce their name! Yet it’s the audio which keeps chucking out curveballs.

Swamped in the soundscape of 1990s rock and metal, collective tastes are somewhat obvious. The electronic edge of Obsolete era Fear Factory taken to its club friendly extreme, and the odd power-pop metal of Faith No More’s The Real Thing; the classics of that era are the big player’s in the canon of influences on display. One could also put some credence behind picking out the occasional nod to Alice In Chains, One Minute Silence, Rage Against The Machine, or even early nu-metal such as Hed(pe) or System Of Down.

There is plenty play on more current trends, though, albeit far more subtle in application. It does take a bit to push the overarching style to one side to filter them out, and then another shove to allow your head the space to blend everything back into one again. It’s no wonder they opted for the title of Alchemical Metal, as this pulls on predecessors from all throughout the metal and rock kingdom. From flecks of melo-death to stoned-out sludge, old-school to futuristic, the sonic melange is openly bizarre.

Not for the first time in reviews, I have to say, this should, in theory, have ended up a bit of a mess of mismatched tropes and idioms, but has managed to come together as one solid sound. Hopefully, the prevalence of this type of free-roaming artistic success story is a sign of things to come. Slightly disjointed at times, if you really look for it, but delivered with passion and talent, accessible, yet powerful and genuinely musical.

Paul Macmillan

3.5/5

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Doll Skin – Manic Pixie Dream Girl

Posted in Uncategorized on 15th June 2017 by izaforestspirit

Doll Skin

Manic Pixie Dream Girl

Released 26th June 2017

Punk Rock/Alternative Rock

Released via EMP Group

‘Manic Pixie Dream Girl’ is the second album from the American, all-girl punk rock band Doll Skin. This is their third release to be produced by the Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, who has been working with them since 2013. The first was an EP entitled ‘in Your Face’ which came out in 2015, then last year their highly successful debut full length album’ In Your Face Again’ saw the light of day. My knowledge of punk rock is limited but the ironic-looking cover art and funny title was just too intriguing to resist.

The first thing that occurred to me when listening to the opening track Shut Up (You Miss Me) is that the vocals remind me of the Canadian rock artist Avril Lavigne. As far as the music goes, this is essentially alternative rock with some punk influences, mostly notably the pace, the attitude and the “fun” elements with songs titled like Road Killa and Puncha Nazi. Some of the tracks such as Daughter feature some angry, teenage angst -style lyrics, cleverly masked behind the catchy ‘rocking’ guitar and sing-along chorus. Not that it’s a bad thing, but it does reflect the fact that they are a young band, full of energy and ready to conquer the world with their rock tunes.

As the album progresses you get a bit more variety, ranging from the aforementioned catchy, energetic punk rock to the slower, more ballad-like songs such as Rubi and Sweet Pea which reflect Doll Skin’s softer, more melodic side. No anger here; instead there is a certain innocence in the vocals. Miss Dolezal is a clearly a talented singer and her lyrics are packed with emotion.

In summary, however angry the lyrics may seem at times, there is something uplifting about this album. These girls clearly enjoy what they do and they are very good at it. So all I can say is, good work and rock on Doll Skin!

4/5

Iza Raittila

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Jyrki 69 to release solo album

Posted in Misc., News with tags , , , , on 7th June 2017 by izaforestspirit

Good news for fans of the Finnish goth rock band The 69 Eyes. Their singer and frontman Jyrki 69 

has recently announced that he will be releasing his first solo album later this month. The record will be entitled ‘Helsinki Vampire’ and it is scheduled to hit the shops on 23 June 2017 via Cleopatra Records.

You can check out the track-listing and the cover art below.

01. Ad Infinitum
02. Versailles
03. Spanish Steps
04. Bloodlust (from “Sunset Society”)
05. Last Halloween (from “Halloween Hell House”)
06. Happy Birthday
07. Call Of The Night
08. Perfection
09. Close Your Eyes (from “Close Your Eyes”)
10. In Your Dreams
11. Sayonara (CD only)

<br/><a href="https://i0.wp.com/oi67.tinypic.com/inswbb.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

He has also released a video for the track ‘Last Halloween’. Here it is:

For more information visit:

https://www.facebook.com/the69eyes/

http://69eyes.com/

https://jyrki69.bandcamp.com/

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