Woke up this morning, checked my email, it contained a link to Prong Carved In Stone. I didnt even know they were 
writing a new album! I may or may not have squealed like a schoolgirl…
Carved In Stone’s production is what metal bands would have killed to have in the eighties, its pretty damn good. Really raw but still polished enough to hold up against other modern metal, defined and clear which is always a plus as sounds can blend and bleed to much into a mess and nothing stands out miles in the mix. So its been looked after well and sounds like it. Its a way more punk/hardcore album in design short punchy songs but the music can take on a groove life of their own in the mean time.
Its a real back to the roots album and its cool to hear the hardcore and groove mix cause it really drives and is quite punchy. The thrash elements shine through on the guitar every once in while and this diversity keeps the album sounding fresh. Riffs a plenty here and they are pretty catchy and the tone is drenched in dirt which gives it a pretty raw sound. like it was a guitar straight into an amp, instead of trough a whole host of computers. The rhythm section is as solid as a house, double bass work pushes sections into thrash tempos and feel and the low end provided by the guitars are underlined by the filthiest bass tone you’re likely to hear, you may have to check your speakers for dust.
The vocals have a way surprising you with how spot on the can be pitch wise on the higher register, its melodic at times in the chorus and has the power that could blow speakers, Tommy Victor has really laid it down and shown a lot of vocalists how its done. Carved in Stone is a mix of everything that made Prong awesome and is the best thing they’ve released in a long time. It’s gritty, raw yet sonically fresh, and damn groovy and catchy, check it out.
travel to America to meet his hero, Lars Ulrich of Metallica. Tom Spicer suffers from Fragile syndrome X, which is a type of Autism, and a massive case of obsession with Lars Ulrich. His filmmaker brother and journalist Sister spring him and take him on a journey to meet his hero. The group undergo trials and tribulations due to their Brothers disability and their dysfunctions but soldier on through gigs and backstage areas just hoping for a glimpse of the man himself.
not just anticipated by me but the entire Dublin metal scene as it was Amon Amarth’s first time to bring their stage show with them. I had never heard Grand Magus or In Solitude before the night and I was very surprised by both bands they both had some seriously good tunes and they put on a great show. It was the second night of the tour and the bands seemed very confident on stage as the first date jitters had worn off it seems.
Valkyrian Music 