Masayoshi Fujita - Stories (Album Review)

Japanese born, but Berlin based, Masayoshi Fujita is no stranger to acclaim with either his El Fog project or through collaborative work, but 'Stories' represents what is being presented as his first solo album proper. A student of the vibraphone, an instrument so largely ignored within the sphere of contemporary music that even the most indulgent seventies prog rock artists struggled to find a use for it, Fujita takes influence predominantly from the world of classical and jazz, something apparent throughout 'Stories'.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 21 January 2013

Voivod - Target Earth (Album Review)

Although they may now be almost forgotten in the annals of metal history, Voivod’s place amongst the legends of the genre is effectively assured for those in the know. Notable figures such as Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt have attested to their influence, and the near-universal acclaim afforded to their classic work such as 'Killing Technology' and 'Dimension Hatröss' emphasises the importance of their finest era in the late eighties.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 21 January 2013

Septicflesh - Mystic Places Of Dawn (Album Review)

Septicflesh. The name just sounds evil, doesn’t it? For those of you who aren’t wise to Septicflesh’s blackened brand of death metal, worry not; their music more than lives up to the evil suggested in the name. After a 5-year hiatus, they returned in 2008 with the grandiose, unparalleled majesty of ‘Communion’, following it up in 2011 with the inferior (yet still ridiculously skull shattering) ‘The Great Mass’. Fast-forward to 2013, and Septicflesh are on the cusp of re-releasing their 1994 debut ‘Mystic Places Of Dawn’. Given the fact that it was re-issued previously 11 years ago, I’m sure that many fans have been left wondering if they should actually bother with this one. And should they? Well... yes.

Written by: Alec Chillingworth | Date: Monday, 21 January 2013

Funeral For A Friend - Conduit (Album Review)

Welsh post-hardcore outfit Funeral for a Friend’s full circle revival has been completed with the release of their sixth studio album ‘Conduit’. In the past the Welsh rockers haven’t been renowned for their consistency with numerous line-up changes and their previous release history having varied wildly since their much lauded and highly praised debut album ‘Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation’ back in 2003. ‘Conduit’ however further strengthens the foundations that the band’s last two releases built and shows a positive trajectory that fans will have been hoping to see since the early releases that the band had to offer.

Written by: James Goodall | Date: Monday, 21 January 2013

Mountains - Centralia (Album Review)

They say dogs look like their owners. Well, in the case of Mountains at least, an ambient/post-rock duo of Brendon Anderegg and Koen Holtkamp from Brooklyn, here is one band that sounds like their name.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 21 January 2013

Brokeback - Brokeback And The Black Rock (Album Review)

Where is the black rock? All I see is a pylon and a petrol station in the middle of a desert. I don’t like being misled like this. I want to see Douglas McCombs standing on a massive dark rock the size of said petrol station, perhaps brandishing a Fender Jazzmaster or a sword. It could look like one of those so terrible they’re hilarious covers of Metal Hammer where they get Mikael Åkerfeldt (or someone equally metal and beardy) to smear themselves with fake blood and brandish a medieval weapon as if they are about to decapitate Justin Bieber.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 21 January 2013

The Blackout - Start The Party (Album Review)

When the title and artwork for the latest album from The Blackout ‘Start The Party’ was released some fans feared the welsh sextet had had a little too much fun in the sun and their fourth album would be more at home in the clubs of the Balearic Islands; but they wouldn’t do that to their fans, would they?

Written by: Amy Angel | Date: Sunday, 20 January 2013

Leviticus Pharaoh - As Elizabeth (Single Review)

Now if I were to say to the words “Leviticus Pharaoh”, what would be your immediate reaction? I felt as though someone had thrown a copy of the Old Testament at me and I was about to hear to some obscure Christian revival band warning me of the dangers of ignoring burning bushes. However, I couldn’t have been further from the truth. Leviticus Pharaoh, who to my mild disappointment was not born Leviticus Pharaoh, but Joselito Antonio Gonzalez Pharaoh is a singer, songwriter and dancer who has a colourful geographical history.

Written by: Jaspreet Kaur Takhi | Date: Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Bon Jovi - Because We Can (Single Review)

The first single to be taken from the mega-selling New Jersey veterans forthcoming album won't change anyone's opinion of the band. Seasoned haters will undoubtedly loathe it, but how will their long term fans react? Aside from blindly devoted sycophants, the response to Bon Jovi's post millennial output has been mixed, with many bemoaning a lack of swaggering, guitar driven rock & roll tracks in favour of country infused ditties and U2 influenced anthemics. In contrast, others love the way they've welded their endless optimism to a more contemporary sound, refusing to be a one trick nostalgia act. 'Because We Can' will only intensify that divide as it's easily the most commercial piece of pop candy Bon Jovi have ever written, with it's chirpy chorus and minimal guitar work a world away from the blue collar raunch of 'Bad Medicine'.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Black Veil Brides - Wretched And Divine: The Story Of The Wild Ones (Album Review)

Few bands seem to divide the masses nowadays quite like California's own Black Veil Brides. Openly on a quest for world domination, the band opted to challenge themselves with their third record by conquering the rock opera concept album, with an accompanying movie for those so inclined. And so, we turn to the highly anticipated 'Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones'.

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Monday, 14 January 2013

M9 - Magna Carta (Album Review)

There are significant changes afoot in the world of UK hip hop. With grime is on the way out, and its established heads like Wiley and Dizzee Rascal moving towards poppy pastures new, hip hop is again gaining popularity in cities all over the UK. The battle scene is also making waves with Don't Flop boasting now one of the biggest battle-league fanbases on the planet. Most tangibly though, there is a real sense that hip hop is now a real voice for young people seeking change – see the recently retired Lowkey and Logic's 'People's Army'; M9 also fits this mould.

Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Monday, 14 January 2013

This Town Needs Guns - 13.0.0.0.0 (Album Review)

Their vocalist might have changed, but This Town Needs Guns remain one of the most unique math rock acts to emerge in this country. On '13.0.0.0.0', the band consolidate their reputation by each doing what they do best: twinkly guitar lines, creative time signatures, heartfelt vocals with a 90s emo tint and some ridiculously precise drum parts. With that said, the gradual modifications that the band (now a three-piece) have made since their stunning self titled EP, are very pronounced.

Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Friday, 11 January 2013

Rush – 2112 (Deluxe Reissue) (Album Review)

It is difficult for this generation to gauge how much of an impact an album like '2112' would of had when it first dropped - why, my own Dad was only fourteen when this came out. Rush were a band that were yet to release anything successful in a commercial or critical sense, and they flopped with their first real attempt at experimentation, the forgettable 'Caress of Steel'. All things considered, I am still surprised at how fresh and playful '2112', the follow-up, sounds.

Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Wednesday, 09 January 2013

Caroline Street - Salt And Vinegar (Album Review)

If you're from Cardiff the chances are the band name here has already piqued your interest. 'Caroline Street' (also known as chippy lane or chip alley) is a well known avenue of late night/early morning takeaways in Cardiff's city centre frequented by those in need of food before making their way home after a nights clubbing. Why then would a band based in Helsinki, Finland use this as their name? The answer is lead singer and songwriter Tom Morgan who was brought up in Pembrokeshire, West Wales before moving to Helsinki 8 years ago and found it had a nice ring when deciding on his band name. While the wooden chip forks used as the bands logo (they plan to print some and use them instead of business cards) may give the impression this is all some sort of gimmick, he's deadly serious about turning what's currently a hobby into a full time job as a professional musician and on this evidence he's well on his way.

Written by: David Ball | Date: Monday, 07 January 2013

Everything Everything - Arc (Album Review)

When a band is difficult to pigeon-hole, such as Everything Everything, it is hard to mark out exactly what development would be. On 'Man Alive', their debut, the quartet were so fiercely unique that it was hard to keep up. However, the atypical math rock structures were never a problem – rather, it was the band's indecisive nature of when to switch gear that held it back from being the memorable release it could have been. That, and the almost comical vocals.

Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Saturday, 05 January 2013

Pitbull - Global Warming (Album Review)

Before I delve into a review of Pitbull's seventh studio album, I might as well inform the hipper-than-thou diversity brigade that there is nothing on 'Global Warming' that you will be able to enjoy even ironically, so you might as well jog on now. This is, as ever, a glorified compilation of generic club “anthems” that is nevertheless classified as an LP. Even Pitbull knows that is what it is; in fact, Pitbull has a type of diabolic genius, at least in terms of business.

Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Saturday, 05 January 2013

Dropkick Murphys - Signed And Sealed In Blood (Album Review)

The first lyric of an album can often be a mission statement, and the Dropkick Murphys new 'Signed and Sealed in Blood' seems no different - "The boys are back and they're looking for trouble." But what kind of trouble are they after with album number eight?

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Friday, 21 December 2012

Metallica - Quebec Magnetic (Live DVD Review)

Documenting two shows the band played in October and November 2009 on their World Magnetic Tour, the video release captures a stunning live experience replete with outstanding band performance, a dynamic audience, and screaming guitar feedback. Many songs are from Metallica's latest studio album 'Death Magnetic' from 2008, but longtime fans will be pleased to see classics like 'Master of Puppets', 'Enter Sandman', and 'One.' As they have done in the past on entire albums, Metallica also throws cover songs, paying tribute to the bands that inspired them to pick up and play.

Written by: Jonathan Lin | Date: Friday, 21 December 2012

Jack Beats - Somebody To Love (Album Review)

“We just love hybrid music” is the altogether quite genuine confession of Jack Beats’ masterminds - Niall Dailly and Ben Geffin in their online bio and 'Somebody To Love' provides the proof. This nine-track offering is a melting pot of 2012’s dance music trends that obscures this record from anything a casual dance music fan would have envisaged hearing two years prior.

Written by: Owen Sheppard | Date: Tuesday, 18 December 2012

Michael Schenker - Temple Of Rock: Live Over Europe (Live Album/DVD Review)

Long before the good old internet, live rock & roll record's were an exciting window to a thrilling, unknown world. During the seventies and eighties the cream of those albums delivered intense, primal performances that were raw, in your face and utterly captivating. These days concert releases don't hold a candle to the likes of Thin Lizzy's 'Live And Dangerous' or Rory Gallagher's 'Irish Tour '74'. However, if anyone's still capable of delivering a blinding live album it's the enigmatic German guitar God Michael Schenker. As a precocious young gun with hard rock rabble-rousers UFO the ex-Scorpion's phenomenal fretwork helped make 1976's 'Strangers In The Night' one of the greatest live albums of all time. A trick he repeated in 1981 with the Michael Schenker Group's highly regarded 'One Night At Budokan'. Since then he's knocked out numerous live releases, which were unfortunately overshadowed by long running battles with various addictions that tarnished his reputation and nearly killed him. But the redemption of a fallen hero makes a great story, and this CD/DVD/Blu-Ray package proves that one of the most influential six string magicians of all time is back with an amped up bang. 'Temple Of Rock - Live Over Europe' finds 'Mad Mickey' and his all star band tearing through UFO classics, MSG standards and Scorpions favourites on a fantastic live release that sits comfortably alongside his very best.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Friday, 14 December 2012