Friday 3 June 2016

Photos: Blind Guardian at The Academy Dublin. 20 May 2016. Presented by DME Promotions





Photos (c) Dani Kammler

SKUMLOVE FEATURED ON COVER PAGE OF HOLLYWOOD MUSIC MAGAZINE


"I love Hollywood Music Magazine! They covered my first 6.6.6 show 10 years ago! Now, to be on the cover is such an honor. Thank you!" - Skum

http://hollywoodmusicmagazine.com/

Skumlove has recently signed to EMP Label Group and will be releasing their 2nd full length album "SINISTER MINISTER" on June 6, 2016 With a reunion show that same night at the Whisky A GoGo.

DINOSAUR PILE-UP READY ELEVEN ELEVEN FOR AUGUST 26TH RELEASE VIA SO RECORDINGS / CAROLINE



Photo credit: Shuya Nakano

British alt-rock trio DINOSAUR PILE-UP is gearing up for the release of their third studio album ELEVEN ELEVEN via SO Recordings / Caroline on August 26, 2016. Lauded as “skillfully-crafted blast of modern grunge, and well worth your time” by Rock Sound, ELEVEN ELEVEN takes the band into heavier and more intense territory, evoking the riffage and strains of their heroes Quicksand, Refused, Deftones and Helmet.

“What’s really exciting for us about this record is it's the first time we've ever been able to capture the energy and flow that we have live,” says vocalist/guitarist Matt Bigland. “Because it's the first time we've recorded an album together in a room, like when we are playing live or rehearsing, we were able to shape the songs and put them down in the way we want to play them live. Whenever we wanted something to be heavier, or more intense, we just changed it there and then. It was awesome. So we feel really good about it. It sounds like us, right now."

Sculpted by the expert hands of producer Tom Dalgety (Royal Blood, Band of Skulls, Killing Joke, Turbowolf, Siouxsie) at the helm, the album features crushing, jagged riffs that beef up the flesh on this Dinosaur’s bones which Kerrang! characterizes as “Crushing and swaggering. Like Godzilla in loafers.” Up close and personal in subject matter while staying sonically hard-hitting and thunderous, the album tackles topics such as empowerment (“11:11”), to nihilism (“Nothing Personal”), to letting go of the things that weigh you down (“Might As Well”), to bottomless moods (“Crystalline”) and suffering from anxiety while on tour (“Anxiety Trip”).

Calling on the age-old symbol of synchronicity in numerology, the crushing first single “11:11” became not only the introductory track for the new album but also a sign. “The whole 11:11 thing is an obsession of ours, and our whole crew now,” Bigland explains. “We see it everywhere. I guess the song is about self-belief. It’s about being empowered and finding significance in insignificance.” The official video displays the band at their most visceral, performing the song with scenes interspersed with snippets of their live shows, including scenes from their supporting slot opening for Brand New in the US. The track is now available for purchase worldwide as of today and the official video can be viewed here:



Formed in 2007, Dinosaur Pile-Up broke out of the thriving Leeds rock scene (Gang of Four, Alt-J, Wedding Present) and instantly drew favorable comparisons to the cream of ‘90s US college rock such as Smashing Pumpkins, Weezer, and Superchunk. Named for a scene in Peter Jackson's remake of King Kong where a stampede of dinosaurs collides at the foot of a mountain, Dinosaur Pile-Up put out their first official release, The Most Powerful E.P In The Universe, in 2009 and have gone on to record two studio albums, 2010's Growing Pains and 2014's Nature Nurture. They’ve toured with Weezer, Pixies, Brand New, Royal Blood, Pulled Apart by Horses, among many others.

Dinosaur Pile-Up is Matt Bigland (vocals, guitar), Mike Sheils (drums), and Jim Cratchley (bass). ELEVEN ELEVEN will be released on August 26, 2016 via SO Recordings / Caroline. Receive an instant download of the single “11:11” with pre-orders through iTunes.

Pre-Order ELEVEN ELEVEN on iTunes

TOUR DATES

SEP 17 Monster Energy Rock Allegiance 2016 Chester, PA SEP 24 Houston Open Air 2016 Houston, TX OCT 01 Louder Than Life Festival 2016 Louisville, KY

***More Dates TBA***

Review: Seep Away - 'Snakes', released 23 May 2016


Seep Away - 'Snakes'
Release Date: 23 May 2016

Music industry may describe Seep Away as Noise Punk, whatever this does mean. The thing is that I liked the 3 track EP within seconds of opening the streaming link I was sent over. Being a big fan of Black Flag and Rollins I find myself in familiar territory with the raw sound from the title Snakes followed by an uppercut called Again.

I like the dialogue and the almost hypnotic rhythm on Snakes. The singer Jay Sillence - not sure it is his real name :) - personify anger, articulated in a way that makes you realize the lyrics are genuinely based on utter frustration. Anger, the second track, is equally fuelled by music breaks, raw guitars and always this voice which does invite you to question why you should let people walk all over you again and again!!!

Produced by Dan Whiting - he is doing a great job at channelling the blend between punkish guitars and efficient back-up vocals, the EP has been recorded at the White Rooms in York. But one thing is sure, their music is coming from dark places.

Despite been formed only in 2015, they previously released Trudge as a single, which on this occasion receives a makeover as third track with the fascinating remix orchestrated by Industrial Metal pioneer Nero Bellum. I am not a big fan of remixes but I must say, it does work really well for Seep Away on this EP.

Review by Pascal Derrien



Overall: pretty mature and lot of potential definitely a band to follow
If you pick one only: the single SNAKES
Live Test: Thumbs Up

'Snakes' track listing:

01. Snakes (Single)
02. Again (B-Side)
03. Trudge (Remix by Nero Bellum of Psyclon Nine - Bonus Track)

By 'Snakes' here!

Thursday 2 June 2016

YOUNG GUNS return with new single "Bulletproof"



Electrifying UK act, Young Guns arrive today with their new single, "Bulletproof," premiering exclusively on Alternative Press. The track, the first taste of their new album due late Summer 2016, is an energetic summer anthem with a call-to-arms chorus that is impossible to ignore.

Having emerged as one of the UK's most electrifying new bands in the last few years, Young Guns have garnered heavy radio play and both US and UK chart success, attracting critical acclaim from esteemed tastemakers in their home country, like Kerrang and BBC Radio 1, while drawing attention from US outlets like Alternative Press, Billboard, Entertainment Weekly, Red Bull and more.

After a year spent touring back and forth between the United Kingdom and United States, Young Guns kept busy in 2015 with the release of their record, "Ones and Zeros", playing to packed out venues worldwide. The band picked up support slots with acts like Three Days Grace, Black Stone Cherry and Breaking Benjamin - not to mention doing the rounds on the US festival circuit, appearing at Rock On The Range, Carolina Rebellion and more.

Once their summer in the States came to a close, they returned to the UK where they had a moment to work on new music and take some time to reflect on what was next for the band. During this period, there were changes in the Young Guns camp and eventually, the five-piece re-emerged as a four-piece, announcing they had amicably parted ways with their drummer, Ben.

In a statement on their socials, the band said, "We have always been friends before band-mates and that will never change - our paths are simply headed in different directions and we agreed on this being the best thing to do for all of us. We wish him all the best. We can't wait for this new chapter to begin and we are more excited and focussed than we've ever been before. We're back. See you on the road!"

Young Guns will make their return to the States this Summer, appearing on the Vans Warped Tour. Starting off in Dallas and appearing on all 40 dates across the country, the UK boys are excited to bring their electric live show back to fans - you might even hear a new song or two.

Their forthcoming album is slated for release in August of 2016, and was recorded with David Bendeth (Paramore, Bring Me The Horizon, Breaking Benjamin).

Vans Warped Tour Dates:

6/24/2016 - Dallas, TX 6/25/2016 - San Antonio, TX 6/26/2016 - Houston, TX 6/27/2016 - New Orleans, LA 6/29/2016 - Nashville, TN 6/30/2016 - Atlanta, GA 7/1/2016 - St. Petersburg, FL 7/2/2016 - Orlando, FL 7/3/2016 - West Palm Beach, FL 7/5/2016 - Charlotte, NC 7/6/2016 - Virginia Beach, VA 7/7/2016 - Syracuse, NY 7/8/2016 - Philadelphia, PA 7/9/2016 - New York, NY 7/10/2016 - Hartford, CT 7/11/2016 - Scranton, PA 7/13/2016 - Boston, MA 7/14/2016 - Buffalo, NY 7/15/2016 - Pittsburgh, PA 7/16/2016 - Columbia, MD 7/17/2016 - Holmdel, NJ 7/19/2016 - Indianapolis, IN 7/20/2016 - Cleveland, OH 7/21/2016 - Cinicinnati, OH 7/22/2016 - Detroit, MI 7/23/2016 - Chicago, IL 7/24/2016 - Minneapolis, MN 7/26/2016 - Milwaukee, WI 7/27/2016 - St. Louis, MO 7/28/2016 - Kansas City, KS 7/30/2016 - Salt Lake City, UT 7/31/2016 - Denver, CO 8/1/2016 - Albuquerque, NM 8/2/2016 - Phoenix, AZ 8/5/2016 - San Diego, CA 8/6/2016 - San Francisco, CA 8/7/2016 - Los Angeles, CA 8/9/2016 - Las Vegas, NV 8/11/2016 - Boise, ID 8/12/2016 - Seattle,WA 8/13/2016 - Portland, OR

Wednesday 1 June 2016

Alternative Pop Band ROMES To Make NYC Debut June 13th At Mercury Lounge



Toronto-based quartet ROMES is set to headline a night at New York’s very own Mercury Lounge on June 13th in support of their debut EP entitled Believe, released via Five Seven Music. Following their 9:30pm set, the band will also be hanging around post-set to DJ the Mercury Lounge for show goers.

Tickets for the show are available for purchase HERE.

Their debut four track EP Believe was produced by highly acclaimed Tony Hoffer, known best for his work with the likes of Phoenix, Beck, and Fitz and the Tantrums. In the EP, the band seamlessly blends their R&B and pop influences with dynamic 80’s style synth to craft an indie pop-rock powerhouse of a debut. The Guardian took note of the strength of their stunning entrance into music with noting, “The four tracks on their EP virtually knock you down with their brio and self-belief.”

Believe EP Track Listing:

1) Believe 2) Tryna Be 3) Spend The Night 4) When The Night Comes

ROMES is Jacob Bitove (vocals), Nick Bitove (drums), Andrew Keyes (bass), and James Tebbitt (guitar).

LACUNA COIL announce 'Delirium' headline tour



After last week's release of Lacuna Coil's highly anticipated album 'Delirium', the band have just announced they will be embarking on a full European headline tour this Autumn. Tickets will go on sale June 3rd.

LACUNA COIL live:

European headline tour

21.10.16 (B) Vosselaar - Biebob 22.10.16 (NL) Tilburg - 013 24.10.16 (DE) Cologne - Underground 25.10.16 (DE) Berlin - White Trash Ballroom 26.10.16 (DE) Hamburg - Logo 28.10.16 (DK) Copenhagen - Vega (Small Hall) 29.10.16 (SE) Malmo - KB 30.10.16 (NO) Oslo - John Dee 31.10.16 (SE) Stockholm - Nalen 02.11.16 (DE) Essen - Zeche Carl 03.11.16 (DE) Munich - Strom 04.11.16 (CZ) Prague - Rock Café 07.11.16 (CH) Pratteln - Konzertfabrik Z7 10.11.16 (UK) Bristol - Marble Factory 11.11.16 (UK) London - Koko 13.11.16 (UK) Birmingham - O2 Institute2 14.11.16 (UK) Newcastle - Riverside 15.11.16 (UK) Glasgow - Garage 16.11.16 (UK) Manchester - Academy 2 18.11.16 (UK) Southampton - 1865 22.11.16 (ES) Madrid - But 23.11.16 (ES) Granada - El Tren 24.11.16 (ES) Barcelona - Razzmatazz 26.11.16 (IT) Pordenone - Il Deposito 27.11.16 (IT) Rome - Orion 28.11.16 (IT) Milan - Live Club 29.11.16 (IT) Bologna - Zona Roveri 02.12.16 (TR) Istanbul - KucukCiftlik Park 03.12.16 (TR) Izmir - Container Hall 04.12.16 (TR) Ankara - Jolly Joker Ankara

Festivals:

24.06.16 (IT) Parabiago (MI) - Rugby Sound Festival 01.07.16 (IT) Piazzola Sul Brenta (PD) - Postepay Sound 09.07.16 (F) Les Remparts De Longwy - Rock’n’Roll Train Festival 22.07.16 (IT) Vinci (FI) - Festa Dell’Unicorno 29.07.2016 (IT) Rapallo (GE) - Beer "Art" Rock Summer Festival 05.08.2016 (IT) San Benedetto del Tronto (AP) - Maremoto Festival (free entry) 13.08.16 (AT) Graz - Metal On The Hill Festival 08.-09.16 (J) Tokyo - Loudpark Festival

Album Review: Boy Jumps Ship - 'Wake Up', released 22 April 2016 via Amazing Record Co.


Boy Jumps Ship - 'Wake Up'
Release date: 22 April 2016 via Amazing Record Co.

I have almost made the big mistake to overlook this album. I should have known that with a bunch of successful EPs, this debut album had more to offer than ‘Burn’, the first track, so I parked the album and got back to it two days later starting with track # 2.

And I was right to come back to it and start all over again with the nice and infectious Atlantic vibe featuring on ‘Tomorrow', the four boys from the North East of England know how to produce great riffs and massive melodic Pop peaks. They toured with Young Guns in the past but my overall benchmark is Yellow Card and Lost & Found; reminds me of the early Jimmy Eat World days.

Out of the 12 tracks produced by Larry Hibbit in Hoxton Studios, Make You Proud and Best Is yet to Come are real catchy anthems. I am a big fan of the powerful Hell succeeding, a weak semi acoustic song called Night Stories. That band has big POTENTIAL so no wonder why they were supported by the PRS Music Foundation. They find themselves now on a Newcastle based label Amazing Record Co and I think they can become big on the circuit as their song writing will evolve and improve. This is a very solid 1st album which would give a lesson or two to some overrated American bands in the same vein.

Great voice, good guitars and tons of energy bundled with a pinch of Pop are definitely providing the right balance for this first album. I am not aware of any Irish dates but if they play nearby where you live make every effort to go and see them on stage. In the meantime, you should purchase their album. Not to would be a mistake!

By Pascal Derrien


Overall: A must buy for Atlantic vibe fans
If You Pick 3 Only: Hell, Lost & Found, Best Is Yet to Come
Live Test: Thumbs Up

'Wake Up' track listing:

1. Burn 2. No Tomorrow 3. Lost & Found 4. Turn Up The Radio 5. We Are The Rebels 6. Make You Proud 7. Under Your Skin 8. Shatter 9. Night Stories 10. Hell 11. The Best Is Yet To Come 12. Redlight

Tuesday 31 May 2016

Combichrist release lyric video for 'Skullcrusher'



Hard-hitting Norwegian-American Band Combichrist release the first lyric video for a track off their new album "This Is Where Death Begins", which will hit shops on June 3rd, 2016. "Skullcrusher" is dark, aggressive and anthemic, blending modern Metal with the band's trademark crossover madness.


Norwegian-American electronic hard rock/heavy metal group Combichrist returns with its eighth studio album This is Where Death Begins on June 3 via Out of Line Music.

An apocalyptic behemoth of guitars, electronica, infernal drums and dark elemental force, This is Where Death Begins was produced by Oumi Kapila (Filter) plus Combichrist's own Andy LaPlegua and mastered by the legendary Vlado Meller (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Slipknot). The 15-track album also features guest vocals from Chris Motionless (Motionless in White) and Ariel Levitan (MXMS).

Combichrist founder/vocalist Andy LaPlegua comments: "I finally feel like we came full circle with this album, considering we're all from the punk rock, hardcore and metal backgrounds. After 10 years of electronica in the studio and a full live band, I feel like I captured the live sound and energy. Every style of music that I have done through the last 25 years has some kind of presence on this album"

Initially cutting his teeth in the seminal Norwegian hardcore bands My Right Choice and Lash Out, Combichrist founder and vocalist Andy LaPlegua segued out of that scene into the electronic music world with Icon of Coil. It wasn't until 2003 that LaPlegua founded Combichrist - the project that would soon dominate his time. A departure from IOC's futurepop sound, Combichrist took LaPlegua's hardcore past and electronica present and merged them into a singular, mechanical music monster.

Since releasing the first Combichrist album The Joy of Gunz, LaPlegua and Combichrist have unleashed six subsequent full-lengths, including 2014's We Love You, and numerous EPs while also cracking Billboard's Top 10 Dance Singles chart. Following the release of 2011's Making Monsters, they promoted it loudly by accompanying German friends Rammstein on an International stadiumtour, expanding their audience even further. LaPlegua was also commissioned to write the battle music for the Ninja Theory/CapCom videogame DmC: Devil May Cry, resulting in over 20 tracks, many of which appeared on the soundtrack album, Combichrist's sixth studio release, No Redemption.

Combichrist is: Andy LaPlegua - vocals Joe Letz - drums Eric 13 - guitar Brent Ashley - bass Nick Rossi - drums

Live Review: Gloryhammer rocks Dublin with heroic fantasy power metal



Gloryhammer at The Academy Dublin. 20 May 2016 - Supporting Blind Guardian - Presented by DME Promotions

At 7pm on the dot, Acadamy's visitors were picked up with a melodic intro to join the ride through the Gloryhammer universe. The band shows up one by one, and the show gets started as soon as all characters are welcomed on stage - “Rise Of The Chaos Wizards”. The Gloryhammer characters play along in their galactic costumes spreading loads of energy and passion. The pronounced mix of both musical composition and theatricality is there from the very first moment. The crowd is taken with the fantastic spirit and sound of Gloryhammer.

Next, the brave hero Angus McFife presents and tells “The Legend Of The Astral Hammer”. Angus McFife receives great support from the crowd, all mighty warriors are encouraged to jump, to shout – simply to rock. James becomes very thirsty later on and the fans help him to finish his canned beer in an appropriate manner just before the band goes on with “The Hollywood Hootsman”. Gloryhammer entertains during and between the songs persistently. Finally, Angus McFife and the evil Zargothrax face each other in a thrilling combat. “The Unicorn Invasion Of Dundee” turns the whole Acadamy upside down.

Gloryhammer provides a majestic performance: unique power metal, synchronised lights with the story, permanent entertainment and last but not least a strong voice. To close this review in short: Gloryhammer – indeed a glorious experience. To close this concert review even shorter and Gloryhammer-adequately: HOOTS!

Review by Patrick Sauter :)



Photos (c) Dani Kammler

Monday 30 May 2016

THE INVISIBLE EMPIRE - Juha Arvid Helminen - opening on June 16th at GalleryX

GalleryX presents: THE INVISIBLE EMPIRE – the Irish premiere of the work of acclaimed Finnish photographer Juha Arvid Helminen. Opening on 16 June at 6PM at GalleryX – 65 South William Street. The Invisible Empire is a haunting series of portraits that evoke the dehumanisation inherent in the use of uniforms and masks, contained in perfectly staged images of stark beauty.



GalleryX is excited to announce the Irish première of the work of Finnish photographer Juha Arvid Helminen. His series The Invisible Empire is a haunting series of portraits that evoke the dehumanisation inherent in the use of uniforms and masks, contained in perfectly staged images of stark beauty. The show will consist of older works and new ones made specially for this The Invisible Empire Dublin exhibition.

Juha Arvid Helminen (b. 1977 in Helsinki) works as a freelancer photographer, artist and a teacher. He graduated in 2010 from Lahti University of Applied Sciences as a photographer (BA). Helminen's work deals with the misuse of power in society. Helminen's work has been featured in prestigious magazines like Eyemazing (Netherlands), PhotoRaw (Finland) Membrana (Slovenia) and many others. This Spring Helminen's work will be featured also in the contemporary photography magazine Exit (Spain). His work has also been in numerous galleries' walls in Germany, Colombia, Switzerland, France, Nepal and USA, and he had his first solo exhibition in the respected photography gallery Hippolyte in Helsinki, 2013.

ABOUT THE INVISIBLE EMPIRE SERIES:

"In 2006 I witnessed the so called Smash ASEM “riot”. There I personally saw the dark side of the Finnish police. How young men hid behind their uniforms and hoods and anonymously committed misconduct. Later I witnessed the reluctance of the justice system to punish those in uniform. Uniforms create unity and through them we can separate a soldier from a civilian. But sometimes we hide inside them to do something really bad We wear clothes described by religion, profession, political thoughts and tradition to communicate and represent authority, where we belong and how we see the world. Often this hides our true persona and creates walls between ourselves and between the people that we meet. The characters in my works are the prisoners of these traditions and walls that we’ve created for ourselves. How close can we, the viewers, get to characters that have so much of their personality taken away from?"

SABATON Announce First Dates of ‘THE LAST TOUR’ In Europe 2017!



Swedish heavy metal heroes SABATON have announced the first dates for their massive European tour 2017. THE LAST TOUR is the biggest tour of SABATON yet and scheduled to kick off January 7th at König Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany. Very special guests are none other than heavy metal legends ACCEPT.

Says SABATON's bass player Pär Sundström: “We have just finished our new album, which is titled THE LAST STAND and we know we have done a great album, which all fans of SABATON can appreciate for many years. If it is the best album of us, time will tell… But what we can tell for sure is that THE LAST TOUR will be the biggest and best tour of SABATON ever. It is the tour we have been looking forward to do for all these years!“

Added ACCEPT guitarist Wolf Hoffmann: “Accepting a tour with SABATON is the result of a very cool relationship we have with the band. It was a great pleasure to tour with them in USA and we followed their career with respect over the years. We have not seen a band who has such a clear vision where they want to go and it is rare that bands can translate their visions into real action. SABATON are a hard working band and are a serious role model for aspiring musicians and young bands. We are looking forward to have an exciting tour - especially after we have been in the studio for a while and sure feel some kind of cabin fever…“

Full dates as follows...

SABATON w/ Accept

07.01.2017 DE - Oberhausen, Konig Pilsener Arena 08.01.2017 BE - Antwerp, Lotto Arena 10.01.2017 UK - Dublin, Vicar Street 11.01.2017 UK - Glasgow, o2 Academy 13.01.2017 UK - Manchester, o2 Apollo 14.01.2017 UK - London, o2 Brixton Academy 28.01.2017 DE - Ludwigsburg, MHP Arena 29.01.2017 NL - Amsterdam, Heineken Music Hall 31.01.2017 DE - Frankfurt, Jahrhunderthalle 01.02.2017 DE - Saarbrucken, Saarlandhalle 04.02.2017 DE - Bamberg, Brose Arena 05.02.2017 DE - Munich, Zenith 15.03.2017 DE - Berlin, Columbiahalle

Tickets for all shows will be available on May 31st at 09:00am BST

Additional shows to be announced at a later date.

SABATON's highly awaited 8th album THE LAST STAND will be released worldwide on August 19th through NUCLEAR BLAST. ACCEPT'S eminent guitarist Wolf Hoffmann will be releasing his second solo album; ‘Headbangers Symphony’ on 1st July via Nuclear Blast.’