Thursday 15 September 2016

Album Review: The Mission - 'Another Fall From Grace', Released 30 September 2016 via Eyes Wide Shut Recordings / SPV



The Mission - 'Another Fall From Grace'
Released 30 September 2016 via Eyes Wide Shut Recordings / SPV


Back to school time and we have been hit by some serious heavy weight albums recently @ Rockchickenz/Neuweltmusic.

Today’s album is no exception as I am talking about the new album from The Mission. In the mid-eighties, like many others who had an interest in Gothic, Post Punk and Alternative Rock there was a triumviri of bands that I was following, including The Cult, Sisters of Mercy and obviously the Mission, the latter being formed by two ex-Sisters of Mercy.

Another Fall From Grace is the new album’s title and is co-produced by Wayne Hussey, the emblematic leader of the band. There is a prowess all along this album insofar as it sounds incredibly current for an album which Wayne definitely wanted to sound like a 1985 effort. How did they manage that? :)

Another Fall From Grace - the track - will reassure the legions of loyal and mystical fans. This is pure Mission sound (circa 1986). Met Amor Phosis, the second track, has introspective lyrics: 'Where is the man that once was me?' Well I guess we know that Wayne is back on a mission (pun intended). He can even be quoted; saying that this particular album had a difficult birth. This was not easy to make and he would emphasize further by adding he NEEDED to make this album. So I would say: forget the 30th anniversary marketing plot, I think it is more a coincidence than anything else.

But back to the album. Not sure you can detect that the band is originally from Leeds but what is sure is, that this album will sit very comfortably in their discography. The Mission is not a normal band, there is a specific aura attached to it. A spirituality even, if not an invitation to a musical journey in some kind of twilight zone. Jade is a beautiful waterfall of emotive lyrics composing somehow a harrowing ode to conflicting feelings.

Within The Deepest Darkness displays quality, pure sound and always showcases this voice; personifying so much the Mission. You will like this LP. Tyranny Of Secrets has a classic Mission intro, Only You And Alone gives some space to the bass while Can’t See The Ocean for The Rain will transport you to lighter territories.

Finally let me finish by stating that it is no surprise that kindred spirit HIM leader makes an appearance on an album which by any means is a delicious anomaly in the current musical landscape.

JUST CLASS

Overall: Back to the future, oh yeah!!!
If I was to pick 3 only: Jade, Met Amor Phosis, Another Fall From Grace
Live Test: Do I really have to comment here? :)

Review by Pascal Derrien



Another Fall From Grace CD track listing:

1 Another Fall From Grace
2 Met-Amor-Phosis
3 Within The Deepest Darkness (Fearful)
4 Blood On The Road
5 Can't See The Ocean For The Rain
6 Tyranny Of Secrets
7 Never's Longer Than Forever
8 Bullets & Bayonets
9 Valaam
10 Jade
11 Only You & You Alone
12 Phantom Pain

Wednesday 14 September 2016

VOODOO TERROR TRIBE to Release New Album "The Sun Shining Cold" on November 11, 2016



Over the years, alternative hard rockers VOODOO TERROR TRIBE have made a name for themselves as a mainstay in the New York tri-state area and beyond. Their intense performances and diverse discography, which includes three EP's and two full-lengths released between 2005 and 2014 (including 2009's Symptoms of Sin recorded with Billy Graziadei [Biohazard, Suicide City]), have solidified the band as a premier talent amidst a sea of contemporaries.

On November 11, 2016, VOODOO TERROR TRIBE will release their third full-length offering, entitled The Sun Shining Cold. You can pre-order the album now via Bandcamp. The 10-track album delivers in-your-face hard rock anthems, soaring ballads and alt-metal scorchers - all individually unique and dynamic in their delivery.

Today, you can listen to a new track from The Sun Shining Cold,entitled "No Hell Like Home", exclusively via Revolver Magazine. "No Hell Like Home" immediately hits the ground running with gritty rock riffs and lures you in with soulful vocals and a hook you can't help but sing along to. Produced by Ill NiƱo lead vocalist Cristian Machado, The Sun Shining Cold was recorded at Sound Wars Studios in Hoboken, NJ and mixed at Fuel Music Studios in Anaheim, CA.

The Sun Shining Cold promises to be VOODOO TERROR TRIBE's most sonically advanced offering yet. Producer Cristian Machado recognized the raw talent within the band and knew they had something special to offer to the rock scene. "This album is possibly one of the best metal albums I've ever been a part of," states Machado. "You don't always get to work with such talented musicians who just so happen to be mature and dedicated to bringing something fresh to the evolution of the genre. I comfortably refer to them as "haunted metal" but in all honesty they are a new breed of metal yet to be heard under this style and context. In my heart of hearts, I truly believe they are here to contribute an impressive approach and styling to the evolution of metal."

Guitarist Emir Erkal adds, "We know the scene, and the scene knows us, but we're coming at this with full force in a new way with a new sound. This is an album full of surprises, with heavy guitars and crushing drums, yet melodic and catchy tunes with layers of haunting, mysterious, electronic and industrial sounds. The record features mainly dark, twisted themes within a post-apocalyptic concept." Bassist Primer adds, "It feels like the culmination of what we've been doing for a long time as VOODOO TERROR TRIBE: power grooves, crushing guitars, catchy, but dark melodies - but taken to a new level."

Recently, VOODOO TERROR TRIBE unleashed their first track cut from The Sun Shining Cold, entitled "City of Sixes". You can watch the music video - directed by Scott Hansen (Motionless in White, A Day To Remember, We Came As Romans) and tallying over 130,000 views as of September 2016:


Stay tuned for more coming soon from VOODOO TERROR TRIBE leading up to the release of The Sun Shining Cold. VOODOO TERROR TRIBE have performances scheduled on the east coast this fall, including a performance at Hollowfest 2016 in Newark, DE. See below for all currently scheduled performance dates.

9/17 - Clifton, NJ @ Dingbatz 10/21 - Newark, DE @ Halftime Sports and Music Venue - Hollowfest 2016 10/28 - Clifton, NJ @ Dingbatz - w/ Genitorturers

About VOODOO TERROR TRIBE: Formed by Emir Erkal on guitars (an Istanbul, Turkey native who moved to USA in order to take his musical career to the next level) and longtime friend T-Bone on drums, the duo later brought in Primer on bass and topped off their alt-metal sound with the masterfully vocalized emotional poetry by vocalist Gil PZ.

AMARANTHE - MELODIC METAL FRONTRUNNERS CITE ‘MAXIMALISM’ AS THEIR “MANIFESTO TO THE WORLD”



Amaranthe, the cutting edge outfit with the triple-lead-vocal attack, can now reveal the title, artwork & arrival date for their latest studio album – the follow-up to 2014’s breakthrough ‘Massive Addictive’ release…

Titled ‘Maximalism’ and due out via Spinefarm Records on October 21st, this hyper-modern, metallic beast of a record is the band’s fourth since first joining forces back in 2008; produced once again by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Epica, Delain) and mastered by Svante Forsback (Rammstein, Apocalyptica, Dragonforce), it sees the Swedish / Danish sextet delivering 12 new tracks that fully live up to the ‘bigger, bolder’ promise of the title.

Refusing to be pinned down by genre or convention, Amaranthe have consistently pursued the less travelled path, blending different sounds and styles to create a signature hybrid approach, and ‘Maximalism’ sees their collective wide-angle vision laid out with greater skill and conviction than ever before. From the locomotive power of ‘Faster’ & ‘Fury’ through to the more measured drama of ‘Limitless’ & ‘Endlessly’ (a solo tour-de-force for singer Elize Ryd), this is Amaranthe ramping up both the energy and the emotion, and generally pushing everything To The Max….

Says lead guitarist, Olof Morck: “‘Maximalism’ is our manifesto to the world! We are genuinely thrilled with the new material, definitely our most diverse collection to date; our trademark ‘bleeding edge’ modern metal remains intact, of course, but fused with an even broader range of genres than before… there’s everything here including stadium rock, innovative pop and danceable super-hits. Expect these tunes to enter your mind on a permanent basis!”

The track-listing for ‘Maximalism’ is as follows: 01. Maximize 02. Boomerang 03. That Song 04. 21 05. On The Rocks 06. Limitless 07. Fury 08. Faster 09. Break Down And Cry 10. Supersonic 11. Fireball 12. Endlessly

In support of ‘Maximalism’, Amaranthe embark on a headline European tour in October / November, with Sonic Syndicate & Smash Into Pieces guesting on all shows. US & UK tour dates will be revealed shortly.

Tuesday 13 September 2016

IN FLAMES RELEASE LYRIC VIDEO FOR 'THE TRUTH'



Since their formation in the 1990s, IN FLAMES have strived to carve their own path when it comes to their sound. With melodic anthem 'The Truth', the Swedes once again prove that their diversity is endless and that the previously released clip for 'The End' was merely the beginning. Watch the new lyric video from their upcoming album 'Battles' here:


Since forming in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1990, IN FLAMES have had six albums debut in the top ten in Sweden, including two #1 debuts. They have toured the globe countless times, performing alongside some of today’s biggest rock and metal acts including, METALLICA, JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, and MEGADETH, and have held several mainstage and headline spots at various music festivals around the world including, Ozzfest, Download Festival, Graspop, Taste of Chaos, Hellfest and Rock Am Ring / Im Park amongst many others. Following the release of 'Battles'. IN FLAMES will be performing a string of dates in the UK alongside AVENGED SEVENFOLD and DISTURBED.

EXNATIONS Announces New Single And Tour Dates



DC’s own indie pop group EXNATIONS are announcing today their upcoming single for “Free”, as well as a week long East Coast tour. EXNATIONS east coast run starts on 10/20 and ends on 11/5. Below are the dates:

10/20 New York, NY // Pianos w/ Oh Malo 10/21 Philadelphia, PA // The Fire w/ Oh Malo, The Last Year 10/22 Washington D.C. // velvet lounge w/ Oh Malo, The Last Year 10/24 Pittsburgh, PA // mr. Roboto w/ Oh Malo 11/04 Rhode Island // AS220 w/ Oh Malo 11/05 Connecticut // TBA w/ Oh Malo

EXNATIONS for the past few months dedicated their time to perfect the sound for their new single. Teaming up with producer and engineer Joe Costable, best known for his work with American Authors and Young Rising. Together they create a unique, catchy sound that will make you click repeat.


About EXNATIONS: EXNATIONS is an alternative pop band from Washington, DC. Born from a studio experiment of vocalist/guitarist, Josh Reich and drummer, Taylor Hughes, the group came to life in late 2015 when they recruited guitarist, Gaelen Smith. In spring 2016 the group premiered their debut single “Found You” produced by David Pavluk of The Downtown Fiction.

BLEEKER Announce Tour Dates This Fall In The UK And Canada


Photo Credit: Jody Domingue

New York, NY SEPTEMBER 12, 2016 — Alternative-rock outfit BLEEKER announce their 2016 fall tours in Canada and the UK, select US dates on the west coast and a headline show in Germany. They will be touring alongside Royal Republic in the UK, The Struts, Holy White Hounds, and The Psychedelic Furs in the US, and The Trews in Canada—see full tour routing details below. Tickets for the Canadian tour go on sale this Friday, September 16 via www.bleekerofficial.com.

Based just outside of Toronto, Bleeker is comprised of Taylor Perkins (vocals), Cole Perkins (guitars), and Mike Van Dyk (bass). Having toured alongside The Struts, Sublime with Rome, and Dirty Heads, they are “definitely a band you need to experience live. They combine the feeling of rock bands like Buckcherry and even Aerosmith with an ‘alternative’ edge similar to that of The White Stripes” (Salazen Media). Onstage, the band is a force to be reckoned with, performing with a true rock ‘n roll spirit and relentlessly testing the crowd’s ability to stand still.

Upon the announcement of the tours, Bleeker reveal details for their new, full length album Erase You, out October 24 via Five Seven Music—track listing enclosed. Erase You captures the same fun-spirited attitude as the EP and encapsulates the true mission of rock music: to encourage listeners to dance, sing along, and forget about their everyday lives for a while. The album includes hit single “Highway” which is currently #15 at Active Rock Radio (Canada) and will soon be starting at Alt Radio (Canada). The track is the first single off Bleeker’s debut, self-titled EP which has over half a million streams on Spotify, up 13% from the previous week. Streaming of “Highway” is now up 10% in the US and 47% in Canada.

Bleeker have also released a lyric video for “Free” off the EP and upcoming album.


Bleeker Tour Dates with Royal Republic: Thu 10/6 Bristol, UK Thekla Fri 10/7 London, UK Garage **Sold Out** Sat 10/8 Nottingham, UK Rescue Rooms **Sold Out** Sun 10/9 Glasgow, UK Classic Grind* Tue 10/11 Manchester, UK Club Academy** Wed 10/12 Wolverhampton, UK
Slade Rooms *Upgraded from King Tuts due to high demand. **Upgraded from Academy 3 due to high demand.

Headline show: Thu 10/13 Berlin, Germany Maze Club

Rock 102.1 KMFA Fall Ball Sun 10/16 Tucson, AZ Pima County Fairgrounds

9.33 ALT AZ Low Dough Show Mon 10/17 Scottsdale, AZ Pub Rock

With Holy White Hounds Wed 10/19 San Diego, CA Casbah

With The Psychedelic Furs Tue 10/25 Santa Ana, CA The Observatory

With The Struts Wed 11/2 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore Thu 11/3 Los Angeles, CA The Fonda

Canadian tour with The Trews Thu 11/10 Victoria, BC Distrikt Fri 11/11 Penticton, BC The Mule Sat 11/12 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom Mon 11/14 Grande Prairie, AB Better Than Fred's Tue 11/15 Grande Prairie, AB Better Than Fred's Thu 11/17 Medicine Hat, AB Canalta Centre (All Ages) Fri 11/18 Calgary, AB Marquee Sat 11/19 Lethbridge, AB Average Joe's Tue 11/22 Red Deer, AB Bo's Bar Fri 11/25 Saskatoon, SK Saskatoon Event Centre Sat 11/26 Winnipeg, MB Burton Cummings Theatre (All Ages) Fri 12/2 Sarnia, ON The Station Music Hall Sat 12/3 Sarnia, ON The Station Music Hall Thu 12/8 Waterloo, ON Maxwell's Music House Fri 12/9 London, ON London Music Hall (All Ages) Sat 12/10 Toronto, ON Phoenix Concert Theatre Wed 12/14 Saint John, NB Imperial Theatre (All Ages) Fri 12/16 Halifax, NS The Marquee Ballroom

Raging Speedhorn to Tour Ireland



Hot off the back of their recent run of UK dates, sludge overlords Raging Speedhorn are set to hit Ireland, with Belfast hardcore mob By Any Means & Irish metallers Dead Label, for their first run of dates since reforming in 2014!

The dates for the shows are:

Friday Sept 16th - Cork - Crane Lane
Saturday Sept 17th - Dublin - On The Rox
Sunday Sept 18th - Belfast – Voodoo


The band’s next UK appearance will be as part of the London Tattoo Convention from September 23rd-25th alongside Orange Goblin & The Broken Chords. The event will also include a 2000 AD Exhibition and performances by Fuel Girls & Pyrohex.

Since reforming, Speedhorn have spent the last two years reminding the British metal crowd why they were, and still are, one of the most beloved and feared live bands on the planet. Between decimating small venues at flattening volume, with the raw power of a cocaine fuelled rhinoceros, the band have also annihilated stages at some of the UK’s biggest festivals; including Sonisphere, Bloodstock & Damnation, to name a few.

Away from the beer soaked live circuit, Speedhorn have busied themselves in the studio, with 2015’s “Halfway To Hell”. The single received its debut on the Radio 1 Rock Show, and went on to receive national airplay across Europe. While its accompanying video scored its first screening on Scuzz TV. The track was later picked up for a Split 7” with New Jersey space rockers Monster Magnet through German label, H42 Records.

One thing above all is clear; Raging Speedhorn are back. And there’s not a pair of eardrums or a stage in the land they won’t rip to shreds.

Monday 12 September 2016

JANET DEVLIN To Release "OUTERNET SONG" on Oct. 7th



This October singer songwriter, X Factor star, and YouTube sensation, JANET DEVLIN returns with her addictive new single, "Outernet Song." With Janet’s distinctive vocals, her ukulele and one of the catchiest choruses you’ll hear this year, "Outernet Song" has all the makings of a pop classic. Covering our obsession with the Internet and social media, "Outernet Song" showcases Janet’s honest and frank lyricism to great effect and couldn’t be more timely as more and more people embark on a ‘digital detox’.

“This song has long history,” says Janet. “I started writing it on my ukulele when I was 19. Too many mornings spent watching TV and being told how to dress, how to look, and what to eat had worn away my confidence.” Janet kept the lyrics written down and found herself adding to them at various points over the last couple of years with more verses penned in response to some of the criticism she’s faced in her YouTube comments. “I discovered negative remarks about my appearance, unkind assessments of my talent and apparently being over the hill (at age 20!). I soon became pretty desensitized to it all and learnt to ignore them; but not before writing down how I felt to help me process my feelings and move on.”

Born and raised in Northern Ireland, Janet first caught the public’s attention when she appeared on Series 8 of UK's X Factor in 2011. She was a viewer’s firm favorite who consistently received the highest consecutive public votes out of all the contestants, eventually coming fifth on the show, before embarking on the X Factor tour. After leaving the X Factor, she took the independent route and in 2014, released her acclaimed debut album, Running With Scissors, reaching Number 1 on the UK Indie Breakers Chart and featuring co-writes with the likes of Jack Savoretti and Newton Faulkner.

Janet’s creativity and output can rarely be stemmed, most evident by the growth of her online presence, predominantly on Facebook and YouTube. Since Running With Scissors, she has been busy creating regular weekly content for her subscribers, treating fans to everything from videos and poetry readings to cover songs and vlogs. Her monthly live online shows continue to draw in huge audiences, and most inspiringly, an income that enables her to keep working as a full time musician.

With such an impressive online following, and a successful post X Factor career built on the dedication of her fans and her online community, could she actually take the kind of social media holiday she sings about on "Outernet Song"?

“Yes. Just a small break is a window to re-evaluate. Sometimes we just need to step outside for a little while and go pet a dog or something. Am I saying that we should run through the meadows into the open arms of Mother Nature and hug trees? No. I mean pressing the pause button on the never-ending scroll. Doing something other than waiting for notifications, emails or likes. Then come back to the magnificent world that is the Internet and see it for what it really is. A perfect place to Google videos of dogs surfing.”

Itching to leave the Internet behind, Janet heads to the "Outernet" and hits the road in the UK in November for her ‘My Opium’ tour, her third UK headline tour with East Coast US dates to be announced shortly. She’s also recently finished filming her screen debut for indie film, "Songbird," which features two original songs written by Janet especially for the soundtrack. More news on this and her long awaited second album, Holy Water, which is currently being written…Stay tuned! ‘Outernet Song’ is out October 7.

Album Review: Idlewar - 'Impulse', Released 30 September 2016 via PHD



Idlewar - 'Impulse'
Released 30 September 2016 via PHD

WARNING: ROCK LEGEND IN THE MAKING!!!!!

Every now and again you stumble upon a musical gem and in 2016 it is Idlewar. How come I have missed their previous EP? 'Dig In' in my opinion will quickly become a collector and if you manage to grab a physical copy I would recommend to get it signed.

Now back to the current album with my new favourite trio... with Clutch, Led Zep and King’s X among the bands that have influenced them I am in awe of their musicianship, attitude and image. Recorded over two days there is an emergency for a first album which can only be matched in my eyes by Kill Em All From Metallica. It is a different register obviously but the intensity, integrity and intent is similar, even though our 3 boys have more maturity than the famous horsemen.

No need for excess for Idlewar. The deliberate choice in having short song titles would almost indicate the need to focus on the essential only but don’t get me wrong, there is no short cut taken on this excellent LP. Criminal is very catchy and efficient, All I Got with its slow tempo is simply beautiful, even though I feel more time should have been given to James and his voice on the mix. James mentions Foo Fighters on the band’s website and there is a similar ability and talent in crafting great songs such as Burn All This and Apathy.

Sound wise it is not too distant from Audioslave but Rick Graham and Pete Pagonis respectively guitar and drums form a genuine band with James.. and fair to say they are only at a stage where they are developing their sound together with Impulse.

We won’t have the opportunity to see them in Ireland just yet as Idlewar are getting their teeth into the UK market where they will be touring soon (thanks to the indefectible support from radios there) but make no mistake I really think they are going to be massive. On Our Knee - the last track which concludes the album is as strong as the opening track Stone in My Heel with this inimitable hypnotic sound’s trademark.

It’s sonic, it’s engaging, it’s punchy and groovy, it’s Idlewar.

Overall: It does not happen very often but I am lost for words
I was to pick 3 Only: Criminal, All I Got, Stone in My Heel
Live Test: Please come to Dublin!!!!



Review by Pascal Derrien