At this point in their thirty year career Ash are something of a safe bet with consistently good records and always solid live. When other bands have self-destructed, lost the magic or faded away, Ash have remained a constant.
The relationships within the trio will of course be one key reason behind this longevity and when early press releases teased Tim Wheeler as describing âRace the Nightâ as “the sound of the band reveling in the sheer joy of being a band after being separated by time and distance through the insanity of the early 2020s.”, the seeds were sewn for a change.
Change probably isnât the right word to use though, perhaps re-emergence would suit better because as the band have drip fed singles from the new album many have likened the sound to 2004âs âMeltdownâ album in terms is heaviness.
The constant will to pigeonhole and connect releases is always is kneejerk temptation from music press though, and whilst sonically the connection is obvious, âRace the Nightâ actually stands out for the reason highlighted by Wheeler. That is plain and simply that this sounds like a band having fun and making an album that follows no set rulebook just a desire to unleash their creativity and see what happens.
Well what has happened with âRace the Nightâ is a sublime slice of pop rock perfection. Fans of the band that have enjoyed recent offerings âKablammo!â and âIslandsâ and observed how good those releases are will perhaps be surprised by the quality of this album. Thatâs because both those albums were very decent and maintained the legacy of the band, but âRace the Nightâ sees the band take a giant leap forward.
There are of course radio hits, delicate melodies and rifftastic moments spread throughout the well balanced release as youâd expect from Ash, but if in doubt just listen to the fantastic album closer, âLike A God â Repriseâ. You just canât help but picture a young band just jamming together in a garage!
Yes, whilst Ash have never failed to deliver the goods, âRace the Nightâ feels like a special present indeed.
ROYAL BLOOD – BACK TO THE WATER BELOW – ALBUM REVIEW
Royal Blood have been one of the biggest success stories for new rock bands over the past decade. All three of their albums thus far have reached the coveted number one spot and the band have elevated themselves to arena and festival headline status.
All of this creates a natural pressure on the band to keep delivering consistently high standards, and the time has arrived to see whether the band can achieve an incredible quadruple of number one albums.
âBack to the Water Belowâ sees the band handling production fully themselves for the first time having previously worked alongside the likes of Josh Homme and Tom Dalgety. The positives of such a move of course include the unadulterated freedom, but the double-edged sword is that there is nobody to offer assurance and quality control.
After all the bells and whistles that accompanied predecessor âTyphoonsâ, the album title this time around may also refer to the back to basics approach taken by the duo. From opener âMountains At Midnightâ onwards itâs evidently clear that the band have gone back to their roots to use another tired clichĂŠ.
Thatâs not to say that they havenât added plenty of polish to the finished product but that there is a slower more methodical sonic style on this collection. That Royal Blood DNA is evident throughout but the album is much more melancholic than those that came before.
This does in many ways feel the least hyped of all of the bands albums and the limited pre-release campaign feeds into that. It feels like messrs Kerr and Thatcher want to let the music do the talking on this record, and they are clearly talented enough to do so.
Whilst this may be a completely different album compared to any of their three previous efforts, Royal Blood have still created something distinctly Royal Blood. The band have seen their fair share of criticism in the past both somehow for failing to evolve and for changing too much! On âBack to the Water Belowâ, the band merge everything theyâve done before and evolve into something new.
So, while musically this record is a fantastic genesis of the their style, commercially it will be interesting to see if this is an album that can secure that illustrious fourth consecutive number one?
SOFT PLAY release first taste of new era with ‘Punk’s Dead’
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!
We hope that you are enjoying your Bank Holiday weekend whatever you are doing? Be sure to read until the end for some News Report news!!
We begin though with the return of SOFT PLAY (formerly known as Slaves). The duo have now shared their first taste of new music since they reconvened for 2000trees last month.
Next up in our News Report this week are Black Stone Cherry who are on the home stretch towards new album, ‘Screamin’ at the Sky’, which arrives on September 29th.
Continuing the build up, the band have now shared latest single, ‘Smile, World’, which you can check out above.
DragonForce vocalist Marc Hudson has shared, ‘Starbound Stories’, the latest track from his solo album of the same name. You can of course listen to the track above.
Hudson says, ââStarbound Storiesâ, the title track, serves as the unrelenting epilogue to the albumâs sonically rich tapestry of adventure & destiny, resounding into skies and souls alike the ultimate power metal anthem of perseverance & belief in the self.â
The final new release in our News Report this week comes from Silent Planet, who have shared new single, ‘Collider’, which you can check out above.
The track comes ahead of upcoming album, ‘SUPERBLOOM’, which arrives on November 3rd.
Take all the darkness. All the vitriol, the greed and the vanity; lay it again as dust. Everything can be alchemized. This song is called ‘Collider,'” says singer Garrett Russell. “It’s about what comes out of our lives when the people we trust and hold closest are the ones who can hurt or betray us the worst. We don’t have to run from the pain or be afraid. The dark gives us the energy to make something beautiful. The song is about alchemizing the darkness and transforming its negative properties.”
“A SUPERBLOOM is this strange moment where brilliant fauna spring forth unexpectedly and bring forth such an array of colors, it almost feels alien in origin,” Garrett notes. “It only lasts for a couple of weeks before itâs gone. While we were recording, the SUPERBLOOM was happening. For me, the record is getting in touch with the other side and watching the strange and paranormal emerge from the mundane and profane, hence the title.”
Northern Irish metal outfit ARCHIVES have announced their new album ‘No Bliss In Ignorance’ and shared lead single âNo Sweatâ.
Talking about the new single, vocalist Adam Holland shares: âNo sweat is about the concept of corruption/hypocrisy within corporations and institutions. Regardless of how much you try to hide it the truth will always find the light eventually. The single shares the harsh reality that much of the worlds corruption is covered up by those who financially gain from it. Some people are born into wealth & privilege and are undeserving of it.â
Skies Turn Black – ‘Sweet, Sweet Solitude’
British heavy metal up-and-comers Skies Turn Black have released new anthem ‘Sweet, Sweet Solitude’.
The band comment: “‘Sweet, Sweet Solitude’ was written back in lockdown, and lyrically it discusses the loneliness that lots of us went through during that time. Musically speaking, it’s a contrast from our usual flashy guitar work, leaving more space for the voice and the other instruments to shine.”
Raisin Awareness – ‘No More’
UK punk band Raisin Awareness share new song ‘No More’.
Jo D, the band’s lead vocalist, and guitarist, says, “This song is my way of personifying my internal struggle with depression and anxiety. The lyrics, ‘As we converse with these voices inside of our heads, I just can’t believe all the things that I said to myself,’ depict the constant, often self-deprecating dialogue that occurs in my mind.
Followed then by the line, ‘it’s like Piccadilly Circus inside of my head,’ metaphorically illustrates the chaotic nature of my mental health battles. Much like London’s Piccadilly Circus’s bustling, overwhelming nature, my mind is constantly filled with noise, confusion, and turmoil brought on by anxiety and depression.
Despite the personal growth I’ve experienced, the response ‘No more, no more, do you care’ represents the relentless nature of anxiety and depression. Even as I evolve and grow stronger, these personified entities remain, constantly challenging my perception of self-improvement.
Further to that, the song’s dialogue between ‘Do you know me’ and ‘Do you care’ signifies the complex relationship between personal growth and mental health. It’s a testament to the fact that even as we make strides in understanding ourselves and growing, our mental health battles persist, sometimes making us question if any real progress has been made.”
We began our News Report in February 2021, but this week will be the last edition in its current format. We will be announcing our replacement later this week on Social Media so make sure that you are following Full Pelt!
Hot Milk have been building, building, building since they stormed onto the scene in 2019. Building a solid fanbase, building a reputation as a top live act and building an incomparable back catalogue. Whilst those positive foundations were being built though, pressure and expectation built with them, specifically for a full debut album.
Well, the time has arrived for the band to show off their finished house to the word. Complete with aesthetically pleasing artwork, âA Call To The Voidâ is ready for inspection and on first look it would appear that the band havenât build any ordinary house, theyâve built a temple!
âA Call To The Voidâ is a call to arms, an invitation for that dedicated and passionate following to worship in their temple. From beginning to end the album is a galvanising expression of cathartic release from the band.
Stripping all existential meanings from the songs, what this album represents is quite simply a really fun half hour of joyous pop punk. What the band do well is add a darker edge to the genre which removes much of the silliness that is often associated with it. That said whilst many might try and pigeonhole this as emo or the like, the reality is that the band defy true genre designated.
There are plenty of obvious influences spread throughout the album, but Hot Milk have an ability to go beyond them and create something which is uniquely Hot Milk. The band have captured imaginations with their output thus far and âA Call To The Voidâ is now the centrepiece on the mantle in their temple.
It will of course be interesting to see where the band go from this point, but they progress having successfully navigated the pitfalls of a debut album. Given that the group donât appear to be ones to rest on their laurels then youâd imagine the building work will continue and youâd surely put money on them creating something spectacular!
HOLDING ABSENCE – THE NOBLE ART OF SELF DESTRUCTION – ALBUM REVIEW
It has been quite a remarkable journey for Holding Absence, for example you probably wonât find many bands on their level this early in their career whilst technically featuring no original members. The band have come so far from their early beginnings though and to have the opportunity to marvel upon their evolution in recent years has been very special indeed.
Every challenge has been met head on, and the ability of the band to form such a strong, organic connection with their fans has been a pleasure to see. Hard work in the studio and out on the road has born beautiful fruit and 2021âs âThe Greatest Mistake of My Lifeâ was a true masterpiece.
The band now find themselves in the unenviable position of trying to follow that release and they do so with third album, âThe Noble Art of Self Destructionâ, which is perhaps more than a subtle nod at the obstacles that theyâve overcome.
As mentioned already, the evolution and growth of the band has been special to witness but their sound in particular has developed so elegantly over the course of their career. On this new record they are sonically soaring above the clouds with a majestic aura connecting each track.
The ten songs here will suck you in and youâll lose yourself to the honesty and richness of the lyrical content whilst be carried about by the gentle waves of the atmospheric soundtrack. Itâs impossible to cherry pick highlights here as the album will simply take you on a journey that youâll willingly follow.
Holding Absence are a band that appear to have found a magical formula for song writing because every time you think that theyâve peaked, they go ahead and surprise you all over again.
Next comes news of a brand new album from Within Temptation!
The band announced this week that, ‘Bleed Out’, will be released on October 20th. You can also listen to the title track above!
Vocalist Sharon den Adel states, âThe war in Ukraine has influenced us a lot. As artists we are inspired by the world, and we have this platform. We are storytellers, and I think as human beings, these are things we should be talking about.â
Whilst songs such as âWirelessâ and âWe Go To Warâ examine the authoritarian aggression on display in Ukraine and other warzones, the title track itself addresses the plight of women fighting for their rights in Iran after the murder of Mahsa Amini.
Sharon explains, âI lived in Yemen when I was a kid. My parents lived in several countries in the Middle East, and Iâve visited them a lot when they were there. Itâs a different world. Due to my time there, I feel connected to that part of the world. Iâve been so incredibly impressed by the bravery of the young women there whoâve been burning their scarves knowing they were going to be thrown in prison or worse â itâs heartbreaking.â
Ash continue to prepare for the release of their new album, ‘Race the Night’, which arrives on September 15th.
This week saw the band share new single, ‘Usual Places’, which you can check out above.
Tim Wheeler comments: âOriginally written as a tribute to long forgotten bars and faces as I was leaving New York, âUsual Placesâ took on extra significance as the first thing we worked on together post-lockdown. Below the surface of the joy of writing and playing together again, there’s a subconscious grief to all that was lost in those years. Friends and family, pubs and venues. This is our eulogy to them all. No coincidence the video was shot in the Marquis of Lorne, just a walk from Brixton Academy.â
K.Flay teams with Pierce The Veil on ‘Irish Goodbye’
K.Flay – ‘Irish Goodbye’ ft. Vic Fuentes (Pierce The Veil)
K.Flay has shared new single, ‘Irish Goodbye’, which features Vic Fuentes of Pierce The Veil.
Check out the track above, which comes ahead of new album, ‘MONO’, which arrives September 15th.
âI was screaming in the demo to that song and eventually I realized, âI have a friend who screams professionally, so maybe I should get him on this,ââ K.Flay recalls.
JAWS have shared new single, ‘Sweat’, which you can check out above.
The tracks comes from upcoming EP, ‘If It Wasn’t For My Friends, Things Could Be Different’, which is out on September 15th.
Connor Schofield explains, âLyrically âSweatâ is about dealing with your anxiety in the moment, everything slowing down and trying to take it as it comes when in an overstimulating situation.â
Soon after news of a Creed reunion, Scott Stapp have shared a new single, ‘Higher Power’, which you can check out above.
Stapp says, âLifeâs mysteries can be unraveled by listening to one’s inner voice. For me, that means leaning on my faith in God and listening to His voice to guide me through the struggles and darkness. For others, whether itâs through art, nature, science, family, or a combination of all, tapping into a higher power is an individualized process that requires an open mind and a willingness to flow with a force thatâs greater than the individual.â
“UK! It has been far too long (since 2018!) and weâve missed you so much. Weâre so excited to come back this December”. Those were the words of The Used as they announced a new headline UK Tour.
Support will come from The Home Team and Honey Revenge.
The Cult have revealed details of a very special tour focusing on their early material and material from predecessors Southern Death Cult and Death Cult.
Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun reveal headline dates
Recent Podcast guests Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun have revealed a new headline tour which will take place this autumn.
The band commented, “Our first tour since 2019. Weâll be playing songs from our new album as well as all our old favourites. Donât miss out! Stoked to see you all.”
Oxymorrons share new single, ‘Look Alive (Netic)’ from upcoming debut album, ‘Melanin Punk’.
The band explains, â’Look Alive’ is the perfect sonic representation of our unique blend of Rock and Hip-Hop. It hits hard, exudes energy, and lives authentically in both spaces. With swaggy, unapologetic vibes, it simultaneously uplifts while delivering a powerful message: ‘Hard Times Get Better.’ Stay focused, Stay Active, and Push Forward, always Look Alive.”
Noise – ‘Victor’
Glasgow four-piece Noise share ‘Victor’ from newly announced debut EP, ‘Not Until Tomorrow Night’.
âOur debut EP explores the link between nostalgia and the present,â explain the band. âThese themes are woven into retellings of classic novels such as Frankenstein and The Picture of Dorian Gray with a modern twist. The songs perfectly represent our musical ideals and weâre immensely proud of them.â
Matthew Lowry – ‘Coming For You’
Matthew Lowry shares latest single, ‘Coming For You’.
âI knew right away when I wrote the riff for this song that I needed to follow through on it. It was so much fun from the start because, for a long time, my songwriting had been missing the hard rock that I grew up loving. The stuff that made me want to put a guitar on. A little Southern flare mixed with the rock anthems I blasted throughout my entire childhood. No better way to be honest with yourself and move forward than to let out the real stuff you have inside. And since this album is about that journey to embrace yourself and move forward in life, it was perfect.
Once this was tracked in the studio, that feeling I had from the start was confirmed. I wanted this to be the final single before the album came out. Lyrically, itâs pretty straightforward: Iâm over trying to be anything for anyone. No more fear, no more paranoia. Iâm bringing my shit front and center. This is me, this is my music, this is who I am.
Then to be really me, we knew that we wanted to make the video as ridiculous and goofy as we could. Since I started planning the album, I had this idea for the âFlamingo County Gamesâ as a Jackass style backwoods Florida olympics. A bit of a nod to the Foo Fighters in their golden era of amazing music videos with those huge rock anthems. In the end, it all came together, and I honestly could not be happier. â -Matthew Lowry
The career of The View has been really fascinating, full of ups and downs, hit singles and missed opportunities. Once tipped to be the next big thing, the band now find themselves pigeonholed into a noughties indie nostalgia scene.
There has always been a youthful volatility to the band that has both garnered positive sentiment and turned people off in equal measures. After a hiatus the band returned to a receptive fanbase who packed out shows and soaked up a look back at the glory days.
What is interesting here is that most bands would settle for their place in the pecking order and hit up that nostalgia circuit for as long as possible. Perhaps thatâs what many wouldâve expected The View to do, but instead here they are with a brand new studio album, which really is rather good!
Yes, that isnât something we perhaps thought weâd be saying in 2023 but âExorcism of Youthâ is undoubtedly the groupâs best work since their debut album. With a more mature and explorative sound, a strong argument could even be made to say that the album is actually their very best.
There is plenty of what made the band popular on offer but rather than just copy their previous homework the band have put in the work and delivered something fresh. The likes of the fantastic âShovel In His Handsâ and the superb âWoman of the Yearâ standout but the album as a whole is full of melancholic indie anthems.
Fans of the band will very much enjoy this album and the band can be proud of proving all the naysayers wrong by pulling a rabbit out of the hat with âExorcism of Youthâ!
THE XCERTS – LEARNING How TO LIVE AND LET GO – ALBUM REVIEW
Itâs somehow been five years since The Xcerts released the sublime âHold On to Your Heartâ, and in the meantime a lot has happened both in the world itself and in the world of The Xcerts.
The band now return with a new album, on a new record label, and with a newly expanded musical ambition, which is perhaps best demonstrated on statement single, âGIMMEâ! Yes, âLearning How to Live and Let Goâ, is the sound of a band testing themselves and pushing their boundaries, removing any pre-set assumptions about what is expected of them.
That said, the DNA that runs through the likes of âIn the Cold Wind We Smileâ and âThere Is Only Youâ is very still inherent on what is perhaps the groups most well rounded record yet. The juxtaposition between the likes of âAcheâ and âMy Friends Foreverâ is so finely balanced because the band have taken the two ends of their sonic palette and stretched them are far as possible.
As a result you get a wide range of new colours but the identity of the artist remains the intrinsic link. In a day and age where artists are encouraged to play it safe and stick to the rulebook, The Xcerts have been brave enough to throw that book out the window and explore themselves.
The result is twelve thoroughly enjoyable tracks interwoven by the theme of acceptance and the road to it. This very much feels like the band also coming to terms with their place in the world, pressing reset and setting off on their next journey; and given the immense quality of the outcome, you canât help but want to go on that journey with them!
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!
We start this week with the best new releases from the past week and up first is the latest single from Creeper.
This week saw the band share, ‘Teenage Sacrifice’, which you can check out above. The track comes ahead of the release of new album, ‘Sanguivore’, out on Friday 13th October.
Singer William ‘Von Ghould’ says: âThe song introduces Mercy, the protagonist of the Sanguivore narrative. Sheâs deceptively innocent yet savagely violent, and her ability to make people fall under her spell is just one indication that Mercy is not all that she seems.â
Next up is the return of Lonely The Brave, the band this week sharing their brand new single, ‘The Lens’, which you can check out above.
The track will feature on newly announced upcoming album, ‘What We Do To Feel’, which will arrive on November 10th.
Guitarist Mark Trotter comments: “You can plan it out as much as you want, but you’re just along for the ride. That’s the most exciting part, seeing what it decided to be. With this album, we’re certainly more mature as people and as a band. That makes sense with everything that has happened since our last one.”
Singer Jack Bennett continues about the single, saying it “is a track about the way we value each other. It’s different for everyone and we each have a unique perspective towards the world.”
The Struts are next in our News Report as this week saw the band reveal details of their new album, ‘Pretty Vicious’, which will be out on November 3rd.
The band also shared a live visualiser for their recent track, ‘Too Good At Raising Hell’, which you can check out above.
âThis record showcases each individual member’s strengths,â vocalist Luke Spiller says of their impending album. “Itâs some of my favorite music, hands down, weâve ever conjured up. Itâs the record everyoneâs been waiting for.â
This week also saw Daughtry debut their new single, ‘Artificial’, which you can check out above.
“‘Artificial’ is about the potential nightmare that AI could become and the idea that everything and everyone could eventually be replaced, essentially to perfection, and rendered obsolete,” Chris Daughtry explains. “However, the heart and soul of humanity and the ability to feel love, sadness, and compassion can never be replaced. While there are plenty of applications where AI can improve our lives and assist in many areas of creativity, I feel it’s imperative that we find a way to protect our musicians, actors, writers, and all creative outlets from being destroyed.”
Teenage Fanclub continue to gear up for the release of new album, ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ on September 22nd.
This week saw the band unveil their latest pre-release single, ‘Back To The Light’, which you can check out above.
The track was written by Norman Blake who says:
âI liked the idea of using being in a band as a metaphor for a personal relationship. They are not entirely dissimilar experiences. Like a few others on the album, this song has saxophone on it. The first time weâve had that since Songs From Northern Britain. Stephen Black (Sweet Baboo) played those parts; we really like the richness it brings to the song. Steve will be with us when we head out on tour in October in Europe.â
Saint Agnes recently released their new album, ‘Bloodsuckers’ and this week the band shared a video for the track, ‘Follow You’, which you can check out above.
The band will be joining us this week on The Full Pelt Music Podcast!
The Pale White have debuted new single, ‘Validate Me’, which you can check out above.
The track will feature on new EP, ‘A New Breed’, which is will released on October 20th.
“Ever felt like the world is against you? It probably is… Look around! Weâre surrounded by social pressures of what is perceived as ânormalââ say The Pale White.
“âValidate Meâ explores the mental tug of war between following your true purpose, and conforming to what society thinks you should be. It was born during the pandemic when we all lost our social identity and this heightened self-sabotaging paranoia was just as contagious.â
Finally for this section of our News Report we have a big hit single from Gen and the Degenerates who have revealed their latest single, ‘BIG HIT SINGLE’, which you can check out above!
Speaking on their new single, vocalist Genevieve Glynn-Reeves comments:
âIf you want the highbrow answer, then BIG HIT SINGLE is about the experience of creating art under late capitalism. If you want the lowbrow âand slightly more honestâ answer, then BIG HIT SINGLE is me trying to wind up our label.â
âTheyâd made quite a reasonable requestâŚâPlease can you write more songs like the song that did well and stop experimenting with every genre under the sun in a completely chaotic and hedonistic manner?â Unfortunately, I have issues with authority…My parents often regale me with the tale of my Year 4 parentâs evening, in which my teacher described me as âtoo wild, in the bohemian sense.â
âIf Mrs Baker couldnât get me to behave, then what chance did Marshall Records have? Luckily, they have a good sense of humour over at Marshall.â
Some festival news now in our News Report and whilst this year’s event was still in progress, Bloodstock organisers have confirmed the first wave of artists for the 2024 event.
Both Architects and Amon Amarth have been confirmed as headliners, whilst they’ll be joined by the likes of Malevolence, Clutch, Flogging Molly, Green Lung and more.
The city based version of Live At Leeds returns on October 14th and this week saw the event share a massive line-up of great acts.
You can catch the likes of Another Sky, Benefits, Big Special, Feet, Hamish Hawk, Hotwax, Jack Valero, Lynks, Pigs x7, Pip Blom, Shame, Snayx, The Mysterines and Wunderhorse.
Next in our News Report we focus on the best live announcements from the past week and we begin with Neck Deep.
The welsh band will be taking over Alexandra Palace in London on March 28th for a huge headline show.
Sharing the news the band said, “Itâs been a long time coming but weâre stoked to be finally headlining Ally Pally. Weâve always loved the venue, now itâs our turn for our biggest headline show. Weâre expecting it to be the best Neck Deep show ever, & you wouldnât wanna miss that would ya?”
Kerrang have team up with the Music Venue Trust for Conjurer to join the ‘United By Music Tour’ next month!
Support will come from Unpeople.
Conjurerâs Brady Deeprose says: âConjurer simply would not exist without the UKâs extensive network of Grassroots Music Venues. We cut our teeth playing everywhere from Merthyr Tydfil to Barrow-In-Furness for years, and we were lucky to be able to do so. The threat that GMVs are under is an utter travesty, and something that we are so thankful to MVT for getting involved in – without this network, everyone from fans to bands suffers. Throughout my childhood, I would go to The Roadmender in Northampton, The Vault in Rugby (RIP), The Flapper in Birmingham, and Corporation in Sheffield to both play shows and see my favourite bands – that thriving scene inspired me to pick up a guitar and start a band. If we donât protect it, we lose the next generation of musicians. Itâs that simple.
“To come full circle, Kerrang! putting us forward for this tour is a real privilege, their support for not just us but the UK heavy scene in general, has been untouchable over the last few years. We hope that MVT continues to have success, and that the UK can continue to foster exceptional talent with a strong roster of grassroots venues to support it.â
Luke Morton, editor of Kerrang!, says âThe UK heavy music scene is thriving right now, thanks in large part to the community and support of grassroots venues up and down the country. Iâm so excited and proud for Kerrang! to partner with the Music Venue Trust for this very metal incarnation of the United By Music Tour, featuring the mighty Conjurer â a band Iâve seen cause absolute chaos in some of our best independent venues over the years. As fans of rock, metal and alternative music, it’s vital we all champion the homegrown, grassroots venues that are the lifeblood of our scene. Support your local venue and make sure you catch Conjurer tearing it to shreds!â
Mark Davyd, CEO and founder Music Venue Trust, says: âIt’s great to be teaming up with Kerrang on The National Lottery’s United by Music Tour. The team at Kerrang! were so supportive to Grassroots Music Venues during the pandemic, and the heavy music scene is such an integral part of what makes live music in the UK so essential and vibrant.â
Vocalist Elin Allan comments –Â “When we were writing âThe Tideâ, I donât think I realised how much this song was a cry for help. Itâs such an energetic, in your face song and I was so angry at this point in my life that I honed in on a very cutthroat approach to life. I had just gone through a huge, very tough break up and was having one of the lowest points in my life and with time, now itâs finally released, I think I have accepted that anger and turned it into power.“
Bristol rock outfit Little Thief share their latest single ‘Geronimo’.
Vocalist and lyricist Charlie Fitzgerald states: âPeople do incredible things when up against it and true colours often show when everything falls apart. For me, it signifies sticking together through good times and bad.
We spent a few days in the basement of our place on Albany road in Bristol working together on a bunch of new tracks and Geronimo came from that batch. It was one of the first tunes where the music came first and the lyrics followed. I really enjoyed writing the words for this as they are a bit cheesy, fun and simple with a very repetitive nature. We had the demo banging around for ages and really enjoyed playing it live.â
Swear Blind – ‘Still’
Alt-Rock Nottingham natives Swear Blind share new single ‘Still’.
Drew Lawson says: âa certain global event gave us the time to finish a project weâve been working on for many years and to continue our writing. It gave us a new focus in doing the things that we love doing, plus it gave us a good reason to hang out! Weâve been mates for years so that wasnât an opportunity we wanted to miss.â
Nevrlands – ‘Chemicals’
NYC-based trio Nevrlands share a second track âChemicals‘ from their forthcoming debut album, ‘Timeless’.
“‘Chemicalsâ is about catching yourself in the heat of the moment,â shares Neverlands collectively. âAbout painting a portrait of passion and finding that distinction between love and lust in real-time. Thereâs a very fine line that can sometimes be blurry, or sometimes itâs crystal clear. Is this real? Or is it just another fugazi? âChemicalsâ is all about questioning whether or not that perfect chemical connection will last once the moment ends.â
The hives – the death of randy fitzsimmons – album review
The Hives have always been a phenomenal live band and earlier this summer the UK seemed to realise this on a larger scale when the band played as special guests on the mammoth Arctic Monkeys stadium tour.
The Hives, as expected, blew the headliners out the water and now itâs time for the band to remind everyone just how good they are on record. After all, âThe Death of Randy Fitzsimmonsâ is the groupâs first new studio album in over 11 years!
Thatâs far too long to wait for another frantic release of energy in the manner that only The Hives can deliver. The album bursts straight into life with âBogus Operandiâ, âTrapdoor Solutionâ and âCountdown to Shutdownâ and it never really stops for breath any at point.
Yes, on record the band are equally as exuberantly riotous as they are on the stage. The runtime of circa thirty minutes is ideal and ensures that the listenerâs attention is never even tested in the slightest. Indeed youâll just want to hit play again straight away.
There may not be any earth-shattering developments to their sound since their last effort, but letâs all be honest, nobody wouldâve wanted that. This is The Hives doing what only they do and doing so elegantly well!
