The latest issue of the Full Pelt Magazine is here, and you can download your copy for free below!
Volume 16 is a special edition where we run down our Top 50 Albums of the Year! 2023 has seen some amazing records released, but who will take the coveted number one spot?
Our News Report is still here also covering the latest from Vended, Slam Dunk Festival, Liam Gallagher & John Squire, Teddy Rocks, Brighten the Corners and LeeStock!
Finally, we round up the latest additions to ourĀ āDiscoverā New Music PlaylistĀ withĀ Telltale,Ā Shooting DaggersĀ andĀ Fraser Morgan!
Our weekly music News Report has evolved into the Full Pelt Magazine, and you can download the fourth issue now for free!
Volume four includes an update from cover starsĀ Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, reviews ofĀ new albums from Black Stone Cherry and King Nun, a live review of Theory of a DeadmanĀ plus a special feature on the upcoming Ash vs The Subways tour!
We have our News Report rounding up new releases fromĀ Neck Deep, Within Temptation, Europe, Lake Malice, Filth Is Eternal, NervosaĀ andĀ Sum 41!
Plus new live announcements fromĀ Yard Act, James, Nothing More, VUKOVI, LynksĀ andĀ The Longest Johns.
Finally, we round up the latest additions to ourĀ āDiscoverā New Music PlaylistĀ withĀ Spiritual Cramp,Ā Butterfly HurricaneĀ andĀ Grove Street!
BLACK STONE CHERRY – SCREAMIN’ AT THE SKY – ALBUM REVIEW
Black Stone Cherry have been a constant to UK hard rock fans now for almost two decades. Regular tours and releases have kept the band relevant and theyāve established themselves as one of the most adored bands around for their core demographic.
Whilst many other bands have undergone drastic changes and re-births, Black Stone Cherry have shown modest sonic exploration and largely stuck to their signature sound. For other bands this tact often inevitably leads to dips in quality as the ideas run out. Not Black Stone Cherry however as theyāve demonstrated a rare knack for delivering consistently quality albums.
In recent years though the band have had to navigate the pandemic, the first loss of a member and what was a slightly lukewarm response to previous album, āThe Human Conditionā. Perhaps fatigue was finally kicking in for the band?
Well, any whispers of a downturn in fortunes can be quickly dispelled because on their new album, āScreaminā at the Skyā, the band are here to you remind you why you fell in love with them in the first place!
The title-track and āNervousā kick the album off with a full throttle attack and neither the pace or quality drop over the course of the record. Each track feels shorter and more succinct, akin to those on āBetween the Devil & the Deep Blueā and their self-titled debut.
Yes, any concerns that the beginning of the end may be upon us are squashed to a pulp by a band still capable of harnessing their raw power and creating something magic. Eight albums in, Black Stone Cherry are as consistent as ever and they remain a reassuring constant in an ever-changing world!
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, āāStarbound Storiesā, the title track, serves as the unrelenting epilogue to the albumās sonically rich tapestry of adventure & destiny, resounding into skies and souls alike the ultimate power metal anthem of perseverance & belief in the self.ā
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 itās 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 āNo Sweatā.
Talking about the new single, vocalist Adam Holland shares: āNo 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.ā
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!
Welcome everyone to a special Bank Holiday edition of our weekly music News Report!
We begin this week with the best tour announcements from the past week and get things started with Black Stone Cherry!
The US rockers will release their new album, ‘Screamin’ At The Sky’ on September 29th.
To celebrate the group have revealed a short run of truly intimate UK dates around the release.
Revealing the dates the band said, “Calling all UK Cherryheads! We couldnāt be more pumped to announce these shows in September and October. Weāre putting together an intimate show to play all our new music, and we want to see y’all there.”
Holding Absence have announced a full headline UK & EU tour, which will take place later this year.
The band said “We are ecstatic to announce our āThe Noble Art Of Self Destructionā headline tour around the UK and Europe! Not only is this a well-overdue headline tour for our European fans, but itāll see us playing our biggest venues to date in the UK too! We are so excited for this tour, and to be able to play all the best songs from our first three albums.”
The news comes ahead of brand new album, ‘The Noble Art of Self Destruction’, which arrives on August 25th.
Teenage Fanclub have shared details of the new album. ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ is due out on September 22nd.
Ahead of the release, the band have also debuted new single, ‘Foreign Land’, which you can check out above.
Norman Blake on the single: āThe song is about moving forward, not dwelling on the past. We shot the video in Hamilton Mausoleum, near Glasgow. Given that the album is calledNothing Lasts Forever we thought it would be appropriate to shoot a video inside a tombā.
To coincide with the release of their latest album, ‘Divine Machines’, Demob Happy have shared their new single, ‘Token Appreciation Society’, which you can check out above.
This week saw VEXED unleash their new single, ‘X My Heart (Hope To Die)’, which you can check out above.
The song comes ahead of anticipated new album, ‘Negative Energy’, which is out June 23rd.
The band on the single:āāX my <3 (hope to die)ā was the catalyst for Negative Energy. After months of writers block and feeling like giving up, this song opened the floodgates for inspiration and creativity. Inspired by the victims of religious extremists, cults or abuse of power, this song is about how one person shouldnāt be able to dictate other peopleās lives based on their own personal opinions.ā
Regarding the album,. the band says, āWe are so proud to present to you our second album. Since our first release, we have each endured traumatic experiences, surrounded by death, betrayal, pain and grief. In order to find any strength, we first had to accept that we werenāt okay, then take our trauma and face it head on, sharing our vulnerability, fears and weaknesses. Instead of forcing ourselves to try and be positive we put all our negative energy into the album in order to begin our own repair and to overcome.ā
Militarie Gun have shared their latest single, ‘Will Logic’, which you can check out above.
The track will feature on upcoming debut album, ‘Life Under The Gun’, which is out June 23rd.
Speaking about the new track vocalist Ian Shelton says: ā’Will Logic’ is meant to be pure spite, itās the moment of realisation that someone is trying to take advantage of you and deciding you wonāt allow it to happen. Thereās some melancholy and fatigue in there, though ultimately itās a desire for the world to be trustworthy.ā
Finally in this section of our News Report, ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast alumni Daytime TV have shared a brand new single, ‘jessica’, which you can check out above!
Watch Episode 14 of our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with guests Daytime TV
‘Discover’ New Music Podcast – Episode 14 – Daytime TV
Northern Irish metal outfit ARCHIVES haveshared a monolithic new single titled ‘Matriarch’.
āMatriarch is a song about how human beings process loss & grief in many different forms. Ā In this case hiding away from the reality of losing someone even if it means you may never get to properly say goodbye in order to save your last memory of a loved one being a positive one & not bed ridden. Grief is difficult. The inevitability of someoneās life decaying is something you can only hide away from briefly eventually you have to face the music.ā ā Vocalist, Adam Holland
Strange Company – ‘Overrated’
Welsh three-piece rock outfit Strange Company have shared their brand new single āOverratedā.
“Overrated is all about perspective. If someone says “stay in your lane” or “no you can’t”, I’m instantly thinking “yes I can, just watch me” and dying to prove them wrong. But when these phrases are coming from my own thoughts, when the self-doubt creeps in, it really takes over and I find myself scared of trying for fear of getting burned. Realising this, seeing these patterns and learning how to deal with them to push beyond the fog of worry changed the game for me. So this song is really both of these rolled into one – it’s a middle-finger to the naysayers and at the same time it’s an awareness, acceptance and step forward through our own fears and doubts.” – Matt Davies
DEADSET – ‘The Art of Pointscoring’
DEADSET have released their highly charged, emotive debut single ‘The Art of Pointscoring’.
āThe song is an earnest outlook on the toxic environment that can be birthed when youāre struggling to coordinate mental health issues,ā says Sam Mellors from the band. āThat apathy you experience in which you feel empathy but struggle to act upon it. Itās an ugly subject but writing about it in a vulnerable and genuine way helps to process and accept your own falsities and mistakes; and the accepting of a situation you canāt change when someone else is feeling the same, accepting both parties can make mistakes. It helps me learn vulnerability and forgive others whilst also learning how to change bad behaviour patterns myself.ā
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!
This week we begin with a handful of new tour announcements and up first are Therapy?, who are currently celebrating the release of their highest charting album since 1998.
The group will tour ‘Hard Cold Fire’ later this year as they head out on the road once again.
This week was greeted by the fantastic news that the Music Venue Trust and National Lottery will be continuing their partnership with the ‘United by Music’ Tour!
One of the acts heading out on the road where Lottery players can take a friend for free are October Drift.
Ricky Warwick & The Fighting Hearts unveil new live dates
The last tour announcement in our News Report this week comes from Ricky Warwick & The Fighting Hearts, who have unveiled a handful of July live dates.
Warwick says: āAfter the fantastic shows we played last year, Iām thrilled to get back out with my band The Fighting Hearts once again. Iām looking forward to playing songs from all aspects of my musical journey!!”.
Our News Report now looks at the best new releases from the past week and we begin with the latest single from Avenged Sevenfold. Check out ‘We Love You’ above now.
The track will feature on upcoming new album, ‘Life Is But A Dream…’, which will arrive on June 2nd!
There was also new music on offer this week from fellow rock royalty Queens of the Stone Age. The band unveiled their brand new single, ‘Emotion Sickness’, which you can check out above!
In a big week for the band they also revealed that their new album, ‘In Times New Roman’, will be released on June 16th!
This week also saw Asking Alexandria reveal the video for their new single, ‘Dark Void’, which you can check out above.
The track is the first taste of their as-yet-titled new album set for release this autumn.
āWith the world seemingly getting darker and darker, itās easy to see why so many of us struggle with anxiety, depression, lonelinessā relays guitarist Ben Bruce. āThis song is about fighting those demons that live in your head and trying your hardest to be your own savior. Finding that inner strength to pull yourself out of the darkness.ā
āThis theme is explored throughout the entirety of our upcoming album. We all have our own struggles and hurdles. We are all on our own journeys that present unique challenges and difficulties, but we all have our own inner strength to fall back on. There is always light at the end of the tunnel. I feel that there can be comfort in knowing that we arenāt alone. We all feel a little down from time to time. We all feel a little lost from time to time, but somehow, in some way, we are all in this together and hopefully our new album can help people through some of their toughest times.ā
DevilDriver this week shared their latest single from new album, ‘Dealing With Demons, Vol. II’.
You can check out the video for, ‘This Relationship, Broken’, above!
DevilDriver frontman Dez Fafara says about ‘This Relationship, Broken’: āāThis Relationship, Brokenā explores the severance that happens between two long time partners when they leave each other after years of turmoil.ā
Duff McKagan this week shared new single ‘This Is The Song’, which you can check out above. The track features on a new EP honouring Mental Health Awareness Week.
ā’This is the Song’ was written in the middle of a panic attackā Duff McKagan says in a personal statement about the EP. āI couldnāt breathe and couldnāt see straight, and lately, I have thankfully found my acoustic guitar as a refuge. If I just hold on to that guitar, play chords, and hum melodies, I can start to climb my way out of that hole. For those of you who have never experienced something like this, count yourselves blessed. To those of you who recognize what I am talking about: YOU ARE NOT ALONE!ā
Next up in our News Report are Caskets, who this week debuted their new single ‘More Than Misery’, featuring Telle Smith (The Word Alive).
You can check out the track above which features on newly announced album, ‘Reflections’, which is out August 11th.
Speaking of the track, frontman Matt Flood says, āMore Than Misery is written around the conflict of being hypnotically entranced by someone or something that in the end, you know will only lead to toxic habits or bad intentions. Everyone has felt this and been in this situation in one way or another throughout their life. Itās about not wanting to be in this situation and feeling the struggle of bearing the weight of pressure it puts on your shoulders. How it can affect every other thing around you, from your mental health to the relationships you build around you.ā
āThere is light at the end of the tunnel though,ā he states. āTo even acknowledge the situation and build a foundation of support around you to come face to face with what it is thatās holding you back. If you just take a step into the unknown, youāll see your life is more than just miseryā
Ayron Jones is next up in our News Report with his latest single, ‘The Title’, which you can check out above!
The track comes ahead of new album, ‘Chronicles of the Kid’, which comes out on June 23rd.
āFor a lot of people, the world is a dark place. It feels like a dark room with no windows, no doors, and no way out,”Ā Jones explains.Ā “When weāre faced with uncertainty, our instincts tell us to either take flight or stay and fight. ‘The Title’ is dedicatedĀ to those of us who choose to fight. It’s about this seemingly foolish idea of holding on to a sliver of hope that drives our obsessionĀ to be great, even when faced with fear of defeat. Itās about winning because you don’t knowĀ how to fail.ā
Closing out this section of our News Report this week is Conquer Divide who have shared their new single, ‘welcome2paradise’, which you can check out above!
The band have also revealed that their new album, ‘Slow Burn’, will arrive on September 8th.
“This song is special to all of us for a lot of reasons” says guitarist Kristen Sturgis. “We really wanted to stretch our musical muscles and play around withĀ time signatures. We recorded someĀ of the production ourselves, including drilling sounds you’ll hear sprinkled throughout the song.Ā Artistically, we really stepped out of our comfort zone, and we ended up withĀ something really special.”
The song also takes a close look at a very important topical issue.
“It’s sad that humans don’t care about our environment” Sturgis continues. “I was especially inspired by a situation close to my heart. IĀ live on the Great Lakes, which contain 20% of the earth’s freshwater. There is a 70-year-old pipeline called Line 5 that is in very roughĀ shape and runs through the water where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan meet. The current is especially turbulent there. The pipeline keepsĀ getting hit by boat anchors.
I am not here to preach anti-fossil fuels, as electric vehicles come with their own environmental tolls, andĀ touring bands have to drive gas-guzzling vehicles to play for our fans. But if a spill happened in that spot, it’s in the worst possible place,Ā due to the strong currents.
A Great Lakes spill could affect major cities like Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Windsor, Toronto, and Rochester,Ā NY. Tourism, fishing industries, and boating would all be affected. And with all of the droughts happening around the U.S., it’s going to beĀ everyone’s problem soon.
Right now, there’s just one small local organization trying to draw attention to it, but If I can do anything withĀ this song release, it would be to shine a spotlight on something I care so much about.”Ā
From the Black Country, Midlands, BIG SPECIAL share new single āSHITHOUSEā.
ā’SHITHOUSE’ is about a rough time. The societal depression we are going through and its personal effects on people. Itās about looking at it from the outside and living it from the inside. Seemingly, no matter the moves we make, it all ends up a shithouse and sometimes all we can do is shout about it.ā says singer Joe Hicklin.
Ć lesund – ‘Rode Off Into the Sun’
Alt-pop outfit Ć lesund reveal their new single ‘Rode Off Into The Sun’.
āI was so impressed by a friend who had been dealt a rough hand and instead of wallowing and seeing the glass as half empty, she just dusted herself off and charged on with making the best out of her life. It was inspiring to witness and became the main theme of the songā, says vocalist and lyricist Alba Torriset.
Butterfly Hurricane – ‘BARRICADE’
Alternative Rock artist Butterfly Hurricane has shared his debut single āBARRICADEā.
āA lot of my lyrics come from my battles with crohnās disease and how it has affected my personal life and the lives of others. This song in is essentially me venting my frustrations on how I wish I could be someone else and just have a day not having to plan my life around this disease.Ā Itās not all doom and gloom though, the struggle is part of the beauty. Itās helped me grow and realise whatās important in lifeā. –Butterfly Hurricane
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!
“Finding ‘Lost’ was like finding a favorite photo you had forgotten youād taken, like it was waiting for the right moment to reveal itself.” – Mike Shinoda
Linkin Park will be celebrating the 20th Anniversary of their seminal ‘Meteora’ album with a special edition out April 7th.
This week the band shared a previously unreleased track that will feature in the new collection. You can listen to ‘Lost’ above now.
Enter Shikari recently announced their upcoming new album, ‘A Kiss For The Whole World’, will be out April 21st, and this week saw the band share the latest taste.
You can listen to new track, ‘It Hurts’ above. Of the track, Lead vocalist and producer Rou Reynolds explains:
“It Hurts came to me in a dream. Literally. Melody, chords, and fully-formulated chorus were all part of a dream that, thankfully, remained with me when I woke up. I was hiding under the duvet at 3AM, singing it into my phone, much to the bewilderment of my girlfriend.
Lyrically, It Hurts is about perseverance, and the importance of reframing failure as a fruitful and, in fact, pivotal route to progress. Society teaches us we should avoid and criticise failure, when defeat and honest mistakes can actually present us with insights that light our way forward.
In reality, we should be taught that simply to try makes us more than enough.ā
This week saw the return of Gengahr as the band shared their brand new single, ‘A Ladder’, which you can listen to above.
Frontman Felix Bushe comments: “A Ladder is a fun, trippy little song soaked in cartoon-like imagery. Essentially it’s about the power of true love and its ability to not only change the way we feel but also the way we see and interact with the whole world around us.”
Dream Wife have announced details of their next studio album with ‘Social Lubrication’ set to be released on June 9th.
This week the group preceded the release with new single, ‘Hot (Don’t Date A Musician)’, which you can check out above.
‘Social Lubrication’, in the band’s words, is āHyper lusty rock and roll with a political punch, exploring the alchemy of attraction, the lust for life, embracing community and calling out the patriarchy. With a healthy dose of playfulness and fun thrown in.ā
Vocalist Rakel says, āDating musicians is a nightmare. Evoking imagery of late night make-outs with fuckboy/girl/ambiguously-gendered musicians on their mattress after being seduced by song-writing chat. The roles being equally reversed. Having a laugh together and being able to poke fun at ourselves is very much at the heart of this band. This song encapsulates our shared sense of humour. Sonically it is the lovechild of CSS and Motorhead. It has our hard, live, rock edge combined with cheeky and playful vocals.ā
āMusic is one of the only forms of people experiencing an emotion together in a visceral, physical, real way,ā says Alice. āIt’s cathartic to the systemic issues that are being called out across the board in the record. Music isn’t the cure, but it’s the remedy. Calling the record Social Lubrication harks to that. It’s the positive glue that can create solidarity and community.ā
āThe album is speaking to systemic problems that cannot be glossed over by lube,ā says Bella. āThe things named in the songs are symptoms of f-ed up structures. And you can’t fix that. You need to pull it apart.ā
We move our News Report on now to the best tour announcements from the past week and of course we have to start with the above dates from Fall Out Boy!
The group will make their way to the UK and Europe this Autumn with five UK Arena shows in scope finishing up at The O2 in London.
Support for the tour comes from both PVRIS and nothing,nowhere.
The tour will follow the release of their upcoming new album, ‘So Much (For) Stardust’, which is out March 24th.
Our News Report looks now at the best festival announcements made over the past week and we start by the coast with Portsmouth’s Victorious Festival.
Jamiroquai and Kasabian are already announced to headline with one more headliner yet to be revealed.
They will now be joined in August by the likes of The Charlatans, Jake Bugg, Circa Waves, The View, Newton Faulkner, Blossoms,Alt-J, Kaiser Chiefs, Amyl & The Sniffers, The Coral, Pale Waves, Shame, The Vaccines, Sea Girls, Johnny Marr, The Enemy and Hard-Fi!
Steelhouse Festival this week confirmed that Those Damn Crows will be heading up the mountain as Saturday’s Special Guests. Also added this week was Ginger Wildheart & The Sinners.
They join the likes of Airbourne, Black Stone Cherry, Kris Barras Band, The Answer, Blues Pills, Florence Black and many more.
UK metallers, Electron, draw a line in the sand with their explosive new single, ‘Sick and Wrong’, which is out now!
On the single, frontman Jason Payne discusses: āThe track symbolises solitude, melancholy, madness, anxiety and fear. The persona in this song (inspired by āThe Scream, E. Munchā) is suffering a lot of pain. In the beginning, this person has hope that they will escape from the terror of its own mind ā however, as the song evolves, they grow aware that the melancholy is eternal, and revolt with their agony.ā
This Dying Hour – ‘Age of the Coward’
Modern metalcore 4-piece This Dying Hour have shared their blistering new single āAge Of The Cowardā.
“āAge of the Cowardā challenges the way we see ourselves – how we can either perpetuate or abolish the feelings of nihilism and guilt through the way we understand personal accountability. Over the years I have personally battled with self-identity and purpose. I donāt think these things are exclusive to me, but a journey we all must take. This is why we shouldnāt settle with your shortcomings, but instead with discipline and hard work we can lace their linings with gold. You canāt make the world a more meaningful place, until you see through who you truly are.ā – Vocalist Steve Kerr.
Creature Cult – ‘poster boy’
With just one single out in the world – the powerful and rousing, ‘ughly’ – Creature CultĀ have sharedĀ new single ‘poster boy’ –Ā another message delivered loud and clear: in the face of bigotry and hatred, be uncompromising in your self-expression.
Commenting on the new single, Connar says: “Poster boy is my hate letter to homophobia. It takes all the disgust and discrimination from vicious people and spits it right back at them. Itās basically saying Iām going to be the fucking biggest and loudest version of all the things you hate about me because I really donāt care what you think and I know that scares you. Being able to express yourself and love who you want to love should be treated by everyone as the basic human right that it is.”
BLACK STONE CHERRY & THE DARKNESS – BIRMINGHAM – LIVE REVIEW
One fateful night many years ago in the depths of the forests of Thetford a relatively spontaneous pairing occurred as Black Stone Cherry jumped in to support The Darkness after an infamous festival cancellation.
I was there that momentous evening to witness the magic that transpired. I was rather pleased then when the two bands announced a co-headline arena tour a decade or so later. So, tonight I head to the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham to relive that fine evening.
Opening on this tour is Danko Jones, who always delivers the goods. You know that you are in for a good rocking with Jones and tonight is no different. When your time onstage is short, you need to make the most of it and thatās exactly what Jones does with a fast paced rock n roll romp.
The first of our two headliners to take to the stage are The Darkness and as their set progresses I find myself reminiscing of that night in 2012. I remember that the band were fresh into their return and finding their feet again as a live act. The Darkness have always been considered a fantastic live act, but tonight I realise just how much further theyāve come.
Consistently good new material over the past decade has helped, but the band has really fine tuned themselves with drummer Rufus Taylor having a large role in that. The Showmanship of Justin Hawkins, the flamboyance of Frankie Poullain and the flair of Dan Hawkins now have a harnessing force that makes them incredibly slick.
When you then throw in plenty of pyrotechnics, you have a recipe for a stunning show and thatās exactly what The Darkness deliver tonight. From opening number āGrowing on Meā through to theatrical set closer āLove on the Rocks With No Iceā, The Darkness not only reassert themselves as one of the best live acts around but demonstrate the progress that theyāve made in the last decade.
WATCH ‘OUT OF POCKET’ ON YOUTUBE
Black Stone Cherry – ‘Out of Pocket’
Progress is a key word also when considering Black Stone Cherry who close the night this time around. Theyāve come a long way in the last ten years and are now a regular arena filling act in the UK.
Tonight their time onstage is perhaps slightly shorter than usual, but they still manage to pack a career spanning setlist into that time. Less theatrical then The Darkness, Black Stone Cherry have always been happy to let the music do the talking and the crowd tonight are more than content with that.
Newer material like āBurnināā, āAgainā and their latest single, āOut of Pocketā feel at home in the set and evidence the great work produced by the band since 2012. Of course though tracks from that time like āWhite Trash Millionaireā and āBlame It On The Boom Boomā elicit huge response from the audience.
These are three different performances tonight from three different bands all bound by the love of rock. I knew walking into the arena that Iād be catching three of the most consistently good live acts on the circuit, so the quality of the evening isnāt a surprise tonight. Walking out of the venue however, Iām most impressed by the growth and evolution shown since that memorable evening in the woods!
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!
We start this week by running through the best festival announcements made over the past week and up first we have Kendal Calling.
Topping the bill this year will be Kasabian, Royal Blood, Blossoms and Nile Rodgers & Chic! They are joined by the likes of Kaiser Chiefs, Frank Turner, Circa Waves, The Enemy, KT Tunstall and The Amazons.
Also across the weekend will be The Hunna, The Murder Capital, Vistas, We Are Scientists, Lottery Winners, Black Honey, Newton Faulkner, October Drift, Jack Valero and many more!
Glasgow’s TRNSMT has added some fifty new acts to the bill for this year’s festival. The events features headliners Pulp, Sam Fender, The 1975, George Ezra, Kasabian and Royal Blood.
They are joined by Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott, The View, The Kooks, Pale Waves, Hot Milk, Hamish Hawk, The Wombats, Nothing But Thieves, The Enemy, The Amazons, Bob Vylan, Dream Wife, Lauran Hibberd and many more.
Rock returns to Mote Park in Maidstone with the newly minted Maid of Stone taking place in July. The first headline act to be revealed are rockers Airbourne.
Joining the Aussies on the bill will be Skindred, The Hunna, Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons, Kris Barras Band, Elles Bailey, Florence Black, Bad Touch, Black Spiders and more.
Wales is also able to attract rocks finest with Steelhouse Festival leading the way. This week the festival announced that Black Stone Cherry will be topping the bill alongside already announced Saturday headliners Airbourne.
They are joined over the weekend by the likes of The Answer, Blues Pills, Kris Barras Band, Florence Black, When Rivers Meet, The Cruel Knives and Dead Man’s Whiskey!
Another rock event getting bigger this week was Slam Dunk Festival who have added more bands to an already packed bill. Probably a good thing then that they’ve also broken down the stage splits.
Added to the event were PVRIS, Sueco, Millie Manders and many more. They join the likes of Enter Shikari, The Offspring, Billy Talent, Bowling For Soup, Yellowcard,Creeper and far too many others to mention!
Live At Leeds: In The Park has added The Hives, DMA’s, gengahr and more to an already packed line up headlined by Two Door Cinema Club.
They join amongst others, The Big Moon, Black Honey, The Beths, Skinny Living, Deadletter, Ellur, Low Hummer and Opus Kink.
Speaking about their appearance at Live At Leeds: In The Park 2023, The Hivesā frontman Pelle Almqvist said: āSome festival names just have a ring to them donāt they? Live At Leeds. It sounds like some upper echelon rock shit and if this yearās edition wasnāt before, now it is. The Hives are very proud and happy to join this upper echelon. They are coming for your money and dignity and in exchange they will deliver however long a show you will let them of life-affirming record-breaking rock ā ‘ roll music. If you have never seen them before. imagine a rock show but to the 3rd power. Too much of everything. If you have seen them before, you know you will have to again.ā
Skinny LivingĀ said: āLive At Leeds is one of our favourite festivals in the UK! The line up is always top class, so to be able to play the main stage as a local band this year is a proper moment for us and our people.ā
Looking ahead, Festival Promoter Joe Hubbard said: āIt may be chilly outside, but weāre already incredibly excited about returning to Temple Newsam for an unforgettable summer festival celebration – with even more favourites and new faces joining the party at Live At Leeds: In The Park this year.
DMAās and The Hives may just be some of the best festival bands going right now, and having phenomena like Cavetown and Crawlers join the party is truly special. At Live At Leeds, we always look to bring unmissable live titans together with fansā next favourite bands – and this yearās In The Park is the perfect example of that. All coming together on one day at Temple Newsam, thereās nothing quite like it – and we canāt wait to see everyone this May!ā
Following a run of new solo singles, iconic guitarist Chris Shiflett this week revealed a run of UK dates this March including a tour finale at Scala in London.
Our News Report continues with news that Pierce The Veil will be in the UK next April. The band will play a number of large venues finishing up at Alexandra Palace in London.
Next in our News Report is the latest single from Willie J Healey featuring Jamie T. Listen to ‘Thank You’ above now.
The track comes from forthcoming album, ‘Bunny’, which is out August 25th.
Willie comments on the new single: “I was tired and flat and didnāt know what to make & then my friend Jamie said ay willie Iāve got this drum machine it might inspire you.. I picked it up and wrote ‘Thank You’ the next day, it was my way of thanking Jamie for being a good friend. I dedicate it to anyone trying to do their own thing.”
Mimi Barks concludes this portion of our News Report with the new video for her track, ‘SAW’, which you can watch above!
The track features on their recently released mixtape, ‘DEADGIRL’.
Barks had the following to say, “SAW, the third song on the DEADGIRL Mixtape, marks the resistance, rage, and anger I experienced while seeking my identity and self-worth on an emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental level.ā
She continues to mention – āWorking independently on set with a micro teamājust me, and my videographer, and his cameraāit takes me back to my roots. No crew, no lights, and no screenplay. Itās raw, industrial and dirty – with the walls of the derelict buildings captured in the music video reflecting the wrath and backlash of my internal war.ā
Blondshell will release her self-titled debut album arrives April 7th and is preceded by new single, ‘Joiner’.
Describing the new single, Blondshell explains, āI was listening to a lot of Britpop when I wrote this song. A lot of those bands like The Verve, Pulp, Suede, and Blur channelled dark subject matter, drugs, and all this dirty stuff, but with a fun acoustic guitar under it. I was listening to The Replacements, too. Thatās what this song was inspired by sonically. I wanted it to feel like youāre watching HBO, where even though itās heavy, itās still a good time.”
BLACKGOLD – ‘Boogeyman’
Masked Misfits BLACKGOLD are back at it again with new single āBoogeymanā!
The band comment, āāBoogeymanā is about that person that haunts your dreams. They have full control over you within your subconscious and it feels like you canāt escape.ā
Riyah – ‘Perfect’
Riyah is ready to unleash her first single ‘Perfect’, showcasing what is to come from her hands and lungs.
She comments,Ā “I’m excited to see this new chapter roll out with this new EP. I’ve spent almost two years figuring out which way to go, and these songs might feel like baby steps to some, but for me it’s gigantic leap into my passion”Ā
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!
We have plenty of great new music to check out this week and we start with Paramore! This week saw the band debut their latest track from their upcoming album, ‘This Is Why’! You can listen to ‘C’est Comme Ća’ above ahead of the release of the album on February 10th!
U2 – ‘Pride (In The Name Of Love) (Songs of Surrender)’
Next up, it’s U2 who have announced a new collection entitled, ‘Songs of Surender’. The set includes 40 new acoustic and re-imagined recordings of classic songs from the U2 back catalogue.
The following message accompanied the announcement from the band:
It was a big news week for Enter Shikari this week with the band sharing news that they will release new album, ‘A Kiss For The Whole World’ on April 21st.
The band also debuted their latest single, ‘(pls) set me on fire’, which you can listen to above.
And if that wasn’t enough, the group have also announced a unique monthly residency in the UK throughout February, March and April.
Rou Reynolds comments on the singleās conception: “Honestly, I thought I was f*****. Iāve never felt so detached from my soul, my purpose, my f****** spirit. I didnāt write music for almost two years. The longest Iād gone before that was two weeks. I was broken. Itās almost as if my brain had asked: āWhat is the point in music if it cannot be shared? What is the point in writing music if itās not to be experienced with others?ā and then promptly switched itself off. ā(pls) set me on fireā grew out of that desperation. This song is a projectile vomit of positive energy. Every emotion trapped inside me for two years, finally set free.”
Reynolds continues: āBack to basics. This band – my best friends – bundled into an old farmhouse, miles away from anywhere. Off-grid, and ready to rediscover ourselves. This album is powered by the sun, the most powerful object in our solar system. And I think you can tell. Itās a collection of songs that represent an explosive reconnection with what Enter Shikari is. The beginning of our second actā.
Continued industry delays to vinyl production has resulted in You Me At Six postponing the release of their new album, ‘Truth Decay’, until February 10th.
They did however offer new music this week and you can listen to their track, ‘:mydopamine:’, above!
Hundred Reasons will release their first album in 15 years, ‘Glorious Sunset’, on February 24th. But this week the band shared their latest single, ‘Replicate’, which you can listen to above.
Singer Colin Doran had the following to say about the lyrical theme behind the new song:
“Replicate is about the cycle of thinking that whatever you do just is not good enough despite the person closest to you being forgiving and supportive. It’s also about trying to second guess how a person may feel about an action but not being correct and getting it wrong.
There isn’t long until Black Stone Cherry return to these shores for a headline arena run alongside The Darkness.
Ahead of those dates though, the band has found time to release new track, ‘Out of Pocket’, which you can listen to above.
Talking about the song Chris Robertson says, “Out of Pocket is a song born out of that exact feeling. The song was what I personally, and I think a lot of us, felt over these very trying last couple of years. Facing your demons, knowing that you have to come out the other side stronger than before.”
Black Star Riders will release their new album, ‘Wrong Side of Paradise’ on January 20th, but this week saw the band share new track, ‘Catch Yourself On’, which you can check out above.
Ricky Warwick comments: ā āCatch Yourself Onā is a phrase often used in my home country of Northern Ireland, itās used to tell someone to āstop being ridiculousā or āto get realā. Weāre sadly becoming slaves to technology and social media (guilty as charged). We donāt think twice about sharing our inner most feelings and thoughts with a world of strangersā¦ We seem to be losing the ability to think for ourselves. Technology is controlling us, instead we should be controlling technology. It feels like itās already surpassing human interaction.”
There was also new music on offer this week from Delain as they continue to prepare for the release of new album, ‘Dark Waters’. That album may arrive on February 10th, but you can listen to new single, ‘Moth to a Flame’, above now!
Keyboardist, founder and main songwriter Martijn Westerholt on ‘Moth to a Flame’:
“I’m extremely proud of this song. It’s one of the most upbeat songs on the album while also having the heaviest guitar riff, and Diana’s vocals are outstanding! It’s a killer combination that I think fans will love.”
The plethora of great new music continues in our News Report with Lottery Winners. This week saw the band debut new single, ‘Worry’, which you can check out above.
We close this portion of our News Report with ten56., who have released their new EP, ‘Downer Part. 2’, and to celebrate they have released a video for the track ‘Saiko‘.
The band comments, “We’re all extremely gassed up to put out the second and final (?) chapter of the ‘Downer’ saga ; we went all in on Part.1 and definitely felt the pressure to deliver with Part.2, we went in harder and we’re all extremely satisfied and excited to see what everyone thinks.
‘Saiko’ is the kind of energy that we wanted to bring back after releasing ‘RLS’, we hope that everyone enjoys what we’ve put together, and that people will find little pieces of themselves littered around the EP. Downer’ Part.2 is the next step in the continuous evolution of ten56., turn it up loud and get lost in the discomfort. Cheers.”
Grab your copy here, and be sure to follow us on Social Media and subscribe on Youtube here, as we’ll be joined this coming week by the band on our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast!
Goth-pop mistress Harpy has gifted the world with new music, the empowering ‘Swallow’.
Harpy divulges… “Swallow sounds like the traumatised hate f*** child of Sam Smith’s āUnholyā and Kornās āTwisted Transistorā. We wrote this song almost two years ago, and up until this point Iāve really just been setting the scene for this moment. I am calling out abusers and manipulators through this song, some even by name, they had their chance to be better, time to taste the truth. I hope this song gives power to those that have been unforgivably hurt by others, who for too long have abused positions of power.”
ANGER PARTY – ‘Eat You Alive’
Alternative Horror Rock band ANGER PARTY have unveiled their debut offering āEat You Aliveā.
āBlood, guts, flayed flesh and a shattered smile – these are the things that plague our minds. āEat You Aliveā explores the surreal, menacing corners of our nightmares and how they breach the lines of reality in a modern world.ā ā Guitarist Owen Claxton.
Feral Family – ‘Wee Van Bee’
Yorkshire’s Feral Family join our playlist with their track, ‘Wee Van Bee’, which centres on an anti-hero character.
The band say, “Wee Van Bee preys on the weak and vulnerable, shucking his snake-oil remedies place to place. But far beyond being out to make a quick buck – there is something far darker at stake”.
