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Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 16

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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 our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist with Telltale, Shooting Daggers and Fraser Morgan!

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Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 13

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The latest issue of the Full Pelt Magazine is here, and you can download your copy for free below!

Volume 13 features cover stars Holding Absence as they hit the road in support of ‘The Noble Art of Self Destruction’. We also catch Skinny Lister as they take ‘Shanty Punk’ to the stage. Plus we review the latest album from Beans On Toast!

We have our News Report rounding up new releases from Bruce Dickinson, CJ Wildheart, Alkaline Trio, Trash Boat, P.O.D., Atreyu, Normandie, Oakman, Chelsea Wolfe and LØLØ.

Plus new live announcements from Lytham Festival, Slam Dunk, Wild Fields Festival, The Killers, As December Falls, Pet Needs, Indoor Pets, Nickelback, IDLES, Avril Lavigne, You Me At Six, Taking Back Sunday, Don’t Panic and Thomas Nicholas Band!

Finally, we round up the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist with Where Oceans Burn, Break Fifty and fakeyourdeath!

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Live Reviews

Holding Absence

Epic Studios, Norwich

Monday 27th November 2023

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HOLDING ABSENCE – NORWICH – LIVE REVIEW

📾 (C) Denis Gorbatov / Full Pelt Music

Holding Absence frontman Lucas Woodland reminisces onstage tonight about the last time the band played in Norwich. Apparently only one ticket was sold! Well, tonight there are a fair few more in attendance as Epic Studios welcomes the Welsh rockers back to the city.

DARK DIVINE

Opening proceedings on this tour are Floridians Dark Divine, who instantly grab your attention with both their striking presentation and their slick rock offerings. Yes, in an industry where it’s harder than ever to standout, Dark Divine manage to do just that tonight.

Considering this is the bands first ever trip to the UK, you’re left to imagine just what the band can go on to achieve? On the evidence of tonight, you’d have to conclude that their future is very bright indeed!

THORNHILL

The international support bill continues next with Aussies Thornhill. The group have established their reputation over the past decade both in the studio and on the stage, and they now find themselves preparing for a fresh era. New single ‘Viper Room’ starts their set tonight and offers a glimpse of what’s to come.

Thornhill are undoubtedly the heaviest band on the bill this evening and as their set continues they manage to engage a central core of moshers who amplify the atmosphere somewhat. Clearly the band achieve their mission tonight and leave with more fans than they arrived with, and those fans will be eager to see what comes next.

HOLDING ABSENCE

What comes next tonight though is the moment that those who queued down road tonight have been waiting for, our headliners Holding Absence. When you speak of a band establishing themselves, you can’t help but to look at what this group has achieved in a relatively short span of time.

Many headline shows, support slots and festival appearances have built a reputation that is only enhanced by their ever-increasing back catalogue. Latest album, ‘The Noble Art of Self Destruction’ takes centre stage tonight and more than holds its own amongst favourites like ‘Gravity’ and ‘Wilt’.

The four-piece are able to command a respectable control over the audience who seem almost in awe of the majestic echo of their music. The magnificent acoustic rendition of ‘Like A Shadow’ is one of the highlights this evening, but truthfully the headline set flows by like a tsunami of sonic resonance.

An encore of ‘Celebration Song’, ‘Afterlife’ and ‘The Angel in the Marble’ is the icing on the cake, and the band leave promising to be back soon. With the growth of the band thus far, you’d have to expect an even bigger crowd will be waiting for them on their third trip to Norwich!

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Album Reviews

Holding Absence

The Noble Art of Self Destruction

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HOLDING ABSENCE – THE NOBLE ART OF SELF DESTRUCTION – ALBUM REVIEW

It has been quite a remarkable journey for Holding Absence, for example you probably won’t 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 2021’s ‘The Greatest Mistake of My Life’ 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, ‘The Noble Art of Self Destruction’, which is perhaps more than a subtle nod at the obstacles that they’ve overcome.

WATCH ‘HER WINGS’ oN YOUTUBE
Holding Absence – ‘Her Wings’

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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 you’ll lose yourself to the honesty and richness of the lyrical content whilst be carried about by the gentle waves of the atmospheric soundtrack. It’s impossible to cherry pick highlights here as the album will simply take you on a journey that you’ll willingly follow.

Holding Absence are a band that appear to have found a magical formula for song writing because every time you think that they’ve peaked, they go ahead and surprise you all over again.

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Live Reviews

2000trees

Upcote Farm, Cheltenham

5th to 8th July 2023

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2000trees festival review

Festival season is in full swing and rock fans once again descend on Upcote Farm in Cheltenham for 2000trees! A true music fans festival, this year there is an absolute smorgasbord of the best new and established acts to savour across three full days of relentless entertainment.

However, before the event proper begins though those with early entry have an additional evening of music on tap in the beautiful forest area. The ‘Forest Stage’ has always been a unique and special feature of this festival which is now on its fifteenth iteration.

Wednesday

The privilege of opening the festivities this year goes to Snayx who, despite playing whilst many are still pitching their tents, still attract an eager and excited crowd. The band are able to seize upon this excitement to whip the crowd up even further with their brand of punk rock. A benchmark is set for the weekend early here and thankfully the organisers have a bill curated to ensure that the quality never drops!

The other stage in operation today is the small ‘The Word’ stage which over the weekend will host various activities such as further bands, live podcasts, comedians and more. Over the next few hours we are able to catch delighted spots from B-Sydes, Masca, Polyanna and Gaz Brookfield.

Over on the ‘Forest Stage’ though, the handful of selected bands combine to deliver a highly memorable evening. Delaire the Liar are up next and are able to continue to build their growing reputation with another assured performance.

A real special moment follows as one of the most talented yet underappreciated bands of the last decade Press To MECO play their final show. Such a moment really deserved a bigger stage and longer setlist but those present are able to bathe in those glorious riffs one more time with an emotional ‘A Test of Our Resolve’ a highlight of the whole festival.

Next are a band just getting started. Saint Agnes are tipped as the future of rock music by some, and again on the evidence of their set tonight those people are very much correct! Debut album ‘Bloodsuckers’ can’t arrive soon enough; thankfully we only need to wait on July 21st!

The latest Tigercub album is already out and next up the band bring ‘The Perfume of Decay’ to life with a solid showing as the forest area begins to fill up in anticipation of the nights two headline acts.

Both Holding Absence and Bob Vylan will play two sets over the weekend but before gracing the main stage, they both thrill those packed into the woods! Holding Absence are first and they captivate the crowd with a cleverly selected mix of rarities and fan favourites. This band continues to grow and evolve and it’s scary how good they could be.

Bob Vylan also continue to elevate the game with their headline set tonight they bring carnage to the forest! A spectacular off the cuff collection of on point punk rock more than whets the appetite for their main stage appearance, even showing that they aren’t too far away from being able to headline the biggest stage next time they play the festival.

THURSDAY

Each night the now infamous silent disco takes over the site as the party continues into the early hours, but come Thursday morning the arrival of the rest of the attendees ensure even the first act of the day, Blush Puppy on the ‘Forest Stage’ get a good turnout. The duo perform a delightful run-through of adapted favourites which starts the first full day off perfectly.

With the outdoor stage, three tented stages and the ‘Forest Stage’ all rotating throughout each day an avid music fan can fill their boots with live music and literally catch non-stop music for nigh on sixteen hours a day if they wanted to. We don’t quite have that stamina but we give it a good go and are rewarded by great sets from Kite Thief, Beach Riot and Gaffa Tape Sandy.

Following that run we then head to first catch recent ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast guests CARSICK over on the ‘NEU Stage’. The group proceed to smash through their set to the delight of those present with the likes of ‘Anaconda Frank’ showing real bite.

Another act to impress early in the weekend are Lake Malice in ‘The Cave’. The group have been winning over all who see them this summer and their future appears to be very bright indeed.

Lambrini Girls, Graphic Nature and the official debut of new group Unpeople who have formed from the ashes of Press To MECO all follow and continue to hot run of great sets. Unpeople in particular are able to really tease what is to come and make a fantastic first impression.

The main stage soon literally takes centre stage as first Kid Kapichi and then Bob Vylan deliver two of the sets of the weekend. Kid Kapichi are effortless in their delivery of impassioned punk rock which sees an endless sea of crowd surfers on an inflatable burger! Bob Vylan then reinforce the message that their headline set sent last night, that the duo are as advertised – the most important band in the world!

We then head back to the two larger tented stages, firstly for Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun who preview their upcoming new album ‘Colour’. The record will arrive on July 28th and the band really do a good job of convincing those in attendance that despite the decade plus wait for a new album, the wait will be worth it. All the new material this evening sounds absolutely massive. Then in ‘The Axiom’, The Joy Formidable deliver a delightful little set that evidences the eclectic mix of rock music presented at 2000trees.

Soon enough it’s time for the final run of bands that will close out day one. Skindred are well established as a great live act and tonight they have the crowd at their whim. The Newport Helicopter needs no introduction either as the crowd make the most of the groups big finale.

Back in the big tent next for Eagles of Death Metal who give a festival friendly, crowd pleasing set including the likes of ‘I Only Want You’, ‘Complexity’, ‘Cherry Cola’ and ‘I Want You So Hard (Boy’s Bad News)’.

Finally it’s over to the returning Soft Play (the artists formerly known as Slaves) to close out the day. The duo pick up where they left off and play as if they’ve never been away. It’s great to have the band back and fans revel in the likes of ‘Cheer Up London’, ‘Feed the Mantaray’ and ‘The Hunter’.

FRIDAY

Friday begins with an early run of Beauty School, RXPTRS, The St. Pierre Snake Invasion, BLACKGOLD and New Pagans all of whom play their rules well and make the most of their short sets.

After an overcast first couple of days, today is a scorcher and the heat is intense as LostAlone arrive on the stage. The band don’t let that phase them though as they pull out all the stops to get the crowd engaged. It’s mission accomplished by the time they deliver the double header of ‘The Final Call For Forever’ and ‘The Last Drop Of Forever’.

2000trees do very well to bring together the best new music from home and abroad and the next run of Militarie Gun, Zulu, Microwave and Kublai Khan TX shows the keen eye for upcoming talent that the organisers have.

It’s this mix of new with the established acts that perfectly balances out the line-up and Hell Is For Heroes are a great nostalgic party next on the main stage. The quality overall is again on show when you can then head immediately to the ‘NEU Stage’ for an excellently run set from As Everything Unfolds, before returning to the main stage for a very enjoyable Dinosaur Pile-Up show and then jumping straight to the always intense Cancer Bats in ‘The Cave’!

Bullet For My Valentine are the act who close out the night with a huge headline performance. Attracting one of, if not the biggest crowd of the weekend, the band are in confident mood as they showcase their headlining credentials. Older tracks such as ‘Scream Aim Fire’ and ‘Hearts Burst Into Flames’ naturally receive big reactions, but it’s telling newer tracks also are well received.

A surprise AxeWound reunion with Liam Cormier is another festival highlight before ‘Tears Don’t Fall’ and ‘Waking the Demon’ ensure that come the next morning everyone is talking about how great Bullet were tonight!

The festival has been a whirlwind as per usual for 2000trees and it’s a testament to the quality of line-up that to this point there hasn’t been a bad performance. Of course some ultimately standout more than others such as that headline set last night or Bob Vylan destroying the forest but the chilled out atmosphere amongst attendees is reflected by the respect the bands pay the crowd. The reciprocal ambience creates a synergy that elevates every aspect of this event.

SATURDAY

Come Saturday the crowd may be sapped from the previous days heat but over on the ‘Forest Stage’ Xtra Mile Recordings acts (and previous ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast guests) Hannah Rose Platt and Guise are serenading the early crowd with their beautiful music. They are both well received despite the heat being supplemented today by a lot of the wet stuff!

Xtra Mile Recordings has a great relationship and past with 2000trees and new Xtra Mile favourites (and double Full Pelt Podcast guests!) PET NEEDS attract a big crowd to ‘The Axiom’ next. This is no doubt due to some guerrilla advertising from their fans, but everyone that ventures into the tent leave hailing the band as one of the bands of the weekend.

One of the elements that makes the ‘Forest Stage’ so special are the sets from acts playing on the biggest stages which are often acoustic and unique. Next, Electric Six frontman Dick Valentine does a great job of distracting the audience from the deteriorating weather with a highly fun acoustic set.

After catching Dead Poet Society and Enola Gay strutting their stuff we are then able to catch Electric Six themselves who attract another big crowd to the main stage. The crowd lap up the likes of ‘Gay Bar’ and ‘Danger! High Voltage’ as you’d expect, and the band do their job with aplomb.

One Step Closer then cement their hype in ‘The Cave’ before Black Honey demonstrate why they are one of the best newer live acts in the country. Tracks from new album, ‘A Fistful of Peaches’ sound massive as the band achieve another of those more memorable sets of the weekend.

The reshuffled Dream State then show that they still have a big future ahead of them in ‘The Cave’ before Deaf Havana battle through a torrential downpour which decimates their crowd at the main stage. We brave the rain until the end before heading into the forest for a short but very fun set from Lynks.

Talking to people across the site, the opinion is unanimous that this has been a spectacular weekend. You feel as the weekend comes to a close that it can’t get any better, but then Hundred Reasons deliver perhaps the best set of the weekend. The band get the audience onboard from opening number ‘I’ll Find You’ and never lose them despite more heavy rain. One of the moments of the weekend comes when Enter Shikari man Rou Reynolds joins the band for a superb ‘Silver’.

Jamie Lenman then plays his latest masterpiece ‘The Atheist’ in full over in the forest before Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes come out of hibernation to finish the festival with a welcome career-spanning set.

Whilst the band may lack a certain volatility of their early days they don’t lack in swagger or controlled ferocity when required. The final run of ‘My Town’, ‘Devil Inside Me’, ‘Juggernaut’, ‘Lullaby’ and ‘I Hate You’ is the perfect way to bring an incredible weekend of music to a close.

2000trees has established itself at the heart of the summer as a trusted and respected event. From their humble beginnings to now fifteen events later, the festival lays on the infrastructure but the audience makes the event the special weekend that it is!

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News Report

Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week!

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News Report

Foo Fighters announce UK Tour

Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!

We start this week with a run of huge live announcements and they didn’t get bigger last week than the UK return of Foo Fighters!

The band will play seven enormous stadium shows across the UK next June, and tickets are flown out!

Joining the band at the various shows will be Wet Leg, Courtney Barnett, Loose Articles, Chroma, Honeyblood, Shame, Hot Milk and Himalayas!

Check ticket availability here.

Read our review of ‘But Here We Are’ from Foo Fighters

Muse announce new UK shows

Another mammoth act with new shows on the horizon are Muse, who are fresh from finishing another huge summer stadium tour.

The trio will be heading back inside this autumn with arena shows set in Manchester and London as they continue the ‘Will of the People’ World Tour.

Special guests for these shows will be Nova Twins!

Tickets will be here.

Read our review of Muse live in Milton Keynes

Circa Waves reveal intimate dates

From Stadiums, to Arenas and now some of the best intimate venues in the UK!

Circa Waves have announced details of a special run of UK live dates from which a portion of the profits will be donated to local foodbanks in each town they are touring through.

The band had the following to say about the decision to show their support.

“We’re so happy to be supporting food banks on our next tour. In this current climate where the cost of living crisis is hitting everyone we know that being able to feed your family is no longer a given. We will be playing a handful of small intimate shows with a percentage of profits going to local food banks in each area. Can’t wait to see you there.”

Tickets are here.

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Those Damn Crows set UK Tour

There are still a handful more great tour announcements to come in our News Report, and up next are Those Damn Crows.

The group have announce ‘The Takedown Tour’, which will take place this October.

Tickets are here.

Check out our two Podcasts!

The Virginmarys announce UK live dates

Also announcing new UK live dates this week were The Virginmarys, with the duo out on the road in August and September.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of The Virginmarys live in Norwich

REWS reveal new UK Tour

Finally for this section of our News Report is the news that REWS will be taking new album, ‘Meridians’ on tour this autumn!

The album is out on October 13th and ticket and album bundles are available now here.

Read our review of Y Not Festival 2022

News Report

Blur release new track ‘St. Charles Square’

Blur – ‘St. Charles Square’

We move our News Report on now to the best new releases from the past week and can’t start anywhere else other than with Blur!

The group are preparing for their Wembley Stadium shows and have debuted new track, ‘St. Charles Square’, which you can check out above.

Damon Albarn said of the track – “St. Charles Square is a place where the ghosts of monsters can be found.” 

The track comes ahead of new album, ‘The Ballad of Darren’, which is out July 21st.

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘St. Charles Square’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Greta Van Fleet share ‘The Falling Sky’

Greta Van Fleet – ‘The Falling Sky’

Greta Van Fleet this week shared their latest offering, ‘The Falling Sky’, which you can check out above.

The track will feature on upcoming new album, ‘Starcatcher’, which is out on 21st July.

“An unwavering warrior carrying on the endless, eternal, and impossible battle for salvation; these were the elements of symbolism associated with this particular track,” explains guitarist Jake Kiszka. “In essence our fate is sealed, alike the stars that fall from the almighty heavens to the earth. This philosophy is carried through in the story of a bluesman, at the crossroads of the universe.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘The Falling Sky’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Mammoth WVH debut ‘Take A Bow’

Mammoth WVH – ‘Take A Bow’

Next up in our News Report is ‘Take A Bow’, the latest single from Mammoth WVH, which you can check out above.

The song comes ahead of new album, ‘Mammoth II’, which is released August 4th.

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Take A Bow’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Bowling For Soup announce ‘Songs People Actually Liked – Volume 2’

Bowling For Soup – ‘1985 (BFS Version)’

Bowling For Soup have revealed details of new collection, ‘Songs People Actually Liked – Voume 2’, which focuses on tracks from 2004 to 2009.

You can check out a new BFS version of their hit single, ‘1985’, above.

Here are some thoughts from BFS main man Jaret Reddick about the upcoming Volume 2 of their Greatest Hits:

“Having a “Greatest Hits” is one of things you sort of dream about as a kid, but deep down, it’s more if a fantasy really. Now here we are realizing our second and we have nearly made it to half way through our career.

I was nervous about these songs. Sonically, on the originals, they were already “there.” But I think like everything in our band, the years add something to the luster, and it certainly happened here!

The songs are still intact with their original selves. But I think you will feel a different energy. In a good way.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘1985 (BFS version)’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Holding Absence debut ‘Honey Moon’

Holding Absence – ‘Honey Moon’

Holding Absence continue to build towards the release of upcoming new album, ‘The Noble Art of Self Destruction’, which is out August 25th.

Recently the group share new single, ‘Honey Moon’, which you can check out above.

The band shared, “‘Honey Moon’ is perhaps Holding Absence’s most beautiful song to date! A track inspired by the Pixies and Deftones – this is a lovesick poem that looks to the stars to portray a deep, isolated yearning for the love of another.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Honey Moon’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Underoath debut ‘Lifeline (Drowning)’

Underoath – ‘Lifeline (Drowning)’

Underoath have shared their newest stand-alone single, ‘Lifeline (Drowning)’, which you can check out above.

Speaking on the new single, Underoath said ““Lifeline (Drowning)” is a cry for help
 I feel like we’ve all been there, be it as simple as miscommunication or a full on toxic relationship – that very feeling that you cannot tread water like this any longer or you may end up drowning. We wanted to create a song centered around the melody that could still hold the energy of a full blown heavy song.”

More here.

Listen to ‘Lifeline (Drowning)’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Caskets share ‘Better Way Out’

Caskets – ‘Better Way Out’

Caskets, who recently announced their new album, ‘Reflections’, for an August 11th release, have released an affirming new single, ‘Better Way Out’, which you can check out above.

Speaking of the track, frontman Matt Flood says, “Better Way Out is a song that relates to suicidal thoughts and tendencies. It’s a song about noticing and understanding the trials and tribulations of life, about rising above the feelings of depression and anxiety and knowing your self worth. To have somebody say that they see you and they hear you, or to have a community by your side while you go through these daily battles isn’t something afforded to everybody. So many of us can blindly walk through the barriers that we build inside our heads, alone without a shoulder to cry on or a friend to lend an ear.”

”No matter what you’ve been through and might still be going through… there are always routes out of your situation.” he states. “You are strong, you are beautiful, you are loved and you are enough. Don’t walk that road alone. We all need each other.”

Pre-order your album here.

Listen to ‘Better Way Out’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Fixation announce ‘More Subtle Than Death’

Fixation – ‘Flat Earth’

Fixation have announced details of their highly anticipated debut album. ‘More Subtle Than Death’ will be released September 8th.

Fixation states: â€œWe didn’t want to limit ourselves to one particular sound, although the album sounds like Fixation as a whole, there are songs that are more poppy, more heavy, more grandiose and symphonic and more straight forward rock songs. The subjects in the songs are things that frightens and worries us about the state of the world today. These are things that we want to see change in.”

You can check out the latest single from the band ‘Flat Earth’ above.

Pre-orders will be available soon here.

Listen to ‘Flat Earth’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Dream State share ‘Chin Up Princess’

Dream State – ‘Chin Up Princess’

Our News Report continues with another great new release from Dream State.

The group have shared their latest new single, ‘Chin Up Princess’, which you can of course check out above!

More here.

Listen to ‘Chin Up Princess’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Grian Chatten debuts ‘All of the People’

Grian Chatten – ‘All of the People’

Grian Chatten has released his debut album, ‘Chaos for the Fly’, and ahead of the release he shared the last pre-release single, ‘All of the People’, which you can check out above.

On the single Grian explains: “All of the people is the stiff collar tight-fisted hand to the grindstone written where all is blue and everyone is a liar. It is a line of chalk scratched around the world.”

Grab a copy of the album here.

Listen to ‘All of the People’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Almost Nothing debut ‘Anything Whatever’

Almost Nothing – ‘Anything Whatever’

Idlewild frontman Roddy Woomble this week announced his new band Almost Nothing and shared their debut single, ‘Anything Whatever’, which you can check out above.

The band have also revealed their self-titled debut album will arrive later this year with pre-orders here.

Listen to ‘Anything Whatever’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Marc Hudson debuts ‘Astralive’

Marc Hudson – ‘Astralive’

Dragonforce singer Marc Hudson has revealed details of his debut solo album, ‘Starbound Stories’, which is out August 25th.

This week saw Hudson share lead single, ‘Astralive’, which you can check out above.

Hudson on the single, “’Astralive’ is the first single from the album and takes the listener on a power metal journey through space and time. This song explores the cosmic mysteries of the universe and mankind’s eternal search for wisdom beyond the stars.”

Hudson adds, “It is with great pride that I can finally announce my signing to Napalm Records. I’m very grateful for the label’s belief in me as a solo artist and can’t wait to have Napalm on my side to show Starbound Stories to the world!”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Astralive’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

News Report

As always we conclude our News Report with the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist!

News Report
Wilmette – ‘No One Knew’

Illinois pop punk 5-piece Wilmette has released, ‘No One Knew’, the next single off the band’s long-awaited debut full-length, ‘Hyperfocused’, out on August 4th.

Vocalist Aaron Hailey says, “It’s about the guilt of not being able to help someone through a hard time, and the helpless feeling that comes with being there while they struggle.”

Guitarist Griffin Guge adds, “We tracked this song exactly halfway through the recording process. It was a point where we thought we knew where the record was going until we got to this song.

There was a lot of room to grow on the track, and we definitely got excited to experiment with a lot of cool guitar sounds. One of my favorites of which is in the bridge. We used a variety of unconventional guitar techniques as well as pedals to quite literally make it sound like the song is breaking and the building you’re in is coming down. I think it was very fitting for the part.”

Major Moment – ‘Overcome’

Pop-Metal band Major Moment are back with their new single ‘Overcome’!

“‘Overcome’ was inspired by our music journey and is about prevailing over difficult times and persevering against all odds. But if we zoom out and look at our everyday lives, full of conflicts, health issues, losses, financial struggles, aspirations, wins and failures, we see a similar theme everyone can relate to, the one of pain and, as a result of overcoming it, personal growth. ‘Overcome’ is the anthem made for all creators out there struggling to get their voices heard, doubting every day if it’s worth fighting for.” – Vocalist, Sasha.

News Report
News Report
Crushed By Waves – ‘Won’t Get Out Alive’

UK alt-rockers Crushed By Waves have shared new single, ‘Won’t Get Out Alive’.

Crushed By Waves write from experience, with the new track being a statement of why they are putting everything into their art.   The band explain:

“Won’t Get Out Alive is all about keeping the faith, pushing through the hardest times, holding on, and never giving up, even if it kills us. When we see our music can bring a room full of strangers together, the energy in that room is worth dying for, it actually gives us life.”

Listen, Follow and Discover your new favourite act now with our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist

Then find out the stories behind the songs on our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast!

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Read our review of Incubus live in London

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Live Reviews

Slam Dunk Festival

Temple Newsam, Leeds

Sunday 28th May 2023

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SLAM DUNK FESTIVAL NORTH – LIVE REVIEW

Rock fans know that festival season is upon us when we get to the late May Bank Holiday weekend and Slam Dunk Festival brings rock and punk fans to Hatfield and Leeds.

This year that journey takes a little longer for some due to traffic issues, probably borne out of the fact that both events are sold out. Leeds in particular feels like the Temple Newsam is bursting at the seams today.

Queues are unimaginably long for merch, toilets, food or anything else, but thankfully the music (and weather) is very much on point!

We start the day in the ‘Knotfest’ tent for rising metallers Heriot, who attract a decent sized early crowd. That crowd is treated to a blistering set of gloriously heavy goodness and a spirited performance from a band on the cusp of bigger things.

It’s then a short walk over to one of two outdoor main stages, the ‘Amazon Rock Scene’ stage, where we will spend most of our day today. Taking this stage next are VUKOVI who absolutely own the stage and showcase their superb new album, ‘NULA’. Singer Janine is able to hold the audience in the palm of her hand and orchestrate the first truly great set of the band.

Logistically the event may be remembered for the wrong reasons, but musically today is fantastic, with that set from VUKOVI one of many that will live long in the memory for all the right reasons.

Thinking, we’ll go for a quick wonder around, it’s clear that nothing will be quick today, but we do catch a glimpse of girlfriends who are very impressive for the time we can stay. Soon though we must head back down the hill to catch Trash Boat.

This is a band that has grown significantly in almost every sense of the word over the past few years. Their latest album, ‘Don’t You Feel Amazing?’, was one of the most surprising of 2021 as the band took their sound to new heights. Today they use the stage to bring many of these tracks to life and the crowd are clearly appreciative of another excellent performance.

Trash Boat are followed on stage by Holding Absence who have just announced that their third album, ‘The Noble Art of Self Destruction’, will be out later this year. Their set today is a good mix of old and new including brand new single, ‘False Dawn’ and fan favourite ‘Afterlife’, which gets a monumental response from the passionate crowd.

Soon enough it’s over to Wargasm who are becoming one of those marmite bands where it’s almost cool to hate them. The energy and ferocity that they put into their show however can’t be denied and whilst the energy levels for some of the crowd starts to sap, the band push through with tracks such as ‘Backyard Bastards’ and ‘Spit.’ getting everyone back moving.

We then head over to the other end of the festival site (very slowly) to the ‘Kerrang’ stage where the tent is overspilling already ahead of Boston Manor. The band are on top form right now and have every person singing along to their gargantuan anthems. As they conclude their time on stage with ‘Halo’ you can’t help but think that Boston Manor deserve to be absolutely huge.

It’s a blast from the past next as Slam Dunk keep up their track record of reformations with Kids In Glass Houses. Playing their first shows in almost a decade the band focus their set on ‘Smart Casual’, which will be getting a re-release later this year. Songs like ‘Saturday’ and ‘Give Me What I Want’ still have it and so do the band who fly through the set like they’ve never been away.

Sticking to the same stage we are soon graced by PVRIS who deliver another really good performance which features a well structured setlist. Lynn Gunn leads the trio through a selection of their popular tracks with ‘You and I’ and ‘My House’ both getting big audience responses. The band will return with their fourth album in July, and new track ‘Goddess’ goes down very well today complete with guest spot from Charlotte Sands.

We are at the business end of the day now and up next on stage are Billy Talent who are able to deliver a pure masterclass in how to make the most of a shortened festival set. Banger, after banger, after banger as the band deliver suckerpunch after suckerpunch. The crowd reciprocate the bands energy and by the time the set finishes with ‘Red Flag’, the band have done enough to claim the band of the day moniker!

In the clash of the headliners, we opt to head to the ‘Dickies’ stage for punk icons The Offspring. The band have an endless stream of hit songs, and tonight the band focus more on their back catalogue then they did at Hatfield yesterday.

Their covers section in the middle feels a little too much considering their short time on stage but nobody can deny the final run of tracks which provides a great end to a packed day both musically and in terms of the volume of people on site!

Slam Dunk is a trusted brand these days and musically they’ve delivered once again, but there are undoubtedly some logistical issues that need to be fixed. Perhaps they’ve once again outgrown their homes and need to find bigger accommodation, one thing is for sure though and next May will again see a packed line-up heralding the dawning of a new festival season.

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Black Stone Cherry announce intimate UK Tour

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 couldn’t be more pumped to announce these shows in September and October. We’re putting together an intimate show to play all our new music, and we want to see y’all there.”

Pre-orders and tickets are here.

Read our review of Black Stone Cherry live in Birmingham

Empire State Bastard add two tiny shows

Speaking of intimate shows, the ‘supergroup’ Empire State Bastard have revealed two tiny shows in June.

The group fronted by Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil will played gigs in Leeds and Cambridge alongside their already announced festival appearances.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Biffy Clyro live in London

Holding Absence reveal headline UK Tour

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 “The Noble Art Of Self Destruction” headline tour around the UK and Europe! Not only is this a well-overdue headline tour for our European fans, but it’ll 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.

Pre-orders and tickets are here.

Read our review of Holding Absence live in Colchester

Pulp announce new live dates

The iconic Pulp have announced a handful of additional live dates to the already full summer reunion tour.

The new dates will see the band playing in Manchester and London in July.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘Anxiety Replacement Therapy’ from Lottery Winners

Hard-Fi announce new UK Tour

After making their return late last year, Hard-Fi this week revealed their first new UK Tour for a decade.

The band will play thirteen dates in October finishing up at the Troxy in London.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Hard-Fi live in Milton Keynes

Lauran Hibberd unveils new live dates

Lauran Hibberd has this week revealed a new small run of live dates for this July.

Grab your tickets here.

Read our review of ‘Garageband Superstar’ from Lauran Hibberd

Gogol Bordello set for UK Tour

Around their appearances at Slam Dunk Festival, Gogol Bordello have revealed details of a UK Tour set to take place this December.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘Toxic Positivity’ from The Used

Extreme announce UK Tour

The final tour announcement in our News Report comes from Extreme.

The group have revealed a run of UK and EU dates for later this year with support in the UK coming from Living Colour.

Extreme will release their new album, ‘Six’, on June 9th.

Pre-orders and tickets are here.

Read our review of Dead Man’s Whiskey live in Norwich

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Foo Fighters share ‘Show Me How’

Foo Fighters – ‘Show Me How’

We move our News Report on now to the best new releases from the past week and up first are Foo Fighters.

The group played a special livestream this week in which they unveiled Josh Freese as their new live drummer.

Later in the week the band unveiled their latest new track, ‘Show Me How’ which you can check out above.

The song comes ahead of the release of new album, ‘But Here We Are’, which is out June 2nd.

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Show Me How’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Royal Blood debut ‘Mountains at Midnight’

Royal Blood – ‘Mountains at Midnight’

Royal Blood surprised fans this week with new music in the shape of brand new single, ‘Mountains at Midnight’, which you can check out above.

The band also revealed that they will release new album, ‘Back To The Water Below’, which will arrive September 8th!

It’s another double whammy in our News Report as the duo have also set up a UK tour for this October!

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Mountains at Midnight’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Creeper unveil ‘Cry To Heaven’

Creeper – ‘Cry To Heaven’

Creeper are once again up to Creeper things, and this week saw the band unveil their brand new single, ‘Cry To Heaven’, which you can check out above.

It’s also been revealed that the group will be releasing their new album, ‘Sanguivore’ on October 13th!

The band also revealed a headline UK Tour which is set to take place this November.

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Cry To Heaven’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Teenage Fanclub share ‘Foreign Land’

Teenage Fanclub – ‘Foreign Land’

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: “The 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 tomb”.

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Foreign Land’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Demob Happy share ‘Token Appreciation Society’

Demob Happy – ‘Token Appreciation Society’

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.

Pick up a copy of the album here.

Listen to ‘Token Appreciation Society’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

VEXED share ‘X My Heart (Hope to Die)’

VEXED – ‘X My Heart (Hope To Die)’

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:“’X my <3 (hope to die)’ 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 shouldn’t be able to dictate other people’s lives based on their own personal opinions.” 

Regarding the album,. the band says, “We 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 weren’t 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.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘X My Heart (Hope To Die)’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist

Militarie Gun share ‘Will Logic’

Militarie Gun – ‘Will Logic’

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: “’Will Logic’ is meant to be pure spite, it’s the moment of realisation that someone is trying to take advantage of you and deciding you won’t allow it to happen. There’s some melancholy and fatigue in there, though ultimately it’s a desire for the world to be trustworthy.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Will Logic’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Daytime TV share ‘jessica’

Daytime TV – ‘jessica’

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

More here.

Listen to ‘jessica’ on our Spotify Hot List!

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As always we conclude our News Report with the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist!

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ARCHIVES – ‘Matriarch’

Northern Irish metal outfit ARCHIVES haveshared a monolithic new single titled ‘Matriarch’.

“Matriarch is a song about how human beings process loss & grief in many different forms.  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 someone’s life decaying is something you can only hide away from briefly eventually you have to face the music.” – Vocalist, Adam Holland

Strange Company – ‘Overrated’

Welsh three-piece rock outfit Strange Company have shared their brand new single ‘Overrated’.

“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

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News Report
DEADSET – ‘The Art of Pointscoring’

DEADSET have released their highly charged, emotive debut single ‘The Art of Pointscoring’.

“The song is an earnest outlook on the toxic environment that can be birthed when you’re struggling to coordinate mental health issues,” says Sam Mellors from the band. “That apathy you experience in which you feel empathy but struggle to act upon it. It’s 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 can’t 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.”

Listen, Follow and Discover your new favourite act now with our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist

Then find out the stories behind the songs on our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast!

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Blur debut ‘The Narcissist’

Blur – ‘The Narcissist’

Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!

We start this week with the big news that Blur will be releasing their first new album in eight years!

As the group played a tiny hometown show in Colchester it was revealed that a new record, ‘The Ballad of Darren’, will arrive on July 21st.

The album is preceded by new single, ‘The Narcissist’, which you can check out above!

Damon Albarn said – “This is an aftershock record, reflection and comment on where we find ourselves now.”

Graham Coxon said – “The older and madder we get, it becomes more essential that what we play is loaded with the right emotion and intention. Sometimes just a riff doesn’t do the job.”

Alex James said – “For any long term relationship to last with any meaning you have to be able to surprise each other somehow and somehow we all continue to do that.”

Dave Rowntree said – “It always feels very natural to make music together. With every record we do, the process reveals something new and we develop as a band. We don’t take that for granted.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘The Narcissist’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Greta Van Fleet share ‘Sacred The Thread

Greta Van Fleet – ‘Sacred The Thread’

Next, we turn our attention to Greta Van Fleet who continue to prepare for the release of their new album, ‘Starcatcher’, on July 21st.

This week the group shared their latest single, ‘Sacred The Thread’, and you can check it out above.

“I always like to think that some people’s first impression of Greta Van Fleet in concert is, ‘Wow, these guys really like dressing to the left and blowing shit up,’” notes frontperson Josh Kiszka, adding, â€œthis song is particularly important to me because it’s about my jumpsuits.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Sacred The Thread’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Within Temptation debut ‘Wireless’

Within Temptation – ‘Wireless’

Within Temptation treated fans this week to a brand new single, ‘Wireless’, which you can check out above. The track comes ahead of a hotly anticipated new album which is due later this year.

Vocalist Sharon den Adel comments, â€œWireless” is a song about a soldier who goes to war convinced that he is going for a good cause. He’s indoctrinated by government-controlled media and thinks he’s going to be welcomed back as a saviour, only to find out he has been used. This has resulted in people seeing him as a brutal conqueror instead, and now he finds himself on the wrong side. His life and the lives of many are deceived and destroyed.”

More here.

Listen to ‘Wireless’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Skindred release ‘L.O.V.E (Smile Please)

Skindred – ‘L.O.V.E (Smile Please)’

Skindred also had new music on offer this week as they set free their summer reggae anthem, ‘L.O.V.E (Smile Please)’, which you can check out above.

The track got its first public airing last summer via Skindred’s incredible main stage performance at 2022’s Download Festival. There, 60,000 rabid fans turned Donington’s metal fest into one big, happy dancefloor. â€œWhat a way for us to bring that song to the world for the first time,” beams frontman Benji Webbe, â€œon a big stage, in front of a field of maniacs, doing what we do.”

The track comes from upcoming new album, ‘Smile’, which will arrive August 4th!

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘L.O.V.E (Smile Please)’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

The Dead Daisies to release ‘best of’ collection

The Dead Daisies this week revealed that they will be releasing a ‘Best of’ collection from across their career.

The rotating line-up has also seen the return of singer John Corabi ahead of a run of upcoming live dates.

“It’s been an amazing decade with The Daisies! We’ve rocked out with some of the best in the business, toured the globe, released eight albums and are thrilled to be showcasing the body of work from over the last decade with our upcoming “Best Of” Album release and tour.  I’m excited to be welcoming John Corabi back to the band.  Can’t wait to get back on the road again in 2023 to perform for our fans!” – David Lowy

Pre-order your copy here.

Read our review of Dead Man’s Whiskey live in Norwich

The Used debut ‘Giving Up’

The Used – ‘Giving Up’

Up next in our News Report are The Used who this week released new album, ‘Toxic Positivity’.

On the album, vocalist Bert McCracken says “Humans share such similar experiences and similar tragedies and everything in between. This record is quite tough for me to listen to, because it’s a reflection of times in my life that have been some of my lowest ever. I want people to understand that, no matter how bad it gets, you don’t have to give up. Everything always feels different no matter what. So what you’re feeling right now you will not feel later on.”.

The last pre-release single, ‘Giving Up’, debuted this week and you can check it out above.

The band adds, “We think this song is fun and cute. We hope you love it too.”.

Grab your copy here.

Listen to ‘Giving Up’ on our Spotify Hot List!

The Wonder Years share ‘GODDAMNITALL’

The Wonder Years – ‘GODDAMNITALL’

To celebrate the decade anniversary of ‘The Greatest Generation’, The Wonder Years have shared a revived b-side called ‘GODDAMNITALL’, which you can check out above.

“‘GODDAMNITAL’ is a song that almost was, and then, for a long time, categorically was not, and now is,” vocalist Dan Campbell says of the track.

“When it came time to find bonus content for this box set, we went grave digging in old hard-drives to find the demos from TGG that didn’t get finished and then exhumed and reanimated this one. It was the closest to being done at the time. All of the music was there. The chorus had lyrics and melody but, for budget and time constraints it got abandoned before it had verses and a bridge. Now, a decade later, it’s finally finished. We asked Steve Evetts to produce it the same way he would have if it were on the original album and it now stands as a spiritual and somewhat literal b-side to The Greatest Generation.”

Pre-order a new ‘The Greatest Generation’ box set here.

Listen to ‘GODDAMNITALL’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Blind Channel share ‘HAPPY DOOMSDAY’

Blind Channel – ‘HAPPY DOOMSDAY’

Recent The Full Pelt Music Podcast guests Blind Channel have released another new single, ‘HAPPY DOOMSDAY’, which you can check out above.

More here.

Watch Episode 18 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests Blind Channel

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 18 – Blind Channel

Listen to ‘HAPPY DOOMSDAY’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Holding Absence debut ‘False Dawn’

Holding Absence – ‘False Dawn’

It was a big news week for Holding Absence as the group revealed that they will release their third album, ‘The Noble Art of Self Destruction’, will be released on August 25th.

In a message to fans the band said, “We feel like these songs are almost a love letter to everything Holding Absence. We can’t wait to show you just how much space we have managed to cover, and how hard we were able to push ourselves with these songs.”

The band also debuted their new single, ‘False Dawn’, which you can check out above!

On the song the group say, “This song is definitely a personal favourite for all of us on the record. A somewhat defeatist song about denouncing expectations, and coming to grips with failure – this song is a quintessential Holding Absence song, with it’s uptempo energy and downtrodden introspection. We hope you enjoy.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘False Dawn’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Static Dress unveil ‘Courtney, just relax’

Static Dress – ‘Courtney, just relax’ feat. World of Pleasure

Static Dress have signed with Roadrunner Records and this week unveiled new single, ‘Courtney, just relax’, which features World of Pleasure.

As always in our News Report you can check out the track above!

More here.

Listen to ‘Courtney, just relax’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

From Ashes To New share ‘Armageddon’

From Ashes To New – ‘Armageddon’

Our News Report continues with From Ashes To New who have shared their latest single, ‘Armageddon’, which you can check out above.

The song comes from upcoming new album, ‘Blackout’, which is out on July 28th.

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Armageddon’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

TEMPT share ‘Roses’

TEMPT – ‘Roses’

TEMPT have shared new single, ‘Roses’, which you can check out above.

On the song’s meaning, guitarist Harrison Marcello says: “It’s a tribute to the people who uplift you and bring out the best in you. It’s about embracing their infectious energy, being drawn in by them, and becoming part of their spirit.”

“I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved with ‘Roses,” shares vocalist Zach Allen. “It’s a song that truly reflects who we are as a band—high-energy, infectious and unapologetically rock n’ roll.”

More here.

Listen to ‘Roses’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

The View debut ‘Shovel in His Hands’

The View – ‘Shovel in His Hands’

Next up for our News Report is the latest single from The View!

After the band had an interesting week, they premiered new track, ‘Shovel in His Hands’, which you can check out above.

The track comes ahead of upcoming new album, ‘Exorcism of Youth’, which is out August 11th.

Pre-order here.

Listen to ‘Shovel in His Hands’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Dream Wife debut ‘Who Do You Wanna Be?’

Dream Wife – ‘Who Do You Wanna Be?’

Dream Wife continue to prepare for the release of ‘Social Lubrication’, on June 9th.

This week the group debuted their latest single, ‘Who Do You Wanna Be?’, which you can check out above.

The band note that the song is “about running on the capitalist treadmill and falling face first on the pavement. Hollow slogans, social media activism without action, leftist infighting, monetising feminism, ‘girl boss’, all soul crushing nonsense. Capitalism consumes everything. We should tear down the unreachable anxiety filled idea of perfectionism and move from hyper individualised narrative to collective action to create hopeful, rebellious, collective, systems of care. This is a call to arms for change.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Who Do You Wanna Be?’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Meryl Streek unveils ‘If This is Life’

Meryl Streek – ‘If This is Life’

The final new release in this section of our News Report comes from Meryl Streek.

You can check out standalone new track, ‘If This is Life’, above.

Commenting on the new single, Streek says: â€œIn my mind, it’s a straightforward pop song while still holding onto the same Meryl message. It’s written about the current state of Ireland and how the housing crisis is affecting families across the country on a massive scale. The eviction ban has been lifted and the landlords are evicting families onto the streets once again, with 11,754 people living in emergency accommodation at the start of this year and no sign of it getting any better. That includes 1,609 families, with 3,431 children in homelessness. 55% of them are single-parent families and we’ve still got the same corrupt government turning a blind eye and not admitting their mistakes. It’s an absolute joke, and people need to start speaking up about it.”

More here.

Listen to ‘If This is Life’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

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Listen to ‘R.A.T.’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

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The Stranglers announce 50th Anniversary Tour

We move our News Report on now to the best tour announcements from the past week.

Let’s get started with The Stranglers who have announced a special 50th Anniversary tour for March 2024!

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘Hard Cold Fire’ from Therapy?

Demob Happy set new tour dates

Demob Happy also had new tour dates to reveal this week as the band confirmed that they will tour the UK and Europe in September and October.

The band will be releasing their latest album, ‘Divine Machines’ on May 26th.

Pre-order your copy and grab tickets here.

Read our review of ‘Love, Chaos’ from The Pearl Harts

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As always we conclude our News Report with the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist!

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rock band from hell – ‘Cloud9’

rock band from hell have announced that their debut album, ‘Music For Late Night Activities’ will be released on September 1st.

Alongside that news the group have shared their latest single, ‘Cloud9’.

The band comments:

“’cloud9’ is a pop-rock anthem that screams out the agony of the outsiders. It’s a song where Nirvana goes pop and Post Malone goes rock n’ roll. It rose from the feeling of being left outside – you feel like you’re not valued or appreciated, while others are living in cloud nine at the same time”.

EXTS – ‘Memories’

Post-hardcore newcomers, EXTS have announced their debut EP, ‘The Fragile Space Between’, is set for release on 23rd June. The group have also shared a brand-new single titled ‘Memories’, which will feature on the EP.

“The track’s about dropping the pretence and owning the truth. Tragedy strikes everyone at some point and we make good and bad decisions in those moments. Life loves to throw us curveballs from time to time & finding a way to keep positive, when it feels like there’s no break in the clouds, it is tough. The whole EP is about overcoming adversity & “Memories” is no different. Lyrically it nods to the old cliche “what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger”, especially in those defining moments in time.” – Vocalist, Jack Flynn.

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News Report
Lucky Hit – ‘Obvious Sucker’

Pop punk band Lucky Hit have returned with a brand-new single titled ‘Obvious Sucker’.

Many of us often romanticise the past. The lyrics focus on a couple and the way in which they spent their time together and how they felt. The memory of that person often stays with us years after. The song itself is not about an ex girlfriend or a summer fling, the song is about a time in our lives personified.  The time we spend in our younger years enjoying ourselves and taking risks and the spend out latter years romanticising it.” – Vocalist, Lawrence Murphy.

Listen, Follow and Discover your new favourite act now with our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist

Then find out the stories behind the songs on our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast!

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Greta Van Fleet unveil ‘Meeting the Master’

Greta Van Fleet – ‘Meeting the Master’

Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!

We start this week with the return of Greta Van Fleet, who have shared new single ‘Meeting the Master’, which you can check out above.

The track will feature on their newly announced upcoming album, ‘Starcatcher’, which will be released July 21st.

On the single, the band notes, â€œâ€˜Meeting The Master’ peers into an esoteric world heeded by the word of a wise teacher. Sung in the voice of a devout believer, and eventual group exclamation, the song details the love these fervent followers have for their teacher and their firm belief in his vision. It’s an exotic spiritual journey. A dark comedy that inevitably ends in chaos.”

With regards to the album, “We didn’t really have to force or be intense about writing, because everything that happened was very instinctual,” Jake says. â€œIf anything, the record is our perspective, and sums up where we are as a group and individually as musicians.”

Throughout the ten-song collection the band explores the duality of fantasy versus reality and the contrast between light and darkness. â€œWe had this idea that we wanted to tell these stories to build a universe,” says Wagner. â€œWe wanted to introduce characters and motifs and these ideas that would come about here and there throughout our careers through this world.”

The band took multiple concepts from critically acclaimed second album The Battle at Garden’s Gate and brought them into Starcatcher, although Sam’s take on the new record’s big ideas hint instead at new beginnings. â€œWhen I imagine the world of Starcatcher, I think of the cosmos,” he says. â€œIt makes me ask a lot of questions, like ‘Where did we come from?’ or ‘What are we doing here?’ But it’s also questions like, ‘What is this consciousness that we have, and where did it come from?’”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Meeting the Master’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist

Peter Gabriel reveals new single ‘i/o’

Peter Gabriel – ‘i/o’

This week also saw Peter Gabriel share the latest taste of new album, ‘i/o’, with the release of the title-track.

Speaking about the new track, Gabriel says:

“This month the song is “i/o” and “i/o” means input / output. You see it on the back of a lot of electrical equipment and it just triggered some ideas about the stuff we put in and pull out of ourselves, in physical and non-physical ways. That was the starting point of this idea and then trying to talk about the interconnectedness of everything. The older I get, I probably don’t get any smarter, but I have learned a few things and it makes a lot of sense to me that we are not these independent islands that we like to think we are, that we are part of a whole. If we can see ourselves as better connected, still messed up individuals, but as part of a whole, then maybe there’s something to learn?”

‘i/o’ as a potential album title has long-been known within fan circles, and is now the name of the current project, the album and the forthcoming tour, but as Gabriel says, “It’s been around for a long time as a title for this project. I always knew I was going to write a song called “i/o”, but the title came first.”

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Therapy? share ‘Poundland of Hope and Glory’

Therapy? – ‘Poundland of Hope and Glory’

Therapy? continue to build to the release of new album, ‘Hard Cold Fire’ on May 5th. This week saw the band share new single, ‘Poundland of Hope and Glory’, which you can check out above.

The band say, “This track started out as a hard take on how people lose themselves in narratives to the point that the myth takes on greater importance than the fact. Just like the old adage about the liar repeating the lie so much that they eventually believe it themselves, the culture around us is bursting with fairy stories we tell ourselves.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Poundland of Hope and Glory’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Holding Absence debut ‘A Crooked Melody’

Holding Absence – ‘A Crooked Melody’

There was also new music to savour this week from Holding Absence as they debuted their latest single, ‘A Crooked Melody’, which you can check out above.

More here.

Listen to ‘A Crooked Melody’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Like Moths To Flames debut ‘Predestination Paradox’

Like Moths To Flames – ‘Predestination Paradox’

Like Moths To Flames have released their first new music in two years with return single ‘Predestination Paradox’, which you can check out above.

“I think there are a lot of things that we all commit to, where we know how it will end,” says LMTF’s Chris Roetter. “This song is meant to portray the experience of learning that almost everything has an inevitable expiration date. We never know how much time we are offered or how much time is left, yet we still immerse ourselves in these deep relationships.”

More here.

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News Report

2000trees announce Soft Play as their final headliner!

We move our News Report on now to the best festival announcements from the past week and up first is 2000trees.

This week saw a wave of additions to the line-up including headliners Soft Play making their live return. Also added to the line-up were Dinosaur Pile-Up, Hell Is For Heroes, Gaffa Tape Sandy, Haggard Cat and more.

They join the likes of Bullet For My Valentine, Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, Bob Vylan, Holding Absence, Deaf Havana, Hundred Reasons, Skindred and many more.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Bullet For My Valentine live in Cambridge

Arctangent reveals Devin Townsend as final headliner

The final headliner was also revealed this week for Arctangent Festival with Devin Townsend set to close the event this year.

Townsend joins a line-up including Converge, Empire State Bastard, Pigs x7, Sikth, Loathe, Rolo Tomassi and loads more.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Hundred Reasons live in London

Y Not Festival reveals second line-up wave

The second wave of acts for Y Not Festival were revealed this week including Sea Girls, The Pigeon Detectives, Yonaka, Cassyette, Gengahr, Feet, Peaness, The Hara, DEADLETTER, Daisy Brain and more.

They join a bill featuring the likes of Royal Blood, Kasabian, Paul Weller, The Wombats, James, DMA’s, The Charlatans, KT Tunstall, The Murder Capital, Kid Kapichi, Beans On Toast and many more.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Beans On Toast live in Norwich

News Report

Royal Blood announce intimate warm-up shows

Our News Report looks now at the best live announcements of the past week and we kick off with Royal Blood who have revealed two intimate warm-up shows in amongst their packed summer.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Royal Blood live in London

Waterparks announce UK Tour

Waterparks are on their way back to the UK later this year for a UK Tour with support from Stand Atlantic.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Fall Out Boy live in London

Wheatus announce lengthy UK Tour

Wheatus have announced an extensive trek around the UK for September/October this year.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘A Fistful of Peaches’ from Black Honey

Vintage Trouble reveal UK Tour dates

Our final piece of live news comes from Vintage Trouble who will be touring the UK and EU this summer.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of YUNGBLUD live in London

News Report

As always we conclude our News Report with the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist!

News Report
LUCKY THIEF – ‘Silencer’

Bristol-based rock multi-instrumentalist Lucky Thief shares his new single, ‘Silencer’.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the single, Lucky Thief explains, “Silencer is about being unable to control how we speak. So many people have opinions that are narrow minded, selfish and ill-considered; This song airs my frustration with them. It also looks at how hard it is for me to stay quiet, if I feel something deserves to be said, I will not be silenced.”

Harker – ‘Wasting Time’

Brighton, UK punk rock powerhouse Harker have released a new single titled ‘Wasting Time’.

The band comment, “‘Wasting Time’ is about the breakdown of communication in modern life – it’s easy to misunderstand and mislead when you only talk through a digital screen. Talk to your loved ones in person, debate face to face, and know when to set your boundaries if it’s not working. ‘Wasting Time’ is a back to basics, 4 chord postpunk pop ruckus track – heavy hooks and fuzzed out guitar walls, just how we like it.”

News Report
News Report
Cape Crush – ‘Sandwich Wars’

Cape Crush, hailing from Massachusetts, have unveiled their new single, ‘Sandwich Wars’.

Vocalist Ali Lipman, says “‘Sandwich Wars” is an emo pop anthem I wrote about not apologizing for yourself. I wrote it from the point of view of giving advice to a younger version of yourself. It was inspired by the advice of my former roommate Chelsea who left earth too soon about not being so quick to blame yourself. Our house was called Club Sammich, which is where the Sandwich Wars title comes from. It’s got some personal imagery in, but hopefully it conveys that your mistakes don’t define the person you become. I think Sandwich Wars is the band’s favorite song on the EP. This came together as a full band song with James really driving home the riffs and all those little musical moments that keep you listening (like the car crash), Jake’s bass and backing vocals in the last chorus, and Cody’s energetic beats. We love playing this one and we hope people enjoy listening!”

News Report

Watch Episode 42 of our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with guests ANGER PARTY!

‘Discover’ New Music Podcast – Episode 42 – ANGER PARTY

Listen, Follow and Discover your new favourite act now with our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist

Then find out the stories behind the songs on our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast!

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Read our review of Nova Twins live in Norwich