Categories
Magazine

News Report

We roundup the best music news from the past week!

Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week in our News Report. To stay up to date with the biggest news be sure to follow us on our social channels:

Slam Dunk unveil line-up for rescheduled Festival

Slam Dunk Festival Poster

The trend of festivals selling out continues following the recent government roadmap announcement. We again start our News Report this week with the pick of the festival news.

Up first is Slam Dunk Festival. The organisers had already announced that the twin event would move to the 4th and 5th of September at Leeds Temple Newsam and Hatfield Park. Now they have unveiled a line-up that includes headliners Sum 41 and Don Broco!

Also on the festival bill is a collection of some of our favourites including Reel Big Fish, A, Dream State, Normandie and Wargasm. Pick up your tickets here.

Read our review of ‘Dark & Beautiful Secrets’ from Normandie

Bloodstock brings in Kreator

Bloodstock Festival Poster

Another event cementing their 2021 line-up this week is Bloodstock Festival. Having lost Mercyful Fate from the Saturday headline slot, the organisers have moved quickly to bring in Kreator to fill that spot.

They join the already announced Judas Priest, Skindred and Saxon. Pick up your ticket here.

Steelhouse Festival reveals their final three

Steelhouse Festival Poster

We also saw this week the final three acts announced for a fantastic looking Steelhouse Festival. The Wildhearts, Bernie Marsden and Wayward Sons join the likes of Anthrax, Europe, Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons, Therapy? and Those Damn Crows.

Rockers rejoice and grab your tickets here.

Read our review of ‘We’re The Bastards’ from Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons

Black Deer deliver strong line-up

Black Deer Poster News Report

Our final festival coverage this week goes to a stunning line-up from Black Deer Festival in Kent. The event is set to feature performances from Van Morrison, Saving Grace, Frank Turner, Imelda May and Emily Barker.

You can grab your tickets here.

Read our tribute to Frank Turner’s Independent Venue Love series

Enter Shikari reveal rescheduled tour with new dates added

Enter Shikari Poster News Report

It isn’t just festivals maneuvering in the wake of the governments roadmap. Tours have been also been adjusting to those plans. This week has seen more rescheduling from the likes of Biffy Clyro and Enter Shikari. The latter even adding in five additional dates!

Lincoln, Hull, Bristol, Liverpool and Leeds will now also get to witness the majesty of Enter Shikari with Dinosaur Pile-Up and Nova Twins in tow. Grab any remaining tickets here.

Fatherson plan huge UK tour

Fatherson poster News Report

Another tour announced this week will see the incredible Fatherson hit the road for a lengthy trek around the UK. This promises to be one not to miss and you can pick up your tickets here.

Read our review of ‘Fractured Party Music’ from Pet Needs

Korn announce massive livestream event

Korn has announced details of a massive global livestream event taking place on Saturday 24th April 2021. Announcing the event frontman Jonathan Davis said “We hope you take part in this experience with us. And though it is not the same as performing live with you here, we still want to bring you some great music and a fun show.”

The show promises “hits, rare and sought-after deep cuts and select tracks from their latest album”. The event will be shot in downtown LA on the set of Stranger Things! Interest piqued? Grab your tickets here.

Read our blog ‘Livestream: Good or Bad for the Music Industry’

Yonaka drop new single ‘Ordinary’

Yonaka – ‘Ordinary’

We move now into our new music section of our weekly news roundup. This week we were treated to the second single from the upcoming second album from Yonaka. ‘Ordinary’ is further evidence that the new album will be very special.

Listen to ‘Seize The Power’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Gary Numan unveils ‘I Am Screaming’

Gary Numan – ‘I Am Screaming’

Gary Numan has also released the second single from his upcoming album. ‘I Am Screaming’ will feature on ‘Intruder’ which is due for release on May 21st.

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Intruder’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Danko Jones ready new album

Danko Jones – ‘I Want Out’

Finally this week, news from Danko Jones. The band will be releasing their tenth studio album, ‘Power Trio’, on August 27th. In announcing the album, the band also unveiled the first single ‘I Want Out’.

Pre-order your copy here.

Share our News Report on Social Media

Read our review of ‘The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy’ from Rob Zombie

Categories
Features

Album of the Year 2020

Photo byĀ Andrea TurnerĀ fromĀ Pexels

Who is going to make the Full Pelt Music Top 20 Albums of the Year List?

2020 – a year we would all much sooner forget. Certainly not the year we had all envisaged. Real life has been traumatic and upsetting for many. The effects of the virus have been disastrous for the music industry, with the collapse of live music and many delays and production issues for albums.

You’d think therefore that selecting an Album of the Year list would be difficult due to a lack of new music! We are however talking about the most creative and adaptable industry and in fact compiling this list has been hard for the opposite reason. Even through all the sadness and despair this year, we have been graced with some amazing new music.

More so, the uniqueness of this year has created a special connection to the music released during the most troubling times. This is therefore a highly competitive list and all 20 entries deserve high praise!

We have been counting down the list as part of our #AdventCalendar of music over on our Twitter Page. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by clicking the icons below!

Finally, before we talk through our Top 20 Albums of the Year, a special mention to Yungblud and his new album ‘Weird!’ which we recently reviewed here. Released after the compilation of this list, the album is a stunning piece of work and had it been released earlier would have been competitive at the top of the list! But, now to the countdown…

20

HAYLEY WILLIAMS
‘Petals For Armor’

In a year that doesnā€™t seem to want to end, January seems a lifetime ago when Paramoreā€™s Hayley Williams announced her debut solo album ā€˜Petals For Armorā€™. By the time that album arrived, the world had descended into chaos and all touring plans had been cancelled. When the album did emerge in May it represented a ray of light in dark times, and showed Williams has a lot to offer outside of Paramore.

we suggest you check out:

Hayley Williams – ‘Simmer’

19

DOVES
‘The Universal Want’

When Doves returned from an eight year hiatus in 2018 the band initially basked in that reformation glory. Thankfully for fans though it hasnā€™t taken long for the band to head back into the studio and the resultant album ā€˜The Universal Wantā€™ is a timely reminder of what we had been missing.

we suggest you check out:

Doves – ‘Prisoners’

18

AC/DC
‘Power Up’

After a tumultuous few years with the tragic loss of Malcolm and departures of Cliff, Phil and Brian, AC/DC could have been easily forgiven for riding off into the sunset having had one of the greatest careers of any heavy rock band. But then that wouldnā€™t be the AC/DC way of doing things would it? Instead we get another classic AC/DC album in ā€˜Power Upā€™ with Williams, Rudd and Johnson back in tow!

we suggest you check out:

AC/DC – ‘Shot In The Dark’

17

REWS
‘Warriors’

The Shauna Tohill led REWS have somehow managed to equal if not surpass their debut album with sophomore release ā€˜Warriorsā€™. Packed with punchy, catchy, bouncy rock and roll, we challenge you not to throw your heart and soul into this album just as Tohill clearly has.

we suggest you check out:

REWS – ‘Birdsong’

16

THE STRUTS
‘Strange Days’

With The Struts you should always expect the unexpected. This is not a band that plays by any kind of rule book. So why wouldnā€™t they team up with guests as diverse as Tom Morello, Phil Collen & Joe Elliott, Albert Hammond Jr and yes the actual Robbie Williams? ā€˜Strange Daysā€™ solidifies The Struts reputation as the future of rock.

we suggest you check out:

The Struts – ‘Strange Days’

15

ALL TIME LOW
‘Wake Up Sunshine’

ā€˜Wake Up Sunshineā€™ is somehow the eighth studio album for All Time Low, which makes me feel very old. Thankfully this isnā€™t an album that rests on any laurels and the band continue to deliver the goods with another very solid album added to that back catalogue.

we suggest you check out:

All Time Low – ‘Monsters’

14

THE KILLERS
‘Imploding The Mirage’

By now we know exactly what to expect from The Killers and thankfully their first album without lead guitarist Dave Keuning still delivers that classic feel. With the likes of Lindsay Buckingham instead contributing on ā€˜Imploding The Mirageā€™, there is even an air of freshness to their sound.

we suggest you check out:

The Killers – ‘My Own Soul’s Warning’

13

PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS
‘We’re The Bastards’

When Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons released their debut album, to the surprise of many they delivered a classic rock masterpiece. Any doubters thinking they couldnā€™t do it again have now been proven wrong with the release of ā€˜Weā€™re The Bastardsā€™ In our recent review (here) we stated ā€œThe bands fans are the loyal kind hence their lyrics proclaim ā€œ…ā€™cause weā€™re the bastards, and youā€™re a bastard too…ā€.Ā  If youā€™re in to good old fashioned rock and roll, give this album a listen and you too will be in that clubā€.

we suggest you check out:

Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons – ‘Son Of A Gun’

12

GREEN DAY
‘Father Of All…’

ā€˜Father Of All…ā€™ may not sit highly amongst the bands back catalogue if we are being honest, but an average Green Day album is still a very good album in the grand scheme of things. Despite this album pre-dating national lockdowns the album has remained on rotation throughout the year which is a testament to its real qualities.

we suggest you check out:

Green Day – ‘Oh Yeah!’

11

BOSTON MANOR
‘Glue’

Nobody should be surprised at the quality of Boston Manorā€™s albums anymore. With the release of their third album ā€˜Glueā€™, the band have now delivered three high quality albums with plenty to unpack.

we suggest you check out:

Boston Manor – ‘Liquid’

10

HAIM
‘Women In Music Pt. III’

With ā€˜Women In Music Pt. IIIā€™, Haim have let it all hang out with a statement of an album that takes listeners on a musical journey of wonder. Taking elements of various genres and given them that now classic Haim twist, this album is a stunning piece of musicianship.

we suggest you check out:

Haim – ‘Now I’m In It’

9

PVRIS
‘Use Me’

With the release of third album ā€˜Use Meā€™, PVRIS have continued their evolution into something majestic, enormous and vital. The bands growth had been put out there for all to see and this album just encapsulates the power of Lynn Gunn.

we suggest you check out:

PVRIS – ‘Dead Weight’

8

BLACK STONE CHERRY
‘The Human Condition’

On ā€˜The Human Conditionā€™ we get the Black Stone Cherry that we all love, just doing what they do best. Full of head banging and foot stumping this record sees the band confirm that they are here to stay, and that they have plenty left in the creative tank.

we suggest you check out:

Black Stone Cherry – ‘Again’

7

TRIVIUM
‘What The Dead Men Say’

ā€˜What The Dead Men Sayā€™ is a stunning piece of work that captures a band that has hit their peak. Trivium have mixed the lessons learnt from their past with their recently rejuvenated vigour and have come out the other side with an album that stands up that anything that they have previously released. Ā 

we suggest you check out:

Trivium – ‘Catastrophist’

6

CREEPER
‘Sex, Death & The Infinite Void’

The release of ā€˜Sex, Death & the Infinite Voidā€™ was a rocky road for Creeper, and not just because of a global pandemic. Various internal struggles and personal demons had to be overcome before Creeper could make their grandiose return. Sadly this return coincided with a certain virus which hampered the typical over the top promotion of a Creeper release. Thankfully for the band the record itself is brilliant enough to shine through even the darkest times.

we suggest you check out:

Creeper – ‘Born Cold’

5

BIFFY CLYRO
‘A Celebration Of Endings’

As we hit the top five Albums of 2020, things are very tight. A terrible year has thankfully seem some amazing music emerge to see us through. Biffy Clyro are another band whose plans were destroyed by this horrible virus, with tours cancelled and the album delayed. The early single releases from ā€˜A Celebration of Endingsā€™ however provided much joy in the early period of lockdown.

When the full album finally found his way into the public domain, little did fans realise the treat that was in store for them. Biffy Clyro always evolve with each release, but they somehow manage to retain that Biffyness to their music. This is a unique band and ā€˜A Celebration of Endingsā€™ is a unique record that mixes both the beautiful and the heavy as only Biffy Clyro seem to be able to.

we suggest you check out:

Biffy Clyro – ‘End Of’

4

ENTER SHIKARI
‘Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible’

Another band whose releases were a small positive in the huge negative that was the first national Lockdown was Enter Shikari. It was clear from the start that ā€˜Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possibleā€™ was going to be a very special album. The connection felt now with certain tracks only serves to ensure that this album will forever be seen as one of, if not the best Enter Shikari album.

All the normal quirkiness is there, along with the more mainstream elements incorporated into 2017ā€™s ā€˜The Sparkā€™.Ā  In fact, on this album Enter Shikari may have actually made the perfect Enter Shikari recipe and in turn the perfect Enter Shikari album!

we suggest you check out:

Enter Shikari – ‘satellites**’

3

BRING ME THE HORIZON
‘Post Human: Survival Horror’

Yes, ā€˜Post Human: Survival Horrorā€™ is technically an EP, but it is just so outrageously good that it had to feature and feature high. Precursors such as ā€˜Ludensā€™ and ā€˜Parasite Eveā€™ had promised something special but I donā€™t think anybody predicted anything this good.

When we recently reviewed the record (here) we told you ā€œThis new EP takes the best elements from throughout their career and combines them in one stunning masterpiece of an album.ā€. Bring Me The Horizon prove with this album that the best is still to come!

we suggest you check out:

Bring Me The Horizon – ‘Obey’

2

FONTAINES D.C.
‘A Hero’s Death’

The battle for the number one spot this year was fierce. Actually, the battle for the top 5 was fierce this year. Fontaines D.C. are the band that gets the number two spot, but this album deserves Album of the Year. ā€˜A Heroā€™s Deathā€™ shows that the band are no flash in the pan and builds on the basis of debut ā€˜Dogrelā€™. This album actually feels a step above that debut album, and is another that has created a huge personal connection during this tough year.

This record has already rightfully brought the band much acclaim and we canā€™t wait to hear these songs live. Fontaines D.C. are an unstoppable songwriting force and with ā€˜A Heroā€™s Deathā€™ they have placed their claim to be the band of their generation.

we suggest you check out:

Fontaines D.C. – ‘I Don’t Belong’

1

IDLES
‘Ultra Mono’

It has been a crazy year, and this list has been heavily influenced by that. As mentioned the top of this list is massively impacted by new music I heard during the height of the initial lockdown. ā€˜Ultra Monoā€™ was an album that I was already extremely excited to hear; and the stream of songs released during Lockdown only served to raise that excitement to a fever pitch.

Thankfully IDLES didnā€™t disappoint and when the album arrived it was a pure masterpiece. It shows a natural progression on the bands first two records and grows the bands sound. It still captures what made us all fall in love with the band but by incorporating new elements into the bands sound the album shows that IDLES are no one trick pony.

Above all other releases this year and those that feature in this list, this was the album that we needed this year. In a year where we have all been knocked down one way or another, IDLES and ā€˜Ultra Monoā€™ has been a call to arms, to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and keep going.

we suggest you check out:

IDLES – ‘Model Village’

So, there you have it, the Top 20 Albums of 2020 as considered by Full Pelt Music. We are sure that your lists will be different to ours and we want to hear them, so why not share yours with us on social media!

Categories
Magazine

News Report

13th – 20th December 2020

Full Pelt Music – Weekly Music News Report

Ramblin’ Man Fair reveal Saturday Main Stage Lineup

Europe set to Rock The Night at Ramblin’ Man

Every year Ramblin’ Man Fair fills Mote Park in Kent with the finest rock n’ roll. They have now unveiled the main stage line-up for Saturday 17th July 2021 and it looks great! A very special acoustic set from Clutch promises to be a must see performance, plus also announced are Those Damn Crows and Monster Magnet.

With Special guests still to be announced the day is already looking packed with Europe set to close the night out. With Christmas upon us, don’t miss The Final Countdown for tickets here.

Steelhouse Festival Anniversary event gets bigger!

Steelhouse Festival just got bigger and better!

This week’s News Report is full of festival goodness as we all hope we can spend the summer rocking out in a field. So why not make up for lost time? The fantastic Steelhouse Festival have added four amazing bands to their already stacked anniversary event lineup, and it’s the weekend after Ramblin’ Man! Double-header anyone?

With Europe, Black Spiders, King Creature and Hands Off Gretel added to a line-up already including Anthrax, Therapy? and Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, Steelhouse are celebrating in style; and you can too by picking up your ticket here.

Burn It Down Festival reveal final lineup

Burn It Down Festival looks to be on fire!

Another festival completing its lineup this week is Burn It Down Festival, which is set to take over Torquay in September. The lineup looks like pure fire with the likes of Dinosaur Pile-Up, WSTR, Nova Twins, Vukovi and Wargasm all set to burn it down! Don’t waste any time, grab your tickets here.

Your City Festival is heading to Stoke-On-Trent

Your City announces line-up for May 2021

Another festival to unveil a brilliant lineup this week is Your City festival which is set for May 2021 in Stoke-On-Trent. The lineup already includes the fantastic October Drift, Hands Off Gretel and Salvation Jayne. You can join in the fun by grabbing your tickets here.

Skinny Lister return with 2021 Tour

Skinny Lister announce 2021 tour

The always enjoyable Skinny Lister are back with a new tour set for 2021. With a new album also on the horizon, be sure you pick up your tickets as soon as possible here.

Yungblud adds extra dates to UK Tour

Yungblud tour gets bigger!

We recently reviewed the new Yungblud album ‘Weird!’ (here), and told you that he was set for number one and world domination. Well, he already has that number one and now his tour is set to confirm his world domination. Thankfully for fans that tour has now gotten bigger! You really don’t want to wait on these tickets, which you can find here.

Bullet For My Valentine unveil ‘Venom’ spiced mead!

Bullet For My Valentine unveil ‘Venom’ spiced mead!

We finish this week with our latest installment of random band merch just in time for Christmas! Metallica Monopoly or You Me At Six Hot Sauce not for you? How about Bullet For My Valentine spiced mead? The metal titans have this week unveiled their own brand of spiced mead named ‘Venom’ and you can get yours here.

Categories
Album Reviews

Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons

‘We’re The Bastards’

Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons – ‘Son of a Gun’

Motorhead legend Phil Campbell introduced us to his Bastard Sons back in 2016 and together they released their excellent debut album ā€˜The Age Of Absurdityā€™ in 2018. That album helped to grow the bands fanbase and saw the band accepted as a legitimate entity. Well, two years later they are back with their sophomore album ā€˜Weā€™re the Bastardsā€™ as they seek to solidify their own legacy.

The elder Campbell is of course accustomed to hard work from his time with Motorhead. The band rarely took a break from touring and were relentless in the studio. Since the untimely conclusion of Motorhead, Campbell has sustained the same work ethic with his new band Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons. He even found the time to release a solo album, ā€˜Old Lions Still Roarā€™, last year!

For those that donā€™t know, this band is named so because Campbell is joined by his actual sons Todd, Tyla and Dane; a fact that they are proud to proclaim in blistering opening number ā€˜Weā€™re the Bastardsā€™.Ā  The theme is then furthered on the song that follows the title track, ā€˜Son of a Gunā€™. In fact there are a number of lyrical Easter eggs throughout the album for fans to enjoy.

And fans will enjoy this album. It picks up where its predecessor left off; with a steady stream of infectious rock and roll. Singer and sole non-Campbell, Neil Starr is on great form and helps to ensure that there is recognisable progression from the first album. The likes of ā€˜Promises Are Poisonā€™, ā€˜Born To Roamā€™ and ā€˜Animalsā€™ will fit seamlessly into the bands next set list whenever live music can return.

Whilst we might not know exactly when live shows will return, this album gives fans something to get their teeth into in the meantime. There is plenty here to whet the appetite with ā€˜Bite My Tongueā€™, ā€˜Hate Machineā€™ and ā€˜Wavesā€™ particularly worthy of mention. As with Motorhead, you get the impression that Phil Campbell and the Bastards Sons wonā€™t be breaking the mould anytime soon, but why would they when they appear to have formed the perfect style.

Phil Campbell has been consistent with his output throughout his career, and we should be grateful that he once again has an outlet for his talents. ā€˜Weā€™re the Bastardsā€™ is statement however that this band is a force to be reckoned with in its own right. The bands fans are the loyal kind hence their lyrics proclaim ā€œ…ā€™cause weā€™re the bastards, and youā€™re a bastard too…ā€.Ā  If youā€™re in to good old fashioned rock and roll, give this album a listen and you too will be in that club.