Vol. 134
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Black Veil Brides
‘VINDICATE’
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BLACK VEIL BRIDES – VINDICATE – ALBUM REVIEW
Black Veil Brides return with their seventh studio album, ‘VINDICATE’!
That’s a headline that many critics and tormentors wouldn’t have predicated and for many bitter trolls one that they undoubtedly wish that they hadn’t just read.
Seeing their burgeoning career greeted by a barrage of abuse as rock music gatekeepers used the band for target practice, singer Andy Biersack has come accustomed to defending the band against the naysayers.
As if their continued growth into an arena act didn’t vindicate their career enough, on this new album the band again have the bit between their teeth, and they write about what Biersack admits could be considered an unhealthy fixation with vengeance.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘CUT’
This album explores the intense duality of a desire for revenge with the positive drive and negative stalling of the emotive subject in scope across the intense collection of classic sounding Black Veil Brides songs.
The pre-release singles gave good indicators that this would be a band on top form and with an album clearly crafted by passion and a real fire, fans will find it easy to find their own purpose from these tracks.
On ‘Alive’ you hear Biersack rage “…I’m alive and free of misery, you try to destroy me, but you know you’re not holy…”. This defiance etches itself into the album and is emblematic of how the band has naturally had to grow hardened shells.
The album has been a long time coming. ‘Bleeders’ was first released two years ago! But fans can now pick up this latest effort confident that the band firmly retain their rebelliousness and that as they continue their assent they will forever be vindicated.
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Basement
‘WIRED’
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BASEMENT – WIRED – ALBUM REVIEW
The stop-start career of Basement may be a factor for their lack of major mainstream push, but ask any of their contemporaries about them and you’ll soon understand the esteem that they are held in.
Their somewhat underground following has started to head above ground in recent years with their latest spell of activity hitting the right spots no doubt aided by the ongoing nostalgia of 2000’s alt rock and the explosion of the melodic hardcore scene.
Not content to rely on their past work however the band are back again with their new album, ‘WIRED’. Their fifth studio album, it’s their first in some eight years so is a big opportunity for them to harness this newfound growth in adulation.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘Broken By Design’
As a band who has been pigeonholed in many different ways during their time, it’s no surprise that this album again displays varying influences. More than any other influence though, the biggest is clearly Basement themselves. A doubling down of sorts as they obviously attempt to capitalise on what has brought them again into the consciousness of the UK alt-rock scene.
In general, this works very well and will consider to be mission achieved. That said there will likely be those who will feel underwhelmed; instead wishing that the band had sought another boundary pushing affair.
It’s one of those ones times for a band though which will prove that you can’t please everyone. This is a collection that will get conflicting commentary but in the cold light of day the charm that made fans fall in love with the band is ingrained in this album.
It’s therefore a timely reminder that before the modern wave of emo-tinged hardcore was this little band from Ipswich called Basement and they still have an innate ability to make you feel something.
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Black Orchid Empire
‘LORE’
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Black orchid empire – lore – album review
Over the past decade Black Orchid Empire have consistently delivered hard-hitting records which showcase a complex sound that is still somehow pure and simple in its delivery.
With gargantuan riffs, elegant melodies, an insatiable groove and killer hooks, it’s criminal the lack of attention that they have garnered. New album ‘LORE’ however is once again ready to knock down doors and make a scene.
Those riffs are heavier; the lyrics are made to be sung with passion and the album itself is unrelenting in quality as the band continue their path of growth.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘TRISTAR’
Each album as well as showing their evolution, also takes on its own identity. On ‘LORE’, we find the band tackling some of their favourite myths and legends with their insightful lyricism. This is after all a band seeking to get you thinking and delving deeper into the songs and these twelve tracks will do just that.
The likes of ‘Angelfire’ and ‘Tristar’ may shine bright, but this is another consistent and unified record that is greater than the sum of its parts.
At the end of the day though, this is also one of those albums that no review will do justice, you simply need to turn the volume up and brace for impact.
Watch Episode 75 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests Black Orchid Empire!
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Full Pelt Magazine
Vol. 133
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Sevendust
‘One’
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SEVENDUST – ONE – ALbum Review
In the late nineties, Sevendust emerged as one of the pioneers of the nu metal explosion and the Atlanta, Georgia natives have never slowed down. Their new album, ‘One’, being their fifteenth.
Whilst however their release schedule may seem relentless, the group have failed to capitalise on their success here in the UK. Scarcely seen on these shores, they never really built the necessary momentum to grow their fanbase this side of the pond.
Their recent arena tour as special guests to Alter Bridge has however shone a light on a band that has gone under the radar here. With many new fans jumping on board, this new album is timed superbly.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘UNBREAKABLE’
That’s because fourteen records may seem a lot to catch up on but ten tracks is a much simpler introduction to the bands American radio anthems. ‘One’ is very much Sevendust doing what they do best and delivering it with gusto.
The album is full of blistering riffs, soulful vocals and their trademark groove. ‘Unbreakable’, ‘Is This The Real You’ and ‘Threshold’ all showcase their sound in thunderous fashion and leave you in no doubt that a deeper dive into that big catalogue will be worth your time.
It’s nice to see that Sevendust are finally getting their flowers from UK hard rock fans and what this album does nicely is both reaffirm their presence and let you know that they still have plenty of gas left in the tank.
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Millie Manders and the Shutup
Waterfront Studio, Norwich
Saturday 25th April 2026
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Millie manders and the shutup – norwich – live review
📷Denis Gorbatov
As you drive into Norwich on this sunny Spring evening, football fans are exiting the nearby stadium having celebrated the final home game of the season. This is an opportunity to reflect on the endeavours of the past year together with like-minded people.
Many chants will be sung, and fans will lose their voices supporting their team. Often, you’ll leave these festivities with a renewed sense of hope and ambition for the future and a general sense of togetherness.
Well, those emotions all also ring true of a homecoming show from a much-loved musical artist. Indeed, tonight at the Waterfront Studio is another milestone for Millie Manders and the Shutup as they continue to win hearts and minds on their latest nationwide escapade!
ALL EARS AVOW
Opening proceedings this evening are Swindon’s alt-rockers All Ears Avow who released their debut album, ‘Horrors’ at the end of last year. A thoroughly enjoyable record, it’s no surprise that the album dominates their setlist this evening, kicking off with singles, ‘Young Horror’ and ‘A Night Like This’.
The band have just jumped on the second half of this tour and already feel at home with the Manders crowd, with those in attendance clearly appreciative of the bands ability to mix rock intensity with an innate danceability.
By the time their set comes to an end with ‘Fire’, the band have undoubtedly left a positive impression on those in attendance and reinforced why it’s always important to get in early and catch the support act!
MILLIE MANDERS AND THE SHUTUP
A lightning-fast changeover means that fans don’t have long to wait until Millie Manders and the Shutup hit the stage and deliver a blistering opening trio of ‘Fun Sponge’, ‘Bacchus’ and ‘Windows’.
With a packed venue clearly in the party spirit, the gig tonight fits straight into that celebratory ethos. Manders and her Ted Army fanbase combine to create an electric atmosphere as the show continues with fan favourites ‘Shut Your Mouth’ and ‘Angry Side’.
It is a love-affair between band and fans and there is definitely love in the air tonight, especially with a couple of local fans celebrating their own wedding day at the gig.
Outside commentators will lazily attach the “outspoken” label on Manders, but in this space Manders is just stating the obvious with many of the songs tonight calling out injustices and standing up for the marginalised. The fact that Manders so passionately ensures that this is a safe space, just makes that feeling of togetherness feel even more powerful.
The entire set is jam packed with songs that you can’t help but sing along with including an incredible final run of ‘Bitter’, ‘Your Story’, ‘Rebound’ and ‘Not OK’. Throw in a fun cover of Limp Bizkit classic ‘Break Stuff’ and many in the audience will have no voices left comes the morning.
With new track ‘Age Disgracefully’ representing a glimpse of the future, it’s also hard not to have high hopes for what the future holds for a band that are building undeniable momentum.
So, whether you’re a football fan waiting for next seasons fixtures to be announced, or a Millie Manders fan waiting for that inevitable next tour, there is so much to be thankful for and plenty of reasons to be excited.
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Vol. 132
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Foo Fighters
‘Your Favorite Toy’
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foo fighters – your favorite toy – album review
Three decades into their career, Foo Fighters are in an odd space at the moment. One of the biggest bands on the planet, they don’t feel ready to embrace the ever-growing light of nostalgia, yet many commentators will say that it’s been fifteen years since their last truly great album (‘Wasting Light’).
The untimely passing of Taylor Hawkins, the un-ceremonial dispatching of Josh Freese and the personal revelations of band leader Dave Grohl have all provided ammunition to those happily saying that the band are finished.
But then, Foo Fighters have never really been a band to do things the easy way, and they’ve often been able to harness their weaker moments and the aftermath of tragedy to create their best work.
Their twelfth album, ‘Your Favorite Toy’, arriving at such a crucial time for the band means that it needs to make a positive impact. New drummer Ilan Rubin is in situ, and the pre-release singles have been promising but now is the time to see what the band have conjured up.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘CAUGHT IN THE ECHO’
The record kicks of with the familiarity of ‘Caught In The Echo’ and ‘Of All People’ before ‘Window’ brings a little groove into the mix. The title-track then reinvigorates the rougher round the edges post-grunge sound of their debut album that the singles had hinted too.
This is a sound that continues to track throughout the second half of the album and is indictive of the back-to-basics approach adopted on this collection. The record is the shortest of their career and this works heavily in their favour, avoiding the bloated feel of some of their latter albums.
Older fans will appreciate this record as something of an old-school Foo Fighters album, but it’s key to note that it’s actually bridging a gap between where they’ve been and where they are going.
That for sure won’t be the easy option of embracing nostalgia and reliving their past glories. Instead, this is an album that acknowledges that past whilst issuing a short, sharp statement of intent; which is exactly what they needed to do!
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KNIFE BRIDE
‘sorry about the plague’
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KNIFE BRIDE – Sorry about the plague – ep review
2023’s debut EP, ‘don’t dream too much’ introduced us to the world of KNIFE BRIDE. Creating a cinematic universe of their own that weaves throughout their music, the band engaged fans enough to earn bigger opportunities and begin building their reputation.
With impressive sets at Download and 2000trees in 2024, the end of last year saw them begin the road to their second EP, ‘sorry about the plague’ with lead single, ‘alone at the altar’. Insatiably catchy, the track sets the tone by opening the record and revealing an expanded sonic ambition.
Harnessing the melodic devastation of modern metal music, this EP is bigger and bolder than their debut and really finds a band pushing themselves musically and lyrically. Thematically the album continues their look at the human condition and the emotions and experiences that shape us.
With emotive writing and blistering riffage throughout, there is plenty to get invested in on this EP. This feels however like just the beginning for KNIFE BRIDE!
