Tag: review

Categories
Live Reviews

Holding Absence

Holding Absence

Epic Studios, Norwich

Monday 27th November 2023

Follow us on Social Media

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!

Share this review on Social Media

Find Full Pelt Music on YouTube!

Check out our two Podcasts!

Categories
Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 12

Follow us on Social Media

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

Volume 12 features cover stars Reading & Leeds Festivals as they reveal their 2024 headliners. We also review live shows from Queens of the Stone Age, Twin Atlantic and Beans On Toast. Plus we review the debut album from The Sleeping Souls!

We have our News Report rounding up new releases from Von Hertzen Brothers, Superlove, ALT BLK ERA, Blackout Problems, Feeder, Graphic Nature, Gun, The K’s, Kid Bookie and Benjamin Francis Leftwich!

Plus new live announcements from Live At Leeds, Takedown Festival, TRNSMT Festival, Roddy Woomble, Paul Weller, The Warning, In Flames, Arch Enemy, The Damned and Bad Touch!

Finally, we round up the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist with SAVE US, Future Static and Tribe of Ghosts!

Full-Pelt-Magazine-Vol.-12Download

Share our News Report on Social Media

Find Full Pelt Music on YouTube!

Check out our two Podcasts!

Categories
Album Reviews

The Sleeping Souls

The Sleeping Souls

Just Before The World Starts Burning

Follow us on Social Media

THE SLEEPING SOULS – JUST BEFORE THE WORLD STARTS BURNING – ALBUM REVIEW

The Sleeping Souls are synonymous with Frank Turner and it was slightly surprising for fans when the group announced news that they will be releasing music of their own. The fact is though that the origins of The Sleeping Souls go way back to 2001 and the band Dive Dive, with the members always having had musical interests outside of the day job.

Taking the role of singer for this version of the band is Cahir O’Doherty who is also a huge part of the Turner touring family and brings a wealth of experience from his work with the likes of New Pagans and Fighting With Wire. The Sleeping Souls touring line-up of Tarrant Anderson, Matt Nasir, Callum Green and Ben Lloyd round out the creative DNA of the band.

What’s been quite clear from the pre-release singles is that this new music is very distinct from that released with Turner, which is no surprise. The album has been recorded over a three year period and the care and attention put into the record shines through and ensures that the songs flow perfectly. This is definitely not a throw everything at the wall and see what sticks approach, the songwriting is meticulous and assured.

WATCH ‘RIVALS’ ON YOUTUBE
The Sleeping Souls – ‘Rivals’

Find Full Pelt Music on YouTube!

Stylistically the twelve tracks demonstrate a diverse palate of influences but at times you can clearly sense the likes of Radiohead and Feeder with a post-grunge, alt-rock aesthetic. There are all out rockers and a handful of tender moments on what is a sonically ambitious collection.

There may have been the odd cynical sideways glance when The Sleeping Souls set out their plans, but the proof as they say is in the pudding and ‘Just Before The World Starts Burning’ is a sublimely delicious offering. There isn’t a bad track on the album and the conviction of this group to take this bold step is well and truly vindicated.

The band will be hitting the road for a short tour alongside Sean McGowan early next year, and these songs really do give the sense that they will sound enormous on stage. If our album of the year list wasn’t already written, this would be vying for the very top spot!

Share this review on Social Media

Check out our two Podcasts!

Categories
Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 11

Follow us on Social Media

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

Volume 11 features cover stars Massive Wagons as they kicked off their UK Tour this week. We also review live shows from Millie Manders and the Shutup, Bob Vylan and Lonely The Brave.

We have our News Report rounding up new releases from Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Neck Deep, Heriot, The Dollyrots, Guise, Defects, BIG SPECIAL, BLACKGOLD, Gen and the Degenerates and Greywind!

Plus new live announcements from Joanne Shaw Taylor, The Zutons, Tool, Lightning Seeds, The Nightmares, Dirty Honey and Peter Hook & The Light!

Finally, we round up the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist with Hunter Oliveri, The Cain Pit and Creature Cult!

Full-Pelt-Magazine-Vol.-11Download

Share the Full Pelt Magazine on Social Media

Find Full Pelt Music on YouTube!

Check out our two Podcasts!

Categories
Live Reviews

Massive Wagons

Massive Wagons

Epic Studios, Norwich

Tuesday 14th November 2023

Follow us on Social Media

MASSIVE WAGONS – NORWICH – LIVE REVIEW

📸 (c) Denis Gorbatov / Full Pelt Music

The queue formed outside of Epic Studios in Norwich is a testament to the growing reputation of Massive Wagons. As is the observation of our photographer who last shot them as a support band in a pub in 2016 – “these wagons have become massive!”.

Yes the rise has been slow but steady for the Lancastrian five-piece with each album and each live show seeming to build momentum. Tonight marks the first night of their second tour in support of latest effort ‘Triggered!’, and the band have The New Roses in tow.

THE NEW ROSES

The German rockers have a similar pedigree to our headliners and their growing status will only swell further on the evidence of tonight. The group radiate a natural rock n’ roll elegance from the stage and singer Timmy Rough uses his understated charisma to engage the swathes of Massive Wagons t-shirts on standby for the headliners.

There is an effortless cool as the band showcase material from across their career including most recent album, ‘Sweet Poison’. Their forty-five minute slot flies by which is usually a good sign and they will have undoubtedly gained some new followers tonight.

MASSIVE WAGONS

Tonight probably isn’t going to be a night where Massive Wagons pick up many new fans as the crowd all appear well and truly initiated already. From the moment the band hit the stage with fan favourite, ‘Back to the Stack’ to the last strains of ‘It In Together’, the crowd are treated to the customary Massive Wagons experience.

That is a full throttle rock show with frontman Baz Mills playing the role of chief orchestrator to a tee. Mills flies around the stage, whipping up the crowd, whilst the band solidly unleash their rumbling alt-rock noise.

There are plenty of sing-a-longs in the setlist with the run of ‘Ratio’, ‘China Plates’, ‘Bangin in Your Stereo’ and ‘Nails’ particularly getting the audience going but there isn’t a relent in the pace of evening at any point. The songs from ‘Triggered!’ seem to get equal affection to older favourites, with the setlist well structured to keep that momentum going.

By the time it’s all said and done the crowd have clearly had a great time and both bands have delivered a memorable evening of rock for the fine residents of Norwich. You wouldn’t be surprised to see both bands continue building their momentum in the coming years, but Massive Wagons certainly appear to have established themselves on the circuit now as a safe bet for fans.

Share this review on Social Media

Find Full Pelt Music on YouTube!

Check out our two Podcasts!

Categories
Live Reviews

Millie Manders and the Shutup

Millie Manders and the Shutup

The Reindeer, Norwich

Saturday 11th November 2023

Follow us on Social Media

MILLIE MANDERS AND THE SHUTUP – NORWICh – LIVE REVIEW

📸 (C) Denis Gorbatov

The autumnal sunshine that graced us today has given way to a cold evening as winter ensures that you know that it’s coming. It’s fitting perhaps then to head to The Reindeer in Norwich for a grassroots punk show.

It’s nights like this, in independent venues like this that the truest testaments to musical community transpire and tonight is sold out well in advance. The Norwich punk rock scene is clearly thriving and excited to welcome Millie Manders and the Shutup as they play a local show towards the end of a lengthy UK trek.

THE CAIN PIT

Up first are another local act The Cain Pit who deliver their punk with a bluegrass/country base. The outcome is thunderously good fun as the group do a commendable job of warming up those coming in from the cold.

A relatively new band The Cain Pit have the makings of a new live favourite with songs like ‘Roses’ and ‘Tapestry’ going down like that fifth shot of whiskey at your best friends wedding!

MILLIE MANDERS AND THE SHUTUP

Our headline act tonight Millie Manders and the Shutup have already established themselves as live favourites and this year have backed that up with fantastic sets at the likes of Rebellion, Slam Dunk and Bearded Theory festivals.

As already touched upon, tonight finds the band almost at the end of a 17 date run with multiple sold out shows including tonight. It’s a great way to end a year that has seen Manders share the first tastes of new material since 2020’s debut album ‘Telling Truths, Breaking Ties’.

New tracks ‘Shut Your Mouth’ and ‘Rebound’ both sound huge tonight as the band deliver an hour or so of relentless punk intensity. There is clearly a connection between Manders and the audience that leads to a joyous atmosphere reverberating around the venue.

Playing as a three-piece tonight due to an ill bassist, the energy and fervour emanating from both the stage and the dancefloor extinguish any missing elements they as meld the aura of the evening into one big old party.

Inside venues like this all of the world’s troubles are temporarily pushed to the back of your mind. Even when the time comes to leave the venue and head into the frostbitten night, the memories of drinks flowing, mohawks dancing and Millie Manders and the Shutup delivering the goods provides a much needed glimmer of hope. That after all is the magic of live music.

Share our review on Social Media

Watch Episode 17 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with Millie Manders!

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 17 – Millie Manders and the Shutup

Find Full Pelt Music on YouTube!

Check out our two Podcasts!

Categories
Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 10

Follow us on Social Media

Our weekly music News Report has evolved into the Full Pelt Magazine, and you can download the tenth issue now for free!

Volume ten includes the latest from cover stars Fightstar plus we review Creeper live in London, Wheatus live in Cambridge. We also review the new album from Lonely The Brave!

We have our News Report rounding up new releases from Enter Shikari, Lake Malice, Banks Arcade, Stand Atlantic, Have Mercy, South of Salem, Florence Black, Jamie Lenman, Unpeople, Siamese, Courting and The Killers!

Plus new live announcements from Download Festival, 2000trees, 30 Seconds To Mars, Bruce Dickinson, Halflives and Bowling For Soup!

Finally, we round up the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist with The Gems, Kite Thief and HAVVK!

Full-Pelt-Magazine-Vol.-10Download

Share the Full Pelt Magazine on Social Media

Find Full Pelt Music on YouTube!

Check out our two Podcasts!

Categories
Album Reviews

Lonely The Brave

Lonely The Brave

What We Do To Feel

Follow us on Social Media

LONELY THE BRAVE – WHAT WE DO TO FEEL – ALBUM REVIEW

Lonely The Brave are back with their fourth studio album, ‘What We Do To Feel’. The album is the second with singer Jack Bennett and is perhaps the first to not feel under pressure!

There is always pressure releasing your debut album, pressure to deliver a solid follow up and there was certainly pressure on the band when releasing ‘The Hope List’ in 2021 due to the change in singer.

‘What We Do To Feel’ therefore does lack an intrigue factor in terms of expectation. That has hopefully though allowed the band some freedom to fully explore their ‘new’ line-up. It shouldn’t really be a surprise then that this album does feel like a natural progression of its predecessor.

WATCH ‘LONG WAY’ ON YOUTUBE
Lonely The Brave – ‘Long Way’

Find Full Pelt Music on YouTube!

This album finds a battle-hardened and more mature band working through the huge events of the past five years experienced by both the band and by the world. Sonically that produces an intense and meticulous ensemble of songs that echo the care and attention put into their creation.

Lyrically the album exudes a sense of respect for life’s battles, gratitude for small victories and optimism for the future. The band’s songwriting has always been thought-provoking and powerful, and that is definitely true of ‘What We Do To Feel’. You’ll just want to get lost in the music and the moment when experiencing this album.

Nobody expected Lonely The Brave to re-invent the wheel on album four, and they haven’t! What they’ve done is captured an honest and enlightened soundscape which will be cherished by their fans as Exhibit D of the case of Lonely The Brave being the most viscerally progressive band of their generation.

Share our review on Social Media

Read our review of Lonely The Brave live in Cambridge

Categories
Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 9

Follow us on Social Media

Our weekly music News Report has evolved into the Full Pelt Magazine, and you can download the ninth issue now for free!

Volume nine includes an update from cover stars The Hunna and exclusive interview with The Pale White. Plus we review Fall Out Boy live in London and album reviews from The Cadillac Three, The Struts, WARGASM and Black Water County!

We have our News Report rounding up new releases from Green Day, Chelsea Wolfe, Beans On Toast, Dead Poet Society, Casey, Mother Mother, The Beatles, New Model Army, Pet Needs, Pendulum, Therapy?, Normandie, Bob Vylan, Amongst Liars, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard and Kid Kapichi!

Plus new live announcements from 2000trees, Isle of Wight Festival, Takedown Festival, Radar Festival, Bearded Theory, Bruce Springsteen, Hayseed Dixie, Feeder, Delain, Saint Agnes, Chris Shiflett, Black Honey, The K’s, Lake Malice, Kaiser Chiefs, King Nun and Blossoms!

Finally, we round up the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist with Tropic Gold, Interlaker and Jock!

Full-Pelt-Magazine-Vol.-9Download

Share the Full Pelt Magazine on Social Media

Find Full Pelt Music on YouTube!

Check out our two Podcasts!

Categories
Album Reviews

The Cadillac Three

The Cadillac Three

The Years Go Fast

Follow us on Social Media

THE CADILLAC THREE – The YEARS GO FAST – ALBUM REVIEW

The Cadillac Three have made their name on the back of their unstoppable ability to write sublime country rock songs. Singer Jaren Johnston’s songwriter capabilities are so sought after these days by other artists that it’s a surprise that the band have time to write a new album!

But they have! Yes, ‘The Years Go Fast’, represents the trio’s sixth studio effort and again sees them in fine form. Album opener ‘Young & Hungry’ provide the title of the album in its lyrics and sets the tone for the record from the opening notes.

WATCH ‘YOUNG & HUNGRY’ ON YOUTUBE
The Cadillac Three – ‘Young & Hungry’

Find Full Pelt Music on YouTube!

Since releasing two albums in 2020, the band have experienced a pandemic, the loss of loved ones and the birth of new life after which Johnston admits the band needed a “breather”. It should be no surprise that when the band reconvened the source material has been big life changes. The outcome is perhaps naturally a more mature sound which is reflected perfectly by the lyrical content and album title.

Whilst there is an added maturity, there is still a playful experimentation in the albums sonic palatte with elements of country, rock, funk and metal all evident at times. Ultimately this feels like a stock take record, whereby the band fuse everything that they’ve learned over the past decade or so and produce these twelve tracks as a document of their career thus far.

‘The Years Go Fast’ is a very apt title as it does seem that despite the tedium of lockdown, recent years have flown pasts; perhaps as a consequence of all the big life events that have cascaded into a short timeframe. That does mean that this a highly relatable album and musically, lyrically and relevancy wise that makes this The Cadillac Three at their very best.

Share this review on Social Media

Check out our two Podcasts!