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Album Reviews

Lacuna Coil

Lacuna Coil

Sleepless Empire

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LACUNA COIL – SLEEPLESS EMPIRE – ALBUM REVIEW

Somehow Lacuna Coil formed over three decades ago! During this time they’ve released nine studio albums with some routine, that is until now. ‘Sleepless Empire’, their tenth effort is their first new album in nearly six years – the longest gap between releases in their career.

Well – the good news is if they are slowing down in terms of releases, they sure as hell aren’t in terms of sonic velocity! ‘The Siege’ and ‘Oxygen’ ensure that this milestone release bursts out of the traps and leaves you in no doubt that Lacuna Coil still very much mean business!

Their distinctive gothic-tinged brand of heavy metal is again proudly front and centre and refocused following their work recording a remake of their classic album, ‘Comalies’. It shouldn’t perhaps be a surprise then this truly feels like classic Lacuna Coil.

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Lacuna Coil – ‘Oxygen’

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The sound of the album however still carries a modern freshness that helps to elevate these songs to new heights. Indeed, this is a record which will appeal to all fans whether they have jumped onboard in the early days or in recent years.

Thematically the album is a concept of sorts with an overarching rebellious sentimental seeping out of the eleven tracks. The band have looked at a world living through digital means and questioning the meaning of it all!

There are guest appearances from Randy Blythe (Lamb of God) on ‘Hosting the Shadow’ and Ash Costello (New Year’s Day) on ‘In The Mean Time’, before the big finale of ‘Never Dawn’ brings the record to a thumping close. When all is said and done, nobody can argue that this isn’t Lacuna Coil doing their thing as only they can.

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Album Reviews

The Velveteers

The Velveteers

A Million Knives

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THE VELVETEERS – A MILLION KNIVES – ALBUM REVIEW

‘All These Little Things’ introduces us to the second album from Denver trio The Velveteers and sets a garage rock tone early on which is fitting given the record has been produced of a certain Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys.

This fuzzy rock and roll blast continues through ‘Suck The Cherry’ and the intense romp of ‘See Your Face’ – “…when I see your face, I want to disappear…”. Fast guitar work, a unique double drum thump and rousing vocals all mix together with blunt lyrics to create a whirlwind of a sound on this groovy collection.

‘Bound In Leather’ has an effortlessly cool swagger as vocal enchantress Demi Demitro muses “…I’m an open book, but I’m bound in leather…’ in an introspective standout track.

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The Velveteers – ‘Bound In Leather’

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The album continues at pace but does begin to twist and turn the further it progresses including ‘Go Fly Away’, which is the first song produced by The Black Keys together for another artist. The track has the feel of a funky Kate Bush experiment and helps to break-up the record and prevent too much predictability.

That said, the album does overwhelmingly have that Auerbach aura sprinkled throughout and therefore feels perhaps like the full quirkiness of the band isn’t quite unleashed.

The slower ending of ‘Up Here’, ‘Heaven’ and ‘Fix Me’ though soar with what feels like more freedom and help to ensure that your attention will be retained throughout what at times does feel like a lengthy listen.

What is undoubted is the talent manifested by this trio and the enormous potential that they clearly possess. This may ultimately prove to be a perfectly positioned album that boosts the trajectory that they find themselves on.

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The Nightmares

The Nightmares

Fire In Heaven

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THE NIGHTMARES – FIRE IN HEAVEN – ALBUM REVIEW

It’s cold and miserable outside at the moment as the lingering British winter continues to literally cast a dark cloud over life. There is perhaps no better time then for Welsh soft rock quartet The Nightmares to drop their melancholic sophomore album, ‘Fire In Heaven’.

This is a moody, wistful collection of songs probably best listened to alone in your bedroom whilst staring longingly into the miserable darkness outside. That is said though in the best possible way!

With a continuing tide of new music that tries desperately to recreate that popular modern rock sound, it’s refreshing to be able to write about something unique and truly different. Undoubtedly, we can say that ‘Fire In Heaven’ is sure to be one of the most ethereal and layered records of the year.

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The Nightmares – ‘Something In The Dark’

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Kicking off with ‘Siren Song’ the album shows an expanded guitar sound from the group before the delicious ‘Something In The Dark’ is driven forward by a gloomy bass riff and synth-laden whistle.

‘Hell Is Gonna Happen’ is a pop-tinged bop, ‘Run Away’ is a delightful standout track and the further you progress through the collection the bigger Cure vibes you get. Mixing rock and dream pop with a gothic aesthetic, The Nightmares truly feel like they are patenting their signature sound on this magnificent second album.

So, if you are looking for a release from the modern world and a record that you can get lost in whilst finding that solace then look no further than, ‘Fire In Heaven’.

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Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 72

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EP Reviews

Call Me Amour

Self-Titled

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Call Me Amour

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Live Reviews

Emily Barker

Emily Barker

Portland Arms, Cambridge

Tuesday 4th February 2024

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EMILY BARKER – CAMBRIDGE – LIVE REVIEW

Emily Barker has been nothing short of a prolific songwriter since first making her name here in the UK. But as the Australian native shares so fondly this evening, it was here in Cambridge where her journey began. Her show at the fantastic Portland Arms could therefore be regarded as something of a homecoming show – just 9,000 miles from home!

The venue is packed and rightfully so as fans gather to hear tracks from her phenomenal 2024 album, ‘Fragile as Humans’, brought to life on stage. Before then however, we have another UK thriving Aussie songwriter as Liz Stringer serenades the audience with songs and stories from her life.

Each song is superbly crafted to deliver the powerful lyrics in which Stringer explores her life, and the wisdom gained whilst overcoming the challenges that life presents. Stringers’ personable and down to earth demeanour endear her to the crowd instantly and her time on stage feels all too short.

That is naturally a good sign and thankfully as she closes her performance with a great rendition of ‘Anyone’, that isn’t the last the crowd gets to see of her this evening!

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Liz Stringer – ‘Anyone’

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Soon enough, it’s time for Emily Barker and her band to make their way through the crowd and on to the intimate stage. As with Stringer before, Barker has an enate ability to engage with the audience and make it feel like you are stood watching her whilst sat in your living room.

There is a respect from the audience and even during her most delicate songs you could hear a pin drop in the crowd. Barker has built her reputation over two decades of creative ingenuity, and that prolificacy shows no signs of dissipating.

Her latest effort ‘Fragile as Humans’ is proof in itself and its these songs that take centre stage this evening. These delicately constructed songs are amongst the best that Barker has produced in her career and that frankly is saying something!

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘THE QUIET WAYS’ FROM EMILY BARKER
Emily Barker – ‘The Quiet Ways’

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From sensational opener ‘With Small We Start’, through the sublime ‘The Quiet Ways’, to the title track itself, each song from the album excels in the live setting. Other favourites and deep cuts including ‘Nostalgia’ and ‘Ghost Narrative’ help to fill out what is a mesmerising ninety minutes.

Stringer returns to the stage to accompany Barker on select songs including main set closer ‘Machine’, which accentuates the special feeling of the evening. An encore of new track ‘Bight Idea’ (or Brightest Day as one audience member calls out) and ‘Dear River’ is a wonderful way to close out a beautiful evening.

Barker is an enthralling songwriter and mesmeric live performer. Her songs are packed with meaning and performed with grace. So, do the right thing and seize any opportunity you get to witness this magic for yourself!

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The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 61 – Emily Barker

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EP Reviews

Dead Air

Elements

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Dead Air

Watch Episode 75 of our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with guests Dead Air!

‘Discover’ New Music Podcast – Episode 75 – Dead Air

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Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 71

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Album Reviews

L.S. Dunes

L.S. Dunes

Violet

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L.S. Dunes – violet – album review

For so-called supergroups to have any sort of longevity, the sum of all parts needs to be greater than any perceived individual worth. Ego has taken down countless previous such groups, but L.S. Dunes certainly appear on the right path.

Talking about their second album, ‘Violet’, members of the band have spoken of it being a safe space to explore music in ways that they can’t when they are doing their day jobs. For any uninitiated, the group consists of members from the likes of Circa Survive, My Chemical Romance, Coheed and Cambria, and Thursday.

Now, whilst perhaps unavoidably you’ll pick elements from each of those acts out in these songs and shout “gotcha”, the reality is that overall, the biggest achievement of this group (super or otherwise) it that they have created their own identity. L.S. Dunes stands on its own and conceptually isn’t some time-killing side hustle.

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L.S. Dunes – ‘Violet

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The opening strains of album opener, ‘Like Magick’, alone entice the listener to drift away with the sonic resonance and let the music take you on a journey. Again, that’s where the band possess a powerful skill – the ability to fully engage your senses.

This collection does mark an evolution from their pandemic born 2022 debut ‘Past Lives’, with the themes in particular shining a more hopeful light on life. Musically more expansive also, it’s clear that this group of individuals is bonded ever closer as a fully functional collective.

So, to return to our opening point, you really don’t need to be a fan of any of these talented musicians’ previous outputs to enjoy ‘Violet’. L.S Dunes is something special in and of itself and with this stunning second album, there probably isn’t a better time than now to dive in.

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Album Reviews

TheCityIsOurs

TheCityIsOurs

Will You Still Love Me?

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THECITYISOURS – WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME? – ALBUM REVIEW

TheCityIsOurs are somehow now a decade in, but there is a real freshness about the group as they unleash their third studio album into the world.

Yes, ‘Will You Still Love Me?’ is a sonic smorgasbord of melodic rage as the band take the listener on a rollercoaster ride of passion and energy. So, as you hit play make sure you hold on tight for the ride ahead.

The tracks cover a hit list of modern-day complexities covering challenges of a personal and societal nature. Throughout though there is an undercurrent of understanding oneself and a positive message hope and bravery. That acknowledgement of our struggles mixed with the belief in betterment provides the lyrical contrast to match the musical union of heaviness and melodic.

Crushing guitars mesh with boyband melodies as TheCityIsOurs manage to mangle pop and metal in a way that many fail. Insanely catchy and ferociously rambunctious these hooks are just delicious, and you’ll undoubtedly have a great time with this record!

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TheCityIsOurs – ‘Can You Feel It?’

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Some might comment that at times the record can feel overly produced with many layers of bells and whistles present, but the counterargument would be that those bells and whistles are what fosters the sense of lunacy that makes the record standout.

With elements of A Day To Remember, Don Broco, Bring Me The Horizon and FEVER 333 jumping out at points, TheCityIsOurs have certainly attempted to take the best of what’s out there and put their own personalised spin on it.

In the end, nobody will be able to argue that they haven’t done just that and that ‘Will You Still Love Me?’ is a banger of an album.

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