Posted in Interviews

I spoke to Joel Fox Apelgren, bass player with Dynazty shotly before they performed on stage supporting Amaranthe at the Garage in London, and asked him about their new album and tour plans. As they were running late, we had to keep things very short.

Festivalphoto: Your new album, Sultans of sin has recently been released. Can you tell us a bit about the album?

Joel: It’s an album really in the same sort of style as we’ve done before but we wanted to give it a really modern edge so we implemented that in our writing, and also chose to work with Peter Tägtgren as a producer because he normally produces much heavier and more modern stuff so we thought that would be a really cool clash, and I think it turned out great.

Festivalphoto: Is the name inspired by Dire straits ?

Joel: Definitely...

Posted in Press Releases

RIVAL SONS have confirmed that the title of their brand new studio album will be HEAD DOWN.

The follow-up to the band’s 2011 breakthrough album, PRESSURE & TIME, was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee with Grammy-nominated producer DAVE COBB (JAMIE JOHNSON, SHOOTER JENNINGS) and Grammy-wining engineer VANCE POWELL (JACK WHITE, THE WHITE STRIPES, KINGS OF LEON). The artwork was created by JASON HOLLEY (JOSH RITTER, RAY LAMONTAGNE).

A brand new RIVAL SONS t-shirt featuring the HEAD DOWN artwork is available now in Europe at http://bit.ly/L8MvZb and in North America at http://bit.ly/JY74nv

RIVAL SONS frontman JAY BUCHANAN explains the album title:

”We took a lyric from one of the songs that exemplified the process of making the record...

Posted in Press Releases

Biting Elbows – The self titled album – Misteria Records – July 23rd

www.bitingelbows.com

VIDEO FOR THE STAMPEDE (2 Million Views and Counting): http://tinyurl.com/6kkmghm

VIDEO FOR TOOTHPICK: http://tinyurl.com/d2at574

Russian punks Biting Elbows announce their debut UK album release, a self titled collection of 12 killer, dark, affected punk tracks. Recorded in the darkest recesses of shady Moscow city, the album was put together in a total of 5 studios; the band being moved on from one venue to the next. A Molotov Cocktail of influences, Biting Elbows draw from the likes of Rancid, The Misfits, The Clash, Sublime and Violent Femmes to reach a punk sound of devastating punch and power.

Opening track, and forthcoming single Toothpick gets the record off to a moody start, (calling ...

Posted in Press Releases

Those of you familiar with Camden’s club scene may already be in the loop about one of London’s most exciting new rock ’n’ roll club nights: JUBILEE which takes place every Friday night at Camden Barfly, 10.30pm – 3am.

Founded by Carl Barat (Libertines/Dirty Pretty Things) and Chris McCormack (3 Colours Red/Gary Numan) the night runs across both floors at the Barfly with a mix of established and up and coming acts, guest and resident DJs plus live burlesque shows most weeks.

For the first time ever the JUBILEE CLUB tour will hit the road, featuring three of Britain’s best new bands. The Vex, Electric River and The Howling have all graced the Jubilee stage over the last few months and they will now be appearing at venues around the UK during a seven date tour.

ELECTRIC RIVER are a politica...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Herman Frank has clearly been a busy man recently. As guitarist for Accept he’ll have been busy working on their latest album, Staligrad, which was released in April, and has also been busy on his latest solo album – ”Right in the guts”. As a member of Accept he’s been one of the top metal guitarists in Germany since the early 1980’s but is also a producer who has produced albums by bands including Saxon, Rose Tattoo and Molly Hatchet.

Brief comments on a few tracks..

The album kicks off with ”Roaring thunder”, and the track certainly lives up to its name, opening with a wall of sound from the electric guitars and the relentlessly fast pounding drums. This is a fast, heavy metal track that really gets things off to a superb start.

”Right in the guts” is another powerful track – At Van...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Kelly Padrick is a singer from New York who has just released her latest album – Soulmate. Once again she has teamed up with her producer and songwriting partner, Nancy Hess and has created an excellent album.

The music and singing is beautifully ethereal and atmospheric and at times is very haunting. Kelly Padrick has a lovely voice and these soft gentle songs work really well with her voice. This is an album that is perfect for listening to while you’re working or doing something else – it’s lovely to listen to but doesnt distract from whatever you’re doing. Equally it’s great to just relax and listening to as it’s got a very peaceful feel to it.

Although it’s hard to describe the music it’s very good – I’m thoroughly enjoying listening to it, and if you like laid back ethereal musi...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Music Buy Mail/Sound Pollution

Aw wow. UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER, ROB ROCK, STEVE GRIMMETT, Mike DiMeo of MASTERPLAN and RIOT fame etc., need more introduction? EMPIRES OF EDEN is the brainchild of Aussie guitarist Stu Marshall, ex. DUNGEON, and a host of world renowned vocalists. So fames there is little information about the rest of the band. This is the sophomore effort, the first, “Reborn in Fire” was well-received and they seem to be going for the throat seriously this time.

First out is a mid-paced effort featuring ROB ROCK. The bass is heavy and the guitars run amok, what more can you ask for. The next track has a patented pipe of UDO filling out the sound picture, I wonder if anyone ever tires of him? “Hammer Down” has all the characteristics of a true heavy metal song...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Frontiers/BAM

MICHAEL THOMPSON is a solid guitar player. An alumnus of Berklee College of Music he has provided his craft for such luminaries as THE SCORPIONS, VINCE NEIL, MICHAEL BOLTON…and even MICHAEL JACKSON. He has also recorded the legend album “How Long”, under the moniker MICHAEL THOMPSON BAND. That very album was re-released about five years ago by Frontiers, and here is the next step. This time around the MICHAEL THOMPSON BAND consists of; vocalist Larry King of SOLEIL MOON, drummer Khan Parker and bass player Alan Berliant.

The basic mood is gentle and caressing. The distortion is moderate and the refrain somewhat faded but still the craftsmanship shines through...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Escape/Sound Pollution

Multi-instrumentalist Mike Walsh has been involved with the likes of Dean Fasano, Mark Thompson-Smith, BON JOVI and ALDO NOVA. In 1998 he and DEPARTURE gave us their self-titled debut. Featured were vocalist Ken Michaels and David Rosenthal (RAINBOW, RED DAWN). The band came across as a mix of SAGA, JOURNEY and TOTO, and a follow-up was soon issued. “Open Your Mind” hit the shops a year after, now with vocalist Dave Baldwin. More pomp put them in the direction of KANSAS and STYX. Third outing, “Corporate Wheel” came in 2001, this time with vocalist Timothy Lewis, which was the subject of raving reviews. Now ten years later the fourth installment arrives, and, as seems customary the vocalist is new. Andi Kravljaca of SILENT CALL has filled that position...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Frontiers/BAM

Jack Blades is widely known as the talented bass player and vocalist of NIGHT RANGER, who also did well in DAMN YANKEES. He has also collaborated with Tommy Shaw of STYX/DAMN YANKEES, and RINGO STARR. On the lyrics side there is no writing block as he has supplied the likes of OZZY, ALICE COOPER and JOURNEY with stylish material. In 2003 he released a solo album, which I bought, and was a massive success the info says. I was less thrilled as there was preciously little of his usual sun-drenched feel-good rock. Merely the title here says return to home base, but let´s make sure…

Opener “Back in the Game” is not un-missable, but still a good sign compared to the previous solo effort...