Posted in Gig/Festival Reviews

Pyrotekniken lämnas hemma när In Flames drar ut på klubbturné. Gitarristen Björn Gelotte uppskattar att både kunna genomföra klubbspelningar och arenaspelningar.

– Klubbgig skapar en mer intim känsla. Det är fräckt med ett spektakel men när du står där på ett klubbgig och kan känna lukten av de sura scenkläderna så är det rätt fräckt också, säger Björn Gelotte.

Förra klubbturnén var enligt Björn Gelotte riktigt kul att genomföra så planer för en ny turné har funnits i bakhuvudet en lång tid. Bomberna lämnas hemma och spelningarna blir mer avskalade för att musiken ska stå i fokus.

– Vi har självklart mycket ljus, det kan vi inte hålla oss ifrån, säger Björn Gelotte med ett leende. Tanken är att det inte ska vara som arenagig utan vara klubbgig...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Legendary Swedish rock band Europe are releasing their latest album, ”Bag of Bones” at the end of April. The album was recorded with producer Kevin Shirley who has produced albums for Iron Maiden, Joe Bonamassa, Black Country Communion, Black Stone Cherry and Journey – a pretty impressive CV.

The first time I put this album on I actually thought at first that I’d put the wrong CD on – this album is heavier with more of a classic rock feel than anything the band have done before, and it just blew me away. The bands last album, ”Last look at eden” was great, but this is just superb. It’s definitely my favourite Europe album ever, and Joey Tempest agrees – saying it’s probably his favourite Europe album yet.

The first single to be released from the album is ”Not supposed to sing the blues”...

Posted in Press Releases

TANGERINE DREAM
Perform a Unique One-off London Show
At O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Sunday 24th June

The New York Times call them ‘The Worlds’ Leading Synth Band’ and now seven times Grammy nominated Tangerine Dream return British shores for a unique one-off UK show as part of their Electric Mandarine Tour 2012 at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London on Sunday 24th June.

Edgar Froese says about the London Show: “Playing London is like being back home. Our fans make it possible for us to realise every musician’s dream: making a living out of what you love and do best, playing and composing music. As a thank you we would like to share Tangerine Dream’s 45th anniversary (1967 – 2012) with our loyal British fan base...

Posted in Press Releases

After last year’s blinding Xmas shows in Nottingham…. Thunder have announced a 2012 Christmas Show at the Manchester Academy on 21st December.

The show will stick to the now legendary Thunder Christmas Show format, featuring 2 sets (acoustic then full on electric), with a mix of Thunder songs and killer covers, special guests, inflatables and general festive mayhem. As in the past, the show will be recorded, and ticket buyers will receive an exclusive live CD of the highlights. Those who don’t attend the show will be able to purchase a slightly different CD later on.

Going forwards, Thunder have no touring or recording plans, but have decided that they will do an annual Xmas show. It is likely that in the future they will move the show to a different venue & city each year.

Ticke...

Posted in Press Releases

The Sun Explodes – New Tour Showcasing Debut Album Emergence

http://www.thesunexplodes.com/

Heavy rock quintet The Sun Explodes are going on tour to celebrate and display their forthcoming debut album Emergence – a genre-defying mix of crushing riffs, sweeping melody and pulsating electronica

The band have already showcased their epic and frenetic live performances across Britain in their early days as a group. These gigs, aggressive and energetic though they were, demonstrated a level of technical quality matched by few new bands. It was these gigs that garnered them a fierce fan base and subsequently strong online presence.

They will be playing the following dates –

April
Saturday 14 – Cockpit 3, Leeds
Monday 16 – Live Lounge, Blackburn
Tuesday 17 – The Riverside, Selby
Wednesda...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Over the last few years British band Furyon have been making a name for themselves with some great live performances as they tour and play at festivals. Their debut album, Gravitas was given away free with Metal Hammer magazine in the UK, but is now receiving a proper release both in the UK and the rest of the world.
For anyone who got it with Metal Hammer this new full-blown release comes with better packaging and more importantly comes with two bonus tracks.

If you haven’t listened to Furyon yet, the first question is what the hell are you waiting for? They play rock music with a big guitar sound, great riffs and great vocals and most important – they write damn good songs...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Five years after Ministry called it a day and split, they’re back with a brand new album. “The funny thing is I didn’t even want to do another Ministry record,” Jourgensen says. “I was working on my stoner country album by Buck Satan & the 666 Shooters, and [guitarist] Mikey [Scaccia] and I started messing around with these heavy riffs just as a change of pace. And then we realized the stuff we were coming up with were totally Ministry. Mikey was like, ‘Dude, we’ve gotta do something with this. We’ve gotta make another Ministry record.’ And I went along kicking and screaming.”

Most fans are going to be over the moon at the return of Ministry. They’ve been sorely missed and with this new album they seem re-energised and on great form.

A few brief comments on some of the ...

Posted in Interviews

Ant May from Festivalphoto spoke to Jim Müller and Hannes Braun from Kissin Dynamite outside the Crobar in London where they had just done a short acoustic set to press and members of the public as part of their promotional tour to promote their new album, Money Sex and Power

Festivalphoto: You’re currently on a promotional tour to promote your new album, ”Money sex and Power”, and have just done a great acoustic set here at the Crobar in London.

Kissin’ Dynamite: It’s actually our first international promo tour and we’re here in ENgland for one day, tomorrow Stockholm and the day after we have two days in Paris

Festivalphoto: OK for anyone who hasnt listened to Kissin Dynamite before, how would you describe your music?

Kissin’ Dynamite: It is sleaze metal, because we combine the two ...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Polish metallers Crystal Viper are back with their new album and are sounding better than ever. The new album, Crimen Excepta is a concept album about holy inquisition, black magic and witches, where fiction is mixed with historical facts

The album cover has been painted by French artist Chris Moyen, who has worked with bands including Slayer, Trivium, Beherit and Blasphemy.

In terms of vocals, Marta has a traditional heavy metal vocal style, similar to bands including Crucified Barbara, Hysterica, Bitch Doro and others. Musically there are clear Iron Maiden influences, and German heavy metal bands including Accept sound to be influences too.

Comments on a few of the tracks…

The track ”Crimen Excepta” features some guest vocals from Hell singer David Bower although these are limited to j...

Posted in Cd Reviews

German metal band At Vance are back with their new album, ”Facing your enemy”. Formed in 1998 this is their tenth album, and guitarist Olaf Lenk is now the only remaining founding member.

Comments on a few tracks..

Opening track ”Heaven is calling” is great hard rock – plenty of guitars, pounding drums and lots of power.

Facing your enemy is a slower less powerful mid-paced rock track.

Really those first two tracks sum up the album – it alternates between mid-paced rock and heavy rock, with a couple of ballads thrown in for good measure.

The album includes a cover of the hit by German band Tokyo – the self titled song ”Tokyo”...