Ván/Sound Pollution THE DEVIL`S BLOOD consists of SL/TDB/A-O and F/TDB/MOS. They are on a mission from the god of Gehenna, prepared to vanish into thin air once their mysterious aim is achieved. My, my… But they seem to be a formation to count on, and their debut “The Time of no Time Evermore” seems to…
Tonights show was originally planned to be at the Shepherds Bush Empire but was changed to Islington Academy due to lower than expected sales. Judging by the packed shops near the venue I think the gig suffered by being just that bit too close to Christmas when everyone was desperately running round trying to get…
Limb Music/Sound Pollution ANCIENT BARDS debuted in 2009 with “The Alliance of Kings”. Compared to RHAPSODY or RHAPSODY OF FIRE the band continued in their epic symphonic vein, adamant not to be considered mere copycats. The heroes of the first album return to travel yet further to the heavy guitars, the epic keys and the…
Massacre/Sound Pollution Female fronted Goth metal band CORONATUS hails from Germany. No doubt about that as seven out of twelve tracks are in German. After a departing lead vocalist the band opted for two! In place of Lorch now resides both the operatic Ladt Ada Flechtner and the rocking Mareike Makosch. Their fourth album has…
Pulverised/Sound Pollution Umeå´s BASTARD PRIEST, aka Matt Mendoza, drums, vocals, and Inventor, guitars, vocals, are back for a second time. Their debut, “Under the Hammer of Destruction” came out in 2010, and displayed their love of things death and punk. They first showed signs of life in 2001 and has been underground faves since then…
Massacre/Sound Pollution Seventh album from MYSTIC PROPHECY, the one no one ever thought would arrive. The band has changed a lot over the years, but also a great previous album called “Fireangel”. One album per annum has been skipped because of extensive touring with STRATOVARIUS, and upheaval, but the R.D. Liapakis fronted outfit is back….
Ván Records/Sound Pollution 2008 marked the beginning of Dutch metal band VANDERBUYST. Still consisting of Jochen Jonkman, bass/vocals, Willem Verbuyst, guitars, and Barry Van Esbroek, drums, the Dutchmen release their second outing. Their admiration for the 80´s cannot be mistaken, and their visual style is reminiscent of TANK in their heyday. Musically there are no…
Napalm/Sound Pollution Dutch formation NEMESEA return with their third outing. This time, the info says more mature, modern and contemporary. The guitars and vocalist Manda Ophuis are mentioned as the band´s strongholds, and the song material is apparently outstanding. Let´s find out! The title track is apparently a sub-minute intro of sorts. Not much to…
Lucky Thir13n Greek band LUCKY THIR13N are actually mixed by DANGER DANGER man Bruno Ravel and have supported CRASHDIET and W.A.S.P. The young Greeks; Elias Elias, vocals/guitars, Nash, lead guitars, Alex “Tze”, bass, and drummer Tsaky Dee, seems to be on the right track…or? The opening intro begins with guitars and flute? Some spread vocals…
Lord Volture/Rock´n´Growl Dutch US power metal affictionados LORD VOLTURE set out to play as if they were not from Holland. Second album from LORD VOLTURE aims at repeating or beating the many fine reviews of their prima opus “Beast of Thunder” (2010). The band consists of vocalist David Marcelis, guitarists Paul Marcelis and Leon Hermans,…
Festivalphoto asked Serpentine bassist Gareth Vanstone some questions about their latest album, touring plans and the band in general. Festivalphoto: Your new album ”Living And Dying In High Definition” has just been released, right at the end of August. Can you tell us a bit about the album? Gareth: “Well, it came together quite quickly….
After their performance supporting Sabaton at Koko in London, I spoke to Hell’s guitarist Andy Sneap in their dressing room. We were then joined by his fellow guitarist, Kev Bower. Festivalphoto: OK, Hell was around in the early ’80s before splitting. What sparked the decision to reform in 2008 after so long? Andy: Obviously we…