Drown by Bring Me The Horizon

Drown is the brand new single from Sheffield boys, Bring Me The Horizon. It's their first release
since the stunning Sempiternal back in early 2013 and it's an exciting taste of what's to come from the metalcore quintet. It's a much more grown up sound but it is still very much them. Usually, I hate it when bands grow into something more mainstream but it feels different with Bring Me The Horizon. It's still full of lyrics which are honest and brutal and that is why this band can change their sound but still remain true to who they are. "What doesn't kill you makes you wish you were dead. Got a hole in my soul growing deeper and deeper" states Oli Sykes. I've always admired him as a lyricist because he doesn't bullshit and whilst his lyrics may seem bleak in outlook, they manage fill fans with hope. This is a band who's fans feel saved because of their music and Drown will only continue to have that effect.

As a single, it's powerful and big in sound and is super exciting because it's stunning. To top Sempiternal was always going to be hard, but if Drown is anything to go by the next album will be even better. To add to the excitement, the boys have made a video which entails the exorcism of demons. It's funny but I really never want to see Matt with a face that hairy again. The suits can stay though, they're a good look! I'm so glad Bring Me The Horizon are back.

You can catch the boys at their special Wembley Arena show on December 5th with Issues, Young Guns and Sleepwave.

Drown is available for pre-order now and due for release on December 7th.

.5: The Gray Chapter by Slipknot

.5: The Gray Chapter is a testament to brotherhood.

The album's title is alone a testament to a late friend, but it's content takes that testament to a new place.

Since the passing of Paul Gray, Slipknot's bassist, in 2010, the band have struggled with turmoil and grief and that is evident in this album. There is discussion of the darkness that surrounds tragedy but also how it can be overcome and it's this honesty, along with extreme musical talent, that makes this album special.

It is riff heavy and pace heavy but it manages to stay beautiful through it's relentless nature. The album maintains it's trademark Slipknot style as it pummels your eardrums for the most part but still features those breaks where Corey gets his chance to showcase his melody rather than his gruff growls. In some ways, it's not an evolution. It's definitely not a devolution either, but it is more a continuation of one of metal's greatest bands. The album is bold and stunning from start to end and singles The Devil In I and The Negative One continue to stick in your skull for days after hearing them. But it's songs like the non-stop aggressor Custer and the heartfelt power of Skeptic that stick out in this album. Skeptic in particular brings me back to this idea of testament. Corey Taylor has explained this album track by track and has said that this song is purely about Paul and what an amazing man he was. It's touching that Slipknot have let their masks slip in some senses, to remember their friend, musician and brother in such a way.

Killpop is another song on this album that is worth talking about. It's softer than most of the album and it's haunting. It lingers in your mind, even above bolder songs, which is proof of the talent Slipknot possess, not just as musicians but also as lyricists. Although Paul Gray and Joey Jordison (former drummer) were huge parts of Slipknot, their places are fittingly filled in a way that hasn't compromised the music. Lech contains some insane drumming from new drummer Jay Weinberg, as does most of the album to be honest and the likes of The One That Kills The Least are overflowing with reasons why Slipknot are just as rad now as they were when they released their debut LP back in 1999.

The truth is that Slipknot have created an album that is amazing on all levels. It memorialises a life but it is also just a beautiful piece of musicianship. If this is only the start of a new chapter, I cannot wait to see where they go next.

Listen to: Custer

.5: The Gray Chapter is available to pre-order now and is released on October 21st.

Band of the Week: frnkiero and the cellabration

Since My Chemical Romance split little over a year ago, it hasn't just been ex-frontman Gerard Way who's been working hard on his own music. In fact, pretty much all of them have been, but most attention-grabbing of the five is ex-guitarist, Frank Iero. Since the dissipation of the emo scene's most loved band, Frank has become the frontman of his own project, frnkiero and the cellabration.

With no capital letters and all his songs bookended by full stops, Frank is still creating rock music with muddy tones and mumbly lyrics. But it's different. It's far distinguished from the music he once created with MCR and it's removed from other projects he's had over the years such as LeATHERMOUTH. What frnkiero and the cellabration is, is super cool. It sounds like he's got his mates together in his garage and has said, "I just want to make music." It's definitely rock, it's definitely punk and it's definitely created under many influences. I mean there's some definite electronic beats on the debut album! The main thing is that it's just such a cool sound. Singles .joyriding. and .weighted. showcase who Frank can be as a frontman: his voice is unpolished and strained but it's so nice to listen to. He's a star that's finally getting his chance to shine. And his videos are pretty gnarly. And he's adorable...

Most people would hate me for saying this but thank God that MCR threw the towel in because frnkiero and the cellabration are rad and I for one can't wait to see where this boy ends up next.

Listen to: .neverenders.

You can catch frnkiero and the cellabration supporting Mallory Knox across the UK this November.

2 and half videos

Good Girls - 5 Seconds of Summer

As always, I'm a fangirling mess. This video is truly one for the female rebels and anyone who really really really fancies the four Aussie heartthrobs. Before I get to my actual opinions about this video, I just need to get out my system how much I love Michael Clifford in this video. My body wasn't ready and I'm still fangirling about his presence in this video. That cringeworthy outburst aside, this video is actually pretty good. In traditional 5SOS form, it's tongue cheek with the boys comparing good girls to cello frets and sweet lemonade in the guise of a classical band. And then, of course, they cause havoc, returning to their rock 'n' roll selves causing the girls of the reform school to keep on being bad. Spraying an 'X' over anything and everything, the video culminates in the girls being set free around the prison-like school and the boys being total rockstars. It's such a feelgood song as well so the video has only adds to this single. I just wish they'd chosen me to be in the video with them (sighs)...

Mad At Myself - Issues

Issues are adorable. This song is a serious one and the video is a good one but all I want to do is comment on is how adorable Tyler Carter looks sat in that chair with his purple hair. I guess I'm biased as I have purple hair too so moving away from that this video tells the story of the single perfectly. The song is about giving into past demons when you know you shouldn't and it's portrayed in the video by a girl, who looks a tad like Jennifer Lawrence, trying to move on from her ex but falling straight back into his arms. It's happened to the majority of us I'm sure, which is why the passion and angst visible from not only the actress, but also from Tyler and Michael Bohn, is pretty powerful. The video makes you connect with the song even more than before and it also features the rest of Issues rocking out the way they do best. The only thing missing is bassist, Skyler Acord's hair! Bring back that insane afro!

Custer - Slipknot

Okay, so this isn't actually a video but it was too fresh not to include in this post. Custer is the third song to be released by Slipknot from the new (and now leaked) album, .5: The Gray Chapter, and this is one insane track. It's violent in exactly the way you want it to be. Right from the start it pummels and drives into your skull like a freight train and it leaves you wanting more. You just know that this is a song to unify a crowd at a gig screaming back the chorus: "cut cut cut me up and fuck fuck fuck me up." It's so disgustingly good that I have no proper constructive words for it. Unlike The Devil In I and The Negative One, Custer is purely for the growls and murmurs of Corey Taylor and it's great to see him doing something so purely aggressive again. The song is a showcase of the powerhouse of metal that Slipknot are and it is definitely a reminder of what they do best: pure unadulterated noise.

The Acoustic Things by State Champs

I'm such a sucker for a pop punk acoustic album and State Champs prove exactly why with their latest EP, The Acoustic Things. The EP features five songs from their 2013 album, The Finer Things, and also two new songs written especially for acoustic tones.

It's a heartmelter. I think it could even make a grown man go all gooey and soft because not only are the lyrics heartfelt and possibly even more beautiful acoustically, but Derek Discanio's voice is just so light and loveable. It has the classic pop-punk tone: it's whiney but has some throat to it and you absolutely love it.

Naturally, the first five tracks on the EP are gorgeous. They're still favourites from the LP and it's a testament to State Champs that their music is dynamic enough to carry an acoustic sound as well as the thrashy pop punk it originally embodied. What should really be spoken about on this EP however is the two new tracks that the album ends with. Leave You In The Dark is pretty but it's EP closer, If I'm Lucky that is the true gem of the EP. I don't think it's possible to get sick of hearing Derek sing "hello beautiful" and "hello sunshine" which is a good thing considering this EP will be on repeat for a long time to come yet.

9/10

Listen to: If I'm Lucky

Unravelling by We Were Promised Jetpacks

First and foremost, I apologise for displaying the cover of this album so largely. It's a pretty cool
optical illusion but please don't look at it for more than two seconds. I can't afford to be sued for all your migraines right now!

Album cover aside, Unravelling is We Were Promised Jetpacks third album and it's been a long three year wait for it's arrival. The Edinburgh quartet have been creating some of the loveliest indie rock in the UK for ten years now but their latest LP leaves a lot left to be desired. Their accents seem to be less prominent and the big sounds of riffs and fills instead take the limelight. Like most indie bands these days, the sound has grown and become more vast but that isn't what We Were Promised Jetpacks do best. Their debut album, These Four Walls, was an amazing album full of understated songs with sweet lyrics but Unravelling is far removed from that. Right from track one the boys have pushed their sound and stretched it to places it shouldn't be: it's strained and it feels like their trying really hard to be this big band that they just aren't.

I criticise this with a heavy heart because there was a spark within this band which could have lead to them becoming something really amazing but it seems they have unravelled. There is no longer an urgency to their sound. Songs such as Peaks And Troughs feel not quite right and there's an Editors-esque vibe to the music which doesn't quite fit. It all sounds the same and it's so disappointing. Having said all this, there are small glimmers of positivity with tracks such as Peace Sign and A Part Of It, which are more reminiscent of the sound I fell in love with back in 2009.

I'm not even sure I'd recommend listening to this album. If you want to hear We Were Promised Jetpacks, do yourself a favour and go straight back to These Four Walls. That is an album to fall in love with. Unravelling just isn't what it should be.

4/10

Listen to: Peace Sign

Unravelling is available to buy now.

The Big Cheese Tour, CF-10, 04/10/2014

CF-10 is Cardiff Student Union's cafe. It's small and is often crowded on a Thursday morning with hungover students who experienced a "messy one" the night before. But tonight it hosts The Big Cheese Tour, possibly one of the biggest tours of the year. It sees the hauntingly beautiful Lonely The Brave and the weirdly wonderful Marmozets co-headline across the UK with grunge darlings Allusondrugs supporting. What could possibly go wrong?

Nothing, that's what.

Right from the moment Allusondrugs take the stage, the music pummels the crowd with no injury or insult to be seen or heard. Being the support act is always hard, particularly with names as big as these headliners but Allusondrugs played as if this tour were their own. Anyone who missed them really missed a trick because these boys are destined for the big time. They're weird and psychadelic and grungey and quite frankly beautiful to look at. I have never seen so much hair fly about a stage and the whole set was quite unpredictable. I wasn't sure where frontman Jason was going to end up and I wasn't sure if I was going to see a mosh pit or just some kids staring. Unfortunately, the crowd were not overly receptive and even upon Jason asking "who's here to get laid tonight?" there was just one lonely yell. Despite this, the boys played a rad set featuring songs such as Cherry Pie and Am I Weird? and definitely left with a few new fans.

After a short 20 minute turn over, it was Lonely The Brave's turn. The crowd had expanded and there were now grown men, boys and women alike ready to have an emotional outpour alongside the Cambridgeshire lads. I've said it before and I'll say it again, this band are beautiful. David Jakes' voice just stays with you: it's so so haunting. He spends most of his time in the shadows of the stage, rarely moving from the spot where you can only see him if you're at the barrier and it makes you empathetic. He has such a talent, as do the band who surround him, but he has so much anxiety about being in the spotlight that you feel for him. You understand where the emotion in their music comes from when you see them live and it makes the experience that much more special. In some ways, his limitation is his strength because it makes people connect to their big, bold anthems and it's this niche they fill that leave this adoring crowd wanting more.

Lonely The Brave would have stolen the show, that's if Marmozets weren't up after them. In a completely different league, the rock quintet from Leeds are well and truly the talking point of the night. I was lucky enough to squeeze in down the front and get the full effect of a Marmozets gig. There were moshpits and yells and a union of hands in the air which supported Becca Macintyre physically and metaphorically. She was ill, flu and all that, but you wouldn't have known it as she screamed her way through the majority of their amazing debut album and jumped on top of the crowd time and time again. She is an amazing force driving this band and seeing them live really showcased just what this band can do. Their set ended with the frantic Vibetech which saw pretty much all the band get in the middle of the crowd. That's right, a whole drum kit was moved into the crowd, as well as a guitar or two. The crowd moshed around them as they blew everyone away and it even featured a guest vocal from Jason (Allusondrugs); it was awesome.

After briefly hanging about to get a high five from Becca, I left drenched in my own, and probably a few others, sweat. It was such a good gig and I would urge anyone to go and see all three of these bands, even if they're not your cup of tea. You are in for a massive treat if you do.

Setlist (Marmozets)

Born Young And Free
Particle
Is It Horrible
Captivate You
Weird And Wonderful
Why Do You Hate Me?
Hit The Wave
Move, Shake, Hide
Vibetech

Setlist (Lonely The Brave)

Call Of Horses
Victory Line
Trick Of The Light
Deserter
Black Saucers
King Of The Mountain
River, River
The Blue, The Green
Backroads

Band of the Week: Allusondrugs

Allusondrugs are rad.

Okay, I'll elaborate. I've been banging on about how cool this band are for a while now, it's probably getting a bit much. Allusondrugs are a Leeds based grunge quintet with the most fabulous hair since Kurt Cobain left us. And before you say it, no, that's not a risen Cobain on the right, that's Jason and he's Allusondrug's vocalist. Not only does he have a lovely head of hair, but so do his bandmates and live they are a vision of hair flips and windmills. It's crazy and beautiful. Sorry, I'll stop talking about their hair now...

The special thing about Allusondrugs is not their hair, it's that they're not just another band from Yorkshire. They have an urgency in their sound that has lead them to embark on some amazing tours such as the current Big Cheese Tour with fellow Leeds howlers Marmozets and the beautiful Lonely The Brave. The reason this is important is because they are spreading their sound far and wide. It's a sound which has grit but it's also mellow and it's this odd concoction that makes you really want more. Since July 2012 they've been releasing music that you want to get your hands on and 2014's self-titled EP is a mini masterpiece. Cherry Pie is the song you really want to hear though as it showcases all sides of the band; there's guitars and bass and sludge and it's just so so good. It's worth youtubing Am I Weird? as well because it features some lyrics you won't forget in a hurry.

This isn't the only time you'll hear about Allusondrugs. They'll be headlining across the UK this winter and they will explode.

Listen to: Am I Weird?

You can catch the boys on The Big Cheese Tour now or on their headline tour later in the year,

Hesitant Alien by Gerard Way

Who is Gerard Way these days? Saviour of the emo teens? One of five musical icons? A solo
shoegaze artist inspired by Britpop? Apparently, it's the latter. Gerard Way's solo sound is far removed from the triumphant efforts of his former band, My Chemical Romance (MCR to those who are more familiar with the band). Back in those day he adorned black eyeliner, changed his hair with every album and dressed up in an array of styles to win over a million broken teenage hearts. Since the split of MCR, Gerard has said that he loves that he can help his fans but he doesn't want to be responsible for all these kids lives anymore. He understands his music empowers and helps them but he doesn't want that to fall straight on his shoulders. To some extent, the huge style change is evidence of that. It's a move away from the emo idealisation that this man is a Messiah and whilst there is still meaning for others in his music, it's definitely Gerard creating a sound that pleases and saves himself first and foremost.

That's not to say he's forgotten about his fans. Oh no, first single from the album, Action Cat, features the lyrics "Do you miss me? Because I miss you" and although I neglected MCR post-Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge, I kind of have missed Gerard Way.

Hesitant Alien is actually pretty good. I don't know what I was expecting but this album feels weirdly natural. With new hair and a new slick look (who doesn't love a man in a suit and tie!?), this album sees Gerard Way return with a new passion and power. There are elements of the album when it feels a bit boring: No Shows and Drugstore Perfume just aren't what they should be. And even Brother, a supposedly heartfelt number, sounds a bit lackluster to an average listener.

Whilst it is true there are elements of Hesitant Alien which are hesitant on Gerard's part and alien on the listener's part, there are moments on the album where it's clear Gerard is doing what he should be doing. Zero Zero and Juarez are awesome. They're Gerard Way doing what he does best, the slightly heavier stuff, and although these songs are more Kasabian and Blur sounding, they work perfectly well with his gravelly, imperfect tones. Maya The Psychic closes the album and there was no better song among the 12 to do so. It's a bit of an anthem and as Gerard says "We're not just dreamers, we're the kind that comprehend." That's true of who Gerard Way is, he's more than just a dreamer and Hesitant Alien is a clear celebration of the start of a future he once only dreamed about.

Listen to: Maya The Psychic

6/10

Hesitant Alien is available to buy now.
Gerard Way will be doing his first live shows in the UK since Reading and Leeds this November.