In The Moment: THE BAY RAYS

Photo credit: Dik Ng 

Little is known about The Bay Rays. With just over 300 likes on Facebook and minimal results about them as a band when Googled, you'd think they didn't exist. After a little more searching however, you'll come across their soundcloud and it's here you'll find the infectious Get Together EP. Listening to that is exactly how your love affair with them will start and it's also what will get you dancing like no one is watching. But who exactly are The Bay Rays and what are they about? Well, for a start they're Max, Harry and Anthus and here they are to tell you a little more...

In ten words, who are The Bay Rays? 

We're a British garage-rock/punk three piece from Kent.  

What made you guys start the band and want to play music? 

We all grew up together as close friends and the inspiration for the band came after Harry and Max went on a road trip across America. On this trip we met a lot of musicians who were playing in small bars and they clearly loved doing what they were doing. We were tired of being in other bands where every little detail is over thought and over analysed, it saps the fun out of things and goes against the reasons as to why you wanted to be in a band in the first place. We wanted to start something new where we wrote tunes that we have fun playing, I think you get enjoyment out of watching anybody who is doing something they love, its infectious. A lot of that is lost with bands these days because before they have even got on stage they are already worrying about what other people are going to think of them.

If you could tour with any two bands, who would they be and why? 

Arctic Monkeys – They are constantly evolving and making amazing music. They are also incredible live.Alabama Shakes – incredible musicians and very passionate about what they do. Brittany is probably the best front person in a band at the moment. 

Why should people go and check you out? 

We pride ourselves on being a really good live band, its so disappointing when you love a track and then you see that track live and its not very good! We are also inclusive as people and that is the case at our shows. Its important for us to make sure that when people come and see us play they feel like they are at the best party in town and leave feeling like they’ve been part of something they want to experience again.

So, what more do you need to know!? Head to their soundcloud now and head down to this Friday's Slaves show to see the boys live!

Listen to: Five More Miles

In The Moment: DEMOB HAPPY

Type Demob Happy into google and you'll be greeted by a definition: "feeling elated because one is about to leave a stressful or responsible job or situation." Type Demob Happy into this blog and you'll be greeted by some words which tell you about an awesome band who deserve you're attention right now.

Hailing from the best of places in the UK, Brighton and Newcastle, this quartet groove and slide their way through modern day grunge delights like they invented such a sound alone. Debut album Dream Soda is full of favourites from start to end. Haat De Stank is an electrifying opener, Succubus imbeds itself in your memory and Dream Soda has you dancing like you have no control over your limbs. Meanwhile, most recent single Junk DNA, establishes the band as one's to watch by really showcasing their racket to it's full potential. So at this point you still haven't opened up YouTube to see what they're about? Well what about if we tell you they have all the tones of Nirvana, mixed with the bouyancy of Blur, mixed with something completely new and far more rad? Demob Happy will most definitely be your new favourite band in no time at all. And what's more they've just embarked on a UK-wide tour in support of their album!

Catch the boys in the next two weeks by following THIS link. You'd be a fool not to.

Listen to: Suffer You, Succubus, Dream Soda

Bring Me The Horizon, The Hippodrome, 01/12/2015

Thanks to the wonderful team at Banquet Records, The Hippodrome (situated in Kingston-Upon-Thames) is fast becoming one of the best places to see the biggest and best bands in the alternative game. Recently, this venue has seen the likes of Foals and Don Broco grace it's tiny stage with fans paying bargain prices to see them, and tonight is no different. On the first eve of the Christmas month two massive names are giving their fans an early present and what a bloody lucky bunch of fans they turned out to be.

Pop-punk royalty, Neck Deep, are first up tonight and fresh off a long tour which saw them support Bring Me The Horizon's huge headline dates and headline shows themselves across America, you'd expect them to give a bit of a lack-luster performance. But no, not this bunch of heroes. Right from the minute they get on stage they are bursting with energy ready to make this the perfect start to our night and the perfect end to their live stint. They tear through the likes of Losing Teeth, Kali Ma and Can't Kick Up The Roots, throw in new crowd pleaser Serpents and of course include the always delectable A Part of Me. This is a band that just keep getting sharper, cleaner and more amazing so after a well earned break, 2016 will only see Neck Deep get bigger and better.

After a whirlwind of stage-techs blow across the stage, the lights go out, the music stops and screams erupt. Not even Bring Me The Horizon themselves were ready for the reception they were about to get; it was unreal. You'd think smaller venues like the one tonight would be of no significance to a band that now dominate arenas and festival main stages, but frontman (and beautiful messiah) Oli Sykes, is quick to say how much it means to them that they still get to play to small and adoring crowds. The scene on the floor for the whole night is carnage. Pits open and close without any need of command and people crowd surf their way to their heroes feet like it's no mission at all. Each and every one of the band look ecstatic throughout as they play new anthems Happy Song and Throne, Sempiternal classics such as Shadow Moses and Sleepwalking and even when they throw back to Chelsea Smile they still play their souls out. Following the latter the crowd plead a 2000 strong chant of "pray for plagues" (a song from the band's debut album Count Your Blessings) to which Oli replies something to the effect of  'no, not a fucking chance so you can all just forget it.' The crowd aren't disappointed however as more favourites such as Antivist, True Friends and Blessed With A Curse are piledrived into their earholes. Drown concludes the night in an emotional and epic singalong and every single person in the room is left wide-eyed and smiling from ear to ear.

It's a spectacular sight to behold and an even more spectacular one to hear, and if tonight has taught us one thing it's that Bring Me The Horizon can orchestrate mayhem of any size like no one else can.

👽 BMTH 👽 I waited at least six years for this moment and it was fucking incredible 💞 #SPIRIT #snapchatgrain #sheffieldsfinest

A photo posted by Alice Hoddinott (@kell_soopreez) on Dec 2, 2015 at 5:13am PST

Why All The Noise? Justin Bieber

Recently Justin Bieber has been smashing music records everywhere. From having most songs off one album in the top 40, to most YouTube plays within 0.3463732 milliseconds. Okay that one might have been an exaggeration, but the kid has taken off in bigger ways than anyone would have ever imagined back when he released debut single Baby in 2010.

Back in 2010, he had an unbroken voice and a mop on his head instead of an actual haircut and he appealed to the teenyboppers who would scream and cry at the mere mention of his name. Now, five years on, he's become a bad boy with a point to prove. Tattooed felon and matured musician, Justin Bieber has become a phenomenon. He has thousands upon thousands of "Beliebers" backing him and even those who think he's a little shit now want to listen to his songs. Myself included.

So why all the noise about Justin Bieber? After listening to What Do You Mean? on repeat for a few hours, I gave his new record breaking album Purpose a listen to try and find out why.

Mark My Words is a soft, almost acoustic track which leaves you like putty in Bieber's hands. It establishes a more mature sound and as it rolls into I'll Show You you begin to see why this album is relevant in today's mainstream scene. It has all the vibes that names like The Weeknd and Drake have been bringing to the table and by incorporating such beats, Bieber is making himself more current and lovable than ever. The power duo of Sorry and What Do You Mean? have you dancing and singing along like it's your last chance to because let's face it, they are true catches. Love Yourself is another track which leaves you swooning under Beiber's spell whilst Company has you grooving mindlessly. Where Are U Now? makes a late appearance but it's still as catchy as ever and when combined with Children you've got to accept, Bieber knows how to get you going. A lot of the other tracks on the album, such as album closer and title track Purpose, are supposed to be honest and heartfelt but unfortunately, it just comes across as self-obsessed and cringeworthy.

I suppose Purpose reminds you of who Justin Bieber is; where he started, what he's done and where he is now. Artists who go through 'a journey' like he has, are often watched, scrutinised and loved stronger than other artists are. Justin Bieber owes his phenomenon status to his antics as much as he does his catchy music, but regardless of why he has attained it, he's going to stay at the top for a long time yet, no matter what your opinion of him is.

What Golden Nuggets Have Been Released Since 'That's The Spirit'?

Eagles of Death Metal - Zipper Down
The past few weeks have been incredibly hard for Eagles of Death Metal after their gig at the Bataclan Theatre was the scene of the horrific Paris terror attacks. The band were there touring their new album Zipper Down, a rock n roll extravaganza, one which is totally rad. The album cover alone depicts the sort of naughty antics that run through this album and it's very exciting. Single, Complexity, opens the album followed by the grandiose Silverlake (K.S.O.F.M.). Every second of this album has a classic old-school feel, but the band's swagger make it relevant to now. Skin-Tight Boogie is sexy and The Reverend is dirty and everything else in between is just full of romantic filth. It's just unadulterated awesomeness.
8/10

Nothing But Thieves - Nothing But Thieves
This blog first brought your attention to Nothing But Thieves just over a year ago. They were supporting Twin Atlantic and were giving away free EPs to anyone who would take one. They were also made a DOAGA Band of the Week. Now, they are a phenomenal success, selling out any live date they set and being recommended by top music fanatics everywhere. Their debut album, self-title Nothing But Thieves, is nothing short of incredible. It sounds as huge as it does intimate, as strong as it does vulnerable; it is a masterpiece. Conor Mason's vocals are as haunting as ever, through opener Excuse Me, single Trip Switch and bonus track Neon Brother. Every song on this album is worth comment; it is laced in gold and you shouldn't ignore it any longer.
9/10

The St Pierre Snake Invasion - A Hundred Years A Day
Many of you will be unaware of who The St Pierre Snake Invasion are, but that's about to change. TSPSI are a band of Britsolian men making loud, noisy, in-your-face punk madness, and they do so exceptionally well. A Hundred Years A Day is their debut album and it proves why they should be taken notice of. David Ickerumba gets you headbanging, When I See A Sycophant Fly gets you headbanging, Like A Rag To A Red Bull gets you headbanging, really the whole album gets you headbanging. It's angry, it's full of infectious energy and it's insane. Refauxlution and Rock 'N' Roll Workshops also deserve a mention for being solid tunes and this album contains the song title of the year, If The Only Way Is Essex You Can Kill Me Now. If unhinged pandemonium is your thing, this is the album for you.
8/10

One Direction - Made In The A.M.
Zayn is gone,the remaining four are going on hiatus: we never thought it'd be the same again. But Made In The A.M. has proved us all wrong. The album, one which One Direction say has been their favourite to write and record, is full of joy and celebration. The boys have also said that this album is one made for the fans; in that respect it feels like a bit of a farewell present, but even if it is, it's one which will leave fans happy within the hiatus period. Drag Me Down and Perfect are obvious album favourites but there's also something about the raw feel of Never Enough and Olivia that make you far more in love with this album than the singles do. The whole album is a perfect mixture of soft soppy heart-melters and loud happy anthems and it is certainly worthy of being as successful as their prior albums have been.
7/10

Special mention for DOAGA favourites, Slaves, who released an extended cut of their amazing album Are You Satisfied? It includes Live Lounge track, Skepta's Shutdown and an awesome new song called Why Would You? Definitely worth the extra pennies!

That's The Spirit by Bring Me The Horizon

Sheffield's original kings of metalcore, Bring Me The Horizon, are finally back and boy are they vying for Album of the Year. That's The Spirit comes two years after the critically acclaimed Sempiternal and it is HUGE. For their fifth studio album, Bring Me The Horizon wanted do things their way, so the album is self-produced from start to end and the result: bold, brave and big sounds.

The album opens with Doomed and it sounds completely different to anything this band have ever released. But that's no bad thing. "I think we're doomed" cries Oli over vast club-worthy beats but he needn't worry, this band are far from doomed. The album continues into the previously released trio of Happy Song, Throne and True Friends. The cheers of the first are still as exciting as the first time you heard it, Throne is still as monumental as ever and the latter still punches you in the gut until you're throwing up the lyrics in perfect harmony with Oli himself. Follow You is a massive nod to sounds of pop; it's a song that is effortless and romantic and probably the furthest away these boys could get from the days of Count Your Blessings (their 2006 debut). What You Need has a melody which feels uncharacteristically buoyant for Bring Me The Horizon but the lyrics of "you make me wanna slit my wrists and play in my own blood" and a few gnarly riffs bring that mood straight back down and the grizzly nature that make this band what they are is restored. Avalanche is massive and the new version of Drown is to die for but it's the likes of Run, Blasphemy and Oh No that really push the new sound to extreme lengths. There's so much synth (and even some saxophone) but it works because it's entwined with pounding rock undertones. Above all, That's The Spirit embodies a sound this band are passionate about and that is why every single one of these songs is a triumph.

Many people will be terrified by such a big change in style, but that fear is unnecessary. This is still the same band and their roots are still undercurrents for their new sound. The lyrics are still incredibly powerful and the energy is still abundant. That's The Spirit aimed to catapult Bring Me The Horizon into new territories and not only has it done this but it has proven why they are one of the most important bands of their generation.

9/10
Listen to: Throne, What You Need

Reading and Leeds Festival: Why this weekend will be the best of your year.

The best weekend of every year is about to start. As of today hundreds of thousands of you will be descending on the muddy, overcast fields of Reading and Leeds. It's without doubt one of the highlights of the festival season for both fans and artists alike, but how do you make it the best festival you've ever been to? Well, asides from raucous fires, lots of booze and a trip to silent disco at 3am, there's more than enough music to get mental to. Here's 10 of the best accompanied by a playlist of the best of the rest for you to devour over the weekend (or watch online like me).

LIMP BIZKIT
NME/Radio 1 Stage, Reading Friday, Leeds Saturday
Fred Durst and the lads are bound to bring a whole load of nu-metal mayhem after a long overdue Reading + Leeds return! Expect the classics and plenty of disgusting red-capped obscenities!

RUN THE JEWELS
NME/Radio 1 Stage, Reading Friday, Leeds Saturday
Hip-hop's latest craze Run The Jewels have become notorious for their live performances, so it'll be well worth your time to head over to see Killer Mike and El-P spit bars like no one else can.

GOD DAMN
The Lock Up, Reading Friday, Leeds Saturday
Northampton duo God Damn will tear the tent apart and crush your bones with their grizzly noise and screams. Go see them, you will make it out alive, promise!

BABYMETAL
Main Stage, Reading Saturday, Leeds Sunday
Three Japanese teenage girls doing synchronised dance routines and singing k-pop over some of the heaviest riffs you'll hear all weekend. Yeah, it's crazy and weird but it's "hella kawaii" and will be one of the biggest talking points of the weekend.

TEMPA T
BBC Radio 1 XTRA Stage, Reading Saturday, Leeds Sunday
Yeah yeah yeah, he's still about, TEMPSSSSS! If you want laughs, grime and flat top afro fun then you need to see Tempa T this weekend.

PVRIS
The Pit, Reading Saturday, Leeds Sunday
Fresh off Warped Tour, Pvris (or Paris to you and me) are now heralded as the next big thing on the alternative scene. Lynn Gunn will capture your heart and mind and Pvris will be your new favourites in no time at all.

BOY BETTER KNOW
BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage, Reading Sunday, Leeds Friday
Too Many Man. That's all you need to know.

WHILE SHE SLEEPS
The Pit, Reading Sunday, Leeds Friday
Riffs, hair and all the fury, While She Sleeps are one of the best metal bands on the scene right now and right from the start you will be blown away. DO NOT MISS THESE MEN!

TURBOWOLF
The Pit, Reading Sunday, Leeds Friday
Party starters Turbowolf are on a high right now which means they will be on top form this weekend! They've got groove with a dirty rock n roll edge and are going to get you dancing.

SINGLE MOTHERS
The Pit, Reading Sunday, Leeds Friday
These five men are the happiest punks you'll ever come across. They're shows are full of energy, expression and smiles and nothing will stop them once they get going.

 

Subliminal Criminals by Stray From The Path

It's been two long years since Stray From The Path made a name for themselves with 2013's Anonymous and it's been an even longer seven years of hard graft to get to a place where they can release an album as purposeful as Subliminal Criminals. Album number five continues with themes of the aforementioned Anonymous but ramps up the anger by about a thousand to really make a mark among all the angry bands of their kind.

Drew is spitting pure venom over some of the ugliest, gnarliest riffs this band have every created and it's just absolutely grizzly. From Outbreak which really hammers home the title of the album ("subliminal criminals" is bound to be a new fan favourite chant at shows) to the frantic These Things Have To Fall Apart, Subliminal Criminals is something no one else could have created. Badge And A Bullet Pt. 2 fills you full of the anger that SFTP are emanating with shouts of "where the fuck is the justice?" and then roars of "can't hide in your brick house, pussy" on D.I.E.P.I.G. However, it is the spattering of guest artists that make this album a force to be reckoned with. First world problem child could be a bit of a gimmick with war cries of "every rich white kid's got something to say - shut the fuck up!" but Architect's Sam Carter's vocal saves the day. One of this blog's favourite men, Rou Reynolds, features on Eavesdropper which nearly drops by the waist-side until Drew unites with Rou and the song takes on a new life. Cody B Ware features on Future Of Sound which almost creates a respite on the album but not for long as the track drops back into a beastly attack in keeping with the rest of the album.

Subliminal Criminals is full of disgust about the injustices of the world and is a conversation which is creatively illustrated through the warped and wonderful genre of hardcore. Stray From The Path haven't created a masterpiece here but they've certainly created a talking point and that is why you should get your hands on this album asap.

7/10
Listen to: Outbreak, Badge And A Bullet Pt. 2

Life's Not Out To Get You by Neck Deep

Who would have thought the UK's brightest pop-punk stars would come from a little place like Wrexham? Yeah, we're talking about Neck Deep because they have just dropped their second full length album and it's a bloody firecracker! Now heralded as the boys to compete with amidst the massive pop-punk revival, these five lads from North Wales have seriously proven they are the best of the best. Life's Not Out To Get You is bigger, better and ballsier than anything this band have done before, and considering they were already pretty damn great, that's really saying something!

LNOTGY opens with Citizens Of Earth which is the most versatile Neck Deep have sounded in their career so far. It's heavier and surprisingly it suits them. "Fuck Neck Deep, they're shit, Ben's Dad owns a record label" the band mock at the end which just shows these boys aren't letting the critics bother them. Singles Can't Kick Up The Roots and Gold Steps are illustrations of a more traditional Neck Deep and sandwiched between them is the awesome Kali Ma, featuring Jeremy McKinnon of A Day To Remember and a pretty gnarly breakdown. Not only is he featuring on the album (making it even more rad) but he also helped produce it, which is evident from the riffs and style weaved throughout the album as a whole. The Beach Is For Lovers (Not For Losers) is reminiscent of emo cuties Cute Is What We Aim For and I Hope This Come Backs To Haunt You has hints of new school Blink 182 to it, showing that although Neck Deep have their own sound, they're still influenced by some of the best. Then there is December which will undoubtedly reach the same acoustic adoration A Part Of Me has as Ben odes "I hope you get your ballroom floor, your perfect house with the rose red doors." The lyrics, as always, are a highlight of the album and they come as purposeful as they do cute: "so 'fuck you' to the world and stand your ground" calls Ben on Can't Kick Up The Roots.

Neck Deep have created a gem of an album here and all the hype has been more than worth it. If this band can reach greater heights than they already have then who knows where that will be, but if they're going beyond the stars, Life's Not Out To Get You will certainly take them there.

9/10
Listen to: Citizens Of Earth, Kali Ma, December

Automatic by Don Broco

It feels like we've been waiting a life time for this Don Broco album. Automatic is the band's second LP and comes a very long three years after their massively successful debut, Priorities. Now an extremely popular band, loved by champions of all music genres, Don Broco look set to dominate hearts and minds everywhere. Automatic is an effort based on living up to the hype and making music that pushes the traditional conception of the alternative scene and this is exactly what Don Broco have achieved.

Automatic is all funk and groove infused with the trademark Broco pop rock we all love and it's pretty much a massive party. It's an album that has allowed Don Broco to push and develop their sound into something far more mature and something that is unique to them. It certainly sounds more vast and the Tropicana 80's vibe they've weaved through the entire album is quite impressive. It is different but it works because this isn't a false pretense. Rob and co. genuinely love what they've created here and that transpires and makes you love it just as much. The spark these four men possess burns it's brightest during the likes of Automatic and Superlove, which feature some of the grooviest, lip-biting funkiness you'll hear all album and the same can be said of Wrong Place Wrong Time too. Okay, there is the odd song like Nerve or Further (which is reminiscent of The Corrs...) where the fire diminishes, however, the more familiar Priorities style-Broco re-ignites the spark with songs like Let You Get Away, Money Power Fame and You Wanna Know.

Don Broco always bring the sort of fun that will wrap itself around you and manifest in your skin until you're doing the running man with them at their live shows. That's what this album was built for, the live circuit and that is where it's going to shine, so get on your white two-piece suit, or your neon mini skirt, grab a pina colada and get dancing because Automatic is your new summer soundtrack.

8/10
Listen to: Superlove, Wrong Place Wrong Time

Positive Songs For Negative People by Frank Turner

If you aren't familiar with Frank Turner, where have you been for the last eight years!? This singer/songwriter/musician from the humble earth of Hampshire has been creating beautiful acoustic nuggets to sooth the soul and mind across five very successful albums. He's been so successful (he played the London Olympic opening ceremony for Pete's sake!) that he's even had time to go back and dabble in his punk roots in the form of his gnarly side project Mongol Horde. But now he's back as adorable as ever with his latest offering entitled Positive Songs For Negative People.

PSFNP is upbeat troubadour folk. It's full of fast and furious acoustic guitar playing that would make a set based on this album a huge party rather than a stare and sway affair and he truly has taken a bunch of songs that could pick the saddest of us off the ground and lift us up with positivity. Frank Turner has always done honesty beautifully and that is no different on this album. "Life gave me demons but I made friends with the devil so I'm invincible" declares Turner triumphantly on Demons and with similar conviction he shouts "we can get better because we're not dead yet" on the stomping Get Better. Lyrics from song after song on this album could be pulled as perfect examples of just how serious Turner was about writing positive songs for negative people and similarly, riff after riff, melody after melody, could be discussed as examples of the passion and talent that this man has for his music.

This is an album of classic singalong folk-rock; it's uplifting and heartfelt and it is one of Turner's best efforts to create a consistently great album from start to end.

8/10
Listen to: Demons, Song For Josh

In The Moment: WACO

WACO are a quartet of lads from this beautiful land we know as the UK and in their own words they make songs about "great times, great loss and Great Britain." The first thing you should know about them is that one listen is all it takes to get you hooked, so don't listen to them unless you're prepared for a long term commitment. The second thing you should know is that they're party starters. It's not just their music that makes you want to jump around like a human-possessed, it's their all round presence and enthusiasm for the music they make. Sound wise, it sounds like rock/punk/party magic with a hint of old school nostalgia and they intertwine such a sound with conversation about real and honest things like the fact no one really knows what they're doing with their life (Agitation) and that ultimately all we do is our best (Dungeness). What's more, the video for latest single, Wrangler, is utterly bonkers in it's compelling psychedelic madness. It's this wonderful recipe, as well as having a frontman who looks a little like Hollywood heartthrob Matthew McConaughey (just a little, maybe it's the jawline), that make WACO ones to party with and ones to tell your friends about.

Listen to: Wrangler

Boardmasters: Who you should see this weekend

So it's forecast to be a bit of a cloudy weekend in Newquay for this years Boardmasters festival but hey, stay happy campers because you've got a lot of lovely music to enjoy! This year boasts one of the most eclectic line ups the festival has seen yet, so here's who to see on your weekend by the sea.

LOWER THAN ATLANTIS
Main Stage, Friday
Mike Duce and the boys are bound to give you the most raucous main stage set you'll see this weekend as they perform all the classics as well as their newest pop-sprinkled hits. Whether you're a long time fan or just a dabbler, it's worthwhile checking them out, even if just for the showmanship.

SPRING KING
Mavericks, Friday
Spring King are one of the most urgent bands you won't have heard of yet. They're bound to be the next big indie thing following in the footsteps of Catfish and the Bottlemen and Peace, so be sure to catch their set for grooves and melody galore.

LETHAL BIZZLE
Unleashed, Saturday
Bizzle on the beach is the only thing that you'll be able to think about until you've seen it for yourself. He'll bring the noise in the form of all his greatest hits as well as new firecrackers such as Fester Skank and Playground.

DRENGE
Mavericks, Saturday
Want some sludgy indie rock? Drenge are your boys. The Sheffield two piece will get your ribs rattling and get your body moving in weird and wonderful ways and there's a chance they'll turn up wearing dresses too.

GOD DAMN
Mavericks, Saturday
Do not miss God Damn. As another two piece, you will be amazed by the noise that comes from these two long haired beauties and although they might make your ears bleed, they'll be your new favourite band for sure.

THE DARKNESS
Mavericks, Sunday
I believe in a thing called love, just listen to the rhythm of The Darkness. Justin Hawkins is a marvel and will strut around in glam rock glory and make you fall under his spell. If you want to end your festival in true rock n roll party style, there's only one band to see, and that is The Darkness.

There's A Price On Your Head by Enter Shikari

Those four mad men we all know and love as Enter Shikari have just dropped a brand new video! This time, it's for absolute corker of a track There's A Price On Your Head, and is a continuation of the brilliant Slipshod video. Created by Peter MacAdams, the video sees a cartoon version of the band go back in time to deal with the history of the class system. It's bonkers and features more roughed-up chickens so strap yourself in and feast your eyes on this visionary masterpiece!

Another One by Mac DeMarco

It's 2015 and there's still people in this poor deprived world who don't know who Mac DeMarco is. So here's a quick education: Mac is a 25 year old singer/songwriter/musician/ producer from Canada and the kids love him. Known for his hilarity, his unmistakable soothing tone and for just being a loveable gap toothed guy, Mac has just released Another One, eight tracks of chilled out dreamy bliss.

The Way You'd Love Her opens Mac's latest selection of tracks with the unmistakable DeMarco vibe. It's all chilled out melody with upbeat quirky chords, the sort of style of music that makes you sway and bop with a smile on your face. Title track, Another One, takes the mood down a peg or two but before you know it, No Other Heart and Just To Put Me Down restore the sunshine melodies that make you love this album so much. "Give up my life for the rhythm, for the beat of a heart like hers" swoons Mac on I've Been Waiting For Her, the albums sweetest track and probably most heartfelt. It's clear this album is one about love and unlike most which are sickly sweet and make you want to cry, Mac has a formula that makes you want to fall in love and be part of another person. The talking point of the album however is final track My House By The Water where Mac reads out his address accompanied by the sounds of the river where he does actually live. He's already let the world know he's had kids stopping by for coffees as he offered and the fact he's brave enough to do such thing is really testament to the kind of artist he is.

Some would say crazy, some would say just a regular guy but one thing that is certain is that Another One reaffirms that Mac DeMarco is a true gem to the world of music.

9/10
Listen to: The Way You'd Love Her, I've Been Waiting For Her

Marks To Prove It by The Maccabees

Marks To Prove It is the fourth full length album from indie underdogs The Maccabees who have been creating some of the best indie rock that the UK has to offer since 2007. This album has been three years in the making and it is the result of a band who have worked harder than most to create a sound that is evolved but still explicitly them. Marks To Prove It is far from the sound of the band's earliest effort, Colour It In, but just as that album in 2007 proved them worthy of adoration, this album does exactly the same.

Title track and album opener Marks To Prove It is the sound of a band we are familiar with. There are obvious melodies carried from their previous albums and it grabs you by the heartstrings right from the get go. As that buoyant melody becomes Kamakura, you're left with less of the old and more of the new as Orlando's soft voice washes over you in a song that is as visceral as The Maccabees have ever been. By the time Silence is reached, this band becomes less recognisable. The vocals change and the melody depleats into something more fragile. It's not quite what we're used to but it's an insight into where this band can go and how they have matured since 2013's Given To The Wild. River Song continues this theme with an almost foreign sound and shortly after you find Something Like Happiness. This is the most recent single taken from the album and it brings you back to the sound of 2009's Wall Of Arms. It has the potential to sound huge live as Orlando pours "you just know when you know" and it's certainly known that this is an album highlight. Marks To Prove It peters on out through it's last few tracks ending with the ethereal and beautiful Dawn Chorus, a track that is well worth the wait to hear.

With an album like Marks To Prove It, The Maccabees have proven themselves to be versatile creatures. Their sound is no longer the happy, traditional indie rock n roll recipe we all love, but it is still something a little bit special.

7/10
Listen to: Kamakura, Dawn Chorus

 

Y Not see these bands this weekend at Y Not Festival

Y Not Festival is a fabulous little festival in the countryside of Derbyshire and this year, in it's 10th
year, it's being taken over by a whole plethora of acts. From Snoop Dogg headlining the main stage, to Don Broco causing a party over at The Giant Squid, there's something for everyone! But who should you see when there is so much on offer? Well, here's a few recommendations from a sad girl who won't be there.

SNOOP DOGG
Friday, Main Stage
Reason one to see Snoop Dogg, he's Snoop Dogg. He'll be sure to bring the blaze and the bush and hit you with classics such as Gin And Juice, Who Am I (What's My Name)?, Peaches N Cream and of course, Drop It Like It's Hot.

SLAVES
Friday, Main Stage
Slaves are now notorious for their live sets. They're always fast and furious and they're always a good time. If their music and presence aren't enough to make you see them, pop along to see their mate the mantaray have a good old crowd surf.

PULLED APART BY HORSES
Friday, The Giant Squid
Y Not royalty by now, Pulled Apart By Horses are likely to bring the sort of riffs that'll set your hair on fire and the sort of screams that'll cause your limbs to jerk about. You're in for the mosh? Well, these are the guys to soundtrack it!

SAINT RAYMOND
Saturday, Main Stage
Saint Raymond, or as he's known here, the sunshine kid, is a sunny bundle of sunny sunshine. His music was birthed for festival season so check him out if you want to be grinning from ear to ear like a muppet.

DON BROCO
Saturday, The Giant Squid
So you came for the party? In that case there's only one place you need to be on Saturday night and that's inside The Giant Squid to see Don Broco slay their headline set. Known for the abundance of top class fun they bring to the room, these four lads will have you dancing non-stop and will be one of your festival highlights for sure.

ARCANE ROOTS
Saturday, The Giant Squid
Arcane Roots are your hidden gem this year. Their music is seriously amazing and vocalist, Andrew Groves' voice is spellbinding. If you want something a little bit different or something that will leave you awestruck, these are the guys you need to see.

THE BOHICAS
Sunday, The Quarry
Modern day indie rock n roll, these boys are straight up rad. Bringing an old school vibe to the scene, The Bohicas are going to be ones to watch in the coming year, so why not give them a chance so you can be that annoying person who brags about 'how you saw them before they got big.'

LTNT
Sunday, The Giant Squid
Gnarly, dirty and grizzly, there's nothing not to love about these nutters if mayhem is your thing. They're likely to get a bit crazy so come prepared if you end up at their set on Sunday night, besides, your festival will nearly be over so what have you got to lose!?

Copacetic by Knuckle Puck

In 2011, five young men from the suburbs of Chicago came together to do what other young men who want to be in a band do. They got together, with some instruments, probably in a garage, and created sweet sweet pop punk music. Arguably, they started with EP after EP that saw them lost among all the other 'sleepy eyes, boney knees' imitations but here, in 2015, Knuckle Puck have signed to Rise Records and are about to release their debut album, and it is this release that will make them a credible part of the pop-punk boom.

Copacetic is everything modern day pop-punk is famed for. It's whiney lyrics and hyped up melody and it's full of that emotion and honesty about love and life that today's youth connect to. In a scene dominated by the likes of Neck Deep, Real Friends and The Wonder Years, it's difficult to survive but these are the sort of bands that take Knuckle Puck out on tour and theses are the sort of bands that have influenced an album like Copacetic in nothing but positive ways. "What's the fucking point?" laments vocalist Nick Cassento on opener Wall To Wall (Depreciation) and this beat down attitude continues into Disdain ("What could you possibly see in a failure like me?"), Poison Pen Letter ("Now I'm self-medicated to black everything out") and through to the end of the album. The melody, like the lyrics, is heavy but there are softer moments amidst the likes of True Contrite and In Your Crosshairs which is where the boys come into their own.

This album has shown what Knuckle Puck can really do: they're versatile, they're relatable and they are certainly more than just copacetic.

7/10
Listen to: Disdain, Untitled

If Nothing Breaks, Nothing Moves by Arcane Roots

Arcane Roots are something special. They are passionate men with a unique sound and are determined on making a name for themselves in the ever difficult world of music. Yesterday they unleashed a brand new song on us entitled If Nothing Breaks, Nothing Moves and it is massive. Like all Arcane Roots songs it's big and overflowing with talent, from the heaviest riffs this band have ever created to unexpected growls to the delicate hints of piano and Andrew's butter-like voice. It feels like everything this band should be and more and it's pretty likely this is just the start of how wonderful the new album will be.

Key Markets by Sleaford Mods

Sleaford Mods are arguably one of the most important duos about today. They are also a surprising success story. Whilst Andrew Fearn, often with can in hand, creates primitive beats, Jason Williamson spits out a stream of abstract, often comical, thoughts. But beneath such blunt humour is honest observation and opinion about the world we live in.

Album number three comes just over a year after Divide And Exit and is a continuation of Jason's rants about the things we all think but don't often voice. From the opening chants of their own name to the likes of the slow and steady Tarantula Deadly Cargo or the frantically hyperactive Giddy On The Ciggies, there is something special about what Sleaford Mods are doing. Spitting words about everyone from male model David Gandy to Boris Johnson on Face To Faces ("Boris on a bike, quick, knock the cunt off" being the best lyric on the album closely followed by The Blob's "Farting in the pool, what a waste, I like a bit of smell, I like a bit of taste"), no stone is left unturned and it makes for something entertaining and thought provoking.

Do they really give a fuck about the reviews? Probably not, but regardless, Key Markets is worth a listen. It might not be your new favourite album and you might tire of it quickly, but there's also a chance you won't be able to tear yourself away from it. Sleaford Mods have continued to make clever and real music with Key Markets and that is why you should invest a bit of time in them.

6/10
Listen to: No One's Bothered, Giddy On The Ciggies

Throne by Bring Me The Horizon

Bring Me The Horizon are a bit like London buses, you wait ages for something to come along and then all of a sudden multiple come along at once. So we spent the last few weeks being teased by umbrella posters, then they dropped Happy Song and basically broke the internet, and just as the internet was getting back to normal, they unleash new single Throne. Throne feels like a combination of the last two BMTH albums with some heavy Jordan Fish influence and although it is clearly one of the more poppy songs they've got, it's actually a really good tune. Classic BMTH style, it's big and lyrically beautiful and without a doubt it'll only make their fans adore them more. The single also comes with official news that the band will release That's The Spirit, their fifth studio album, on September 11th.

 

She's Kinda Hot by 5 Seconds of Summer

Australian pop-rock cuties, 5 Seconds Of Summer have finally released the first single from their new album! She's Kinda Hot is a bit of a cliche, it's pretty cheesy and it's very reminiscent of Green Day and My Chemical Romance but hey, who doesn't love a guilty pleasure and a singalong!?

 

Meow Meow Meowsic

It could have been a recipe for disaster but the first release from Run The Jewels' new fan-funded remix album, Meow The Jewels, is clever and as loveable as cats are themselves. Creating music purely from the meows of cats and remixing it with tracks from their second album RTJ2, Run The Jewels have created something unique and as long as the rest of the album turns out to be as great as Meowrly, we're in for a real treat.

Happy Song by Bring Me The Horizon

After a silly amount of cryptic clues, including pictures of rainy umbrellas and random number codes, Bring Me The Horizon have finally dropped new material. Happy Song was first aired on Radio 1's Rock Show tonight and it boasts cheerleader chants and Oli Sykes' pretty voice (forgive my bias) amidst some beautiful riffs. It's not Bring Me The Horizon at their most visceral and grizzly but it's a song laden with classic BMTH-style lyrics and is an infectious little number that an army of fans will soon be singing along to in no time at all!

 

Great Festivals Come In Threes: Who To See This Weekend.

2000 TREES

9th-11th July - Upcote Farm, Gloucestershire

Turbowolf - The Cave, Thursday

High energy craziness with pretty outfits and a lot of sass, Turbowolf are bound to kick off the festival with a party!

The St. Pierre Snake Invasion - The Cave, Thursday

In your face modern day punk. It'll be carnage, that's all you need to know for now.

Pulled Apart By Horses - The Cave, Friday

If any band know how to put on a show, it's these boys. Treat your ears to some gnarly riffs, you won't regret it.

Hannah Lou Clark - The Croft, Friday

A change of pace, Hannah captivates with her acoustic one-lady show. Well worth seeing if you want a new favourite acoustic sweetheart in your music collection.

Nothing But Thieves- The Axiom, Saturday

Sharp, tight and on point stunning-ness, you'll be blown away by just how incredible these lads are live!

NASS FESTIVAL

10th-12th July - Royal Bath & West Showground, Somerset

Enter Shikari - Main Stage, Friday

Expect the best lights show you will ever see ever! And also expect four incredible musicians to melt your faces off with their genre-abusing mayhem.

Less Thank Jake - Main Stage, Saturday

Expect cheekiness, fart and boob jokes, and bloody good dance, oh, and a large dose of nostalgia too.

Baby Godzilla - The Slammer, Saturday

They'll be on the stage, off the stage, in the crowd, outside the tent, and probably on top of your head at some point too. Carnage will ensue when Baby Godzilla roll through Somerset on Saturday!

Lethal Bizzle - Main Stage, Sunday

DENCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! That's all that can be said. A Bizzle set cannot be described in a sentence.

Allusondrugs - The Slammer, Sunday

Weird and wonderful, these boys are all hair and glory and will be your new favourite weirdos after this weekend.

Tony Hawk - Saturday

No explanation necessary.

T IN THE PARK

10th-12th July - Strathallan Castle, Perthshire, Scotland

Kasabian - Main Stage, Friday

Worthy headliners, brace yourself for tune after tune shrouded in cockiness and perfection.

Charli XCX - BBC Three/Radio 1 Stage, Saturday

Catchy hits, pretty girls in cute outfits and a giant inflatable guitar. No more reasons are needed to see this girl spread the "Pussy Power."

The Proclaimers - King Tut's Wah Wah Tent, Saturday

You're in Scotland, so it's obligatory you go sing along to hits like 500 Miles and, well, 500 Miles!

Marmozets - BBC Three/Radio 1 Stage, Sunday

One of the best live bands on the circuit right now, the Yorkshire quintet will breathe fresh life into your hungover, sleepy brains and get you screaming for more.

Saint Raymond - King Tut's Wah Wah Tent, Sunday

Happy sunshine tunes! It's like Saint Raymond makes music exactly for festivals!

Gunga Din by The Libertines

The Libertines have finally released a new single after their surprise performance at Glastonbury last weekend. Gunga Din is still The Libertines that you fell in love with, with Carl and Pete's vocals being a mellow dream to get lost in, but Gunga Din is a more matured version of the lads, showcasing a different sound to what we've come to expect. The single also comes with a video which sees Pete and Carl with their arms around each other putting to bed any notion that they ever hated each other. Gunga Din aside, The Libertines have also announced they are to release album Anthems For Doomed Youth on September 4th, which will follow their headliner slot at Reading and Leeds Festival the weekend before. Make your own mind up about the return by listening to Gunga Din below!

Marmozets, Concorde 2, 22/06/2015

Festival season is finally upon us and whilst for a majority it means weekends in tents, getting pissed up and rocking out, for the paupers among us who can't afford Glasto and co.'s £200+ entry fee, it means warm up shows in intimate venues. Not a bad deal really, one which means as the sun sets on Brighton's seafront tonight, 500 fans in Concorde 2 are in for a night of absolute thrills.

Warming up for Marmozets tonight is God Damn, a duo of hair and riffs from Wolverhampton. Playing for 25 minutes they wreck their way through the likes of Maladie Melodie and Vultures with a ferocity that is quite surprising. The two piece hype is still rife and it's obvious why when bands like God Damn exist. They make an incredible amount of noise and have a captivating presence for two guys just rocking out and beering up. I say just, the rocking out bit is quite the spectacle, bone rattling for sure.

But of course, tonight is about the homecoming of Yorkshire's most loved mayhem causers, Marmozets. It's their first UK gig in quite some time and as leading lady Becca Macintyre yells from the stage herself "It's so good to finally be home!" As always, they bring the sweat, the craziness and tonight they're full of surprises. In typical Marmozets fashion, the boys wave their hands at the crowd to rile them up whilst Becca struts around with some of the best mosh-come-dance moves existing in 2015. They storm through he likes of Born Young And Free, Is It Horrible, Weird and Wonderful and Love You Good like it's nothing and the crowd respond with an affectation that you only see at gigs like this one. Half way through the set, Good Days is pulled out the bag, an old one for those 'hardcore fans' and it's a belter. But nothing can prepare the crowd for tonight's real surprises, a guest vocal from Sam Carter of Architects during Vibetech and a Why Do You Hate Me?/Out Of The Black showdown as Royal Blood's Ben Thatcher joins them for an epic finale.

Gigs like this don't come about often, ones where every single person in the room is elated and awe-struck, but that's Marmozets for you, always bringing the most exciting show about.

MARMOZETS 💃🐒👑 #queenbecca #fanfuckingtastic #dogsbollocks #andthensamcarterappeared #andthenbenthatcherappeared #marmozets #concorde2

A photo posted by Alice (@kell_soopreez) on Jun 22, 2015 at 4:13pm PDT

Are You Satisfied? by Slaves

By now you're all probably bored of reading the classic "Are we satisfied? Yes we are" style reviews but here it is one more time: Am I satisfied Slaves? Yes I bloody am!

This is Kent duo, Isaac Holman and Laurie Vincent's second LP since they started bringing punk back to the forefront in 2012 and it is an absolute banger. It was going to be quite something to live up to 2013's Sugar Coated Bitter Truth, but why would anyone have doubted them when singles such as Feed The Mantaray and Cheer Up London have been so successful?

The aforementioned feature on the album alongside The Hunter and Hey, both now notorious Slaves singles. But what's most exciting about this album is the likes of the urgent electricity that runs through Sockets, the grimey undercurrent of Live Like An Animal and the war-cry that is closer Sugar Coated Bitter Truth. All already staple live tracks, Slaves have managed to transfer the visceral energy they perform with and weave it not only through these tracks, but through the whole album also. The album sees Slaves dabble with musical dimensions we didn't know existed in their repertoire such as the acoustic Are You Satisfied?, the all-too-relevant Wow!!! 7AM and the funky synths of Ninety Nine. Whilst we could go on with lot's of adjectives about how wonderful the fusion of punky, bluesy, garagey riffs and fills is, there's also a message to consider here. It's quite simply that of the title; are any of us really satisfied? Slaves have peppered this idea throughout every song culminating in shouts of "You can't run (do you ever feel like you're being cheated?)"

Are You Satisfied? is clever and witty and it's bursting at the seams with infectious throbbing fun.

"Don't trust the flies, they are government spies." - Sugar Coated Bitter Truth

10/10
Listen to: Sockets, Are You Satisifed?

Four Year Strong by Four Year Strong

Four Year Strong are an undeniable force of pop-punk nature. Originally a quintet, the band released two massive albums in the form of 2007's Rise Or Die Trying and 2010's Enemy Of The World, before becoming a 4 piece and releasing third album In Some Way, Shape Or Form in 2011. The latter saw the band struggle to maintain their trademark punchy bounce complete with sing-a-longs galore but thank God for getting up when you've been knocked down because this fourth album sees Massachusetts finest return to their glorious selves!

As always, the album is full of catchy titles such as Wipe Yourself Off Man, You Dead and Here's To Swimming With Bow-Legged Women and also features some of the coolest album artwork you'll see this year. But to Four Year Strong's credit, this isn't a distraction from half-hearted anthems and beaten in spirit, it's in fact more of a celebration about returning to the top of their game to do what they do best. Single, We All Float Down Here makes an early appearance, getting you in the mood for the pop-punk onslaught you're about to hear and shortly after you arrive at the aforementioned Wipe Yourself Off... which is clearly going to be a crowd pleaser live with it's stomping riffs and throaty shouts of "clear my head, it's all I've got left, it's the only thing to keep me from winding up dead." It's also the first real breakdown of the album and it's a rib-cage rattler for sure. Who Cares? steals all the limelight however with its electric undertone and it's mix of all the things you love about Four Year Strong: the riffs, the fills, the gang vocals, the breakdowns,and all the other stuff they do so well. Before you know it, you're taken back to Go Down In History, title track of the band's 2014 EP, and it's a fitting ending, one which has you punching the air and smiling from ear to ear.

If there's one negative thing about this album, it's that it's nothing new. But where for most this would be a detriment, for Four Year Strong it's actually a strength; the quartet's return to their roots is what this makes this album as good as it is, so get your party pants ready, you're gonna need them once you've hit play!

7/10
Listen to: We All Float Down Here, Who Cares?

The Big 'One Line Review' Review

In the time since I've taken a break from blogging to focus on the final months of my degree (yes, after 15 years, I am finally free of the clutches of formal education!), a lot of new music has been released. So to semi-compensate for my lack of reviews I've selected some of the releases that have caught my eye most, and challenged myself to write a sentence about them...

Albums

Cherry Bomb by Tyler The Creator
Matured in sound (most probably due to production from Pharrell Williams), Tyler has released the record of his career, one which merges his trademark twisted dark lyrics with soulful beats.

Kindred by Passion Pit
Dance, party, smile, get moving and stay happy with another solid Passion Pit record.

The Magic Whip by Blur
A disappointment. Blur lose their boyish charm for most of The Magic Whip's 51 minutes with Lonesome Street being as good as it gets.

Hairball by Nai Harvest
Sickly sweet fuzzy noises coated in catchy upbeat frantic fun.

Wilder Mind by Mumford and Sons
Sigh No More was great, Babel was good, but Wilder Mind is just average. Failing to score a hatrick, Mumford and Sons have lost the spark that made them special in attempt to evolve but they've just missed the mark with this one.

Vultures by God Damn
51 unadulterated filthy minutes of gnarly shredding and grizzly vocals that will make your ears bleed and your eyes water.

Ark by We Are The Ocean
Cool artwork aside, this is what is known as a bloody good staple record, one which can be listened to and loved time and time again.

The Story So Far by The Story So Far
It's Parker Cannon and co. how you expect them to be. Pop-punk and emotions and pizza and hometowns. A nice album but nothing really that different from the previous two albums.

Brainwork by Trash Boat
Trash Boat are the latest hopefuls riding the pop-punk revival wave and with hooks as catchy as those on latest EP,  Brainwork,  it looks like they stand a good chance of reaching new heights in the coming year.

English Graffiti by The Vaccines
Full of old school feel but still with a magical indie touch, The Vaccines have continued on an upward projection with this latest offering.

Singles

Automatic by Don Broco
Cocktail-sipping, barbeque-grilling, summer vibes kinda deal. More of a pop effort but nonetheless a classic Don Broco track with smooth as liquid gold vocals from Rob Damiani, the king of suave.

No Home by LTNT
LTNT exude rock n roll and No Home is proof of that. It feels massive and its a reminder that this band are ready to make big waves.

Can't Kick Up The Roots by Neck Deep
A very clearly A Day To Remember-influenced pop punk single that get's lost among the rest. Fingers crossed the new album will be a more stand-out effort for Wrexham's finest.

We All Float Down Here by Four Year Strong
A classic Four Year Strong anthem. Fast, furious, with breakdowns to brag about and lyrics which deserve to be shouted from the lungs of anyone who cares.

Live Like An Animal by Slaves
Groove-embellished funky punk that will get you excited about the imminent new Slaves LP. The video features Barry from Eastenders too which automatically makes this a winner.

Gigs

While She Sleeps X Cancer Bats, Kentish Town Forum, 30th April 2015
Absolutely incredible. There was also a lot of pyro and a lot of sweat.

This Wild Life,  Clwb Ifor Bach, 11th May 2015
A gaggle of teen-moshers not appreciating a beautiful set of emotional delights from two acoustic sweethearts from over-seas.

"This music is our therapy. A song for those who never give up." 🔥🌌🌈 WSS were a dream last night. In-fucking-credible 😍 #kentishtownforum

A photo posted by Alice (@kell_soopreez) on May 1, 2015 at 2:31am PDT

Turbowolf, The Marble Factory, 22/04/2015

Tonight in the bare stoney walls of Bristol’s Marble Factory, a homecoming is about to occur. Not just one of family and friends for a band who have seen a few new places, but one of family, friends, fans and fun-filled ferociousness for a band who are ending their biggest UK tour to date. Turbowolf are rolling into town, and it’s going to be one to remember.

Warming up the crowd tonight are the young lads of Hyena, a band bringing freshness to alternative rock in a way that make them ones to watch. Following them are the mighty Dolomite Minor, another big new name in the game whose riffs strike awe into all who hear them. Despite this, it’s not their riffs that stick in the minds and hearts of the crowd tonight. It’s that, and more, of the headliners, Turbowolf. Entering to birdsong and wild raptures of screams and applause, it is evident that the energy is about to be dialed up to a level that doesn't even exist yet!

Vocalist Chris bounds back and forth around the stage, undressing and re-dressing, not knowing what to do with all his excitement. Not that this is a problem though, because in any state, he is a man who always captivates through vision, sound and presence. The beautiful Lianna gets her fair share of spotlight tonight too, shaking her maraca with pure sass, she’s a spectacle and one which only illuminates her awesome fellow musicians: Blake, who thrashes his kit within an inch of it's life, and Andy, who simply oozes coolness with every touch of his guitar. They hurtle through old favourites such as Ancient Snake, crowd-chosen Seven Severed Heads and A Rose For The Crows which sees Chris crowdsurf to the bar, before throwing himself off said bar on top of the crowd once more. It’s songs from the amazing new album Two Hands which are real show stealers tonight however. Singles, Rabbits Foot and Nine Lives receive the massive sing-a-longs they deserve and then there’s American Mirrors and the epic Rich Gift which have the crowd moving about like there’s no tomorrow.

The set is relentless, the crowd are relentless and the band are relentless. This has been some homecoming and it’s one which will be relived internally by all present for a very long time to come.

TURBOWOLF ROUND 2 🐺👊🌈🌌💃😍💖🎉🎤 #turbowolf #marblefactory #bristol #somanynipples #sparklycardi #shootsandscores #melty #solidgold

A photo posted by Alice (@kell_soopreez) on Apr 22, 2015 at 5:40pm PDT

A version of this review will be available in print in the May edition of Quench Magazine.

BLOG BREAK

Lack of activity on this blog between early April and late May is due to final year university exams. A few posts may crop up but regular blogging will resume as of June 1st. Sorry kids!

Beside The Ones We Love by Palm Reader

Two years ago, a young Palm Reader released Bad Weather, an album full of pounding unadulterated noise. It was intense and somewhat overlooked by the critics and at the time that seemed unfair. But now, on the release of their second album, Beside The Ones We Love, it is semi-understandable as to why Bad Weather wasn't showered in praise. In the two years since, it appears that Palm Reader have tailored their sound and worked on it to create music that has gone from being relentlessly noisy to being relentlessly loud and it is this subtle but very clever transition that make the newest album very important.

In the previously released quartet of teaser tracks (I Watch The Fire Chase My Tongue, By The Ground, We're Defined, Sing Out, Survivor and Stacks) it has already been evident that the boys are now making music with some form of melody and structure rather than just a messy web of noise. And it is in these tracks we also see the messages within their music becoming more serious and important. All four of these tracks have been unashamedly praised and the lovely thing about this is that, they're not even the best tracks on the album. Pedant is an incredible wall of thumping aggression and even in the more tender moments of Travelled Paths, the aggression and passion is available in abundance. There's a lot of fast and furious riffs and heavy breakdowns, especially in the likes of Resolution and then there is the relentless album closer Unabridged. Nearing the 8 minute mark, it is a song not to be messed with as it has it all: it cuddles you in and then shakes you up and spins you around before putting you to rest again and it feels epic.

Beside The Ones We Love feels like the future of metal. It is loud and brash but it is full of message and purpose and it is evidence of why Palm Reader are so highly praised as the next big thing. 

8/10

Listen to: Sing Out, Survivor, Pedant