Rock/Metal Music Reviews and Rants

Hello 2009

2009-01-02T15:07:00.000-08:00

I'm aware that I probably should have done an end of year summery type thing for 2008, alas, my memory is slipping in my old age. So I shall write something regarding the forthcoming events/releases of 2009.

As for events, you can expect reviews of Hellfest (French metal festival) and Bloodstock (my annual 3 days of drinking ale and eating Asda brand crisps). Yes, yes, I know this deprives you of my online company for 9 days (France is a long ways away) out of the year, but you'll just have to cope. Please, for the love of what ever divine being you believe in, don't expect anything covering all the main bands of the festival. You truly do not understand my level of laziness, it's something most of you could only dream to attain. Sure, seeing Manowar and Gama Bomb are going to be grand times for myself, but to be truly happy and content at a festival I need to be in a camping chair, have a crate of half decent booze near by, as well as a nice mountain of cheap crisps to gorge on without having to live the nightmare of standing up. If I were being paid to review the festivals or some how be granted free entry from a magazine/website, then yes, I would go and see all the key bands of the weekend, but as it happens I don't get paid, both festivals have been paid out of own wallet. More self-funded gigs are bound to pop up throughout the year.

I can hope that Zimmers Hole finally reach UK shores to do a headline tour or at least support a decent band (piss off am I giving money to Soilwork). 2009 will apparently be the final year that NIN (Nine Inch Nails, be ashamed if you needed to peer between these brackets) do big tours, fair enough (as long as I get to see them).

Nearly a year has gone past since I decided to enter this business, no pay offers have appeared (not that I expected one to so soon), but worry not, I plan at sticking to what I do for as long as I can. I'll be fucked if I'm spending the rest of my days wearing a suit (unless I get to be an Akercocke roadie) and handing out advice about a subject that I couldn't care less about.
I adore music, if it were to take the form of a female human I would happily ask it out on a date and not care if it slapped me in a face and gave me the 'last man on Earth' speech because I adore it that much. I would persist in following it even after all the stalking charges and court orders. I don't want to come off as one of those 'music is my life maaaaan' douche bags, but there are few things that I enjoy more in this world than going to concerts and listening to CD's.
Many will say that seeking happiness throughout your whole life is foolish and I can see why. But I don't aim to seek happiness all the time, I just desire to avoid soul crushing misery on a day to day basis. If you can't be happy with at least one large aspect of your life why bother living it?

Now, back to the music. Upcoming releases this year that will no doubt be on this site, or ones I work for will include:
Mastodon-Crack the Skye
After dismissing everything expect Blood and Thunder for nearly 3 years, I finally get this utterly astounding band.
Devin Townsend-Ki (hopefully)
My love for this man (not in that way) is unrivaled by any other musician. Although it nearly brought me to tears when I found out that he may never tour again, I still look forward to his new album as if it were a new kind of explosion I was Michael Bay.
Lamb of God-Wraith
I wouldn't consider it insulting if I called LOG a generic metal band, because they are a good generic metal band, just like Machine Head (even if The Blackening hype is getting pissingly annoying) but unlike Disturbed. The new song they released sounds very promising, a nice bit o' change to their style.
Pearl Jam-??? (hopefully)
There have been whispers circulating around the internet that the greatest rock band of all time is back in the studio recording a follow up to 2006's brilliant effort. Oh, and yes, a UK tour (tour! not single date exclusive to fan clubs members only!) is desired greatly.
Alice in Chains-???
'Oh no! Layne Staley isn't on vocals, it's not really AIC!' Shut the fuck up! You obviously didn't witness the greatest live musical event of the last 10 years at the Astoria in 2006. Mr DuVall is a damn good replacement for Layne, sure he hasn't got the iconic voice, but what he does, he does damn well.
On top of this little top 5 list there is also new material from Municipal Waste, Katatonia, Alestorm, Slayer, Anthrax, Megadeth, Rammstien, Sepultura, Napalm Death, Porcupine Tree, Cathedral and many others...

If you have been arsed to have read all this, well done and thank you.

Mark

Finnish Fire Tour Update

2008-12-09T13:26:00.000-08:00

Both the review and the pictures are up now!

Review- http://rockpulse.co.uk/fftreview
Pictures:
Kivimetsan Druidi- http://rockpulse.co.uk/kivigallery
Battlelore- http://rockpulse.co.uk/battlegallery
Korpiklaani- http://rockpulse.co.uk/korpigallery

New gig!

2008-12-03T09:21:00.000-08:00

Off to the Finnish Fire Tour tomorrow, shall be taking photots of Kivimetsan Druidi and Korpiklaani. You have to love Century Media's quality list of artists! (despite Korpiklaani being signed to Nuclear Blast...)

Review and photos will be up on rockpulse.co.uk.

Up now on Rock Pulse.....

2008-11-24T08:40:00.000-08:00

Autons-Who Do You Think You Are Kidding? [album]
Marshall Law [interview]

More to follow, check this post again for updates.

Why the greats never come...

2008-11-18T14:41:00.000-08:00

I'm a man of many musical tastes, I attend a fair few gigs each year, but why do my top 5's never arrive on my shores often enough?
I've loved Pearl Jam ever since I bought a copy of 'Ten', but then the relationship soured when Vitalogy entered my CD rack, a musical divorce case seemed immanent. It took a year or so for me to realise that Vitalogy wasn't that bad an album, as the years went on and wisdom entered my mind I eventually realised that Pearl Jam were one of those rare bands who do actually mature, their style changes in a logical and not so...shit way like some others (SOAD, I'm looking at you). The band hadn't graced the UK properly since 2001 (Binaural tour), but one day my post-grunge boat came in. Reading Festival 2006, a day devoid of atmosphere. Sure, Slayer and Mastodon were fun to see live (again) but there was unique feeling in the air, had people really paid £180 for a weekend of this? It was only when Interstellar Overdrive was played over the PA system did the mundane sky look like an oil painting to me, being high on an experience is an odd and wonderful thing. For over an hour my head never once looked down to my watch. Walking away from the main area, I felt as I was in that specific stage of drunkenness where you know you're shit-faced but you don't care at all, the thoughts tomorrow morning are far beyond distant and every step you take feels as if you are walking on soft sand (despite the ground being rock solid and soiled with litter). The night's set list was covered in amazing songs, including the highly desired 'Sad', but the only words that really stuck with me that night involved Mr Vedder apologising over and over again about how the band didn't deserve the orgasmic reception they were receiving because they hadn't been to the UK in a stupidly long time. A promise was made, Pearl Jam would return to English soil before the end of the next year. 'I'll fucking be there' was the exact thought that went through head at that very point.
2007 came and a single date at Wembley arena was announced... a single fucking date?! Goddamn it! Goddamn everything to hell! Oh whats that? Not only will tickets be extortionate because it's a London arena, but the entire standing area will be reserved exclusively for Ten Club (fan club) members. I've bought every single Pearl Jam studio album, I've bought every (non-bootleg) live album, I own all the DVDs. Why do I need to pay an annual fee to prove I'm a fan?
I'm pretty sure you can see where this rant is going. The fact is Pearl Jam tour their little country all the goddamn time. Eddie (Vedder) even does solo tours there, but what does the UK get? Nothing, goddamn nothing.
All I can hope for now is that Eddie and co like to google themselves and somehow stumble across this tiny smear of a blog on that giant boot that is the Internet. If Lady Luck takes a break from kicking me in the balls and decides to smile upon me for once I'd like an all access pass and support from Neil Young.

Thus ends one of probably many rants on this subject, Devin Townsend and Akercocke are bound to pop up at some point. But hey, if the Internet wasn't built for anti-socialites to project their opinions on everyone else, what was it built for? (apart than porn)

Up now!

2008-11-18T06:30:00.000-08:00

www.rockpulse.co.uk
Wednesday 13 Halloween gig + pictures!
Days of Ruin EP review
Ghostfire EP review

Interview with Dave Martin of Marshall Law

2008-11-16T04:42:00.000-08:00

The interview can now be found at www.rockpulse.co.uk

Up soon [updated]

2008-11-11T06:47:00.001-08:00

Days of Ruin-Awakening
Ghostfire-Drunk Lullabies

www.rockpulse.co.uk

Live CD/DVD reviews

2008-11-06T04:29:00.000-08:00

Coming soon...
Wednesday 13-F**k it, we'll do it live
Twisted Sister-Live at the Astoria Theatre

When God closes a door, he opens a phone line

2008-11-06T04:24:00.000-08:00

There will be no Flogging Molly (Eastpak Antidote Tour) review due to...complications that were beyond my control.
Fear not! I won't be leaving you with one less item to read! For I will be involved in a phone-in interview with Marshall Law! (http://www.marshalllaw.co.uk/) If you haven't heard of these chaps and you like power metal (not too OTT) and bands like Iced Earth then you should have a gander.
I'll post more details regarding the interview when more details are revealed to me.

Rockpulse updates Vol ???

2008-10-30T12:38:00.000-07:00

The following album reviews are now up:
Marshall Law
Wednesday 13
Inertia Blooms
Dear Superstar

Rockpulse updates

2008-10-16T13:48:00.001-07:00

To be posted on the site very sooooooooon:
Wednesday 13-Skeletons
Dear Superstar-Heartless
Marshall Law-Razorhead
Interia Blooms-Self-titled EP

Eastpak Antidote Tour

2008-10-16T13:40:00.000-07:00

I'm currently on the unstable guestlist for the London date of the Eastpak Antidote tour featuring Flogging Molly (NOT Dropkick Murphy's), Skindred and a few other bands.
If I can maintain my position on the list then a review of the gig will appear on www.rockpulse.co.uk

Change of gear

2008-10-10T05:45:00.000-07:00

[updated]

The live Clutch review I did for www.up-load.co.uk will instead be featured on this months issue of Head Bang.
www.headbang.co.uk

New gig reviews and new albums

2008-10-07T04:50:00.001-07:00

The lovely people at Demolition Records have sent me a rather delicious stack of their new releases, the following will be up shortly on www.rockpulse.co.uk:

Wednesday 13-Skeletons
Marshall Law-Razorhead
Dear Superstar-Heartless
with many more to follow...

New gigs:
I shall be dining on some of the best new thrash bands on the 14th of October at Camden's Underworld. Bonded by Blood with Gama Bomb. The review will appear in the next edition of Head Bang (www.headbang.co.uk)
Photos and a review of Wednesday 13's Halloween gig at the London Astoria will be posted on www.rockpulse.co.uk

Coming soon to a Rockpulse.co.uk near you...

2008-09-16T07:25:00.001-07:00

Mick Priestley's Green Rever Project-Untitled EP (guitar driven rock'n'roll) [now up!]
Loaded Dice-Untitled EP (pop/rock)

MXD Ver 3.33 [demo] is now up!

2008-09-08T13:55:00.000-07:00

It took a while but it's now up...

http://leviatan-magazine.com/reviews/pages/MXDVer3.33_review.html

Cult of Luna-Eternal Kingdom

2008-09-01T09:32:00.000-07:00

Look out for the review on www.leviatan-magazine.com.

Clutch-Brum Barfly

2008-09-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

Despite touring more than an automatic touring machine on national touring day I got to see Clutch live for the first time live ever on Friday the 29th of August.
Check www.up-load.co.uk every now and again, because as usual I can't confirm any solid dates for when my scrawlings will be up.

Rock Pulse-a-Plenty

2008-08-21T13:02:00.000-07:00

Despite only recently working for www.rockpulse.co.uk I'm already getting a wheelbarrow load of work thrown my way. Expect the following to be up soon:

Turisas-Camden Barfly gig review (now up)
A+E Line CD review
Filth Wizard CD review (now up)
13 Riots CD review (now up)
The Ascension CD review (now up)

OK, four reviews isn't exactly a 'wheelbarrow load of work', but it's more then I usually get offered at once.

www.headbang.co.uk

2008-08-18T13:10:00.000-07:00

The new issue took a bit longer than planned, but it's here now.
My review of Soilent Green's latest album is up as well as an article on the metal scene in the East Midlands.

More reviews up

2008-08-18T13:01:00.000-07:00

The Mars Volta-Camden Roundhouse gig-www.up-load.co.uk
Slayer-Show No Mercy-www.leviatan-magazine.com (Old School section)

Motorhead-Motorizer

2008-08-09T05:25:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty sure Lemmy has signed a contract with an unearthly force that grants him immortal life as long as he makes albums.
The review should be up on Leviatan-magazine.com within the next 2 weeks.

Soulfly-Conquer [UPDATE]

2008-08-08T07:07:00.001-07:00

The review is now up on Leviatan-magazine.com

Slayer-Show No Mercy (Old School section review)

2008-08-05T12:40:00.000-07:00

No, Slayer haven't released a new album and have been foolish in the title choosing process, the Old School section on Leviatan-magazine.com has this delightful album up for review.
Expect it up in.......the future.

MXD Ver 3.33 [demo]

2008-08-05T06:44:00.000-07:00

Delightful London-based industrial metal project.
Will be up on www.leviatan-magazine.com at some point in the future.
Have a listen now: www.myspace.com/mxdver333

The second Zimmers Hole review is now up.

Broken promises (pre-album rant)

2008-08-02T08:53:00.000-07:00

I'm not the oldest of people, in my youth I was sucked into the nu-metal vortex like so many of my time. I dabbled in Limp Bizkit, I did a bit of Korn, but the only band that I maintained a liking for after I was shown the ways of better music was Slipknot. I enjoyed the debut, and loved Iowa, and like many fans, was let down by Vol 3. But no band can have a flawless album streak (except perhaps Clutch and Strapping Young Lad). Vol 3 did have some rather delicious tunes (Opium of the People and Warning) but was a fairly weak piece of work compared to the other two. Heavy pop metal some might say.

But with this year holding host to the return of Slipknot, there have been interviews with the band, from whom we haven't heard much from. With the exception of Corey Taylor who never shuts his fucking mouth. And with these new interviews were descriptions of the new album, Iowa+Vol 3 was the equation taken from one of the horses' mouth's. This to me meant that the ear raping brutality of Iowa was going to be back and the unwelcome soft/melodic vocals would be left for the next stone sour record. Alas...

Through the miracle of this youtube website, I have viewed the band's latest single, Psychosocial, a fair few times. The opening sounded vaguely promising, but after a few seconds, all hope was gone (see what I did there?). Where Slipknot, where is the uncompromising aggression that was promised to me!? Sure, Psychosocial will stick in your head for a few days, but so will Nickelback's recent song, and is that something you really want?

Now, I know I seem very petty for slating a band based on their latest song, and damning the new album to a hellish realm before it's release, but this is my website, I can do what I like. On top of that, does anyone really believe that Slipknot can actually pull a big, heavy rabbit out of what seems to be a currently soft and lackluster hat?

Soulfly-Conquer

2008-07-21T13:18:00.001-07:00

Thats right, I have the new album from Sepultura Jnr. And it's pretty damn good.
But the words 'pretty', 'damn' and 'good' don't count as a proper review (unless you work for or read Heat magazine). A full review should be up within the next three weeks on www.leviatan-magazine.com

Take my words seriously (but don't expect them to be correct)

2008-07-21T13:14:00.000-07:00

I don't run or own any of my own music sites (apart from this little one). So if i say a review SHOULD be up on a site at a certain time, thats just my logical guess.
Leviatan-magazine.com has a fair few writters, I write a review each week for them, but only four reviews are posted each week.
So the following albums will not be up at the stated times:

Zimmers Hole-While you were shouting at the Devil......We were in league with Satan
Bonded By Blood-Feed the beast

The Mars Volta-Camden Roundhouse 16/07/08

2008-07-21T13:13:00.000-07:00

A review of the show should be up on www.up-load.co.uk at some point in the near future.

Bonded by Blood-Feed the Beast

2008-07-15T06:54:00.001-07:00

Hooray for another fun thrash attack! After the slight let down of Warbringer I've now got the grand sounds of Bonded by Blood (Exodus fans?). Sounding like two of the better new thrash bands around at the moment, Municipal Waste and Gama Bomb.

Will be up on Leviatan-magazine.com either this coming Friday (July 18th) or the one after (25th), as my Zimmers Hole review is 'still in the pipeline'.

Iron Maiden at Twickenham review

2008-07-11T11:15:00.001-07:00

Is up on www.up-load.co.uk now!

Zimmers Hole (again)

2008-07-09T15:18:00.000-07:00

That's right, I'm reviewing the best comedy metal album of the year (thus far) again. Not because I love it so much, but because Leviatan-magazine.com are doing a thrash metal only issue and seeing as I've had more than enough time to accustom myself to the album, I'll be doing it.
But worry my loyal fans/fan(me), I won't be using the magical copy and paste buttons and using the same review of the album that I did for up-load.co.uk.

Should be up on www.leviatan-magazine.com on the 18th of July.

Also, the Alestorm review is now up after a weeks delay.

Interviews!

2008-07-09T15:13:00.000-07:00

Didn't expect to do this, but I suppose I need some form on human contact. Removing one's self from behind from one's cybernetic work place in favour of person to person interaction is always good.
But this won't be happening to me any time soon. God bless you e-mail! Keeping the lazy and socially deprived, lazier and even more deprived.

Interviews with Funeral for a Friend and The Levellers should be up on www.up-load.co.uk at some point soon.

Alestorm-Captain Morgan's Revenge

2008-06-30T05:43:00.000-07:00

I know the albums been out for a few months, but never the less it's up for review.
Scotland's finest export since The Proclaimers, Alestorm, true pirate metal.
Should be up on www.leviatan-magazine.com on the 4th of July.

Soilent Green-The Enevitable Collapse in the Presence of Conviction

2008-06-20T13:19:00.000-07:00

American sludge/math-core band's stupidly long titled new release.
First review on www.headbang.co.uk
Should be featured in next months issue.

Live reviews to come...

2008-06-20T08:45:00.000-07:00

The summer of festivals and concerts is upon me! Although I shall only be going to one festival, but many, many concerts. Expect them to be distributed on the three websites below.

Iron Maiden
The Mars Volta
Bloodstock Open Air Festival
Turisas
Clutch
Opeth

More to follow...

Lair of the Minotaur-War Metal Battle Master

2008-06-20T08:41:00.000-07:00

Lair of the Minotaur's new album is already winning my 'album of the year award' purely based on the album name and the song titles, which include: When the Ice Giants Slayed All and Assassins of the Cursed Mist.
Should be up on www.leviatan-magazine.com by the 27th of June.

New review

2008-06-09T12:58:00.000-07:00

Review of Century Media's attempt to jump on the resuscitated thrash bandwagon, Warbringer.
Should be up by Friday 13th of June on www.leviatan-magazine.com

Websites I am currently published on

2008-05-14T05:25:00.001-07:00

http://www.up-load.co.uk/ Gigs- Turisas, Opeth and Mindless Self Indulgence
Albums-Zimmers Hole-While you were shouting at the devil...
http://www.leviatan-magazine.com/ Albums- Opeth-Watershed, Opeth-Still Life (reissue), Kingdom of Sorrow-Self-titled, Warbringer-War Without End
http://www.headbang.co.uk/ - Soilent Green album, East Midlands metal article
http://www.rockpulse.co.uk/ -Album-Filth Wizard
Gigs-Turisas

Please view these sites, and not just so I can gain some much desired attention, a lot of work goes into running them and the creators need more recognition for their efforts.

Check this post every now and again, I may get added to more websites and what not.

Welcome

2008-05-14T05:04:00.000-07:00

After years of vowing to never use any form of blogging service (myspace, facebook and so on) I have now seen an actual point in using one. But rather than tell you my eye colour or if i prefer Pepsi to Coke I intend to whore myself out to the world of music journalism. Those of you who own good observation skills will notice by clicking on the above links that I mainly review music of the rock/metal genre.
From this free to use HQ I will be putting up links to sites that some of my reviews are currently posted on and perhaps even put up some new ones on this very site. I shall no doubt also vent some of my musical frustrations as well, as there is always something wrong in the world of audio entertainment.
For now I shall be disabling comments, its not that I don't desire any form of feedback, its just that most feedback that is generated from these kind of sites results in mindless comments that are not needed or just predictable. For example: Nice revw m8, i dnt lik tht lst revw u did, lol, how r u? But due to me being a hypocrite just by using this kind of site, I may enable comments in the future.
The English language is something that gets more abuse on a daily basis than Chinese human rights, so please if you wish to contact me, do it using full words and all those 'funny looking symbols' that go on certain words.
If you wish to contact me my e-mail is mark_macqueen2@hotmail.com , and please, don't think by using poor English on purpose that you are being in any way original or funny. I guarantee that no sides will be split and no Academy Award for best comedic performance shall be won.

Hope you enjoy reading
Mark MacQueen