​Back in 2017, the gothic rock community found itself in an official state of mourning. You might think, well, nothing fucking new by there? But, we had a legitimate excuse for our smudged eye liner. You see, everyone’s favourite romantic-rockers HIM, were officially no more. Yes following the departure of long-time drummer Mika Karppinen (Gas) and the appointment of Jukka Kröger (Kosmo), plus the fairly lukewarm reception of “Tears On Tape”…there were a lot of mixed feelings within the HIM camp…and a lot of uncertainty. Over this period, one thing eventually led to another, and after a series of farewell shows, the Heartagram had seemingly stopped beating. Tears were no longer merely on tape, they were on the cheeks of thousands of distraught fans across the globe…and it hurt.

Granted there were other projects that trickled out from certain members of the band…we got a fantastic 3rd installment from DANIEL LIONEYE courtesy of guitarist Mikko Lindström…as well as a couple of the guys forming FLAT EARTH, but it just wasn’t the same. What was Ville Valo up to? As the voice of HIM, he naturally carried the most intrigue, and while he did tease some activity with the release of the Finnish language single "Olet mun kaikuluotain", as well as reuniting with former collaborators THE AGENTS for some more traditional Finnish classics…he’s been incredibly quiet, almost suspiciously quiet…until now. On March 20th, 2020, Ville, under the new moniker of VV, surprised everyone by dropping three new tracks on an EP entitled “Gothica Fennica Vol.1”. With a modified Heartagram on the cover…was this what HIM fans had been craving for so long? Tissues at the ready folks, this might get emotional.

We get underway with ”Salute The Sanguine” and as the soft, near synthetic guitar melodies meander through your speakers, you can’t help but feel overwhelmed with, dear I say it…a foreboding sense of impending happiness. This is in its own right fitting as the delicate tones of not only the instrumentation but Ville’s voice hark back to albums such as “Screamworks…” and “Dark Light”; there’s a vulnerability to his voice that adds heaps of sentiment. Conceptually an interesting one, as sanguine is essentially a colour, or pigment used in a lot of centuries old artwork and self-portraits, resembling the shade of dried blood. It’s as if he’s looking back fondly on his career as if it had been dusted off having been locked away, appreciating the memories and what they gave him, with each scar a story, but knowing too that he isn’t the same man as before. This ties in nicely to the modified Heartagram…for like the music accompanying it; it’s a little HIM, but it isn’t, though it’s still beautiful.

Next up we have “Run Away From The Sun” and again here we’re immediately met with Ville’s gentle croon over more soft rock guitars and mellow acoustics. Another smooth and melodic offering, this is accessible as any of HIM’s lightest works as though Ville has embraced more of an indie-pop aesthetic, while retaining his core, lyrically melancholic writing style, allowing for those distinct HIM tropes. Speaking of, closing track “Saturnine Saturnalia” is the most HIM-sounding of the three tracks presented here and while not specifically raucous or rocking, it carries with it a distinct aura of hurt and emotional torment, mixing Ville’s honey coated vocals with a more sombre dose of doom and gothic stylistics. It’s got more prominent riff work and sounds like it could have come from one of the old “Venus Doom” demo sessions, fitting in with the likes of “Cyanide Sun” aesthetically, allowing for a deeper, ever so slightly darker listen.

If I may come across as selfish for a moment, sadly, these are the only three tracks presented here but while naturally wanting more, we have to be grateful of a couple of key things. To start, Ville is once again releasing music in any capacity, that’s the main thing, but the fact that the Heartagram has returned and his music is more akin to the styles and sounds of old is not only heart-warming, but brings with it hope. He’s clearly finding his feet again, and despite being only three tracks long, having been away for three years now, “Gothica…” is an effortlessly good start. The fact too that it’s merely volume one hints at more music down the line, and if these three tracks are anything to go by, we’re in for a fucking treat. Never mind the sanguine, Ville Valo, we salute you and welcome back sir! [10]

2019 has like most years, been a strong year for new music. It doesn't matter what genre we're talking about; it's been a year of triumphant returns, exploratory and experimental albums and EP's and an overall win for you and me, the consumer. Over the past 12 months, in between changes in my personal life with relationships and employment, undertaking a completely new job with no prior training or background, I've still done my best to keep on top of new music, more specifically my reviews, despite my own mental health which I don't really talk about much. With all of that said, I've still managed to listen to a total of 274 brand new EP's and albums in 2019 and out of all of those, I've managed to whittle down that number to a categorised series of Best Of lists. Ranging from EP's specifically, to pop music, metal and my own personal favourite releases of the year, I've managed to expand my listening experiences and broaden my horizons to allow myself to grow as a reviewer, and these albums sum that up quite well in my opinion. While I've already shared these lists on social media, such as my Twitter ( @GavinJGriffiths ) my Instagram ( @gavthegothicchav ) and my Facebook page ( www.facebook.com/GTGCReviews ) I wanted to give a more in-depth look at my choices for the year, and my individual scoring of each record...essentially doing a Dave Meltzer star-rating system for each individual track. I hope you find my choices interesting, and as usual, I've compiled my official Spotify end of year playlist which I've included at the bottom of this post for your listening pleasure. Here's to 2020 where all of this starts again...until next time...have a happy new year, and, A LITTLE BIT OF THE BUBBLY! 

20] KILO KISH - "Redux" EP - 1.60/5
19] HEAVY LUNGS - "Measure" EP - 1.60/5
18] NAUT - "Semele" EP - 1.66/5
17] INTERPOL - "A Fine Mess" EP 1.80/5
16] POPPY - "Choke" EP - 1.80/5
15] SODOM - "Out Of The Fontline Trench" EP - 1.80/5
14] YUNGBLUD - "The Underrated Youth" EP - 1.83/5
13] BENNY BASSETT - "Words For Yesterday" EP - 1.83/5
12] 8MM - "Heart Shaped Hell" EP - 2.00/5
11] MILEY CYRUS - "She Is Coming" EP - 2.00/5
10] CATHEDRAL IN FLAMES - "Children Of The Blackest Hole" EP - 2.20/5
09] SKYLAR GREY - "Angel With Tattoos" EP - 2.20/5
08] SUN ARCANA - "Just Another Dream Away" EP - 2.20/5
07] PALAYE ROYALE - "Massacre, The New American Dream" EP - 2.25/5
06] YEAR OF THE LOCUST - "Year Of The Locust" EP - 2.25/5
05] RXPTRS - "I" EP - 2.40/5
04] LIL NAS X - "7" EP - 2.50/5
03] HAWTHORN AVENUE - "Wildfire" EP - 2.50/5
02] HER DESPAIR - "Exorcisms Of Eroticism" EP - 2.50/5
01] SOME VILLAINS - "Outliars" EP - 2.75/5

20] P!NK - "Hurts 2 B Human" - 1.53/5
19] BASTILLE - "Doom Days" - 1.54/5
18] TOM WALKER - "What A Time To Be Alive" - 1.57/5
17] BILLIE EILISH - "When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go" - 1.57/5
16] EMMA BUNTON - "My Happy Place" - 1.60/5
15] POST MALONE - "Hollywood's Bleeding" - 1.64/5
14] BLACKPINK - "In Your Area" - 1.66/5
13] KERLI - "Shadow Works" - 1.66/5
12] MIKA - "My Name Is Michael Holbrook" - 1.69/5
11] ALICE MERTON - "Mint" - 1.81/5
10] SIGRID - "Sucker Punch" - 1.83/5
09] LEWIS CAPALDI - "Divinely Inspired To A Hellish Extent" - 1.83/5
08] MARINA - "Love + Hate" - 1.87/5
07] DAVE - "Psychodrama" - 1.90/5
06] BUSTED - Half Way There" - 1.90/5
05] WILDWOOD KIN - "Wildwood Kin" - 2.10/5
04] WILL YOUNG - "Lexicon" - 2.16/5
03] JAMES BLUNT - "Once Upon A Mind" - 2.18/5
02] HANTE. - "Fierce" - 2.23/5
01] SCANDROID - "The Light" - 2.28/5

20] KHAIDIAN - "Penumbra" - 2.00/5
19] INCITE - "Built To Destroy" - 2.00/5
18] LEACH - "Hymns For The Hollow" - 2.00/5
17] SWALLOW THE SUN - "When A Shadow Is Forced Into The Light" - 2.00/5
16] HEARTSICK - "Sleep Cycles" - 2.07/5
15] CRYSTAL LAKE - "Helix" - 2.08/5
14] AS I LAY DYING - "Shaped By Fire" - 2.08/5
13] KILLSWITCH ENGAGE - "Atonement" - 2.09/5
12] FALLUJAH - "Undying Light" - 2.10/5
11] AFTERLIFE - "Breaking Point" - 2.10/5
10] THROUGH THE NOISE - "Dualism" - 2.11/5
09] KAAMOS WARRIORS - "Ikuisen Talven Sarastus" - 2.12/5
08] ABIGAIL WILLIAMS - "Walk Beyond The Dark" - 2.14/5
07] AMON AMARTH - "Berzerker" - 2.16/5
06] MEGADETH - "Warheads On Foreheads" - 2.20/5
05] SOILWORK - "Verkligheten" - 2.33/5
04] DEMON HUNTER - "War" - 2.40/5
03] CORRODED - "Bitter" - 2.41/5
02] ROTTING CHRIST - "The Heretics" - 2.41/5
​01] CHILDREN OF BODOM - "Hexed" - 2.45/5

20] RISKEE & THE RIDICULE - "Body Bag Your Scene" - 2.33/5
19] DEMON HUNTER - "Peace" - 2.40/5
18] THE DIRTY YOUTH - "Utopia" - 2.40/5
17] DREAMSTATE - "Primrose Path" - 2.40/5
16] THE WRAITH - "Gloom Ballet" - 2.41/5
15] NORTHLANE - "Alien" - 2.45/5
14] D-A-D - "A Prayer For The Loud" - 2.45/5
13] PAPA ROACH - "Who Do You Trust?" - 2.50/5
12] SUM 41 - "Order In Decline" - 2.50/5
11] IN FLAMES - "I, The Mask" - 2.50/5
10] WHILE SHE SLEEPS - "So What?" - 2.54/5
09] BAD RELIGION - "Age Of Unreason" - 2.57/5
08] LINDEMANN - "F & M" - 2.69/5
07] WEEZER - "Teal Album" - 2.75/5
06] MOTIONLESS IN WHITE - "Disguise" - 2.81/5
05] RAMMSTEIN - "Rammstein" - 2.90/5
04] YONAKA - "Don't Wait 'Til Tomorrow" - 3.00/5
03] LACUNA COIL - "Black Anima" - 3.18/5
02] THE 69 EYES - "West End" - 3.27/5
01] BLAQK AUDIO - "Only Things We Love" - 3.33/5

It’s a new day! Yes it is! Ok, alright, before I get issued with a cease and desist by WWE…no, Kofi Kingston isn’t about to come out with his New Day team-mates to bitch slap you with a tray of pancakes, but it does provide me with an ample segue into this next review; let’s talk about  FOREVER VENDETTA.

Kofi Kingston emerged as a bright up and coming talent in WWE through the mid to late 00’s, and though while a solid worker, he never truly reached the heady heights of being WWE Champion and never attained main event level status…that was until 2019 when he was finally given a well-deserved push and a fantastic WrestleMania ‘Moment’ on April 7th.

Forever Vendetta have (Albeit on a smaller scale) mirrored that to a degree. From as far back as 2008 you may have seen them share the stage with the likes of HARDCORE SUPERSTAR and LA GUNS, though while promising upstarts, the Swansea based quartet (Now consisting of guitarist Leigh Fuge, bassist Liam Alonzi, vocalist/guitarist Chris Tippett and drummer Gareth Hunt) always remained in that lower to mid-card status in the South Wales music scene. Recently however the Welsh rockers have returned after a brief hiatus with their long-awaited debut album “New Day Rising”…and all of a sudden my analogy makes sense. Will this give Forever Vendetta the push they need to hit the big time? Let’s find out…

The album opens up with “Unbreakable” and what we have is essentially a drawn out introductory piece. Purely instrumental; it flows through your speakers with a subtle mixture of emotions, blending a sense of sadness and, almost apathy…however that’s juxtaposed with a reassuring feeling of hope and defiance in the face of struggle. In just two minutes of soulful guitar playing they’ve already managed to convey a message of redemption; they’re back and shits about to go down. It’s wonderfully structured this, a strong start.

First track proper then, “Come Alive” immediately transitions into a deep, bass-heavy rumbling, before the band kick into gear with their blend of hard southern-inspired blues rock. The chorus carries with it a decent melody and the influence of bands such as BLACK STONE CHERRY is fairly clear here. The riffs are solid and the solo is both slick and impassioned…credit to them they’ve absolutely nailed the sound in regards to this genre. “Takin’ It Back” initially gives of a subtle nod to the likes of VELVET REVOLVER before falling into a similar song structure, though the solo is, again, enjoyable and the track overall is a touch grittier.

Elsewhere the likes of “Snake Oil Saviour” and “Not Your Hero” provide more of the same, enjoyable blues-based hard rock, with the band primarily sticking to their formula and knowing their strengths in delivering riff after riff, with well executed guitar play…but here we have to sadly point out the albums only real flaw; the vocals. Chris is clearly passionate about his craft, there’s no denying that and credit to him he’s giving this 110%, but there are too many occasions throughout this record where despite his efforts, he comes across as simply not capable of delivering the notes he’s aiming for. On “Easy Way Out” for example, his voice really isn’t powerful enough to stamp authority on the tracks chorus, as he comes across as strained, almost forced and it sadly sounds off…there’s something that just doesn’t click and it makes you wince truthfully. “Roll It On Back” gives off the impression it’s more of a demo with raw vocal recording, while “Don’t” comes across as a scrapped BON JOVI B-Side track.

Overall, instrumentally this album is undeniably superb, and kudos to the guys for their efforts here; this is some top-notch blues rock ‘n’ roll…it’s just a shame vocally things aren’t quite on par. They haven’t quite emulated Kofi Kingston's trajectory  just yet, but there’s a lot of potential for them to do so. It’s a new day, yes it is…but it’s more of a Monday morning than a Saturday morning if you catch my drift. [6]

Few things in this world entertain me more than the idea of terrifying little children. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t belong on a register before you all jump the gun here, (I have three names, none of which are Jimmy and/or Saville) but I’m talking about when kids get legitimately scared. You’ve all seen little YouTube videos or Vines etc., where kids get startled by something or, if a parent pranks them in scary mask or whatever, and they end up bursting out crying and running away in some sort of mild panic attack, squealing and screaming…that shits funny! Well today’s band takes a more philosophical look at that entire concept; let’s catch up with NIGHTMARES FROM THE DISCOTHEQUE.

Formerly going by the moniker of MASSIVE HORSE, I discovered the Cardiff based duo of Canz Rickman and Rick Schaple many moons ago when they supported firm favourites of mine ELECTRIC SIX at a show in the Welsh capital, and I’ve been an admirer ever since. Their penchant for comedic song writing based on social commentary is genuinely entertaining, and they’ve managed to get the balance between humour and musical integrity spot on. I often reference STEEL PANTHER in these situations, where the joke and gimmick has truly worn thin, but NFTD continue to be both inspired and creative.

Regardless of whichever name they go by however, they’ve proven in the past that they can mix horror and comedy very well indeed. Whether it’s the brilliantly catchy vampire parody “She Only Comes Out At Night”, or the sexually haunting “Phantom Pregnancy”, they do enjoy dabbling in the darker aspects of entertainment, and their new track backs that up wonderfully; “Real Things To Scare Your Children”. Yes their new Halloween track see’s the pair in character, cos-playing as ‘Robert Smyth’ and ‘Marilyn Maanson’ in brilliantly tongue-in-cheek fashion, as they take us on a tour of Marilyn’s Mansion in the accompanying music video, where we aren’t subject to the hauntings of ghosts and monsters, but real life adult problems such as taxes, declined credit card payments, running out of toilet paper and all manner of horrifying scenarios. If you appreciate a spot of dark humour and want to inject a little fun into this year’s Halloween party playlist, you can find the track on Apple Music, iTunes and Spotify, the links to which are on the NFTD Facebook profile, linked below. Check out the video, and leave a comment sharing what scares YOU…personally in a sense of twisted irony, I’m afraid of horses, so I’m glad they dropped the Massive Horse name, I mean, normal sized horses are bad enough! FUCK! THAT!

Now, I’m sure you’ve all heard the tales about us Welsh…stories about non-licet liaisons with animals of a woollen nature (For the record, Velcro gloves work wonders, though you didn’t hear that from me) but it’s not ALL about sheep shagging, let me tell you! Yes aside from our preferred bestial pastimes we do occasionally dabble in a spot of rock ‘n’ roll and as I’ve stated before, South Wales is a hotbed of up-and-coming bands and musicians. Now while a lot of attention is heaped on the Cardiff area because of its bustling live venues, we can’t forget about the rest of Wales, and today we’re taking a little trip up the valleys to a town called Aberdare for our next band; HEAVY FLAMES.

Comprising of vocalist David Hill, guitarists Lee Harvey and Ryan Lewis, bassist Gareth Owen and drummer Richard Boggis, the outfit are all about the old-school; opting to ignore what’s happening in the world of modern music, to play in their preferred style of classic blues-inspired rock ‘n’ roll…and they’ve showcased this on their debut full length album; “Bolt On The Rust”. The question is does this pile of rust belong on the scrapheap?

The album opens up with “Clearly Not A Welcome Rain” and it utilises the gradual build really quite well…we’re subject to a simplistic looped guitar sequence, blending in to some subtle percussion, as David wraps his vocals around proceedings before the track eventually erupts into a barrage of harmonica-fuelled rock. It’s bold as it is brash instrumentally, the southern blues tones giving this track some real swagger when it gets going and it’s an enjoyable start this.

The rock ‘n’ roll keeps on coming through album highlights such as “Nature Of The Beast” too…another initially low-key start but it quickly comes to life with some rich organ-eqsue synths akin to the likes of THE DOORS or even DEEP PURPLE in places; really embracing that early hard rock transitional period…not quite metal yet but the exploration into the weight and delivery of the instrumentation is all there. “Acre Of Graves” hammers this home brilliantly with its meatier riffs and almost polyrhythmic percussion, allowing for subtle prog aesthetics. The tone of the track here is a touch darker, incorporating more of a BLACK SABBATH vibe while still retaining their aforementioned synth-driven core sound and it’s a solid track.

There are a couple of lesser moments scattered around the album though, “Insult To The Brain” is more of an insult to my eardrums in all honesty, mainly because of that fucking guitar loop that makes your eye twitch. ‘Duh-duh-duh-duuuuuuh-duh’ it goes over, and over, and over, and over, and over…the chorus provides a brief respite, but it comes back and the repetition of this specific chord sequence just drives you mad. Maybe it’s just me but this makes me want to cause physical harm to the brain of whoever decided to record this particular track, not just insult it. “House Full Of Women” suffers from a similar problem although the riff here is quirkier and the track is generally grittier overall, salvaging it somewhat.

Generally speaking though those are minor irritants more than anything and don’t really take away from the album as a whole…the recording quality and sound that they’ve gone for clearly harks back to those classic days in the 70’s with the bluegrass-inspired tones, with the band managing to retain that certain rawness in their production. Younger fans of rock and metal may view this as old-fashioned or, maybe even uncool, but if you appreciate the nostalgia of those formative years in rock ‘n’ roll’s evolution then you’ll likely appreciate this a lot more. Not quite niche per se, but it certainly has more of a target audience in mind. [5]

Back in 2015, THE DIRTY YOUTH were primed and ready to spearhead a new wave of Welsh alternative rock. Their sophomore album “Gold Dust” received critical acclaim (Including most importantly of course, my own) and fans were lapping up their evolution as artists. While they experimented with new styles and ideas, not only did their sound grow, but so did their reputation as one of the UK’s hottest rising bands…and I guess you could say they had a golden touch?

Their rise continued while touring with established acts such as INME, ALIEN ANT FARM and FOZZY, resulting eventually in them finding themselves being the first ever signees to the newly created Marshall Records, with their new material set to be recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. However, after the initial release of the single “Hurricane”, things seemed to come off the boil…the gold dust had settled and everything seemed quiet. Fast forward to 2019 and the band are no longer on the Marshal Records roster (With “No Results Found” on the website) and they’ve released their anticipated third album with the help of Kickstarter…so what happened? Let’s search “Utopia” for some answers…

We open up with the title track and we’re initially met with the apparent childlike innocence of a glockenspiel, before we make way for the more familiar, up-tempo rocking instrumentation we’ve come to expect. The ideology of the intro here, seeming to metaphorically at least take us back to simpler times, with the song itself then acting as a rallying cry of sorts. Lyrically we deal with concepts of revolutions, scrapping societal norms and starting afresh for a better world…there’s a sense of frustration fuelling this track and it’s a decent opener.

If you’re familiar with The Dirty Youth you’ll likely expect a fair few decent tracks spanning this new record, given their previous, and really here you won’t be too disappointed. “Horizon” continues the bands experimentation with a more futuristic, electronic sound, combining simplistic hooks and riffs, a quaint piano melody and layered synths, for a catchy piece of alt. pop. If you prefer TDY of old though, then you’ll more than likely get a kick out of “One Dance”…with it’s harder percussion and a more guitar driven approach it’s one of the rockiest, traditional sounding tracks on the album and Danni flexes her vocals that bit more, allowing for a really bold, really enjoyable track. By contrast, “Lights” utilises a far slower build, opting for a more soulful, power-pop / ballad aesthetic…this chorus is absolutely bouncing however and it’s this dichotomy that makes the track appealing; full of emotive and instrumental fluctuation.

Their previous single makes a reappearance here as “Hurricane Pt.2” and here we find the track has been given a bit of a makeover; a slight revamp, as it’s considerably more up-beat and up-tempo, sounding more like a polished track as opposed to more of a demo, which this makes the initial single sound like now. “The Ballad Of San Frandisco” also reappears having undergone the same treatment. No longer a B-side; its synth-driven retro qualities make for a clear album highlight, and it still gets brownie points for the name. San Frandisco…made me do a chuckle that.

The rest of the album to be fair maintains a fairly solid, consistent level of quality…there are no real negatives here to be perfectly honest. The band know how to reel you in with a good hook, they’ve always written great melodies, and when called upon, they CAN rock out with the best of them…I guess the only real issue of this record, is that there isn’t enough of that. The ten tracks here are fine, there’s nothing wrong with the run-time, but there are times you can’t help but feel this is a band that are, for some reason, holding back. Danni Monroe has a truly remarkable voice and can properly belt them out, but there’s a level of restraint here for some reason and it stops this album going from good to great. It’s not lacking quality, but at times it is lacking a bit more oomph…The Dirty Youth here sound a bit too…clean? [7]

People sometimes wonder what the difference is between irony and coincidence…well if you were run over in the street, and an ambulance just happened to be passing by, that would be a wonderful coincidence. Irony on the other hand, would be getting run over by the ambulance itself and, so long as nobody dies, is much funnier. Today’s review falls under the coincidental category for me personally…let me explain.

Back at the start of the month, I took a mini vacation down to the South English coast at Torquay for a couple of days, where, to be honest, I spent 80% of my time enjoying the sun and drinking. On the way there however I made a little stop at some place called Burnham-On-Sea…never heard of it before, but all I can tell you is that it was quiet…windy as all hell and the tide had gone out for what seemed like MILES. I honestly thought Godzilla had mistaken the place for Hawaii and was about to stroll up the beach causing another tsunami it had gone that far out. Anyway my time there was fleeting and I thought nothing else of it. Today however, I decided to take a dip into my email submissions and low and behold, the first EPK I click on happens to be from a band from Burnham On-Sea! Let me introduce you to SOME VILLAINS.

The four-piece (Consisting of vocalist/guitarist Edward Graves, guitarist Luke Tozer, drummer Stu Donavan and bassist Jake Beckett) have been on the scene since their 2014 single “Loose Generation”, and with their love of everything between classic rock ‘n’ roll, indie and prog, they’ve established themselves as a group of interesting and intelligent musicians. Their 2016 EP “Lizard Teeth” highlighted their admiration of experimental prog-rock and shoegaze, with predominantly longer tracks and the influence of RADIOHEAD and SMASHING PUMPKINS shining through…but here now in 2019, they’ve stripped things back a little and focused more on a grittier rock ‘n’ roll sound for their latest EP “Outliers”. The lads asked me to check it out, and seeing as I visited their home town it would be rude not to sample some of their wares!

The EP opens up with “Masters Sun” and it really doesn’t take long at all to get into the meat and potatoes of this record…we start off with some simple alternating chords, before the track lets rip with some ballsy, hard-rock riffage. The bass is deep and rumbling almost to the point where it’s sludge inspired, but we’ve got a rich groove, and vocally here Graves’ is rather hushed and subdued. Their love for QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE shines through here given the stoner / desert rock tones, coupled with an energetic up-tempo chorus; this is simply a great rock track. EP highlight “Burn Me Down” follows up and we’re initially met some almost WOLFMOTHER-esque instrumentation; combining classic rock and indie tones…the guitar is slick and frankly gallops along excitedly. The prog influences filter through vocally as Graves’ sings in an almost polyrhythmic manner, but it’s the convivial guitar tone that makes this track; it’s just fun.

“The Skin” again maintains an up-tempo vibe albeit somewhat darker in tone, bordering on atmospheric, with more hushed vocals, slightly raspy sounding in places reminding of JULY TALK to some degree, but we’re treated to a strong solo that certainly stands out as the tracks major talking point, before closing effort “Ghosts In The Field” incorporates a more shoegaze aesthetic alongside some again, darkly tinged indie rock…the type of sound that would appeal to fans of INTERPOL and the like. All in all though, there’s nothing truly negative to say about this EP whatsoever quite frankly. While the band are clearly better when they let their hair down and get gritty when it comes to the rock ‘n’ roll, the mellower tones do naturally compliment Graves’ vocal approach. There’s no  bells and whistles here, they’re a band and they keep it simple…having stripped back to a more classic rocking approach, and by cutting the track length from their previous EP ever so slightly, they come across as more polished and clinical in terms of their presentation. Not knocking the more prog-based sound of their previous work, but this does sound like an improvement. Some Villains by name but to fair lads you’re not sounding half bad at all. [8]

As hard as it may be to believe (Given some of the shit I come out with in these reviews) I do from time to time come across a new band that I actually, genuinely like. I mean it’s rare…not quite Shiny Pokemon rare…but it’s rare, and it does happen. While in recent years you may have seen me give praise to the likes of WE ARE HARLOT and AS LIONS for their absolutely scorching debuts…last year my attention was turned to YONAKA. Having discovered them supporting ANDREW WK, I was eager to check out their catalogue of music as they were legitimately great live, to then find myself enjoying their 2017 “Heavy” EP, it’s safe to say that Yonaka were a band I was prepared to keep my eye on…

This was a decision I would certainly not regret, as following some impressive festival appearances and support slots with BRING ME THE HORIZON no less, they dropped arguably my favourite new EP of 2018 by the name of “Creature”. It’s said that lightning doesn’t strike twice but the EP proved that the band were on a fine run of creative form, not only matching their previous work but surpassing it, visibly and audibly growing in confidence with each and every crowd they won over on the road throughout the year. Now, in 2019, we find the band ready to step up; hoping to live up to their own hype and expectation, as they deliver their debut full-length album; “Don’t Wait ‘Til Tomorrow”, and it’s definitely one I’ve been looking forward to. Well? You read the title let’s give it a fucking listen shall we!?

We open up with “Bad Company” though we’re in anything BUT with Theresa Jarvis and the lads…starting off with some bass rumblings and stiff percussion, it provides perfect backing for Jarvis’ multifaceted vocal approach, switching from brooding to powerful; almost angelic in places on certain high notes, with such relative ease. There’s a certain darkness to the tracks tone, yet it’s got a rich alt. pop groove, and we still hear similarities with the likes of JESSIE J and FLORENCE WELCH in its delivery, but everything’s tighter, sharper and it sounds great…a fantastic opener. “Awake” begins in a similar fashion with its stripped back percussion the only instrumental accompaniment to Theresa, but the track quickly erupts into a wonderfully infectious pop-rock number with some assertive riffs and more powerful vocals. If you’re not awake for this one I question the existence of your very pulse, seriously.

“Rockstar” is, before you wonder, not a NICKELBACK cover so it’s already got that going for it. I mean OK, the premise of the track lyrically garners obvious comparisons to the aforementioned, but this is backed up by yet another infectious, hook-laden chorus and is far, FAR less annoying. This comes across as more about hopes and dreams as opposed to focusing on wealth, not emphasising the excess; much more of a rags to riches ‘What If?’ scenario and it’s something we can relate to…it’s something we’ve all thought about. “Creature” and “Fired Up” make it to the album as select cuts from the bands previous EP’s but they slot in perfectly in all fairness, sounding just as crisp and impressive here as they did last year, before we eventually finish up on “The Cure”. Despite its initially almost trap-inspired beat, we’re treated to more of the bands enjoyable blend of light indie rock, sweeping melodies and soulful pop, ending the album on a genuine high note.

Patience may indeed be a virtue, but here Yonaka prove without doubt that sometimes you simply have to strike while the iron is hot, and Christ has the iron been hot for the Brighton-based quartet. As they continue to play new towns and cities around the UK and Europe, be it in a supporting role or with their ever increasing likelihood of headlining their own big tours, Yonaka can and will grow. One of the brightest and most promising bands on the UK circuit right now, if you haven’t already, you NEED to be checking out Yonaka for yourself, seriously, don’t wait ‘til tomorrow. [9]

​There are plenty of little things in life that I appreciate; like, having two kidneys for example, one simply wouldn’t be enough to handle my love of Jack Daniel’s in all honesty, but one thing I actually do appreciate; is a band putting in the hard work to make their dreams and aspirations come to fruition.  As it happens, one such band would be FOREVER STILL.

Hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, the four-piece (Consisting of Maja Shining, Mikkel Haastrup, Rune Frisch and Inuuteq Kleemann) are really anything BUT what their name suggests. From day one and their 2013 debut EP “Breaking Free” they’ve gone above and beyond to ensure they do things as they want and how they want. From booking and arranging all of their own tours with no agents, to doing all of their own photo shoots for promotion and record covers, and even filming their own music videos, they manage virtually every aspect of their career themselves, and it’s paying off. Over the years they’ve had opportunities to support the likes of CHILDREN OF BODOM and LACUNA COIL on tour, and have signed a record deal with Nuclear Blast. 2019 saw them release their newest album entitled “Breathe In Colours”, and you suggested I check it out on my last poll, so let’s do just that…

The album opens up with “Rewind” and initially we’re greeted with a slightly industrialised barrage of riffs and mild distortion…there’s a subtle crackle to the sound quality in places giving the track a rustic character, before we erupt into a chorus of powerful, soaring vocals. In ways Maja finds herself somewhere between Lacey Sturm of FLYLEAF and Sharon Den Adel of WITHIN TEMPTATION and her delivery is bold and assertive, drawing you in as a listener; it’s a solid start. “Fight!” keeps things going with a predominantly Nu-Metal inspired affair…the guitar tone coming straight out of the early LINKIN PARK repertoire, backed up by the harder vocals and climactic ending. This is full of piss and vinegar and it’s a very enjoyable listen.

The rest of the album in all fairness is pretty damn consistent and to be honest doesn’t really put a foot far wrong if at all. “Is It Gone?” utilises a more symphonic metal ballad style with a strong power-pop influence, allowing for a very melodious track with honey-sweet vocals, which can also be said for “Pieces”.  Another soft, dramatic effort, it mixes a solemn yet powerful vocal display resulting in an incredibly deep, emotionally testing track. “Survive” has a more metallic approach with harder riffs and an increased level of intensity, with the screamed vocals providing a deeper, angst ridden delivery. There are some questionable high notes on “Do Your Worst” which is ironic as it seems Maja did just that, something seems off about these vocals in places, like it was hurried or something and they settled for it, but she doesn’t hit those notes as well as she may think.

The end of the album though is very much worth the wait however…beginning with a stripped back version of “Is It Gone?”… A straight up piano ballad, it totally differs from the previous version, providing a deeply emotive and mournful listening experience, channelling the likes of EVANESCENCE in ways; it’s a pained track and you can literally feel every note. The real album highlight however comes at its very end, courtesy of a cover of the LOU REED classic “Perfect Day”. It manages to sound tender and touching while retaining a strong guitar sound during the chorus, though it’s delightfully done, as though the track was tailor made for Maja. This cover works incredibly well for Forever Still and I can see this going down brilliantly live. There may not be any tracks that leap out at you here, but to be fair they blend into each other pretty well…and though while the quality in terms of consistency and production value is fine, don’t expect to single out any massive tunes. They’re on the right path however…and you can expect some anthems from this lot in the future. [7]

So I’ve got this confession to make…no I’m not coming out as a heterosexual white male that uses an online platform to give a personal opinion why; that would be career suicide! I jest…my confession is with regards to my approach to music. Sure, whether it’s here or for other publications, my reviews are always from an open-minded, honest perspective, trying to take into account more than just my own personal preferences for whichever artist I may be dealing with…but it doesn’t stop me having those personal preferences. For instance, I’ll go on record now for saying that, in my opinion, NIRVANA are a pile of shit…many would disagree, Courtney Love might try to set me up on a date with a Remington Model-11 for saying such a thing, but while I CAN admit they are an incredibly important and influential band in the evolution of alternative music…I just don’t like them.

This brings me to today’s band; BUCKCHERRY. The Californian rockers have been going for quite some time now and, I first heard of them back in 2001 when I discovered a track called “Slammin’”. It was a great, rock ‘n’ roll track and even though I was more concerned about Nu Metal at the time, I still enjoyed it for what it was. Fast forward a couple of years however, and I’m reintroduced to Buckcherry, as we come to arguably one of the worst successful rock songs ever recorded; “Crazy Bitch”. Seriously this song is 100% cringe in every conceivable way…everyone gives NICKELBACK a hard time when this fucking song exists, what are we doing like?! It’s AWFUL. Anyway needless to say, I was put off Buckcherry…I can’t be dealing with that, nope, no Sir, no thank you. BUT, in the interest of equality (And the fact that you chose them on my last readers choice poll you evil bunch of bastards) I’m going to give them another chance…earlier this year they released album number eight; “Warpaint”, and I’m on the front line prepared to do battle…come at me brah!

The album opens up with the title track and to be perfectly honest; it’s really not bad. It keeps things nice and simple to be fair, incorporating blues-based hard rock with a southern groove and some sleek guitar licks. The solo blends in well allowing the track to flow really smoothly without sounding jarring, it’s not been thrown in the mix ‘just because’ like some solo’s, actually adding to the track, and Josh Todd’s vocals while still distinct, are a touch subdued here, giving off a mellower vibe. It’s actually a decent little opener. If you do prefer mellow, “Right Now” initially has you covered as it continues with the light blues rock inspired guitar tone but strips back to a more acoustic-based delivery, although the chorus is far livelier and, remember what I said about solo’s? Yep…this one came out of nowhere quicker than you can say Randy Orton, and the song can’t seem to decide what it wants to be.

Let’s try and remain objectively positive though shall we and look at the highlights…”No Regrets” is a quirky little up-beat punk-rock inspired piece; it’s fun, it’s light-hearted and you can’t not enjoy this…from the clap-along segments, the tinny, rockabilly guitar stylistics and general skater-rock vibe, it’s just a happy track and at under 3-minutes, it’s an easy highlight. Closing track “The Devil’s In The Details” remains up-beat but returns to a more straightforward hard rocking / classic rock ‘n’ roll aesthetic with a fine riff carrying the track. “The Vacuum” raises a chuckle from me to be honest as in a funny twist of irony, it doesn’t completely suck. The riffs are solid and there’s an enjoyable melody layered throughout the track, resulting in quite an emotive listen, especially with Josh again holding back vocally, but the real highlight and frankly surprising inclusion here is a cover of NINE INCH NAILS classic “Head Like A Hole”.  Granted it’s not the same seething, industrial behemoth crafted by the vitriolic Trent Reznor, but the bass-heavy riffs still sound powerful here and it’s a great choice of cover; it’s a quality track to be fair and it’s done justice.  Is it as good as MILEY CYRUS’ cover on Black Mirror though?  I’ll let you reach your own conclusions there…

The rest of the album simply plods along really quite anonymously to be perfectly honest. “Radio Song” is a clichéd little acoustic piece with rich string-sections clearly aimed at finding commercial airplay while being both incredibly self-aware and  taking a subtle swipe at the mainstream, while “The Alarm” isn’t going to be waking anyone up in a hurry. Its’ slow pace and generally lethargic instrumentation makes for a predominantly boring listen, while Josh’s vocals come across as too much for the pace of the track at times, he’s shouting over it almost and it’s a bit off. Overall though I have to admit, it’s not a terrible album, not by any means…”Crazy Bitch” was quite a while ago now and I can’t hold on to these grudges forever, and while I do still hate that song with a burning passion, this album is fine, they seemed to have calmed down a bit, which I’m all for. I mean, just think, Josh Todd could have done something ridiculous like, release a god-awful, embarrassing rap-rock/dub album, undoing any and all regained credibility I’ve just found in the band, couldn’t he! Wait…what? Who are SPRAYGUN WAR? Oh for fuck’s sake…[6]

What do you get, when you combine a love of classical prog-rock, centuries old medieval mythology and a generous portion of haggis, neeps and tatties? Aside from one incredibly psychedelic episode of Ready Steady Cook, it stereotypically brings us to today’s band; let me introduce you to CULANN. The unsigned five-piece (Consisting of vocalist/guitarist PJ Kelly, drummer Sean Kelly, guitarist Greg Irish, bassist Calum Davies plus Ross McCluskie on the keys) formed in Irvine, Scotland several years ago and made quite the initial impact on the Scottish rock scene! With praise from several regional radio stations following their 2012 self-titled debut, they found themselves winning the ‘Best Rock’ category at the 2013 SAMA’s (Scottish Alternative Music Awards) and have been growing ever since. Appropriately named after an ancient Celtic/Gaelic smithy, it’s fitting that they’ve already forged their anticipated follow-up album “The Great Ecumene”…and the lads have asked me to give it a listen! So let’s crack open the Irn-Bru and check it out!

The album opens up with “Evonium” and once again the band highlights their appreciation and interest in history, stories of old and Celtic heritage, as the word is the name of a purported ancient city, which is said to have stood where Irvine is now. The track itself is initially really quite jovial and up-beat, combining light riffs, subtle poly-rhythms and a bright, bubbly piano lead, while vocally PJ harbours a clean, emotive indie-rock tone. The swift key-changes and solo flurry emphasise the bands love of prog however, and it all combines to create one genuinely interesting track. “Event Without Experience” follows up and while continuing with the up-tempo approach they’ve opted for a more guitar-driven track here; it’s sounding that much grittier and ever so slightly more chaotic, though it’s not heavy.

The first real album highlight however comes courtesy of “Brewing Of Ale” (Of course I like the track that in some way shape or form involves alcohol)…starting life as a sweet little acoustic number it soon evolves into a fully-fledged folk-rock ballad, and although still housing those prog-elements it’s the folk qualities that shine through, especially with the prominence of the Scottish accent here; it’s delivered wonderfully. “All Reverie” continues the feel-good factor with a more simplified, melodic pop-rock number and it’s just an enjoyable, easy-listening effort, which can also be said for “Aegis”. Generally more of the same; but ever so slightly more pop-punk in tone, giving it that ever so subtle edge…it’s another stand-out track.

There are some solid funk-elements incorporated into “Man Alive” adding extra flavour to their fundamentally prog-approach but that, along with the solo and the seven minute plus run time, means this one does come across as a little indulgent in places. The title track practically echoes its own name; essentially describing the entire known inhabited land mass, meaning Ecumene sadly seems to go on forever, sounding mostly sluggish throughout, before we eventually finish up doing a bit of shopping back in Cardiff. I jest; “Queen Street” closes proceedings with another folk-inspired acoustic-led ballad…quaint but anti-climactic. Overall mind you, it’s easy to see why Culann hit the ground running following their formation; with a knack for a clean melody, lyrical storytelling and well-executed instrumentation, it certainly seems unjust that they’re still currently unsigned.  Prog-rock IS more of an acquired taste, just like the aforementioned haggis, but it’s certainly worth a try…[6]

When it comes to Greece, aside from being an immensely popular Mediterranean tourist destination, little is known about the countries musical culture from an alternative perspective. Sure in the past I’ve covered artists such as SADDOLLS, who fly the flag for gothic rock equally wonderfully and woefully, and more recently, black metal artists such as ROTTING CHRIST, but, who else could you associate alternative music to Greece with?  GUS G is arguably the biggest name given his catalogue of work and collaborations…VANGELIS? He IS a celebrated and critically acclaimed composer and progressive electronic artist, but he doesn’t REALLY count…what about Meteora? LINKIN PARK named an album after the place? OK, fine I’m clutching at straws! It’s safe to say that, unless you really dig, Greece isn’t a country renowned for its rock and metal…but that’s where today’s band comes in.

Yes today we’re going to be talking about a ‘band’ by the name of SIXSTRINGNOISE, who got in touch with me not too long ago via email, so before I get into things I’d like to say Σας ευχαριστώ που έρθετε σε επαφή! Formed in 2010 by founding (And currently sole member) Markos 6SN, it didn’t take long after his digital debut “Snowing Bullets While Kissing The Ground” for him to want to hit the stage and perform live, recruiting Alex D and Alex B (Drummer and bassist respectively) in 2011. With a penchant for hard rock and metal, they toured up and down Greece, establishing themselves as hot local talent in the Athens area, but after a couple of releases, we find them back down to just Markos as he releases album number four in 2019. The question is, just how noisy can one guitarist be? Let’s find out as we listen to “Relics”…

The album opens up with “How’s The World From Up There?” and we’re immediately met with some simple yet melodic riffs, before switching in some subtle prog-rock elements as it transitions through certain rhythmic variations. The chorus here is bold and soaring, with further key changes giving off an almost power-ballad vibe amidst the hard rock, but vocally at times it sounds more like a demo-quality recording which brings the track down a touch. Instrumentally fine, there’s some solid guitar work here but the vocals could probably be mixed and produced a little better…although it’s a decent opener regardless. “True Colours” keeps the riffs coming hard and heavy with a more metal inspired influence shining through musically; guitar solo included. In ways this pays ample homage to bands like ALTER BRIDGE in its delivery and overall sound; you can easily hear the likes of Myles Kennedy in this track inspirationally and again it’s a decent listen.

It isn’t all about the balls-out rock and roll with Markos mind you, as he’s able to mix things up here and there for a more diverse listening experience…”Underdog” in particular has a wonderfully relaxed country-rock vibe. He still incorporates some impassioned electric guitar but overall it’s a welcome change of pace. “The Old You” goes one step further by stripping back completely to an acoustic ballad and it’s really quite the emotive little track, and an album highlight to boot. The soft croon of the vocals here sounding better and it’s a proper lighters in the air track this, lovely stuff. Further highlights include “None Of Your Business” which while once more picking up the pace and aggression delivers all of the hooks and makes for a catchy hard rock number, with it's simple yet effective chorus. Sometimes all it takes is a great chorus and you’re invested; this is one of those times. Ignore the rest of the track, just, enjoy this chorus.

There are a couple of lesser moments, naturally, and mainly we find them mid-album. “Crack A Smile” houses more of that prog-inspired instrumentation and structure with a touch of fret-wankery thrown in for good measure, while “What’s Wrong With You?” has quite a repetitive chorus and poor gang vocals, honestly they sound like pub-level  karaoke at times…to answer your question Markos, what the fuck is wrong with me? Well right now I’m listening to this song…that’s what. We finish up then on the title track and it’s intro instantly reminds me of A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS but sadly there’s no synth-pop to be found in this instance…instead we’re given a dramatic, metal inspired track with deep riffs and a methodical, militant tempo, almost combining those Alter Bridge influences with a slight middle eastern flavour. It’s not a bad track but it is a slow burner, ending the album on a slightly damp note. It’s safe to say that, SixStringNoise can’t be done for false advertising…Markos plays the guitar, and he makes some noise…which is all well and good, but is the noise worth listening to? Sure there are some genuinely interesting moments dotted throughout these ten tracks and there is definitely promise and potential, but sadly at times the vocal production side of things let’s this album down. That’s not to dismiss this entirely though…I honestly hope Markos continues to make all of the noise and helps encourage an alternative music scene in and around Athens. We could market a new wave of Greek rock…we could call it; Grock…I’m a fucking genius. [6]

As it currently stands, we live in a time where our more Westernised society is, for want of a better description; all over the fucking place.  While culturally we’re (For the most part) all steadily becoming more and more open-minded and understanding, of the ever expanding perception of normality, there are still people who may get, ‘triggered’ as you may say, by certain topics and buzz-words. Some of the most common are generally simple things like veganism which, ironically, causes a lot of beef between some people…then there are prejudices and confusion surrounding the ever growing list of sexualities and gender fluid identities. Seriously now they’re giving rock and metal sub-genres a run for their money in volume and I just don’t have the appropriate graphs to go into that right now. Then there’s feminism…

Let’s be honest, it’s 2019 and the very fact feminism is still such a strong word speaks for itself. The inconsistencies regarding equality (Or lack thereof) can still be beyond laughable, covering everything from salary to bloody abortion rights! Well today’s band are proud and passionate to provide a voice for the cause, exuding a positive feminist vibe; let me introduce you to HANDS OFF GRETEL. The four-piece (Consisting of vocalist/guitarist Lauren Tate, guitarist Sean Bon, bassist Becky Baldwin and drummer Sam Hobbins) formed in South Yorkshire in 2015, and with influences including JACK OFF JILL, HOLE and THE DISTILLERS it’s easy to see where they blend punk and emancipation. They recently released their brand new album “I Want The World”…but where’s the equality in that? Let’s find out…

Opening track “Kiss Me Girl” gets the record off to a roaring start with an up-tempo flurry of punk-rock, laced with lashings of attitude and a tongue-in-cheek sense of taboo; it’s very Brody Dalle. The track explores female sexuality within same-sex relationships, with lyrics like “Have you never kissed a girl before?” and “What’s wrong just feels so right” entwined within a narrative of naughty excitement. Tate delivers the track with a brilliant sense of sarcasm and it kicks things off wonderfully. The first half of the album as a whole in fact doesn’t miss a beat and really we’re treated a solid run of tracks from the word go…”S.A.S.S” continues with its sense of female empowerment by taking a swipe at misogyny with an assertive hard rock number, balanced with subtle layers of funk, something which fans of SUMO CYCO would appreciate for sure. “Big Boy” is another up-tempo piece with a solid rock ‘n’ roll rhythm and more than a sprinkling of innuendo. Very lyrically suggestive, Tate is clearly having fun here and resonates through the track.

If you fancy something a little less intense however the album houses further gems such as the wonderfully infectious “Alien”…vocally not as fervent; there’s a predominantly more funk-pop aesthetic here with a cleaner sound and a more polished, commercial production value…this one would easily entertain fans of NO DOUBT / GWEN STEFANI and it’s got a brilliant climactic flurry. The album does run out of a little steam as it reaches its final moments however with a couple of less inspired cuts not quite on par with the aforementioned. “Milk” for example carries a strong grunge influence and as a result it’s a lot deeper, but at the same time more sluggish; sadly a boring listen, before “My Friend Said” then despite being a generally jovial little track becomes pretty stale and repetitive very quickly…I guess you could say it’s lyrically la-la-la lalalalalala-lazy? Aside from those hiccups it’s safe to say that this is, overall, a very strong and entertaining album. The punk elements where needed are raw and confrontational to aid the subject matter well, allowing Tate to get her message across in an epigrammatic fashion, while the more pop-driven segments allow for a genuinely infectious listen. They may want the world, but you may want to just give this album a listen, and very much get your hands ON Gretel…with consent though, naturally. [8]

Do you wanna be in my gang? It’s my gang, yes that’s right, mine…my gang. I’m the leader of my gang, I am! OK, OK…I’m not REALLY GARY GLITTER, but if I may I would like to touch upon the subject of sexual abuse in music…maybe touch upon was a poorly chosen expression…although I DID ask…you gave consent…right? I digress…I’m facing a backlash before I even get to my point…and that’s not a reference to my penis…FOR FUCK SAKE GAV STOP!

Start again…sexual abuse, or even the accusations of sexual misconduct, whether found to be guilty or not will not only potentially ruin a person’s career but also ruin several lives. The sad thing is it’s a far more common occurrence in music than virtually anybody would care to accept as happenstance. On one end of the spectrum, you’ve got Ian Watkins and let’s be fair, the less said about him the better…don’t get me wrong I fucking miss LOSTPROPHETS but…no, just no. Then there’s cases surrounding the likes of WILLIAM CONTROL, and despite the shit storm surrounding him, all I can gather is that at worst he’s just a terrible husband and a serial cheater. It doesn’t matter if those girls gave consent mate, you still destroyed your own marriage, just hope you had a decent prenuptial in place!

Then we come to the likes of Austin Kerr…the former SET IT OFF bassist was another name to be subjected to allegations and accusations of sexual misconduct and as a result he was ejected from the band back in 2015. Was he guilty? He admits his behaviour wasn’t 100% acceptable, but denies any abhorrently wrong doing…so that’s up in the air…HOWEVER…what would this mean for Set It Off? Despite the negative press they continued to make music without him...but, the question is what did it do for their reputation? They HAVE gone backwards in the Billboard charts, but is that in correlation to all of the trouble surrounding Kerr, or have they simply just dropped a below-par album? Let’s find out as we check out their newest offering “Midnight”…

The album opens up with “Killer In The Mirror” and you can’t help but wonder if this is a confession or they’ve just been reading the newspaper…a song of apparent reflection, it speaks of solitude and the acceptance of circumstances…music is a cut-throat business and you have to take a look at yourself first and foremost. You have to look yourself in the eye and tell yourself you want this, because there are people trying to put you down; this is an unforgiving business and it’s kill or be killed, as much as we’d like to think otherwise. This industry will eat you up as soon as you put a foot wrong, and this song touches upon not only that dog-eat-dog world but in ways mirrors the situation with Kerr. The fuzzy guitar tones, along with the subtle hip-hop/reggaeton inspired instrumentation provide a solid groove and it’s ultimately a fine opening track.

Sadly, the remaining fourteen tracks…that’s’ right, fourteen…really don’t offer a great deal of diversity throughout the record. “Lonely Dance”, aside from being something you’d expect someone who plays Fortnite to do, may harbour certain Latino / Hispanic qualities with its guitar tone and backing brass segments but it’s pretty generic alternative pop-rock. “Go To Bed Angry” may sound like optimum wanking circumstances but it’s still just another dose of harmless pop…granted the additional vocals from WAYFARERS add an extra dynamic but it’s a only minor improvement, and that generally sums up the album as a whole.

“Dancing With The Devil” may utilise deeper vocal effects but that’s really all they are, effects…musically we’re in the same boat; the vocals may be deeper but the track is still shallow. “For You Forever” does have some catchy throwback 80’s synth-pop vibes and provides an album highlight aesthetically but it’ll take more than neon to light this album up. “Raise No Fool” does an amuse with it’s ironic ending…lyrically stating “Won’t let you leave me hanging” but then cuts the song abruptly short, leaving the listener hanging themselves…I see what you did there you edgy bunch of bastards! The only REAL change comes in the form of “Unopened Windows” which is sadly the most boring of the tracks on offer here…the piano ballad coming so late on it’s on the verge of being anti-climactic.

Overall while I’ve been quite sarcastic here the album isn’t completely AWFUL by any means…the innocent charm of the pop-inspired melodies is hardly offensive and it’s a generally easy listening record. It’s all mixed and produced well and has a ton of commercial viability…what’s annoying is that over fifteen tracks, there’s very little if anything to differentiate at least fourteen of them and they all blend into one quotidian collection of songs. Nothing truly positive stands out here and it’s a shame because they can clearly write a tune or two, it’s just that on this instance they all more or less sound the same, and by the same what I really mean is the same as FALL OUT BOY because fuck me does this album wish it was a FOB album…but that’s a whole new kettle of fish. Midnight? Goodnight… [4]
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South Wales has always played an important role in the UK’s music scene; be it the love and support for traditional grass roots venues such as Fuel in Cardiff, or the old TJ’s in Newport, but more importantly the bands themselves that have emerged from the valleys and beyond that have helped put the area firmly on the map. BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE may be riding high at the moment as one of the UK’s biggest modern metal exports, but there’s a bit of a transitional period in play right now as many if not 99% of the biggest names from the area have called it a day. Luckily however there’s always a group of plucky up-and-comers aiming for that brass ring and willing to pick up the ball to run with it…which brings us to today’s band; HOLDING ABSENCE.

Fresh off of the back of his previous band, FALLING WITH STYLE, vocalist Lucas Woodland helped form Holding Absence (Who are completed by guitarists Scott Carey and Chris Smitheram, bassist James Joseph and drummer Ashley Green) as a means of truly delving into his song writing capabilities. With an emphasis on love; its nuances and the  roller-coaster of emotions that accompanies it, their initial singles garnered them much critical praise and the adoration of fans very early on. Momentum grew as they released their split EP with LOATHE and the acclaim kept coming, so in 2018, they began working on their debut full length album. Now, here in 2019 we find that album finally released after much anticipation, as the Cardiff quintet declare that this is…”Holding Absence”…

The album opens up with “Perish” and it’s a bleak start as we find ourselves confronting the heaviness of mental health and its effects on relationships…with over a minute of introductory resonance, it sets a sense of tranquility with its flowing soundscapes before the apropos breakdown, a nice instrumental metaphor for a fragile state of mind. This is mirrored by Lucas himself as he switches from lulling, morose clean vocals to a blistering onslaught of intense shouting amidst a barrage of riffs, and its solid slab of alternative post-hardcore. “Your Love (Has Ruined My Life)” continues with the theme of seemingly depressing song-titles as it also seemingly repeats a similar formula; a soothing intro segment, albeit drastically cut, leading into a wall of noise that transitions into more clean vocals, before a soaring chorus. It’s lyrically where the song stands out as Lucas digs deep into his own level of self-awareness, with an acceptance of his own emotional state; he is an impassioned performer, credit where credit is due.

Speaking of depressing there are a couple of tracks that should come with a repeat prescription for Citalopram in all honesty; “Marigold” is a sombre piano ballad that’s as cold as it is cathartic…and however sweet the admittedly emotional performance is, with its numerous floral references there’s very little blossoming here…which can be similarly said of closing track “Wilt” (Plant related segue for the win). The longest track that’s presented, at near seven minutes, it speaks of the helplessness of watching a love wither away…a heart wrenching story of appreciating the love for its original beauty, like a bouquet of flowers, but those flowers will eventually die and there’s nothing you can do about it. Completing the hat-trick of heavy-heartedness would then be “A Godsend” which again, with its morose tone and low-fi, shoegaze inspired delivery leaves the listener almost despondent.

It isn’t ALL doom and gloom however, this isn’t a MORRISSEY record for fuck sake, and that’s reinforced by album highlight “Like A Shadow”. A sharp dose of angst-ridden, punk-inspired post-rock…it’s got a great rhythm and an infectious chorus hook full of pop aesthetics that you simply can’t help but move to, this is incredibly enjoyable stuff this. “To Fall Asleep” too, despite its heavy message of wanting support through life’s darkest periods is a wonderfully up-beat dose of melodic alt. rock, likewise with “Monochrome” which would easily appeal to fans of artists such as TAKING BACK SUNDAY for example. Ultimately as one of the UK’s hottest rising prospects, they’re showing plenty of promise for big things to come. This may only be their debut and it hasn’t been out long, but their fan base is a loyal and enthusing one, and is growing with each gig and festival slot, no matter how big or small the stage. Raw and passionate, they have all the talent to help lead a new generation of Welsh artists into the spotlight. Just…cheer up lads though yeah? [7]

If you pay any attention to the Chinese zodiac, you’ll know that 2019 is the year of the pig, and while many are celebrating the prospects of wealth and good fortune (According to traditional beliefs that is, personally I just double-up on my bacon) there’s a group of musicians on the other side of the world with an entirely different set of animalistic beliefs; let me introduce you to YEAR OF THE LOCUST. The New York based five-piece (Consisting of vocalist Scot McGiveron, bassist Fred Serrell, drummer Dusty Winterrowd and guitarists Tyler Hensley & Cody Hyde) dropped their debut album “Devolver” back in 2016, and with the ballsy-brand of hard rock riffs they found themselves supporting the likes of SALIVA, HOOBASTANK and PUDDLE OF MUDD. 2019 sees them return with their brand new self-titled EP; “Year Of The Locust”…will these new tracks see them devour all before them, or are they just a plague on rock and metal? Let’s find out…

The EP opens up with “Stay Alive” and immediately you can hear a marked improvement in the production quality here…everything sounds cleaner compared to the album prior. The vocals are clear and more polished and the instrumentation sounds crisp so we’re already off to a promising start. The song itself is superb; a simple yet steady beat and progression of riffs, embracing the slow build leading into an infectious, hook-laden chorus of powerful vocals. It’s impassioned and poles apart from anything offered previously, coupled with the frenzied solo, it makes for a brilliant opening track. “Line Em Up” follows on and it’s got a tough task ahead of it, but it takes on a slightly more southern-metal tone instrumentally, with its distinct guitar driven groove and subtle vocal drawl…fans of BLACK STONE CHERRY and THEORY OF A DEADMAN will likely get a kick out of this; no nonsense, fun rock ‘n’ roll.

As most bands of this genre do, they aren’t opposed to dropping a ballad or two either, allowing for a change of pace and to showcase their varied vocal and musical ability, and here that comes by means of “Whispers In The Dark”. A slower, tender piece of soft rock that’s big on melody and emotive vocals…with its key changes and sensually flowing solo it’s teeters on soaring power pop without quite having you reach for the lighters, before closing track “Sorry” rounds things off with another dose of chugging hard rock. A decent track but spoiled by the inclusion of random spoken-word segments. They sound jarring and hinder the flow of the track, coming across as forced and would have been better suited to an intro monologue or interlude to set up the track.

Overall in the three years that have passed between releases, YOTL have come a hell of a long way…their song writing and playing have come on in leaps and bounds and the sound quality improvement in terms of recording and production is doing them all of the favours. Gone is the grainy instrumentation and raw vocal performance, despite being only four tracks long, this makes the album feel more like a demo! Whatever the band have done differently is paying off, and if this is their direction then it’s an exciting and promising one, as their next record could feature some absolute tunes. It's the year of the locust they claim, and it’ll take more than pesticide to stop this lot! [8]

We’re going local again for this installment of the Wreckord Collection, as we turn our attention to COLIN JAMES MACFARLANE. Not just a cog in the local independent music scene, he is a Jack of all trades and generally more of an all-round entertainer, dabbling in solo work, fronting the band BREAKDOWN FACE, conducting interviews with other bands, making gig diaries, dabbling in hip-hop/rap songs (Consider him a dairy free Vanilla Ice) and making comedy skit videos on his YouTube channel. Here, in his own words, he talks us through some of the records that inspired him and had the biggest impact on him creatively…

Despite the gimmicky premise of this blog, I sadly don’t cover a great deal of Gothic artists within these pages. The odd black gem, or, lump of coal if you prefer, will pop up, like A PALE HORSE NAMED DEATH earlier this year for instance, but Goth bands that I DO come across, new ones at least, are few and far between. Luckily however, as it happens, while covering a compilation piece for DEWAR PR just recently, I stumbled across today’s band; let me introduce you to HER DESPAIR.

The five-piece (Consisting of vocalist J, guitarists Dan and Jord, bassist Vikki and drummer Lee) hail from Berkshire, and have been building a name for themselves on the UK alt. rock circuit since their 2015 debut album “Hymns For The Hopeless”. With their penchant for mixing modern melancholia with traditional post-punk aesthetics they’ve quickly grown an impressive underground following. Just last year they released the much anticipated follow up to their debut; a new EP by the brilliant name of “Mournography”…let’s see if we get a kick out of this cadaver…

The EP opens up with “Blaspheme With Me” and right away we’re greeted with a blend of melodic guitar and surging yet sensual riffage…vocally J has a depth to his drawl but it doesn’t go as far as complete baritone like other Gothic rock and metal artists. The two aspects combine well and in ways it can be said it combines the likes of ENTWINE and THE CRUXSHADOWS… a lengthy opener at five minutes but it’s still a great start. “Valentine’s Mourning” continues along the same vein but is a touch more up-tempo and has more of a pop aesthetic with its hooks and overall rhythm. Lyrically steeped in sadness and loss but musically it’s such an uplifting track, a typical yet welcome oxymoron, really fun track this.

We slow things down next for “Within Tragedy” and it takes on a far more elegant tone; the sweeping orchestral elements of the synths really set the mood here while the rock aspects of the track chug along casually, giving it weight and carrying the track forward. If you are all about the slow burn and the melancholy then look no further than closing track “In The Arms Of A Sadist”…at seven minutes plus it embraces a clear doom influence from the likes of MY DYING BRIDE and simply oozes despair, which is very fitting given their name it has to be said, though it’s countered by the previous track “Damnation Tonight” which incorporates more harmonious keys and more groove-heavy goth ‘n’ roll, balancing out the EP perfectly.

Essentially what Her Despair do here is bridge eras in Gothic music; sounding crisp and fresh with their song writing and production, while also channeling the original bleak charm and quality of the likes of Goth godfathers  SISTERS OF MERCY and BAUHAUS. This, alongside their debut confirm that they are one of the brightest (Or should that be darkest?) rising talents on the Goth scene. If you’ve been wanting some quality Goth, stock up on the Kleenex because you’ll be getting off to “Mournography”. [8]

As February 8th 2019 was officially Dydd Miwsig Cymru, or, Welsh Language Music Day for those of you requiring English...I thought that I'd go local for this next installment of My Wreckord Collection. Today we catch up with one Mr Zac Mather, drummer of Pontypridd-based alternative rockers CHROMA. The currently unsigned trio have been making a name for themselves in and around Wales' live music scene since their debut self-titled EP, and continue to come on leaps and bounds through their work with Horizons, even garnering accolades at the Cardiff Music Awards. Here, Zac gives us a quick run down of five albums that helped shaped him as a person and a musician today....

​As some of you will know, Nu Metal was my thing; when I was first introduced properly to this crazy world of rock and roll, it was Nu Metal titans such as LINKIN PARK and LIMP BIZKIT that got me hooked. Now, while we all know the current situation surrounding Linkin Park, and Limp Bizkit are doing a TOOL and taking forever to release their anticipated next album, we have to turn our attention to today’s band and remind ourselves that, we still have it good!

PAPA ROACH have been going impressively steadily since their iconic debut “Infest” back in 2000, and while the genre they helped take over the world with, faded to nothing but a cringe-worthy memory to some, they’ve kept evolving and maturing musically, managing to stay relevant all the while still retaining their own sound. Just under two years since their last album “Crooked Teeth” broke into the Top 20 Charts on both sides of the pond, Jacoby & co are back already with album number ten; entitled “Who Do You Trust?”. The more important question is, can WE keep trusting them to put out solid albums? Let’s find out…

The album interestingly opens up with “The Ending” and we’re greeted with a dark, ominous synth driven affair that leads into Jerry Horton’s traditional, crunching riffs. Jacoby enters the fray with some smooth hip-hop inspired lyrical delivery, before the dual approach of vocal harmonies and visceral screams, leads us onto a simplistic yet catchy chorus. It again shows how well Papa Roach are able to blend styles and ideas to create something truly unique to them; a strong start this. Lead singles “Renegade Music” and the title track then take us further into the meat and veg of the album as a whole. The former, again, dark in tone and rich in political overtones, which allows subtle elements of the likes of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and even BEASTIE BOYS to trickle through.; it’s all empowering and a well-executed, anti-establishmentarian call to arms. The title track, aided by its tongue-in-cheek video refers to the idea of ‘Fake News’ and again, with a guitar heavy, jarring style, speaks to AND for the people against certain people in government.

Speaking of heavier sounds, the brief bombardment of “I Suffer Well” is an interesting yet entertaining slab of hardcore punk…over in less than two minutes, this is a Papa Roach we haven’t felt for a long time and proves they still have it in them to tear it up twenty years in, and it’s quite refreshing. We all know Jacoby is a big softie at heart though and they are more than capable of tugging on the heartstrings of even the most rugged rockers. “Problems” in particular hitting far harder than any goodbye kiss with its level of emotion, self-awareness and brutal honesty…and sadly it’s painfully relatable. Luckily “Feel Like Home” lifts the mood with its soft indie-rock tones and vibrant, optimistic production, despite Jacoby’s trademark, oxymoronic lyrical delivery; contrasting the up-beat style of the song.

Overall, though the album as a whole doesn’t contain ‘hits’ akin to their early years per se, the focus is on the bigger picture, and that picture is of a band who have matured in sound and are comfortable and confident in their ability to deliver a genuinely quality album. Do I trust Papa Roach? Every single time…[7]

Back in 2015, HORIZONS got in touch with me to cover a live show in the Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil, covering a variety of up-and-coming Welsh artists, including THE PEOPLE THE POET, HOUDINI DAX and GABRIELLE MURPHY (Check out my review here). That's what Horizons do, and do damn well if I'm honest; they champion blossoming undiscovered Welsh talents, and together with the BBC and special showcase promotions, they've continued to do over the past couple of years. If ever there's been a more fitting name for a project it would be Horizons, as just like the Sun rising on a new day, so too do fresh-faced artists get the opportunity to shine.

​2018 Saw Horizons take a new batch of bands and artists under their wing, and along with BBC Wales, together they worked on something special, and it involved the iconic ROCKFIELD STUDIOS. The studio, situated in Monmouthshire, was founded in the early 1960's and became the worlds first residential recording studio, but that's not all it's historic for. It didn't take long for Rockfield to start churning out the hits, and I don't mean that lightly. Rockfield has produced a number of incredible albums cementing many a bands legacy, from the MANIC STREET PREACHERS and OASIS in the 90's...going all the way back to QUEEN and "Bohemian Rhapsody" in the 70's...even HIM shaped their gothic-rock masterpiece "Razorblade Romance" in this brilliant little Welsh beauty!

Starting this week on BBC Two, you can see for yourself first hand who Horizons have been working with, courtesy of two mini-documentaries highlighting a select batch of artists, who are not only going to be getting the chance to perform original tracks right there in Monmouth, but will also cover some of the legendary artists who have previously recorded at the Welsh studio. Covering a variety of styles and genres, you'll hear the reggae-inspired tones of ALEIGHCIA SCOTT...the quirky indie-pop funk of Welsh speaking three-piece ADWAITH and the harder hitting swagger-ridden rock 'n' roll of HIMALAYAS. With the first show airing at 10:00pm on Tuesday, January 15th, followed by the second on January 22nd. Both shows (Running time 29 minutes) will be available on the BBC iPlayer for repeated viewing following their aired time on TV. Do check them both out, and check out some of the freshest Welsh music out there today.

There have been a few times where, while talking about musical backgrounds, I’ve referred to areas and places that seem to just, almost mass produce a certain level of quality, relevant artists over time…like, Birmingham in the UK for example. Today however we’re not going to be examining any parts of the UK, as instead we’ll be jumping across the pond to the US and focusing our attention on Detroit, Michigan. Going as far back to the 50’s and 60’s and the likes of MC5, THE SUPREMES and STEVIE WONDER…all the way up to more modern successes like EMINEM and THE WHITE STRIPES, Detroit has always had its finger on the pulse when it comes to music, and today's band want to include themselves on that list…let me introduce you to FLOAT HERE FOREVER.

The three-piece (Consisting of vocalist/guitarist Darrell Bazian, drummer Nick Marko and vocalist / bassist Samantha Easterbrook) initially came to light in 2016 with their debut EP “The Owl”, which was then swiftly followed up by the “Inexhaustible” EP just a year later. Fast forward to the present though, and the band aim to see-in 2019 in style, having released their debut full-length album on January 1st. Samantha sent me an email kindly requesting me to review it, so, let’s press play and together we shall all “Tour The Ruins”…

We open up with the track “Cars Crashing” and hopefully this doesn’t sum up our imminent listening experience…the deep, fuzzy riffs and coarse vocals, coupled with the up-tempo delivery and off-kilter breakdowns gives this an overall, punk-inspired post-rock feel. The dual male / female vocals providing additional depth and variety too and it’s a pretty decent start it has to be said. I wouldn’t go as far as a car crash though; this is at the very most just, clipping a wing mirror. “Wasps” is up next and here musically they’ve gone for a similar approach, with the energetic, up-tempo, angst ridden pop punk tone, though turning ever so slightly prog-based as the track meanders into a purely instrumental second half climax. It’s the punk aspects that truly comprise the albums meat and veg however, as it’s made up of multiple short, sharp doses opposed to more elaborately structured songs.

​The raw vocal approach to “California’s Burning” allows it’s frustrations and sentiments to shine through the tinny guitar, despite the mostly repetitive lyrics. In many ways it reflects many of the victims of the devastating fires in 2018, like, what can you really say? Such was the magnitude of the blaze. While we’re on the topic, “Quick Burn Fire” offers the listener a truly infectious chorus hook, with Samantha taking over lead vocal duty, allowing for a lot more melody, with the guitars too sounding cleaner and clearer. Further album highlight “Gradients” turns the distortion up again and really gives us a riff-heavy barrage of thick guitars and muzzled vocals, in many ways harking back to early CKY, while “Pilot” has this, happy-go-lucky indie rock ‘n’ roll vibe, providing a fun, up-beat listen.

There are a couple of off moments over the course of the 14 tracks however…”Addax”; a sombre little instrumental primarily consisting of ambient guitars, fades into nothing without the slightest of points, and it’s named after a large North African antelope…making all of the sense. “Plasmodium” being another one…insect bacteria apparently, but sounds all soft and quaint…because nothing says beautiful like malaria right? The rest of the album just consists of the same, brief punk-based indie rock, and while musically enjoyable, nothing REALLY grabs your attention. The 30 minute play time doesn’t allow you to connect with the songs, resulting in no more than a collection of somewhat entertaining, albeit short, generic tracks. Float here forever? I can already do that with Pennywise thank you, and he has balloons too. [5]

While the end of the calendar year is typically filled with Top 10 favourite lists, editors picks, playlists and compilations, review requests do still slide into your DM’s like the thirstiest of thots…and though while initially preoccupied with deciding which album gets the coveted top spot, I don’t like to leave any stones un-turned, which brings us to today’s review. Just before Christmas, I had an email from a gentleman by the name of Tommy Olsson and he asked me to check out his band LONG NIGHT. The three piece (Consisting of Tommy himself on guitar, second guitarist Arni Sorlie and vocalist Osten) have recently released their newest album; “Barren Land”, and it becomes my first official review of 2019. Let’s see if it really is as fruitless as it makes out…

The album kicks off with “East Of The Sun West Of The Moon” and we immediately get that early 80’s post-punk vibe…the subdued vocals over the hypnotic percussion and rhythmic guitars giving off an indie-esque melancholic tone, harking back to the likes of THE MISSION. The low-key melody compliments the dreary gothic tones well and despite being a generally lengthy opener, it satisfies and it’s a strong start.  “The Night’s Ablaze” continues the album with another similar, early post-punk effort albeit more up-beat with more of a general hook and vocal melody…the bass line though simplistic carries the track and there are elements here that would appeal to fans of KILLING JOKE for example; strong stuff this…brilliant.

The early proto-goth vibe is solidified by standout track “It’s All Gone” with its sombre yet melodic guitar; the track as a whole slow enough to capture the torment  and pain, but still up-tempo enough to create a truly entertaining nostalgic bubble…all of the hooks yet all of the throwback simplicity, this is what long-time fans long to hear. “The Rain Still Falls” returns to that overdone lengthy delivery; properly embracing the gothic tendencies but also utilising darker indie-rock elements as found in the likes of EDITORS or SPECTOR…before the rest of the album descends into a disappointing crawl. “On A Little Snowy Field” being a prime example…it’s that slow you could have mowed the field itself and regrown it, waited for it to snow AND built a snowman before the song finishes. “Black River” drones on for over seven minutes with some minimalist, middle-eastern inspired instrumentation, while “Cold Light” returns to those brooding, dreary indie tones, though it does deliver on the vocal front; very much exuding passion, almost drawing sympathy from the listener.

Overall, Long Night have delivered well enough here, and their ability to recapture the early sounds and tones of that original, goth-rock aesthetic is impressive. A perfectly fresh throwback to the genres formative years, they’re definitely a band for all of you OG goths to check out. Some of the tracks are a little flat, there’s a fine line between moody and boring, with some of the tracks needing a little more bite, but “Barren Land” is certainly showing signs of life. [6]

Well well well...what can I say? 2018 has been and gone; some of it was awesome, some of it was interesting, some of it was amusing and a lot of it was spectacularly shit...however, one thing that's consistent is the sheer volume of music and art created around the world. 2018 saw me cover my usual rock and metal albums...there wasn't a lot of goth...but I dabbled in some pop, in some rap, in some hip-hop...that's not including that which I checked out for the team over at All About The Rock...ultimately 2018 has kept me on my toes musically and I'm sure that my Top 20's, no matter the category, can show you that. 

From Eurovision bangers courtesy of Saara Aalto...to heavy metal swan songs a la Machine Head. From returning Welsh rap rock renegades The Kennedy Soundtrack...to returning Finnish goth godfathers Musta Paraati. From crossover WWE Superstar Elias...to young crossover Stranger Things superstars forming Calpurnia...you name it there's been something for everyone in 2018 and I like to think I've covered a fair unbiased amount of it. After over 200 albums and EP's, the above gallery showcases the best of the best of 2018 and I hope you agree with my overall picks. Below you'll find the link to the GTGC Facebook page, where you can find my lists in their entirety (Including the bonus WORST 20 OF 2018) and my official GTGC 2018 Spotify Playlist, and I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed compiling it. Here's to 2019 and all of the new music coming our way...some of it will get the GTGC treatment, and you know you're looking forward to that. Peace out bitches...WUBBA LUBBA DUB DUB!!!!!!!!!!!!

You may remember a short while ago; I managed to catch up with David Challenger for a chat about all things THE KENNEDY SOUNDTRACK, and got the guitarist to talk about the past, the present and the possible future for the Welsh rap-rockers. Having only recently reformed for the first time since their debut album run in 2002, nostalgia has been ripe within the KST camp, with the band re-releasing that same debut; “Tale Of 2 Cities”, especially for collectors on cassette store day, as well as playing a come-back headline show in Newport. However, with the cassette proving incredibly popular, and the show itself being a sell-out, it would be foolish to pass up on such an opportunity, given the fresh interest in the band. The result; they are not only riding the wave of nostalgia, but they’re owning that son of a bitch Kelly Slater style…and in the wake of all the excitement, they opted to treat long-time fans with a new compilation of B-Sides and rarities, together for the first time on one album…so with that in mind, let’s check out “B-Sides”.

We begin with “You Never Know” and WHAT a way to kick this album off! Originally available on the “Bloodshot Eyes” single, it perfectly encapsulates all that was good with the early nu-metal era of alternative rap rock…the fuzzy guitar distortion, the deep bass lines, the up-tempo delivery…sharp, angst-riddled lyrics and a huge hook-filled chorus, full of melody and harmony. The instrumental-heavy climax genuinely gives you goose-bumps as it filters out with one last flurry of noise and passion and it’s perfect. Firstly this belongs on the actual album, and secondly this deserves to close proceedings, end on a high note, y’know? It’s got that vibe to it…fucking brilliant stuff. We follow this up with the Melodic Mix of “24-7” and while it retains the original rap-heavy approach of the album version, here we find David taking over on vocal duties for the chorus instead of Nic Harvard and it gives us a fresh take on a classic. It’s still full of piss and vinegar but the inclusion of cleaner vocals softens the track, rendering it both freshly interesting but no less enjoyable compared to the original.

Elsewhere we have “Wide Awake” which features a brief guest vocal from SKINDRED front-man Benji Webbe. His inclusion is minimal at best, really, only offering what can be described as Caribbean Scat? I mean that as in the Scat Man (Bee-dap-bap-badda-boop), not as in, shit…please be aware of that, thank you. The song itself is a primarily mellow acoustic ballad and aside from a mid-track tempo-change of Nic’s low-key hip-hop input, it serves as a wonderfully sweet ballad, showing the Welsh quintet were more than one-trick ponies. “Bring Me Down” ironically picks things back up again with a grittier, riff-driven guitar sound before some sleek, classic hip-hop lyrical delivery, in ways harking back to the likes of PUBLIC ENEMY (Think the early Tony Hawk soundtracks), while promotional single “Proud” really gets going in proper KST fashion…really emphasising their status as the valley’s answer to LINKIN PARK…few UK acts truly embraced the nu-metal movement like this lot and despite a genre saturation, their background and tastes allowed them to still sound unique and exciting, which still holds true to this day.

​At only nine tracks long, it’s over far too quickly…alternative versions of “Yourself” and the aforementioned “Bloodshot Eyes” make an appearance, and if anything can be picked at really it’s the deep cut “E.M.B.”, which with its funk-driven instrumental style and almost 70’s guitar-tones sounds more out of place than anything else, but let’s be honest, this is the kind of sound you light up for, if you know what I mean? You do dabble in the devils lettuce, don’t you? Essentially, as was discussed with David, The Kennedy Soundtrack are happy to be back and they’re excited to be playing music again…while at the same time, long-time fans are even happier to have them back themselves. Somewhat of a cult band given their brief original run, but now is THE perfect time to discover KST, or even give them another chance. Hopefully we’ll have new music in 2019, and they’ll be killing music all over again. [8]