We've listed singles/EPs/demos in order of star rating. Best first.
Reviews by Jason Ritchie, Abigail Suter, Pete Whalley
WEAPON Ready 4 U
www.weaponrock.com
Weapon are one of the early 80's NWOBHM bands that influenced Metallica and
according to a Metallica biography, 'Damage Incoporated', the band lifted parts
of the Weapon song 'Set The Stage Alight' for their own song 'Hit The Lights'.
Fast forward thirty years since the band last released a single and they are
back, with original members Danny Hynes (vocals) and Jeff Summers (guitar)
joined by Ian Sweeting (drums) and Gavin Cooper (bass - Bob Catley/Lionsheart).
It is a very catchy song, featuring a tasty big riff and vocalist Danny Hynes
has a strong melodic tone. Reminded me a bit of Statetrooper (a band which Jeff
Summers and Gavin Cooper both played in) and Stormzone. You can download it now
and it's well worth it! ****½
Review by Jason Ritchie
PROMETHEE EP
I'm pretty sure you've never heard of Promethee and that's because they're
new to the UK music scene originally hailing from Switzerland. However, if you
have been lucky enough to have your ears brutally blessed by their metalcore
tendencies, you will know full well that we can expect big things of the Swiss
five-piece in the coming months. After their formation in 2008, they released
their debut EP on the 13th of March 2010 just two years later. And what a step
that was in their career.
The EP opens safely and securely with "And Then The Earth Was Shaken" which
boasts an extremely promising build up with a melodic feel and stable drumbeat
from Nils Haldi. However, once the vocals kick in it becomes slightly monotonous
and average. Don't get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing at all wrong with
the way Joshua Orsi uses his outstanding ability to scream but there could be a
little more depth to the track so that Promethee could show off their true
skills.
The follow up to this is "Shipwreck" and Promethee do not hesitate to make up
for where the last track failed. A strong rhythm and powerful chant of the words
"We came, we saw, we conquered!" break through the bands façade to show their
real forté; barbarous and bloodthirsty death riffs.
Both "Sink Or Swim" and "Ashes" provide a major contrast to the appearance of
the band's Facebook page. All that elegant looking French vocabulary really
seems out of it's depth when you listen to the pure ruthlessness of their music.
Both sport pretty impressive guitar solos from Ludovic Lacroix mid-track cutting
through Josh's ferocious vocals.
The EP is concluded on "Over The Horizon" with a sound which is almost anthemic
and leaves the listener on a completely legal high not knowing what's hit them.
Dear listener, this is Promethee. Prepare to have your ears ripped to shreds.
Now sit back and enjoy. ****
Review by Abigail Suter
SHOOT THE DEAD Don't Stop Dancing
Shoot The Dead - a female fronted four piece from Brighton have come up with
a pretty unique concept - the marriage of pop /rock and party/dance. With
raunchy rock vocals, a huge hook and a video notion that if you do stop dancing
hungry orcs will be gnawing your bones, it's an almost guaranteed rave hit.
The B-side - a 'live' version of gig favourite Inhuman - adds dance programming
to a frenetic rhythm, and topped by some blistering guitar and vocal lines this
most unlikely of crossover combinations suggests that Shoot The Dead may just be
an STD you'll want to catch. ***½
Review by Pete Whalley
CYBIC GURU Catastrophe / Secret
Coming out of the blocks with a Stone Roses style driving rhythm, but with a
hook that would be worthy of some of the eighties masters like Mr Mister,
Catastrophe is something of a throwback. But a welcome one.
Part American and part Icelandic, the band are the brainchild of
Japanese/American violinist Roland Hartwell. With two albums under their belt,
big followings in Iceland and Japan, and a growing fan base in Georgia the
band's sonic soundscapes are both fresh and invigorating
The B-side Secret sticks with the soft rock melodic hook, but this time
underpins it with a meaty early seventies hard rock groove and some more
contemporary 'shouty' vocal lines. An impressive and powerful combination.
***½
Review by Pete Whalley
THE SAW DOCTORS Indian Summer
With seven studio albums and eighteen Top 30 hits in Ireland to their name,
there can be little doubt that the band formed in Galway in 1986 will have yet
another hit on home soil with this latest release taken from their 'The Further
Adventures of The Saw Doctors' album.
Renowned for their live performances, particularly in the UK and the States, I
have to say that to my ears Indian Summer sounds very much like an album track
as opposed to a potential chart rocket. But with a nod towards the style of
Springsteen balladry, it's not inconceivable that it could get reasonable
amounts of airplay Stateside. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
ELECTRIC WOODLAND EP
Norwegian rockers Electric Woodland are a curious hybrid who open with classic
rock riffs and work their way round a few grooves before eventually settling for
melodic pop rock. They are also a band in search of a decent vocalist for
neither Vegard Ertsaas or Peder Kjaernli has the power, the phrasing ability let
alone the presence to turn some promising riffs and powerful chords into
anything more than a pedestrian ramble through the outer fringes of rock.
Look no further than the wasted potential of the powerful riff driven opener
'Midnight Treasure' which apart from taking too long to introduce the vocal is a
promising song that ultimately fails to deliver. And that's a shame as the
band's proggy riff driven style evokes early Deep Purple and the chord changes
are pure Sabbath, but a hard rock approach demands a ballsy vocalist. And it's
that basic problem that dogs all four tracks here in spite of the presence of
two different vocalists.
In fact most of this EP sounds like a rehearsal in which the guitarists strike
up a nascent understanding as the busy rhythm section powers them on, but then
they hit a brick wall in terms of the vocals.
In fact most of this 4 track EP - which clocks in at nearly 20 minutes - has a
goodtime enthusiastic feel mirroring the very reason for the band's existence in
the first place, which was to play rock in their native Norway after the demise
of several major festivals. But for the most part the results sound like a
polite workable compromise rather than a devil may care effort.
'Sharp Angle' for example, choogles along inoffensibly with a drone like quality
on the guitars before the band's enthusiasm gets the better of them as they
actually speed up towards the climax of the song.
'Another Brick In Your Puzzle' is more interesting if only for the welcome
variety in the texture and sound as it crosses over from a Tull like staccato
electric guitar to Christian Olsen-Ruud experiments on acoustic and banjo and
then back again.
Electric woodland are band who delight in finding early 70's derivative riffs,
transitory grooves and occasionally embrace a sense of the dramatic, but
ultimately they don't go beyond riff driven rock without any personality. And
just when you think their getting close to cooking up their own gumbo they slip
back into the sing-along pop rock of 'Manimal', on which Peder's nasal vocals
sounds like a young Stan Webb on a number that chugs along but hardly smoulders.
Working on the principle that EP's are a good way to test the water and create
an initial impression, Electric Woodland have the drive, enthusiasm and spirit
to make a splash but they need better vocals and more coherent musical
direction. ***
Review by Pete Feenstra
BLACKWATER JAMES Vol. 1
For a band whose PR blurb would have you believe made such an impact with
their eponymous 2009 debut album that they're on the cusp of a major
breakthrough, there's precious little to be found on the web about this four
piece hard / classic rock outfit from Nashville.
Which, if Vol 1 - their six track follow up EP - is anything to go by, is
something of a surprise. The band do rock US style. Big guitars, big drums, big
choruses and radio friendly - in an eighties sort of a way - their sound falling
somewhere between Guns 'n' Roses and Poison / Motley Crue.
The set has all the necessary rock 'n' roll swagger, attitude and just the right
amount of sleeze, and in guitarist / singer Christopher James they've got a
front man who sounds the part. The lead single Blackheart is made for radio play
(at least on US rock radio) and if the band can conjure up the appropriate image
(all important these days) then there's no reason why they couldn't become a
force to be reckoned with. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
AIRSHIP Kids
Despite the Scream mask artwork, Kids - the new single from Manchester indie
four piece Airship is a pretty commercial offering. With a shimmering wall of
sound reminiscent of The Editors and honeyed vocals in the style of Cherry Ghost
it bodes well for their forthcoming album 'Stuck In This Ocean'.
Having supported The Editors, and with Doves/Cherry Ghost producer Dan Austin
behind the desk, those influences shine through and should make the band a hit
on the summer festival scene. And with support slots to Biffy Clyro looming, the
future looks bright. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
DEADLY CIRCUS FIRE Deadly Circus Fire EP
www.deadlycircusfire.com
London based Deadly Circus Fire release this eponymous 5 track EP, well it’s
more of a mini album, and it is both raw and melodic, and nods towards prog
metal. That said, there are so many influences, mostly noisy ones. There’s some
alternative in bucketloads, and chunks of Tool and Mastodon. Quite a lot of
pounding going on. The riffs mix chunky, noisy and jangly well.
I’d imagine good for a mosh pit. ***
Review by Joe Geesin
SKELETAL DAMAGE A Headshot Is The Only Way EP
www.skeletaldamage.com
Three tracks that prove this band will be worth checking out at Download. Punchy
up-front metal that mixes the thrash of Megadeth and Metallica with the noise
and brutality of Machine Head and Pantera.
The opening track has a solid, dark riff and fast chunky rhythms, a little rough
sounding though. 'Blue on Blue' is as noisier and an excellent riff.
If you like modern metal that has thrash tendencies, you’ll probably like this.
***
Review by Joe Geesin
BEYOND DREAMS OF GRANDEUR
Beyond Dreams Of Grandeur EP
www.myspace.com/beyonddreamsofgrandeur
Debut eponymous 5 track EP from this Birmingham young band. The guitar work and
songs are pretty good, some intricate work in what is effectively emo /
alternative metal. Pop and metal influences, especially in 'A Portrait Of Us',
from melody to death metal like noise and intensity and back again.
Not my favourite genre but should do OK. **
Review by Joe Geesin
WE DIE TONIGHT Stem The Tide EP (Seven Records)
www.facebook.com/wedietonight
4 track EP from this London based band, who are described as progressive
hardcore.
The first opens with thunderous bursts of guitar bass and drums, the
accompanying vocal chords have been delicately swabbed with Dettol and a wire
brush. These segments will soon have your underwear looking like a used coffee
filter.
The lighter moments mix bland alternative melodies with occasional Maiden-esque
trad metal guitar interplay. Hardcore, both what goes in and what comes out.
**
Review by Joe Geesin
SKILLER Follow the Siren EP
www.myspace.com/skillermetal
Swedish metal that is as much influenced by electronica as extreme metal. The is
strong, heavy and solid keyboard work in the opening track that is intricate and
swirling, could take the music in a pomp or prog direction, the metal guitars
work well with it but when they go extreme (guitars, vocals), I just wanted to
skip forward.
The mainstream metal angle works very well - imagine Iron Maiden with more
prominent keyboards, the alternative bits do nothing for me so I go make a cup
of tea, the really extreme bits (some of the guitars, most of the vocals) just
put me right off. All that I love and hate about metal in one track, and there
are three of them. **
Review by Joe Geesin
THE HYENAS Filthy Electricity
www.reverbnation.com/thehyenas
Three piece band from Essex who come across as the Stroke jamming with Muse,
although sadly they are not a patch on Muse. The second song on here, 'You
Should Not Operate Machinery' with its repetitive refrain is the stronger of the
two songs but neither really have enough to want you to check out more by the
band. **½
Review by Jason Ritchie
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