Elephantom - Parallax - Debut Single - Released 2nd April 2014

Elephantom

Parallax

Debut Single

Released 2nd April 2014

Logo

Elephantom – Liverpool

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/profile

Listen Here:

https://soundcloud.com/elephantomuk

Watch the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uodZL-miRjs&feature=youtu.be

Directed by Christian Scott & David Kalver

Gaffer - Simon Derwent & Paul Fessey

Track mixed by Tony Draper - tonydrapermusic.com/

Genre: Progressive

Elephantom have been on the Liverpool circuit for quite a while – since first seeing them on the 2^nd July 2011 for Metal Assault at the Zanzibar, although you may have remembered them under the name of Arkaidence back then.

Arkaidence were pretty mediocre until they morphed into Elephantom and then everything changed, with two members lighter, and the lovely Marty Benn in the mix, the now suited and booted, gas mask wearing quartet suddenly came to light.

"Their video may have been done before by numerous other acts, but it still remains gripping right up to the end – with a good twist"

Elephantom have been playing numerous gigs around Liverpool and just getting stronger and more dramatic with each performance solidifying their place on the scene.

Although the music is still progressive it has somehow developed into a more intense, sophisticated form and people are now taking them very seriously.

A rare pic of Elephantom without the masks and suits

LtoR: Marty, Mike, Al and Pete

The debut single ‘Parallax’ which I have seen the band play on numerous occasions live now has a video attached to it – check it out above.

Elephantom play complex passages, pushing the boundaries where possible without being too over bearing and great to listen to in the dark with the sound up!

I have a couple of favourites - ‘Crossing the Threshold’ the other ‘Pixie Dust’ the latter doesn’t seem to be played by the band live – at least I haven’t heard them play it, but it is a fantastic track – so check that out on Soundcloud.

Their video may have been done before by numerous other acts, but it still remains gripping right up to the end – with a good twist.

Prog Rock can be quite difficult to get into at times when all you want to do is mosh, but it can also be a highly satisfying ride if played right and Elephantom are the guys to do it!

Elephantom are now very much in the spotlight and rightly so!

9/10

Members:

Marty Benn – Bass

Al Nolan – Vocals

Pete Roper – Drums

Michael Threlfall - Vocals/Guitar

Bury the Hatchet - Ouroboros - 5 Track E.P - Released 14th March 2014

Bury the Hatchet

Ouroboros

5 Track E.P

Released 14^th March 2014

Hang on to your brain cells!! 

Bury the Hatchet – Medway, Kent

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/burythehatchetuk

Listen Here:

https://bthofficial.bandcamp.com/album/ouroboros

Mixed by the awesome Graham Waller

Recorded at Emeline Studios and the Mix Cave

Mastered by Audioseige

Genre: Metal

Biography:

“Formed October 2010 - Bury the Hatchet are made up 5 blokes. The end. Well not quite...

Ray Hughes - Born and raised in Maidstone. He sings!  Richard Norton Unknown where he was born but all we know is he lives in Chatham and plays guitar. Dave Greenslade - Not born of mortal man, but shags sheep! Baaaa Plays with himself, oh and guitar from time to time. Dyno Willsher - Some say he killed a goat with his bare knees, and he likes to stroke potatoes. All we know is he plays bass. Mike Orvis doesn’t seem to appear in this biog for some reason – probably received a blow to the skull or something!”

Ouroboros is a Greek symbol depicting a serpent eating its own tail and significant to representing the human psyche.

The bands cover is highly interesting if not then a bit creepy. I am expecting a guy with a hatchet to come out of that wardrobe at some point – I really should get out more and stop watching horror movies!

Not without their metal sense of humour that is obvious. So many metal heads possess an ‘off the cuff’ sense of humour, so why should Bury the Hatchet be any different?  They can also produce some earth shattering sounds and no doubt it will keep the neighbours happy when you turn it up a few notches! Share and share alike eh?

“I don’t need convincing that this E.P is the best thing since sliced bread because I know it is. Its formidable, ravenous flailing riffs just eat you from the inside out, the drumming is constantly addictive, the bass lines are harsh and cruel and the scourging vocals... well need I say more?”

This E.P is more than just a riveting listen, it will change your life forever because on listening it will produce brain blisters – let me explain... as the music filters in through the aural it fillets the brain in such a way you will need surgery!

The constant vocal onslaught is truly exceptional and at the end of this recording I wouldn’t be surprised if Ray went into rehab for a few months to recover! But can’t help thinking it must be the fact why the band finished on such a mediocre track, although it shows he is diverse and can sing.

This is a brutally engaging E.P for the trained ear, but for those who are not trained in scathing metal, well they sadly, just won’t get it at all.  I however, am in the first category and now devilishly wrapping myself around those vocals, happy as anything - like a pig in muck!

I don’t need convincing that this E.P is the best thing since sliced bread because I know it is. Its formidable, ravenous flailing riffs just eat you from the inside out, the drumming is constantly addictive, the bass is harsh and cruel and the scourging vocals... well need I say anymore?

Shaped by precision engineering of the most brutal metal kind and equally antagonistic this E.P heralds the end of the world as everything that comes into contact with it will be destroyed within a hundred miles in the coarsest and most gripping way.

Bury the Hatchet have ticked all the boxes for me on a grand scale. I have been tenderised by a meat cleaver, ok!  Hatchet then, but let’s not get pedantic here. Let’s just Bury the Hatchet Mmm?

To Sum up:

Just listen to the goddamn E.P FFS! It’s all good! These guys were born to deliver - metal at its utmost! Enjoy!

10/10

Track List:

Regress

Tired

Lux et Veritas – (Light & Truth)

Rinse and Repeat

Bad Blood

End my ignorant loveless youth

Members:

Ray Hughes - Vocals

Richard Norton – Guitar/Vocals

David Greenslade - Guitar/Vocals

Dyno Willsher - Bass

Mike Orvis - Drums

Never a Hero - Bleed Between the Lies - 14 Track Debut Album - Released November 2012

Never a Hero

Bleed Between the Lies

14 Track Debut Album

Released November 2012

Never a Hero – Sudbury

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/neverahero

Watch Here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/neveraheroofficial

Available digitally here:

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/bleed-between-the-lies/id628476638

Featuring Bruce Jones better known as Les Battersby from Coronation Street

Album artwork photography by Ben Allen

Album artwork by KB, Stuart Cheese and Jak-House

Produced by Sheena Sear and Never a Hero

Recorded at Monkey Puzzle House Studios in Woolpit

Genre: Alternative Rock

Biography:

Never a Hero are an alternative metal band based in the UK. The band formed in 2009 when members from two bands merged together to write new music diverting from their usual styles.

The band has seen a few line-up changes throughout the years with introduction of lead singer Phrixus, lead guitarist Kaji and the departure of DJ/backing vocalist Mr White and lead guitarist/vocalist Toby C. In 2010, the band recorded their debut E.P Socially Awkward at Outhouse Studios in Reading, which was re-released in May 2012 and is available for digital download from all major sites.

Behind the mask.... Never a Hero

Throughout 2013 the band played across the country as well as filming videos for two more songs from their album which are due for release in early 2014. Never a Hero are currently writing for their second album which they are recording in May 2014, but won't be available until around October.

This is the band’s debut album in the spotlight be it from two years ago, I have always said that alternative rock isn’t my bag but been surprised on more than one occasion, however, never let it be said that I don’t prefer ‘heavy and quirky’ and Never a Hero seem to have both in abundance.

This album strikes with a somewhat creative encounter. The harmonies blend and although it is just on the cusp of mainstream, it stays just short of the borderline making it a teasing adventure.

The crisp guitar work and solid drumming gives it a healthy edge. They work a wonderful melodic weave into the mix and have accurately struck the balance between heavy and quirky squarely on the head with a superb track to open.

It hosts an urgency of rhythmic prowess that doesn’t fall short on strength and even portrays a certain sophistication as on ‘The Call’ with the heaviness flowing freely through its muscular veins.

More air of sophistication as ‘Screams of Silence’ glides from the speakers outlining a beautiful melodic and engaging guitar and piano accompaniment. Vocally powerful showing clearly a nice diversity and perking up interest.

Furthering on the mainstream element does come into play as on ‘Days of Patience’ and wouldn’t be out of place on the radio, however, it is sung so beautifully, so it cannot be knocked too hard as it builds to a ravenous crescendo.

‘Vogue’ is heavy as and a good track to follow the previous one, it keeps you on your toes without a doubt and my favourite track so far.  The urgent rhythmical swagger is displayed with a ferocious brewing of explosive supremacy.

The mysterious I is dream-like and demands attention – this shows a true diversity within the bands capabilities and really pleasing on the ears.  It fuses into the next track ‘Untouchable’ with its seamless edge and then all of a sudden it simply explodes into a ravenous feast of emotions. The added vocal by Heidi Stubbings is just superb.

‘Dreamcatcher’ starts off slow and then erupts into a potent melodic melodrama with superb vocals that show off a harsher gait, so again the mainstream element is obscured, although still within the mix.

Quirky and sinister the plinking keys in the background adds to an already interesting feel on ‘Hollow and the Crow’ where a faster garbled vocal comes into play.

The last two tracks ‘Sunbeam’ and ‘Stalked’ were just mediocre in all respects of the word and didn’t really hold any interest for me, however the final track ‘Bleed between the lies’ was sumptuous in delivery.  The piano was dark and dramatic, so beautifully played and definitely another favourite of mine.

“It is one very diverse album for sure that holds a host of well played and produced pieces of music. It is definitely of a more ‘alternative nature’ but skimming over the mainstream mediocrity I feel there is more of a hard rock band screaming to get out”

To Sum up:

Certainly not your typical mainstream album despite there being traces of it.  The band have really pulled the stops out on this and although it isn’t one of my favourite genres I have still managed to find a lot to like within quite a few of these tracks.

The harsher elements of course, for me are most welcome but the finely tuned soft piano keys were also a delight as were the female vocal addition on ‘Untouchable’

It is one very diverse album for sure that holds a host of well played and produced pieces of music. It is definitely of a more ‘alternative nature’ but skimming over the mainstream mediocrity I feel there is more of hard rock band screaming to get out! In fact I would go as far to say that the more you listen to this album the more you discover.

9/10

Track List:

Read between the Lines

Burning Skies

Roses are dead, violets are too

The Call

Screams of Silence

Days of Patience

Vogue

I

Untouchable

Dreamcatcher

Hollow and the Crow

Sunbeam

Stalked

Bleed between the lies

Members:

Phrixus – Vocals

Micky Thin – Guitar/Vocals

KB – Bass/Vocals

Kaji – Lead Guitar

Daisy Lai – Drums/Samples

Mutant Zombie Foetus - λ - Lamba - 4 Track E.P - Released 1st April 2014

Mutant Zombie Foetus

λ - Lamba

4 Track E.P

Released 1^st April 2014

Mutant Zombie Foetus – Reading, Berkshire

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/MUTANT-ZOMBIE-FOETUS

Listen Here:

https://mutantzombiefoetus.bandcamp.com

Genre: Thrash/Speed/Punk metal

Biography:

"Formed in Reading, Berkshire at the tail end of 2007, and inspired by their love of Metal, Punk and cult 80's films, MZF combined infectious riffs and dark humour into the beast that is Mutant Zombie Foetus"

The final MZF EP - an artistic homage to Half Life 2 and the hero that is Gordon Freeman.

En masse it’s a punk fuelled injection. Time to brush off the cobwebs of a genre that is not dead and buried, at least where Mutant Zombie Foetus are concerned. On looking at the band and logo you would think they were a Death Metal outfit, but you would be total wrong to think that.

The title tracks again lull you into a false sense of security, although the thrash, speed element is rife especially on the final track. The third track in all lasts but 14 seconds implying it could be a grind track, - again you would be very wrong and nothing like the element of surprise!

Warning: User Death Imminent

Eerie samples fade into oblivion as the punk influences becomes apparent. Equally bruising and antagonistic, it is a voracious track that gives rise to the blood being pumped around the body at a rate of knots.

Rise of the Antlions,

Thundering mercilessly and infesting the aural, quite an intensive concoction of speed, thrash punk infusion – that works extremely well. Consistently stripping the senses with shrill addictive guitar work and a brutal punk vocal.

Holy Shit is that a Crowbar?

Not enough time to enjoy this brief track as it is over before it has begun.

The Combine March through the void to the resonance cascade.

This is one superb track from start to finish. Boasting a deathly dual vocal with strong gruff growls, interesting samples and indeed the longest track on the E.P being 4 amazing minutes and 10 seconds long.

With the bands punk influences not far away, it races into a blind fury again mixing thrash with speed, and twisting in some glorious fusion that grows stronger through-out, boasting some great harsh vocal too, so enjoy!

“It’s a very lively E.P but also the band have managed to infuse metal with ambient – it’s cleverly injected into the bloodstream and allows you to embrace its vicious and brutal attack”

To Sum up:

The band are indeed what they say they are on the label, however, the label is somewhat unexpected, with the logo being death metal orientated - nothing punk about it! The filler track makes you think it could be grind orientated but without a doubt the punk shines through, revealing the bands true qualities. So you get a lot more than you bargained for here.

It’s a very lively E.P but also the band have managed to infuse metal with ambient – it’s cleverly injected into the bloodstream and allows you to embrace its vicious and brutal attack!

8½/10

Track List

Warning: user Death Imminent

Rise of the Antlions,

Holy Shit is that a Crowbar?

The Combine March through the void to the resonance cascade.

Members:

Sam Gardner - Bass/Vocals

Toby Gibbons, Guitar/Vocals

Ed Radcliffe- Lead Guitar

Magnus Kraken Drums/Vocals.

Graftage - Secret Garden - 10 Track Album - Released 23rd November 2013

Graftage

Secret Garden

10 Track Album

Released 23rd November 2013

Written for Blackened Horde/Crimson MoonZine

Graftage – Italy

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/graftagemetalband

http://www.graftage.net/

Genre: Metal

"As the track develops the metal chugs are strong and empowering proving that the band are not shying away from certain experimentation, but it seems that this for the main part of the track has been done before – so nothing totally new to throw at the metal world there"

Enuma Elish is quite a sophisticated track to open with its rolling piano and strange accompaniment to a very melodic instrumental backdrop.

Furthering onto the next track, As Gods shows some harsh gritty vocals but still not straying from its musical sophistication, hosting some Spanish guitar.

Planet of Gods lulls the listener into a frantic frenzy as you may think that the track has a glitch of some kind as it stops and starts but don’t worry it is all part of their master plan. As the track develops the metal chugs are strong and empowering proving that the band are not shying away from certain experimentation, but it seems that this for the main part of the track has been done before – so nothing totally new to throw at the metal world there.

Storm quickens its flourishing tempos and delivers brazen style, although it is quite an inbred kind of track, meaning again it has been done before, but not without some kind of fuel injected adrenalin.

We are leaving is a typical metal track with a repetitious groove and a smattering of chugs we all know and love, with fast paced drumming that’s always welcome.

Dead and empty sees the band return to their roots and back to the air of sophistication although soon after, things do change somewhat and not for the better either, with a hideous, off key vocal – the music only saving itself by the skin of its teeth forging some fast and incredible drumming!

Secret Garden the title track launches into a harshness of vocal grit and formidable keyboard that plays out and leaves a metal imprint but nothing too serious to shake your head to.

Theia the day of doom lets out an almighty explosion of samples and then an eerie ambient direction of electric guitar takes hold, accompanied by a powerful battering of solid skins. This has to be my favourite track on the album so far, being in the dramatic vein of metal intensity.

Hyper holds an urgent and shrill satisfaction and then levels out into a steady paced track, although vocally again leaves a lot to be desired, until the crisp harshness returns and redeems itself all be it slightly.

Bonus Track this meanders until it simply explodes into a fierce and uncompromising malevolence of fire and brimstone which nearly threw me off guard.

To Sum up:

There isn’t a lot I can tell you about Graftage as their page is quite sparse of information but the album in places is a bit disappointing and yet in others highly enterprising. It isn’t your average metal album and not something you can listen to at the drop of a hat, although definitely in places very old hat but with certain modern twists that are its saving grace.

When the vocals are sung cleanly they fail to meet expectations as they are clearly off key, but forced into a grisly molten melting pot are highly satisfying and rewarding. The track dead and empty is in my opinion a bit of both inadequate and yet musically gratifying.

To be fair, and it has to be said, that Batty Blackheart is a multi-talented artist and what he makes up for with some dodgy off key vocal, he certainly makes up for in musical ability.

It is definitely a bit hit and miss and not without its flaws, but without fear of a doubt Theia the day of doom rules supreme for me proving that Graftage do have it in them to produce some powerful uncompromising metal.

7/10

Track List:

Enuma Elish

As Gods

Planet of Gods

Storm

We are leaving you, Gea

Dead and Empty

Secret Garden

Theia the Day of Doom

Hyper

Bonus Track

Members:

Batty Blackheart – Bass/Guitars/Keyboards/Vocals

Gio - Drums

Kaine - The Iron Lady - Single - Taken from The Waystone - MGR Records - Released 1st April 2014

Kaine

The Iron Lady

Single Track

Taken from the new Album The Waystone

MGR Records

Released 1^st April 2014

Kaine – Essex

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/kaineband

Listen here:

https://kaine.bandcamp.com/track/iron-lady-single

Discography:

Kaine - 2010

Killotine EP featuring Osmium Guillotine - 2012

Breaking the Surface – Live 2012

Falling through Freedom - 2012

Rock the Castle Live – 2013

The Waystone - 2014

Genre: 2^nd Wave of British Heavy Metal

Biography:

“Kaine are a British Heavy Metal Revival band formed in 2009. With a string of metal releases under their metal belt buckles. One of the most hard working bands known to man – like most bands, they haven’t been without their struggles in the early days of forming but come a long way since then and gone on to win the GMA Breakthrough Metal Band Award last year. Kaine are a solid format no nonsense metal outfit that have now carved out more than just a niche – they have broken through most of the metal barriers they once thought had eluded them by sheer determination, proving them to be the ones to watch out for!”

The Waystone - due out August!

I love the Kaine covers just as much as I do the music. You can tell its Kaine just by looking at the exceptional artwork and when you hear the band live it brings back a certain nostalgia of the 80’s but with a modern day twist.

“Shaped by an antagonistic vocal and plenty of thundering chugs, it fair to say it will leave you drooling, as well as foaming at the mouth and will no doubt have guitarists all over the place reaching for their guitars.”

This single is so catchy it lingers and will dance around in your head for days. Its rapaciousness is an emotional roller coaster, holding plenty of energetic appetite. Shaped by an antagonistic vocal and plenty of thundering chugs, it fair to say it will leave you drooling, as well as foaming at the mouth and will no doubt have guitarists all over the place reaching for their guitars.

Ant, Rage, Chris and Dan

The metal lures the listener whilst the plague of melodic potency washes over the ears and leaves its mark with a resounding success.

This is mouth-watering stuff with rhythmically riveting passages and a build up to literally die for. The benchmark has been well and truly set – this track is just a taster for the storm that is about to descend on us with the band’s new album The Waystone – out soon – August in case you were wondering, and knowing Kaine their album will not only seduce but pulverize you at the same time.

Damned fine single that emerges as being their strongest to date!

Kaine on Tour

April 18th, 2014 – Luna Lounge, Leytonstone, London

May 9th, 2014 – Rebellion Bar, Manchester *

May 10th, 2014 – Corporation, Sheffield *

May 11th, 2014 – The Flapper, Birmingham *

May 13th, 2014 – Stereo, Glasgow *

May 14th, 2014 – Bannermans, Edinburgh *

May 16th, 2014 - The Barfly, Camden, London *

May 31st, 2014 – The Sitwell Tavern, Derby

June 27th, 2014 - The Hope & Anchor, Islington, London

June 28th, 2014 – The Asylum, Chelmsford

July 19th, 2014 – The Grinning Rat, Ipswich

August 16th, 2014 – The Snooty Fox, Wakefield

August 30th, 2014 - The Hope & Anchor, Islington, London

November 22nd, 2014 – The Riverside, Selby

* Renegades UK Tour with Monument

9½/10

Members:

Rage Sadler - Rhythm Guitar/Lead Guitar/Vocals

Dan Mailer - Bass/Vocals

Anthony Murch - Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals

Chris MacKinnon - Drums