Bulletproof - De-generation - 9 Track Debut Album - Released 27th July 2015

Bulletproof

De-generation

9 Track Debut Album

Released 27^th July 2015

Out now!

Written for Metal Gods Meltdown

Bulletproof – Bolzano, Italy

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bullet-Proof

Genre: Thrash

Biography:

“The band was born from almost nothing in the month of August 2014 between a speech of three founding members, Diego Polli (bass), Richard and Lukas Hupka (Richard vocals and guitar, Lukas drums). The musical ideas were born mainly from the hand of Richard and the direction they follow is between the classic heavy and thrash metal. To achieve the full, desired sound, they were still missing something important. And after many changes and tests, the band has found the right solution in HeadMatt as a second guitar player. All members have already former experience with playing in other bands before. Now, the band concluded in early January the recording of the first album and is ready to bring their music to the public!”

Instrum

With a predacious slap around the chops this track just lunges straight for the jugular and proceeds to envelop its prey with a certain inflamed riffage and spiced beats. The fast paced instrumental is rich with dynamic and volatile creativity and a great track on which to open.

The Cage

The Cage is a real chugger and sounds slightly similar to an early Ozzy Osbourne track (Anyone remember I don’t know?) Its rhythms are sumptuous as well as antagonistic with a nice thrash vein running through its vital core! And one of my favourite tracks that has received my utmost attention being the most played on the album by a mile!

Superb track - The Cage by Bulletproof

Deceive

Starts off with a juddering attack of riffs that carry on attacking. The vocals sound raw and coarse towards the audial. Although those squeaks that prevail on the fret board are really annoying and don’t do the track any favours.

Chemtrails

Holds a certain mystique that peeks the attention, while the chants are relentlessly moreish. The crippling beats are cruel and enthused with a barbed characteristic, making it a superb track to just let the hair fly!

You (Heroine)

With a splash of deep bass hooks it quickly gains momentum and engulfs with a savage riff and expanding raucous vocal. It moves away from its heavy thrash genre and opts for a brutal chug instead, however the guitar instantly ignites with a crescendo of high octane intervention and brutalises the ears, with the bass again dominating and a catchy melody in tow.

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“It is unarguably an intense album with a lot of technical prowess that really cranks it up another notch. On occasions it forsakes its thrash elements and reveals a more mellow edge, however this too is none the less metal and is as diverse as it can be!”

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Again

Is again(!) a thrasher that cajoles and infects the aural with an abundance of savage riffs that make it an enjoyable track for its rampaging and engrossing presence?

No Common Chords

Is an epic and extremely poignant track that runs through its paces with an almost spoken vocal and meanders with a twisting appetite to hungrily feast upon eager ears and is musically brutal and edgy in delivery.

She Devil

Gives us a clear reign on some magnificent drumming that stands out along with some serious riffs and chants. The seamless energy is exerted through a mass of crippling rhythms that taunt and tease around every corner.

De generation

The unbridled passion is forthright and energetic with heaps of aggression. Persistently gripping and fired up it is driven by an uncompromising element of fierce and ravenous excitement, however to end this glorious album the listener can sit back and relax from the tensions of a savage riff and enjoy a brief respite with some mellow strings.

Summary:

This is one of those albums that when you press play you immediately get caught up in an intense legacy of potent riffs and magnetic rhythms that keep on hitting the audial in such a way that you just want to keep on enjoying them.

It is unarguably an intense album with a lot of technical prowess that really cranks it up another notch. On occasions it forsakes its thrash elements and reveals a more mellow edge, however this too is none the less metal and is as diverse as it can be.

There are (apart from Deceive) no really disappointing moments on this album.  Everything is laid bare and out there to reveal a skillful excursion into Bullet-proofs world and believe me it is a journey well worth taking!

9.5/10

Track List:

Instrum

The Cage

Deceive

Chemtrails

You (Heroine)

Again

No Common Chords

She Devil

De-generation

Members:

Richard Hupka - Lead Vocals, Guitar

HeadMatt - Guitars

Diego Polli - Bass Guitar

Lukas Hupka - Drums

Machine Rox - Electric Bang Machine - 6 Track E.P - Static Distortion Records - Synchrotrax Records - Released 1st August 2015

Machine Rox

Electric Bang Machine

6 Track E.P

Static Distortion Records - Synchrotrax Records

Released 1^st August 2015

Nitty gritty & down to the bone!

Machine Rox – London

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/machinerox

Listen and buy here:

https://machinerox.bandcamp.com/album/electric-bang-machine

Genre: Electro Industrial Metal

Biography:

“Machine Rox began as the solo project of Richard K, the musician/songwriter taking rich experiences and adventures from being part of industrial metallers MEAT MACHINE and GLOBAL NOISE ATTACK, with whom he shared stages with the likes of Rammstein, Napalm Death, and Covenant, into his new creative intent. The project grew with the addition of AGA in 2010, her unique backing vocals and keyboard seduction aiding a new potency which took the well-received strengths of the band’s first two E.Ps to new commanding heights with the “Driven” EP. The recruitment of guitarist VALERIAN OPROIU and drummer NUJ FARROW in 2012 saw the quartet concentrating on lighting up the live arena, which they did with acclaim and accomplished devilry through festival appearances and shows which saw them play with bands such as Leaetherstrip, V2A, and Deviant UK!”

 Richard K

Aga and Nuj

Nachtschade

It seems there is no stopping Machine Rox they are an unstoppable force with their punchy magnetic tracks this one being no exception. The sinister hues of ambient magic draws you closer into their seductive rhythms and when they do be prepared for a demonic attack to the audial. It is virtually impossible not to move in one form or another to sounds like this – even if one was encased in quick drying cement!

Mind Control

Again with a sinister ambiance this track launches its devious rhythms on unsuspecting ears. It toys with your emotions and subsequently has you firmly fixed on the target! It’s tempting bursts of raw and unbridled involvement is like metal to a magnet which in turn sends a dark wave of alluring rhythms right down the spine until it cannot tingle anymore!

Move On

This has to be my favourite track on said E.P just for the bubbling rhythms it emits and the anthemic pull that levitates to an all-time high. The sing a long content will have you reaching for the obligatory hairbrush in order to add to the bands tempestuous enterprise, while your body is taken on an irresistible journey that has to be completed. It continues to impress right up to its end and will ensure a superb listen.

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“The drama that is executed within this E.P and rip-roaring exploits will be a great springboard for the next offering by the band – but hard to see how they can better this! Superbly executed!”

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Save the World

This is an incredible amble of sparse keyboard notes that will engage while offering subtle edginess and melodic enterprise. Its message needs no explanation and will leave your senses awakened.

Fall Down

Is a really engaging and thoroughly mesmeric track that captures a riotous feel and one you want to get caught up in on listening and will invariably do so! The vocal grazing is all-encompassing and rich, backed up by fluid ripples of moreish rhythms is a grand recipe for electronic body movements!

Stop telling lies

The bristling waves of pulsating rhythms and beats surround you in a cloak of pure unadulterated madness that twist and turn into a ferocious stomp. Again the mind has to obey such powerful tones and swiftly manoeuvres the body to follow suit so it is 100% thoroughly engaging.

Summary

For EBM enthusiasts everywhere (count me in here) This E.P will roughly caress the senses and awaken your soul with its powerful lures and addictive choruses to the point it will leave you dazed and disorientated in true Machine Rox style!

It isn’t difficult to get attached to music of this calibre with its mesmerising beats and punchy rhythms – in fact if you can’t you are obviously not long for this world or already dead!

The focus is without a doubt the attention grabbing synth notes (courtesy of Aga who lends her vocals to the tracks as well) that gravitate toward the ears and is an amazing piece of bait that Machine Rox exploit superbly well through-out this E.P.

The drama that is executed within this E.P and rip-roaring exploits will be a great springboard for the next offering by the band – but hard to see how they can better this! Superbly executed!

Go on, go out with the Electric Bang Machine!

10/10

Track List:

Nachtschade

Mind Control

Move On

Save the World

Fall Down

Stop telling lies

Members:

Richard K (Electronic, Vocals, Bass, Guitars)

Aga (Vocals, Keyboards)

Nuj Farrow (Live Drums)

Roadhog - Cheshire Cheese - Frodsham - 01.08.15

Roadhog

Cheshire Cheese

Frodsham

01.08.15

Say 'Cheese' 

Roadhog – North West

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Roadhog-Classic-Rock-Band

Due to roadworks going down along the M62 the journey was prolonged, but thanks to the weather it was an enjoyable journey none the less.

Having been to the venue some two years ago I remembered it was a friendly place, be it a small one!

Everyone was in high spirits and eager to set up.  The pub itself was fair to bristling with punters, ale in hand when the band arrived.

It wasn’t long before the band had set up and were into doing their sound check which was as always perfect, with just a few tweaking of knobs and dials.

This time the Roadhog additions had grown with Jane and daughter Katie, myself, Jan and Sandra all occupying the back row of comfortable seating right opposite the stage.

 Sandra and Jan

Jane and Katie

After the sound check there was a gap of around 35 minutes where the band could grab a drink and chat to various people now filtering into the tiny space.

The time seemed to be eaten up with laughter and chat and finally the time had arrived for Roadhog to do their stuff and perform within their small confines on the Cheshire Cheese stage.

The place filled up considerably and the night was then well and truly underway.

It wasn’t long before Graham was changing the lyrics this time to ‘Battleship Chains’ as if introducing it as ‘This is a track if you are in bondage!” wasn’t enough, and causing a stir to the enthusiastic crowd that now stood in front of them, Oggy saw the surprised look on Neil’s face and burst out laughing at the beginning of the track, but quickly managed to gain his composure – however the people in the crowd were unable to – but it all adds to the fun of it!

Oggy is now well known for causing a stir as Samantha an ardent fan of Roadhog turned directly to me, her face a gasp as Graham sang the words of Alright Now diverting the familiar lyrics of “I took her home to my place, watching every move on her face!” to “I took her home to my place, and I rubbed my nob all over her face!” to one of extreme shock, however myself and Jan knew what was coming and laughed at Sam’s shocked expression.

Sam looking like a rocked up version of Agnetha from Abba

This was Raymondo’s second gig since the demise of Roadhog’s previous drummer Ed Lane, and although not 100% as yet, he is a willing participant and really does put his all into the set.

Neil the band’s long term bassist of 5 years – who is in another band called ‘Krazy Knights’ a superb Kiss Tribute band, decided to give his new bass a second outing. It was in the form of an axe which he propelled nicely towards Graham’s head during the set! (Make note no band member was harmed during the making of this gig!)

Neil - with said bass

Kev the band’s legendary guitarist who was previously with Trailer Trash along with Graham, effortlessly played some amazing riffs and did his now familiar walk around the pub and on his return Graham said “Did you get any wallets and IPad?” To which Kev smiled and held up his own wallet and said yeah! But as I know Kev would never do something as crass as that and it was clearly done for a laugh, as most of the crowd knew, but executed for laugh rather than shock content!

Graham announced the usual birthday mentions and this time it was Samantha and Jill who copped for the Happy Birthday sing a long and the usual ‘Oggy’ banter which always has people in stitches at the other person’s expense, but in true style Sam and Jill turned the tables and were up for a laugh be it at their own expense or not, and this all added to making the night a successful one.

Sam, Oggy, Jill and Neil

Graham then said “Now we are going to invite a young lady up on stage to sing with us!” and Katie (the daughter of Jane Craig who is Kev’s other half) stood up and confidently walked on stage and sung ‘Remind Me’ a personal Nikelback favourite of mine.

 Katie

 Kev, Katie and Neil

Katie and Neil

Katie was composed, confident and professional.  She told me afterwards that she had just gained her level 8 music exam with distinction and I could certainly see why! Note perfect and with excellent stage presence she was flagged either side by Neil and Kev who did the backing vocals and she launched into the track – her voice having a lilting tone that was clearly right for the track, although Katie prefers to sing with more of a Folk undertone.

I had never seen anyone so young just get up on stage like that, no nerves, no rehearsing, and deliver such an amazing song. It was superb to witness and rightly so she left the stage with applause ringing in her ears.

 Kevo, Oggy and Neil

 Raymondo and Oggy

 Ray, Oggy and Neil

 Oggy in the moment

 Mr Tambourine Man - Oggy!

Kevo and Oggy

As Roadhog sing the classic tracks there was plenty for people to engage with and sing along to although sadly Raymondo still hasn’t learned ‘War Pigs’ which Roadhog are well known for doing and in their own style which is dare I say it, slightly heavier than the original.  On speaking to Ray after the set he said “I would have given War Pigs a go! It is clear that Ray is the man for the job as his enthusiasm knows no bounds and no doubt very shortly Roadhog will be adding back this track, into their well-oiled set very soon!

No matter where Roadhog play, these four guys make the night with their witty banter, and let’s not forget their precise and professional music ability they have all gained through-out years of experience!

This gig was truly memorable in every sense of the word and delivered with superb added extras!

By the end of the evening a lot of people were out of their seats and doing some crazy moves to Roadhog’s encores, although I doubt anyone but a handful of people, noticed Graham’s subtle changes to Thin Lizzy’s Whisky in the Jar! To “I bought my whisky with my giro!”

As the night came to a close everyone was still on a high, although it’s always sad to see a gig end when you are having so much fun and Roadhog know how to have more than their fair share of it, which is then passed on to the punters who have made journey’s out to see them play and always makes them return!

A big thanks to Sandra and hubby for making the journey over to see the band, Jan for her incredible shock appeal, Jane and Katie for her amazing performance, Samantha and Jill for their suggestive dance that kept male eyes fixed firmly on them, to all the staff at the Cheshire Cheese and of course to Roadhog for yet another crazy night’s (see what I did there?) entertainment!

All photo's by Pagan Hel.