Razor Sharp Death Blizzard - You Will Burn - 9 Track Album - From Beyond Records - Release Date: 28th November 2016

Razor Sharp Death Blizzard

You will Burn

9 Track Album

From Beyond Records

Polymath

Release Date: 28^th November 2016

Razor Sharp Death Blizzard – Selkirk, Scotland

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/deathblizzardband

Genre: Punk Ethos, Metal Riffs, Satan’s Balls

Biography:

As the name of this band suggests (Razor Sharp Death Blizzard) nothing is going to be a breeze in the park, in fact the members of RSDB are the remains of two other bands Swellbelly’s and Ridgeback, whom I have been informed on good authority they were two of Scotland’s filthiest bands and achieved national and international success in 2004 when the band formed.

It is no surprise that RSDB have got punk elements contained in their genre as it seems they have to let their anger out somewhere and shouting about it on stage seems the best way to go!

Using Politics to fuel their punk hatred RSDB sound not too dissimilar to The Exploited and the Dead Kennedy’s with very little in between for manoeuvre.

Now it’s time to shut up and listen to RSDB!

You will Burn - (Never jammer Intro) – this has a real aboriginal sound as the constant jarring of a digeridoo can be heard above an inaudible voice before exploding into a rage of hate. I swear if the volume was up any further my ears would bleed! It’s fast paced and anarchic with no room for hanging about and being lazy!

Christian Sun – It would be wrong of me to think that this track would be anything different than a chaotic rampage on the hunt for a serial killer! No it’s not going to slow down and become a ballad, it would probably break your neck first if it did!

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“I am sure these guys are really nice, but I wouldn’t want to meet them in a dark alley!!”

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Rat in a Cage – Is just as pungent as the previous tracks, well perhaps a little more gnarly but good to get rid of your aggression if you are feeling in such a mood. It’s steeped in a good rhythm so you can also dry your hair too, providing you have any!

There will be Blood – There’s no doubt about it as my ears are screaming already! Although I am far too stubborn to turn it down a notch, what’s a bit of deafness (and blood) between friends anyway? The track is chunkier than a meat stew! And is addictive as on the chorus you can go round grimacing shouting “There will be blood!” and really get into the mood of the track, which is always good to engage with the band.

Meet Your Maker – This track has instant appeal as its fast, festering and feculent, it just brims over with super intense expression and leaves one with the realisation that these guys know just how to entertain – and in true punk/metal/balls style!

Right Wing Scum – I have to agree! Yes a political track that sees the bass creating a back drop with intense hooks and steely consequence! Slipping into a richly infectious swagger with roaring vocal lures.

Deadman’s Eyes – Offers startling sharp fuzzy riffs that really penetrates deep with sonic melodies and intense endeavour. I have to say I am enjoying this album probably far too much – it must be the punk in me fighting to get out and cause anarchy!

Defstein – Well, we have had the Punk ethos and metal riffs so this must be Satan’s Balls and yeah they are quite appealing I must say! There is a lot of meat on them for sure! That nagging rhythm literally eats you from the inside out, it’s so powerful and extremely addictive! This is the type of riff I would love to just play over and over on a high volume because it is so infectious! Wish I had learned guitar!!!

Have a Nice Day – Bass with reverb is such a great sound and really cuts the mustard for producing a fantastic track! Its fuzziness is heartfelt and forthright in fact the essences created are bold and ingenious to say the very least!

This has been one very interesting album to review for its glorious fast paced encounters and addictive melodies. It possesses clout in no uncertain terms and I can guarantee you will reach for the repeat on more than three occasions as you have to fully revel in the madness your ailing speakers are spewing out!

I am sure these guys are really nice but I wouldn’t want to meet them in a dark alley!!

10/10

Track List:

You will Burn (Neverjammer Intro)

Christian Sun

Rat in a Cage

There will be Blood

Meet your Maker

Right Wing Scum

Deadman’s Eyes

Defstein

Have a Nice Day

Members:

Jamie Clark – Vocals

Liam Roberts - Drums

Mohamad McSwellstein - Guitar

Graham Paxton - Bass 

Burn After Me - Aeon - 12 Track Album - Release Date: 23rd September 2016

Burn After Me
Aeon

12 Track Album

Release Date: 23^rd September 2016

Written for Blackened Horde Zine

Burn After Me – Arona, Tenerife, Spain

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/BurnAfterMe

Genre: Nu-Metal

So Tenerife is not just for sun worshippers and the usual yearly holiday goers who like to dance the night away, for this is the hometown of quintet Burn After Me who are due to launch their new album “Burn After Me” on the 23^rd September just a few days away.

This is quite experimental for Nu-Metal but at least it’s unique, in the way it builds up and gives out that air of agitation. As soon as the thunderous throaty gruff vocal appears it’s evident that the band have chosen Nu-Metal as their path, but with added extras!

The second track ‘Chasm’ holds some haunting keys and has dream-like qualities if only for a brief period, the rest of the time it goes on the rampage and is extremely excitable. As the tracks unfold it is pretty clear what Burn After Me are all about and that is the cataclysmic pulverisation of riffs as they expand mischievously through the speaker units and obliterate the senses.

The large hearty slabs of metal are dramatic and bordering on the edge of insane! Pulsing rhythms soar and bass hooks lick with regular magnitude, along with heartfelt growling vocal tones that undulate vehemently – nobody could say the band haven’t put every ounce of aggression into making this album what it is and that is - magnificent!

It isn’t all-out rage and aggression either, as there are some pleasant uplifting slices of melody and haunting notes that add to the depth of the tracks giving it that oomph factor!

Unmercifully individual and creative there is an awful lot to get your lobes around from Burn After Me as they have brought Nu-Metal up a notch and incorporated a superb experimental feel as well as adding in an epic all-round sound that defies belief!

It’s defiant, forthright and hosts roaring qualities that captivate and engage on all levels. In fact it’s another step forward to yet another sub-genre, but I don’t think many could or would complain about this one!

9.5/10

Track List:

Cocytus

Chasm

Phlegethon

Lustful

Head Browned

Sewn Shut Eyes

Right Fit

Chaste Kiss

Beatrix

Fixed Stars

Angels

Empyrean

Members:

Roberto Frigo - Vocals

Niccolò Dagradi - Guitar

Simone Folino - Guitar

Jacopo Scopel - Bass

Luca Peruzzotti - Drums

Gravespawn - Inexorable Grimness - 5 Track E.P - Release Date: 3rd August 2016

Gravespawn

Inexorable Grimness

5 Track E.P

Release Date: 3^rd August 2016

Written for Blackened Horde Zine

Gravespawn – Burbank, CA, United States

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/GravespawnOfficial

Take a gander here:

http://gravespawn.bandcamp.com/album/inexorable-grimness

Genre: Grim Ancient Black Metal

As old as the hills, but they do say old is best and for Gravespawn it certainly is! They carry that magical ambient darkness with ease. The hearty rasping vocal embellishes everything in a thick swathe of madness, while the music builds to a deafening exploit.

Old Dragon’s Domain

This will wake the dead and draw out any demons that lurk within a human body make no mistake. In a tempest of intensity the predatory tracks swallow you whole as it darts in and out of the shadows.

Oath of the Annihilator

Another intense black beauty as its emotive force cocoons you in a swagger of captivation and eager agitation. The croon being more a thick rasping graze as it licks the ears.

Thy Gates Ablaze

Literally bounces with superb rhythm that is addictive and catchy, kicking up a brutal storm on kick pedal alone as it reaches its mighty crescendo of emotionally inflamed potency with cackling vocal adding to its depths.

Between the Devouring Monstrosities

Another immense track that takes no prisoners it just devours them! The track never sits still for a second and in in perpetual motion like it has St Vitus Dance or something!

Scribes of the Forsaken

With barbarous intent the vocals strike with a lurid passion that twists like a knife in the back, as toxic shock to the system! The virulent rhythms are sweeping and infectious.

Black Metal whether old school or newer will always be soaked in blood and carry a stigma, as it can be difficult to listen to if you are not in the mood, but as long as there are rampant rhythms to accompany it and give it that boost it will never be dull.

The choral singing does get a bit old at times, but again it is what Black Metal stands for in a way, carrying Satan’s prayer on its dark wings and has a gory story to tell.

Gravespawn touch on the inevitable but also add that bit more as on ‘Thy Gates Ablaze’ amid all the celestial voices and busy rhythms they are getting their story across as a contagious drama that quickly possesses the unsuspecting soul.

9/10

Track List:

Old Dragon’s Domain

Oath of the Annihilator

Thy Gates Ablaze

Between the Devouring Monstrosities

Scribes of the Forsaken

Members:

Reaver - Lead Vocals, Guitar, and Keyboard’s

Advorsus – Bass

Verigo – Guitar

Jack Ferris - Session Drums

Scavengers MCC Rock Night, Roundhouse, Bolton, 10th September 2016

Scavengers MCC Rock Night

Roundhouse

Bolton

10^th September 2016

What a night that was!! Arriving nice and early at the now familiar Roundhouse venue, not to mention buying a handful of raffle tickets – much to everyone’s horror/amusement, and getting the best seats in the house, we caught up with a few friends Morph in particular who we had not seen for a while.

 Oggy

(Photo by Pagan)

 Me

(Photo by Graham Lee)

 Tracey's dad & Nick

(Photo by Pagan)

 Charlie Oc

(Photo by Pagan)

 Adam

(Photo by Pagan)

 Sue & Adam

(Photo by Pagan)

 Steve & Sue

(Photo by Pagan)

 Jan

(Photo by Pagan)

 Oggy and Jillian

(Photo by Pagan)

 Jillian and Me

(Photo by Graham Lee)

 Oggy and Julia

(Photo by Pagan)

Julia and Me

(Photo by Graham Lee)

The atmosphere at the Roundhouse is always friendly and welcoming and it’s a great venue too, with ample space on stage for bands to go ape-shit if they need to!

There was a bit of a surprise in store as the Scavengers announced another band Wolf 359 would be playing and were already on stage setting up. Soon they started their sound check and everyone’s heads turned towards the stage. This quartet from Keighley were really kicking things up a notch, Zoey’s voice was simply stunning and the music behind her from Oscar, Patch and Josh more than grabbed attention. So we waited with eager anticipation to see what would unfold once the band started their set.

https://www.facebook.com/Wolf359UK

Head on over and give them a like!

In the meantime…. The music was blaring as the venue filled to capacity and was literally heaving with people from various MC clubs and rockers and the catch up with friends continued.

Finally, “Wolf 359” started their set and immediately people were looking at each other with mouths open and eyes as big as saucers. They played a few covers but also a lot of their own stuff which was phenomenal. The catchiness of the tracks and the way the band portrayed themselves on stage was just a pleasure to watch.

 Josh, Patch, Zoey & Oscar

 Zoey

 Wolf 359

Patch

(All photo's of Wolf 359 courtesy of Graham Lee)

I think my other half Graham was taken with Zoey’s attire and announced he was going to get a pair of shorts like Zoey’s for his next gig, which tickled us all, especially Jan.

Track after track drew attention to the stage, the musicianship was fantastic and everyone was fired up and received them with open arms. The tracks had that magnetism that were overwhelming and unique.

It certainly was a big come down as the band played their final track “Tie your Mother down” which prompted a few hardened rockers to take to the floor and throw a few moves!

It would have been rude not to have shouted for more – and this normally doesn’t happen for a support act but they were just too good to just let them wander off stage without making a bit of a fuss for sure.

So with one more track from the awesome Wolf 359 they played Conchise by Audio Slave which left the band leaving the stage with applause ringing in their ears!

To be honest I could have listened to them all night and that was a feeling shared by Graham too as well as Charlie from the Original Cruisers, so great effort Wolf 359, Remember the name - hope to catch them again next time round!

Set list for Wolf 359

Bundy by Animal Alpha

Call Me a Bitch by Halestorm

Voice of the Unknown by Wolf 359

Sister Moon by Gotthard

Staircase Hearts by Wolf 359

Dying Out by Wolf 359

Tie your Mother Down by Queen

Cochise by Audioslave

As Wolf 359 started to remove their gear from the stage 3 crates of beer were left at the foot of the stage and that meant only one thing – The Raffle! Now everyone knows I love a raffle and I always buy hordes of tickets, and this was no exception – so with 10 strips of tickets I sat eagerly awaiting them to pick out my numbers, and Scooterboy started his dead pan stare into the crowd and spotted Morph who appeared in his line of sight so he was roped in to help.

The beer went quickly and none of my numbers were called but then Scooter announced a special prize – in fact there were two special prizes of tickets to the Spat out of Hell Rally and The Original Cruisers Halloween Rock Weekend and no guesses who won both! Yes me!

Sadly we couldn’t go to the Spat out of Hell Rally as we are going to the Harley Davidson Rally next week where Roadhog will be guesting, so we gave our ticket to Steve Barfoot and we are already going to the Original Cruisers Rock Weekender in October, tickets always go fast for that, but I could feel everyone’s eyes looking at me as I climbed the stage for the second time with the winning ticket… but these rock nights are just such a laugh and the bikers always give to good causes, so it is all well worth it!

After the merriment had died down from the raffle, it wasn’t long before the main band drifted onto the stage and they were “As Sirens Fall” who cut their teeth at Download not so long ago.

 As Sirens Fall

(Photo's by Graham Lee)

I enjoyed the first three tracks, finding the music feisty but sadly they were plagued with a lot of technical difficulties which was a shame, although my mind kept thinking “I wish Wolf 359 were on again!” Considering Zoey had a sore throat she did so well hitting all her notes and never sounded off kilter at any time but As Sirens Fall although they did have their moments, never quite cut the mark for me and a few others. Some of their tracks sounded very similar to each other so it was hard to distinguish one track from the other and more or less half way through their set the people in the room were mysteriously absent.

I did think it was a pity that not a lot stayed to at least give them a chance as their music did hold plenty of bounce, but it seems some rockers just want tracks they know and not interested in bands own songs, which I find shocking really, especially as it takes a lot to write and produce songs – for me it’s always good listening to new tracks and getting the feel of what a band is all about, even if it isn’t what you are used to at least give them a chance.

They did however spark off a bit of floor appreciation and nobody was as shocked as me as this woman came up to me and said “We need to talk!” turns out she is on my Facebook friend list but we had never met before, so it was lovely making a new acquaintance and being able to meet that person face to face. Thanks Lisa! You are not just a name on my page anymore!

Adam “I love you more’ Brown was absolutely paralytic as he swung the dainty Shannon-Louise around the dance floor for her 21st birthday, (and promptly although unintentionally stepped on my chemo toes and literally had me gasping for breath as the pain was awful, but I forgive him :D ) This was the only time As Sirens Fall lead vocalist Mikey Lord made proper contact with the audience, as Adam and Shannon had drifted to the very front of stage but this was mainly due to the fact the band have been thrust into doing larger festivals where banter is not commonly used.

I must say though that As Sirens Fall drummer Robbie Hutchison was superb on drums, and the best thing was that he was not over shadowed with cymbals so you could actually see what he was doing behind his kit! 

There was no absence of harsh abrasiveness from the band and clearly they are great musicians but perhaps they need to be slightly more diverse so as not to make the tracks sound the same as then things get a little monotonous for an audience, so maybe something for the band to think about, however they did their best in the awful circumstances they found themselves in and supported each other superbly.

As the night drew to a close the goodbyes were met with sadness as they always are at these events, but thanks to road closures we ended up going all round the houses to get back home, but it didn’t stop us talking over the good time we experienced in Bolton thanks to great company and great music. Here’s to the next one and winning a load more prizes!!! :D

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Big shout out to The Scavengers, Morph & Tanya Pole and Scooterboy – they make a great team, the staff at the Roundhouse, Charlie, Jan, & Adam Brown, Tomo, Sue Aindow, Tracy OC & her new guy, Shannon Louise – Happy 21^st Birthday!, Amy Longworth, Steve Barfoot, Nick Hodgeson, Phil Howard and Moz Hulm, Fred and Julia Miller, Jillian Twinks Dawes and Lisa Royle. A special shout out to Graham (Oggy) my other half for getting us to and from the venue in difficult circumstances – damn road closures!!