Cinema Cinema - Man Bites Dog - 7 Track Album - Polymath PR - Release Date: 28th April 2017

Cinema Cinema

Man Bites Dog

7 Track Album

Polymath PR

Release Date: 28^th April 2017

Cinema Cinema – Brooklyn, NY

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/cinemacinemaband

Genre: Experimental Art Punk

It would seem that experimental punkster’s Paul Claro and Ev Gold who formed in 2008 have in the past nine years established themselves within the music scene, be it in Brooklyn, NY and since then appeared in 40+ states, as well as in Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria and Poland, however, on listening to the first track ‘Bomb Plot’ there is something that just doesn’t sit right with me and that something must be the word ‘experimental’ for me it feels that if a band has this genre attached to them they can throw out any old garbage and it will suffice. Maybe, I am in the minority here, but I just find it noise-ridden and unnecessary!

L-R: Paul Claro & Ev Gold

However, I am beginning to enjoy the second track ‘Run until you’re out’ as this has some soaring melodies attached to it and the vocals are really powerful and edgy, so maybe there is hope somewhere along the line for Cinema, Cinema! And another plus point is they understand the words you are and you’re, cannot fault their spelling at all! Exotic Blood really takes its time getting off the ground but then explodes into a tidal wave of harsh rhythms but doesn’t really do a lot for me and that saxophone feels so out of place among the ruins and shenanigans of the track.  Digital Clockwork Orange is just bass and drum and a whispered voice that is starting to send me to sleep as it doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. Taxi Driver sounds slightly psychedelic in delivery and spaced out with a shrieking voice. It is like the band are having a fight with themselves and using dustbin lids to clout each other! Maybe this is the case but this is starting to grate a lot now.

Mask of the Red Death is it that time already? This track gives the impression it is sitting in on a music lesson for a 5-year-old. Shiner No. 5 just no words to describe this so I will give up while I am ahead.

Experimental and jazz are probably the worst concoctions for me to review as I find listening to it boring and complicated. The second track is the only track on the album that I would entertain, finding the rest of the album perplexing, baffling and certainly convoluted. It doesn’t really have any paths to follow, so listening becomes impossible without getting edgy and restless. It doesn’t hold the attention span, it doesn’t really grip with any firm belief so for me a bit of a non-starter. However, reading of the band's struggles during Hurricane Sandy one cannot deny that the band have done all they can to survive, even after having their gear stolen – so hat’s off to them for coming through the other side and being determined to succeed through the eyes of adversity, but sadly your music isn’t for me guys! I like my music extreme and quirky but not experimental and jazzy!

The band's cover 10 of swords means that you feel like a 'victim' well that for me sums it up nicely, although the band will probably feel backstabbed after this review, but you really can't like everything you hear it is virtually impossible!

5/10

Track List:

Bomb Plot

Run until you’re out

Exotic Blood

Digital Clockwork Orange

Taxi Driver

Mask of the Red Death

Shiner No. 5

Line-up:

Ev Gold

Paul Claro

The Drowning - Senescent Signs - Casket Music - Imperative PR - Release Date: 3rd June 2016

The Drowning

Senescent Signs

Casket Music

Imperative PR

Release Date: 3^rd June 2016

The Drowning – Cardiff, Wales

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/DrowningWales

Listen/Buy here:

https://drowningwales.bandcamp.com/album/senescent-signs

Genre: Doom/Death Metal

Biography:

“Senescent Signs is an album that demands The Drowning be recognised as the masters of their art that they so truly are.  Its implacable tide is irresistible and all who hear it will be swept up in its dark embrace, swallowed by its chilling waters. Release your failing grip on the shore and surrender to The Drowning...!”

~~~~~~~~~~

If you want that something different and most special to listen to, you know, something that can be poignant and constant then look no further than The Drowning’s track Dolour Saeculi, indeed it is just a filler track but it is an irresistible opening that throws you off the scent for the next course of action!  Broken before the Throne is one of those masterpieces that lingers as half of it continues to throw out a magnificent splendour while the darker and more demonic side levels things up and yes the twain shall meet in a showdown of extreme hatred and beauty! Betrayed by God isn’t the longest track on the album but goes a long way during its nine minutes and thirty-second spiralling and dream-like embrace. It isn’t what I pictured in my head, as it is not all-out brutality but holds on to some perfectly amazing and contagious rhythms, although, never far away is its dark and brooding formula that tells us who The Drowning really are. Never Rest builds its structure with firm hands on this. The detail of which is caustically melodic which is a great combination. Doom Death is very rewarding in a lot of ways as it helps you to actually get into the track on another level – although I like the rampant fiendish tracks somewhat better, somehow there is only one entrance in and out when a track is blindingly brutal, but I respect the slower doom efforts for the very simple reason it holds many doors that lead to the very heart of the track, thus leading you to its very soul. At one with the Dead is the second shortest track on the album and sweeps into a crescendo of lingering imagination with superb raspy vocals. It entices with its gnarly fingers pulling you into its madness with utter relish as it knows how to taunt and tease, with flanks of attacking metal rhythms but sweetened with the immaculate taste of subtle melody. House of the Tragic Poet second longest track opens with some mesmerising and slightly deranged passages that are doom-laden and darker than dark. Infesting the body and mind like an epidemic. There is no escape from music like this as it stands so compelling and forthright and of course devilishly moreish. It has tendencies to ravish the skin with goosebumps. Dawn of Sorrow is a roaring track that shouts from the rooftops “I’m here!” its evil presence is a lot harsher than previous so outlining its brutish side more willingly, however, not showing all its cards so soon, but allowing an air of mystery to sit over its head and leave you in suspense as to its goals. When Shadow Falls is another far-reaching track that soars like an Eagle to higher grounds and spies out the land before it in a bid to take in the expanse of overwhelming adventure. The vocals make their own path through the dirt and remain creepy and savage, however, the uplifting riffs are vibrant and well-toned with a superb natural beauty. The lament of Faustus begins with an ambient riff and haunting female soprano voice that is not far removed from what could appear in a black metal band, however, it holds this icy pace for a while before leaving its’s skin behind and turning into a malevolent spirited track that again turns back to its eeriness like a light switch.

Despite the album being released in June last year, I don’t think it is going to go out of fashion any time soon. It is an album that hangs on to its credibility and has delivered a powerful legacy for metal heads everywhere.

Have you succumbed to the Drowning yet?

If not you can catch them at The Rebellion in Manchester on 11th April 2017 and drown with them along with death metal legends Vader and their touring partner's Immolation and Monument of Misanthropy, for three key dates on the upcoming Rise of the Empire European Tour.

Not to be missed!!!

9/10

Track List:

Dolour Saeculi

Broken before the Throne

Betrayed by God

Never Rest

At one with the Dead

House of the Tragic Poet

Dawn of Sorrow

When Shadow Falls

The lament of Faustus

Line-up:

Matt Small – Vocal

Mike Hitchen – Guitar

Jason Hodges- Guitar

Steve Hart – Drums

Richard Moore – Bass

Evil Dead - Earth Inferno - 9 Track Album - Witches Brew Records - Release Date: 31st January 2017

Evil Dead

Earth Inferno

9 Track Album

Witches Brew Records

Release Date: 31^st January 2017

Evil Dead – Buenos Aires, Argentina

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/theevildeadargentina

Engineered by Pablo Fontan at Four Winds Studio, Produced by Michel (Guitarist),

Mixed by both Pablo & Michel

Artwork by ‘Another Vision Design’

Genre: Electric Evil Metal

Biography:

“Imagine how it would sound if someone perspicaciously infuses the melodies from Classic Era Heavy Metal and Hard Rock with the force of Speed Metal and darkness of Melodic Black/Death Metal. The Evil Dead has experimented such a sound that is having the grooves of Thin Lizzy, AC/DC and Lynyrd Skynyrd, the outstanding harmonies of Iron Maiden, the aggression of Motörhead and Bathory, and the tenebrosity of Dissection. One can hear the slightly macerated version of Jon Nödtveidt’s voice (that was later adopted by a lot of melodic black and death metal vocalists of the 90s) all over the album, where the guitarists offer a ride to enjoy the aesthetics of Blues oriented Hard Rock, New Wave of British Heavy Metal, and even Black Metal, their riffing pattern continuously changes the direction by slowing down or speeding up or sometimes even by generating grisly atmosphere. The genre of the band cannot be categorised so easily, and thus the band prefers to regard their music as “Electric Evil Metal!”

~~~~~~~~~~

I think this band are a bit of a family affair with Alejandro Regueiro – Vocals Ian Regueiro – Guitar/Backing Vocals and Michel Regueiro – Guitar/Backing Vocals I suppose it would make practising a whole lot easier providing they are all in the same household! However, on with the review: Earth Inferno is devilishly scathing and aggressive. You can almost hear the black metal vocal secretions skim past your ears leaving burn marks as they go! This band Evil Dead are from Argentina and it is hard to believe that metal expands that far across the globe, but so far this track is proving its metal. Electric Evil Revisited sparks fury into an already huge attacking riff with bold beats that desire attention and no doubt will get them in full force. Forlorn begins with a little doom and gloom but soon turns it into a paradise for power speed Metallers everywhere. It’s superb that a blackened vocal is present alongside music that is so far removed from black metal it is quite an eye opener! They Live! Is a spiralling, haunting passage that screams and shouts savagery from great heights? Pumping fuelled aggressive slabs of metal through the airwaves is the only way to go! Madness Chimes is a rugged swamp of pulsating tones and winding rhythms. It marks its territory with an oozing torrent of caustic malice, both in music and in vocals. Marañon is a superb track that is starting with a melodic musical treat for the ears, and a scathing malevolent screech for lovers of extreme vocalry. Song of the Hunt is a raw and grizzly affair. Holding powerful grooves and raucous melody it does its bit to draw you in and does it with ease. The Sulfur Heart has a superb bouncing melody attached to it that is addictive and instantly likeable, I shall say it again – especially the vocals – the grizzlier the better for me and with chunky beats and strong rhythms what is not to like? Chariots of the Gods finishes the album and overturns everything in its path, causing a right fracas, but it is how I would expect an album like this to end. The bouncing grooves and melodic hues are rife and smoulder with compelling agitation and thrilling addictiveness!

I think Evil Dead have just put Argentina on the map!

9.5/10

Track List:

Earth Inferno

Electric Evil Revisited

Forlorn

They Live!

Madness Chimes

Marañon

Song of the Hunt

The Sulfur Heart

Chariots of the Gods

Line-up:

Alejandro Regueiro - Vocals

Ian Regueiro – Guitar/Backing Vocals

Michel Regueiro – Guitar/Backing Vocals

Santiago Giusti - Bass

Santiago Botalla - Drums

Roadhog - Live for the final time at the Fleece - Ashton in Makerfield - 18th March 2017

Roadhog

Live for the final time @

The Fleece

Ashton in Makerfield

18^th March 2017

Roadhog – Northwest

Links:

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

Genre: Class Rock Covers Band

Biography:

“Formed from the ashes of Trailertrash, with the sole aim of playing bone crunching classic rock covers in bars and at bike rallies, Kevin and Graham recruited Neil thru the muso network to keep it rockin' and real!!...and also with the rock steady Pete on drums!”

~~~~~~~~~~

Everything has to come to an end sooner or later, and this time it was The Fleece to come to a sticky end because of one idiot who likes spoiling things for others - Michael Moulding who is a complete asshole and it is all because of him that a great venue is finally closing its large green doors for good, but very fitting that Roadhog would be the last band to play, shutting the door on some brilliant memories forever.

It hardly seems real thinking of the Fleece turning into flats and once it has there will definitely no live music. So all I can hope is that someone in those flats likes rock music and likes to blast it from the morning, noon and night to torture Michael Moulding into moving! Although it will be too late by then, and it is a real shame.

Roadhog like Black Zeppelin who played the night before, just went all out to provide a superb night surrounded by friends and family and also showing the middle finger by ignoring the curfew, playing until well after 12.30 am and by doing so ended up playing 31 songs other than the usual 27.

The first set is always a warm up set that builds into something really heavy and the banter that accompanies it always sets everyone laughing. For all us middle aged folk who saw the best rock years unfold, it was time to celebrate and come face to face with our past once again, as Oggy belted out the words, but sometimes those words needs to be listened to more closely as you may miss the now a bit less of a man mountain and more of a slim Jim's take on the song, but if you know what to listen out for it is good to watch others reactions as they suddenly realise Oggy is singing his own version of the song – highly amusing!

Kev clearly knows his way around a fretboard starting off as a young metalhead who spent hours hunched over a guitar and concentrating like in some sort of blind coma and working on what his fingers were doing and even did his now famous run into the audience and return to carry on his vocal accompaniment – everything is precision timed with Kev and that’s what you get.

Neil has been a Roadhog member for quite a number of years and at that time played the part of Gene Simmons in his now-defunct other band who was a tribute act called Krazy Knights. To look at Neil now and in costume you would never believe it was the same person, but he plays along with Oggy during banter time so well and takes the stick Oggy throws for him every time on stage, but behind the eyes is that knowing look and he is just waiting for that moment to sling one back at Oggy, although it is very rare that Oggy won’t have an immediate comeback that tips everyone over the edge and leaves them paralysed with laughter, but that is just the way it is!

Pete is the quiet one of the band and yet ironically he is the one making all the noise! True what they say about the quiet ones! Pete is a superb drummer make no mistake about it. Timing and precision perfect never misses a beat and in his own little world of drum supremacy.

Between the four of them, it amazes me how they manage to play/sing with things the audience get up to as well, as a totally random guy comes up to the stage and starts invading Oggy’s space and yet Oggy’s comebacks are just so cutting they will leave marks where you have split your side laughing. One incident with this random guy as Oggy said, “We are going to do a track by the Who!” and the audience started saying “the Who?” and Oggy replied “funny how people turn into Owls when they say that word!” and this random guy shouted out “My Generation!” to which Oggy quickly replied, “Your powers of psychic ability are really shit!” the crowd creased up laughing and this random jerk carried on jerking around and acting like a complete dork – finally he gave up the ghost and left – nobody can withstand Oggy’s fatal words for sure, especially when he remarked to the guy “Are you on medication? If not, you should be!” Tears of laughter were rolling down everyone’s face and I think that’s what made the idiot leave. Even Neil made a comment that had us howling with laughter as he very casually said, when noticing the lowered trousers of the random guy and said, “At least I know where to park my bike!” There was a gasp and then everyone burst out laughing, but this is what it is all about – enjoying what you do and see and Roadhog have these two things well and truly taken care of.

Random mental Scally gets beaten down with words!

As the first set finished for the band to take a quick break, it gave everyone a chance to catch up on what went on the night before, the impending closure of the well-loved Fleece Hotel and general chit chat.

The second set began with ‘We will rock you’ and Sharon (Oggy’s sister) wasn’t going to let this one go and got up to strut her stuff and made a new friend in the audience called Neil who sort of was helping her to dance – Sharon is like Oggy nothing phases her, she will get up and do what she needs to do and do it with her head held high. Nobody has more fun than Sharon when she gets up to rock!

With the “tosses not given about the curfew” everyone was letting their hair down, joining in with the banter and just having a wonderful time. Great to see so many faces of the people who came down to support Roadhog at their last gig at the Fleece.

We may be middle-aged but we know how to rock – if rock and metal are in your blood it will stay there and probably go on in the afterlife – I know for me it will. I was glad I was born when I was to experience some of the greatest bands on this planet as they will never be overshadowed in any way shape or form and we saw these bands in their prime.

Due to the extended hours, the band played four extra tracks and Neil (from the audience) actually got handed one of Neil’s bass guitars and came up on the stage to play with the band.

 And please welcome another Neil into the band folks!

As the time was edging further past midnight Sharon got on stage and gave one amazing speech, totally impromptu. She, in her usual way of a feisty Bull in a China store, told it like it was and said, “A lot of lies have been told and believed by people in the area which had now taken their toll and the venue was closing as a result!” It was quite a long speech and Oggy looked agitated behind her waiting for his microphone back, but I am like many others in the pub also echo Sharon’s words.

“All we wanted was a place where we could have fun and now it will be no more!”

Wonderful speech from Sharon who told it like it is!

Soon there won’t be anywhere for bands to play – all because of the miserable selfish idiots who don’t give a toss, they would rather spend time permanently on a karaoke machine warbling utter crap and think they are superstars – and that’s OK if you like that kind of thing, but not in every pub that is open which is getting few and far between now…

Music will never die out but I think it will become more underground and melt into the internet, so nobody will need to go out and support bands anymore, or socialise everything will be done remotely like watching YouTube, so the ‘live’ feel will all but diminish because people either can’t be assed going to a gig or there are complaints about the music after hours – Surely one or maybe two night’s in the week isn’t much to ask? And for the people complaining I just have one word for you – MOVE!

Set 1

RIVERBOAT SONG

GIMME THREE STEPS

DON’T BELIEVE A WORD

GIMME SHELTER

SHOOT SHOOT

I CAN’T EXPLAIN

THE ZOO

HOT BLOODED

SMOKING IN THE BOYS ROOM

UNSKINNY BOP

HUSH

Set 2

WE WILL ROCK YOU

THE GREEN MANALISHI

EMERALD

CAT SCRATCH FEVER

MISTREATED

WAR PIGS

FOREVER

COLD SWEAT

LIGHTS OUT

HELL AINT A BAD PLACE

HIGHWAY TO HELL

Encores

WHISKEY IN THE JAR

PARANOID

WORD UP

LONG WAY TO THE TOP

ACE OF SPADES

FOX ON THE RUN

WIG WAM BAM

BORN TO BE WILD

ALRIGHT NOW

Line-up

Graham Lee (Oggy) – Vocals

Kevin McGinn – Guitar

Neil Humphrey – Bass

Pete Almond - Drums

~~~~~~~~~~

Special Mentions to The Fleece Staff Josh in particular for allowing me to drink my own vitamin juice on the premises, Tina Taylor who has been through some rough patches and come through smiling, Sharon Caulfield, Claire Harrison and John Harrison, Mike and Diane Lloyd, Jeff Hayes, Andrew Griffith and Ruth, Ian Morris and his mate Neil Ashcroft, Gary McCaffery, Paul Melling,  Alex Smith and his dad Steve Smith – Nice seeing you both again. And of course to Roadhog Oggy, Kev, Neil and Pete for a fantastic and memorable evening – great gig!

 Jeff Hayes

 Oggy, Steve and Alex

 Me and Josh larking about in the foyer! (I was accompanied by an adult by the way)

 Mike and Diane Lloyd and Jeff

 Neil Ashcroft and Ian Morris

Sharon Caulfield and Claire Harrison 

Tina Taylor - Dark Secrets lol