The 1980s were the glory days for a multitude of musical disciplines. The genre that had the biggest and longest lasting impact – at least in the realms of heavy music – was undeniably thrash. Whether it’s Master of Puppets or Raining Blood that instantly jumps to mind, it was a decade that saw a…
After years of grinding away and getting constantly overlooked, 2018 has felt like year Palm Reader have got the break they have deserved for a long time. Their third album Braille has made a much bigger impact than anything they’ve done before and the band have played their biggest shows ever. Whether it was a sold out headline…
Prog hasn’t always been cool. In the 1970s, the excessive virtuosity and middle classed barrier to entry gave rise to the rebellion of punk, and prog shrank away to a genre that one would only admit an affinity for in hushed tones. Prog became the antithesis of cool. Over the years this ostracisation lapsed, though…
The Japanese post-rock outfit, Mono, brought their tour to Leeds recently to play in Left Bank. A wonderful choice in venue for the somewhat eclectic mix of acts playing tonight. As the doors to the venue open, we are greeted to the sound of Bristol based cellist, Jo Quail (7) who has already started to…
Isolation is treasured by some, and a deep seated fear for others. After battling with a near fatal intestinal infection, frontman and mastermind of spiritual doom legends, Yob, Mike Scheidt found himself long confined to a hospital bed. It makes sense then that desperation and isolation are the two key flavours laced throughout the latest…
Having lost their way slightly in the early part of this decade, the current incarnation of Kamelot really found their feet with their last album Haven. Their 2015 release was arguably their best since their golden run from the early to mid 00’s of albums like The Black Halo and Ghost Opera, so all hopes…
After a blistering 25 date tour across Europe, it is only fitting that the Southern Rock legends Black Stone Cherry should return to SSE Arena in London for their final show before a well-earned break. And whilst this BSC fan only last saw them in June at Download, we couldn’t wait to see them back…
Starting a release is difficult. You can go in full force with an explosion of sonic ecstasy like Faith No More, build in lumbering intensity from quiet restraint like Russian Circles, or you can open with storytelling. The problem with the latter is that it conjures up the idea that your about to experience an…
There’s a certain buzz of nostalgia around Southampton Guildhall tonight as everyone piles in to see pop punk legends Bowling for Soup on the “Almost Christmas” Tour – the bands’ second tour of the UK in 2018 following the “Get Happy Tour 2018”. Bringing out some young upstarts to open the shows has led to…
Anneke Van Giersbergen may not be a household name, but she has the talent to be deserving of such status. Having worked with a huge range of artists – including the virtuosic, multifaceted Devin Townsend – and having accrued a vast amount of her own collection of work, both solo and with VUUR, The Gentle…
