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‘DANSE MACABRE’ – Celtic Frost pre sales

‘DANSE MACABRE’ – Celtic Frost pre sales

SUPER DELUXE BOX-SET

OF THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS : 1984 -1987

TO BE RELEASED ON 28th OCT IN UK/EU AND 25TH NOV IN USA/CA VIA BMG

The pre-order link for the boxset is here

It almost seems churlish to regard Celtic Frost as one of the great extreme metal bands, because they were so much more than that. It’s better to hail them as among the finest extreme and experimental bands of the 1980s. Refusing ever to do what was expected or demanded, the band constantly changed musical direction, always brought in surprising influences, and kept people guessing as to where they might venture next. Their catalogue of albums is formidable and unmatched. Each is not only unique, but part of an entire tapestry that only now can be appreciated for being a remarkable part of music history. Despite, or maybe because of, constant turmoil on so many fronts, Celtic Frost achieved an artistic level few others would even have dared to dream of aspiring towards. They climbed high because they were never afraid to fall. Which is why the band are now rightly regarded as icons, and iconoclasts.

‘Danse Macabre’ captures the radical ambition and evolution of Celtic Frost from 1984 through to 1987. In addition to the albums ‘Morbid Tales’, ‘To Mega Therion’ and ‘Into The Pandemonium’, the 7 marble colour vinyl box set also includes the ‘Emperor’s Return’, ‘Tragic Serenades’ and ‘I Won’t Dance’ EPs, along with ‘The Collectors Celtic Frost’ 12”, a 7” of ‘Visual Aggression’ and a cassette of rehearsals recorded at the band’s Grave Hill Bunker. A 12” x 12”, 40 page book, brings together photography – some previously unseen – from the era and brand new interviews with Tom Gabriel Warrior and Reed St Mark. A Heptagram USB drive contains MP3 audio of all the albums, including bonus tracks. A Danse Macabre woven patch, a double sided poster, and a Necromaniac Union fan club enamel badge complete the set. ‘Danse Macabre’ is also available as a 5 CD box set, with 40 page book, badge, poster and patch.

A very limited edition Glow In The Dark vinyl variant edition of the LP box set will be available via EMP and Nuclear Blast online. This is limited to 1000 units.

Punks Listen – Raising funds for the Red Cross Ukraine Refugee appeal.

Punks Listen – Raising funds for the Red Cross Ukraine Refugee appeal.

PUNKS LISTEN is the third in a series of ‘benefit books’ from the Hope Collective, Dublin’s punk/Do-It-Yourself group.

It is designed to raise funds for the Red Cross Ukraine Refugee appeal.

Inspired by the punk community, in 2017 the Hope Collective released a book to raise money for the Syrian refugees. Thanks to the people who wrote for the book, and the people who bought it, they were able to present €5,000 to the Red Cross Syrian Refugee appeal.

This was followed up in 2020 by a book to assist the NHS workers and patients during the Covid-19 pandemic. Again, thanks to the writers and the buyers, they were able to donate €10,000 to the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 appeal.

The new book is a collection of pieces of writing from musicians, writers, actors and music fans. They were asked to write about a record (or a gig) that was significant to them.

The book includes over 200 contributions from people including:

Amanda Palmer

Suggs (Madness)

Roddy Doyle (The Commitments)

Mike Scott (The Waterboys)

Gaye Black (The Adverts)

Henry Rollins

Andy Cairns (Therapy?)

Mike Watt (Minutemen)

Josephine Wiggs (The Breeders)

Kevin Godley (10cc)

Tim Burgess (The Charlatans)

Manda Rin (Bis)

Michael Murphy says:

“It’s been a really difficult and stressful few years for just about everybody. Sometimes we felt like it was all too much. What could people like us do to make a difference? What could we do to help the Ukrainian refugees?

We did a small thing – we contacted some of our favourite authors, musicians and music people. They did something that really mattered to us – they took time and wrote really moving pieces about their favourite records and gigs. When you put all of them together it’s a really meaningful collection. It proves that you can find help in surprising places when you reach out.”

Price: £15/€16

Available from: www.hopecollectiveireland.com

Frank Black & The Catholics set to release two new albums on vinyl in 2023

Frank Black & The Catholics set to release two new albums on vinyl in 2023


Frank Black And The Catholics  ‘Snake Oil’ and ‘Live At Melkweg (Expanded Edition)’ both released on vinyl formats for the first time on 20th January 2023 pre-order Here

On 20th January 2023 Demon Records release two Frank Black And The Catholics albums, which have never been previously available on these vinyl formats.  


Both ‘Snake Oil’ and  ‘Live At Melkweg (Expanded Edition)’ are lovingly issued on 140g vinyl: ‘Snake Oil’ has only been released digitally before, while ‘Live At Melkweg (Expanded Edition)’  will be available on 3 LPs featuring the 38 song show in its entirety, including 18 previously unreleased tracks.


Between 1998 and 2003, Frank Black and Co. released six albums under the ‘Frank Black And TheCatholics’ moniker. All recorded live and direct to two track tape, the music created with theCatholics is some of the most energised, raw, and essential of Frank Black’s career. ‘Snake Oil’ is acollection of cover versions recorded in the studio during this prolific period.


Highlights include thunderous takes of Bob Dylan’s ‘Changing Of The Guards’, Bruce Springsteen’s‘I’m Going Down’, and Angst’s ‘Some Things (I Can’t Get Used To)’.


This is the first physical release of ‘Snake Oil’, and has been newly remastered by Phil Kinrade at AIR Mastering, with new artwork featuring photographs by Steve Gullick.


Recorded on tour in support of 2001’s ‘Dog In The Sand’ album, ‘Live At Melkweg’ captures Frank Black And The Catholics at the peak of their powers, tearing through an expansive setlist which touches on all corners of Frank Black’s vast catalogue.


An essential release for Frank Black fans, ‘Live At Melkweg’ marks the first time a complete Catholics’ show has been officially released. This newly expanded edition features the 38 song show in its entirety 
Highlights include a haunting take on Pixies ‘Gouge Away’, Frank Black classic ‘Headache’, and selections from the Catholics’ repertoire including ‘I Will Run After You’ and ‘21 Reasons’ which would later be recorded for their acclaimed ‘Black Letter Days’ album.


Newly remastered by Thaddeus Moore at Liquid Mastering, ‘Live At Melkweg’  is housed in a deluxe triple gatefold sleeve with spot UV detailing.


To pre-order ‘Snake Oil’ and ‘Live At Melkweg (Expanded Edition)’ go to: https://frankblack.lnk.to/vinyl

Jesse Malin – ‘Glitter In The Gutter’ (Wicked Cool Records)

Jesse Malin – ‘Glitter In The Gutter’ (Wicked Cool Records)

This is a remastered reissue of Jesse Malin’s third album, ‘Glitter in the Gutter’, originally released in 2007 on Green Day’s Adeline Records and then released on One Little Indian Records pressed on 200g vinyl.  The album has been unavailable for years and has never appeared digitally until now.  The album features Bruce Springsteen, Ryan Adams, Jakob Dylan, and more on various tracks.  It also includes a bonus track, ‘The Angel To The Slave,’ which has never been released.  In the words of Jesse Malin, “I am really happy to have it out there in the world again.”

Glitter didn’t have the wham bang factor of Malin’s debut nor the intrigue of its follow up and whilst people historically referred to the difficult second album I’d go for the third being the difficult one if an artist is lucky enough to make it to a third. Jesse brings out some big-hitting guests on this record to help pique some interest (not in a negative way) like the obvious inclusion of having the Boss in to sing on ‘Broken Radio’ even if Malin alluded to at a recent show he never bigged up the inclusion of Springsteen and didn’t really push it which on reflection was/is strange and more than humble. Now it’s not only included it’s been musically re-recorded for the new release.

It blows my mind that this album came out in 2007 it seems way more recent than that and the songs still sound fresh as Malin leaves behind the punk rock of D Gen way further back in that rearview mirror even if at the core of his solo work is a throbbing punk rock work ethic and core songwriting style. from the off his Noo Yawk vocal style shines through on ‘Don’t Let Them Take You Down’ and the rocker that is ‘In The Modern World’ still gives me a buzz in his live set.

People wondering why they should pick this up on Wicked cool; I’ll offer the rework of ‘Broken Radio’ for a starter and the bonus track that wasn’t on the original ‘The Angel To The Slave’. To be I loved this album when it came out and I still love it now. Its got an effortless rock n roll heart beating away with a carefree attitude on songs like ‘Lucinda’ and the brilliant ‘Love Streams’ and the melancholic yet stunning version of the Replacements classic ‘Bastards Of Young’ is worth purchasing alone.

Malin has always told a fatastic story and his songs are captivating and Glitter is one of his best examples throughout his whole career. Rotating his bands has kept a freshness throughout each album and when he rocks out he does it with style and panache and the reworked inclusion of ‘The Angel To The Slave’ makes you wonder what else he leaves on the cutting room floor. Signing off with ‘Broken Radion 22’ is a wonderful full stop to a fifteen-year-old record that needs to reach a bigger audience because music this good shouldn’t be exclusive in crowd treat. Jesse Malin is one of America’s gifts that keeps on giving time after time and record upon record. Even if you have this on CD, original vinyl or the one little Indian 200g vinyl audiophile version of this album when is enough ever enough? This album would Glitter anywhere never mind in the gutter. Buy It!

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

JOE STRUMMER CELEBRATED WITH A PREVIOUSLY UNHEARD NEW SONG

JOE STRUMMER CELEBRATED WITH A PREVIOUSLY UNHEARD NEW SONG

LANCE BANGS DIRECTS OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO INCLUDES NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN FOOTAGE FROM THE JOE STRUMMER ARCHIVE AND A SPECIAL CAMEO FROM EDDIE VEDDER TRACK FROM STRUMMER’S FINAL SESSIONS FEATURED ON THE ACCLAIMED NEW BOX SET,  JOE STRUMMER 002: THE MESCALEROS YEARS’JOE STRUMMER 002:  THE MESCALEROS YEARS’ AVAILABLE NOW VIA DARK HORSE RECORDS

“If you think you miss Joe Strummer now, by the time you get to the end of this boxset, you are really going to miss the guy. What an impact, what an amazing musician, what an amazing human being, a great artist, and this boxset perfectly captures the man, the music and the moment, I’m so glad this came out” Henry Rollins 

The previously unreleased track is among the highlights found on ‘Joe Strummer 002: The Mescaleros Years’, the first-ever comprehensive collection highlighting Strummer’s work with his post-Clash band, The Mescaleros, available now on 4CD w/72-page book and 7LP w/32-page book, special edition packaging and exclusive 12”x12” art print. ‘Fantastic’ marks one of Strummer’s final recordings, with vocals recorded in December 2002 at the famed Rockfield Studios in Monmouthshire, Wales, mere weeks after Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros played their last ever live show at Liverpool University on November 22, 2002.

The track’s emotional companion video, directed by renowned rock ‘n’ roll filmmaker Lance Bangs (Nirvana, Sonic Youth) and featuring archival footage shot by Strummer, Dick Rude, Julien Temple, Don Letts, and Josh Cheuse, along with a special cameo by Eddie Vedder and spoken word introduction by Strummer.

Buy ‘Strummer 002’ Here

Dead Kennedys -‘Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables’ (Manifesto Records)

Dead Kennedys -‘Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables’ (Manifesto Records)

Ah, ‘Fresh Fruit’ – West coast hardcore punk rock has been remixed from the original multitrack tapes by Chris Lord-Alge (Chaka Khan, Green Day, Bruce Springsteen). The band’s debut album which originally came out way back in September 1980 is still as politically incendiary and trail-blazing now as it was back in the day.

Provocative and in your face it was adrenaline-mainlined punk rock. With some fantastic musicianship, lyrics, and artwork to boot. So it seems fair that such an iconic record gets the 40th-anniversary re-release and remix. Now When this LP hit the streets it took an age to have an impact on this side of the pond remember kids there was no internet or TikTok back in the 80s hell there wasn’t much of anything you had to wait for the word to reach the cool kids or the ones with penpals across the pond. The Dead Kennedys (fantastic name) ply a hardcore superfast style that was nowhere at the time they took what the Ramones did or the Damned to the umnpth degree and crossed the divide and probably helped invent thrash metal as a byproduct. Apart from being overtly political they were also amusing and funny and brought humour to the music as well.

The artwork was a big deal I remember seeing the burning cop cars and thinking what the fuck! Right from the off it was a head fuck from Jello’s chaotic manic vibrato vocals to the surf reverb and speed the band delivered the tunes it was exciting then and to be fair has stood the test of time and is exciting now. I always thought The DKs deserved a fuller better production and now with the use of modern technology they have it. ‘Kill The Poor’ is like Elvis on Crack and sped up something that was probably on the bands mind at the time as they deliver an insane cover of ‘Viva Las Vegas to close the record off.

The intro to ‘Forward To Death’ is Ramones with speed as Jello spits out the lyrics it was always a song that had me hooked on the lyrics and just what was it he was singing about. Apart from the excitement of the speed of it all it drew me in as a kid and I still appreciate it now for its sheer brutality and the yang to that ying is its beauty as a piece of work the scooby doo solo on ‘When You Get Drafted’.

The first time they take a breath is the magnificent ‘Lets Lynch The Landlord’. I still don’t know what the fuck is being sung on ‘Drug Me’. The controversial song titles still even now make you wonder how they managed to not get into more hot water than they did. ‘Drug Me’, ‘Chemical Warfare’ the truly epic ‘I Kill Children’, ‘Holiday In Cambodia’ are all still relevent today and must have caused such a stir in 1980.

Some of the band’s finest work is present and correct like the aforementioned ‘Holiday In Cambodia’ and the magnificent ‘California Uber Alles’ which is rightly one of punk rock’s finest moments with its memorable chant-along chorus. It’s an album that sounds like being kicked in the bollocks can be fun and a headbutt is fine and dandy because not a lot has moved forward in 40 years. Look at Trump and Brexit to see what a clusterfuck the western world still makes for its people – shit Jello was raging against back then is still an issue now sadly. Maybe there will be a digitalized car burning somewhere soon and playing on the radio will be Fresh Fruit For Rotting Veg. Hell if you already own a copy then get this new mix it’s great and the record still stands up as a classic. Long live the Dead Kennedys in their original form – truly magnificent beasts.

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

The Senseless Things – ‘The First Of Too Many’ (3CD Expanded Edition & 2 LP) (Cherry Red Records)

The Senseless Things – ‘The First Of Too Many’ (3CD Expanded Edition & 2 LP) (Cherry Red Records)

Thirty fucking years! Where the fuck did they go? With Keds sadly not around to enjoy this wonderful remastered expanded anniversary release of arguably their finest album ‘The First OF Too Many’ gets a truly magnificent deluxe makeover that any Senseless Things fan will adore.

I’m always a little skeptical about the remastered push but I decided to play the original back to back track by track and after about five seconds I gave up because the newly remastered version is infinitely brighter and sharper and more focussed and louder than the original and on that front Cherry Red have done a magnificent job without all the packaging that comes with it this really is a steal as £20.

The 3CD expanded and revisited the anniversary edition of the band’s second album ‘The First Of Too Many’ was the band at the peak of their powers with a relentless touring schedule they knew exactly what they wanted to sound like and had crafted the tunes to perfection.

From the awesome cover art that was provided by comic artist Jamie Hewlett, creator of Tank Girl and later Gorillaz. The surviving members of the band decided to honour the memory of Mark by revisiting this classic album some 30 years later, digging up the original master tapes and producing a fantastic new edition which is included here, along with the original 1991 mix of the record. The CD top trumps the vinyl press simply by having the added bonus of the live recording taken at their Camden Palace performance from June 1991 on a 24-track Mobile Recording Unit, the tapes have been rescued, restored and given a full new mix again by the band’s own Morgan Nicholls.

Buy Here

Ash – ‘Free All Angels’ (The Echo Label Limited/BMG)

Ash – ‘Free All Angels’ (The Echo Label Limited/BMG)

Free All Angels was the third album from Ash. The album reached No.1 in the UK and has since gone platinum. The punk rock pop album contains the smash hits like the Ivor Novello winning ‘Shining Light’, the NME single of the year ‘Burn Baby Burn’, ‘Sometimes’, ‘There’s A Star’, ‘Candy’ and ‘Walking Barefoot’.

Ash and BMG are proud to reissue Ash’s third LP ‘Free All Angels’ for the first time on vivid yellow and clear splatter vinyl. This album has not been issued since its release over twenty years ago, This new vinyl release on Splatter wax is a welcome addition to anyone’s collection. Its their most rounded and wide appealing release after the youthful exuberance and promise of the magnificent debut ‘1977’ through ‘Nu-Clear Sounds’ to the record they’d been threatening to make in ‘Free All Angels’ I’ve no idea why they reissued the debut and this and didn’t give the same kudos to ‘Nu-Clear Sounds’ but we’re here for the Free All Angels review and what a well-rounded album it is from the magnificent opening of of ‘Walking Barefoot’ was the indication that the band had indeed risen to the next level they weren’t now just writing great catchy alternative songs they were smashing the pop charts with anthems that had mass appeal and how can you argue with an opening trio of hits like ‘Walking Barefoot’, followed by ‘Shining Light’ and then total wipeout with the thumping ‘Burn Baby Burn’ simply magnificent!

They were so confident of their abilities that a song like ‘Candy’ could then follow ‘Burn’ with its strings and grandiose and exuberant backing track Ash were indeed freeing all kinds of Angels. the record moves at warp speed from the strings back to a grungy yet lush melodic song like ‘Cherry Bomb’.

If it’s an album you’ve not played in a while then this is your chance to hit it up and revisit it with fresh ears songs like ‘Pacific Palisades’ and the thumping ‘Sharks’ deserve their new lease of life. Its a rollercoaster of an album with its ups and downs and fast then slow songs – always melodic and always excellent Ash were at the top of their game around this time and making records that obtained a wealth of critical acclaim and deservedly so and its great to see them back on wax and back in the front of the music world shouting from the mountain tops that Ash made great records now go get em and fill those gaps in your collection. If you are new to the band then strap yourself in for an absolute treat. A must-own record no question about it.

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

Ash / The Gulps – Manchester Ritz – 15th September 2022

Ash / The Gulps – Manchester Ritz – 15th September 2022

Always great to be back at the Manchester Ritz. No matter the sponsor attached to the venue you know always in for a special night in splendid surroundings. 


The Gulps
A riotous performance landing somewhere between the Rapture and the Icarus Line or perhaps a domesticated Mooney Suzuki. Either way it’s very fitting on night celebrating the year 2001. There is a bit of a flat start but once the sound engineer warms up their guitars we start hearing all the raw power they can muster. Definitely living up to all the praise these guys are receiving. I enjoyed it and so will you! 
Ash
The songs being played tonight soundtrack my formative teenage years. More often than not when I look back on my happier memories of watching a band on a main stage of a festival, it’s a warm summer’s day and Ash are playing with Charlotte in their number with the most enviable greatest hits set and absolutely killing it!


We are here tonight celebrating the album by the once quartet that made an indelible mark on the early 21st century and stabbed through the heart of the unstoppable beast that was Nu Metal. With a blade of sugary, sunshine, indie rock and distorted pop goodness. Long before the Strokes and the White Stripes, Ash brought guitar rock back to the teenagers bedroom. No turntables were in sight and it never sounded so good!


The evening is kicked off with the inevitable double stomp to the face of ‘walking barefoot’, it may be mid September but I can smell the freshly cut grass and all that good shit that comes with a nostalgic summer memory. I’m not always a fan of the “classic album revisited” setlists but tonight it doesn’t feel wooden. It feels honest and earnest.
From then on we blaze through the classics. ‘shining light’, ‘burn baby burn’, sadly ‘candy’ becomes the inevitable casualty where those in attendance need a piss/fag/drink or all of the above. Tbf every track from the album is a memorable number and gets a great showing tonight.


When face to face with a classic album with so many memorable singles it’s easy to overlook the album tracks. No issues in that department tonight, the long converted throng of the crowd is eating up track after track. Honorable mentions to ‘someday’ and ‘Nicole’. 


As if all 13 tracks of Free All Angels were not enough, here in Manchester we are treated to a most enviable encore. The classics are well represented, obviously to get all the hits in and the whole studio you would need a Springsteen length set and of course it is a school night. ‘numbskull’, ‘a life less ordinary’, ‘kung fu’ and ‘orpheus’ to name a few. Personally, I would have liked to have got a few B-sides from the era in (‘gabriel’ etc) but you can’t win them all. The night is finished off nicely with the always welcome ‘girl from Mars’ and gets the love from the crowd it so deserves. 
It’s been a cracking night to launch the vinyl reissue (don’t forget 1977 is also available!) and it’s always great to have Charlotte back with the lads even if only for a couple of gigs. Another great evening to go alongside all my other classic Ash memories. Nostalgia and satisfaction guaranteed.

Ash Website

Buy Ash records Here

Author: Dan Kasm

Newtown Neurotics – New Album & Tour Dates

Newtown Neurotics – New Album & Tour Dates

Newtown Neurotics to release new album ‘Cognitive Dissidents’ via Cadiz Music on October 21

Pre-order the album HERE:

In a world full of charlatans, honesty and compassion have great value, and so it is clear, that the Newtown Neurotics with their new album ‘Cognitive Dissidents’, due October 21st via Cadiz Music, have that in spades. 

Authenticity is a much sought-out ingredient in music and can only be claimed by a band with a reputation and track record that evokes trust, a trust which their fan base return with fervent loyalty, who will be thrilled to see the band back out on the road for their November 2022 UK tour.

Following an incendiary set at Rebellion Festival last August, the band are primed to take their music and message across the country with a set that pulls together both new material from their forthcoming new album with well-loved landmarks from the past.

Newtown Neurotics has over the years, released five albums and eight singles (which includes the eerily predictive ‘When The Oil Runs Out’ and the majestic ‘Mindless Violence’) and now return with this fresh salvo under the title of ‘Cognitive Dissidents’ which describes the people who wilfully reject evidence over what they ‘feel’, a play on the term ‘Cognitive Dissonance’.

Written and recorded by the band whilst in lockdown, during which the world tottered and swayed from the moorings that had previously anchored our lives and Coronavirus struck down our loved ones threatening us all, music became, as it always had been, one of the most important things to sustain us through our troubled times.

Always uplifting, never downtrodden, this is punk rock at its finest; this is the Newtown Neurotics music at its finest. In its form and content, it destroys complacency and dogma with reason and logic, and contains melodies that stir the head, the heart, and the soul.

Pre-order ‘Cognitive Dissidents’ HERE:

Catch Newtown Neurotics live at the following dates in November and order tickets HERE:

Tuesday 8th Nottingham, The Bodega

Wednesday 9th Newcastle, The Cluny 2

Thursday 10th Edinburgh, Voodoo Ballroom

Friday 11th Glasgow, Mcchuills

Saturday 12th Middlesbrough, Westgarth Social Club

Sunday 13th Todmorden, The Golden Lion

Saturday 19th Brighton, The Prince Albert (Matinee)

Tuesday 22nd London, The Lexington

Find Newtown Neurotics online at:

Official Website – www.newtownneurotics.com

Twitter – @NNeurotics 

Facebook – /newtownneurotics
Instagram – @newtownneurotics Bandcamp – https://newtownneurotics.bandcamp.com/