Admin

Total Post: 3768

A turbocharged Rock and Roll website.

Then Comes Silence/Agent Side Grinder – The Exchange Bristol 12/01/24

Then Comes Silence/Agent Side Grinder – The Exchange Bristol 12/01/24

The first taste of live music in 2024 is a trip across the border and into the Exchange for a night of Cider and black and guyliner n Goth for Swedens Agent Side Grinder are opening tonight’s show in support of the most excellent Then Comes Silence.

With a healthy turnout Agent Side Grinder takes to the stage bathed in a sea of Fog (as you’d expect) and turn up the electronic goth tones for a forty-five-minute take on some very impressive Soft Cell meets Depeche Mode whilst absorbing the Gary Numan back catalogue synth Goth (if you looking for a yardstick to measure their sound then these seem like the perfect touching point) This three piece (Two Keyboards and one vocalist) deliver a modern twist on ‘Speak and Spell’ meets ‘Non Stop Erotic Cabaret’ hailing from Stockholm and already having delivered six studio albums in their almost twenty year existence I’m almost ashamed to say this was my first time seeing the band.

Supporting their 2023 album ‘Jack Vegas’ the band got on with business and aided by the most excellent PA in the Exchange they were able to turn it up and dive in. Songs like ‘Waiting Room’, ‘Madeleine’ and ‘Wolf Hour’ sounded excellent and bringing Alex from Then Comes Silence up for a few tracks added another level to their sound that came to life with the additional bass guitar, giving the songs more depth and a big bottom end. Emanuel led this synth trio through an impressive set and I’m glad I was there early enough to catch the perfect opener to ease you back into the live arena after a few weeks off from live shows.

Then Comes Silence are back to a three-piece and take to the stage and proceed to spend the next hour or so delivering the perfect guitar-based Goth Rock currently doing the rounds anywhere. The three-piece kicks off with ‘Ticket To Funerals’ and roll straight into ‘Flashing Pangs Of Love’. Hugo is whirling in circles as he throws out the Brian James Lords-inspired riffs drenched in delay and chorus that evoked memories of a young Daniel Ash at his prime so much so that I commented he played the riff of ‘Fashing Pangs’ at about two o’clock that afternoon such was the delay on the overdrive. However, the sound as per usual in the Exchange is second to none, and Then Comes Silence are playing a blinder. A well-oiled machine that they are they throw out banger after banger touching on Goth greats Such as the aforementioned Lords Of The New Church as well as a host of other post-punk bands who dabbled in Goth. It’s no surprise that Wayne Hussey holds them in such high regard with songs like ‘We Lose The Night’ and ‘Warm Like Blood’ dripping with sheer class and a hint of The Mish in their DNA.

A frenzied pit of Gothness broke out mid-set and a more polite and gentile mosh pit you won’t find anywhere this side of Hades. The fuzz of ‘Strangers’ gave me goosebumps and the relentless attack on my senses was further heightened as the fantastic ‘Strange Kicks’ played out. There wasn’t much in the way of banter between songs more preferring to let the music do their talking and to be fair they sounded fantastic as we headed for the final Hurrah as ‘The Rest Will Follow’ made way for the inspired ‘Animals’ and without fanfare, we were done.

That was nothing short of awesome. How this band are playing small clubs is a mystery, they should be rolling through towns with trucks hauling their gear and large concert venues being laid waste with plumes of dry ice and the sound of distorted decaying riffs ringing through your ears.

This old Goth can go out into the cold winter air happy in the knowledge that 2024 got off to the best possible start gig-wise. I only hope 2024 sees a new album and more live shows from my favourite Swedish Goth Rock band. That set my friends will take some beating and its only just January.

Website

Author: Dom ‘Nosferatu’ Daley

Gluecifer – ‘B-Sides & Rarities 1994-2005’ (Konkurs/Suburban Records)

Gluecifer – ‘B-Sides & Rarities 1994-2005’ (Konkurs/Suburban Records)

They say that in life first impressions are everything, and when it comes to Oslo five-piece Gluecifer, for yours truly, that was most certainly the case.

I first encountered Gluecifer around a quarter of century ago, initially through a Rockpalast performance on (German TV channel) WDR early one Sunday morning after a night out in Abertillery Rock City. I was completely blown away by what I witnessed, not only by their rather unique take on the garage punk genre but also by the suave stylings of the band’s members, especially the ultracool onstage persona of singer Biff Malibu. I mean anyone who can wear white loafers and a red velour bowling shirt whilst ridiculing Joey DeMaio’s inability to drink a (piss weak) tin of beer is already a winner in life, right?

Having quickly taped this performance onto VHS for all my mates to see I then quickly invested in a copy of the band’s ‘Soaring With Eagles At Night To Rise With The Pigs In The Morning’ album and loved every second of it. Then, just a few short months later, me and my (pre) uber rockin’ amigo Gaz Tidey found ourselves stood stage front and centre watching the band live as they hit Newport’s Legendary TJ’s venue. This time around the guys were out on the road with Gaza Strippers promoting their then-new album ‘Tender Is The Savage’, and if they’d blown us away on TV playing live, nothing was about to prepare us for what they were like in the flesh. So, when drummer Danny Young decided that playing a gig in a fibreglass (pretend) cave somewhere in south Wales was also the best time to wear arseless leather trousers whilst at the climax of their set the guys also took a step back (they couldn’t take any more than that as they’d have been off the back of the stage) and unleashed an indoor firework display that must have set them back at least £3.50 of the tour budget, we fully understood why Gluecifer, really are the undisputed Kings of Rock.

Following on from that most eventful night, I went to see the band pretty much every time they toured the UK, and unlike some of my fellow Gluecifer fans who I have got to know through the years, I also thought they progressed as songwriters with each subsequent studio album they released, until in 2005 following the tour in promotion of their ‘Automatic Thrill’ album, they rather unexpectedly (to me at least) decided to call it a day. The world of rock was left with a giant Gluecifer shaped hole, something that not even the arrival of Bloodlights (guitarist Captain Poon’s excellent post Gluecifer band) could ever truly fill.

A posthumous Gluecifer compilation album ‘Kings Of Rock (B-Sides And Rarities)’ was released by Epic/People Like You back in 2008 and this is where the genesis of the idea behind the album I’m about to (finally) get around to reviewing first saw the light of day. That album (in their Norwegian homeland at least) took one album packed full of “hits” as its main selling point, then added a second album of deep cuts, whilst everywhere else in Europe it was that 16 track second album (with an added ‘Desolate City’ from LP number one) that hit the record shops as a standalone release.

Here in 2024 that rarities album has been expanded to a 24 track double LP/download, taking 14 of the tracks from the 2008 release and adding 10 new ones to the track listing, including some recorded during the sessions around the ‘Tender Is The Savage’ and ‘Basement Apes’ albums that have never previously been released.

Kicking off with (the aforementioned) ‘Desolate City’, which was the last track the band recorded together prior to them splitting up back in 2005, this track was penned for a Norwegian action movie named “Izzat” and since the guys reformed back in 2017 to play a series of live shows this tune has proven to be a particular set list favourite with fans. Listening to it again here in 2024 certainly reinforces my shock at the band splitting up back then, because as this tune proves, they really were going out on a high.

Not that there are any lows during the 23 other tracks that make up this compilation I trust you understand, as the band’s earlier tunes like the rip-roaring ‘Monoman’ (taken from the band’s debut ‘God’s Chosen Dealer’ single, which has all 3 of its tunes included here) sitting alongside the likes of  ‘Beg Like The Dog You Are’ (previously unreleased from the ‘Tender Is The Savage’ sessions) make for a fascinating sonic voyage through the band’s deep cut back catalogue and their development as songwriters.

The songs I was particularly interested in hearing were the 3 previously unreleased tunes that didn’t make the cut during the recording of the ‘Basement Apes’ album. With this being my (when pushed to choose one) favourite Gluecifer album the harmonica honking ‘All The Young Droogs’ is an immediate “why didn’t this make the final album?” standout, whilst the almost Saxon-esque thunder of ‘The Hammer & The Wheel’ is also a winner, which just leaves the sassy strut of ‘(Gimme That) Good Butter’ (complete with some Stonesy female backing vocals) to close out ‘B-Sides & Rarities 1994-2005’ and illustrate once again that at the very heart of Gluecifer there was always more than just a balls out garage punk band.

At just shy of 1 hour and 20 minutes long there’s a hell of a lot to get through within the grooves of ‘B-Sides & Rarities 1994-2005’ so I’m going to leave you to fully discover what Captain Poon himself calls “a nice little treasure hunt”. It’s well worth investing your time and money in that’s for sure.

‘B-Sides & Rarities 1994-2005’ is available now on “slightly” silver double vinyl, tucked snugly into a gatefold sleeve via the link below, and you never know, if enough of us in the UK go out and buy this, Gluecifer might even think about playing the UK again (I have everything crossed here anyway).

Buy Here

Author: Johnny Hayward

Smalltown Tigers – ‘Crush On You’ (Area Pirata Records)

Smalltown Tigers – ‘Crush On You’ (Area Pirata Records)

 Debut full-length album from Italian punk rockers Smalltown Tigers who’ve been working hard as hell and putting in the miles on the road since 2020’s debut mini-album ‘Five Things’. I first caught them live supporting the original Damned when they played Hammersmith Odeon a couple of years ago and since then they’ve been honing their skills for this album and that hard work has indeed paid off because they have in their hands a mightily handsome record.

Firstly its noticeable how catchy these songs are, they’ve honed in on the fine art of shaving the best bits of The Ramones and clearly they were paying attention to the tone Brian James employs on those early Damned songs which in turn naturally puts the dial firmly in the Stooges territory which all wrapped up by these three talented ladies makes for some pretty damn good songs. Sure Runaways comparisons will drift across many reviewers’ notes when playing this record but there’s much more to it than that. The girls have clearly got that Garage Rock edge in their delivery and songwriting and that’s what elevates them to the next level. Not content with just playing on the fact it’s three ladies but going toe to toe with anyone in this genre and staying the course.

From the punchy opener ‘Meet Me In The City’ they nail the tone and feel of the record. The overdriven guitars are pitch and tone perfect as is the rhythm section to be fair but the breakdown and songwriting is on the money and with enough sass and catchyness to draw you right in. The first few tracks on any album are vitally important to keep the ears on you, especially for a new(ish) band the title track is sleazy rock n roll, and it’s struttin’ right out of those speakers.

‘In A Dream’ has that Ramones rolling riff and dreamy melody over the rough frayed riff. ‘Teddy Bear’ is pure early Brian James Riff-a-rama and that’ll do for me. Halfway through the album and that Ramones spirit is loud and proud on ‘I Want You’.

‘Maybe’ reminded me of ‘Pillbox’ by the Joneses on the opening salvo but with added knuckleduster delivery. The songs keep coming and the quality is maintained throughout which is no mean feat and the pounding relentless ‘Monster’ is a thrashing beast.

As we head into the home straight we get the fuzzed-up garage loveliness of ‘Dressed Right And Skinny’ before the gonzo punk rock of ‘Joey’ knocks you about with its punk as fuck relentlessness. The end is in sight and if you’re waiting for a slow number to take this one home then you’re going to be disappointed. ‘Killed Myself When I Was Young’ is a hypnotic savage from that riff through the hammering keys being hit with a sledgehammer before the saxophone hypnotizes us all. This is the sound of a band at the top of their game knowing they have just delivered a mightily impressive record and to be fair I think I’ve developed a ‘Crush On You’ three, you spoil me with these tunes. An excellent way to kick off 2024.

Buy Here

Facebook

His Lordship – ‘His Lordship’ (Psychonaut Sounds Records)

His Lordship – ‘His Lordship’ (Psychonaut Sounds Records)

Unless you spent last year living under a sizeable rock, you’ll know that the flame of righteous rock n roll is safely in the hands of His Lordship. Since their debut single ‘All Cranked Up’, they haven’t put a foot wrong, releasing two EPs, one of the original songs and another of greasy cover versions.

The dynamic duo, often a live three-piece, are easily in the running for album of the year, alongside Black Bombers. The quality of songs and the levels of energy have set the bar mighty high for their contemporaries. From ‘All Cranked Up’ onwards, it’s a joy. Alongside the songs that you already know, there are five new ones, plus the recent release ‘Jackie Works For The NHS’, which shows that while the tunes have their roots in the 50s, their subject matter is more varied.

Which, given James Walbourne’s writing partnership with Chrissie Hynde in Pretenders, should come as no surprise. He’s a busy fellow, but His Lordship stand on their own terms. And Kristoffer Sonne sure knows how to treat his minimal drum kit to his best advantage. If you don’t already know the likes of ‘Buzzkill’, ‘I’m So Bored Of Being Bored’ or ‘I Live In The City’, you’re in for a treat.

‘The Repenter’ shows that their musical palette is broader than some may have thought, ‘Joyboy’ is yet another raw slice of rock n roll, somewhere between Johnny Thunders and Link Wray at their most ferocious. Speaking of the great Link, their instrumental ‘Cat Call’ is pure class.

‘Rock, Fall, Echo, Dust’ has licks that Brian Setzer would surely approve of, and ‘Pixellated Polly’ is a grinding, hypnotic riff. ‘My Brother Is An Only Child’ adds a little Cramps to the mix, but nothing here sounds forced; they clearly love the music. It’s increasingly hard to make primal rock n roll that sounds fresh and exciting, but His Lordship have the talent and style required to pull it off. This is an essential purchase, folks. Get it ordered and catch them on tour.

Buy Here

Author: Martin Chamarette

Vive Le Rock: The Return!

Vive Le Rock: The Return!

THE RETURN!

SHAM 69, RUTS DC, KIRK BRANDON AND TOYAH JOIN A HOST OF PUNK ROCK N’ROLL ICONS AT THE 2024 VIVE LE ROCK AWARDS AT THE O2 ISLINGTON ACADEMY, APRIL 12TH

AWARDS TO BE HOSTED BY VICE SQUAD’S BEKI BONDAGE

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE:

FIND VIVE LE ROCK ONLINE HERE:

After last year’s sensational Vive Le Rock Awards at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, which we said would be our last, well… It would be rude not to come back and do it all again!

So, Friday April 12th will see the whole rock extravaganza steam roll into London’s O2 Academy Islington for another packed show of unique collaborations, celebrations and one-off performances. And 2024 is going to be a punky reggae party with a bill topped by original ’70s punks Jimmy Pursey and SHAM 69 and RUTS DC performing a special never-to-be-repeated set with special guests, we can also now announce an intimate performance from THEATRE OF HATE/SPEAR OF DESTINY man Kirk Brandon, special guest performances from the iconic TOYAH,  rock n’ roll king JIM JONES and the one and only Saffron from REPUBLICA, as well as new UK punks GRADE 2 and Lily from fast rising punks THE MEFFS!

And that’s not forgetting the mighty VIVE LE ROCKERS all-star band, led by the inimitable Paul-Ronney Angel! 

A five hour show with a full programme of awards, winners and celebrity presenters, there’s only one place to be in April and that’s the 2024 VLRs! 

“It’s no exaggeration to say that last year’s Vive Le Rock Awards was many peoples show of 2023,” says Vive Le Rock editor Eugene Butcher. “And this year we have more unique collaborations, one off performances and special guests for a wild night for friends old and new to join together and celebrate these legends of rock n’ roll!”

Tickets and special VIP packages including aftershow party, VLR Two Tone Annual and special Awards T-shirt are available HERE:

Find Vive Le Rock online at vivelerock.net

Pictures courtesy of Dod Morrison

Singles Club – January 2024 we have lift off!

Singles Club – January 2024 we have lift off!

How about half a dozen (and some) bangers to get 2024 started and warm the cockles of your hearts in this cold winter.

Fast Eddy – ‘In Too Deep’ (Spaghetty Town Records/Beluga Records/Boulevard Trash Records) Produced by former Biter Tuk Smith FAST EDDY’s latest single, “In Too Deep” is a dreamy light touch melodic rocker. IT’s got a happy sing-a-long disposition and is a great appetiser for what’s to come in a few months when the album hits the shelves.

Beneath the track’s cheerful nature, lies a narrative exploring the intricacies of relationships and the struggle of acknowledging a desire for connection, and the realization of an unfit partner.  It’s got a timelessly cool vibe and a mature feel with the organ and acoustic layers. It’ll whet the appetite for that album when it drops just an allround top tune. Get on it kids.

J Mascis – ‘Right Behind You’ (Sub Pop) From the upcoming album ‘What Do We Do Now,’ out on Sub Pop Records i Feb Mascis is back with his familiar tone and dreamy American Alt post-grunge sound. It’s a cool breezy pop tune from J and just enough to get you excited for the new album with his familiar fuzzed-up solo and mellowed verses. Its always good to hear him do new music be solo or Dinosaur Jr.

Moron’s Morons – Go Pop (Big Neck Records) Slipped through the net but we’ve managed to net this bad boy. Some cool swaggering punk n roll from Poland’s prime punks get their single released through the Virginia USA label. ‘Cadillac Eyes’ is a banger all Briefs swaggering snotty punk n roll but the gem for me is ‘You’re A Sleaze’ with its uptempo rhythm led by the Boys-inspired keyboards that add the party to this buzzsaw punk swinging round the chuck berry meets the New York Dolls attitude. Always a winner for me when you stitch those influences into your music. Great single.

The Fabulous Courettes – ‘Shake’ (Damaged Goods Records) The grooviest Courettes’ tune to date! Try to listen to ‘Shake!’ without dislocating those hips! Slide into your skinny jeans and Chelsea boots and let’s kick out the jams together. Killer fuzz riff and infectious beat of the Motown variety, hints of soul and rock n roll are in there, showcasing a bit of the recipe of The Courettes’ next album due out in September 2024. Catch them all over that there Europe in 2024. Groovy baby. The B side isn’t too shabby either and it’s exclusive to this release as well ‘You Woo Me’ not arf Pop pickers!

THE COMPLICATORS -‘Blink Of An Eye!’ (Pirates Press) The track is from their upcoming self-titled debut LP which goes up for pre-order on January 12th and hits record stores worldwide on February 2nd. Some angry young men play punk rock with aggressive riffs and broken glass vocals with big drunken sing a long gang choruses. What more do you want? It’s got a tonne of energy and would get any sweaty pit moving. If the album is as strong as this then get ready 2024 it could get messy.

Deniz Tek & Jeff Dahl – ‘Love /Hate’ (Cleopatra Records) I’ve saved the best til last this month with my pick of the pops from Deniz And Jeff as they take two new tracks and sing one each and it’s tough to put a Rizzla paper between them for number one pick but together this is the single to get hold of this month. Pressed on red vinyl ‘Hate’ is swinging in on a filthy dirty sleazy riff with an express train of energy it’s a garage punk masterclass with Dahl snarling out those lyrics but don’t take it personally he’s one of the good guys. If you think you’re going to get redemption on ‘Love’ then think again sounding as cool as a summer breeze its got swing like a classic undiscovered Townsend track before opening out. An exceptional song to be fair if you don’t believe me check it out for yourself. Record of the Month by A Country Mile and the solo on ‘Love’ is a stone-cold killer. If you’d be so kind gentlemen a full-length album would go down really nicely especially if it sounds this damn good.

Chuck Norris Experiment – ‘We Go Boom!’ (Ghost Highway Records) I’m sure when you hear this you’ll agree that your heart just jumped to over double your resting heart rate. r loud and as raw as fuck. The woo hoo! are easy to sing along to even for the drunkest person in the room. Chuck Norris Experiment have captured a classic moment piledriving a slice of The Hives into their familiar uncompromising style of hard rock and on this, they’ve nailed it folks no doubt it. and had Tek and Dahl not released a single this month this would have been number one with a bullet. Taken from the forthcoming album ’20’ that will be released on GHR in April to celebrate their anniversary it also signifies the return of guitarist Chuck Daniels which might explain why the guitars are so fuckin’ huge! whats bigger and better than two guitars? Three of course. Boom!

Brigata Vendetta ‘1000 Cuts’ (Pirates Press) one of the newest Bay Area bands featuring members of Harrington Saints and Bum City Saints, have released a new single called “1000 Cuts.” The song comes from their debut LP “This is How Democracy Dies” which is available for pre-order on January 12th and hits stores on February 2nd. about incompetence and corruption of a Congress to do any sort of governing that would actually help people instead of toeing party lines. The old adage of ‘death by a thousand cuts’ is the refrain in the verse: ‘Lie, cheat and steal / Then feign ignorance / Death by a thousand cuts,” Unwavering uncompromising punk as fuck this is an absolute blast and as pissed off as you’d imagine it would. Darrel and Mike from the excellent Harrington Saints are the seal of quality you needed to have to reassure you this is essential hardcore music to check out.

Valhalla Awaits – ‘Perdition’ (Self Release)

Valhalla Awaits – ‘Perdition’ (Self Release)

South Wales based noise mongers Valhalla Awaits are back with a bang. This latest EP: ‘Perdition‘ builds on the rock-solid foundations of their previous offerings: Condemned and Reckoning.

As we all know, South Wales is firmly on the rock and roll map again with bands such as Florence Black, Those Damn Crows & Sister Morphine dominating the UK scene, and stalwarts such as Tigertailz still releasing great material. The boys from VA have their own distinctive sound though, think Alice in Chains morphed with Alter Bridge and you won’t be too far away. Huge riffs courtesy of Chris Green (Revoker) and Rhys Carter, melody and hooks that grab you from the first listen, and THOSE vocals from Andrew Hunt (Buffalo Summer) …. This is all held together by the rhythmic pairing of Sam Kilby and Gareth ‘Snoz’ Lawrence (The Blackout).

Opening track ‘Door of No Return’ kicks off the EP in style, razor-sharp riffing and epic drum pounding all rolled up with a huge chorus that grabs you from the first listen. Staring at the Gun is a mid-paced riff fest with more superbly executed vocal melodies, I really could listen to Andrew sing for hours, his vocals are just made for this band, and he soars beautifully over the top of the music. The first single that was released last year Is There Anybody Out There? feels like an old friend that has popped in to say hello, the band has a knack for creating earworms and this track is already etched in my musical mind bank.

We Remain is dominated by chugging riffs and uplifting lyrical content, the final track All Hope is Lost kicks off with a melodic intro before lunging into a riff that Tony Iommi would be proud of, drummer Snoz lays into his china cymbal like his life depended on it. Fantastic stuff.

The EP consists of five expertly crafted and recorded tracks that will further cement the band’s upward trajectory. 2024 is going to be a good one for Valhalla Awaits.

Buy Here

Author: Kenny Kendrick

The Rockford Mules – ‘The Last Camaro’ (Self Release)

The Rockford Mules – ‘The Last Camaro’ (Self Release)

I’m not sure if they themselves ever thought it would happen, but Minneapolis barnstormers The Rockford Mules have reunited and released the brand-new record ‘The Last Camaro’. This leg-stomping EP comes 13 years after the band’s last full-length album, the excellent ‘Ma, They Broke Me’, which saw the band at their hard-riffing best. Back then they shared stages with top names such as Soul Asylum, The Violent Femmes, Fu Manchu and many others.

Since then, members of the group have remained creative. Frontman Erik Tasa has produced some excellent contemplative and melancholic solo releases – sometimes under his own name, sometimes not, sometimes available on online platforms, and then sometimes not (I wrote a piece last year about the album ‘Murky’ under the name Mudfoot Barker, which has since disappeared – this is a reminder, Erik!). Guitarist Ryan Rud has also been releasing solo material under the name Frequency Collisions, where he has explored more instrumental and progressive paths. He also presents the podcast The Rabbit Hole.

All of their output has been great and deserves willing ears, but obviously, the need to rock is an itch that just has to be scratched – and there is a lot of scratching going on in these five tracks. The band describes this as “a 70s rock-infused ode and celebration to a time when your band was your family.” And that’s exactly what it is – a short but sweet selection of songs to get you up and dancing, from the ballsy opener and first single ‘Leave the Dirt On’ to the grooving ‘Honeydripper’.

The EP closes with the beautiful title track, a slow and moving piece that would sit perfectly among one of Erik Tasa’s solo offerings. After 13 years, supporters of the band may have been hoping for a few more songs – but these 19 and half minutes say everything that needs to be said. There is no lull, no weak spot or filler, just simply five songs that take you on a ride through everything that the Rockford Mules serve up best – a fist full of rock with more than a little soul.

Buy The Album:Here

Facebook

Author: Craggy Collyde

Black Metal: Evolution Of The Cult Restored, Expanded & Definitive Edition – Dayal Patterson (Cult Never Dies)

Black Metal: Evolution Of The Cult Restored, Expanded & Definitive Edition – Dayal Patterson (Cult Never Dies)

What a fascinating genre of extreme music Black Metal is, from the complicated riffs to the even more complicated lives of some of the individuals involved, it’s been a fascination of mine since I first read an article on Venom or heard one of their demonic riffs. Dayal Patterson has pawed his way through the most comprehensive compendium and go-to book of knowledge about this most out-there brand of extreme music available.

This tome is a hefty coffee table book with 340,000 words, over 650 pictures, and 23 new chapters that’s how well-researched this bad boy is. It lays out the movers and shakers of the scene and whilst it might be the go-to book for people drawn towards the genre it’s also a fascinating insight for those (like me) who find the whole scene fascinating but don’t necessarily like all the music. Sure the genre is vast and trawls through all corners of the genre it’s also one of those styles of heavy metal that is fiercely loyal and protective of its style. It’s not Death Metal it’s not NWOBHM it’s not hard rock and the arguments over who is in the club and who is outside the tent rage like teenagers arguing over their favourite bands since time began.

The layout of this revised edition is easy on the eye and an impeccable tribute to the style and depth of knowledge is exceptional. I first flicked through the amazing pictures and pawed over the fascinating bounty of band pics that pepper this tome it’s broken down into easy-to-navigate sections from the Venom, and Hellhammer origins right the way through the most known territories bursting with opinions and interviews it gives a cool overview of the main players and shakers whilst giving enough detail without boring the reader with detail but giving enough to expand one’s knowledge.

What Dayal has done is create the go-to book of everything and anything you need or didn’t need to know about Black Metal from its humble beginnings to the rise in Norweigan kids through the subgenres and all the jaw-dropping tales of murder and suicide as well as the subgenres within the scene. It really is the go-to book of its kind and whilst thumbing through bands I’d never listened to I found myself searching out their playlists to get a fuller picture of how they sound as well maybe a side project would be for Dayal to curate a compilation piece of audio to go with this paper book.

The book comes in at a very reasonable £35 of your British pounds and for something this hefty is a bargain but it is something that Dayal can be extremely proud of putting together. For example, I obviously knew the history of Mayhem and their twisted path to infamy and fame and I was well aware of the likes o fVenom and Hellhammer from the birth of the genre but I wasn’t at all clued up on the horrible tale of Dissection and main players horrible history and subsequent end it’s a dark tale and just one of many dark tales I also found myself chuckling at some of the evilest bands who have one or two fully committed corpse painted players allied alongside someone in shellsuit pants and grubby trainers truly a legion of doom and disciple of Beelzebub. It’s on my table in the lounge so if any visitor needs to flick through something then this is my offering to the metal gods to pass on the word and enthrall others with a book worthy of such a fascinating style of music. ‘Evolution Of The Cult’ is the go-to book on Black Metal and that’s a fact and its an exceptional read and wonderfully put together. There is even a deluxe edition available through Cult Never Dies website (Here) Buy It!

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

Dilrods – ‘Waiting To Die’ (Self-Release)

Dilrods – ‘Waiting To Die’ (Self-Release)

Loved their debut album ‘Spare The Rod’ released (via the go-to punk label from London England No Front Teeth) from way back in 2020 it really hit the spot. When we heard on the grapevine that album number two was in the bag we turned up the speakers and waited. ‘Waiting To Die’ duly dropped and it slipped on our virtual turntable and away we flew. Right out of the traps, this bad boy with middle digits in the air and a spring in their step we were off motoring on cheap riffs, dog ends n cheap beers but as long as they’re cold all is good.

There’s no sleight of hand here its crash, bang, wallop – Get the beers in, and let’s throw ourselves around for thirty minutes like we used to. Its a good time baby and that’s the MO from The Dilrods – Don’t think about it for too long just turn it up and join in. ‘Black Sheep’ is the battle cry as the brawling opener is windmilling like fucko and then we’re done but wait ‘Awake Alert And Dying’ is thrashing in on its coattails and that’s sort of what happens. It’s not rocket science just a bunch of top tunes from a trio of gents just kicking out the jams motherfuckers. Sing along throw some shapes but remember to have a good time.

Only ‘Beer And Bandages’ is remotely over three minutes long and that’s because of its intro but the rest flash in at a 90-second mark and that’s how it is (the track sits very nicely in the TSOL pocket and that’s always a plus for me. uncomplicated but good.

‘Stab Vest’ could be from the bowels of Newport and Bad Sam this record crosses oceans and bounderies to get its messages across and if you fall between TSOL and Bad Sam then its a winner. 2024 gets off to a howling punk rock start and the Dilrods have got it going on. Get involved its only 20 minutes but what a top 30 minutes it is. Buy It!

Buy here