Don’t be fooled by the ambient intro ‘Are You Enjoying The Peaceful Skies’ because the roof is about to cave in. ‘Dead On The Way Home’ is a sonic kick to the jaw in just over half a minute. Christ, the song finished before I could type the title out. It’s swift, loud, to the point and bursting with energy. We’re off.

Brazil’s fiercest new punk rock export comes to the UK with their debut self-titled album, with the familiar machine pounding of Jamie Oliver on tub thumping and boy does he tub thump. Formed in 2019 by frontwoman Thami and guitarist Raf Oliver, Fantazmaz found their raw, unrelenting sound with the addition of bassist Chokito and former U.K. Subs drummer. They manage to mix blistering punk energy with a fearless presence; they sound like a band in a hurry, but to where Gawd only knows.

This record was recorded in two days, I’m reliably informed, and it sounds like it – not in a bad way, but the sound of a band who are raring to go and bursting to get out there and cause some trouble, where I think these songs will really come to life.

Rage and fury is one way to describe what follows over the ensuing ten songs, with one as ferocious as the last ‘You Owe Me A Fortune’ is rabid where ‘Distortion’ has a big Bass rumble and frantic fret flurries its as much about the energy they have created as it is about the songs because to be fair they aren’t over egged it is a lean mean war machine. They do reflect on global issues with lyrics such as those on the excellent ‘Does God Know Misery’; the melody is an earworm, and the guitar work is killing it.

This is proving to be a fresh lick of paint on a scene that is so overcrowded, but the music contained within is on fire and will grab your attention; rather, it will demand your attention.

‘Scars Of Downtown’ dissects the loneliness of metropolis and inner city London living, ‘Corporate Behave’ rages whilst looking at the nodding dogs with some post DKs guitar tricks thrown in for good measure. Hell, we’ve almost got to the finale, and it seems like it’s only just started. The thick production offers a real beefy sound that adds weight to the energy this record manages to own from the first to the last, with raging solos attempting to break out all over the place but being fought back by the solid rhythm section, none better than on the thrashing ‘Warheads’.

To close off, we have some weird trip hop beats melting on ‘Just Before Hell Comes Around’ just to fuck with your head before saying adios. A fine album, debut album to be exact, from Fantazmaz, a band I think we’ll be hearing about more and more in 2025.  

Buy HERE

Bandcamp

It’s been a while, best part of a decade, since I last clapped eyes on the brothers Reid in Cardiff across town in the second room of the Uni, and the time before that it was this very same venue but tonight was a one-off and not part of a tour, but something of a warm-up for the band’s appearance in Milton Keynes the following night at the Forever Now festival (at the time of writing I believe the stage at MK was beset with tech difficulties so its something of a relief to get this one in). The dry ice rolls across the stage like only a few other bands, such as the sisters of Mercy or the Bunnymen, engulfing the room to that of a post apocalyptic wasteland with just a dimly lit red mist as the band stride on stage to begin what was to amount to a pretty epic and mightily impressive set from Kilbride’s finest.

‘JAMCOD’ kicked off proceedings and Jim proceeded to remove his customary leather jacket due to it being one of the hottest days of the year and in a venue that seemed bereft of oxygen and even the gentlest of breezes but this didn’t stop the band smashing through songs like there was no tomorrow with merely silhoueted shadows on the stage with William swaying in front of his customary Orange wall of amplifiers as Jim holds onto his mic and stand like he’d fall over if it wasn’t there. The sound is clear and throbbing to the huge chords in the break before the second verse. Superb start as we were all hoping to OD on JAMC.

Like a fine wine, The Brothers Reid have matured and aged well sure they’re not the same band who kicked off all those years ago with a fire in their bellies and without a care in the world just a love of Garage rock n roll, art and creating some dark, bleak yet light and warm music that has most defiantly stood the test of time ably assisted currently by Mark, Scott and Justin. If anything, songs off the first album and EP (‘Psycho Candy’) have aged superbly well, but that’s for later in the set. The band’s most recent offering, ‘Glasgow Eyes’, is well represented, as is my personal favourite album, ‘Darklands’. To be fair, the set list is well designed and delivered impeccably, building to a glorious crescendo on the encore.

I’m presuming Jim is enjoying himself because he’s loosened up by removing the jacket, and the rest of the band sound amazing and right on it. ‘Head On’ was like a rabid barking dog, and from the awesome ‘Sidewalking’, it was glorious and possibly the best I’ve ever heard them. Connie from the support band Borrowed Atlas joined the band on stage for ‘Sometimes Always’ and a majestic ‘Just Like Honey’.

For the encore, it was a hat-trick of the impeccable guitar pop of ‘Darklands’, followed by ‘Taste Of Cindy’, and to bring a halt to proceedings and leave nobody in any doubt that they are still the masters of their craft and nobody has done the shoegazing pop noise better. Even when they left the field for hiatuses, their shoes couldn’t be filled and ‘Reverence’ was the perfect full stop to a pretty spectacular warm-up. It seems mad to think on this evidence, they even need to warm up. This was a blazing show of noisy guitar pop perfection. They can be as arrogant as they like, they always maintained how damn good they are and on this evidence it seems time has proven them right. Stunning performance. So until next time gents, nos da.

The mighty Saxon continues their journey as one of the UK’s most well-known metal bands. Their output still comes thick and fast, but never compromising on quality. They know what their rabid fan base wants and deliver every time. They are still a formidable live act even though original member Paul Quinn decided to step down recently. Never fear, though; Diamond Head founder Brian Tatler stepped up and is a fantastic addition.

Eagles Over Hellfest is an epic documentation of Saxon’s blistering performance at Hellfest in France last year. The band smash out a set of classics and material from their latest LP Hell, Fire and Damnation. With a career as long as Saxon has enjoyed, picking a set of material must be a task. Everything you would expect to hear at a Saxon show is here: ‘Motorcycle Man’, ‘Power and the Glory’, ‘Heavy Metal Thunder’, ‘Dallas 1PM’, ‘The Eagle Has Landed’, ‘Strong Arm of the Law’ all sound incredible. The new tracks sound great too, we have the title track from Hell, Fire and Damnation and Madame Guillotine.

The band are on fire as always, but Biff Byford sounds better than ever; he’s constantly whipping up the crowd to a frenzy and has them in the palm of his hand. He’s singing better than people half his age.

A special shout out must go to drummer Nigel Glockler too. His playing is exemplary, a showcase in heavy metal drumming. Simply brilliant. Doug Scarratt plays his arse of too and even though I can’t see bass player Nibs Carter while listening to the album, I can picture him going crazy and constantly banging his head in my minds eye!

The album blasts through blistering versions of And the Bands Played On, Denim and Leather, Wheels of Steel, 747 (Strangers in the Night), Crusader, and finishes off with the legendary ‘Princess of the Night’. Crystal clear production from Biff makes you feel like you were there at Hellfest, singing along.

Saxon shows us yet again why they are a constant in the lives of metal fans all over the world and have influenced so many.  

Fill your heads with Heavy Metal Thunder!!

Buy Here

Author: Kenny Kendrick

BRAZILIAN PUNKS FANTAZMAZ ANNOUNCE DEBUT SELF-TITLED ALBUM DUE FOR RELEASE JULY 4TH VIA GHETTO BITCH RECORDS

PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM HERE:

BLAST OUT THE 30 SECOND NEW SINGLE ‘DEAD ON THE WAY HOME’ HERE:

With an incendiary live show that’s chaotic, loud and in-your-face, FANTAZMAZ—Brazil’s fiercest new punk rock export—are about to drop a nuclear bomb. On July 4th comes their debut self-titled album, marking the beginning of what’s set to be a killer year for the band.

Formed in 2019 by frontwoman Thami and guitarist Raf Oliver, Fantazmaz found their raw, unrelenting sound with the addition of bassist Chokito and former U.K. Subs drummer Jamie Oliver. Blending blistering punk energy with a fearless stage presence, they’ve quickly built a reputation for their no-holds-barred performances.

Now based in the U.K., Fantazmaz are gearing up for a wild summer, hitting Rebellion Festival and a string of European shows before heading back to their homeland of Brazil for a run of explosive gigs. With their debut album on the horizon and a relentless tour schedule ahead, Fantazmaz are poised to make their mark in a very big way.

“The album is angry and frustrated, pretty much because we don’t see a future,” explains Thami. “Chances are slim that we’re getting out of this global mess, and honestly, we don’t care much about explaining why. It’s right there for everyone to see. That’s the sentiment — listen to the album.

“We recorded the whole thing in two days at Monolith Studio. It was straightforward and honest — first day for drums, second day for guitars, bass, and vocals. The songs had been written for a while, and we just thought, why the hell not drop a full album? So, we went in and laid it down, raw and real. This is our first full album, and we’re bloody excited for it to finally come out.”

Fantazmaz launched the album with the track ‘Dead On The Way Home’. At only thirty seconds long, it’s the perfect introduction to the album’s unbridled rage and fury. The song was inspired by a news report from Brazil about a group of young people mistakenly shot dead on their way back from a night out, which is sadly not an isolated case. The anger and frustration led to the idea of a 30-second track repeating: “Got shot dead on their way home.”

Watch the video for ‘Dead On The Way Home’ HERE:

A short, sharp shock to the system, the album is crammed full of anger and energy, ranging from the 80s hardcore attack of ‘Scars Of Downtown’ (“about the loneliness of living in a metropolis like London, seen from a darker perspective,”) to the Dead Kennedys/Jello Biafra inspired ‘Corporate Behave’ (“dedicated to everyone sticking it to the capitalist rulebook,”). But Fantazmaz are no one-trick punk rock pony, the album is brimming with unique and fresh ideas. Album closer ‘Just Before Hell Comes Around’ bristles with dark hip hop beats, whilst ‘Are You Enjoying The Peaceful Skies?’ is fuelled by a decadent/bastard bossa nova, inspired by Chico Buarque’s epic song ‘Construção’. 

And best of all, this is just the beginning. 2025 is going to be a very busy year for Fantazmaz. Hold on tight.  

NEW ALBUM ‘CVRSES’ OUT NOW VIA DARK RIDERS/CARGO DISTRIBUTION

ORDER ‘CVRSES’ HERE:

Celebrating the release of their brand-new and critically acclaimed album ‘Cvrses’, out now via Dark Riders/Cargo Distribution, Sheffield riff masters Black Spiders are keeping the party going with new single ‘Up All Night’.

“It’s an ode to Renfield, Dracula’s batman and an allegory for the RnR lifestyle, where there’s only one version of 3 o’clock,” says guitarist and vocalist Pete Spiby as the band set course on another vital, stomping, harmony laden rock monster.

Recorded once again at Axis Studios in Doncaster with producer Matt Ellis behind the wheel, ‘Cvrses’ is, and of course all bands say this, very possibly their best album yet. It successfully distils everything that is thrilling and life-affirming about Black Spiders unique brand of thumping heaviness. Massive riffs, massive hooks, massive beats. It’s all massive.

Always a thrilling and cathartic rock n ’roll experience live on stage, Black Spiders have set up another UK tour to commence in June. Following their dates with Australian rockers Airbourne, the band will embark, buckets and spades in hand, on a seaside venues tour of England’s finest coastal venues.

“We always like to play somewhere different, and a lot of these smaller grassroots venues don’t get a look in on the touring circuit, so we thought why not?” says Pete. “It’s gonna be a week of beer vs ice cream…”

Catch Black Spiders live in 2025 at the following dates:

Support to Airbourne

31/05 Sterling – Albert Halls

01/06 Aberdeen – Beach Ballroom

02/06 Dundee – Fat Sams

June

15th – Weston Super Mare ELECTRIC BANANA

16th – Newquay DEAD FAMOUS

17th – Torquay THE ATTIC

18th – Bournemouth BEAR CAVE

19th – Southend CHINNERYS

20th – Margate OLBY’S

21st – Brighton DALTONS

28th – Fireside (Wildfire) Festival

www.blackspidersband.com

Anyone who knows the modern metal scene probably already recognises that Cleveland’s Midnight are the closest thing we have today to the classic punk metal blitzkrieg of Motorhead, Venom, Tank and Warfare. That main man Athenar should follow up the band’s incendiary 2024 ‘Hellish Expectations’ album with an album chock full of covers, and it does not feature a single track by any of those bands, though, had all of us at RPM towers scratching our heads. I mean, maybe we’d got Midnight’s influences all wrong after all. Then, I got to do some (grave) digging….

Originally conceived as ‘Throw Ups’, in homage to David Bowie’s very own album of covers ‘Pin Ups’, before then being retitled as ‘Steel Rust And Disgust’ to fit in with the band’s previously named six syllable back catalogue. This is a twelve-track album that brings together ten covers of songs written by bands who shared the same sights, sounds, and sewage as Athenar’s region of birth so hence why there are no British bands, adding in a couple of new Midnight cuts.

The first of these newbies is ‘Cleveland Metal’ a track that hammers home not only the record’s purpose but also proves why no one betters Midnight when it comes to writing three-minute blasts of pure punk metal…no one, and that’s a fucking fact.

The other new cut on offer is the album’s title track, ‘Steel Rust And Disgust’ and this beast is more of a pounding red hot slab of molten black rock ‘n’ roll. It’s classic Midnight, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

It’s when we get to the cover versions that things get really interesting though as whilst (like me) you may be aware of the likes of ‘Final Solution’ (originally by Rocket From The Tombs), ‘3rd Generation Nation’ (originally by The Dead Boys) and  ‘Frenzy’ (originally by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins) what you have yet to hear is the total pummelling these tunes get in the hands of Athenar, the later in particular being delivered with the type of frenzied reverence that Lemmy used to have for the old classics.

Of the less familiar tunes on offer, take your pick from ‘Child Eaters’ (originally by Rubber City Rebels), ‘Iron Beast’ (originally by Kratos) or ‘Rock N Roll Fever’ (originally by David Allan Coe) with which to start your journey into a whole new world of great rock music. Of course, they are all given the compulsory Midnight mauling, but nonetheless, they are all made to sound like songs Athenar himself could have written, and that for me is the art of doing a great cover version, making it your own. 

Which just leaves me with ‘I’m Insane’ (originally by Synastryche) where I must admit I really was hoping for a cover of the Ratt classic of the same name (if only they were from Cleveland), the VoiVod-esque ‘Carrions Keep’ (originally by False Hope) plus the short sharp shocks of ‘Black Leather Rock’ and ‘Agitated’ (originally by Electric Eels) to round things off in truly chaotic fashion.

At times, cover albums can be something of a hit or miss affair (I mean, just look at ‘Pin Ups’), but ‘Steel Rust And Disgust’ is 100% underground hit after muthafuckin’ hit. BUY IT!!!!!

Buy Here

Author: Johnny Hayward

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https://www.instagram.com/midnightviolators

Aerial Salad release new track ‘Wires’ ahead of their ‘Roi de l’herbe’ 5-track EP to be released June 27th via Venn Records on 12” vinyl and digital

Pre-order the vinyl HERE

UK tour confirmed for June!

Following on from last year’s acclaimed ‘R.O.I.’ album, Manchester’s favourite sons Aerial Salad are set to return to the fray with a brand new 5-track EP titled ‘Roi de l’herbe’, to be released June 27th on 12” vinyl and digital via Venn Records.

No longer in the same line of spirit destroying day job work, with some seriously exciting gigs on the horizon, Aerial Salad wanted to kick off the next era of the band with a short, fast and hard EP and have served up five absolute bangers that sit somewhere between 2020’s ‘Dirt Mall’ album and ‘R.O.I.’

Today, the band have previewed another cut from the forthcoming EP with new single ‘Wires’, which is, as singer and guitarist Jamie Munro explains, “an aggressive dismantling of modern work/life culture. As we head ever deeper into the digital abyss. I’d rather be on fire than have to spend my life looking at spreadsheets.

“’Wires’ is an outcry to anyone following something in life, he continues. “The most ‘punk’ movement of my youth was the grime movement. It was ALL DIY, and it absolutely dominated British culture – there’s a lot of similarities between grime / punk/ hardcore. From the fashion to the beats. So, we thought we’d do a 50-pound music video ‘on a nostalgic backdrop’. ‘Wires’ picks up from where ‘Telekon 5’ left – you can’t keep drifting from what you believe in, and you can’t be tied by matters beyond what’s really important in life.”

“The EP is like the teaser for what’s next,” summarises Jamie. “The overall hook for this EP is one of hope, that by sticking to what you believe in you can do anything.”

Catch Aerial Salad live at the following dates in 2025: 

16/05/25 PERIGUEUX – LE MOULIN DE ROUSSEAU
17/05/25 MONTAIGU – FURY DANCE
18/05/25 RENNES – TY ANNA

UK TOUR
21/06/25 NEWCASTLE – ZEROX
22/06/25 GLASGOW – THE GARAGE (ATTIC)
24/06/25 BIRMINGHAM – SUNFLOWER LOUNGE
25/06/25 LONDON – THE SOCIAL
27/06/25 MANCHESTER – SOUP
28/06/25 SHEFFIELD – CORPORATION

FESTIVALS

6/08/25-10/08/25 BOOMTOWN FESTIVAL

31/07/20-03/08/24 Y-NOT FESTIVAL

Aerial Salad are:

Jamie Munro – vocals/guitar

Mike ‘Wimbo’ Wimbleton – vocals/bass

Jake Marshall – drums

Find Aerial Salad online at:

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Facebook

Twitter

Website:

Blacklist Union continue to create their own irresistible & shamanistic blend of Stone Temple PilotsGuns N’ RosesMalfunkshun, The Cult & Mother Love Bone. Following the 2024 singles ‘Horns & Halos’ & ‘Hey Mr Superstar’, new single ‘Mississippi Moonhound’, a swampy, swaggering anthem that captures the feeling of being haunted by your past while howling into the night for something more.. The debut single from the forthcoming LP ‘Slay the Dragon’, the band’s 6th studio album. Produced by Christopher Johnson (Evanescence, Hans Zimmer, Scott Weiland, Josh Todd, Bryan Adams, Phoebe Bridgers) Previous album ‘Letters from the Psych Ward’, racked up over two million streams.

Spotify –  HERE

Blacklist Union main man Tony West was raised in the Bronx on RamonesBad Brains, & the New York hardcore scene. ‘Go West young man’..Tony made his way to Los Angeles as a 19 years old, initially collaborating with guitarist Todd Youth (Murphy’s Law/Danzig) & Malfunkshun, who had been kept active by Andy Wood’s (Malfunkshun/Mother Love Bone singer) brother Kevin Wood. In 2006 Tony decided to pursue his own musical direction, and Blacklist Union were formed, the band’s debut album, ‘After the Mourning’ was released the same year. The band is currently managed by veteran industry pro Paul Crosby from the Grammy nominated, multi-platinum band Saliva. West also recorded with Saliva, and Jon E. Love (Love/Hate) back in 2014. 

Blacklist Union has earned a reputation for their explosive live shows. Last November, they stormed the West Coast with punk legends Dead Boys, followed by a December tour with former Saliva frontman Josey Scott, hitting Tennessee, Colorado, & California with their trademark intensity. West says, ‘Our music will transport you from the gritty streets of the Bronx to the wild energy of Los Angeles..’

Welcome to the Wild Wild West…

Blacklist Union LIVE –
Cruefest Hollywood @ the Whisky A Go-Go – 8901 W Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood Los Angeles – July 12th, 2025
Bar Sinister -1652 N Cherokee Ave, Los Angeles –  September 13th, 2025
Social Media/Online

https://www.instagram.com/blacklistunionofficial

https://www.facebook.com/BlacklistUnionRocks

https://blacklistunion.bandcamp.com

Seattle rockers The Drowns’ debut album ‘View From the Bottom’ gets the proper reissue it deeply deserves. In case you missed this first time round, Pirates Press have done the decent thing and given it a new lease of life and energy, and hopefully taken it further round this spinning rock than previously.

There is a gritty attitude in these songs that’s bursting with energy coming across like a youthful Handsome Dick meets Mike Ness on the vocals with a working class rock n roll feel bursting out of your speakers. The album sounds better than ever, thanks to the expert re-mastering job courtesy of legendary Seattle producer Jack Endino (Nirvana, Soundgarden, Murder City Devils…just to name a few)!

The Drowns have spent the last 7 years doing it their way, with a sound that’s part Rancid in places with the same kinda energy that they have with a dream in your heart and determination in your feet to carry you around the globe and back hoping that something resonates with an audience and within these tracks there is easily enough great songs bursting with passion and honesty Like ‘Time Slips’ which has that x factor in its melody that collides with those rough distorted guitars and they all marry with a gang vocal chorus that is made to endure.

This new version features all new art, with a minimalist, black on black spot-matte jacket with a metallic red foil-stamped pitchfork paying homage to the original album cover photo, this looks a little classier if I’m honest. Following the original album closer “Darkness” is an encore of a bonus track: a cover of ‘Satyagraha’ by 7Seconds. always good to mix up these re-releases and a new lick of paint and bonus tracks, it’s for everyone, old and new. Oh, and I hope Bobby’s doing ok after going back on the gear. I got on board with their excellent ‘Lunatics’, so this is great to see with a new makeover for 2025. Get on punk rockers, you won’t regret it.

View From the Bottom by The Drowns is available for pre-order via the Pirates Press Records

Author: Dom Daley

Right here’s the deal, Kirk Brandon has revisited Spear Of Destiny albums before with very favourable results, so why not continue that trend with a couple more and retitle them ‘Janus’ and re-record them with choice B Sides and left off the originals. What 2025 delivers is a modern sounding bells and whistles full bodied audio assault on plenty of Staple Spear Of Destiny classics and if you’d never heard of the band and their music with ‘Janus’ as your only reference you’d be fuckin delighted with a sonic modern sounding all killer no filler double album. To be fair, the lineup helps when they’re this bloody good, as well as adding their feel and take on these tracks.

There you go in a nutshell, if you are new to Brandon and his music, then work your way backwards with this bastard. Cast your mind back to the late 80s and ‘Outland’ in 87 followed by ‘The Price You Pay’ in 88 throw the running list in the air and start again in 2025, sure the songs have stood the test of time well and aged like affine wine as has Brandons vocals to be fair. The Distinctive style is intact, but a mature well well-rounded delivery is harnessed, and the sound of the band and production is excellent, and whilst a project of this nature could potentially fall flat, this most certainly doesn’t.

Two years in the making Brandon has alluded to the reasons why and why now. He went on to explain now was the time to deliver what he’d originally imagined the records to sound like and hes justifiably proud of how the project has turned out and so he sould be.

Not being a stranger to revisiting old music, this one has some proper bangers given a facelift and the sound is full blooded and much richer, take ‘Soldier Soldier’ for example, which has had the missing last verse put back in but to be fair hearing these songs like this for the first time in a long time has been a real pleasure.

Also, the CD version includes 6 bonus tracks. So raise a glass to Kirk and a special mention for Steve Allen Jones, Phil Martini, Craig Adams and Adrian Portas, and Clive Osborne deserve credit for their part in bringing these songs back to life. Quite simply, buy it!

A 28 date UK tour will commence on Wednesday 28th April 2025 and conclude on Sunday 1st June 2025 to support the release, including the now infamous Westworld Weekend in Wolverhampton UK, Kirk Brandon’s fan club weekender now in it’s 21st year!

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley