Saxon/Diamond Head – St David’s Hall, Cardiff 14.11.22

Saxon/Diamond Head – St David’s Hall, Cardiff 14.11.22

I’m pretty sure most of us…ahem…. more mature metal heads would never have thought that 40 years on from the latter days of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, two of the most prominent and important bands from that movement would still be around today. We certainly couldn’t have imagined that they would still be releasing new material and putting on the kinds of performances that I was fortunate enough to witness in the grand surroundings of St David’s Hall in Cardiff tonight.

It’s a travesty that Midlands based metallers Diamond Head never reached the dizzy heights that they were so deserving of. Similarly to Welsh legends Budgie, Diamond Head owe a lot to a certain thrash band from the San Francisco Bay Area who, as we all know covered some of their back catalogue and introduced a whole new generation of metal fans to the brilliance of Diamond Head. In 2022 Diamond Head are still a force to be reckoned with. I caught their set at this year’s Steelhouse Festival, and they were amazing. I was anticipating another banging performance this evening and they certainly didn’t disappoint!

With a short forty-five-minute set, they made sure that all eras of the band’s history were covered. The setting of St David’s Hall as a venue for a metal gig is always a risky choice with its set up of seating only. This had a detrimental effect for the first few songs of DH’s set with a lukewarm crowd who seemed to be restricted in building some momentum. Frontman Rasmus Bom Andersen does a sterling job of whipping up the crowd and he has a fantastic stage presence along with an extremely powerful voice. By the time we get to the three song closers of It’s Electric, Helpless and Am I Evil? the place is absolutely bouncing with everyone up on their feet, headbanging and horn throwing like their lives depended on it. Guitarist Brian Tatler still holds an impressive figure with his Flying V being wrangled to squeeze out every tasteful solo and gigantic riff. The rest of the band are no slouches either, an extremely impressive set, my only complaint is that it could have been a bit longer.

I know I’ve probably bored you all with this before, but I really can’t emphasize enough how important Saxon are in my musical development. At the age of thirteen, football was my passion and even though I religiously watched Top of the Pops every Thursday and listened to the charts on a Sunday, I didn’t find my calling until a boy I was in school with called Tim made me a tape of the Saxon compilation Strong Arm Metal. I had never heard music like this, and I was instantly in love. Pete Gill and Nigel Glockler are up there with my biggest drum heroes, and they inspired me to pick up a pair of sticks and start my own musical journey. Thank you so much Saxon, and Tim of course!

I was lucky enough to review Saxon’s latest album Carpe Diem earlier this year for this fine online magazine, (unbelievably their 23rd studio album) and loved it straight away. Some of their strongest material has been released in the last ten years or so and they are playing better than ever. I also saw Saxon at the Steelhouse festival in the summer when they graciously stood in when a certain guitarist who used to be in Kiss cancelled his performance. Saxon were on top form and played a blinder even with some of the band suffering from Covid at the time. They really are a class act.

The room is noticeably fuller by the time the band stroll onto the darkened stage to the sound of the stirring intro of the Carpe Diem album, and with a thunderous drum intro from Mr Glockler, we are off into full force Saxon at their best. They really put newer acts to shame with their boundless energy. Tasmanian Devil lookalike Nibs Carter literally doesn’t stop all night, running around furiously headbanging and jumping around like a teenager. The supremely talented Nigel Glockler is a delight to watch, his huge drum kit being battered for all its worth, and double bass drum barrages a plenty. Superb! The ever-present duo of Paul Quinn and Biff Byford are loving every minute and Biff’s voice sounds incredible. Doug Scarratt will forever be the new boy even though he’s been in the band since 1995, his guitar style and stage presence suit the band perfectly.

The set is a combination of new tracks from Carpe Diem, some old favourites, and some tracks they don’t play too often. It was great to hear Thin Red Line and Metalhead mixed in with Dallas 1PM and Heavy Metal Thunder. When Biff asks the audience which song they would like to hear out a choice of three, he jokes that they could probably do a week’s residence in Cardiff and play a different set every night… we might just hold you to that Biff! We end up with a fantastic rendition of The Eagle Has Landed which showcases Carter’s bass playing beautifully. The equally impressive sound mix and light show really highlights the atmosphere for this tune.

They pull out all the heavy hitters for the tail end of the set, And the Bands Played On, Wheels of Steel, a rousing performance of Carpe Diem highlight The Pilgrimage along with a Strong Arm of the Law/Solid Ball of Rock medley which leads seamlessly into their ‘should have been a number one single’ 747. We all witness a lovely moment during Denim & Leather when Biff catches a battle vest that a crowd member throws at him. He wears it until the guitar solo and then signs it and throws it back to the ecstatic fan. Quality. They close with Princess of the Night and confirm yet again that Saxon really are up there with the best in the world of metal. Looking around at the audience, it was great to see how many young people were in attendance wearing Saxon, Motorhead and Maiden shirts having the time of their lives. Bands like Saxon have worked so hard to maintain their roots as a true heavy metal band in every sense of the word. They deserve all the respect and success that continues to come their way. As Biff once sang: ‘Give us the stage, turn on the lights, fire up the sound, we’ll rock the nations’. They certainly stay true to their word.

Author: Kenny Kendrick

Singles Club – October

Singles Club – October

Jim Jones All Stars feat Nikki Hill – ‘It’s Your Voodoo Working’ (Ako Lite Records) Can I get an Amen brothers and sisters for the time has come to testify that Brother Jim Jones has released the first song from his All Stars line up and its a horn honking piano tonking slice of bloooze from outta the delta that features the enigmatic Nikki Hill which seems like a perfect fit for the All Stars just in case you were gonna ask. What a slice of smoldering rock n roll this is. Brother Jim is howling with the fever and on this one track alone is worthy of being the single of the month for the whole of this spooktacular Rocktober. Check it out Here

The Empty Page – ‘Dry Ice’ (Self Release) The band released a bunch of 7-inch singles in 2019 including the breakout track ‘When The Cloud Explodes’. they found themselves being spun on BBC 6 Music, chosen by Chvrches singer Lauren Mayberry from the BBC Introducing archives for airplay on BBC Radio 1 and stayed near the top of Spotify’s Punk List for months. this is the first dive into what’s to come from the band as Dry Ice is the first single to be released from The Empty Page’s as-yet-untitled (and long-awaited) second album, due in spring 2023. this is a weird mix of cold angular post-punk yet a warmth from Kels vocals the song grows like a shadow as it builds and falls back into the verse with some sweet guitar howls as Giz rinses his instrument of all it can give. The longer the song goes on the more is given up and soundscapes are happening – unfolding. It’s Epic, sweet, alluring, dark, light, things that shouldn’t work but most certainly do. An excellent introduction as to what is coming from The Empty Page – Bring it on! There is a video coming around the time of release in mid-November, so, we’ll be back with more Empty Pages to fill. Socials: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

Polute – ‘Polute’ (Legless Records) If Lemmy had joined the Stooges then this is what it would have sounded like. Cheap whizz and some horrific homebrew results in this 100% proof fireball of a Rock and Roll record. Relentless and fucked up just the way rock and roll should be.

It even comes in a Sunday piss coloured vinyl. C.O.F.F.I.N, STIFF RICHARDS & CUTTERS combine to kick fuck out of your ear drums. single of the week and the fuckin month – Done! Buy Here

Key of Caustic’s – ‘Pretty Little Suicide’ (Code 213 Records) They’ve been referred to as sounding like Green Day fronted by the singer from Boston which is a stretch for most of us but once you hear em you can see where that comparison comes from I think. anyway hit the video up and decide for yourself.

Forgotten Sons – ‘Flipside’ (Self Release) Pop punk from this Shetland Isle trio in the mold of Gaslight Anthem and Hot Water Music this is a well-produced stab at pop punk or whatever label it goes under these days. It’s a sprightly mid-paced tune that isn’t a bad effort at all. It all sounds like they’ve kept the stabilisers on or just dipped their toes in rather than cutting loose and giving it some oomph. That I’m sure will come further down the line but for a debut its a step in the right direction.

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Billy Idol – ‘The Cage’ EP (Dark Horse Records) To coincide with his return to the UK stages Idol releases this EP and lead track ‘Running From The Ghost’ with its melancholy intro before the guitars crash in and that sneering vocal fires up. Very polished and slick and accompanied by his long time comrade Steve Stevens Idol does what Idol does best. Radio friendly Rock is the name of the game and selling it to the masses is what he does. Listen Here

The Courettes – ‘Bye Bye Mon Amour’ (Damaged Goods Records) What you have here is a French version of the ‘Want You! Like a Cigarette’ which features in its English language version on the B Side. It’s been a fantastic time for this dynamic duo with rave review after rave review for both live and studio performances and it shows no sign of relenting. retro Rock n roll or whatever you fancy calling it. They do it pretty much better than anyone else out there. Flavio had this to say on the single –

“We are big fans of ’60s French pop – Gainsbourg, Sylvie Vartan, Jacques Dutronc, France Gall and many more. We love the versions made in France of the British and American hits back them, like Marie Laforet’s version of Stones’ ‘Paint it Black’ (‘Marie Douceur’) and Petula Clark’s version of The Kinks’ ‘A Well Respected Man’ (‘A Jeune Homme Bien’). So we decided to have our own Frenchy pop hit! Please welcome ‘Bye Bye, mon amour’! Because nous desirons les francophone fans comme a un cigarette! Hope the French, the Canadians, the English, the Danes, the Brazilian, the whole planet, the whole galaxy enjoy it. Turn up your volume and allez-y!” It’s available now on Pink 7″ Website

Saxon – Black Is The Night’ (BMG) What Saxon release a new single and RPM aren’t having it. Biff and the gang are back, firing on all cylinders ahead of their tour to support their recent album. There is nobody more metal than Biff and to hear his pipes billowing out is a warm reassuring thing and he’s still got it.

SAXON confirmed as Saturday Headliners for Steelhouse

SAXON confirmed as Saturday Headliners for Steelhouse

Steelhouse Festival has been forced into a late change ahead of this year’s event. However, the hugely positive outcome of this is that the mighty SAXON are now headlining Steelhouse Saturday, 30th of July.

This will be the metal legend’s only UK festival appearance of 2022. They will be performing a ‘40th Anniversary Greatest Hits’ set.  

In a statement about the line-up change, promoters Mikey and Max said, “We have been informed by Ace Frehley’s representatives that, due to unforeseen circumstances on his part, he needs to cancel his entire European tour including his appearance at Steelhouse”. 

They continue, “Our most heartfelt thanks to the mighty SAXON. A bona fide British metal institution who have gone above and beyond to make this happen and in the process make Steelhouse 2022 an even more mouth-watering prospect. Every song in this set is a true metal classic.”

Biff Byford of SAXON said, “We’ve been asked to step in and headline Steelhouse Festival, Saturday 30th July. We love playing there so happy to help out. We’re doing our 40th anniversary set list so all the big songs. And it’s our only UK festival this year so see you in Wales. Fill your heads with heavy metal thunder”


Steelhouse Festival was honoured to be voted ‘Best Festival’ by the followers and members of the NWOCRsocial community at the end of 2021. 

2021, in the face of overwhelming odds, was a resounding success – marking as it did the 10thSteelhouse Festival. 2022 has a lot to live up to, but is well on the way to being the best ever with an outstanding line-up and production upgrades including its biggest ever stage. Weekend and all day tickets are now on sale; demand has been such that Glamping sold out faster than ever.

Tickets Here

With its unique mountain top setting on the edge of the beautiful Brecon Beacons, this family friendly great value event has built up a true following and a real heritage of its own since its establishment in 2011. Previous performers at The Steelhouse Festival have included Thin Lizzy, Glenn Hughes, Myles Kennedy, Black Star Riders, The Wildhearts, Thunder, The Darkness, UFO, Uriah Heep, Europe, Rival Sons, Saxon, Anvil, Michael Schenker, and Skindred. The event now includes a larger stage, an official Friday night, more glamping and we are working once more with our media partner Planet Rock.

Saxon – ‘Carpe Diem’ (Silver Lining Music)

Saxon – ‘Carpe Diem’ (Silver Lining Music)

Saxon have been a mainstay in my life since I was 13 years old. My school pal Tigger gave me a cassette of their Strong Arm Metal compilation, and my life changed the moment I pressed play on that TDK C90 and Strong Arm of the Law came chugging out of the speakers. They introduced me to the world of heavy metal, and I have been a fan ever since. The band have had their ups and downs, but despite this they have (mainly) stuck to their trademark traditional metal sound. Of course, their most successful period was in the 80s starting as a forerunner of the NWOBHM movement, but they were head and shoulders above many of the other bands that faded away, except for Iron Maiden and Motorhead (yes, I do consider Motorhead a NWOBHM band!). Saxon flew the flag of heavy metal all over the world and influenced many of the bands to come after them in the thrash movement. A band you may have heard of called Metallica played one of their earliest gigs supporting Saxon. (Don’t mention the fan incident!)

Saxon have had an amazingly prolific career and their latest effort Carpe Diem is unbelievably their 23rd studio album. The band have released a fantastic succession of albums in the last eleven years or so starting with Call to Arms in 2011, along with other highlights in Sacrifice, Battering Ram, and Thunderbolt. I would say this period is up there with their strongest material. Many would argue that a major aspect in the quality of their more recent material would be in no small part due to producer extraordinaire and part-time member of Judas Priest, Andy Sneap. (Fun fact: Andy produced an album called Sugarbuzz by the band Whatever in the 90s, and this scribe played drums in the band! He was also our live sound engineer and loves a Phall curry!).

The production on Carpe Diem is incredible as we have come to expect from Sneap, I must also comment on Biff Byford’s voice. He sounds as good (if not better) as he did back in the early days of Saxon, no small feat for a man who recently suffered a heart attack, not sure if that’s where the album’s title came from, but Seize the Day seems apt!  The opening of the album’s title track starts off with an atmospheric intro before a drum flourish gives way to a scream from Biff that could be something from Wheels of Steel! No sign of Biff retiring any time soon!

Carpe Diem gives us ten leather studded tracks of headbanging glory as only the Barnsley big teasers can deliver. This album does seem to be a bit more stripped down and lean compared to the other recent albums. This is no bad thing of course, big riffs courtesy of Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt, pounding bass lines from the forever new kid Nibbs Carter, and the constantly outstanding Nigel Glockler in the engine room show the young un’s how to do this ‘eavy metal business. The title track is a head down, balls-out barnstormer with some glorious riffage and vocal gymnastics from Mr Byford, bloody marvelous!

Covid inspired track Remember the Fallen kicks off with another big chugging riff and kind of reminds me of another Saxon track about human disaster, Red Alert from their 1988 album Destiny, that song being about the Chernobyl incident. Saxon have always had great songs about historical events, The Eagle has Landed, Dallas 1 PM etc.. (I swear I learned so much more about history from metal bands that I ever did in school!) The track has a great video to go with it too with lots of news footage of the pandemic.

 The entire album embraces Saxon’s signature sound and like many other of the giants of metal still around, you know exactly who it is instantly. Age of Steam steams along (sorry!) nicely with Nibs and Nigel locking as tightly as the proverbial duck’s backside! The pace slows a little for the epic ‘The Pilgrimage’ but we are soon back in breakneck territory for the brilliant ‘Dambusters’ (I can’t believe Saxon haven’t had a song about the RAF bombers before!), Glockler again shows why he is one of metals most influential drummers here with his double bass barrage. The album continues to impress with more fantastic, blazing metal with tracks like ‘Super Nova’, ‘All For One’, and the brilliant ‘Lady in Gray’.

Saxon has proven yet again why their metal eagle continues to fly so high. As I write this, the band is playing to sold-out audiences in Manchester and London with Uriah Heep, Diamond Head, and Girlschool in support. Carpe Diem is another quality collection of songs to add to their legacy, Saxon has done it again, right, I’m off to Seize the Day!

Buy Here

Author: Kenny Kendrick

Saxon – Making of ‘Inspirations’ video.

Saxon – Making of ‘Inspirations’ video.

Recorded at Brockfield Hall near York, UK, with a firm eye on the old school way using Marshall cabs, Marshall amps, real drums and produced by Biff Byford with Jacky Lehmann recording and mixing, Saxon approach the likes of Motörhead’s ‘Bomber’ (with added whistle!), Toto’s ‘Hold The Line’, Black Sabbath’s ‘Evil Woman’ and a raucous Deep Purple’s ‘Speed King’ with refreshingly warm, unfiltered, “vintage” sounding renditions.

Continues Byford: “We wanted to do an album based on our influences, the songs and bands that inspired us to write what we did and still do.”

Byford does, indeed, take on some new vocal challenges, which he duly smashes on the likes of Thin Lizzy’s ‘The Rocker’. The net result is that whether cranking up a heavyweight take on Led Zeppelin‘s ‘Immigrant Song’ or throwing down AC/DC’s ‘Problem Child’, Saxon does a supreme job of entertaining both themselves and their audience throughout Inspirations.

 

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Saxon – ‘Inspirations’ (Militia Guard Music)

Saxon – ‘Inspirations’ (Militia Guard Music)

Ah, the mighty Saxon. The band that turned me into a metal head back in 1986. Up until that point it was all about the top 40 and whatever was on Top of the Pops for me! A friend from school did me a mix tape and lent me his vinyl copy of the compilation ‘Strong Arm Metal’ and I was hooked. It was all about heavy metal for me from that pivotal moment. There was something about early Saxon that I connected with and I’ve (mostly) been a fan ever since. They have been through their ups and downs over the years and a few line up changes, but Saxon have had a resurgence over the last 10 years or so and have released some fantastic albums. 2013’s ‘Sacrifice’ and 2015’s ‘Battering Ram’ is up there with their best work, as is 2018’s ‘Thunderbolt’. Enlisting Andy Sneap (Sabbat/Judas Priest) as producer gave their sound a thunderous edge and pushed Saxon back into the big leagues of metal.

The band had been busier than ever in the live arena until the dreaded virus put paid to any dates that were scheduled. What do you do when you have lots of free time on your hands? Put out an album of covers from the bands and artists that have influenced you of course! That’s exactly what Saxon have done here with some fantastic results. It’s a celebration of the music that makes Saxon the band they are. They have gone down the old school route to record the album at Brockfield House near York, using real drums, and lots of Marshall amps! Frontman Biff Byford along with Jacky Lehmann have produced the album and it benefits from a great mix.

The band have dabbled with covers in the past with a great version of The Sweet’s ‘Set Me Free’ on 1984s ‘Crusader’ album and this foray into the bands influences throws up some tracks I would never have dreamed of a band like Saxon covering. The albums kicks off with a crunchy version of The Rolling Stones ‘Paint it Black’, this was the first release from Inspirations and there’s a cool behind the scenes video to accompany it. Zeppelin’s ‘Immigrant Song’ is up next and Biff shows his vocal prowess here (yes, he handles the high notes in his own inimitable style), the bands groove is relentless behind him, this is a great version. The next track is one of the songs that shouldn’t work but it does somehow! The Beatles ‘Paperback Writer’ sounds great with heavier guitars and the vocal harmonies really work well.

We get back on more familiar ground with Black Sabbath’s ‘Evil Woman’, a real showcase for Tim ‘Nibbs’ Carter who is undoubtedly one of metals most underrated bass players. Next up we have a version of Jimi Hendrix’s classic anthem ‘Stone Free’, the band sound like they are having a blast with this one, you can feel the energy. I don’t think Saxon fans would be very happy if there wasn’t a Motorhead cover on here, of course they deliver with a brilliant version of ‘Bomber’ with drummer Nigel Glockler in full double bass monster mode. A great tribute to their old friends.

A frenetic take on Deep Purple’s ‘Speed King’ again highlights the vocal range of Biff Byford, he screams like a man possessed here and guitarists Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt play an absolute blinder with some serious shredding. A lesser know Thin Lizzy track gets the Saxon treatment, ‘The Rocker’ is a welcome addition instead of the usual Lizzy covers. Byford surprises again here with his range and really carries the song. A true to the original version of ‘Hold the Line’ by Toto grooves along nicely with Glockler showing he can handle the famous ‘Porcaro Shuffle’ with ease. (Google it kids). AC/DC’s ‘Problem Child’ doesn’t have the raw energy of the original, but it’s a solid effort all the same with Biff doing his best Bon impression. To close the album, we have a version of The Kinks ‘See My Friends’ which is probably the only track that doesn’t transition very well over to the metal titans even though it does chunk up towards the end.

Saxon have done a great job here and the main thing is to remember that it’s a bit of fun to try and lighten up these darkest of days that we have all been experiencing over the last year. Don’t take it too seriously, Saxon certainly haven’t. Crank it up with a beer in hand and sing along, you know the words!

 

Buy Inspirations Here

Author: Kenny Kendrick

 

Singles Club – January 2021 – Welcome one and all!

Singles Club – January 2021 – Welcome one and all!

Nine singles, eleven bands.  Seems like a pretty decent way to ease yourself into 2021 post-Trump and hopefully with the worst of this pandemic behind us maybe 2021 will see us back in live music venues and more bands releasing more music for us.  Here’s hoping and in the meantime stay safe and enjoy…

 

Los Pepe /  Jibaros – ‘Together’ split(Self Release) Always a great day to discover Los Pepe has got a new record out be it a 7″ single or album.  today we bring you their side of this split that’s a pair of right bangers.  With their cover of the Testors and Spains Jibaros taking on Teenage Heads – ‘Picture My Face’ and turning in a rousing dance floor filler.  Los Pepe do what they do and that’s turn in some fast loud power pop, luckily for us, this is no difference and a rather impressive split we have on our hands but it’s very limited so don’t dilly dally or you’ll be disappointed.

Buy it now Here

 

 

The Spangles – ‘Boys Just Wanna Have Some Fun’ (Self Release) So off the back of the rather spiffin’ long-player Those Spangles have come back to the table with a very nice EP that does exactly what it says on the tin.  What you have here is five tunes written by other peeps knocked out in a Covid wasteland with as much emphasis on being loud and Rockin’ out as was possible in a socially distanced recording studio.  Kicking off with the rather splendid ‘Bad Reputation’ giving the manly frontwoman that is Polly Phluid the chance to belt out the classic and to be fair the chaps have done the classic proud.  It might be one of the most covered tunes ever but so what its all about the attitude and having fun right? Right!

To be fair its pretty much the MO throughout as the boys take on such pop dignitaries as Joan Jett, Kim Wilde, The Bangles and Wendy James and her Transvision Vamps, and if  ‘Walk like An Egyptian’ is given a good seeing to then the beastly ‘I Want Your Love’ is as camp as Christmas (it isn’t obviously) but I do want them to make a cover of the video for this one it’ll be glorious. Almost as glorious as a ‘Sex Sausage’.  What? ‘Sex Sausage’ you ask who the fuck wrote that bad boy?  Don’t ask just smile or grin, as I’m sure these gents are.  Fantastic EP from a fantastic band.  Now get that difficult second album done and we’ll all meet up again and Slamdance together.  Facebook / Bandcamp

 

 

Poison Boys – ‘Nothing But Darkness’ (unknown) The first single from the second album is upon us and what a banger it is too.  I love The Poison Boys they just get things done.  No-fuss or fanfare they just write kick-ass tunes and this glimpse behind the curtain of the second record is a joy. It’s a bruising affair all switchblade knives and dark alleys and the breakdown is a smoldering mass of sleazy Rock and Roll and if this is what coming then bring it on boys it’s gonna be a top record.

Buy it here

 

 

 

 

Eddie Mooney & The Grave – ‘Lockdown Baby’ feat Malte B (Still Unbeatable Records) Two track choc-full of sprightly power pop is the order of the day courtesy of Eddie Mooney Released at the death of 2020. With the spirit of ’77 coursing through their veins, it’s got the vital ingredients being some barbed wire guitar and some sugar-sweet melodies on the chorus’.  Extremely limited vinyl pressings so be quick or be gone.

Buy Here

 

 

 

 

Chuck Norris Experiment / Scumbag Millionaire –  split (Strange Magic Records)    Pressed on super limited numbers of 100 solid red, 100 dirty white, 100 black of course this is gonna kick your backside.  Swedens finest exponents of hard rock are in the house and turning up the heat on this the first Singles club of the year and already owning it.  You know the drill two track each with the CNE tracks being exclusive to this 7″ whilst the Scumbag Millionaire contributes one exclusive track and a track from their debut LP Speed that was never released on a single (until now).

Loud and in your face is how CNE delivers their hard rock best and this pair of tunes is as good as they get. ‘Let The Wheels Roll’ is a pounding rhythm with sharp guitars and a chorus you can raise your horns to and chant along.  What’s not to like? then in direct contrast is the attitude-laden acoustic (of sorts) ‘Dinosaur Fire’ showing they don’t just do hard rock they can mix it up and when they do it’s never off the mark as for their fellow Gothenburg noise merchants Scumbag Millionaire it’s one exclusive and one from their last album.  ‘Too Much Is Never Enough’ is a slice of Motorhead meets Early Hellacopters and is an absolute banger! whilst their second contribution is lifted from their debut long-player ‘Speed’ in the shape of ‘White Flash’ another good reason to revisit that album another pair of great tunes making this a must-have EP of four excellent tunes.  Get a copy right sharpish or miss out and end up down the line paying some scalper a small fortune.  ORDER NOW by sending an e-mail to info@savagemagicrecords.com

 

 

 

Holy Death Trio – ‘The Killer’ (  )  The band says, “‘The Killer’ was written in the same vein as an old blues song from the early 1900’s.  It was originally written and performed as a one-man blues band and then it naturally worked well with a full band, so we made it Holy Death Trio standard.  This song is meant to feel like built up aggression with two killer guitar solos and just straight-up power trio heavy blues rock-n-roll.” More rock than your Jon Spenser Blues Explosion but it’s got a neat groove and it prefers to crash and burn than fade away and we like that especially when its played loud and this sounds like it was recorded loud!

Connect With Holy Death Trio Website / Facebook / Instagram / Bandcamp

 

 

Venus Grrrls – ‘Goth Girl’ (MonoMyth Records) Goth culture and witchcraft.  Oh, go on then.  Venus Grrrls release their new single on the back of last year’s EP and a dark brooding hybrid of dark pop and rock it motors along once you’re through the spooky kid intro with the pumping synth beat and vocal and hit the chorus and off they go.

The song tackle stereotyping and Goth culture and how trends come and go and with the big chorus it’ll wake the dead for sure as it rolls off with the pumping synth and soaring vocals before fading back and then pow! into a final chorus.  Stirring stuff from this Northern five-piece.

 

 

The Revox – ‘Talk About Her’ (Voodoo Rhythm Records)  Walking on the wild side is this raw and punchy 7″ from Swiss punks THE REVOX, reclusive mountain punks, they’re a blast from the past, and their music is inspired by the original Swiss garage and beat scene from back in the mid-’60s so I’m reliably informed and on this evidence, I’m impressed and love what they’ve got going on its like a fucked up Fuzztones howling drunk and just partying way too hard. ‘Talk About Her’ is a hoot with some super cool guitar and a trashy reverb-heavy rhythm where the cymbals are taking a pounding.  flip it over and ‘Sick Of You’ is more of the same as the riff rolls on and some garage racket is beaten out of the instruments for our listening pleasure.  Play on guys this is quality. Check it out Here

 

 

Saxon – ‘Speed King’  (Silver Lining Music)  Biff and the boys are in the house.  Tipping the hat to those that paved the way for Byford and his band to do what they’ve done for decades.  Check out their take on Deep Purples ‘Speed King’ if you like it then why not order it Here  ‘Inspirations’ is a covers album, where in 2020 the band took residence at Brockfield Hall in York, to record cover versions of various songs which deeply influenced the band, engaging in a proper old-school live and recording process which was a hallmark of many old-school rock ‘n’ roll records.

 

Saxon announce details of ‘Inspirations’ Album & Video set for early 2021 release

Saxon announce details of ‘Inspirations’ Album & Video set for early 2021 release

British Heavy Metal legends Saxon will deliver a full-roar-fun-down set of covers with their latest album Inspirations, which drops a brand new 11 track release featuring some of the superb classic rock songs that influenced Biff Byford & the band.

Set for release on March 19th2021, via Silver Lining Music, Inspirations gets things rolling with the release of Saxon’s crunching take on The Rolling Stones’ ‘Paint It Black’.  Biff Byford comments: “Loved this band since I first saw them and heard them.  I liked the Beatles, but the Stones appealed to my rebel side; their iconic look… so many great songs, such a great attitude in the music!” 

Inspirations was recorded at Brockfield Hall near York in the UK, which was built in 1804 and holds the largest collection of paintings by Yorkshire’s impressionist artists – the Staithes Group.

For Byford, recording Inspirations all together within such a rich historical environment was a major ingredient of the project. “The warmth and feel of Inspirations had so much to do with being together in this magnificent place and doing it ‘old-school’ style,” Byford explains. “This is how many bands back in the day -including some of the ones covered here- made such great albums, so it just felt really good to be able to do this somewhere like Brockfield Hall.” The results speak for themselves.

From the super-charged melodic romp of The Beatles’ ‘Paperback Writer’ to their freeway mad take on Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Stone Free’, Saxonshow their love and appreciation with a series of faithful, raw and ready tributes.  Maintaining a firm eye on the old school way using Marshall cabs, Marshall amps, real drums and produced by Biff Byford with Jacky Lehmann recording and mixing, Saxon approach the likes of Motörhead’s ‘Bomber’ (with added whistle!),AC/DC’s ‘Problem Child’, Black Sabbath’s ‘Evil Woman’ and a raucous Deep Purple’s ‘Speed King’ with refreshingly warm, unfiltered, “vintage” sounding renditions.

“We wanted to do an album based on our influences, the songs and bands that inspired us to write what we did and still do,” continues Byford, “and it was also interesting to see what my voice could do as I haven’t sung many of these songs before.”

Byford does, indeed, take on some new vocal challenges, which he duly smashes on the likes of Thin Lizzy’s ‘The Rocker’. The net result is that whether cranking up a heavyweight take on Led Zeppelin‘s ‘Immigrant Song’ or throwing down AC/DC’s ‘Problem Child’, Saxondoes a supreme job of entertaining both themselves and their audience throughout Inspirations.

“We didn’t want to change any of the songs too much, just play them more like Saxon,” concludes Byford, “and we also think it’s very important to have -and share with the fans- some fun in these dark times.”
You want even more proof of the validity behind that statement? Wrap your ears around their sparkling take on Toto’s ‘Hold The Line’ and consider Saxon’s Inspirations a mission accomplished.
Saxon’s Inspirations is available on Vinyl, CD, digital formats and limited edition D2C products; to pre-order go  Here

 

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www.saxon747.com

 

The Hip Priests – ‘Solid Gold Easy Option’ (Speedowax Records)

The Hip Priests – ‘Solid Gold Easy Option’ (Speedowax Records)

If you suddenly have the desire to collect The Hip Priests 7 inchers, just forget it already! That’s tantamount to saying you are gonna start collecting Star Wars figures or Kiss merchandise…there’s just too damn many, they’re too expensive and you won’t find ‘em all! But lucky for you, those fuckin’ boys have saved you the trouble and gathered together the lost gems, the hard to find cuts and the curios for all The Hip Priest fanboys and fangals to salivate over.

Yes, if you are a fully-fledged member of the Spasm Gang or even just a casual fan, (ie you don’t wear black denim every fuckin’ day!) then you probably already own the comprehensive double album ‘A Decade Of Disdain’. An album that brought together the best of The Hip Priests singles released over 2 pretty coloured records. And if you don’t, then give yourself a slap and get it sorted before we have words!

Well, ‘Solid Gold Easy Option’ is The Hip Priests strike back! 17 hard to find tracks from singles and EPs released between 2017-2019. That’s 6 cover versions bastardised by the band, sandwiched between 11 glorious original jams previously unavailable to mere mortals until now.

 

If quality, high octane garage rock is your thing, if you dig sonically seductive sounds delivered with more filth and fury than a Johnny Depp/Amber Heard weekend bender, then ‘Solid Gold Easy Option’ is right up your street. The dirty, the clean and the truly obscene rub sweaty shoulders and bloody knuckles in a defiant “fuck you!” to society, with no hint of socially distancing going on.

The epic ‘No Time (Like Right Now)’ is present and correct. Clocking in at just under 10 minutes, it’s their punk rock masterpiece, channelling the power of the MC5 with the horns and suss of Rocket From The Crypt, while they rant a diatribe about political skulduggery and post Brexit fuckery. It’s a punk rock anthem for right now. The other 3 tracks from that EP are present and correct, but the punk and belligerent ‘All My Rowdy Friends Are Dead’ and album closer ‘I’m Too Good’ seems to pale in comparison to the overly cool ‘She’s A Queen’. It sounds like Ian Astbury jamming with The Hellacopters, with one finger piano stabs, overly fuzzy guitars and vocals delivered straight from the crotch. It could be my favourite Hip Priests song right now.

Covers-wise, the likes of Motorhead’s ‘The Hammer’ and Demons ‘ Hot Running Blood’ are perfect Hip Priests fodder and stay pretty true to the originals. The Stooges ‘Loose’ is suitably ramshackle, sped up and delivered with guts and glory. Saxon’s ‘Play It Loud’ follows the same path and sounds epic.  It’s only Adam & The Ants classic ‘Press Darlings’ that doesn’t really benefit from the Hip Priests rough n’ ready, punk rock treatment for me.

Just because this is a b sides compilation, it doesn’t mean the quality has to suffer. ‘Nihilist Twist’ is a brutal, chanting 2 minute assault on the senses. ‘Dead By Sunday’ literally out ‘copters The Hellacopters and ‘I’m In Exile’ is all killer no filler. Wah-wah infused guitars fight with power chords as newest recruit Gentle Ben fills the right speaker and Austin the left, or is it the other way round? Who knows! But what I do know is the twin guitar attack sounds mighty.

 

27 singles, 3 EPs and 4 albums since their inception in 2007. It’s true to say that ‘Solid Gold Easy Option’ is more than just a stop-gap collection of odds and sods to keep their fanbase happy until album number 5 drops later this year. This is a quality collection of songs from shit island’s best-kept secret, and any self-respecting punk rock junkie should have it in their collection. The only trouble is do you choose green or blue vinyl?

Buy ‘Solid Gold Easy Option’ Here

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Author: Ben Hughes

 

 

Biff Byford Cancels UK & European Tours

Biff Byford Cancels UK & European Tours
unfortunately, Biff Byford announces the cancellation of his UK and European Tour dates.

We are very sorry to announce the cancellation of the BIFF BYFORD solo tour previously scheduled for April & May 2020. The cancellation is mainly due to low ticket sales, which may or may not have been affected by the current Worldwide Covid 19 Virus pandemic.
Biff Byford “The honest truth is the tickets for the forthcoming tour have just not sold as everyone expected for whatever reason, so we have cancelled the dates as scheduled with a view to hopefully re-visiting at a later date.
It’s sad as I was looking forward to the spoken word & live band show but it’s just not to be at this time. I want to thank everyone who bought the album and supported me. Keep the faith and see you on the road with Saxon”
The show was to take an “evening with” format and will be split into two halves. The first half featured a spoken word show compared by American Comedian and star of VH1 Classic’s “That Metal Show” DON JAMIESON, where Don would quiz Biff on all aspects of his life and career. The second half consisted of a live show with Biff and his band.
Ticket refunds are available from point of purchase.
Follow Biff –  facebook.com/biffsaxon747; facebook.com/saxon twitter.com/biff_byford; twitter.com/SaxonOfficial www.saxon747.com