New albums in 2010!

As its coming to the end of what has been one of the most exciting years for music I thought it would be a good time to look at what's in store for 2010! Several bands reformed this year, prompting the diehards to metaphorically whack themselves off with excitement. Faith no More probably being the biggest band to come back to the live circuit, performing an impressive set at this years Download Festival, which in turn prompted the organisers of the Reading/Leeds Festivals to book Mike Patton and co. to headline the Radio One stage. Sadly there is no news of a new album on the horizon, as bassist Billy Gould has said they are looking to tour the US pretty soon.

Jacksonville Nu-metallers Limp Bizkit reformed at the arse end of 2008 with original guitarist Wes Borland in tow, fully confirming their intentions to tour again earlier this year. After annihilating the crowds at Donnington (and shutting up the haters) Freddy D and his band made it known that they were back and intended on releasing one hell of a new album. Despite their past critical slaughterings they have earned deep respect this year from their past enemeies. Most surprising of all was NiN mastermind Trent Reznor, who even posted a picture of the band during their Sonisphere set at Knebworth on the official NiN website that same day. Sid Wilson of Slipknot has commented recently its good to see that they have reformed (giving the hostility Corey Taylor aimed at Fred Durst for his 'businessman' attitude, discarding any musicianship the red capped one may or may not have had). After several months of silence from the Limp Bizkit camp as they hammered away in the studio the first details of the new album were leaked by the frontman himself.

"The name of the new Limp Bizkit album is Gold Cobra. We will slowly be revealing the meaning of the title over the next few weeks. Cobras are quite venomous. I wish it were a much longer, more ridiculous title, but Gold Cobra is as ridiculous as we're going to get right now"

Gold Cobra? Is he serious? Well, with wes back on board, and that this must be the oddest choice of title since 2000's 'Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavoured Water' (the last full release with Wes not including 2005's 'The Unquestionable Truth E.P' we can only hope that this latest album is more well received than 'Results May Vary' one of the worst reviewed albums EVER on leading reviewer website Metacritic. I didn't find it THAT bad tbf.

After me declaring their latest album 'Crack The Skye' one of the greatest albums of the past decade (If you haven't checked it out yet, don't make me punch you) Atlantan prog-metal titans Mastodon have wrote the score to 2010 blockbuster 'Jonah Hex' not much information has leaked as of now whether it will be released as a full studio album or something just to tie in with the film. All that is known for now is that it is 'really fucking heavy' according to sources.

Blowing the minds of Australian audiences for the last few years. Newcomers Karnivool are bringing their latest album 'Sound Awake' to the rest of the world in February, after crashing into the Australian charts at number 2 this past summer. I had the chance to witness their debut UK performance on their tour with Skindred in October and only one thing can be said about the progressive rockers: The UK has been seriously missing out.

Here's the one I'm waiting for impatiently. The 5th studio album from Boston rock titans Godsmack! They're currently in the studio recording for a scheduled March/April 2010 release.

They released a new single this year entitled 'Whiskey Hangover' which has fast become another smash hit to add to the many notches on their singles belt. The song itself is very reminiscent of the first alb

um, but can we be expecting a similar sound to their multi-platinum debut? Word for now is that they intend to record around 20+ songs and whittle them down to around 11 tracks. Frontman Sully Erna has stated his thoughts on the direction of the new album on his Facebook page. 'It’s gonna be really heavy, I mean, it’s very aggressive. I think it’s going to be a lot more in your face. I don’t think there’s going to be any Voodoo's or Senerity's on this one. We decided to go balls out" I for one can't fucking wait!" Sully is also working on a song for Sylvester Stallone's new testosterone fuelled film The Expendables after Sly himself heard one of his solo tracks.

Recently on Twitter, Welsh metalcore outfit Bullet for My Valentine announced they had finished the recording process for their new as yet untitled 3rd studio release. It is now currently in the mixing progress and should be out in the first quarter of 2010. It's understood that the band have chosen to release a more hard rock sounding album as opposed to their more metal style.

Little information has been released for these albums as of late. but we are due new releases by:

Adema (Back with original forntman Mark Chavez)

Avenged Sevenfold

Blink-182

Deftones

Disturbed

Down

Good Charlotte

Iron Maiden

Judas Priest

KoRn

Linkin Park

Meat Loaf

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Seether

Stone Sour

Sum 41

Better Late than never: Rammstein - Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da

Internal conflict has always played a destructive part in some of today’s biggest rock bands. Who can forget Metallica’s 2004 film Some Kind of Monster where rage-infested drummer Lars Ulrich screamed the word f*** in the face of a calmly sat James Hetfield. Germany’s finest export Rammstein are no strangers to bust ups, having nearly called it a day after 2001’s smash hit Mutter. 2004’s Reise Reise and 2005’s Rosenrot seemed patchy at best to others and the future of the industrial sextet looked in serious doubt. You would never have guessed what problems affected Rammstein when seeing their live shows. More pyrotechnics and fireworks than your average Bonfire Night the band appear to have a lot of fun on stage (almost too much fun with props such as squirting dildo’s and frontman Till Linderman’s persistence to faux sodomize willing keyboardist Flake) Album number six Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da (Love Is For Everyone), once again sees them sadly on the brink of collapse in the wake of what could be their finest album yet. The lead single ‘Pussy’, with the chorus ‘you’ve got a pussy, I have a dick, so what’s the problem? Let’s do it quick’ should be more than enough to tell you what is in store on Liebe Ist Fur All De. Catchy yet never losing its industrial vibes dancing isn’t even an option, it’s a necessity. Although for those who have seen the music video may choose to engage in something else besides dancing. In their 15 years, Rammstein have never been a band to shy away from controversy, they downright revel in it. So it only seems natural that they cover such subject as sex tourism and on ‘Wiener Blut ‘ the notorious Josef Fritzl. The overall musicianship demonstrates that Rammstein have chose to shy away from their industrial roots in favour of a more in your face metal sound. Although heavier than its predecessors there are the odd lighter moments. The fanfare introduction of Waidmanns Heil and the acoustic driven ‘Freuhling in Paris’ to name such a few. Considering their reputation it will be interesting to see how these songs transpire on their UK tour in February, a spectacle you’d be as mad as Rammstein to miss as this is a record destined for great heights and would be a shame yet a fitting tribute to Rammstein’s legacy if it were to be their swansong

Top tracks: Rammlied, Pussy, Fruling In Paris, Waidmanns Hell

Watch the video for 'Pussy' if you dare!

Front Cover!

Just a quick design for my magazine cover. I'm more leaning towards using Mastodon as the cover star (that's if their management replies to my countless emails, I'm going to try until I annoy them that much they give me it hehe) Wouldn't mind some feedback on what I could change/add I know there's some issues with choice of colour and font (not really feeling the love for the font the magazine name's in, having some trouble installing Metallica font for the 'Metal' bit) but they can easily be solved.

A few minutes with Jaret Reddick.

I recently emailed some questions for hilarious pop-punk veterans Bowling for Soup to answer. After a successful string of shows across the UK dubbed 'The Party in Your Pants Tour' the Texas natives ventured back to the States to promote their latest album Sorry For Partyin', here frontman Jaret Reddick shares his random thoughts on touring the UK, loving the fans and hating L.A...

• So, did you enjoy touring the UK once again?

The tour was incredible as always! We had a blast

• The Party in Your Pants Tour seemed to be UK exclusive at present time, is this intentional or do you plan on touring other areas under the same name?

No...It was JUST a UK thing...You guys are special!

• Why do you always bring the same supports over? Is it because you have found the PERFECT support formula?

We don't really...But we have had the same bands on multiple tours...But yeah, we like to bring our friends!

• What does it feel like being able to sell out VIP tickets and venues all over England?

It is the best thing ever...Our fans are so loyal and they support us year to year...We are very blessed

• How do you prepare before going on stage, are there any pre-show rituals you like to do?

No...We just drink a lot of booze!

• How do you feel the UK crowd differentiates from the rest of the world?

They are intense man! there is such an energy from UK audiences...

• The new album Sorry For Partyin’ went top 10 on iTunes, how did you guys celebrate?

Our entire life is a celebration!

• Tell me about the recording of the new abum. Were you distracted at any point? And how fun was it to record?

It was great...The only hiccups were a few late nights that made the next days long...But we held it together....We always have fun in the studio!

• Are there any particular highlights on the album? As in, what are your favourite songs and why?

I love them all...But I think "I Gotchoo" is a good one...And "A Really Cool Dance Song"...Great stuff!

• Like in the song No Hablo Ingles, have you ever done or said something comical to get out of a tight situation?

Of course...Making folks laugh gets me out of everything!

• Tell me about the songs A Really Cool Dance Song and I Gotchoo, they’re quite a departure from your other songs, emphasising on elements of dance music etc, were there any inspirations?

"A Really Cool Dance Song" is sort of a play on the movement of dance songs in the US right now..."I Gotchoo" - Was written on the beach...I think it sounds like the beach!

• In light of the song, do you actually possess any hatred for LA? If so, why?

Not the city...I hate the attitude...People in LA don't think their shit stinks...But shit stinks!

• You commented on your Twitter that there was enough material for a double album. Could a double album be a possibility in the near future? and will the left over material be released at some point?

All of the songs will get out there one way or another!

• When you’re not touring what do you guys like to do in your spare time?

I spend a lot of time with my kids. But I keep really busy with my label, and doing writing, voice and production for film and TV...

• If you had the choice what other musical instrument would you like to include on a regular basis?

I'd love to have someone play keyboards and guitar on a tour sometime.....It would add a cool element!

• I understand that you never play to a setlist at any show, has this at any point in your career not gone according to plan i.e fuck ups etc?

Ha...Yes...One of the first REALLY big shows we played, I started a song we had already played...The beauty of being in BFS is we can turn anything into a joke

• You received an overwhelming response to your hilarious performance at the Download Festival in 2007, what was it like to hear 70 thousand people in unison shout ‘I’m Gay’ and do you plan on returning next year?

It was amazing...Always cool to play with heavy bands and win their fans over! and yes, we will be back this year!

• You’re known for covering songs by the Ramones and Black Sabbath, are there any other songs you have considered covering live and would like to play?

We actually did Katy Perry "Hot and Cold" on the UK tour....It went over great!

• Is there any news on the forthcoming documentary My Home Town?

It is on the backburner for now...We will do it soon!

Bowling For Soup 'Sorry for Partyin' is out now on Amazon

You can follow Jaret and the rest of the band on Twitter at:

http://twitter.com/jaret2113

http://twitter.com/gwise55

http://twitter.com/SoupBowlerChris

http://twitter.com/erik2113

My album of 2009

When you think of the term 'progressive metal' what comes to mind? unconventional guitar signatures? To many Tool have long been considered to be at the top of the mountain of prog metal but now, 4 albums later and 10 years in the making, one band has well and firmly laid its claim to the crown. And that band is Atlanta's Mastodon.

Mastodon first came to prominence in 2002 with their debut 'Remission', an aggressive release that contained enough sludgy riffs to keep the head-banging crowd happy as well as aspiring technical musicians. But that was just the groundwork.

After crashing onto the rock radar with 2004's sophomore release Leviathan, a concept album based on the novel 'Moby Dick' a tidlewave of 'album of the year' awards were thrusted upon it, beating out stiff competition from several major releases that same year. When 2006's Blood Mountain was unleashed, their second straight concept album, the praise continued (Including a Grammy nomination for 'Colony of Birchmen'). Ironically this is a band that progress musically with each release, avoiding repetition at all costs.

And so comes their third straight concept album (their fourth studio album overall). When news broke that Mastodon would be working with producer Brendan O'Brien accusations of selling out were thrown their way by their shocked fan base. Luckily for the fans Mastodon has never sounded this far from the mainstream ever before. Unconventional is possibly the only word that can be used to describe Crack The Skye, as the only phrase I can find to describe it is f*****g brilliant. The bar has never been raised this high as Mastodon have indeed taken an even big risk then ever before.

Consisting of just seven songs Crack The Skye spans an impressive 50 minutes. So it is with no surprise that 2 of these songs exceed the 10 minute mark. The whole concept in general is made up from various dreams that the band have had (as well as a few visions involving certain hallucinogens if rumour is believed) as well as drawing from Stephen Hawking's wormhole theories and an alternative Tsarist Russia. With this record a much cleaner sound has been produced when compared to the heaviness of past songs 'March of the Fire Ants' and 'Blood and Thunder' drawing from 1970's progressive rock as a whole rather than focusing more on metal.

Opening track Oblivion begins the story of a paraplegic who experiments with astra travel by going into space, with only a golden umbilical cord keeping him from straying. Such an unusual concept wouldn't transcend so well if it wasn't backed up by the most beautiful musicianship ever heard. Brent Hinds' guitar solo's are as epic as ever, almost putting you in the perspective of their paraplegic as he floats through space. 'Oblivion' also showcases the impressive debut vocals of drummer Brann Dailor, who named the album after his sister who tragicly committed suicide when he was 14.

Other odd inclusions are the use of a Deliverance-lite banjo riff at the beginning of 'Divinations' which kicks into a frenzy of hard hitting riffs. If it was released on Rock Band there'd be a lot of broken plastic guitars out there. The defining moment of Crack the Skye has to be the 11 minute opus 'The Czar'. Layer upon layer of keyboards and guitars demonstrate Mastodon's determination for their craft. Split into four parts ("Usurper", "Escape", "Martyr" and "Spiral") it continues the story of the paraplegic now in the body of the Russian priest Rasputin. It is important not to take this as historically accurate but as mere fantasy (in the way Tarantino portrayed Nazi Germany in Inglourious Basterds).

Ending on a high note with 'The Last Baron', the longest song on the album at 13 minutes, the influences can be heard furiously (listen for the cheeky Rush inspired homage halfway through) no other album has been as important in 2009 as Crack The Skye. It is an album you can not only lose yourself listening to but it is one that deserves to be embraced. If this is only a taster of what we can expect from Mastodon in the near future then I can't wait to hear what they have left in their arsenal.

Best songs: Oblivion, Divinations, Quintessence, The Czar

Crack The Skye is available from Amazon

Shinedown Interview Snippet and Another Review!

Here's a couple of minutes from my interview with the platinum selling SHINEDOWN. They are just genuinely nice guys just doing what they love to do and from what I could tell from them they do genuinely care about their fans as well as each other. They didn't shy away from several jokes which I haven't included as I swear and make enough poor taste jokes as it is. I've also done a review for their latest album 'The Sound of Madness' which came out over here in the summer yet came out in America last year. Boy these record labels are strange.

Now THIS is how you make an impact. A year after its release in their native US, the Jacksonville rock quartet unleash their third album in the UK. Little has been said about Shinedown until they made their UK debut late 2008 supporting Disturbed. Since then upgraded venues, sell out shows and a festival appearance have gained them a huge following this side of the water. Their previous albums, 2003’s Leave a Whisper and 2005’s Us and Them, demonstrated their hard driven determination in hits such as ‘Fly From The Inside’ ‘Save Me’ and the controversial ‘45’. Various line-up changes haven’t phased Shinedown one bit, as they step up their game and have released an album worn truly on their sleeve. It gets off to a fast paced start with the hard hitting ‘Devour’, a song displaying impressive fast paced (if now sadly dated) lyrics aimed at the Bush regime, backed up by Earth shattering drumming from Barry Kerch . Human emotion has never been so well expressed in an album such as The Sound of Madness. ‘If You Only Knew’ which frontman Brent Smith has confessed to being the only love song he has ever written, passes by with elegance all the while avoiding the schmaltz of a typical love song. ‘Call Me’ marks the first time the band stray from using traditional instruments in favour of a sole piano ballad, showing that they aren’t afraid to stray from their heavy roots and displaying why Brent Smith is one of the best rock singers of today. The anthems keep coming in the form of ‘Second Chance’ the most personal sounding song on The Sound of Madness. Leaving your family behind can be an emotional experience but the story Brent tells in his own words leaves you with a sense of optimism, as well as a reason to believe why Shinedown are one of the ‘new’ exciting bands to look out for.

Best Songs: Devour, Sound of Madness, Second Chance, Call Me, Sin With a Grin

You can buy the album on iTunes and Amazon now

More reviews and such and such...

Thought I'd bung another interview up whilst I get this Shinedown interview up onto Quark, might end up having to be a 3 page spread considering the interview banged on for about 30 minutes more than what I told their tour manager it was going to be. Mind you I think the guy was too stoned to actually care just as long as they made it on stage. Anyway thought I'd give my insight into Breaking Benjamin's new album, its a belter! Seriously more bands like these need to be coming over to the UK to rid us of these crappy deathcore and emo movements. Shinedown did it recently after remaining alienated from the UK since their inception 8 years ago and I'm still holding out for Godsmack to get their arses over here. I've said it before and I'll say it again a bell tower will be climbed with a rifle strapped to my back if they continue to snub our little island for another album cycle...

Breaking Benjamin – Dear Agony

U.S Alternative metallers Breaking Benjamin are relatively unknown here in the UK but are a smash hit in their homeland. Platinum and Gold selling releases Saturate, We Are Not Alone and Phobia show that they are a band that grows from strength to strength with each record, adding more depth and e motion along the way.

Their 4^th album Dear Agony thankfully continues this trend. Building on the success Phobia brought the band, frontman Ben Burnley adds further maturity into his lyrical delivery, exploring territories anybody will find relatable in their own way. Opener Fade Away deals with the breakdown of some sort of relationship. Although it is a subject done infinite times before it’s the journey not the direction Ben’s lyrics take that make it stand out among other subjective songs. Darker themes are explored in angst ridden Hopeless, a song about the fear of dying and the haunting Anthem of the Angels (written about Ben’s Grandfather who died before the album was recorded). The hard edged lead single I Will Not Bow, which was used in Bruce Willis’ ‘Surrogates’ takes a swipe at several subjects such as alcoholism and selfishness. Driven by a passionate guitar riff and a chorus that will stick in your head for a period of time it is no surprise it topped the charts in the US. A step in the right direction for Breaking Benjamin and taking a darker turn it’s hard to fault, now if only Ben can overcome his fear of flying and bring the band to the UK…

Top tracks: I Will Not Bow, Dear Agony, Into The Nothing, Crawl