Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Hope.Break.Legend – Karma Has a Death Wish
Produced & Directed by Robert Redshaw
A BigRedBoat Production 2012

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Source: Youtube

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Dead/Alive by The Sun Explodes – 2012

The second single taken from debut album “Emergence” available on itunes and from

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/emergence/id438203861
&
http://thesunexplodes.bigcartel.com/

Follow The Sun Explodes on Facebook
@ http://www.facebook.com/thesunexplodes

Video by Brouhaha

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Source: Youtube

Hello Bamboo have been Preston’s best loved comedy rock band for a few years now bringing their off the wall tunes to everyone who’ll listen to them. Their latest EP Garçon brings more madcap craziness to your ears at home.

If you can get past the rather scary shirtless 70′s blokes on the cover then you’re in for a treat that would appeal to more than just comedy music fans. The music kicks off with the intriguingly titled “Christmas Bargains For The Winter Gentleman” which encapsulates Hello Bamboo perfectly. With catchy rocking riffs and great song compositions sprinkled with comedy lyrics and singing Garçon proves to be a pleasure to listen to. The production is absolutely excellent with everything perfectly balanced and clear I genuinely cannot fault it on anything. Drums merges just right with bass and rhythm guitars, leads and vocals just nicely sit on top of those. Praise must go to Stephen Buckley, front man of Hello Bamboo who also produced this EP himself for the excellent job.

The big laugh I got out of this album was the mid section of the first track with it’s rousing rising chorus of “Get Your Clothes At Matalan”! I really wish Matalan would use this for a television advert because then I’d start watching TV again. Aside from the comedy the song is chock full of catchy riffs and the mid section comes out of nowhere yet fits perfectly. Again with Christmas bargains the mid section kicks in with something different yet sounds right and the way it builds up into a crescendo then lets the main part of the song come back just to polish off the song properly. Many more examples throughout the EP too numerous to list here.

There are very few criticisms I can make with Garçon. On a few of the songs, most noticeably on the verses the lyrics are “sung” in a purposefully comedic style however it means they are usually unintelligible. I have a feeling I might have missed a few more chuckles buried in the lyrics simply because I can’t hear them. Also on the last track H.E.A.L.T.H. A.N.D. B.E.A.U.T.Y. again has the verses “sung” (or rather stuttered) in a comedy fashion which wears a little thin by the end. A more positive criticism with this song though is it ends too early. It does the second chorus and a bit more stuttering then sounds like it’s about to burst into something 10x crazier than before but instead just suddenly ends. I would have really wanted more. Still, being left wanting more is rarely a bad thing.

Hello Bamboo deserve far more credit than to be merely considered a comedy act. With excellent catchy songs that would easily stand up on their own without needing the comedy prop Garçon can be listened to again and again.

9/10

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

What can be said about Footprints In The Custard video. GENIUS !! Feedback from all the team was one of amazement, everyone loved it but not sure why. The video is very well done and when you actually listen to the lyrics it does tell a story (all be it one of a gentlemen riddled with STD’s). Reminds me a little of Children Of Bodom back in the day  - Go check these guys out !!

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Official Video for TELL YOUR FRIENDS – Let’s Make A Scene Or Die Trying

The first single from the 2012 release ‘They’ll Never Take Us Alive’

Produced by Christian Martin
Filmed by Christian Martin & Daniel Toole
Edited by Christian Martin & Adam Wheatley

You can buy the single from iTunes using the link below:
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/lets-make-scene-or-die-trying/id514934748

Check out TELL YOUR FRIENDS here:

WEBSITE: http://www.tellyourfriends.co.uk

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/tellyourfriends

TWITTER: http://twitter.com/#!/officialtyf

TUMBLR: http://tyfofficial.tumblr.com/

STORE: http://www.tingzclothing.com

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Source: Youtube

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Blackpool based I’m Honour, She’s Disaster’s first music video for their track Future Hearted. Directed, filmed and edited by Chris Jones, Lewis Darlow and Ryan Dickinson.

Like us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/ImHonourShesDisaster

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Source: Youtube

A night brought to us by Dusty Pop Entertainment featured 3 unsigned bands in the form of, Black Daze, Gorehead and my old friends Suicidle Pigeons. Headlining the night were recently signed metalcore band Killerfix. I know this is for unsigned acts but Killerfix are worth mentioning here as it is good to see a British metal act getting some recognition.

Opening act Black Daze did a good job of warming up the crowd, as did the second act on stage Gorehead. But in truth the night only came alive as Suicidle Pigeons took to the stage, with no disrespect intended towards the opening acts the Pigeons were a cut above and really got the crowd going. In all honesty Gorehead seemed a touch out of their depth and possibly on a lineup that wasn’t ever going to help them as they seemed more a straight up thrash band whereas all the other acts were metalcore. Whilst it may seem fussy to differentiate in my opinion thrash is a very specific crowd to tailor to and metalcore fans in general aren’t going to be enticed too much by it.

Suicidle Pigeons however got their role as main warm up act to the headliners spot on, plenty of crowd interaction some killer tracks and succeeded in livening up a venue starting to dwindle in spirit. I’m sure the lads from Killerfix would have appreciated the effort made by all the opening acts but specifically the path paved by the Pigeons. It makes it easier to go on to a crowd that are in the mood for whats to come rather than a crowd waiting to be amused.

So, an Irishman, a Scotsman and 3 Englishmen decide to form a band … Sorry there’s no punchline coming it’s just the story of Britain’s next big metal act Killerfix. 5 genuinely nice guys and more to the point talented guys! I haven’t heard two guitarist so in sync since Mark Morton and Willie Adler, a vocalist who hits them low notes better than Barry White with a throat infection and the high end stuff  just as impressively, a drummer who’s feet are moving so fast he could win an F1 race in the Flintstone’s car! And of course the glue that holds these maniacs in place the bassist who is every bit as technically gifted as his guitarist counterparts.

It was a first for me hearing these guys, and, it definitely won’t be the last. Anyone who gets the chance to get out to see these guys live should take the opportunity as they will not be disappointed. A congratulations from ROP in getting a deal fella’s, the future is certainly bright if you carry on in the same vain!

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

After having heard the EP, and written a review, I just had to let you guys listen for yourselves!

This is a review of the self titled EP from Surrey based melodic metal band Black Iris. Now I know what your thinking, Surrey? I thought this was promoting North West musicians? Well, yes it is, this is an exception worth making though as Black Iris are something quite different to what I have heard lately on the local scene and really are worth having a listen to.

This four track EP has had me a little confused though, the sound generated makes me think, “So that is what would happen if Dragon Force, Guns N Roses and Stone Sour had a love child!” But I digress, having never heard any material from Black Iris prior to this installment I have to say, I’m a fan! Good easy listening metal is hard to come by but in this case a nice array of vocals gives us both something to sing along to without requiring throat surgery and a bit of the good ol’ fashioned scream ’till you bleed material.

‘The Tangled Web We Weave’ starts out with some rhythmic guitar work and a nice slow march pace from the drummer before gradually gaining pace and transforming itself into a much more metal-esque sound. Accompanied by some lyrics both sung and screamed this is a well put together track. The understated use of screams through the first verse is a fresh take in the genre and is a good selling point as I can imagine classic rock fans being intrigued by it as well as more hardcore metal fans. The low screams do become more frequent after the first chorus but that is in no way spoiling the effect that they have created here. As the almost eight minute epic plays through there are some masterful displays from the guitarist, some of which do remind me of a Dragon Force/Guns N Roses hybrid, melodic yet fast. A really impressive track.

‘Better Luck Tomorrow’ to me is a much more conventional melodic metal track. Sounds very similar to something you would imagine coming from Stone Sour, yet with a twist. I hope that doesn’t sound offensive to the band, as it is only meant as a compliment on how tight it sounds. The drum work is impressive here, some really nice fills, well placed, show an obvious degree of talent that a lot of drummers are lacking and when coupled with the rhythmic pace setting work you get the feeling he has spent some time perfecting his style. Again, the track offers both quality guitar work and an impressive array of vocals and in all honesty I can’t understand how I am only hearing about these guys now!

The EP is solid, a very easy listening alternative to me as I generally go for metalcore over melodic metal but in no way does it make me want to turn it off.

I am still ashamed of myself for only hearing their particular brand of music now, considering that they were founded in 2003, although the current line up weren’t completed until 2011.

I strongly suggest giving these guys a listen, get out to shows and/or buy the EP. Metal, rock, classic rock, metalcore and melodic metal fans there is something in there for you all.

5/5 – A good measuring stick for any future recordings from the lads, hopefully an album worth!

Kyrbgrinder aren’t your average metal band. For starters, they’re only a 3 piece, comprising guitarist Tommy Caris, bassist Dave Lugay and drummer Johanne James (who also plays drums for Threshold). It gets even more interesting when you realise that the man behind the kit is also their lead vocalist, managing to sing while performing some of the most proficient live drum work I’ve seen in a long time (dream on Phil Collins).

“Cold War Technology” is a very accessible album, with well written songs that are great live and on the CD. It opens with the song “Cynical World” jumping straight into some kickass bouncy riffs and a catchy chorus. “My Heart Bleeds” is a cracking tune that exemplifies all the strengths of this record: sing-a-long chorus, groovy riffs, and tasteful guitar solo. Also notable is well executed cover of “Heart Shaped Box,” displaying a more modern take on the classic Nirvana tune. The closing track “Where Do We Go From Here” highlights Kyrbgrinder’s proggier side, featuring some nice odd-time riffage for those who are a fan of such things and a rather tasteful guitar solo, overall a nice way to round off a cracking album.

The production on this record is some of the best I’ve heard in a long time, with all the instruments standing out quite clearly and the mix not being overly compressed as many albums are nowadays. My only minor criticism is that the drums could stand to be a tad louder behind the vocals, though this is more than made up for with awesome guitar tone and crystal clear vocals.

“Cold War Technology” is a kickass album that contains some of the finest material I’ve heard come out of the UK metal scene. The bouncy drums, groovy bass and fluid guitar playing will get your head bouncing along with the beat and catchy choruses will have you singing along before you’ve finished playing each one. If you ever get the chance to see Kyrbgrinder live, do it, and pick up the CD while you’re at it, you won’t regret it.

9/10

Al Holdsworth