Stream ‘Thornstar’ the new album from Lord of the Lost
Yesterday the new Lord of the Lost album ‘Thornstar’ was released – you can stream the album here.
Don’t forget, LotL kick off their UK tour at the Cluny on November 21st – tickets from www.seetickets.com
Hands off Gretel – October show
We are delighted to welcome Hands off Gretel to Newcastle as part of their October tour.
Fronted by scream-queen Lauren Tate, the South Yorkshire four-piece bring their mix of garage rock, grunge and pop-rock to the Globe on October 26th.
“Energy, chaos, nihilism and debauchery abound, a trip with Hands Off Gretel will leave you spent. A beautifully polished ballet of chaos, costume and drama presenting lyrics that echoes the angst and vulnerability of growing up in 21st century Britain.” – Northern Exposure
Joining the band we have two local supports.
PussyWillowFurryVenus – who bring their interesting alt-rock over from Sunderland.
Fallen Mafia – hard rock up from Durham.
Tickets are £7 in advance – or £10 on the door. You can buy advance tickets from www.seetickets.com
All you need to know about the 2018 M2TM Final
Everything you need to know about the M2TM Final.
This Saturday marks 2018 final of the Newcastle M2TM.
A winning band will gain a slot playing on the New Blood stage at Bloodstock.
This is the third year we’ve been doing this and so a little reminder of how things work.
The final takes place this Saturday, June 23rd, at Trillians Rock Bar.
For the second year running, we’ve been able to keep entry to the final (along with all previous rounds) free of charge.
Trillians will be open all day and fans can come and go as they please. We expect the first band to take to the stage at 7.15pm.
In each final to date we’ve determined the running order by drawing lots on the night – we expect to publish a running order around 6.30pm.
Each band has 25 minutes.
There’s 5 bands. They are Hot Sex For Boys, Kilonova, Love The Sinner, Kraken Waker and The Unholy Concoction.
Sadly they had to withdraw due to personal reasons. We hope to work with them again in the future.
They are, almost veterans of this kinda thing. They deliver a pretty killer set, a bit of a mini-party.
The best thing to expect from them is the unexpected. And songs about being kicked in the balls.
Yes – in fact, the final will only be their 4th gig – 3 of the other 4 en route here. But, while on paper they lack experience, on stage you really wouldn’t know – they’ve really deserved their place in the final.
There’s a certain My Ruin vibe about them, but… modernised.
They’re not, but it’s not just about heavy music and that’s a bit of misconception. If you look over to the Bloodstock line-up, Mr Big are a main stage band.
I’ll be honest, we expected them to struggle in the semis, but they came with a much beefier set and it was really hard to ignore the quality.
They were, yes. They pack some awesome riffs and while it’s no surprise to see them back in the final, they’ve had to navigate some tricky rounds to get here.
Yes, it’s a bit of a riff-heavy final, but these nautical beardy sludgers do have a bit punch about them – and a singing drummer. On occasion.
They also have songs about beards.
While earlier rounds had judges and a vote based on crowd reaction (which we’re looking to improve in the future…) the final is merely decided by representatives from Bloodstock. I imagine they will be looking at a number of factors – but – overall – a name they’ll feel pleased to have on their festival.
No. Decrepid Monolith won last year, however Trendkill were also offered a slot on the Jaegermeister Stage.
The Jaeger invite is discretionery. I’d like to send ALL the bands to Bloodstock (along with a few who are out) but it’s not up to me and ultimately there’s officially one winner.
I honestly think it can come down to the night. I know it’s a cliche, but every one of these bands have been impressive in the previous rounds – seeing off some very tough opponents.
And actually, you know – I won’t give names because if there’s one thing sure to make sure you won’t win is to think you’ve already won.
A lot depends on how long it takes to decide – we imagine around 10.30pm.
Bring some spare change as there’ll be a raffle where you can win some beers or some tickets to Bloodstock – come along and check out some cool bands from the region.
I bloody hope so.
Heat 3, already?
We’re half way through the heats? This is flying over.
A horribly close evening where every judge carried a different opinion. Chucking in the crowd reactions and applying to the calculations and formula (there is a process to this, honest. It’s probably more straight forward than I make out).
So, first up we have Creature.
I’ve a lot of time for Creature, they’re a fun grunge band and very enjoyable. I kinda hate thinking of stuff like this in any way retro. It certainly feels fresh and relevant.
They were one of my pre-contest tips to do well, especially as they made the play offs last year – but the opening slot in a tough heat works against them a bit.
Dead River Kings are a surprise package. They’ve got their blues driven hard rock thing down to a tee. More than a few nods to Black Stone Cherry. There’s a lot of experience and they’re pretty darn tight. The crowd seems to like them too and that just helps them pinch a place in the semis in the end.
Mechanical were added into the competition following the late withdrawal of Ellen Moss. They’d originally meant to be in Heat 1, but pulled out on health. But, they’re back now and it’s enjoyable minimal rock. George was in solo last year and, similarly, you can kinda watch and know in your heart that tonight they’re not going through, but enjoy them anway.
Anti-Bastard divide a little opinion, they’re very loud and very punk. They whistle through an 11 song set list without going over the 25 minute set length. That gives you an idea of the type of punk they are, crusty fast… loud… fun. Opinion splitting.
Well *I* enjoyed them.
Actually, I do always find it hard to sound sincere but I genuinely enjoy every band.
Some in different ways to others, mind.
But, I dunno – it feels like it’s been a while since I enjoyed a band quite like Skyryder.
Skyryder for me… they’re overblown fantasy hair metal. You know all those cheese laiden Maiden sound-a-like bands? Yeah. Hellowe’en, Blind Guardian and about a zillion others.
And some of those bands are good and some are just cheese guff.
Well, Skyryder intentionally lay on the cheese but they do it in such a way you can appreciate it.
They don’t take the piss out of the genre, they poke friendly fun at it – and it’s almost impossible not to smile.
Imagine Steel Panther except (a) good (b) funny.
So, well, nothing like steel Panther then.
They do… however… go into a tough Semi…
Right… does it get any easier on Thursday *checks line up*
Oh God….
Love/Hate ? Jizzy Pearl previews more music ahead of tour
With the UK tour due to begin in just a matter of days, Jizzy Pearl has been previewing more material from the forthcoming album ‘All You Need is Soul’.
Recently, an audio for ‘High for an Eye’ was released – you can hear that here (clicky).
There was also recently a video for ‘You’re Going to Miss Me When I’m Gone’. A link to that is at the bottom of this post.
Fans and critics alike have been very impressed by these tracks. There’s a very solid traditional vibe about them. But, let’s be honest – they’re just damn fine tracks!
As mentioned, the tour is imminently due to kick off. The local date is at Think Tank on May 3rd. Support comes from Emperors of the Wasteland and Doomsday Outlaw.
Tickets are available online from www.seetickets.com
It’s always a pleasure to have Jizzy and co up here, always special nights. Don’t miss out!
M2TM starts with an uncomfortable headache.
The lads from Nephilim are quite young looking and lack ID.
The M2TM Newcastle rules state all band members must be 18 at the time of heat and venue rules is 18+ from 7pm.
So. Snap discretion – stick them on at 6.30pm and if they get through make sure they arrive with ID for the semis.
This does disappoint a few who miss them, which is a shame – they’re a young band clearly brought up on Avenged Sevenfold and they’re certainly tight and competent.
“No Place to Hide” is certainly a tune and a half.
Although they don’t get through this time, I do look forward to seeing them again in the future and how they progress.
Yersin opened the first heat last year and totally set the bar with their energetic grindcore enslaught. They were so so unlucky not to go through last time, but this time around they just own the stage (and space in front of the stage… and half the venue) and again set a bar to beat. They get through this time.
Looking forward to some ‘Burzum and Chill’ in the semis.
I kinda feel for Leading Zeroes – they’re really bloody good but must feel quite lost sandwiched between grind and donk. They do produce some fairly enjoyable alt rock and seem well received. Speaking to them afterwards they were in a pretty postive attitude despite not going through, which is something I massively appreciate.
There were a lot of smiles and nods while they were on, so they’ve at least got some new friends.
Next up is the band that makes us all question our life choices – the Newcastle Upon Tyne Speed Donk experience.
They have an extremely strong fanbase and bring all of the songs about Donk. They are the visual and musical equivalent of a guy in a shark onesie dry humping a guy in a dinosaur onesie.
Certainly memorable.
“I think we’re going to stop now because we need to set up because a real band is on next”
So, Armortura have the, ahem, pleasure of following them and closing.
And, you know what. They do it well. Proper traditional heavy metal which there’s not been enough of in the Newcastle runs – and decent and tight to boot.
Certainly raising the curtain at the end and I look forward to seeing them in the semis.
Phew.
Looking ahead to next week’s line up… holy fuck, that’s gone be hard to call.
M2TM – Heat 1 – Write Up
It feels strange starting M2TM so late.
Normally we’re about half way through the comp by now – but we opted for a later start with weekly, rather than fortnightly, heats.
Mind – with the recent grotty weather we thought an April start may be more pleasant…
And yet it STILL snowed.
However – that didn’t stop the bands, nor a respectable crowd.
Sadly, we are down to 4 bands. The first heat suffered two drop outs and we were able to replace one, but a little too short notice for the second.
So, it’s pushing 8pm when electro-metal trip THIS HOLY VIRUS open the 2018 competition.
Pretty decent mix of styles and ideas, like an angry Gary Numan. Fairly well received and a good way to prise the competition open.
Really looking forward to seeing more from these guys in the coming months, there’s a lot of potential.
DESOLATION stepped in following the withdrawal of Rossi Noise. While this may have felt it would boost chances, an experienced band with a strong following replaced by a relatively young and unknown band.
This is actually their first time gigging in Newcastle.
The band are groove metal with a few hints of 90s grunge and nu-metal, but a passionate performance impresses many. Enough to see them through to the semis.
I’ve a lot of love for PRETTY LIVID IMPS – they’ve a lovely set of punky rock and roll, with lots of fast and uplifting anthems. They should be a lot bigger. But, maybe I’m just bias.
They’re well received but have two tough bands to follow and it doesn’t quite get them over the line this time.
The beast to beat was always going to be KRAKEN WAKER.
They made it to the semi finals last time with their nautical sludge. They’re previewing a couple of tracks from their new EP and you know – they’re going to be a challenge to get passed in the semis this year as well.
They’re simple but effective – riffs, riffs, beards, riffs, beards, riffs.
Phwoar.
It’s been an interesting start to the competition… for sure.
Photos by Newcastle Live Bands
Eureka Machines – September Tour
Can you believe it’s been 3 years since Eureka Machines last played Newcastle? I know. That’s ages.
But… good news everyone, they’re coming back!
This is a strictly limited run of dates, so we’re thrilled they’re coming to Cluny 2 on September 14th.
Couple of things to help make this show special…
First off, they’ve a new album out – ‘Victories’ and it’s canny good and that. You should check it out. I’ve stuck a video from it on the bottom of this post.
Secondly, it’s their 10th anniversary tour – so expect tracks from, well, all of the albums. Which is nice cos they’ve lots of cracking songs.
Supports will be announced in good time, for sure.
Seraph Sin join Psydoll show
Glasgow Industrial-Metal favourite Seraph Sin make an overdue return to the region this month.
The quartet have been well received on previous visits, having played first with Hanzel Und Gretyl and later with Mortiis – and now we look forward to their show with Psydoll.
They will be very special guests at the show on March 31st at Central Bar in Gateshead. Local act You Are The Dead are also performing.
Wrestling fans may also be familiar with them. They’ve written 3 pieces of entrance music for performers of Insane Championship Wrestling, as well as the intro music for the weekly show!
Tickets remain at just £6 in advance or £8 on the door. Advance tickets can be purchased from www.seetickets.com
A great chance to see great bands at a great price.
Lord of the Lost – Headline Tour
A mixture of personal and professional comments regarding a tour we’re thrilled to announce.
Lord of the Lost are one of my personal favourite bands. Over the past 8 years I’ve watched them rise up in Germany. From playing festivals in the 11am slot for 20 minutes to performing with a full Orchestra.
Now, they look set to repeat this in the UK.
Whilst they did do some small dates in 2010, they didn’t return to the UK until 2017. 2017 saw them impress many crowds on tour with KMFDM. Now, in 2018, they’re about to embark on a UK headline tour.
The tour will start right here in Newcastle, on November 21st, at The Cluny.
There’ll be special guests to be announced in due time, also. If you caught them with KMFDM I hope you’re already hooked – but if you missed that show, then really, this is a band set to go on the ascendancy.
Tickets are on sale now from www.seetickets.com
