EP Review - Diamond Lil - Misfits of Society

If you live in Birmingham, and haven't at least seen the name Diamond Lil on a line up, poster, etc, then it's obviously Birmingham, Alabama you live in. The West Midlands rockers are more than familiar with the local scene. And with their debut EP Misfits of Society, it's not difficult to see why.
Until recently I'd not had chance to listen to it, but by god!! I've made up for it in the few weeks I've been able to. It's 5 tracks of dirty riffs, great guitar solo's, and a vocal performance from Ellis Wilde that leaves a lot of his more experienced contemporaries in the shade.

 We kick off with 'Bottom of a Glass', and a cracking little riff to get us going. Straight away, you're given an idea of the power and potential that Ellis has in is voice, with some softer vocals, but some real kickass power in the chorus. there's an awesome guitar solo half way through too, so all, it's a great start!
Track 2 has quite possibly the best song title ever, Sex Injuries, it's another cracking track, great power vocals, and more great guitars. The title track, Misfits of Society, is next, and despite the up beat nature of the track, the message it conveys is a serious one. It tells us that being different is cool, it's ok not to conform. Beautiful Nowhere is next, and it's possibly the stand out track, if there is such a thing amongst 6 amazing tracks. It's a ballad-esque track with a great smoother approach to the vocals from Ellis, but still some awesome guitar work surrounding the soft vocals. Reach is just the sort of track that, at a live show would get the crowd jumpin!! Soaring vocals, guitar solos that blow your mind, and a chorus that would get any arena pumping their fists. The EP comes to a close with Barrymore (I Want More), a great little number with a mix of soft and power vocals, pounding drums, yet more intricate guitar solos, and it's a very fitting close to what is a superb piece of work.
I was actually surprised at the quality of the EP, that's not meant in any way disrespectfully, I just didn't know what to expect, and was blown away with what I heard. It's more than worth having a listen, and you can snag yourself one from any of their gigs. They just so happen to be headlining for BritRockArmy at Scruffy Murphys on Friday October 18th!!

Full Track list
1 Bottom of a Glass
2 Sex Injuries
3 Misfits of Society
4 Reach
5 Barrymore (I Want More)

Diamond Lil are
Ellis Wilde - Vocals / Acoustic Guitar
Harry Colley - Lead Guitar
Jamie Downes - Bass
Austin Miller - Drums

Album Review - Promethium - Origins

Fans of Lancaster based hard rockers Promethium, myself included, have had to wait nearly 2 years for a second album. Well, the wait is nearly over, as October 7th will see the release of the eagerly anticipated Origins.
 After the success of their first album, Welcome to The Institution, one of my favourite independent albums, vocalist Gaz and the boys have gone back to their roots, their 'origins' if you like. The result is 10 tracks of hard hitting, smash mouth rock, with more than just a splash of metal. An album that musically sounds very different to WtTI, but still has that unmistakable Promethium sound, thanks largely to Gaz emotive vocal style. He once again manages to convey the sentiment in every song through his vocals.
The album kicks off with the cracking Won't Break Me, with a great riff and drum intro. It then breaks into frantic vocal that straight away shows the power in Gaz's voice. The driving drums and bass almost force you to nod your head in time to the song. We are also treated to a great solo from Dan, before the track is over almost as abruptly as it began.
Now if you follow the band on Twitter or Facebook, you will have seen the link to the teaser track, Gunslinger, well, this is track 2 on the album, and the relentlessness continues. Although a slower pace, the power of Gunslinger is still there in spades. The Art of Hurting and Counterfeit bring the noise in equal measure, both featuring a pounding drum and bassline, a more growling, snarling vocal from Gaz, and more great riffs and guitar work from Dan and Rossi. the next track, Rain, shows another side to Promethium, and proves that they don't always have to smack you round the face to produce kickass music. Although, to describe it as a ballad would be doing it a disservice. It's one of the stand out tracks on the album, the verses show a much smoother side to Gaz's vocals, but when the chorus kicks in, we're soon reminded that Promethium are firmly fixed in the metal bracket. The guitar work and solo again, are outstanding.
Normal service resumes with The Hunted, an out and out metal track with crashing drums, driving guitars and growling chorus. Plagued by Evil and Revolver carry on in the same vein, and Believer, with its dark religious undertones, is sure to be a crowd favourite at live events. The final track on the album is the title track, Origins. This is a complete break from the rest of the album, it's an amazing acoustic track, that you almost expect at some point to break into more metal awesomeness, but it is simply a great, sedate close to an incredible album.
What Promethium have done with Origins is nothing short of amazing. They've taken all the elements of Welcome.... and grown all of them into a giant metal monster of an album. There's simply no fillers, every one of the 10 tracks is superbly written, mixing and producing is top notch and the end result is awesome.

If you're a fan of metal, you need this album, when it's released on October 7th.

Full Track List:
1 Won't Break Me
2 Gunslinger
3 The Art of Hurting
4 Counterfeit
5 Rain
6 The Hunted
7 Plagued by Evil
8 Revolver
9 Believer
10 Origins

 Visions is taken from Promethium's first album, Welcome to The Institution.

Album Review - Faltered - Fortune Favours

After a first listen to Fortune Favours by North Wales natives, and brothers Connor and Dan Cahalane, I didn't review it straight away. You know how it is, one album comes in, then another, then a couple of singles, then the kids are ill, lol. Well now seems like the perfect time to review the long awaited debut from Faltered. 

If you've never listened to the guys before, what you have to remember is that there are only Connor and Dan recording everything. Whilst Dan takes on all the guitar duties, Conner pulls double duty as both drummer and bassist. However, the shortcomings in band members are in no way reflected in the music. What you have, is a great fuzzy mix of great guitar riffs from Dan, with some pounding drums, and some great, sometimes soulfully soft, sometimes metal screamo vocals from Connor, Please Don't Take This The Wrong Way being a great example of the smooth tones Connor has. Where the second and title track, Fortune Favours, shows aspects of the heavier side of the bands music. With the chorus being a heady mix of heavy fuzzy guitars and screamo vocals. 

The boys have been criticised lately for being out of time on some recordings and vocals being out of tune, well to this I simply say, in the immortal words, so fucking what!! The vocals may not be perfect, but they're certainly not out of tune! however, this all adds to Faltered's sound. After all, who wants to hear the same manufactured crap record after record!!? I'd far rather listen to a band who have a sound of their own!! 

This album has been on the cards for some time now, and as I mentioned, with the 2 Cahalane brothers being responsible for all instruments and vocals, they should be proud of the work they have produced. I for one was not disappointed!

Music Reviews - What's The Point

Ok, some of you may have seen the post on my personal Facebook page the other day about music reviews and the necessity to reviewers find to insult bands from a personal point of view, instead of constructively criticising the music, after all, lets face it, everyone needs some constructive criticism now and then. But when a reviewer uses their position to do nothing other than slaughter a band and where they come from, that's bullshit!

The reason I do reviews is twofold. Firstly it's my blog and I'll do what I like, lol. Just kidding, I review music because I bloody enjoy it, it's been a long time since I've done any form of writing, so to do something I enjoy about something I have a huge interest in, it's a big winner on my part. Secondly, it's to get some brilliant music out to an even wider audience. I'd like to think that I've had a little influence on encouraging people to listen music they wouldn't necessarily have listened to. I've never had any negative feedback about any of the reviews I've done, and I'd like to think that if I'd either upset or offended any of the bands I've reviewed, they'd tell me :) The purpose of reviewing is to cast my opinion on the music that is sent to me, not to bash the bands. Now some people might think it weird that, if you read my reviews, I always say how good everything is. Now, sure people could say I'm just being nice, but what would be the point in that? Why would I say something is great if it isn't? I've listened to some albums that haven't been my cup of tea, and I've said it, but that doesn't make them bad albums! Just because an album might not be to your taste, doesn't give you the right to slag it off!!

I will remain to be honest with the reviews I do. It would seem as though there are reviewers out there who don't believe in that philosophy, which is a big shame.

In Dantes Eclipse - Ashes in The Rain EP

In Dantes Eclipse, from Wolverhampton, are one of the many new Birmingham bands I've had the pleasure to work with in the last 12 months, doing BritRockArmy. Albeit the only live experience I have with them is, and I'm sure all parties would admit, one that they would rather forget due to the technical issues at the venue on the date in question. I'm more than happy to say that BritRockArmy in no way jinxed IDE and they have gone on to much better things including support slots with their heroes, The Defiled, and Fearless Vampire Killers. In fact, the continue to go from strength to strength. And on the back of their debut EP, Ashes in The Rain, it's easy to see why this is the case.

With an image and sound most bands their age wouldn't dream of entering into, Hal, Ant, Ben, Georgie, and the recently added Danny Delta on keyboards, have built up quite a following in the relatively short time they've been together. The reasons for this, partly down to the guidance of Ian Marshall from Freaky Pug PR and Records, partly down to the band still being in the early stages of a massive journey for them all, but mainly down to the undeniable talent the 5 of them have. And they have it in spades!! 

With Ashes In The Rain, what you have is 4 original tracks, all of which are worthy of release as singles. Enemy kicks things off, and when Hal's vocal starts, you could so easily be listening to Marilyn Manson, Sisters of Mercy, etc. His vocal tone is awesome, making the transition from smooth deep tones to harsh rasping emotion seem effortless. Ant's lead guitar work is amazing and throughout the EP, there are some brilliant solo's. Cadaver, and Swallow follow in the same vein. My personal favourite track on the EP is the closing Gravediggers Wife. It's a great showcase for the whole bands talents and finishes of a brilliantly crafted piece of work from such a young band, work that they should all be incredibly proud of. They have a sound that far surpasses their youth, and I have a feeling they're going to be around for some time to come.

I've been hearing great things about their new sound since Danny joined the fold, and I'm looking forward to hearing the new material very soon.

In Dantes Eclipse are:-

Ben Jogee (Flizz) - Drums

Hal Lows Deadman - Vocals and guitar

Anthony Birch (Scissors) - Guitar

Georgie Demona - Bass

Danny Jones (Delta) - Keyboard

Full track list for Ashes in The Rain:-

1 Enemy

2 Cadaver

3 Swallow

4 Gravediggers Wife

Brand New Machine - The Devil Made Me Do It

The new album from US rockers Brand New Machine is released on July 23rd 2013. It's 11 tracks of great classic rock 'n' roll that transport the listener back in time. Like a combination of everything good about rock and roll music from the last 20 years, with some Dave Lee Roth and Axl Rose in their. The album is filled with awesome riffs, relentless drums, and truly killer guitar solo's, with the addition of raspy vocals, more gravely than Joe Cocker with a throat infection.

The opening track Here I Am (Party), sets the stall out perfectly with great riffs, a power vocal, and the sort of chorus that should have crowds singing along in no time. It's followed closely by new single Girls Like You, which is a real throwback to DLR, Axl, and classic rock of the late eighties/early nineties, it's also packed full of awesome riffs and some great, albeit brief, guitar solo's. Next up is the albums title track, Devil Made Me Do It, another smash mouth, relentless assault, (in the best sense of the word), on the ear drums.

The whole album is an absolute cracker! It's a real shame the guys are all the way in Dallas, Texas, or I'd be booking them in a heartbeat. Dust in The Sky takes me back to days of listening to British rockers Def Leppard, albeit at a slightly faster tempo, lol. Now I know I keep making reference to days gone by, and how like some classic bands Brand New Machine sound, but make no mistake, these guys are no rock n roll wannabe's, because although their influences maybe classics, they create a sound that is completely their own. Awesome riffs, tight solo's, and amazing vocals bring a whole new vibe to their style. Brantly Thompson brings both soulful tones, and rocky rasps to a vocal that not many singers could pull off. Michael Thomas' guitar work is at times breathtaking, whilst bassist Wiley IV and drummer Kenny Sizelove both play their parts in creating something that is pretty damn close to as good as it gets!!

Devil Made Me Do It is available tomorrow from all the usual outlets.

Brand New Machine are:-
Brantly Thompson - Vocals
Kenny Sizelove - Drums/Vocals
Wiley IV - Bass/Vocals
Michael Thomas - Guitars/Vocals

Full Track List for Devil Made Me Do It
1 Here I Am (Party)
2 Girls Like You
3 Devil Made Me Do It
4 Dust In The Sky
5 Here And Gone Today
6 Living For Another Day
7 Always on The Run
8 Blackout Overdose
9 Letting It Roll
10 What Do I Gotta Do
11 Let Me Go

The Gifted - Inside Out - Album Review

6 months ago, I did a Q&A with The Gifted bassist Izzy, and I commented on their music being classed as 'Marmite' music. Well, after having my already sceptical mind changed with their previous album 'Forgive Me', I decided to review the Sheffield based band's new album 'Inside Out'. I say my mind was changed, this is because, when I listened to 'Forgive Me', I mistakenly had the mindset that I wasn't going to like it, but it's the label 'industrial' that I suppose was putting me off. However, if you've not listened to The Gifted before, check out 'Forgive Me' until 'Inside Out' is released in early July.

With 'Inside Out' what you have is a meticulously crafted, brilliantly produced, piece of work. 'Why (Make Me Feel This Way) ? kicks things off, with an almost military march intro, but then breaks into a driving, synth lead, beast of an opening track. Which is the theme for the whole record. Each track is testament to the programming/production skills of Andy Clarke, who also provides the vocals, guitars, and drums for the band. Whilst he is ably supported by Gennie Dyson on the synths and as mentioned, Izzy on bass. Not each track is a head mashing thunderstorm of drums, guitars, and electronica however. The final track 'Home', is a complete breakaway, starting out with just a drumtrack, piano, and guitar. It has a kind of Ultravox feel to it. This does give way to a more fuzzed guitar, feedback supported track but steel changes the entire feel of the album. Title track 'Inside Out' is about as head mashing as the album gets, with distorted vocals, guitars, and a driving drum track.

If you mix elements of Marilyn Manson, Placebo, a bit of Sisters of Mercy, and chuck in the odd bit of early Bowie, that'll give you some idea of what to expect from these guys. But above all else, don't do what I nearly did and not listen because you don't think you'll like it. Give them a listen, because they may just surprise you!!

It's an awesome album, brilliantly engineered, well produced, and a great listen.

Full track list for 'Inside Out'
1 Why (Make Me Feel This Way) ?
2 Artificial Happiness
3 Smile
4 Break
5 Rainbows in The Night Sky
6 Everything is Relative
7 Inside Out
8 Home