Screams of Cold Winter

Screams of Cold Winter are one of those bands that so perfectly combine a metal/rock backing, softened by a female vocal that gives each track that slightly less 'threatening' edge, but turns it into something totally different. In a way it turns hearing each song into something more like listening to a story. Imagine something along the lines of Within Temptation but with a vocal sounding more like Amy Lee. Wasted Memory is a great example of this sound, with Sarah Loftus giving a powerhouse performance on the vocals.

The band, who hail from the UK's Las Vegas, Blackpool, first formed in Preston in 2007, however, the line up has changed significantly from this first incarnation. The present line up only got together in January 2012, when after a brief hiatus, 2 founding members, Spike McKay and Paul Shepherd, were joined by new vocalist Sarah Loftus, and Brian MacDichian and Justin Clack on bass and drums respectively. Paul had originally played synths in the original set up, but he made the move to guitar in the new band, changing SOCW's sound into something with a more alternative/metal feel. This new sound has been received well throughout the local gigs the band have played during 2012, and they are currently recording a 'debut' EP which is set to be released in early 2013, closely followed by a series of dates throughout the UK.

I'm a big fan of female fronted rock bands as, like I mentioned before, I think the female vocal gives and entire different feel to the songs. I'm looking forward to hearing stacks more from Screams of Cold Winter, and who knows, maybe a spot on a BritRockArmy live event is on the cards :)

Screams of Cold Winter are:-
Vocals - Sarah Loftus
Guitar - Spike McKay
Guitar - Paul Shepherd
Bass - Brian MacDichian
Drums - Justin Clack

Launch Party!!

EP Review - Destroy The Skyline - Witness

Destroy The Skyline are a band who are pretty difficult to pidgeon hole as one particular genre. Their music has elements punk, metal, there's a bit of screamer in there, some thrash metal, and a bit of classic rock. but what you do have, in Witness, is a bloody good EP, bursting with character, brimming with confidence and sounding like something produced by a band that have been around a hell of a lot longer than this bunch of guys from Yorkshire have been.

We kick off with 'Legacy', with it's wicked riff beginning and heart pounding drums, we get a vocal that can be compared to the like of Dead By April, Five Finger Death Punch, and those other bands that so greatly combine a smooth vocal with the screammer. This EP will certainly be a huge part of DTS' legacy. Next up is a track that has been kicking around for a while, and been received very well by fans and other. 'For Contradiction' is a fine example of the bands 'gentler' side (if they really do have one, lol). It's very akin to some of Linkin Parks ballad-esque tracks, with the sort of melodic feel you could easily hear coming from Chester and the LP boys. The final track 'Rest in Pieces' is a cracking way to close the EP, it kind of blends elements of the other 2 tracks molding into a mash-up of Linkin Park beats, and FFDP vocals. It's an angry track, thats for sure :-)

It's a great EP, one which will please all DTS fans, and even people who may not be fans, if you like bands like previously mentioned, the likes of Dead By April, FFDP, Linkin Park, give these guys a listen, you will not be disappointed!!

Destroy The Skyline are:-
Ryan Walshaw - Vocals
Jamie Harrell - Drums
Dom Murry - Guitar
Danny Smyth - Bass
Joe Barker - Guitar

Nakedium

There's nothing more rewarding than getting an email from a band your unfamiliar with, that have seen and actually read the blog, and are interested in getting involved with BritRockArmy.

This was the case a couple of weeks ago, when I got a message from Mark Lehmann, singer and founder member of Brighton based rock band Nakedium. He also kindly sent a link to video for the new single 'Set Me Free'. Now being both the polite person that I am, and also out of curiosity, I clicked the link and watched the vid. Holy Britain's answer to Chris Daughtry!! It's a fantastic song, and you cannot help but make comparisons to the former American Idol contestant. It's got a great catchy riff, a rockin singalong chorus, and a cracking little solo.

If you see the name of the band, and think "I've not heard of them before, not bothered", well you're kind of missing the point of the blog all together. No, they haven't been shouted about a lot. No, you may not have heard their material before. But that's what blog's like this, and companies like mine are for, raising the public awareness of great bands like this. Making sure that people are hearing their music.

The single 'Set Me Free' and Nakedium's debut album 'Paint The World' are both available now from iTunes.

King and Country

Hailing from Bridgend, South Wales, rock 4 piece King and Country are gonna be a force to be reckoned with. They're another band who I've been meaning to download for ages but not got round to it, but changed that last night when I downloaded the brilliant 3 track EP 'Changes'. Its worth noting that the EP was recorded with the assistance of Dan Lancaster, a producer whose other credits include working with Don Broco and also Lower Than Atlantis.

'Time Will Tell' is worth the download price alone!! It's a great rock track, awesome driving guitars, pounding drum beat and great vocal from Ashley Taylor. It's brother Thomas Taylor providing the awesome guitar work on the track with Ashley also chipping in on 2nd guitar duty. 'Breathe in Breathe out' kicks things off, setting the pace for what is a fantastic debut recording. A catchy but driving introduction to this young bands obvious talent, the chorus screams out for audience participation at gigs. 'Think Before You Speak' is sandwiched perfectly in between the aforementioned tracks, and again showcases the talents of the Taylor brothers and other band members Alex Williams on bass and Matt Smith on Drums.

King and Country are:-
Ashley Taylor - Lead Vocals/Guitar
Thomas Taylor - Lead Guitar/Vocals
Matt Smith - Drums
Alex Williams - Bass/ Vocals

The Blacklist Saints - The Blacklist Saints EP

The only thing that disappoints me with this release from West Midlands rockers The Blacklist Saints, is the fact it's taken me so bloody long to actually download it!!

I've listened to 'World for Company' on numerous occasions, and have intended downloading the EP on the strength of the one track. But I only got round to getting it last night. It's four fantastic tracks!! Full of guitars, solo's, catchy, almost anthemic singalong choruses and kickass vocals.


World for Company is reminiscent of Foo Fighters, with a bit of Biffy thrown in for good measure. It's a great song with the sort of chorus you can imagine standing in a packed venue, shouting along to in the middle of a sold out gig. Only When Angles Lie, slows the pace down, but retains the driving guitar and bass from Luke Boucher and Ian Savage, pounding drums from Matt Harper and powerful vocals and second guitar from Tommy Crisis. Reckless Choice is another driving guitar laden stormer of a track, with a heavy mix of great double guitar work and dark moody lyrics. The final track Last Way Out, is pure rock n roll escapism, reverting back to thundering drums, dirty, heavy guitars and more singalong choruses.

The boys from Coventry, have really set their stal out with this debut EP, which is already available for download, but is launched on Ltd Edition Tour CD in November. they continue to thrill fans with their live shows and have an almost endless string of dates between now and tthe end of 2012. This includes an appearance by Tommy at the BritRockArmy launch party, playing an acoustic set with just his guitar.

I sense a big future for these guys, and if the EP is anything to go by, I dare you to prove me wrong!!

BritRockArmy Q&A - The Gifted

The latest Q&A is from a band who make what I would perceive to be 'marmite' music. You either like it or you hate it. Now that being said, I'm gonna do another piece on these guys in the next week or so, after I've had a proper listen to their album 'Forgive Me'. The reason for this is because I'ver gone into it with the mindset 'I'm not going to like it, and nothing will change my mind!' But something has happened......and I'll leave that there :)

The Gifted are an 'industrial' rock band from Sheffield, using all manner of wizardry and magic to produce some great results. Here, bass player Izzy answers the questions.

1 Please introduce us to the members of the band.
I'm Izzy, i play bass and make a mess. Andy sings and plays the guitar and we have Gennie on Keyboards and synth.

 

2 What musical genre would you say you fit into best?

We like to be as pretentious as possible,so we call ourselves post-industrial rock.

 

3 Who are your musical influences?

Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, David Bowie, Tool, Type O Negative, Manic Street Preachers, Big Black and White/Rob Zombie.

 

4 How did you get together as a band?

Andy had The Gifted going for a while before he met me, our eyes met and we knew he had to have me playing bass. I do think we are a good team though.

 

5 If you could collaborate with anyone, past or present, who would it be?

Trent Reznor. Andy could die happy if that happened.

 

6 Would you rather play arena gigs, or smaller intimate gigs?

We like the smaller gigs for the crowd interaction and general larking about, but arena gigs could buy us more guitars.

 

7 If you could play any venue in the World, where would it be?

I personally have always wanted to play Madison Square Garden.

 

8 Where do you see the band in 5 years time?

Being a cultural icon.

9 Signed or independent
We are currently doing everything ourselves.

 

10 What's been favourite gig you've played, and why?

Whitby Goth Weekend, it was imense.

 

11 What has been your worst gig experience?

I won't name the place but it was a total shit hole with chavs fighting at the bar. Awful gig.

 

12 If you could cover any song, what would it be and why?

Hip to be Square by Huey Lewis and the News

 

13 What song would you like played at your funeral?

AC/DC - Highway to Hell

14 What song would you/did you have as your first dance at your wedding?

I am not married but i would go with Love You To Death by Type O Negative.

Thanks to Izzy from The Gifted for answering the questions. Below is the video to the bands single 'This Makes Me Feel Alive'. Give it a listen, NOW!!