I was going to write a long post about this, but I realised that so few people really read these post, even fewer are actually going to Bloodstock and those that are already know who they are going to be watching...so here are the bands that I'll be watching. Maybe I'll see some of you at the left hand side of the stage.
Thursday:
Sophie Stage: Gurt
Friday:
Sophie Stage: Dendera, Black Moth, Inquisition.
Ronnie Stage: Devilment, Soilwork, Decapitated, Testament, Amon Amarth.
Saturday:
Hobgoblin Stage: Ba'al
Sophie Stage: Kroh, Red Rum, Xentrix
Ronnie Stage: Fallujah, Winterfylleth, Annihilator, Municipal Waste, Hatebreed, Kreator, Ghost.
Sunday:
Sophie Stage: GraVil, Wretched Soul, Wolfheart, Wintersun
Ronnie Stage: Broken Teeth, Possessed, Obituary, Brujeria, Hell, Skindred, Arch Enemy, Megadeth.
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Sunday, 6 August 2017
Saturday, 5 August 2017
New Release Highlights: 4th August 2017
Band: Accept
Album: The Rise of Chaos
Genre: Trad Metal
German veterans, Accept have actually managed to pull of the (almost) impossible by reforming in 2009 without vocalist Udo Dirkschneider who had been in the band since 1976 and doing so successfully. Actually, the band are more successful now than they have ever been, with the three albums released since the reformation actually being their best selling albums to date. That brings us neatly to new album, The Rise of Chaos. Don't expect any new tricks from these old dogs, however. This is still very much the balls to the wall Metal that Accept are so damn good at. That a band can still be releasing albums this good after over 40 years is astonishing. Another solid Accept release.
Track: The Rise of Chaos
Band: Shade Empire
Album: Poetry of the Ill-minded
Genre: Symphonic Melodic Death / Black
Inevitable comparisons have been made to Greek Symphonic Death Metal masters, Septic Flesh, but although there are definitely similarities, Shade Empire bring a little Finnish flair to the party, along with a horn section (a la Sear Bliss), which lends the album a lot of atmosphere. There is some blinding musicianship to be found here, with the band really utilising some beautiful keyboards, subtle soft guitars and spoken word samples to offset the thundering brutality of the rhythm section and the harsh vocals. If you're a fan of the genre then chances are that you are already familiar with Shade Empire, but if not, Poetry of the Ill-minded isn't a bad place to start.
Track: Anti Life Saviour
Band: Thor
Album: Beyond the Pain Barrier
Genre: Heavy Metal
Ok, so this isn't exactly a highlight, but it deserves a place on this list for being so ludicrous! Beyond the Pain Barrier is, unbelievably, the 18th album from Canadian buffoon, (Jon) Thor, a former body builder who has been recording terrible Heavy Metal since 1977, which is actually an achievement in itself. If you want an idea of the how the band sounds, imagine an even more ridiculous Manowar, just without the musical or vocal talent. To be fair, there are some half decent song ideas on here, but unfortunately that's all they are as the pedestrian playing, sub-par singing and dated production scupper any chance of them being fully realised. Despite it being on this blog post, this is actually probably best avoided.
Track: The Calling
Album: The Rise of Chaos
Genre: Trad Metal
German veterans, Accept have actually managed to pull of the (almost) impossible by reforming in 2009 without vocalist Udo Dirkschneider who had been in the band since 1976 and doing so successfully. Actually, the band are more successful now than they have ever been, with the three albums released since the reformation actually being their best selling albums to date. That brings us neatly to new album, The Rise of Chaos. Don't expect any new tricks from these old dogs, however. This is still very much the balls to the wall Metal that Accept are so damn good at. That a band can still be releasing albums this good after over 40 years is astonishing. Another solid Accept release.
Track: The Rise of Chaos
Band: Shade Empire
Album: Poetry of the Ill-minded
Genre: Symphonic Melodic Death / Black
Inevitable comparisons have been made to Greek Symphonic Death Metal masters, Septic Flesh, but although there are definitely similarities, Shade Empire bring a little Finnish flair to the party, along with a horn section (a la Sear Bliss), which lends the album a lot of atmosphere. There is some blinding musicianship to be found here, with the band really utilising some beautiful keyboards, subtle soft guitars and spoken word samples to offset the thundering brutality of the rhythm section and the harsh vocals. If you're a fan of the genre then chances are that you are already familiar with Shade Empire, but if not, Poetry of the Ill-minded isn't a bad place to start.
Track: Anti Life Saviour
Band: Thor
Album: Beyond the Pain Barrier
Genre: Heavy Metal
Ok, so this isn't exactly a highlight, but it deserves a place on this list for being so ludicrous! Beyond the Pain Barrier is, unbelievably, the 18th album from Canadian buffoon, (Jon) Thor, a former body builder who has been recording terrible Heavy Metal since 1977, which is actually an achievement in itself. If you want an idea of the how the band sounds, imagine an even more ridiculous Manowar, just without the musical or vocal talent. To be fair, there are some half decent song ideas on here, but unfortunately that's all they are as the pedestrian playing, sub-par singing and dated production scupper any chance of them being fully realised. Despite it being on this blog post, this is actually probably best avoided.
Track: The Calling
Friday, 4 August 2017
New Release Highlights: 28th July 2017
Band: Prong
Album: Zero Days
Genre: Groove / Hardcore / Crossover)
Prong are one of the most infuriatingly inconsistent bands in the Metal world. There have always been sparks of greatness and we all know Tommy Victor has it in him to pen a belter when he really wants to. Sadly though, the band's career has been mired by average albums and only the very occasional gem. Probably best known for mid-90s, Beavis & Butt-head endorsed Industrial stomper, Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck, Prong struggled to find their place as the years rolled by. On Zero Days however, they have come as close to filling their obvious potential as they ever have. With a crushing Groove Metal / Thrash crossover sound bolstered by Victor's Punk-like vocal delivery, chugging Hardcore riffing and some catchy-as-herpes choruses. The best album Prong have put their name too? Very possibly.
Track: Divide and Conquer
Band: Byzantine
Album: The Cicada Tree
Genre: Groove Metal
Byzantine have had a tempestuous career, having split and reformed on more than one occasion. Maybe this is the reason that they haven't really made a real mark on the scene. Either way, they are back again with album number 6, The Cicada Tree, and while it isn't likely to ever be deemed essential, it is a decent Groove Metal album. Recommended for fans of Chimera, Lamb of God, Soilwork and The Kandidate.
Track: Vile Maxim
Band: Dvne
Album: Asheran
Genre: Prog Sludge / Stoner
Sci-Fi themed Progressive Stoner / Sludge anyone? This is actually a blinder of a debut album. It's always nice to hear a new band and to have no pre-concieved ideas or expectations as it gives you chance to listen to new music with a completely open mind. Scotland's Dvne (pronounced Dune, apparently) are a rather interesting band, taking the bog standard Sludge / Stoner / Doom sound and then then mixing things up with some nice Psych / Prog Rock influences.
Track: Thirst
Album: Zero Days
Genre: Groove / Hardcore / Crossover)
Prong are one of the most infuriatingly inconsistent bands in the Metal world. There have always been sparks of greatness and we all know Tommy Victor has it in him to pen a belter when he really wants to. Sadly though, the band's career has been mired by average albums and only the very occasional gem. Probably best known for mid-90s, Beavis & Butt-head endorsed Industrial stomper, Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck, Prong struggled to find their place as the years rolled by. On Zero Days however, they have come as close to filling their obvious potential as they ever have. With a crushing Groove Metal / Thrash crossover sound bolstered by Victor's Punk-like vocal delivery, chugging Hardcore riffing and some catchy-as-herpes choruses. The best album Prong have put their name too? Very possibly.
Track: Divide and Conquer
Album: The Cicada Tree
Genre: Groove Metal
Byzantine have had a tempestuous career, having split and reformed on more than one occasion. Maybe this is the reason that they haven't really made a real mark on the scene. Either way, they are back again with album number 6, The Cicada Tree, and while it isn't likely to ever be deemed essential, it is a decent Groove Metal album. Recommended for fans of Chimera, Lamb of God, Soilwork and The Kandidate.
Track: Vile Maxim
Band: Dvne
Album: Asheran
Genre: Prog Sludge / Stoner
Sci-Fi themed Progressive Stoner / Sludge anyone? This is actually a blinder of a debut album. It's always nice to hear a new band and to have no pre-concieved ideas or expectations as it gives you chance to listen to new music with a completely open mind. Scotland's Dvne (pronounced Dune, apparently) are a rather interesting band, taking the bog standard Sludge / Stoner / Doom sound and then then mixing things up with some nice Psych / Prog Rock influences.
Track: Thirst
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