The Fray - Scars And Stories (Album Review)

'How to Save a Life'. You remember the song. It was all over the charts and the radio about six years ago. That song that made grown adults cry. That song with such a huge poignant sentiment engulfing it it was impossible to ignore. You felt dirty for liking it because it was mesmerising and everywhere. Whatever happened to the band that made it?

Written by: James Ball | Date: Monday, 09 April 2012

Visceral Attack - Quick And Severe (Album Review)

It’s far from everybody’s cup of tea, but Visceral Attack’s debut album ‘Quick and Severe’ has put the band on the thrash metal map. The quintet based between Belfast and Fermanagh have already gigged with thrash giants Gama Bomb and Municipal Waste and established themselves as a hot prospect on the metal scene. Although initially recorded in 2010, the album has been rereleased under independent Belfast label Punkarama Records and the band are off on a tour of England and Scotland to promote their debut effort.

Written by: Daniel Lynch | Date: Monday, 09 April 2012

The Safety Fire - Grind The Ocean (Album Review)

One can only assume that it has been a frustrating few years for The Safety Fire in many ways. It is 2012 now, six years on from their formation, and only now are they releasing their long-awaited debut album. In the interceding time the likes of TesseracT and Periphery have come along and become stars of the ground that The Safety Fire also tread; a region of progressive metal that alternates brutality and melody with startling ease and precision.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Thursday, 05 April 2012

Ufomammut - Oro: Opus Primum (Album Review)

Italian trio Ufomammut have never been ones to play by the rules. After all, their last album, 2010’s 'Eve', was essentially one forty-five minute symphony devoted to the first woman on earth. Two years on and things haven’t really changed that much. 'Opus Primum' is the first part of two 'Oro' records to be released in 2012 by the band and, much like 'Eve' this is essentially one long piece divided into separate tracks. In a way this is the strongest facet of the record. The memorable moments are the little motifs that crop up throughout the album’s duration, the ones that signify that 'Opus Primum' is one complete work of music.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Wednesday, 04 April 2012

Anathema - Weather Systems (Album Review)

It takes some bands five years to find their true identity. It takes others a decade. Perhaps in some rare cases a band will get an opportunity to find their real self twenty years into their existence. Anathema may just be one of those rare bands. 2010’s 'We’re Here Because We’re Here' was a stupendous return from a group who had been absent for seven years. That record turned Anathema from a good band to a truly great band, a band whose output deserves to go down in history with the finest artists of their time. Last year’s 'Falling Deeper', a largely orchestral reworking of old doomier material, confirmed that their run of good form was to continue and, in case you were in any doubt, 'Weather Systems' is another truly spectacular release.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Wednesday, 04 April 2012

Motionless In White - Creatures (Album Review)

Motionless in White have finally released their first debut studio album, although having being together for just over six years, they have started to make an impact. The Pennsylvanian band has pushed the boundaries with this release, expelling not only their maturity but also the boundaries of screamo into something enjoyable. They have kept firmly in touch with their original sound; ‘Creatures’ is theatrical and ready to bring the house down.

Written by: Yasmin La Ronde | Date: Tuesday, 03 April 2012

Es Muss Sein – Es Muss Sein (EP Review)

Es Muss Sein, meaning ‘It Must Be’ in German, is the nom de plume taken by talented Kent teenager Poppy Wilson. The singer-songwriter’s self-titled debut EP was released on April 1st and from the sounds of this three-track production, this is certainly not the last we will hear from her.

Written by: Ryan Crittenden | Date: Monday, 02 April 2012

Pelican - Ataraxia/Triaxis (EP Review)

Pelican have been gone for a while, for too long actually. There are tons of instrumental post-rock/metal bands in the world but few that can be said to really matter. Pelican are one such band. Their discography is littered with records that many similar bands will never manage to match for quality. From their debut full-length 'Australasia' through to 2009’s 'What We All Come to Need' Pelican have soared ahead of the pack. This is a band that does more than create just the generic wall of shimmering sound. Pelican create compositions that are stunningly complete. A band like Pelican rarely need words, the music does is all that any listener could ever need.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 02 April 2012

Phantom Limb - The Pines (Album Review)

Phantom Limb have been a performing act since 2008 when they released their debut album 'Phantom Limb', alongside the single 'Don't say a word'. Their first album was produced by the bands guitarist Stew Jackson but for their second album they have stepped away from the safety of their hometown to record in California with Marc Ford, formerly of The Black Crowes. They have also stepped out of the shade and into a sound that is their own. It is a record drenched in soul/Rnb and country, which is a mix that still seems relatively unexplored.

Written by: Charlie Hurt | Date: Friday, 30 March 2012

Conan - Monnos (Album Review)

The first word that comes into my head related to the word 'Monnos' is “monolithic”…something massive and nigh on invincible. Whether that is the first thing the members of Conan think of as well would be interesting to know. This doom metal trio clearly want their music to be something rigid and all powerful, not winning over their listeners but forcibly taking them over.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Friday, 30 March 2012

Yppah - Eighty One (Album Review)

The best electronic music is that which flows like a great bottle of wine or a perfect pint of bitter. You just cannot help but want that next sip, whether it is because you are in a free spirited party mood or because you are racked in despondency. At times during his past works, Joe Corrales Jr. (Yppah) has caused a few hiccups with his musical beverages. Not this time though, not on the superb 'Eighty One'.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Friday, 30 March 2012

Marcus Collins - Marcus Collins (Album Review)

Over the eight (yes, eight!) series of The X Factor, you will be lucky if you can name over eight acts who are still popular and relevant now. Each Olly Murs or JLS brings you a Steve Brookstein or Journey South and it took me around five minutes just to remember the name of the winner's of last year's series. Little Mix, if you too were struggling.

Written by: Liam Gascoigne | Date: Thursday, 29 March 2012

Bear Driver - Big Love (Single Review)

A sound is not just a sound; it is something that gets you moving and your ears pricking up. Bear Driver, a five-piece band from London, have jumped straight in and pulled out a great single; ‘Big Love’.

Written by: Yasmin La Ronde | Date: Thursday, 29 March 2012

Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball (Album Review)

Bruce Springsteen has never been afraid to tackle political issues and each time a crisis comes around you can set your calendar for a new album. Throughout his career he's taken shots at everyone he feels are wronging his homeland and 'Wrecking Ball' carries that theme into the most current crisis of the global recession. Now 62-years-old 'Wrecking Ball' is Springsteen's 17th studio album and, although it's had some stiff competition over the years, may well be his angriest.

Written by: Dave Ball | Date: Thursday, 29 March 2012

Sleigh Bells - Reign Of Terror (Album Review)

Sleigh Bells are a pair currently enjoying a relatively speedy rise to the heights of popularity against their competitors in the class of 2012. It was only in 2008 that vocalist Alexis Krauss and guitarist Derek E. Miller first met in the Brooklyn N.Y. music scene after releasing an EP to mixed reactions but securing a deal with M.I.A.’s N.E.E.T. Records. But this debut has landed them in a powerful position with the ball still in their court for the rest of the year.

Written by: Owen Sheppard | Date: Thursday, 29 March 2012

Lostprophets - Weapons (Album Review)

It's been just over 2 years since 'The Betrayed' and its experimental sound hit the charts, but now Lostprophets are back with a vengeance with 5th studio album, 'Weapons'. After various changes behind the scenes in the band's camp, it appears they're back to make their mark once again, and stamp the Lostprophets name back where it belongs.

Written by: Katie Territt | Date: Thursday, 29 March 2012

Breton - Other People’s Problems (Album Review)

My favourite part of the first “Shrek” film comes when the title character tries to explain the resemblance of ogres to onions in the simplest form possible…they both have layers. It is always troubling when people fail to acknowledge that music, like ogres and onions, is also all about the layers. Breton are certainly a good example of this. This band clearly enjoys mixing things into compositions that are delightfully unexpected and this passion for the surprising has paid dividends on this debut full-length.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 26 March 2012

Imperial Leisure - Death To The One Trick Pony (Album Review)

Sometimes it’s hard to know whether to take Imperial Leisure seriously. Sure, this is a band that makes music for fun and to be fun but the frustrating hints of genuine substance in their work have sometimes made their more light hearted output a little more disappointing. 'Death to the One Trick Pony' spends some time trying to prove itself as a mature, self-conscious record but never genuinely convinces.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Friday, 23 March 2012

Sound Of Guns - Angels And Enemies (Album Review)

Liverpool are well known for some of the biggest musical highlights the world have ever given us, and none are more prolific than the band that really kick started guitar-based pop rock, The Beatles. Now, dear Sound of Guns fans, I'm not going to raise expectations of your favourite bands' second full length release to one of the most well known bands of all time, because that would be unfair, but once you say a band is from Liverpool, you do almost expect near perfection every time.

Written by: James Ball | Date: Friday, 23 March 2012

Jodie Marie – Mountain Echo (Album Review)

It has been a cracking week for the country of Wales, as their ball-tossing gladiators bashed up their bigger neighbours, and won another rugby grand slam. The fans' passion was palpable, after all, they're able to combine the two things that they love most – watching rugby, and of course, singing. And the Welsh have never been short on singers that can belt it out: Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Katherine Jenkins, Duffy and Charlotte Church to name but a few.

Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Thursday, 22 March 2012