PREMIERE: We're No Heroes Want You To Dance Like Nobody's Watching With Voodoo

As the UK summer continues to battle against its built-in desire to self destruct, We’re No Heroes have unveiled Voodoo, the sort of indie-pop song designed to rattle around countless late afternoon singalongs and the accompanying lost nights.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Monday, 27 July 2015

Noise Not Music #12: Mutoid Man, The Clearing Path And More

This month’s Noise Not Music is brought to you by huge, all-encompassing drones. They have emanated partly from some of the releases reviewed here (Dead Neanderthals, Locrian, Ommadon), but also from a rediscovery of the potential of Sunn O))) as working music. So, with ‘Dømkirke’ still ringing in my ears, here’s the July edition…enjoy!

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 27 July 2015

Wet Plate Portraits: Nick Oliveri

​ Photograph: Gareth Jarvis Nick Oliveri, if you aren’t already aware, has spent the last two decades cultivating a near iconic beard and grinding out low end grooves for Kyuss and Queens Of The Stone Age, as well as thrashing through the hits with Dwarves. He’s also fronted his own project, Mondo Generator, and more recently opted to strip things back and hit the road with his Death Acoustic tour, on which he is armed with just an acoustic guitar and a sinister grin.

Written by: Laura Johnson | Date: Thursday, 23 July 2015

Korn: 20 Years Going Blind

Korn are the ultimate party band. They've got the tunes and on stage, they bring it. Did you see them support Slipknot earlier this year? Well, then you know all about it. And, to celebrate the 20th birthday of their ground-breaking self-titled debut, the Bakersfield behemoths have of late been playing their mightiest slice of musical midnight in its entirety. It's a clash between darkness and light that works.

Written by: Alec Chillingworth | Date: Monday, 20 July 2015

Bloodstock 2015: Bin Jousting, Blast Beats And Burgerkill Await

The internet can be wonderful. It reunites long-lost friends, it has the power to spread music with one simple click and it allows uniform fetish websites to flounder and flourish in abundance.

Written by: Alec Chillingworth | Date: Friday, 10 July 2015

Long Distance Runners: Her Name Is Calla Mark 10 Years And Meditate On Life As An Independent Band

td#right {display:none !important;} Since the turn of the century, the music industry has faced more challenges than at any other time in its history. The last decade and a half has seen the internet radically alter the landscape, and that of independent scenes in particular. On one hand, new technology has provided artists with a potential reach larger than any they would have had access to in years gone by. On the other side of the equation, though, is illegal downloading and streaming.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Thursday, 02 July 2015

Stereoboard Sessions: The Sidekicks

The Sidekicks are full of surprises. Each of their records has represented a change in approach from its predecessor while remaining, thanks to an almost indefinable charm and Steve Ciolek’s way with a melody, unmistakably them.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Thursday, 25 June 2015

Noise Not Music #11: False, Abyssal, Pale Chalice And More

Photo: Josh Martines If you thought last month’s Noise Not Music was packed to the rafters with amazing records then you’ll be delighted to hear that there’s just as much quality to get through this month. Due to limited space I have had to miss out two excellent records on the basis that the artists behind them are probably a little too well known to merit inclusion. The two in question are the exceptional new album, ‘Grievances’, by Sheffield progressive hardcore quintet (and long-term Stereoboard favourites) Rolo Tomassi, and the rip-roaring newbie from Matt Pike-led stoner doom trio High on Fire, ‘Luminiferous’.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Wednesday, 24 June 2015

Hindsight In 20/20: Torres' 'Sprinter' And Understanding The Past

td#right {display:none !important;} Photos: Shawn Brackbill Mackenzie Scott, framed alone on the high stage at Rough Trade East, stops tampering with a pedal for a moment as shouts from outside echo between racks of records. “Someone's gotta be a cheerleader,” she laughs before unfurling Cowboy Guilt’s syncopated riff. “Someone's gotta counteract this sad music.”

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Tuesday, 23 June 2015

Be Yourself, Be Positive: DJ Fresh On Believer, Club Culture And Remixes

DJ Fresh is a commercial dance institution and entirely owns his distinctive spot in electronic music. He intuitively crafts fast-moving breakbeats to spark outrageous reactions en masse, from optimistic good vibe chasers to cocktails of courage, defiance and determination.

Written by: Milly McMahon | Date: Monday, 22 June 2015

Fleetwood Mac: Return Of The Songbird

They say good things come to those who wait, and Fleetwood Mac fans will certainly testify to that after years spent praying for Christine McVie's return to the band. Their patience was finally rewarded when the beloved songstress rejoined the group last year and with the legendary outfit's On With The Show tour currently slaloming around the UK and Ireland, it’s a fine time to delve into just how McVie's songwriting helped turn a fading British blues act into iconic superstars.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Wednesday, 17 June 2015

Download Festival: Fear, Loathing And Phantom Lemonade Stands

td#right {display:none !important;} Photograph: Slipknot by Gobinder Jhitta/Download 2015 The sun is shining, the drinks are flowing and there’s an elderly woman drunkenly wrestling with a teenager. She’s winning. Welcome back, Download. We’ve missed you.

Written by: Alec Chillingworth | Date: Tuesday, 16 June 2015

Camden Rocked: Tactical Naps And Newport Helicopters

Camden Town, London. Home to many a metalhead, street merchant and doggedly persistent charity worker. The district is buzzing with brightly coloured haircuts and late-morning drinking; all the toilets in the fast-food joints are strategically shut, so you have to hold your breath and brave the septic public bogs. No matter. Loads of bands are playing today and it's going to be fabulous. Camden Rocks is here to ensure that Camden, um, rocks.

Written by: Alec Chillingworth | Date: Monday, 01 June 2015

Tribulation: From Death Metal To Deep Purple

In the eyes of certain extreme metal fans, to change is to die. Intelligible lyrics are a sign of weakness, while having more than 10 Facebook fans means that you might as well be The Beatles. So, for Swedish death metallers Tribulation, incorporating passages reminiscent of Deep Purple, Mercyful Fate and Sisters Of Mercy into their third album, 'The Children Of The Night', was something of a risky strategy.

Written by: Alec Chillingworth | Date: Friday, 22 May 2015

Toto: Steve Lukather On The Battle Between Past And Future

Hot on the heels of their excellent new album, 'XIV', AOR icons Toto are back in the UK for a series of gigs that will showcase songs from their new effort along with the classics we know and love. In the second part of our interview with wonderfully outspoken guitarist Steve Lukather, we discuss unlikely collaborations, his opinion of critics and why he won't be signing up for Spotify Premium any time soon.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2015

The Who: Many Happy Returns To 'Live At Leeds'

Live albums are a staple part of the rock diet, but few end up as career-defining moments. There’s Nirvana, of course, with their modern day classic ‘MTV Unplugged In New York’, Thin Lizzy’s ‘Live And Dangerous’ or Neil Young’s ‘Live Rust’, two cast-iron classics from the late ‘70s.

Written by: Graeme Marsh | Date: Monday, 18 May 2015

EXCLUSIVE: Stream Broken Fires' Debut Album 'Silhouettes'

Broken Fires are an arresting sight: three guitars, keys, violin, rotating vocalists and a drummer who plays as though his kit has done him a personal hurt. At DimSŵn earlier this year, they sprawled across the floor of Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff, their rough-hewn alt-pop striking a balance between introspective and anthemic. The set was a particular highlight in a day packed with them.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Wednesday, 13 May 2015

Fraser A. Gorman: 'It's Nice To Be Important. It's More Important To Be Nice.'

Luxuriously laid back, Fraser A. Gorman writes simply, betraying a heart both wise and naïve. Building his sound from tobacco-tinged vocals, delicate strings and echoing background a capellas, he has lovingly crafted music to underpin his tangible emotional intelligence.

Written by: Milly McMahon | Date: Wednesday, 13 May 2015

Noise Not Music #10: Prurient, Bosse-de-Nage, Gnod And More

Photo: Becca Diamond As usual, there is a lot to get through this month. But, it’s worth noting that this latest batch contains records that are among my very favourite of 2015 thus far. There’s plenty to please both those interested in the outer limits (of jazz, psychedelia and electronica) and those concerned with pure heaviness (of sound and feeling). Please enjoy.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 11 May 2015

Cut Ribbons: Pop Music For Heart And Mind

He’s trying to suppress it, but Aled Rees is grinning. Backstage at Galeri 3B in Wrexham, talk has turned to the mixes of Cut Ribbons’ debut album.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Friday, 08 May 2015