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Tuesday 29 May 2012

Damnation Festival Headliner Announced



DORSET doom heavyweights ELECTRIC WIZARD have promised a "mind-destroying" exclusive headline performance at Damnation Festival.

The band, who recently sold out London's cavernous Forum, will bring their full lights and visuals show to Leeds University Union on Saturday, November 3, 2012, for what will be a full on assault of the senses.

Also joining the bill are Norwegian blackened thrash outfit AURA NOIR, Irish thrashers GAMA BOMB and elegant doom trio 40 WATT SUN, who will play their only UK show of 2012 on Damnation Festival's newly sponsored Eyesore Stage.

Electric Wizard's Jus Oborn believes fans who couldn't get their hands on tickets to the London performance, will experience something special at Damnation.

He added: "The sellout show at the Forum was a massive success and the fans loved the psychedelic lightshow.

"We had been working on the film show for years and when the opportunity arose to work with the lighting people from the Hawkwind lightshow we knew it would be the
ultimate mindfuck.

"Now, Damnation have given us the opportunity to repeat the experience for everyone outside of London and we are going to make it even more mind-destroying."

And if the prospect of Electric Wizard at Damnation Festival wasn't enough to celebrate, Irish thrash kings GAMA BOMB will be hosting a one-off 10th anniversary party on the Jagermeister Stage.

The band said: "Given that we started our band with the ambition of playing songs that sounded like Nuclear Assault and the aim of some day playing a show outside of our home town, it's pretty amazing that we've lasted for 10 thoroughly wasted years.

"Though we're insanely busy doing behind-the-scenesy stuff right now, we've managed to find time to book one special 10th anniversary show this winter at Damnation Festival.

"By the time we put on some trousers and take to the stage there, we'll have a killer fourth album to show off, as well as wheeling out all kinds of old songs we've forgotten how to play.

"The UK has been very good to us over the last 10 years, so this is our way of saying 'Cheers for that, can you pay in to one more show please?'.

"We'll see you there!"

Electric Wizard, Aura Noir, Gama Bomb and 40 Watt Sun join previously announced My Dying Bride and Pig Destroyer at Damnation Festival, which will take place at Leeds University Union on Saturday, November 3, 2012.

Tickets priced £32 are available from http://www.leedstickets.com and via the official Damnation Festival site and Facebook through Ticketscript: http://www.damnationfestival.co.uk/tickets and at Crash and Jumbo store in Leeds.

For more information visit the official Damnation Festival sites:

Web - damnationfestival.co.uk
Facebook - facebook.com/damnationfestival
Twitter - twitter.com/damnationfest

Monday 28 May 2012

Harmonious times with..........The Gramotones

There's a real buzz beginning to eminate from the Oldham / Saddleworth area in relation to a new young band named The Gramotones.



Unlike many from the area, the quartet take influences from both far and wide, a touch of indie rock, although mixed with more harmonious folk or Americana, certainly not adverse to dropping the electrics, happy stripping everything back acoustically, allowing the vocal harmonies centre stage.

A Goldheart Assembly for the North.







Upcoming gigs

Friday June 8th - The Deaf Institute Manchester (Supporting Tom Williams and the Boat)

The band will also be appearing at Tim Burgess' Tim Peaks Diner, part of Kendal Calling festival.

http://www.facebook.com/TheGramotones

http://soundcloud.com/thegramotones

Friday 25 May 2012

PROFANE - UNRELEASED DEMOS AND LIVE TRACKS

Only just come across this..........Profane, quite simply one of the most underrated of Manchester metal bands.  Head over to Bandcamp, grab the free download of unreleased demos and live tracks and once you've realised exactly what you've been missing, go buy a copy of "The Day We Scorched the Sky."

http://profane.bandcamp.com/

A truly amazing outfit, who deserved to be heard by far more people and experience a much longer life span.








Wednesday 23 May 2012

Blind Atlas - "Mary Anne"

Prior to the release of debut album "Kodiak Bear" on June 18th,  to whet the appetite further Blind Atlas release two completely different versions of "Mary Anne" in both tone and filmed locations.

One, a full electric version recorded at Manchester's Sound Control, the second, completely acoustic in Chorlton Nature Reserve.  Check em out below and let me know which you prefer. Difficult to call, but the ring tone at the end of one, adds dimension.






Cannot wait for the album, the launch takes place at The Kings Arms in Salford on June 20th with support from The Travelling Band's Jo Dudderidge and Adam Gorman.

Get down there.

 

Friday 18 May 2012

Spires - Lucid Abstractions EP - Pre-Order Now.

Spires have just announced their acoustic EP "Lucid Abstractions" is available to pre-order.  Release is expected early - mid June, with Only 500 copies of this available on Digipack, you'd better head over to the link below sharpish and order yourself a copy.





http://spires.bigcartel.com/

And here's the very first play of "Perception" taken from the EP.


Thursday 17 May 2012

Sigur Ros - Valtari Hour

OK, so I missed the opportunity to stream the new Sigur Ros album "Valtari" but that doesn't mean I should keep it from everyone.  If you're in the America's, it's heading your way. It's been possible to hear the whole album for an hour throughout the day in every time zone around the world over at their website.



http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk/


For those not in the America's, check out a new track on YouTube as some recompense.


Wednesday 16 May 2012

Bill Ward official statement on Black Sabbath Reunion

Legendary Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward has made the following official stament, explaining he won't be involved in the forthcoming re-union gigs. A blow to all Sabbath fans I'm sure, although based on the details below, the decision appears understandable, although a sad state of affairs.

 Dear Sabbath Fans and Fellow Musicians,
I sincerely regret to inform you that after a final effort to participate in the upcoming Sabbath shows a failure to agree has continued. At this time I have to inform you that I won’t be playing with Black Sabbath at the Birmingham gig dated May 19th, 2012, nor will I be playing at Download on June 10th, 2012. Further, I will not be playing at Lollapalooza on August 3, 2012.
It is with a very sad heart that I bring you this news. I am sincerely passionate in my desire to play with the band, and I’m very, very sorry that it’s fallen to this. This statement is even more painstaking to write, as I was particularly excited to play alongside Tony Iommi after the recent treatments he underwent. I wanted that to become a reality.



To express my thoughts about you, the Sabbath fans, I’m going to speak to you all through an experience my brother James had recently. My brother Jimmy lives in the U.K. When speaking with him a couple of days ago, he told me that an acquaintance had stopped him on the street and confronted him, “is your brother playing Birmingham? What’s going on? I waited in line with my son and paid x amount for the concert tickets.”
The man’s son is a young drummer. He’s going to see Sabbath, and he wants to see Bill Ward play drums. Upon hearing this news, I felt horrible. I couldn’t help feeling some resentment towards the failure to reach an agreement, the failure to remember where we came from, the failure to be as brothers, as we once were. To be clear, I’m not blaming the other guys or finding any faults with them. I would think it can’t be easy for them either, but this situation is just really sad. It’s sad that it’s come to this. “This” will surely leave a mark and be unwelcome to the memory. Hopefully “this” will heal and pass in time.




My heart sank when Jimmy told me about this young boy. I know this boy is going to be disappointed, and I don’t know how to amend it, other than to put my arms around the boy and tell him I love him. Sabbath fans have a voice and a face, to me you’re human, you have families and despair. You have ferocity and emotions and graciousness, and at this moment as far as I’m concerned you are also that young boy in England. I don’t know how to amend my part in these failings other than to put my arms around you and say I love you and let you know I’m very, very sorry.
Throughout this process, which began over a year ago, I have had to stand up for myself time and time again. I have had to stand up for myself and in doing so realize my actions indirectly, although unintentionally, are upsetting and hurting a lot of you. I know in my heart I couldn’t have done these concerts by agreeing the terms suggested. I made a solemn vow after the last European and Ozzfest concerts that I would never again enter into what was, in my opinion, a totally unsatisfactory contract. I have to stand for something, and as painful as it is, I’m doing it.
Earlier in April 2012, I’d been asked to participate “minimally” in the Download festival. I believe I’d been offered no more than three songs to play while another drummer presumably played the rest of the show with Black Sabbath. I was not willing to participate in that offer. I was not prepared to watch another drummer play a Sabbath set, while I was to play only three songs.
I found out about the Birmingham gig on Monday, April 30 through the Internet ad. I was taken aback somewhat by the date, and the fact it was Birmingham. Knowing the “signable” contract negotiations were at best in shreds, I was upset by the idea that the band was going to play Birmingham and play it assumedly without me. I had no prior knowledge of the date and location, and I felt totally excluded. We contacted the representative for Black Sabbath to see if something could be worked out. In the meantime my drum crew and I, along with our US endorsers, finished all the necessary planning for a swift departure to the UK. There wasn’t a whole lot to complete; we’d all been on standby more or less since mid-January 2012. The remaining work in the UK was confirmed done by our European and UK endorsers and we were good to go by Friday, May 4 2012. There were two stress points: firstly, getting an agreement in place, and secondly, getting to England in a timely manner. Jetlag time was taken into account as well as drum practice, a drum practice room in the heart of Birmingham, accommodation, and travel arrangements were all in place to meet with any band rehearsals that may have transpired before the Birmingham show. So far everything that had been arranged was on my dime, but we didn’t move ahead without a realistic confirmation.
Communications between the representative and my lawyer continued through the weekend of May 5 finalizing on Wednesday, May 9. The offer we received on May 9 was, “come to the UK, play for free and see how the first show goes.” I was tempted. Playing for free would not have been a problem for me, but “seeing how the first show goes” left an element of risk which could have affected Download. My ideal thought was to play in full the Birmingham show, in full Download, and in full Lollapalooza.
I had notified the representative that May 10 was my cutoff day in order to have good lead-in time for England. On the night of May 9 I asked for a brief letter to be sent to the representative asking to find out if we were at an end. On the morning of Thursday, May 10, I received a reply in the affirmative. After consulting with my advisors and crew a decision was made to let go and stop.
I can’t prioritize the Sabbath fans making one show more important than the other. I can’t do that. All of you are important. It’s all the gigs or none at all. I can’t come to Birmingham and “see what happens” knowing there is a risk of not being able to play Download or Lollapalooza. Again, for me, it’s all or nothing. I had to say “no” to Birmingham on the principle of wanting to play all the shows. Saying no to Birmingham is very difficult for me. My family grew up in Birmingham. Black Sabbath grew up in Birmingham. It’s still my hometown and I resent having to arrive at such a difficult choice.
Although the statement was made that, “the door is always open” for me, as explained above, walking through that door is not always as easy as it sounds. There are many complicated issues and unseen and unspoken agendas on hand. I can assure you, my criteria for a “signable” contract is based in mindful principles, respectability, and acknowledgement of my history within the band.
I hold no malice or resentment towards the other band members. I love them; I’m tolerant of them; I’m frustrated with them, as they may be with me. My fight has never been with them. I’ll love them forever. In my opinion, nobody wins this time; the band doesn’t win; the fans for an original lineup don’t win. Nobody wins, nobody. Even the ones who thought they did.
I didn’t want to make this decision, but I have to be honest and transparent. This is the statement I didn’t want to write; it’s the last thing I wanted to do. But, I have written it, and now it can go into the universe.
Since Spring of 2011, I’ve waited patiently and hopefully for a signable contract, you know the rest. I stand for the boy in the U.K., for the coming drum student, for all the drummers, who write their parts out and get stiffed on the publishing, I stand with the Sabbath fans chanting “Bill Ward” and asking “why?” and I stand with Tony and Geezer and Ozzy.
On a final note, even though I’m at an end with the upcoming announced concerts, I will remain with an open mind and a position of willingness to negotiate “signable” terms with Sabbath’s representatives in the future.
Stay strong.
Stay safe.
With all my heart and strength, I love you,
Bill Ward

Mudkiss May Album Reviews

Mudkiss May album reviews including :








Tom Williams and the Boat














 Obsidian Tongue










Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward and Fisher










The Imagined Village










Nymbus











Huron

Monday 14 May 2012

Mudkiss album of the month - RICHARD HAWLEY "Standing at the Sky's Edge"

My album of the month for Mudkiss. A fantastic collection from Richard Hawley.




http://www.mudkiss.com/andysmayalbumofthemonth.htm


The Travelling Band - UK tour announcement


The Travelling Band have just announced a U.K tour for September and October, 22 dates across the U.K with tickets on sale from Wednesday May 16th. Don't miss a perfect chance to see one of our finest live acts play in intimate surroundings and look out for a new album appearing soon. 

In the meantime, check out some live footage taken at The Brudenell Social Club in Leeds and an incredible version of "On The Rails," taken from their second album "Screaming is Something." 



And here's a Mudkiss interview with Adam Gorman and Jo Dudderidge conducted before the Leeds gig.   http://www.mudkiss.com/travellingbandinterview.htm




http://www.thetravellingband.co.uk/










Tom Williams and the Boat - New album stream.


While the football fans of Manchester had a tense weekend awaiting the outcome of the Premiership title race, ending with an amazing five minutes of injury time at the Etihad Stadium and a last gasp victory for the blue side of the City, Tom Williams and the Boat fans have experienced their own race for the prize. 

After releasing latest album "Teenage Blood" through a Pledge campaign, the band announced a potential tour on a similar basis, offering the chance to vote your city as a location for a Tom Williams and the Boat gig, with 50 pledges the goal, before a date and venue confirmed.  Their home town of Tunbridge Wells and London were the first to snap up the offer, leaving a hard fought race between Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham.  Manchester just about snapping up third position with the brilliant Deaf Institute selected as the perfect place to see this outstanding band.  Leeds followed suit quickly after with Birmingham only requiring a further three pledges to complete a weeks touring for Kent's finest. Come on you Brummies, head to the link above and bring the guys to the Midlands.     

Still not heard the fantastic new album, "Teenage Blood,"  stream in full over at Clash  and check out the video of the title track below.


Once you've done that, here's a reminder of earlier material with "Get Older" from the debut album "Too Slow"


Wednesday 9 May 2012

Blind faith in STORM CORROSION goes unrewarded - Album review



Have you ever experienced that feeling of deep disappointment and anti climax, after what feels an interminable wait for something?....... That's exactly how I feel at this precise moment upon hearing the debut album from STORM CORROSION.  On paper, what more could you ask in the field of progressive rock / metal, Mikael Akerfedlt from Opeth and Porcupine Tree's Steven Wilson collaborating, surely a marriage made in Prog heaven. The creative hubs behind two of the most influential bands within the progressive genre of the last twenty years must surely produce one of the great albums of the century, perhaps even longer...........or perhaps not. 

I should have trusted my intial instinct, finding lead track and album opener "Drag Ropes" less than riveting, ultimately setting the tone for the whole collection, tracks which meander musically with no real focus or purpose.  Imagine being faced with the ultimate in log flumes, instead of lowering yourself into a boat, driven and channelled to a summit, before plunging thrillingly downwards, the vessel proves rudder and directionless, floating aimlessly around. On six occasions the opportunity to climb towards the peak of the ride thwarted, until after 48 minutes, completely frustrated and deflated it's time to leave.



Not a single one of the six tracks which form this eponymous collection, holds the attention, barely providing a single memorable moment. Briefly "Hag" offers hope, a guitar crashes, pounding drums invade before all too quickly fading away.  However much concentration is applied to any of these songs, before long, the mind wanders to anything other than the music.

I'm sure initially, some will claim trying to convince themselves, this to be a work of genius, although I can guarantee in weeks, rather than months or years, if Akerfeldt or Wilson  are at the forefront of the mind, Opeth and Porcupine Tree albums will be played, not Storm Corrosion.

Many, many years ago, I came across a band named Blind Faith. A 60's supergroup incorporating a line-up of Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Ric Grech and Ginger Baker.  Again, a band containing  luminaries of the era, which just couldn't fail.  The disillusionment I felt on hearing that album for the first time, resurrected and magnified ten fold thirty years later.

 http://stormcorrosion.com/


    

BOA METAL 2 THE MASSES

 
KICKS OFF  HUNT FOR NEW BLOOD............... STARTS MAY 20TH

On May 20th Bloodstock start the  quest to seek out some killer breaking bands for this year’s Newblood Stage. With no less than 18 venues across the UK, as well as Scandinavia and Europe, Bloodstock Open Air is reaching out yet again to find the loudest, fastest and most brutal metal bands for the biggest independent metal festival in the UK!
 
The 2012 UK Tour promises to bring the noise and raise horns for the underground scene Showcasing the best of the best and offering fans a chance to win tickets to BOA and be part of something unique to the bloodstock experience.
 
So for the bands and fans this is a must with acts standing the possibility of joining us at Bloodstock (or winning a further slot at either Wacken or Metalcamp in 2013), but as importantly its about fans of real music - spending time with real people – enjoying real Metal.
 
Lets be honest the music scene in general is facing tough times with labels and venues closing all too regularly - so make the difference to your local scene and support the venues, promoters, and bands and lock horns with likeminded folk who all listen to Metal with the same passion and belief as YOU!!!
 
MAY

20TH THE UNDERWORLD - LONDON
* Ft no less than 10 bands + guest appearances from former M2TM winners Zocalo
26TH THE RED LION - KENT
27TH TBC - ESSEX

JUNE

1ST WHITE RABBIT - PLYMOUTH
14TH RUNES - PRESTON
16TH GREEN ROOMS - TREFOREST WALES
21ST GRAND CENTRAL - MANCHESTER
22ND IVORY BLACKS - GLASGOW
23RD THE RIVERSIDE - SELBY
24TH THE WATERFRONT - NORWICH
29TH THE LOMAX - LIVERPOOL
30TH ROCK CITY (BASEMENT) - NOTTINGHAM

JULY

1ST ROADHOUSE – BIRMINGHAM
6TH THE TRIBUTE - NORWAY
12TH THE FLEECE - BRISTOL
13TH SOUND CIRCUS - BOURNEMOUTH
14TH FACEBAR - READING
15TH “PERFECT STORM” UNDERWORLD - LONDON
* Ft a  whole days worth of bands topped off by the incredible Splintered Soul
19TH RIFFS BAR - SWINDON
 
The Bloodstock Metal 2 The Masses
 in association with
Vocalzone, Dean Guitars, D Drum, Blackstar Amplification and Studio 54
 
FINAL HEADLINER TO BE ANNOUNCED ON 6TH JUNE AT 6PM (6.6.6)
 
Line Up So Far:
 
RONNIE JAMES DIO STAGE
ALICE COOPER  - BEHEMOTH
TESTAMENT - DIMMU BORGIR -  DIO DISCIPLES - ANVIL - WATAIN  
PARADISE LOST - HATEBREED - SANCTUARY -  ICED EARTH - SEPULTURA  CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - DEICIDE - MAYHEM -   NILE - MOONSORROW - GRAND MAGUS - FREEDOM CALL -  BLACK DAHLIA MURDER - CHTHONIC  
CROWBAR - BENEDICTION - I AM I
 
LastFM
SOPHIE LANCASTER STAGE
ALCEST - ORANGE GOBLIN - ANAAL NATHRAKH - HEADCHARGER - WINTERFYLLETH DEMONIC RESURRECTION - EASTERN FRONT - ANCIENT ASCENDANT
SIGHT OF EMPTINESS - PRIMITAI - PYTHIA - CRIMES OF PASSION  - SATURNIAN BLOODSHOT DAWN - RE-ARMED - GONOREAS - COMMANDER IN CHIEF
RISING DREAM - INFERNAL TENEBRA - NOCTEFERIA- EVILE
MARIONETTE- FURYON - DERISION
 
NEW BLOOD STAGE
DOOMED - GONE TIL WINTER – HURON - FALLEN FATE - REIGN OF FURY –DREAMCATCHER - REFLECTIONS IN EXILE - INFERNAL CREATION
 
 
BLOODSTOCK 2012 TICKETS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM 62 HIGH STREET HMV STORES NATIONWIDE TODAY!
 
 
9th - 12th Aug 2012
Catton Hall, Walton on Trent, Derbyshire, DE12 8LN
   
‘Unleashing Metal On Earth since 2001’
 
Join us on FACEBOOK, follow us on TWITTER and meet up with the Bloodstock team on the Bloodstock FORUM  Make yourself heard.
 
our partners
www.metalhammer.co.uk     www.scuzztv.tumblr.com  

Tuesday 8 May 2012

GOJIRA announce UK headline shows.

French metal heavyweights, GOJIRA one of the most talked about and beloved extreme bands of the last five years, are to play three UK headline shows around the June release of their long-awaited fifth studio album, ‘L’Enfant Sauvage’.  



Dates line up as follows;

Mon 25th Jun – SHEFFIELD Corporation
Tue 26th Jun – BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy
Wed 27th Jun – LONDON Islington Academy

Tickets go on sale at 9am tomorrow (Wednesday 9th May) and are available from all usual agents and online at www.kililive.com.  You can also buy via credit card hotline on 0844 871 8803.

The new album, ‘L’Enfant Sauvage’ features 11 tracks of mind-bending metal and lands in stores on 25th June.  The release will be available as a standard edition and a special edition / collector’s package, which includes two extra tracks and a bonus DVD, ‘Live at Les Eurockéennes 2009’.  Fans can pre-order at the following link: www.play.com/rr2012.  Play.com will also be offering an exclusive guitar plectrum necklace with pre-orders of the Special Edition.

In addition, a special D2C bundle is available now, featuring the Special Edition + Exclusive T-Shirt from www.stereoboutique.com


BLIND ATLAS - Debut album released next month.

Blind Atlas release their debut album "Kodiak Bear" on June 18th, hosting an album launch gig at The Kings Arms in Salford on Wednesday night June 20th.



Their sound takes Americana and Country elements, adding exceptionally dark elements which delve deep into the inner recesses of your soul, drawing you further and further into their beautifully melancholic world.   

Support at The Kings Arms arrives in the form of Adam Gorman and Jo Dudderidge of The Travelling Band, yet another reason to make sure June 20th is kept free for an amazing night of music.

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/164245

And check out their recent interview with Mudkiss.

 http://www.mudkiss.com/blindatlasinterview.htm



http://blindatlas.bandcamp.com/

First Aid Kit - UK Dates

Brilliant Swedish duo FIRST AID KIT have just announced the following 

 














We’re utterly delighted to announce that we’ll return to the UK to play a couple of shows in November. It’s going to be a very exciting run - we’ll start in London at O2 Shepherds Bush Empire (!!), then Manchester at Ritz, moving onto Glasgow and QMU and lastly we’ll play the Academy in Bristol. We hope to see you at one of the shows as we’ll continue to sing our Swedish hearts out to anyone who wants to listen. 



20 Nov London Shepherds Bush Tickets  Pre Sale 9th May, On Sale 11th May
22 Nov Manchester Ritz Tickets On Sale 11th May
24 Nov Glasgow QMU Tickets On Sale 11th May
27 Nov Bristol Academy Tickets Pre Sale 9th May, On Sale 11th May

An absolutely captivating live band, playing the largest UK venues so far including the legendary Shepherds Bush Empire, these are dates you really don't want to miss.



Monday 7 May 2012

DZ DEATHRAYS release debut album



Brisbane thrash popsters have just released their debut album "Bloodstreams," a mindblowingly exhuberent collection of tracks, highlighting their raw D.I.Y ethic.

I love their quote, "Started playing house parties will most likely end at one. This is the middle part."







http://dzdeathrays.tumblr.com/

http://www.facebook.com/dzdeathrays







Spires - Artwork for "Lucid Abstractions"

The amazing Spires have just released the artwork for forthcoming acoustic EP "Lucid Abstractions."

 Who says metal bands don't have a sense of humour.






















Check out the guys playing live and stripped down at Grand Central in Manchester.





http://www.facebook.com/SpiresOfficial

http://www.reverbnation.com/spiresuk

Guillemots.......Four albums to be released this year.

Amazing announcement from Fyfe Dangerfield of Guillemots this afternoon on 6 music.  The band will release four albums this year.  Album #1, released today is "Hello Land"
















Definitely the best material since the brilliant debut "Through the Windowpane," stream the album in full at Soundcloud.

http://soundcloud.com/guillemots/sets/hello-land/

And then head over to their website and purchase yourself a copy.

http://guillemots.greedbag.com/buy/hello-land-0/

Friday 4 May 2012

New track from Betreaus - "Rises"




A brand new track from Manchester's Betraeus has just been released, available as a free download.  "Rises" is a sinuous beast of a tune, the extremes of brutality and subtlety perfectly encapulated within ferocious riffage, devasting drops and understated breakdowns.  Put simply, it's Betraeus at their immense best.

 Download it free at http://www.facebook.com/Betraeus

  

   

The band also has three dates lined up this month with Scar Symmetry, Xerath and Deals Death, including a home town gig at Moho Live on the 10th.


After the tour, Betraeus will be concentrating on writing and recording their debut album, so make the most of them for now.

http://www.betraeus.com/

Pond - You Broke My Cool

Psych rock warriors Pond have released the video for album standout, 'You Broke My Cool'. The video was shot by the band and their friends over the two weeks they spent in the Perth countryside recording 'Beard, Wives, Denim'.



Their fourth album, 'Beard, Wives, Denim' is currently receiving attention and applause from the likes of The New York Times, NME and The Fader is out now worldwide via Modular Recordings.
Tour dates below.





 

















POND TOUR DATES
Thu April 19 - The Standard, Sydney, Australia
Fri April 20 - Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane, Australia
Sat April 21 - Great Northern, Byron Bay, Australia
Sun April 22 - Northcote Social Club, Melbourne, Australia (SOLD OUT)
Mon April 23 - Northcote Social Club, Melbourne, Australia
Tue April 24 - Ed Castle, Adelaide, Australia
Sat April 28 - The Bakery, Perth, Australia
Thurs May 10 - The Great Escape, Brighton, England
Fri May 11 - The Great Escape, Brighton, England
Sat May 12 - Walk The Line Festival, Den Haag, Holland
Sun May 13 - Vera, Groningen, Holland
Mon May 14 - Indiestad Festival, Amsterdam, Holland
Tues May 15 - Doornroosje, Nlijmegen, Holland
Thurs May 17 - Rockhal Cafe, Luxembourg
Fri May 18 - Sound City, Liverpool, England
Sat May 19 - Cockpit, Leeds, England
Sun May 20 - Hare and Hounds, Birmingham, England
Tues May 22 - Cargo, London, England
Wed May 23 - Craufurd Arms, Milton Keyes, England
Fri May 25 - Arches, Glasgow, Scotland
Sat May 26 - Soup Kitchen, Manchester, England
Tues May 29 - Blue Shell, Cologne, Germany
Wed May 30 - Molotow, Cologne, Germany
Fri June 1 - Trix, Antwerp, Belgium
Sat June 2 - Field Day, London, England
Sat June 2 - Dot To Dot, Bristol, England
Sun June 3 - Dot To Dot, Nottingham, England
Mon June 4 - Dot To Dot, Manchester, England

MOONSORROW AND FREEDOM CALL EXCLUSIVE UK SHOWS IN 2012


Finnish Pagan outfit MOONSORROW and German metallers FREEDOM CALL have just announced they will both make exclusive UK performances on the main stage of this years BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR.
 
Moonsorrow who describe their sound as ‘Epic Heathen Metal’ are extremely excited to be a part of this years line up. With the band residing in Helsinki Finland, their lyrics draw inspirations from Finnish mythology, legends and poetry. Drummer Marko Tarvonen expresses his delight for being added to this years line up;
"We are truly excited to take part in Bloodstock Festival 2012. It's been way too long since we played on the British soil in 2008 and we know that lately there has been a huge demand for Moonsorrow to play in the UK. So, all our loyal fans in the UK, we want to see a massive crowd of insane berserks during our set. Don't let us down because we promise we don't let you down, cheers!"
 
Freedom Call hailing from Nürnberg, Germany are ready to bring their mix of melodic power metal to the Bloodstock masses this year. Bloodstock founder Paul Raymond Gregory also designed album artwork for the band including ‘Stairway To Fairyland’ and ‘Crystal Empire’. Their latest album ‘Land Of The Crimson Dawn’ was released in February and was described as “..full of attraction, fascination and illusions.” By Vocalist Chris Bay, who also expresses his anticipation to play at this years festival;
"The Bloodstock Festival is the pulsating heart of Heavy Metal...a great audience, which knows exactly to revel."
 
HAVE YOU GOT YOUR TICKET TO BLOODSTOCK 2012 ?
 
BLOODSTOCK CLUB NIGHTS
Fancy winning tickets to this years Bloodstock festival, whilst having a good night out?   Head down to one of these clubs on the dates below to attend an official Bloodstock Club night. They will be spinning tunes from some of the AWESOME acts on this years line up as well as giving away a pair of weekend camping tickets to one lucky winner.
 
EDDIES ROCK CLUB, Birmingham - 30th June / 28th July
UPRAWR – The Asylum, Birmingham - 26th May / 23rd June
REEDEMER@ Sound Circus , Bournemouth – 6th July
ABANDONED – Belushis Below, Brighton - 11th May / 15th June / 13th July
R.O.C.K @ Agincourt, Camberley - 12th May
BOGIEZ@ Cardiff - 26th May / 23rd June / 28th July
TOXIC FRIDAYS @ The Cellar Door, Exeter - 25th May / 29th June / 27th July
CLASSIC GRAND,  Glasgow - 18th May / 1st June
RECKLESS @ Liquid.  Ipswich – 28th May/25th June/30th July
REDEEMER @ LEICESTER SQUARE,  Leicester – 26th May
THE KRAZYHOUSE - Liverpool – 12th May
UPRAWR @ Dingwalls, London,  3rd May / 31st May / 21st June
SIN CITY @ Electric Ballrom,  London 15th June
FACEDOWN @ The Scala, London - 6th July
VOODOO – Electrowerkz, London - 25th May / 29th June / 27th July
REDEEMER @ Babylon Live Lounge,  Maidstone - 18th May
UPRISING @ The Zoo,  Manchester – 16th June
SUMO @ The Empire, Middlesborough - 18th May / 15th June
EMBARGO,  Northampton – 16th June
MELTDOWN @The Waterfront, Norwich 21st April, 19th May/16th June/21st July
ASSAULT@Spanky Von Dykes,  Nottingham – 18th May
THE ROCKSHOW@C103,  Plymouth 1st June
MELTDOWN – The Waterfront, Norwich - 19th May /16th June/21st July
R.O.C.K @ Sakura, Reading - 14th May
HARDSIDE @ Corporation, Sheffield - 5th May / 2nd June
SUMO @ independent, Sunderland - 18th May / 15th June
RAGE @ the Furnace – Swindon – 1st June
THE PLANET – Wolverhampton – 16th June
BLACKOUT@The Duchess, REEDEMER, York - 4th May / 1st June / 6th July
FRANTIC @ The Artful Dodger, York - 15th May / 19th June / 10th July
REDEEMER @ The Mansion - York – 8th June
 
 FINAL HEADLINER TO BE ANNOUNCED ON 6TH JUNE AT 6PM (6.6.6)
 
Line Up So Far:
 
RONNIE JAMES DIO STAGE
ALICE COOPER  - BEHEMOTH
TESTAMENT - DIMMU BORGIR -  DIO DISCIPLES - ANVIL - WATAIN  
PARADISE LOST - HATEBREED - SANCTUARY -  ICED EARTH - SEPULTURA  CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - DEICIDE - MAYHEM -   NILE - MOONSORROW - GRAND MAGUS - FREEDOM CALL -  BLACK DAHLIA MURDER - CHTHONIC  
CROWBAR - BENEDICTION - I AM I
 
LastFM
SOPHIE LANCASTER STAGE
ALCEST - ORANGE GOBLIN - ANAAL NATHRAKH - HEADCHARGER - WINTERFYLLETH DEMONIC RESURRECTION - EASTERN FRONT - ANCIENT ASCENDANT
SIGHT OF EMPTINESS - PRIMITAI - PYTHIA - CRIMES OF PASSION  - SATURNIAN BLOODSHOT DAWN - RE-ARMED - GONOREAS - COMMANDER IN CHIEF
RISING DREAM - INFERNAL TENEBRA - NOCTEFERIA- EVILE
MARIONETTE- FURYON - DERISION
 
NEW BLOOD STAGE
DOOMED - GONE TIL WINTER – HURON - FALLEN FATE - REIGN OF FURY –DREAMCATCHER - REFLECTIONS IN EXILE - INFERNAL CREATION
 
 
BLOODSTOCK 2012 TICKETS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM 62 HIGH STREET HMV STORES NATIONWIDE TODAY!
 
 
 
9th - 12th Aug 2012
Catton Hall, Walton on Trent, Derbyshire, DE12 8LN
 
‘Unleashing Metal On Earth since 2001’
 
Join us on FACEBOOK, follow us on TWITTER and meet up with the Bloodstock team on the Bloodstock FORUM  Make yourself heard.
 
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