Suns of Sam - She Was Just a Fly

The latest release from the depths of Phoenix Lodge under the Suns of Sam banner initially left me quite confused. Given time though, "She Was Just a Fly" begins to seep into the brain, the layers unfold and beguile. Delicate guitar, supplemented by understated vocals, electronic rhythms and beats with transcendental Indian ambiance thrown in for good measure.   

Stick with it, the journey worthy a modicum of patience, as we await the launch of The Phoenix Experiment EP..........

http://thephoenixexperiment.co.uk/

Mudkiss January Update

First album reviews over at Mudkiss Fanzine for 2013 with some new names, Jared Jones, Mike Ainscoe and Brett Dunford putting additional fingers to keyboard along with the Barnes Boys and Paul Hastings, providing their insight into the early releases of the year, including :

Humanfly
The Joy Formidable
Lowlands
The Loyalties
Emperor the Stag
Cult of Luna
Biffy Clyro
The Omega Experiment


http://www.mudkiss.com/jan13reviews.htm

And returning to the fold, Lee McFadden with album of the month, a re-issued St Julian by Julian Cope. 

On the live front, Mel checks out Norwegian chanteuse Rebekka Karijord while interview wise, Helen Donlan grabs Mick O'Shea, Eva quizzes The Virginmarys, a band who seem to have been around for ever, only just receiving the attention they deserve, plus there's chats with Collibus, Snakes in the Grass  and Little Sparrow.

All in all, plenty to get your teeth into.

New AMPLIFIER track available for Free Download

Amplifier release a brand new slow burning teaser track "Matmos" available for free download, taken from their forthcoming album 'Echo Street' released on March 11th.  

The Manchester Prog giants have a short tour of the UK lined up in March, with further dates around Europe in April and May.

 

Free Downloads and cute cat pictures from ALCOPOP!

Those clever people over at Alcopop! have come up with a novel idea to showcase brand new Stagecoach track, 'Threequel' available as a free download.

Along with the song, everyone who contributed to the Blog Sound 2013 receives their own personally numbered, different compilation set inclusive more Alcopop! acts accompanied with an individual Cat in a Hat picture. 

Mudkiss Number 26 of 49 includes :

Gunning for Tamar
The Social Club
Johnny Foreigner
My First Tooth

All of which are also available for free.

Head over to Mudkiss special features and start collecting your free Alcopop! downloads and cute cat pictures.

DAMNATION FESTIVAL MAIN STAGE HEADLINER ANNOUNCED

English extreme metal legends CARCASS will return to headline the ninth Damnation Festival for their only UK appearance following the release of their first album in 17 years.

The death and grind standard bearers have promised another historic set which will feature cult classics alongside unexpected old gems and brand new material when they take the stage at Leeds University Union on Saturday, November 2, 2013.

And after helping to sell out Damnation Festival in advance back in 2008, guitarist Bill Steer is looking forward to performing to a packed house on their return to the event.

He said: “We’re very excited about the prospect of returning to Damnation Festival this year.

“Our appearance there in 2008 was a major highlight for us and this time around, people can expect to hear a fairly different Carcass set.

“The old favourites will be in there, of course, but we’re also planning to play a couple of the less obvious tracks from our past, as well as songs from the album we’ve just completed. Join us!”

With 22 more bands to be announced across three stages, festival director Gavin McInally, said fans can look forward to the melting pot of diverse styles of music Damnation Festival is known for from black metal to post-rock.

He added: “It was a coup to land the first UK Carcass show in 13 years in 2008 when fans snapped up every ticket going before we made it to the day itself and it’s another coup having the band return following the release of their first new album in 17 years.

“But even with the mighty Carcass topping the bill, we won’t be satisfied until we’ve pieced together a more challenging and brilliant day of music than the eight successful years we’ve already had the pleasure of hosting, so expect a lot more to come from 2013.”

Tickets for Damnation Festival 2013 are on sale now and will be held at last year’s price of £32 for a limited period.
To buy tickets, visit http://www.leedstickets.co.uk/ , the official Damnation Festival website athttp://www.damnationfestival.co.uk/ or facebook.com/damnationfestival.      

Definitely another trip to Leeds University required during the first weekend of November.  

And while you're here, check out my highlights of last year.

http://andysnewmusic.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/damnation-festival-2012-review.html

http://www.facebook.com/damnationfestival

http://www.damnationfestival.co.uk/news

https://twitter.com/damnationfest

COLLIBUS INTERVIEW

Metal and rock music in Manchester continues to grow in strength, bands from the city projecting themselves into a national, rather than purely local consciousness. Destined to do exactly that and more in 2013, a re-formed Collibus, who featured as one of our metal bands to watch over the next twelve months . Although around the scene since 2004, a slightly turbulent history saw the band taking a break before revealing a new line-up and resurgent attitude, looking to progress and develop their magnificently epic, symphonic sound.  Mudkiss spoke with powerhouse vocalist Gemma Fox about plans for  the forthcoming year.  

Check out the full interview here   http://www.mudkiss.com/collibusinterview.htm

Photographs by Rotted Grape Productions 

New Bowie Single and Album

Believe it or believe it not, brand new single from David Bowie "Where are We Now" released to coincide with his 66th birthday and a new album 'The Next Day' to follow in March.

WOLFCRUSHER - SKELETONIZER

One of the biggest disappointments for me in 2012, the demise of Wolfcrusher as a band. The 'Virgin Tapestry' album a totally brilliant collection, incorporating varying metal and rock styles to incredible effect.

Just to remind us exactly how good Wolfcrusher were, here's a posthumously released video of "Skeletonizer," the band at their blistering best.

http://www.reverbnation.com/wolfcrusher

Brand new Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds video

Brand new dark and shadowy video from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds for the bleakly brilliant and minimalist "We No Who U R" first track to appear from the forthcoming album 'Push the Sky Away' to be released next month.

THE PHOENIX EXPERIMENT - EP LAUNCH NIGHT

After seeing The Phoenix Experiment headline the Mudkiss Showcase night, definitely a band you need to see live. 

Coming on Saturday 1st March.... Witness the rise of the Phoenix in Warrington! Special EP Launch at Friars Court in association with [WAM] - WArrington Music-WArringtonMusic]... Support acts for the evening will be Modern Alarms Fan Page and Kindest Of Thieves... All for only £3!

More dates to be announced soon.

http://thephoenixexperiment.co.uk/

BLOGSOUND 2013 RESULTS

And the winners of The Blog Sound of 2013 are............... HAIM.

followed closely by

Chvrches
Savages 
Pins
The Neighbourhood

For more details head to 


http://www.mudkiss.com/blogsoundof2013winners.htm

ROCKSECTOR RECORDS GIG LISTINGS AND DOWNLOAD A FREE SAMPLER

ROCKSECTOR RECORDS ANNOUNCE TOUR DATES FOR THE EARLY PART OF 2013 : ABSOLVA, TRIAXIS, HANGING DOLL, BABYLON FIRE, INCASSUM, WIZZ WIZZARD & 4BITTEN.

 

We've been busy helping our bands get bookings for the early part of 2013 which sees Absolva & Babylon Fire playing shows together before Absolva head out again into Europe, whilst Triaxis, Hanging Doll & Incassum hook up together, Wizz Wizzard hit homeland Belgium before coming to the UK for SOS Festival, & 4Bitten as already announced tour UK & Europe as special guests with rock legends UFO. Further dates are also being worked upon but we wanted to let everyone know the picture so far.

Says label manager Mark Appleton.... "Never has the live circuit been so vitally important to rock & metal bands of all levels, & at Rocksector where we're already known for supporting live events, we've committed ourselves hard to giving our bands an early push in 2013. This is a work-in-progress & in addition to the dates announced today we'll be working closely with bands to arrange more shows. There will also be shows to come for Tygers of Pan Tang, Steel Threads, Exit State, Dave Evans & Fantasist. We have a roster packed full of exciting live performers & we look forward to seeing them out there again this year".

For a full listing so far please visit http://www.mwaweb.com/rocksector_tourdates.htm


And if you're not fully aware of the sheer quality of bands on Rocksector, grab a free sampler download over at Soundcloud. 

https://soundcloud.com/rocksector/sets/rocksector-records-free

And here's a video from a personal favourite of mine, the mighty Incassum.