RAMzine - Issue 10 by RAMzine

Contents Featured 04 Bloodstock Festival 10 MetalDays Festival

INTRODUCING

12 Chronicles

INTerview 14 Davey Suicide 15 Reading Fest Photos

17 Reviews Hamerex // Chronicles // Sixty Miles Ahead // God Damn // The Bad Flowers // Heriot // Allegaeon // Spore Lord // Infinite Earths // Dangers // Big Jesus // Diamond Days // This be the Verse // Illustr8tors // Eight Days // Hello Bear // Stoneman // Chasing Cadence // Whiskey Myers // A Province of Thay // Winterfylleth //Pagandom // The Last Band // RSJ // Voodoo Vegas

o that’s festival season wrapped up… almost! Lucky for us we still have Hard Rock Hell to look forward to in November. Headlined by Ugly Kid Joe, Ratt, and Glenn Hughes, we are sure to see a lot of talent on offer. We shall be in the comfort of one of the HRH cosy chalets, so no need to fear from that November Welsh weather. HRH is one of the festivals RAMzine has ‘grown up’ at, we have been going every year since the move over to Pwllheli . Through this festival we have met many fans, bands, and other media channels. This festival has shown us the pure spirt of music when people come together and work together. I may have been watching one too many TED Talks, but I really do appreciate the following statement… ‘‘it’s not what you do it’s why you do it.’’ That in mind, remember these pages are crafted with passion from our writers, editors, photographers, bands, and myself.

WELCOME!

- Victoria Purcell, Edi tor-In-Chief

P.s. Tweet or Facebook us if you are going to be at HRH we shall give you some goodies! \m/

Head to RAMzine.co.uk for lots more Rock & Metal content!

CONTRIBUTORS sh Nea le a nd A pb ell wi th Ph il Ca m

Ashley Crowson

Photograher & Writer On the cover: Dee Snider of Twisted Sister at Bloodstock 2016. -All Bloodstock Photos

Cover design: Gaz Jackson: www.sinisterarts.com Reading Festival photos by Sophie Colvin. Release Reviews by: Pagan Hel, Ashley Crowson, Stuart Iversen, Shaun Brown, Neil Mach, Stephen Stanford

Neale McGee ver eading Soph ie a t R Festi va l!

Contributing Editor -Bloodstock Review -Introducing Chronicles -Interview with Davey Suicide

E vil Scarecrow

Twist ed Sist er

Venom

Beh emouth

Diomond Head

Slayer

Ph il Ca mpb ell a nd Th e Ba st a rd Sons

Neale McGeever metal and havingWords a goodBy time.

bloodstock

18:00pm Many seasoned festival-goers know that the action doesn’t always start on the Friday, and there’s always amazing entertainment on the Thursday evening. Bloodstock 2016 is no different. On the Sophie Lancaster Stage Norwegian melodic death/thrash metallers SUBLIME EYES kick of the weekend’s live metal mayhem.

The biggest Bloodstock ever! This time last year we covered one hell of a Bloodstock festival. It was pretty hard to top Trivium, Within Temptation and Rob Zombie, but the organisers pulled headliners Twisted Sister, Mastodon, and Slayer out of the bag this year. Not to mention the rest of the stunning line-up. Although this is known as an ‘extreme’ metal festival, we saw a lot of variety. Take the headliners- we got glam-metal, progressive metal and American thrash metal. Bands from all over the world known the legacy of the event and what it means to fans who return each year. Here is a diary of contributing editor Neale McGeever’s weekend at Bloodstock.

Day 1: Thursday 13:00pm Arriving on site, it’s as if I’ve never left the place! It’s a bit cloudy but that shouldn’t over shadow the fun to be had this weekend. 17:00pm Tent up, unpacked, time for a drink. Just as well the icon that is PHIL CAMPBELL is about to open The Lemmy Bar. A great tribute to the Motorhead frontman by his band mate of over 30 years. Time to raise a Jack and coke for the great man.

19:00pm Closely following are KARYBDIS, SUMER, and PSYKOSIS -who turn out to be one of many great Irish bands this weekend. That’s all leading to the first headliner of Bloodstock: PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS. 21:45pm Who those who might not be aware of how awesome Phil Campbell is: this man played in Motorhead for over 30 years. Now in a band with his three sons, Campbell treats us to a collection of his favourite songs including ZZ Top’s ‘Sharpe Dressed Man’ and Black Sabbath’s ‘Sweet Leaf’ which are executed phenomenally by the Welsh legend. Of course we get all the Motorhead classics and original track ‘Big Mouth’. 22:10pm TWISTED SISTER vocalist Dee Snider joins Phil and the ‘Bastards’ on stage for a rendition of ‘Born To Raise Hell’ with a little help from Corrosion Of Conformity’s Pepper Keenan. Campbell pays his respects to his dear friend Lemmy and ‘all the friends we have lost in the past 12 months’ with a hard-hitting cover of David Bowie‘s ‘Heroes’ and finally finishing with another tribute to Mr Kilminster with Hawkwind’s ‘Silver Machine’. A really fitting tribute to the rock god. In all, Lemmy embodied what Bloodstock was all about: heavy

Friday 8:00am: That was one too many Jack n’ Cokes. How did Lemmy do it? I don’t think he stopped... 11.ooam: All the early risers (yeah, 11 is early here) wander in to the main arena for the first full day of the festival. The first band on the Hobgoblin New Blood Stage is stoner-metal from Mansfield in the shape of WITCH TRIPPER. Something different from what we are used to at Bloodstock but a great band none-the-less, somewhere between Black Stone Cherry and Metallica with more swagger (4/5). One of the most amazing thing about Bloodstock, and what sets them aside form other big festivals is the New Blood stage. This is a tent with a fair capacity which show cases new and unsigned bands from the UK (and Ireland this year) some have won the chance to be here via the ‘Metal To The Masses’ competitions, and some hand picked by the BOA team. Either way its a good way to check out some new talent. For these bands it’s a great way to get some exposure to an audience who might not usually listen to them. Exciting to see which bands catch our eyes, and ears this time around. 11:45am: Anglo-Swiss power metal mob GLORYHAMMER, whose vocalist – Angus McFife, Crown Prince of Dundee, Heir to the Kingdom of Fife…. real name Thomas Winkler – is dressed in green armour. This is a metal fest but that’s just taking the mick! God knows if GloryHammer actually serious or not but they are seriously fun.A highlight being the amount of fans in medieval garb with inflatable unicorns. maybe that’s normal for metal festivals though. GloryHammer is certainly one for fans

of DragonForce, or Twilight Force ( Are GloryHammer the only power metal band not to have ‘Force’ in their name?) (4/5). 12:50:If you thought that was OTT theatrics, wait until you see whats next - self-proclaimed ‘Bloodstock house band’ EVIL SCARECROW take to the stage. On Space-hoppers. Not wasting anytime – the Nottingham monster-metallers dive right in with ‘Robototron’ and ‘Hurricanado’ accompanied by their own unique dance routines. No-one is complaining about the silliness though. in fact, most of the crowd are dancing, dressed as mascots, or sometimmes carrying an inflatable crab. All in the name of ‘Crabulon’ which like Iron Maiden’s Eddie joined them for big performances like this one. Even frontman Dr. Hell loses it during the ‘However..’ section of the song. In fact it seems these guys and girls have more characters on stage than any other metal band, and it’s brilliant to see on the main stage. Drummer Monty Blitzfist even crowd surfs with part of his drum-kit in hand. Helmet’s off to the Scarecrows! (5/5)

Thirt een Stars!

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An ti-Clone

13:25pm: A quick pint of Scarecrow’s ale ‘Red Riding Hood’ before heading to the Sophie Lancaster stage for a band making their festival debut: ANTI CLONE. 13:30pm: Masked monsters Anti Clone bring the arena nu-metal experience to the Sophie stage complete with band members getting in to the circle pit. This style is somewhat of a baton passed from Slipknot, Mudvayne and Mushroom Head. Anti Clone are like a combination of these these bands and more. It’s easy to say nu metal is the forgotten half-cousin of the heavy metal family at these festivals but the Lincolnshire five-piece remind you how exciting it can be. This is a performance designed for festivals, frontman Mr Clone commanding the first ‘wall of death’ of the weekend. Playing early tracks along with tunes from their album The Root Of Man capturing the late 90s/early 00s feel of Korn and Linkin Park in their prime. The Lincolnshire lads do have a bright future ahead, maybe main stage next year? BRING OUT YA DEAD! (4/5) 15:05pm: From nu-metal revival, to one of the bands that laid the foundations for the genre – STUCK MOJO. As you can expect guitarist Rich ‘The Duke’ Ward is on fire as always. As are the rest of the band, and although their new vocalist Robby J is putting his heart and soul in to the performance,

there’s something missing. If original vocalist Bonz was on stage maybe it would have been a different story. Ward should return to this festival with Fozzy in my opinon, even though it’s great to see once-in-a-while performance.(3/5) 17:40pm: As the sun goes down – the devil’s creatures come out to play. This includes black metal pioneers VENOM, fronted by original vocalist Cronos bringing his Geordie demonic howl back to Bloodstock. Performing tracks from their award winning 2015 ‘From The Very Depths’ and classics ‘Black Metal’ and ‘Welcome To Hell’. Showing all the pretenders how it’s done with world-ending tracks like ‘Hammerhead’ and ‘Grinding Teeth’. It’s quite an honour to see such legends at this hour of the day considering they very rarely gig on their home-soil nowadays. Cronos even comments how he is surprised he hasn’t melted in the hot August weather. He is from the North East so he has possibly never seen the sun. The lyrics for ‘Black Metal’ are changed to acknowledge other styles too. Being part of NWOBHM,

along with tonight’s closing band Diamond Head, showing there’s a lot to be learnt from the legends. (4/5) 19:15pm: How do you follow band so in league with Satan? well play modern classic ‘The Satanist’, good thing BEHEMOTH is here to do that. Not just that they play it note-for-note, as intended. Bringing a vision of hell to the Ronnie James Dio hell are the Polish blackened death metal legends totally blow the whole festival away with this performance. (4/5)Showing how great this band is and how great the album is. With such showmanship, surely nothing can top that... although…wait… 21:00pm: Let’s be honest, the reason this is the biggest Bloodstock on record isn’t really for anyone else other than TWISTED SISTER who will be performing for the last time in the UK tonight. Such a shame as the glam-metal legends prove why they have sustained a 40 year career. You may know the hits, yet tracks like ‘Burn In Hell’ and ‘Like a Knife In The Back’ show why Dee Snider and ‘The Iron

Men Of Rock N Roll’ deserve headline status on the country’s biggest metal festival. “Fuck Download!” exclaims the iconic front-man , who constantly thanks the crowd for all the support ranging from getting them in the top 20 with ‘I Am (I’m Me)’ to seeing them tonight. ‘Forty and Fuck It!’ as the backdrop says. Dee stops to pay tribute to their late original drummer AJ Perro, as well as Dio and of course Lemmy. Acknowledging that they would be nothing if Mr Kilminster didn’t support them. For all aforementioned lost heroes, Snider dedicates ‘The Price’ which in true rock n roll tradition gets the lighters waving in the air. “We would have more pyro but Behemoth used it all” adds Dee. Seguing in to the anthem ‘I Wanna Rock’ makes tonight the highlight of the weekend. These guys haven’t lost it either. All surviving members haven’t changed since the days Dee wore blusher, lipstick and pink shoulder pads on Top Of The Pops. The encore also features signature tune ‘Come Out And Play’. The set finishes with a crowd-interactive version of the Stones’ ‘It’s Only Rock N Roll’ complete with ‘death metal’ style chants of “I like it”. Snider and guitarist Jay Jay French’s razor sharp banter is another thing we will miss. Here’s to hoping they might play one or two reunion shows before they say goodbye for good. The mix of great showmanship, great musicianship and a lot of interaction appeals to the hardcore TS fans as well as re-acquainting some younger Bloodstockers. (5/5) 22:40pm: That’s not all. DIAMOND HEAD still have time to shine on the Sophie stage. Opening with ‘Wild On The Streets’, a track Diamond Head haven’t performed live in a LONG time, followed by a mix of classics and new material. And talk about a masterclass! Original guitarist Brian Tatler is still killing it live. Like Twisted Sister, it’s easy to see why Diamond Head have stood the test of time

Twist ed Sist er

and inspired some of the biggest names in metal. Finishing with anthem ‘Am I Evil’ -This a good end to great day at BOA. (4/5)

Saturday 9:00am : What a night! Surely today can’t be as epic as last night. We have the likes of Fear Factory, Gojira, Acid Reign and Mastodon... so possibly! As Bon Jovi famously sang ‘Whoa-ohhh we’re half way there’ not that Bon Jovi would play BOA, but he is right this is the midway point of the festival. With a plethora of heavy-as-hell bands to choose from it’s like an all-you-can-eat for metal heads. So where do we start? 10:45am: First up on this bright and sunny Saturday are dread-headed prog/thrash fusionists CAMBION who firmly wake up all the tired campers of Bloodstock (3/5) 11:00am: Over on the Sophie stage ‘horror metal’ mob THE HERETIC ORDER bring some ghoul-ish theatrics you would expect from bands like Ghost, not just because they look like they are wearing Evil Scarecrows change-of-clothes. It’s a shame they aren’t on the main stage, they could have a much bigger audience. Maybe next year? (4/5)

that about a lot of the best bands who have played here before too, including yesterday’s line-up. Some could even say that about tonight’s headliner too, but we shall come to that in good time. (3/5) 13:50pm: The afternoon goes on and many fans gather for another return – this time for fusion/ tech metallists ACKERCOCKE who are oddly without their trademark suits. Even so it’s a fantastic display by original vocalist Jason Mendonca and his original band of brothers. Despite being a relatively short set, they squeeze in ‘Scapegoat’ any many more modern classics.This should be the foundation of what tech-metal should be built on. (4/5) 14:55pm: Greek gods of extreme metal ROTTING CHRIST are next on the bill, raising enough hell to eclipse the sun. This is like a slightly scaled down Behemoth but certainly worthy of the main stage. (3/5)

11:45am: Following on the main stage are groove-metal comeback kings KILL II THIS who deliver on a great set but seem slightly out of place at such a ‘metal’ festival. Not a bad thing as the wild cards are always great to see at Bloodstock.You could say

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16:05pm: The names keep getting bigger and better, proven by industrial legends FEAR FACTORY who sound phenomenal in the sunshine. Burton C Bell might not be as awake as we are (mainly) but who cares? We get to hear the likes of Replica’ and a cover of Head Of David’s ‘Dog day Sunrise’ live. It’s all part of the well-oiled machine chugging along for the Bloodstock crowd. ‘Pisschrist’ is possibly the highlight of the day. Not just for the awesome performance but the timing of a punter dressed as Jesus crowd surfing at the reprise of the lyrics ‘Where is you saviour now?’ pointing and smiling. Either way, a fantastic set.(4/5)

Me tal Allegiance

17:40pm: PARADISE LOST usher the sun down with their own brand of deep, dark, Gothic Metal. Mixing really early, heavier material, with lighter stuff and new material, its a mixed bag.This is the first time they have played BOA in 4 years. It’s clear why. Looks like Saturday is the day of the ‘wildcard’. Slightly drab, but a professional, show from the Yorkshiremen, especially for huge fans. (3/5) 18:39 - quick sprint to the Sophie Stage! 18:40 BULL RIFF STAMPEDE are the midway point between death and thrash metal – and no that’s not a name made up by Alan Partridge (I’ve officially used that joke twice – in two separate reviews now). They were booked last minute to replace Nails, which is strange as BRS feel like they should have been booked in the first place.This band is literally what BOA is all about, something original, exciting, and most excitingly – heavy. It’s a shame they weren’t on the main stage, then again there’s so many huge names on there it would be hard to fit them on there. (4/5) 19:15Pm: Today’s penultimate band are French prog/tech heroes GOJIRA who draw the biggest crowd of the day. There’s a feel a lot of them are here out of curiosity and the rest are already hooked on Joe Duplantier and co’s structural stylings. Complex and well thought – Gojira make the earth move with tracks from ‘Magma’ such as the anthemic ‘Stranded’, peppered with earlier tracks like ‘Wisdom Comes’. This is almost feels like a headliner, especially in comparison to what was to come. Band of the day for sure. (5/5) 21:00pm - Actual Saturday headliner MASTODON, who is possibly the most stand out

Gojira

name on the bill today. Not to say the stoner/ prog metallers aren’t as part of this festival as the rest of the line-up but with so many huge names playing this weekend: one wonders why they are headlining. I can’t image anyone came just for Mastodon, compared to fellow headliners Twisted Sister and Slayer. The Atlanta four-piece show up, play, and leave. Of course the playing is superb and technically second-to-none but there isn’t much soul it. Especially compared to the blow-away headline set from Twisted Sister on Friday. Slightly disappointing as I really wanted them to be great, perhaps switching the line-up around would have worked better.

‘The Motherload’ sees drummer Bran Dailor taking vocal duties. This is the 5th track of 20, making it feel really tedious. Maybe this is why prog died out the first time around. Mastodon are also playing Reading/ Leeds festivals this summer. On the fourth stage. Although it’s a different crowd it’s easy to see why. This band have a particular fan-base but my instincts say Gojira or even Fear Factory could have taken their place and had more of a ‘headliner’ feel. Great effort lads, but this set has moved me in the wrong sort of way. To the Sophie Stage, for the closing band of tonight…(3/5)

22:40pm - Some may say the true headliners of Saturday are on the Sophie Lancaster stage tonight. This would be the returning UK thrashers ACID REIGN who haven’t so much ‘reformed’ but have been ‘rebooted’ with a fresh line-up. Even so Howard ‘H’ Smith is still the power pack he was in the late 80s, climbing the speakers in a bright pink tophat and tail. ‘H’ even jokes “Thanks to our support act tonight, Mastodon” Which feels pretty true “I see a future for those boys” he adds. Another Sophie stage closer that deserve to be on the main stage. Alas, this is the perfect environment for the cult heroes. UK thrash is an unrelated sub genre that really needs a revival. For those who want an idea of this style – think Vyvian from The Young Ones, what would he listen to? Although the set is over an hour long, it feels pretty short. Tracks like ‘Blind Aggression’ are so high energy and fast paced, its like a blur of metal. Finishing with new track ‘Motherly Love’ this has been a great set, and a memorable finish to a ‘mixed bag’ of a Saturday. (4/5)

Sunday 9:00am - Start of the final day, why is everyone talking about Harambe? 10:40am - Safe to say half the crowd in Catton Hall are still shaking off the cobwebs after 3 nights of non-stop rock n roll. 10:45am - Good thing they have a nice fresh GHOST BATH to wake them up. [I think it worked]. You know when people listen to a ‘heavy’ band and say “It’s just screaming!”, well this black metal outfit from North Dakota are mainly…screaming. Although are nothing but ‘Metal’ there’s hints of other influences like The Cure and Joy Division. Maybe they are just misunderstood. There is definitively some great musicianship and a certain sense of avant-garde to this band. (3/5) 12:20am - KRYSTHLA, which is pronounced like ‘Chris Fuller, with a lisp’. Have plenty of swagger and don’t feel like they have just released their first LP at all, there’s a lot to be said for a years of experience.

main event, if you will. A band whose name has been on everyone’s lips since Thursday afternoon and naturally for the past 35 years. Slayer. Even hearing their name gives the most casual metal fan goosebumps. Core members Tom Araya and Kerry King remain the main staple of the band, and even after the death of guitarist Jeff Hanneman and the many ups-and-downs of metal, they remain on top form. Tonight is a great example of this. From newer tracks like ‘Repentless’ opening the set to anthems like ‘Die By The Sword‘, ‘Dead Skin Mask’ and – highlight of the night – ‘Raining Blood’ this is a masterlass in metal.

Dragon force

13:45pm -As the day goes on the usual fun resumes and one of the main spectacles of the weekend is about to go down on the Ronnie James Dio Stage. Super-duper group METAL ALLEGIANCE which features Gary Holt (Slayer), Mark Oseguada (Death Angel), Charlie Benante (Anthrax/SOD), Alex Skolnick (Testament), among other faces in the world of rock/metal. A perfect mish-mash of bands playing all kinds of tracks from Iron Maiden’s ‘Wraithchild’ to another tribute to Lemmy in the form of Motorhead’s ‘Iron Fist’. Worth the wait but doesn’t really set the world on fire either. (4/5) 14:20pm - It’s Doom over Derbyshire on the Sophie Stage as WITCHSORROW deliver an absolute beast of a set. It’s clear this hard-hitting trio are well-learned in metal and presence as well as sound. Vocalist/guitarist Necroskull ticks all the rock-star boxes from the poses to “Scream for me Bloodstock” – The Hampshire three-piece deserve a place on the main stage next time (4.5/5). 16:20 - One of the worst things about great festivals is when awesome bands clash. Halfand-half of each set is sometimes the only way to go DragonForce and Whispered are on at the same time!

shape of the whole main arena singing along to ‘Fire And The Flames’ which is celebrating it’s 10th year. Only setback (if this counts as one) is DF’s songs are pretty long so they only manage five tracks. Also props to the guy who brought a Guitar Hero controller to the festival to ‘play along’ with the riffs. Band of the day, so far (5/5). 19:15pm Getting deep into the last day of what has been an outstanding festival, we come to the penultimate band of the weekend – ANTHRAX. What else can you say about a band who constantly deliver the goods in a luxurious thrash-metal package? And have been doing so for over 30 years. The difference today is Jon Donais (formerly of Shadows Fall) is on guitar duties. What a fantastic job he does as well. Not forgetting the iconic Scott Ian also killing it on guitar too. Fitting in their trademark cover of ‘Antisocial’ (originally by Trust) and Joe Jackson’s ‘Got The Time’ as well as their own classics like ‘Madhouse’, ‘Evil Twin’ and always effective closing track ‘Indians’. Very close to Joey Belladonna’s heart. Still puzzles why people find it appropriate to wear Native headdresses too Anthrax gigs. (4/5) 21:00pm - Now time for the closing band, the

16:25 -Starting their first ‘battle’ in the UK are Finnish ‘Samurai metal squad’ WHISPERED. For those trying to figure that out – this is Japanese folk-inspired speed metal. The band are dressed to the occasion in kimonos and traditional face-paint. Tracks like ‘Strike!’ prove this band need more exposure and time-slot that doesn’t clash with a band they are often compared to…(5/5) 16:40 - Over to the main stage where we find DRAGONFORCE. Who are a little late, so splitting bands wasn’t a bad idea after all. Even so, this is a blinder of a set. Everyone is having a fantastic time dancing to Herman Li’s crazy riffs blended with Marc Hudson’s epic vocal, and Vadim Pruzhanov’s space age synths (or keytar in this case). Hudson Donning a ‘Doom’ tee and their melodies not sounding out of place in a fantasy RPG – it’s easy to see the power-metallers’ appeal. A highlight of the weekend comes int he

I did mention last night’s headliner, Mastodon, were pretty dull. OK, SLAYER aren’t as energetic as Dee Snider et al and just stand still, more or less, but they do it with a lot of heart and conviction. The riffs speak for themselves. As their latest album is anything to go by, Slayer will always have a huge audience, and they keep delivering. Slayer are like what . BOA have saved the best ’til last (5/5) And there we have it. Another Bloodstock festival comes to a close. 2015 was fantastic, but 2016 blew it out of the water completely. Many times it was mentioned this was the biggest Bloodstock ever and it’s easy to see why. Mastodon’s headline set may have been a misfire but Twisted Sister were so amazing, it’s forgivable. Who will we see in 2017? I’m sure we will find out in good time. Will it be as great as 2016? Let’s hope so, got a lot to live up to. Putting the bigger, more corporate festivals to shame. This just doesn’t have atmosphere, but also great bands, and a great setting. Things can only get better for Bloodstock. Overall it gets a 5/5

An thrax

Slayer

All photos by Ashley Crowson

”The idea here is not to only offer a normal festival. We offer a mixture of a holiday and a festival... we offer the people a rather small festival which lasts for one week or longer - where the location is not over crowded and people have enough space to breath... enough space to move around. Where there is a mixture of bands so that everybody can find something that they like.” - Boban Milunovic, Festival Organiser. RAMzine took a flight over to Ljubljana, Slovenia, where we then travelled by car to the beautiful town Tolmin. Having camped in previous years, we decided we wanted a touch of luxury this year so decided to rent a villa for the week. The views in Tolmin weather when you are in the campsite, accommodation or just popping to the shops are absolutely breathtaking. Mountains surround the festival but the best views are certainly at the beach! I’ll be honest - covering a large festival, whilst conducting interviews can be a tricky job. You don’t get to watch all the bands, however MetalDays is very relaxed in that aspect. At UK festivals you can sometimes focus all of your time on watching bands, however the MetalDays location has much more to offer! We shall get back to that in a bit. Over 100 bands played throughout the week, here are our favourite 20, in order of stage time: Orphaned Land hail from Israel and wear traditional dress. We heard them being referred to as ‘The pioneers of Oriental Metal’ - and listening to them that sums them up perfectly. The band promotes a positive message of unity between cultures, and religions. Fleshgod Apocalypse never fail to disappoint with their mid-century metal. New album ‘King’ is about exactly that, a King who is the last individual with good morals in their kingdom. Brutal as ever with an interesting stage show, I can see them being headliners in a few years. Jess Cox from Tygers of Pan Tang brings a different vibe from the metal we had been immersed in during the day. Tygers of Pan Tang were seen to be part of the NWOBHM back in the 80’s, and Jess takes us back to that time. The masses appear at The Lemmy Stage for Testament. They truly have dedicated fans - you could see the passion in everyone’s head banging. The skills of guitarist Alex Skolnick are prodigious! The set was 90 minutes of legendary thrash that people repeatedly reminisced about over the duration of the festival, and sure will long after. A great start to the week! Unfortunately Glory Hammer had to cut their set short to just three songs due to the rain. After their set at the bar, they told us that they were very dis-

appointed as they had really been looking forward to returning to this festival. Still these heroes of fantasy metal got to play ‘Rise of the Chaos Wizards’. Skindred absolutely stole the show! We know by now that they have excellent stage presence, and are one of the best crowd-interacting bands on the festival run. Even when they play a Justin Beiber clip, they have the whole crowd dancing, even though they said “You are about to hear the most evil music”. It’s hard for any band to follow on from something that got the crowd so pumped. Even so, Marduk just did not perform what I would expect of a headline set. The set was just four guys playing black metal - which if already a Marduk fan, perhaps that’s fine. I was expecting something more on the ‘Behemoth’ scale - a bit more attention to stage presence and creativity in design of show. NY hardcore heavyweights Pro-Pain give it their all through the rain. People came to rock out to this punch-face bro-rock in their ponchos. The crowd start to chant for Graveyard. They wail into the mountains of Tolmin with their ‘60s - ‘70s bluesy classic rock. When the sun is shining and Graveyard are playing, beer in hand, you are transported back to a nostalgic psychedelic-infused time. Napalm Death have been going for a long time now, and have their stage show down to a tee. It’s all so fast, and we see pit after pit from the crowd. It’s great to see them still standing for what they believe in, after so many years. The crowd is huge for Rise of the North Star over on the second stage, and full of fans singing along. They are a French Hardcore band who love Japanese style, but have a very strong NYHC vibe about them. A band for many cultures. “MetalDays the Kreator have returned” announces Mille Petrozza. The biggest wall of death open up ready for ‘Awakening of the Gods’ as absolute insanity rains down on Tolmin. Seeing Kreator raise the ‘Flag Of Hate’ also never gets old. When Delain take to the stage, the sunshine comes out. They open with hit ‘Suckerpunch’. Such energy from Charlotte and the band - they have a great stage presence. We love a bit of symphonic metal in the sunshine! Take me on a journey, let’s smoke some weed… are

just a few things that cross my mind whilst listening to the amazing Electric Wizard. I could sway in a wave of their music all day. DevilDriver burst onto the stage for one of the most anticipated sets of that day! The band played an outstanding set on the main stage which saw many heads banging along to new tracks from their new album. The festival was the start of DevilDriver’s Trust No One Tour. I wasn’t expecting many people to know Bury Tomorrow, since they are from the UK. However they had a huge turnout, and played a fantastic set. It was an honor to see a live set from At The Gates, the masters of the extreme metal scene. They played for nearly two hours, never faltering. The powerful Dead Label played the main stage. Peoples rocked out and started a circle pit in the rain at just 2.30pm (early for MetalDays). You seriously need to check out their track ‘Salvation In Sacrifice’. Varg have an excellent stage presence. Hailing from Germany, the band released the same album in French and English. They dress in red and black make-up making them look brutal as fuck! Our new favourite grindcore band is 100% Gutalax from Czech Republic. They sing about all things disgusting, including poop. The crowd came armed with toilet brushes and loo roll (we are being deadly serious). The vocals of lead singer Maty, are something that we could only compare to a frog? Dragonforce’s singer Marc Hudson was unfortunately taken ill at MetalDays, and could not perform. the band flew in PelleK (from Norway). He is known in the rock and metal scene for his

the people of metaldays welcoming us brits

the beach!

left in stock by the Friday, from a decent range. It wouldn’t be a true metal festival if we didn’t drink the bar dry, right?!

vocal range which spans between four octaves. That managed to play ‘Cry Thunder’, ‘Symphony of the Night’, ‘The Last Journey Home’, and of course ‘Through The Fire and The Flames’. The song of the weekend for me at least, as we were singing for days after was ‘Ring of Fire’ a Johnny Cash cover. PelleK has done a great job, a great stand in. One of the best things about MetalDays is the people you meet. It’s the only festival in the world where you can meet such a diverse range of people. I made long-lasting friends from Belgium, France, Germany, Australia, Slovenia and more. It’s easy being a Brit, as many people tend to speak English as a way to communicate with each other since they are all from different places. Going to the beach after the bands have finished playing is usually where these friendships are formed. Sitting on the beach looking out at the moon, talking about whatever comes to mind after you have had one too many ’Sex On The Beach’. That seemed to be the only cocktail

Walking around the festival campsite, you are surrounded by mountain views - it’s quite breathtaking. People are so friendly here - I was delighted to be offered some mead by the Belgium’s, and BBQ by the Argentinians. It’s so funny that every festival I have been to around the world or in the UK, has similar campsite rituals. In the UK we tend to always be searching for someone called ‘DAVE’ whereas in Slovenia is seems to be someone called ‘MARJAN’! There are many variations on drinking games, however a popular one that I was told about was Flunkyball. This is how it works - You have two teams who are standing in a line opposite each other. In the middle you have a target and at each person’s feet is a beer. You have to take turns throwing something at the target. When you knock it over your team can drink from their beers. The other team needs to put the target back up again - if the target is up the drinking must stop. The goal is to finish all your beers. When you knock over a person’s beer you need to open a punishment beer - this means that you have to start your drinking again, so are further away from winning. Another MetalDays ritual seems to be the ‘Vodka Watermelon’ - this is where vodka is funnelled into a watermelon, to create a tasty treat. A ritual most certainly unique to MetalDays is floating down the river on your inflatable to get to the other beach. As you can tell, MetalDays is truly a unique metal festival; not only full of music but also fantastic experiences and opportunities for metalheads. Already announced for MetalDays 2017 is Opeth, Doro, Bloodbath, Hell, Xandria, Batushka, Katana, Visions Of Atlantis, and many more to be announced soon. RAMzine will be going again next year 100%!

MetalDays organiser

Boban Milunovic Whats is your favourite MetalDays memory?

Thats a hard question! I like every year of MetalDays equally, every year is unique. I think my favourite memory was in 2008, we had Motorhead as a headliner and I had the chance to speak to Lemmy and have fun with him for an evening.

We have seen that Opeth are playing net year! I have to say that they are probably my favourite metal band, im really happy to have them again!

How can new bands get on the MetalDays line-up? At least one band members needs to come to the festival, they bring a CD and fill out a form, we then read though all of those forms. We look at what they do for their own fan base and for the metal scene.

What does MetalDays do differently to other festivals? Every customer is a guest of mine, and I like to give them the treatment they don’t perhaps get at the festivals. We really do respond to every complaint, and criticism of the festival, and I will continue to do that every year. After MetalDays I take a whole month to read all the comments on social media, our forum, and the emails that come in. I reply to all of them. This year i took it one step further, I offered for guests to meet me every day at the Meet and Greet tent in person. They can say what bothers them, or what they like. Read all the full interview with answers in more detail online at www.ramzine.co.uk.

By Vic toria Purcell 11

Introducing Chronicles Classics!

There’s a lot of odd subgenres that are exclusive to certain bands. HIM had ‘Love Metal’, Whispered have ‘Samurai Metal’, but a group of lads from Nottingham class themselves as ‘Street Mafia Geek Metal’. This band is Chronicles, who have just released their self-titled debut EP and even got the chance to play the ‘New Blood’ stage at this year’s Bloodstock. We caught up with vocalists, Bane Holland and Leigh Dickens, at the festival to talk about their inspirations, what ‘Geek Metal’ is and what they have in store for us next. So you class yourselves as ‘Street Mafia Geek Metal’ what does this mean?

Leigh: Oh yeah I forgot about that (laughs). On stage you should do the old ‘day-oh’ (In Freddie Mercury style).

Bane: The ultimate edition on blu-ray is probably better [like Batman Vs Superman] but this was better from the start.

Bane: I think Leigh would look good in a yellow jumpsuit! He has the ‘tache! A mix between Freddie and Macho Man Randy Savage.

Leigh: We have the Suicide Squad song written. We have another one somewhere too. We actually wrote before the film was even announced. We haven’t jump jumped on the Warner Bros gravy-train. We were on time for ‘Day Vs Night’ though.

Leigh: Macho Mercury!

What do you have in store for your Bloodstock set then?

Bane: We do songs about comic-book heroes and villains, The Walking Dead, games, vikings, everything really, everything ‘geeky’.

Bane: We’re just on for half an hour -it’s a powerful, fastflowing set. We keep it upbeat for Bloodstock. We’re going to use this slot to our advantage. I’m a veteran to BOA anyway, I’ve been about four times. These guys have been are here for the first time so it’s really exciting. We’re going to use this to promote our mini album with former Sikth front-man Justin Hill producing. Everything’s being written at the moment for that.

How do you find inspiration? Does it come when you watch something? Bane: I’ve been reading comics for years, I have a library at home. I’ve always write about comic-books that mean something to me. For example Batman book ‘The Killing Joke’ to stuff that was just on TV like Game Of Thrones. Leigh: There’s a song on our EP called ‘Day Vs Night’ which is about ‘Batman Vs Superman’. ‘Fun Boy’ which is about ‘The Crow’, in the past we’ve done ones about Constantine, about the character ‘Bane’ (Batman)... Bane:...everything! Leigh: Except Flash Gordon. Bane: I think Queen covered that! (laughs) But we’re better than Queen (laughs)

Have you seen the newer DC films like ‘Suicide Squad’, and will you write a song about that? Bane: Yeah, we love it! No need for the hate! I was confident in David Ayers as a director anyway. Amazing story-teller, amazing visuals. Leigh: Warner Bros. get too involved in these films. You could say the same about ‘Batman Vs Superman’.

Leigh: Which is ridiculous because our EP only came out last Saturday and we’re already planning the next release. Bane: It’s good to be busy though. Rather that than have nothing to look forward to, or busy for. It’s coming out in the new year and takes us further in to the new year, hopefully for big things! Chronicles’ EP is available now!

By Neale McGee ver 13

‘Rock fans haven’t gone anywhere. They just need a reason to fall in love again.’ With Suicide Squad, Suicide Girls, Suicide Silence, as well as Davey Suicide. Does the word mean anything? ‘‘I remember a couple years ago, radio wouldn’t play us because Suicide was in our name’’ says the vocalist, who is releasing his own material now. «It’s nice that the public finally grew a pair and embraced a term that exists in our life.’’ he continued. Davey posted a video on his official Facebook explaining why he has filed a lawsuit. The video has since been removed. The first track the band are releasing after this was reporting is rebellion anthem ‘Ri-

sing Up’: ‘‘It’s about standing up for yourself and saying, I’ve had enough’’. In 2016 some may agree it is better to release your own material, and take full control, rather than be signed to a label. ‘‘We are out of hell’’ as Davey puts it ‘‘Every situation is different. There are plenty of bands who aren’t resourceful enough to go indie, who need someone holding their hand. There are advantages to being on majors and having the exposure that an indie isn’t financially capable of reaching.’’ Some have said that ‘rock’ and the music industry in general is now ‘dead’, Davey disagrees: ‘‘I say this to everyone. Rock

fans haven’t gone anywhere. They just need a reason to fall in love again.’’ It’s clear Davey is still a big rock fan himself listing Rammstein, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, and In This Moment as his dream tour for Davey Suicide to open for. He has been thrown in to a lot of sub-categories over the year: glam, sleaze, goth, and now in the revival of ‘nu metal’, yet Davey himself isn’t sure on the label:»I’d think we are the ‘nu’ twist and the future of these sub-genres that a lot of us grew up loving». Davey Suicide are about to release their third album, Made From Fire, next year with tour dates to follow.

By Neale McGee ver

By Sophie Colvin

REVIEWS to their album called ‘The Evil Within’ which focuses in on the human race or indeed the state of it.

Hamerex Traitor Self Release Review by Pagan Hel Three years after the release of their previous album ‘IX’ Hamerex return with brand new album ‘Traitor’ which saw Hamerex writing tracks collaboratively for the first time, which for them they say has been an ‘incredible experience!’ This time round the tracks ‘Dead Mountain’ and ‘Journey’s End’ have come out bolder than previous as some touch on historical events about the Dyatlov Pass Incident of last year and much earlier with the Hindenberg disaster. Hamerex have also added a nine minute monster

The opening title track ‘Traitor’ is bass-laden with wisps of guitar and contains the now familiar chug that Hamerex are famed for! There is a good deal of character in it as the band have explored every avenue to make the album interesting and imaginative. ‘The Dark Tower’ introduces a soaring guitar which scours the heights as a tempered drum beat guides it through its paces. The familiar chug once again showing its face adding sheer metal excitement to the track! ‘Dead Mountain’ employs a range of drum beats and then the flexible fingers of Steve Blower come into play. It’s rather a predatory track that gives off an air of menace. Pulsing with large strides of bass and harmonies and indeed it is a real chunk of metal emotion. ‘The Nameless One’ is a rather sultry and melodic affair, drenched with intrigue from the start. The crooning tones of Steve’s vocals connect superbly well into the mix, furthering on it explodes into a nagging guitar riff and high octane vocals which was totally unexpected but more than welcome. ‘Eyes of Deceit’ is a real stomper! The thick slabs of metal are prevalent and shows character as it employs catchiness and tumultu-

ous heavy rhythms with a good solid vocal, the added keyboard really lifts the tempo and adds depth. ‘The Abyss’ begins with startling strings and a sparse drum beat that blends a certain amount of anticipation of what is about to follow and when the bass kicks in it suddenly reveals a good injection of emotion. It’s a highly charged track without being over the top and is an amazing instrumental allowing the listener to engage fully with Hamerex on a musical level. ‘The Evil Within’ is a lively track that bounces with a vigorous rhythm and rousing drum beat. It’s high spirited and eager to please venturing into an almost bluesy field. ‘Journey’s End’ is quite doom laden and sultry giving off a dark invasive vibe and impressively stalks with a predacious stride. As quickly as the doom begins it shakes off the cloak and reveals a contagious chugging rhythm. Traitor may not be the most unique album to be released, but what it does provide is an insight into how Hamerex work together as a band and what they have produced is a keen metal album that shows greater potential for further albums to follow!

Chronicles Chronicles Self Release Review by Ashley Crowson Chronicles nailed a great set at Bloodstock, and those early enough were handed their EP. Catchy as hell, this is a perfect culmination of metal, comics, films and everything geeky. The only downer being that it is just three tracks long. Assaulting dual vocals, drums attacking like storm trooper laser fire (except hitting the target!), bass and guitars playing like the finest space battle. It’s a great EP you cannot help but love. Brilliant geek metal!

REVIEWS

Sixty Miles Ahead God Damn

The Bad Flowers Heriot

Insanity

Everything Ever

The Bad Flowers

Worlds Collapse

Eclipse Records

One Little Indian Records

Self release

Self Release

Review by Pagan Hel Sixty Miles Ahead are just what the doctor ordered! The chugging madness really gets under the skin and compels with irresistible lures and moody, sultry encounters that plague the brain. Catchy and forthright it provides a hearty reward for all who listen. Diverse too! With powerful riffs and also acoustic leanings, it really is superb to get your lobes around but for me it is those energetic chugs that make this a great album. Yes it has been done before but it never gets old.

Review By Stuart Iversen Hailing from Wolverhampton, God Damn are the latest duo to forgo a bass guitar in an attempt to make a mark on the rock and roll landscape. Their second album, Everything Ever, is a combination of grungy riffs and pop hooks and when it works it will leave you unsure whether to flip a table or sing along. Yet, in a year when British rock is smashing down all sorts of doors, these songs lack the bite required to elevate God Damn above their peers.

Review by Pagan Hel Such strong vocals with plenty of clout is immediately pleasing to the ears along with hard hitting melodies, a great start to this magnificent EP, and it just keeps on getting better and better. The harmonies are compelling and driven with plenty of bluesy swagger that pulsates and throbs with potent catchiness and great lyrics too. This is all you could ask for from this rock trio. Stable rhythms and rousing riffs in abundance it’s bursting at the seams with hooks a plenty.

Review by Ashley Crowson World Collapse starts out nasty, that good kind of nasty. ‘Myrr’ plays slow and short, crashing heavily along its way into ‘China Lake’ which really builds the pace steadily, a real monster of a track! ‘Kleptocracy’ brings a more haunting appeal to the EP, with something evil lurking deep within. Closing off with another beast, this EP isn’t for the feint hearted, it takes the hardcore and dooms finest elements, it’s heavy, aggressive, explosive, yet all controlled. Awesome!

Allegaeon

Spore Lord

Infinite Earths

Dangers

Proponent for Sentience

In the Beginning

Into the Void

The Bend in the Break

Metal Blade

Self Release

Topshelf Records

Review by Pagan Hel Who can resist such a band? Their drama pans out to reveal an amazing spirit with expanding perfection as each riff draws you closer to the edge of mesmerisation. I remember the name Allegaeon from 2011 and the thrills they gave me as their music was played frequently on Infernal Rock Radio and it is great to see the band still flourishing and being one of the strongest modern melo-death bands on the scene today. If Allegaeon was a storm cloud it would produce rainbows.

Review by Pagan Hel One would be under the impression that this is a doom metal band judging by the title tracks and indeed the name. I don’t think I am wrong in suggesting that Spore Lord are perhaps more sludge/doom than actual metal. Exploring nagging riffs, solid bass hooks and a fuzzy rhythm that can be heard within its mighty structure, possessing plenty of punch and vigour as it clearly has an agenda. So time to strike up a splif and chill-out – one, two, three go!

Review by Shaun Brown Crawling up from the deep depths of hell, Infinite Earths have concocted a barnstorming maelstrom of creativity that interlaces cacophonous black metal with snippets of Opeth-esque melody with nonchalant ease. As intricate as it is destructive, this riff-laden monolith sounds like it would break your neck in an instant before delivering a heartfelt eulogy at your funeral. It’s schizophrenic lunacy sitting seamlessly next to mesmerizing prog-rock. A stellar effort.

Review By Pagan Hel Erm who stood on the cat’s paw? ‘Human Noose’ sounds like someone is in extreme agony, vocally anyway! However the second track makes me smile somewhat thinking of the noisy nuisance of a neighbour whom on many occasion has been called a ‘Pleb’ but I digress. Maybe this is the ‘music’ I should be playing to ward off evil neighbours – it certainly holds plenty of aggression and after a while it’s like the pain wears off and Nova cane takes over. It definitely grows on you.

Big Jesus Oneiric Mascot Label Group Review by Neil Mach Following shows with Good Charlotte, Big Jesus from Atlanta, Georgia release Oneiric on 30th September. They play melodic rock with a touch of metal influence. In ‘SP’ we recognized the dark cut of Pantera and the East Bay punk attitude of Green Day. But when we listened to the rest of the album we arrived at furious storms such as ‘Always’. Here is full-faced, dark enmeshment. Embroidered with sweet dulcet voices that escape through the porous guitar-veins like honey. There’s more sweet-eyed vocals on ‘Lock & Key’. The voice reminded us of Brendan Brown [Wheatus] whose perfectly pitched falsettos on ‘Dirtbag’ were mind-blowing. The detailed imaginations of guitarist and audio engineer C.J. Ridings come across grandly on every track. ‘Oneirica’ for example has inventive percussion and the mood and nostalgia of Strawberry Fields Forever. Yes, that effective! ‘Shrimp’ starts with twanging resonance. Like something offered by Ennio Morricone. Then the cool-gentle voice starts to unfurl against woodwind. This number could be filed under art rock or progressive. But we go back to sludge on ‘Felt in Reverse’. Though it’s fair to add that the dark atmosphere is hardly pessimistic. This is not typical doom — in fact, the consistency, and intelligent use of harmony is more like psychedelic pop than anything else. You’ll be convinced by persuasive pastoral tones and may forget that you are listening to heavy rock. Fortunately, ‘Heaviest Heart’ comes at the end, like a fuzzfilled buzz-bomb of idiosyncratic electric yawnings and cut-throat riffs. Big Jesus make sounds that remind us of the ‘Silversun Pickups’ — perhaps trapped in the middle of 1990 in Seattle, with Alice in Chains. Do they make heavy metal? Oh yeah! But their brooding drone and sense of melody is undeniably special. Oneiric means ‘dreamlike’ i.e. those flash-back moments. Well this album is full of ‘em. It will certainly get your limbic system working...

Diamond Days

This be the Verse Illustr8tors

The Death of Us

This be the Verse

Self Realease

Review by Pagan Hel Liverpool quartet Diamond Days are soon to release their 5 track E.P The Death of Us but it is such a shame that the band have decided to go down the pop rock route as personally I think they are capable of being much more than their genre s u g g e s t s. There are a lot of astute melodies, and Cyrus King catchiness, This be the Verse but I find the band far too mainstream to engage in fully. It’s all very ‘nicey, nicey’ if you get my drift. Musically the band are strong musicians that much has to be said but the genre for me, is what lets them down somewhat. For me there isn’t anything that stands out with Diamond Days sadly. Nothing that immediately shows off a wow factor or makes me want to listen to more of them. Maybe ‘live’ they could showcase their art in a better light, being a young band it is safe to say that their influences of nu-metal, alt rock and pop punk will only appeal to certain people whose influences have not yet reached the extreme end of the scale, like mine, but saying that it is not anyone’s fault, it is just the way the cookie crumbles I guess. I like Nu-Metal when it is screaming vengeance but when it is singing what sounds like girly pop tunes it tends to get a bit cheesy and doesn’t quite cut the mustard for me, but it would hardly be a good move if we all loved exactly the same music would it? Don’t take my word for it see them live and make up your own mind!

Review by Pagan Hel With more than a hint of industrial madness and more besides This be the Verse are well on the way to a breakthrough with their new album of the same name, due out in just over a month. The twisting swaggers are more than enough to sink your teeth into as the first track gets underway. It reminds me of a stroppy teenager! ‘The Wrong Road’ has an addictive flounce of keyboards running through its core and immediately catchy there is no escape from it at all. ‘Consequences’ is like a drum solo and would be if not for the fuzzy guitar and rasping crazed vocal edge that powers it to the forefront. ‘Adieu’ is a sultry track that holds a monotone vocal with a plethora of strange sounds that accompany it with well-balanced harmonies. ‘Unveil’ is also the bands thought-provoking single which has now been released, although not as ‘industrial’ as I would like, however it shows diversity, so one can’t grumble. ‘My OST’ is so industrial it bleeds blatant, and my favourite track so far. Its haunting notes and repetitive rhythms are a sheer delight. Saying that ‘How can you sleep at night?’ is another track engages sheer industrial and is wild and untamed in delivery, in fact it seems as if the band have deliberately made everyone wait for the more industrial tracks, however what a treat. Continuing in the same vein is ‘Ungrateful Me’ leaping out and throttling the brain cells with pulsing notes and enjoyable propositions. The scathing vocal lures are tremendous and also powerfully engaging. ‘Alone’ undulates with hypnotic pulses and incidental noises. It is another sultry track that is sung in a kind of rap ensemble. ‘I am Charlie’ employs acoustic strings but further on it really comes into its own and is a floor gatherer. Hard-hitting and addictive! If you love industrial then this is for you.

Diamond Days

Eight Days

Hello Bear

Illustr8tors

More To Life

Self Release

I Don’t Know...It’s Fun Though, isn’t it?

Review by Pagan Hel Starting out life with the name of Blackwolf, I really cannot understand the need to change the name as it don’t sound like a rock band. However, the music says different and there is a lot of drive and energy kicking up on ‘Your Animal’ which incidentally the band have now released as a single. It harbours a lot of sultry blues and poetic melodies which are catchy as a cold. Definitely a good start to this E.P. ‘Something Biblical’ follows with irresistibly charged grooves that nestle into the ears with plenty of reward. ‘Swimming with Anchors’ we all know the struggle, however, the band have produced a very uplifting track that offers encouragement and nudges you in the right direction, with a superb drum beat and vocal strike. So far all three tracks have peaked interest with plenty of catchiness, you can’t ignore your ears when they tell you ‘press repeat’. ‘Shush Shush’ bruises with another raw energetic track that oozes character with irresistible hefty grooves. I was a little unsure about this band at the start, what with the name change and the words ‘alt rock’ but I can safely say, hand on heart that this E.P was a pleasure to engage in. Their cover although simple reveals a lot because as you listen to the eruptions that emanate from the tracks you can only get excited and I am sure a few colours shot out of my eyes as well, and the look on my face was of extreme amazement, so it is a good representation of the band, so I guess the name change doesn’t really matter although I do prefer Blackwolf a lot more. So it’s time

Review by Stuart Iversen The UK alternative music scene is producing great bands quicker than our poor insignificant ears can absorb them. As a consequence, it takes something special to stand out at the moment. One scene that is arguably more blessed than most is melodic hardcore and it’s that world into which Eight Days release their third EP, More to Life. The consequence of so much great music is that you only get one chance to make an impression. Fail, and you drop to the back of the pack. Which is why ‘Was It All Worth It’ is the perfect EP opener, starting slow when it all comes crashing in it is a head-banging blend of melodic hardcore and rock and roll. It brings to mind the sadly now defunct Heights and is the kind of track that makes you want to love a band. It’s a shame then that nothing else on the EP lives up to that early promise. None of it is bad, but it all begins to revert to the formula. ‘Unclear’ is pretty standard melodic hardcore although – as he does throughout the whole album – Ben Brazier’s raw vocals do stand out. It’s only at the end though that it shows a spark, slowing down with some big riffs. Unfortunately, it is too little too late. ‘Counterweight’ is more like it with that raw feeling spreading out from the vocals to the rest of the music. It brings it to life and is much more enjoyable than the overproduced rubbish we are so often fed. Finally, ‘Walls’ introduces a real rumble to proceedings, slowing things down and letting the riffs do the talking. When Eight Days are good, they sparkle. Their hardcore takes influence from bands like Heights and Norma Jean and blends rock with that melodic sound. Too often, though, they move away from those innovators and veer dangerously close to the norm.

to get listening and liking Illustr8tors what’s in a name? Just listen and find out!

iIllustr8tors

Self-Release Review by Stephen Stanford Hailing from Norwich, Hello Bear have well established themselves over years of touring and performing, and are on the brink of releasing ‘I Don’t Know... It’s Fun Though, Isn’t It?’. Besides being the name of the four track EP it is also an adapt way of summing up what makes this EP so interesting. If you take it at face value, ’I Don’t Know...’ could be thought of as being just another sickly-sweet collection of pop-punk tracks, geared more towards fans of McFly (of whom H e l l o Bear list as influences), and while they are Eight Days guilty of this on some level, not that there is anything wrong with it, there is no denying, they’ve done it well. Look past that however, and it becomes an advert for music in its purest form, namely, fun, catchy and infectious. The opening track, and lead single, ’We Held Hands Once, But Then She Got Embarrassed’ is the literal definition of the aforementioned sickly-sweetness, laced with references to all kinds of sweets throughout. As an opener it struggles to showcase just what Hello Bear are capable of, feeling almost manufactured. Though catchy and enjoyable, it fails to keep pace with the following tracks. Second track ‘Mmm, Check Please!’ is a far cry from the opener, feeling more natural in its style and composition, and better shows off the other, more apparent influences , such as All Time Low, Refused, and Simple Plan. Certainly worthy of a place on any summer playlist. This is the same vein that carries on across the remaining two tracks, ‘Dirty Weekend’ and ‘Attack Hug’ and is one that shows why Hello Bear, despite being completely independent, are beginning to see all their hard work pay off.

REVIEWS Stoneman

Chasing Cadence Whiskey Myers A Province of Thay Winterfylleth

Steine

Destroy Something Beautiful

Mud

Atonement

The Dark Hereafter

No Cut/SPV

Self Release

Spinefarm Records

Carrion Choir

Candlelight/ Spinefarm Records

Review by Pagan Hel I feel disappointment at being limited to writing just 85 words on this band as they deserve so much more! I love the industrial genre with a passion as the tracks are interestingly unique and sung in German is for me a big plus! The imposing melodies are catchy due to them employing keyboards which really give it an all-round epic sound. A sound that will no doubt spark lots of imminent floor activity. You don’t hear tracks like this on a daily basis. Ausgezeichnet!

Review by Ashley Crowson Starting strong, Chasing Cadence smash out of the starting blocks, but end in what I can only call radio friendly metal. ‘Destroy Something Beautiful’ seems to be something that sounds very much like every other up recent British band. The odd inventive idea showing promise, but never really capturing to the ears of this older metal fan. In the age where bands really know their audience, younger generations will love it, and playing live will be anything but dull.

Review by Ashley Crowson Just shy of a decade old, Whiskey Myers have returned with their authentic Texan southern rock sound with Mud, carrying on stronger than ever they are far from stuck in any mud. Sounding like a new age coming of Lynyrd Skynyrd or the Allman Brothers mud plays through beautifully, one for long road trips and nights around a fire out in the middle of nowhere. Whiskey Myers are at their finest now, and this will be hard for them to top.

Review by Shaun Brown Fresh from the musical melting pot of Seattle, Washington, this brooding, lumbering mammoth of a record twists and turns. The musicianship on display is faultless, however the expansive forays often tend towards the over indulgent and a beautifully emotive vocal performance isn’t enough to stop this drifting off into the Aether. While plenty of haymakers are thrown, only one or two of them hit hard enough to leave a lasting impression. An interesting yet ultimately uninspiring effort.

Review by Ashley Crowson Winterfylleth have once again returned after what has seemed to be a quiet time for them. Making a huge name for themselves on almost every line-up going, it is no wonder they have amassed such a following. The Dark Hereafter splits a 40-minute epic release across 5 tracks. Atmospheric music and howling vocals, everything they create is masterful gold, this is no different. This band really are something special, The Dark Hereafter proves that. A must buy!

Pagandom Hurt as a Shadow Gain Records

Review by Pagan Hel

Well hang on to your heads with Pagandom because they hit the ground running. Fast and furious this Swedish quartet are blistering and on the rampage, just what you expect from Vikings. Fever pitch is something the band do to perfection and is evidently clear listening to these tracks. Unleashing a chug from hell the highly charged rocket fuel for excitement continues and with it creates tracks of blistering quality. The rhythms are intoxicating and in-

The Last Band The Fall Rambo Music Distribution Opening with ‘The Hunt’ The Last Band seize the moment with an ever growing sound that expands into a bouncing chug. They are well on their way with their compelling and uncaged hard rock timepiece, due out at the end of the month. Next track ‘The Fall’ pounds it way through a barrage of heavy rhythms and catchy riffs, helped along by rasping throaty vocal. It’s a rather vehement track that offers a lot of deranged infection. ‘White Powder’ has an astounding beginning that builds to a high octane level and is fuel injected with vicious screams. The impressive vocals gives the track character and flair. ‘Pretty Boys’ brings

tense, no coaxing needed to fully engage in this brawl of madness for sure. Its virulent core simply smoulders with vengeance, even when its pace drops, so the band are on a recruiting spree and certainly employing a raw energy that rewards well. It explores blood thirsty riffs and inescapable groove that hits hard no matter which way you look at it. Sauntering and snarling in all the right places it’s a feast of thrash that is led in such a way it invades with sheer imagination and prowling assault. The delivery pulls you up with a short sharp shock, possessing a sound that immediately intimidates with violent and vicious endeavour, spreading its raw punching beats and rumbustious

riffs very generously. It stirs emotions be it by thrashing chugs or a slower tempest of sorts as on ‘Breather’ gaining intrigue and offering feisty beauty. Enthralling and mesmeric creating thick expressive textures and standing proud allowing one to partake in the head banging endeavours it offers. It isn’t even an all-out thrash album although there are obvious thrash elements contained in its core but concentrates on being ‘metal’ and offers grand proportionate chugging and cataclysmic groove. For the hardened thrash head there is plenty to enjoy on this album as it offers a whole lot more within its tracks, so buckle up and enjoy the ride.

“fuel injected hate machine” instant intrigue as it offers challenging riffs and a pounding beat that weaves a colourful tapestry of sounds all of which are pleasing to the audial. Another predatory vitriolic track is ‘A Place Beyond’, it changes moods although nearly always angry and heartfelt. ‘Move’ is a rather tempered track that allows the drums to begin the rampage and then adding a nagging guitar riff. The emotive forces all working and blending into another angry and explosive track. An interesting title is ‘6 out of 7’, it leaves scars as it bruises through its paces with thrilling hooks and a rock solid explosive delivery. ‘Pulled a lot of Shit’ is compelling and stirring the senses with rousing endea-

vour. It is almost sultry in approach but definitely predatory. ‘Bleeding On’ literally stomps all over your ears with evil contempt! It shows no love as it pushes through with vicious vocal and damming beats. Its demeanour is one of hate. Lastly putting a sad end to this fuel injected hate machine is ‘Give me the Sky’, the band have not scrimped one bit and are hell bent on going out with a bang! The venomous rhythms and inescapable riffs are hungry to show off the bands talents which it does indeed on this monster album.

Review by Pagan Hel

RSJ Giant Glenn Self-Release Yes indeed the power of noise should never be underestimated especially not with hardcore metaller’s RSJ. There is a pattern emerging here, with the clever use of names in the titles and no doubt a good sense of humour to be had judging by the superb photo taken by Ami Barwell. The genre is one that fills a lot of people with extreme anguish – not me you understand as this is what metal is all about. A sense of humour is what distinguishes a bands rapport with the audience and done well can gain them fans for life. Without a doubt RSJ are noise ridden (with the exception of ‘Dear Jane’) and potent beyond all comprehension. The music is as serious as music gets but with the added metal madness that accompanies such a band being so hardcore. The intensity of the vocals alone are likely to cause an open jaw reaction and will no doubt have hardened metal heads leaping for the volume to turn it up a further notch in order to bathe the ears in utter chaotic scything rhythms. I bet ‘live’ this band are unstoppable, and no doubt will insight a riot wherever they play. But remember publicity is all good, especially where extreme savagery is employed. RSJ have indeed got the knack of causing sonic petrification as soon as the

record starts playing but whether or not you can handle them during playback is another matter. If RSJ were a movie they would no doubt be along the lines of SAW – causing utter devastation wherever they go, with lots of blood and gore to follow. Perpetually in motion the music is tumultuous and deviant, stripping flesh from the bone with utter contempt as its infections have no cure – so just enjoy getting entangled in the heavy grooves and twisting rhythms that will eat you from the inside out! The beast has well and truly been unleashed on this mega ton of hardcore brutality, with each swipe of metal it can hardly get much more contagious if it tried. Erupting with vitriolic endeavour and vocal velocity. It’s the kind of music that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere, any place causing a full on disturbance inside

your head just close your eyes and watch the drama unfold, it’s quite alarming! So it is time for the world to shut up and let RSJ have their say and they say a lot believe me. Then again over this noise it’s hard to say anything. Enjoy! Review by Pagan Hel

Voodoo Vegas Freak Show Candy Floss PHD

“feisty rhythms that hold catchiness by the bucket load!!”

Pagan Hel

With bands coming out of the woodwork and in every nook and cranny, it must be difficult finding something new and unique to tempt an audience with but Voodoo Vegas seem to have found their niche. Not just in the stage clothes they wear but in the music they play having Bon Jovi/Guns & Roses traits, but moulding them in such a way it’s addictive and bears the fruit of their labours. Voodoo Vegas’s music bounces with feisty rhythms that hold catchiness by the bucket load! They also show their diversity with superb rock ballads like ‘Resolution’ and ‘Sleeping in the Rain’ that sit well on the ears and reward with pleasing acoustic tones. Lawrence’s vocals are slightly gravelly and typically rock driven fitting well into the mix. There is also a slight tongue in cheek factor about Voodoo Vegas if the cover of their new album is anything to go by, but it always pays to have a good sense of humour. Each track holds its own character with an addictive presence and swaggers

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with a charm that allows the listener to fully engage. The additional harmonica gives the tracks that Southern infectious feel so there’s plenty to enjoy. The elements contained within each track are riveted together with imagination and creative ingenuity that give out melodic hues in abundance. The prowling tempos and energetic choruses paint an irresistible picture of which its many faceted gems can be experienced. The band work well together and have created a superb 10 track album that holds challenging and captivating pieces that are wild and untamed with slithers of diversity. For me it is all about the ‘chugs’ which tells me that rock is the key. The key fits into the lock opening the door to stirring intervention and bold qualities that in turn tells us what Voodoo Vegas are all about! It’s pure coaxing with a sturdy structure and highly enjoyable on the audial, its funky groove bites hard and takes you on unexpected turns so you never know where you will end up. The album can vent a sheer amount of aggression without being over the top with the right amount of attention to detail that keeps the interest piqued. they’ve lost nothing, and this is most definitely a must buy!

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