Firebrand Magazine Issue 18 - March by Firebrand's Rock&Metal Express

Issue 18 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;March 2014

Magnum

Delain

PLUS The Answer Iron Bridge Band Chantel Mc Gregor FM Gamma Ray Preacher Thunder Reason Vanishing Point Reds Cool

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Saturday July 19th and Sunday July 20th for another spectacular outdoor line up of rock ’n’ roll in the breathtaking countryside at Hafod-Y-Dafal Farm Legendary blues rock guitarist, Walter Trout, in Ebbw Vale, South Wales. The Answer joins currently at UCLA Medical Centre, where he is in headliners Europe on Sunday July 20. urgent need of a liver transplant, will release a new This year’s festival, which looks set to attract album entitled THE BLUES CAME CALLIN’ on over 10,000 fans, will be held in a spectacular Monday June 2nd via Provogue Records. The album mountain top location in the heart of South Wales. also coincides with the release of a major book and a Saturday July 19th is headlined by Black Star documentary. Riders with support from The Graveltones, Tax The “It’s been heartbreaking to watch Walter Heat, Buffalo Summer and Black Wolf. struggle through these past many months,” says Sunday July 20th is headlined by the Swedish Walter’s manager/wife, Marie Trout. “We tried rockers EUROPE, plus The Answer, former various treatment options provided by Walter’s Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden, Heaven & doctors and liver specialists. One by one the Earth and Buck & Evans. treatments failed. Even as he became a shadow of Many more acts will be announced in the his former self, after losing 100 pounds and his coming weeks. Tickets can be booked from the strength, he continued touring, writing, playing, official festival website: www.steelhousefestival.com. singing, and recording. It’s a therapeutic lifeline for Day Tickets £40, Weekend Tickets £65. him when the blues comes callin’. The theme of this album is coloured by his confrontation with mortality Children 14 and under FREE (accompanied by an adult 18+). combined with a deep, all-abiding desire to Steelhouse is the only classic rock festival to feature persevere.” two exclusive UK headline performances from From the first time Walter Trout as a Europe and the remaining members of Thin Lizzy, tormented teenager heard the haunting guitar playing of Mike Bloomfield, he instinctually knew the under their new moniker Black Star Riders. With blues was his calling. 2014 marks the year Walter combined record sales of over 30 million albums Trout looks back at an almost 50-year commitment and incredible live performances, Steelhouse 2014 promises to be the most prestigious music event in to playing and singing the blues. The songs on the album reflect Walter’s thoughts about mortality and South Wales. Europe’s lead singer Joey Tempest, explains, his renewed “After playing in Wales back in 2012 we were appreciation for being alive. reminded of what a great rock ‘n’ roll country this Says Walter, "To play my music for people has is. When we got the offer to play the Steelhouse we become even more important to me. When I think tried our hardest to make it happen. We’ve heard about looking out into the crowds of people and connecting with everyone on a soul level, and sharing only great things about this Festival and we’re coming over to do some real damage!” the experience of music with them, this is what keeps me fighting to get back: My family and my music is my lifeline. These days, it means more to me Rock Legends, Yes, Set for Triple-Header than ever before." 2014 European Tour Walter is fighting for his life and there is nothing to celebrate at this moment,” says Ed van Legendary progressive rock band Yes, kick off their Zijl, the MD of Provogue Records. “This is so very UK Tour on 29th April in Oxford. On this tour, fans very sad and we all are praying for Walter to come can look forward to a unique Yes experience; the out on top. The album will be released June 2nd as band will perform three of its most popular albums in planned as Walter definitely wants this one to be their entirety, The Yes Album, Close to the Edge, and heard. In the meantime our hearts are with Walter Going for the One. and his family." Performing three of rocks most revered albums, Yes members Chris Squire (bass), Steve Howe (guitar), Alan White (drums), Geoff Downes Steelhouse Festival 2014 confirms The (keyboards), and Jon Davison (vocals), will delight Answer with Europe & Black Star Riders audiences with Yes staples from the last four The Steelhouse Festival returns with a vengeance on decades. Fans will enjoy long-time favourites,

Walter Trout awaits liver transplant and releases new album

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including “Yours is No Disgrace,” “I’ve Seen All Good People,” “Starship Trooper,” “Close to the Edge,” “And You And I,” “Going for the One,” “Wonderous Stories,” “Awaken,” and more. In addition, Yes will perform all tracks in the order they appear on their corresponding studio albums. “We performed these three albums in their entirety on our North and South American tours, and the fans absolutely loved it,” says Yes guitarist, Steve Howe. “Fans did indeed love it,” states Yes co-founder and bassist, Chris Squire, “and so did we. Plus, we’ll be performing pieces we’ve rarely played live. In fact, I believe the one song we never performed in concert before our three-album tours is ‘A Venture’ from The Yes Album.” Alan White goes on to say, “As with our three-album North and South American tours, this is a great opportunity to share with our European fans the growth of Yes throughout different eras, and to revisit the great memories of those times, as well as create brand new ones. We’re looking forward to touring Europe, performing these albums, and most of all, meeting our wonderful fans. It’s great fun for us, and we think our fans throughout Europe will love the performance as well.” Ticket prices London £50* (boxes), £45, £40 and £35. Agency and Credit card bookings are subject to booking fee. Showtime is 7.30pm and tickets are available from bookingsdirect.com or 24 ticket hotline: 0844 338 0000. Exclusive Yes meet & greet and VIP ticket packages are available for all shows, please visit the band's website, YESWORLD.COM, for full details and more information on the tour.

Mastelotto on drums from King Crimson and Jem Godfrey from Frost* was amazing but all the players really were outstanding. Stuart Marshall (Fierce And The Dead) and Charlie Cawood (Knifeworld) were the rhythm section for a lot of the tracks. And it was great to have Chrissie back who played violin on the previous records. It’s a record that reflects my love of Jesu and Celtic Frost as much as the Mahavishnu Orchestra and King Crimson or even Peter Gabriel and I’m really proud of it. If you’re not going to take risks and try and do something interesting what’s the point?” As befits this most unique musician, “Lucid” is a carefully crafted work, and one that is surely to be one of the Progressive Rock highlights of 2014. As a preview to the album, check out ‘The Bridge’, available to stream here at Matt Stevens’ SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/mattstevensguitar/thebridge

Updated Statement From GWAR Regarding The Passing of Dave Brockie

Jack Flanagan, manager of GWAR has issued this official statement: On behalf of Dave Brockie's family, Slave Pit Inc. and GWAR, we would like to thank all the loyal fans worldwide for the outpouring of love and support shown to us over the past few days. Knowing that we have such amazing family, friends and fans is truly helping us all get through this tough time. We are awaiting a toxicology report from the medical examiners office to confirm the cause of death. The medical examiners office has informed us that the results can take one to three months to be processed. Standard protocol exists that a toxicology Esoteric Antenna is pleased to announce procedure be performed. We have made funeral arrangements and a the release of the new album by acclaimed private memorial has been scheduled for close guitarist Matt Stevens. friends and family. Noted for his work as both a solo artist and as a As Dave and Oderus would have wanted, this member of Fierce and The Dead, “Lucid” sees Matt year's GWAR-B-Q scheduled for August 16th at joined by a host of guest musicians including Hadad's Lake (7900 Osborne Turnpike Richmond, drummer Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson), Bass VA) will still take place as planned. We have guitarists Lorenzo Feliciati (Naked Truth), Charlie scheduled the Dave Brockie public memorial to take Cawood (Knifeworld) and Kev Feazey, keyboard place the day prior to the GWAR-B-Q, Friday August players Jem Godfrey (Frost*) and Emmett Elvin 15th, also at Hadad's Lake. (Chrome Hoof / Guapo), violinist Chrissie Caulfield More information shall be released as the (Helicopter Quartet / Crippled Black Phoenix), vibe details are confirmed. player Jon Hart and Nicholas Wyatt Duke (Trojan Horse) on Spoken Word. Speaking about his new album, Matt states; “Lucid took three years as I really wanted to make this one a significant step up from the previous albums. It’s inspired by a bit of a dark time, but hopefully it’s an uplifting record. I’m so proud of the people who played on it, working with people like Pat

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Robin 2, Bilston 4 March 2014 Review and Photos by Reg Richardson When I saw Larry Miller in Gloucester last year he encouraged everyone to go and see Chantel McGregor and was full of praise for the young lady who seems to be turning into a bit of a legend in her own lifetime. As she approaches her 28th birthday she has already picked up a string of titles from the annual British Blues Awards including 'Young Artist of the Year', 'Female Vocalist of the Year' & 'Guitarist of the Year'. Chantel is a bubbly blonde with a great personality, both on and off stage, and a highly talented guitarist; all that's needed is for her dad to be a millionaire pub owner for her to be the most eligible female in Britain! Before Chantel came on stage the audience were brought to attention by Chris Bevington & Friends, a rock & blues ensemble comprising a group of extremely capable musicians. The set was composed entirely of songs appearing on the bands recent, self-titled, album and consisted of a series of tracks originally written by musicians such as Walter Trout,

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Kenny Wayne Shepherd and John Mayer. The quality of the music reflected the wide experience of the band members and was well received by an appreciative audience. It was time for Chantel McGregor and she arrived on stage as the barefoot blues guitarist. Tonight she was accompanied by bassist Rich Ritchie and drummer Keith McPartling, a simple set up but very effective. The setlist was taken primarily from Chantel's 2011 album 'Like No Other' with one or two other spangly songs thrown in. Chantel's guitar playing firmly led the way throughout the evening with the contributions from Rich and Keith filling out the sound perfectly. The set started out with 2 songs from the album, 'Caught Out' followed by the album title track, 'Like No Other'. A very good rendition of Hendrix's 'Voodoo Chile' came next. After another four well executed songs we got to the point where Keith and Rich departed, maybe to the bar, I don't know, leaving Chantel to amuse herself, and the audience, for the next quarter of an hour or so. It was solo time. Deploying both electric and acoustic guitars, (not at the same time - Chantel's good but not that good!), she played songs such as Fleetwood Mac's 'Rhiannon', 'Cat Song' & 'I'm no good for You', all from her album. With the solo session over it was time for Robin Trower to get the McGregor treatment as she presented her version of Trower's ballad 'Daydream' complete with soft guitar and softer vocals. The set finished with 'Happy Song' and 'Fabulous' with 'Freefalling' as the encore. At times her guitar playing was gentle and engaging, at others it was edgy and rocky, but always right on the mark. Throughout the set Chantel joked with her band members and the crowd to make the evening thoroughly entertaining and much more than just an exercise in blues excellence. A great night out, one I'd be happy to do all over again and, according to Chantel, this show was epic-er than the last one! Epic-er, is that even a word?

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Stoodge Mc Nulty Speaks to the guys from

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Rolling out of New Jersey, The Iron Bridge Band is a rock band with catchy choruses, deep lyrics and melodic guitars. With influences going right back to the 70's they have a successful formula that combines blues, rock, pop and country, with a diverse modern twist. Hey Folks! How have things been lately in the Iron Bridge Band camp? Things have been going exceptionally well over the past several months. Since releasing our first full length album “Road Not Taken” last September, IBB has been receiving critical acclaim in the press, as well as considerable FM and internet radio airplay for those markets that focus on the rock, roots, and blues/rock formats. While we are surprised by the rapid early success of the album (self produced on our label), we think it’s amazing that our purpose for forming this band and our approach to making this album have been consistently validated. IBB is meeting and exceeding an unmet need in rock music today. That’s what the fans and the media are telling us, and given our performance on the charts, that’s what the industry is telling us too. We decided early on that we would forge our own path, stay true to what we loved to do as musicians, write the music that inspired us and hit the ground running by targeting and promoting to the classic rock market. Our goal of creating a classic rock band with a fresh and current sound in today’s crowded music market was our main goal. So far the results have surpassed our expectations. Ironically, we created our own buzz outside the established industry and within countries we never expected. There is something to be said for doing it “our way”. As of this interview, “Road Not Taken” has charted very well on the RMR (Roots Music Report) which is the #1 independent radio chart in the world…for the week of March 7th, based on radio spins, we were #17 on the RMR Top 50 Pop/Rock albums in the nation. Likewise for songs, our power ballad “All Our Yesterdays” was hovering around #20 for the same chart. The EU has been especially supportive in both promotion and airplay (including Firebrand radio) and we really appreciate that the fans abroad have been in our camp right from the beginning. While we are having success in the U.S. in the smaller markets that still cater to rock music, we have seen remarkable support on the West Coast and Southern States where our music seems like a natural fit and original rock and roll music seems to continue to blossom. Despite all the difficulties involved in competing against the cookie cutter pop machine of the music establishment, Road Not Taken has been very successful.

came to us naturally, based on our influences… sometimes we wear them on our sleeve, sometimes they’re a bit more subtle. This entire album was about collaboration and spontaneity. This album is a straight ahead rock album -- a complete body of work from beginning to end. The album crosses the spectrum of rock, melodic rock, blues-rock, American roots-rock, etc. The listener will immediately recognize our 70’s rock n roll influences; however, after several listens other influences begin to shine through. Other reviews have referenced that we have a bit of an American “southern” edge to our music – which was never intentional – we’ve just had musical influences in our DNA from that era that managed to seep through while we were writing and recording the album. That’s a beautiful thing. The album has straight ahead rock songs with an abundance of hooks, guitar solos, riffs, harmonized leads, 3 part vocal harmonies, etc. However, we do bring it down a notch in places to tonally set the mood on the album where we introduce power ballads, acoustic interludes/ instrumentals, as well as an acoustic version of one of our songs. We are by no means a hard rock or alternative rock band (but can rock hard live when we want to), but our album will appeal to those that like a bit of diversity or whose tastes run the rock spectrum. One recent review mentioned we were putting the “roll” back into rock and that’s a fair assessment our music harks back to a time when you could sing along with the lyrics…even the guitar solos for some good time rock and roll. But we’re bringing a fresh and current sound to the music as well…it’s new but familiar at the same time. Lyrically, this album weaves many stories and in some cases, is a reflection of the band’s life experiences. “Road Not Taken” is a metaphor for the road that many of us have never had the luxury of travelling on…the smooth paved road rolling into the distance. We aren’t young as we used to be…life has been both joyous and difficult for all of us…but it’s this experience which makes both the music and lyrics more meaningful for us and our listeners…it’s real. From lost love, to youthful innocence, to young lust, to kicking alcoholism, to getting second chances…it’s all here. It’s also about knowing when to take those second chances, finding yourself and getting back up again and moving on with life…no matter how hard that road may be. Our album cover For the readers of this magazine that aren't is a photographical metaphor for hope and that familiar with the band yet, what can they expect when hearing your debut album 'Road Not Taken'? something better or inspirational is just on the Musically, “Road Not Taken” is an anomaly for us in horizon…if you have the courage to travel there. so many ways. We never set out to create a particular sound or style, rather we wrote what

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Was the album composed in studio or was it a case of sitting on the material until you got into recording it? A little bit of both. Stephen Walsh would come up with the basic song structures musically, work them out with Scott Suky rhythmically, then send the idea off to Chandler Mogel for some lyrical ideas where the melody would be fine-tuned as well. However, when we went into the studio, we were working only from scratch ideas, never having recorded or performed it together until the studio. Collaboration and spontaneity of the band was the key to this being successful. For the most part, the entire album was written, recorded and produced at Shorefire Recording Studios in Long Branch, NJ. Our goal as a band was to do it “old school” -- that is go into the studio and write as a team, lay down some scratch track ideas on acoustic guitar with raw vocal ideas/ melody and start building the song around this idea. We would then add drums, bass, all guitars, lead vocals, and harmonies in that order. We also wanted to ensure that the songs retained their spontaneity and liveliness on the record….every song on Road Not Taken has the original scratch track embedded into the mix. We discovered that in many cases, we got it right the first time – some songs even have the original acoustic and vocal tracks that were done on the fly. There were even a few one take guitar solos…where all the live nuances and even slight imperfections were retained - from tapping the top of an acoustic guitar to keep time, as well as pickup feedback on some songs. That’s what gives the album a bit of that 70’s vibe. We didn’t’ want it to feel perfect or clinical -- that’s not music.

We also decided that on “All Our Yesterdays” – the band’s power ballad single – that piano and a string arrangement would lift the intensity of the song. Richie Castellano from Blue Oyster Cult performed and arranged that part for us. The recording studio was utilized as one “large instrument” that was integral for us in achieving the sound and direction we were going for. After looking around at various studios, we chose to directly work with Joseph DeMaio, the owner/engineer of Shorfire Recording Studios, Long Branch, NJ. Joe has worked with a who’s who of talented musicians and artists from our genre and influences. He knew exactly what we wanted to achieve and the direction we wanted to go. For the uninitiated, Shorfire has been around since the mid-70’s, the home to quite a few gold records and is stocked with all types of vintage recording equipment, amplifiers, microphones, tape echoes etc. Shorefire is also home to the last Helios console ever built, which formerly resided at The Townhouse Studios in London where many hit records were recorded by Adam Ant, Asia, Cure, Duran Duran, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, Human League, Jeff Beck, Michael Schenker Group, Ozzy Osbourne, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Queen, Simple Minds, Tom Jones, UFO, and Van Morrison to name a few! For the album, most of the tracking was recorded using the Helios console directly into a Pro Tools HD3 system but some elements of the process were recorded through an external rack of vintage Helios mic-pre/eq's from Island Studios, Musicland, and The Rolling Stones Mobile that Shorefire owns… and that’s the type of warm classic sound we wanted to achieve for our album.

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What's your background within the rock scene in New Jersey? Were you all active musicians before getting together to form Iron Bridge Band? For the most part, we were all active musically, but were coming from different levels of experience and influence. Chandler Mogel has been very active for the past decade and has several of his own releases with various bands, including the band Outloud, which has a strong following in the EU. Stephen Walsh and Scott Suky were long time band members and friends from High School and College and been through various band incarnations that never lasted long. After a 20+ year hiatus they reunited to form the Iron Bridge Band where they recruited both Chandler and Scott’s wife, Lanie Suky for bass guitar duties. During the hiatus both Steve and Scott were active musically, but separately played in various bands in the New York and New Jersey area. Stephen also wrote a good portion of the song material for Road Not Taken during this time. Ironically, Lanie picked up the bass guitar only after she was tired of hearing the band complain that they couldn’t find any decent bass players. Now she’s a rocker through and through. The band is actively involved in the local music scene both in New Jersey and New York City. We are refreshingly unique because of our perspective. We are not jaded 40 year old struggling musicians. We are driven by the pureness of the music. We play to the song, not for individual performances. This is the secret that allows us to stick to our vision, and because of that we fit well within certain music/ artist communities. There is a great independent artist and musician community in Asbury Park NJ where we’ve been playing in support of our album. On any given night, you can walk into any bar or club in Asbury and see some of NJ’s greatest unknown local bands. It’s truly amazing how much talent there is residing in such a small area (not so much different than the UK). We are also actively part of the music scene in NYC’s Greenwich Village/Bowery area where we also play and will continue to play regularly in support of our album. Do you all share similar tastes in music or has there ever been any deliberation about what direction your sound would go? Great question. Musically, we are pretty much diverse given our age differences and what we’ve been exposed to growing up. Stephen, Scott and Lanie were heavily influenced by the AOR rock and roll bands of the 70’s -- from the Eagles, Bad Company, Humble Pie, Boston, Styx, REO, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blue Oyster Cult etc -- to AM radio classic hits of the 70’s which featured artists like America, Doobie Brothers, BTO, The Wings and Elton John. This is why a lot of our music and songwriting has an element of both 70’s classic rock and pop elements combined. Chandler on the other hand, was raised also raised on 70’s Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of

Power, Hall and Oats, while also being heavily influenced by Brit rock bands, such as Deep Purple, Judas Priest and iron Maiden – eclectic but melodic taste. When you pull it all together, there is a lot of musical influences and diversity that will make its way into our sound. We say “our sound” because we don’t think anyone sounds like us, it’s new, but yet there’s a familiarity and a comfort in what people will hear. We never set out to say this is the musical direction we wished to take, quite the opposite. Whatever comes out during the writing session sticks…there are no labels or pre-conceived notions of what we should be. That’s pretty liberating for all of us as musicians. Anything goes, but we are conscious now of who our audience is and who we are appealing to it musically. In the studio, we pretty much finish each other’s musical thoughts and the material came together rather quickly. Chandler used to take the train from North Jersey to South Jersey and he would be literally writing the lyrics on the train and as he’s walking into the studio. We think we sonically “hit the target” of what’s been missing in today’s rock music and it’s all pretty much happened organically, but we did so by just being ourselves. Now we’re being smart about how we target to our audience. How have the live shows been going, and any particular highlight? The live shows have been overwhelming great and we really get an energetic fan base to come out and support us. So far, we’ve jam packed every local venue we’ve played in NY and NJ to sell-out crowds; further validating we are meeting an untapped market. There seems to be some great momentum going for us right now and there’s anticipation by the fans as to when our next show will be. We recently opened up for Americana/Country artist John Eddie in Asbury Park, NJ – our first time opening for a U.S. national touring act. So far our live sets include our original music, with a combination of full on electric or acoustic versions depending on the venue. We’ve also been adding some other musical elements to the live shows as well to ensure that the band stays true to the album. We’ve added vocalists Jessie Wagner, singer for Kid Rock’s band, who provided the soulful background vocals on Road Not Taken, as well as Amy Harnell for vocal/percussion duties (of Tony Harnell and The Mercury Train). What has the summer season got waiting for the band, loads of gigging? We will be playing on the Jersey Shore at festivals, and NJ places like the Stone Pony, the Wonder Bar etc. We will also probably make it back to NYC to play at the Bitter End again. We have a big show in August at the Starland Ballroom opening up for the Outlaws. We may even make an appearance in the UK if things keep going our way.

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So the new album “Hydra” was recently released here in the UK. You’ve got to be pleased with the response it’s gotten so far? Of course. You never know what’s going to happen, but the album is doing even better than we’d hoped for. It’s got some great chart positions on i-Tunes even in countries where we haven’t had time to do a lot of promotion.

we did. We were afraid to do it to start with, but once we’d written the song, we said “if we’re ever going to do this, this is the right song to do it with” and it really does work. We have the same dark, melancholy feel to our song, and that mixes with a lot of the rap music that’s out there.

Rap and rock does work though, Anthrax did it, Aerosmith too, and a lot of other bands too, so The new album is quite different to “The it’s a proven formula. Maybe people were too Unforgiving” too, was that something quick to judge? Yes, but those guys, and Linkin Park and almost all intentional? of the other bands that have done it are different to You know, we always start out with an idea of Within Temptation. Those guys have a much more maybe doing something similar to the last record. American sound, but we’re an epic European band, When we release a new album, everyone asks if we’re going to make a follow up to it, and we always with a lot of orchestral sounds, so there’s a lot say “yes” because we’re full of excitement about it. more that can clash. When it comes to doing it though, we always end up doing something different, especially after a couple You’re over in the UK very soon with Delain. It’s of years have passed by. Music is organic, and we not the first time you’ve toured together is it? find our inspiration for writing has moved on from No, we have a lot of history. Robert’s younger the last time we were writingmusic together. brother is in Delain and it’s always fun to be out on tour with them. We know them really well, and it’s There are some interesting guest vocalists on the always a pleasure. They really enjoyed coming out album too, how did that come about? with us the last time, so we said it would be cool if When we’d finished the album, we started looking at they joined us again, and we support them as much which songs we could add something different to. as we can. We already had a wishlist of singers we wanted to work with, but we had to find the right song for them. We expected that not all of them would say yes to working with us. We thought maybe they wouldn’t like the songs, or they were too busy, but we were really surprised. We decided to go ahead and use all of them on the album, because they did such a great job. We did wonder if people would say that “oh like four out of ten songs are a duet, you’re just using someone’s name to widen your audience” but you can’t worry about things like that. They all brought something extra to the song, and it was an artistic decision. I don’t think we’ll reach a whole new audience just by putting one song on the album with a rap in it, but it did bring some colour to the song and add another dimension to the album. Actually, when I was reading through the list of guest vocalists, I wasn’t too surprised by Tarja, or Dave Pirner, or Howard Jones, but then you come across Xzibit. That was actually the song I was most excited to hear. We had a little bit of negative response to start with when we released the list of vocalists. We did that quite early, and people were saying “what are they doing? They’re working with rap, it’s never going to work.” We really believed in it though, and we were expecting some reactions like that and if we didn’t think it would work we wouldn’t have done it. We wanted to take a traditional Within Temptation song and do something different with it, and that’s what

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Do you think your styles really compliment each other too? Yeah, they sound a lot like we used to when we started out. We’re a lot different now, so the two bands are similar, but at the same time quite different. They definitely have their own identity.

Well the name Hydra is a metaphor for a couple of different things. The Hydra obviously is a multiheaded monster, and when you cut one head off, two grow back. We thought that kind of represented our musical journey. We’ve done a lot of different styles in the past, and we keep changing things up. People never know what we’re going to do next, and we like that. So we have the new album, So are there any musicians that you’d really like and there are a a lot of faces to it, so Hydra was the to work with in the future? Of course we’ve still got a very big wish list, but we perfect name for it. The other thing it represents is the theme of the album. A lot of the lyrics are about have to find the right person to fit the song. We can’t write a song with a particular person in mind, empowerment, and embracing your demons, so the because they might say no, so we have to listen to Hydra really works that way too. It wasn’t intentional though, because it wasn’t until we the songs and try to work out who might be the best person to work with on it. That’s the way we’ve listened back to the songs that we realised the Hydra was exactly what we’d come up with. always worked, because to do it the other way around just doesn’t make sense. Within Temptation have never been a band that is Is there anything you’d like to say to anyone that happy to sit still though, you seem to evolve more with every album. might be reading this right now? Well, we’re coming out to the UK in April, and we’re Yes, we don’t really try to renew everything all the bringing a lot of fireworks with us. It’s going to be a time, but we like to look at new ways of doing things. Music for us is a journey, and we like to discover lot of fun, if we don’t manage to set anywhere on new things, new inspirations and other things that fire. It’s the first time we’re playing Wembley too, keep it interesting. You can’t set out trying to have a and that for us is like hallowed ground. certain sound, you just have to go where the music takes you, and it’s constantly moving and changing. Do you have any summer dates lined up yet? We still have the same drive to write great music There’s a few coming in, we’re playing a couple of festivals in Europe, but most of the dates I can’t talk as when we started. Even though we’ve just finished this album, I can’t wait to start on the next one, to about yet. see where we’re going to go next. We have a lot of Going back to the album. The last album was very fun though. much a concept album, so is there any particular story behind the new album?

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Liverpool Dome, 15th March 2014 Bands: Bill, Kalandra, Arc Light, The Jokers, NG26, The Rainband, the Four Fighters. Review and Photos by Rob Birtley I will start by saying I’ve been to all kinds of musical events from Thrash to Opera but never before have I been to a gig that the star of the night didn’t play a single note or sing a single song. I am of course referring to Debbie Adams the pocket size dynamo and driving force behind KR Rocks. Being a Scouser I know only too well what Merseyside Women can accomplish in memory of lost ones and Debbie is no exception to this rule. KR Rocks have identified a gap in Kidney Patient care that is how this condition prohibits things we all take for the norm like holidays and breaks from the routine. By funding portable dialysis units people who haven’t been able to have a break from the routine of visits to hospital for life saving treatment will be able to enjoy things we take for granted and that could be lifesaving. To say this is a good cause is a bit of an understatement but what she really can sing. Think of shades of Clannad but of the gig I hear you ask? not annoying, wonderful vocals and fine acoustic playing but able to rock it up just enough and you will First up was Kalandra, a Liverpool based Norwegian have a good picture. Set highlights well I’d have to six piece folk/rock band. Fronted by the Elfin like say ‘Between Two Hearts’ and ‘Summer Rain’. Check singer/song writer Katrine Stenbekk. OK it is well them out on Youtube I’m going to see them again in known I do have this weakness for petite blonds but May at Studio 2 in Parr Street. Yes a good and

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different start. Next up was something totally different. Arc Light. Ringing out was evidence of the influence of the Foo Fighters and Audio Slave and their indie style set raced along and kept up your interest. A band developing and one to watch out for. Third on the bill were my personal favourites The Jokers. Now I do have to confess an interest here as I have seen this band before and have both their albums and a Tee Shirt. Their style well I’d describe it as good old fashioned 70’s style Blues/rock stripped back and delivered with the impact of a sledge hammer. To say these guys have stage presence is putting it mildly. They soon had the crowd bouncing. Singer Wane Perry has a vocal range from Bon Scott to Paul Rodgers and knows how to work the crowd almost as well. Guitarist Paul Hurst mixes fine playing with showmanship in just the right measure. The whole band obviously enjoys playing live and that comes across in their performance. Highlights apart from the set in total? You do really need to check out “Find My Way Home” and “Bring Your Love Back To Me” This is quite possibly one of the best bands to come out of Liverpool in a good while.

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Next in another complete contrast came the night’s true metal act NG26. Think of a mix of young Metallica, Stone Sour and Alterbridge and you are almost there. Singer Rob Topley has a huge set of lungs and the band rocks along with just the right amount of menace and attitude. Set Highlights well I did like a number of their songs but “One More Road from Home” “Fire Inside” and “Afterlife” really stood out. A work in progress sure but one to keep an eye on definitely. The Rainband took to the stage, again totally different. They hail from the other end of the M62 and are causing quite a stir with their blend of indie rock with that Manchester Oasis twist, so much so in fact they are to tour with opening for Paolo Nutini when he tours Italy in July.Unwisely they began their set with the words ‘Greetings From Sunny Manchester’ which apart from the fact we all know it always rains in Manchester was never going to go down too well with a Liverpool crowd the day before the two Red Northwest teams were due to clash at Old Trafford. Do have to say though that these guys do what they do very well and soon had the crowd on their side. Finally the night ended with The Four Fighters. I do have to say being around as long as I have and seen as much I’m not the world’s greatest fan of tribute acts. That said these guys are the UK’s definitive Foo Fighters tribute band and did full justice to Dave Grohl and his bands back catalogue. To close I have to say it was a diverse bill with something for everyone. The only things the bands had in common were they were doing it all for free and giving it all they had and the audience lucky enough to be there really appreciated that. Once again I have to big up Debbie for putting on such as show. The venue ‘The Dome’ is perfect for this kind of thing and would be a fitting home for any festival small to mid-size. The really good news is the event looks like it won’t be a one off so Debbie please keep ticket number one set aside for me for next time to go with my first one.

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Dan Mann speaks with Bob Catley Of

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Hi Bob, great to speak to you. It’s incredible to believe that the new Magnum album ‘Escape From The Shadow Garden is your nineteenth studio album. Hahaha is it really? Wow how did we manage to do all those albums? We’ve been going a long time as people know, we’ve a very loyal fan base all around Europe and the UK especially. And that’s what’s kept us going all these years, people enjoying the music, loving the lyrics & the melodies & the songs, and keep coming back to see us year after year, so that’s why we’re still here really. We have a faithful following that keeps this band going, and we’re just trying to get across to more and more people every time we tour, to keep on the big stage. There’s a lot of competition out there, so we try and put out a varied melodic rock album each time we do one. I think Tony’s a great song writer and he’s come up with eleven great songs again, and the albums called Escape From The Shadowgarden, and make of that what you will people. Its great artwork, great songs, I’m very proud of everything that we do and I love working with Tony & Magnum, and it’s been my life all these years and nineteen albums later here we are hahaha.

forget us and it’s nice to know that people were waiting for us to reform, and it was worth reforming for, Tony & me are very happy, to play to bigger crowds now then we had for a long time. So a lot of interest was building up in expectation of the albums to come. And I hope we haven’t let people down, and we pull more people than ever now, and we’re doing bigger places and it’s all working very well for Magnum now. That’s down to Tony’s songs and just the love of the songs from the fans. You can’t get better than that, it’s brilliant and we’re very lucky to have that audience.

Obviously we can’t forget your own particular vocal style. You can write the greatest song in the World but if the vocalist doesn’t get up to speed then it’s all to waste. Your voice hasn’t changed at all over the years to my ears. Thank you, I hope so. I love singing, I’ve been lucky with my voice over the years. But what keeps my voice going, and keeping strong is the intensity and the lyrics, the lyrical content of the songs and what the songs stand for and what I’m singing. When I’m in the studio and I’m looking at the words I go okay how am I going to sing this. So I’ll sit with Tony and he’ll guide me through the lyrics and I can change my You are just so consistent with all the albums voice through the song or have a different type of you’ve released and it’s been a highly anticipated I voice on a different type of song. I’m very malleable you know, I think I’m good to work with and what you would strongly say, by people, this album. I want I’ll give to you. There isn’t just one voice here. I absolutely love it; I’ve played it to death! love the words that much you can here the emotion Thank you, great I’m glad. The songs are catchy, in my voice, the honesty of what I’m doing. I’m not heavy, rocky, sad, and melodic, it’s whatever you want it to be. There’s something for everybody on a trying to fool anybody, I’m trying to be quite honest and wear my heart on my sleeve and you can here it Magnum album I think, that’s why we get such a in the vocal performance a lot of the times and it diverse audience coming to see us, because of the diversity of the music I believe. I think it’s appreciated; really gets me going, I’m quite an emotional person, especially on stage. Some of the songs I have trouble we try to please everybody you know within our audience. We’ve tried to do this over the years, give singing on stage, the lyrics get to me. And the look on people’s faces, when I’m singing the words to the people value for money, and not rip you off, and oh audience, you know. The feedback I get really throws no, don’t want to see them again! me sometimes. I have to concentrate on singing the So we want people to keep coming back and seeing Magnum, of course we do, so we want to give song like Les Morts Dansant or When The World Comes Down or beautiful ballads that get to me. But them the best show we can at the time & hopefully I mustn’t show my emotion too much because I have see them in the future & that’s how we’ve built up to perform. our fan base over the years by giving them a good quality performance through songs and visually. We I must mention the album artwork. Rodney use a lot of visuals and lights, backdrops etc I think Matthews has once again done a brilliant job and a it’s good to be this kind of band and the audience superb album cover. that we have and long may that be the case. It’s brilliant isn’t it? I ‘m not quite sure what it’s all It must be really gratifying, obviously when you about. But it looks fantastic to me. We have the storyteller come back, he’s looking a bit sad; he has guys split up in 95/96, that when you reformed his head in his hands for some reason. He’s trying to some thirteen years ago the fact your fans were escape from the shadow garden I guess? still there, loyalty waiting for you to come back? It appears to be the case because when we came back with Breath Of Life, that me and Tony recorded You can’t always understand what Rodney’s painting, but it doesn’t really matter. in Wolverhampton, we put Magnum back together and we went on tour and everybody was there, it was He’s done lots of artwork for many bands over the like we hadn’t been away really and it just got better years, great calendars & posters. The fans love him. He comes to some of our gigs; some people from there and thank God for that, people didn’t

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buy the posters off him. And it’s wonderful artwork, so colourful with a lot of depth as well; almost like 3D it’s great. We’ve brought the tree back with lots of question marks hanging from as fruit. You go ahh questions! So I think it’s there to make you think what’s this all about. And whoever’s looking at it will have a different story I guess to tell about what the cover says. It has images from old albums, Chase The Dragon & Storyteller’s Night. And you put it all together and it’s like the history of Magnum, artwork wise. It’s great, really great to look at, even better as a full blown poster.

themselves. So it’s going to help both of us to be in a bigger auditorium with more people and help spread the word about Magnum and Saga. So we hope to do each other a favour and it sounds like it’ll work really well and we’ve known the guys for years. So really looking forward to that. Then we’ve got some festivals in the summer, we’re gonna go to Sweden Rock.

Which of course is huge Yeah, it’s a massive festival. We’ve played it a few times now lower down the bill, but this time we’re actually headlining one of the nights which is great, There was a real danger I guess that album which is very nice of Sweden Rock to give us that artwork was dying off. But it really lends itself to a opportunity, thank you. And we’re doing the first night, the Wednesday night of the four on June 4th. proper album cover. I believe we’ve got Rock N’ Blues in Derbyshire Absolutely, I’m glad Rodney’s done this. There was a to be confirmed and some more shows during the time when record companies we were with in the past didn’t appreciate Rodney’s work at all. They got year to be finalised. other people to do artwork for us, which wasn’t half Quite a busy year planed already and I’m guessing as good. But you have to go with the label at the time. But now SPV are very good with us and they that Tony is going to start writing straight after liked everything we send across. They’re very again is he? supportive when the time comes to promote the Yeah well I wouldn’t be surprised; it seems to be the album, putting out vinyl and digipack, bonus DVD way he is at the moment. I think he gets bored, oh recorded on the last tour. And they give Tony total nothing on the telly, I’ll think I’ll go write a song! Haha. artistic freedom, which wasn’t always the case in the He’s got his studio at home, he puts ideas down with past; labels were a bit demanding you know. It’s given his guitar and some of it he keeps but a lot of it he Tony more heart to be back in a band and to be with doesn’t keep, oh that’s not working, I can do better a record company. It’s made him feel a lot more than that. And that takes time so the earlier he energetic and committed to writing songs for starts the better, the more time he’s got to finalise Magnum. what goes on the album. And he brings it in and I It’s thanks to SPV that we’re back stronger hear it for the first time and he says here are the than ever. It’s really affected Tony in a big way. And songs I think and he gives me some words to sing, this is why we’re still here with this album coming out not necessary the finished ones but some lyrics so now. That’s the truth of it really. he can go away with some choruses for four or five songs and he’ll work on those initially and complete Well of course we must mention that you guys are those and bring them back and say okay now I know heading back on the road in April and doing a what the albums about and what direction it’s going and I’ve got the title. And these are the words for proper British tour as I call it. Yeah we’re coming round, looking forward to it, going some of the songs and you can start singing now Bob. And I go oh yeah now it makes sense to me. to rehearse during March then we start off in Finland April 7th so we’ll get all the gremlins out of the And then I can do my vocals and we take it from way and we’ll hit the Brook in Southampton, well we’ll there and that’s how the album progresses. And it of done five gigs so we’ll be bang on by then. Then to takes probably another five months, then it’s ready to mix and then we send it to Germany to the pressing London and the Islington Town Hall on May 4th. plant and then to be released. We do a year and a We’ve not played there before, last time we played half between albums and tours, that’s about right at the O2 Acadamy in Islington. Islington Town Hall sounds more like a Magnum appearance you know, I the moment. think it’ll suit the music better, just the atmosphere we’ll be in. Well one thing I must bring up with you is obviously your solo work, because again I’m a huge fan of the I saw the venue on the TV and it’s an interesting solo stuff you’ve done and I’m fingers crossed, looking venue, quite unique. hoping you’ll do a follow up to ‘Immortal’ Okay, we’ll look forward to going there. And that’ll be No, it’s difficult; I haven’t done a solo album in some our last show in the UK then we’re off to Germany, years now. The Immortal album, the last one I did for Holland & Belgium, then Germany for twelve shows Frontiers, was really good, with Magnus Karlson with Canadian band Saga and Magnum are doing a writing all the songs, I enjoyed recording that. But co-headline tour with them playing slightly bigger that was a time when it was okay to do and there places than we play normally in Germany and was plenty of space to do it.

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But now is different. Now is not the time for anything short answer is it’s not one to do at the moment solo wise. I’m fully committed to Magnum & Tony and basically. what’s coming up and what’s coming up after that. But it must be rather pleasing the fact that you’re You’ve also been involved with Aventasia in demand even if you don’t take up the offers, that I’ve been off on a couple of World tours with it and fact that people do want you. that’s a great thing to do. But only when I’m available It’s nice, it’s a nice compliment. It’s nice that people you know. If we’re in the studio then I can only do part want to use my voice and have my on an album and of it, probably just the European part, which on tours. It’s very nice, I can’t believe it, it’s great. But happened in 2008. We were recording the I can’t do it, but it’s nice to be offered. Never mind. Moonking album and I hadn’t finished my vocals. But the Avantasia tour started and I did like two weeks If I can take you back to the new album before we with it, but then came straight back to the studio. finish chatting. My mind keeps changing as to They went off to Japan and South America and what my favourite tracks are on the album. Today places and I said goodbye to them and came back to it’ll probably be Too Many Clowns & Burning River. the studio to carry on recording my vocals for But chances are it’ll probably change again. What Moonking, which is more important than having fun are the standout tracks for you? going round the World with Avantasia! But I’ve done Oh! They’re all so fresh in my head that they all stand it twice since then, so it’s when I can do it, when I’m out, but I know what you mean though. To me stand available. But hopefully it’ll happen again in the future out tracks, Too Many Clowns, rock ‘n roll hahah and hopefully I will be invited and I’d like to do it again, about politicians and not caring about people who God willing, it would be great. But that’s as much solo put them into power and once their in power they as I can do at the moment. break their promises. That’s understandable, there’s only so much time in the World. Yeah and I don’t want to spread myself too thin. I get offers all the time through my manager Annie. And she has to turn down a lot of things. People go oh can we borrow Bob for a track on the album, guest appearance. But it wouldn’t be right to go off and do that. I’m in Magnum you know, I should concentrate, focus on what Tony is doing and not be off doing something else really. It would not be right. So the

Incredibly relevant now. It happens all over the World and this country as well with this present government. There are too many clowns running the World, that’s the observation on that song in a rock n’ roll style. But I could say that about a lot of them though. Live to You Die, the first song is basically about child abuse. The lyric there of ‘sacred the one orphaned child, destined to collide, always cast aside’ So to me I see a hand coming out and hitting a child there

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and you know be quite and the child not being allowed to exist as a person, child abuse. So that touches on that subject. Another stand out track is Unwritten Sacrifice which is to do with the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In battle, any battle, modern day battle anyway. Young men go across and they never come back, families never see them. Their bodies aren’t found, they’ve gone up in a puff of smoke, and they’ve just disintegrated. Who was he, his friends, the story of this young man? And there’s just a cross with a helmet on it. The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier. Very sad, but it’s quite a stand out epic seven minute kind of song which we will be doing on stage. So it’s an awful subject but Tony’s musical writing is full of melodies and great sounds and keyboards and rocky guitar. You can kind of forget the subject matter and just get absorbed and lost in the music really.

Well that’s it. It works on various levels, if you just want to have it on as a rock album, it works perfectly but if you actually want to get into the lyrical content of it, then it takes you to a completely different level altogether. That’s right. It depends on the listener of course and what they’re into. There’s up-tempo dancing stuff on the album, there’s ballads, there’s heavy tracks on there. We kind of fit into the middle section of rock I think. And that’s because the albums are always so varied that I think we pull a cross section of rock fans not one extreme or the other.

jackets, ripped jeans, I dunno, all sorts of people. And it’s the music that attracts them and joins them altogether on that one night. Which was the subject matter of a song on Chase The Dragon called Sacred Hour. And that’s still happening you know even today and more and more we get lovely people come to see us so it seems to be still working and we touch people’s hearts and minds. It’s good I think music should have something to say but also be entertaining at the same time. And they can just have a jig around if they can’t hear the words or me singing hahaha. Well obviously it’s great that we’ve got more young people still coming to shows these days. It’s easy for the press to say that rock is dead, I don’t think so at all, far from it. No that’s rubbish, no rock is very alive, believe me I know it; I know what’s going on. I talk to a lot of people in the business about young bands. Young bands are coming in more and more because of the classic rock bands from years ago. The older bands are still there of course, we’re one of them! The people have come back bigger and bigger, and it’s getting played more. Good for classic rock, good for us. It’s good for people’s souls and piece of mind that this music is still available and it’s getting more popular by the day. I love it and I’m in a very happy place at the moment. It wasn’t always like that in the 90’s but its coming back now, good for us and good for you people. Well Bob, it’s been an absolute pleasure talking to you, I’m a real fan of Magnum and your solo work and the absolute master class skill of Tony Clarkin. Oh he’s great isn’t he? Yeah I love working with the guy. Such a good producer. What a great guitarist, and a great song writer. You don’t get to work with many people like this in your life so I’m hanging on to him. We get on great and we ain’t finish yet believe me. Great stuff, Bob thank you very much indeed. All the best for the album, and I hope the tour is another success for you guys. Thank you very much, that’s very nice of you to say so. Thank you people and I hope to see you on tour.

That’s a very fair point. I think so yes, I think that’s why we fit in the mid stream of rock, and we vary to the left or the right. You know heavy or light. And I think that reflects in the audience who come to see us. We get all sorts of people. Young children, older people, whole families, young ladies, old blokes my age, suits, denim

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Jon Seymour Chats with Charlotte Wessels 28

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So you’re heading to the UK soon and touring with Within Temptation. You’re very good friends with them aren’t you? Yes we are. Obviously there’s some history with us, as Martijn has actually played in the band, and of course there are still some family ties with Martijn and some of the members in Within Temptation. They’re the band that we’re compared to most often, because of the ties that Martijn has with the band, but I can’t think of anyone else that we’d rather be compared to. The new album is due out very soon. Do you think it’s different than We Are The Others? The album is due out in April, and although there are similarities with the last album there are also a lot of differences. We had a lot of people involved in We Are The Others, and many of them were outside of the band, so we decided that this time we would just rely on ourselves to write the album and only involve other people if it was absolutely necessary, such as the orchestral arrangements and stuff like that. We’re all very happy with the way it sounds though. We’ve actually gone back to the darker sound of our first album. There are still catchy songs that you could play with just a vocal, guitar and piano, but there are a lot of elements brought in to them. Martijn did the production, which is also a big difference from having an outside production team. We’re very excited about it though, and it will be interesting to see what people think of it.

to conform to certain stereotypes. This album isn’t just limited to the differences between humans though, we’ve gone on to the differences between human and non human nature. In the song Tell Me Mechanist we go on to say how we misuse natural resources. The whole concept of otherness is something I’ve been interested in for several years both personally and academically, and that’s how it found its way into the Delain lyrics on We Are The Others, which for me is still one of the most special So are there any songs that are written along a projects to have been involved in. The collaboration specific theme on the new album? with the Sophie Lancaster Foundation was Actually yes, we’ve kind of written along the same something I feel privileged to be a part of. The song lines and produced this idea of “otherness” and even was very personal to me, and it was amazing how the title The Human Contradiction came from one of many people related to it in some way. We’ll continue my favourite books. The book is a sci-fi post working with the Sophie Lancaster Foundation too, apocalyptic novel, and the idea of the human as they do a lot of good in the world, and we’ll contradiction is used to describe why humans didn’t continue to tell people about them and what a great survive, and eventually all died out. It’s because of the job they’re doing. intelligence we have and the hierarchy we create. The more intelligent life forms didn’t create a You mentioned academic interests earlier, what hierarchy, and formed a society where everyone was have you been studying? equal so there was no concept of who was better. I’ve been doing gender studies for some time now, Humans base their hierarchy on a number of and of course that includes racism and sexism along random characteristics, and this creates a society with a whole lot more “otherness” theories. It’s where no matter how hard some people try, they will something that I’ve been interested in a long time, never be able to make progress. It’s an idea we and I only graduated a few weeks ago, so I’m still on introduced on We Are The Others, and there are a high from that. In fact we had to deliver the album several songs on the new album that expand on that. master to the label, and I had to submit my master For instance, Army Of Dolls is about objectification, thesis in the same week, so December was Hell for and specifically the objectification of women, where me. January though was full of celebration as it was they’re pressured into fitting inside certain guidelines a big relief to get most of the really hard work done. in order to be considered beautiful or “normal” and in the song Your Body Is A Battleground, we go on to Do you have any plans to come back to the UK on a how certain industries profit from making people headline tour maybe later in the year? believe that their body isn’t normal or beautiful. It’s Yes of course. We were really pleased to be asked to really very scary when you think about it, and it’s all join the Within Temptation tour, but it’s been a long about the pressure we’re put under in everyday life time since we did a headline tour in the UK, so it’s

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something we definitely want to do. There are no firm plans yet though, it’s something that we’ve still got to work on, but we’re looking to schedule some dates in for probably the end of this year or maybe early 2015. For now though we’re going out and playing some big shows with Within Temptation, and in particular Wembley Arena. This is all bucket list stuff for me you know ?

though, we’re so occupied with our own music, we don’t get a lot of time to check out other artists very much.

You also mentioned earlier that you like to read. Are there any authors that you’re particularly fond of? Yes, I really like Nick Cave as a writer as well as a musician, I really like his books. I’ve been reading a lot The arena tour is giving you some great personal of Peter Singer lately, and I’ve also been reading a lot opportunities too then? on animal rights because of my thesis. I really like Yes, we’ve played some really big festivals, and that’s Donna Haraway. She’s a biologist, feminist always a lot of fun, but there are certain venues that philosopher and she’s brilliant. I’ve still got a huge everyone wants to play from a personal point of view. reading list that I made while I was studying, so I’m Maybe because they’ve been there themselves and still working my way through that, but I’m slowly watched a show, or they’ve seen the venue on returning to recreational reading. Of course Octavia television, or it’s just one of those famous venues E Butler should be in there too, as she’s the author around the world that their favourite bands have of the trilogy of books that the album title came from. played in, and they want to follow in their footsteps. The venue we’re playing in Holland, the Heineken Do you have time for any other hobbies at all? Music Hall was where I seen all of my favourite Not really, although I do run three times a week. I find bands for the very first time, so for me it’s like it relaxing, even though I usually die after a while. It’s walking on hallowed ground, and that makes it so a good way to get your mind off things. There’s not special. It’s not just about how many people will be always a lot of free time available, but I try to make there, it’s about the feeling I’ll get walking onto the sure I exercise a few times a week, as it’s good for stage I grew up watching from the other side. It’s your body, and it’s also therapeutic for your mind. surreal just to even think about it. Do you have anything in particular you’d like to say Are there any bands around right now that you to our readers before you go out on tour? really like or that people should look out for? I’d just like to thank everyone for their support. The There’s a Dutch band that I really like called The last tour we did in the UK was amazing, and we hope Charm, The Fury. They’re a metal band with a female to see some of you again, either at the Within grunter. She does both clean vocals and grunts but it Temptation shows, or when we come back later on sounds really cool. I am totally blown away by the new our headline tour. We really hope you like the new album from Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, although record and enjoy listening to it as much as we it still doesn’t top Murder Ballads. To be honest enjoyed making it for you.

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Jon Seymour Chats to Cormac Neeson 32

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You’re currently out on the second leg of the UK tour, and the venues are getting bigger it seems? Yeah, tonight we’re in Tunbridge Wells, and it’s our first time playing here would you believe? We’re really looking forward to the show. We’re also playing a lot of places that we haven’t been to in a while, so it’ll be good to get back to those too Do you have any plans in place after the current UK tour? Oh yeah, there’s definitely more mileage in New Horizon yet. We’re still to take the show to America and that’s something we really want to do, and we’re gearing up for festival season in the summer, and that will probably be the culmination of the tour in the UK. We’re already confirmed to be playing Download and Steelhouse Festival this year, and hopefully we can get onto a few more if we can. I think The Answer has helped the Irish music scene quite a bit over the last few years, and there seems to be a lot of good music coming out of there now too, are there any we should look out for? I think the Irish music scene has one weakness, and it’s that it’s so eclectic. There are a great many bands in different genres that are really good at what they do, but it’s so hard to pin the scene down to a particular genre, but it’s proof that the scene is thriving, which is a good thing. I really like Screamin Eagles, Million Dollar Reload, Swanny River and Trucker Diablo who have unfortunately decided to call it a day. Also keep an eye out for So I Watch You From Afar. New Horizon has been out since last year, are there any plans for the next album yet? Yeah there are. We’re already thinking about writing the next one soon. Although the album was released in October, we actually had it finished a few months before that, so we’re throwing ideas around for the next record already. Do you find being together on the road produces a lot of ideas? Yeah it does. When we’re together on the bus, the ideas start coming out, but that’s all they are until we get back home and start trying to put the ideas into practice. Being on the road is a great hot bed of inspiration, and although you don’t reach the level of coherence needed to produce an album, it gives you something to build on. Our most productive time is usually the first couple of months after a big tour.

we get a day off we use it to relax as much as possible and take a break. Have you got any plans in place for later in the year? Yeah, we’re probably going to go out to Japan in September to promote the record, and we’re trying to put some plans in place to tour in the US. It’ll be good to get back to Japan, it’s always a lot of fun, and the fans are crazy, but they have a lot of respect for musicians and everyone gives you a lot of love so it’s good for the soul. We haven’t played the US really since we were on tour there with AC/DC so we’re long overdue another visit. We wouldn’t mind getting down to Australia during their festival season too. Do you have anything you’d like to say to our readers? Obviously we’d just like to say thanks to everyone for coming out and supporting us. If you haven’t heard the new album yet, go check it out and let us know what you think, although I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Come and check us out on Twitter and Facebook too. If you get an answer to your comments on our pages, it’s always one of the guys in the band. We don’t have anyone updating our pages for us. We really enjoy interacting with our fans.

Has the whole social networking idea been useful to you? Yeah it has. We really enjoy that side of things, and connecting directly with your fans is something that wasn’t really there ten years ago, and it’s becoming more and more important to bands and musicians to get involved and promote yourselves on social What do you guys do during your days off on networks. It’s also instant, because you can make tour? an announcement and it’s out there straight away. We just usually hang out together. If we’re in the UK We’re quite fortunate to already have a following, we’ll Google the nearest real ale pub and treat but for younger musicians who are just starting out, ourselves to a day off. It’s really hectic on tour, it’s a great way to get the message out there. especially playing five or six shows in a row, so when

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Brixton O2 Academy - 15 March 2014 Support -Tonight Alive and Only Rivals Review and Photos by Jon Seymour I was kind of roped into this one by all accounts. My daughter wanted to go, and so I ended up with a ticket too, seeing as I was the one who had to drive her there. If I’m going to drive to a gig anyway, I may as well go to it, right? My daughter has actually introduced me to a lot of good bands that the younger generation are listening to, so it helps keep me up to speed with the current “scene” or whatever, although when you’re age is twice the average for the rest of the audience you can’t help feeling like a teacher on a massive school trip. Selling out Brixton Academy twice in a week is no mean feat though.

This was also the first time I’d applied for access to the photo pit, so there I was feeling completely out of my depth, with my little Samsung NX300 for company.... Until I got chatting to a couple of friendly photographers, but I digress, so I’ll get on with reviewing the show.... This was only my second visit to Brixton Academy, but once again the sound was absolutely bang on. The staff members were very helpful, and the venue is well organised with everyone getting in before the first band took the stage, and getting out, whilst being the expected mad rush, was free of drama.

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be going to see them again if I can. They’ll be selling out Brixton Academy themselves soon, you mark my words.

It’s a very good music venue, what more is there to say? First up were Only Rivals. By all accounts they had a tough job of warming up the crowd, and they did very well. They took control early on, and the crowd lapped them up, and really gave them some good feedback. It’s always hard being the first band on stage, but they coped admirably. They were energetic and put a lot into their performance, and by the end of their set, everyone was clapping and cheering, and basically having a great time. They’re a straight ahead rock band, with a little attitude thrown in. I hope that they go on to bigger and better things after this.

So then, onto the main event we go. I thought the crowd were pretty loud for the last band, but when All Time Low hit the stage, the noise in the room went up to an almost deafening level. Now I will admit to liking this kind of pop/punk music. It’s a whole lot of fun for starters, and that’s what makes it appealing to me. It’s great to play on the radio too, and if I remember rightly I played their last couple of singles to death. Well tonight the fun was on a whole new level. These guys are one of the most energetic and animated bands I’ve seen in a very long time. They didn’t keep still for the entire set, save for a couple of acoustic numbers, and that energy fed out into the crowd. The atmosphere in the auditorium was electric. The show was full of humour, great music, and most of all, it was pure unadulterated fun. I found myself having a really good time, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

This was a night of great music, and a big party atmosphere. It was loud, it was fun, and by the end of it, I felt a lot less like a teacher. I left the venue with my ears ringing, and my face smiling, and if I leave a gig in that state, you can be assured I had a bloody Australia’s Tonight Alive are a band I’ve only recently good time. So much so, that I’d do it all over again if I discovered (through my daughter again), and I was could. really excited at the prospect of seeing them live. They took to the stage, and a massive cheer went up all around the room. It would seem that they’re a pretty popular band then, and from their performance, it’s not hard to see why. They had the crowd eating from the palm of their hands right from the off. The performance was energetic, and the whole band just looked as though they were having a lot of fun up there. That of course spilled in to the room, and the whole place was vibrating due to the sell out crowd jumping up and down in unison, and yes that did include me, even if I am on the wrong side of forty. These guys are back in the UK later on this year for a headline tour, and I’ll

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Sonisphere 2014 is already shaping up nicely, with some great acts on the bill, can we expect more surprises? Yeah we’re still adding bands to the line up. You can expect more announcements in the near future of course, but we’re really excited about it. We’re really pleased that Wilko Johnson has agreed to come and play at the festival. We weren’t sure if he would, considering his health, but he was really keen to be on board. Also of course there’s just been another big announcement, with some of the day splits and more bands added to the bill. Yep, too many bands to list here. Of course this year is Knebworth’s 40 anniversary too, so can we expect some celebrations? Of course. We’re inviting a lot of people to play who’ve played at Knebworth before. Chas N Dave were one of the acts to play near the very beginning, so we’re happy they wanted to come back and do it again. We went through the previous festival line ups over the last 40 years, and we’ve really got a mixture of artists on the bill, and hopefully there’s something for everyone. There were obviously rumours of Sonisphere not returning, after cancelling in 2012, and not even attempting a festival in 2013. I’m sure a lot of people are thankful of your return in 2014. We took a year out last year because after establishing the festival over the previous years with bands such as Metallica, Rammstein, Linkin Park, Iron Maiden and all the undercard bands that we’d booked. We felt that last year we couldn’t put a strong enough group of headline acts to carry on Knebworth and Sonisphere’s good name and reputation. This year we approached several bands and it all fell into place with Metallica, Maiden and The Prodigy, so we made the call to run the festival. We’ve been working on it for a while now, and we’ll continue working on it right up until the event, and I’m really proud to have been able to put the bill together. There are a lot of people that complain about the same old bands headlining festivals, but there are also those who say that there’s nobody around to pass the torch to. Is there enough new talent coming through that could be considered a

headline act? I do think there’s a healthy crop of new artists coming through, and I also think that rock fans have a lot more choice of bands to listen to, because of the internet. When I was a kid, it was a lot harder to access music. Our choices were Tommy Vance’s Friday Rock Show on Radio 1, or Raw Power on the TV, and occasionally if one of my mates had a copy of Headbanger’s Ball that I could borrow, I’d watch that, but these days you can just go online and find anything you want. For instance, Avenged Sevenfold are headlining Download this year, which is fantastic. We gave Biffy Clyro their first major festival headline, and we’re really proud to have done that. I’ve worked with Biffy since I paid £100 to do a show right at the beginning, and to watch them grow from that to headlining a major festival is great. Last year they headlined Reading and Leeds festivals, so I’m really pleased to have been a part of that.

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From what you’re saying, I think we’re from the same generation. It really was the case of if you didn’t read about them in Metal Hammer or Kerrang! or listen on the Friday Rock Show, you probably never got to hear about them at all. Yeah exactly. We actually did an announcement with Kerrang! a while back when we announced Deftones and Frank Turner etc we gave them the announcement in the magazine. We didn’t put anything at all out online until after that. I went onto Facebook and Twitter and said “this is how I used to find out about stuff when I was fifteen.” You’d have to buy a copy of the magazine and flick through the gig listings or whatever to see who might be playing near you, but these days, all of the information is there instantly. We just decided that we’d have a bit of fun and make the announcement “old school” plus of course we support Kerrang! as it’s a fantastic institution, and really a part of my own rock history.

particular Sonisphere UK has a bright future? Of course. We were talking earlier about Avenged Sevenfold and Biffy Clyro as headliners, but there are also a lot of other bands moving up the bill, such as Alice In Chains, Mastodon, Airbourne and a few others too, and it won’t be long before their names are at the top of the bill either. So do you have any surprises in store for us, or is it still too early to say? There are no surprises as yet, but it’s still early days. There’s more announcements to come of course, so the best way to keep up is to follow Sonisphere on Twitter and Facebook, as we’re updating every couple of weeks or so.

It’s good to see the support you’re getting this year. When 2012 was cancelled due to poor ticket sales, it was quite a shock, and obviously it wasn’t a decision that was taken lightly. It’s definitely a lot easier to network these days, No it wasn’t. We thought we had a really strong line and I think the rock community is a lot bigger as a up in 2012, but obviously we didn’t get it right and whole because of it. unfortunately we had to cancel. We’ve moved on You’re right, it is a lot easier. After Donnington from that though, and now we’re back stronger than Monsters Of Rock finished in 1996, there wasn’t a ever. We just want to put on a big party with loads of rock festival in the UK for a long time. You maybe got great bands, and that’s the main idea. I’ve been a few acts at Reading and Leeds and that was about going to festivals for years, and all I want to do is be it. We ended up having to go to Dynamo Festival in part of a team that puts on an amazing party. I am Holland or something like that, just so we got to go as much a festival customer as I am a festival to a rock festival. These days there’s more choice. organiser. There’s Download, Bloodstock, and Sonisphere for a start. There’s also a lot more rock acts on the bill at So I think this would be a good time to let everyone Reading and Leeds festivals too, and the smaller know where they can go to get all of the up to date festivals that are appearing all over the place. information on Sonisphere Festival. There’s always a lot of bands touring too, so the rock Yep sure. For information on the festival go to scene is stronger than ever, and there’s more http://www.sonisphere.co.uk you can follow us on people than ever before going to rock concerts in the Twitter @Sonisphere and you can search on UK, and that’s exciting. Facebook and Instagram and find us there. I’m also on Twitter @AlanDayRocks. Come check us out, and So you’re confident that rock music, and in hopefully we’ll see you soon.

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Planets3 update - new features announced!

using heavy tools and weapons, and your “vigor” will be increased by exerting yourself when tired. Planets³ developer, Cubical Drift, are thrilled to · Storylines will be playable in multi-player and all announce that funding is well underway to reach and the progression will be stored on the server. surpass its KickStarter goal of $250,000 and have · New armour, including armour specific to female characters. revealed some fabulous new incentives. Would-be and current backers may now add · Taming of certain wild animals, to become pets, will be possible. an additional $10 for an extra digital download to give to friends and family. Add an additional $20 and · KickStarter backers also have the possibility to backers get 3 pets that have unique abilities to help have exclusive pets with specific and unique skill sets. players early on in the game. “We wanted backers to get something that Tom Clancy’s Endwar Online First 48-Hour Open would make them feel special when starting to play Server Event Starts Tomorrow our game. Something that feels unique,” - Michel Thomazeau, Project³ Project Director - “Why does Jump into the game from March 29-30. your cute pet have abilities? Because I'm a Ubisoft announced that Tom Clancy’s Kickstarter backer!” EndWar Online, the free-to-play spin-off of Tom NOTE: Alpha-code is now available, so please Clancy’s EndWar, will kick-off its first Open Server get in touch with the press contact if you are event in preparation for its upcoming Closed Beta. interested to have a look. Starting Saturday March 29, 8pm UK Time, Updated features: players will have the opportunity to access the game · In Planets³ every player will be able to create server for 48 hours. his own server and invite friends to it. One hour after the server goes live, the first in-game · Characters will have different statistics that Happy Hour will start giving players the chance to can improve and level up with actions within the win rewards including Closed Beta keys, EndWar game. For example, your “power” can be improved by

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Online-themed goodies and other prizes. On Sunday March 30, players can join the Theater of War with the start of PvP matches that pit Factions against each other to determine who will gain control over the last resources on Earth. Compared to the first Technical Test last month, the maximum level cap has been increased from Level 20 to Level 25, giving players access to more hero commanders to recruit and to a new chapter in the single-player campaign. Players will also be granted unlimited battle points to engage in as many PvE battles as they wish. Generals interested in testing EndWar Online can now enlist for this event and the upcoming Closed Beta at www.endwaronline.com.

Legacy Deluxe Edition will get this DLC for free. The DLC “The Falcon & The Uncorn” introducesa large content, an exclusive quest line, 2 new dungeons and an all-new array of enemies from the iconic Haven faction. All of this comes together to create 5 hours of brand new gameplay. After the epic events of Might & Magic X – Legacy, in which our favourite group of Raiders has been raised as the heroes of Ashan, in “The Falcon & The Unicorn” the story is not the same. The Holy Inquisition itself wants their heads, accusing them of crimes they didn't commit. Sentenced to rot away until death on the prison island of Fort Laegaire, the Raiders must once again ally wits and skills to unravel a sinister plot targeting the heart of the imperial court. Might & Magic X - Legacy is an authentic solo League of Angels Lands This Month at experience in the classic first-person RPG genre, Koramgame with a turn-based gameplay system. By creating and Brand new fantasy MMORPG is launching this month leading a group of adventurers in and around the exciting city of Karthal, by battling powerful mythical complete with a rewarding Diamond Promotion to creatures while collecting ancient magical treasures, kick it off! players will determine the fate of the Agyn Peninsula. After a delay to the launch date we all hoped Might & Magic® X - Legacy is available on that League of Angels would be coming to Windows PC. The Deluxe Edition is available for Koramgame before the end of March as first announced. And it seems that this is indeed the case £24.99 on both digital and retail channels, the as Koramgame have pulled out a little surprise today Standard Edition being available for £19.99 on digital channels only. by announcing that their latest fantasy MMORPG League of Angels will finally launch on their platform in the coming days (30th March, 2014). This will be The Most Powerful Character In All Of Grand welcome news for fans of the genre, as League of Chase Crosses Over To Elsword Angels already looks set to become one of the early hits of 2014. Elesis’ Debut Marks The First-Ever MMO Character Along with news of the game’s release date Crossover KOG Games, a leading developer and Koramgame has also announced that to celebrate publisher of popular free-to-play action MMORPGs, the launch of League of Angels they’ll be running a today announced that Elesis, the protagonist and number of promotions, including a their exciting arguably the most versatile and powerful character Diamond Promotion. As part of the Diamond Promotion players can earn up to a whopping 1680 in the all-out action brawler Grand Chase, will cross Diamonds which is enough to buy various highly sort over into the world of Elsword. Marking the first time in history a playable title character has ever crossed after items including; mounts, wings and weapons. over in an MMO. Promotions this rewarding don’t come along every “This is an exciting time for both games as we day in the world of free-to-play games, so this should gear up for the launch of Grand Chase and welcome be a huge incentive for many getting a lot of players Elesis to Elsword,” said Eugene Kim CEO of KOG interested and into League of Angels very early on! Games. Packed with features League of Angels has a lot to offer as a top fantasy MMORPG. The Cross – A long debate among players of both games, fans have argued over whether or not Elesis is truly the server War, Guild and Team Dungeon systems all bring added excitement to the game and with special big sister of Elsword’s title character. Elesis’ features including The Hallowed Hall, the Zodiac and introduction into Elsword will not only confirm their the unique Gemology, the player will be transported straight to suspicions, but it will greatly expand upon th Elsword/Elesis family history. As the 8 character the heart of the Broken Kingdoms! in Elsword, Elesis is charged with the effort of bringing Grand Chasehome to KOG Games where it Might & Magic X – Legacy Dlc “The Falcon & The will now assume the role of developer and publisher. Unicorn” Available Now Fight like a girl! Putting her in contention with Ubisoft announced that Might & Magic X the guys for a shot as the toughest brawler, Elesis is Legacy DLC “The Falcon & The Unicorn” is available the first female melee character in Elsword! Elesis for £5.49. Owners of the Might & Magic X – fights with steel and fire.

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The dynamic appearance of even her most basic attacks is downright remarkable. Starting her attacks by swinging her wicked fire-imbued Claymore, she gestures with her off hand for a flame-lash from below, all the while continuing to chain a sinister salvo of fire and blade attack combinations. Much like title character Elsword, the more she attacks the more powerful she becomes! ‘Hannibal at the Gates’ and free ‘Seasons & Wonders’ Update out now for Total War: ROME II Thrusting ROME II players into the swirling conflict of the Second Punic War, Hannibal at the Gates brings the Western Mediterranean into sharp relief as the Republic of Rome and the trading empire of Carthage fight for their very survival. Including new playable factions, this dramatic downloadable campaign pack is available for purchase now. Alongside the pack, a new free Seasons & Wonders update has been rolled out to all ROME II users. This update includes a unit-roster expansion for Carthage, Twitch. TV streaming support, new great wonders for battlefields, touchscreen support, and introduces seasons into the ROME II Grand Campaign. The update also brings a host of new technical, AI and gameplay improvements in both battle and campaign. Meridian: New World launches on Steam Early Access on April 4th Early Access Trailer available now Headup Games and Merge Games today announce that the unique real time strategy game Meridian: New World, by one-man studio Elder Games, will be available from April 4, 2014 on Steam Early Access. Meridian: New World is a single player RTS/ RPG hybrid developed by Ede Tarsoly, the genius mind behind Elder Games. To celebrate the launch a brand new trailer has been released:

eager (and somewhat nervous) to receive all the feedback from the people who I want to reach first and foremost. Working on a game for as long as I have in preparation of this campaign means I am very close to the project, so I can’t wait to hear what RTS gamers worldwide think of what is being created.” Wargaming to Open Up World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition to All Players This Weekend Non-Xbox Live Gold Account Holders to Get Three Extra Days of Access Wargaming is happy to announce that this weekend they’ll be opening up the game to players who don’t have Xbox Live Gold account status. Previously, access for those players was limited to a 7-day timed trial. Starting March 28tand running until March 30, those players will be able to get back into the action, even if they have already exhausted their allotted demo time. This new access period will give all players the chance to experience the culmination of the Map Madness campaign, which tasked players around the world with hitting a tank destruction quote. After tens of millions of kills, the players succeeded in hitting their goal, with the last map, Prokhorovka, slated to be released Friday morning. For more information on World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition, please visit: · www.worldoftanks.com/xbox Game of Thrones Ascent, On-the-Go: Now Available to Play on iPad

Disruptor Beam and HBO expand popular social game for Game of Thrones fans worldwide via the App Store, with Android Release Coming Soon Disruptor Beam, the company that brings together fan communities and games, in partnership with HBO Global Licensing has today announced that Game of Thrones Ascent is now available on Apple iPad devices! First released online via Facebook, Kongregate and DisruptorBeam.com in 2013, iPad users can now enjoy the first ever social game based on the award-winning HBO show and literary works of George R.R. Martin. Players can lead the life of a noble of Westeros, playing with (or against) each other while swindling with the swipe of a finger in a persistent, authentic world. Download the iPad version in the App Store starting today at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/game-ofthrones-ascent/id799145075 “Getting onto Early Access is one of the most With Game of Thrones Ascent, fans can immerse important things for me with regards to the themselves beyond the books and show and actually development of the game”, states Ede Tarsoly, the creative mind behind the game. “Early access allows live the life of a noble during a time of upheaval within to talk seriously to the gaming community and I am Westeros.

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Taking part in thousands of story-driven quests, players delve deeply into the lore and develop their own lands and reputation among the Great Houses. Players explore an expansive world filled with deep political and social play involving diplomatic agreements, pacts, marriages, and betrothals. Through Alliance challenges, players work with hundreds of others to accomplish great tasks and rise to the top of the Power Rankings. Game of Thrones Ascent for iPad takes full advantage of iPad device features, including enhanced art and optimized imagery for Retina displays, as well as “Game Center” leaderboards, and iOS 7 compatibility and support. A newly designed user interface and improved user flow now provides fans with a mobile optimized Game of Thrones social gaming experience. “We recognize that tablets are actually where so many Game of Thrones fans are either reading the books or watching the TV show,” said Jon Radoff, CEO and Founder of Disruptor Beam. “So, it makes perfect sense that we bring this great game, which 2 million players have already enjoyed online, to the iPad, giving Game of Thrones fans even more of a chance to immerse themselves in Westeros.” Since the game’s initial online launch in spring 2013, Disruptor Beam has added numerous content updates and improvements to the game, all while the series’ storyline progresses. These updates will continue leading into the debut of Season 4 of the show on April 6th, 2014 in the U.S. both online and in the iPad version. Game of Thrones Ascent will also continue to be rolled out on additional mobile platforms, including Android, in the near future.

Interactive, its sister development studio Hardlight (responsible for Sonic Dash and Sonic Jump) and Sheffield-based Little Stone Software. “It’s great to finally be able to release FMC Vita. This game has been the most technically challenging that we’ve ever worked on – we’ve essentially fit a PC game that needs loads of memory, a mouse and a keyboard into Sony’s wonderful handheld with a touch screen – and the help we’ve had from all of our partners has been wonderful,” says Miles Jacobson, Studio Director at Sports Interactive. “To be able to take your home computer save onto the road adds a huge amount to the Football Manager experience.” “For years, the dream of many Football Manager fans has been to be able to enjoy a full version of their favourite game wherever they are,” says Shahid Ahmad, Senior Business Development Manager, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. “Sports Interactive and SEGA have realised that dream on the PS Vita, and we at PlayStation are delighted with their ground-breaking results.” Football Manager Classic started life as a 'slimmed down' game mode in Football Manager 2013, specifically designed as an alternative, less time-consuming way for players to approach the game. The release of FMC 2014 for PS Vita marks the first time that it's been released as a standalone game. Football Manager Classic 2014 for PlayStation Vita will be published by SEGA and will be available as both a physical release and a digital download through the PSN store.

New World of Warplanes “Flight Academy” Football Manager Classic For Ps Vita… The Wait Is Tutorial Video Heads Into Combat Almost Over Latest video guide explains warbirds’ parameters Fully-featured handheld version of Football Manager and upgrade system Wargaming today announced the release of Classic, with cross-platform compatibility and 3D match engine, to be available from Friday, April 11th the latest installment of its “Flight Academy” video series for World of Warplanes. This latest tutorial Sports Interactive and SEGA Europe Ltd. are focuses on combat characteristics that determine a delighted to announce that the release date for vehicle’s performance in the skies, as well as the Football Manager Classic 2014 (FMC 2014) for equipment and upgradable modules available for PlayStation Vita has been set as Friday, April 11th. FMC 2014 for PS Vita is the first game in the each plane in the game. The video also briefs pilots on each and every series’ long and successful history to allow fans to parameter of a warbird, providing insight into the carry on a single continuous game, whether they’re way additional equipment can play a key role in at home using their computer or out and about with victory or defeat. their PlayStation Vita (or vice versa). Fans of flight combat will also learn more about In addition, FMC 2014 for PS Vita is also the module research, and how upgrades help unlock a first ever mobile game to feature FM’s acclaimed 3D warplane’s true potential in the skies. Match Engine, adding an extra layer of realism and immersion that’s been unavailable in previous Football Manager Handheld games, alongside a pretty much identical feature set to Football Manager Classic on home computers. Produced with considerable support from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), FMC 2014 for PS Vita has been co-developed by Sports

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The Manic Shine - Let Go Or Be Dragged Record Label: The Animal Farm Records

8/10

Released: 27 January 2014

Highlight of the album: Fiendish Means Website: http://www.themanicshine.com/ Reviewer: Rob Birtley

Part of the pleasure of being an FBRR reviewer is being exposed to new music outside your comfort zone. Now I don’t like to use well-worn phrases like genre hopping and a unique blend but in this case I’m afraid I’ll have to. What took some time was for me to decide what if anything I made of it. ‘Let Go Or Be Dragged’ is The Manic Shines second studio album a follow up the 2012 release ‘Blindsider’. They are a London based quartet with a multicultural back ground. Brothers Orren and Tamir Karp (guitar/backing vocal and drums respectively) hail from Israel. Lead singer Ozzie Rodgers born in London but was brought up in Dubai with Bass player Hutch Hutchinson the only long term native in this elective bunch. The brief description of their sound goes something like this. Hard Rock with a proggy metal edge. Guitar sounds that sometimes call to mind Rage Against The Machine. Melodic with some gripping harmonies. It is above all a roller coaster ride that leaves you guessing what turn the band will take next and not a little breathless. It is both well-crafted and engaging.

driving almost anthemic rock ‘Tin Crown Kings’ and ‘(S) Words’ and these tracks do set the pace and tone of the piece so if you don’t dig them go no further. The next two tracks ‘Avarice’ and ‘Scattershot’ are more outright proggy but still the driving beat is kept up. ‘Use Your Horizon’ coming out of left field this is a more straight forward driving rocker the track to get the crowd Head Banging live before ‘Libra’ changes the mood once again and is the softest most evocative song on the album. As I have said this is a mixture that is constantly evolving and surprising daring you to second guess it about what’s coming next and knowing you will be once again proven wrong. So what did I make of it all. Firstly I have to say it is an album that I will have to go back to a number of times but one worth the revisiting knowing that I’ll discover something new every visit. On first listening it’s true to say I had mixed feelings but this album is a grower the more I listened in the course of reviewing the more it spoke to me.

The album kicks off nicely with two slabs of edgy, hard

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Vanishing Point - Distant Is The Sun Record Label: AFM Records

9/10

Released: 21 February 2014

Highlight of the album: Distant Is The Sun Website: http://vanishing-point.com.au/ Reviewer: Rob Birtley

Vanishing Point was a new name to me until I heard a track on Heelz of Steel that immediately made my ears prick up and I knew I had to hear more of this band. The genre was one that I’m more than familiar symphonic metal but the band was one that had slipped through my net.

instrumental intro that sets the tone for the rest of the work and wouldn’t be out of place on any fine metal epic. Now I am struggling to list the stand out moments as every track of the fourteen on the album is a gem. I will mention ‘Circle Of Fire’ as it has Tony Kakko of Sonata Arctica guesting on vocals not that it is any better than other thirteen tracks they are all The Band is based in Melbourne Australia and at the outstanding. Tracks ‘Story of Misery’, ‘Handful Of Hope’ moment a five piece outfit. ‘Distant Is The Sun’ is their and ‘Walls Of Silence’ all paint beautiful sonic pictures. 5th studio album, hardly prolific as they got to together This is an album that demands you listen to it right the in originally the early 1990’s but have had a number of way through. Although as far as I know it’s not a line-up changes since then. If you’re looking for concept album each track flows seamlessly into the comparisons try Dream Theatre with a mix of next in perfect harmony. Porcupine Tree and a sprinkling of Seventh Wonder for good measure and you wouldn’t be far wrong. Distant To sum it up we all know the feeling when someone is the Sun is just one of a number of recent releases tells you “You’ll really Love” an album by a band you’ve from OZ that are revealing a wealth of talent flowering never heard of and once again they turn out to be at the moment. right! Really Annoying Right! Except when it’s Dawn Nicholls, have to admit it Dawn this one has me The album opens with ‘Beyond Redemption’ an hooked.

Gamma Ray - Empire Of The Undead Record Label: earMUSIC

9/10

Released: 28 March 2014

Highlight of the album: Avalon Website: http://www.gammaray.org/ Reviewer: Stoodge Mc Nulty

With their first studio album since 'To the Metal' in 2010, these maestros of German power metal have finally returned. This, the groups 11th full length release displays a more feisty and arduous side of the band. The die hard purists aren't to worry, as whilst adding these laboured and voluminous elements they have still managed to commandeer key Gamma Ray facets and their signature sound remains.

pulsating tempos and varying structures, after four songs it's distinctly obvious that there's nothing habitual about the arsenal of tracks included.

Not everything on the album has been served up as brand new. A lot of people will already have been chewing on the title track and 'Master of Confusion' as they've been available for a year, having been featured on the 'Master of Confusion' EP. These premature releases do The albums anthemic opener 'Avalon' with a running time nothing to hinder the sprightly nature that takes it's of 9:30 immediately signifies not only the bands fearless course as this accumulation of impeccable power metal approach but it's a delectable voyage back to the groups is executed with perfection. initial progressive ascendancy of the early 90's. 'Hellbent', the subsequent salvo sounds just like it's title suggests. 'Time for Deliverance' possesses a Queen 'We are the Providing a more aggressive and frenzied tone, already Champions' kind of flavour, and it's the one solitary this vigorous ship that houses the Empire of the Undead lighters held high ballad on a plater otherwise consisting has taken sail across the vast seas of uncertainty. of nomadic and urgent portions. Traversing through the ocean and adjoining each and every aspect of what's sailed before it results in a record Remaining tracks 'Demonseed', 'Seven', 'I Will Return' and that's unpredictable, bracing and staggeringly diverse. the records terminus 'Built A World', reinforce the forgoing flawlessness and protrusive valour offered up by Founding member Kai Hansen's vocals are soaring Hamburg's finest. Gamma Ray don't and never have done throughout, as is all of the instrumentation involved. things in half measures. Everything is delivered with bite, power and intent. 'Pale Rider' and 'Born to Fly' continue to fly the flag. With

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Preacher - Signals Record Label: Self Release

9/10 Released: 1 April 2014

Highlight of the album: Our Destiny Website: http://www.preacherrock.co.uk/ Reviewer: Rob Birtley

Now and again you hear a whisper on the rock grapevine about a band that’s a bit out of the ordinary and you wonder what the substance to the rumour is. Often that’s as far as it gets but sometimes you hear a track from such a band and know you have to look into them further. I do have to say I’m more than partial to good melodic prog and was delighted to discover ‘Open Fire’ by The Room a while back and I was kind of hoping for a similar surprise. That was my starting point on this particular quest to look into Preacher and their first release ‘Signals’

curtain on the album with a laid back piano intro with almost a jazz flourishes. It also sets the tone introducing you to the main musical character the voice of Martin, delicate and wistful keyboards of Arnold and light and intricate touch of Greg on guitar This song flows seamlessly into Jupiter which acts as an introduction to the not of this Earth theme of the album. Next up is ‘The Sea’. It’s more up tempo indicating pay particular attention to the guitar parts they are worth it. ‘Fat Cats’ reminds me of a number of laments from Fish in his early Marillion days the guitar part could of come from Steve Rothery in that era as Preacher is an Ayrshire based Melodic Progressive well. I’m not going to give the plot away so I will skip to rock band that formed in 2007.They are a 7 piece line the last two tracks. ‘Our Destiny’ which brings to mind up including to female backing vocalists. Martin a number of Asia classics of Love and Loss especially Murphy is the singer and rhythm guitarist as well as the strident chorus, the ending guitar solo is a treat. main songwriter in the band. Arnold Burgoyne plays The album closes with ‘I Will Be There’. The intro Keyboards and is assisting in the writing. Younger contains a musical wail from one of the female backing brother Greg Murphy plays Lead Guitar. Bass duties singers that just could have been an out take from are ably covered by Gordon Monroe and the guy behind Clare Torry’s opening on the Great gig in the Sky. The the kit is Iain Duncan covering Drums and Percussion. whole song neatly completes the circle of the work and ends it on a satisfying note. ‘Signals’ is a concept album in the grand style and yet each track can stand alone as an entity in itself. The Listening to this album as I have done a number of album tells the tale of humanity having an encounter times it grows more apparent it was made with the with extra-terrestrial visitors. These beings acting as overriding idea of complete live performance and I can Earth’s guardians have been observing Earth for eons only say if I get the chance I will need to see it in the and now they feel it is time to step in arbitrate. Don’t flesh. get me wrong this is no space oddity in the mould of Hawkwind’s ‘In Search of Space’ or ‘Warrior On The Edge Of Time’. Also it is not an Alien Soap opera in the mould of ‘War of The Worlds’ although in places they musically touch. It is much more rooted in the story telling of Rush and Pendragon the musical phrasing of the mid years of Pink Floyd with echoes of Asia. So just what do you hear? You are drawn into this world step by step as the music builds and the stylish vocals of Martin Murphy act as a trusty guide. Smooth yet full of passion and delicate phrasing at certain moments reminding you of a youthful Fish and others have a soul full edge gravel free Joe Cocker. Guitar duties are handled with aplomb by his younger brother. Amazingly he is self-taught. The styling’s and delicacy of David Gilmour reverberate in his playing tempered with flourishes that are reminiscent of Satriani. The whole sound of this album multi-layered and rich and aurally enveloping at times symphonic but always accessible with the keyboard playing of Arnold Burgoyne acting as a solid foundation. I don’t have time to dissect the twelve songs in the space of this review so I will single out just a few of tracks to draw to your attention. ‘Time’ raises the

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Delain - The Human Contradiction Record Label: Napalm Records

10/10

Released: 7 April 2014

Highlight of the album: Sing To Me Website: http://www.delain.nl Reviewer: Jon Seymour

This is album number four from the Dutch symphonic rockers, and the follow up to the hugely successful We Are The Others which was one of my personal favourites of the particular year that it was released. This one has a lot to live up to then.

from it. Take your time to think about the lyrics, and you find yourself transported to the dark side, and they have no cookies. The thing is though, that almost everyone will be able to relate to it in some way. The album touches on subjects that affect everyone in one way or another.

From the outset, the album seems a little darker. It has a harder edge, and seems to create a little more atmosphere. The trademark sound is there though, and it’s instantly familiar. The songs although quite dark in content are still catchy and have great sing along choruses (if you can get your voice that high). It’s a bit of a contrast in that respect. The tunes themselves are uplifting, and motivating, but when you listen to the lyrics, there’s some real exploration into the darker realms of the human psyche.

Once again there are contributions from Marco Hietala who has been involved with the band for quite some time, and his vocals really add another dimension to the album. There are also a few other additions, including one or two surprises, which show a completely different side of the band, and makes for some interesting listening.

All in all this is a cracking album, both lyrically and musically. It takes some of the subjects explored on We Are The Others and expands them further, and there are several songs with a similar theme. This is quite a bit One of Delain’s most popular traits is the intelligent lyrical different to the last album, but without losing the core content, and this album is no different. Put this on in the fundamentals of who they are. It’s a very interesting car, and you’ll find yourself at licence losing speeds before album to listen to, and one that will have you coming back you realise. It’s a great driving rock album, but it’s when to it over and over again. you sit down and really listen to it that you get the most

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Thunder - Back to the Black Country/Xmas Show 2013 Live Record Label: Dodgy Discs

8/10

Released: 5 March 2014

Highlight of the album: Back to the Black Country: Fade Into the Sun/Xmas Show 2013 Live: In a Broken Dream Website: http://www.thunderonline.com/ Reviewer: Rob Birtley Sometimes you have to start a review with a bit of history just to set the scene. My attachment to Thunder started way back with a band called Terraplane who had three of the current Thunder line up (Luke Morley, Danny Bowes and Gary/Harry James) in its ranks. I remember feeling down when that band split but as time would tell the guys moved on to bigger and better things. April 4 1990 dawned and saw the release of ‘Backstreet Symphony’ the album giving Thunder two UK Top Thirty hits and setting the mould for their own brand of hugely enjoyable Melodic Hard Rock. Times changed and the bands fortunes varied but one thing never changed the music it just got better. The 3rd of November 2009 saw the release of Thunder’s 9th studio album Bang. The song ‘On the Radio’ seemed to sum things up for Thunder at the time and Danny’s vocals has a bitter almost cynical edge as he complains about their music not getting airplay. The band split not long after and to this day they have not released a studio album with new material.

and deliver a rocking version of ‘Everybody Wants Her’ which is beefed up with input from backing vocals and the brass section. The Mexican style trumpet arrangement marks the start of my favourite track on the album as subtly turns into a full throttle version of ‘Fade into the Sun’ from the aptly titled ‘Magnificent Seventh’ album. ‘Xmas Show 2013 Live’ also opens acoustically. Both albums have a number of cover versions thrown in for good measure with ‘Xmas Show 2013 Live’ including a fine version of The Who classic ‘Pinball Wizard’, with the crowd once again being in fine voice for the chorus, and a reworking of the McGuiness Flint classic ‘When I’m Dead and Gone’ which the band give a distinctly Country flavour with Luke playing Mandolin and ample use of the backing vocalists.

The album also includes a laid back version of ‘Can’t Live Your Life In A Day’ with the use of backing vocals and Both albums are taken from recordings at the sold out Morley chimes in with some fine almost bluesy playing filling Christmas shows at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall in the UK the sound out, before track nine finds the band in full on December 20th and 21st 2013, and features some of Rocking mode with a fine version of ‘Pilot of My Dreams’ the the highlights of both shows. It’s not just the band either bass line is driving and is a delight. their ranks are reinforced with six additional musicians, backing vocals; keyboards and a brass section are thrown My personal favourite on the album though has to be the into the mix. As always Danny Bowes sings in a league few Thunder version of ‘In a Broken Dream’ and while it is not a can match and years never seem to diminish and Luke Thunder original song, that honour belongs to an Australian Morley is in fine form, the rest of the band is their usual gold band with Rod Stewart guesting on vocals (Python Lee Standard. Something that has never been in question is Jackson), Thunder has truly made this song their own over what a fine band Thunder a live and if these two releases the years and don’t fail to do so in this version. are anything to by still are. I know that these two albums were taken from two ‘Back To The Black Country’ opens in an acoustic vain with performances done on coinciding days. But what I must ‘Long Way From Home’ a rocker originating from the point out is these releases share five tracks in common and ‘Laughing on Judgement Day’ album. Danny’s voice simply I just can’t help but think this should have been a single resoars on this track. Luke’s acoustic guitar is masterful and lease package as it does all sound like one performance. Die the rest of the band motor smoothly along and the track is Hard Thunder fans out there will stump up the extra money for both releases but should they have to? What the guys almost as powerful as the electronic version. who will buy both of these releases , which more than likely A fine bit of Southern style picking from Morley marks the includes me, really want I guess is a new Thunder album of start of the title track from ‘Robert Johnson's Tombstone’ which there is no sign at present. The band as always which soon has the crowd howling it’s quickly followed up by remain masters of the live performance and these two a funked up version of ‘Higher Ground’ from the seminal first albums only add to that reputation. I just hope Thunder don’t album with the nice insertion of a piano break plus brass restrict themselves to playing their amazing back catalogue and the crowd can be heard singing along with great gusto and give us something new to listen to. and so they should. The band continue to turn up the heat

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Mitch Laddie Band - Live In Concert Record Label: Mystic Records

9/10

Released: 22 February 2014

Highlight of the album: Mr Johnson (Revisited) Website: http://www.mitchladdie.com/ Reviewer: Stephen Brophy For me Mitch Laddie was an artist I'd heard about and heard mentioned, but until a few months ago I hadn't actually sat down and listened to any of his output, and that was a mistake. Mitch is a blues guitarist/singer from the North East of England, and a hell of a good one at that. His last studio release ‘Burning Bridges’ is very classy piece of work that rightly gained a lot of critical acclaim, this you, as Mitch is still in his early 20's, Newcastle lad is only going to get bigger and better and I am so glad that some more knowledgeable friends pointed me in his direction when they did.

Changes’ where the band bring a higher tempo to proceedings than the original but it just provides great ending to the album. There are points in this album that you could just close your eyes and be transported to a table in a corner of the venue where you are just sitting back and enjoying this set (and believe me I am chomping at the bit to get to see this band live), a perfect example of this would be the track ‘Mr. Johnson (Revisited)’, Mitch's tribute to Eric Johnson, it's an instrumental that just has that ability to take you to another place, it's quite exceptional to me, a full 9 minutes of class. The album isn't all one paced either ‘Paper In Your Pocket’ is a one of the heavier tracks on the album, In general I'm not a huge fan of live albums these days as far a stomping rocker. too many of them sound like they were done in a studio, but this doesn't, it sounds great though, recorded at The Cluny To this point I may have only mentioned Mitch's wonderful in Newcastle the sound man has done an excellent job and playing, but the Mitch Laddie Band is a powerhouse trio, yes there's still a live vibe on the album, which for me is very im- led by the sublime talents of Mitch himself, but you couldn't portant. There is a freshness here, it's not all a million miles make a Live album this good on your own, there's excellent an hour on the fretboard, there's a beautiful subtlety to drumming throughout from Matt Connor and beautiful Mitch's playing at time which just draws you in more and basslines from Rhian Wilkinson, these guys sound so more. Whether it's in the Mitch Laddie Band compositions natural together it's a joy to listen to. The band currently like the storming opener ‘Awakening - Time Is Running Away’ have dates planned across the UK for the coming months, I or the brilliant ‘Getting It Right’ or the covers that were in know I'm going to be trying to catch them out there, maybe this particular live set like Stevie Ray Vaughn's ‘So Excited’, I'll see you there. This is easily my favourite live release of where Mitch plays it so well you could be easily fooled into the last couple of years. believing it's actually his own song, or Buddy Miles ‘Them

Reds Cool - Bad Story Record Label: MBM

10/10 Released: 18 October 2013

Highlight of the album: Hey You Website: https://www.facebook.com/RedsCoolRockBand Reviewer: Lee Walker

With a band name like ‘Red’s Cool’ and an album called ‘Bad Story’ this release needed revisiting especially in light of there recent Hard Rock hell AOR performance. Released originally late last year listening to ‘Bad Story’ is like being whisked back in time to the 80s glam rock scene where big hair met the even bigger sounds. Musically as albums go ‘Bad Story’ is nothing new but what it is is annoyingly addictive with its mix of catchy choruses, tried and tested lyrics and the unmistakeable eighties classic rock extravagant stamped all over it and with tunes such as ‘Bite, ‘Hey You, and ‘Feel You’ providing the back bone for this rocking release which pauses to throw in the occasional old school ballad before continuing on its unashamedly feel good way. Is Red Cool? Possibly not but with music like this being produced you can be certain that these guys have a big future ahead of them.

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FM - Futurama EP Record Label: Riff City Records/Membran Media

8/10 Released: 31 March 2014

Highlight of the album: Cold Hearted Website: http://www.fmofficial.com/ Reviewer: Stephen Brophey

As a stalwart of British AOR I don't think that FM need an introduction, but it would be remiss of me not to mention a couple of things on the release of this new Futurama EP. Since their well publicised and talked about reformation at Firefest in 2007, FM have continued to create and release new music as well as play live across Europe, this sets them aside from a lot of bands from the 80's and 90's who have reformed and just continue to play a set Greatest Hits show while releasing no new music. Don't get me wrong, that's often what people want to hear anyway, but I think we should commend FM on a couple of things here, firstly that they have continued to release new music of a good quality and standard and secondly, as with this EP, they have in between album releases given their fans something to get their hands on that has more than a couple of tracks on it.

You’ is a vibrant punchy track, and I can really see it going down a storm live. Finally for the new tracks on the album we have, in reality as we'd expect, a ballad ‘Preying On My Mind’ has a little bit of a haunted sound to it, but I find myself already wanting to hear it in an acoustic setting, the Spanish guitar adding to the track rather than just being thrown in there for effect, not all ballads are created equal and this is one I think will be sticking with me for a while.

The other part of this EP is the six live tracks, kicking off with ‘Tough Love’, ‘Crosstown Train’ and ‘Story Of My Life’ from last years ‘Rockville’ release and then ’All Or Nothing’, ‘Closer To Heaven’ and ‘Breathe Fire’ all originally from from 92's Aphrodisiac album. Nice to have some different tracks displayed from the Live environment here too, and they all work really well here, especially the wonderful ‘Story Of My Life’ which Since the release of the ‘Wildside’ EP in 2009 the band is something I loved hearing live on 2013 dates. have released ‘City Limits’ (2010), ‘Only Foolin' (2012) and now ‘Futurama’ (2014) and the amazing thing The EP (well we could call it an album couldn't we) is about them is that they all contain between 8 and 11 rounded out by an Extended Remix of ‘Cold Hearted’ tracks, so yes generally a full album worth of tracks which doesn't loose anything in the extended version, being released as an EP. Sure there are some live/ and is a nice way to finish up what is an excellent reworked/acoustic tracks on there, but that's all part release. Even though FM are only in a support slot on of what an EP generally has, but I don't remember the Foreigner Tour I wouldn't be at all disappointed to personally seeing an EP with 11 tracks on it before like hear any of the new tracks played in their set, I will find ‘Futurama’ has. out first as I'll be attending the Dublin show that starts this leg of the Tour, but if not I'm sure we'll get Ok that's the volume of content, what do we actually something new aired in the headline dates at the end get here for our hard earned pennies ? of the year. This EP is well worth adding to your collection if you are an FM fan and certainly worth Well for starters we get four brand new FM songs, taking a listen to if you are new to the band. which can't be bad can it, and the rest of the EP is made up of an extended remix of the excellent new track ‘Cold Hearted’ and then six live tracks from the Rockville Tour. After really enjoying ‘Rockville’ and having seen FM a number of times since the start of this decade and always loving their live shows I'm already eagerly awaiting their next album, always been a huge fan of Steve Overlands voice and band are really all excellent in their own right, so as a way of whetting an eleven track EP with almost 57 minutes of music on it is a bloody good way of doing things. The only slight disappointment I think is that opening track, ‘Futurama’, is only a minute and 23 seconds long, in reality it's just a lead into ‘Cold Hearted’, it's a nice instrumental piece and could fit in nicely on any Sci -Fi soundtrack, but lets be honest the EP kicks in with ‘Cold Hearted’, which I'm loving from the off - it's got the lot, well written, no surprise there, good riffs, vocals and it ticks along nicely. Next up ‘Bad That's Good In

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The Bermondsey Joyriders - Brian Jones/Johnny Thunders Was A Human Being Record Label: Fuel Records

10/10

Released: 14 April 2014

Highlight of the album: The Mark Website: www.facebook.com/thebermondseyjoyriders Reviewer: Lee Walker

Being described as being a ‘radical punk trio’ I must from the Rolling Stones biographer Terry Rawlings confess that I had never heard of The Bermondsey ‘Stoned’/’The Final Truth’ books before moving onto Joyriders until this double A sided single popped up for ‘Johnny Thunders Was A Human Being’. review. Johnny Thunders simply put was nothing short of being If the buzz phrase “super group” was ever applied to a one of the great true punk icons of all time be it with punk band then it would certainly apply to The his stints in the New York Dolls or as part of Johnny Bermondsey Joyriders purely due to the amount of Thunders and The Heartbreakers or as a stand alone connections to classic iconic punk acts such as Cock artist. This subtle punk anthem cleverly uses titles from Sparrer, Little Roosters, Chelsea and Johnny Thunders Johny’s own tunes and also ties into nicely with the to name but a few bands. opening track as both Brian Jones and Johnny Thunders deaths were subject to similar controversy with When something is labelled as a “double A-side” you both long being thought to have had the truth covered instinctively know that you will get to hear two great up. songs and this release is no exception. ‘Brian Jones (The Real True Leader Of The Rolling Stones)’ kicks this Overall this single is a cracking start to 2014 for The release off in fine form with its mix of strutting guitar Bermondsey Joyriders and I look forward to hearing work and provocative lyrics based upon the accounts the upcoming album.

Reason - The Darkest Star Record Label: Alienation Records

9/10 Released: 1 January 2014

Highlight of the album: Rise Website: www.reason-music.com Reviewer: Dan Mann

For those of you unfamiliar with Reason, they hail from deepest, darkest Cheltenham. And musically they are melodic rock band with a progressive twist. Now before you start running to the hills at the mention of prog, they are not a fifteen minute song band. Yes some of the songs are over six minutes, but not once do you find yourself drifting away from them, as the songs immerse you with an excellent level of production and soundscape. I would only attach the prog handle to them purely on the maturity of their song writing. Recently signed to Skyfire Interactive, I actually came across them some five or six years ago and ‘The Darkest Star’ has in that time frame remained one of my favourite albums, to which I return too again and again.

songs have a power and depth severally lacking from so many releases. Chris Gyngell’s guitar playing is fabulous & Paul’s vocal style fits into the song style } perfectly. The album consists of ten tracks with the track ‘Rise (one of my favourites) having been re-mixed by none other than legendary producer Beau Hill. There are so many influences in this album which is why it is so difficult to pigeon hole it, which to be honest is a good thing, as doing so can unfairly cripple a band or album. I must mention the rest of the band, bassist Graham Corbett, drummer John Townsend, and keyboard player Gil Hird who put in a superlative effort to maintain what is a release of the highest quality. Well I cannot recommend this album highly enough. If you want to hear an album which gives you something to get your teeth into and which will grow with every listen then ‘The Darkest Star’ is the album for you.

So what’s so great about this album I hear you cry? Well as I’ve already said, the song writing is of a level well above a band’s first release. The brainchild of ex-Vandamne/Fyrebyrds/Empire/Crywolf guitarist & songwriter Chris Gyngell and vocalist Paul Mace, the

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Cambridge Rock Festival 2014 7 - 10 August FM, Wishbone Ash, Snakecharmer, The Ultimate Eagles, Chantel McGregor and many more

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