Firebrand Magazine - Issue 26 by Firebrand's Rock&Metal Express

Issue 26

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Tis the season to be jolly, falalala and all that s*** It is that wonderful time of year again folks, Time to stuff the bird ( If you are that lucky and the alcohol has not taken too much control and you managed to pull at the office Christmas party)) and wear that hideous jumper that long lost relative from hell bought you. Seriously though 2014 proved to be a fantastic year in the rock scene yet again and heres hoping that 2015 will prove to be just as good. To all of you out there I wish you a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. To all the team at Firebrand who make the magazines and the station possible many thanks for everything in 2014, have a blast you can have the weekend off! As for me I will be locked in the dungeon of the Firebrand Tower sipping the blood of a Scottish Grouse and trying to come up with a new recipe for Reindeer. Peace & Respect Doc

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Venom Are Back New Lp ‘From The Very Depths ’confirmed For Worldwide Release On january 26th 2015 Via Spinefarm Records… Venom – the hugely influential British heavy metal trio widely revered for driving and shaping many aspects of the music industry, including black and thrash metal, plus their instinctive blending of metallic power and punk spirit – have confirmed the release of their new studio album, From The Very Depths, for January 26th via Spinefarm Records. The band are led by vocalist / bassist and original Venom titan, Cronos – who decided against making fans the world over wait too long for this powerful new 14-track release. (the follow-up to 2011’s ‘Fallen Angels’, also issued via Spinefarm) So… Venom will be unleashing their 14th studio album, on CD and download, on January 26th with a double vinyl format to follow shortly after. Cronos says: “This album is perfect, all three members are totally over-the-top confident with the new songs and the production. We had a great atmosphere in the studio while we were recording, Dante created pure thunder from his drums, while Rage tears the flesh off your face with his riffs, making everything fall into place so well… it’s a strong release and really shows the band maturing into an unstoppable force of pure Black Metal. We can’t wait to play the new songs live for the Legions… Hell Yeah!” Just as the aftermath of Christmas can be laced with reminders of gluttony and false cheer, so Venom will unleash a full-throttle, full-length LP to drag you even further into HELL! This is the heaviest Black fuckin’ Metal and is not for wimps. Further details will be revealed shortly (naturally). www.venomslegions.com

band have filmed a video clip accompany the release which will be hitting the screens via Scuzz and Kerrang TV in the New Year. The band released a lyric video for the stand-alone single ‘House Of Cards’ (check it out below). ‘House Of Cards’

The band will be hitting the road in 2015 in support of ‘We Are The Brave’, and have recently confirmed they will be touring with Ozzy Osbourne/Firewind guitarist Gus G and will be opening for the legendary Kamelot at their special ‘one night only’ show in London. Turbowolf to Release Two Hands on April 7 via Spinefarm Records

Bristolian alt-rockers TURBOWOLF will release their second album, Two Hands, on April 7 via Universal Music as the first band announced under the joint venture between Spinefarm Records and Search & Destroy. Two Hands is a master class in taking rock music to the outer limits and creating something truly unique. Stuffed to the gills with grooves, riffs and rhythms to make you lose your mind, it reaches New Skarlett Riot CD 'We Are The Brave' deep into the secret history of mankind, ponders the announced, new single 'Rising' to be released wonders of evolution and even includes references January 19th. to the government's mysterious mind control program, known as "MK Ultra." Following on from their hugely successful debut From the slow and sludgy Black Sabbath-esque album ‘Tear Me Down’, young UK four piece Skarlett chugs of "Pale Horse" to the relentless, frantic beats Riot return with the riff-packed, hood laden ‘We Are of "American Mirrors" and "Rich Gift" to the more The Brave’. Due for release February 16th, 2015, ‘We Are laid-back, trippy sounds of "Invisible Hand' and "Toy Memaha," TURBOWOLF have delivered an album of The Brave’ is a hard hitting, collection of songs; still unassailable sonic adventure, with an abundance of packed with the memorable choruses and eclectic electronics, throbbing bass, bruising drums, outstanding vocals the fans have come to expect. Prior to ‘We Are The Brave’ the band release fizzing guitars and the kind of vocals from singer Chris Georgiadis that have you believe he's singing the powerful single ‘Rising’ on January 19th. The for his very survival.

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And in amongst the far-reaching eccentricities that Turbowolf have made their own, the band has an impeccable ear for a hit with current single "Rabbits Foot" eating up the airwaves with huge support. Watch the awesome video:

He really strengthened the band a hundred percent because he sings backing tracks, he sings lead, and he sings with Dee Dee's stuff. In the past, it was always just me singing for the most part." - Joey Ramone. Currently packing out venues on tour in Europe right now, with UK dates this December, catching Richie Ramone live is a must! Venom To Perform Entire New Album On Board 70000Tons Of Metal!

Then there is the likes of "Solid Gold" or "Nine Lives" delivering the kind of twisted melodies that will have your head spinning for days. After spending most of 2013 writing the album, the band took to the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales to record it in a frenzied six weeks, breaking every rule they could in the search for sonic excellence. The result is an absolutely incredible body of work, co-produced with Tom Dalgety (Royal Blood, Band of Skulls, Opeth). Prepare yourselves for the musical apocalypse that is Turbowolf - The Second Coming! For More Info Visit: https://www.facebook.com/turbowolf https://twitter.com/turbowolfband Richie Ramone Unveils New Music Video And Hits The UK This Month The 2nd single and title track from his debut solo album, 'Entitled' drips with punk rock attitude, groove and plenty of hooks. Richie explains "Entitled talks about how hard it is to survive today in a world where the economy has staggered our opportunities. Everyone deserves a chance to become the person they dream about. "I'm entitled to more, I'm entitled for sure, I'm not a puddle on the floor" Notoriously the fastest drummer to have performed in The Ramones, it's no surprise Richie has emerged as a solo artist, given his history in the legendary New York punk outfit. He penned the Ramones hit song "Somebody Put Something in My Drink" which is included on the album 'Ramones Mania', the first Ramones album to go gold, as well as "Smash You", "Humankind", "I'm Not Jesus", "I Know Better Now" and "(You) Can't Say Anything Nice". Richie's songs have been covered by new generations of bands worldwide, including metal bands Children of Bodom and Behemoth. "Richie's very talented and he's very diverse ...

Legendary metal band Venom have confirmed that they will join 70000tons of metal on it's voyage from Florida to Jamaica in January 2015. Venom will play two sets on board, one will focus on greatest hits and one will be an exclusive live world premier of their forthcoming new album which will be released later in 2015. Originally formed in 1978 and hailing from the English town Newcastle Upon Tyne, this will be Venom's 14th studio album. Venom will join the 60 band roster of 70000Tons of metal 2015, including Alestorm, Amorphis, Annihilator, Apocalyptica, Arch Enemy, Artillery, Behemoth, Blind Guardian, Cannibal Corpse, Crucified Barbara, D.A.D., Einherjer, Ensiferum, Equilibrium, God Dethroned, Grave Digger, Heathen, In Extremo, Kataklysm, Korpiklaani, Lake Of Tears, Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock, Municipal Waste, Napalm Death, Origin, Primal Fear, Tank, Therion, Threshold, Triosphere and Xentrix. 70000Tons Of Metal, the original, the world's biggest heavy metal cruise, will sail Thursday, January 22, 2015 aboard the Royal Caribbean “Liberty Of The Seas” from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Ocho Rios, Jamaica and will not return you to the real world until Monday, January 26, 2015. There are very few tickets remaining, prices start at us$666 plus us$333 taxes and fees per person and include all on-board entertainment, non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, all meals in the dining rooms, most on-board restaurants and even 24 room service! Check out www.70000tons.com for more information.

You can find the dates in our Gig Listing section.

Thunder Announce Brand New Studio Album One of the most popular and enduring British rock bands of the last 25 years, with 18 Top 40 singles in the UK and a string of gold and platinum albums around the world, Thunder are set to release their landmark tenth studio album, ‘Wonder Days’, on earMUSIC on February 16th 2015.

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The group’s first studio album in six years, ‘Wonder Days’ reminds us why Thunder are now more revered than ever before. With a lineage dating back to the cream of hard rock – Led Zeppelin, Bad Company, The Who and Deep Purple and songwriting greats such as The Kinks, The Beatles and The Faces – the band’s sound is a timeless marriage of unforgettable melodies and sheer rock power. Their long-awaited return with ‘Wonder Days’ should ensure that Thunder are elevated to their rightful place in the pantheon of truly great British bands. In parts a rumination and reflection on the dreams and desires of young men growing up in the 70’s that inspired the band members to form their first band in their early teens, ‘Wonder Days’ is also a potent mix of blues, soul and rock’n’roll that is as contemporary as it is steeped in the finest music of the last few decades. From the epic Zeppelin-esque title track, through the no-holds-barred pop prowess of potential hit singles ‘The Thing I Want’, ‘Resurrection Day’ and ‘Black Water’, to the big-screen ballad ‘Broken’, Thunder have delivered one of the finest rock albums of recent years. While the galloping drive of ‘The Prophet’ comes on like an unholy union of Iron Maiden and Whitesnake, the sensual ‘Serpentine’ drips with an archaic Deep South blues vibe before turning into a Royal Blood meets The Raconteurs style stomp. ‘Chasing Shadows’ has all the swagger of primetime Aerosmith while the affecting, mandolin-driven folk tinges of ‘The Rain’ sounds ethereally ageless. Throughout the album Danny Bowes’ vocals showcase just why he is one of the greatest rock vocalists of his generation; a true foil to guitarist Luke Morley’s powerhouse riffs, scintillating melodies and delicate acoustic strumming. Though making a good recovery from the tonsil cancer that excluded him from the band’s recent live appearances, rhythm guitarist Ben Matthews has been sadly absent from the sessions so Morley has taken charge of all the guitars and keyboards on the album, with the ever-present Garry ‘Harry’ James on drums and long-term bassist Chris Childs on bass providing the striking rhythmic back-bone to the band. Recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, with Luke Morley reprising his role as producer, the album was mixed by the renowned Mike Fraser, whose CV includes such names as Aerosmith, AC/DC and Metallica and who worked on several of the group’s key early records including their celebrated debut, ‘Back Street Symphony’.

Tygers Of Pan Tang, will release a special Limited Edition album titled "Tygers Sessions: The First Wave" via Skol Records. The CD will be limited to only 1000 copies, and will include 11 classic songs of the band, re-recorded for the anniversary EP releases "The Spellbound Sessions" and "The Wildcat Sessions", which were originally available through the band's fan-club and website only, and quickly sold out. Commented Tygers Of Pan Tang founding member and guitarist, Robb Weir, "I am very proud of the band's history as well as the current lineup. We should never forget the Tygers history and hope this shows we will always recognise the early days of the band. There are a lot of bands that want to modernise their sound or image and forget what made them great in the beginning… I am not one of them". "We are very pleased with the end result, in particular with the recorded sound achieved, it really does capture the early '80s NWOBHM spirit and feel we were looking for. To achieve that raw, almost 'live' vibe to the sound, we even replicated the microphone positioning that was used on the original recording" he adds. "I would be lying if I were to say I'm a big fan of re-recording classic tracks, but in the case of Tygers Of Pan Tang it's different. They've managed to keep the original vibe and magic, while delivering absolutely great sounding alternate versions of their classics. Remember Saxon and their great "Heavy Metal Thunder" album? We are talking about similar quality here. Let's not forget that Tygers are not only the "goldmine of great riffs", but one of the bands that defined NWOBHM. It's an incredibly huge honour to have them on our roster" says Skol Records CEO Bart Gabriel. The "Tygers Sessions: The First Wave" CD will be released on February 28, 2015, and will include thick booklet with lyrics, liner notes, and lot of previously unseen pictures. Track listing: 01. Euthanasia 02. Slave to Freedom 03. Suzie Smiled 04. Don't Touch Me There 05. Wildcatz 06. Gangland 07. Take It 08. Hellbound 09. Mirror 10. Tyger Bay 11. Don't Stop By More information: www.tygersofpantang.com www.facebook.com/tygersofpantangofficial www.skolrecords.com www.facebook.com/skolrecords

Tygers Of Pan Tang To Release The "Tygers Sessions: The First Wave" Via Skol Records The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal pioneers

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Speaks To

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As a member of The Ramones you are often quoted as saving the band. With the full quote being ‘Richie saved the band as far as I’m concerned. He’s the greatest thing to happen to the Ramones. He put the spirit back in the band’ attributed to Joey Ramone. Isn’t that wonderful,

the energy was very exciting. Those times were really cool. The early and mid eighties a was a fun time to be in New York City doing all this. It has all changed now but that was a really great time especially with all the new bands that where coming along.

Does having things like that said about you put you under pressure to live up to the expectations created by it? I don’t feel that I am under pressure. I write what is inside of me and I do what I do. You can’t get everyone to love what you do but if you get fifty percent you are in pretty good shape. There is no pressure and Joey understood me, we were great friends. He knew the talents that I had and pushed me to bring them out. One of the things I have noticed is that you are also known for being the only drummer that played as part of the Ramones who sung both lead vocals as well as played the drums. How did this come about? Well on the one album that we did (You) ‘Can’t Say Anything Nice which was released in the UK through Beggars Banquet Joey wanted me to sing it. He kept telling me to sing it and I said ‘No I’m not the lead singer’ then he told me that he didn’t care and to sing it so I ended up singing that song on the record and with the Ramones I sang backing vocals throughout the live shows so it added a little more energy.

When you left the band in 1987. Your Wikipedia entry has the reason down as being “allegedly because of a dispute over money” and it later goes on to mention something about splits in t-shirt sales money?? Was your leaving just down to the money issues or was there more to it? There was more to it. With the merchandise they was using my face and I just wanted a cut off the merchandise and Johnny was not going to go there. That was the last record, ‘Halfway To Sanity’ with Sire Records and I was a 29 years old punk kid and I was pissed off and said ‘fuck it I’m done’. Whether that was the right thing to do or not I don’t know but you have to live by what you have do in life and be a man. In terms of Richie Ramone as a band. I think you have got Alex Kane, Clare Misstake and Ben Regan listed as the other band members. Is this going to be the touring lineup or are there any changes to it? Yes that’s the lineup now. I knew Alex Kane and Clare from AntiProduct from back in the day. It’s a really good band

In terms of your days as a member of The Ramones you pretty much experienced everything that a member of a punk band could really ever wish for. What was it like back then? Was it as glamorous as it sounds? What was glamorous about it was that it was during a different time in the 80s. The Ramones would play smaller venues so that we could sell out everywhere and

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combination. I am expecting there to be a lot of material from the latest album in the set. How did the album go? Did it do as well as you expected? Yes. You don’t expect much from record sales right now because rock and roll doesn’t sell that great and you have to make your living on the road. I have had a lot of good response How did the lineup come together? Was they hand and great reviews and comments from the critics. The album is very original and going really well and selected by you or did they apply from some its funny because more people are getting turned on advert? to it in the UK. Once you tour with it, and people see No they didn’t really apply. I was approached by it, it helps as it’s hard to get the word out. Clare a while ago and that’s when I first met her in It seems to be that a lot of people are saying 2010 but nothing really happened. I just really liked similar things lately and that many bands are her bass playing, it’s very simplistic. She is a great making their money from touring without the actual show person so when I was ready to tour on this album sales factoring in to it too much. record I called her up and she came along. You have got to make records to have product Eventually Alex got into the mix just by word of and to get played on the internet stations and stuff mouth. like that. Kids come to the show and are shocked and want to take a record home with them or have You are going to be hitting the UK for a tour soon. it on white vinyl too which is really cool as it’s a great Are you looking forward for it? thing to sign and have as a collectors piece. I come Yes. It’s the first time that I am coming over the UK, out after every show straight away to the merch Europe and Italy with my own band and I am really table and sign all the kids stuff and take pictures so anxious to see what happens. I’m very much involved with the audience which is what I’m trying to do here. I don’t want to run and What are your supports for this tour? hide away from the fans. I want them to be a part of We usually just get local supports I think The Idol it and meet me every one of them. Dead are coming on a bunch of shows in the UK I think that they are going to come out with us on Do you have any messages that you would like to most of the UK dates. pass on to the fans? On the tour you will be playing mostly your solo material I would imagine. How would you describe the differences between the stuff that you are doing now and the material that people who know you from the Ramones? I am still very aggressive and powerful in my vocals. I tend to be a darker writer and not a really poppy, happy writer. Everything tends to be darker and when I sing it is much darker. It has got a lot of guitar work and has solos, which is different than The Ramones songs while keeping all the bite, aggression and nastiness so it’s a good

Definitely. I am really excited to see everybody in the UK. I think they need to tell all their friends to get down there because what is going to happen is after the show they are going to call their friends and tell them ‘man you missed something special’. So don’t miss this come on out, the tickets aren’t expensive and its not often we get to come over there so get your areses up and out and ready to party because that’s what we do. Catch Richie on the 'Something In My Drink' Tour December 2014 (see Page 44)

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How did the band form? Well Andy and Danun had known each other for quite a while in their local area, but it wasn’t until Danun heard a demo cd of Andy singing that the seed was planted. So they got together, wrote some songs, played some shows, and did a few early demos. A year or so later Junior and Max replied to ads in Gumtree, and that brings us to the current lineup.

Yes of course. The guys at Bluebeard sent us a whole range of products. The deodorant products have got way more use than the shaving brush that’s for sure. ‘Primal Instinct’ is due out shortly. Have you had much feedback on it yet? We’ve had four reviews so far, three really good. The fourth was obviously written by a deranged drunk as they only gave us 6.5 out of 10. We’re optimistic that future reviews will be favourable.

Why did you choose ‘Superfecta’ as the bands name? Does it have a meaning? It was simply suggested by a close friend. Superfecta The primal instinct artwork is incredible who is a gambling phrase used in American horse racing. designed this for you? It’s some sort of three way bet. That’s all down to our very talented frontman Andy. First and foremost he’s an artist and illustrator and How would you describe the ‘Superfecta’ sound? he’s done a bloody brilliant job. If nothing else, he’ll Hard, melodic with an essence of grunge. We’ve also get a few commissions from this. been described as Classic meets Alternative Rock. One reviewer wrote that we reminded him of REM. Behind every great album is normally a list of Not really sure what he’d been smoking. unsung heroes who helped in the creation is there any particular people you would like to thank? The London rock scene is pretty full with bands Well if you’re suggesting Primal is a great album, right now. How do you plan on making sure that then thank you. With regards to unsung heroes then ‘Superfecta‘ stand out among the crowd? we have to mention our producer Win, aka Paul We’re not really interested in trying to stand out or Winstanley. He had to break a few balls, if you know be different. Once a band starts thinking like that what we mean? He’s a very talented guy who gives it they’re heading for trouble. We do what we do to the to you straight. He did a great job on the production best of our ability. We’re not interested in keeping up and was an integral part of shaping the sound of with the Jones’s. Primal. We also have to mention Wendy who put in many, many hours outside of her day job getting the You have recently been sponsored by ‘The Bluebeards Revenge’. Have you had chance to try artwork set up for print. It was a mammoth task for her. out any of their products yet?

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Your influences are clearly marked in the Grunge scene but as reviewers have stated you add a particular British twist to this. Is this something you are aware of or did it just happen by accident? Again it’s just something that happened unconsciously. We certainly don’t write and record songs thinking, “Let’s give this a British flavour”. That British edge is there simply because we’re a British based band.

the time. But we got it done and we’re happy. What we’ve learnt from recording Primal will stand us in good stead for the follow up album for sure. What’s your favourite track(s) on the album? Probably Fallen Angel, which kind of surprised us, To Live Again and She’s a Star still holds it own.

What do you have planned for 2015? Well we hope this album has legs. So major gigging, So the launch party for the album is nearly upon us support tours and a few festivals, before we look at the follow up. But we have around 15 -20 new riffs/ ( Saturday 6th December at the Sindercombe ideas and songs on our phones and recording gear Social in London folks if you are in town), what is that need working through. So lots of work to do as the feeling amongst the band regarding this we want the next album out next autumn. event? Yep we’re obviously looking forward to it. There’s a Are there any messages that you would like to real buzz around the gig and launching the album. We’ve got a couple of great support bands too, so it pass on to your fans? Just that we hope you like Primal Instinct, and if you should be a top night, and we may have a little surprise on the night. We’ve not actually played live do then spread the word and come and see us live when you can. Thanks for your support as always! for a while so we’re excited about dusting off the rock pants and getting down to it. Did you have many issues recording the new album? Yep! Not enough time and money! The curse of most bands I suppose without any major label backing or a rich daddy funding the project. So yep, we had some real issues and it certainly wasn’t a bed of roses all

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Catches Up With

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OK I’m here with the legendary Udo Dirkschneider from U.D.O and the original vocalist of Accept. Now first things first I have had a quick listen to the new album and have got to say that I am loving what I am hearing. Did it take long to put it together? We started in the beginning of May and finished it the end of September but we was not constantly working on it. In the beginning in May we had a pre production meeting, talking about all the songs that had, ideas and stuff like that. Then we started work on recording guitars, drums and bass and vocals. This time we took our time as we were in a luxury situation due to having our own studio in Spain so we didn’t have any pressure about having to be finished in 4 to 6 weeks or money costs and stuff like that. It was an easy recording process.

so I think it was the right time to change the set list and also Accept is around again so if people want to hear more Accept songs than I play then they can go to the Accept shows. In terms of your Accept background. You was there at the beginning of it and penned one of the most recognisable metal anthems of all time win with ‘Balls To The Wall’. Why did you leave them? I never left Accept – they fired me (laughter). It is a completely different story. All the people think I left Accept. I never left Accept .After ‘Russian Roulette’ they said that they wanted to do something different with a more melodic singer and fired me. I never left Accept.

I believe that you are playing Wacken next year and a lot of the festivals are starting to unveil their What can you tell us about the new album lineups for next year. Do you have any more (‘Decadent’ )? festival appearances lined up? I think its more melodic than the ‘Steelhammer’ We are playing Wacken next year together with a album but on the other hand it is a little bit more Bundeswehr Musikkorps orchestra and I know that heavy and harder than the last album. The main we might be playing two festivals in Sweeden but difference to the last album is that it we composed it they havenot been confirmed yet. There will be a lot as a whole band. It has been a long long time since of festivals coming up. we did that and I think there is a lot of different stuff on this album with mid tempo and up tempo songs Can you give us a hint if we can expect to see you so I think it is a very interesting album. in the UK at all? The only thing I can say in terms of UK shows is that Cool. Have you had demo’d or played any of the we have been asked to do a show in London on the songs from the new album at any gigs? If you have 31st of March and that I am looking to conform two what has the response been like to them? or three more shows in the UK in the next couple of days. So we are definitely coming to the UK. No. the release date of the album s the 23rd of January and we have just played the last show two or three days ago and a festival but no we didn’t play Brilliant (laughter) any new songs. Yers when I was in London doing interviews they O.K. now In terms of your live shops I caught the webcast of your set at Wacken in 2012. It was a great set and I noticed it combined your U.D.O solo material with a lot of Accept songs. Was this mix intentional? Yes. What we did on the last tour, when we did the ‘Steamhammer’ tour I didn’t play any Accept songs in the main set and kept them for the encore where we played three Accept songs . This will be the 15th UDO album and now we have so much UDO material

always asked me ‘why aren’t you coming to the UK’ and I tell them that we always try very hard to get there when it works so finally we are coming. Final question now. Do you have any messages that you would like to pass onto your fans? Yes I am really, really happy with the new album that we can make it to the UK and I am really looking forward to his and they can expect a really good show and I hope a lot of people are going to it.

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Speaks To

Ian and Gary From

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OK so you guys originally formed back in the early 1980s. How did the band come together? Gary: The original members , that being Brian Ross, Mick Moore and myself all played in a lesser known NWOBHM band called Unter-Den –Linden , we were not really happy in that band so decided to form our own band which became Avenger… we literally made the decision found a guitarist and went into the studio and recorded an EP within about three weeks. Your Wikipedia listing has Brian Ross leaving the group to join Satan and Satan's singer at the time, Ian Swift, taking his place. Is there any truth to this ‘singer’ swapping? If so was it intentionally planned? Gary: Yeah its all true!!! And was done without bad feelings , we remained friends all this time!!! Brian joins us onstage to this day!! ‘Poor record label support’ was listed as the reason why the band called it a day back in 1986. Could you expand upon this a little? Ian: Really what it says , they were lazy and uncommitted . We were 19 years old and getting requests to play in Japan etc they wouldn’t help us with mobilization costs etc even though our album was selling well and getting great reviews.. When Venom had to pull us out of the financial shit in America while on tour there I think that was the final straw. Because of our youth we thought we were in an impossible situation and we imploded!!! We should have just found a better deal.

years? Ian: Yes and no , we are a happier band than we were back then I think , we really appreciate every opportunity to play , we are also loving that we are after all these years a two guitar band! Something that evaded us back in the day.. we feel as if we are at last being heard to our true potential and the songs are executed as they were always meant to be. Are you back in the band for good now? Ian: YES There seem to be a growing number of reformed bands putting new material out lately. What do you put this down to? Gary: Maybe everyone recognizing how great bands like Satan , Battleaxe, Soldier, Salem etc etc really are when compared to some of the shit out there today. Your new album (‘The Slaughter Never Stops’) is due out shortly via Rocksector Records. What can you tell us about the album Ian: Its our four years in the making return , hopefully everyone will still be familiar with our style and recognize that , but also consider it as how we would sound if we had not split up in 86 and continued writing to the current time. It’s out 1/12/14 worldwide

What prompted the 2005 reunion? Did it go as planned? Ian: We were nearly back together before 2005 , Gary especially wanted to get the band back together a lot earlier compared to when it happened. The real push was interest to play in Brazil 2003/4 and the release of our Anthology on Sanctuary in 2003.. As it happens Brazil didn’t work out and we ended up on a support tour with Y&T which was cool. Maybe not quite as we planned but cool anyway. Ian, I think this is your third stint on vocals for the band. Has the band changed much over the

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What has the response to it been like so far? Ian: Its been very good , our pre-order limited edition albums sold out in 9 days and the press and fans of the band seem to love it so we are really enthusiastic to see how this will go over the long distance.

Ian/Gary: Hi thanks for standing by us and helping us keep Avenger strong and healthy , we hope to see you all in 2015 when we tour the new album and make a note 1.12.14 The Slaughter never stops!!! Brand new album , check it out.

I have got to ask this question Why did you decide to do a cover Iron Maidens ‘Killers’? Gary: Lots of people asking this question!!!! We used to jam it and sometimes play it live , we knew we done a good version (I hate cover songs that are butchered) so we decided to add it to the album. I think it’s a good representation of where we stand style wise today too. Two guitars old school heavy UK How does this album compare to your earlier releases such as ‘Blood Sport’ or ‘Killer Elite’? Gary: There are similarities and I would defy anyone who says our early albums are totally different even played alongside the new songs sound very comfortable alongside the old stuff , you can tell its us 100%. Do you have any messages that you would like to pass on to your fans?

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Speaks To

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What made you decide to become a musician? release another EP after misspent Future and there After discovering The Beatles and getting into music, will be singles so as throughout 2015 there will be Oasis came along and I decided I wanted to be a new music and content for the fans. songwriter. What do you have planned for 2015? What are the main differences between your solo Lots of recordings, releases, gigs and fun act and your band 'The One Ts'? Are there any messages that you would like to Although my solo shows are full of energy and pass on to your fans? upbeat songs, they are still simply one man and a guitar. The shows with ´The One Ts´ are louder and Just a huge thank you for the support over the past you have four peoples energy on stage and this year. It has been an amazing year, unbelievably busy converts to the crowds. We´ve had stage invasions, and it si the fans interaction, support, and continued dancing and all starts at a One Ts gig. belief that makes it all possible. I honestly love you all and think you have impeccable taste! How would you describe your solo artist sound? I´d say it is classic Indie pop with a folk edge. When you are not touring/playing gigs I believe you also busk on the London Underground. Have you had people recognise you from your shows or do you manage to blend in? Yes, I have a lot of people recognise me as I busk. It´s great, because they can see that I am really passionate about my craft and realise this is what I do. The new single will bring it to three single releases this year. Was this intentional? Yes, completely intentional. I wanted to release three classic pop songs that cover the main themes of Pop – Partying (London lives), love (The Girl) and finally success (Someone) Where do you draw the inspiration for your songs from? I have no idea, they just fall from the sky when I least expect it. Other than love, song writing is the only real magic in this world for me. I have read that the final single will be included on your upcoming EP, which is released on 16th February 2015 (‘Misspent Future’). Will the previously released singles also be included on it? Yes all the singles from 2014 will be included on the Misspent Future Ep Are there any plans for a full album in the pipeline? I have considered it, but have come to the conclusion that in this day and age it is about regular content and not an album of songs. So I plan to

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Interviewed by Phil Schofield 28

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Hailing from the West Midlands, a true historic hotbed of classic rock, Greg Dean keyboard & guitarist has assembled a new melodic sounding band in Iconic Eye. Alongside him are Irish lead guitarist Dave Wasson and black country partners bassist Gary Slater & skins man Paul Emery. Having already recorded a couple of tracks with ex Shy vocalist Lee Small and with more recording to follow, I caught up with Octobers band of the month winners to see what plans lay ahead. So Greg, first of all. fill me in on Iconic Eye. Where we are now & where the band has come from? GD Ok well it’s a bunch of guys who’ve know each other for a while, we’d been playing in cover bands and we thought we wanted to do some original stuff. I‘ve got quite a lot of songs that I’d written over time as had Dave & Gary. So I thought I’d kick it off with an album of my songs, got the musicians together & then thought we needed a singer. So my wife went to school with Lee Small ex of SHY … GS (interrupts)…and me as well actually.. Sorry just got interrupted there by Gary Slater, who’s a phenomenal bassist mate with the band says he went to school with your wife? GD Yes and Lee Small as well yeh so Adele introduced me to Lee and asked if he’d be our guest vocalist for the project as we know he’s a busy boy, So he said yes absolutely and he did find time and did a very professional job on the songs he has done so far. So we are still recording the album, we are just past half way. The idea is to get an album together that we will release sometime in the New Year when we have worked out the entire PR & the record company and all that sort of stuff & then take it on the road.

vocals for the album but we will take the new vocalist in that we have got an d he will pick two tracks that he wants to do & we will unveil him with a new single in the new year. Are you on the back of that gig wise looking to go out gigging or have you played together anywhere or has it been really a studio project so far? GD We’ve all played together in different bands but the idea is that Iconic Eye will go live from the end of March. We’ve started booking gigs now. DW We had better start rehearsing then hadn’t we! Yes that’s right but Greg’s off to India first so you’re going to have to wait for that. I am right Greg aren’t I? You did say you’re off to India? GD I am yes I’m going to have curry on the beach.

David, if I ask you as guitarist in the band, musically influenced by whom? DW Me? Oh good grief well, I’ve got quite a lot of influences really including pretty much anybody who’s been in Thin Lizzy I think would be an obvious one. But I like any guitar player from Malmsteen to Vinnie Moore. One of my favourite guitar players actually is a guy who I worked with in a previous band called Seven Days, a guy called Steve Grocott. Who is now playing with Ten & he’s a fabulous guitar player with So if I ask you about the musical style, give me a the most fantastic tone, a phenomenal player & a slot that Iconic Eyes music fits into within the rock very nice fellow too. genres, where would you say iconic Eye fits into? DW Adult orientated probably. Did you audition other singers Greg or was it a GD Kind of like a heavy AOR straight forward natural assumption? GD Well the worst thing about auditioning people is Heavy AOR…yes I’d agree with that because I was that when they walk into the room you tend to know quite blown away when I heard the songs & I within ten seconds to twenty seconds wether you thought I recognize the voice who’s singing on the want to take things forward with them or not. So to try & save ourselves that pain, what we did was, tracks. But I hadn’t looked at the information on because we were already in the studio we sent the line up at that point to be honest, but when I was made aware in talking to you in chatting with people the backing track & told them to record you Greg, that it was Lee Small which is fantastic. themselves over the top& send it back to us. Now correct me if I’m wrong, in the New Year, you So with the new guy that you got, who shall remain have also got a new vocalist that you will be working with on some tracks but Lee will be doing nameless you could tell straight away he was going to be the man to audition yes? some backing vocals also is that right? GD Yes, the idea is that Lee will do all of the backing GD Yes absolutely.

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Have you recorded anything with him so far? GD No we’ve been in the studio a couple of times & had practices with him & they’ve gone really well, in fact it raised the hairs on the back of the neck on the second one. In fact Gary was speechless which is very unusual for Gary! GS Can I just add that it was a toss-up between this guy or the budgie that was recorded on some ones demo! A budgie?? GD Yes that was so funny, someone sent in a demo right & you could hear their budgie for real!

GD I’ve got a few really, I’d say Journey is probably the biggest one but a couple of other bands Alterbridge, Adelitas Way & Hinder. So not just the normal mainstream ones. Yes so you’ve got an eclectic mix there between all members of the band & that drives it forward. GD Yeh to be honest I like songs that you can sing walking down the street, the stick in your head the catchy ones. Yes the “earworms” as they call them these days. So your plans in the future once you’ve got the recording out of the way are presumably to go out on the road and start to play live? GD Yes absolutely that’s the plan from around the end of March onwards. We are trying to get onto some festivals and that sort of thing so if there’s anyone who can give us a leg up there that would be much appreciated.

So you was going to give the budgie the job & forget the mystery singer? GS It was a three to one vote, I voted for the budgie to be honest.

Look at the riders you would have had, Trill, cuttlefish bone a wobbly man! So have you got any ideas in mind for titles for the GS But being a vegetarian I’m all for that! DW Yes but it would be a cuttlefish bone but with all album or is it just going to be called Iconic Eye? GD We are goin to call it the private collection the cuttlefish taken out! Gary can I interject and I ask you a specific question Is it right that you have a penchant for a certain band from the states is that right? GS Yeh you could say that!

The Private Collection? GD Yes & it’s a bit of a joke, as I was recording things on my Apple & I needed to keep the stuff that was releasable away from the stuff I’d recorded with me singing on it. So I created a folder called the private collection & when I was sending out stuff Is it Bon Jovi? (Gary is not a Bon Jovi fan) GS Although I did see Bon Jovi support Kiss in 1983 from the folder it was going out with the stamp & they thoroughly disappointed me & they have done Iconic Eye –The Private Collection. So I actually though that’s not a bad idea because everybody likes nothing since to disprove my disappointment! their own private collection don’t they ? Yeh I was pre warned of your opinion of Bon Jovi & your obviously a massive Kiss fan as is our very Well …..erm David do you have a private collection & can I have a look at it? own Paul Nicholls who will be made up with this. DW No comment We had a good discussion about Kiss before we started the interview & it would be safe to say you have followed their career for many, many years is I used to have a private collection years ago but my mum found it. It’s only fair to ask Gary …….have that right? GS Yes I first saw them in 1980 at Stafford Bingley you got a private collection? GS No of course not, well it’s nothing I’d want to talk Hall & I’ve seen them 22 times altogether in four about in public. different countries including the states! So David, always a difficult question to ask. Your favourite bands? GS Well recently I’ve discovered a chap called Devin Townsend who used to be in a band called Strapping Young Lad. He was on my radar so to speak but I hadn’t really heard any of his stuff, but I was on you tube one night and watched a gig that he’d done at the Roundhouse in London & I was completely blown away . I’ve always been a big fan of Thin Lizzy being Irish & anything that’s got good tune basically I like songs with big harmonic choruses & stuff.

Ok…well lads it’s been great talking to you & this has been the most fun I’ve had in a long time conducting a three way group interview on skype. I want to wish you all the best from Firebrand Rock Radio & congratulate you on the networking to win the competition. GD Yes , it was an interesting experience because it wakes you up to the fact that it’s not just about how good your music is but how much time & effort you put in networking so thanks to everyone who helped us do that. https://www.facebook.com/iconic.eye.music

Greg so what are the favourite artists that you have been influenced by?

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Street Fighter® V Announced Exclusively For Playstation®4 And Pc

undertaking and an honor we take incredibly seriously,” said Adam Boyes, VP of Publisher & Developer Relations at Sony Computer Capcom has announced Street Fighter® V Entertainment America. “We can’t wait to exclusively for the PlayStation®4 computer show Street Fighter and PlayStation fans what we entertainment system and for PC. Through a have in store for them.” strategic partnership between Sony Computer The first gameplay demonstration of Street Entertainment Inc. and Capcom, the next game in the Fighter V will take place at the Capcom Cup grand legendary series will offer cross-platform play that will finals tournament happening next Saturday, unite Street Fighter® fans into a centralized player December 13 in San Francisco, CA. Tune in to the base for the first time ever. More game details live broadcast at twitch.tv/capcomfighters to catch on Street Fighter V, including release timing, will be the first look, along with all of the tournament action. coming soon. Also announced today, Sony Computer “Throughout all of our discussions with Sony Entertainment America will be bringing Ultra Street Computer Entertainment, it is clear that we share a Fighter® IV to the PS4™, solidifying this historic mutual belief that the fighting genre has a huge partnership and demonstrating both companies opportunity for growth,” said Matt Dahlgren, commitment to providing a variety of true benefits to Capcom’s Associate Director of Brand Marketing fighting game fans worldwide. and eSports. “The announcement today is just the first step, of many, in creating the next generation Street Fighter experience our fans have Enter The Gungeon Absolves Your Past Sins in been asking for.” 2015 “Partnering with Capcom to deliver one of the most popular video game franchises of all time as a Just revealed at the Sony PlayStation Experience console exclusive to our PlayStation family is a huge keynote, Enter the Gungeon is a brand new

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gunfighting dungeon crawler coming in 2015 to PlayStation4, PC, Mac and Linux from the gun-slinging warlocks of Devolver Digital and the dodge-rolling masters at development studio Dodge Roll. Take on the role of one of several Gungeoneers, each haunted by their past and looking for a brighter tomorrow, as you Enter the Gungeon. Set your sights on the Cult of the Gundead as you blast through hand -designed chambers of the Gungeon's constantly evolving labyrinth of firepower. Seek out the one gun above all other guns – the gun that can kill the past – while exploring and unlocking a variety of fantastical weapons that unleash everything from missiles, lasers and cannonballs to bizarrely effect a volley of rainbows, fish, foam darts and bees. We're going to write that sentence again so that you can say it out loud, slowly: ...a volley of rainbows, fish, foam darts and bees. Learn more about Enter the Gungeon at www.enterthegungeon.com and introduce yourself to Dodge Roll at @dodgerollgames on Twitter.

Check out the official trailer below:

Search for the legendary Star of Records!

What? You woke up one day and you are now a pixel art character in a strange world? Go on the ultimate star-chasing adventure in Starsss to search for the legendary Star of Records for your answers! WhiteSponge today announced that the next version of Starsss Alpha (v0.02a) will go live this coming December 12th for your PC/Mac/Linux and will be available from the game's site itself. View the new v0.02a gameplay preview here: Opposing Visions of the World Collide in New Dying v0.02a Gameplay Preview Trailer Light Story Trailer

As the rules that govern our civilization crumble, a new order of things is bound to emerge. In the latest trailer for Dying Light, Techland for the first time ever give a sneak peek into the storyline of their open-world, action survival game. Looking for inspirations for Dying Light, we delved into clas sics of international literature, such as Albert Camus’ s The Plague and Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darknes s,” explains Rafał Orkan, a novelist and co-author of Dying Light’s story. “With our game, we wanted to evoke similar emotions and offer players an insight into how people react to the extreme.” Roaming a city devastated by a mysterious epidemic that turns people into zombies, players will assume the role of Kyle Crane, an undercover operative sent to infiltrate the quarantine zone. Sheer chaos, warring factions and a suspicious mission all tug at Crane’s decisions for what he has been told is “the greater good”. Yet who decides when greater good turns into necessary evil? “Going into Dying Light, I was blown away by the visuals of the game and was surprised by such a mature, intense script. I’m honored Techland let me be a small part of this gritty tale of survival. Can’t wait to see people’s reactions when they find out what’s really going on in the story and I can’t wait to play the game myself!” says Roger Craig Smith, the voice behind Kyle Crane and known from such popular titles as Batman: Arkham Origins and many more.

Get the game here from the game's site: Starsss' Game Site - http:// www.whitesponge.com/store/starsss Key Highlights of the new v0.02a: Ω Play dangerously with the new low health and high mana character Ro Ω Activate new special skills for each playable character Ω Push and damage multiple enemies at once with the new Impulse ability Ω Various gameplay improvements and bug fixes Twitter https://www.twitter.com/WhiteSponge Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhiteSponge

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Loadout Prepares to Let Crazed Gunmen Run Free on new co-op Campaign mode, where gamers must temporarily stop slaughtering one another and turn PlayStation®4 This Month their enthusiastic violence towards a common Edge of Reality today announced that Loadout, the enemy. Loadout players will find themselves up against fast-paced Free-to-Play shooter with more weapons the fearsome, heavily armed Kroad, an alien race bent than there are people on Earth, will launch on the on taking away our very nicest shiny rocks. PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system on To learn more about Loadout, visit http:// December 16, 2014. Loadout, the multiplayer shooter www.loadout.com/. with bombastic humor, deep customization, and billions of weapon combinations, is scheduled to arrive on the PlayStation®Store, just in time to inflict virtual wounds on one’s friends and family during the holidays. Soon, PS4® players will be able to experience the glorious mayhem that 3.7 million gamers have enjoyed thus far on the PC, where old and new friends alike can join together as splattered red puddles and splotches across the game’s many scenic levels. To celebrate the impending release of Loadout on the PlayStation®Network, a new trailer has been released on the PlayStation Blog to remind the world what Loadout is all about: finding increasingly lunatic ways to get into fights in the pursuit of shiny blue rocks. Watch it here:

Team Cherry's Hollow Knight Blitzes Through Greenlight

Released on the Steam Greenlight service on November 21, 2014, Team Cherry's 2D adventure Hollow Knight has been successfully Greenlit. In 16 days Hollow Knight achieved 5247 yes votes, with 70% of voters choosing to vote yes, significantly higher than the average 48% yes votes for the other top 50 games on the service. This is the first time Team Cherry has used the Steam Greenlight service and the team is thrilled (Also somewhat shocked), by the massive swell of positivity and action around the title on the Steam service. Steam Greenlight: http://steamcommunity.com/ sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=344329253 About Hollow Knight Hollow Knight is a challenging and mysterious 2D action adventure through a surreal world of insects and heroes. The game is for PC, Mac and Linux, with a release planned for mid-2015. Hollow Knight is currently on Kickstarter having launched on November 19, 2014, to end on December 19, 2014. The game has been selected as a staff pick. With 12 days left in its campaign, Hollow Knight is 55% Loadout is the first original IP from Edge of Reality, of the way to its goal. Watch the first gameplay demonstration with an Austin-based independent studio with broad narration by Ari Gibson and William Pellen: experience in major game franchises, including Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, and The Sims. The studio developed Loadout as a passion project, and today that passion has been shared by millions, enjoying the over-the-top violence, fast action, and absurdly varied customization of Loadout on PC – and soon, PS4®. Loadout will also be featured this weekend at PlayStation Experience, a massive two-day community event for PlayStation fans held in Las Vegas on December 6-7. Edge of Reality will be in attendance alongside dozens of other PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®Vita developers to show off new and unreleased games to attendees. Loadout will be available to play on the PS4® for the first time at the You can watch the reveal trailer for Hollow Knight event, and Edge of Reality team members will be on here: https://www.youtube.com/watch? hand to meet fans and answer questions about the v=Y2amTl5lBYM game. The launch of Loadout for PS4® will bring with it View the Kickstarter here: https:// all of the volatile projectiles, majestically soaring entrails, www.kickstarter.com/projects/11662585/hollowknight and mature humor that gamers have come to love since the game’s launch earlier this year on PC. The PS4® debut will also mark the launch of the game’s

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Battleaxe - Power From the Universe Record Label: Steamhammer/SPV

6/10

Released: 1 December 2014

Highlight of the album: Fortune Lady Website: https://www.facebook.com/BATTLEAXE.nwobhm.OFFICIAL Reviewer: Phil Kane

1984; the twilight of the NWOBHM gods was well and truly upon us and with Saxon, Leppard and Maiden leaving the aspirant pack eating their dust, the years of metal's recalibration and regrouping were all but over. The punk inspired DIY approach was under siege from LA’s hair metal dandies and Bay Area thrashers from the west, the Teutonic marching men from the east. The likes of "Mutt" Lange, Martin Birch, Dieter Dierks and Bill Ham were all applying the uber production values of Quincy Jones to gobsmacking effect. Those left behind heroically clinging to their ‘true’ metal roots were increasingly outnumbered and outgunned. This 30th anniversary rerelease of 'Power From The Universe' is a better paced, more considered album than its predecessor and band debut ‘Burn This Town’. It comes with a handful of bonus tracks originally recorded at Neat. If you remember the likes of Dedringer and Quartz then you'll already be familiar with this. It doesn't step out of its comfort zone, doesn't try anything adventurous, determinedly going about its business offering nothing to suggest Battleaxe are the 'criminally underrated band' some claim. Yet it was one of the better releases thrown up by NWOBHM's death throes, nowhere near as stodgy and beer bellied as a lot of offerings from this period. Better produced and more polished than most, it still carries the weight of the period’s naive sense of discovery, taking you back to Friday nights at Newcastle's old Mayfair Ballrooms when the new metal package tours still roamed the

touring circuit. Yet as the album progresses you begin to understand why the Yanks and Teutons stole the show, the reason why it never became anything more than a hard to find cult ‘classic’. The growling strut of the title track, ‘Fortune Lady’ and 'Chopper Attack', 'Shout It Out' and the bonus 'Radio Thunder' are about as good as it gets, ‘Make It In America’ sounds just that, but Leppard did it first and much better. There are no duds as such, but the album never really fires up properly despite the bands efforts. The album does possess a power and a naïve grace; ideas float around tracks that are good solid chunks of Brit meat and two veg pub metal that the European nostalgists may still go for, but everyone else? Ah, there’s the rub. The Battleaxe boys could've turned the tables on the invaders and nicked some of their ideas; Leppard and Maiden did and look what happened there. I don't know if this rerelease has been remastered or not, but the production sounds a little muddy, a bit lame, with the prescription echo. Of its time I suppose, but even back then metal had moved on from this archetypal rumbling new wave sound. 'Power From The Universe' is a fossil, a time capsule from an era long gone. The metallic student will revel in the references to what had been and what was to come, the aficionado of the genre will love it to bits for the rose tinted memories, but when today’s average metal head compares it to what else rock has to offer, it may well prove a tad pedestrian and thus an album that’s really strictly for connoisseurs only.

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White Widdow - Crossfire Record Label: AOR Heaven

9/10 Released: 26 November 2014

Highlight of the album: Carry The Heartache Website: https://www.facebook.com/whitewiddowaor Reviewer: Stephen Brophy

White Widdow return with the release of Crossfire in November 2014, I have been waiting to get my hands on this one as I really enjoyed 2011's Serenade and their self titled debut from 2010. Just to give you a little history of the band they were formed in Melbourne, Australia in 2008 with the Millis brothers, Jules (Vocals) and Xavier (Keyboards, with Enzo Almanzi (Guitar), Trent Wilson (Bass) and Jim Naish (Drums) rounding things out. Having released two excellent albums and with a couple of lineup changes that had been forced upon them they seemed to be in a really good place in 2013 to work on the new album, but 2013 was to prove a hugely turbulent and emotional time for the band, with the tragic death of drummer George Kristy (who had replaced Naish the previous year) and Trent deciding to retire from the music business. One of these massive blows could have been enough to make the guys call it a day, but both of them had to have an effect on them in every way imaginable. But to their credit they decided to continue and complete album number three, Crossfire, with the addition of Ben Webster on Bass and Noel Tenny on Drums.

allowed plenty of freedom to perform keyboard gymnastics, but it all fits in perfectly with the flow of the songs and the album. It has to be said Jules vocals are just like the compositions here really matured, everything gives the feel that it's a band that hasn't just run into the studio to get a product out there, this has been poured over and a lot of work has gone into it. Next up is "Just Another Night" a classic sounding AOR track and a bloody good one, "Below The Belt" has a slightly more poppy sound to it, but that doesn't detract from the song in anyway, it all works really well, these guys have bonded really well and this just sounds like a really tight unit working at the top of their game.

"Dreams Don't Die" and "Too Many Tears" keep things moving along nicely, maybe not my personal stand out tracks on the album, but still really good tracks in their own right, following on from these is "Angel" which is a pacey little number that rocks along nicely too, moving into the home stretch this is just a bloody good album, very high quality all over it. Again with an intro that's as classic as they come, but still fresh enough to perk up the ears "Born To Be A Rebel" is one of my favourites and really looking forward to hearing this one live. The Musically not much has changed, Crossfire brings us penultimate track is just a wonderful piece of work, ten classic Hard Rock/AOR tracks that, and I mean with everything they do here in harmony, for me it's the this as a huge compliment, could easily fit in alongside stand out, there's a great balance about this track that the classic days of the 1980's. There is just a touch of makes it special for me, it's been played more than a class about the material that White Widdow produce few times on it's own at this stage. The closer is also that separates them from the crowd, and this album is an excellent track, "Never Again" rounds things off no exception, there are some wonderful tracks on brilliantly, another one with slight pop leanings, but still show here, harmonies and melodies are just terrific maintaining it's Hard Rock roots and with some lovely and the songwriting is as usual top notch, throw in guitar work once again. some beautiful guitar work from Enzo and very solid debuts from Ben and Noel and we have an album that Everything on Crossfire starts off from a classic and is rapidly rising up my list of favourites for 2014. solid base and then just gets added to with each layer of guitar work, keyboards, backing vocals, and it The album opens with the stomper "Caught In The culminates in a classy piece of work that should not be Crossfire" which is one of the heavier tracks on the overlooked in this end of year scramble where people album, but it starts with just a vocal harmony which is might be distracted by other things in life, do yourself a really cool and then runs into a killer riff which just favour and make sure you check this one out folks, bounds along right through the middle of the song, I pretty sure you won't be in the least disappointed with think you know from this one track you are onto a it. White Widdow are back in the UK next March at winner with the album, and a cracking solo kicks in HRH AOR and hopefully with some additional dates closer to the end than the middle, but who cares around it. where in the song it is as long as it's this good. The guys are really on top form and I just get the impression that because of everything they'd gone through this album was only going to be released when it was ready and everyone was happy with it. "Fly Me Away" starts off with some really nice keys that flow right the way through the track, only two songs in and I'm pretty sure this one is a keeper for me, Enzo is

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AC/DC - Rock Or Bust Record Label: Columbia

8/10 Released: 1 December 2014

Highlight of the album: Rock The House Website: http://www.acdc.com/us/rockorbust Reviewer: Rob Birtley

I have to start this review a wee bit early. In fact 30th of October 1978 to be exact the venue the Liverpool Empire. The setting was AC/DC’s ‘If You Want Blood’ tour. Trashing my street cred I was seated high up in the upper balcony on an aisle seat when the double doors behind were flung open two roadies burst through flanking Angus Young soloing away for all he was worth. It was the first time I’d seen a wireless guitar system in action and like the rest of the crowd I was ‘Blown Away’. I also know this was the start of my conviction that Music isn’t about how you can sound on an album and it is all about what you can do on a stage. So with the emergence of Rock or Bust I was eager to see if the veteran OZ Rockers could still keep their end up.

participation on the "nah nah nahs". In other words it’s the archetypal AC/DC crowd pleaser. ‘Dogs of War’ reminds me of the idea found with the chanting War Machine on Black Ice. Starting with a guitar wail like a Def Leppard track it soon goes into the traditional blues vain. The chorus of the song title is answered by the rest of the band chanting ‘Soldier of Fortune’ is the perfect backdrop for another fine Angus solo. ‘Hard Times’ could be a reference to their well-documented recent troubles, but let's be candid, probably isn't, clocks in at 2.44 minutes making it the second-shortest track on the album. Old style you can hear the drummer count the band in. The backbeat is blues again done the way the band always do it. Beano delivers the goods in Spades with a fierce growl and Angus tastefully nips in and out with some fine playing Rock Or Bust is the band’s first studio album in six all reaching a satisfying conclusion. ‘Baptism By Fire’ is years, their 16th studio album and features 11 new real gem and hurtles off the starting line faster than tracks, it comes in under 36 minutes compared to the Lewis Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi grand prix. The song 55 minute hugely successful Black Ice in 2008. also showcases some of Brian Johnson's best vocals in Recorded in spring 2014 at Warehouse Studio in years. More than most of the tracks on the album this Vancouver it finds AC/DC once again working with one is jam-packed with the best elements of the band, producer Brendan O’Brien and mixer Mike Fraser and a genuine good time party song that calls to mind the is the first AC/DC album in the band’s 41 year history likes of ‘Bad Boy Boogie’ for showing off the sheer without founding member Malcolm Young on the swagger AC/DC has long been capable of delivering. recordings. The line-up is as follows Angus Young: ‘Rock the House’ opens dirty blues style with the echo Guitar, Stevie Young: Guitar, Brian Johnson: Vocals, of Led Zeppelin that runs right through the track and Phil Rudd: Drums AND Cliff Williams: Bass. Brian delivers a vocal that just rips it up. The repeating shuffle rhythm line is the hook reals you in and Angus The album opens old style with the title track ‘Rock or winds in and out with some of his best playing on the Bust’. The track has all the energy you could ask for album. In my opinion it’s a classic. and Rocks you back 1990 and ‘The Razors Edge’ album. The first thing you will notice is the juice is right I dare say other reviews will comment on inspiration back in Brian Johnsons singing and when you hear him being drawn out of adversity which is of course true to declare “Turn up the amps high the crowd’s gonna hit the extent that the band have had a number of well the sky” you know he means every word of it and he documented issue on their collective plate. I guess can deliver too! Thankfully this sort of vocal G.B.H others will say that at just under 35 minutes Rock or occurs on every track my advice is turn it all the way up Bust is a back to basics AC/DC album and it is also and let your ears bleed. The trademark Angus guitar true that it draws heavily on the band’s roots and if solo strikes like an Exocet just when you’d expect it. The something isn’t broken why try to fix it. I will finish were whole song is just good time Rock and Roll all over I started and ask myself just what the me who witagain. Next up is the first single ‘Let’s Play Ball’. The nessed AC/DC some thirty six years ago make of Rock rhythm is locked in solid from the pairing of Rudd and or Bust. That guy knew for certain records you just Williams with an unmistakeable and familiar groove. need to turn down the grey matter and turn up the Brian Johnson is right on top of the track with another volume. I’m pretty sure he’d say something like ‘Hell ferocious vocal onslaught and Angus adds the guitar Yeah!’ embellishment in a way only he can. Miss Adventure like all 11 songs ways in around three minutes long and certainly pulls no punches not just with the trademark double-entendre title. Stevie Young delivers a fine line in blues shuffle that has all Malcolm’s hallmarks down to a tee. The song soon gets glued in the memory, with a catchy chorus made for fans

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Richie Ramone - Entitled Record Label: DC-Jam Records

10/10 Released: 8 October 2014

Highlight of the album: I Know Better Now Website: http://www.richieramone.com/ Reviewer: Lee Walker

Every so often when an album is released it escapes our attention for various reasons. ‘Entitled’ the debut solo album by Richie Ramone was one such album. How did we miss this first time round ~ truthfully not a fecking clue but as Richie is about to embark upon his UK tour what better time to revisit it.

As albums go ‘Entitled’ may on paper be Richie’s debut solo album but he is no stranger to the rodeo and it more than shows with the flawless instant classic. Punk rockers everywhere should rejoice at this offering and liberate and retake the Ramones t-shirts from Primark et al and go see Richie on his UK tour later this month.

The Ramones will always be enshrined in in punk history and as quoted from the late great Joey Ramone ‘Richie saved the band as far as I’m concerned. He’s the greatest thing to happen to the Ramones. He put the spirit back in the band’ there will always be some comparison to the Ramones and yes there are a few tracks which screams Ramones as well as a cracking cover of the pop-punk Ramones anthem ‘Smash You’ that Richie penned for the band, but on the whole the album is an out and out old school punk rock affair with Richie’s gruff vocals reminding me of Billy Idol when he was in his prime.

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2 Cards Of 25 - Lone Ranger Record Label: Independent MGR Music

7/10 Released: 2 December 2014

Highlight of the album: Penumbra Website: http://www.2cardsof25.com/ Reviewer: Rob Birtley

Being honest something that comes naturally to me because I’m rubbish at lying and I don’t do anything I can’t do well 2 Cards Of 25 is a new name to me. This can be a good thing or bad. Formed in 2012 by Diego Gutierrez, a Colombian-born vocalist that has made the UK his adopted home, stating influences of some of Rock's heavyweights such as Aerosmith, Guns n' Roses, Led Zeppelin, they maintain all had an influence on the band's sound. Based in the multicultural metropolis that is London, 2 Cards Of 25 aim to breathe new life into British melodic Rock but with a Latin twist! The question is do they succeed? Their line-up is Diego Gutierrez (Vocals-Guitars), Ash Milburn (Bass), Ivan Ortega (Keys), Pete Buckmaster (Drums) and Dan Baune (Guitars). Lone Ranger is a 4-song EP, which clocks in at roughly 16 minutes and is the band’s debut release. The EP starts with ‘Alice in Wonderland’ which was released earlier this year and was followed by a video for the track filmed in Nemocon, Colombia. Repetitions of a single keyboard note almost like the start of a supermarket Christmas add begin before a driving bass line and drums breaks in and what you think is going to be a frothy pop song turns out to be a Rocker and a bit of a Blues/Rocker at that. Sounding a bit like Thunder without the quixotic voice of Danny Bowes there is really a lot of old school Brit Rock going on. But I couldn’t help but think Diego Gutierrez just didn’t quite have the vocal chops to fully pull it off. Next comes the title track ‘Lone Ranger’. This opens with a dirty Blues rhythm line and is less frantic and driven than the first track. The vocal is grittier and more convincing as well, having the vibe of UFO and Phil Mogg. The track also has a nice lead guitar break short and sweet. There is

something almost hypnotic in the chorus and it’s one of those songs I like but struggle to reason why. The next song goes off at a tangent all of its own. ‘Sweetest’ opens up with an acoustic Latin American guitar line as does the whole song. The vocal has a Steve Harley rhythm to it which is echoed in the whole song. Even the closing words spoken in Spanish have a Cockney Rebel twang to them. This is followed by ‘Penumbra’ and this throws you right of track once again. A Penumbra is a space of partial illumination like that cast by the shadow of a celestial object. This song is all about being caught in that space in life just between the dark and the light. Suddenly you are in Marillion circa Steve Hogarth era. Starting with a cut back piano line you’d swear came from a track on Misplaced Childhood but you can’t remember which one. Complete with the trademark Steve Rothery guitar solo and vocal harmonies. Yes it’s Emo/Prog and it’s well done and it’s totally different from the other tracks. Sometimes I really don’t like coming to conclusions about a band on the strength of an EP and especially one that has only 4 tracks and is really diverse track to track. I like to get some sense of direction and possible progression before I make a judgement. What I will say is that 2 Cards Of 25 are an interesting band. They play well and cover a number of bases. In my opinion the voice of Diego Gutierrez seems to be more compelling with the moody ‘Penumbra’ and convincing with the light-hearted ‘Sweetest’ than the Rockers on this EP. I await with interest a full album from the band and maybe catching them live to make a final judgement.

Firebrand Magazine

Avenger - The Slaughter Never Stops Record Label: Rocksector Records

8/10

Released: 1 December 2014

Highlight of the album: Killers Website: http://www.avenger-uk.com/ Reviewer: Rob Birtley

I don’t know who ever came up with the saying ‘Deja-vu all over again’ and I’m of a certain age that looks back on the 80’s as a time of simpler things before all these new genres of Metal and it all seemed to be N.W.O.B.H.M as a golden epoch. So when a new Avenger album came in my inbox it was with some trepidation mixed in with anticipation I started to listen to it. Like football managers the advice generally is not to come back so just what did I make of this seconding coming read on if you want to find out.

from the ‘Killers’ album. Twin guitar bounces off one another and the vocal of Ian Swift is right in the centre of the mix holding it all together with intensity and crystal clear clarity. ‘In to the Nexus’ brings to mind a tracks by another North East N.W.O.B.H.M band Spartan Warrior but with added complexity and even greater vocal range. ‘Decimated’ it’s back to the Maiden influence if played a little quicker with a Thrash vibe provided by a Megadeth going on. It also has a really nice guitar break and solos happening speeding the song to a satisfying conclusion. The song next up ‘In Avenger are a five piece who’s current line-up is Ian Arcadia Go’ is also available as a free download at the Swift – Vocals, Gary Young - Drums and backing vocals, Rocksector Records Soundcloud so you have the Liam Thompson - Guitar and backing vocals, Sean chance to sample the band before you buy. Maiden Jeffries – Guitar and Ian "Fuzz" Fulton - Bass guitar and influenced from around the ‘Killers’ album again the backing vocals. They hail from Newcastle upon Tyne. lyric holds your attention as the song develops and like ‘The Slaughter Never Stops’ is their third studio album all the tunes on this release the band is tight and the now re-united with classic line-up vocalist Ian Swift and bass/drum rhythm section power the track along. The the band hope it will begin a new chapter for them. album contains 10 brand new songs plus a cover of Their sound well it’s still hard Driving N.W.O.B.H.M, Iron Maiden's ‘Killers’ which comes up next and is so think early Priest and Maiden pre Bruce Dickinson add appropriate for an album heavily influenced by the in a touch of Diamond Head and you get the picture. Metal of that time. It’s a cracking cover from start to finish with the band adding a spin and a pace to it all of The album opens with ’Mace Imperial’ which at one their own and is Just my highlight on the album beating time was to be the title track. It’s a percussive led ‘In Arcadia Go’ and the last track ‘Midnight Mass march totally instrumental and sets the pace for the Destruction’ by a short head. album. Next up is ‘Race Against Time’. It reminds me in parts to ‘Wraith Child’ sung by Paul Di'anno and What am I going to say about this album? Well if you definitely has that early Maiden rhythm and vibe going love your early N.W.O.B.H.M with the added gloss of pin on with a faster tempo quick but not in the Vardis sharp modern production you will want this for your speed bracket. The third track is ‘Fate’ has been collection it delivers in spades! This is just what you’d available as an album teaser for free download for expect considering the origin and history of the band. several months now and quite a hook it is as well. Do not expect any earth-shattering innovation or Sounding more like early Priest this song Rocks along progression it’s not about that it’s a straight on and delivers like a sledgehammer swung by Geoff Head-down Head-banger of an album. Designed to Capes in his prime. ‘Fields of the Burnt’ kicks of like Rock you senseless from start to finish in an old ‘Angel Witch’ by the band of the same name. Then fashioned and familiar sort of way which I rather like racks up the pressure and darkness Maiden fashion thank you very much.

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