RMP Magazine #18 by RMP Magazine

THANKS TO

CEO Kenny Leys // CEO

Fabio Banin

David Marote // Managing Editor

Jodie Cunningham

James Cross // Photo coordinator

Carl Battams

Design

Writers

Jolien Krijnen // Chief designer

Cameron Smith // Copywriter liaison David Gilmore Jesse Mouart

Editors Frederik Geuvens // Editor in chief Krystal Cole

Photography Daria Colaes Jurriaan Hodzelmans Lisse Wets Greet Druyts Mallory Guzzi

www.rock-metal-punk.org 2

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Holly Reijs Jonas Hoflack Alec Evans Nicky Boes James Cross

CONTENT

I n t e r v i e w / / Guerrilla Monsoon

Inter view//AFI

14 Inter view//Hierophant

I n t e r v i e w / / Paper+Plactick

Album r eviews

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Thanks To

A W

FROM THE EDITOR

Hello again! November is here, fall has totally taken over our streets and the announcements of tours and new releases are dropping like leafs. Time for us at RMP to get back on track! This last month we were graced once again with tons of bands visiting the old continent and rocking their hearts out for all of us. Or what about the constant flood of new releases that is clogging up our mailbox? Our loyal team of reviewers risked life and limbs to dig into these albums and some of them almost went under by the huge workload we gave them. Kudos to our reviewers and if you feel like joining them, drop us a line! We are always recruiting new writing talent. Of course our photographers hit the road too and brought back some eye candy from last monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shows worldwide. And what about our preview on upcoming fests and shows, a full review that will leave you with the urge to buy tickets and get out there ASAP?! And of course the main course of RMP Magazine: interviews that bring you the latest in whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening. For this issue we talked to Vinnie Fiorello of the Paper+Plastick label and one of the bands on his roster, Guerrilla Monsoon. The good folks of Paper+Plastick also have a great announcement where they will be releasing a free compilation of 100 songs to celebrate the 100th week of their digital subscription. They also offered a giveaway goodie bag with five vinyl releases from P+P. So keep following RMP Magazine for more details and a chance to win this great price.

David Marote

Managing editor RMP magazine

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YOU MAY WANT TO LIS

STEN TO... Lagwagon – Hang After meeting up with Joey Cape this summer during Pukkelpop for the Lagwagon interview, I already knew this record was going to be something special. The anticipations were sky-high for this one and after listening the first time to the full album my mind was blown. Joey discussed this album as being a ‘coming of age’ record, full of thoughts on how he sees the world. And that is certainly quite clear with “Hang”. Nine years after their previous studio album “Resolve”, Lagwagon is back. Where most bands with a state of duty such as Lagwagon start to slow down and release mediocre albums, Lagwagon proves that they are not near their apex yet. Musically this album is as diverse as it can get, Lagwagon have progressed from 20th century analogue boys to 21th century digital men with all of the troubles and thoughts that such an evolution might bring. All this gets tackled in the lyrics of “Hang”. A tribute to Tony Sly was due to be made and “One More Song” is that particular track that pays homage to one of the greatest songwriters ever. A personal favourite of mine is “Obsolete, Absolute”, containing a riff that will haunt you for days. Lagwagon is back and “Hang” might be considered their magnum opus. Get it now!

T he Smith Street Band – Throw Me In The Fire Australia, home of Neighbours, kangaroos, boomerangs and The Smith Street band! The Australians in The Smith Street Band have been paving their way to greatness for a while now and I hadn’t really given them the deserved credit before. After hearing numerous rants about how great they are by friends, it clearly became time to check them out. After their performance at Groezrock last year we got a second chance when they played Antwerp lately. And guess what, they even brought a brand new album over from across the globe. “Throw Me In The Fire” is their latest offspring and consists of folky punkrock tunes with heartfelt lyrics on a personal level. Take the lyrical craftsmanship of the Weakerthans’ John K. Samson, blend it with the folkrock of Frank Turner and more contemporary punkrock heroes and this leads to the outcome of “Throw Me In The Fire”. From fast raging riffs to epic sing-alongs and intimate melodic pieces, this album is another giant step forward in The Smith Street Band’s claim to fame. For instance, take this line from title track “Throw Me In The River”, an instant sing-along track: “So throw me in the fucking river, I’m already in the process of getting chewed up and spit out.”

Roses Never Fade

– Devil Dust

Roses Never Fade is back! They’re my favourite folk noir, ambient, drone, whatever you want to call it. Anyway, they’re back after a tumultuous era where original members that helped shape the iconic “Fade To Black” album had been set aside from their band in a furious moment by the originator. The project however has risen from the ashes and is now in the hands of the artistic vision of Nick Fiction (Pale Creation). With the vocal help of Nathan Opposition (Ancient Vvisdom) and newcomer Austin Rahtmell on drums; the creation of “Devil Dust” was completed. Ten tracks of haunting folk, ranging from acoustic guitar strumming to repetitive drones and mysterious samples, all leading to an overall atmosphere build up that will send shivers down your spine. Nathan Opposition’s bleak vocals provide the sound to most of the tracks, only a couple of songs are sung by Nick himself. Overall the melancholy and misanthropy reign supreme throughout the album. Roses Never Fade is back and it remains a unique sound but in the end I do miss the diversity that the old project delivered.

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Writer // David Marotte

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uerrilla Monsoon is a relatively ‘new’ band. Not even a year old as a band but already three releases and they signed with the infamous Paper + Plastick label where they will be releasing their new EP “Big City Plans” on vinyl by the end of October. To top that all of the lads even get to perform at the Fest 13. Time for RMP Magazine to exchange some thoughts with vocalist/guitar player Mark about the steep rise of Guerrilla Monsoon on planet punk.

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INTERVIEW // GUERRILLA MONSOON

Mark, could you give us a quick roundup of the band for those who don’t know Guerrilla Monsoon yet? Sure! We’ve got John on drums, Rob on Bass, Lewis Bloor on guitar/ gruff vocals, and finally I am on the more melodic guitar bits/nerdy vocals. We’re based in Birmingham, UK and formed in December 2013. We just signed to Paper + Plastick (USA) and Beach Community (UK) so if you’re familiar with those labels you’ll get a fair idea for our sound. We’re heavily influenced by punk and emo but at the same time I reckon we’ve started to create our own sound within that crowded scene. You recently (end of October) released an EP titled “Big City Plans”, the vinyl version appeared on Vinnie Fiorello’s (Less Than Jake) Paper + Plastick label. A dream come true?

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“As I say in the lyrics, I only tend to express those thoughts in song; a habit I need to get out of.” It scares me to think about, truthfully. We all grew up listening to bands such as Less Than Jake and personally I really connected with Vinnie’s lyrics. To a large extent bands like Less Than Jake and the bands that I discovered through LTJ have influenced not only my musical style but also my lifestyle and

choices. To be given this opportunity is incredible. The 10” EP “Big City Plans” is actually our second Paper + Plastick release (our debut 7” split with New York’s Gameday Regulars was released in August via P+P and All In Vinyl) so we really wish to repay P+P the faith that they have shown in us.

Guerrilla Monsoon is less than a year old as a band, with the third release out now and even a show at this year’s edition of Fest 13, things are moving fast for the band. How does it feel to be on this rollercoaster? It’s been a physical and emotional rollercoaster that’s for sure. I mean let’s be clear: we never set out to achieve what we have done in the band’s lifetime never mind within 10 months; it’s crazy. We started the band as something to do away from work, a form of escapism. We then recorded a demo and after sending it out to a few places we began to receive a bunch of enthusiastic offers, including Fest 13, offers of labels and offers of tours. We said yes to every opportunity, quickly ran out of holiday leave from work, ended relationships and stretched ourselves to the limits.

We’re planning to recover over the winter and get back on the road by February 2015. You all played in different projects in the past before Guerrilla Monsoon, could you tell us some more on your respective backgrounds and influences? Sure, John (drums) was in probably the most ‘successful’ of our previous projects having played in UK indie band Sunset Cinema Club. Lewis played in a number of known punk bands (Shermer, Big City Plan, and Cannons & Tanks) as did Rob (such as Red Light Room). I’ve played in a bunch of UK emobands. Whilst on the whole our previous projects were effectively from different musical styles we all shared a hardworking DIY ethic and a desire to write songs that we could fall in love with. I genuinely think that

Guerrilla Monsoon is an extension of those previous projects in many respects and that explains why we hit the ground running in 2014! The lyrics of Guerrilla Monsoon are mostly on personal issues, for instance the track “Flock The Nest” about leaving home and thanking your parents for everything they’ve done. Have your parents heard it yet? That’s such a good/ relevant question in terms of my personal life right now. Since writing that song both of my brothers emigrated to Peru and Germany respectively. We’re a tight family so I have found it particularly hard. Whilst initially the song was from my perspective, it has just occurred to me, prompted by your question, that the song has relevance for my two brothers also. Whilst I appreciate

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INTERVIEW // GUERRILLA MONSOON

that it was not you’re intention when you asked the question, the question has given the song a new importance to me; thanks. I haven’t actually presented it to my parents yet. As I say in the lyrics, I only tend to express those thoughts in song; a habit I need to get out of. I should frame the 10” and lyrics and present them at Christmas for sure! “Big City Plans”, another new song is about your hometown Birmingham, how is Birmingham treating you guys as an emerging rock band? Birmingham has so many positive things going for it and we’re excited to part of the emerging talent in the city. Musically speaking there are some great venues and bands – Laughing in the face of, Maycomb and Light You Up are all releasing records

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this year and are wellworth checking out. All in Vinyl (www. allinvinyl.com) who put out our split 7” with Gameday Regulars are a fantastic label/ distro working with international bands like The Gamits, Iron Chic, Timeshares, The Down & Outs, Leagues Apart,… and are based near my home. There is also a greats arts/ crafts community in the Kings Heath/Moseley and Digbeth areas of the city (check out @ fallfordiy on Instagram/ twitter) and for me that is helping give Birmingham a real edge. You also have a video for “Whisky And Wine” where the band plays ‘live’ in a record store. How did this come by and where is that shop? Another ace question! Death Or Glory Records is a fantastic new record store based in Redditch.

Redditch is a small town near Birmingham and is actually the hometown of our drummer John. Rob also works in that town and so really we are a ‘Birmingham/ Redditch-based’ band. There are so many things coming from that store – it is now a live venue and shall be hosting our record release party; a record label and recording studio are also based there. I am really excited about the whole project! If Guerrilla Monsoon was a sports team, what sport would the band be into and what would the name, team cheer and mascot be? Well of course our band is named after 1970’s WWF (as it was then) wrestler Gorilla Monsoon. So I would have to say we are a tag-team wrestling bunch. In terms of team mascot…

"Birmingham has so many positive things going for it and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re excited to part of the emerging talent in the city.â&#x20AC;? facebook.com/Basementuk RMP Magazine #18

INTERVIEW // GUERRILLA MONSOON

a gorilla would be too obvious… but I can’t think beyond that right now!

done – perhaps in a Union Jack or European Union style?! I’ll have a word with Vinnie but don’t hold your breath!

label is a great place to start looking for UK bands – check out our label mates Bangers, Gnarwolves, Hindsights and Apologies I Have None. Once you’ve gotten through them then our pals in Bear Trade, Pure Graft, Don Blake, Andrew Cream, Issac, Austeros, The Murderburgers will all treat you well. Have I dropped enough names? [Laughing]

Please give us an insight in today’s UK punk scene, who to check, where to go...? The UK punk scene is the strongest I have seen in years. In addition to Birmingham bands then our UK

New Album :

For now you mostly played the UK, any plans on coming abroad soon? Yeah, we’re actually having some initial ideas of hitting Europe in February. Of course we will be in the States at the end of this month and I cannot wait for that. Since you signed to Paper + Plastick, who has released matching toys to certain releases in the past, are there any plans for Guerilla Monsoon toys or skulls? I love those skulls so would love to get a run

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“Big City Plans”

Out now!

facebook.com/guerrilla monsoon

Join us at Twitter twitter.com/RMPMag

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Interview // James Cross Transcribed // Nicky Boes Photographers // Fabio Banin & Jodie Cunningham

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ans in Europe and the UK have been craving for a new tour of AFI for years now, but it still has to happen. James Cross had the chance to sit down with Adam Carson, drummer of A Fire Inside. He had a talk about the influences, past, present and future of AFI.

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INTERVIEW // AFI

Which of the bands you played with made the biggest impression on you? I’ll give a short list: Sick Of It All foremost. Watching them do what they do over the years and playing countless shows with them and witnessing how genuine, passionate and honest they are, that was hugely influential. Another band is Green Day, not only because of the tour we did with them in 2010. But also the shows we’ve played together over the past years and when I saw them on stage when I was fifteen. For the same reasons as Sick Of It All, watching them do what they do consistently and evolving as a band but never strain too far from that original template. They are such a huge band for me. I could say the same thing about Rancid, we toured a lot with them when I was

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young and I learned a lot from them. What was one of the most interesting things about the Carnivores Tour with 30 Seconds To Mars and Linkin Park? For us, we had the chance to play for a lot of new people. We spent most of the record cycle playing in front of our fans and playing headlining shows in an environment that we can control and where we can play our own show. We can mess with the setlist and play songs that are more obscure and still everyone knows and that’s great. But every once in a while it’s good for us to play for new crowds. It’s a way to keep it fresh for us. What do you think the future holds for AFI? Will there be a new headlining tour or anything else? We still have some

Mexico concerts at the start of November but after that we don’t have anything on the counter. On some point we’ll have to start working on new material. We aren’t planning on waiting three years again between records. But you never really know. We can’t force things. We can only do things at the pace that it feels creative. But at the same time, we don’t necessarily have to create an entire new record before we go and play some shows. We’re just going to have to think about creating new music. There just isn’t a very firm schedule yet, we’re still working things out. Touring is amazing and a lot of fun, but after a full year it feels like it’s time to get back to the creative things.

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INTERVIEW // AFI

In the UK and Europe a lot of fans have been asking: “What’s going on?” “Are there any plans for Europe and the UK?” I don’t have a definite answer on those questions. I want more than anything to go back to the UK and Europe, but it’s difficult. What size of venues will we be playing? It just hasn’t quite worked in our schedule yet, but I’m sure it’ll be a matter of time. You guys went to South America for the first

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time, how was that? It was cool, because we played festivals and that made it possible to make it affordable. Maybe next time we can have a look to do headlining shows there. Also we’ve played Japan very often, but not with this record and that kind of breaks my heart, but it just didn’t line out in the schedule. How do you feel about AFI’s earlier studio work? My feelings about

those records haven’t really changed. There were some moments where I didn’t really feel like I accomplished properly what I wanted to accomplish. But aside those small imperfections I’m proud of what we’ve done and I think there is a vibe to each record. For example when I listen to “Shut Your Mouth And Open Your Eyes” (1997) I think the performances are far from our best, but I’m still proud of how honest and passionate that record is.

"Every once in a while it’s good for us to play for new crowds. It’s a way to keep it fresh for us."

That record is really angry, the band only sounded like that for a short time, and we recorded that period and I’m proud of that.

If the CD was going to be fifteen dollars, we wanted to give a value for the money. It’s something we wanted to do as a punk band.

The previous records were longer, how do you feel about that? Well, the earlier records were longer, but it was too long. If you cut some songs out of it, it is perfect. But at that time it was what every band did. Every band had twenty or more songs, but it’s just too much. It’s hard to digest all of it.

Nowadays, a lot of bands cut down to nine or ten songs and still call it a full-length. How do you feel about that? I think that’s okay. The music world is in an evolutionary state at the moment. Recording a record is expensive and nobody makes money of it, because nobody buys it and if

they buy it, they buy it for six dollar. So if they can save fifty thousand dollars by recording a few songs less, I think that’s understandable. The goal is to be proactive and record more material consistently, rather than having long records. Ten songs is a good length. People tune out after a while, so the length is important. Adam Carson, thank you so much for your time! facebook.com/afireinside

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Writer // By David Marote

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aper + Plastick is the Gainesville, Florida-based record label founded and run by Less Than Jakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drummer Vinnie Fiorello. With their digital subscription the label offered some tracks of over 100 artists they selected out of submissions on a weekly subscription basis. To celebrate the 100th week of this mail subscription, Paper + Plastick is offering a free download compilation featuring those 100 artists in cooperation with RMP Magazine and other selected media. Time for us to have a talk with Vinnie about this compilation release and all the other things going on at P+P.

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INTERVIEW // PAPER + PLASTICK

Congratulations on the 100th week of the digital subscription. You’re releasing a compilation album featuring all of those bands; can you tell us something more about how and why and your personal favourites? Well - First things first, I think we are in a massive creative upswing in the music creation department. I think with that the way to distribute music hasn’t been easier than currently. With the digital subscription I wanted a quick, dedicated way to spotlight bands I wanted to spotlight. Mind you this could be bands I’m directly involved in and while self-serving it just became me being passionate about things I’m passionate about. I really have no band I can say that is my favourite but I could be making a list if I started to think about it.

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Paper + Plastick is a record label that goes the extra mile regarding to the visual aspect of their releases, e.g. a lot of attention on the album artwork and packaging. How do you see this evolving in the future? Pushing boundaries like Jack White’s Third Man Records does with ‘new’ formulas to releasing vinyl or what’s your idea on this? I envision a wider variety of materials being used for packaging; I like the vinyl records without making it too crazy. Third Man is what I aspire to if I had endless resources. Paper + Plastick has focussed mainly on vinyl, you release some CD’s too but do you feel that’s there’s a limit to CD’s. Like you can’t get as creative like with vinyl with colours, shapes and artwork? There’s plenty to do

with CDs but I feel that the format was devalued so it’s hard to justify a logical price of a well-packed cd. For a while you could package a DVD and it could hold people’s attention but now that doesn’t. Or what about lathe cutting a track on a CD? I own a limited edition by a band who did a DIY lathe cut on the top CD surface. It’s actually sounds terrible on a record player but it has potential, maybe with better technology...? I’ve seen cd/vinyl combo. It’s a good trick but there’s still a long way to go on making the sonics work. Next to the record releasing, Paper + Plastick is hugely about the visual part, you also create comics, toys and toy skulls that are very appealing to the eye.

“For a while yo u c o u l d pa c k a g e a DVD and it could hold people’s attention...”

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INTERVIEW // PAPER + PLASTICK

How did this come by to start creating a line of toys and comics? Toy creation has always been in my DNA but with P+P I wanted to rope in all the creative things I’ve been doing and find one home for it all. You make different versions of certain toys and skulls, sometimes certain skulls are linked to an album release and matched to the artwork. Many are inspired by popular culture like movies. Crazy 88 series, the monkey assassin, both based on Tarantino. Or the Jim Jones look-alike Cult Leader figure. How do you get ideas or what are your influences? Pop culture influences a lot of the characters. I’m heavily influenced by past popular culture. History and how it repeats is a big way I look at the world and

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sometimes I wear it on my sleeve and sometimes it’s not so obvious. So how does the design process happen for the toys and comics, from idea to production? Who does what? It starts on scraps of paper. It all starts with flashes of inspiration scratched onto scraps of paper later to be deciphered. From there it goes into the hands of people whose medium they’ve mastered. Vinnie, you’ve also made a children’s book titled “Sometime Robots Like Being Robots”, a collection of short stories for kids. It reminded me of a certain way of a Tim Burton book, “The Melancholy Death Of Oyster Boy”. Was this an influence or how did it come by? Again this started as

scraps of paper and in my spare time I cultivated a world of robots. Everything I do has a little autobiographical spice added to it and the robot book is no different. You also offer some prints on your web store, the characters used are quite familiar like certain Disney characters and even Ren & Stimpy. Has there been any issue with copyrights yet or maybe the legal monster of Disney hasn’t noticed yet? Again pop culture rears its ugly head… I try to morph existing ideas into new weirder characters and no the mouse house hasn’t given me a letter yet but also I respect the character as well.

stuff like paper record toppers, digital comics, DIY sticker sets and free music tracks and albums. In a time where breathing in air is almost prior to taxes, how come the free download strategy? Like I mentioned earlier, I’m passionate about things I love so naturally I want as many people to see them so since we live in a ‘freeconomy’ online, I followed suit. Vinnie, any last words or pointers you want to share with us, maybe bands to look out for? Work when everyone else has given up, follow your heart, and don’t shut off your head. facebook.com/PaperAnd PlastickRecords

Paper + Plastick offers a lot of free material, there’s plenty of free downloads of

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here the Hierophant in Tarot is meant to bring you closer to holiness, the Italian band Hierophant is taking its fan nearer to unholy matters. With a new release titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pesteâ&#x20AC;? coming out on the infamous Bridge Nine label, we at RMP Magazine thought it was the right time to bring Hierophant closer to you. Read about it now because the pest of Hierophant will spread rapidly.

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Writer // By David Marote

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INTERVIEW // HIEROPHANT

“Peste” is definitely an album that pushed us towards more extreme and evil sonorities.”

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You are about to release a new album titled “Peste” in November, could you already give us an insight on what to expect? “Peste” is definitely an album that pushed us towards more extreme and evil sonorities. We left little room for anything that we felt was unnecessary. The songs are short and direct. ‘Violence’ and ‘simplicity’ are two right words to describe it. For “Peste” you worked with Bridge Nine again, what differentiates them from other labels? Bridge Nine has always supported us and worked flawlessly with the previous album, there’s great respect and esteem by both sides, there are no reasons to change when you’re behind a label of

considerable respect that asks only to do the best you can with your music. I don’t know what differentiates them from other labels but I certainly know that every agent in B9 works with passion and dedication to every band that is part of the label, and this is very important. The album title “Peste” seems rather fitting with the current situation regarding Ebola, the new pest. A fluke or is there a certain thought behind “Peste”? I think that the chaos existing in the world right now is the plague that is bringing destruction everywhere. You can contain it in a war, in politics, in individuals and in the Ebola virus as well. That’s our daily “Peste”.

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INTERVIEW // HIEROPHANT

The album titles on “Peste” are all Italian terms that represent rather deep and dark feelings or situations: “Masochismo”, “Sadismo”, “Paranoia”, to name a few. Things many try to avoid or are afraid of, how would you describe your opinion on these feelings? All the titles basically represent feelings and situations that everyone uses to live on his own. “Inferno” is the final track where all other tracks end up. It’s the hell that lives inside us. We’re all plagued. The first track “Inganno” is streaming on the underground website Cvltnation, how has the response been so far? Response has been very good so far. A lot of people liked

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“Inganno”. It seems there are a lot of expectations and curiosity to the entire album. Let’s see what happens! The Hierophant is also a notorious card in the Tarot deck, what’s the story behind the band name? Simply started from a proposal by Carlo, our singer, when we formed the band. Everyone just liked it. Hierophant is, among many others, influenced by bands like Integrity. Do you also have interest in the Holy Terror thought that surrounds this band? Integrity is part of our band. Our themes and the way we develop them are very close to Holy Terror thoughts. And not by chance on

our first album “S/T” there’s a Dwid Hellion guest. You already played shows in Belgium before and with Belgian bands as Oathbreaker and Amenra. How do you feel about the Belgian scene? We’ve been touring Europe with Oathbreaker, we know Amenra, Hessian, we’re good friends with Rise and Fall; it’s a reality that has always given the opportunity for great bands to rise up. Hierophant’s members are from Italy, how is the response to your style of music in your own country? There are several good bands in Italy actually but there’s no support from the listener. It sounds like it’s better to talk shit than

support underground realities. Any plans on new European shows or other news regarding Hierophant we need to know? We’ll be around Europe this upcoming winter and we’re planning everything so our near future will be on the road!

New Album : “Peste”

Out now!

facebook.com/HIERO PHANTKVLT

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BEST THREE PARTY’S

Three of the biggest parties taking place over the next couple of months. Do all those concerts and festivals make you feel dizzy? Don’t you really know where to start or do you just want to try something new? No worries, we’ve put out some of the top upcoming events that you sure as hell don’t want to miss.

GET YOUR TICKETS!

Photographer // Carl Battams

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BEST THREE PARTY’S

LACUNA COIL EUROPEAN TOUR 2014

// Europe and UK, starting 31th of Oktober till 23th of November

You don’t see too many shows with a diverse line up these days. We think this is sad, because these are the kind off shows were you can open up to different genres and discover new stuff. This means we are always trilled if a diverse touring company hits the road. The specific tour in question is the Lacuna Coil tour. For this tour the Italians are teaming up with Motionless In White and Devilment. Devilment has an all too familiar frontman going by the name of Daniel Lloyd Davey, aka Dani Filth. This band is Dani’s new playground and is musically very different to his other work. They’ve created a new sound with a very macabre and dark vibe to it. This also translates into the lyrics of this extraordinary music. Coming from a metalcore background, Motionless In White went to some serious genre switches. This results in exciting music with an obvious industrial touch to it, combined with some very aggressive beatdown action, accented with some heavy-hearted clean vocals. Being no strangers to the European continent, they know how to get this crowed moving. The average metal head’s wet dream must be the beautiful Cristina Scabbia, the front woman of the headlining band Lacuna Coil. Their work is not strange to the world, on the contrary, they’ve toured throughout the whole world and their metal sound is known in every corner of the metal community. They will be presenting a new album “Broken Crown Halo”, that came out in the beginning of this year.

By Jesse Mouart

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BEST THREE PARTY’S

CROSSFAITH APOCALYZE NOW, EUROPEAN TOUR 2014 //Europe and UK, starting 29th of October till 27th of November

We don’t get too many bands with Asian roots who infiltrate the typical American and European heavy music. Crossfaith is not only infiltrating, but even conquering the metalcore genre with a brand new look onto this heavy music. Played as opening band many times on festivals and club shows in our part of the world, they are now having their own proper headlining tour together with Cytota, Coldrain and Silent Screams. The opening band of the evening is the UK band Cytota. Not joining all the tour stops they have only a few chances to prove themselves to the international crowd. You can really hear some pop punk elements into their metalcore sound. This means it won’t be the most brutal opener, but that is maybe a good thing on this tour, because you are going to need that energy. The other Japanese band on the line-up is the post-hardcore formation Coldrain. They might not be as known as their fellow countrymen, but they are packing some strong and heavy tunes that will make the venue erupt in a nick of time. One thing we can be really sure of is that, going from their impressive honours, this has the possibility to become an incredible show. The next band is a UK based five-piece who are working on their road to fame with heavy touring in the UK, Europe and Australia. Silent Screams presents us a form of metalcore with a decent amount of clean vocals brought by bass player Tom Craig. For some people the cleans might even be excessive, but don’t be afraid, there are some hard-ass edges to their music. Crossfaith is originated from Osaka, one of the biggest cities in the south of the Japanese island. The very strong up and coming band, brings us metalcore with a lot of electronic elements. The last part gives a very noticeable party atmosphere, combined with some very sic bass drops. In other words, be prepared to dance, bounce and mosh your soul out.

By Jesse Mouart

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BEST THREE PARTY’S

EMP PERSISTENCE TOUR 2014

//Europe, starting 15th of January till 25th of January To start of the new year, we will be opening with a killer tour: the EMP Persistence tour. This well-known European tour has been bringing one of the best hardcore line-ups to our own backyards for many years now. Looking at this year’s awesome line-up, this might be one for memory lane. Opening the 2015 edition of the EMP Persistence tour this year is the UK hardcore band Broken Teeth, a band with a reputation of very aggressive live shows with a lot of pit action. So be sure to come out early to bust a move with these guys. It is always nice to see some female-fronted bands into our men’s world of hardcore. This time we get treated with two bands. The first being the Dutch band All For Nothing. Their music has some serious punkrock elements to it, which gives this a vibe that gets your blood pumping in no time. A fairly young band is stepping up to the plate. The American Turnstile has a very obvious oldschool vibe in a Madball kind of way. It is way cool to see new bands keeping the oldschool stuff alive. Turnstile does this perfectly. We are keeping it oldschool with Ryker’s. The German band of brothers is a non-bullshit band, with some ‘straight to the point lyrics’. Being one of the older members of the tour, we believe that the old farts still have a lot of kicking in them and really know how to give a proper hardcore show. Walls Of Jericho is the second female-fronted band of the evening. It has been a long time coming since we heard new stuff from this awesome Detroit based band, but they’ve released a new song “Relentless” somewhere in the beginning of 2014. We’re surely eager to hear some new stuff and maybe a new album? Who knows. The next band will be releasing some new work in the very short future. The fans of the Orange County based Ignite were probably very happy to hear that they were touring again and the news of the new album is even more exiting. Hopefully we will be hearing some new stuff during the show. What better choice can you make as an ultimate headliner for a hardcore touring company then the New York hardcore band Sick Of It All? These old-timers also just brought out their new album “Last Act Of Defiance”, so you’ll probably hear some new stuff. Having nothing to prove anymore, we surely hope that these guys will also bury us in the old time’s favourites. By Jesse Mouart

RMP Magazine #18

ALBUM REVIEWS

Capsize The Angst In My Veins

Meridian The Awful Truth

Northern Oaks Of Roots And Flesh

Capsize released their debutalbum “The Angst In My Veins” last month. Although it’s their debut, the band is already on the scene for about four years. Originally from San Diego, California they have toured already a lot with great bands like While She Sleeps, Hundredth and Being As An Ocean.

Young melodic hardcore band Meridian is here with their debut album “The Awful Truth”. In the first track on the album “Gloom” clean vocalist Chris Evanko has some amazing melodies. It’s a strong song, and a great song to have at the start of the album. The lyrics are deep and very down-to-earth.

The term ‘folk metal’ tends to fill me with the kind of dread I usually reserve for family gatherings and public speaking. Thankfully after hearing Northern Oak’s latest offering “Of Roots and Flesh” I think the healing process can begin. The album itself is interesting: black metal vocals sitting down at the same campfire as progressive metal riffs and English folk melodies which prove an exciting combination, although one that tends to make songs blend into one another rather than stand apart. The vocals work well for the most part and the cringe-worthy spoken word of “Only Our Names Will Remain” can be easily forgiven due to the strength of the rest of the record. Standout tracks like opener “The Dark Of Midsummer” and “Gaia” showcase the band’s innovation and ability to actually write songs as well as riffs.“Of Roots and Flesh” sounds exactly like the title implies: an organic and progressive addition to the band’s cannon.

In November this year they are touring Europe again, as a part of the Never Say Die Tour 2014. They’ll be among bands like No Bragging Rights, Stick To Your Guns and Terror. “The Angst In My Veins” is a debut album to be proud of. The record breathes the raw, brutal sound Capsize brings perfectly on stage. The raw voice of vocalist Daniel Wand is also perfectly portrayed in the lyrics. The dark lyrics are full of sinister emotions and honest feelings and they pull the listener and his compassion close.

By Nicky Boes

RMP Magazine #18

Their hardcore sound really shines through like on the track “Slither”. The breakdowns will get you on your feet, jumping around and creating a moshpit with your friends. There is no way you can stay still whilst listening to this album. The melodic hardcore genre is music of the future and this band has shown how it is meant to be done. It might not be to everyone’s taste, but this is an album you must check out!

By Holly Reijs

By David Gilmore

ALBUM REVIEWS

Climates Body Clocks

Guerrilla Monsoon Big City Plans

Climates is a hardworking hardcore band from Lincoln, United Kingdom. After releasing a couple EP’s, it’s time for the real job: a full-length album.The album is called “Body Clocks” and counts 10 songs. With this album, the band surely takes more than one step forward. According to their previous EP’s, this album is more confident and more believable.

Guerrilla Monsoon has released their latest EP “Big City Plans” on Florida’s finest label, Paper + Plastick. For all the details you can check their interview in this month’s RMP Magazine 18.

The melancholic music touches us more, the melodic hardcore they create sounds better and more expended. More music instruments are used during the songs, which gives a more complete sound. The screaming voice sounds better than ever before, the clean parts are fitting in perfectly in the songs. Songs of this album that will be played a lot on my mp3 the next few months are “Serpents From The Shadowland”, “The Bigger Picture” and “Realist”. Fans of Counterparts, Defeater and More Than Life will enjoy this record!

By Jonas Hoflack

So let’s talk some music here, Guerrilla Monsoon play a mean set of punkrock with a gruff touch. Featuring two vocalists, the voices provide a diverse range to their melodic poppy punk. Drawing influences from different styles it creates a sound that is vibrant and eclectic. Although the EP doesn’t contain that many new songs since it holds some previously released songs, it still displays the talent of these lads. One year of progress and playing are all channelled into one awesome EP. Check it out!

By David Marote

Nicke Borg Homeland Ruins Of A Riot Nicke Borg’s earlier solo material may have shown him in touch with his Johnny Cash influences, but “Ruins of a Riot” is closer to his hardrocking nature fronting Swedish hardrockers Backyard Babies. Opener “This Army”, is not the punchy lyrical start you’d hope for from a great rock album, but a a feel-good track with Borg claiming “there’s a heaven for all”. More memorable hooks follow with “Makin’ Out With Chaos”, the album’s catchiest offering. “Midsummer Mad” turns up the volume further with a riff straight out of the Slash post-Guns ‘N’ Roses songbook, before “End of the Rainbow” gives us a ballad recalling a time when ballads at rock shows would have been associated with lighters rather than lights from phones. “Ruins of a Riot” strikes a good balance between catchy hooks and an upto-date sound. It may be similar to plenty of other modern rock music, but for someone who’s been doing this since 1987, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. By Alec Evans

RMP Magazine #18

ALBUM REVIEWS

Scream Your Name Face To Face

Scream Your Name is an upcoming Swiss posthardcore band ready to blow out any of the stereotypes we have on Swiss people. So pack your Swiss army knives and set your watches straight, because this is the moment for them to shine. This ‘coming of age’ album shows potential to attract youthful listeners that are taking their first steps into a genre that’s more alternative than mainstream. Yet, it has enough maturity in itself to attract even the most seasoned listener. SYN succeeds in combining more mainstream vocals with screams and breakdowns at the appropriate moments. There’s no modern post-hardcore song without synthesizers but they do stay in the background and don’t overtake the whole musicality of this album. Like I’ve mentioned before, this album is about coming of age, finding yourself and who you really want to be. Or like the band likes to recall it: “Be true to yourself, don’t back down and fight for your ideals.” Something we can all relate to.

By Arne Vangheluwe

RMP Magazine #18

Shake Well Before Woland

Italy is more than pizza and pasta. It has some talented young metalcore bands. Hopes Die Last is growing in popularity, but there is also a new band in town. Shake Well Before announces itself as a hardcore/metalcore band from Genoa, Italy. “Woland” is their debut album and it’s a nice start. The sound is different from most metalcore bands that are popular these days, but it works. The voice of Silvio Musso is similar to that of John Henry of Darkest Hour. There aren’t any clean vocals and in a way it’s a great decision. In general the album is pretty heavy so clean vocals would mess things up. The songs have some nice tunes that’ll stay in your head. For example “Waterfalls”, “Like You” and “I Hope You’d Wish To Be Dead” are some tracks that will be stuck in your head for the next few days. Don’t expect Shake Well Before to bring a big change in the scene, but if you’re looking for a new band and you don’t want anything too special, Shake Well Before can be your thing.

By Nicky Boes

ALBUM REVIEWS

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RMP Magazine #18

ALBUM REVIEWS

Gormathon Following The Beast

Yellowcard Lift A Sail

Yellowcard, an American rockband and well-known because their music features a violin, has made a new album, called “Lift A Sail”. Before listing to this album, I was already fan because of the artwork. It was something completely different from the other albums because of the many colours they used. It makes me curious if Yellowcard has taken a different road after leaving Hopeless Records and the departure of their former drummer Longineu Parsons III. The album opens with a quiet, instrumental song. It is a great opening for an album, so I had very high expectations. Those expectations are however not fulfilled. The songs don’t sound as strong as they used to. They weren’t giving me the feeling that I wanted to listen to them again which is something I had with most of their other albums. Some songs sound even a little chaotic. In spite of me not being impressed by this album, there are a few songs that are sounding really cool. “Make Me So”, “One Bedroom” and “Madrid” are sounding great. Unfortunately, too many songs on this album couldn’t convince me.

By Jonas Hoflack

RMP Magazine #18

With “Following the Beast”, Gormathon have unleashed a great metal record which is part Amon Amarth, part Judas Priest and a whole lot of awesome. The skill of everyone involved in this record is fantastic and the production is flawless. The guitars on this record are crunchy and crisp and cut through the roars of vocalist Tony Sunnhag like a broadsword through bone. Sunnhag has a remarkable voice that is capable of deep death growls like those on “Break the Chains” to the Biff Byford-esque high notes showcased on “Hellbender”. This record seems to drag many influences by the hair into their longboat but has a very Saxon-like feel in its delivery. Fans of Death and traditional metal will find something here for them, be it the heavy intensity of “In Benevolence”, the shredding guitars on “Remember” or the huge chorus on “Absence of Trust”. “Following The Beast” is everything you could want in a modern metal album and one that hasn’t forgotten its history.

By David Gilmore

ALBUM REVIEWS

States and Empires Freedom

Weezer Everything Will Be Alright In The End

Welsh band States and Empires who have risen from the grave of Attack! Attack! is back with a brand new sound and name. The opening track “Revolution” kicks in strong and brisk with a few bars of drumming before kicking in with bright guitar riffs, building the track up to be fast-paced with outstanding vocals from Neil Starr.

At a time when everyone from Linkin Park to David Bowie (seven-minute jazz experiment aside) is going back to their roots, it seems like the perfect time for Weezer to follow suit. Fans disappointed with the ‘more poppy’ direction of albums such as “Hurley” and “Raditude” will be pleased to hear that the ninth album “Everything Will Be Alright In The End” shows the Californian alternative favourites ‘rocking out like it’s ‘94’.

“This Isn’t Love” turns out to be one of the slower tracks on the album which shows that State And Empires is different to Attack! Attack! Neil’s vocals have remained the same, giving the band another distinctive sound. What changes their sound is that they throw in a ukulele on one of the tracks, “Murder On The Neville Street”. It makes the whole album feel special knowing there is a rare instrument used. The track makes it sounds very comparable to Paramore’s interludes on their self-titled album. Overall, it is a great-sounding album! The band can be proud!

By Holly Reijs

“The British Are Coming” and “Eulogy For A Rock Band” show the choruses that frontman Rivers Cuomo excels in writing, while his lyrics tackle everything from ‘those stupid singing shows’ to Stephen Hawking. An unmistakeable writing credit from The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins on “I’ve Had It Up to Here” shows the band’s hint at 80’s rock, while the ending three tracks of “The Futurescope Trilogy” contrast the largely nostalgic tone of the album with an ambitious ending. The songs on “Everything Will Be Alright…” are indeed alright, and even better, don’t make it feel like the end.

By Alec Evans

RMP Magazine #18