WASTED! Magazine issue #20

THE CRAMATICS | KILL THE WEEKEND | SINK THE CITY | BETTER LEFT ALONE

WE TALK TO LOCAL BOYS PROMISE ME TOMORROW

FEATURING AN INTERVIEW

WE CHAT TO MINISTRY WITH THERAPY?

FESTIVAL SPECIAL | REVIEWS | INTERVIEWS | ALT BEAUTIES | EVENTS

wastedmagazine.co.uk Facebook | Twiter | Tumblr Editor Zoe Blush Designers Zoe Blush Alastair Stephen Bex Meade Imagery Carl Battams Jason Light Joel Olbrechts Tom Barnes Julie Kane

Danke Photography

Pekka Kantola Tom Hoad Stefan Hinc J Gleed

Writers Craig Elvy Zoe Blush Jake Owens Carl Battam Mark Dean

Want to advertise in WASTED? Want us to feature your band?

Are you an aspiring Alt model?

writeinto@wastedmagazine.co.uk Š Wasted! Magazine All Rights Reserved.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that details in this publication are accurate, we cannot accept responsibility for such. Readers are advised to check listings information to avoid disappointment.

Views and opinions expressed by contributors are that of their own and not of the magazine as a whole.

THIS MONTH: 03 INTRODUCING: THE CRAMATICS, SINK THE CITY, KILL THE WEEKEND & MORE! 06 INTERVIEW: PROMISE ME TOMORROW

10 ALT BEAUTY: VIOLET NOIR 12 INTERVIWEW: THERAPY?

18 REVIEW: HEVY 20 REVIEW: BLOODSTOCK 24 INTERVIEW: MINISTRY

27 REVIEWS

30 EVENTS

[W! #20] Hey everyone, glad to see you’ve got your eye balls on the 20th issue of W! Unfortunately the best of the summer has passed but have no fear, we wrote all about it! This month is officially our festival special featuring a review of HEVY on page ‘EDIT’ and BLOODSTOCK on page ‘EDIT’ We caught up with seaside boys ‘PROMISE ME TOMORROW’ on page ‘EDIT’ as well as ‘THERAPY?’ on page ‘EDIT’ and ‘MINISTRY’ on page ‘EDIT’ We’ve featured the lovely Miss Violet Nior as this month’s ALT BEAUTY on PAGE ‘EDIT’.

We’re also keeping you up to date with the latest & greatest events over on PAGE ‘EDIT’.

All this and more to be found in this month’s issue.

STAY WASTED! Lots of love, Zoe Blush xo

INTRODUCING!

SINK THE CITY, NOTTINGHAM SIN TO SURVIVE, BRIGHTON For fans of: The Devil Wears Prada, Veil of Maya, The Plot In You

For fans of: Killswitch Engage, BFMV, Metallica, Lamb of God

ARCANE SAINTS, AUSTRALIA

OVERHEAD, FINLAND

For fans of: Nirvana, Muse, Soundgarden, Guns’n’Roses

For fans of: Pain of Salvation, Muse, Marillion, Pink Floyd, Amorphis, Ozric Tentacles

In a band? Want to be featured as part of next month’s ‘INTRODUCING’ article? Contact us at ‘zoe_stewart@hotmail. com’, subject header ‘WASTED! Magazine - INTRODUCING’ now!

SOUTH COAST SAINTS, CANTERBURY

KILL THE WEEKEND, WATFORD

BETTER LEFT ALONE, LANCASHIRE

SWEET TASTE, BELFAST

For fans of - Blink-182, Four Year Strong, Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!, All Time Low, You Me At Six, A Day To Remember

For Fans Of: Blink-182, You Me At Six, All Time Low, Kids In Glass Houses and Funeral For A Friend

For fans of: You Me At Six, Deaf Havana, Young Guns, We Are The Ocean

For fans of - Aerosmith, The Black Crowes, Led Zeppelin

INTRODUCING!

48 HOURS, BEXLEYHEATH ONE GOOD REASON, SCOTLAND For fans of: Alter Bridge, Trapt, Nickelback, Three Days Grace

For Fans Of : Blink-182, Green Day, Sum 41, New found glory,Fall out boy, All Time Low, The Ataris.

SHADOW REBORN, FLORIDA THE CRAMATICS, BOURNEMOUTH

For fans of: The 69 Eyes, HIM, Type O Negative, Alice in Chains, Metallica

For fans of: Plan B, Maroon 5, Friendly Fires & Maverick Sabre

PROMISE ME TOMORROW FOR THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW, WHO ARE YOU?

“We’re Promise Me Tomorrow, four Kentish lads that all started in the small seaside town of Deal. We’ve got Craig doing vocals and guitar, Aaron on guitar and backing vocals, Josh on drums and Stew on bass.”

DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND TO A FIRST TIME LISTENER?

“We hate bracketing ourselves but we’ve been described as pop punk we see ourselves as an alternative rock band with a pop twist. We say we are the neapolitan ice cream of british pop rock bringing you the three best elements of infectious melodies, driving beats and ballsy riffs.

Bands wise been said we sound like kids In Glass Houses, Mayday Parade, Every Avenue and You Me At Six.”

HAVE YOU GOT ANY NEW MATERIAL COMING SOON?

“We released our mini album “Through It All “ officially in January it has gone down pretty well and had some really good response . Writing the album was a bit hectic as we gave ourself a strict deadline as we had a tour coming up that we wanted it out for. We wrote quickly and actually wrote a lot of it whilst we recorded it. So it was a bit struggle and a rush to get it finished but for what it is, its a mark in time of where we were at. We know we could have done things differently but your always going to be your own worst critic.

At the moment we are writing a whole bunch of songs which are a lot more maturer, better written and the kind of songs we have been wanting to write.

We will then go into our own studio pre pro them all and pick the best 5 which

we will then record at a studio which is undecided as of yet as there are so many good producers out there at the moment.

We are taking our time and really ripping the songs apart to get them to be the best they can be and are really excited for people to hear them.”

YOU’RE RUNNING A HUGE SUMMER FESTIVAL OF YOUR OWN, WHO WOULD BE PLAYING & WHAT WOULD IT BE CALLED?

“Alan’s Big Day Out.

Headliners: Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen Main supports: Gaslight Anthem, John Mayer, Band of Horses, Bon Iver, Blink 182, AFI, Hot Water Music, Get Up Kids, Jimmy Eat World, Paramore, Third Eye

O E D I V R U “O BEING ON S A W G N KERRA P E T S G I B A ” S U R O F P U

Blind, Fallout Boy Second stage: The Loved Ones, New Found Glory, The Starting Line, It Prevails, Parkway Drive, Story so far, Cancer Bats, Every Time I Die, Polar Bear Club, Menzingers, Saves The Day, Thrice, Dangerous Summer, Strung Out, Comeback Kid, Dashboard Confessional, Hidden In Plain View, Sharks, While She Sleeps, Devil Sold His Soul.

GIG?

“Canterbury - The Beercart Arms. Aaron messed up really bad but somehow the crowd ate it up and generally thought he did it on purpose. Apart from that everybody was really impressed as it was a new sound that was missing from the Kent scene at that time. From our first few local shows our name got around pretty quickly.”

HAVE YOU EVER HAD ANY HORRIFICALLY EMBARRASSING MOMENTS ON STAGE?

Acoustic Stage: William Fitzsimmons, Tallest Man On Earth, Chuck Ragan, Gregory Alan Isakov, Peter Bradley Adams, Dave Hause, Joshua Radin, Horrible Crowes, John Butler Trio, Annie Defranco, Ben Howard, Imogen Heap, The Naked and Famous.”

“Apart from Aaron messing up really bad probs josh being so drunk he couldn’t even see his snare and he forgot what a kick drum does you do the maths lol he got a grilling after that show.”

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST EVER

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST

ACHIEVEMENT AS A BAND TO DATE?

“We’ve done a fair bit but we would probably have to say our video being on Kerrang was a big step up for us. As a kid always watching the channel and then your own vid is on there is a very gratifying experience.

Being in The Alternative Press (American music mag) was a massive shock as well as people were taking notice of us in America.”

YOU’VE OBVIOUSLY SPENT A LOT OF TIME TOGETHER, HAVE THERE EVER BEEN ANY SCRAPS BETWEEN BAND MEMBERS?

“We learn to tolerate each other and know when a person is having a bad day. There’s always going to be arguments with 4 different opinions

always battling against each other.

When we do have tiffs its about serious things like the progression of the band or something like that. Being in a band is seriously like being in the most messed up relationship you have ever had theres up and downs, money troubles, you name it. But we get by just by playing pranks, ripping the crap out of each other you definitely have to have thick skin being in this band for sure it helps that we are all really good friends.”

IF YOU HAD TO GO INTO THE DRAGON’S DEN & SELL YOUR BAND, HOW WOULD YOU GO ABOUT IT? “The only thing you could do in our eyes is let the music do the talking and play them a kick ass song, tell

them how much we love the music hate the fact that money has taken over and without money and the right people on board many good bands fall by the waste side without even getting a proper chance who have worked their arses off.”

THEY SAY YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY. TELL US YOUR FAVOURITE, MOST USELESS FACT? “Kermit the frog is actually left handed.”

WE’RE NOT GRACED WITH MANY OF THEM, BUT WHICH LADY IN MUSIC ARE YOU CRUSHING ON? “Craig loves Tailor Swift. Lights, she is a sexy mumma, but you can’t beat

Ellie Goulding and Pixie Lott. We hate to say it but after the Parmore drama, Hayley Williams let her self go a bit.

WHAT IS THE MOST LISTENED TO TRACKS ON YOUR IPOD’S AT THE MOMENT? “Gaslight anthem - hand written While She Sleeps - believe Brighter Brightest - Everday Jody Has hitlist - Through It all Flood Of Red - A place before the end Don Broco - Actors Natives - This Island Mat Kearney - Ships in the Night” IF YOU COULD BE ANY OTHER (LOCAL) BAND FOR THE DAY, WHO WOULD YOU BE & WHY? “Probably our friends in Predicitng the Fall they are always smiling and

have a right laugh, always getting up to mischief and are just generally in a band for the good times which is absent in a lot of bands these days.

WHO HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE BAND TO PLAY WITH SO FAR? “Army Of Freshmen was a good show such fun and nice guys but would have to be with Pegasus Bridge when we had an after party got really drunk and just had an awesome time Stew got so drunk he somehow fell asleep

naked behind his shed.”

WHAT’S NEXT ON THE AGENDA? “Tour in September then a big show that we are not allowed to announce yet and just continuos writing for the fourth coming E.P.” HAVE YOU GOT ANYTHING TO SAY TO THE W! READERS? “Please check us out at a show you wont be disappointed, playing live is what we love to do and we always

try and put on the best show where ever we are. Everything we do is off our own backs and out of our own pockets we have no management and no label so it is a massive battle but we love it. thanks to all that have supported so far and we hope it grows and continues.”

THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO TALK TO US GUYS, WE WISH YOU THE BEST FOR THE FUTURE!

Interviewer: Zoe Blush Images: Joseph Watts

“STEW GOT SO DRUNK HE SOMEHOW FELL ASLEEP NAKED BEHIND HIS SHED”

TELL US THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF?

Not only do I model but I DJ, perform burlesque and have had a brief fling with roller derby.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO GET INTO ALTERNATIVE MODELLING & HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT IT?

I’d always wanted to model when I was younger, looking at the Suicide Girls and Perverse Fixation, but didn’t have enough confidence to pursue it. In 2007 I found a love for the burlesque scene and began to perform in February of that year. I only intended it to be one performance, something to tick off the “things to do before you’re 30” list but ended up performing regularly. From this I fell into modelling as a way to promote myself and the shows I was involved in. Becoming a performer gave me much more belief in myself and I started to pursue modelling projects separate to my life on the stage, and in more alternative styles.

WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? I’m a bit of a magpie when it comes to hobbies and find it hard to commit to just one thing.

I’m still performing burlesque alongside my modelling and as a former Tiger Bay Brawler I also love to have a skate when I can. I’d really like to get back behind the decks at some point too.

Any other time I have I like to take photographs with my Diana and Fisheye cameras, watch 80s movies, sing karaoke and catch up with friends for a dance or dinner.

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT FAVOURITE BAND/STYLE OF MUSIC?

I’ve hosted my own rock shows on radio, had residencies as a DJ at my old university for several years as well as Bogiez, Cardiff, and have worked for Barfly and XFM, so alternative/metal music will always be my love. In that respect it’s very difficult to pick just one band. At the moment I’m listening to a mixture of old and new, so Blood Red Shoes, The Distillers, Brother Firetribe and Biffy Clyro are sat by my CD player.

This festival season I’m over the moon to be able to see Black Sabbath and Kiss. I think the only thing that could top that for me would be if I was able to see ACDC and Led Zeppelin perform.

WHAT WAS THE BEST LIVE SHOW YOU’VE BEEN TO & WHY?

A show that will always stick in my mind is when I saw Rammstein perform in the CIA back around 2003. I was just blown away by the theatricality of it and the amount that they managed to do with the space they had. They are one band that don’t phone in a performance, they really know how to give it to their fans, and that gig has always stuck with me as I remember just how much fun I had and what a buzz I was on when it finished.

I’d say that Alice Cooper’s performance at Sonisphere is up there too for the same reasons.

TELL US

A BIT ABOUT YOUR INK?

I have five pieces of ink. My first piece is the word Serendipity on my left wrist. I was going through a hard time personally and it gave me a bit of hope to believe that someday I might get my own “happy accident”. My next piece was a cross on my right hip bone. I’m not an avid believer of religion but I’m quite drawn to the imagery and iconography of it, and I really made a connection with the design.

I have a cherry blossom on my left ankle and this is one tattoo that I don’t regret but didn’t really put much thought into. An ex-boyfriend is a tattoo artist and is responsible for most of my work both pre and post our relationship, as he is excellent at what he does, but this one was done a bit spur of the moment when I dropped into his shop, and is the only coloured piece of ink I have.

My sister was in a serious car accident a few years ago and thankfully survived. When she was ready to get ink we decided we wanted to share a tattoo, so the small graphic design that I have on my right rib cage is taken from a larger piece that forms her half sleeve.

My largest tattoo is an ivy design which goes from my hip upwards to the top of my left rib cage. It is one of the boldest pieces I’ve undertaken and one of my favourites. I have many plans for more and it always takes me a long time to decide on placement and size, but I think my next piece will be a piece of script on my right arm.

WE FIND YOU PASSED OUT IN YOUR TOWN CENTRE, DRUNK OUT OF YOUR TROLLEY ON A SATURDAY NIGHT. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN & WHAT HAVE YOU

BEEN DRINKING?

I will either have been at Full Moon Cardiff drinking my way through their Chairmans Reserve , or at Bogiez, Cardiff on a hideous amount of Morgans Spiced and Coke.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FUNNIEST DRUNKEN MOMENT?

I tend to either get quite fighty when I’m drunk or a sobbing mess. I do remember my sister visited once and she got so drunk that she lay down in the street for a nap and I tried to either punch or kick her to get up as it was a bit of a trek home ( I blame Metros vodka).

I think what in my head was probably quite a fight just looked like a bit of ridiculous bitch slapping between two silly lairy Northern Irish sisters. I’m pretty sure there was a lot of laughing from my two male mates who stepped in to separate us.

DO YOU HAVE ANY UNUSUAL HABITS OR HOBBIES?

I don’t think I do anything too bizarre.

I think sometimes people are a bit surprised that I can be crushingly shy and a little socially awkward, when

Interviewer: Zoe Blush Images: JSefan Hinc

everything I do under the name Violet goes against that. I also find that if I’m really stressed out I turn to baking brownies and cupcakes ,of all things, where other people would turn to cigarettes and alcohol.

WHO ARE YOU CURRENTLY CRUSHING ON?

After watching his performance in Drive, Ryan Gosling is definitely a crush of mine. I’m sure I should be a little worried that gratuitous violence and a dodgy Eighties jacket does it for me! In the modelling world I have huge admiration for Ulorin Vex and Brody Dalle will always have a little place in my heart.

“THE OTHER DJ INTRODUCED ME BY GETTING THE WHOLE CLUB TO APPLAUD BOTH MY SET AND MY WONDERFUL BREASTS”

WHAT IS YOUR CLAIM TO FAME?

I was credited for my blink and you’ll miss it part in a strange little short film with Richard Harrington, was stopped by someone in the street once with the words “You’re Violet Noir!” and complimented on my performance at a show they had been to. I had never had that before and it completely made my day.

Many years ago at a Kerrang Club at The Coal Exchange a certain member of the band Jeff Killed John named Matt planted one on me and asked to take me home. I refused as I had to get back to uni. That young man went on to become the lead singer of BFMV.*sigh*

GIVE US YOUR BEST CHAT UP LINE?

I’ve never used it but I do like *jumps up and down*”So now that I’ve broken the ice...”

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FUNNIEST/ MOST EMBARRASSING SEXUAL/ ROMANTIC EXPERIENCE?

Four years ago I was on my trial shift for Bogiez in The Point, Cardiff, which is no small venue and I was absolutely bricking it. The other DJ introduced me by getting the whole club to applaud both my set and my wonderful breasts, or words to that effect and I think I fell a little bit in love with him there and then. He then wooed me with a combination of Star Wars quotes, Marvin Gaye and 36 Crazyfists: D

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5 YEARS TIME?

Honestly I really don’t know. Career wise if I had a fraction of Ulorin Vexs success I’d be happy. Personally I’d hope to be on my way to having a family but I’ve learned recently not to take too much for granted. I’m very much trying to say “yes” to as many opportunities and fun times that I can, and I’d hope that by the time I reach 35 I’ll have many an adventure to look back on and many more to pursue.

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We managed to catch up with Therapy? before their first Glasgowbury appearance in Belfast.

SO JUMPING STRAIGHT IN, DO YOU FEEL THAT YOUR LATEST ALBUM; ‘A BRIEF CRACK OF LIGHT’ DIFFERS FROM YOUR PREVIOUS MATERIAL? Andy: “We tried doing some different things with the vocals, adding some weird effects. We also tried some different effects with the drums and some of the tunes. We’ve done that with different records as it keeps it interesting both for us and the fans. It shows that we’re not just making the same record again and again. ‘Crooked Timber’ back in 2009 was done in bits, a month here, a month there, this one was also done in two sessions but was much more intense. We work very hard and for very long days. It’s also a bit more heavy and full on than the last one.”

SO THE BAND IS STILL PROGRESSING? Michael: “I think so, I think you have to. There are a lot of classic Therapy? elements just in the way we play but each record always has a different spin on it and goes a wee different route.

It’s exciting.”

WE OFTEN SEE YOU OUT AND ABOUT, SUPPORTING LIVE MUSIC. ANDY, HOW DO YOU LIKE TO SPEND YOUR SPARE TIME? Andy: “I live in the middle of nowhere, near Cambridge in England. If there are any gigs going on around there, I’ll check them out but I mostly go to London. I kind of just spend a lot of time taking the dog for a walk and playing the guitar.”

DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF MUSIC? Andy: “Football! I’m a season ticket holder at Chelsea and have been for 15 years, so that’s what I do when I’m not

touring and when I’m not at home. I go to a lot of football games.

HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO MAINTAIN YOUR STAGE PRESENCE AND ENERGY LEVELS AFTER 22 YEARS? Andy: “We love the whole thing about touring. It’s funny because bands that started at the same time, a lot of them don’t like travelling and touring, they like recording and making songs. Also, they prefer touring the UK as opposed to getting on a bus and touring the far ends of Eastern Europe.”

Michael: “I think a lot of it is to do with our approach to music as well. I’m married and have a wee boy, maybe that’s one of the reasons we’re still into what we’re doing. We go home and we’re normal, we don’t go drinking a bottle of Jack Daniels and start acting like a gimp.”

YOU HAVE A NEW TEMPORARY DRUMMER FILLING IN FOR SOME OF THE TOUR DATES, HOW’S THAT WORKING OUT? Andy: “He’s been good because we have known Alan for a long time. We like him as a drummer and we like La Faro. Neil’s wife is expecting and there were six gigs that he couldn’t do as they were around the time of the birth. We phone Alan and he said “no problem, what songs are we doing?”

HOW DO YOU NOW VIEW YOUR RELEASE OF ‘TROUBLEGUM’? IT WAS SEEN AS SUCCESSFUL OVERALL, HAS IT BECOME A MILESTONE AROUND YOUR NECK? Andy: “No it’s not, to be fair we’d be fucked if we didn’t have ‘Troublegum’.

If you look at any band that has been around for a length of time like The Undertones with Teenage Kicks, Motorhead with Ace Of Spades, The Ramones

D IT I A S E V A H T A H T E PEOPL E WAY H T D E “I’VE MET G N A H C , S E V THEIR LI THAT R O , L A T E M HAS CHANGED A D N A K UT PUN O B T OW H H G U M O E H H T T T Y E H G TH U A T T UM THA B L A T S IR F E H T S A IT W TO PL AY GUITAR.”

had Blitzkrieg Bop; we have a classic album. I’d rather have 13 albums and one of them be a classic, than have 13 and people say “yeah they are alright but not one of them stands out.”

Michael: “It’s good, we’d been working for a while before that, just building up. It was the next logical step and enabled us to go and tour right across the world. We are lucky, we have a global fan base which is really amazing for us. ‘Troublegum’ has done us so many favours over the years. It’s amazing, I’ve met people that have said it has changed their lives, changed the way they thought about punk and metal, or that it was the first album that taught them how to play guitar.”

Images by: Tom Hoad

Interviewer: Mark Dean

Thank you for taking the time to speak to us guys, we wish you all the best for the future.

You really can’t beat a festival which is also part zoo experience can you? Nope.

And that’s why Hevy will always be a firm favourite here at Wasted! We went along this year to check out the cream of the crop from the world of loud shouty bands!

Friday: After a MASSIVE trek to get to the site (Thanks google maps) and getting set up, it was time to get into the festival spirit and start checking out the bands on show.

The Bots: This interesting 2 piece hail from the US of A, and are a pleasant surprise to open our festival on the rocksound stage.

It’s not heavy or especially mind blowing, but it is solid rock and roll to get everyone in the mood. Lovely. (7/10) Desolated: These boys play on the Punktastic stage and are really quite loud. Heavy too, and this is good, as it gets the kids who like to spin their limbs around pumped up.

Plus, the vocalist looks like Randy Blythe, which is nice. It’s a bit crude and basic for some, but for anyone wanting to go jump around, these boys do the job just fine.

(7/10) Blacklisters: Next up on the heavier Punktastic stage are Blacklisters, who perform a strange blend of music, which is incredibly hard to describe… Best to go check them out yourself. They’re pretty tight, but it’s all made a bit tedious by the over acting on stage, trying a bit hard to be like Letlive perhaps? A shame. (6/10)

choice for Hevy, but Deaf Havana make perfect sense to close off the more gentle day of music. Their sound is beautiful tonight, and their choice of songs is just right. A joy to watch as always, and the band seem genuinely grateful to be playing, demonstrated by James thanking everyone so much that he even apologises for it! If you need another reason why Deaf Havana are brilliant, look on their Facebook and find the photo of James wearing a tent on Sunday.

Brilliant. (10/10) Saturday. After a bit too much partying with bands last night, we manage to raise our bleary eyes from our sleeping bags and head back into the arena for day 2 of Hevy!

Bury Tomorrow: What can we say really?

These guys are amazing, and are a band that all Brits should be proud of. Their set is plagued with technical issues and the stage manager being a dick, but it doesn’t phase them at all, and they perform a truly blinding set. Everyone should make sure to go and see them. Fact. (9/10) Devil Sold His Soul: A truly unique band, DSHS sound like Architects with more epic passages and electronic elements chucked into the mix for good measure. Plus they’re delightful chaps and have a new album out soon! The set is technically solid and the guys really put their all in, frontman Ed Gibbs giving an especially passionate performance. One to watch for sure! (8/10)

Bleed From Within: Our favourite Scots have just signed a deal with Century Media, and are out to impress today. They certainly do, playing some new songs as well as everyone’s old favourites. Servants of Divinity and The Healing sound especially huge, and the band seem happy with everything at the moment. Still the best British band. (10/10)

Norma Jean: Another brilliant band, Norma Jean are incredibly passionate about their music, and this really shows in the performance they put on tonight, which tops most things we’ve seen this weekend. There are hits to be heard, and everyone seems to have a really good time, which is exactly what we want at a festival. These need to come here more often. (9/10)

Lower Than Atlantis: Brilliant UK rockers LTA are on form tonight, showing everyone how it should be done. As with all their shows the crowd get surprisingly rowdy and really spur on the boys to perform even better, it’s always good to see the fans appreciate a band so much. Plus they have some nice sounding ditties, so everyone wins. (8/10)

Meshuggah: Simply put, Meshuggah are the highlight of the weekend. They sound fucking huge over the dodgy PA, and play a set crammed with their finest songs. They may be lost on some of the hardcore kids here, but everyone else seemingly falls in love with how bloody heavy they are, and how professional they are. Epic. (10/10)

Deez Nuts: Probably the best party band in the world, Deez Nuts are on top form tonight, even though JJ’s voice has lost a lot of power through constant touring recently.

Favourites include Your Mother Should Have Swallowed You and Stay True, which get even the most stern kids keen to jump around and party on. Most importantly though, Deez Nuts are a bit of a laugh, and seem to have a really good time on stage, which is echoed by the crowd. (8/10)

Andrew WK: Oh yes, the undisputed king of party returns with his 5 guitarists and 8 onstage mics. It’s pretty mental, and makes no sense, is dumb and a tad repetitive, but mother of god it’s good fun! If you have to go see one band for a goof time and to jump around and windmill your shirt; make it Andrew WK, there is simply no one better to rock out with. There’s a load of kids who don’t get it, and to them I say CHEER UP! Music doesn’t need to be so serious. What a laugh! (10/10)

Deaf Havana: Not an especially obvious

Sunday. Uhoh, Sunday and it’s inevitable hang over are here in force. However, your brave Wasted! team got up, claimed yet more free redbull and food, and stuck it out to the end, checking out the best of Sunday’s action!

Mallory Knox: What a nice way to start off a Sunday morning at a festival, Mallory Knox are real up and comers in the scene, and their sound has the potential to take them far. It’s not too heavy, but not too soft, so everything is gravy as they say up north.

And who doesn’t like gravy?! (8/10) 7 Seconds: The 1st major disappointment of the weekend, 7 Seconds claim to be ‘The future of Hardcore’, but in reality they come across as old timers who try too hard to fit in the scene where they no longer belong. I may be being overly critical here, but their set sounds bland and tired compared to others this weekend. Let down. (5/10) Suis La Lune: This lot are a bit odd, but in a good way. They aren’t heavy at all, instead being all melodic and whatnot, with some properly emotional sounding vocals over the top. Sure it won’t be everyone’s cup of brew, but it’s a nice change to all the yelling that’s been going down this weekend.

(6/10) The Chariot: Oh my. Now these boys really are something. They have easily the most hectic live show of the weekend, and the crowd laps it all up. The music is secondary and sort of hard to focus on during all the climbing and jumping and stuff that’s happening. Sounds alright too, suiting the craziness of the band even more. Truly mental. (7/10)

Converge: The last band we’re able to catch this year don’t disappoint, Converge are wonderfully tight and heavy to boot. This is the type of music that appeals to both the hardcore and metal kids here this weekend, and this unity is a real positive. The crowd are loving it, and the bands performance is a real highlight of the entire weekend. (9/10) That’s all for us from Hevy this year, now it’s time to get some food and get hammered!

Until next year! Cheers for having us!

Words & Images: Jake Owens

Listener: Check Listener out right now. Do it.

Because this duo of a bassist and guitarist (with fill in drums) perform some really beautiful music. The spoken word poetry lyrics are meaningful and relatable, and the music is pretty decent too. OH! And the vocalist has the best damn mustache ever.

Hit them up. (9/10)

BLOODSTOCK

SOPHIE STAGE

Primitai

Sweet Savage

These face melting 80’s riffing metal heads from Berkshire have a great deal to shout about. From Guy Millers stunningly powerful but clear vocals (almost like David Draimen from Disturbed) to the bombastic drumming of Chris Chilcott, these guys certainly stood out from the usual metal that’s at Bloodstock.

Primitai are currently working on a (as yet untitled) follow up to there first release ‘Line of fire’, which is due to be released this coming September.

For Fans of Disturbed/Kiss/Iron Maiden.

As soon as they approached the mic stands sweet savage grabbed the crowd with there hard metal and Irish licks.

Screaming out there hits from the past 33 years! Including ‘Killing time’ which the mighty Metallica covered in the late 90’s!

Even tho Sweet Savage have been going for this long they still rock hard and show the younger generation how it is done.

For fans of Metallica/Motorhead/BlackSabbath.

Derision

Death Valley Knights

Derision are an intense metal band and they really portrayed that across in the whole set at Sophie Lancaster stage. If Tony Smith (vocals) could be any closer to the crowds faces then he would. Shouting, screaming, spitting in the faces of new and old fans alike, with the crowd giving as much back as they were taking from the mammoth, adrenalin, fueled set.

This was half an hour of pure brilliance from start to finish.

For fans of Malefice.

Death Valley Knights were the first unsigned act on the bill for Bloodstock at the Sophie Stage. With there heavy base slapping, monster rocking, Axe swinging metal. They sounded acted and performed like they got signed years ago. Opening with ‘Shut up and drink’ they instantly got the crowd hooked.

For fans of Judas Priest, Megadeath. . .

Pythia

Eastern Front

Walking on with Lord of the rings esc clothing Pythia, stood there mood lighting in toe, smoke fills the room, striking a cord Emily Alice Overden walks on, stamps her foot down and the crowd goes crazy. With the scenery, clothing and talking about “The hallowed path” you would be thinking that you were in the medieval times. With Emily voice punching you in the face like a giant fist (as well as her sexy costume) she with the help of her band take what she called the crowd “travelers” on a journey of enchantment and fantasy.

For fans of Paradise Lost/Nightwish

As the light goes from low to dark Eastern Front merge from the shadows to the front of the stage revealed are there up lit faces, as the bassist (Destroyer) looks around angrily your heart stops then....... BOOM! The drums kick in from the song Blood on snow, by this point lights fill the stage to reveal what looks to be a second world war set!!

As each song draws you in with it’s pride, sorrow and victory, you cant help but get court up in the whole look and feel of what they like to call “War torn black metal” For fans of Dimmu Borgir

Alcest

Flayed Disciple

Nothing but soft and gentle sound came from the french trio Alcest. A big change of passe from the regular metal that was blasting through out the day. Softly spoken Neige (vocals) had very little to say other than “thank you” after each song but that was drowned out by the amazing reception that the crowd gave after every performance.

From the deep lyrics to the long instrumental riffs that was complimented by the harmonies, this amazing french shoegazing band stamped there mark on bloodstock in more ways than one.

For fans of Russian Circles/ Bottled Science.

The south west UK metallers exploded on to the Sophie stage with passion and aggression. Clawing the air Tim Whyte (hair mostly in front of his face) was using every inch of the mic with his deep growls and grones. The crowd really respected the balls out metal manics, shouting back with everything they got.

Flayed Disciple certainly deserved to be on at bloodstock, this no compromise thrashtastic metal hard band definatly need a listening to.

For fans of Decapitated/ Cerebral bore. .

This Swiss band are straight talking straight playing thrash metal all the way.

From start to finish they just kept pumping and pumping the thrash into the young vains of the Sophie stage crowd.

Leaving no space of the stage to be played on they made sure that they used every bit of it! In there words “ They are hear and they are going to kick ass”.

For fans of Slayer, Pantera.

It was my first time hearing of this metal onslaught from Slovenia, and first impressions were good felt very old school new metal sound that I myself have not heard for a long time.

At times sounding like Korn but more angry, they display a lot of musical talent mostly from bass slaps and the unforgiving drums add to that a keyboard every noun and again, and of course Gianni Puposki’s fast, rapid rap lyrics making the whole package a foot tapping joy to listen to.

For fans of Korn, Children of Bodom.

Batallion

Nociferia

Demonic Resurrection

Another day another amazing french band headcharger with there unique blend of hardcore stoner rock and metal, came to Bloodstock with wide eyes and gleaming smiles. Lead vocalist Seb for instance dancing around shaking his hips telling the crowd to “COME ON BLOODSTOCK” every 10 mins which only made you like them more!

The french crazies really made Bloodstock there own and I for one hope they are going to be coming back very soon in the near future.

For Fans of Clutch, Viking Skull. .

Demonic Resurrection are a death power metal band hailing from the amazing country India.

These black metal gods ploughed through a lengthily and intricate 5 - song set of distinctive (what they call demonic metal) sound. Humbled to be playing the amazing Bloodstock festival Demonic Resurrection always have a keen interest in connecting with their audience both during and between songs.

Was nice to see a keyboarder in a band also but, was never prominent it made this Indian made brutal band stand out from the rest of the competition.

For fans of Nile, Emperor.

Crimes Of Passion

Anaal Narthrahk

These Sheffield metalers were a bit different to the previous bunch. Smiley, cheeky chaps really played to the crowd with fun and humour making them sing loud and proud.

With catchy lyrics and riffs and the gentle (Bruce Dickinson esk) voice Crimes of Passion seem to be the fun side of metal, defiantly one to check out!

Ancient Ascendent.

Named as the “Future of English death metal”, Ancient Ascendent came on strong and aggressive when it was their turn to brace the Sophie Lancaster stage.

With their quick riffs and amazing slow drops complimented by Alex Butler’s deep yet persice vocals, you could see why they have been given this title.

The future looks bright (or should that be dark?) for the UK metal heads. As at the moment they’re working on there first full album yet to have a release date be prepared for the unveiling vision of Ancient Ascendent.

For fans of Vadar, Opeth.

And lastly to the dio of Mich Kenny and David Hunt, A.K.A. ANAAL NARTHRAHK!!

There soul purpose when they formed in 1998 was to make the soundtrack for armageddon which is exactly what Bloodstock got!

Even with Dave’s broken leg he as well as the rest of the band gave it a 110% with the terrifying glorious voice of hunt echoing the Sophie stage the crowds was enraged with delight even more so when the nihilistic voice said to the crowd that there would be a “New album out this year!”

Nearing to the end of the set they played I new track from that new album which got a ridiculously massive applause all in all for me the best band on The Sophie Lancaster stage. Can’t wait to hear the rest!

For fans of Exhumed.

. . .

Words & Images: Carl Battams

Headcharger

Ministry are famous for initially popularizing the industrial dance scene, also injecting large doses of punchy, over the top aggression and heavy guitar riffs into their music. That’s not to say that they had a comercial or generally accessable sound. Founder and front man Al Jourgensen gave the group a great aura of style and theatre compared to that of other faceless industrial bands.

BELFAST, HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT TONIGHT’S SHOW?

In 2012 they returned with the angstridden album: ”Relapse”. I caught up with guitarist Mike Scaccia prior to the bands debut Belfast show on their recent Defibrillator tour.

WE’RE LEAD TO BELIEVE THAT YOU WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR KICKSTARTING THE BAND AGAIN?

SO THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME IN

Mike: “Yeah I’ve never made it this far over, I’m sure it’s going to be an awesome show.”

WE’VE SEEN A LOT OF POSITIVE REVIEWS FROM THE TOUR, IT SEEMS TO BE GOING WELL FOR YOU? Mike: “Yeah it’s going really good, the shows have been really incredible.”

Mike: “Yeah, Al had played some demos that are on the new record when we were rocrding our country record; The Buck

Satan. We would be up late listening and I’d be like “man, that stuff is great, what are you going to with it?” I was saying we should do some stuff and kept on at him about it. Then one day he was like “right, let’s do it” and then it happened have four/five months later.”

DO YOU THINK ‘RELAPSE’ IS THE BEST ALBUM TO COME FROM MINISTRY?

Mike: “I think so, it definitely was. It was different from the other records because to me it doesn’t just focus on one subject. It focused on a much wider range.”

WHAT WAS YOUR LOWEST POINT AS A MUSICIAN?

Mike: “When I wasn’t working and I was addicted to certain drugs. I just didn’t care anymore and I went through a period like that for about 7 years. That was definitely my lowest point.”

HOW DID YOU RECOVER?

Mike: “I went up to the mountains in the US, there’s an area called Ozark mountains. It’s really beautiful with lovely lakes. I got a hound dog, went up there and just isolated myself from everybody.

I didn’t even play guitar, I just didn’t want to play anymore. Down in the local town there was this music store where these old guys would just sit on the porch and playing bluegrass music. I love that stuff!

So I would go down and start watching them. I took me about five years to get my head completely turned around.”

DO YOU FEEL THAT THE SONGWRITING STYLE OF MINISTRY HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS?

Mike: “Yeah it’s definitely changed I mean, Al allows a lot more input now. In the old days I would bring him songs, now we write them together. We did write together back then but not like we do now. We fuel each other and it’s really cool.”

HAVE THERE BEEN ANY MAJOR CHANGES SINCE MINISTRY FIRST STARTED OUT?

Mike: “Oh god! Well I’m 47 years old man, I got signed when I was 20 by Capitol Records. I think if I was 20 years old today, doing what I was doing then I wouldn’t have been signed. I think the internet then came along and the record companies didn’t work with it.”

HOW DO YOU RELAX AND UNWIND WHEN YOU’RE NOT ASSULTING AUDIENCE EARDRUMS? “I play guitar and like football. My life revolves mainly around guitars.

I work for Gibson guitars as a clinician.

I have a real passion for guitar building and guitars in general.”

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD? THE HIGH OF PLAYING A SHOW OR

SOMETHING MORE PERSONAL?

Mike: “Well my son is six years old and before I left on tour I gave him Guitar Hero. He has a small interest in guitars before I left but not much, now he is completely freaked out and wants to be a guitar player. He knows every guitar that I have. My wife says that he has been pulling them out and playing them. He got his first finger string cut. Man that made me feel so good I almost cried.

IF YOU COULD PICK OUT JUST ONE TUNE THAT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF, WHAT WOULD IT BE? “It’s pretty hard, still to this day I love the song

‘Scarecrow’ on Psalm 69. That was such a timeless living song. I’ve also done some songs with Rigor Mortis that I’m very proud of, ones that haven’t even been heard yet and are being released later this year.”

DO YOU LISTEN TO MANY OF YOUR PAST RELEASES OR DO YOU PREFER TO MOVE ON?

Mike: “I will have to say this, the Buck Satan record that I did with Al, I’m most proud of that. I got to show versatility as a guitar player.

Certain records I will go back and listen to every once in a while but that record I listen to all the time as we made it for ourselves, it wasn’t to sell and we didn’t care what others

thought of it. Some things I can’t listen to. I still like them but then I’m like ‘I play that so much better now’.”

happy with it man. It’s going to be cool.”

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST MYTH IN ROCK & ROLL?

Mike: [laughs] “It’s a complicated thing.

I’ve known Al since 1986, we’re like brothers, we’ve had our fights but we always make up. We’ve never dissed each other in the press. We know we are destined to work together. The reason that I wasn’t on their last record or tour was that I was fully working and learning about guitar-making and my wife was having our daughter. I felt that that was the best thing for me to do at the time. As years went on after that, Al and I start talking again, spending holidays with each other and hanging out. From that it went to asking each other ‘what are you working on?’ We bonded so tight the last four years that we made a pact not to have another falling out.”

Mike: “I’d probably have to say the whole glamour side of it because it isn’t. It’s nasty, dirty, lonely and shit like that.”

RIGOR MORTIS ARE BEING REACTIVATED & THERE’S RUMORS THAT THERE’S A NEW ALBUM BEING RELEASED?

Mike: “Yeah, 20 years later ‘let’s do a record’, it’s recorded and done, there just needs to be some mixes on it. It’s a timeless record in the sense that everything was recorded very well. I thinik the songs are really strong, it’s not just a speed-metal record. It’s kind of the directions we were headed before we broke up a million years ago. We are very

WHY DO YOU ALWAYS RETURN TO MINISTRY?

Faultline – The Waiting Game

Then The Wave Came - ...Of Things To Come

Archimedes, Watch Out! – In Context

For those who, like yours truly, didn’t pay attention in Geography lessons, a fault line is a fracture in the surface of the Earth caused by earthquakes and such. It’s the result of the Earth’s relentless brute force and power; an image which provides a perfect metaphor for the sound of the Kent five piece of the same name. Faultline’s debut release The Waiting Game is an impressive exercise in blending elements from across the metal spectrum into a cohesive and imaginative E.P that’s brimming with the kind of confidence that says “Don’t worry guys...we’ve got this”.

Not so long ago, Progressive Death Metal was about as popular as a turd in a swimming pool. It was a genre of music enjoyed predominantly by music nerds and guitar geeks, often being overlooked by your average metal fan for being too experimental and damn near impossible to mosh to. The past few years however have seen Progressive Metal bands drastically up their game and the musical equivalent of Dungeons & Dragons has suddenly become hot property, the UK metal scene in particular packed wall-to-wall with Djent and Tech acts. Luckily, ‘...Of Things To Come’, the debut E.P. from Medway-based four-piece ‘Then The Wave Came’, contains a fresh and at times, unpredictable sound that unashamedly cranks the Prog-O-Meter up to eleven and injects some new ideas into a genre in danger of becoming stale.

Thankfully, Texas sextet Archimedes, Watch Out! are a great deal better at writing modern pop punk tunes than they are at coming up with band names. In Context is the band’s debut full-length release and follows in the footsteps of pop-punk’s next generation trailblazers whilst also giving a nod to old masters like New Found Glory and Motion City Soundtrack.

Faultline’s noise mixes traditional metal-core with a Sepultura-like aggression whilst also adding its own subtle melodic twist, resulting in frantic guitars, raw emotion and some truly meaty beatdowns. Guitarists Jack Turner and Shaun Bailey’s riffs are both complex and catchy and the duo also squeezes in a handful of epic harmonies that lift songs such as ‘Ancillary’ to new heights. It’s clear from the start that each band member knows his craft back to front. Frontman Brynley Craigen’s vocals are reminiscent of Max Cavalera or Mark Hunter in that they summon a brutal simplicity that sounds as if it will stop at nothing to make itself heard. The lyrics aren’t especially poetic or mysterious by any means, but what they lack in beauty, they more than compensate for with Craigen’s passionate, direct delivery that could break through concrete walls (probably).

The Waiting Game is a fine opening move from a band with heaps of promise and potential. Perhaps future releases would benefit from a touch more variation; a few additional melodic moments would be a great way to ensure that Faultline’s natural aggression doesn’t lose its impact. Overall however, The Waiting Game is a highly enjoyable assault on the ears that could be the start of something big for Faultline.

8/10

TTWC clearly prefer to do their business on the heavier side of things, all three tracks proving to be an exercise in complexity and brutality. As such, fans of the choral vocals and keyboard undertones that are associated with bands like Periphery may be disappointed as the band refuse to compromise on their ferocity and aggression. Even TTWC’s quieter moments refuse to allow the listener to relax; vocalist Richard Kane sounds like he wants to kill all your pets even when using his more melodic tones (as displayed on final track The Day The Sky Turned To Stone) and the same can be said for Ben Mitchell’s guitars; even the clean riffs sound eerie and menacing. Looking at some of the guys’ CVs, the sheer heaviness on display here should come as no surprise as two of TTWC are past and present members of The Dying Reflex (formerly known as Seven Year Kismet), a band who have regularly ripped U.K. music venues a brand new arsehole over the past five years. ‘...Of Things To Come’ has some excellent moments of pure invention; the alternating guitar chugs at the start of This Will Not End Well (For You) mimicking the sound of a ticking clock are a touch of genius and the brash, bulky bass-lines that stamp all over Ripped From The Womb Of The Architect sit proudly at the front of the mix like an angry troll. ‘Then The Wave Came’ have made an impressive opening statement with this uncompromising debut E.P. that musically suits their “like us or jog on” attitude.

With an unforgiving sound and an uncompromising mindset, This Will End Well (For Them).

7.5/10

Clearly touring with the likes of Forever The Sickest Kids and letlive has had a positive impact on the band. The riffs are smart, sharp and energetic, while the songs bounce with a groovy swagger from one anthemic chorus to the next, with a generous helping of youthful exuberance and attitude along the way. Some bands in this genre seem to lean more towards the ‘pop’ than the ‘punk’ these days, after all that’s where the money is (listen to the new ATL stuff if you don’t believe me!). But AWO! have done a commendable job of being obscenely catchy without descending into style-over-substance poser punk.

In Context is however, quite formulaic. Pop-punk as a genre isn’t exactly blessed with much variation but the very best bands are able to make sure each of their songs is unique and this is something AWO! need to work on for their next release, because for all its strengths, In Context’s twelve songs blur together in a haze of sugar and sunshine. All the tracks are solid, there’s no weak link on this album but similarly, there isn’t a stand out moment either and differentiating between songs is harder than trying to solve a Rubik’s cube in the dark.

Intriguingly, AWO! possess a trio of guitarists in their line-up (that’s the same as Iron Maiden!), but you can’t hear the extra man in the music. There aren’t any harmonies or tricky lead riffs that the presence of three guitarists may suggest there would be; in fact the guitars on In Context sound no different to a band with one or two guitarists. Perhaps the six-sting threesome is intended to improve the band’s live sound or maybe the band were a five piece until some guy walked in and said the magic words “I have my own van”. Who knows...

In Context does exactly what pop-punk should do; it’s bouncy as hell, crammed full of killer hooks and has just the right amount of American cheese. And with some more edge to their song-writing (and perhaps a less awkward band name?) these Texans could be latest in a long line of pop punk success stories.

7.5/10

Falter – Self titled EP Wasted! readers around the age of twenty will probably remember that back in 2002, an exciting new British rock band were storming the U.K. charts with singles such as ‘Falter’. That band was Hundred Reasons. Fast forward ten years to present day and we have Falter, a four piece from Blackburn who’s self titled E.P. begins with a track entitled...’Hundred Reasons’. Coincidence? Probably not, as Falter take a massive chunk of their inspiration from the Hundred Reasons of the 2000’s, producing the same type of emotionally driven but radio-friendly post-grunge.

Other influences are in there somewhere though; British duo Hell Is For Heroes and Funeral For A Friend have clearly inspired Falter’s aggressive/emotive combination but undoubtedly, this band’s sound owes a lot to Hundred Reasons and the band themselves have only made the comparison more obvious with their choice of name and song titles. Let’s face facts though, there is no such thing as truly original music in 2012, music can only really be judged on whether it’s awesome or whether it’s shit and despite their lack of originality, Falter fall more into the “awesome” category. It should also be said that the band are a fair amount heavier than Hundred Reasons ever were, with vocalist Tom Eccles utilising his impressive screaming tone to add a bit more bite to this threetrack offering.

The E.P. employs a distinctly ‘loose’ sound to it, with each of the three songs cleverly using some fluid rhythms to allow every instrument and riff to breathe naturally, meaning that when Falter do decide to crank up the intensity, the change packs more of a punch. The flowing nature of the tracks is exemplified

by Matt Flaherty’s laid-back clean guitar riffs that flow effortlessly out of your speakers with each nonchalant strum. And the vocals also maintain an easy-going feel, particularly in ‘Hospice’, where they range from introverted and soft spoken to intense outpourings of rage. Unfortunately however, the E.P. does lack the standout moments required to push the songs over the edge. For all of Falter’s angst and honestly, they are in need of some extra energy and fire in their song-writing to really make people’s jaws drop.

Falter don’t deserve to be labelled as tribute or copycat band. It would be more accurate to say they wear their influences proudly on their sleeve, not caring for following trends or indeed for genre-busting originality, but instead opting to play the type of music they love and play it pretty well!

6.5/10

If you were to hand a group of aliens a vague definition of the term “heavy metal” and then you gave them 24 hours to create an album of the stuff, the result would probably sound very similar to Hamerex’s latest release Rites of Passage. From start to finish, the record (Hamerex’s first full length) acts as a caricature of Judas Priest-esque 80’s metal but unlike a caricature, it takes itself utterly seriously, blissfully ignorant of the fact that all ten tracks are devoid of a single ounce of individuality.

The biggest problem on Rites of Passage is the production which has all about as much polish and sheen as a pub urinal. By my calculations, every song suffers from some sort of timing issue, particularly in the passages with no drums and in all honestly, a band with seven demos to their name really should’ve stamped this type of error out by now. What’s more, the snare sound on ‘The Headless Horseman’ is painful enough to rival Lars Ulrich’s infamous St. Anger tone and lead vocals on ‘The Lycan’ habitually sound both out of tune and completely unmixed.

Production values aside, Hamerex’s song writing also leaves much to be desired. The tracks come with an unhealthy dose of cheese, topped off with cringe-worthy lyrics and a side order of cliché guitar riffs. Without doubt, the five-piece deserve respect; they’ve taken a genre of music often dismissed as “old fashioned”, laid down their own musical tribute to it and clearly have fun at the same time. But as a serious act in their own right, it’s difficult to see a place in the music world for Hamerex based on the quality of their debut album.

Rites of Passage does have some redeeming features. The numerous guitar solos on the record are both technically impressive and neatly written and offer a hell of a lot more than the sloppy rhythm parts. Furthermore, the acoustic introduction present on the title track is easily the most enjoyable moment throughout the ten tracks, although unfortunately it’s not long until the song returns to the same meandering brawn-metal as the rest of the album.

To add some constructiveness to my criticism, I would suggest that Hamerex need to invest in a more solid production for their next recording. It sounds as if Rites of Passage was recorded very cheaply which is fine for demos and E.P.s but when it comes to albums, if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well. 3/10 - Craig Elvy

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