For now… Upcoming:

20th November – Obituary Review

22nd November – Karnivool Review

26th November – Interviewing Scott Ian (ANTHRAX)

28th November – Celibate Rifles Review

UNTIL THEN EVERYONE!!!

Call it an EP or a 4 track Demo but as far as first releases go for new bands… Breathing New Life definitely hits the spot for this reviewer.

Not like so called “experimental” quote, unquote metal acts who you find constantly trying to come up with something new or attempting to add a new lick of innovative flavour to the Metal scene. This is no aquired taste but more an instant love. With each song – short, fast and crisp. Skura keep in true form to their well established borderline experimental hardcore metal that jumps in, takes a hold of you and leaves you (the listener) gasping for air but still wanting so much more.

This is a band that have hit the nail on the head when it comes to narrowing down a style that bands their whole career/s (metal or otherwise) yearn for with each release.

The opening track ‘No Disguise’ kicking it off with an almost memorable nu-metal guitar riff to start this ball-buster off, giving you that feeling the same feeling that I’ve definitely heard this before.
You will hear no guitar wankery on this release but rather more guitar riffage that immediately draws you in as (I’m sure others will agree), staying true to what works for each individual song, grabbing your attention, taking hold with the refusal to let go until you’ve finished listening.

The enter/exit routine of guttural screams versus melodic vocals play a prominent part in this release specifically tracks ‘No Disguise’ and ‘Shit Storm’, providing what every metalhead looks for. Although, more time could’ve been spent on building the strength of the melodic vocals and what definitely makes up for the lack there? (To your surprise) the odd spoken word and almost off tempo short bass renditions randomly inserted into the mix of ‘My Muse’.

And just when you’re beginning to think you’ve got more then what you paid for? What better way to end it all with ‘Whore’? Barely mature vocal content aside as I’m sure that it’s rather crystal clear. Take all the elements of the first 3 songs, throw them into a mixer, tossed and shaken with some bitter vocals and you’ve got a brilliant ending to the first release from a rather promising local Newcastle metal band.

For fans of : Mudvayne and Machine Head.

Taken From REVERB Street Press Ish # 40 NOV 2009

This was my first ever band interview. Let me know what you guys think…

Porcupine Tree - "The Incident"

Unfortunately over the past years the majority of released albums (from already established bands) bearing the “Roadrunner Records” logo have become more and more like a warning sign of what not to buy .
If you’ve heard a few releases from Porcupine Tree then you will know exactly what to expect on latest release - “The Incident”.  Heavy-prog-rock guitar riffing? Check.  Synth layered harmonies over catchy bass lines? Check. Borderline tribal drumming with the odd hint at trip hop? Check it all. All enough to keep the avid Porcupine Tree fan gaping at their talented brilliance whilst grinning from ear-to-ear.
There is very little in the way of originality in “The Incident”, however, those who have experienced the journey of sound in vocalist Steven Wilson’s last solo record “Insurgentes” will be happy to note the continued progression and additives of trip-hop, ambient keys and quiet melancholic vocals mixed into the final recipe.
This release follows the classic prog-rock element of movements (rather than songs) divided by each track except for the bonus CD which contains a few memorable diddy’s like “Remember Me Lover”. Don’t expect a repeat of “Fear Of A Blank Planet” because it’s certainly nowhere near as catchy and this is certainly nowhere as brilliant as “Voyage 34″.
Negatives aside Roadrunner Records are always good for one thing – brilliant mastering and production with every release that comes under their banner.
“The Incident” is a rather solid concept album despite the obvious re-hashings. I would however recommend it only to the already converted “avid” fans of Porcupine Tree or those with a particular lust for the psychedlic/progressive rock elements.
A 2.5 out of 5 from Me.
For fans of : Dream Theater, Opeth and King Crimson.

The security guard checks my ticket, the doors swing open and nothing pleases me more then to hear that all too familiar catchy hair metal riff of “sweet little sister.”

Oh hell yeah – now this is what dreams are made of. Catchy, hard and fast, balls out rock n roll!

The enmore theater was littered with fans from teens all the way up to the middle aged both in the upstairs and in the downstairs. In the mosh – no idiots and no “hard core” dancing but just old fashioned rockers air guitaring, fists pumping and devil horns pointing to the sky.

Songs to pass from their infamous self titled album all the way through to their current ’06 release “Revolutions Per Minute.”

This is a band having suffered lineup change after lineup change without losing a sight for what makes killer rock n roll. With individuals like Bassist Rachel Bolan and Guitarist Dave “The Snake” Sabo, the main driving force behind the band and since the initial formation of the Skid’s, there is just no stopping them!

A few individuals right beside me in the crowd chanting after each song “BRING BACK SEBASTIAN” – obviously referring to Bach – the original frontman – in this case I can only dismiss their points of view as drunken ramblings. That, or the meathead perspective? Haha!

Without sounding like a complete groupie, vocalist Johnny Solinger Kicks ASS!!! Hitting every high note that made Sebastian Bach famous (or infamous) with those high screams and punky rabblings in songs like “Get The F*ck Out” to the angsty ballad of “Youth Gone Wild”. A rock show with all the favourites played definitely is what the doctor ordered.

Be a Skid Row original lineup purist if you like but at the end of the day Solinger does just as good a job as Bach ever did.     Make way for radio hit single “I Remember You” as the acoustic hit we all love.

It sure is cigarette lighter waving time and just as the rest of the band comes back to the stage to electrify this almost unplugged song the crowd echoes word after word as we all smile in unison.

If I never see you live again, Skid Row, I will definitely Remember You!

Anyways, been rather busy throwing ideas around with how I’m going to continue with my future music related endeavours. There are those of you have beeen expecting a website over the coming months. Not happening. That’s not all bad news as I plan to put all my energy into a Podcast of my creation. Plans are to include interviews with bands that I’ve grown quite accompanied to over the years through everyones favourite music networking medium – myspace, also discussions about horror/thriller/sci fi movies and shows (past & present) as well as playing excerpts of tracks from a couple of artists that I’ve grown to admire.

Logo is being made up now. Software is organised. I’m only a microphone away.

STAY TUNED FOR THE PODCAST AT THE LATEST OF NOVEMBER!!!

The entire venue itself is sold out and only those with a ticket get past the front door?

Now there’s something different.

Having seen Paul Dempsey before you come knowing what to expect but what do we get? Surprise after surprise. Laughing between sets, jokes at his home town’s expense and the exchange of witty reportoire between performer and audience.

Back to business, Dempsey has a way of omitting nothing but a silent respect from tonight’s crowd. Fixated on the Something For Kate frontman you can’t help but release a blissful smile as he busts through tune after tune from his respective solo and collaborative careers. Each song rich with that same raspy echoing we’ve come to expect from Dempsey over the years.

Still, the closer you listen the more that same borderline harsh and melodious voice shines through the light keeping you at awe as to what sits lies next on the setlist.

Think you know full well what to expect from the rest of the evening?

You’re wrong.

Not sure if he’s serious about this if its just for kicks and giggles when he pulls out ‘Betty Davis Eyes’.  Hearing that raspy melody soar through the very foundations of that infamous radio hit is evidence enough that you’ve got your money’s worth this evening. Expecting the backdrop of instrumentals from ‘Everything is True’?

Sorry but you won’t find that here tonight.

Minus the echo filtered microphone lies nothing but the man, his words and his guitar – honest to the crowd and everything in this case is very true to form.

An evening worth writing home about.

[This review is due to be published in REVERB issue # 39. Note this post was made before time of editing.]

In my opinion the real benefit of free gigs is not the fundraiser part itself but more the chance to discover new live acts within the local scene.

With barely enough time to catch the last two acts  – Ava, Flyway and Grant Walmsley (guitarist of Screaming Jets fame).

Expecting decent sound from both live sets? Not happening tonight ladies and gentlemen. With Ava, Flyway just barely allowed to play with their own drumkit this was certainly not a venue noted for its professionalism.

Ava, Flyway took the stage busting out surprisingly tight pop-punk that hinted at moments of experimental indie rock. Not the type of music the immediate audience of over 40s expected, with this experimental power chord and clear high range a-typical vocals clearing the room to the remainders that dug the catchy pop-sensible indie quartet.

You couldn’t help but notice that familiar sounding soon-to-be radio hit friendly style from Ava that you have heard before from every other punk band.

No insult intended here but more refreshing to hear from a band so young, so clear, so certain and so determined to stick to their guns!

Enter Grant Walmsley, a household name for all Screaming Jets fans.

Upon the ending of his first song whether you enjoy the idea of the one-man-band or not this is a man who remains smart and sensible to an almost rockabilly singalong style that drew back in all the since departed middle aged crowd like bees to the hive.

A style to bring down the house with beer swilling rocking sing-a-longs that you didn’t need to have heard before – they were just too damned catchy for my taste but the crowd ate it up song after song.

Good Ole Grant has come a long way from the early days of the Screaming Jets providing lead guitars and the odd backing vocals moving over to recapturing his fans again in a style all his own.

[This article is to be featured in REVERB #39. Keep an eye out for it at your local stockist!!!]

Keep an eye out for live photos!!!