Snew – You’ve Got Some Nerve

Oct17

Not having a strong taste for eighties inspired hard rock Snew is not a band which has particularly been on our radar since they emerged back in 2005. Having finally taken the plunge with their new album, You’ve Got Some Nerve, though it seems we may have missed out as the release is one thoroughly enjoyable and deviously magnetic proposition.

Founded by vocalist Curtis Don Vito, lead guitarist Andy Lux, and drummer Mark Ohrenberger, its line-up subsequently joined by rhythm guitarist Lenny Spickle, Snew has unleashed a trio of albums which have caught the imagination of hard and glam rock fans. Embracing inspirations from artists such as Motorhead, Alice Cooper, Ramones, Kiss, AC/DC, and MC5, the LA band has bred a sound which is as salaciously fun as it is openly seventies/eighties rock influenced. It also has also nurtured its own inimitable character as evidenced by their fourth full-length, You’ve Got Some Nerve; a proposition which makes you smile as you rock out whilst leaving inhibitions at the door.

You’ve Got Some Nerve opens up with UR Freaking Me Out, a track which soon had ears and attention heading the way of the release when released as a single a number of weeks back. The track is a romping stomping slab of mischief immediately flaring up with brass flames as it bursts out before settling down into one contagious stroll. From Vito’s distinctive swagger loaded growl of a delivery to the sonic revelry of the guitars and a rhythmic punch which leads hips and neck muscles like a puppeteer, the track is pure crowd rousing incitement; the kind of anthem that commands rather than invites eager involvement.

Arguably the album never quite had us as lustily involved again though it comes close but in saying that, next up Holy Hell with its blues liquor and fiery antics left no room for calm contemplation either. It too is a punchy, lustily exuberant slice of hard rock getting under the skin with a devilish intent in its veins while Acetylene Queen straight after, brings sonic lewdness to proceedings with its licentious grooves and melodic libido.

The boisterous rock ‘n roll of Put Upon eclipsed both as it had the body bouncing with fresh keenness before Sharpie had an already compliant appetite licking lips with its R&B spiced antics. Brass again just inflame swift pleasure, adding that extra spice the band’s sound seems to truly relish while helping the track seriously rival the first for best album moment.

Across the calmer almost raptorial saunter of the chant breeding You Tell Me, through the infectious enterprise of Something New Everybody Wants, and the tenser drama of Revolution is a Closed Loop, bait for close attention never dwindled even if none of the trio could reach the heights of their earlier companions. The harmonica fired heat of the last of the three though was definitely one compelling lure especially when aligned to the melodic lacing of keys.

The album’s title track completes the sonic debauchery, its hard rock carousing not particularly unique but a thick barrel of bad habit inducing fun. That applies to the album as a whole where Snew is not trying to re-invent the scene but give it something to lustfully party with; You’ve Got Some Nerve is proof of success.

You’ve Got Some Nerve is out now across most online stores.

http://www.snewyou.com https://www.facebook.com/SNEW.official/ https://twitter.com/snew

Pete RingMaster 17/10/2018

Returning to the garden with Leaving Eden

Oct2

Two years on we have linked back up with Leaving Eden songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Eric Gynan to catch up with the band. Already renowned for their ear grabbing, imagination stoking rock sound, the band is poised to release its new album this month. One highly anticipated release we join Eric to look into its body and character with more besides…

Hello and thanks for taking time out to talk with us.

Howdy Eric Gynan here from the band Leaving Eden, Boston Mass area USA. It’s great to talk with you again. I think it was a couple years ago when we chatted last.

To remind people can you first introduce the band and give us some background to how it all?

Myself and Eve are the co-founders of Leaving Eden We had some songs; I’ve always been recording so we wanted to play some of these live. I think one must make a choice as to what they want to do with their life. It takes sacrifice, let downs and one must have a thick skin. Let’s face it most artists are different than others, so not only is there issues with all the variables outside the band, but from within too. I think the current line-up is great where everyone sees the bigger picture.

What are the musical backgrounds to you all; previous bands, projects etc…

Yes myself and Eve were in a band before leaving Eden. The band was regionally successful, but it usually comes down to the members. I remember for instance the drummer wanted no part of having a female in the band. He just hated it. Well, I saw the bigger picture, and after the first 100 people came up to me and told me how great Eve was, I knew I had to really do something about it…Shortly after we formed Leaving Eden.

Tell us about the band name?

We thought that this planet being the entire Garden of Eden has become corrupt full of Deceit and Hate so we thought wouldn’t it be nice to go somewhere else that’s the name leaving Eden.

Did you have a particular aim for the band initially and also in what you wanted it and your sound to offer?

Originally we wanted two female singers that never seemed to work out. Eve was really 2nd to none when it came to a front person, so anyone else up there trying to almost compete was pretty much a ridiculous situation. Now we do have another female, but she plays keys and sings backup vocals so it’s different now. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have not only the right people for the right sound, but the right personalities for perseverance.

Do the same things still drive the band when it was fresh-faced or have they evolved over time?

I think so. I think we are a little more reality oriented and understand more the barriers and pitfalls associated with the business. I think more so now we’re happy doing what we’re doing instead of being unhappy about not achieving our goals to the fullest.

How do you see the evolution of the band’s sound since starting out?

I think first and foremost you must always be listening to what’s out there what’s current what’s new and changing with the times. Also, one must try and be a trendsetter. It’s the new artists that forge the future, the ones out there in the gutters so to speak who are really at the pinnacle. As I said, for me I listen and get these songs kind of fully produced in my mind’s eye and I just go with the flow.

So it is a more organic movement of sound than deliberately wanting to try new things or an equally sided process?

Good question maybe both. We always want to try new things but also I think organically speaking the band naturally moves in a particular direction.

You said you eagerly listen to the sounds out there; are particular inspirations which have impacted not only on the band’s music but your personal approach and ideas to creating music?

I think playing I’m sharing the stage with many of the best bands in the world has definitely been a great influence on us. Leaving Eden has toured the USA, UK and Canada sharing the stage with hundreds of the biggest national bands in the world including; Lacuna Coil, In This Moment, Black Sabbath (Heaven & Hell), Ronnie James Dio, Rob Zombie, 5 Finger DeathPunch, Disturbed, Marilyn Manson, Alice Cooper, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZTop, Puddle of Mudd, Korn, Killswitch Engage, Buckcherry (Jefferson Starship, Big Brother and The Holding Company, Country Joe, 10 Years After, 40th Anniversary Woodstock) Shinedown, Dropkick Murphy’s, Alice in Chains, Papa Roach, Bret Michaels, Halestorm,Theory of a Deadman, Avenged Sevenfold, Seether, Hell Yeah, Trapt, Dope, Soil, Fuel, Queensryche, Saving Abel, Hinder, Damage Plan, 7Dust, Sebastian Bach, SoulFly, Days of the New, NonPoint, DrowningPool, The Misfits, The Butcher Babies, Collective Soul, MushroomHead, Mudvayne, Chevelle, Godsmack, Powerman 5000, 10Years, Taproot, Gin Blossoms, Michael Schenker (UFO, MSG & The Scorpions) Herman Rarebell (The Scorpions), Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Kittie, One eyed doll, Uncle Kracker, Tremonti (Creed/Alterbridge) Lamb of god, Slayer, Stone Sour, Motorhead, Blackstone Cherry, HOOKERS & BLOW Featuring GUNS N’ ROSES, QUIET RIOT, W.A.S.P. Members, Steven Tyler, Ted Nugent, Lita Ford, LA Guns, Trixter, Warrant, Apocalyptic Review (featuring members of Godsmack) Adelitas Way, Scott Stapp (The voice of Creed), Gemini Syndrome, Pop Evil, Ratt, Anthrax, Testament, Napalm Death & many more..

How does the songwriting work within the band; is there a particular process?

Yes I think it’s best for me as the songwriter to make a connection with the universe and listen because there’s always songs out there trying to come in; it depends if they come while I’m sleeping and I have the ability to wake up from that and go record something or if it comes while just almost meditating and communicating again with the universe and just listening.

How about the sparks to the lyrical side of your songs?

It’s definitely drawn from reality; all the lyrics are based on what’s happening at the time. Good, bad or indifferent I’m constantly writing lyrics so it’s going back to those and using them for music that I may already have written or writing the music around those lyrics. The skies aren’t always blue, thus our song Skies of Grey. “It’s not too late to open your eyes and sail through skies of grey”. “We’ve been screwed overcharged underpaid and abused, we’ve been exploited avoided and falsely accused, we’ve been cut down let down fucked around, tied and bound but NOTHING could take the music away”. From our Tied and Bound album.

Tell us about the band’s latest release?

Our latest release would be our last album Out of the Ashes (Recorded/mixed By Johnny K. (Disturbed, Pop Evil, Staind, 3 Doors Down,) Mastered by Brad Blackwood (Sevendust, Dave Mathews, Adelitas way, Korn) and produced by myself reinterpreted by Leaving Eden.) We also released a single, Jailbreak and it is going to be on our new album to be released October 19th 2018 called Descending again through Dark Star Records/Sony Music worldwide.

Our new album to be released, Descending, I’m excited about this album because it was recorded at Leaving Eden Studios. We were able to take all the time we needed and really craft this album to exactly what we wanted it to be. I did a premix on it and sent it off to Bob St John for the Final Mix and Mastering. Bob is a Grammy award-winning engineer and has done bands like Duran Duran, Extreme, Collective Soul, Steven Tyler…Such a great guy to work with too.

Can you give us some insight to the themes and premise behind Descending and its songs.

The title Descending, is taken from a song off the album called Shallow Waters. Shallow Waters is very cool because it’s one of those songs where I woke up from a dream and the song was playing in my head; this happens a lot most of the time I can’t pull myself out but this time I was able to. It’s great when you can hear songs already produced in your dreams, takes a lot of work out of it. It definitely comes from somewhere else. We wanted to have different genres such as heavy, acoustic, different key changes and tempos, really trying to have such diversity. We even got some songs you can dance to the beat.

Are you a band which goes into the studio with songs pretty much in their final state or prefer to develop them as you record?

Yes because studio time is so expensive it’s really best to have it all complete so we have typically recorded the entire album in our studio first working out all the bugs and adding everything we want to add so that when it comes time in the studio we know exactly what we’re doing because there’s usually not as much time as you need, so you try to prepare for that. In the case of our Descending album soon-to-be-released we actually recorded this completely in our studio so we had the time to really craft what we believe is a great album.

Tell us about the live side to the band, presumably the favourite aspect of the band?

Yes when I have always said that Leaving Eden is best seen and heard live. There’s a lot of energy sharing that goes on with the crowd. We don’t look at it like hey man look at me I’m a rock star check me out I’m too cool man, rather quite the opposite. It’s like hey we’re all here together all night to have a good time so let’s party together and let’s have some fun together. We are all involved in this.

You obviously know how hard it is for any new band to make an impact regionally let alone nationally and further afield. How have you found it with Leaving Eden?

Really I think with the onslaught of the internet anywhere you are you can really make a mark. I get it that making a mark by playing the venues that’s in your own region could make a difference. The reality is that if you’re good, fresh, have really put some time into the band look and made a great recording then it doesn’t really matter where you are. You can get it out there with a good publicist, good radio guy, good record label and good distribution also good management. We’ve pretty much always taken care of all of this on our own and hiring certain people and companies. I think it all works together. The most important thing for us is we will play anywhere anyhow anyway, so long as we can because this is what we love to do

You mentioned the internet. How do you work and weave your social media sites to use them most effectively?

The internet is very important to any band because that’s where people are getting most of their information now from and you can do it for free and make an impact on different social media platforms for sure. At the end of the day it comes down to a song, is the song good; is it one somebody wants to listen to? Our song Out Of The Ashes says digging deeper underground faster than the speed of sound. What that means is I feel we’ve always been an underground type band, you know really building its base of friends organically so an underground band able to, with the click of a mouse be in China for instance so that is faster than the speed of sound. It’s definitely referencing the internet and for that you can’t even quantify how important it is when talking about streaming on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon. You know that’s the way people are listening to the music they’re not going out and spending money to pay for music when they can listen to it for free or maybe $10 a month. Now this doesn’t really pay the artist much but if your song caught on and you had millions of listeners every day well then you would be making a lot of money so it’s really the same, only different is the means. People will still buy CDs more at a gig than anywhere else.

Once again a big thanks for sharing time with us; anything you would like to add?

Well, without our friends, we got nothing so we hope to make new friends here and hope they enjoy learning more about Leaving Eden. We definitely want to say Thanx Much and Peace!!

https://www.leavingeden.com/ https://www.facebook.com/bandleavingeden https://www.instagram.com/leavingedenofficial/ https://twitter.com/Leavingeden https://www.youtube.com/user/leavingedenband

Pete RingMaster 02/10/2018

Ragweed – Breathing Holes

May18

For some reason we always feel we need a hot intensive shower after listening to UK outfit Ragweed and their greedily rapacious sound. It is possible because from the release of their debut album Parerga in 2014 it has increasingly proved itself to be a raw and dirty infestation of punk fuelled noise which trespasses every pore. Last year’s single Silver Spoons revealed a fresh essence and new evolution to their music which the ear bending, senses exhausting Breathing Holes EP, now voraciously continues.

The new encounter is not so much a mixed bag of temptation but definitely one which has numerous angles and hues to its character of which some needed little time to ignite an already in place appetite for the band’s sound while others hankered after much more attention to pretty much just as successfully persuade. Silver Spoons hit the spot right away and with increasing rigour play by play, Breathing Holes across five rousing hollers emulates its success at times but also offers up other moments which take their to work towards the same persuasion.

The trio of vocalist/guitarist Tom Adamson, bassist Callum Regelous-Cooke, and drummer Josh Pingram have linked up again with Alan Douches (Motorhead, Cancer Bats, Every Time I Die, and Screaming Females) for the mastering of the new EP, its release coming once more through Milky Bomb Records. Straight away it imposes its presence on ears, the opening heavy almost sludgy touch of first track Cansema infesting the senses before it relaxes for a grungier cry which in turns leads to an eruption to noise rock intensity. It is a cycle which repeats, magnetic in its evolution and intriguing in where it will subsequently lead which turns out to be a groove woven stroll of heavy rock ‘n’ roll.

It is an opening enticement which nags away with increasing temptation play by play and is followed by the more immediately persuasive Backbite. A tenacious mix of punk and noise rock, the track is a magnetic clamour with catchiness in its foundations and a rousing holler in its breath. Reminding of Bristol band, The St Pierre Snake Invasion at times, the song had us stomping and bawling in no time, responses just as eager for next up Thought This Through. Almost corrosively raw yet with an infectious quality which lines every twist and turn, the track grabs appetite and participation with quick ease, its punk ‘n’ roll bellow and body trespassing swagger inescapable.

Down the Drain is Ragweed at their punk best and unashamedly devious as hooks and riffs niggle and invade like a filth coated virus as the song brawls with the senses before Up ‘n’ Under brings the release to a close with its groove clad grumble. Again there is a coincidental hue of the previously mentioned Bristolians to the song which adds to the track’s organic magnetism, grooves colluding with hooks and imagination for a voracious blaze of sound and intent.

There is no doubt that Breathing Holes really grows in presence and temptation across every play but has plenty to inspire such attention from the off. We personally have found it very easy to nurture an appetite for Ragweed and their sound through their previous records and with a growing greed which the new EP has only encouraged again.

Breathing Holes is available now via Milky Bomb Records @ https://ragweed-milkybomb.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ragweedragweed https://twitter.com/ragweedrock

Pete RingMaster 18/05/2018

Ragweed – Silver Spoon

Nov13

Having caught the attention and passions with debut album Parerga three years ago, British rockers Ragweed has in their words, “gone through a rebirth”. They have come out of that moment of reassessment or evolution with a sound which is darker, dirtier, and flush with more salacious grooves and rousing antics than offered by an exuberant pole dancer. The evidence is all there in latest single Silver Spoon, a three- track extravaganza of devilish rock ‘n’ roll.

Just coming off of another self booked UK tour, the latest on a long line of successful ventures, this one in support of their latest release, the Brighton hailing trio forcibly build on and reinforce the fresh sense of contagious adventure and imagination their sound first introduced within last year’s AA-sided single Rust Box. As its predecessor, Silver Spoon is released through Milky Bomb Records and has been mastered by Alan Douches (Motorhead, Cancer Bats, Every Time I Die, Screaming Females) of West Side Music, New York, he getting involved having been taken with the band’s previous outings.

The single across its three parts is a tenacious and flirtatious blend of rock, punk, noise, and raw pop; tracks still embracing the heavy almost imposing essences of the band’s earlier releases but with a virulence and catchiness which really and lustily gets under the skin and into the limbs. Lead song, Silver Spoon instantly thrusts its muscular fingers upon the senses, predacious scythes of guitar drenched in sonic filth and so inviting especially once springing a groove woven swagger with rapaciously coaxing rhythms. The song’s swing is matched in the vocals, their boisterous energy as anthemic as the sound around them and just as mischievous. Holding essences something akin to Foo Fighters meets The St Pierre Snake Invasion within its unique character the track is immense, only escalating its instinctive catchiness and creative devilment twist by turn, note by note.

The track is just as impressively backed up by its companions, Grey Matter being first up and swiftly sending a punk infested noise pop ‘n’ roll tide of riffs and rhythms through ears. Teasing keys add to its early temptation, their melodic mania lingering and erupting across the highly infectious proposal. Though dirtier and more psychotic than its predecessor, the track also has a more controlled hand on its caustic yet melodic stroll and heavy intent. It is a mix just as bold and manipulative though in another outstanding slice of Ragweed rock ‘n’ roll.

The single is completed by West Coast Pop, a Ramones meets Melvins escapade with a grunge lining to its irritable weight and nature. Fusing noise and alternative rock to its punk ‘n’ roll ferocity and dexterity, the song epitomises Ragweed’s new thrust of enterprise in their sound and writing; mixing old and new textures for one invasively alluring and irresistible trespass.

As last year’s single suggested Ragweed has grown into a striking proposition, an unpredictable and aggressively inventive one which going by Silver Spoon is heading to becoming one of the most essential adventures within the UK rock scene.

Silver Spoon is out now via Milky Bomb Records and available @ https://ragweed-milkybomb.bandcamp.com/album/silver-spoon

https://www.facebook.com/ragweedragweed https://www.instagram.com/_ragweed/ https://twitter.com/ragweedrock

Pete RingMaster 13/11/2017

Kings Will Fall – Thrash Force.One

Oct18

In a year of some particularly potent thrash bred onslaughts, the debut album from Kings Will Fall definitely stands out. It may have missed your attention as ours until now, being released earlier this year, but more than deserves devouring attention. Dealing ‘Thrash ‘n Death’ from the Alps since their emergence in 2013, the Italian quartet have hit the sweet spot with Thrash Force.One, a senses buffeting, appetite arousing onslaught which fuses old school thrash with death metal bred flavourings and individual ferocity.

Hailing from Sarntal in South Tyrol, Kings Will Fall consists of vocalist Fabian Jung, guitarist Rene Thaler, bassist Daniel Vanzo, and drummer Lukas Gross. 2015 saw the release of demo EP, Death Comes Early, a well-received appetiser for the attention grabbing release of Thrash Force.One. As its title suggests, the album is an unbridled rush on the senses, a forceful tempest of thrash metal driven in top gear from the first throes of Toxic War. This second track bursts forth from the atmospheric setting of opener In Dead & Mud & Misery, a sample laced war zone setting up the climate of things to come. Initially its successor stalks the listener, prowling with irritable intent before opening its jaws to unleash its storm. With the eager vocals of Jung surfing the tide of riffs, the track infests ears and imagination with ease, the inspirations of bands like Testament and Exodus proudly spicing the rush. Embracing fiery enterprise from Thaler too, the track simply grips body and pleasure.

Next up Shots for Glory swiftly stamps its own heavy authority on ears, sizing up its victim as bass and drums probe. It holds its restraint in place for a while as vocals and riffs harry the senses, relinquishing it a touch as new hunger hits grooves and rhythmic predation but never giving a free hand to aggression though everything about the song bites hard and relentlessly. Its infectious animosity is subsequently twisted with the band’s inventive imagination, the track an unpredictable and captivating fury before Burn All Fuel begins its determined trespass with nagging riffs and barbarous rhythms. Subsequently the track becomes a ravaging scourge with Jung’s caustic scowls magnetically backed by death bred growls, a masterful blend in the equally captivating and inhospitable contagion of sound. Vanzo’s bass is bestial, Gross swings delivered with bone splintering power and with the dexterous exploits of Thaler it all contributes to one glorious thrash roar.

Endless Pain quickly infests its riffs sculpted entrance with imagination and unpredictable revelry, the thrash bred heart of the song littered with Kings Will Fall nurtured character but never wandering from its rabid genre instincts while Damage Crown is two minutes of bullish, almost punk scented maniacal metal and quite superb. It borders on schizophrenic as it sets a new pinnacle in the lofty heights of the album, at times stomping around with Anthrax meets Biohazard like bedlam to steal the passions and trample their lustful submission under further devilment.

As mighty as both songs are, Buster soon grabs best track honours with its predatory yet addictively flirtatious savagery. Kings Will Fall again goes for the jugular but with a flair and flourish which exhilarates as they show further evidence of their own imagination and creative boldness. It’s maelstrom of grooves and riffs are pure addiction, its rhythmic assault welcomingly vicious and combined pure manna for the thrash hungry heart.

The sultry twang bringing Gängster 1948 into view is a deceptive lure but a scent of the rock ‘n’ roll lining the metallic animosity of the track. As it ventures deeper into its soul and heavy rock instincts, song and band get more adventurous and tempting, opening up a whole new aspect to their thrash personality. There are definite essences of Motörhead within the track and there is no surprise when the album closes with a fine cover of the band’s We Are Motörhead which has limbs and pleasure bouncing with raw energy.

It is a riotous end to an album which commands a swift return time and time again. Certainly Thrash Force.One is not the most unique proposition at times yet every moment has a personality all Kings Will Fall which is as fresh and adventurous as anything out there. As we said 2017 has been a great year for thrash bred exploits, Thrash Force.One one big reason why.

Thrash Force.One is out now @ https://kingswillfall.bandcamp.com/album/thrash-force-one

https://www.facebook.com/kings.will.fall.metal/ https://twitter.com/kingswillfall_

Pete RingMaster 17/10/2017

Twelve Boar – No Forgiveness

Sep15

We have no idea why they expanded the moniker from XII Boar to Twelve Boar but it has coincided with a whole new thrust of mischief and variety in the British heavy rockers sound as in mouth-watering evidence on new album No Forgiveness. The trio from Aldershot still conjure up and unleashed tides of southern fried grooves, thumping rhythms, and ravenous riffs, traits they have become acclaimed for but it all comes with a new carefree fun and adventure. Let us be clear, the band has never been anything other than the rich source of both across a host of songs and releases but No Forgiveness more than most raises the middle finger in a motion beckoning all to come in and join their riotous party.

Since the release of debut EP, Split Tongue, Cloven Hoof back in 2012, Twelve Boar has made an inescapable impact on the UK rock scene. Its well-received, attention grabbing success was just the teaser for the plaudits which eagerly gathered around the uncaging of debut album Pitworthy in 2015 and the even more acclaimed Beyond The Valley of The Triclops last year. Each backed up a live presence and reputation which has equally only grown year on year until it is fair to say that the threesome of vocalist/guitarist Tommy Hardrocks, bassist Adam Thomas, and drummer Dave Wilbraham is now regarded by a great many as one of the most essential roars on the UK scene. There still maybe a few yet to discover the instinctive stomp of Twelve Boar but only something No Forgiveness will soon sort out.

Beyond The Valley of The Triclops certainly hinted at the multi-flavoured evolution of the Twelve Boar sound but No Forgiveness gives it to you unbridled and face on, so much so that the first listen, whilst stirring up the passions, has us questioning whether we missed the dirtier thunderous trespasses of times past. The second listen then revealed that nothing has changed, the band still brewing a sound caked in rock ‘n’ roll soil which leaves the body exhausted and shaking from the onslaught but with a fresh toxin of fun involved, and the third listen…that is when the lust breaks out.

Recorded with producer Chris Fielding, No Forgiveness goes straight for ears with spice loaded grooves and ear rapping beats as Steppin’ Up gets things rolling. The gravelly tones of Hardrocks stand astride the tendrils of guitar, riding the grooves as bass and beats throb and land with a brooding intent. A slab of muscular rock ‘n’ roll the band is certainly renowned for it then throws an unexpected twist in its midst as it slips into a mellow intoxication of melody and clean vocals though the moment is just the teaser to a waiting lustily fiery stroll. It is a great start to the release but soon overshadowed time and time again starting with Golden Goose. The second track instantly shows attitude in its riffs which continues to colour its character even as rap metal flavoured vocals dance devilishly on the emerging encounter. From thereon in heavy rock ‘n’ roll and that nu-metal toned adventure collude and interact enticing further whiffs of extreme metal and desert rock into the mix.

The Curtain Call swaggers in next with hooks lining every swing of its rhythmic hips and sultry grooves. Sabbath-esque riffs are openly embraced by the band then infested with their own devilment as rhythms harry the senses throughout, often dancing like a dervish as another dose of great diversity grabs the vocals. The track is glorious, Twelve Boar at the inimitable best and swiftly matched by the album’s southern bred title track. An acoustic strum is joined by vibrating beats as Hardrocks growls, the song sauntering along with accusation on its breath. In time everything finds a new tenacity and muscle, the encounter grabbing hips and appetite like a fine, throat burning bourbon.

Stealing the best song plaudits, Elders From The Deep dives in next, the track filthy rock ‘n’ roll stomping like Motorhead meeting Gene Vincent as The Cramps bring their salacious garage rock antics to the fun. The track is irresistible, a sinful slice of addictiveness which truly had this appetite drooling long before it had to make way for the blues rock romping of Snake On A Lead. As its predecessor, the song just hits the spot with flirtatious grooves and bone rattling rhythms, it knowing all the right buttons to push to have the body bouncing and a lively spirit fuelling keen physical involvement.

The crawling almost predatory opening prowl of All the Heavy Griftin’ instantly whets the appetite but it is just the prelude to another stonking rock ‘n’ roll canter impossible not to get infested by. If you had any doubts that Twelve Boar know how to rock until the sweat flows like a river and fingers bleed, than this virulently contagious track alone will wipe them away.

The brief sweltering climate of instrumental Panama lures ears into the landscape you can imagine the waiting final track Hellspeed Truckin’ would be rolling down. In the closer tarmac punishing riffs and air cutting rhythms shape the adventure, the bass a hypnotic driver with vocals holding the wheel. As grooves sear the scenery raw adrenaline flows through sound and voice, the track in top gear never flirting with the brakes until the body lies prostrate in its dust.

Wrapped in the striking artwork of Rahadil Hermana, No Forgiveness is quite simply one of the major treats of the year. It is relentlessly energetic, hungry, and fun from a band driven by those self-same attributes as well as an instinct and the craft to turn it all into one rousing experience. XII or Twelve Boar, they are still helping drive the UK heavy rock scene from the frontline.

No Forgiveness is out now and available @ https://xiiboar.bandcamp.com/ or http://xiiboar.bigcartel.com

http://www.xiiboar.com/ https://www.facebook.com/xiiboar/ https://twitter.com/xiiboar

Pete RingMaster 15/09/2017

Goblin King – Blood, Drugs & Death n Roll EP

Aug2

Set to send a bruising shockwave through British punk ‘n’ roll is Goblin King, a London hailing Death N’ Roll quartet primed to release their debut EP. Offering five ravenously dirty and intrusive slabs of heavy rabid trespassing, Blood, Drugs & Death n Roll is a primal cauldron of metal, rock, and punk; everything which makes for a great rock ‘n’ roll fury and battering.

Founded earlier this year, the foursome of King, Beast, Jester, and Sin have taken little time to make a thick impression with a sound said to draw on the inspirations of Entombed, Motorhead, Amen, GG Allin, Cancer Bats and more. It is a ferocious affair, on the evidence of their first EP, as ready to have you swinging from the light fixings as savage the senses you were born with; simply raw rock ‘n’ roll in glorious rampage.

The EP opens up with its title track, Blood, Drugs & Death n Roll an infestation of scavenging riffs and nasty rhythms careering through ears with an appetite for mayhem. Their animosity though springs a swiftly addictive groove and an infectious swagger matched in the gruff vocal style and energy of King. Hooks are as prevalent as filth sharing riffs, thrash and punk uniting in a contagious animus hell bent on having the listener stomping around with middle fingers raised. Those Amen and Motorhead influences are especially vocal but immersed in an insatiable tide of character and tenacity all of Goblin King making, a rich flavouring equally flooding the following, just as superb second track.

Titled Goblin King, it is the kind of anthem no defences work against; an incitement from its first breath which has body and spirit eagerly embroiled. Riffs and rhythms swiftly confront and infest, vocals soon adding their bullying tactics until it all erupts in a chorus only the deaf could escape being hooked on. It is a chorus taking a breath at its final throes giving greater clarity to one glorious bassline and tone which spines the whole tempestuous contagion. Some tracks are instinctively manna to ears and the passions, this lustfully one for us though hunger is left dissatisfied at its departure after barely three minutes.

The opening pair gives the rest of the tracks a hard task to match their united triumph but the likes of 667 and Eye Of The Storm make a potent rolled up fist of it. The first is a ‘milder’ proposal in relation to the scourges before it but still has an attitude and hefty swipe to its presence which has you warily launching your participation and an unpredictability which wrong-foots and sparks the imagination at certain moments. Its spicy assault reveals a far broader landscape to the Goblin King sound and writing than its predecessors, one equally as refreshing and it is intriguing for an adventure the second of the two also embraces in its multi-flavoured, metal infused punk rock charge if not quite to the same boldness. With the guitar a flamethrower of melodic craft and rhythms an incessant examination of the senses, the track is inescapable virulence.

Death Sti-XXX brings things to an antagonistic close, crawling all over the listener with irritability and creative spite; a discontent breeding another addictive groove, spikily grabbing hooks, and anthemic incitement. Admittedly, initially the song did not make the same strong impression as its companions but over time had body and appetite seduced just as tightly.

Blood, Drugs & Death n Roll is pretty much a physical interpretation of its title; an affair basking in its grubbiness and relishing its prowess of igniting the energy and spirit of those it preys upon. It may be greedy but we so want more of Goblin King and are already finding it hard to patiently wait.

Blood, Drugs & Death n Roll is released August 10^th digitally and on CD @ https://goblinkingofficial.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/GoblinKingOfficial/

Pete RingMaster 02/08/2017