In October 2012 Thin Lizzy announced that they would not be recording new material under the Thin Lizzy monicker. The last incarnation of the band - Scott Gorham, Brian Downey (replaced by Jimmy DeGrasso), Darren Wharton, Ricky Warwick, Damon Johnson and Marco Mendoza – would be looking to form a new project. Step forward Black Star Riders…
When Nicolas Fromageau (vocals, guitar & synths) left duo band M83 in 2004, he didn't really know what he wanted, except that he wanted to be a professional musician, and not repeat what he'd done before. So eventually he left the sunny shores of the French Riviera town of Antibes, and exchanged that for the gloomy city of Paris, where his chances to find a niche within in the music business were certain to be better.
For those of you into the works of such bands as Rainbow, Uriah Heep and Led Zeppelin or more recently Rival Sons, Wolfmother and Audioslave comes the latest Nuclear Blast signing, Scorpion Child’s self titled album from this Texas quintet led by frontman Aryn Jonathan Black is knee-deep in 70’s blues psych song structures, beaucoup de fuzz, and groooviness.
Intensive touring within Holland and Belgium and one album release explain why Kadavar are so well known in the Benelux stoner scene. Abra Kadavar, the band’s second album, is a rush of adrenaline throughout its entire duration. This disc finally realizes the potential of Lupus Lindemann – vocals & guitar, Mammut – bass and Tiger – drums on the hauntingly retro sound of the previous album, the band decides to flesh out the sound with a bit more Hawkwind-like space punch.
These Finnish metallers sure know their game: powerful, terrific hooks; heavily overloaded sweeping rhythms; and fantastic, scorching guitar work relying on fast-mid paced, yet imaginative enough drumming. This is one well-functioning unit. And thanks to all of the above, the album flows very nicely and manages to maintain focus and interest, with a couple of softer moments, for the sake of variation. The songs are all well-written and display the band's undeniable talent.
Sirenia are back with a brand new gothic metal album, which goes by the name of Perils Of The Deep Blue. It's almost impossible to compare Sirenia to any other band in the world of female fronted metal. They've had a handful of singers throughout the past twelve years of their existence, but finally they seem to have found the true pearl in the metal ocean.
Anthrax is an American trash metal band from New York and was formed in 1981 by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker. The band was named after the disease that those two saw listed in a biology textbook, using it because it sounded "sufficiently evil". the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and made an EP featuring American hip hop group Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the metal scene in the 80’s.
This wonderful album is my favorite of the past couple of weeks, if the amount of time I've spent listening to it is any indication. Everything that made Orchid’s Capricorn so magical, has returned in spades on Mouths of Madness. Orchid, a US hard rock band with more range than almost anyone out there, have released their second offering, following on the heels of their “Wizard of war” single.
Beware, because the Swedish hardrockers of Hardcore Superstar are back. Growing in style and success, they have just released their ninth full length album, entitled C'Mon Take On Me.
While lots of bands decide to take the safe lane, Hardcore Superstar do it just the other way. Full speed ahead is their lifestyle! The band has been around for quite some time (since 1998 to be exact) and is finally beginning to gain more and more popularity around the (metal) world.
The band that will never make the same record twice are the Chicago-based punk legends Alkaline Trio. They have been around since 1996 and after having released eight full length studio albums, they're back with number nine, called My Shame Is True.
