Greystone Canyon-While The Wheels Still Turn

Rockshots Records
2018

Australia's hard & heavy/classic metal band Greystone Canyon will release the Western-themed "While The Wheels Still Turn" on March, 9th, 2018. Starting things off with the (ever so brief, but nonetheless enjoyable) intro "Keeping Company With The Dead", the nine-track "While The Wheels Still Turn" serves as the debut album for Greystone Canyon...even if it feels more like an expanded-EP. It clocks in at just over 33 minutes and features three numbers that fall under the two minute mark. Influences included Alice Cooper, Led Zeppelin, (early) Ozzy Osbourne, King Diamond, and Megadeth. Lead by vocalist/guitarist Darren Cherry, Greystone Canyon might be a new act on paper, but it is actually comprised of veteran musicians with ties to countless other Australian metal bands.  Such proof can be found on the Metal Archives. Said musicians include: Rich Vella (guitars), Dave Poulter (bass), and drummer Luke Wilson. With four well-seasoned musicians in charge of it's construction, "While The Wheels Still Turn" features a Western style of heavy metal that is easy on the ears and quite capable of invoking positive memories of the classic hard rock & heavy metal scene of the late seventies and early to mid eighties. May God and the members of Greystone Canyon forgive me for the following words, but in all the best ways possible (including sincere love and appreciation for something completely new to these ears of mine!), "While The Whiles Still Turn" comes across as Megadeth (or a more traditional metal version of Dave's band) mixed with the Western music of Jon Bon Jovi! I fully expect to be crucified for such a comment, but in this case that is a compliment to talent of Greystone Canyon. To that end, "While The Wheels Still Turns" features some material that carries the same vibe as heard on Metallica's cover of "Whiskey in a Jar" and "Turn the Page". There again it might sound like a odd comment, but it is meant as praise to the album's atmosphere. In closing, Greystone Canyon's debut is a solid listening experience that should appeal to both fans of Western rock/heavy metal and classic hard rock/heavy metal.

Viölence-MotörDemon

Self-Release/Independent
2018

"Loud, Fast, and Rude". Not only is that the way in which I want to live my life, but it is also the motto of Australian' blackened speed metal project Viölence. Lead by Dylan Potter (all instruments), with "MotörDemon" serving as the debut EP from this one man wrecking crew from the wastelands of hell(!), Viölence seems to have shown up from out of nowhere! It was like one day there was nothing and then the next things I know is that this 5-track recording was showing up everywhere I looked. There's a damn good reason for that happening. While it's only an EP, "MotörDemon" is more than enough proof that Dylan Potter knows how to rock the dead back to life! Without missing a beat, Viölence throws you wave after wave of sinister riffs that one minute sound like classic Venom and the next (early) Sodom! In addition to the godfathers of blackened speed metal, Viölence seems to pay homage to the underground side of the N.W.O.B.H.M. scene and quite obviously then, Lemmy. Fact is, "MotörDemon" is too good not to share. So, strap in tight and put your helmet on. This EP is going to be on hell of a ride!

Knifer-Knifer

Rogues Realm Records
2017

Formed sometime back in 2016 and self-described as "Medium voltage rock'n'roll",  Brisbane, Australia's Knifer is lead by a front-man known only as FC and comprised of musicians that have ties to the doom metal band Zodiac. The four song demo "Knifer" is this band's studio debut and at the end of the working day it gets my ultimate stamp of approval!  Recorded, mixed and mastered by Christopher Brownbill at Underground Audio, "Knifer" is the righteous and reckless sound of a (Motörhead-infused) down & dirty speed metal/rock band that likes to drink, party and rock the F**K out! Naturally that is right up my alley! Chances are pretty good that others will feel the same way (especially if loud & proud heavy metal and/or heavy rock is your preferred drug of choice!). Song titles include "The Bottle", "Conspiracy of Silence", "The Snake", and "Satisfaction". To purchase a digital download of this demo simply click on this link. If you would like buy a cassette copy of "Knifer" be sure to head over here. At only $6 a tape, "Knifer" is a real  steal of a deal! If you ask me it also makes for the perfect graduation gift for any high school kid that sees Lemmy as their god! Off hand I know of at least three kids that fit that definition. While there you might as well order a cassette copy of "Source". Of course that is just a suggestion from one heavy metal fan to another....

Free Metal Monday: Pänik-Riffs Or Die (demo 2016)

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Pänik is a wild and reckless crossover/thrash metal band from Wollongong NSW, Australia that has been active since 2015. This short but exceptionally fun demo was released last summer and it featured the line up of Mitchel Gruevski (bass, vocals), Daniel Packovski (guitar, vocals), and drummer Jayden KV. As of this writing it looks as if Pänik has a new drummer, but really that's neither here nor there when we're talking about this (name your price) download... 

Witchskull-Promo CD

Self-Release/Independent
2015



Based in Cambria, Australia, Witchskull is a heavy stoner/doom metal band that was formed in 2014 by vocalist/guitarist Marcus De Pasquale (Looking Glass) and drummer Joel Green (Wardom, ex-Armoured Angel, ex-Under Oath). The very definition of a power trio, Witch Skull was put together with the sole purpose of creating a blues-based doom outfit. To that end, Marcus De Pasquale and Joel Green recruited  bass guitarist Tony McMahon before hitting the studio with Jason Fuller in order to record their full-length debut. In addition to the album's solid title track, "The Vast Electronic Dark", this limited-edition promo CD features a rough doom slammer called "Temple of Ly's" and the epic track "Harvest the Druid". With a run-time of over six minutes, "Harvest the Druid" alone is easily worth the price of admission and that has everything to do with it's sick mash-up of Black Sabbath-like seventies doom and what sounds like N.W.O.B.H.M.-influenced proto-metal! That being said, "Temple of Ly's" ends up coming in at a close second thanks to it's perfect one-one combination of Motörhead and bands like Black Sabbath, Trouble, Witchfinder General and Pentagram. Now, seeing as I like to give credit where credit it due I have a confession to make. I actually have Paul Rote to thank for this highly-recommend 3-track teaser CD as Witchskull is another one of his wicked cool recommendations! Paul was spot-on when he had this to say about Witchskull, "Sounds like the eighties band Piledriver mixed with a touch of Witchfinder General", and that sentence was all it took for me to want to hear this trio for myself! I ended up buying the Witchskull promo CD & patch combo from this link and man was I ever happy that I did! My next purchase will be a t-shirt as I want to be able to represent this band all the way over here in the U.S.! To see what all the fuss is about just head here. But first a word of warning. Let's not mince words here. Witchskull's music is very addicting. You should know that ahead of time. Even though this trio's sound is blues-based and rock-ready there's something else going on with Witchskull's metal side that makes it almost impossible to put down! I wanted to hear more from this Australia band, but now I'm forced to sweat it out while I wait! Seeing as this sampler is really nothing more than a naughty tease to get your heart pumping chances are you'll end up feeling the same way! So just a head's up friends...

Johnny Touch-Inner City Wolves

Shadow Kingdom Records
2014

Awesome album art and an awesome sound? Now that's nice. Real nice. For Australian-act Johnny Touch and their full-length debut "Inner City Wolves" it all sounds so natural, but that's far from a bad thing right? Formed in 2008 (and taking it's cue from traditional heavy metal, N.W.O.B.H.M. and even the likes of Metallica and Metal Church) the band previously released a demo tape and two 7" splits. With "Inner City Wolves" though we're talking the real deal. A full-fledged, front-to-back cover, one of a kind heavy metal thunder release which is screaming(!) to be heard by metalheads in their native country and worldwide! With someone as good as Pahl Hodgson  (Beyond Mortal Dreams, Born for Burning, Oath of Damnation, ex-Blood Mason, ex-Darklord, ex-Hatred Slave, ex-Oni, ex-Obsidian Aspect, ex-One Step Beyond, ex-Sumeria, ex-Deluge) on the mic and lead solos that range form straight-up heavy metal slammers that actually recall someone as great as the late Randy Rhodes to almost neoclassical pieces it is hard not to appreciate the excellence that transpires once you slide this one into your CD player. "Inner City Wolves" is not just one of the best debut albums of 2014 it's overall one of the best heavy metal albums of the year! Don't just take my word for it though. You can hear the complex/yet easily-accessible "Inner City Wolves" for yourself right here:http://shadowkingdomrecords.bandcamp.com/album/inner-city-wolves


https://www.facebook.com/JohnnyTouchAus

Darker Half-Never Surrender

Self-Release/Independent
2014

Though it might just be my first taste of this Sydney, Australia-based quartet, "Never Surrender" is actually album number three for Darker Half. Formed in 2003 (with a debut demo entitled "Rush" arriving the very same year) the band would go on to release an EP in 2006 ("Enough Is Enough") before issuing another demo in 2008 by way of "Promo 2008". In 2009 Darker Half (at the time apparently more of a thrash act then their 3rd full-length release might suggest!) issued their full-length debut album, "Duality", following it up with national tours supporting both Paul Di'anno (ex-Iron Maiden) and Queensrÿche! Now (skipping ahead a bit and all) here it is 2014 and thanks to the fine folks at FullBlast!PR I was able to spend a good part of my weekend in the company of what has proved to be a very talented power metal outfit! "Never Surrender" is one of those enjoyable albums where nature assumes a near perfect balance. The past is taken into account thanks to the presence of early heavy metal bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest (as well as other older influences ranging from Grim Reaper to Merciful Fate) as well as mid-nineties power metal (specifically Germany's Angel Dust!) while the present day aspects of Darker Half's metal is represented in grand fashion by morphing together any number of high class German/European melodic power metal acts (of your choosing!), dividing it by equal portions and then doling it out to each band-member in order that they have the proper mindset/skill-level to deliver high-quality, quirk-free traditional heavy/power hellfire! Listening to this lot tear through "Never Surrender" as effectively as they do makes you realize that there is a excellent reason why Darker Half has emerged as one of Australia's top metal acts! Darker Half is a band that captures your attention early on and between Vo Simpson's maniacal voice and some killer lead solos it holds you tight in it's grip and never lets up! For those who love heavy/power metal with tasty lead guitar work and pounding rhythms a band like this almost certain to provide a daily source of metallic satisfaction! If more and more bands like Darker Half can continue to (sporadically) pop up across this world-wide globe of ours then there is little doubt that the power metal scene as a whole will be in tip-top shape for a long time to come! 

Addictive-Kick 'Em Hard (Rebooted Edition)

Tribunal Records/Divebomb Records
2014

Due for release on the eleventh of next month, "Kick 'Em Hard (Rebooted Edition)" is a 2CD set that compiles EVERYTHING that eighties thrash metal band Addictive released in their career. Featuring members of Mortal Sin (among others) this Australia-based metal band first hit the scene with the 1988 demo, "Ward 74". Before long they were back in the studio for 1989's "Pity Of Man", a somewhat rough affair that comes across as a three-way fight between Germany's "Big Three" (Destruction, Sodom and Kreator), Bay Area thrash (Metallica and Megadeth primarily with some Testament, Death Angel and Exodus kicked in for good measure!) and (early) Slayer, and then, in a moment that must have seemed to be divine intervention, the band were somehow able to enlist the one and only Bob Daisley (Ozzy Osbourne, Rainbow and countless others!) to produce their sophomore output, "Kick Em' Hard"! It's actually "Kick Em' Hard" that opens up this 2CD set and with someone like bassist Bob Daisley twisting the knobs the results were (needless to say) phenomenon! Originally released in 1993, "Kick Em' Hard" is a fantastic example of (prime-time) thrash wrapped up neatly in cult packaging! With bass guitarist Greg Smith's somewhat raw (James Hetfield-like) voice up front leading the charge and kick ass guitar solos from the pair of Joe Buttigieg (ex-Mortal Sin, ex-My Therapy) and Mick Sultana (ex-Mortal Sin) the band (which, at the time of said album, also featured well-traveled drummer Steven "Stevo" Moore) treats the listener to superb thrash that is explosive and filled to overflowing with energy and sincerity! that's not to say that the rest of the material which makes up this expanded edition isn't stellar. From the group's original material to their unique take on "Crazy Train" (Ozzy Osbourne) there's very little not to appreciate about this unheralded thrash act. With a re-mastered sound courtesy of Jamie King this whole collection showcases a band that, had the scene not changed so dramatically thanks to the arrival of grunge, could have made a real splash in the thrash metal/speed metal scene. Whether they would have been as big as some of the other big names of the era (or even as well-known/appreciated as their brethren Mortal Sin) is probably open to debate, but one can't help but think that a band like Addictive could have at least given the scene a much-needed shot in the arm! With what promises to be a smashing 20 page booklet (pics, interview, etc.) this one should easily appeal to thrash metal fans of old (Megadeth, Metallica, Sodom, Testament, Mortal Sin, Slayer) while it could also serve as a fine point of reference for young, up-and-coming bands looking for fresh inspiration!

http://www.tribunalrecords.net/home/

Hidden Intent-Walking Through Hell

Self-Release/Independent 
2013

Even if it's been a little while since we last heard from Adelaide, South Australia-based Hidden Intent (February 7th of 2013 by my calculations) they are in no way strangers here at Heavy Metal Time Machine. Having previously reviewed their "Demo 2012 (Mastered Version)", as well as having interviewed the band's lead vocalist/bassist (and all around chill main-man) Chris McEwen (You can check out that interview at the link provided below which will also link you to a review of the band's "Demo 2012 (Mastered Version)"! Crazy huh?), I was all too aware of this band's heavy as hell, hit em' and hack em', thrash metal attack! So, when Hidden Intent (or rather Chris himself) contacted me about reviewing their first full-length release I jumped at the opportunity! After all, it's not every day that you get a chance to cover a band that (in my own words and at least in regards to the last recording I heard of the band) sounded like "a more thrash oriented version of Sacred Reich"! To say that I was rather pumped then when the CD arrived in the mail is an understatement! It was more like I was psyched the freak out to hear "Walking Through Hell"! Tossing it into my home stereo I was confronted (first) by "Confession". More or less this is a sample from the film "American Psycho"  with a few added sound effects to heighten the tension. Whatever the case it works and it sets the stage nicely for the album's title cut which provided proof positive that this 3-piece band had only gotten better with time! But, while I had previously stated how I thought they were a thrash-oriented take on Sacred Reich, here on this 11-track release it's more about straight-up thrash (early Megadeth, Metallica and Anthrax as well as bands like Slayer, Annihilator, Forbidden, Coroner, Sepultura, Artillery, Toxik, Mortal Sin and Death Angel) then anything else (only exception maybe being "Through Your Eyes" which still kind of came across as Sacred Reich on a thrash metal Slayer holiday!). Of course that's not to say that other influences/styles don't find their way into the mix. One example would have to be "Die Inside" (a holdover from their early demo days) which, as noted in my previous interview with bassist/vocalist Chris McEwen, is influenced by Florida's own Death! But then really the band, which also features guitarist/backing vocalist Phil Bennett (ex-Desert Eagle, Metallica Black Album Tribute, Iron Maiden Tribute) and drummer Jay Rahaley (ex-Blood Mason, ex-Treachery), is influenced by a vast variety of different bands and artists on a personal level. So when you think about it (on a recording like this one) it's no wonder that you might hear the faint (but delightfully familiar) echos of everyone from Pantera to Randy Rhodes*! That being said and all, I'm getting a bit off course here so let's talk more about the tracks that make up the hard-hitting "Walking Through Hell". Besides the very cool "Die Inside", which features such killer (metal-minded) lines as "Your life is not what it seems today. Your pain your anger all turns to decay." and "I can't take this I must let go. My mind stops me. It takes control", "Good Thrash Friday" (a fave moment on both the demo and this recording for me!), "Creature of Habit" and "Black Hole" (love the ending!) are all tracks that (previously) appeared on the group's 2012 demo. Here though they feature improved performances and (of course) production so it's not as if you can really (justifiably) compare these carryover tracks. They simply sound better in the confines of this full-length release! Of course there is plenty of new materiel present here to get excited about and headbang yourself into a complete and utter frenzy over! The title track alone, which you can hear for yourself thanks to it's official video (link provided below), is epic in it's awesomeness and supercharged insanity (it's face-ripping, bone-snapping METAL), but onward and upward these three metal merchants go and, as cuts like "Betrayed" (Early Slayer meets early Megadeth?), "Get What You Can Get" (Love the Pantera/Exhorder groove that's laid over top of old-school Bay Area thrash!) and "Face Your Demon" (Lääz Rockit, Vio-lence and Forbidden get together to bound over the prospect of forming a doomish thrash project with some improvised Mordred funk elements?) prove, there's plenty to love about modern-day Hidden Intent! Oh, I almost forget about the new number "Bass Wankage". That wouldn't have been good would it? Of course not! This short (51 seconds) instrumental allows Chris McEwen (Abyzmal, Troops of Doom, Obsidian Aspect, Beyond Mortal Dreams) a chance to shine in the spotlight where his bass skills can best be observed on their own. That's not to say that he needs the extra time or anything as Chris is more then equipped in that department! Like many a great thrasher before him he more then handles his own on bass and lead vocals while his two band-mates (who are no slouches themselves!) show why there is much to love about straight-up power trios, thrash metal like this lot or not! The three members of Hidden Intent have more then outdone themselves on their first full-length release and for thrash fanatics this one would be a no-brainer! From it's production to the well-crafted/well-executed songs to the actual booklet itself (with photos and lyrics) everything about "Walking Through Hell" is top-notch so this one comes with my HIGHEST recommendation folks! In fact, had I received this CD prior to making up my "Best-Of" list for 2013, "Walking Through Hell" would have/should have been listed among the greats! Because face it kiddos, or (if you prefer) oldsters like myself, good thrash metal (of the REAL variety mind you) never, EVER gets old or goes out of fashion!  

*Phil's guitar playing channels everything/everyone from the likes of Kirk Hammett/Dave Mustaine to Randy Rhodes and even N.W.O.B.H.M. of old! He can easily shift from Jeff Hanneman like leads (may Jeff rest in piece) to something more akin to what Tony Iommi might lay down!

Hidden Intent's official video for "Walking Through Hell":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzWbermd3ZI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Interview with Hidden Intent with link to "Demo 2012" review: http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/02/interview-with-hidden-intents-chris.html

Thrall-Aokigahara Jukai

Moribund
2013

"Aokigahara Jukai", which is named after the suicide-plagued Aokigahara forest in Japan, is the latest release from Australia's Thrall. Formerly known as Thy Plagues (under which name they self-released a 2007 demo called "Warath Enteranl") and seemingly lead in all aspects of life these days by Tom Void (vocals, guitars, bass and drums) this Tasmanian act offers up a concept album on their third full-length release. While not exactly a new act for me, which we will cover shortly, I had a hard time recognizing the version of Thrall that stands here today. Said to serve as a "conceptual exploration of themes relating to the suicide forest" (something I'll have to take their word for as the vocals are pretty much unintelligible!) the album is slightly over 45 minutes, but it feels much longer frankly! Where is the adventurous nature of this that I remembered so well? It's not here as this release features fairly typical (read: unremarkable in every aspect) black metal. The thing is while the concept is interesting (besides the high rate of suicide associated with the area demons also factor in according to Japanese mythology) the music is anything but. Even by black metal standards this release was tough for me to sit all the way through. While it promised a "unrelenting, furious, void-ward journey from the opening track to the final deathlike strains of emptiness" it instead delivered 45 minutes of uninspiring and directionless material! As I've covered this act in the past (their last album, 2011's "Vermin to the Earth" was a real treat for my ears!) I had high hopes for this one. Instead I ended up feeling like a stretched out balloon with all of the air let out of it! Now, the promos brief notes do not make mention of a specific line-up (which is one thing that drives me crazy!) so I'm not sure if this was all Tom Void or if other musicians were brought in to share in  the "merriment". Not that it matters much frankly as either way this release is nothing special so no special credit should be given. It's not likely to send shock-waves through the black metal scene or anything. Hell, it's not likely to make even the slightest a "ping"! Sorry Thrall but it takes more these days to make it then just playing the same tiring riff over and over again. What happened to you guys? Seeing as there are likely hundreds of black metal bands creating new and exciting material as we speak (with hundreds more waiting in the wings for their chance to appear under the "spotlight") a release like this just sets you back. Thrall's latest just doesn't cut it for me. Maybe album number four will be better?

Nocturnal Graves "...From the Bloodline of Cain"

Hells Headbangers Records
2013

Australia's Nocturnal Graves features two guys with ties to Deströyer 666, vocalist/bassist Jarro Raphael (aka. Nuclear Exterminator) and lead guitarist Ian Gray ( aka. Shrapnel), as well as two guys with ties to Denouncement Pyre in guitarist Decaylust (?) and drummer L. Wilson. The group, which is all about blackened thrash,  was first formed back in 2004 before breaking up in 2010. In 2012 the group got back together with both Shrapnel and Wilson joining up at that point. This release is already out on CD (link below) with a vinyl version due out sometime in December. The group's last recording was released back in 2010 and that was a split. With regards to "...From the Bloodline of Cain" there was actually a six year gap between this and the group's last full-length album, "Satan's Cross". Surely I do not need to spell out the lyrical direction of this album right? The music though is raw, a bit cheesy and (can you use this as a description for blood-covered thrash like this?) even groovy! Well, groovy in a way where gruesome death metal, underground thrash and bleak black metal all get in a head on collision with blood, guts and mangled bones flying everywhere!  It's all played pretty dang fast and the group does cut things a little close for comfort as far as (near) self-parody is concerned, but at the end of the day metal like this is simply made in order for metal maniacs to thrash out to! And in that regard it does it job and it does it well! Nothing brilliant but fun nonetheless..

http://shop-hellsheadbangers.com/nocturnal-graves-from-the-bloodline-of-cain.asp

Dead-Idiots

Eolian Empire
2013

Dead, the Melbourne, Australia-based purveyors of noise rock, is a 2-piece band comprised of Jace on bass/vocals and Jem on drums/vocals. After listening to all that Dead has to offer here on their latest release, which was originally released at the tail end of 2012, I'm left drifting in the wasteland that is indecision. As "Idiots" opens with a slow build up, which I would have bet anything was going to be a case where a track  lulls you into a false sense of security, and doesn't really ever pick up until much later on. Produced by Dead themselves and recorded and mixed at Headgap Studios by Neil Thomason (except for the vocals which were recorded by Max Ducker at Cellar Sessions) this heavy slab of noise rock picks apart plenty treasured post-punk bands of old and then super-glues everything back together into it's own structurally unsafe work of art. I'm not going to lie here as I do like the description that came with this particular underground release. Describing this LP as (and I quote) "a Voltron-like beast formed from stripped-to-the-bone Karp and Melvins, ultra-heavy aberrations of Wire and Gang of Four angular punk, odd technical riffage of GodHeadSilo and No Means No, the aggro Aussie vibes of Feedtime, and creepshow experimentation" it's actually close to being spot on (description-wise) although images of The Swans flashed before my very eyes as I sat with my headphones on digesting this album. There's parts of this album that I thoroughly enjoyed (including the last 3 album tracks), but there's also parts I could have done without. Therefore I'm left in a quandary as I can't really recommend this release and yet I'm not ready to write Dead off yet. My best advise with this one (if you're into noise rock) would be to listen to it before you buy it. If you can take it for a test drive then by all means do it.

Aggressa-Nuclear Death + Demo 1 LP

Iron Bonehead Productions

2013

Right up front it should be mentioned that this one is a vinyl only limited-release. All information (in regards to limited run amount, track info, booklet info, etc.) is listed below if you're interested in the actual packaging. What's pertinent to this review is the meat of the matter-the music. Hailing from Australia, and actually active during the mid-late eighties, Aggressa played a raw form of speed metal thrash that lived up to their name's suggestion (aggression). Although they could have also been called something like slopptallica. Not because they sounded like Metallica, but because of how sloppy they played their take on extreme metal. Forget that these cuts come from demo recordings, which in and of itself does give this LP a rather underground vibe, and focus on the actually music/playing. There's nods to Venom, early Tank, Avenger and Exciter. Then again the band also echos such acts as Razor, At War and Possessed (if Possessed were more of a sloppy, Motörhead-inspired garage metal outfit!) as well as tearing through groups like Cryptic Slaughter, Hobbs Angel Of Death and Slayer. For the record the band did feature future Sadistik Exekution drummer/well-traveled veteran musician Sloth (Peter Zantey) and his drumming skills are duly noted. But, overall these recordings show a raw Australian band that were not quite ready for the big-time. Of course that means two things. The first thing would be that it would be easy enough to write off this LP collection of demo tracks as a sorry mess of sloppy, way to fast for their own good speed metal/thrash noise. The second thing you could do though would be to enjoy these acts for what they are-a group of guys playing thrash metal the best they could all while bowing down at the alters of their idols (Venom for sure, but then you do pick up on pieces and parts of  everything/everyone from Dark Angel to German thrash such as early Sodom and early Destruction). I actually find myself falling somewhere towards the second point although I do have to admit that some of these cuts are too crazy-fast for their own good. In the end this one is more of a history lesson on the early Australia extreme metal scene and is thus most-likely best suited for those looking to add to their personal collection of said scene. 

300g Jacket With 3mm Spine And Gloss Varnish

- 140g Black Vinyl

- Featuring The "Nuclear Death" Recordings '87/'88, "Demo I" '86/'87, And One Unreleased Track From '87. Sloth of Sadistik Exekution Hammering The Drums!

- 4 Page Insert On 250g Art Paper Gloos

- Authorised By Craig Martin (Guitar)/AGGRESSA

- Limited To 300 Copies

- tracks 1-7 "Nuclear Death" MLP; tracks 8-11 "Demo I"; track 12 for a compilation that was never released

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aggressa/178485065501545

http://www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions

http://www.ironbonehead.de/

De La Cruz-Street Level

Frontiers Records
2013

De La Cruz hail from Gold Coast, Australia and their interests include " Rays, Babes, Good vibes , Epic Nights, Music, Rxck n roll!!!!". When you consider that little bit of golden knowledge and that their influences include Motley Crue, Winger, Dokken, Ratt, Lynch Mob, Van Halen, Def Leppard, Skid Row, W.A.S.P, Cinderella, KISS and Steel Panther then you should be able to figure out what "Street Level" is all about! The band was formed in June 2011 and, in addition to having a lead singer named Roxxi Catalano (Roxxi being his christian name I suppose) the band is rounded out by guitarists Casey Jones & Rory Joy, bassist Grant Daniell and drummer Lacey Lane. Quite honestly as I listened to "Street Level" I had vivid flashbacks of the eighties/early nineties. The only difference is that De La Cruz doesn't make me want to rip my own ears off like far too many L.A. bands did back in the day! Really, despite this being ever so cheesy, I have no objections to it. These guys seem like they are having fun and it's never a case of being overly obnoxious or anything so "Street Level", while maybe not my cup of tea completely, is fine enough arena-like/eighties rock/glam/sleaze rock. Worth picking up if you're into that kind of thing.

Interview with The Deep End

The Deep End are an Australian band whose latest album, "Cop This", is making some noise in the hard rock and heavy metal community. Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing the band's lead singer, Dale Schober. 

 Andy-Could you introduce us to the band please.

Dale-Welcome to The Deep End. Your hosts will be Dale shattering glass on lead vocals, Drew melting faces on lead guitar, Jazz playing tighter than a nuns nasty on rhythm guitar, Trixxxy chugging on the bass and Nick in the engine room on the drums. Wow, that sounded cornier than I had expected...

Andy-You guys started out playing in a garage right?   

Dale-Thats right. We started off playing covers between drinking beers on the weekend at our former lead guitarists house. From AC/DC to ZZ Top, we played it all a fair bit till we started writing our own songs. From there we started to play gigs in the local area and started to gain a following so it all snowballed from there!

Andy-Who were some of your personal influences growing up?

Dale-Our personal influences vary a little bit, ranging from acoustic rock to hardcore, but the common denominators that we all found to be our biggest influences have been mainly Aussie pub rock bands like The Poor, Rose Tattoo, The Angels, AC/DC and Billy Thorpe. We also draw a fair bit of influence from other world greats like Motorhead, Van Halen, KISS, Thin Lizzy, The Darkness.... I could go on for days.

Andy-Since you happen to hail from Australia I'd wager the comparisons are always the same. Other then the obvious bands, AC/DC and Airbourne, how would you personally describe your sound to someone who might have never heard your band? 

Dale-The AC/DC and Airbourne comparisons are very common, but to be quite frank we are very humbled by that. AC/DC is the greatest band in the world and Airbourne are a band that are headlining European Festivals. We're absolutely stoked to be compared to them, who wouldn't!? However though I think that our blend of rock n' roll is perhaps a bit more diverse and is a little more evolved thanks to our different influences. 'Cop This' is a perfect example of the bands ability to have a certain edge whilst holding down our pub rock roots.

Andy-It's a Long Way to the Top (If you Wanna Rock 'n' Roll) isn't it? Or has it all been a blur? 

Dale-It is most definitely a long way to the top, but for every kick in the teeth you get there is also just enough great things that happen to make you persevere. I don't know too many international touring bands that haven't worked their balls off to get to where they are. Sometimes you're so tired and burned out on tour that it drags along but you only need one great show to completely reverse the morale of the band! It's always amazing to see what the next day in the life of rock n' roll will throw at you!

Andy-Was there ever one of those moments when you stopped and said "I can't believe we're doing this?"

Dale-There has been a few. Good and bad. Good ones were standing backstage having beers with your idols like The Angels, Rose Tattoo and The Screaming Jets just after you played an epic show with them to a huge crowd. The bad ones were times were you're starting a 20 hour non-stop drive back down the East Coast of Australia to get home in time for work the next day, and you can't see out the windscreen because it's raining sideways!

Andy-If The Deep End had a mission statement what would it be?

Dale-No Standing Still On Stage.

Andy-You guys have played with some pretty big names. What has been your favorite show so far?

Dale-Making us choose a favourite support show is like picking favourites out of your children. It's too hard. They were all a blast!

Andy-Any crazy stories from the road you can share? Obviously I mean nothing that would get you in trouble with the authorities LOL!

Dale-Theres quite a few as you can imagine from a band that tours up and down the country in a clapped out van with no money and accommodation regularly! To summarise - sleeping in primary schools, been woken up on the beach by paramedics because people thought you were dead, sleeping in underground shopping centre car parks, picking up girls to get a bed for the night, scabbing as much free beer as possible, storming music shops and doing shotgun shows in public for money!

Andy-What's the one thing The Deep End has to have with them when you hit the road? 

Dale-Instruments. And lots of our favourite bands tunes. When you do 20+ hours a day in the car sometimes you need a wide range of killer tunes.

 Andy-What's your dream tour look like? What bands would you like to hit the road with if you could?

Dale-We will take a 747 jumbo jet decked out just like Ed Force One (Iron Maiden). We will play in every capital city in the world as well as a handful of other destinations we would just want to travel to. We will take some bands from Melbourne that are awesome inc. Empra, Dead City Ruins, My Dynamite, Electrik Dynamite and Sudden State. Headlining will be AC/DC, Motorhead and Van Halen and every night we will play and then watch AC/DC and Lemmy team up and beat up David Lee Roth. Man... that is a dream.

Andy-The new album has a much edgier vibe. Was that your intention when you stepped into the studio?

Dale-We made a point of just letting the songs flow and find their own vibe in the writing process. Naturally the more we played them the more ideas would come into their own and the songs sorta polished themselves in the end just from playing them so many times. Our intention in the studio was to just keep letting the creativity flow and not be afraid of trying anything different if it worked. In the end we found that it come up sounding a lot more epic than we'd ever expected and we are pumped about that!

Andy-How's the reception for the album been in your home country?

Dale-The reception here so far has been fantastic. We sold out the album launch at one of our favourite Melbourne venues which was epic! Plenty of community radio airplay and interviews as well as some great publicity. Our management and publicist have really been doing a stellar job of putting us in front of the right people and its still only early days which is exciting.

Andy- Favorite songs from the new album?

Dale-Once again, picking favourite songs is like picking favourites of your children. But... I'd say the kid who gave you the least trouble would be Cheap Night Out and the very talented sportsperson in the family would be Midnight Sun. 

Andy-I know when we talked early you said you have had a few orders for the new album come from Ohio. What has been some of the biggest surprises for you guys as far as album sales go? Had any orders that made you stop and go "Wow, who would have guessed we'd ever get an order for there?"

Dale-So far we've had orders from most East Coast states in the US, the UK, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, New Zealand, Japan.. the list goes on and on! Perhaps most exciting though was the order for 100 CD's from a German music store just a couple of days ago! As an Aussie band that's never toured over there its amazing to see the power of the internet. We are beyond stoked about our humble little band going international!

Andy-What's 2013 hold for you guys?

Dale-2013 holds a lot of killer shows around Australia and NZ, a lot of beers being consumed and hopefully some more international touring later in the year whilst we think about the next record.

Andy- I always let the band/artist have the last word. Anything you want to say to your fans? Words of wisdom?

Dale-Huge thanks to everyone for all the support in any which way or form you have given it. To those in the northern hemisphere, thank you for your support even though you haven't seen the band yet. The more that can get behind us the closer we will be to getting over there and meeting you all for rock n' roll and beers! Cheers!

http://thedeependrock.bigcartel.com/ 

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=the+deep+end+cop+this 

The Deep End-Cop This

Relentless Rock Records
2013

AC/DC's "Who Made Who" was the first album I ever bought. I had to sneak it into my house out of fear that if my parents found out I had it they would confiscate it. I could thank my older brother, and his decision to play "Highway To Hell" as loud as humanly possible (of course it was just to piss my parents off) for such condemnation of rock and roll. Of course A) He's now an accountant out in California so obviously it didn't screw him up too much and B) My own kids love AC/DC. I've listened to AC/DC for over 25 years now. As Australian rock and I go way back it does kind of make sense that I don't ever seen to tire of AC/DC-like bands. Heck, even when I went through my faze where I listened to nothing but Christian rock and heavy metal (that didn't last long), I picked up on X-Sinner's "Get It". So yeah, I love down and dirty, AC/DC -style rock. When I fist heard the single "Bigger. Better. Badder." I figured The Deep End would be my kind of band. After all they hailed from Australia and that single came rocking out of my speakers in full-on Bon Scoot mode! Even reading through band's influences like AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Rose Tattoo and Airbourne (a band they've played with) would lead to believe all ten of these tracks would sound pretty similar. Writing this band of as mere clones would be grossly unfair though. With this 10-track album they have gotten meaner and angrier (this one itsn't for the kiddies folks!) while bringing out more of an edge to their dirty rock.Only that single, which is also the opening number, finds lead singer Dale Schober doing his best Bon Scott impersonation. The rest of this album is simply Australian pub rock/ hard rock (and damn good pub/hard rock at that!). Well, "simply" is not the best word for this band. There's nothing "simple" about them. Instead these guys play great hard rock full of hooks and with sweat leads. Any of these "S" words would have worked better: "stone cold", "sweet", "stomping", "sizzling" or "stars". So, what makes these guys tick? What fuels them? I mean besides cold beer and "Sex, Drugs and Rock N' Roll"!
The band's story might sound familiar, but The Deep End really just started out as some friends drinking beer and talking about the bands they liked. One thing lead to another and soon enough a band was formed. They started out playing in a garage. A couple of EPs were knocked out and before too long they were out playing with some of Australia's biggest bands like The Screaming Jets, Hoodoo Gurus and Mental As Anything. That should serve as a lesson to younger bands out there to never give up. Sometimes stardom is just around the corner. Being Australian does mean that bands like AC/DC, Rose Tattoo and The Angels rubbed off on them. So did Airbourne. The big difference is that unlike Airbourne these young rockers play like they have more conviction. I listen to Airbourne and hear AC/DC clones through and through. I listen to The Deep End and I hear a band that has some serious swagger ( the Black Crowes rocker "No Time To Rest") and the balls to back it up ("Shit Talker"). Despite how this album opens it closes with the sweet, and frankly heavy, number "Run With It". This is classic rock riffs served over face-punching, barroom heavy metal and the result brings one big smile to this old rocker's face! In addition to lead singer Dale Schober (who got the job after pulling off a near perfect impression of Brian Johnson) the band features lead guitarist Drew Suhr, rhythm guitarist Jazz Morrice, bassist Matt Berg and drummer Nick Trajanovski (on the album drums were recorded by Jarrod Medwin). 

Just take one look at those guys. You can't tell me they don't look like a bunch of guys you'd like to party with. Imagine how much better it is to have these guys play real gritty, dirty, rock and roll that's custom made for drinking beer to. That's what The Deep End is all about. Beer drinking and women chasing pub rock/hard rock that's not pretty, but it's oh so sweet to the ears. I'm so glad these guys are more then just another band trying to reinvent "Highway To Hell" or "Back In Black". This debut album is blast and comes highly recommended for fans of (yes) AC/DC, Airbourne, Dirty Looks, Rose Tattoo and other bands that didn't just dress for the part, but walked the talk

http://thedeependrock.bigcartel.com/