Dream Tröll-The Witch's Curse

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Based in Leeds, England and currently fronted by Paul Walsh, Dream Tröll is a epic heavy metal/power metal band that made it's studio debut in 2017 with the full-length album "The Knight of Rebellion". The group's new EP, "The Witch's Curse", was released in early February. It is a three-track recording with truly inspired lyrics and well-structured material that is as melodic as it is memorable! Arguable one of the most well-rounded N.W.O.T.H.M. bands out there these days, Dream Tröll has so much potential that you almost have to wonder if there wasn't some form of otherworldly-intervention! If true heavy with metal with great lead vocals, killer riffs, and epic metal overtones is your thing (and why shouldn't it be?) then "The Witch's Curse" is a must-have!!

Vampire Death-Demos 2017

Self-Release/Independent
2017

Formed in 2016 and featuring members of the heavy/doom metal band Arkham Witch, Vampire Death is a (old school-loving) punk rock/horror rock trio from Keighley, UK that is lead by vocalist/guitarist Moshferatu. Influences seem to include The Misfits, Dead Kennedys, The Damned, The Cramps, T.S.O.L., Sex Pistols, and The Exploited. In addition to Moshferatu (guitars and mad mad vox!), Vampire Death includes drummer/metal goddess Countess Bashery and bassist/backing vocalist Klankenstein. Preceded in life by the full-length "Horror Soul", Vampire Death released "Demos 2017" back in late November of 2017. Available on CD and as a digital download, this 12-track album is a must for fans of British punk and horror punk!

Song titles include "Brother Blood and Sister Syn", "On the Prowl", "Dracula has Risen from the Grave", "Coffin Dweller", "Barbarians!", "Headbangers!", and "Skullface". That alone should tell you something about this fun act! If you need more proof though then why not head over to the group's bandcamp page and hear this ghoulish gem for yourself? You can find both "Demos 2017" and "Hour Soul" at this link.

Saturday Single: The Fierce And The Dead-"Truck"

Bad Elephant Music
2018

Formed in early 2010, UK instrumental rock band The Fierce And The Dead is currently comprised of Matt Stevens (guitar, synth, loops), Steve Cleaton (guitar), Kevin Feazey (bass), and Stuart Marshall (drums). Available to download for free at the following site, "Truck" is the first single from the band's forthcoming album, "The Euphoric". At just over four minutes in length, "Truck" falls somewhere between progressive rock and (jam band) hard & heavy rock. It is somewhat catchy and has a great vibe going for it. Now, it might just be me, but the track "Truck" also reminded me of vintage video game soundtracks. I realize that is going to sound odd on paper. Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I'd love to hear other people's feelings on the matter. Either way, "Truck" is a fun listen that had me hitting the replay button several time over. I'm looking forward to what the group's next album has to offer.

Slander-Resolution Defiance

Stormspell Records
2017

English heavy metal band Slander, formed in 1990 and initially only active until 1993, released it's full-length debut album, "Careless Talk Costs Lives", way back in 1991. Now lead by vocalist Martin Moffwood (Stonefist), Slander are back on the scene with their long-anticipated sophomore LP. Clocking in at just under 38 minutes, Slander's "Resolution Defiance" comes along some 26 years after the group's critically-acclaimed debut. It also serves as the follow-up to Slander's 2013 split with Twisted State of Mind. Along with new and improved vocalist Martin Moffwood, Paul Snape makes his studio debut as Slander's bass player. He joins guitarist Ian Snape (2014-present) and founding members Andy Saxon-Lamb (guitars) and Andy "Eddie" Edwards (drums). With these new members in place, Slander comes out with all guns blazing and they make up for lost time with album number two. Things open up strong with the slightly-atmospheric "Lazarus" (a one minute instrumental opener) which runs straight into the metallic muscle punch of "Backs Against The Wall". The (riff-heavy) metal rocker "The Machine Keeps on Rolling" is next and it's followed up by the equally-awesome "When We Die". From there we have the slick title cut, the N.W.O.B.H.M.-infused "Take Me Down", and the powerful "Juggernaut". The album's longest track, "In a Dark Place", closes things out with a bang. It's a hard-edged/rock-steady take on classic heavy metal and it is beyond epic! Ultimately this is as perfect an album as one can get! And no, I don't say that lightly. From start to finish Slander's new album gets a A+ grade! Thanks to the addition of second guitarist Ian Snape and the marked improvement that is Martin Moffwood, Slander's new album is a step forward from what was already a dynamite sound! When it came to Slander's debut, N.W.O.B.H.M. meets eighties heavy metal is the description I used when I first heard it. Those influences are still here, but on album number two they have been merged with creative and highly-memorable heavy/hard rock. With Any Saxon-Lamb on one side and Ian Snape on the other, "Resolution Defiance" features some of the best guitar work that I have heard in a very long time! Whether it is the general riffs (which are energetic and just plain fun!) or the simply killer guitar solos, "Resolution Defiance" greatly benefits from having Andy Saxon-Lamb backed-up by a second guitarist. Special praise should also be given to Slander's new & improved rhyme second (I'm loving Paul's bass work and the always reliable drumming of Andy "Eddie" Edwards!) and the great vocal work of Martin Moffwood. Collectively-speaking, Slander circa 2017 is the best line-up to date and it has produced an album that cannot be topped! Even though it hasn't been officially released yet, "Resolution Defiance" is my vote for the heavy metal album of the year!! We can only hope that it doesn't take nearly as long for album number three to arrive!

Free Metal Monday: Wicked Faith-Warpaint

Self-Release/Independent
2015

Wicked Faith (who for some unknown reason are still unsigned!) is a simply awesome female-fronted heavy rock/hard & heavy band that is based in Norwich and lead by Jade Murray. The name-your-own-price "Warpaint" looks as if it is the first studio recording from this talented UK quartet* and it was released back in mid-October of 2015. With 11 really good songs in all, "Warpaint" is about as well-rounded and smooth as one could hope for when it comes to debut albums and (per the band members themselves) it is "free, because we want people to listen...". Seeing how bloody good this album is I can't help but share that sentiment so be sure to check this one out by clicking here.





*Wicked Faith is rounded out by guitarist Tim Frost, bassist Mia Webster, and drummer/vocalist Matt Dove.

Free Metal Monday: Sky Valley Mistress: "Paranoid" (Black Sabbath Cover)

For today's first Free Metal Monday offering I present a simply awesome cover version of "Paranoid". Just the other day I introduced you to Sky Valley Mistress and their brand new single, "Hell Ain't Got Your Hound". That KILLER song had me all covered in goosebumps and thinking that I might just have discovered the greatest female-fronted heavy rock/doom rock of all time! The band's take on "Paranoid" was released on April 19th, 2014 and it furthers that thought process!! Lead by my new favorite front-women Kayley "Hell Kitten" Davies, Sky Valley Mistress is all at once groovy as f**k and as deadly as they come! This (must-have) name-your-price download has me thinking about what Black Sabbath would have sounded like if they were more of a fuzzed-over HEAVY rock band that had been influenced by seventies garage rock and early Motörhead! Well, that and if they had been fronted by magnificent lead singer like Kayley! If you are any kind of fan at all of strong and powerful (fuzzy!) rock and roll, doom rock, or stoner/blues rock then you are going to want to not only check out this unbelievable cover song, but EVERYTHING that this Darwin, UK-based foursome has to offer! Oh, and you can thank me later! 

Saturday Single: Sky Valley Mistress-Hell Ain't Got Your Hound

High Roller Records
2016

Darwen, UK act Sky Valley Mistress are "the best thing you've never heard.". That was their words long before I discovered them, but now that I've heard this f**king awesome band for myself I can't help but wholeheartedly agree! Lead by the ferocious Kayley "Hell Kitten" Davies, Sky Valley Mistress is a four-piece HEAVY rock and roll/blues rock band that takes it's cues from the likes of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Actually, it's more the latter than the former, but either way this is some especially tasty stuff with "Hell Ain't Got Your Hound" serving up fantastic vocals and stone cold-wicked grooves thanks to guitarist Squire! Bassist Russell "Russell" Russell (huh?) and drummer Maxwell Harvey William Newsome III (that's a mouthful!) round this bluesy, doom-laden foursome out and there is additional music available on the group's bandcamp page besides this simply sick single. 

Fans of female-fronted doom rock and heavy rock/blues rock would do well to check this lot out as this really is some of the best stuff out there! How this band has kept hidden for this long I will never know, but now that they are signed to High Roller Records it's time for the world to step up and acknowledge the greatness that is Sky Valley Mistress!

Darrell Bath-Roll Up

Livewire/Cargo Records
2016

 "Roll Up" is a solo album from UK punk rock blues guitarist and singer/songwriter Darrell Bath (Vibrators, Crybabys, ex-UK Subs, Ian Hunter, Nikki Sudden, Dogs D’Amour). It was released back in mid-December of 2015 and it answers the age old question of what you would get if you combined great British punk of the seventies with sixties garage rock and the bluesy-side of The Rolling Stones*. With nine tracks in all (including the simply smashing opener "Dancing With The Devils Goombah") this easy going album is a real treasure to the ears! 




*Besides The Rolling Stones, "Roll Up" offers flashes of everyone from Johnny Thunders to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.     
 

Eden's Curse-Live With The Curse

AFM Records
2015


"Live With The Curse" is the first ever live-album from U.K. melodic metal/power metal band Eden's Curse. It was recorded on November 28th, 2014 at The Classic Grand in Glasgow, Scotland and it features some twenty tracks spread over two CDs. For Eden's Curse fans this live collection should be a must pick-up as it features tracks from all four studio albums by the band. The opening number is actually the title cut from the band's 2013 album, "Symphony Of Sin", and that particular album seems to be the main source of inspiration for this 2 disc live album. That makes sense as "Symphony Of Sin" would have been the album that Eden's Curse was touring behind, but whereas the actual album felt somewhat flat and more geared to AOR fans the live interpretations of these songs offer a great deal more for metal fans. On the live stage Eden's Curse cranks up the power and gives the audience more than enough reason to rise to it's feet and celebrate with this well-known and loved UK act! I'll be the first to credit the band in that regard. While I've never been a fan of their studio work there is a real sense of energy and even strength as the band runs through material from 2007's "Eden’s Curse", 2008's "The Second Coming", 2011's "Trinity" and of course 2013's 2013’s "Symphony Of Sin". For what it is "Live With The Curse" is a damn nice set. It might not be enough to make me want to go back and reevaluate the band's studio albums, but as happens far too often Eden's Curse seems like a band better suited for a live environment where they can let loose and get real. Their sound is rooted in melodic metal and power metal, but with traces of hard rock and AOR added in to the mix it can come across as "soft". But, it's hard to be "soft" when you find yourself surrender by metal hungry crowds screaming for more. Thank God for that right?

Us Amongst The Rest-Follow The Truth

Two Star Records
2014

Heavy metal and hard rock. Emo, alternative rock and (melodic) post-hardcore. And finally, modern, radio-friendly and (nothing short of the potential to have single after single just lying in the wait on this 12-track LP!) heavy rock. Picture all of that packed into the shape of a young, enthusiastic and passionate four-piece from York. After a quick intro track we jump right into the action with "Fields Of Fray" and for Us Amongst The Rest it's history in the making as "Follow The Truth" is nothing short of a brilliant debut debut! First there was the beast of a single "Bring The Fuel" which brought them nothing short of universal praise. Well-deserved universal praise! A video for that beauty can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TxSs9VBMiY. Next there was the album's 2nd single, "Love is the Bull". A hook-heavy MONSTER of a single, "Love is the Bull" brings together the best essences of melody and metal while featuring the fantastic chorus "Happiness is the China Shop, Love is the Bull"! The video of that song can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyYXHvGXGd0  . Now Us Amongst The Rest (or UATR for short) have this full-length album to add to their resume and things couldn't be any brighter or more promising  for these York hard rockers! Recorded with Sam and Joe Graves (Axewound, Glamour of the Kill, Asking Alexandria) at InnerSounds Studios, with the track "Falling Skies" even featuring the services of Sam Graves (vocalist/guitarist for With One Last Breath*), "Follow The Truth" features 12 fantastic tracks with not even one filler in site! For a full-length debut album that is something special indeed (especially when you take into account that UATR has only been together for about two years now!). Lead by the captivating voice of bass guitarist Karl Sandor, UATR (who supposedly took their name from the song title of two of the group's members former band) has had it's fair share of line-up changes since their initial formation with the current line-up featuring the additional skills of  Dan Beardmore (guitars/vocals), Paul Fernandez (drums/vocals) and Dan Stockdale (guitars/vocals). Filled with pride and purpose and equipped with strong songwriting ability and enough natural talent to fuel four or five additional hard rock entities, UATR are (dare I say it?) masterful at what they do! For this young band the choice of influences (Atreyu, Thin Lizzy, Alter Bridge, Avenged Sevenfold, Metallica, Black Stone Chery, etc.) is one thing. Taking those vastly different influences (as well as hints of group's like Taking Back Sunday, Seemless, Coheed and Cambria, 30 Seconds to Mars, Underoath and Straylight Run) and building on them to make sure that your own personal adventure is as creative as humanly possible is another thing all together. Thankfully UATR pulls out all the stops while utilizing the big guns (amazing songwriting, fantastic performances and remarkable chemistry being just a few of the strengths of this UK act!) at their disposal. All of which insures that softer moments (the tender hit single in the making "Angels" being a full-out favorite moment!) work just as well as the sonic thunder that is "Blood In Me", the sweeping "Silver And Lead" and "Horizons" (a graceful alternative rocker just made for today's modern rock radio!). Ending perfectly with "Falling Skies" (another hit in the making for this York bunch and yet another favorite moment of mine on "Follow The Truth"!), Us Amongst The Rest has given the alternative rock crowd a reason to rejoice and a surefire fan-favorite for years to come! Don't walk, but RUN when this one drops as it's simply too good for words and another release that should climb into 2014 Best-Of lists long before this year is over and done with!

You can find the band online at here:http://www.uatrband.com/  and https://www.facebook.com/UATRBAND


*A metalcore band from York, With One Last Breath also released their full-length debut album, "The Fearless Ones", this year on Small Town Records.

SouLost-"Without Me" Single (Sneak peak of the EP "The Way I Feel Pt. 2")

I've always said that when it comes to writing for this blog I'm very fortunate in the fact that I get to hear a lot of cool up and coming new bands. And it certainly helps that I have a wonderful group of friends who work within the industry. I actually have Lizzie from Quite Great PR to thank for turning me onto this London, UK electronic (heavy) rock project. And when it comes to SouLost I like the name, I like the image and I like the sound! That's three out of three my friends! Now, as this is a relatively young act there isn't much of a bio going on, but regardless here it is: "Together since late 2013, Stef, Law and Ceira have brought their different personalities into the studio and developed a fresh and unique sound which draws influences from modern rock and electronica. The deep sense of not belonging and disenchantment in our lyrics finds perfect match in the powerful, yet melodic sound of the band. We share the same passion for music and we love to perform live and connect with people. In fact we believe that one of our strengths lies in the bond that we have established with our fans.". The single that was sent my way ("Without Me") comes from the group's upcoming new EP, "The Way I Feel Pt. 2", and now with the addition of a new member* to help boost the band's sound(!), SouLost does look as it is poised to make 2014 their year of conquest! Having played a bit of the old "rewind and check out the band's earlier recordings" I will say that when it comes to the potential of the new EP the first part of that equation, "The Way I Feel Pt.1", was good, but based upon what I heard from the new single this London collective sure sounds as if it has gone out of it's way to PUMP UP THE VOLUME and (thanks to some improved song-writing and natural development as a band) ROCK THE FREAK OUT! Ceira (vocals), Stef G (guitar / synths) and Law (drums / percussion) started something special when they first joined together and now this heavy rock-based electronic outfit is stepping it up with a sound that I'd suggest is a little bit Evanensense in places only with the added spitfire and flair of Paramore! That's not to say that this London band has anything but an original sound and style going for. Far from it! Up front I'd say that Ceira is ever bit the vocalist as Amy Lee and Hayley Williams (Evanensense and Paramore lead vocalists respectively) and the band as a whole is stylistic and creative! They play as if they are a tight-nit collective and for a band that already been featured on the Best Of British Unsigned playlist and has been gaining airplay in 16 countries(!) the sky really is the limit! Hopefully come Sept 1st (when the new EP is reported to be released) I'll have had a chance to cover more from this fantastic act. In the meantime you can find out more about SouLost and hear some of their cool electronic rock at their official website here:
http://www.soulost.com/

*From the group's Facebook page the new member looks to be bassist Lux.

https://www.facebook.com/soulostofficial/info 

My Silent Wake-Eye of the Needle

Stone Groove Records
2014

If you are a regular visitor to Heavy Metal Time Machine then chances are you will have likely noticed that UK-based death/doom rockers My Silent Wake Back (MSW) are a new favorite of mine. It was only a few months ago that I first picked up on this band's immense skill-level (thanks to a digital package's worth of prior releases) and back in May of this year I actually interviewed the band's founder, Ian Arkley (link below). At that time he made mention of an upcoming ambient release and now here it is with the calming (make that downright relaxing!), "Eye of the Needle", likely to stick with you long after experiencing it. So far "Eye of the Needle", which is MSW's 9th album overall (including two split CDs), is (sadly) only available as a digital download. Not that such a thing should stop anyone (especially fans of MSW!) from checking out this sublime (and reportedly mostly improvised) hour-plus album. Because really it's all about plugging yourself in and losing yourself anyway right? Music verses physical material should always result in music taking precedence. Or at least one would hope so! And this music can stand perfectly fine without a physical body to hold it up! "Eye of the Needle" is quite rich in it's own way although it's more comforting then anything. Here the music moves over top of your body like a deeply penetrating massage leaving you in a state of peace. I suspect though that words alone will not fully convey the enjoyment of a release like this one. One must listen to it in it's entirety to fully embrace the talent that a band like MSW has. And you can do exactly that (listen to this album in it's entirety) by heading over to the group's bandcamp page right here: http://mysilentwake2.bandcamp.com/album/eye-of-the-needle where (and you can thank me for this later friends!) you too can experience the scope of MSW's latest. Released on June 8th, "Eye of the Needle" features Attrition's Martin Bowes (who actually ended up mixing three of the tracks here as well as mastering the whole album!) on additional keys and electronics (as if Ian Arkley's talents weren't enough reason to pursue an album like this one Bowes adds another element to the mix altogether!) and in the end this one proved to be a sure-fire winner! Truly "Eye of the Needle" adds to My Silent Wake's (http://www.mysilentwake.co.uk/) ever-growing legacy! That legacy will soon enough included a vinyl version of the album "Et Lux Perpetua" with the inclusion of early mixes entitled "And Everlasting Light" as well as a new death/doom album to be recorded in August and September at The Priory Studios near Birmingham. For more information on My Silent Wake be sure to visit any of the links below:

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Silent-Wake/417459134777


http://www.reverbnation.com/mysilentwake?profile_view_source=profile_box

Interview with MSW's Ian Arkley:
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Interview+with+Ian+Arkley+

The Four Fours-"Count To Ten" Single

Self-Release/Independent
2014


Hailing from the UK's Derbyshire and featuring members with previous ties to math rock "wonder-band" You Slut! (hence the subtle tip of the hat that is their current name) we have The Four Fours. Or, as the band like's to put it themselves: "We’re The Four Fours, an alternative rock trio from lovely, hilly Derbyshire in the UK". Released this past March, "Count To Ten", which has already received high-praise and seen plenty of airplay from there home country to here in the states, is a single from said three-piece band that will see an official release on July 14th (three days after I turn 41!) as a double A-side release "Messing with History". It's also a number that should be foreshadowed by a public service announcement that says something akin to "Attention all rads and rockers, attention all rads and rockers" (something that is more effective I'll admit if you use the mall speaker voice from the original "Dawn of the Dead" (the "Attention all shoppers" piece that plays after Peter and Roger turn all the switches on at the mall) instead of my voice which is sort of all tired and horse from playing video games and screaming about in the pool with my teens all day!). But yeah, anytime I make a "Dawn of the Dead" reference in a review it's a good thing (even if it's really random and off the wall like this) and with "Count To Ten", which you can preview via it's official (D.I.Y.-Style!) video here: . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmlbdfezEs4&feature=youtu.be, we're talking all kinds of crazy good fun! Wearing primate masks(!) these Derbyshire rockers give their "Count To Ten" a nice look while the song is more (heavy) garage rock then anything. "Count To Ten" is kind of catchy, sort of crunchy and really more indicative of the fun-loving underground rock scene of the nineties then today (vibe-wise as it's assuredly modern in structure and would knock the daylights out of the likes of the Foo Fighters and their kind!), but it's a great listen all the same! That's kind of the gist of what we have going on with The Four Fours and their "Count To Ten" and hopefully I'll be able to cover that Double-A single when it drops!
http://thefourfours.com/

Interview with Ian Arkley

Photo courteous of Pete Skilton

Recently I had the absolute pleasure of talking with multi-instrumentalist Ian Arkley about his band My Silent Wake and let me just say that when it comes to the death/doom scene there are few bands that have intrigued me as much as this UK act has! My Silent Wake (https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Silent-Wake/417459134777) has been active since 2005 and since day one it has been lead by veteran musician/founder/gentleman Ian Arkley. For My Silent Wake (often times abbreviated as simply MSW) their strength lies in the emotional and spiritual depth of their lyrics and the almost effortless manor in which they can blend subtle melodic passages into songs which (more often then not) border on furious, nail biting metallic death! We're talking about a drop-dead, doom-laden death metal onslaught here and nothing short of it so it's not like MSW's music is for the faint at heart! And yet in Ian's talented hands the music in question, brilliantly worked out so that it reflects many different shades of suffering (as all good death/doom bands should!), is not all death, darkness and despair (or, if you will, brutal metal!). In fact, MSW crafts it's music so that often times individual tracks are filled with smooth interludes, tempting melodies and pieces that hint at a musician whose appreciation for classical music runs almost as deep as his appreciation for the likes of Black Sabbath! All of which ends up making this outfit that much more interesting and, frankly-speaking, it helps them stand amongst their peers! My Silent Wake deserves more recognition, a bigger audience for sure given the bold way this outfit goes about delivering adventurous music. Especially as the adventurous music this UK-based act delivers is real, emotional in a raw way that really tugs at your insides! It reflects the tragic balance of light and darkness in a world that we've made for ourselves (having only ourselves to now blame!) that seems to teeter back and forth at an ever increasing, alarming rate! If you have yet to experience this act for yourself then what are you waiting for?  Head over to the group's Facebook page (after reading this interview over of course!) and go from there. For now though read on as we discover together just what makes MSW so special....

Andy-My Silent Wake, how did it all come about?
 
Ian-The band started in 2005 straight after the demise of my former band Ashen Mortality. 3 of us from the last line-up of that band started to work on new songs and unused Ashen Mortality songs, and within a few months we had recorded our debut album 'Shadow of Sorrow'. We had been quickly signed to Bombworks records after they heard our initial 2 song demo. There were a few changes in the line-up and in the various instruments played by band members as we got ready to gig after the release of our second album 'The Anatomy of Melancholy'. We were unable to gig for the first two years as our drummer at the time (Jasen) had damaged his wrist. Steve, the engineer from the studio we recorded at was also a drummer and started playing with us and soon joined the band officially. Jasen switched to doing joint vocals with me. His vocals are the more black metal sounding ones. Kate switched from keys to bass and Andi from bass to rhythm guitar for gigging purposes and this arrangement stuck, with Kate also providing keys and some vocals on the recordings. Other members have come and gone, but another musician we had early on was Alan, who played bass on our early acoustic songs. All a bit complicated! The line-up has been through a lot of changes in the nine years we have been together.

Andy- Is there a new full-length release in the works for 2014?
 
Ian-We are doing a special re-release of our fourth album 'Et Lux Perpetua' entitled 'And Everlasting Light'. This will feature two new short tracks and different mixes of most of the songs from Et Lux. The whole thing has been newly mastered and sounds great. This will be vinyl only, at least for now and will be released on Fragile Branch and House of Ashes (the label we recently signed to). We are set to record our new album in Sept this year for a release next year and have an album's worth of ambient songs we would like to release. Next year we hope to do some form of compilation to celebrate 10 years in existence.

Andy-You've had a long and varied career now. When did you first know that music was calling you to you?
 
Ian-I loved music from an early age. The first song I liked was 'Mull of Kintyre' by Wings in the seventies. My Mom has a recording of me singing this with a toy guitar when I was very young. Soon after this I got into Led Zeppelin and later Black Sabbath as well as other metal, rock and goth bands. As soon as I realized that forming a band was a possibility, I jumped at the chance. I was late teens by this time, even though I had dabbled with playing guitar and songwriting prior to this.


Andy-The first time I ever heard your work was when you were with Seventh Angel. To this day I look at "The Torment" as one of Christian metal's best albums! I'd imagine that there was no way back then that you could have foreseen just how far you'd come!

Ian- That's great that you have heard that. I still think it was a decent album, but don't like the lyrics. When I formed Ashen Mortality I tried to get away from being tagged a Christian band and am still trying to get free of that tag! I was very young at the time (20 or 21) and didn't know much about life, coming from a fairly sheltered background. I am very pleased that various labels have seen fit to release the music my bands have been making. I love recording and gigging and hope I can keep doing this for a while yet.

Andy-As someone soon to be 41 I understand what you mean when you say that at 20 or 21 you didn't know much about life as you came from a fairly sheltered background. My upbringing was similarly in line with what you likely went through. Still, from a musical standpoint, "The Torment" is way more creative then anything I would have dared to try at that young of an age! It's easy to see that music has always played a huge role in your life Ian!
Ian-Thanks! I think I have always enjoyed a lot of different styles from folk and classical up to black metal, so the influences from all of that comes over in the music. With MSW we always said we would play what we wanted and not be restricted, but even in Seventh Angel days we used doom and medieval elements and the band was never just a thrash band.


Andy-When can we expect to see "And Everlasting Light"? As someone who collects vinyl I will be looking to buy this one for my personal collection!
 
Ian-I really hope it will be released by late summer. The masters are ready, we are awaiting artwork and then we can press ahead with it. Our last vinyl came out last year as a result of some very kind and generous friends and fans contributing to our Kickstarter project. We do love vinyl, but postage is so expensive these days it almost doubles the price people have to pay to order it.

Andy- So, 2015 will mark 10 years together as a band for My Silent Wake? Does it feel like it's been that long to you or has it all been a blur?

Ian-In some ways it does, when I look back to the very first things we did, but the time has gone quickly as it does as you get older. The good thing is that we have managed to release a lot in that time and have had a fairly steady run of gigs. We all work so we couldn't have a hectic gig schedule but it is enough to keep things going.

Andy-Speaking of steady gigs, does My Silent Wake ever make it here to the states? If so how often as My Silent Wake comes across as a band which must be experienced live!
 
Ian-No we have never played a gig over there, even though we were signed to a US label. We would love to play there but I think the costs would be prohibitive. We have played as far afield as Norway and The Czech Republic and we have done plenty of other European gigs.
 
Andy-Alright, we have a new vinyl release in the works and an album slated for 2015. Are there any other projects that you'd like to touch on?
Ian-I mentioned the ambient album. This is something quite different to anything we have done before except maybe the song 'A Photograph' on Anatomy. We hope that we can find a label that will be interested in this and hope to get a really nice package together. If this doesn't happen, we will at least make the tracks downloadable. I am not sure as yet what the compilation or compilations will be like, but hopefully we will be able to do a double album or a metal one and an acoustic one to do the back catalog justice.

Andy-Where's home for you these days Ian?

Ian-I live near Weston-super-Mare in North Somerset and have lived here for 16 years. I am originally from the West Midlands. I live in a small town called Worle and the sea and woods are very close and I can get to work and to the motorway easily, so I am very happy living here.
Andy-Are there any local bands that you'd like to spread some love to?
 
Ian-Our bassist Addam has a band called Striga and also plays in the band Leppe, which are both great bands. He has helped out a cool doom band called Husk. We have been friends and fans of The Drowning from South Wales for years. Probably a lot more I should mention but just woke up!

Andy-When you're not on the road or in the studio what does downtime look like for you? Any hobbies of note?

Ian-I work as a freight train driver and I enjoy railways and model railways in general. I like a lot of comedy and films and enjoy reading - mainly The Fortean Times or occasionally books. I like photography a lot too.

Andy- Wow, it sounds as if you plan a lot on your plate outside of music! That's cool though. As we wrap up our talk today is there anything else you'd like to touch on?

Ian-Just to say thanks for the interview and support for MSW!

Andy-Thank you Ian for talking with us and you can rest assured that I will be throwing my support behind My Silent Wake!

Free Metal Monday: Striga-Pendle (2014 Demo)

Self-Release/Independent
2014

Just released this past March, "Pendle" is four tracks of  "Twin-bass bleak sludge doom" from Somerset, UK-based Striga. This name your price download is perfectly sick, evil sludge that burrows deep into your pores and then lays (God knows what) eggs that, when cracked open wide, infect every part of your essence driving you slowly towards utter madness! Need I say more?

http://striga.bandcamp.com/album/pendle-2014-demo

By Definition-"Warrior" (Single)

Clever Name Records
2014

It's something to beyond, but I am only going to be 41 this coming July and even if I was to spent every waking moment of the rest of my days here on Earth doing nothing but exploring new metal I'm still not sure I could even skim the surface of what is out there. Case in point By Definition. Even with a solid back catalog "Warrior" is the first I've heard of this five-piece outfit which, having already played alongside such heavy hitters as Black Label Society and Black Stone Cherry, has been "The Hardest Working Band in Brighton". That's no fault of their own just as it is no fault of mine. There is simply far too much good heavy metal to discover on one's own which is why I am so thankful to have friends, family and cool people like Lizzie from Quite Great PR pointing me in the right direction where smashing good heavy metal is concerned! And with this lot it is indeed a smashing good time as we are going to be talking about a bunch of hard & heavy musicians which not only draw from the likes of Clutch, the Deftones and Down, but isn't afraid to spice things up by adding everything from hip hop to electronic music! Of course that's in the "overall grand scheme of things" as "Warrior" (punctuated by the lead vocals of one Si Strechler!) is FIST IN THE AIR hard rock which burned a hole through my speakers! "Warrior", which comes off the group's upcoming new album, "The Concerns of Mortal Man" (due for release on 5/26/14), finds By Definition (active since 2007) delivering a lesson in the fine art of "Bring it all or bring nothing at all!" heavy rock with crushing riffs serving as the proverbial cherry on top of this gritty single! Recorded at Black Wookie Studios and mastered by Alan Douches (Motörhead, The Defiled, Cannibal Corpse, Black Dahlia Murder) at West West Side Music, "Warrior" (https://soundcloud.com/bydefinition/warrior) is a hell of a number from By Definition making me quit intrigued by the potential of "The Concerns of Mortal Man"! You can find out more about these UK hard rockers at their Facebook page below and be sure to check back here at Heavy Metal Time Machine as I hope to set up an interview with this bunch in the upcoming days!
https://www.facebook.com/bydefinition

Solstice (UK)-Death's Crown is Victory

Into the Void Records (a division of Invictus Productions)
2014

Initially this was a digital-only release, but with Into the Void Records stepping in to offer it on CD (and, if I'm not mistaken, a limited run cassette tape while the band's own label, White Horse, pressed it on vinyl) it stands to reason that it should be greeted with welcoming arms from those that love epic doom metal! Tracing their roots back to 1990 (with a small break in the action having taken place between 2002 and 2007) and with founding member/well-traveled musician/exceptional guitarist Rich Walker (ex-Sludgelord, ex-Isen Torr, Solomon Kane, ex-Pagan Altar, ex-Napalm Death (live), ex-Bio-Hazard, ex-Discontrol, ex-Harmony As One, ex-Nailbomb, ex-Sore Throat, ex-Warfear, ex-Wartorn) having recruited some excellent players for "Death's Crown is Victory" such as vocalist Paul Kearns (ex-Arcane Sun, ex-Fifth Dominion, ex-Eden Obscured) and drummer James Ashbey (Cravel Idol and Deceptor) this EP ends up being well-worth the wait (this is after all the band's first new recording in 13 or so years!). It's also leading the race as far as comeback albums are concerned (even if, technically-speaking, this is only an EP with a run-time of 26 minutes or so it is still a strong contender for "Comeback Album" of the year for 2014!) and is another great new release that I hope to add to my physical collection before it's all said and done! Even if this recording is short and sweet (hey, just like this review will prove to be!) it still echos with excellence and comes across a grand exercise in all things doom-laded! With two short instrumental numbers serving as bookends for the nine minute "I Am the Hunter" and the almost ten minute title track (both of which are wicked in their own epic ways!) this four-track release makes one long for more new material from this UK behemoth so let us prayer that it isn't another ten year or so years before we hear more from Rich Walker and his new companions!

Hounds-Begin Transmission Part 2

Metal Hammer
2014

Included free with the latest issue of Metal Hammer* and serving as the follow-up to 2013's "Begin Transmission"** (which was actually included in the January 2013 issue of Metal Hammer!) the EP "Begin Transmission Part 2" was a pleasant surprise I must say. Whether I actually (still) have the other EP from this Essex-based (UK) band or not in my collection (as I've had a subscription to the magazine now for a l-o-n-g time and most certainly had to have seen it at one point or another) remains a mystery, but there is nothing at all mysterious about what this four-piece band rips out on their new four-track EP! For you see, when it comes to Hounds we're talking about explosive electronic punk from a band that can count The Prodigy among their fans! As a matter of fact this EP, which was recorded and produced by the band members themselves in the Air Raid Shelter(!), is not unlike something you might expect to hear coming from The Prodigy. Only when it comes to Hounds there's a difference in punk rock mentality. You could look at Hounds as being more like a garage rock version of The Prodigy, one with an everyman punk outlook and more of an approachable and accessible to all vibe. Of the three original compositions on this EP it's t toss up between "In Your Eyes" and "Watch And Learn". Opening number "The Wicked Witch" is just a tad cheesy (lyric-wise) for my tastes, but the other two cuts offer real range as Hounds goes from real punk on "In Your Eyes" to a number like "Watch And Learn" which is alternative rock disguised as electronic rock! As for the forth track on this EP? Well, just like on last year's "Begin Transmission" (where the band paid homage to Ministry with their version of "Stigmata"***) the group has tacked on a choice cover. In this case it's "Whiteout" by Killing Joke. The original version of this one can be found on Killing Joke's tenth studio album, "Pandemonium" (a beast of a release by the way!) and in the hands of Hounds it's real treat! In fact this whole EP is a real treat. Whether you can still find this issue or not isn't much to be worried about as you can download the EP off of iTunes. And, better yet, you can actually listen to both EPs by clicking on the YouTube link below o you know what you're in for before slapping down your hard-earned money! Coolness right?

http://www.houndsmusic.com/ 

*April 2014 (the one with Kirk "What happened to my dignity?" Hammett on the cover)

**By some accounts the EP was previously release (Summer of 2012 it sounds like) with Metal Hammer then scooping the group up then and actually re-releasing it in their magazine. Of course it's not a real big issue either way as it's every bit as good as part 2 has proven to be! And I know this as I went on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/houndstelevision) and checked it out!

***Ministry's 1988 album, "The Land of Rape and Honey", was the first album I ever heard from the group and I'm almost positive that I still have it on CD somewhere in this mess of mine that i like to call an office! It has remained a favorite moment of mine from Ministry with "Stigmata" serving as a stand-out track!

Dark Forest-The Awakening

Cruz Del Sur Music
2014

Dark Forest first appeared on my radar thanks to their appearance on the excellent "Madder Than A Full Moon Dog" DVD (http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Madder+Than+A+Full+Moon+Dog) where they played "The Wizard of Alderley Edge". Drawn in by their inspired take on heavy metal/power metal I quickly went out and snagged a copy of their 2009 self-titled disc off of which the track appears. That album has received many plays in my household and now this UK act,  which hails from Dudley, West Midlands, England and was first formed in 2002, hits back with album number three, "The Awakening"! While the band's enjoyable blend of traditional heavy metal (which also borrow from their home country's classic scene via some well-placed N.W.O.B.H.M.!) and power metal is still present the new disc (all fifty or so minutes of it!) also indulges in some folk metal-leanings. For my money though this one is still heavy metal through and through and for a band that (not all that long ago mind you!) saw some line-up changes the consistency is still present and the band just keeps on trucking! With not only a new guitarist in tow in Pat Jenkins (Grene Knyght), but also a new lead vocalist in Josh Winnard (an ex-Wytch Hazel member he replaces William Lowry-Scott as the band's front man) one would think that the band might endure a few hiccups between studio releases. Seeing as the band started writing this one back in 2012 that doesn't prove to be the case as "The Awakening" is a strong release from a band that (unfortunately) not many people seem to be aware of. Maybe this album will change all of that? Who knows? But, even if a handful of people get turned on to what these UK merchants of metal are doing then I'd consider this review to be a success!

www.facebook.com/Darkforestuk

Derecho-Coffee & Disruption

 

Derecho/Red Echo Records
2013

Ready to get your rock on? If you answered yes then please allow me to introduce Cambridge-based Derecho. If you answered no then feel free to click your way over to some dreadful Top 40 blog-site. Especially seeing as this female-fronted four-piece, which was formed back in 2010 and sites it's influences as "ranging from 1960's pop to 21st century rock via classic punk", has no intention of taking a backseat to the likes of Miley Cyrus, Lorde, Ke$ha and Lady Gaga! Taking their (fitting) name from a Spanish word meaning "fast moving band of severe thunderstorms" the band, which is featured on the Delinquent Records' compilation "Maidens of Metal" (from the sound of things it was prior to this release), is lead by vocalist/keyboardist/primary songwriter Jo Ash and features within it's ranks well-traveled drummer Mike Ellis. Having worked with artists such as Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix) and Ash Soan (Adele, Billy Idol) this profession drummer adds an extra air of respectability to this UK rock band. Although, realistically speaking and all, it's not as if Derecho needs the extra attention that someone like Ellis would bring to the band as their music speaks volumes about what this versatile band brings to the rock scene. On "Coffee & Disruption" the band, which also features the skilled-playing of guitarist Mike Wheatley and bassist Marc Zyngier, covers a lot of ground from opener "Remembered" (Blondie meets Paramore?) to "Lonely Girl" with it's Fleetwood Mac vibe and even the Dire Straits-infused "Crash & Burn"! All of which is accomplished thanks to the unmistakable talent of guitarist Mike Wheatley. Whether helping Jo Ash turn a number like "Perfect, Like You" into a emotional, pop-driven rock and roll ripper or treading into No Doubt territory like on "Void" (which, trust me on this one friends, is much better in practice then then it sounds on paper with the No Doubt reference and!) he does it all with grace and style! Have no fear though as at it's core this UK-act is still a hard rocking force of nature as is evident on "December". Featuring great lead guitar work, "December", which ended up being a favorite cut of mine of this (late December of 2013) rock release along with "The Silence", teeters on garage hard rock even as the Jo Ash's intoxicating voice keeps the listener snapped to attention! Even on a more laid-back number like "This Mask" there is the undeniable presence of a guitarist who (no doubt) grew up submersed in the sounds of classic British rock. Of course when we're talking about impact-is-imminent classic guitar rock riffs it helps when you have a bass player like Marc Zyngier in place providing phenomenal bass lines! Marc's presence is felt all over this full-length release whether you're talking about a number like the aforementioned "Void" or the dirty rocker "Alibi". On "Coffee & Disruption" it's great to see a band (or for that matter a producer!) that has finally gotten it right as far as recording the bass lines. Here they are clear as day and when you add to that the professional drumming of Mike Ellis you end up with a rhythm section that does more then just hold pace. They are every bit as involved within the process as Derecho's wonderful front-woman and guitarist and as far as what's next for this Cambridge-based four piece rock band? Only time will tell. If more material like we have on "Coffee & Disruption" (from Blondie-driven punk like "Bystander" to the driving rhythms of eighties-vibe rocker "The Silence" this one has it all!) is in store then I welcome the opportunity to roll with this female-fronted rock outfit wherever they may choose to roam from this point out. You can hear the album for yourself at the link below and, as an added bonus, be sure to check out the video to the group's "The Silence" (featuring very cool keys that are splashed against rock and roll garage riffs!) right here (should you wish to see this band live and in living color!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osXiJgv49A0 Speaking of live and in living color, Derecho sure sound as if they keep a busy schedule (as far as playing live in concerned!) so, if you're on that side of the pond and all, be sure to check out this original rock and roll band for yourself. I know I would if I was anywhere near where they were playing! Since I can't feasibly do that I'll just have to be content with keeping an eye out for the further adventures of Jo Ash and her rock and roll cohorts!
https://derecho-rock.bandcamp.com/

Derecho's offical site:
http://derechorock.com/Derecho/Home.html