Takedown Preview: Saint [The] Sinner Interview

With just two more sleeps until Takedown Festival 2014, I caught up with Saint [The] Sinner,
one of the bands in attendance to find out some more about them, what to expect from their performance and who they themselves will be checking out on the day.

If you've not heard of them before, they are a 6 man rock, post hardcore outfit from the South Coast of England who have recently been on the Vans Warped Tour UK with Parkway Drive, Enter Shikari and Memphis May Fire. Takedown will be somewhat of a reunion for the band as they have toured and
played with many of the other acts taking to the stages, including Funeral For A Friend, Glamour Of The Kill and Heart In Hand. For a taster of what's in store should you decide to go check them out, listen to the new single The Lament below.

Thank you for taking some time out to chat with me today, much appreciated. Before we begin with the main questions, could you just introduce yourselves, your role in the band and a positive and negative aspect of your personality so readers can get to know you all a little bit?

[Pash] Hi Guys! I’m Pash, I play guitar and create the electronic and orchestral part of our sound. I’m a bit of a music production nerd, so I guess that helps. A positive of my personality? I guess that’d have to be my drive, once I get something in my teeth, I don’t give up. Negative, I get stressy sometimes… Haha!

Can you give us a brief backstory on Saint [The] Sinner, how you formed and emerged…where the name came from?

[Pash] I started Saint[the]Sinner about 3 years ago over a phone call with an old friend, we wanted  to do something a little different from what everyone was doing in the UK at the time. I really loved that American “Dance Metal-core” sound, so wrote the first demo “Yeah, Even The Mona Lisa is Falling Apart” and hunted down the members. That was hard…Haha! The name just came from the notion that even good people do bad things. So yeah, even a saint can be a sinner in some respects. I came up with it on a bus, inspiration strikes at the weirdest of times. 

How would you prefer to describe yourselves genre wise, to someone who hasn’t heard of you? Hopefully you won’t take offence to this, but some tracks make me think of a metalcore Panic! At The Disco. 

[Pash] James came up with the genre “Theatricore”. I think it sums us up pretty well. We evolved into this orchestral, poppy, dramatically heavy mix. That…and we’re all massive drama queens, so I guess it fits. Haha! As for the Panic! At the Disco comment, we’re all huge fans and we’re definitely influenced by them. I’m all about the hook of the song, and Panic! Are the kings of that. That’s what we try to take from it.

You currently have an album out, ‘The Curious Tale of Mistress Murder’. The title sets the listener up for a story, could you elaborate on the themes or how the album progresses through the tracks?

[Pash] It’s entirely about the person you think about before you go to sleep, and the person you think of when you wake up. We tried to explore a lot of our past and present relationship issues with it, both good and bad. We had the idea for “The Lament” and totally ran with it. It starts off setting the story like a play, then finishes up with “The Comedown” singing chants. We tried to imply no matter how great things can be, there’s always the rough with the smooth.

Personally, I love the orchestral feel – particularly in ‘The Projection Room Knows All My Secrets’. I’m presuming synthesisers were used…any chance we could see you on stage with live violinists etc in the future?

[Pash] Thank you! That’s definitely one of my favourite songs off the record. Yes unfortunately, our budget doesn’t allow for a live orchestra just yet… Haha! That would be mind blowing, so if anyone’s reading this who shreds a violin…get in touch! Haha!

Southampton has a very strong alternative scene which is constantly growing, and Takedown is going to be one of the year’s biggest events for us here. You’re playing the Southampton Music Stage – how are you feeling about it?

[Pash] We’re absolutely stoked to play it. It’s such a big event for alternative music, and it’s an honour to be asked to be a part of it. We were recently moved to the Total Uprawr stage aswell, so our Takedown experience just keeps getting better and better!

What can the audience expect from your performance? Are you a band who jump around and climb on things, do you interact a lot with the audience…that kind of thing.

[Pash] We’re definitely an energetic band. We all love to have a little run around, we definitely take our motivation from the crowd. Our aim is by the end of it, no one is standing still. Get involved and lets party!

Any of the bands on the line up that you will be checking out? 

[Pash] Glamour of the Kill. FFAF, and friends, Our Hollow, Our Home!

I've seen Our Hollow, Our Home at Joiners - definitely worth seeing! Which headliner will you be favouring? Funeral For A Friend or Heaven’s Basement?

[Pash] Funeral For A Friend have always been one of my favourite bands so I’ll definitely be checking them again. It’s such a hard one to call and from what I’ve seen of Heavens Basement in the past, I’m definitely going to have to split my time.

What’s in the pipeline for you after Takedown, how’s the rest of your year looking? Are you touring or writing, are you attending other festivals?

[Pash] 2014 for SaintTheSinner is all about writing and touring, and we’re really balancing that out right now. We’ve got some super cool stuff in the pipeline, all to do with the new record, but we’ll definitely be out touring the UK this summer, so make sure you catch us!

Thanks again for speaking with me and I look forward to seeing you March 15th on the Total Uprawr Stage, 2.25pm.
 

KLOGR - Black Snow

So who are Klogr and what can you expect from them and their new album, Black Snow? Well to start with they are an Italian alternative outfit, formed in 2011, have released 2 previous records and toured Europe extensively including a performance at Sweden Rock Festival last year. So it comes as no surprise to me how well put together and tight the latest release is, personally I'm hoping to hear their name more often this year when I'm in rock and metal loving circles.

As always I have my favourites as with any album and for once one of them happens to also be the single! Draw Closer is the first single from the album and will be unleashed on February 4th. I love this track, it has
a dark, alternative, electronic rock feel to it. I've just made that genre up but it has such an eclectic mix of sounds I couldn't describe it any other way. Throughout Black Snow, Klogr are speaking out about the destruction that we humans are causing to our world and in particular the track Heart Breathing really emphasises what they are trying to say. I’m all for a song that represents a cause and speaks about social and economic problems and this album doesn’t give me just one but twelve.

For a sneak peek at the album, check out the video below. March 11 is the official release date of Black Snow and after that, Klogr will be going on a 23 date tour with American metal band Prong.

I reckon fans of Perfect Circle, RED, Smile Empty Soul and perhaps even Blue Stahli will appreciate the beautiful melodic darkness that Klogr brings. I think they're going places and hopefully you'll agree, so start spreading that name around...K LOG R, K LOG R!!


To learn more about then why not use the following links:

Facebook
YouTube
Website

BlackWolf - New Album & Tour Dates

Initially this was going to be an 'Introducing' post, but BlackWolf don't quite fit the bill because they've already been gathering some epic momentum and touring with established names like Reckless Love, Jettblack and VooDoo Six. If you’re into classic and hard rock ‘n’ roll, or listen to bands like Airbourne, Western Sand, or even Mr Big, then BlackWolf may be for you. 

Formed 2012 in Bristol, BlackWolf are; Scott Sharp (vocals), Jason Cronin (rhythm guitar), John Greenhill (lead guitar), Ben Webb (bass) and Thomas Lennox-Brown (drums), and are a band to be watched in 2014. They call themselves “Soulful, Boot-Stompin', Blues-Fused, Hip-Swingin', Swagger-Laden Hard Rock'n'Roll” and they definitely live up to it. You’d be hard pushed, or not have a musical bone in your body, to stand still listening to them.

Above is a new video for the track Mr Maker off their first full length album, The Hunt. The album which was made with the help of fans and friends via PledgeMusic last year, is due to be released on March 2^nd which coincides nicely with them touring as The Answer’s special guests. 

I've been listening to the album myself recently and there are a few tracks which stand out to me, but of course these are just my opinions so you'll have to go get the album for yourself!

• House of Emerald Wine - This track in particular has some guitar solos, which made me wish I was able to jam along. (I'd probably need to learn to play in order to do that though!) 
• Black Hole Friend - To me, this is the catchy song, the one that gets stuck in your head and that's mostly down to the bass I think, as it really hooked me in and kept me listening.
• Sea of Mercy - Couldn't have picked a better track to end on, powerful finish to a hard hitting album.

For more information on the band, you can go to Facebook or their own website and maybe I will see some of you at their show in Southampton on March 10th. 

Buried In Verona - New Album + Splintered Video

Australian band, Buried In Verona are set to release their fourth album, Faceless on March 10th via UNFD. They had producer Joey Sturgis (Asking Alexandria, blessthefall) work on the album and it was recorded in Michigan. Judging from their track record I'd say that Buried In Verona is a band to watch this year.

Notorious debuted at #20 on the ARIA Charts in June 2012, which led to the band getting their first ARIA Nomination in the Hard Rock category. They packed out rooms in their home country upon release
and went on to support The Amity Affliction on their arena tour. After the international release they did multiple UK, Europe and North American tours with artists like Motionless In White, Attila, Emmure and Chelsea Grin. 

The video below, Splintered is the first taste of the new record and a second video, Illuminate will be released shortly on January 23rd.

“This record is as much a 'f*** you' to our detractors, as it is a message to people to keep being themselves no matter what"- Brett Anderson (vocals)

Dyscarnate - In The Face Of Armageddon - Official Video

UK death metal band Dyscarnate, have unveiled their video for In The Face Of Armageddon taken from the And So It Came To Pass album due for re-release on February 2nd. Following on from that on February 10th, their Enduring The Massacre album will be re-released on an international level as it sold out within a couple months when it was originally released back in 2012.

That isn't it though, Dyscarnate have also been announced as main support for Chimaira on their upcoming European/UK tour.

Circle Of Reason - Themes Amongst Thieves

Southampton based alternative quartet Circle of Reason have just released their new single, Themes Amongst Thieves, complete with hilarious music video. Usually I'm wary of anything supposedly 'hilarious' but I did laugh out loud at its bizarre content.

They say one of their influences is The Smashing Pumpkins and in this new single you can hear a resemblance, with possibly a hint of Third Eye Blind, however they are by no means attempting to imitate! This is a band for those of you who like variety, Circle of Reason don't just fit into a specific rock or metal category and this sets them apart from other unsigned bands at the moment.

They are about to go on tour with Inherit The Stars, and you can check them out at the following dates: 

If you want to know more about these lovely chaps, then why not head over to their facebook page.

Caliban Tour + New Video

German based metal band Caliban have announced the launch of Devil's Night, the first video from their fourthcoming album Ghost Empire. The album is due out on the 27th January and you can view the video here. In addition to this they will be doing a European tour in May this year with The Ghost Inside, The Devil Wears Prada and Breakdown of Insanity.

If like me you're in the UK and want to see them, panic not as they are performing at the ever popular Slam Dunk Festivals also held in May. Slam Dunk takes place in various locations around the UK and Caliban will be appearing at the Leeds, Hatfield and Wolverhampton dates.

The quintet are by no means new to the scene, they were established back in 1997 and have played at almost every  European festival out there. They've also had a fair amount of international success, including a North American tour, a tour in Japan with Killswitch Engage and a spot at Australia's Gigantour which saw them alongside Megadeth and Soulfly . If the latest album is anything to go by you can see the worldwide appeal, they can hold their own when it comes to riffs and growling vocals but manage to seamlessly merge into catchy choruses more akin to Arcane Fire than Arch Enemy, making them popular across multiple genres.

Ghost Empire Track List
1. King
2. Chaos - Creation
3. Wolves And Rats
4. nebeL (feat. BastiBasti / Callejon)
5. I Am Ghost
6. Devil’s Night
7. yOUR Song
8. Cries And Whispers
9. Good Man
10. I Am Rebellion
11. Who We Are
12. My Vertigo

Bonus track ltd. Edition + digital: 13. Falling Downwards (feat. Matthew Heafy / Trivium)
Bonus DVD ltd. Edition: On Tour With Caliban 2013 (104min.)
 

My Son The Bum - Alternate Animated Christmas Video

I received an email on Christmas Day from Brian Kroll, who has created this somewhat creepy and cynical, albeait very funny animated video/short film all about Christmas with the family.

It's called Flight Deck, and I'd advise you to not let the kiddies watch it...not unless you don't want to make it to Christmas 2014!

Check the video out on FearNet.

High On Fire's new video.

HIGH ON FIRE is: 
Matt Pike (vocals/guitars)
Jeff Matz (bass)
Des Kensel (drums)

Hailing from Oakland California, High On Fire are a metal band going from strength to strength. A few of their band highlights include releasing The Art Of Self-Defense, their momentous debut album back in 2000, being featured in Kerrang's top 50 albums of the 21st Century for their 2005 album Blessed Black Wings, and guitarist Matt being named as a 'New Guitar God' by Rolling Stone in 2007.

High On Fire recently released the official video for the brand new single Slave The Hive which marks the first new release/material since De Vermis Mysteriis last year. If you want to watch the new video then head over to YouTube to check it out.

The first official live recordings of the band's were released with the two volume set Spitting Fire Live, recorded in The Music Hall Of Williamsburg and The Bowery Ballroom in New York. The live recordings feature tracks from their critically acclaimed albums including De Vermis Mysteriis. 

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New Bleed From Within video.

After playing the UK leg of the Metal Hammer Defenders Of The Faith tour with Amon Amarth, Carcass and Hell as well as a European tour together with Heaven Shall Burn, Hypocrisy and Dying Fetus, BLEED FROM WITHIN are unvieling a new video for the song I Am Oblivion.
I Am Oblivion is taken from their current album Uprising and can be watched here.
  They unfortunately had to cancel the last two shows on the Heaven Shall Burn tour due to problems with their van. However, the next tour is already in place for Spring next year, when they will be on the road with DevilDriver and Sylosis.
  BLEED FROM WITHIN 31.03.2014 (DE) Munich - Backstage 01.04.2014 (FR) Paris - Le Trabendo 03.04.2014 (UK) Cardiff - Solus
04.04.2014 (UK) London - Electric Ballroom
05.04.2014 (UK) Wolverhampton - Wulfrun Hall
06.04.2014 (UK) Glasgow - Garage
08.04.2014 (IE) Dublin - The Academy
09.04.2014 (UK) Manchester - Academy 2
10.04.2014 (UK) Southampton - Mo'club 12.04.2014 (DE) Herford - X 13.04.2014 (DK) Aarhus - Voxhall 15.04.2014 (SE) Stockholm - Klubben 16.04.2014 (SE) Gothenburg - Sticky Fingers 17.04.2014 (DE) Hamburg - Gruenspan 18.04.2014 (BE) Antwerp - Trix
  Other shows: 29.03.2014 (UK) Liverpool - 02 Academy 30.03.2014 (UK) Newcastle Upon Tyne - O2 Academy

INTRONAUT - launch video for 'Harmonomicon' / European tour now!

INTRONAUT have just released a new video for the track 'Harmonomicon' taken from their critically acclaimed album 'Habitual Levitation' which you can find on that YouTube place. 

[Blogging on the go at the moment, I will edit in a link later! Sorry folks!]

INTRONAUT are currently on tour with Scale The Summit, in various cities around European. Think fast to see them in the UK. 

04.12.13 UK Bournemouth, The Anvil
05.12.13 UK Bristol, Exchange
06.12.13 Belgium, Hasselt Muziekodroom
07.12.13 Germany Berlin, Cassiopeia
08.12.13 Germany Hamburg, Hafenklang
09.12.13 Germany Frankfurt, Elfer
10.12.13 Germany Leipzig, UT Connewitz
11.12.13 Austria Wien, Escape
12.12.13 Switzerland Zürich, Ebrietas
13.12.13 Switzerland Bulle, Ebulition
14.12.13 Italy Milano, Lo-Fi
15.12.13 Italy Rome, Traffic Live
16.12.13 Italy Pisa, Borderline Club
17.12.13 France Montpellier, Secret Place
18.12.13 Spain Barcelona, Razzmatazz3
19.12.13 Spain Madrid, Copernico NEW VENUE!!!
20.12.13 France Clermont Ferrand, Le Raymond
21.12.13 France Besancon, PDZ
 

New video interview w/The Commander-In-Chief, the mystery guitarist and the producer.

Great news! Some of the mystery behind The Commander-In-Chief's latest project which has been 5 months in the making has been revealed!

The Commander-In-Chief has released a video interview with herself, James Mottershead (producer) and the mystery guitarist she has been collaborating with, Thomas Valeur.

What's this collaboration though, you ask? Well apparently it will be the first professional guitar recording of an extremely challenging piece of classical music, which has never before performed in its entirety, or correctly for that matter, on guitar. In addition to this, it could well be the only recorded professional guitar duel between a metal guitarist and a classical guitar virtuoso, making it something not to be missed!

For more information, have a look at the video interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJyfZH2rQ5I

The single and performance video will be released tomorrow, December 4th, at 6pm UK time. The single will be available on Itunes, Amazon, CD Baby, etc and a limited number of signed CDs are available from

The Commander-In-Chief's website, after the release.

QUEENSRŸCHE release Ad Lucem 'mini movie'

 QUEENSRŸCHE are:

 

 Todd La Torre (vocals)
Michael Wilton (guitars)
Parker Lundgren (guitars)
Eddie Jackson (bass)
Scott Rockenfield (drums)

They have just released a mini movie entitled Ad Lucem, which over the storyline include the tracks 'Spore' 'Midnight Lullaby' 'A World Without' and 'X2'
 
The film was created by Veva Entertainment Co. with director Daniel Andres Gomez Bagby and producer Marco De Molina and was filmed last month on location in Los Angeles at Central City Stages. Take a look at the finished product HERE.
 
Todd LaTorre, vocalist had this to say about the videos concept: 

"The overall theme of the song Spore is one that deals with personal demons, relationship struggles, career pressures, personal/professional morals and ethical dilemmas.  These are issues we all face on some level and the video touches upon them all.  Midnight Lullaby/A World Without deals with the loss of a mother during childbirth, leaving a father as a single parent and struggling to move forward through the turmoil. X2, though it opens up our album, provides for a nice outro to it all. The end result is a roller coaster of emotion in an effort to find a healthy resolve. Given our history, we feel that this multifaceted conceptual video, along with a great cast of actors to suit, will really resonate with our fans."

For more information:
www.queensrycheofficial.com
www.facebook.com/QueensrycheOfficial