New Releases - August 2012

Having recovered from a fantastic weekend at Bloodstock last week I have finally found time to summarise the releases for August 2012.  Strictly speaking one of them is a live album and one is a re-release of older material but all of them are released this month and all of them have been added to my music collection.

Eluveitie - The Early Years
Vocals, Flute & Hurdygurdy - Anna Murphy

Vocals & Fiddle - Meri Tadic

The Early Years incorporates the bands debut album Spirit along with a completely re-recorded version of their first EP.  I have not heard either of these releases previously so this will be a real treat for me.  The release marks the bands 10 year anniversary and builds from the release of their 5th album release, Helvetios early this year. I recently discovered that the band are supporting Sabaton on tour in the UK during November and have of course purchased tickets for the event.  I am stupidly excited about seeing Eluveitie live.



Tarja Turunen - Act I : Live in Rosario

This album is the first live audio/video release from Tarja and was filmed in March 2012 at the El Circulo Theatre in Rosario, Argentina.  The track listing is particularly impressive with a choice of DVD or Audio CD (or indeed both) to choose from to keep most Tarja fans very happy indeed.



Saturnian - Dimensions
Soprano Vocals: Lydia Bateman

Saturnian are an extreme symphonic metal band from the UK.  They release their debut album Dimensions this month; an album release certainly long awaited by me.  I first saw them live last August on the New Blood Stage at BOA11 and saw them again at BOA12 opening the festival on the Sophie Lancaster stage on the Thursday evening.

Build up to Bloodstock 2012

With Bloodstock just a week away now it seems an appropriate time to start thinking about what there is to look forward to and which bands I am really looking forward to seeing.

Obviously I am looking forward to many mugs of tea at Mr Tea's, posh nosh from Deli Kates and a whole weekend with the most awesome of people, listening to the most awesome of live music!  I am not even concerned about the forecasted rain.  But what femet bands am I really excited about?  Who have I already earmarked as *must see* femet bands for the weekend?

First off, and opening the Sophie Lancaster on the Thursday night is Saturnian. I discovered Saturnian at BOA 2011 where they played the New Blood Stage. They are a fantastic live extreme symphonic metal band and have recently signed to Indie Records. Their new album is due out on 24 August this year and the first single from that album is available to listen to here. Saturnian move up from their relative unknown status to the Sophie Lancaster stage as well as releasing their album. August must feel like be a pretty awesome month for the band!

Another band I am looking forward to seeing on the Sophie Lancaster Stage are Pythia who take the stage on the Friday.  Pythia are a UK heavy metal band with classical influences from lead singer Emily Ovenden of Medieaval Baebes fame.  Their latest album, The Serpents Curse, was released earlier this year and combines power, heavy and classical metal.  I am really looking forward to seeing the band perform live after following Emily on Twitter for some time and playing the album considerably since its release.

Last year the New Blood Stage was filled with awesome new music from around the country - this year looks to be no different with dark melodic power metallers, Gone Til Winter performing on the Saturday.  I am certainly feeling the power metal at the moment and when these guys were announced I was intrigued.  With a couple of self released recordings already out, Gone Til Winter will release a new album, Hiding from the Sun, later this year.

Last, but by no means least are Andraste, folk metallers from Manchester.  I came across this band thanks to a message from one of the members asking me to check their stuff out.  Within a few weeks I had their album, which I adore and they had been announced for Bloodstock.  All I need now is the announcement that they will play a gig in Sheffield with Northern Oak and my life will be complete! Andraste are playing semi-acoustically on the Jagermeister Stage on the Friday afternoon.

So all that remains is 3 days of work, a frantic packing and checking of tent session and a short drive to Catton Hall.  Then a frantic check of the line up times (to ensure there are no clashes) and then the kicking back, ale, metal, friends and good times can begin.  \m/

New Releases - July 2012

Another month and another set of femet releases.  I have been really enjoying these posts; finding out what is coming up and discovering loads of new bands.  It's an expensive hobby though and I have certainly been keeping Amazon afloat this year purchasing these awesome metal music releases.

Six Magics - Falling Angels
Vocals - Elizabeth Vasquez

Chilean power metal band Six Magics release their fifth studio album, Falling Angels, in July.   The band were formed in 1996 and have toured with bands such as Nightwish and Rhapsody.  Sic Magics mix latin American beats into their power, symphonic metal style and the results are wonderful.  The track 'Another Name' is taken from the new album:




A Forest of Stars - A Shadowplay for Yesterdays
Violin, Flute, Vocals - Katie Stone (Katheryne, Queen of the Ghosts)

The Gentlemen's Club of a Forest of Stars are a UK based psychedelic black metal band formed in 2007.  They release their third album, A Shadowplay for Yesterdays in July.  Believing they are living in the 1890's and maintaining an impressive historical accuracy from the Victorian era, A Forest of Stars are certainly an interesting and complex set of musicians.  'Gatherer of the Pure' is taken from that new album and is possibly the creepiest video I have seen for some time.  It's quite lovely in an odd way.

Earthen Grave

I have recently been pointed in the direction of American Thrash/Doom metallers Earthen Grave.  They feature violinist Rachel Barton Pine, a child prodigy who started playing the violin at the age of 3.

They released their debut in April 2012 and as well as receiving an unprecedented level of media coverage for such an unknown band, have also opened for headliners such as Anvil, Megadeath and Pentagram.

3 inches of Blood - Metal Woman

I have to admit to finding this video absolutely hilarious.  The band are not to my taste musically and their clear misogynist view of women is also distasteful.  It is clearly a poor attempt to garner some media interest and cause some controversy in a bid to sell music; often the case with videos such as this.  Whether this is meant to be irony, humour or simply a badly thought through video concept - the video offends and undermines every real 'metal woman' out there.

Of course, sharing the video and asking you to watch it is playing into the PR department's hands.  However, the song is so appalling that I have every confidence that anyone who reads this blog won't be parting with their hard earned cash on anything this band produces least of all 'Metal Woman'.

A Bonus for Fans ...

I was just reading some band profiles on the Bloodstock website.  Having a look at who was playing and checking out all of the lovely ladies that are due to play over the weekend and I came across an article about Taiwanese metal band, Chthonic.

I was pleased to hear that they are one of Taiwans most active metal bands, that they have received awards in Taiwan and appear in their popular music charts, that their female basist has advocated a women's rights organisation, that their drummer works in music education and that their lead vocalist is active in human rights and social justice .  I was less impressed and slightly puzzled as to what merit the following paragraph has to the article or indeed the band itself?

"Meanwhile, Chthonic's bassist Doris -who was dubbed one of the sexiest female rockers by Revolver, and has been on magazines such as FHM and GQ- is a bonus for fans all over the world."

What exactly do they mean by 'a bonus'?  Do they mean an unbelievable bassist who is so amazingly talented in playing bass that fans should be grateful she decided to grace the band with her presence?!  Or do we think they mean she is just a bit of eye candy on stage and in videos to improve the aesthetics that accompany the bands music?!  Do you think I really needed to ask that question? *sigh*

New Releases - June 2012

A little late this month I am afraid! Trying to get my Foundation Degree work finished up ... finally graduating this year all being well.  Add into that the fact that I am currently sitting in a caravan in West Wales enjoying a family holiday in the good old British weather, it has been hard finding time to sit down and actually post something.  Saying that I had to write something about this month as soon as I had a chance.  Why is June so important you might ask?  Two of my favourite bands are releasing albums this month - that's why! :)

Delain - We Are The Others
Vocals - Charlotte Wessels

The release of We Are The Others has been held up considerably following the take over of Roadrunner records by Warner Music.  Fans were relieved to hear that tracks they had been tempted with during Delain's 2011 tour were finally going to make it to release when the band announced the 1st June release date.  I recently saw them touring in my own city and have had the album on pre-order from Play.com with apparently a limited signed edition on it's way to me.  Sadly it will probably be sitting on my doormat waiting for me to get back from the holiday.  Am looking forward to getting back just for that! :)



The Agonist - Prisoners
Vocals - Alissa White-Gluz

The Agonist are a Canadian metal band formed in 2004.  Prisoners is their 3rd studio album.  The band stands out from the others thanks to lead singer Alissa White-Gluz's impressive ability to switch between clean and growl vocals.  I would really like a chance to see the band perform live and have been looking forward to the new album release.  It is also on pre-order and will probably also be waiting for me on the doormat when I get back from the holiday.  Goddamnit!



Ephel Duath are also due to release an EP this month,  On Death and Cosmos features new band members including vocals from Karyn Crisis.  Ephel Duath are an Italian progressive metal band who have not only had a constantly changing line-up but also managed to fuse Jazz and metal effortlessly.  Really looking forward to hearing the new line up on this EP.