D. Gilmore
Starting this project has been long a time coming and I’ve definitely learned alot from this first issue!
All the best
Taking this project on as a solo adventure has been quite daunting at times but the response has been amazing. I look forward to working on the next issue!
I would like to thank all of the bands, agents and PR people that have helped throughout the progress of getting this magazine off the ground.
Loveeveryone
Out of step UK
Special thanks must go to Mr Alex Newman for his help with building the website and some future content!
I hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as I have making it.
Photo by Jeremy Saffer
Do you have any plans for more? If so what?
Do you have any bad tattoos?
What was your first tattoo?
Do you have any advice for people looking to get their first tattoo?
It was a little angel on my left shoulder.
As an artist do you feel the visual aesthetic of a band is as important as their music?
Everything is absolutely fantastic, we are constantly on tour and we really missed it.
Please choose wisely your tattoo artist and remember not to go cheap because a tattoo is Infectedforever.
Do you have any plans to tour the UK anytime soon?
I notice you have your arm blacked out. What made you go for the blackout sleeve?
I love all my tattoos old or new. Personally I don’t think I have any bad tattoos because I choose my tattoo artists wisely since the day I started getting tattooed.
Absolutely. It is my dream to cover my legs entirely. Currently working on it actually.
It is very important but definitely not as important as the music is. I started getting tattooed and experimenting with my hair way before I joined the band. I used to work in the beauty industry so I always loved to experiment with my look.
For many of us tattoos are part of our life and our identity, one that allows us to express ourselves without saying a word. I had the chance to talk to the beautiful Elena “Lena” Cataraga, aka Lena Scissorhands, about her band “infected Rain” and her tattoo journey. So How'sfar.everything going for "Infected Rain" at the moment?
We are hoping next year. In 2023.
I just think it looks really awesome. Always thought so. Since I started adding some black background or black ornamental tattoos on my body I thought it will look good together.
Rains latest record “ Ecdysis” is out now.
Is there any particular style of tattoo you prefer? (Traditional, shaded etc)
I like all the styles. I see the beauty and appreciate it all. For myself however I lately prefer realism, dark surrealism or some horror style.
For sure, I’d like to work with Curren$y, Willie The Kidd, Alchemist, Erykah Badu one day!
You have collaborated with a lot of artists in your career is there anyone who you'd like to work with that you haven't yet?
Hailing from Adelaide, Australia, Nelson Dialect has been on a relentless path to pursue his craft across the map. Working his way through his fellow Mc's in the freestyle battle circuit at just 13 years old Nelson has been writing, recording and touring his own music since he was 16. His latest record “Ever Since” was conceived and recorded with the aid of virtuoso UK producer Mr Slipz. With an already decorated list of achievements and acclaimed releases under his belt, Nelson sets a passionate and proactive work ethic for himself which shows there is no limit to where he can take his craft.
NELSON diaLEct
What are the influences on your music? Do you draw from other places/genres or other raps artists?
Definitely, I obviously love rap and Hip Hop but I try to listen to other genres as much as I can. If I find myself listening to too much hip hop it can change the writing process unconsciously. I Listen to a lot of jazz, funk, soul/R&B also Prince & George Clinton/Parliament Funkadelic are two of my biggest influences musically. Their sound, songwriting and work ethic is super inspiring.
You worked with Mr Slipz on your latest record, could you tell me a little about what he brings and a bit about the process you go through recording?
You are playing at the Marble factory in Bristol with many other artists in September are you looking forward to it?
You tend to use minimalistic beats on a lot of your raps is that something you do consciously to allow your lyrics to breathe and be digested by the listener easier?
Yeah I guess so. I think it's just going with feel. I am always aware of space with sound so I find you need to work with production that provides enough space for the vocals to be dynamic with the entire sound picture.
Slipz is just one of those exceptional producers with a refined ear and style. He also gives you complete freedom as an artist and trusts your ideas wholeheartedly. He is patient and experimental in the studio which is really the greatest thing when working with a producer. We both have a great friendship and that translates through the music I believe.
Nelson dialect s New album with Mr Slipz ‘Ever Since’ is out now.
Definitely, these parties are something I always wanted to visit as a spectator so to be playing on the line up with the label mates is a huge honour and always a lot of fun.
After 40 plus years in the business do you feel you have anything left to prove, to yourselves or others?
Do you have any new material in the making? When should we expect your next album?
I don't think there is anything we have to prove. We are still here and still loving it so thanks to everyone who supports us.
Yes I think we have come full circle from the 80s to now. The songs are still as relevant today as they were then. I don’t think that will ever change.
Discharge’s attitude/message has always been crystal clear and uncompromised. Has this ever created any obstacles for the band with promotors, labels or your peers?
It’s probably safe to say that when Discharge was formed in 1977 no one thought how impactful their formation would be for the musical landscape. The English d-beat, crust, hardcore punk outfit is still going strong after almost 45 years. Fresh off of their recent UK tour celebrating the 40 year anniversary of “Hear nothing , see nothing, say nothing” the group sat down with me to discuss how the band has to kept moving forward and what’s
Yes we have, the tour was great. I don't think you can pick good or bad gigs they all have something special to offer and if you love playing every gig is fun.
When reading the lyrics of your songs, it feels like even though the times were different in the early days, it’s the same thing nowadays. How do you feel on the subject?
You have just recently finished your UK tour how did it go? Were any shows that stand out for you?
Avoiding repetition is always hard. I try not to listen to music as to not get influenced by something you like that way. It’s all your own ideas but it gets harder as you forget how many tunes we have done.
We keep going because it's in our blood to play music. We have been doing shows and recordings for 40 years plus and still enjoy the energy and passion that brings to us
Since the band’s catalogue is huge, what’s that feature that helps you avoid repetition and still sound fresh?
We have never really had any problems with promotors or any one else for that matter. In the early days people never got what we were doing but that's all changed now, people actually like us!!
What keeps discharge going with the such intensity both live and in the studio?
We have plenty of ideas for new material it's finding the time to get something recorded. I'm sure we will do something this year at some point.
Artwork @Boo21customby
With their latest record “Heaven is here” American noise mongers CANDY have cemented what the word “hardcore” really means in 2022. The ten tracks on offer here are short, sharp shocks to the cerebral cortex and clocking in at just barely thirty minutes “Heaven is here” leaves as quickly as it arrived. The pace is relentless and almost suffocating throughout and leaves me bewildered, exhausted but most of all thoroughly excited to hear what they can come up with next. The hardcore scene have found new Kings, all hail CANDY
With the rest of the album Rammstein are not reinventing the wheel but they don’t really need too. Similar to bands like Hatebreed, AC-DC and even metal greats Iron Maiden. People know what to expect when they hear a new Rammstein record. Perhaps that is enough.
If Alter Bridge and Billy Talent were fucking in the back of a transit van and Every time I die were wanking in the front seat at the same time the baby they produced would probably sound something like Rxptrs debut record “Living without deaths permission”. The Bristol based band have a reputation for having a exuberant live presence and this passion is translated well throughout the ten songs on offer here. Standout track include opener “burning pages” which tells anyone listening what these lads are all about and track “Dead awake” allows singer Simon Roach to showcase his impressive vocal range. I look forward to hear what the future holds for Rxptrs and if this record is anything to go by its a very bright one indeed.
CANDY Heaven is here
RXTRS Living without deaths permission REVIEWS
Songs like single “Zick Zack” and “OK” really stand out from the rest and will undoubtedly become live favourites in the near future.
Coming as a follow up to 2019's self entitled effort."Zeit” has alot to live up to, which it does, mostly. The Album opens strong with “Armee der Tristen" ("Army of the dead Ones") but the next couple of tracks are ballads. An odd choice positioning wise as this stops the momentum stone dead. Don't get me wrong these are great songs but perhaps a repositioning would have been a good idea.
That being said Flake's keyboards are on top form throughout and allow the bands melody to really come to the front on “Zeit”
Overall this record stands up to the bands normal high standards and whilst it may not tangle with the likes of "Mutter" in terms of quality. But it is not their worst by any stretch.
RAMMSTEIN Zeit
GNOME King
JAM BAXTER Fetch the Poison
“Fletch the Poison” Jam Baxter’s ninth studio release comes from a familiarly dark place for the UKs premiere rap surrealist. Throughout the record Jam paints a creeping atmosphere reminiscent of that feeling of being watched when your walking home late at night. There is a distinctive unease I get when listening to “Fetch the poison” and I suspect this was intended whether consciously or not. Jam paints a picture of disassociation and indifference to the tragedy and pain around him. Perhaps a necessary viewpoint in the world we live in. The beats used on this record compliment the lyrics perfectly and add to the thick layer conjured by the words.
PERTURBATOR Final light
Three-piece stoner/psychedelic crew “Gnome” present “King” their second studio release coming off of 2018's “Father of time”. Reminiscent of bands like “The psychedelic porn crumpets” but with an added dose of humour (just watch one of their YouTube videos) “Gnome” are a thoroughly interesting band to listen to with some genuinely unique moments throughout the records 42 minute runtime. Singles “Ambrosias” and follow up “Wenceslas” are headbanging stoner Anthems which bring memories of “Weedeater” and “Dopesmoker” at their most Songsaccessible.like“kraken wanker” show the bands humour and add to a full plate for the listener to digest. A great and fun record which leaves me intrigued to hear what the band will come up with next.
“Final light” is one of the more interesting collaborations of this year Perturbator (aka James Kent) purveyor of heavily eighties-influenced darkwave join forces with Johannes Persson, vocalist/guitarist and principle songwriter for Swedish post-metal innovators Cult Of Luna. Much darker in tone than last years “Lustful Sacraments” this record sounds more like surviving in a nuclear wasteland than a journey through an 80s Sci -fi movie. This change in tone takes some getting used to and will probably not be for all of Pertubators fanbase. For those interested in an album filled with dark, intense tracks and an atmosphere so thick its almost suffocating will he rewarded with a flawlessly produced and sonically intense record.
Despite this EP being their debut, Gloucestershire metallers Ambrius have already proved they have some serious ability and creativity. This six track record combines the fury of early Machine head with the guitar solos and melody of Arch Enemy. Their singers voice drifts between guttural growls and (almost) King Diamond falsetto! The band combine this modern metal style with old school leanings incredibly well. It is refreshing indeed to hear a band that sound new and interesting whilst still building on what they know works in modern metal.Ambrius
Semi-rotted – Deader than dead Ok so this one came out of nowhere. Semi-rotted are the brainchild of former Five Finger Death Punch drummer Jeremy Spencer. SR are about as far away from Spencer's old band as its possible to be. Deader than Dead combines traditional death metal with a distinctly modern twist without becoming a deathcore record. The few songs on display here are interesting and well performed. My only complaint is the production. Whilst flawless, it sounds almost to clean, much like a FFDP album would. I feel that Semi-rotted would benefit from a more organic take on the production. That being said I look forward to hear more from the group and this EP is a step in the right direction.
Parceltongue make one hell of a racket for two lads in the best way possible. Basilisk, the groups debut album is reminiscent of Archspire and Spite (The formers guitarist Dean Lamb lends a solo to track Witch Prison). The majority of Basilisk is a raw slab of technical deathcore with some glitchy guitar lines added into the mix. Just when you think you have the band worked out they will produce imaginative melodies and atmospheric soundscapes from out of know where. This record goes on a journey and its one I’m glad I experienced.
are a band you really need to keep an eye on. If they keep up the quality they have shown on this record the sky is the limit. Awesome.
Parceltongue – Basilisk
Ambrius – Effigies of Time EP
Roma Supreme is out on 30th September via High Focus records
That being said SP clearly knows who he is and has an identity that is his and his alone.
There are many guests featured this time around from label mates “The Four owls” to D12’s Bizarre and any more besides. Each guest adds their own flavour to their track without overshadowing or taking anything away.
Ifperfectly.Ihadto compare Piff to another rapper it would be Slim Shady LP era Eminem. I admit this is high praise but listening to this record there is simply no escaping it. His flow, rhymes, humour and delivery all hark back to Eminems debut.
It’s hard to tie Piff down stylistically but with a strong sense of humour, thought provoking lyrics and a swag all of his own. Smellington Piff is one of the UK scenes most exciting rappers and on “Roma Supreme” he absolutely nails it.
Piff delivers his best album by far. First track proper and current single “Chase the Devil” displays the now traditional humour and light heartedness that fans have come to expect. This is carried on throughout the record. Piff has the ability to morph from rapping about weed and alcohol to political satire and emotional metaphors frequently in the same song. This dynamic style is what gives Piff much of his appeal.
It’s been awhile since we have heard from Smellington Piff. His last record “No fixed abode” came out in 2018. Piffs third and newest release, “Roma Supreme” was definitely worth the Onwait!“Roma”
(Having D12’s Bizarre guest on track “The alcohols definitelytalking”enforces this).
Smellington Piff Roma Supreme
Illinformed’s production is flawless throughout and allows for each beat and rap to hit their mark
How are you today?
Any odd fan experiences?
Probably the strangest gig I've played was this one I did for BBC introducing years ago, back when I lived in Plymouth, way before Froglord was even a twinkle in my frogspawn. For some reason or another, about two weeks before this gig, I started messing around with a harmonica, beatboxing, and a loop pedal. None of my mates at the time really knew I was doing this; it was just something I did in private. Then by some weird turn of events I got accepted to play onstage for the BBC in front of like 400\500 people, after sumbitting a video. I have no idea why, I wasn't very good! But it was a very surreal experience for both myself and all my mates wondering why I was getting up on stage a couple of acts in.
Nothing particularly bizarre, I'm pretty lucky that I seem to have a really wholesome fan base, had a few folks chat to me after shows to show me pictures of their pet frogs or tell me about the herpetology work, they do. Actually, this one guy did once ask me to sign something and make it out to their pet frog, that was pretty funny!
First record I bought was Greenday's American Idiot, when I was about 9, just after it came out. Pretty standard record for the time I guess, but definitely an important first stepping stone into the world of heavier music.
What is the weirdest gig you ve played?
What was the first record you bought?
Who is your favourite fictional character? Why?
Yeah, pretty good today thanks. Just got off work, the sun is shining and I'm about to grab a cold beer from the fridge. I can't complain haha!
Paris Geller from The Gilmore Girls. Gilmore Girls is the single greatest show ever crafted by man and I will fight to my grave anyone who dares dispute that.
They're already here. Some folks think the reptilians are the ones controlling things, but behind that, the amphibians croak in the shadows pulling all the strings. Unfortunately though, the humans are doing a pretty good job at poising the land with pesticide sprays and spreading the chrytrid fungus, so who knows how much longer they will survive.
How long will it be before our frog overlords return to reign over us?
Hailing from the darkest swamps of Bristol UK Froglord are here with a message of our impending doom at the hands of the overlord of legend. Never one to pass up the opportunity to commune with the great ones. I sat down with one man band and prophet Froglord himself. to find out more about the coming end times.
“...folks think the reptilians are the strings.”pullingshadowscroakthebehindthings,controllingonesbutthat,amphibiansintheallthe
And the Lord said unto John, "Come forth and ye shall receive eternal life".
Folks can go check out my latest record I released with Bog Wizard a few months back if they like. A Frog in The Bog tells the tale of Froglord and the mighty Bog Wizard coming face to face in the ultimate showdown of our time. Hoping to release the new album by the end of this year, so keep your eyes peeled, your skin hydrated, and your ribbits thunderous.
What is the best joke you know?
Lateralus by Tool
Siamese Dream by The Smashing Pumpkins
Dirt by Alice in Chains
If you could only listen to three albums again which would they be?
But John came fifth and won a toaster instead.
Artwork by JamalAmjadArt
Gnome
To describe Gnome as a stoner rock band does not do them justice. This trio from Antwerp combine elements of prog, doom and the aforementioned stoner rock into a weirdly unique package that makes latest release “King” an essential listen to anyone remotely interested in rock music in general. I sat down with front man Rutger Verbist to get an insight into the world of Gnome!
I feel I can hear some sabbath and electric wizard influences on your last record, is that the case? What other artists do you draw your influences from?
You guys are one of the more interesting bands I've come across recently, both sonically and visually. How did the bands unique sound come about?
“If I’d have to describe the “Gnome” experience I would say that we are very fun and energetic live. A perfect marriage between heavy face-melting riffs and dancy, happy vibes. We don’t take ourselves very seriously and this is also present on our record. Songs titled Kraken Wanker and Platypus Platoon are a testament to that ;) . We look for a balance between heavy and light, giving our music quite a natural dynamic feel.”
“Originally I played all instruments myself, including bass and drums. Just to make silly music and videos for Youtube. After some time I wanted to make a full band out of my project, because I thought some of my songs had potential. This is how I met Egon, our drummer. This is how most of our sound came together. I play a very classic rock oriented setup: Gibson SG through a London City DEA 100 (a Marhall plexi clone). I write a mix of whimsical, happy tunes mixed with heavy stoner and doom riffs. We might have sounded very generic if not for Egon, because his musical training in jazz and his south American grooves and rhythms really shape our unique vibe. Egon is also the one who came up with our name Gnome. Then I asked my good friend Geoffrey to join, who started out as a guitarist, but turned out to be very proficient at writing and playing awesome bass lines! There you have our unique sound.”
“Sabbath is a classic influence on almost every heavy guitar music out there, including us. Electric wizard did leave quite an amazing imprint on my young mind when I saw them live at the age of 17. But I think most direct influences on the KING album came from The Vintage Caravan, Kadavar and Psychedelic Porn Crumpets.
“Gnomes are very real and magical creatures. The Bohemian king Wenceslas had a crack at exterminating us in the early European middle ages, which was obviously unsuccessful. For people interested in our lore, it is fully explained in an epic chronicle on the inside of our KING record cover ;) . You’ll have to buy it to find out! Records can be ordered on our label’s website polderrecords.be And CD’s can be acquired via our Bandcamp page. Other merch is yet to be produced but will be available at our live shows and purchasable via our online platforms. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more info!”
For the uninitiated, how would you describe the "Gnome" experience? (On record and live)
Finally, are Gnomes real or just ancient propaganda?
You draw influence from D and D as well as golden age Sci fi, are there any particular films/actors or Directors that you look to?
You mentioned that you work as a one man band of sorts is that something you prefer or do you think you miss out on the influence and ideas you could get from writing with other members?
Looting the body is a common expression in gaming. It's the way low level characters can have access to treasure and better gear. For me it also explains my approach to making art. I'm looting the bodies and taking bits and pieces from my inspirations in order to come up with something new.
I love playing with other people. That type of collaboration is my preferred method of music making. Unfortunately, I don't have as much free time as I used to have back in my teenage years and my 20's. I don't want to stop making music and I don't want to be frustrated by logistics and scheduling. There are certainly better singers out there, better players, better songwriters but at the end of the day, the best way I've found to be able to make music is to do it all myself in the little pockets of time I can find ... usually it's between 9 PM and 3 AM.
The influences keep changing and that's why I'm able to keep writing new music. It would be very boring if I kept exploring the same handful of sources. A lot of my influences are literary. In the back of the original D&D book there is Appendix N. This is a list of books and authors that inspired the developers of the game. That's a good place to start for me as well. As far as movies go, I like movies that are ambitious and imaginative. They don't have to be perfect, I just need the sense that the artist is really going for something new. I love David Lynch's dune. Also Ben Wheatley's A Field in England. I'm a big fan of Fire & Ice (collaboration between Frazetta and Bakshi). I also like animation like Adventure Time, Primal, and Regular Show.
Awesome name for a band! To be honest when I heard it I expected a death metal group or something! How did the name come about?
Its remarkable that in 2022 bands like this still exist. One man band “Loot the body” are one of the most exhilarating projects that I have found. Drawing influence from role playing game Dungeons and Dragons LTB are one of my favourite discoveries in recent memory.
I'd been playing in various bands for most of my life. At some point I found myself without a band and with an overwhelming obsession with old school fantasy and Dungeons and Dragons. As a creative experiment I started channelling these interests into my music and was very pleased with the way it was turning out. I sort of took it from there.
Could you tell me about how you began writing and recording as “loot the body”?
Your music is quite unique in 2022 why do you think the 60s style and weirdness has not came back around like so many other trends have?
When I listen to your records (to me at least) it is reminiscent of 60's psychedelia and the Beatles even some Pink Floyd. Is that the case?
Do you have any more modern influences? Either film or music.
Absolutely. I am a huge fan 0f 60's and 70's psych and prog. Not only that, there's something about that style of music and the topics I like to write about that really seem to work for me. I tend to write songs in batches and about central themes. So that also ties me to that genre.
Thanks for that. I don't know about what is popular in the charts but there is still an underground of indie bands still exploring this style somewhat. I wasn't around in the 60's but I "discovered" that music in the 80's and 90's. In the early 2000's bands from the Elephant 6 collective and The Flaming Lips picked up the torch. You could say Tame Impala are part of it. Certainly The OhSees, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and King Gizzard are continuing it as well. I don't know if it will ever top the charts but if you scratch the surface you'll find kids trying to make weird noises with guitars and synths. May it always be so.
Sailing the Starless sea was inspired by an adventure for the Dungeon Crawl Classics (DCC) gaming system. It's probably my favourite system, more than actual D&D. I don't want to give too much away but in this game the players are lowly villagers adventuring into a haunted keep that has brought suffering to their people. It's a lot of fun. Reading the adventure and running it for friends was so much fun. It was inspirational and usually when I'm inspired I head for my guitar and a notepad. That's what came out. I actually shared it with Goodman Games (the folks that make DCC) and they liked it so much they pressed a few limited edition flexi-discs of it. I think there are still some available. The song is also available on streaming services.
Your new single came out not long ago, what is the story behind the lyrics?
Could you explain about your obvious passion regarding D and D, when did that interest start, can you down a reason for your (and many others) interest in the game?
I was the type of kid who played pretend a lot. I could play with action figures for hours, making stories and creating my own worlds. Playing D&D and other role play games is an extension of that. There are rules and guidelines but for the most part it's a collaborative game of pretend.
I tend to move from obsession to obsession. Presently I'm obsessed with skateboarding and skateboarding culture. There are so many interesting people and stories in that world. There's a streak of non-conformity that I really like.
Some very special guests, I managed to get Bizarre from the legendary group D12 on this record which is mad to think as I grew up on D12, he smashed the track too! Big up Bizzy! I got my feathery friends The Four Owls on there. I got Datkid on there, Mys-Diggi on there, I got Runt Dawg on a track and I also got Creatures of Habit and Jack Jetson on a song too.
One of my closest, Sean Peng is to blame for that monstrosity! I needed a name for when I recorded my first track, I had been speaking about the fact that I hate the word Piff! And my name is Welly (short for Llewellyn) so I’d been called Smelly on and off and he just dropped it “why don’t you call your self Smellington Piff!” We all pissed ourselves and I was like fuck that!… We ended up using it with the aim to change it but it stuck! Fuck… haha
… On a lighter note the albums entitled ‘Roma Supreme’. It has taken four years to make, so it’s got a nice mixture of the ups and downs I’ve gone through in that period of time.
Making albums is a long process, this album has taken me this long. I’m aiming to speed up the whole process and try drop an album every year from now on.
I understand you have a new record coming out soon. This will be your first album in four years. Could you tell me what your inspiration behind this record is?
Yeah I’d say it’s a progression in the fact that I’ve improved as a rapper, some of the subject matter is a bit more light hearted/tongue and cheek than on previous projects. When I started making the album I was kinda losing my mind and decided to just record all the shit that I would have usually deleted, is that progression? Or regression? Who knows at this point.
You’ve worked with a few different producers in your career, who has been working with you on the new record? What do you feel they bring to your music?
Illinformed’s produced the whole record, I’ve been working with Bill since day one so he knows my style. This was a long time in the making… It’s took us around 4 years but we’ve been talking about this for at least 10.
Evolving from record breaking DJ to successful rapper, Smellington Piff has reached his final form. A Masterful lyricist with a dynamic flow Piff is one of the UK's best rappers and with a new record out soon he was kind enough to chat to me about all things rap, techno and the pizza business??
Why have you chosen to release it now? Was it just natural time for you or something more specific?
Do you have any special guests on this record you could tell me about?
Where did the name Smellington Piff come from?
Just the never ending feeling that death is approaching and I need to pull my finger out!
Do you think of it as a progression from your last record (2018 No fixed abode) or something else entirely?
Is it true that you were DJing at 6 years old and made it into the Guinness book of World records for being the youngest DJ in the world? Could you tell how that happened?
Yeah I’ll have to fact check you there, I was actually more like 4 or 5 when I started! We lived on the road and my dad was apart of a sound system collective called The Tribe of Twat. They used to put on free raves around Northamptonshire and when it got to the Sunday and everyone was too muntered to play, I’d start messing about on the decks. It grew from there, people giving me records etc. then I ended up getting spotted and moved to London to be a resident DJ in what was then The Drome nightclub (now SE1 nightclub) when I say resident we actually had our caravan in the nightclub! Then it blew up and I was in the Guinness Book of Records as the Youngest DJ in the World, toured South Africa and a load of other crazy stuff! Almost feels like another life I’ve lived.
Do you ever feel like you want to go back to DJing?
No! I fucking hated Techno after playing it for 9 years and quitting DJing was my way of rebelling against it. I heard Eminem, 50 cent, Cypress Hill, Red and Meth, Wu Tang and found a new world, then I discovered Skinny Man and Task Force and decided I could do this shit myself! Thank fuck for Hip Hop! The shit really saved me, praise the lord!
Other than the new record do you have anymore plans for the next twelve months?
In the process of starting a pizza business, if everything goes to plan you’ll see me at all the festivals dishing them out soon!
In piecing together this list I realised how many truly awesome thrash metal records that have, and continue to be made. Whilst it’s heyday is arguably behind it by some thirty years or so the so called “new wave” of thrash is building upon those foundations and constantly expanding on what has come Thisbefore.listis by no comprehensivemeansoraccurate for that matter. This is just my opinion for what’s its worth. I hope this manages to generate a conversion and perhaps if you haven’t heard one of the records on the list check them Iout!have decided to keep the list to one entry per band as more likely than not it would be ten slayer records! Anyway here goes...........
Metallica – Kill em all
1989’s “Handle with Care” was the second album from New Yorker’s Nuclear Assault. On this record everything seemed to come together for the group. A great mix of political commentary and satire standout tracks are “Torture Tactics” a satirical stab at the Nazis party and single “Critical Mass” which exemplifies the whole album. Although they never managed to break mainstream metal success like many of their peers you could do worse than checking out this speed metal classic.
The fast-paced speed metal of Metallica’s debut album “Kill ‘Em All” introduced a whole new genre of music quickly separating itself from the heavy metal of other groups back in 1983. The ambitiousness of the record cannot be overstated. Unlike the quick and fast tempos of hardcore punk that used relatively simple chords with songs barely hitting the three minute mark, Metallica took this a few steps further by building on those fast and aggressive tempos with more complex playing, time signature changes and adding length. The 10-song “Kill ‘Em All” stretches more than 50 minutes with every song, except one, exceeding more than four minutes long. The albums legacy speaks for itself with Metallica being quite literally the biggest band in the world right now. Any metal fan that hasn’t heard this record should check it out as a matter of urgency.
Nuclear Assault – Handle with care
DRI – Thrash Zone
DRI or Dirty rotten imbeciles to their friends. Released Thrash Zone, their 5th record in 1989. The album was their most successful since the bands inception. D.R.I. had managed the thenrare feat of crossing over to metal audiences while retaining their skate-punk and hardcore fan base. The production of ‘Thrash Zone’ may not be great, but an overproduced crossover album just wouldn’t work. As a commercial pinnacle, ‘Thrash Zone’ is a great album and a fantastic place to start for those looking to not only explore the genre but the band itself.
Sepultura – Arise
Whilst this entry could have easily gone to the bands previous release 1989 “Beneath the remains” for me at least “Arise” beats it to the post. As a record it shows the band at a turning point when the seed was planted for what the band would eventually become (with Max at the helm anyway). Whilst not straight up thrash throughout, its influence on the genre should not be understated. Tracks like “Dead embryonic cells” and the title track are straight up masterpieces of metal. One could argue that the band eventually eclipsed “Arise” with later releases but This album was the benchmark and blueprint for what would come.
Municipal Waste- The art of Partying Remember when things were fun? Remember when people didn’t take things so seriously?
Powertrip – Nightmare logic
This record is everything a modern thrash record should be, fast, heavy as lead and delivered with uncompromised passion. This was the last record to feature late front-man Riley Gale and it is a fitting tribute to the man. The track “Executioners Tax (swing of the axe)” is still a favourite of mine and demonstrates Powertrips ability to lay down a heavy track with memorable hooks without resorting to clean vocals. We will always be left to wonder what might have been but at we should all be thankful for what we have. Thanks lads.
Municipal Waste Remember. “The art of partying” manages to be an accomplished and well executed record whilst being the soundtrack to a party during the apocalypse at the same time. There’s not a bad track on this album and songs like “Beer pressure” and “The inebriator” standout as fine examples of a band at the top of their game despite being several pints under (probably). As the band themselves aptly put it “Municipal Waste is gonna fuck you up!”
With a major-label deal in hand, the excellent though short-lived lineup (guitarist Chris Poland, bassist David Ellefson, and drummer Gar Samuelson) backing him up, ex-Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine channelled his personal bitterness and politics through his signature snarl and superior shredding skill, creating this masterpiece of thrash. The tracks to hear are “Peace sells” a classic cut that is a consistent part of the Megadeth live set and album closer “My last words” which ties the record up wonderfully.Abrilliantrecord from start to finish.
Dark Angel - Darkness Descends Dark Angel were the greatest thrash band that people don’t mention anymore. The groups second album, Darkness Descends, is still one of the most imposingly weighty thrash albums ever recorded. The guitars are twin chainsaws while Gene Holgans drumming forms a bludgeoning centre piece for the rest of the band to rally around. The real beauty of this album, however, lies in its sheer nastiness – a thickly mean-spirited vein runs through its entirety, and never more so than on the wonderful Merciless Death. All of the tracks on offer here are classics and the pace doesn’t let up at all. A true classic of the genre that deserves more appreciation from modern fans.
Anthrax – Spreading the Disease
Megadeth - Peace Sells… But Who's Buying?
This record vaulted Anthrax onto the front lines of the heavy metal trenches when it was released in 1985. The drumming from Charlie Benante is relentless, the guitar trio of Frank Bello, Scott Ian and Dan Spitz feels like a battering ram with a chainsaw strapped to the end of it and the lyrics about dystopian nightmares and alienated heroes. Hit home all to well. A fantastic record from a legendary group.
Slayer – Reign in Blood
An obvious choice I know. Slayers 1986 thrash metal masterpiece was and still is the ideal metal record. Clocking in at 29mins not a single moment is wasted and the visceral songs blast through you like a satanic juggernaut. It’s hard to pick a favourite track but opener “Angel of Death” is a good start. A song about Nazis scientist Joseph Mengele's horrific experiments sets the tone for the whole record. The closing track “Raining Blood” could easily be considered the best metal track ever written. Over the ten tracks on offer there are no weak links or Dips in quality. “Reign in Blood” is a perfect record and one that was never bettered by anyone.
To be honest, the upcoming tour feels like a lifetime away and yet I know it’s speeding into focus like a freight train. We still have festivals and our tour with Ferocious Dog before we hit our headline run. I’m always excited about touring and, for me, the Northern quarter of the UK has a very special place in my heart. It was venues like Star and Garter in Manchester and The Waterloo in Blackpool that gave me some of my first tour dates and I think we have a truly lovely community up that way. Having said that, we started touring the South West this year Devon and the surrounding areas and that blew us away too. Heck. I just like being on the road.
It seems like a busy time for you; how are you feeling about the forthcoming tour, and are there any shows you are looking forward to the most?
How was Rebellion festival and did you manage to watch any other artists perform?
What do you want people to take away from seeing you live or listening to your records?
I don’t really have any goal in that sense, other than I want people to have a great time and enjoy the show. My music is often cathartic, and I have always gone into it with an attitude of ‘I have to love it, and hopefully other people will’.
Rebellion was incredible. We were absolutely blown away by the support for our band on the R-Fest stage and my acoustic set was no less emotional in the packed-out room upstairs. I didn’t get to see much because I had a packedout day with merch and interviews, but Penelope Tree were great (Joe’s other band) and we caught a band called Changed Persona on the Introducing stage who had some awesome pop punk earworms going on.
If you were to cross No Doubt with the heartfelt lyrics of later day Clash you would get something that sounds a lot like MILLIE MANDERS AND THE SHUTUP. The band’s reputation as one of the most exhilarating live acts in the country has been enhanced by an already frantic 2022. In the spring they supported the legendary Less Than Jake on their UK and Ireland tour and are currently embarking on a headline tour of their own. Millie was kind enough to take some time to speak to me about the tour, life on the road and her Influences.
The first time I truly wanted to sing was going to see Phantom of The Opera in London and buying the album afterwards. I would sing along to the lead female vocalist. That’s when my Mum got me some singing lessons for my 16th birthday. After that, my vocal influences largely came from Skunk Anansie (I’m currently reading Skin’s autobiography and it’s wonderful), Aretha Franklin, The Cranberries and No Doubt. With all of these artists it was their uniqueness and their varying techniques. I learned all of them by replication and then application to my own style. From the early 90s I was also influenced by The Prodigy, Rage Against The Machine, The Specials, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Cypress Hill and more, while also being influenced by Classical music and early RnB artists. I was lucky to have a house full of music as a child and I loved all of it. I wanted to learn ragtime on the clarinet, big band jazz on the saxophone, and I wanted to know how to be a rock singer. I think all of that shows up in my music one way or another.
How do you think your life has changed as a person and how have you changed as a band in the time since the inception of MMATSU?
Finally, thanks for your time and good luck for the future. Do you have a message you want to send out to fans of the band? Just thank you. My message is only ever to express the gratitude I have for people continuing to support our journey and to be part of our story.
When you were growing up, which artists really influenced you? What was it about them that made you listen?
This is such an incredibly complex set of questions! Since the inception of MMATSU, as a person I have suffered traumas, had breakdowns, travelled the UK multiple times, had insane highs of touring with my heroes and being on stages bigger than my imagination could come up with. You can’t NOT change over a period of nearly ten years. Again, the band dynamic in ten years has changed massively. The line-up has changed several times; I started out with session musicians and now have a permanent set of musicians in as far as they want to stay (life happens, people move on, people leave and new people come in, It’s a cycle). We grow together and change together, and I feel we have the best line-up, with the most unselfish and caring people we have ever had, who all happen to be brilliant musicians. I am lucky.
Hi guys how’s everything in the Anti-Clone camp at the moment?
Hi David! It's all go at the moment! We're gearing up for the release of the EP, while trying to get everything nailed for the launch show. So yeah, busy, busy, busy
After a four year hiatus successors to the Nu metal crown Anti-Clone come back with their new single, a new look and a brand new attitude. We talk about the new EP launch, fetishizing war, Human rights oh and pre-show vitamins!
So a lot of the key ones for us have been artists such as Mushroomhead (who we have been lucky enough to play a few shows with), Mudvayne, Limp Bizkit and Marilyn Manson. All of us have other personal favourites, but these artists have always been at the core of the sound that brought us together.
How do you prepare for your live show , are there any pre-shows rituals you guys adhere to?
I understand you have your new EP out soon, could you tell me a bit about that? Is there a theme throughout the record?
So we're returning after a four year hiatus with a brand new look and a new member! 'Human' was written with some of the cataclysmic recent world events in mind. 'Human' is a step into the mind-set of four people trying to contend with every day life while the world appears to be burning around them. It's a follow up to our 2016 release 'The Root of Man', however 'Human' takes on a more melodic, nuanced sound that still promises as much aggression as its predecessor.
Your latest single “Human” is out now what is the inspiration behind the track? 'Human' is an anthem rooted in the horror of what it means to be human. Its intention is to hold a mirror to humanity (or lack of) and explore just how far we've fallen in the sense that we fetishize war, and that we hold guns and gods above basic human rights, decency and life. Every time you turn on the TV, or read the news, you are greeted by the same bleak reality be it the war in Ukraine, or the most recent school shootings in the United States. Human is a case study into the psyche of the human race and how we can learn to be better.
There's one really weird one, actually. Berocca, and that's all I'm saying.
What bands inspired you to write and perform in the beginning and has that changed at all?
What’s the message you want to get across in both your live shows and recorded music?
It was a decision taken before 'TROM', as we felt that we needed a look that reflected the change in tone musically. This has evolved further with 'Human' as the look has progressed to a more horror inspired look, that also continues to reflect the themes in the music. I would say it's definitely helped onstage as suddenly you're this completely different being, and I feel people respond to that in a different way. It makes the whole thing feel more fantastical and makes it easier for the crowd to lose themselves in the performance.
In terms of the live show we aim to put something on that people walk away from going 'wow'. It's something that we've been incredibly passionate about since day 0. This is also something reflected in the music, where the passion that we have onstage feeds into the recording process and vice versa. We want the whole thing to be a spectacle and a real show.
Why did you chose to perform wearing masks, would you say it helps you disconnect somewhat from your normal self’s when onstage or is there another reason behind the theme?
What keeps you passionate outside of music – think art and film for example?
For me personally I enjoy films a lot. I'm also an actor, so the music really ties into what I do. I get a lot of inspiration from movies in the song writing process, and a lot of inspiration for my performances on screen from music. It's a kind of cyclical thing, with one feeding the other constantly.
New Exhorder songs, and nothing more. I don’t like to have outside influence when writing.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Okay, just busy with some August performances and pre-production for the upcoming album.
It's been very up and down, I'm not going to lie! We’ve had personnel issues over the last couple of years, and a long road towards getting things where the majority of the band is finally happy moving forward. The makeup of Exhorder is currently a happy environment, and musically we are very connected. Lots of chemistry, virtually no strife. It’s a great place to be.
I noticed (via Facebook) you've been hanging put with Eyehategod recently, any chance of a collaboration, I think Eyehatexhorder has a good ring to it!?
I barely listen to metal for fun. You can best bet when the baker gets home from the bakery at night, nobody is getting pastries. You’re more likely to hear new wave, old school funk, or early proto-punk at my house on a Sunday Funday. But I do still spin metal sometimes, especially when I’m checking out new bands. I’m finally back to a point in my life where I’m enjoying that. So many good new acts coming up in Louisiana.
They can be credited as one of the founding forces of groove metal. Louisiana’s Exhorder popularized the heavy and richly layered sound that is so deeply rooted in The Big Easy. Exhorder's first two albums, Slaughter in the Vatican and The Law, are considered genre staples. Yet a 14 year hiatus prevented the group from achieving the same. Frontman Kyle Thomas talks the new record, the early days and his thoughts on the Pantera reunion.
Kyle, thank you for your time, how are you today?
Do you stay in the metal genre or are you more eclectic in your music tastes?
I’ve known those guys since we were kids. I met Jimmy first because we played in our first two bands together. Gary and I went to high school together, though he was a couple of years behind me. Mike was someone I met when I started going to punk rock shows around 1985. We shared bills back in the 80’s and 90’s, so it’s just old school friendships there. We’ve all jammed around together at some point or another, probably
With the pandemic at its end and things getting back to normal it must be good to get on the road again, how has the last year been for the band?
We’re currently sitting on more songs than we need, but we keep spitting them out. Our philosophy is that it’s better to have too many, then we can cherry pick the best and have some reserves. We’re all stoked about it, and we’re in talks with Nuclear Blast about planning out setting it into motion.
I’m a musician first, metal recording artist second. I’ve performed with the New Orleans Symphony before. Due to that, nothing seems like a guilty pleasure to me. It’s all just music.
If Wikipedia is anything to go by there are some plans to record a new record, is that the case? If so how is that process going?
I think it’s great for metal. And I think the fans deserve to witness modern performances of the songs. And lastly, Phil and Rex deserve to play them. Don’t like it? Don’t go. Stay home and listen to the albums; they’ll never let you down. But others deserve to have it, and it’s only going to help this resurgence in metal flourish.
Exhorder came up with a lot of comparisons to Pantera. What's your opinion on the reunion, with Zakk and Charlie filling in for Dime and Vinnie?
The band has been cited as one of the pioneers of groove metal. What was the catalyst that changed your sound from the more traditional thrash sound you had on "Slaughter the Vatican"?
On the same note do you have any guilty musical pleasures?
Finally is there any chance of a UK tour anytime soon?
Not soon enough!!! I miss the UK, and my friends that live there. Hopefully next year.
I can’t stand listening to them. But to be fair, I rarely listen to any of my back catalogue just for my own pleasure. Once it’s released, I move on to new stuff I’m working on. It doesn’t please me to listen back, because usually it ends up being a critique. I’d rather move on from them. I’m proud of all of them, but the earlier ones are the toughest to listen to, because our inexperience and low budgets made for end results that really none of us were satisfied with. I’m pretty sure all of the guys from back then feel similarly to the way I do on that one.
See, I never knew that we changed, really. Incontinence and Unforgiven were from our first demo in 1986. The Truth and Soul Search Me are thrashy as fuck. If you listen to the Get Rude and Slaughter in the Vatican demos, there are a lot more groove moments than the album version of Slaughter in the Vatican captured. We played the songs too fast on the album, and the grooves kind of suffered, consequently. I dont know, all the labels and genre classification is kind of unnecessary to me. We never were a pure thrash band. Or groove, or whatever. We had a punk rock mind-set and a lot of different flavours thrown in, especially traditional New Orleans music. The distorted guitars mask it a little, but it’s there.
Looking back at your albums, 1990 was when Slaughter in the Vatican came out and then ‘92 was when The Law came out. Looking back now, how do those albums hold up in your eyes?
It's just the two of you in the band. How does that dynamic work? Are you looking at recruiting more members?
Dean Lamb (of Archspire) lent his talents to your track "Witch Prison". How did that crossover happen?
Next is an EP, a few covers, (all recorded and good to go already!), a music video, some playthroughs, and continually searching for a drummer. We don’t plan on stopping anytime soon and we hope those that dig our music continue to share it with their friends and anyone else who could appreciate it. We busted our asses on it and we believe a large majority of people would find something to take away from it.
Where did the name Parceltongue come from?
Software issues. Gear issues. Relationship issues. Employment issues. Housing issues. Deaths. It was a ROUGH two years trying to get this album together, notwithstanding how difficult it is for Corey and I to find time to get together. So the journey aspect, as you described in your other question, is pretty accurate. It’s very emotional. Lots of twists and turns, as our lives and recording process had too.
Parseltongue is the serpent language in Harry Potter. It’s a cool word to begin with and sounds pretty metal, so why not use it as a band name haha. No deep meaning.
Two man power trip Parceltongue are one of those bands you hear and have to have a little sit down afterwards. Their debut record Basilisk is genuinely one of the best records I have heard this year and one that is full of interesting twists and turns. Multi instrumentalist Joseph was kind enough to have a chat with me about the record.
With the debut album out there in the wild what's next for Parceltongue?
I, Joseph, write everything and record everything you hear. I’ll occasionally do clean vocals, but everything theme and vocal related is all Corey. Makes my job easy as I get to focus on the instruments which is my forte and Corey has complete creative control. It’s a beautiful symbiotic relationship.
Tell me alittle about your debt record "Basilisk" (is there a theme or concept for the record) Basilisk was a bitch to do. So many issues popped up along the way. Recording issues.
Dean Lamb is such a sweetheart but it’s really not a crazy story. He has a public email. I offered. He said he wanted to hear the song first. I sent it and he said he loved it and came back with that legendary solo. There will be a video playthrough of that solo put up in the future. A cool thing that happened in relation to Dean was I was watching his stream a couple months after he did the solo and I thanked him for being involved and he said “dude I can’t get that melody out of my head. Super catchy song”. As you can imagine, I lost my mind at praise from such a high level musician.
The Cro-Mags live at The Exchange Bristol Support from Overpower Photography thanks
Opening tonight’s events are local thrashcrossover lads Overpower. Clad in Powertrip t shirts and Scott Steiner esq chain mail there is no confusing their intent. The band plough through their short set of Pantera/Malevolence inspired songs with enough conviction and confidence to impress those present. These guys are a band to watch out for.
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To say its been an interesting week for the CroMags would be an understatement. A mere six days ago drummer and walking miracle Gary Sullivan was legally dead for five minutes and by some divine intervention came back to life!
to @dangeenoodleszzz
Despite this the band spend the next two hours playing some of the best hardcore ever written to a rabid crowd of fans. The emotion emanating from the band is clear throughout. Front-man Harley Flanagan is as passionate a performer as you are likely ever to see and the preceding set is akin to a religious experience with Flanagan taking us all to church with some truly thought provoking between song banter. The set comprised of every song a fan could want with “World Peace” as personnel highlight for me. Sadly its all over to soon but the Cro-mags achieved a show tonight that was passionate in its delivery and life affirming in the hearts of everyone present. Long live the Cro-mags!
It’s a warm and clear evening in Bristol as the masses descend upon the Exchange tonight. The beer and conversation is flowing as we wait eagerly for this evening entertainment.