Monthly Archives februari 2013

Posted in Gig/Festival Reviews

Lawnmower Deth, self-proclaimed Godfathers of British Thrash and Usurpers of the buffoonery crown, have announced their only club show of 2013.

Since being pulled out of retirement for a one-off show at Alexandra Palace with Bullet For My Valentine, the band have refuted reports of reformation. ”It’s a regurgitation, get it right!” states singer Qualcast Mutilator.

Appearances have been rare but always event-based. Three Download festivals in four years, Damnation Festival, Hammerfest Festival, Bloodstock Festival, and now announced for 2013 Hard Rock Hell Festival.

However, the draw of an even rarer club show in their home town was just too much. This will be the band’s first home town gig in 20 years, and their only club show of 2013.

Nottingham Rescue Rooms on December 20th, 2013 w...

Posted in Press Releases

WAMPIRE SHARES NEW SINGLE ”THE HEARSE” VIA PITCHFORK
DEBUT LP CURIOSITY DUE IN MAY VIA POLYVINYL
”THE HEARSE” 7″ OUT MARCH 5TH, AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW

After forming Wampire, Rocky Tinder and Eric Phipps steadily began to make a name for themselves in the same Portland, OR, scene that has produced labelmates STRFKR as well as Unknown Mortal Orchestra. It makes sense, then, that Wampire came to Polyvinyl’s attention when the duo opened for STRFKR at a hometown Portland show and that UMO’s bassist Jacob Portrait produced Wampire’s debut full-length, Curiosity.

The choice of Portrait was a natural one, with both Tinder and Phipps believing he’d be able to contribute almost as much to the record as they would...

Posted in Press Releases

WAY TO BLUE – THE SONGS OF NICK DRAKE – Navigator Records, April 15, 2013

Featuring Teddy Thompson, Vashti Bunyan, Green Gartside, Robyn Hitchcock, Lisa Hannigan, Scott Matthews, Krystle Warren, Danny Thompson and more – recorded live in London and Melbourne

“Every week, somewhere in the world, singers gather in clubs and halls to sing the songs of Nick Drake. It is sobering to think that more people now hear his songs in a month than ever heard them in his lifetime.” – Joe Boyd

Undoubtedly one of the most influential English singer-songwriters of the last 50 years, Nick Drake found little mainstream success during his lifetime; however, since his untimely death at the age of 26, his fragile acoustic, autumnal music has touched the hearts of millions of people.

Over the years sin...

Posted in Press Releases

This spring sees the release of an extended edition of the hugely successful debut album, Wonderful Life by Black. Released in 1987, the album is probably best known for its title track, which was a huge hit in the UK, throughout Europe and beyond, and went on to spawn countless cover versions and appear in many in adverts, TV programmes and films. The single was originally released on the independent label Ugly Man in 1986 and sold out of its initial pressing of 1000 copies. Black soon signed to A&M Records with whom he reached the UK Top 10 in June 1987, with the single Sweetest Smile. A slightly reworked version of Wonderful Life followed soon after and also hit the Top 10. The album Wonderful Life went on to sell well over 1.5 million copies.

This special 2-CD edition comprises the fu...

Posted in Press Releases

Universal are pleased to announce the release of a deluxe edition of Dio’s ‘Dream Evil’ album on March 4th 2013.

When Ronnie James Dio finally succumbed to stomach cancer in May 2010, the world of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal lost one of its most talented and fervent ambassadors. As lead vocalist to such Rock giants as Rainbow and Black Sabbath, as well as fronting his own eponymous band for nearly three decades, Dio created some of the genres most defining and respected works.

Albums such as Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, Rising and Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll for Ritchie’s post Deep Purple band Rainbow; then Heaven And Hell, Mob Rules and Dehumanizer for the mighty Black Sabbath and with his own band Dio, albums such as Holy Diver, The Last In Line and Sacred Heart, all stand as towering mo...

Posted in Cd Reviews

High Roller Records/Playground

Ljungby´s finest SCREAMER has been around since 2009, and here is their second outing on vinyl and CD. The concept is retro, and according to the info sheet heavily based on IRON MAIDEN, ACCEPT and JUDAS PRIEST. 2011 saw their debut “Adrenaline Distractions” and 2012 was a year of touring with fellow retro maniacs BULLET. 2013 is the year of this album, and apparently more touring and festival gigs. Can anything stop the Swedes now?

Who hoo, not since 82´have I heard the kind of early days IRON MAIDEN-ish riffs that fills my speakers as “Demon Rider” takes off. The Britishness is here, the right sounding vocals courtesy of Christoffer Svensson, who also handles the bass...

Posted in Cd Reviews

High Roller Records/Playground

Växjö band WITCHGRAVE follow up on their first outing, the mini album “The Devil´s Night”. These satanic metal merchants have dedicated themselves to the NWOBHM they say, especially the likes of VENOM, HELL and ANGEL WITCH. Just a few years ago no one spoke of Dave Halliday (R.I.P.) et al, which caught my attention. The lineup is Jocke Norberg, vocals/bass, Tobbe Ander, guitars, Gabriel Forslund, guitars, and Sven on drums. No keyboards here no. The titles are seeping with seventies horror movie themes…so…rock me!

Opener “Raising Hell” is a piece of very raw-edged VENOM-ish music, paired with a sore throat screaming. No similarities with “Save Us from Those Who Would Save Us” there nope...

Posted in Press Releases

Swedish ’Freedom’ rockers, FREE FALL, have just announced their first ever UK show, in London on February 15th. The band are playing as main support to The Datsuns at the Camden Dingwalls.

Formed by members of THE SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES (Mattias Bärjed, guitar) and THE INTERNATIONAL NOISE CONSPIRACY (Ludwig Dahlberg, drums), FREE FALL are completed by bass player extraordinaire, Jan Martens, and a super talented singer called Kim Fransson. Together they’ve formed a timeless and classic act; the band went into Studio Cobra in Stockholm and have together, with producer, engineer and mixer Martin Ehrencrona, recorded an album that will show the world what FREE FALL and their ’Freedom Rock’ is all about. – Power and volume.

Classic Rock Magazine have described FREE FALL as ”A brash and exhil...

Posted in Press Releases

Fast rising UK rock act Skarlett Riot confirmed as support for Danish rock legends D-A-D and Voodoo Six!

Skarlett Riot have confirmed three more shows. They will open for Danish rock legends D-A-D at Wolverhampton’s Slade Rooms, March 1st and the O2 Academy in London on March 2nd, they’ll also be opening for Voodoo Six at NQ Live, Manchester on March 28th.

Don’t forget Skarlett Riot hit the road with Heaven’s Basement next week for the following shows;
5th Feb – Rugby, The Vault
6th Feb – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
7th Feb – Grimsby, Yardbirds

Skarlett Riot release their debut album ‘Tear Me Down’ on March 25th, through Code 7.
Led by the hugely impressive vocal talents of Skarlett, the four-piece mix powerful guitar lines with huge, memorable choruses on an irresist...

Posted in Press Releases

Rewind – The World’s Biggest 80s Festival returns for its fifth year from Friday 16th August – Sunday 18th August at Temple Island Meadows, Henley-on-Thames.

Tickets are on sale now. Full details about ticket outlets and prices are available from the official Rewind website – www.rewindfestival.com.

Rewind attracts 40,000 festival-goers and has sold out in advance for the last few years.

As with the previous star-studded festivals, this year’s Rewind Henley weekend extravaganza features another stellar line-up of the crème de la crème of 80s recording artists and performers.

This year’s festival promises to be the best ever, and features an exclusive UK festival performance from iconic party pop band The B-52’s on Saturday 17th August, followed by a rare UK appearance from American R...