- Thu, 2011-01-06 16:54
Power sliding into 2011 with fists full of fury, pockets full of riffs and growls, screams, basslines and more - we present a selection of Rock track and album releases to look out for in the new year...
Artist: As Blood Runs Black Track: Resist Label: Mediaskare Records
December 2009 saw LA based, death-metal five-piece As Blood Runs Black, post a demo track online featuring their new vocalist Jonny McBee. He then quit the band weeks after joining, issuing a statement claiming, The reason I left As Blood Runs Black is conflicting personalities. I am straight edge, they are not February 2010 saw vocalist number two join the outfit; Ken Maxwell. He then left mid-August. Turning his phone off and walking away whilst the band were touring with Oceano. So they called up their former merch guy Sonik Garcia, who turned up and played a show that night, grasping vocal duties with both lungs and promising a future onslaught like no other. Though he's yet to out live his predecessor, when new track Resist skidded ferociously toward our concious at the end of last year, we couldn't help but conclude something had fallen into place. If this hulk of gut shuddering metal is anything to go by, new album Instinct (due out 15th February 2011 on Mediaskare Records) should see us through the last of the winter months, providing a full-on shriek covered power slide into spring 2011.
Artist: Mexicolas Track: Brakes Released: 17th January 2011 Label: In Exile
Mexicolas are set to release new single Breaks in 2011. The Birmingham based band have notched up a reputable repetoire of experience since forming in 2006. Having played Rockness and Download, supported The Cult, The Offspring and Daughtry, their blend of mid-tempo, melody driven rock focuses on a typical but rewarding anthemic formation; sweeping instrumentation, building into stadium-focused choruses. Breaks is much the same and comes in advance of their second album The Minerva Suite, co-produced and engineered by Dan Sprigg at In Exile Records, due for release 7th March 2011.
Artist: Slash ft Fergie Track: Beautiful Dangerous Released: 28th January 2011 Label: EMI
Taken from his eponymous debut album, Slash has recruited Black Eyed Pea's Fergie for new single Beautiful Dangerous. She's ditched the rnb-futuristic garb, replacing bling with leather and auto-tune pop squeals for gutsy rock chick swagger. The best bit about the single (unsuprisingly) comes in the form of a shriek heavy, guitar bleeding solo from the renowned guitarist himself. Check out the video below for Fergie pretending to be Axl Rose...
Artist: Royal Republic Track: Tommy Gun Released: 14th February 2011 Label: Roadrunner
Royal Republic are self-professed 'actionrock' pioneers hailing from Sweden. We're not quite sure what the defining qualities of 'actionrock' are (this sounds more like well produced, chart friendly punk-rock to us...) but still, this is the most up-beat track in our future releases selection, and when it comes to our rock playlists, we're happy to admit that a dash of riff ready humour has never caused us any harm. Lead singer Adam Grahnhas stated that by the end of their first rehearsals together, Royal Republic knew they were onto something, It felt so new and exciting - just like the first time you try to grab your girlfriend’s titties!” With their debut album We Are The Royal due to hit UK shelves in March 2011, warm up single Tommy Gun is sure to get you interested. Check out the video:
Artist: The Brute Chorus Track: Birdman Released: 16th January 2011
The Brute Chorus prove re-interpreting the past can only be a good thing with Birdman, the third single from album How The Caged Bird Sings (due out in Europe Feb 2011). Coupling heavy rockabilly credentials with tight production and slab upon slab of layered feedback and synth, it's no wonder the track continues to prove a live favourite; allowing frontman James Steel to gallop across the stage in a beat driven fury. Inspired by African Voodoo practices and with opening lines adapted from a 17th Century hymn by dissident religious sect The Ranters - '...I'm gonna drink myself immortal and smoke myself blind...' the track is a lively take on the traditional rockabilly format. Plus, the single come with artwork designed by fabled London tattooist Mo Coppoletta, based on an image of Victorian philanthropist Sir Henry Wellcome wearing a feathered headress.
Artist: Bloodhound Gang Track: Altogether Ooky Released: 10th January 2011
Oh the Bloodhound Gang. Ever famed for their intelligent construction of deeply moving, melodic rock music. Ho ho ho. We joke of course. As do the band. In everything they do. Which is why we love them and why we are pleased to have them back. In the words of the Joker...Why so serious? Exactly. Here's their new video. We can't wait for 2011 to bring some more.
Artist: Farewell To Freeway Album: Filthy Habits Released: 18th January 2011 Label: Victory Records
Canadian metalcore purveyors Farewell To Freeway arrived upon the doorstep of Victory Records with a very clear vision of their future. Unlike most, they were not afraid to be labelled, infact, quite the opposite. Their 2008 album titled Definitions came with a sure-fire tag line via the band hard melodic rock with metal influences... Following second album Only Time Will Tell, the band are now set for album three in 2011. Filthy Habits promises an even more intricate take upon the instrumentation and musicality innate with metalcore, blending a rich melodic tapestry with tight guitar work, the album sees the band take a step toward maturity.
Artist: Japanese Voyeurs Album: Yolk Released: 18th January 2011 Label: Slimeball Records
London based Japanese Voyeurs recorded their debut album Yolk with famed producer GGGarth Richardson (Rage Against The Machine, The Melvins, Jesus Lizard and a lot more...) Following the success of their debut Sicking and Creaming EP, plus single That Love Sound, Yolk looks set to raise standards higher. Frontwoman Romily Alice gives new meaning to the term grunge, with the band splurging distortion across fragmented melody as she dances between lullaby invitations and churned up rock-goddess power. I Like Music caught up with Romily for a chat, she described what it was about heavy music that kept her coming back for more; I guess I feel like it connects with me on a deeper level. The brutality, the force of it feels so powerful. I think what interests me is the kind of duality between the sense that it's a state - it's so loud that you can get lost in it - but at the same time it's also challenging in that it's so personal. You get both in one thing. To read the full interview (including how Romily got into making her own guitar pedals...) Click Here
Artist: DevilDriver Album: Beast Released: 22nd February 2011 Label: Roadrunner
DevilDriver are not a band to let fans down. Ready to release their fifth studio album Beast in February 2011, their steady rise to recognition has seen a loyal following grow into a fan army, certain they can trust in the high standard of raw, guttural heavy metal DevilDriver continue to put out. I Like Music caught up with guitarist Miller at the end of last year whilst on tour with 36Crazyfists, he went on to describe Beast as the fucking ugliest DevilDriver album to date, proclaiming ...there's nothing happy about it. Miller also let us in on a little secret; Right now I'm endorsed by ESP. No-one knows this yet but they're actually giving us a signature series which is going to be released next January. It's a custom Jonathan Miller DevilDriver bass. That's another highlight for me, you really couldn't ask for anything better than that... DevilDriver Chat To I Like Music: Read The Full Interview Here
Artist: Skindred Album: Union Black Released: April 2011 Label: Bieler Bros.
Ragga-punk ruffians Skindred are set to release their fourth album Union Black in April 2011. The record will come in tow with an 11 date Union Black tour with support from US post hardcore act Chiodos and Blackpool's five piece pop punkers Me Vs Hero - see dates here The album follows huge live success across the UK in 2010 and will feature Papa Roach frontman Jacoby Shaddix as a guest vocalist on the track Warning. Front-man Benji Webbe has this to say about the new record: This is the first album we have written and recorded in the UK, it's a big departure from our usual sunny California or Florida surroundings - its bloody freezing! The album will be darker and heavier than any of our previous recordings and I've not been this excited whilst writing since I was a kid! Union Black is bringing the darker side of the Dred out for sure!
Artist: Children of Bodom Album: Relentless Reckless Forever Released: 8th March 2011 Label: Universal
Formed in 1993, Finland's COD have long outlived their namesake; the infamous killing of three teenagers camping upon the shores of Lake Bodom, moments away from the band's home city Espoo (the second largest city in Finland....) The black metallers have continued to defy generalisation, combining an ever-changing formula of humour, dark melodic instrumentation and power-slide references into their music. Our introduction to seventh album Relentless Reckless Forever came via an expertly shot video (combining pro-skating, fire balls and guitar solos) coupled with intro track Was It Worth It, described by singer Alexi Laiho as, A total party song. It's not your typical Bodom sound, but it's one of my favorites and heavy as hell. Recorded in Finland's Petrax Studios with famed rock producer Matt Hyde (Slayer, Monster Magnet), Relentless Reckless Forever looks set to live up to its title.
