So who doesn’t want to party to some sleazy blues rock in a huge tent during a high summer afternoon? I imagine a lot of you are already preparing for this by securing some tickets for this year’s music festivals. Once there, you’ll will probably notice there will be a lot of bands to choose from, especially in the rootsy blues rock scene that’s booming once more. Although competition on the fields will be fierce, The Sore Losers could be just the band you don’t want to miss this year. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: February 2014
Manowar – Kings of Metal MMXIV
Oh dear, that was rather unneccesary.
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Way back in 1988, the American metal band Manowar finally enjoyed their big break-through with their sixth effort, Kings of Metal. Combining the epic sound of their earlier albums like Into Glory Ride and Hail to England with the more rock ‘n roll approach of Fighting the World, Kings of Metal was the culmination of years of hard work for the band, and the epitome of what the band was capable of at the time. Eschewing the darkness that still make the first few albums into such timeless epic metal classics, Kings of Metal offered a more accessible approach to Manowar metal, and heralded a long era of heavy metal anthems and, dare we say, over-the-top cheesiness. It was also the last truly great Manowar album. Continue reading
Bruce Springsteen – High Hopes
When Bruce Springsteen announced an album of covers and reworkings of his own material, my initial reaction was tepid, and I imagine a lot of people reacted similarly. After the more introvert Wrecking Ball (2012), an album with new material and the E Street Band in full gear would have sounded like a much better idea, after all. Imagine the surprise then, that High Hopes turns out to be The Boss’ most spontaneous sounding and solid rocking album in ages. Continue reading
Beck – Morning Phase
Ok, he ate a taco Satan gave him and survived to sing a song about it. If that isn’t enough he also doesn’t mind to be exposed to some gamma radiation. Nevertheless most of us simply known him to be a suicidal loser who is the proud owner of two turntables and a microphone. Naturally this is a highly subjective manner the sum up Beck’s music. But now that I have your attention, let talk about his new album, Morning Phase, which will have a worldwide release in the coming days. Continue reading
Mogwai – Rave Tapes
Twice I forgot about Mogwai’s existence. I first got acquainted with the band after picking them up during a BBC Peel Session. At the time Come on Die Young (1999) and Rock Action (2001) were not to miss albums. Yet shortly after that, they disappeared from my radar for unknown reasons but reappeared a decade later with Hardcore will never die, but you will (2011). Luckily I was still there to enjoy the instrumental contents of ‘Hardcore’ that in the end never nested on my playlists. Again I had no good reason for this to happen, but it did somehow. Musically Mogwai always was worthwhile to listen to. So a few weeks ago the grey, black and pink cover of their new release, Rave Tapes, caught my eye and made me, shamefully, think about Mogwai again. Let’s say three time’s a charm, all right.
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soundsfromthedarkside 