Sleazy rock from Wales' finest

This might've come out something like 7 years ago but it still hits a chord. Superbly written, climatic rock n roll by Stereophonics. The song is called 'Devil' and has all the elements that made Nirvana so big. Softer verses with simple melodies building up to a big chorus that surely goes down a treat in festivals!

New Gojira Album!

Stream the new Gojira album right HERE!

We've posted about them before... they are awesome... they are one of the best metal bands in the World right now... do it, do it now!

Noah has some chops!

Acoustic covers can be hit or miss and this is HIT! Big time. It's doing the rounds on the social networks and keeping us all entertained.

This dude obviously has skills and needs to get a bigger following, we need more of his skills!

Give me some FUNK!

A few years back I thought I was really cool cos I learnt this song on guitar... never got to play it live or even jam it with a band but loved playing along to the track anyways. I'm currently at work... struggling with insomnia, consuming an insane amount of caffeine and bouncing about to Rage Against the Machine... things could be worse.

The Rooster got Snuffed!

As far as acoustic covers of Alice in Chains songs go there aren't too many on the net that I've liked. It's a toughie really because you're looking at an iconic voice and there's there harmonies etc. But this dude, does both 'Rooster' and 'I Stay Away' very well! So impressed infact that I checked out the rest of his vid's and there are some Cornell tributes in there too.

Blast from the Past!

Scrambling round youtube looking for something stimulating and up pops Jane's Addiction! Just before I hit play on 'Just Because' I see this live clip of the 'Mountain Song' and taking all into consideration I figure, that's the way to go!

Awesome performance from the days when Flea was playing with them and Perry Farrell has his usual 'alternative' look about him.

The Mars Volta - The Widow

The Mars Volta are still considered one of the pioneers of experimental music among music critics around the World. It is easy to see why once you start checking out tracks from any of their albums. In all honesty, I can only take them in small doses but I do understand their appeal to those of you that are into your jazz, weird drum patterns and crazy ass lyrics!

One song that does it for me though... is this one!

Portsmouth Rockers Should be Rocking out More!

Portsmouth's premiere rock band (in my eyes) is the Sabbath/Clutch/Down influenced 'Belligerence'. Simply put these guys rock out with their c**ks out. Punch in the face riffs, aggressive vocals, great back line. Love it.

Filmed on top of the council offices in their hometown I hope the neighbours complained... a lot.

Sons Rival the very best at Download Festival

A good friend of mine in the UK went to the legendary Download Festival recently and when I asked him how it went he simply said 'Rival Sons'. He loved them. Now, I've heard the band before, happen to have a cd somewhere but not given them the time of day they clearly deserve.

Here's the stand out track from their last album. Enjoy!

Call me a sucker...

...for a good soundtrack but if there is one tv series that really got it right it's 'True Blood' with Jace Everett's 'Bad Things'. This song stays stuck in my head for days on end after every episode and lyrically the references are obvious, musically the lead guitar has this eerie playfulness to it that lends itself to the shenanigans of both Bill and Eric. Masterful.

Linkin Park are Firestarters

Back in 2000 I got my copy of 'Hybrid Theory' based on a KERRANG review and the album was an instant hit with me. Fair enough, it's full of pop-rock anthems and I guess any teenager would've felt the same especially as the band hadn't blown up and become so main stream.

Now I find myself intrigued by every Linkin Park release almost hoping that they will stumble upon a new way of hitting the right spot. Alas, I don't remember the last song they released that I've added to my playlist.

2012, a new album (Living Things) and I still haven't heard something special. Sure, they can blast out these anthems but musically and structurally the pattern seems too similar to previous efforts. I for one, am not impressed. Still, here's their latest video.

Now it all seems Clear...

I hear the name Creedence Clearwater Revival and I think 'classic band'. But ask me to name a song and I draw blanks. So distressed have I been about this in the past and yet I've never bothered to see if I really do know about these guys. Today though, despite being a Monday, has been a good day and I was sent some links to the two songs below. I know these songs! I've known them for years! I won't forget who recorded them... ever!

What's this? Country style hip-hop cover from Thailand?

Being a sucker for random cover versions and a bit of country every so often I was surprised when this came to my attention. Hugo, from Bangkok apparently has a huge following in Thailand and is slowly making waves in the States too.

Here is his version of the Jay-Z hit '99 Problems'.

Ahhh, the Dream

The dream? 'What Dream' you say? The dream to never have to work another day in my life, that's what!

Monday's and I have a love hate relationship. Today it's fueled by hate and I wish I was at the beach doing sweet FA. Still, there are things to do and people to see so I'm blasting some Monster Magnet for inspiration that perhaps one day the dream will come true. Let's just hope that it's not thanks to me having a pension but rather due to an early retirement!

New MUSE album could go the Dubstep way

MUSE is one of those bands that seems to catch the imagination of most thanks to their ability to produce anthemic songs that are both alternative and mainstream at the same time. Using a variety of different sounds and arrangements you could say they are one of the most innovative bands that you've heard of (cos let's face it... we don't know everything that's out there!).

Anyways... they have a new album due in September and below is the official trailer for this. If you love MUSE no matter what then watch away, if you hate dubstep... don't.

Breed 77 to Return to Gibraltar this Summer

Rumours are flying around that Breed 77 will return to Gibraltar this summer. The band dubbed 'The Gibraltan Mafia' have played on the Rock several times over the years and although they will be welcomed back with open arms it is yet to be confirmed if they would be playing a full electric or acoustic set.

Either way it doesn't really matter as we love having the guys back for what is always a great night of live music.

For those of you who don't know them they burst onto the scene in the late 90's when they supported Black Sabbath and have since gone on to play all over the World sharing the stage with bands such as Machine Head, Firewind, Mago De Oz, One Minute Silence, Danzig, Napalm Death and many many more!

Look out for them at the Download Festival this year!

Jump in at the Deep End this Weekend!

If you're down the Cadiz way make sure you get yourself to the Alrumbo Festival which features a whole load of top bands from the region.

Amongst these bands is the Puerto de Santa Maria based Deep End. A band that fuses funk, electronica and rock these guys have one of the most unique sounds out there and it's a surprise they aren't hitting it big time on a national level. One could argue that their sound is better suited to different countries and perhaps they'd have more chance of making a name for themselves if they ventured to one of the bigger cities. But hey, give them a listen and don't forget to hit them up on facebook (deependofficialband).

Honestly... Band of Skulls...

Found out about this band months ago and slowly spammed friends with their songs and it's come full circle and now they spam me with random live versions. Well, here's one I got sent of Band of Skulls performing one of my favourite tracks 'Honest'.

Slash - "Apocalyptic Love" Review

The album opener is the title track 'Apocalyptic Love' and is straight into a typical bluesy rock riff and once Myles Kennedy's vocals come in its clear this one is a sing-a-long especially with chorus hitting before the first minute is up. Containing all the dynamics required to make a standard Slash hit this track is good, perhaps not a stand out one though. My main worry is that it has too many changes to make it memorable but that being said, the solo rocks and Kennedy hits some sweet notes.

'One Last Thrill' certainly starts off thrilling and could've been a Velvet Revolver track as you can't help but think Myles took a page out of the Scott Weiland book of melodies for the verse! Followed by 'Standing in the Sun' which has something very familiar about the opening riff, I can't put my finger on it, but I'm here thinking about late 90's sci-fi movies. The chorus is catchy and the guitar work is among the best in the entire album.

The first single off the album 'Youre a Lie' has all the elements of a stand out track. Super simple but effective riff to open then the harmonies join in, followed by low vocals. Slowly it builds up and once you get to the chorus its all guns blazing! See the post below for the music video! Track 5 is 'No More Heroes' and sounds like it should be on a Superhero soundtrack simply for the lyrical content. Potentially an anthem if promoted right, if not, we'll forget about this one very soon.

'Halo' is one of the heavier tracks and Myles' lyrics are somewhat more dark and personal. Personally love the chorus and musically it's got groove, depth and some excellent touches. I reckon this song is gonna slay live! 'We Will Roam' has a radio friendly feel about it. I wouldn't be surprised if this one hits the airwaves but it's certainly not one of the strongest tracks on the album. It lacks a certain edge despite the commercial appeal.

My favourite, 'Anastasia', is perhaps the most interesting of songs thanks to Slash's homage to classical music. A beautiful nylon string intro followed by guitar line that screams Bach! This song has some serious guitar chops and Myles seems more at home when singing along to riffs that have more meat. Perhaps not a single but I reckon it will the one that fans talk about in years to come.

Followed by another favourite and possibly the song that will command stadium tours, 'Not For Me' displays all the makings of an anthem. As the song develops it climaxes with huge choruses and guitar licks. One of the weaker songs for me is 'Bad Rain'. It has it's positives but is far too generic for my liking and I get the feeling it is more of a filler than a killer track.

'Hard And Fast' has Slash written all over it. Super rock n roll riff to kick it off, great groove and Myles' high vocals are the perfect compliment. Sure, not every track can have this vibe but this is what I hear in my head when I think of Slash. Having got this far I had forgotten that there was a ballad on this album but then 'Far And Away' starts and you feel like kicking back and chilling on a beach with some wine and pinchitos. Not much to say about this one other than it's a beautiful song. Lyrically simple but engaging and of course Slash gets his moment with a sweet guitar solo that has all his classic guitar touches.

'Shots Fired' hits me so hard that I think it could be the surprise track. Cool riffs and vocal melodies leave me impressed from the start. The chorus is instantly memorable and I've got no doubt it will be sung by the thousands if they play it live. One of the faster guitar solos is thrown in and then a last extended chorus to end what will be a fan favourite on the live circuit.

I got a couple of bonus tracks with this version of the album and 'Carolina' is good enough to be on the regular version. It's another classic Slash effort and once again Myles does everything right. I realy can't imagine this album being sung by anyone else. The last song is 'Crazy Life' and you can hear the live element of the recording process here with the band kicking off together. Some cow bell gets thrown in for good meassure as another stomping chorus full of harmonies and melody makes this song another potential fan sing-a-long.

All in all this album might not be another 'Appetite for Destruction' but let's look at the positives. Slash has found the right singer to work with for the next few years in Myles Kennedy. If he had got someone similar to Axl we would be comparing notes but although Myles has a high register he doesnt fall into the trap of trying to sound like Axl. Slash is still churning out super riffs and solos despite working his ass off for the best part of 30 years and I'm already looking forward to hearing more new material. This album isn't a classic but it's a lot better than most of the crap being released and it's already growing on me.

8/10

Got the Slash album? Full Review on its way!

Just got the new Slash album... first impressions are good! Already picked out a favourite track but hey I won't bore you with the details just yet.

Here's the first single off the album to keep you entertained whilst I work on my review!

Soundgarden Outshine All in my list of Top Shows!

I'm in agony, pure agony because I hope this is not the only time I see Soundgarden live. The only consolation being that if I don't they will probably remain at the top of my all time live performance list. They were simply brilliant.

Back in January I got tickets for the Paris date as a birthday gift and it must've taken me a few minutes to fully grasp the magnitude of such a gift. Never, in my wildest dreams had I imagined seeing these guys in concert. Along with bands like Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, Blind Melon, Nirvana and Stone Temple Pilots, they were my bread and butter as a teenager.

So, enough with the chatter... how good were they really? Well, the set was 22 songs long and that equated to just over 2 hours worth of stage time. During that time we got to hear all the classics along with new song 'Live to Rise'. Cornell's voice, although strained, was note perfect. He avoided doing anything stupid which meant that every song was vocally spot on. I agree with people that say his best years are behind him but with that being said, this guy is constantly performing and recording, I don't think that his voice has had a proper break for years. So, yeah, Chris Cornell, legend.

The rest of the guys just oozed confidence. Kim Thayill on guitar rocking away with his wah-wah and a very impressive beard, dude was flawless. The human metronome, Matt Cameron also provided some very effective backing vocals (need I comment on his drumming?. Ben Shepherd was a beast on bass, his style is immediately recognisable. However, he did show a little bit of rock star attitude at the end when he kicked a light and stormed off. But hey, who cares! It was a great show and now we wait for the album :)



My all time top 5 so far are:

1. Soundgarden (Paris 2012)
2. Red Hot Chilli Peppers (Madrid 2002)
3. Alter Bridge (Dortmund 2011)
4. Alice in Chains (London 2009)
5. Metallica (Lisbon 2007)
Honorable mentions:
6. Mastodon (Donnington 2005)
7. Machine Head (Nottingham 2003)
8. Breed 77 (Gibraltar 2000)
9. Guns N Roses (Madrid 2010)
10. Slipknot (Donnington 2005)

Rumour has it...

According to my sources at Sonisphere Spain there was one band that stood out amongst some of the titans and even though bands like Gojira, Machine Head, Soundgarden and Slayer all got honourable mentions apparently Skindred was unbelievable!

I've known about the guys for a while and have a few select tracks on my ipod but didn't realise they got so much respect for their live shows.

So here's 'Warning' by the reggae fused metal band that you now need to check out!

New Ugly Kid Joe Video!!!

Many people remember Ugly Kid Joe for two reasons: 1. Everything About You, 2. Cats in the Cradle. Personally, I loved the song 'Milkmans Son' and several other tunes that regularly rocked my cd player and in recent years my ipod.

The guys are back and here's their latest music video for the new song 'Devil's Paradise'. It's a throw back to their heavier stuff and it's got everything you'd expect for them musically. Simple but effective riff, catchy lyrics, interesting drum fills and a guitar solo. They aren't touring Spain but you can catch them around Europe in June. Welcome back Ugly Kid Joe!

Soundgarden to Dominate Sonisphere

That's right, the legend that is Soundgarden is back on European soil and this weekend they hit up Getafe for the Sonisphere festival. We already took a look at one of the Andalucian bands taking part (Vita Imana) and now it's time for the headliners.

Having dispanded shortly after the release of 'Down on the Upside' the Seattle band were at the time seen as the biggest band on the planet especially after the death of Kurt Cobain, the demise of Alice in Chains and the lacklustre contributions from Pearl Jam (thankfully PJ got back on course!).

Cornell went on to do his own thing blah blah blah... (I loved his work btw) but now Soundgarden are back and I might be missing the Getafe gig but I will be in Paris on Tuesday night to see them so I'll get back to you on how they did :)

Godsmack Rock the Mountain Way

I'm a sucker for a good cover and I was a big Godsmack fan in years gone by. I still think that the album 'Awake' is one of the finest hard rock albums of its generation, but theres only so many times you can spruce up the same formula which is where Godsmack have since fallen short.

I was peeking at the Billboard charts and saw they have a new album out 'Live & Inspired' which includes live tracks and some covers of songs that inspired them (hence the name). Among the covers are 'Come Together', 'Nothing else Matters' and this ... Rocky Mountain Way

The PETEBOX gives Van Dyke a run for his money!

One man bands were a bit complicated in the past and Dick Van Dyke did a good job of it in Mary Poppins... terrible reference, I know, but hey, this guys is really good! The PETEBOX is a solo artist from the UK and he's been making a name for himself. His debut album is called 'Future Loops' and if you dig the track below you'll love the rest of it.

Nuff said!

Is there a Revolution in the air?

Living in the sun has its perks but with much of Europe now hitting a major recession you could say that some times things get a little desperate. In this part of the World even the most ridiculous of issues seems to get a rise out of opposing political parties and as usual, the regular citizen suffers.

Needless to say, it's days like this when bands like Rage Against the Machine get extra kudos for inspiring us to fight for what we believe in... here's Bulls on Parade!

The Hunt begins tomorrow!

Apparently, the new Grand Magus album 'The Hunt' will be released tomorrow. I personally loved the 'Hammer of the North' record and still slap on 'I the Jury' when I need to get things done.

Mixing Scandinavian style metal riffs with classic rock influences and mythological lyrics, Grand Magus might not be doing something new, but they do what they do very well. They also feature members from rock supergroup, Spiritual Beggars.

Mr Darcy show live Instinct

As highlighted in an earlier post on this blog, Gibraltar Radio is currently showcasing local talent in a live acoustic setting. Latest guests, 'Mr Darcy' showed off their song 'Instinct' which has both English and Spanish lyrics, harmonies and some very interesting chord progressions.

Blind Melon announce Spanish tour!

So Shannon Hoon is dead and we will never see the original Blind Melon lineup play live ever again. But, they have a perfectly able replacement in Travis Warren and I for one can't wait to see these guys in action (as long as I can get tickets!).

Here's the single from the album they did a couple of years back with Warren. It's called Wishing Well and is my personal favourite from the album 'For My Friends'.

Los News find love in the wrong places

Hailing from Sevilla, 'Los News' are a far from their sevillana roots and display an edgy rock sound similar to that of The Vines, Jet and The Strokes. Playing their first gig in Gibraltar this friday alongside grunge rockers 'Orange Peel', the Spaniards will find themselves welcomed by the locals as all Spanish bands are and hopefully they will be back for more!

Gibraltarian Rock Band show a Softer side

Gibraltarian based rock band Voodoo Monkey who are known for hard hitting rock n roll recently played up at the local radio station and here's a fly on the wall cam of one of the songs they performed.

Tremonti Solo Stuff Sounds Great Live!

I put up the audio version of this song a few days back and now Mr Tremonti has recorded a live version complete with video and it sounds great!

The most worrying thing for me when hearing about this solo project was whether he could do the singing side of things live. After hearing and seeing this, all my doubts are gone. Enjoy.

Space Lord Mother, Mother!!!

Not a fan of VEVO and their desire to cut out swear words and block videos in certain countries... ridiculous if you ask me, but gives bands that are somewhat forgotten a bit more coverage I suppose.

An example being hard/mushroom induced Monster Magnet, who know how to rock out with the best of them but never really hit it big with anything other than this classic. Note, Twiggy Ramirez (Marilyn Manson, A Perfect Circle) doing his best air guitar impression in the car.

Start Monday with some Cake

An International hatred for Mondays can only be resolved with something sweet and in this case I went for some Cake. Not just any Cake but a 90's example of alternative music fusing genres. I'd describe them as a mix between Beck and Fun Lovin Criminals... both of which Ive included below... just for kicks.

Mark Tremonti unleashes solo single!

Being a follower of Alter Bridge (not so much of Creed) I was compelled to find out what Mark Tremonti's solo album was like. Luckily, a single has been released... and well, it's pretty sweet!

Sonisphere Spain shows off Spanish Talent!

The Spanish metal scene has been in bloom for some time but it is rare to see these bands get the recognition they deserve. Bands like Overdry, V3ctors and now Vita Imana have been making the right kind of waves. Luckily for Vita Imana they seem to be riding it all the way to Sonisphere!

Sharing the Saturday stage with bands like Gojira, Slayer, Fear Factory, Mastodon and Metallica should give these guys the kind of attention they've no doubt been craving. Catch them on Saturday 26th May at the Sonisphere Festival in Getafe (Madrid).

Here's the latest video I could find...

Get the day off to a good start with Reznor Zeppelin

First port of call when at work is to find a song to raise the spirits and get the day rolling. I'd usually go for the Led Zep version but there's nothing wrong with Trent Reznor and Karen O making this sound heavier, dirtier and well... it does the job!

All Hail the Sabbath...

Black Sabbath are doing yet another comeback with a new album in the works. Still unsure about whether or not Bill Ward will be on drums but one thing for sure is that Ozzy is on vocals.

Ozzy might be the first person most of us think of when we hear the words Black Sabbath, but daaaaaaaaamn, Dio did a pretty good job while he was in the band. Not sure? Check this out!

Catch Alhandal all over Spain!

When it comes to hard working bands in Spain you have to admire Alhandal and their work ethic. They've been at it for years and have built up a strong following all over the Costa Del Sol and in other parts of Spain.

Below is a link to their facebook group for all their updates and the music video for 'En El Lago' a cover of the classic by Triana.

Alhandal Facebook Group

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing... I was jamming along to this

Gotta love a lil bit of Jack Johnson on those mornings where nothing seems to be going right. I guess this song brings back memories of a happy summer and you can't go wrong singing along to something that does that to you.

Take me off the Worry List...

Stumbled across Blue October after revisiting some BUSH tracks and ... hmmm, surprisingly interesting.

This song, although fairly simple, is lyrically stimulating and the video itself could get you a lil emotional.

Guy Valarino

Hailing from the Rock of Gibraltar but based in London, Guy Valarino has been hard at work for many years, slowly climbing up the ladder of success.

We'll have more on him soon but for now, just sit back and enjoy this sublime live recording for the Garden Gnome Sessions.

Loving this right now!

Going through an acoustic phase whilst at work. City and Colour are really hitting the spot!

More or less a one man show, City and Colour is fronted by Dallas Green. Dallas was previously the guitarist and vocalist of post-hardcore band, Alexisonfire.

Anyways, this is great stuff. Check it out.

Stuck in a Spider Web!

Searching the online bargain basements I stumbled across a band from the UK called Black Spiders. Full on riffage with elements of 80's rock mixed with modern day stoner rock bands these guys don't disappoint.

With a few releases to their name and some impressive tours too I'm surprised I never heard of them before. Still, now that I have.... here they are!

Check out why Mario Duplantier was voted the best...

Gojira drummer Mario Duplantier was recently voted the best metal drummer in the world on a metal specific website. The readers obviously know what they are talking about because the live and breathe this genre of music.

I guess the most impressive thing about this guy is the variety he uses. Every song is interesting on the drums. When you talk about a drummer being the driving force behind a band (especially when playing live) you just need to listen to Gojira live to understand what people mean.

Here's a super long live clip for all you Gojira lovers :)

Stop hunting in Dry Bone Valley!

Mastodon have been delivering some seriously good metal for some time now. The commercial success of 'Crack the Skye' came about thanks to hundreds (possibly thousands) of excellent reviews online thus creating a tidal wave of good vibes for this Atlanta outfit.

Their last effort 'The Hunter' is not a concept album like is predecessor but has a rich blend of speed fuelled riffs and mushroom infused psychedelia.

Ain't no Lie... New Slash album is soooo close!

'Apocalyptic Love' is the title of the new SLASH album and its only 4 weeks away!

With Alter Bridge singer Myles Kennedy providing vocals the album will be different to the previous effort and hopefully be the start of a long and fruitful relationship between the two. Here is the first single off the album. 'You're a Lie' has that typical Slash blues riff mixed in with some soaring vocals and of course... a lil guitar solo. Enjoy!

Halestorm ReAnimate GNR

With all the hullabaloo over GNR being inducted into the Hall of Fame and Axl not attending the ceremony it can be easy to forget why exactly they were there in the first place.

For those of you that don't know... they wrote some pretty fine songs and have influenced a generation of hard rocking bands around the world.

One of these is Halestorm, who might fall under the teen rock/pop category with their association with Glee, but, take a moment to forgive them and check out their 'ReAnimate' EP. Its cool :)

Overdry Release New Single

We like Overdry, we do. Hailing from the south of Spain, these guys are dead serious on making music thats heavy enough to make your balls shake.

Regulars in rock and metal publications across Spain they have a loyal following and surely it is only a matter of time before some one takes notice and gets these guys out on the road!

Ain't nothing wrong with Robert Randolph!

It really don't matter when it comes to Robert Randolph!

Mixing ghetto groves with LL Cool J style lyrics, blues guitars and gospel backing vocals, this tune is a must have on your itunes collection!

If you like the edgy side of Stevie Wonder mixed Street Sweepers Social Club and a pinch of Lenny Kravitz then sit down and enjoy!

Djentlemen Pay Tribute to MJ

When the King of Pop passed away it was only a matter of time before the tributes and covers hit the waves.

I think it took Djent band Periphery just over a month to drop their heavy yet supremely melodic cover of 'Black or White' on us.

If you haven't heard it then please do, its got all the dynamics that made the song one of MJ's classics and yet it delivers ferocity at vital moments making it every much a Periphery tune as a pop super hit.

Devin... Need I say more?

Devin Townsend is a modern day guitar/singer/producer legend. It's pretty simple really. This guy has produced countless songs that fall into different genres.

Apparently bi-polar, Devin appears to express his diverse emotions through his songwriting and with that we are exposed to an array of talent rarely seen in other main stream artists.

Here is an acoustic version of 'Ih-Ah' from his futuristic pop-metal styled album 'Addicted'.

Celebrating Slash before it gets Apocalyptic!

To celebrate the upcoming release of his new album 'Apocalyptic Love' we're taking a look at some of the collaborations guitar legend Slash has done over the years.

First up is a track that was intended for Guns N Roses but ended up being a hit for Lenny Kravitz. 'Always on the Run' has a bit of a funk feel to it with the drums slightly pushing the beat and the horns adding that 70's vibe to make this song a hands down 'get up n dance' must.

GNR Hall of Famers! Where was Izzy?

GNR accepted their induction to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame the other night, but there were two noticeable absentees. Frontman Axl Rose was always going to be a no-show, but unfortunately Izzy Stradlin also declined.

Izzy, who is well known for keeping out of the spotlight, was once an integral part of the biggest rock band in the World. Since the mid-90's hes been well hidden and somehow managed to release a bucket load of albums!

Here is something from his latest effort 'Wave of Heat' (2010)

Setting Fire with Acoustic Hip-Hop

With all the fuss about Adele it was only a matter of time before a string of cover versions hit home. Doing a cover is tough, unless you're doing an exact replica, in which case.... don't bother.

These guys gave her hit song 'Set Fire to the Rain' a great twist and it's a nice one for those summer bbq's :)

Anarchistic Genius

I'll admit that when it comes to tv I tend to fall behind pretty fast and then race through a chunk of episodes to catch up. This is exactly what happened with Sons of Anarchy. Countless reviews told me to watch it and I resisted ... resisted ... and then finally gave in. About two weeks later I completed all the episodes and felt like I had just experienced a real masterpeice in script writing.

The thing that gets me with good tv shows is the music they use. If they do it right the music will send you further down that rabbit hole and have you replaying the scene over and over in your head. In this case, end of Season 3, this song came on and I was in a trance. If you've seen the show you'll know what I mean. Never in a million years could I imagine a different song being played at that point in the series.... Genius.

So, originally written by the supreme anarchist, Neil Young, here is a sombre version by Battleme.

Keeping rock simple...

Rock band from Gibraltar! Voodoo Monkey are regulars of the live scene in the British territory and the south of Spain!

Soundgarden rise with new Avengers song

It's been a long time coming but finally we get to hear a new Soundgarden track that is written post break-up. Ok, so 'Live to Rise' doesn't blow you away like so many previous efforts do but what it delivers is a fresh look into what direction the 'Knights' are headed.

Riff wise, it's sweet. Simple hook and basically classic Kim Thayill playing. Matt Cameroon of course still has the chops to play a complex beat whilst hitting home his signature sound and feel.

You will no doubt say that this song is more of an 'Audioslave' album track han a Soundgarden single but isn't it nice to see the guys are still able to produce something that sounds fresher than most of what is out there?

V3ctors making waves in South Spain

Malaga based djent metallers V3ctors are causing a bit of a fuss in the Andalucia region of Spain. Not only are they hitting all the right notes with the self-proclaimed 'brainiac metal fans' but they are also being likened to the genres two most acclaimed bands, originators Meshuggah and pretenders to the throne, Periphery.

You can catch them gigging in both Spain and Gibraltar! These guys are not to be missed and have a huge future ahead of them as long as this sub-genre isn't a fad and actually has some longevity to it!

I Like... Foxy Shazam

Daaaaaaamn! Classic Rock magazine blew me away with their 'New Avengers' cd. It had a few sort of house hold names in there already but I guess it was a case of ... there will be people out there that don't know some of these bands! Acts like The Answer, Rival Sons, Band of Skulls, were all familiar to me but the big surprise was Foxy Shazam.


With a singer that moves like Jagger, sings like Freddie and has a tache like Justin Hawkins it's hard not to appreciate that this guy is hitting all the right buttons on his way to being nothing short of a superstar. As long as the songwriting stays good and edgy I don't see why Foxy Shazam won't be headlining some big tours over the next few years.