Strictly Metal (Vol.6)
News This Week:
If you’re a metalhead who is anxiously awaiting the festival season (like me) then there will one piece of news that dominated your Monday this week. Yep, I am referring to the two sets of Download Festival announcements that were made courtesy of Radio 1. Like many of you, I tuned my radio dial into 97.9 FM at 7pm and sat through Zane Lowe’s inane drivel and terrible choice in dubstep until the names were finally shared with the world.
I was worried I would be disappointed again for the second year in a row. And to be completely honest, I was. With the exception of the incredible Soundgarden, the other bands announced (Biffy Clyro, Tenacious D, You Me At Six) categorically failed to light a fire under my arse and make me want to immediately book my ticket. Oh and the Chase and Status to sub for Prodigy thing??? What. The. Fuck. Now, before you all go getting antsy and calling me all the names under the sun, I will make this clear. I have nothing against the ‘Status. In fact, I’ve seen them live and they work the crowd well. But this was in a completely different arena and they were performing to a large sweaty crowd of ravers- most of whom were gurning like there was no tomorrow.
The worry, for many of the Donington diehards, is that Download is quickly turning into Creamfields with this apparent “Rave Friday”. What got my goat more than anything was what was revealed after the second lot of announcements – whether you heard this as a result of the slight faux pas by Soundgarden’s Facebook page or from Daniel P Carter- that C&S will in fact, be on the Main Stage ABOVE the mighty Machine fucking Head. Sorry but I think that is the true slap in the face here. Even if Chase and Status ARE Prodigy’s special guests, you simply cannot put a band like MH below them on the bill and expect not to cop a lot of flak. Poor decision Mr Copping.
A headlining spot on the Second stage would have been the sensible choice. But I won’t hang around the Main Stage and jeer- I’ll head to the bar and then elsewhere. Unfortunately, I can’t speak for the pissed off contingent who will undoubtedly make their feelings clear and probably ruin it for many. The remaining bands that were announced at midnight were much more encouraging- Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Devildriver, Trivium, August Burns Red and The Devin Townsend Project. Now we are talking! The decision to have Soundgarden subbing for Black Sabbath on the Sunday is a fantastic, but also strategic decision. I suspect that Andy will have been bricking it now that the statement about Tony Iommi’s cancer has been released. It makes sense surely, to have a band worthy of stepping in should the worst case scenario arise and Sabbath pull out at later date.
On a positive note, the word on the street is that Iommi is kicking the proverbial out of the lymphoma and refusing to let it beat him. According to bassist Geezer Butler’s latest blog post, Tony is already back in writing mode and has written two tracks for the new album. Tony, we salute you sir! I guess it’s now up to Sonisphere to see what they can pull out of the bag for this year. The rumoured headliners at the moment (after a bit of forum trolling) seem to be Kiss, Green Day and Blink 182. Here’s hoping that this is just idle gossip. Sorry but this would be a huge letdown after the lineup of the Big 4 and Slipknot last year.
Speaking of Iowa’s finest, Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor is the latest in line to contribute to Dave Grohl’s new, as of yet undisclosed, musical project. Taylor tweeted his excitement at the prospect earlier this week- “HUGE checks off the Bucket List- did a song with Dave Grohl and Butch Vig!” Let’s hope that he can find the time in his schedule to make it happen as it has also been announced that Corey and fellow ‘Knot cohort Shawn “Clown” Crahan have launched their own film/TV production company. Living Breathing Films will specialise in mystery, suspense and horror. The guys are heading off to Sundance Film Festival to hobnob with the industry bigwigs and the debut film is said to be in development.
Another musician who is said to be making a guest appearance on someone else’s album is Tom Morello from Rage Against The Machine. The guitarist will be lending his legendary riffing to none other than Bruce Springsteen. The Boss’ manager Jon Landau, confirmed that Morello will feature on 17th studio effort Wrecking Ball which is set to drop this Spring. Apparently Tom has already been a bit of a fixture on the Southern California leg of Springsteen’s tour since 2008 and has the Boss’ official seal of approval.
Meshuggah have at long last revealed both the title (Koloss) and the tracklisting for their new album which is set for release on 26th March. Drummer Tomas Haake promises “Organic brutality, viscera and groove all crammed into a 54 minute metalicious treat”. All I am going to say in response to that is hell to the fuck yeah.
We were also treated to the brand spanking new video for Lamb Of God’s ‘Ghost Walking’ this week. Taken from soon to be released behemoth Resolution, this offering is a fully animated affair and is brought to you courtesy of the Moreframes Animation team. Fucking A!! It’s my video of the week and you can check it out here:
And finally to round off the news, I have a new mini feature for you.
Superstar Of The Week:
I could not believe my eyes and ears when I came across this little treasure whilst checking my Facebook account. If any of you out there have seen The Mini Band covering Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman’, you will know of what I speak. If you haven’t got the foggiest of what is being referred to then I’ll be brief. The Mini Band shot to fame earlier last year when a video of the metal loving kids covering the aforementioned song graced YouTube. Metallica were so impressed they posted their own vid praising the future rockers. Even Lars approved. Well, we have another contender for the coolest kid ever. Step forward Juliet.
Juliet is an 8 year old Aussie who recorded this humdinger of a track over her school holidays. Entitled ‘My First Hardcore Song’, Juliet tells us all about her pet dog and how her fish stink. If you’re not one of the 4 million plus who has checked this out, then here’s your chance. Juliet, you little ripper!
Album Of The Week:
Lacuna Coil – Dark Adrenaline (Century Media)
Release Date: 23rd January 2012
My week (if not my whole month) was made four days ago when I got the chance to give this album a spin and review it for you lovely readers of Strictly RandL. For those of you who have been reading the past few editions of this column, you will have undoubtedly noticed several plugs that I have made regarding Lacuna Coil’s soon to be released album. I am a HUGE fan of this band and have been since 2005 when I first heard ‘Heaven’s A Lie’ taken from 2002′s opus Comalies. It is this very fact that makes it somewhat of a challenge to review the Italian sextet’s sixth studio album Dark Adrenaline.
I knew that I would find myself immediately comparing it to their previous albums. I have to admit, I wasn’t the biggest fan of last album Shallow Life. The band have received a lot of criticism regarding this album, with many of the die-hard fans disgruntled with it’s lighter alt-rock sound. With the exception of “Survive” and the criminally underrated “Unchained”, I found the tracks to be well crafted but far too slick in terms of production and lacking on the creative front. It was beginning to sound like a move towards the more commercially accessible with SL, and it unnerved me.
However, I’m thrilled to say (and with total confidence) that this is a band who are truly back at the top of their game. This is the Lacuna Coil I know and love. Welcome back guys. Dark Adrenaline is a revival of sorts- a elegantly gothic affair crammed full of deliciously dark melodies, harmony laden vocals and it’s fair share of grinding riffs. Opening track and lead single ‘Trip The Darkness’ is nothing short of a delight. It’s been on heavy rotation already and it is not hard to see why. It’s a fantastic choice with it’s huge hooks, infectious chorus and driving melody. Any fears that this offering might be Shallow Life the sequel are immediately dispelled – make no mistake folks, this is metal.
With the tone well and truly set, I am on tenterhooks, can it get any better than this? It does. ‘Against You’ and ‘Kill The Light’ are an amalgamation of the old and the new Lacuna sound. Ridiculously catchy and sure to provoke huge singalongs when performed in a live setting. ‘Give Me Something More’ is definitely a grower. The eagle eared of you will recognise the eerie electronics/guitar intro of the track from the series of “teaser” videos that have been circulating on both the band’s Facebook page and on YouTube. On first listen, I wasn’t blown away but there’s just something about it that makes you want to give it another listen. The energy entices you back in and the vocal interplay between Andrea and Cristina, that has been so impressive n the past, is just as balanced here. Andrea’s voice provides the edge whilst Cristina’s dulcet tones provide the perfect juxtaposition to the gravelly male vocals.
Things get progressively heavier as we get to the second half of album and for me, this is where the true highlights lurk. ‘I Don’t Believe In Tomorrow’ is a colossus of a track and the sonic equivalent of a solid punch to the kisser. Cristina gives me the chills with the almost hypnotic “I avenge you” chant and the subsequent rhythm breakdown and Andrea’s accompanying roar at 1:15 puts me in mind of Korn’s classic ‘Freak On A Leash’. For me ‘Intoxicated’ is, without a doubt, THE standout track on Dark Adrenaline. It’s brooding with an almost dreamlike opening sequence yet it’s fantastically heavy and the vocal acrobatics on this one are simply stunning. The dark and introspective lyrics along with Cristina’s vitriolic cries of “LIE!” will have every hair on your body shooting up faster than the mercury on a red hot afternoon in July. If this one doesn’t have you pressing the “repeat” on that ipod then nothing will!
Now unfortunately, to the only real low point of the album. Yes, I am referring to the cover of REM’s ‘Losing My Religion’. I’ll give full kudos to the band for choosing to cover this one as it was a brave decision. Whilst LC managed to put their own stamp on Depeche Mode’s ‘Enjoy The Silence’, the distorted guitars and attempt to rework the melody this time around doesn’t quite work. I think the problem is that this song is so universally well-known that people will always associate those lyrics with THAT original melody.
The closing song ‘My Spirit’ is dedicated to the late great Peter Steele of Type O Negative. This was a band who were a key inspiration for Lacuna Coil in the beginning as well as being one of their musical idols and much of the band’s sound over the years has been influenced by the uber-kings of doom metal. Penned by guitarist Marco Coti Zelati shortly after Steele’s death, you can hear and feel the sadness in the lyrics and at six minutes long, you become part of the personal journey which each member of this band clearly embarked on when writing this heartfelt tribute. Soulful and touching without being saccharine or gushing- a fitting end to an incredible piece of work.
As I mentioned earlier in this review, this is Lacuna Coil back to their best. This album has something for the old and new fans alike- the tight vocal harmonies, well executed and pounding riffs and plenty of sumptuous melody. There is something for every mood- whether it be beautiful ballad ‘End Of Time’ or the bombastic ‘Trip The Darkness’. It won’t be for everyone and the haters will still hate. But if you’re new to this band and you can put your pre-conceptions aside, you may just be surprised at what you find. To put it simply, I am in love with this album and it’ll be a tough act to follow that will make me release that “repeat” button on my ipod. 2012 may very well be Lacuna Coil’s year.
Can’t wait until the 23rd? Fancy hearing it and making up your own mind? Well, you lucky buggers it just happens to be streaming right now. Enjoy.
http://www.spin.com/articles/
Well, after all that news, reviews and kids singing hardcore, I am ready to go out and get my metal on and have a beer or ten. See you next week!
