Festival Review: Tons of Rock 2024 – Day 3

After Tool’s set the previous evening, the Tons of Rock festival site was closed and everyone told to swiftly make their way to the exits as there was an impending thunderstorm, but we were pleased to discover the next morning that the effects had not been as bad as feared and the ground therefore was … Continue reading Festival Review: Tons of Rock 2024 – Day 3

2023 Crew Review: Ross Green – Deputy Editor-in-Chief

It’s that time of year again where we reflect on the year that was and look to what next year is bringing us. It’s been an embarrassment of riches this year with so many great releases and tours to make this an extraordinarily great year for rock and metal. I say this every year but … Continue reading 2023 Crew Review: Ross Green – Deputy Editor-in-Chief

Gig Review: Empire State Bastard / Benefits – O2 Academy 2, Birmingham (10th November 2023)

Every so often, you need a bit of filth in your life. So leave it to Simon Neil and Mike Vennart in the form of Empire State Bastard to deliver that needed filth. But listening to their recent debut album, it sounds like they need the filth, too. It’s a blast of pent-up aggression and … Continue reading Gig Review: Empire State Bastard / Benefits – O2 Academy 2, Birmingham (10th November 2023)

Empire State Bastard release new video – tour next week

Fans who faced the full fierce depravity of Empire State Bastard’s debut album Rivers of Heresy discovered a savage shock just four songs in with the track "Tired, Aye?". In contrast to the blistering wall-of-sound of the album’s opening triple-threat, "Tired, Aye?" presented an audacious twist-in-the-tale. Simon Neil’s feral yelps were backed only by the manic, … Continue reading Empire State Bastard release new video – tour next week

Album Review: Empire State Bastard – Rivers of Heresy

What happens when you cross two members of Biffy Clyro with Slayer’s Dave Lombardo for a new band which you call Empire State Bastard and the album Rivers of Heresy? The filthiest album you’ll hear all year, that’s what. It’s a name and ethos which is so confrontational, so provocative and evocative that you simply … Continue reading Album Review: Empire State Bastard – Rivers of Heresy

Empire State Bastard share new video for “The Looming”

Having taken their visceral fear and loathing to Glastonbury, Download, 2000trees and Hellfest, ESB descend further into darkness as they unleash the new track ‘The Looming’. It follows the band’s recent singles ‘Harvest’ and ‘Stutter’ as they power towards the September 1st release of their eagerly anticipated debut album ‘Rivers of Heresy’. ‘The Looming’ in … Continue reading Empire State Bastard share new video for “The Looming”