Heavy Metal
A Day To Remember Rock Birmingham On Valentines Day!
It’s Friday evening and millions of people all over the UK are preparing for their Valentine’s evenings with their special someone. A Day To Remember are doing the same, except tonight they are spending it with their beloved fans on the Birmingham date of their European tour! Tonight at the O2 Academy Birmingham, the US band from Ocala, Florida will play the show with support from Mallory Knox, Every time I Die and The Story So Far.
This particular show of the tour in the UK is one of the smallest venues they are playing considering they are packing out venues such as the Alexandra Palace in London. Hence why this Birmingham date is a sell out! A Day To Remember last played Birmingham in 2011, but now they are back with a new record Common Courtesy, an album full of highly entertaining tunes, of which will surely be part of the band’s set lists for years to come!
The first two bands came and went with great crowd reception. A great start to the evening from two up and coming bands within their respected genre’s of music. Both bands were warmly welcomed and sure to have left fans eagerly anticipating their return.
Before the US headliners, is Mallory Knox. A band from Cambridge that had quite a successful 2013 with the release of their debut album ‘Signals’. The album included hits such as ‘Lighthouse’ and ‘Wake Up’. The album was so well received that it was rereleased as a deluxe addition towards the end of last year. To support a band like A Day To Remember so early on in their career shows what a promising future this bunch have. They even managed to open the main stage of Reading 2013 on the Saturday.
Some people argued the placement of Mallory Knox on the bill saying they were not suited to such a heavy bill as this. Thankfully they proved the doubters wrong. Mallory Knox ripped through a sublime set whilst treating fans to new material from their in production second album. The crowd was as lively, if not more than the 1st two bands! Lead vocalist Mikey Chapman had the crowd in mass sing-a-longs for most of the songs they played. The crowd was hanging on every note played. The band managed to make you feel as if they were the headline act without you realising. In between songs the band showed their gratitude to the crowd proving how much it meant to be standing where they were. Mallory Knox are a band to watch out for, a band that continue to show what bright futures they have in the music industry. A perfect set up for the headline act.
Rating: 7/10
The time has come for A Day To Remember to wow their fans. Jeremy, Neil, Kevin, Josh and Alex all take their positions and look raring to cause pandemonium in the venue. The fans are going wild, it’s as if they’ve waited forever to see the metalcore band’s return. Before the 1st note to intro song ‘All I Want’ has dropped, the pits have opened up. The place is bouncing with excitement and here begins the next hour and a half of partying, moshing and all types of crazy shit you should expect when seeing a band like this. The band give it their all as do the fans in return. This is not a gig… This is a party! Hosted by 5 of the most sincere, hardworking and deserving guys in the world. The fans chant along with lead singer Jeremy Mckinnon to each word that leaves his lips. To expect a reaction like this would have been insane. When a Birmingham crowd turns up you really have to impress.
A few songs in and the crowd have got more and more wild. Each and every person in the standing area has turned almost feral-like! The pits have become extreme (yet fun) and the crowdsurfing looks as if it’s never going to end. The venue’s ceiling has already begun to drip condensated sweat. The reason? ‘2nd Sucks’ of course!
To keep in touch with the feeling of love and romance, A Day To Remember take the chance to wish their adoring fans a Happy Valentine’s Day. It’s at this point the crowd is treated to two acoustic performances, the 1st being ‘You Had Me At Hello’ and the 2nd ‘If It Means A Lot To You’. Queue mass sing-a-longs. This moment is a true gift to see. Men holding girls up on their shoulders whilst the venue is light up by lighters and camera phone lights. And people say metal couldn’t make love songs. Ha.
Further into the set Jeremy takes the chance to get more up close and personal with his fans. Literally. Now the main room of the academy isn’t that big, but the lead singer gets into a inflatable zorb ball and run out into the audience on top of the fans whilst they push him around the venue. Whilst this is going on Jeremy is still managing to sing along to parts of the song ‘It’s Complicated’ whilst the rest of the band rock out on stage. Something cool and different that not many bands have done before.
Now like any A Day To Remember gig, the tunes are coming out thick and fast. When you have 5 albums worth of fantastic material it’s only right that you cram in as many songs as possible. This set has had everything. Songs from their very 1st album, all the way up to the most their recent ‘Common Courtesy’ which was released last year. It’s worth noting that set included quite a lot of songs from fan favourite album ‘Homesick’. The album where people finally stood up and took notice of what a fantastic band A Day To Remember are.
Towards the end of the set in between songs Jeremy took the chance to thank the crowd for how mental they had been this evening. He also told the crowd how this was the 1st show of the UK dates where his voice had actually felt back to normal. This must have been a real boost for both the fans and the band. Jeremy and co. had recently had to cancel the Cardiff date of the UK schedule after suffering a throat infection. The date is due to be rescheduled however no date has yet been announced. Read the link for the news of the bands cancellation
The encore rolls round and the band leave the stage. The fans shout out for more as per usual, as expected the band return 2 or 3 minutes later. The band begin to rip into a 3 song encore including songs ‘Violence (Enough Is Enough)’, ‘All Signs Point To The Lauderdale’ and finish on ‘The Downfall Of Us All.’ As the first few notes of the final song are played confetti and streamer cannons fire off into the audience. The perfect way to celebrate the end of what has been a very entreating night. A Day To Remember has done their fans proud as always. The band leaves the stage to the applause, screams and chants of the extremely pleased crowd. Lets hope the US 5-piece doesn’t leave it as long next time to play in the UK again. A Day To Remember are most definitely a band who are dreadfully missed when away from the UK.
Rating: 8/10
It’s safe to say it’s been a thoroughly enjoyable night by all. The worn-out fans head towards the exits and filter out towards the nearest bars. However for A Day To Remember, they are preparing to set off for Manchester. Manchester will be the last date of their UK and European winter tour. However, as for Birmingham and A Day To Remember… Valentine’s Day 2014… Mission Accomplished.
Bury Tomorrow Release ‘Man On Fire’!
Bury Tomorrow have teased fans with the release of their first single, from album number three, ‘Runes’. If ‘Man Of Fire’ doesn’t get you excited for their new album, then god knows what will!
Fans were lucky enough to get an early release of the single after the band decided to treat their fans for getting ‘Runes’ to number 1 the iTunes Metal & AmazonUK pre-order charts. The song had its 1st play on Daniel P Carter’s Radio 1 rock show (25th Feb) which resulted in a twitter frenzy of fans singing the bands praises for their efforts. Whilst the song had it’s 1st official play, the band uploaded the music video via Youtube. You can watch the video below.
The metalcore band from Southampton have put out a strong, brutal and captivating 1st song to what will hopefully be the bands game changing album. A record which will hopefully make them frontrunner’s in their genre alongside bands like Parkway Drive, A Day To Remember and Bring Me The Horizon. With 2014 shaping up for some interesting releases from the metal world, you have to believe that with a single like this to represent ‘Runes’, Bury Tomorrow must surely have much more in the tank.
Lead singer Daniel Winter-Bates has commented that the record is much heavier and faster than anything they’ve done before. He also commented that with the addition Kristan Dawson (lead guitar), the band was able to include much more technical guitar riffs into their style. This is clear from soon to be hit ‘Man On Fire’ as it holds a much more throughly produced sound. The single has quite a large Killswitch Engage feel to it. A band that are a clear influence on Bury Tomorrow.
The vocals variety between Daniel Winter-Bates and clean vocalist/guitarist James Cameron is still present in ‘Man On Fire’ and allows the song to flow well. The heaviness you hear comes in like a torpedo whilst Dan puts his feel on the single. James also manages to keep the song at a high tempo with catchy choruses and well structured rhythm guitar sectioned riffs.
Fans alike will be on the edge of their seats waiting for May to roll round when album ‘Runes’ is released. But if that’s too far away, then the 1st single is already available for download via iTunes.
Bury Tomorrow will also head out on tour in May, kicking things off in Belfast on May 17th. They will also feature at this year’s Slam Dunk festivals as well as playing at Download Festival later on in the summer. Expect to hear big riffs, raw screams and great choruses from the album which will surely be ever-present in their future set lists. You won’t regret seeing them!
To wrap this up, it is clear the band are making a name for themselves, due to the fantastic production and end product with regards to filming for new single ‘Man On Fire’.
Joey Jordison Leaves Slipknot
News broke in the early hours of this morning that Joey Jordison has left the American Heavy metal band Slipknot.
Joey was one of the founding members of Slipknot; playing drums in the band for 18 years. During his time in the band, Slipknot released four studio albums including Iowa which reached No. 1 in the UK album charts. Whilst having a successful career as part of one of the worlds most successful heavy metal groups; Joridison has also performed with other bands such as Korn, Metallica and Rob Zombie. Joey Jordison was also the lead guitarist of Murderdolls. Joey is currently working on a side project for a band he has called ‘Scar The Martyr.’
Slipknot have released the following statement confirming Joey’s departure.
“To our Maggots and fans around the world,
It is with great pain but quiet respect, that for personal reasons Joey Jordison and Slipknot are parting ways. We all wish Joey the best in whatever his future holds. We understand that many of you will want to know how and why this has come to be, and we will do our best to respond to these questions in the near future. It is our love for all of you, as well as for the music we create, that spurs us to continue on and move forward with our plans for releasing new material in the next year. We hope that all of you will come to understand this, and we appreciate your continued support while we plan the next phase of the future of Slipknot.
Thank you,
The ‘Knot”
This will be hard for fans around the world to take in, but with the death of Slipknot Bassist Paul Grey back in 2010 and rumours of a new album soon to be in the making; it sure is a stressful time for all involved. Whatever the reason is we are unsure of, but it’s reported the band will let fans know more about Jordison’s exit in the near future.
Whatever the outcome or reasons behind this decision. Good luck in the future for all parties involved!
REVIEW! Avenged Sevenfold : Hail To The King
Record Label: Warner Brothers
Release Date: August 23, 2013
Rating: 7.5/10
Buy it at: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/hail-to-king-deluxe-version/id672046420
Metal has been crying out for a revival for years. Acts that can have a prolonged career instead of a hype album that will only have its five minutes of fame. ‘Hail To The King’ is Avenged Sevenfold’s sixth studio album. They have took the fans by storm, proving they are definitely no “one trick pony” with the album going straight to number one in six different countries.
The commercially and critically successful album by the lads from California has taken an almost bittersweet victory. The album marks it’s first number one album not to feature it’s original drummer Jimmy ‘The Rev’ Sullivan, who sadly passed away in December 2009. It goes without saying that Jimmy played a major part in the band, writing, producing and even singing on many of their albums. Many worried the band would lose that creative spark that Jimmy had but the band has proved they can still produce the goods without him. The album fits as a touching tribute to a man who was loved and respected by many. The bonus track of the album is in honour of Jimmy being named “St. James.” The lyrics speak of the pain felt since his death, but also suggest a feeling of gratitude and happiness that they got to play alongside their late friend. It’s very emotional.
It’s clear to see Avenged Sevenfold have taken major influences from bands such as Metallica, Guns N’ Roses and Pantera on previous records, but as great as their previous record ‘Nightmare’ was, you can really tell they have come into their own and found their feet without their fallen brother. Lead singer Matt Shadow’s vocals and lyrics have become much more raw and commanding over the last three years since ‘Nightmare’. On the opening track ‘Shepard Of Fire’; Matt catches the audience straight away with devilishly toned lyrics such as “I can promise you paradise, no need to serve on your knees.” The chugs of Zacky’s guitar will create an arsenal of head bangers from the off. Every shred of the guitar invites you in saying “Now this is metal! Metallica who?”
Now all us Avenged Sevenfold fans know this wouldn’t be an album without a few anthems and ballads. Well, you’re in luck. The lads have delivered yet another high level of tunes to sooth your ears. ‘Acid Rain’ produces the goods on the ballads prospective. Lengthy spine tingling solos causing chills as cold as ice, added with satanic whispered lyrics in the heartfelt verses make it a classic. On the other hand the title track ‘Hail To The King’ is exactly what it says on the tin, a bloodletting bouncy feel along with Crashing drum beats and guitar riffs that will spark any mosh pit into life.
It’s fair to say this album is up there with the rest of their back catalogue of classics. An album that is actually deserving of a number one slot unlike most crap produced these days.
Avenged Sevenfold will headline Download Festival 2014 next summer, on the back of the release of Hail To The King and a recent successful UK Arena tour in which they sold out multiple dates.
Mallen Official 