A while back I fell in with a bunch of miscreants from the UK, KING CREATURE. These lads have a special place in my heart. Working their collective asses off they have learned from their idols and developed a sound worth listening to. Making waves in the UK they have recently rubbed elbows with Down, HELLYEAH, and Kill Devil Hill. I can only expect better and better things from these guys. They have just released a new video for their track “In Hell”. I find that I hear nods towards COC, Down, Sabbath, and BLS in it. Very well done guys! Check out “In Hell” right here:
DIABLO BLVD Sign to Nuclear Blast + Lyric Video Released & New Album Coming in January!
Nuclear Blast is proud to announce the signing of Belgium’s finest – anthemic grooving rock/metal outfit DIABLO BLVD!
Formed in 2005 with all members hailing from the city of Antwerp, Belgium, the band is named after a CORROSION OF CONFORMITYsong and lead by notorious stand-up comedian and singer Alex Agnew. With current and ex-members of bands like A BRAND, BORN FROM PAIN and MEURIS, this eclectic five-piece quickly started to turn heads and playing shows to appreciative crowds all over Belgium and the Netherlands.
Building on groovy riffs, catchy choruses and a charismatic stage presence, DIABLO BLVD offers what made their heroes great within a wide range of influences from the heavy genre (like DANZIG, THE CULT, GUNS ‘N’ ROSES, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY and TYPE O NEGATIVE), classic rock and even blues.
After two successful full-length albums and numerous celebrated shows around Europe DIABLO BLVD went to the legendary ICP studios in Brussels with producer Ace Zec to record the brand new album Follow The Deadlightsin collaboration with the American duo Jay Ruston(mix) and Paul Logus (mastering) who have previously been behind the sound of ANTHRAX, STONE SOUR, MEATLOAF and STEEL PANTHER.
Commented the band: “Everybody! We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we’re going to join the Nuclear Blast family for our first world-wide release.Signing to Nuclear Blast is like getting the hot chick everybody wants. They were our first choice when we started looking for a deal and to see it actually coming through still feels unreal. So a big thank you to everyone involved for making it happen and we hope to see you all in 2015.” – DIABLO BLVD
Follow The Deadlightsis planned for release January, 2015 via Nuclear Blast.
The official lyric video for the first single off the album, ‘Rise Like Lions’, can now be streamed at this location:
01. Beyond The Veil
02. Rise Like Lions
03. Get Up 9
04. Follow The Deadlights
05. Son Of Cain
06. Come With Me (Battle Call)
07. Fear Is For The Enemy
08. Peace Won By War
09. End Of Time
10. Inhuman
11. Saint Of Killers
DIABLO BLVD is: Alex Agnew – vocals Andries Beckers -guitar Dave Hubrechts – guitar Kris Martens – drums Tim Bekaert – bass
1. Choke
2. Say It
3. Signs
4. It’s You
5. Blame
6. The Passing
7. Lost In Me
8. Blind
9. Memphis
10. RLS
11. Back Door Alley Girl
12. Disappear
13. Mine
14. Flounder Piano
15. Burjay
The Ground Beneath is:
Steve Civerolo – Vocals/Electric & Acoustic six & Twelve string guitars, Brian Scott – Drums, Hunter McCoy – Bass guitar
Guest Musicians on “Self Titled”:
Brian Ostrom – Four string bass guitar on “Memphis”, Paul Civerolo – Guest lead electric six string guitar on “Lost In Me” (Paul appears courtesy of Howlin’ Dog Records), Laurie Selby – Cello on “It’s You”/”Blame”/”Not Me” (Laurie appears courtesy of the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra), Jonathan “Jonny Law” Jonah – Guest lead vocals on “Burjay” (Jonathan appears courtesy of Rancho Relaxo Records), Rick Fusco & Kenny Davis – gang vocals on “Mine”
I have had this CD for a couple of weeks now. The official release is going to be on January 17th 2013 at the Launchpad in Albuquerque, NM.
Let’s get into the CD itself. The Ground Beneath is one of those bands that just plain and simply gets it. Steve Beneath is one hard-working SOB, always at shows, doing radio guest spots, texting about upcoming shows, anything it takes. That tenacity shows in the latest release from The Ground Beneath “Self Titled”. “Self Titled” is actually the name of the new CD, a little bit of humor from the band.
Let’s get the technical stuff out-of-the-way first. The CD is clean and I mean CLEAN, the production quality is top-notch. The mix is great and the sound is not muddied in any way. Kudos for the guys on their attention to detail. This CD is meant to be played LOUD and is sounds great at those ear bleeding volumes.
Now for the fun stuff! I have been listening to this CD pretty regularly and this just so happens to be my third rewrite of this review. I keep coming back to this CD and discovering more stuff that I like about it. I love it when a band makes music that is inspired by other artists and yet sounds new. Let me explain, I know Steve is inspired by bands like Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society, Pantera, Down, Corrosion of Conformity, HELLYEAH, Strapping Young Lad, Deftones, U2, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Damageplan. You can hear elements from all of these bands in the music and yet it remains distinctly The Ground Beneath.
“Self Titled” is , dare I say, a groovy record. While the world must be obliged with the obligatory single, which is “Blind”, I think the CD needs to be taken as a whole. The flow of the songs is just that good. I actually forget this is a local band out of Albuquerque, New Mexico when I am listening to it. Which leads me to ask “Why isn’t stuff like this being played on national radio?”
Steve handles all of the writing of the lyrics and music which is a testament to his talent. The band as a whole plays the songs that Steve has envisioned with a fervor and passion that will quickly infect you. Steve’s vocal work and guitar skills are right on par with some of the music world best. Brian “Bearface” Scott goes from flat-out pound your skull in drumming to tribal like beats keeping the band anchored with a solid back beat. Hunter McCoy anchors the package together with some bass lines that will have your heart pounding trying to keep up.
In conclusion “Self Titled” is a record chock full of solid Rock N’ Roll tunes, pinch harmonics, throbbing bass lines, pounding drums, melodic compositions, hypnotic vocals and yes even a cello. Solid 10 out of 10 in my book, definitely a necessity in everyone’s music collection.
I was recently given the opportunity to give shout out to some of my favorite bands in the pages of Revolver Magazine! It was an honor to be able to mention Black Label Society, Corrosion Of conformity, Down, Clutch, Crowned By Fire, All Hail The Yeti, Gypsyhawk, and my Brothers in Scattered Hamlet. These are bands that are close to my heart and in my ears daily. Check out these Awesome bands:
I was also given the chance to give a shout out to the late great Randy Rhoads and how lucky I was to have seen him play before his tragic passing. Thanks Revolver Magazine, thanks from the bottom of my heart!!
1. Overloaded
2. The Fields
3. Hedgeking
4. Frostwyrm
5. Galaxy Rise
6. 1345
7. Night Songs from the Desert
8. The Red Wedding
9. Silver Queen
10. State Lines
11. Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo
I had the great fortune of getting to know guitarist Erik while he was on tour helping my good friends in Scattered Hamlet. I was excited for this release and was not disappointed when it dropped. You need to check this one out!
1. Psycho, California (Explicit)
2. What You Do To Me (alt)
3. What You Do To Me
4. Trigger
5. All These Years
6. Wicked Lines
7. Bury You
8. Bury You (alt)
9. Taken
10. Wonderwall
11. Set It Off (Explicit)
Alex Grossi gave me a great interview and Hotel Diablo delivered a fantastic release! Awesome CD guys thanks!
1. Deep Creek
2. When The Sky Falls
3. Suicide Woods
4. The Weak and Wounded (Prelude to Flames)
5. After The Great Fire
6. Bloodguilt
7. The Art Of Mourning
8. I Am Wendigod
9. Axe Murder Hollow
10. Ruby Ridge (Every Knee Shall Bow)
11. Judas Cradle
A great bunch of guys and a kick ass band. I have gotten to know guitarist Craw, and interviewed him and singer Connor. Can’t wait to hear more from these guys!
1. I’m Alive (feat. Pat Travers)
2. Set Me Free
3. Six String Soldiers
4. Lipstick, Smoke and Gasoline (feat. Dave Meniketti)
5. Invincible
6. Cross Your Mind
7. Touch The Ground (feat. Dickey Betts)
8. I’m Just Sayin’
9. Love, Life and Beauty
10. To The Light (feat. Rick Derringer)
11. Redemption
12. 12.21
I happen to be good friends with guitarist Mike Araiza and vocalist Jeff Sandoval so this release has special meaning to me. I am so happy that their dream is coming true for them, and I wish them continued success.
1. Back From The Dead
2. Own Worst Enemy
3. Another Version Of The Truth
4. The One That You Hated
5. Good To Be Bad (feat. John 5)
6. Just Don’t Ask (feat. Slash)
7. Blown Away
8. Waterfall
9. Habit
10. Your Diamonds
11. Dead Wrong
I am glad to see Mr. Adler back in good form. Solid band, solid songs, solid CD!
1. Hollywood Forever
2. You Better Not Love Me
3. Eel Pie
4. Sweet Mystery
5. Burn
6. Vine Street Shimmy
7. Dirty Black Night
8. Underneath The Sun
9. Queenie
10. Crazy Tango
11. Venus Bomb
12. I Won’t Play
13. Requiem (Hollywood Forever)
14. Araña Negra
L. A. Guns has been one of my favorite bands for many many years. Even though there has been lineup changes and controversy this lineup carries on the sleaze.
1. Red Ferrari
2. Something’s Gotta Give
3. Red Leather
4. Save Me From LA
5. Stir Crazy
6. Mama Said
My good friends from Australia, Sunset Riot. I am lucky to have become a member of the Sunset Riot family. These guys know feel good Rock N’ Roll and continue to delight fans around the world! So Check them out!
1. Witch Of Endor
2. Fear No Evil
3. The Last Legion Of Sorrow
4. Say Goodbye To The Sun
5. The Witching Hour
6. Black Magic
7. Trisect
8. Beyond The Door
9. Souls On Fire
10. Don’t Breathe A Word
Mysterious band with a dark gloomy sound. This CD grabs hold and never lets go.
Scattered Hamlet of all the bands listed are more than family to me. I have been friends with them for a while now. I actually head up their fan-base “The Hellriders”. They released a single this year and have a full release Skeleton Dixie coming in 2013. DO NOT OVERLOOK THIS BAND!
DOWN have just announced new festival dates in Europe for Summer 2013, making stops in Copenhagen, Amsterdam andTokaj, Hungary. Stay tuned for more dates to be announced!
