Dinosaur Jr head back to the UK on June 9th for a show at London’s Forum venue.
Grab tickets quickly as they went on sale this morning (12 May) from here.
Categories
Author: Crossfire
Categories
Resident Evil 5
PC/XBOX360/PC
Capcom
www.residentevil.com
With 13 years under its blood-drenched belt, Capcom have finally dared to produced a Resident Evil title that has moved the focal point away from the horror, although it still remains in the details, and onto the action.
The storyline may seem one that has had its teeth stretched through rancid zombie flesh one too many times. But there are some new twists and turns to take in from Resident Evil 5. We see Chris Redfield take up a returning role as a BSAA operative and partnered, this time, with Sheva Alomar. Set in Kijuju, Africa, their mission brief is to apprehend Ricardo Irving, who is attempting to sell viruses on the black market – tying up loose ends from previous plots along the way.
The tone is set for a far-more action paced Majini(zombie)-romp than it’s predecessors but Resident Evil 5 still maintains the stop-and-shoot gameplay staple that holds through the franchise.I’m glad that Capcom kept this in – to me it’s an important game mechanic that has been preserved in the face of the increasing popularity of run-and-gun titles. If nothing else, it gives the player a better understanding of how to use the game environment to their benefit and, more importantly, surviving the variety of Majini – who can attack from all angles and heights in Resident Evil 5.
The visually stunning African setting of Kijuju, albeit fictional, is paired with gameplay action that only draws breath in short cinematic sighs that either nudge the story along or highlight the next location for Chris and Sheva to explore. Both lighting and use of colour are spot on, bringing a level of high detail to the African landscape – be it an Oil field, Savanna, cave or marshland.
Some of the six chapters allow the player to approach certain puzzles and activities in more a free-form style – weakening the grip of the linear gameplay, somewhat. Chapter 3-1 Marshlands is one such moment. Here you are given free reign to decide in which order to find 4 slate pieces, that together unlock a door and allowing you to progress. But don’t let this fool you, Resident Evil 5 is no sandbox horror game.What you do get is the opportunity to play the whole game in co-op mode, either off or online.This negates having to deal with the sometimes unresponsive AI from your partner, Sheva, while playing singleplayer mode. Central to this mild irritation is the resource management needed to ensure both you and your AI partner are making good the use of all ammo, healing herbs and weaponry at your disposal. When Sheva is an AI partner, combining items becomes harder and sometimes impossible to navigate – especially when feeling the breath of a Majini horde bearing down on you. But these are all just minor quibbles.
Overall, Resident Evil 5 paints a gore-ridden picture soaked in excellent gameplay that’s given depth by fantastic co-op modes(that include the unlockable Mercenaries).
8/10
David Osbon.
Categories
Soundset 09 is go!
Rhymesayers, home to Atmosphere, P.O.S and Brother Ali, have put on another Soundset Festival in Minnesota this year.
The line up for the May event is, frankly, ridiculous and the promo video below shows what is on offer. Minneapolis’ adopted son Abjekt will be out there for this so expect a write-up in early June. Until then, get jealous:
Categories
Full Power Trip
Older skaters will relish seeing the opening credits to Full Power Trip below. This was one of the coolest skate flicks ever made back in the day and it sends shivers up my spine seeing this. If anyone has a copy and wants to donate it to the Crossfire TV, then please get in touch.
Categories
IPATH go Super8
Chill out and check out this Super8 edit of the IPATH team cruising around Thailand. The footage features Fred Gall, Kenny Reed, Adam Alfaro and Aaron Homoki.
Categories
Gino Iannucci on the Couch
Gino Iannucci sits on the Crail Couch today for some q’s, Click it.
Categories
DSA interview
Hardcore in America fueled the skate scene from bowl to backyard ramp in the 80’s, it was part and parcel of the make up of American youth culture. Bands that fronted this scene included the likes of Black Flag, Minor Threat, Bad Brains, D.I, The Germs, Circle Jerks, 7 Seconds, Suicidal Tendencies, JFA and so many more.
This brash sound made up of hard up, bored kids traveled across the world on skate video soundtracks and those involved left a legacy that will probably never be repeated again to such an extent.
This scene can still be found breeding in backstreets all over the World and one particular UK based hardcore band that has been on the Crossfire radar is DSA from Reading, fronted by a Scottish skater who is still flying the flag left behind by the Stupids.
Grant Mitchell from DSA (no not Eastenders!) is interviewed here by Ina from The Meaning of Hardcore Zine (Spain) to reflect on their latest quest to keep punk rock alive in the United Kingdom.
How long have DSA been going for and what made you begin playing punk rock?
OK, we started DSA around 2002 when I finally convinced some friends to start playing all these songs that I had ideas for over the years. I had a little 4 track tape machine where I used to record ideas, it was like a sketch book really. A lot of the DSA songs are older than you’d think or at least the initial ideas are. I began playing punk music because that’s what excited me, the energy, the authenticity and the idea that anyone can do it.
What does DSA mean?
DSA – Don’t Stand for Anything!
You’ve recently released your own CD, what kind of response are you having?
The CD is having a good response so far, as long as people get to hear it. We are a completely self promoted band and do everything ourselves, which is cool but sometimes takes a little longer for the news to spread. We are selling our CD through the punk independent record shops, our myspace and off course at our shows.
Your music sounds fast and furious, how does it go down live?
Our shows are getting better and better the more we play and people find out about us.
Last year you did a Spanish tour, how was it?
Spain was great, we had the best time there. The people we met were so friendly, the shows were awesome. We toured with the Spanish Hard Core band Trust Nothing, they are a great band and fun to be around on tour. We hope go back and play another tour there soon.
DSA have been intimately involved with the skate world. I’m glad to see that there are still bands defending the authenticity of skateboarding and punk rock. What do you think about the importance of the DIY philosophy?
The music and skateboarding have always gone together for us. The music has inspired us to skate and the skateboarding inspires us to play music. Personally I’m all about the old school DIY thing – it’s just the way it works for me, no one will do anything for you, especially when you can do it yourself with more authenticity and from the heart. We all got into a lot of the bands we listen to through skating, especially from the videos. The Santa Cruz videos always had a good sound track and as a tribute we sampled a part from Streets On Fire (where Jason Jesse is being marched to his prison cell). We used the sample as the intro to our album. The guys at Santa Cruz liked what we had done and used a couple of DSA songs on the Strange Notes DVD ‘Son Get Down From There‘. This was cool because it was like a big loop and we were giving something back into where we had so much inspiration from.
Which 5 bands would you say inspired DSA?
There are way more than 5 bands that have inspired us, but if you’re looking for a ‘if you like them you’ll like DSA’ comparison of 5 bands, then here goes:
1) Dead Kennedys
2) TSOL
3) Circle Jerks
4) D.I.
5) Stupids
Is Punk dead?
Not on my ipod anyway! Seriously though, punk is getting older and there are a hell of a lot of bands playing new and old. It looks more alive now than ever. As long as people stand up and say fuck you and don’t get sucked into the mainstream there’ll be plenty of punks
Any last words?
Just want to say thanks to anyone that’s checking us out and to all those who supported us on the recent tour with Trust Nothing and Rage DC.
Find DSA at their MySpace here and read a review from the tour here.
Categories
Amnesty Birthday celebrations!
On May 28th, Amnesty will celebrate 48 years of human rights campaigning and advocacy.
Mach Schau presents Dirty Stop Out, Little Barrie and The Dirty Feel in aid of Amnesty International. There will also be DJs, art, comedy and film from Future Shorts with special performances throughout the evening across 3 floors. The fun will take place at the Cobden Club on Kensal Road W10 5BN. The doors open at 7pm and the party will run till 2am.
Neil Thomas of Mach Schau said “It’s a real privilege to be supporting Amnesty International and raising awareness of their causes through an event such as this with music, film, comedy and art under one roof.”
Tickets are only £8 and it’s for a brilliant cause so make sure you pick your ticket up from www.machschau.co.uk or www.ticketweb.co.uk
You can also check out the facebook event here.
Categories
Magic Wheel
Still skateboarding? Yes?! You donut, skateboarding is so old skool, Magic Wheeling is the latest fad and all of our attention will be focused on the ‘ Magic Wheel scene‘ from now onwards. Can’t wait for the first DVD? Then watch this trailer below for a sneak preview and salivate, even your Dad could have one to visit his work every day. It’s a…dream.