Category: Buzz Chart

Edward Ma, better know as edIT, is another one of these artists that starts off well and then all of a sudden blasts like a laser beam through an asteroid from a 1980s video game. The producer and member of Glitch Mob brought out his debut album Crying Over Pros For No Reason in 2003 and whilst it was a decent enough record, his new release, Certified Air Raid Material is the result of 4 years of solid improvement.

The album features the likes of French group TTC, Busdriver, Living Legends’ The Grouch and world-renowned D-Styles, proving just how much pull edIT really has. With his glitchy hooks and booming basslines, there isn’t a moment’s rest in the entire 47 minutes of the album and the song you’ll hear by clicking above is testament to that.

Artsy Remix sees The Grouch rapping over an enormous fuzzy tune about how people think they’re the shit because they performed contrived actions, when all they’re managing to do is be seen by everyone as a try-hard loser. If you dig this beat, make sure you cop the entire album, because if you’re not moving like an epileptic staring at a strobe light, there really is no hope.

Abjekt

The Dutch duo of rapper Pete Philly and producer Perquisite brought themselves to people’s attention with their debut album Mindstate a couple of years ago, providing a record where each track portrayed a different emotion. With that release they showcased their respective skills and Mystery Repeats takes those skills to the proverbial next level.

The track you can here on Crossfire is Q&A which features a nice bouncy beat, complete with a broken guitar hook and some exquisitely complimentary short bursts of piano. With this backdrop, Pete Philly’s chilled delivery flourishes and the catchy chorus rounds off a perfect example of how to make a summery hip hop track.

The rest of the album allows Perquisite to show his versatility be it the brilliant High Tide with its twists and turns ending in almost a DnB beat or the mostly sung Last Love Song with its occasional flute and staccato drums.

This record is one that you won’t immediately think about listening to, but after you’ve given it a couple of spins, you’ll realise that the potential for these two is enormous.

Abjekt

In a time where metal bands are two-a-penny but quality prospects are few and far between, Gehenna stand as a genuinely unique proposition in an increasingly stagnant and overcrowded marketplace.

Formed in early 2006 the quintet wasted little time in carving their own distinctive niche from a largely predictable scene, creating music that felt natural to themselves rather than what they imagined people wanted to hear. Spitting in the face of an all-too-common perception that talent is based solely on speed and complexity, the band’s early days saw them hone their skills in both the rehearsal room and on the stage.

Focussing on solid song writing that provided precision rather than flashiness, they quickly forged a reputation as a fearsome live band, gaining support slots alongside such established acts as Mendeed and Bring Me The Horizon and earning a promising 3K live review from Kerrang! in the process.

However, it was the dawn of 2007 that saw their true potential and creativity unleashed. Following a slight change in personnel, the band knuckled down and retreated to the practice space, producing their most advanced material yet. Where once there was raw fury now stood controlled aggression; each member showing greater understanding of their instruments and in turn branching into bold, epic territories that built on their roots rather than severing them. It was a decision that would quickly pay off.

After hitting the venues harder than ever the band were personally chosen to support hardcore titans Hatebreed by front man Jamey Jasta, destroying a near sold-out Oxford Zodiac as well as attracting as many as 200 punters (that’s 200 paying punters) to their own headline shows.

Recorded at Oxfordshire’s Apple Pirate Productions, VII VII VII stands as the next step in Gehenna’s already impressive evolution. Showcasing the band’s strongest work to date – as well as their reluctance to compromise their vision regardless of trends and outside opinion – it stands as proof that heavy music remains as fresh and exciting as ever.

As the old saying goes: If you want something done correctly, you have do it yourself. Gehenna are living proof that wiser words have rarely been spoken.”

Ryan Bird

If you like the movies of George A Romero or the music of the Devil, then Irish thrash metal quintet Gama Bomb may be the band for you.

Formed some five years ago between the bright Republic lights of Dublin and the Northern city of Newry, the band soon became known for their rabid live shows, as well as their genuine love for all things thrash and their wicked sense of humour. Armed with wild tales of zombies, hell truckers and skeets, Gama Bomb were flying the flag for old school thrash metal madness long before its apparent “resurgence”.

In 2006 the band released their debut album ‘Survival Of The Fastest‘ via European label Witches Brew, which they then followed up on barely one year later with the brilliantly-titled Zombie Brew EP. The EP was released strictly on vinyl, with a limited run of just 200. The strength of this material combined with their fiercely energetic live shows quickly caught the eye of Earache Records, who announced their signing of the band in September of this year. Their Earache debut – tentatively titled ‘Citizen Brain‘ – is set for release in early 2008.

Gama Bomb have the recipe for perfect thrash tucked firmly under their bullet belts. Now get your dose.

Ryan Bird

Punk rock grows in every corner of the planet as angst is one of those childhood attributes that makes a man of you in the end. It even grows in Iceland where the air is pure and geezers are hot so it’s no surprise that the 5 blokes that formed the spiky indie-punk are on fire right now in the UK.

These 6 piece rockers have started creeping into playlists all over the country with their new album ‘The First Crusade‘. This avant garde compilation of 12 tracks brings angst into a new level. It’s like hearing The Paddington’s not giving a shit. Where’s that band now BTW? Probably wishing they had songs and attitude as good this lot and regretting being prima donnas at fashion shows?!

Standout tracks include the upbeat single ‘His Lyrics are Disastrous‘, the explosive ‘17‘ that has an intro with a cheeky likeness to Morden’s finest, Good Shoes and lead track ‘It’s Monday‘ where singer Gunnar Ragnarsson spills the beans on the small town mentality of his home town.

Reykjavik has always launched a steady line of fresh talent with artists such as The Sugarcubes, Bjork and I guess more recently Sigur Rós and Gus Gus but this has the bollocks that you have been waiting for. It’s just a shame that they have a name that nobody can pronounce!

Chuck Bangers

Tour dates:

11 Oct Bradford University
13 Oct Oxford Academy
14 Oct Southampton, Guildhall
15 Oct Exeter, Lemon Grove
17 Oct London, Forum
19 Nov Stoke, Sugarmill
21 Nov Oxford, Jericho Tavern
22 Nov Brighton, Barfly
23 Nov Luton, University
24 Nov Tunbridge Wells, Forum
25 Nov Cambridge, The Graduate
27 Nov Birmingham, NIA
29 Nov Hull, The Welly (Club NME)
30 Nov Nottingham, The Social
01 Dec Sheffield, Leadmill
02 Dec York, Fibbers
04 Dec London, Barfly
05 Dec Southampton, Joiners
06 Dec Taunton, Café Mambe
07 Dec Birmingham, Barfly

The cheeky beats of Brighton based Kidda will soon be a permanent scar on your inner ear simply because Ste McGregor is back with a brand new bunch of work that should drive your feet bananas on first listen.

New 12″ single ‘VIP’ features Psycho Les from The Beatnuts on the mic and drives an old school, hip hop low rider mixed with a bunch of breaks into your living room at high speed. This choon is a party slamming, b-boy and girlfriend friendly ‘beatathon’ lifted from his forthcoming debut album “Going Up” on Skint records in 2008

The 12″ is accompanied with a remix by Puma Strut’s Beathoven as well as all-important instrumental and acapella versions for the DJs. Get this on Skint Records right now and don’t miss Kidda’s mixtapes on his website that you can podcast, download or simply stream.

Buy it direct from Fat City

Zac Slack

Les Savy Fav have been on the scene bubbling away for years but I’m not sure anybody was expecting the long awaited ‘Let’s Stay Friends’ album to be this good.

This album is a little more polished than other Fav releases such as ‘Inches‘ and ‘The Cat and the Cobra‘ but the progression is welcomed with open arms as the overall sound is perfection to my ears. Imagine a Dischord led sound, powered by intricate drums, Fugazi-esque basslines and the most challenging guitar riffs that take you on a musical journey. Add singer Tim Harrington’s off the wall unique vocals and you have a blend of indie rock and sizzling punk attitude that is quite frankly delicious.

The songs are delightful and all have character. Check the wall bouncing ‘Raging in the Plague Age‘ (stream it on this page) as it gets medieval on your arse from first listen, or the charming lyrics that push the balloon ride of ‘Brace Yourself‘. But just when you think the album cannot get any better, end song ‘The Lowest Bitter’ kicks in and leaves you wanting to hear it all over again. It’s a highlight of the record proving ‘Let’s Stay Friends‘ is by far the best indie record of the year so far. Go get it.

Zac Slack

Exploding onto the scene with last year’s ‘Romantic Type‘ Leeds indie-maestros The Pigeon Detectives build on the success of ‘I’m Not Sorry’ with a punchy, up beat night out anthem ‘Take Her Back’.

Debating age gaps and whether 22 years old guy can take a 31 year old or a teenager home, the 5 piece have successfully recreated the successful formula of their previous singles, with choppy guitars, shouty vocals and tongue in cheek lyrics.

Whilst it slides easily into the realms of predictability, there’s no denying the lads from Leeds have hit on the right blueprint for another indie/pop hit, and this’ll only help raise their profile even more. With a UK tour including 3 night stand at The Kentish Town Forum heading towards selling out, it seems there’s no stopping them. Resistance is futile…

Dee Massey

With Def Jux already having release two of the best albums of 2007 already, a strong contender to join them is the new record from Rob Sonic. The rapper-producer didn’t really turn my head with Telicatessen, but the new album has seen him take a giant leap towards his label-mates El-P and Aesop Rock.

The production style has that awesome Def Jux 2007 style that reared its head on I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead and None Shall Pass – the sludgey yet accessible sound that equates to a potent mixture when layered under Sonic’s flow which seems at times as though connected throughout the entire song without pause for breath.

And that is certainly not to say Sonic is coming with some bullshit Sole style delivery which sounds as though he’s about to pass out at the end of every line. No, Sonic’s cadence is nigh-on untouchable which he proves in standout tracks The Over Under, Ready Aim Shoot, Smoke If You Got’um [with a great guest spot from Aes Rock] and the track you can hear above, Brand New Vandals.

Aesop Rock and El-P made 2007 Def Jux’s year, and with this album Rob Sonic just joined them on the podium.

Abjekt.