Category: Buzz Chart

Having formed in 1997 after vocalist Eddie Glass and drummer Ruben Romano left desert rock pioneers Fu Manchu, Nebula have released a series of frankly brilliant scuzzed up rock records that have left a trail of scorched destruction across the world of rock.

Now ready to launch their latest album ‘Apollo‘ on Sweet Nothing Records, Nebula return with fourteen tracks of primal rock grooves and snarling garage noise. Produced by Daniel Ray (Ramones, Misfits, L7), ‘Apollo‘ does a fine job of capturing the band’s raw power assault. Check it out and watch out for tour dates later this year.

Loughborough four piece The Voom Blooms‘ are currently plotting the seduction of NME Club tour goers with their killer live sets. Their debut single ‘ Politics and Cigarettes’ and B Side ‘ Thoughts of Rena’ are both stand alone pieces that form the perfect introduction to this exciting new talent.

Politics and Cigarettes kicks off with a shuddering beat and a quiet confidence that belies the fact these guys! haven’t even been together a year. There’s an Interpol/Bloc Party vibe, vocals are clear cut and unhurried with emotion driven guitars kicking off with swagger. The Voom Blooms stake their very valid claim on the british indie scene with this single – roll on the album.

Dee Massey

Hailing from NY City Diamond Nights have a sound more akin to Phil Lynotts Dublin than they do to East Coast America. The Girl’s Attractive is the second single taken from their critically well received debut Popsicle, sounding part Thin Lizzy, part Space Hog, remember them, thought not, Black Sabbath and even early Japan especially on tracks like Drip Drip.

But don’t be put off by its friendly pop/disco tunefulness, owing as much to keyboard as it does guitar, it sits perfectly in an album that at times rocks hard and at others times offers up songs like The Girls Attractive which is just plain smooooth!

Can’t wait for the remix.

Nelson Bibb

The lovable trio from Long Beach California are back with a new album chock full of happy beats and what can only be described as fun-on-record. If you like your hip hop to be a ray of sunshine with amiable rapping, then do yourself a favour and check this new release that drops this week.

Now on All City, Ugly Duckling come through with chunky drums, awesome brass samples and some vocal delights, especially on Andy vs Dizzy where the 2 MCs try to battle it out to prove they’re the best in the group.

With Thes One up on Shoot Your Shot, you can’t help by wiggle and wind to the typical People Under The Stairs style beat. But it’s the organ led Yudee! which asks the listener who they want to hear, with the obvious answer being “Yuuuuuuudeeee!” which takes the prize on this album. And when the chorus asks for a clap, don’t be surprised to find yourself sitting there clapping along. Just go with it, it’s all good.

They might be Ugly Ducklings, but the sound is pure Swan shit. Crank up the volume and dance!

The most hyped UK artist in years has finally dropped his album, after what seems like an eon of waiting. On the back of his critically acclaimed and furiously bought This Is My Promo mixtapes, the London born rapper has served up a nice mixed bag for the album.

Underground smash Up Your Speed finds its way onto the album, thundering along with heavy basslines and a killer verse from the main man and is joined on the CD by Flo Fashion, another big hit from his mixtape days.

But Sway doesn’t just keep it there, he throws in feel good vibes like Products, chilled out RnB numbers and showcases his talent both as a rapper and a producer. His lyrics, as ever, are both witty and intelligent, switching from conscious street smarts to straight up joker antics.

The UK scene doesn’t need any hype with Sway, he’s here, he’s delivered and he’s ready to wipe out any competitors. As he says in his last single, Little Derek’s doing OK, Little Derek’s doing fine!

Formed as a stop-gap during Raging Speedhorn down time by assorted band and crew members, Viking Skull have always been a band on a mission. Not one for world domination or to sleep with so many women that your mum is their only unconquered relic (probably), but more with the sole aim of scamming promoters out of as much free beer as humanly possible – or as front man Roddy Stone would so eloquently put it – “get in, get fucked, and get out“.

With Guitarist Darren Smith and drummer Gordon Morison trading in their RSH heavy-duty metal for laid back rock and roll, taking former guitar tech Roddy Stone and merch manager Waldie along for the ride, the quartet have since gone on to become one of the leading lights in the UK’s now simmering rock scene. Their debut EP ‘Chapter 1‘ was released to critical acclaim in late 2003, with first full-length ‘Born In Hell‘ arriving 2 years later. Hitting the road and touring every inch of the UK between releases, the band have shared stages with everybody from Clutch to Alice Cooper, though were asked to leave the latter tour due to complications with their stage production – an issue reportedly kick started at the complaints of fellow support act Twisted Sister. The band have now headed to the USA where they have just inked a deal with Bam Margera’s new record label so expect cameos in Viva La Bam in the next few months.

Armed with a snarling don’t-give-a-fuck attitude and enough blues-filled venom to kill a cobra, Viking Skull are here to rock your bollocks off – and drink all your beer in the process!

Boasting a unique and distinctive blend of operatic vocal harmonies and hard rock melodies, Italian sextet Lacuna Coil have risen through the ranks to become one of the genre’s most promising outfits.

With the release of 2002’s ‘Comalies‘ – their third for label Century Media – the band took the music world by storm, garnering support from fans and pundits alike the world over.

However, it wouldn’t be until the summer of 2004 that serious mainstream success would reveal itself courtesy of a second stage appearance on Ozzfest, where the band consistently outsold all competition to become the festival’s leading sellers in both merchandise and hard product. ‘Comalies’ has since gone on to become Century Media’s biggest selling album ever, shifting over 300,000 copies in the United States alone.

After nearly 4 years without fresh material, ‘Our Truth‘ is the leading single from forthcoming effort ‘Karmacode‘ out on April 3rd. A spine-tingling concoction of eastern-tinged vocal melodies sprawled across a canvas of down tuned riffery; it’s a clear indication that with release looming ever closer, 2006 may well be Lacuna Coil’s biggest and best yet.

Returning as a four-piece, Swedish punks Bombshell Rocks have successfully thickened out their sound and are back with a new album that is chock full of authentic high-energy punk rock. With a sound that harks back to the classic punk sounds of bands like The Clash, Bad Religion, and Rancid. ‘

The Conclusion‘ (we hope it isn’t) delivers thirteen tracks of stomping street punk that is lyrically influenced by recent world events to a soundtrack of gritty guitars, crashing drums and angry vocals. This is punk as nature intended. Non-diluted, pure and from the heart.

Punk’s not dead and Bombshell Rocks are here to prove it.

More tracks like this from Household Name Records can be found on the None More Punk radio show on this very site.

If you thought High On Fires last album was just about the last word in brain melting heavy fucking metal, then make way for the huge metallic might of The Sword! Hailing from Austin, Texas, The Sword take their love of sludge-fiends The Melvins and Sleep and mix it with the classic fist punching metal of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden and the primal doom of Black Sabbath at their darkest.

It’s a potent mix that thunders along with a devastating power, knocking you out with sucker punch after sucker punch. Opening track ‘Celestial Crown‘ sets the scene with a slow devastating doom riff that feels like ten tons of bricks coming down on your head before second track ‘Barael’s Blade‘ explodes into life and kicks your arse across the room. The Sword is one of the best metal bands you will ever hear, period.

Get ready to sharpen the blade.

For more tracks on par with this, tune into the Heavy Shit Radio Show on this very site and fucking eat it….

If you are into indie rock you are just about to discover a gem in Agent Sparks. This 4 piece from Los Angeles have recorded with Michael Einzinger from Incubus to knock up this wonderfully crunchy 5 track EP on Immortal Records that has just been released in the UK.

If you were a Sub Pop records fan in the late 90’s you would have remembered a band called Hazel whose debut album had a similar sound with 2 lead female/male vocalists sharing the mic duties and creating something very special. Agent Sparks have the same magic creating catchy, almost grungy indie rock that you will be singing along to after the first listen.

All 5 tracks on this EP are fantastic so ignore the NME review that was published 2 weeks ago as they were talking absolute shite when they mentioned the first 2 tracks were rubbish compared to the others. Let’s hope this band come over to the UK soon and tour, we will be there for sure.