Punk band Title Fight are streaming the first part of their tour documentary online (which was directed and edited by Alex Henery). The film features Title Fight performances on massive stages as support to Rise Against from the April/May 2012 “Endgame” Tour.
Title Fight are over in the UK next month for a one off co-headline show with La Dispute at The Garage in London before heading of on a full Euro tour.
It is reported that sludge-metal band Baroness have been involved in a serious road accident on their journey between gigs in Bath and Southampton.
Emergency services were called to Brassknocker Hill, in Monkton Combe, on the B3108 at its junction with the A36 Warminster Road at 11:30 BST. Two people on board suffered multiple fractures and were later freed by firefighters whilst seven other members had minor injuries. Details as to what caused the crash remain unclear, however eye witnesses have reported that there was low visibility due to weather at the time of the accident.
On the band’s official Facebook page the following statement was posted:
“Baroness were in a serious bus accident last night near Bath, England. The band members and crew are recovering at local hospitals. All tour dates are postponed until further notice.”
Meanwhile, the promoter for the Baroness show in Southampton, scheduled for tonight, announced:
“It is with great regret that we have to inform you that Baroness were involved in a very serious road accident earlier today and will not be able to perform at Talking Heads tonight. Our thoughts are with the band at this time and we wish them and their crew a speedy recovery.”
Here at Crossfire, we would like to reflect the words of many fans and wish Baroness all the best and a quick recovery.
Words: Emma Wallace
If you are into the heavyweight variety of pop-punk (think Four Year Strong, Set Your Goals), The Story So Far are definitely ones to check out. The Californian band were one of the highlights of this years Slam Dunk Festival and are noted as one of the most promising acts on the circuit right now.
The band have just announced they will release a new album, ‘Under Soil and Dirt’ on the 8th October 2012 via Pure Noise. It is reported ‘Under Soil and Dirt’ captures the highs and lows of coming of age, relationships and friendships presented in a heavy, yet catchy format. If single ‘Quicksand‘ is anything to go by, ‘Under Soil and Dirt‘ will certainty be worth picking up. The track listing for the album is as follows:
1. State and Minds
2. Roam
3. Quicksand
4. Swords and Pens
5. High Regard
6. Daughters
7. Mt. Diablo
8. Four Years
9. Rally Cap
10. Placeholder
11. Closure
The Story So Far are back on our shores this November playing the UK leg of Warped Tour as well some shows with New Found Glory and a trio of headline gigs. Catch the band at the following dates:
NOVEMBER
Thurs 1st Margate, West Coast Bar
Fri 2nd Coventry, Kasbah
Sat 3rd Bournemouth, Sound Circus
Sun 4th Nottingham, Rock City (w/New Found Glory, Less Than Jake, and Man Overboard)
Mon 5th Manchester, Academy (w/New Found Glory, Less Than Jake, and Man Overboard)
Tues 6th Leeds, University (w/New Found Glory, Less Than Jake, and Man Overboard)
Weds 7th Glasgow, Barrowland (w/New Found Glory, Less Than Jake, and Man Overboard)
Thurs 8th Norwich, UEA (w/New Found Glory, Less Than Jake, and Man Overboard)
Fri 9th Cardiff, University Great Hall (w/New Found Glory, Less Than Jake, and Man Overboard)
Sat 10th London, Alexandra Palace (UK Warped Tour)
Words: Emma Wallace
As well as having a sick band name, Gnarwolves dropped a cracking EP earlier this summer entitled ‘CRU‘. We really rate these guys and after an awesome performance at Hevy, we totally stress that you should head down to one of their recently announced shows as support to The Story So Far. The dates are as follows:
OCTOBER
01 MARGATE West Coast Bar
02 COVENTRY Kasbah
03 BOURNEMOUTH Sound Circus
Read our full review of ‘CRU’ here.
Death Grips promised they would release two albums in 2012, and it seems they are sticking to their word… First up was the awesome ‘The Money Store’, next up the experimental unit will be back this autumn with the second installment of ‘Epic Records’ releases, with ‘NO LOVE DEEP WEB‘. Death Grips have released a very matter-of-fact statement about the forthcoming album. Here’s what was said:
The album is titled NO LOVE DEEP WEB.
We are working on 20 tracks and looking to narrow down to 13.
It will be released by epic records in the US and Columbia in the UK.
The release is scheduled for fall 2012. most likely late October.
We are in correspondence with Crispin Glover and working toward a video collaboration with him relating to this album.
We’ve been recording the album primarily in Sacramento , CA. and Oakland , CA. for the past five months.
We will be mixing it in Shanghai , Vhina.
There are no manually programmed drums on this album , the beats are being played live on a roland electronic v-drum set or acoustic drum set by zach. There are no features , guest collabs or outside producers.
The material is cold , bass heavy , minimal , rock & roll influenced and could simultaneously fit into a rave or dance club context.
It is essentially rap and electronic music while at times extremely aggressive.
We plan on supporting this release live internationally.
*the track that comes out sept.10 as part of the adult swim series is a previously unreleased track from the Money Store and is totally unrelated to the new album NO LOVE DEEP WEB.
NO LOVE DEEP WEB is another sound and vibe entirely.
– Death Grips
Fresh from a debut festival set at Hevy, Night Verses (hailing from LA and New York) are currently embarking on their first ever tour of the UK along with Flood of Red.
The band have also treated us to their debut music video for ‘Be Happy With Yourself, I’m Staying Here In Hell’ taken their debut ‘Out of The Sky’ EP which is available to download for free from www.nightverses.com
Combining raw energy with progressive soundscapes, Night Verses are ones to watch for fans of Deftones, The Sleeping and Glassjaw. Check them out at the following shows this week:
AUGUST
13th Plymouth – White Rabbit
14th Southampton – Joiners
15th London – Underworld
Words: Emma Wallace
WHILE SHE SLEEPS
This Is The Six
[Search & Destroy]
While She Sleeps have been a dominant force in the UK scene for a while now, so it’s hard to believe that ‘This Is The Six’ is actually their debut full length. Tracks released prior to the album dropping (including ‘Dead Behind The Eyes’ and title track ‘This Is The Six’) give a clear indication of Sleeps’s intent to make this an intensely heavy album. To add variation to the record, Sleeps follow a similar pattern to 2010’s ‘The North Stands For Nothing’, adding piano interludes where appropriate to break up the aggression. Listeners are then treated to powerful riffs that seem utterly brutal after a moment of reflection.
Lawrence Taylor’s snarling screams gives a dark overtone to the whole record, the angst in his lyrics are spat into your face, so much so that you start to worry for his larynx..! It could be said that his vocal range isn’t overly impressive but raw emotion, captivating guitar melodies from Mat Welsh and Sean Long, alongside optimistic gang chants make up for any criticisms.
While She Sleeps have already impressed with their energetic live shows but now with the potential inclusion of tracks such as ‘Seven Hills’, Sleep’s artillery is instantly strengthened tenfold. The band embark on their biggest headline tour to date this autumn with the impressive Bleed From Within, Crossfaith and Polar as support, its going to be one heavy hitting show.
Perfectly combing the raw intensity and bounce of hardcore, with sinister and deafening metal, While She Sleeps are an exquisite example of metalcore. Drawing on strengths from ‘The North Stands For Nothing’, While She Sleeps pack this album full of brilliant tracks forming an album that demands a listen and stands up to the hype.
Catch While She Sleeps at the following shows:
Sep 26 Birmingham The Library @ Institute
Sep 27 Manchester Club Academy
Sep 28 Sheffield Corporation
Sep 29 Glasgow Garage
Sep 30 Newcastle Academy 2
Oct 2 Nottingham Rescue Rooms
Oct 3 Bristol Fleece
Oct 4 Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
Oct 5 London Electric Ballroom
WORDS: EMMA WALLACE
A while back we brought you the news that Lamb of God‘s front man, Randy Blthye, had been arrested and charged with manslaughter. After quite an ordeal, Randy posts the following statement to explain the details:
“Greetings. This is D. Randall Blythe, checking in from my beloved hometown of Richmond, VA, United States of America. I was recently released on bail from Pankrác Prison in Prague, Czech Republic, after over a month of incarceration. Now that I am out for the moment, I would like to say a few things.
1. While in prison, I had minimal knowledge of how my case was viewed anywhere but the Czech Republic. I was told by my attorney that I had a lot support from peers in the music industry, my hometown, fans, and of course my family. I cannot express how emotional it made me upon my release to read about even a fraction of the voices that were raised on my behalf. From legends in my music community, to fans across the world, and even people who were previously unaware of my existence but sympathized with my plight- I am truly humbled. I cannot thank you enough for your thoughts and prayers. I would especially like to thank the people of Richmond, VA, for standing by me. In the 48 hours I have been home, many people I have never met before have stopped me on the street, waved and smiled as I passed by, or said hello in a restaurant. All have said “We are glad you are home, Randy”. You all make me proud and grateful that I call Richmond home.
2. I would like state that I suffered no abuse, from either authorities or inmates, during my incarceration in Pankrác. I received no special treatment, and was in general population with everyone else- make no mistake, it was prison, not some celebrity rehab tv show. But I was treated fairly by the guards and kindly by my fellow inmates. People are dying of starvation all over the world. Men and women are losing their lives daily in the Middle East and other war torn regions. I had food, clothes, shelter, and no one was trying to kill me. I cannot complain over a short stay in prison while many people elsewhere fight to survive on a daily basis.
3. If it is deemed necessary for me to do so, I WILL return to Prague to stand trial. While I maintain my innocence 100%, and will do so steadfastly, I will NOT hide in the United States, safe from extradition and possible prosecution. As I write this, the family of a fan of my band suffers through the indescribably tragic loss of their child. They have to deal with constantly varying media reports about the circumstances surrounding his death. I am charged with maliciously causing severe bodily harm to this young man, resulting in his death. While I consider the charge leveled against me ludicrous and without qualification, my opinion makes no difference in this matter. The charge exists, and for the family of this young man, questions remain. The worst possible pain remains. It is fairly common knowledge amongst fans of my band that I once lost a child as well. I, unfortunately, am intimately familiar with what their pain is like. Therefore, I know all too well that in their time of grief, this family needs and deserves some real answers, not a media explosion followed by the accused killer of their son hiding like a coward thousands of miles away while they suffer. I am a man. I was raised to face my problems head on, not run from them like a petulant child. I hope that justice is done, and the family of Daniel N. will receive the closure they undoubtably need to facilitate healing. I feel VERY STRONGLY that as an adult, it would be both irresponsible and immoral for me not to return to Prague if I am summoned. This is not about bail money. This is about a young man who lost his life. I will act with honor, and I will fight to clear my good name in this matter. Thank you for reading this, and I wish you all peace.“
FEED THE RHINO
The Burning Sons
In At The Deep End Records
www.feedtherhino.co.uk
When a band describes themselves as ‘Loud as fuck,’ and is known for insane live shows it’s a pretty clear indication that some serious slaying is about to take place on record. And as Feed The Rhino’s ‘Burning Sons’ roars into action with ‘Flood The System‘, the faint hearted should hide away from the stampede that’s inevitably about to take place.
Instantly the sincere heaviness of the record hits you with the force of a freight train, Lee Tobin’s ferocious vocals lead the way for a crushing assault whilst Chris Kybert’s intense work behind the kit pounds your ears drums. But it’s the grooving guitar work and bass lines that separates ‘Burning Sons’ from the ever growing pile of metal and hardcore cross over bands. Riffs that are tinged Southern Hardcore flair places homegrown Feed The Rhino alongside honorable names such as Every Time I Die and Cancer Bats.
Before the intensity of the album gets a bit much, Feed The Rhino mix things up with a moody, down-tempo number, ‘Razor‘. The track could easily fall into place on a Mastodon or Baroness record. This is where Feed The Rhino really shine. When experimenting with a more dynamic format, such as on ‘Tides’, listeners are treated to a truly thorough performance.
Slightly more variety and perfected production would have seen ‘Burning Sons’ go down as a masterpiece, unfortunately this time around Feed The Rhino have just fallen short of a classic. However the band have still delivered a valiant effort that will surely take their live show to the next level with such powerful new guns being added to their already heavy arsenal.
WORDS: EMMA WALLACE
Axewound, heralded as ‘the supergroup to slay all supergroups’ have announced details of a debut full length and UK tour.
The band, lead by Liam Cormier of Cancer Bats, Matt Tuck of Bullet For My Valentine on guitar/backing vocals, Mike Kingswood of Glamour of the Kill on guitar, Joe Copcutt formerly of Rise to Remain playing bass and Jason Bowld of Pitchshifter on drums, were unveiled on May 1st 2012 via BBC Radio 1 Rock Show when their debut single ‘Post Apocalyptic Party’ was aired.
After a string of successful festival appearances this summer, AxeWound have announced their debut album Vultures will be released on October 1st via Search And Destroy/RCA (Search And Destroy being the new label from Sony Music and Raw Power Management that also has Bring Me The Horizon, Don Broco & While She Sleeps under their trusted wings). Matt Tuck has also revealed that Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates will guest on one song on the upcoming album, adding more superstar names to the mix.
In support of the album release, Axewound will perform the following dates:
OCTOBER 2012
1st – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
2nd – Glasgow, King Tuts
3rd – Manchester, Academy 3
4th – Wolverhampton, Slade Rooms
6th – London, Underworld
7th – Bristol, Thekla
WORDS: EMMA WALLACE