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We Are The Ocean

WE ARE THE OCEAN
Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow
Hassle Records

With ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’ being the first album to come from British band We Are The Ocean since the slightly controversial departure of unclean vocalist Dan Brown, full attention will be paid to every move the band make on this one by fans and critics alike.

The first – and maybe most obvious thing – to say is that if you’re expecting more Alexisonfire inspired post-hardcore like their earlier releases ‘Cutting Our Teeth’ and ‘Look Alive’ you will be disappointed. Its clear that after Dan’s departure the band have sharpened up their image and gone for a more refined, mainstream sound with Liam Cromby stepping in to the lime light. Interestingly it’s similar process to what once tour partners Deaf Havana went through; who previously were a southern-hardcore inspired quintet lead by aggressive vocalist Ryan Mellor, now a straight-forward (but still bloody good) rock quartet with guitarist/clean-vocalist James Veck-Gilodi at the helm.

Its no surprise that Zane Lowe picked single ‘Bleed’ as his ‘Hottest Record In The World’ as it jumps straight out as the real star of the album. Other highlights include anthemic title-track ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’, sensitive opener ‘Stanford Rivers’ and ‘Pass Me By’ which has an almost Frank Turner-esque vibe to it.

Despite the album being solid, it may turn off some of their older fan base. With their newfound maturity, We Are The Ocean have lost a bit of charm; the gritty spark that saw them leap out of their local scene to dominate the underground market. The band won’t be too disheartened though as ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’ will sit comfortably on Radio 1’s playlist and HMV’s shelves, instantly appeal to fans of You Me At Six, Kids In Glass Houses, Lostprophets and (new) Deaf Havana. ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow‘ is an focused and accessible album showcasing whats hot in British rock music right now. Its sure to be a hit and will see the We Are The Ocean boys go far.

Words: Emma Wallace

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Music Music News

Title Fight Documentary and Single

Today, Crossfire favourites Title Fight dropped latest single ‘Secret Society‘ which is from their forthcoming full-length record ‘Floral Green‘. The single can be purchased here via Side One Dummy Records and is available to stream below.

In other Title Fight news, the band recently posted the second part of their documentary (directed/edited by Alex Henery) online. The short film features the band at Studio 4 in Conshohocken, PA with engineer/producer Will Yip. Watch it below:

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Music Music News

The Sword Release Album via Napalm Records


Having sold more than 200,000 units in the U.S. alone, The Sword are major contenders in the current heavy music market. The band have announced they will release their 4th LP on November 5, 2012 which will feature cover art by legendary comic book artists J.H. Williams III (Batwoman, Promethea).

The album entitled ‘Apocryphon’ – which was produced and mixed by J. Robbins (Clutch, Jawbox)- will be released in Europe via renowned metal label Napalm Records.

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Nuclear Death Terror

NUCLEAR DEATH TERROR
Chaos Reigns
(Southern Lord)

Hailing from Denmark, Nuclear Death Terror is a collective of rag-tag Punx from Euroland and beyond that have been knocking around for a while now. They released a great album a few years back, and also have a couple of 7”s under their bullet belts.

This new CD on Southern Lord collates their most recent release, the “Blood Fire Chaos Death” 12”, on D-takt & Råpunk Records, plus their 2 EP’s. It’s the four new tracks that interest me, and, after scraping myself off the wall, can confirm they are absolutely storming hell hammered metallic punk rock blasters, that will have even the most clean-cut amongst you reaching for your inner crust and shaking a clenched fist in the air, whilst all around chaos reigns.

If you worship at The Alter of Slayer, Tragedy and Antisect, then NDT will more than satisfy. This is raging, bleak, and ugly music that stares down at a world shrouded in violence and despair. I can imagine Robb Stark (of Winterfell) cranking NDT out in his tent, getting psyched to take his hardened troops into battle, annihilation, or death.

Pete Craven

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Music Music News

New Deftones Album Release Date


Deftones are amazing, and that’s a fact. The influential band have announced they will be back to pummel our ear drums with their 7th studio album this winter. The obscurely titled ‘Koi No Yokan’ will hit the shelves on 12th November 2012 via Reprise Records. Get excited, we already are.

To remind us just how perfect Deftones are, below is ‘Rocket Skates’ taken from last album ‘Diamond Eyes’.

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Music News

Converge cover Black Flag, Negative Approach & The Cure

Hardcore legends Converge are back with a new album on epitaph records this October 12th titled ‘All We Love We Leave Behind‘ and have rolled out cover versions of classic predecessors Black Flag, Negative Approach and The Cure.

The new album landed at crossfire HQ last week and we can tell you that even though it’s their 8th album, it will annihilate your ears.

Vocalist Jacob Bannon added, “I think we really stepped up our game on this record. The most important thing to this band is that with every album we want to create something that excites us and moves us in some way. There are a lot of subtle nuances on this record are really special to us and we definitely hit those individually on this record.”

Watch the video for first track Aimless Arrow here and stream these covers. You will be surprised by The Cure!

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Music Music News

Crystal Castles Discuss New Album and Announce UK Tour

After debuting a new song from their forthcoming album at Reading & Leeds over the weekend, the insane electro duo Crystal Castles have announced details of a UK tour this autumn and commented on their imminent 3rd album release:

“Oppression is a theme, in general… A lot of bad things have happened to people close to me since ‘II’ and it’s profoundly influenced my writing as I’ve realized there will never be justice for them. I didn’t think I could lose faith in humanity any more than I already had, but after witnessing some things, it feels like the world is a dystopia where victims don’t get justice and corruption prevails. I’m one step away from being a vigilante to protect people and bring justice to the people I love. I’ve thought about it.” – Alice Glass

“We wanted the new album to sound like a completely different and new experience. Any keyboards and pedals used on ‘I’ or ‘II’ were traded for different keyboards and pedals so that there would be a new palette of sounds to work with. We wouldn’t allow any computers near the studio, everything had to be recorded to tape. We’d limit ourselves to 1 take because we believe the 1st take is the rawest expression of an idea.” – Ethan Kath

The tour dates are as follows and you can watch Crystal Castles perform the new song ‘Wrath of God‘ below:

NOVEMBER
22nd – BIRMINGHAM Institute
23rd – NORWICH Norwich U.E.A.
24th – LONDON Brixton Academy
26th – GLASGOW ABC
27th – LEEDS Academy
28th – MANCHESTER Academy

Words: Emma Wallace

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Album Reviews Buzz Chart Music Reviews

Circa Survive

CIRCA SURVIVE
Violent Waves

Some may find Circa Survive‘s latest offering an egocentric and self important waste of time, while those who appreciate its detail will see it more as a journey through fantasy realms of progressive music. It completely depends on how you like to enjoy your music. Let us discuss…

If you are after an absolute face-melter of a record, walk away now – this isn’t for you. But if you enjoy music as an overwhelming experience, put on your highest quality headphones and indulge in the artistic movement that is ‘Violent Waves‘.

During the whole of ‘Violent Waves‘ there is no one track that stands out, nothing that makes you sit up and concentrate. Though not outstanding, “Phantasmagoria” is perhaps the catchiest tune off of the album whilst “The Lottery” (feat. Geoff Rickly of Thursday) shows a mature post-hardcore approach. Despite being pleasant, both tracks could go unnoticed if you weren’t fully paying attention. Normally this would be a very harsh criticism, but what Circa Survive have produced here is a complex structure that intertwines as one complete piece rather than separate tracks, it appears it is meant to appreciated as a whole rather than sectioned; each song compliments the next, making the album more successful when played through in its entirety. On all tracks Anthony Green’s vocals seductively dance over a playful odyssey of Minus The Bear-esque riffs.

To summarize the point being made here, the album flows smoothly with surging peaks and troughs of emotion. ‘Violent Waves‘ is seduction for the senses. For listeners who have the patience to dive into its abyss, ‘Violent Waves‘ comes across as a masterpiece.

WORDS: EMMA WALLACE

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Music Music News

Less Than Jake Talk New Material


Less Than Jake have announced they will perform new material at this weekend’s Reading & Leeds Festivals when they play the Lock Up Tent. Lyricist/Drummer Vinnie Fiorello comments:

“Reading was our first ever show in the UK and it always holds top spots for our favorite festival to play. We are beyond humbled to be able to continue to play such a legendary festival.”

The Ska-punk bands forthcoming album has been named as “Greetings and Salutations”, with a released date set for an October 15th via Rude Records. The first single, “Goodbye Mr Personality” is available now and you can watch the video below.

In addition to their R&L performances the band will also take to the stage at the Vans Warped Tour UK as well as a small UK tour prior to that show. The dates are as follows:

NOVEMBER
(w/ New Found Glory, Man Overboard, The Story So Far)
4th Nottingham Rock City
5th Manchester Academy
6th Leeds University
7th Glasgow Barrowland
9th Cardiff University Great Hall
10th London Alexandra Palace – Vans Warped Tour UK (Featuring Lostprophets, Bring Me The Horizon and many more)


Words: Emma Wallace

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Album Reviews Buzz Chart Music Reviews

Bloc Party


BLOC PARTY
Four

You have no excuse not to know who Bloc Party unless you have been living in a South American rainforest, licking neon coloured toads for the past 10 years…

I can sum up their latest release in one sentence. It’s absolutely bloody amazing.

However as this is a review, I won’t leave it there, so let’s get the simple things out of the way first… ‘Four’ is a tour de force of indie guitar licks, riffs and hooks with all the Bloc Party trimmings.

Kele and co. have made us wait a while for their latest offering, but as soon as you press the play button, and you here the drum beat and distorted guitar that signal the start of ‘So He Begins To Lie’ you wont be able to sit still. This album works its way into your subconscious and induces some serious moments of tourettes-style head banging and foot stomping.

There isn’t a ‘bad’ track on this album. It swings between slow burning songs that build to a crescendo with squealing guitars through to some southern delta blues inspired throat-ripping guitar chords. The truth is, it is easy to love every single track on the album; so to pick a standout song is a bit of a task. Saying that, the songs that went down best here at Crossfire has to be the hauntingly epic ‘Real Talk’ and ‘V.A.L.I.S’, the hooktastic indie anthem that will have you singing along in not time at all.

If you’re into indie/rock then you should own this album. It’s one of the best albums to grace 2012 so far. A near perfect example of what Indie music should be.

WORDS: JJ NATTRASS