THE HU & FIRE FROM THE GODS Are Brilliant In Bristol, UK [Review & Photo Gallery]

This is the second trip to Bristol and the UK by the Mongolian metal band The Hu. They have been taking the world by storm with their truly unique sound that shows off their native heritage as well as their influence from modern metal bands. Their style is completely different from anything else in the metal genre, and after their recent duet with Papa Roach’s Jacoby Shaddix on the track “Wolf Totem” it’s made them even more popular. Their support act this time around is the Texas based heavy metal band Fire From The Gods. The band has a way of appealing to a wide fan base as their sound can’t be pigeon holed to one genre, but they incorporate elements of metalcore, nu metal, traditional heavy metal, and thrash. Lead vocalist AJ Channer is the backbone of the band and his inspirational lyrics along with the bands immense groove have helped them establish a large following. Even though the band has been road dogs for the past several years constantly staying on tour this is Fire From The Gods first trip to the UK. That being said the fans tonight are in for one hell of a show as it will be their first time seeing Fire From The Gods and the chance to witness a once in a lifetime act like The Hu. On a side note I interviewed Fire From The Gods frontman AJ just before their set , you can check the interview out on Metal Nexus coming soon. Continue reading

Lindsay Schoolcraft Announces Departure From CRADLE OF FILTH

Cradle Of Filth is the iconic symphonic black metal project of lead vocalist Dani Filth. Cradle Of Filth are from the UK and started off their career with an explosive start in 1991, releasing three demos over the span of three years in the early 90’s. Since then the band has released 12 studio albums, including classic albums such as ‘Midian’ and have sold more than four million records worldwide. Cradle Of Filth’s last album was 2017’s ‘Cryptoriana – The Seductiveness of Decay.’ The band has announced they are working on a new album and expect to release it around August of this year.  Continue reading

Could 2020 Be The Year OASIS Reunites?

If you had a pulse in the 1990’s and early 2000’s you are sure to know British rock legends Oasis. The Manchester based band is led by vocalist Liam Gallagher and his brother songwriter and lead guitarist Noel Gallagher. The brothers have created some of the best songs written in the last two decades creating 7 studio albums with sales in excess of 40 million units. The brothers have a knack of creating music together, but their relationship otherwise has always been tumultuous. The band called it quits in 2009 at the tail end of a tour with 3 remaining dates. Continue reading

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE & REVOCATION Inspire Headbanging In The U.K. [Review & Photo Gallery]

So on arrival to the Bristol o2 the queue was all the way up the hill next to the venue before the doors opened. I overheard fans chatting before the show and I heard them saying Howard Jones was there, but you hear that at every Killswitch Engage gig, and yes sometimes he does turn up. Also will Adam D wear a cape tonight, or will he go to the bar again and order shots mid set? It was bound to be an amazing night with not only Killswitch Engage taking the stage but also Boston, Massachusetts based band Revocation and the German metal band Tenside opening the show. What would be the stand out memories from tonight’s show? Let’s just wait and see. Continue reading

STATIC-X, DOPE & More Honor Wayne Static In Bristol, UK [Review & Photo Gallery]

The original Static-X line-up from the 1999 platinum-selling debut full-length album, Wisconsin Death Trip – bassist Tony Campos, guitarist Koichi Fukuda and drummer Ken Jay – have completed their seventh studio album, entitled ‘Project Regeneration’ which is set to release sometime in November. The album will feature 12 brand new Static-X tracks and contains several vocal performances and musical compositions by the late great Wayne Static who passed away on November 1, 2014. The band has been touring with a masked singer who is using the name Xero. In addition to wearing a mask the mysterious vocalist is also dressed as Wayne Static featuring his signature spiked up hair and his long braided beard. The identity of the singer has not be unveiled and the band states they are trying to honor their late fallen singer Wayne. Since the bands first single was unveiled some fans believe that the singer is none other than Dope vocalist Edsel Dope and ironically Dope has been on both legs of the tour as a support act with Static-X.  One other thing to notice is that the order in which the bands perform. I would think Dope would normally be direct support for Static-X, however they have Soil as direct support and Dope playing before them. This would allow Edsel time to rest between the two bands sets. However, this is just an assumption other fans and I myself have, the singer could be a singer we all are familiar with or it could be someone completely unheard of. It’s not known yet whether or not they will ever identify their touring vocalist. It doesn’t matter to us who is behind the mask, we are just thankful to be hearing Static X again and honor the legacy that Wayne Static left behind. This UK/Euro tour includes support from Dope, Soil, and Wednesday 13, probably one of the best tours you will find this fall. Continue reading

BLACK STAR RIDERS First Show In Over A Year Impresses UK Fans! [Review & Photo Gallery]

Black Star Riders are a band that everyone needs to see. The band still boasts a legendary lineup even after the departure of celebrated lead guitarist Damon Johnson last year. Black Star Riders began when members of the most recent line-up of Thin Lizzy decided to record new material, but chose not to release it under the Thin Lizzy name. Ricky Warwick as well as Scott Gorham helped found the band and both are formerly of Thin Lizzy. Drummer Chad Szeliga is well versed in the rock/metal world and has had stints in Breaking Benjamin as well as Black Label Society. Upon Damon Johnson’s departure last year he was replaced by guitarist Christian Martucci who is also the guitarist in Stone Sour. Robbie Crane is also a member of front man Ricky Warwick’s band The Fighting Hearts and also previously performed with 80’s iconic band Ratt. You can easily see this band is made up of some of the most talented veterans in music. Seeing them perform is like watching an all star team. We were lucky enough for them to grace the stage at the Bristol o2 along with support from Wayward Sons which boasts vocalist Toby Jepson who rocked in the popular 90’s band Little Angels. Direst support comes from Stone Broken the hard rocking 4 piece from right here in the UK.  Continue reading

STATIC-X Announce UK/EURO Tour With SOIL, DOPE & WEDNESDAY 13

 

The original Static-X line-up from the 1999 platinum-selling debut full-length album, Wisconsin Death Trip – bassist Tony Campos, guitarist Koichi Fukuda and drummer Ken Jay – are putting the finishing touches on their seventh studio album, entitled ‘Project Regeneration’ which is set to release sometime in November. The album will feature 12 brand new Static-X tracks and contains several vocal performances and musical compositions by the late great Wayne Static who passed away on November 1, 2014. Along with the help of Static-X’s long-time producer Ulrich Wild, the band is in the process of completing the album now. Continue reading

SKUNK ANANSIE And QUEEN ZEE Shakes Up Bristol [Review & Photo Gallery]

The opening act for Skunk Anansie were Liverpool-based rock band Queen Zee who came out to a three-quarters full venue. Looking sharp, their whole image worked well. As I’ve said before, I like to see a band look like a band, and these guys ticked that box. Vocalist and guitarist, Zena “Queen Zee” Davine, was an absolute nutter on stage – full of energy that didn’t wear out for the whole show, rocking a black string vest, and just going for it! Continue reading

SKUNK ANANSIE Set To Kick Off UK Tour With Several Sold Out Dates! [More Dates Added]

Skunk Anansie were born radical and have stayed that way ever since. It’s there in their music, which slips effortlessly between the confrontational and the tender, the politically charged and the nakedly emotional, the upfront and attention-grabbing and the quiet and restrained. But it’s there in the band’s essence too – in the blend of influences, cultures and personalities they have so successfully brought together. When the band emerged from the sweat-drenched backrooms of London in 1994, electrifying everyone who saw them and jamming an adrenaline shot into the arm of a decadent music scene, they sounded and looked like nothing that had come before them. “Nobody in our manor had seen anything like us before”, says singer Skin, who co-founded the band with bassist Cass and guitarist Ace. “We were an earthquake.” Continue reading

HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD & LOATHE Bring The Mayhem In Bristol, UK [Review & Photo Gallery]

Hollywood Undead

Well, after a really hot three days over the Easter break here in the UK, the dull weather has returned. This did not stop eager fans of LA rap-rockers Hollywood Undead and Liverpool-based UK band Loathe, who queued up early to get as close as possible to the barricade in front of the stage to witness these two quality acts perform. Continue reading