Comments Off on Rob “Blasko” Nicholson (OZZY OSBOURNE) “Heavy Culture Shouldn’t Just Be About the Music”
On Talk Toomey: The Metal Nexus Podcast, Rob “Blasko” Nicholson (OzzyOsbourne, ZakkSabbath) is Joshua Toomey’s bonus interview guest this week. Nicholson joins the show via phone during the late-night hours from Barcelona, Spain. He talks about the unveiling of the first bingeworthy ten episodes of his new podcast, “A New Level” (available now on major podcast platforms) – A project that uncovers the ins an outs and dos and don’ts of the music industry through one-on-one conversations with notable veterans of the business. Among other topics, they discuss the music business past and present, retirement plans, and fanzines. Continue reading →
Comments Off on Aftershock 2018 Spotlight: SLOTHRUST [Video Stream]
*This is part of our “Aftershock Festival 2018 Spotlight” where we branch out and focus on some of the up-and-coming bands that fans can see at this year’s Aftershock Festival on October 13th & 14th. This week, we’re checking out Slothrust.*
Earning a slot on the impressive roster for this year’s Aftershock Festival is Boston indie rock trio, Slothrust. Since the band’s formation in 2010, Leah Wellbaum (vocals/guitar), Kyle Bann (bass), and Will Gorin (drums) have been busy writing, recording, and playing their captivating brand of rock that also includes a 2017 EP (‘Show Me How You Want it to Be’) of wildly inventive cover versions of some well-known hits of the past. Be sure to check out their take on The Turtles “Happy Together” with its awesomely maniacal twist. Their original material is equally impressive on tracks like the brand-new single, “Peach.” The sound harkens back to a time of great female-fronted alt-rock of the nineties such as TheBreeders and VerucaSalt. Continue reading →
Comments Off on State Of The Art: LAVABORNE [Live Video & Demo Stream]
*This is a part of ourState Of The Artseries, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured state.*
This month’s state is Indiana!
The firey five piece Lavaborne was born in the cold month of February in 2017. Originally formed by Chris Latta (vocals) and Brandon Signorino (guitars). The duo spent a few months writing and composing what would become their demo as a way of recruiting and filling out the band. Chris and Brandon released the demo on September 15, 2017 with Chris Latta handling vocals duties as well as bass guitar and Brandon Signorino on lead and rhythm guitars, and setting up the drum programming. With their demo and classic influences like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Dio, Mercyful Fate, Candlemass it wasn’t long before the band had retained 3 additional members to fill out their band which would include Brandon Davis on bass guitar, Freddie Rodriguez riffing out guitars, and Max Barber on drums. The members are by no means new to the music scene in Indiana either and have played in various other established bands including Spirit Division, Steel Aggressor, and Mask of Sanity. Continue reading →
Comments Off on Album Review : GRAVEYARD – Peace [Album Stream]
From the ashes of Swedish Doom / Stoner band NORRSKEN rose two new bands. Whilst some of the band formed WITCHCRAFT, the rest formed the classic retro-modern GRAVEYARD. They strode into the spotlight with a steely stare and a sense of purpose.
After forming, the band were swift to record a two track demo and played a total of three shows, before planning for a full-length album. Their self-titled debut album was recorded by Don Ahlsterberg and released in early 2008. On the recording sessions’ completion, Truls Mörck was replaced by guitarist Jonatan Ramm.
GRAVEYARD then toured with label mates WITCH. In the fall of 2008, they also toured with CLUTCH. In 2009, they toured with the rock band CKY and released their second album in spring of 2011. Touring followed, with the likes of SOUNDGARDEN. However, bass player and co-founder Rikard Edlund then left the band to “pursue other musical ventures“. In September 2015, the band released the ‘Innocence & Decadence’ record through Nuclear Blast.
On 23 September 2016, the band announced they had broken up, citing, “all so classic reasons.” This hiatus lasted only until 2017, when the band announced their reunion, albeit with a new drummer as Axel Sjöberg decided to stay with his new band.
The album ‘Peace’ is the reunion tentpole. It was produced by Chips Kiesbye and is released via Nuclear Blast. It combined elements of Stoner/Doom, but with many more references to 60’s and 70’s artists. The warm, yet somewhat retro production, gives it a sound that is very welcome in the cold age of digital perfection.
The songs shift around your consciousness and I have generally been impressed by the thoughtfulness of songs such as “Walk On” and “Del Manic”. The sound is propelled by guitarist/vocalist Joakim Nilsson’s fantastically rich vocals and the jazzy content on some songs makes this record a genuine treat to fall into. Like a feather coated beartrap – you initially feel comfortable until the teeth chomp on your leg.
There is a feeling of a band genuinely understanding the pulls of the musical universe and who are acutely aware of their place in the patheon of chaos. They seem to be stretching out on an aural adventure in an effort to put distance between them and their somewhat tumultous past. However, it is a solid album with great tunes such as “A Sign Of Peace” and the opener “It Ain’t Over Yet”.
If your bag is thoughtful, grooving Stoner rock with a warm retro feel, then GRAVEYARD is a band for you to check out.
Comments Off on State Of The Art: Indiana’s GORGANTHERRON [Album Stream]
Photo Credit: JJ Koczan @ The Obelisk
*This is a part of ourState Of The Artseries, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured state.*
This month’s state is Indiana!
Hailing from Evansville, Indiana, Gorgantherron is a trio of mass destruction. They take you back to the early days of metal with a modern twist and with the modern studio techniques. Consisting of Clint Logan riffing on guitar and vocal duties, Toby Richardson slapping the bass, and Chris Flint hitting the skins, Gorgantherron has unleashed two releases, their full length album, ‘Second Sun’ in 2015 and a 6 song EP in 2012. The band creates music that would fit best within the stoner and doom genres but, they should appeal to any audience that loves a good riff and heavy vocals. Opening for the bands; BloodTribe, Seize The Empire, The Alphaincident, Blizaro, King Snake, and performing at the inaugural Doomed & Stoned Fest in their home state of Indiana in 2016 they have captivated audiences for the last 3 years. Continue reading →
Comments Off on Ep. 161 Rob “Blasko” Nicholson (Ozzy Osbourne) – Talk Toomey: The Metal Nexus Podcast
Rob “Blasko” Nicholson joins the Talk Toomey Podcast this week to discuss his latest venture entitled “A New Level”. A New Level podcast recently dropped 10 episodes with interviews from music business veterans from all levels. Blasko also talks about his time in Drown, one of favorite bands in the 90s. We go over his talk of retirement from playing in bands once Ozzy is over and how often they play when Ozzy is on tour. But the main thing we discuss is podcasting and our love of the medium.
Comments Off on American Safari Tour: Rest, Repose, Drewsif Stalin, & More [Review & Photo Gallery]
Rest, Repose
Fayetteville, North Carolina is mostly known as the home of Fort Bragg and its historic sites around the city, and, for music lovers, the scene is only continuing to grow with time; hosting genres from the likes of bluegrass to indie, and from metal to country, there’s something for everyone who lives here to enjoy. At the end of June, the American Safari Tour presented by Distrokid swung into town at the Drunk Horse Pub and brought out all of the hyper energy and excitement that Fayetteville had to offer. The bands on the tour were Seattle, Washington’s Drewsif Stalin, The Home Team, and Rest, Repose. Continue reading →
Comments Off on Review: BLACK FAST ‘Spectre of Ruin’ [Video Stream]
This Friday the 13th, St. Louis thrash metal quartet, BlackFast are set to release their third full-length LP entitled ‘Spectre of Ruin’ via eOne Music. Just like a machete to the jugular, this record is track after track of eviscerating ferocity, and for the listener, never a moment of sanctuary is offered. It’s just pure, balls-out metal in the form of blistering, technical, death-infused thrash with nuanced layers of gothic, black metal coldness that find a way to ooze into the music at just the perfect times. Continue reading →
Comments Off on KNOCKED LOOSE Invades Cardiff, United Kingdom [Photo Gallery]
Knocked Loose
Lets start this by saying today the UK had a heatwave which started on route to Cardiff. My car’s temp gauge was saying it was 35 degrees c outside, but thanks to air conditioning I was comfy. I arrived and parked at the venue Clwb Ifor Bach located in the city center. I was there early and so were the fans. There was a sea of fans all enjoying cold beers in the local surrounding bars on this hot night. I went straight into the club and set my gear up in the green room, where members of all the bands were chilling. Upstairs to the venue was a lot cooler to start with, but then the fans came swarming in to witness the first band on the bill Guilt Trip. Continue reading →
Comments Off on OCEANS ATE ALASKA & More Slay The Stage In Bristol, U.K. [Review & Photo Gallery]
Oceans Ate Alaska
Bristol is one buzzing city in the UK for bands at the moment and before I turned up for tonights awesome line up I checked and the show was just a mere tickets away from being a sold out gig. The energy at a show that is close to capacity just adds to the show and makes it all the more enjoyable, not to mention the bands live to perform for a sea of fans from wall to wall. Five bands to get through so lets get stuck in. Continue reading →
On Talk Toomey: The Metal Nexus Podcast, Rob “Blasko” Nicholson (Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Sabbath) is Joshua Toomey’s bonus interview guest this week. Nicholson joins the show via phone during the late-night hours from Barcelona, Spain. He talks about the unveiling of the first bingeworthy ten episodes of his new podcast, “A New Level” (available now on major podcast platforms) – A project that uncovers the ins an outs and dos and don’ts of the music industry through one-on-one conversations with notable veterans of the business. Among other topics, they discuss the music business past and present, retirement plans, and fanzines. Continue reading 
