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Holy 2005, Batman! On their debut long player, Utrecht, Netherlands–based Sick Shooters take me back to the heyday of garage punk/power pop mash-ups. The perfectly tiled Super Sonic Rock Saga blasts through 11 tracks of blistering punk rock ‘n’ roll with relentless power pop hooks in 28 thrilling minutes. This is an all-killer, no-filler affair from start to finish. Think first generation punk-pop (Buzzcocks, Undertones, Boys) if you gave it a ’90s garage punk kick in the pants and and then injected it with a modern-day youthful exuberance. If I made a playlist of the stuff I was listening to two decades ago (Kidnappers, Manikins, The Heartattacks, Marked Men, etc.), any of these songs would fit right in. Yet the sound of this record is totally fresh and exciting  — proving the timelessness of this type of music when it’s done right. There aren’t really many new bands like this these days — especially not ones made up of folks in their early 20s. 

Holy 2005, Batman! On their debut long player, Utrecht, Netherlands–based Sick Shooters take me back to the heyday of garage punk/power pop mash-ups. The perfectly tiled Super Sonic Rock Saga blasts through 11 tracks of blistering punk rock ‘n’ roll with relentless power pop hooks in 28 thrilling minutes. This is an all-killer, no-filler affair from start to finish. Think first generation punk-pop (Buzzcocks, Undertones, Boys) if you gave it a ’90s garage punk kick in the pants and and then injected it with a modern-day youthful exuberance. If I made a playlist of the stuff I was listening to two decades ago (Kidnappers, Manikins, The Heartattacks, Marked Men, etc.), any of these songs would fit right in. Yet the sound of this record is totally fresh and exciting  — proving the timelessness of this type of music when it’s done right. There aren’t really many new bands like this these days — especially not ones made up of folks in their early 20s. 

Baseball season is never officially underway until Vista Blue properly opens it with a baseball-themed release. But we didn’t have long to wait this year, as Vista Blue released Batting Around the day after the real Opening Day (one game on Netflix doesn’t count) — and on Mike’s birthday to boot. Mike got an early present in the form of a Pete Crow-Armstrong contract extension with the Cubs, and now he and Mark have gifted us four new Vista Blue tracks that no ABS system will ever be able to deny. 

The title track starts things off with some snappy, toe-tapping punk rock that celebrates one of the most formidable achievements a baseball lineup could ever hope to attain (and no, Meta AI, “batting around” does not refer to casually hitting the ball in a relaxed or informal setting). “Good Reputation” takes things in a more pop direction. It’s a song about the one guy who’s on the roster because he’s respected in the clubhouse and contributes to the team in ways that are never apparent on the stat sheet. “What’s Your Favorite Lockout?” is one of my favorite types of VB songs — a 30-second speed-burner that makes The Queers sound like Emerson, Lake & Palmer. And I’m absolutely on board with ’94 being the gold standard for MLB lockouts. “I Don’t Wanna Be DFA’d” is in classic VB territory. Paired with “Good Reputation,” this song finds Mike and Mark speaking up for the guys who aren’t big stars with massive contracts. A lot of players have to fight for roster spots and hope the axe doesn’t fall on them when it’s time to designate someone for assignment. I’ll be pouring one out for Garrett Stubbs, a Phillie with a good reputation who has sadly been DFA’d. 

From that first chord of “Batting Around,” I knew I was in for another first rate Vista Blue release. I’m always open to interpreting this band’s sports songs on a metaphorical level, so let’s hope that this is a year where all of you clear the bases in your life and put some crooked numbers on the board.

What was once a controversial track amongst fans has become one of their favourite Boundaries songs after the band uploads a new mix to streaming services.

The post BOUNDARIES Adds New Version Of "Skies Cast Amber Black" To Streaming Platforms After 'Mix'ed Fan Reviews appeared first on Metal Injection.

My Body to the Worms out now via Hammerheart Records Australian death doom outfit Mammon’s Throne have recently released their third full length My Body to the Worms via Hammerheart Records. The band are now releasing a new performance video for the heavy track ‘Elixir’ which is streaming via the Hammerheart Records YouTube channel.  Watch here: https://youtu.be/b_RG28Z92i0 Mammon’s Throne comment on the track: “During the album writing process, we set […]

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A new chapter has begun: Finnish melodic metal force ARION return with a bang, launching the album cycle for their upcoming fifth studio album with the brand-new single “Hurricane”, released via RPM. The track is a fast-paced, modern melodic metal anthem that stands out with its theme of cathartic empowerment, a massive chorus hook, and the band’s signature infectious […]

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(written by Islander) I took a break from NCS last weekend, a short vacation that led me to eastern Washington. That means I now have twice the usual number of new songs and videos sitting in front of me as I ponder what to feature today. But rather than try to go back and figure […]

The post SEEN AND HEARD ON A SATURDAY: DIMMU BORGIR, SHADOWSPAWN, THORIUM, TERROR, VEIL OMEGA, IVOIRE, SLEEPBOMB, BLOOD GRAVE appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.

Rick Thorpe – lead guitar/vocals

Tom Maudlin – Bass/vocals

Dick Winters – Hammond organ/vocals

Paul Thorpe – Drums/lead vocals

This British band was formed around 1966/1967 and toured extensively before being chosen as the backing group for US soul artist Jimmy Johnson & The Bandwagon in late 1968 for their debut British tour.

Thanks to bass player Tom Maudlin for providing some more information about the group, the photo of the band and the posters below.

Before joining forces with The Bandwagon, they opened for Manfred Mann, Robert Plant & Band of Joy and Pink Floyd among many others.

Significantly, they also signed to CBS in 1968 and recorded a lone 45 “Slowly but Surely”.

Dick Winters and Tom Maudlin left around August 1969. Former Magic Roundabout bass player/singer Roger Flavell and keyboard player Les Lambert replaced them.

The Thorpe brothers later played in the bands Moonstone, Life and Enough’s Enough together. Maudlin moved to Ontario and currently lives in Brampton.

We’d welcome any further information below in the comments about this group

It’s an exciting year for Dutch singer Anneke van Giersbergen, whose name remains inseparably linked with The Gathering. Although the band had already released two albums before she joined, her arrival marked a decisive turning point. With “Mandylion,” the progressive rock outfit took a major step toward broader recognition, establishing a sound that would resonate… Continue Reading →

It was only released this month, but that hasn’t stopped Amazon from slashing the price of the sprawling 5LP/Blu-ray Rush box set ahead of the band’s Fifty Something Tour