Blog
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They were bottled off stage by Alice Cooper’s audience, derailed by a death in The Pretenders and made U2’s producer cry: How Big Country made one of the biggest albums of the 80s
In an exclusive extract from a new book about the life of Stuart Adamson, we look at the hidden story behind The Crossing -
EP Review: Fat Jeff – Heavy Lonesome Blues
EP Review: Fat Jeff – Heavy Lonesome Blues
Reviewed by Matthew Williams
As it usually the way, I’ll pick certain artists to review on the strength of their name or type of genre, but this one really intrigued me because of the title, “Heavy Lonesome Blues”. Upon reading the press brief, it said it was for fans of Kadavar and Seasick Steve, so I was already onto a winner with this one.
The most surprising thing about Fat Jeff, and his unique brand of fuzz infused guitar is that he doesn’t come from Appalachia or Memphis, Tennessee, but the mountainous and forested hills of the Doubs region of France. The one-man band combines his wonderful guitar skills with a tambourine and a bass drum, to create 4 songs that are distinctively bluesy and laced with an essence of 90’s grunge, whilst remaining fresh and enchanting.
The bottleneck slide sounding wonderment begins with “Welcome Stranger” as that big bass drum comes through loud and clear. The fuzzy warm tones pour out, and the raw energy produced gives it that hypnotic quality. As Fat Jeff himself comments, working as a solo artist is “a way to push boundaries and have complete control over the creative process” and if he continues this way, then nobody is going to complain.
“Identical to None” is one hell of a song, a foot stomping, head tapping moment of genius, that left me nodding along appreciatively. It’s so simple but so effective, that dabbles with a heavier stoner rock-based riff on a slightly detuned guitar sound. Yet, it is dripping in that unmistakenly bluesy sound that creates a wonderfully atmospheric composition.
In these songs you’ll hear subtle nuances, with keyboards and acoustic guitars playing a significant role, as Fat Jeff went to isolate himself in a cabin in the Bourgogne forest to write these tracks. “A Nice Dead Person” is intimate and personal, as he delves into his past, but you are hit with some boogie woogie alongside the melody. The fulsome and captivating riffs are ones he’s had in his collection for some time, and now they are being let free for our audible delight.
“I Would Like to Heal You” is a bit more sobering and solemn, allowing the guitar to speak to the listener. With hints of melancholy, it reflects the atmospheric moodiness of the EP which allows the sincerity of the music to permeate through before the keyboard inspired power kicks in later. Just as you think it’s over, we are gifted a bonus track from 2024, “Fly High” which was the inspiration behind “Heavy Lonesome Blues” as it laid the foundations for a step forward in terms of production and analogue recording. Its yet another awesome song and long may Fat Jeff continue in this vain.
The post EP Review: Fat Jeff – Heavy Lonesome Blues appeared first on The Razor's Edge.
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Monument Of Misanthropy Announce New Album ‘Washington State Charm’ – Ted Bundy Concept Album Due Out This June
Originally founded as a solo project by singer Georg Wilfinger (ex-Miasma) in 2010 in Austria, MONUMENT OF MISANTHROPY has released three studio albums, an EP and a demo up to now. Previous full-length album "Vile Postmortem Irrumatio" was released in August 2024 and drew roaring reviews worldwide. Those relentless purveyors of audit… Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com -
Fire-Toolz Announces New Album Lavender Networks: Hear “Balam =^..^= Says IPv09082024 Strawberry Head”
Chicago artist Angel Marcloid makes twisty, unpredictable electronic music under the name Fire-Toolz. Her music often involves growled death-metal vocals over shimmering synth-twinkles; it exists outside of all categories. After her 2024 album Breeze, Fire-Toolz signed to Warp Records, a natural home for such a futuristic producer. Her new album Lavender Networks comes out later…
The post Fire-Toolz Announces New Album <em>Lavender Networks</em>: Hear “Balam =^..^= Says IPv09082024 Strawberry Head” appeared first on Stereogum.
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Rick Vito Brings His Slider To The Fore On Fresh Record
One of those artists everybody heard without knowing their names, Rick Vito mighty be most known for his spell with FLEETWOOD MAC and working on this band’s “Behind The Mask” as well as playing a distinctive solo on Bob Seger’s … Continue reading
The post Rick Vito Brings His Slider To The Fore On Fresh Record appeared first on DMME.net.
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HATEBREED To Headline Summer Slaughter 2026 Alongside DEVOURMENT, INCANTATION & More
Summer Slaughter 2026 will also featured Balmora, Snuffed On Sight, and Face Yourself alongside Hatebreed, Devourment, and Incantation.
The post HATEBREED To Headline Summer Slaughter 2026 Alongside DEVOURMENT, INCANTATION & More appeared first on Metal Injection.
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The Maine Share Shimmering New Track ‘Palms’
The Maine have revealed another slice of their upcoming album ‘Joy Next Door’, and it is, yet again, absolutely beautiful.
Titled ‘Palms’, it finds the band flexing their pop muscles in the most gorgeously addictive and atmospherically bold manner. A stunning blend of jangly chords and sky-high melodies, all steeped in the glow of a disco ball, it’s the sort of track that makes you cry whilst you’re dancing to it, simply because it makes you realise so much about yourself that you didn’t know was there. A reminder of just how far the band’s sonic repertoire stretches, it adds another layer of feeling to a record that is shaping up to be very lovely indeed.
Vocalist John O’Callaghan had this to say about the track, explaining, ‘”Palms’ was written at zero hour. And while the demo took all but 30 minutes while I was at home, we didn’t get it to final form for another couple months after. It may have been a function of thinking too much, but I’m glad we clawed our way through to get it to where you hear it now because it brings a little levity and balance to Joy Next Door. Plus, my four-year-old loves to hear her Dada say the F word. I hope you dig it, too (the song, not just the swear word.)”
‘Joy Next Door’ will be released on April 10 via Photo Finish Records.
Drummer Pat Kirch had this to say about the record as a whole, stating, “Every album of ours has a color that represents it, and Joy Next Door is the green era. The green grass on the album art feels like it matches perfectly with the organic instrumentation and imperfections left intact on the album.”Here is the previous taster, ‘Quiet Part Loud’:
The band will be heading out on the road in support of the record on both sides of the Atlantic. Here are all of the tour dates.
MARCH24 – LAS VEGAS Brooklyn Bowl
25 – PHOENIX The Van Buren
27 – SAN DIEGO The Observatory North Park
28 – LOS ANGELES The Novo
29. -SAN FRANCISCO Regency Ballroom
31 – SEATTLE The ShowboxAPRIL
01 – PORTLAND Roseland Theater
03 – DENVER Ogden Theatre
09 – MINNEAPOLIS First Avenue
10 – CHICAGO The Salt Shed – The Shed
11 – DETROIT The Masonic – Jack White Theatre
12 – COLUMBUS Kemba Live!
14 – PITTSBURGH Stage AE
15 – TORONTO History
17 – PHILADELPHIA Franklin Music Hall
18 – BOSTON House of Blues Boston – Music Hall
19 – WASHINGTON 9:30 Club
21 – BROOKLYN Brooklyn Paramount
23 – CHARLOTTE The Fillmore Charlotte
24 – NASHVILLE Marathon Music Works
25 – ATLANTA The Masquerade – Heaven
26 – LAKE BUENA VISTA House of Blues
28 – ST. PETERSBURG Jannus Live
30 – HOUSTON House of Blues Houston – Music HallMAY
01 – AUSTIN Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater
02 – DALLAS The Bomb Factory
SEPTEMBER17 – COLOGNE Live Music Hall
18 – AMSTERDAM Paradiso
19 – BERLIN SO36
20 – LUXEMBOURG CITY den Atelier
23 – GLASGOW SWG3 TV Studio
24 – BIRMINGHAM O2 Institute
25 – LONDON Roundhouse
26 – MANCHESTER AcademyThe post The Maine Share Shimmering New Track ‘Palms’ appeared first on Rock Sound.
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A Little Help From My Friends: A Tribute To Matt Long Review
Triumph and tragedy are inevitably never far away from one another. The 6th November 2024 will always be remembered as a dark, dark day in the blues-rock world when Catfish’s wonderfully gifted frontman Matt Long lost his 18-month battle with bowel cancer at just 29 years young.
But both throughout Long’s valiant struggle and in the aftermath of his untimely death has been the most glorious outpouring of love, respect, and magnanimity shown by the blues community. From benefit concerts, raising funds for private treatment, and being a pillar of support for Long’s family, it was truly special seeing so many musicians rally round Matt, as he courageously tried to overcome the grave injustice of being dealt life’s cruelest hand.
The strength in numbers is what makes A Little Help From My Friends more than just a tribute to Matt Long’s soul-baring songwriting and passionate guitar playing. It’s a celebration of his music, spirit, and the warmth he brought to humanity.
This 16-track double album came about following an idea from a musician friend, Dudley Ross, who asked Matt’s hero Joe Bonamassa if he’d mind playing on one of Matt’s songs. When the genre’s torchbearer accepted the offer, the project ascended at pace, as Fiona approached the artists who knew, admired, and had supported Long throughout his ordeal. The likes of Elles Bailey, The Cinelli Brothers, When Rivers Meet, Brave Rival, Blue Nation, Sean Webster, Dom Martin, and Chantel McGregor soon penned their name to this poignant project.
What’s particularly uplifting about this LP is that Long himself is very much present, with his original vocals and guitar parts appearing on several tracks. Opening with the hard-hitting, blues-rock swagger of “Broken Man”, there’s real joy hearing Matt’s earthy, growling pipes alongside Bonamassa’s classy contribution. While Catfish were known for being a rockin’ powerhouse blues band, this album also explores Matt’s other musical craving — hard rock and metal. This heavier edge was heard with his side hustle Matt Long and The Revenant Ones, which comes alive in the very next track “Have My Say.” Delivered with high-octane aplomb by the Zac Schulze Gang, it rocks over and under the floorboards.
There’s a shift in mood when Bailey joins forces with the Cinelli Bros on the feel-good swing of “Better Days.” Bouncy and catchy, it’s a lovely, sunshine-filled arrangement.
The album’s empyrean moment “Archangel” is a beautiful piece of music written by Long about the passing of his grandmother. Matt’s friend Alice Armstrong (who also designed this album’s sleeve) soars on this heart-wrenching number with raw emotion and breathtaking control. The kind that can turn the most hardened face into a blubbery mess.
Elsewhere, the ever-resilient Walter Trout lends his guitar prowess to the slow, moving blues of “All I Ask Of You,” with Long’s original vocal another powerful reminder of how deep he dug into his soul. Brave Rival makes an appearance on “Up In Smoke.” Lindsey Bonnick’s voice is truly magnificent on this dark yet pulsating anthem, almost matched by the on-fire, riff-driven guitar of Ed Clarke.
As you listen to this record, two things really gaze in the stars. Matt Long was an incredibly versatile talent, able to switch masterfully between the blues-rooted sound of Catfish to heavy rock, bordering on metal at times.
Secondly, it illustrates the genuine affection and respect this community had for the man, reinforcing the healing power of music, and even more deeply, the blues.
Gone far too soon, but Matt’s name and this recording deserve to live long in the memory.
The Review: 9.5/10
The post A Little Help From My Friends: A Tribute To Matt Long Review appeared first on Blues Rock Review.
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Portrayal Of Guilt have released two more new singles
Portrayal Of Guilt have just released two more new singles, Object Of Pain and Death From Above.
This double-whammy comes a couple of weeks on from Ecstasy and Human Terror – all four of which are taken from the band’s forthcoming album …Beginning Of The End, which is due out on April 24 via Run For Cover.
Per a press release, the full record “embraces both the groove and avant-garde, revisiting the raw, teeth-gnashing intensity of their previous work”.
Check out Object Of Pain and Death From Above below:
Read this next:
- Poison The Well: “Being in a band isn’t easy. It’s not a job where you just put in your hours then walk away”
- “I challenged myself to let the song kill me”: Infant Island on their crushing new album, fighting apathy with activism, and an unlikely blood ritual
- Wristmeetrazor: “Good art needs to have a bit of pain behind it”
Posted on March 24th 2026, 3:00p.m.
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HELLRIPPER: “CORONACH”
(This is Daniel Barkasi’s review of a new album by the Scottish band Hellripper that’s set for release on March 27th by Century Media Records.) The story of Hellripper is quite a humble one, and the project’s meteoric rise in the metal scene has been exciting to witness. The brainchild of sole songwriter and multi-instrumentalist […]
The post HELLRIPPER: “CORONACH” appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.