Monthly Archives: December 2011

//December

Writers Top 50 albums of the year: Gary Lukes

metalgigs top 50 albums of 2011

 

TOP 50 ALBUMS OF 2011.

By Gary Lukes

2011 was a deceiving year. I mistakenly assumed constructing a Top 20 would be a chore, but pretty soon it had expanded to 30. Then 40. Even now, I’ve had to reign it in at 50.

While some albums were terrible(hello “Illud Divinum Insanus”), some severely overrated(Liturgy‘s “transcendental“ black metal travesty) and some just plain stupid(“Lulu” anyone?), there was much to be celebrated.

I didn’t include Inquisition’s “Ominous Doctrines of the Perpetual Mystical Macrocosm” because it was released in the UK during 2010. But for the record, there’s a distinct possibility that would have stole the number one spot if I had. Ascension’s “Consolamentum” and Fell Voices’ new album also saw the light of day on new formats during this year. Once again, they would have made the list, but weren’t strictly 2011 releases.

Without further ado:

50. Maim - Deceased to Exist
Old school death metal that has neither the time nor inclination to fuck around.

By |2011-12-27T00:00:00+01:00December 27th, 2011|Top Tens & More|0 Comments

Live Review:Pentagram, Horisont, Purson, Relentless Garage London 9th December 2011

Pentagram Horisont Purson Relentless garage live review metal gigs gig listings

Pentagram, Horisont, Purson, at the Highbury Garage, 9th December 2011


Words and Photos by Antony Roberts


Arriving at the Garage and there was a queue, a big queue, but that was to be completely expected.  This after all was the first time that doom legends Pentagram had played in the UK.  Can it really be 30 years with no dates on the British Isles? 

Whilst the crowd were trying to get in to the venue for this very special occasion, new London based group Purson were already showcasing their take on 70's rock.  Fans of Blood Ceremony will certainly lap them up.  Whilst I'm sure if this band get bigger singer Rosalie will be stealing a few of Christina Scabbia's vote's in Terrorizer's polls, a band can't rely on looks alone.  Thankfully musically they've got the

By |2011-12-18T00:00:00+01:00December 18th, 2011|Gig Reviews|0 Comments

Zero Tolerance Winterfest tonight with Winterfylleth, Scythian, Sarpanitum, and BTK at Purple Turtle

Winterfest winterfylleth zero tolerance metal gigs gig listings purple turtle

 

Zero Tolerance Winterfest

Don't forget this is tonight, advance tickets are now off sale, but tickets are available on the door for £7.50

Stage times are as follows so any out of towners should have plenty of time to get last trains:

Sarpanitum: 7:20 - 7:50pm
BTK: 8:05 - 8:35
Scythian: 8:50 - 9:35
Winterfylleth: 10 - 11pm

By |2011-12-15T00:00:00+01:00December 15th, 2011|Featured Gigs|0 Comments

Meshuggah announce UK tour for April 2012

Meshuggah UK tour April 2012 gig listings metal gigs metalgigs

Holy Djent!!!  Meshuggah have only gone and announced a UK tour for April 2012.  As if April wasn't already busy enough with gigs, prepare yourself for a whole heap of amazing bands all month long.  This is awesome news, last time they toured the UK they slayed all newcomers to their throne, this is one not to miss.  With their 8th studio album due out in early 2012 on Nuclear Blast it's about time they

By |2011-12-13T00:00:00+01:00December 13th, 2011|Gig News|0 Comments

Live Review: Altar Of Plagues, Grumbling Fur, Necro Deathmort, Borderline London, 4th December 2011

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Live Review: Altar Of Plagues, Grumbling Fur, Necro Deathmort, Borderline London, 4th December 2011

Words and photos Antony Roberts

After watching Altar Of Plagues slay at Candlefest just a few weeks ago there was no way I was going to miss another chance to catch them again.  With such an amazing debut album (White Tombs) it was with baited breath that the metal world awaited the sophomore effort Mammal to come out this year.  Between the two gigs many Top XX albums of the year lists have come out from numerous blogs, sites and magazines and time and time again Mammal was right up there near the top of the lists.  Having already seen

By |2011-12-13T00:00:00+01:00December 13th, 2011|Gig Reviews|0 Comments

Morrowfest 2012 Nottingham Rock City May 13th 2012 with Orange Goblin, Doom, Ravens Creed and more

Morrowfest 2012 13th May 2012 Nottingham Rock City gig listings metalgigs

Spotted an announcement up on the Bloodstock Forum for another Morrowfest happening in 2012.  For those of you who've been under a rock John Paul Morrow was the downright awesome singer for the amazing Iron Monkey.  John had been undergoing kidney dialysis for a long term illness and passed away from heart failure in 2002.  The Morrowfest is put on to help raise money for Kidney Research.  Here's what has been announced so far:


The day 13th May 2012, from 12pm onwards will celebrate

By |2011-12-12T00:00:00+01:00December 12th, 2011|Gig News|0 Comments

Live Review: Defenders Of The Faith III Trivium, In Flames, and support at Plymouth Pavillions

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Live Review: Defenders Of The Faith III - Trivium, In Flames, Ghost, Rise To Remain, Insense, Plymouth Pavillions 8th December 2011

Photos by Martin Thomas (www.gigsnapper.com)

Words by Julian Dark

The Defenders of the Faith juggernaut rolls into a wet and windy Plymouth for the final night of their seven date tour, the five band strong line-up providing a veritable feast of top notch metal for the discerning West Country gig aficionado.


Kicking off proceedings shortly after the 6 O’clock news has just gone to air, Insense set the tone for the night with a powerful 20-25 minute slot. Their crushingly heavy, no frills, sound resonates well with the hardcore fans that are in situ from the start, with frontman Tommy Hjelm soon building an excellent rapport with the

By |2011-12-11T00:00:00+01:00December 11th, 2011|Gig Reviews|0 Comments

Live Review: Premonition 13, Trippy Wicked, Enos, at Purple Turtle Camden, Thursday December 1st 2011

Premonition 13 Purple Turtle Live review gig listings metal gigs doom

Premonition 13, Trippy Wicked and the Cosmic Children of The Knight, Enos
Thursday 1st December 2011

Words and photos by Antony Roberts

I've got to say I really like the Purple Turtle in Camden, bar prices are a bit over the top, but the PA sound is generally good, stage is a good height and security are nice enough.  I've heard rumours they are trying to slow down on metal events and get a more dance nights happening.  If this is the case it will be a great shame, London needs more venues like this.

Tonight I was there to see Wino bending his strings with his

By |2011-12-07T00:00:00+01:00December 7th, 2011|Gig Reviews|0 Comments

Anti Christmas Bash this Sunday, London Garage, Wormed, Sickening and more

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OK, ok, so you've hit the South up, seen Pentagram play their first ever UK show, hit up Oxford for the amazing alldayer with Undersmile, Steak, Desert Storm, Trippy Wicked and more.  What to do on the Sunday?  I'd head to the Garage in Highbury for the annual Antichristmas Bash from Grindethic.

 

This years fest has Spain's Wormed as headliner, along with

By |2011-12-06T00:00:00+01:00December 6th, 2011|Featured Gigs|0 Comments