Surrender The Coast – Lost Souls (EP)


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If there is one thing these fair isles are good at as of late, its aggressive, no nonsense hardcore. The rise and impact of the likes of Gallows, Brotherhood Of The Lake and their metallic tinged brethren like While She Sleeps is well documented and needs not repeating; but it is clear that the last decade or so has seen an explosive outburst of such bands. Leicester’s own Surrender The Coast are the latest on the scene with their mini release, Lost Souls (Redfield Digital).

It is clear that these guys aren’t out to revolutionize the genre by any stretch; what this EP lacks in originality it more than makes up for in punch. This is full of energy and ferocity and should be tailor made mosh-pit fodder for sweatboxes all around; and there are plenty of hooks to grab you.

The stand out offerings are where the band takes their foot off the throttle a little; ‘Thrones’ begins with a doom metal sense of melancholy before it and the later number ‘Southpaw’ share a menacing, brooding tone and pace.

Far from a groundbreaking entity but this EP shows enough promise to put these guys on the radar, and on the road to greater things.

A strong start.

 

7.0/10

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CHRIS TIPPELL


Year Of The Goat – The Key and the Gate


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It’s been two years since Swedish retro rockers Year of the Goat released their debut album, Angels’ Necropolis and the band is back with a new release, the three track The Key and the Gate EP (Napalm)

Fans of their debut will be pleased to know that their brand of Satan-themed retro pop-rock is still firmly in place, and this EP suggests the next album will be more of the same and up to the same standard.

Featuring a classic NWOBHM twin-guitar lead, the opening title track is very melodic and hook driven. Frontman Thomas Sabbathi’s smooth croons the catchy choruses, while there’s a host of infectious riffs and impressive solos. It’s fun but a bit lightweight. The seven-minute ‘Magic Mountains’ is a slower, blues-inspired classic rock number. Anyone who liked Graveyard’s Light’s Out release will enjoy its haunting power. Filled with classy solos, it’s a great track and easily the highlight of the EP. Closer ‘Non-Euclidean Calculus’ may sound promising, but in reality is little more than a glorified outro; a 70s prog style instrumental of atmospheric keyboards and moogs, it’s a long wind down from an enjoyable but not overly exciting EP.

 

6.0/10

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DAN SWINHOE


Newsted – Heavy Metal Music


newstedheavymetalmusicoverFormer Metallica bassist Jason Newsted was gone from the public eye after his adventures with Voivod as he chose to focus on a career as a painter. In December 2012 he suddenly emerged from the shadows with a new band and a new EP in tow. Fast forward to the present day because Jason is about to release his first studio full length under the Newsted moniker. Continue reading →