After 14 years in the dirt, classic rock band The Hellacopters have returned from the dead to do exactly what Swedes do best: make damn good rock ‘n’ roll. Like many, many bands, The Hellacopters had no intention of getting back together post-breakup in 2008, but their new 2022 record, Eyes Of Oblivion (Nuclear Blast), goes to show that bands really do suck at staying broken up. We’re certainly not complaining, because this is one hell of a comeback record. Continue reading
Copenhell has announced its first bands for 2022 next summer and it looks like a banger. Metallica will make their debut appearance ever at the fest performing on the new fourth day, June 15th, 2022, as announced on social media by Lars Ulrich, who is from Denmark. Metallica will offer a pre-sale for tickets through their Fifth Members Fan Club. Joining the band will be Iron Maiden, Kiss, Judas Priest, Korn, D-A-D, Mercyful Fate, Emperor, Bad Religion, Opeth, The Hellacopters, Bersærk, Jinjer, Gloryhammer, Death To All, Of Mice & Men, Artillery, Dog Eat Dog, Siamese, Destruction, Orm, Redwood Hill, Ghost Iris, Withering Surface, Xenoblight, Hällas, Lok, Gatecreeper, Knocked Loose, Svartsot, Soren Andersen, Eyes, Denial Of God, Wayward Dawn, Lifesick, Nyredolk and more to be announced. The fest runs from June 15th – 19th 2022.
Psycho Las Vegas has grown and evolved over the years and has shaken off any comparisons to niche European fests and your traditional US fest, itself having no close comparisons, and being its own beast. Having everything under one roof including your stay can lead to late and debaucherous nights for some, packed and planned diverse schedules for the devout, a little compromise of both for others, but an all around good time for all. For a journalist working the fest, it goes by in a blur but you still experience having those stand out moments as well as highlights of your own. Continue reading
Danzig has been named as the final headliner of Psycho Las Vegas 2018. The fest will take place from August 17th-19th at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
As Ghost Cult announced last week the 2018 Psycho Las Vegas festival will be taking place from August 17th-19th at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The lineup promised to be a banger, with one notable change, Young And In The Way (YAITW) have canceled their appearance at the fest due to their impending breakup. They were to have played the pre-festival pool party event on August 16th. The festival will announce a replacement soon. Continue reading
The 2018 Psycho Las Vegas festival will be taking place from August 17th-19th at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Today the organizes have unveiled the final lineup, and it’s just AWESOME. Continue reading
Best known for his work with much-missed rock n’ roll ass kickers The Hellacopters, where ex-Swedish death metal alumni indulged their love for stomping classic rock with a bad attitude, guitarist Robert Dahlqvist has returned with his first solo record, imaginatively titled Solo (Despotz Records). Those hoping for the balls-out garage fury of his previous outfit will find themselves a tad disappointed however, as this is a far more meditative, introspective work. A musician’s album, if you will.
After the sombre acoustic tones of opening track ‘Jag Va Kött Och Blod’ we are greeted with a variety of styles such as the fluid Status Quo-esque riffing of ‘Redo Nan Gang’ which will please any stray NWOBHM fans to the echoing, picked melodies of ‘Ingrid Isabel’ and the neutered Rory Erickson meanderings of ‘Inte En Dag’. As you may have guessed, it’s a bit of a mixed bag, and while the songs as a whole are easy to tune in and drop out to, it’s not an album that grabs the attention instantly and demands to be heard. But then again, that’s probably not Dahlqvist’s intention.
One major drawback is that the album is sung entirely in Swedish, which should have a significant limit on its widespread appeal. Add in a disparity of styles which means Tygers of Pan Tang-aping dad rockers nestle uncomfortably alongside indulgent, singer-songwriter orientated material and we have a recipe for head scratching rather than nodding. However, the overwhelming feeling is that Dahlqvist is doing this solely for himself and if people happen to play Solo whilst driving down an empty highway or doing the washing up it’s an added bonus. He’s undoubtedly a skilled musician and feels comfortable in his own skin, which is enough in this case.
6.0/10
James Conway