Japan and rock and roll have always gone together. Whether it be Deep Purple’s famous Live in Japan album or Motley Crue going over there and causing chaos, the two have always shared some common ground. Therefore, it seems wrong that very few Japanese bands have ever made it big over this side of the world. This is an issue that Crossfaith are trying to rectify. Already building up a reputation for their incendiary live shows they have now released what is actually their third album, Apocalyze, but is sure to be their biggest.
Watain – The Wild Hunt
Watain have committed one of the cardinal sins of black metal in their career. In that they have dared to covet success. They have proven themselves much more than just another black metal band and they are showing that they are willing to test the boundaries of what that means, something that is far too rare in a genre that is incredibly inward looking. The Wild Hunt is their fifth album and is the next step in that path.
Newsted – Heavy Metal Music
No matter what he does Jason Newsted will always be the man who replaced Cliff Burton in Metallica and then got treated, well crap. While I’m sure Jason would tell you he wouldn’t trade his time in Metallica away, it’s been a damn shame that it will always overshadow a man who is in fact an incredibly talented musician. Therefore, many rejoiced when he announced he was returning to music with his own band Newsted and an album full of fresh songs. Hence Heavy Metal Music was born, and to everyone’s amazement was an album full of smooth jazz covers (that was a joke).
Motorhead – Aftershock
Much like the ever present Lemmy, Motorhead are a band that will seemingly never die. Having created the DNA for blending punk and thrash metal together, they have since spent decades honing their craft and laying waste to all that stand in their way. While they may have had to cancel their recent UK tour due to Lemmy’s health, the release of Aftershock, their 21st album, proves that they are not going anywhere soon.
AFI – Burials
Most of my album reviews are quite long, often going over 500 words. As I am very much a trainee journalist I’ve decided that while this is all very good, I should probably occasionally limit myself to a word count. Therefore, from now on, every now and then I shall be doing shorter album reviews of only a couple of hundred words. Apologies if that annoys anyone but… well I don’t really care.
Those of us who grew up in a certain generation will be well aware of AFI. These gothic misfits were a big part of the soundtrack to many people’s teenage years and, therefore, their return with Burials, four years since their last album, is likely to fill many with mixed feelings. Does it still work now you’re in your 20s and over your teenage angst? Were they ever actually any good? Or can they be filed under other embarrassments like Panic! at the Disco?
The Devil Wears Prada – 8:18
The Devil Wears Prada are one of those bands that constantly feel like they should be moving onto bigger and better things. Now on their 5th album 8:18 they have been plying their brand of atmospheric metalcore for eight years and despite having an impressive amount of material out in that time, they have never seemed to move beyond being almost there.
Soulfly – Savages
Being born out of one of the most influential heavy metal bands of recent years, Soulfly have always been compared to what came before. Which is a shame, because Max Cavalera and co are actually a really kick ass heavy metal band. Savages is their ninth album and see’s Zyon Cavalera, Max’s son, sitting behind the drum kit for the first time.
Deaf Havana – Old Souls
Merry Christmas all, while I’m waiting for Dr Who to come on I decided to write up a review. In case anyone is wondering I will actually be doing all my end of year lists in 2014… I’m weird like that.
If you had asked me which of the albums on my big list of those I want to review before the end of this year that I was most likely to dislike, I would have pointed towards Deaf Havana’s Old Souls. Somewhere down the line this band got filed away in my brain as being in with all the alternative kids with their tight green jeans and stupid hats. Now don’t get me wrong, I like a lot of bands those kids have adopted, but my sub-consciousness has at some point decided that Deaf Havana were not worth checking out. Therefore I know absolutely nothing about them, but Wikipedia informs me that Old Souls is their third album.
Devildriver – Winter Kills
Despite Dez Fafara’s return to the well that made him famous in the first place, with the reuniting of Coal Chamber, it hasn’t spelt the end of groove metal heavyweights Devildriver, who are back with their sixth album, Winter Kills. With previous release Beast having been received well, but not lasting long in the memory of most, this album came out without much fanfare, which may not have been helped by Dez’s continued dalliances with his old band mates. It also see’s Chris Towning take up bass duties on record for the first time, having been touring with the band since 2012.
Nebraska
Alexander Payne (The Descendants) is the director behind the dark comedy of Nebraska, which he chose to release in black and white. Starring Bruce Dern and Will Forte, it’s a film that has quickly found it’s way in the critics favourite category, with it having been nominated for the Palme D’Or at Cannes, where Bruce Dern also picked up best actor. As always this means there is a question mark hanging over it as to whether it will translate it’s success to the general public.
Ramblings About Wrestling 