To see Halestorm announcing a UK arena tour just a year after playing much smaller venues was a shock, and it meant they’d for sure have to be bringing some heavy hitters with them. These came in the form of In This Moment and New Years Day, who have both commanded a mass following for many years, but also bring something much different to the table both musically and in the performance of said music.
Having blown everyone away with the release of Periphery IV: Hail Stan earlier this year, Periphery arrived in Manchester and put on an excellent show for a sold out audience
Canadian rock band Sights and Sounds will be coming to the UK and Europe before the year is out.
Fever 333 live at Leeds University Stylus was an interesting night, that's for sure. The decision to not have an opening act left a vacuum of time between doors and the band taking the stage, as the sold-out room slowly filled. There was a distinct goodness in the air, however. I'd got myself on a sort of balcony, overlooking the ground below that I knew would later become a massive pit.
Gloryhammer at Nottingham Rescue Rooms was an eye-opening gig experience. With support from Beast In Black and Italian metal act Windrose, it was a stacked bill for sure.
Dream State's debut record 'Primrose Path' presents the band harnessing a very cinematic rock sound, grand arrangements creating a cacophony of sound and emotion. Opener 'Made Up Smile' exemplifies this sound, building up to crazy and catchy climactic choruses, and even sprinkling some wonderful little screams in there.
Issues haven't completely shed the skin that is metalcore on new record 'Beautiful Oblivion', but they've certainly moisturised it with some extra glossy melodies that make the record more accessible to people outside of the scene
After a long, hard week in work there is nothing better than letting your hair down with some amazing live music and Issues and Lotus Eater did not disappoint us as we witnessed one of the best gigs of the year.
Knowing full well I was set for a loaded night of pop punk, at times with a sprig of hardcore added in, I decided the only worthy shirt for the gig was my As It Is one. Then, in classic broke pop punk fashion, I used the day ticket from my bus journey earlier to get to Leeds, thus not spending extra cash on the train. 20 chicken nuggets down, I strolled to the venue, prepared for a night of mosh pit observing/avoiding.
The year is 2019 and, after much promise, Sleeping With Sirens have returned with their eagerly anticipated sixth studio effort. Following on from the poppier offerings of 2017's major label record 'Gossip', the band promised some heavier tunes more akin to 'Let's Cheers To This'.
Memphis May Fire are touring the UK this December!
Mallory Knox return with their eagerly anticipated forth album and, in a brave move, it's self-titled. When it comes to heightening expectations, that's one thing that does it. Self-titling implies that this record, these songs, are definitive of the band.
Junior have spent two years writing 'Beautiful Life', recording it across three studios, with the simple goal of pushing out the boat both with their own sound, and with the messages they can get out in their songs. They work long and then work hard, and it's safe to say that they've proved they're not just another pop punk band.
They left a massive hole in our lives when Funeral For A Friend left the stage for the final time on May 21, 2016. The Welsh rockers have delighted fans with the news that they will be back for two special shows later this year, however, the reasoning behind the return is sad.
Download 2019 was a complete mudfest, but an absolutely incredible weekend.
