The latest video from rock superstars 30 Seconds To Mars.

The frantic summer frenzy is abound, so naturally the Vans Warped Tour-esque pop-rock bands come out in their masses. Ya know, the type of music/bands we hear playing from the amps here in the U.K when we’re waiting for that American export to come on stage… cue in Paramore, All Time Low and so forth.

Fortunately, a Canadian quintet called Ten Second Epic aren’t afraid to visit the U.K, don’t slate our amazing choice of cuisine and hopefully won’t become a one hit wonder like fellow Canadian ‘rockers’ The Mission District.

Most importantly how does the album stand? On the whole, pretty good to be honest with you.

Initially first track ‘Welcome To Wherever You Are‘ had me pretty hyped up about the album. It contains catchy and addictive lyrics (“welcome to your life, welcome to goodbye”) immersed within a vibrant upbeat tone. (Think of a less punkier version of New Found Glory – ‘Hit Or Miss’ and you’ll be close.)

Tracks 2-9, however, just seem far too cliché – minus the catchiness. It’s listenable, but mediocre at best. After a few listens to the album you’ll most likely find yourself skipping right through these tracks to arrive at some of the more later hidden gems.

These diamonds in the rough such as  ‘First And Foremost‘, ‘Further Now‘ and  ‘Count Yourself In‘ save face to say the least. They open the latest rock rulebook and tick all the boxes; 2010′s rockers request energetic vivacious anthems that they can dance their skinny jeans off to, and these tracks certainly allow for that. Not to mention some of the epic breezy riffs consistently allocated throughout.

So are Ten Second Epic gonna break into the British rock sphere? Undoubtedly- some of the jewels on this album have earned their rightful place on that Kerrang playlist. Are you gonna be playing this 50 minute saga at your BBQ’s? If you’re a lover of sprightly bands such as ATL, Mayday Parade and You Me At Six then I sure hope so.

Rating: 7/10

Review by: Jamie

2^ND– 4^TH JULY 2010

Nestled deep in the sleepy Ribble Valley, Lancashire, something magical is stirring… The hills are alive with the sound of twinkling synths and a bass line wobbles beneath the pine trees. Festival land’s best kept secret, the amazing Beat-Herder is stretching out her loving arms for an amazing fifth year to snuggle yet another eclectic crowd into her fine Northern bosom for three days of unrivalled beats and barminess! With no official sponsorship, no egos, not a scrap of branding and cheap food and local booze all in tow, Beat-Herder is hedonism stripped right down to its underpants! Medieval flags waft in the breeze as colourful crowds dance till dawn amongst the trees and hand made installations to a soundtrack of the finest DJs and bands around.

The Line Up so far includes acts such as… Erol Alkan, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Dan Le Sac Vs Sroobious Pip, Easy Star All Stars, Luke Vibert,Transglobal Underground+ MANY MORE. A full lineup can be viewed here.

Enter now and you and a friend can escape the machine for one weekend and join the weird and wonderful Beat-Herder family. Just answer this simple question…

Between what dates does the Beatherder Festival occur?

A) 28th June – 30th June 2010

B) 2nd-4th July 2010

C) 5th December – 20th December

Click here to send us an e-mail with your name, age, address and last but not least, your answer!

Competition Rules:

• The competition is open for all UK citizens aged over 18.
• The competition ends on Sunday 20th June 2010.
• Your contact details will only be used for the purpose of the competition.
• Only 1 entry per person.
• The winner will be selected at random.
• No cash alternative is available. Prize is non-transferable, non-refundable and non-changeable. Our decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• The prize is for two tickets to the Beat-Herder festival in Lancashire on 2-4 July 2010 only. The prize does not include travel to and from the festival or accommodation or any other costs incurred during a visit to the festival. Any additional beverages or goods consumed or services used during the festival will have to be paid for by the winner.
• RockStopScene  reserves the right to amend the rules of the prize draw or cancel it at any time without prior notice.

Successful Rock Outfit; The Gap Year Riot.

It’s not everyday an unsigned band get their online live show hosted by Welsh rock legends LostProphets.

Yet Glasgow based The Gap Year Riot will play three tracks live on the final leg of the Red Bull Bedroom Jam competition at 5pm Monday May 31, hosted by the megastars.

Speaking of their success ‘TGYR’ were fully aware how second place runners-up Reachback were hot on their tail. “Yeah we thought we were up against it but we knew the more people we could get involved the better” stated the band. “We know how committed our fans are so we thought we could do it with their help, and it paid off!”

With so many enthusiastic unsigned acts passing through the Bedroom Jam each and every year, we asked ‘TGYR’ what they believed separated themselves from other bands. “Well we want to hopefully bring somethin’ different from other bands; in that we will treat the full jam like an actual show and hopefully completely capture everyone’s attention for the whole set.”

Find out more about how the show can be viewed FREE at www.tinyurl.com/rbbjvslp, or simply head to http://redbullbedroomjam.com at 5pm on monday.

The Gap Year Riot’s ‘These Streets Never Sleep’ EP, will be released on June 7 on Nitrogen Records.
www.myspace.com/thegapyearriot

Article by: Jamie

Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5sT9u-ocLk

It’s not often that I’m blown away by unsigned/unknown acts. I mean let’s be honest. A good majority just attempt to be a cliché copy of Paramore (and fail miseribly in the process).

However who’d of thought that a 19 year college student could belt out a tune to match the likes of Evanescence’s Amy Lee?

Cue in Youtube user ‘xoclkox’

Originally I was going to compose a long blog post detailing just how awe-inspiring her voice is. But, as they say, actions speak louder then words!

So go on, turn that amp on full, go to the video above, and prepare to be amazed by one of  ‘2010′s Hottest Rising Star’s‘

Want more? Then click here to go to Courtney’s (xoclkox) main Youtube profile.

The Empire Shall Fall – Awaken

Release Date: June 21^st

It’s nice to see ex-Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach has been keeping himself busy, and he’s about to prove he’s ready to step back into the spotlight…

The Empire Shall Fall formed back in 2008, and they are now ready to showcase their debut album, ‘Awaken’. Those looking to compare with KSE, will be disappointed – as the band have been creating a sound more diverse, and dare I say more heavy, than that of Jesse’s previous outfit.

This much anticipated album certainly doesn’t disappoint, and this is apparent from the first note. The band doesn’t mess about with fancy intros, and the album kicks straight into the metalcore riff of the album’s title track. It’s immediately satisfying to hear the strength of Leach’s screamo vocals, proving he’s certainly still got it. This pounding track shows the band’s maturity compared to KSE – another low blow for those looking to criticize.

The album moves straight into ‘Lords of War’, a track worthy of anthemic status with its pounding drums, riffs and vocals pushed right to their limit. ‘Voices Forming Weapons’ is one of the albums standout tracks, full of bellowing screams and those chugging guitars that we all love to hear.

‘Choir of Angels’ is a thrashy belter of a tune, similar in comparison to metalcore greats Suicide Silence. This is seriously impressive – with screeching guitars and Leech pushing his vocals way further than you could ever have imagined before. It’s satisfying to see he’s found a group of accomplished musicians who can push him to these extreme levels – ‘cause it’s really bloody exciting.

‘Awaken’ provides us with hit after hit, each track giving us something different, something heavier. It has a distinct progressive feel about it, seen in abundance on ‘We The People’.

It’s nice to see the band haven’t taken the easy route, as they could have easily done an interpretation of ‘Rose of Sharon’ gaining themselves plenty of radio airplay. I’m glad they didn’t. The Empire Shall Fall have proven that taking chances work, and have provided us with a ballsy, pounding metal debut that I dare you not to fall in love with.

Review by: Carly Page

Twice Grammy Award nominated Katy Perry is back with a summer smash hit that she promises is enough to “melt your popsicle”.

“Califonia Gurls” bursts in with a vibrant tone that ever-so-slightly resembles the eccentric beat in Ke$ha’s intense hit “TiK ToK”. Even Perry’s ability to tailor her trademark recognizable vocals from boisterous exhilaration in the “Starstrukk” collaboration with 30H!3 to an halcyon hub of all things summer in “California Gurls” reveals the extensive levels 25 year old Perry can reach.

Yet, whilst it is much more relaxed then previous tracks such as nostalgia filled “Hot n Cold” and “I Kissed A Girl” it still contains all those vital hooks and influx of innuendo’s we’ve become accustomed to from hit album One Of The Boys.

Backed by Snoop Dogg himself who makes an impressive contribution midway through the track, Katy has insured she’s addressed a vast target audience ranging from rap-radicals to pop rock-enthusiasts and everything in between.

So nudge that radio and turn on the air-con ’cause this track’s gonna be hot.

Review by: Jamie

Just when we assumed the lineup for Reading and Leeds couldn’t get any better…A dynamic addition of bands have been officially announced for the Lockup/Dance stage led by headliners Bad Religion and Alkaline Trio.

However, that wasn’t the only stage which saw a host of fresh new faces.

Joining the NME/RADIO 1 stage are pop-rockers Kids In Glass Houses, eccentric crunkcore ‘new-comers’ 3OH!3 and vigorous mathcore quintet Rolo Tomassi.  Acoustic-ska formation The King Blues are also the concluding act to be announced for the event’s main stage.

Other additions for both stages can be viewed via the Leeds or Reading website.

Tickets for the action packed weekend are still available through official festival ticket exchange site Viagogo

Lecarla have always undoubtedly had the rock star-esque image to platform themselves into a career laired with a persistent entourage of teen admirers’ destined to remain with the band for the ‘long haul’. Perhaps this is also the same uncanny similarity which entwines Lecarla’s zestful energy amongst the ‘early’ Paramore roots and the success of their arguably now classic ‘Misery Business’.

The quartet’s latest effort Silent City builds upon the success of their first EP Uncovered as well as introducing a new and competent Metal melody. Long gone are any signs of previous miniscule sound engineering faults to deliver an even more prismatic and lustrous CD than ever before.

Bursting in with an iridescent euphoria of churning guitar rhythms matched equally with frenzied drum blasts, “DILLIGAF” proves itself worthy of that heavily sought after EP opener; even lead vocalist Lizzy affirms her competence after initial ‘flat’ notes by producing a commendable u-turn midway through the track showcasing just how intensive her vocal range can be.

Cogent lyrics ‘this is a violation’ of “Violation” ultimately barge down the elusive barrier between band and fan interaction, allowing for mass lyric hymns at each and every U.K venue visited.  Couple this with the distinctive male Screamo vocals from drummer Stephen North alongside Lizzy’s tenacious, awe-inspiring lead and the most superlative track has just been unveiled.

Final three tracks “Cities In The Sky”, “Obstacles & Runways” and “This Is The Interval” equally do justice by tweaking niggles and evolving strengths from their previous EP – indulging in the same iconic pop-rock vocals with a fresh metal infused tone to please both new and old fans alike.

Rating: 8.5/10

Review by: Jamie

HELLYEAH

Formed in 2006, HY – completed by frontman Chad Gray & guitarist Greg Tribbett (Mudvayne), guitarist Tom Maxwell (Nothingface) & bassist Bob Zilla (Damageplan) – enjoyed considerable Stateside success with their debut 2007 outing, simply titled ‘HELLYEAH’; driven forward by tracks such as ‘You Wouldn’t Know’ & ‘Alcohaulin’ Ass’, both major US hits, the album smashed its way into the Billboard Top 10, going on to sell in excess of 365,000 copies in America alone.

And now comes ‘Stampede’, available across a variety of formats (including double coloured vinyl plus a limited edition with branded bull’s head!), this time supported by an extensive European touring plan that will see the five playing a number of festivals, including a main-stage appearance at Download in the UK on June 12th, before returning in the Autumn for a major run of headline dates.

They will also be playing live at this year’s prestigious Metal Hammer Awards (June 14th), followed by a headline show at King’s College in London (June 15th), driving an outsize 18-wheeler across the middle ground between the Southern rock of Skynyrd on the one side and the party groove of prime-time Van Halen on the other. Iconically American they may be, but they’re happy for anyone, anywhere to join in with the fun…

“Y’know, I couldn’t wait to write this record,” explains Chad. “I can’t wait for our fans to hear it, and I definitely can’t wait to hit the f**king stage and play it! ‘Stampede’ represents every emotion that you’ve ever had and everything that screams HELLYEAH. There’s no smoke and mirrors with what we are. What you see is what you get. And what you get is five guys bringin’ it, a head full of music, bleeding ears and most likely … drunk!”