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.

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!”

Veteran hard rockers AC/DC are still going strong, with their latest album “IronMan 2″ supporting the film of the same name. The band has undergone many changes in line-up and with the addition of Brian Johnson, “Back in Black” was produced, one of their most significant albums with tracks such as “Hells Bells”. This album remains one of the highest selling US albums of all time.

U2 were perhaps the most important rock band to enter the music scene post-punk. Their mix of guitar rock and electronic experimentalism has produced some of the greatest anthems of the last few decades.

The Beatles remain one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful bands of all time. Their music ranged across a number of genres, helping to ensure this success until their break up in 1970.

Led Zeppelin created a loud rock `n` roll from the blues genre. The band was guaranteed success with the guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant. Even today, thirty years after they disbanded, their music continues to influence the rock world.

Pink Floyd are perhaps the original progressive rockers. Formed in 1965 they re-formed for one last tour in 2005. There is much discussion as to their best album, “The Wall” was the best selling US album, however, “Dark Side of the Moon” also remains a serious contender.

The Who have sold about 100 million records worldwide. Along with other artists of the sixties, such as Dylan, they were perceived to be a voice for the youth of the time. Their influence can be heard in the music of groups such as Pearl Jam and Aerosmith.

Deep Purple remain one of the pioneers of hard rock and once received the Guinness World Record for being “The world`s loudest band”. Perhaps one of the reasons for their ongoing success is the change of line-ups throughout its history; many members with diverse musical backgrounds.

The Eagles were one of the most successful recording artists of the seventies, with two of their albums remaining in the top selling albums of all time lists. Not only do they deserve a place with other great rock bands of all time, but their influence on country genres also deserves recognition.

Guns N` Roses 1987 studio album “Appetite for Destruction” remains one of the best selling debut albums of all time. Looking at the American rock scene at the time and the personal difficulties of the band members, this album guarantees a place for Guns N` Roses in the Rock Hall of Fame.

As the rock scene continues to evolve, gold discs are proving to be a popular means by which to commemorate the staggering success of many of the bands in this ever changing genre.

Yet the main agenda of today’s post is the lyrics. Whilst they may have ‘got people through tough times’  (I do wonder often how many times this claim’s true). There are of course those lyrics which just make the rest of us cringe…

5: Metro Station – Shake It:

“Tonight you’re falling in love. Let me go now. This feeling’s tearing me up. Here we go now.”

Sung with Tray’s iconic Library whisper, you know the lovestruck teens will be shouting ‘I TOTALLY GET WHERE YOUR COMING FROM TRAY!’

4: Fall Out Boy – My Heart Is The Worst Kind Of Weapon

“I’m the kind of kid. That can’t let anything go. But you wouldn’t know a good thing . If it came up and slit your throat.”

Admittedly I like quite a few FOB songs, some of the lyrics are questionable however.

3: My Chemical Romance – I’m Not Ok

“Forget about the dirty looks.The photographs your boyfriend took.You said you read me like a book, but the pages all are torn and frayed.”

As well as these lyrics, count how many time’s he claims that he’s really ‘not ok’.

2: A Static Lullaby – Love To Hate

“Light up this cigarette. Tonight I will sleep with the gun in my mouth. Goodnight, my love.”

Does this really need explaining?

1: Hawthrone Heights – Ohio Is For Lovers:

“So cut my wrists and black my eyes. So I can fall asleep tonight, or die.”

Oh mai daiz.

Got any to add? Leave a comment and any I get shall be either added to this post to make a top 10, or a new one!

For now, adieu!

They’ve enhanced the perks within my job, they’ve given me a reason to soldier on, they’ve give me a new lease of life. How? Due to the educational morale they’ve managed to rally forth; strip and run!

It’s all regarding something every town centre/high street has at least one of… something hard, flexible, and even pleasurable. Yep you guessed it – A parking warden’s shift.

I do have to feel sorry for them though, hearing the excuses “I forgot my husband in the shop” and “sorry mate, I didn’t realise it was a double yellow line, I’m drunk” must get tiring after a while (if anyone’s ever used them please do get in touch!)

Anyway, without much further ado, it’s time to watch the band do what they do best – hire a sexy woman make an awesome promotional video.

It’s quirky and unique, things like this reassure me that the music industry is heading in the right direction; innovation as opposed to clichés.

“Stone In My Heart” their latest EP which was released on the 22nd March 2010 rejuvenates that feel good vintage soul sound, adds in a dash of Hendrix, and even embraces those hooking funk beats to form the foundations of that ‘windows down, volume up’ summer feel.

First track “Stone In My Heart” should be instantly recognisable to anyone who watched the video above. Without a doubt the highlight of the EP this track embodies everything a band should aim for when creating music – fun, heart-enrapturing melodies! The lyrics “With a stone in my heart I stood up and love was gone. Makes me stronger, makes me wiser” could apply to any age group from love-struck teen to an adult coping with a relationship breakdown. They seem to be all about ‘picking yourself up, and moving on’ somewhat similar to ‘that song on the radio’ which spoke of “plenty more fish in the sea“.

You know, the next track “Stop Mary” reminds me of those songs you see coupled with montages on movies; when a protagonist and his girlfriend go on a day trip to a theme park and end up laying on the grass together at the end – Aww. No matter how many times I listen I just can’t find any problems! The beats and vocals go together well, the track keeps the same content vibe the whole way through, there’s even some small guitar riffs in there that adds that little bit of depth we constantly seek for.

“Foxes” comes across as a slower version of “Stop Mary”, it’s a track to play when everyone’s sweaty and dehydrated. Even more so, I remember earlier during the week reading a review on Popped Music where the journalist wrote the track had a “Middle Eastern feel” and I couldn’t put it better… it sounds quite a peculiar way to describe a British act but trust me, boy does it work.

Last track “Starlight” follows a similar sort of pattern to the first two tracks and finishes the EP off perfectly. Admittedly I was a sceptic prior to listening; it’s outside the field of music I would typically listen to. However, if the band can even entice me into becoming a fan then God help them when their already doting fans take a listen…..

An outstanding EP that has no blemishes whatsoever…

5/5

Review by: Jamie

However, one Facebook user who seems to lack a caps-lock key went one step-further and created the “i hate my passion” group.

Fans are in arms regarding the situation and have since retaliated with a series of comments in support of the band. As you can imagine this has also been met by the haters comments which have so far been in the form of misconstructed sentences.

Regardless of whether you like the band or not – we don’t believe the groups creator was quite braced for this…

Lead Vocalist Laurence Hits Haters Where It Hurts... (Not Literally Of Course.)

As Winston Churchill once said: “You have enemies ? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.”

Article by: Jamie

On April 6th the two brand new AVANTASIA albums “The Wicked Symphony” and “Angel Of Babylon” will be released via Nuclear Blast records. With previous efforts immediately hitting the charts in over 15 countries, expectations are high for this latest work. Like the former masterpieces, there will be breathtaking performances of numerous guest stars for the fans. This time around, names include the likes of Klaus Meine (Scorpions), Eric Singer (KISS), Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween), Ripper Owens (ex-Judas Priest), Jon Oliva (Savatage), Bob Catley (Magnum), Jorn Lande (Masterplan), Russell Allen (Symphony X), Jens Johansson (ex-DIO, Stratovarius), Andre Matos (ex-Angra), Bruce Kulick (ex-KISS, ex-Meat Loaf) and many more.

Produced by Sascha Paeth, the result is a stunning collection of epic rock, spread over two albums – ”The Wicked Symphony” and ”Angel Of Babylon”. The two albums be released separately, but also in a deluxe edition featuring both albums in two digibooks with two beautiful booklets plus an additional book with interview, history, biography, linernotes and the download code for exclusive bonus material.

Now is your chance to listen to the first track off the album, a short edit-version of the track “Dying For An Angel” featuring Klaus Meine of the Scorpions as guest vocalist, Tobias on vocals and bass, Sascha Paeth on guitars and Eric Singer (KISS) on drums.

Click on www.tobiassamet.com and let it rock!

THE THRASH METAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR!

“Exhibit B: The Human Condition”. It’s really, really sick. It’s really different from the last one and it’s really different from the two before. But it’s 100 percent EXODUS. Out of the last three, this one is faster, but it’s also a little more melodic, and it’s also a little bit more old school. Some of Rob’s vocal patterns are just so old school; it’s killer. The production is a little more, let’s say, less sterile. Not less sterile, but less digital perfection, more organic. It’s really, really lively. There is by far more melody on it as well. Thematically, it’s a little different. The last one centered a lot on religion and this one is, as the title says, about the human condition; cruelty, ignorance, and inhumanity and brutality. Just the things that man has shown to be so adept at doing.” GARY HOLT, Exodus

Tom Hunting, Kirk Hammett and Gary Holt founded EXODUS in 1982, shortly after selecting an appropriate singer the band, Paul Baloff, who completed the line up perfectly and brought the dream to fruition. Within the following year EXODUS gained huge attention in the international underground scene, evolving from an insiders’ tip of the tape trading community to a highly popular act.  Innovative song writing and explosive live shows made the difference; EXODUS brought Bay Area Thrash to the world and inspired many bands, among them METALLICA, TESTAMENT, DEATH ANGEL and VIO-LENCE (respectively MACHINE HEAD). In 1983 Kirk Hammet left the band to join METALLICA, and was replaced by Rick Hunolt. Soon after Rob McKillop complemented the mix.

The debut “Bonded By Blood” was released two years later and became a timeless thrash classic still appreciated today. A vast tour with SLAYER and VENOM preceded next, thus the name EXODUS spread more and more. Shortly before the second album “Pleasures Of The Flesh” showed up in 1987, Baloff left the band due to personal and musical differences and got replaced by Steve “Zetro” Souza (ex-LEGACY). The line-up and chemistry was working for the creativity and the subsequent success of the band.  With studio records like “Fabulous Disaster”, “Impact Is Imminent” and “Force Of Habit” as well as the live album “Good Friendly Violent Fun” and the compilation “Lessons In Violence” EXODUS kept on improving their style and promoted their music with a large number of gigs including tours with PANTERA, ANTHRAX, MOTÖRHEAD, BLACK SABBATH, METALLICA, MEGADETH and many others.

1992 saw the split of EXODUS, affected by stress and personal problems.  A short reunion happened 1996 (with their “old” singer Paul Baloff) with a tour through Europe and North America and the release of the second live record “Another Lesson In Violence”.  Another break took place until September 2001 when EXODUS attended the “Thrash Of The Titans” benefit show featuring LEGACY, ANTHRAX, S.O.D. and DEATH ANGEL. Afterwards the band started writing new material but got adjourned abruptly: Paul Baloff suffered a stroke on 2^nd February 2002 and sadly passed away. Back with Souza at the microphone EXODUS continued working and finally finished the recording sessions for the new, ultimate comeback album “Tempo Of The Damned” in 2004.

The success was incredible, but still EXODUS had some serious line up problems: Zetro, Rick Hunolt and Tom Hunting were replaced by former roadie Rob Dukes, Lee Altus (ex-HEATHEN) and Paul Bostaph (ex-SLAYER). With this line up, EXODUS recorded the amazing “Shovel Headed Kill Machine” – another lesson in violence for sure! In the meantime, Tom Hunting was back in the saddle, after he solved his personal issues that led to his departure from the band.

Commented Gary Holt on the new cover artwork:

“We wanted to portray the violence of man at its finest, so we started with our own version of the Leonardo da Vinci sketch [of Vitruvian Man], but done the ‘EXODUS’ way! I was pointed in the direction of Colin Larks of Rainsong Design for the cover and he killed it!  To me, the artwork represents man and his affinity for bloodshed, ignorance, and all-around ability to be led like sheep to the slaughter. The image fits the songs on this record perfectly. The whole layout is going to be as sick as the record itself!”

Exhibit B: The Human Condition was recorded this past December in Northern California with producer Andy Sneap (Testament, Megadeth, Arch Enemy, Kreator).

Track List:

1. The Ballad Of Leonard And Charles

02. Beyond The Pale

03. Hammer And Life

04. Class Dismissed (A Hate Primer)

05. Downfall

06. March Of The Sycophants

07. Nanking

08. Burn, Hollywood, Burn

09. Democide

10. The Sun Is My Destroyer

11. A Perpetual State Of Indifference

12. Good Riddance

Bonus Track: 13. Devil’s Teeth

A welcome addition to the SONISPHERE line up, in their seven years FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND have chalked up some amazing statistics: the band have sold considerably more than a million records; all four of their albums have gone into the UK Top 20; they have three Gold records; have graced countless magazine covers, been the subject of broadsheet profiles and tabloid features; their tours sell out the nation’s larger venues in a matter of minutes; worldwide – from America to Russia, Singapore to Australia, Japan and beyond – they have a following more loyal than bands considered their equal. And, most importantly, they rock.

Making their SONISPHERE debut this year are British Rockers FIGHTSTAR. 2009 was a hugely successful year for the London four-piece – a top 20 album with their third and most successful record, “be human”; two sold out headline tours which included Shepherds Bush Empire in November; an appearance at T4 on the Beach, Radio 1’s Big Weekend and the iTunes festival as well as having 4 singles playlisted at Radio 1. Their MySpace site has racked up 2.2 million profile views and the band drew huge crowds at the Download and Reading and Leeds festivals. All this leaves FIGHSTAR more than qualified to deliver a memorable set at KNEBWORTH and one you won’t want to miss. Says frontman CHARLIE SIMPSON:

“Playing Sonisphere at the legendary Knebworth ground is going to be incredible! This festival has come out of nowhere to compete with the likes of Download and Reading/Leeds, so it will be an absolute must for any rock fan this summer. There are so many great bands playing over the three days and we are honoured to be part of the line-up.”

In the eight years between 2001 – 2009, SKUNK ANANSIE left a gaping hole in the UK rock scene, so we’re delighted that these recently reformed rockers will be joining the SONISPHERE 2010 KNEBWORTH line up.  The multi-platinum selling act came crashing onto an unsuspecting rock scene back in 1994 with what lead singer Skin labelled “Clit-Rock” – described as an amalgam of heavy metal and black feminist rage. They went on to conquer the world with their unique style, with their impressive live show securing nominations at various awards ceremonies. Now, the attendees of SONISPHERE KNEBWORTH get to see why, as the band deliver hits such as “Weak”, “Charity” and “All I Want”.

Unless you’ve had your head buried in the sand for the last three years, GALLOWS is a name synonymous with attitude, aggression and hardcore punk rock. Since 2007, the fearless FRANK CARTER and co have punished music fans the world over with their refreshingly real take on punk, earning a reputation as one of the most formidable live acts on the scene. Like the demented grandchildren of SONISPHERE stage sharers IGGY & THE STOOGES, GALLOWS promise to bring an element of danger to the weekend’s proceedings, as they spit out tracks like “Abandon Ship”, In The Belly Of A Shark” and Top 40 single “Staring At The Rude Bois”.

Flying in from Chicago, MADINA LAKE bring their catchy blend of pop-punk and alt-rock to the SONISPHERE stage. Since their first outing here, the band’s rise in the UK has been nothing short of spectacular. First hitting the UK in support of Paramore in late 2006, the band found themselves selling out the very same venues they were opening at mere months later, and the success story snowballed from there. Gracing numerous magazine covers, securing BEST INTERNATIONAL NEWCOMER at the 2007 Kerrang! Awards and subsequently appearing on the 2008 Kerrang! Tour, by the time 2009’s “Attic’s To Eden” was released, MADINA mania was unstoppable, and shows no sign of stopping as they make their way to SONISPHERE 2010 – apparently a lifelong dream for bassplayer MATTHEW LEONE:

“Meeting the cast of “Revenge of the Nerds”, and playing Sonisphere are the last two things on my bucket list.  Come August 2nd, I’ll be that much closer to calling it a life with no regrets.”

Family Force 5 is one of the great success stories of artist development in contemporary music today. Their debut CD has quietly scanned 125,000 + copies and their live show has been seen by tens of thousands, earning them a reputation as one of the hardest working band’s in America, with a performance that is second to none. You may have heard Fearne Cotton giving UK debut single Dance or Die a spin or two, or maybe you caught these guys tearing it up across the UK in February with Cobra Starship. FAMILY FORCE 5 returns to the UK for their first ever UK festival performance at SONISPHERE KNEBWORTH; Expect hip shaking, move making, sing-a-long dance rock a plenty! In the words of Keytarist/Vocalist Naddady “we’re at war. Dancing is our weapon, and our party is ready to pull the trigger.”

Formed initially as a tribute to last year’s SONISPHERE headliners METALLICA in 1993, APOCALYPTICA have become leading force in their own right. Armed with three cellos and a metal-as-hell drummer, APOCALYPTICA have become a firm festival favourite, as they offer alternative takes on bands such as METALLICA, SEPULTURA and PANTERA, as well as their own material. Don’t let the presence of classical instruments fool you – these Finns play hard and heavy, and will have no problem working up a frenzy amongst those in attendance.

Look out for a very exciting announcement with more bands next week, and many more acts to be announced in the coming weeks and months.

Tickets for SONISPHERE KNEBWORTH are on sale now at www.sonispherefestivals.com

Line up so far:

IRON MAIDEN **
RAMMSTEIN *
ALICE COOPER *
ANTHRAX  *
APOCALYPTICA *
BRING ME THE HORIZON *
THE CULT *
FAMILY FORCE 5
FEAR FACTORY
FIGHTSTAR
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND
GALLOWS
HENRY ROLLINS (SPOKEN WORD) *
IGGY & THE STOOGES *
MADINA LAKE
MÖTLEY CRÜE **
PAPA ROACH *
PLACEBO *
SLAYER *
SKUNK ANANSIE

** Only UK performance of 2010
* Exclusive Festival Performance

Tickets available from www.sonispherefestivals.com

Image Property of T Whalen - Chicago. Click the image to visit their Flickr account.

After three years of loyal patience, ANDREW W.K. fans can finally experience the ‘lost’ third album from the established party rocker.  Previously released in Japan and Korea in 2006, CLOSE CALLS WITH BRICK WALLS will officially become available on March 22nd 2010, being released on new label STEEV MIKE, as a special two album package (the original CLOSE CALLS WITH BRICK WALLS on one disc, and an additional CD called MOTHER OF MANKIND, containing rare and unreleased material).

After the recent release of 55 CADILLAC - a compilation of improvised solo piano compositions - CLOSE CALLS WITH BRICK WALLS and MOTHER OF MANKIND deliver the slamming, inspirational music for which Andrew W.K. is loved, coupled with new sounds and feelings rarely associated with his traditional work.

And W.K fans have even more to be excited by with every trackname from the album being announced:

Close Calls With Brick Walls

• 1. I Came For You
• 2. Close Calls With Bal Harbour
• 3. Not Going To Bed
• 4. You Will Remember Tonight
• 5. Hand On The Place
• 6. Pushing Drugs
• 7. One Brother
• 8. Las Vegas, Nevada
• 9. Dr. Dumont
• 10. Golden Eyed Dog
• 11. Into The Clear
• 12. When I’m High
• 13. I Want To See You Go Wild
• 14. Mark My Grace
• 15. Don’t Call Me Andy
• 16. The Background
• 17. Slam John Against A Brick Wall
• 18. The Moving Room

Mother Of Mankind

• 1. We Party (You Shout)
• 2. High Five
• 3. Let’s Go On A Date
• 4. We Got A Groove
• 5. Sarah Notto
• 6. I’m A Vagabond
• 7. I’ve Got Know Fear
• 8. Big Party
• 9. Who Knows?
• 10. Coming Bad
• 11. Can You Dance With Me?
• 12. Kicks And Bricks
• 13. A.W.K.
• 14. I Will Find God
• 15. This Is My World
• 16. Young Lord
• 17. We’re Not Gunna Get Old
• 18. Kill Yourself
• 19. I Want Your Face
• 20. Jewel Street Man
• 21. The Party God

Expect to see a review on the new album just before its release of the 22nd March!