WWE Smackdown! - Free Beer + Free Pizza = Overly Excited & Drunk.

So my friends Dave and his girlfriend Chris treated me and my chick to a night out. Chris works for Yahoo! who own a private box at the o2 so she managed to score us all tickets for the event and what an event it was! Pyro, loud music and sweaty men pretending to fight. Rad! It was truley one huge slice of Americana.


The night was nothing short of awesome! I had been on the receiving end of some rather lavish treatment at the o2 before but never had I sat in a corporate box. The view was great but the free bar was better! After feuling up on bottle after bottle of Becks we were then gifted with a bounty of hot, fresh, pizza. FUCKING ACE!!!

Seeing The Undertaker wrestle was cool and his live entrance live is pretty damn impressive. Unfortunately he wrestled The Big Show, who is morbidly obese. We also got to see Triple H battle Randy Orton inside a steel cage! Evan Bourne is fucking insane and his shooting star press is jaw dropping. Unfortunately we didn’t see Chis Jericho, Edge or Christian wrestle.....Christian did get power bombed through a table though.....again, rad!!!

There was a weird mix of people attending the show. Of course there were the kids who were screaming for all kinds of over priced merchandise (child t-shirts were £25), the poor parents who had been dragged there and the fun to talk to, super fans. Some guy had a replica title belt that he paid $500 to get made to his specifications. He was kind enough to let a very drunk me to pose with it.

We got on the train and then me and Dave started play fighting. The kids began to cheer us on and it escliated very quickly into a massive event. Check out this video of “The Captain” and myself locking horns on the Jubilee Line. Some spanish chick (who's camera I hit Dave in the face with) filmed the event. To quote Bill Murray, “the kids love us.”




We left the train to standing ovation from the crowd and with a new career path in mind.

AC/DC - Live @ The o2 16/04/09

Ok. Check this out. I’m in the company of some of my best friends, I have a seriously hot chick as my gig buddy and I’m standing with an ice-cold beer in my hand waiting for AC/DC to arrive on stage. I ask you readers; who is your god?!

Tonight, MY God was rock ‘n’ roll. My church, the o2 and my five apostles were four blokes from the land down under and one from Tyneside. AC/DC have returned UK in what has to be one of the most anticipated live rock ‘n’ roll shows since, well,......Zeppelin maybe? Compared to their outdoor stadium shows announced for later this year, this show has the energy of an ‘intimate gig’. Well, as intimate as you can be at an eighteen thousand capacity arena.

By the time the band make it out on stage; the o2 almost collapses under the roar of the crowd. To a back drop of a train wreck and pyrotechnics they kicked off with ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Train’, ‘Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be’ then followed by the classic ‘Back In Black’ sending the o2 into what can only be described as a frenzy.

Brian, Angus and the boys pull hit after hit out of the bag. ‘Thunderstruck’, ‘Shoot To Thrill’, ‘Dirty Deeds’ all get an outing tonight leaving everybody in the o2 gob smacked. The lads may be the wrong side of fifty but they don’t miss step. Brian Johnson’s voice can still hold its own, Angus Young shows no signs of slowing down and Malcolm Young and the band’s sound is as loud as it ever was. Even their most recent material gets a welcome response tonight as ‘War Machine’ is receives a huge ovation.

A massive AC/DC bell is lowered from the stage ready for Brian Johnson to run down the walkway, jump and swing from it providing an interlude into yet another classic, ‘Hells Bells’. After a necessary breather for the coffin dodgers, Johnson introduces us “to an old girlfriend”; A massive inflatable woman now straddles the train AC/DC rode in on. No question that ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’ was up next and my god did it bring the house down.

‘Let The Be Rock’ has been added to the set for one sole purpose ad that is to showcase Angus Young and what he does best; play guitar and command the stage. The legendary showman marches to the end of the walk way that divides the front of the crowd only to be raised halfway to the roof on a platform to solo to the people in the nosebleeds. When Young returns to the stage he goads the audience to cheer for more fret magic before scaling a platform on top of the stage delivering more blistering solos, smirking and sweating.

The band close their astonishing set with an encore of ’Highway To Hell’ and ‘For Those About To Rock’ accompanied by cannon fire from the stage. A fitting way to end what can only be described as a jaw dropping set, played to perfection by the iconic AC fuckin’ DC!!!

Tonight’s show was nothing short of a master class in how to take care of business. AC/DC are old as fuck and the idea of a 50+ year old sweaty man in a school uniform is ridiculous but these dudes are the epitome of rock excellence. Hand on heart I can say that this was one of the best gigs I have ever been too. You will not see a better live act this year.

Tonight, AC/DC, we salute you.

William Elliot Whitmore - Live @ The Borderline 15/04/09

It was way back in 2003 that I first discovered William Elliot Whitmore. He was playing a show at the LA2 supporting hardcore outfit Converge. A weird choice of support act at the time but after seeing him play, all the other bands that played that night paled in comparison to the one man and his banjo.

He had been back to British soil multiple times since ’03 but had always flown under my radar. Tonight I finally caught him at the Borderline and along with the capacity crowd, I couldn’t wait.

“Friendship and sharing” declares William as he throws away the cap on a bottle of Jack Daniels and passes it around the crowd encouraging them to drink after opening with ‘Mutiny’ and an up-tempo ‘Lift My Jug’.

The beautiful thing about William’s performance is his interaction with the crowd. There is no “I hope he plays this song”. If you want something played he’s more than willing to oblige and constantly takes requests. The only thing he refused to play was ‘Freebird’ as he understandably didn’t stray from his own material. The amazing ‘Take it On The Chin’ and the clanging banjo of the haunting ‘One Man’s Shame’ are all rounded by Whitmore’s voice. It sounds like the man has been breast fed on Marlboro’s and Moonshine.

Tonight we are treated to songs from Whitmore’s new album ‘Animals In The Dark’. ‘Old Devils’ is the man’s own brand of morbid folk where Whitmore’s story telling builds and builds in pace to the point of boiling. A song about “the filth” followed with Whitmore’s ode the police, ‘Johnny Law’, goes down a storm with the Borderline as a second bottle of sour mash is passed around.

It’s amazing that one man can hold the audience by the scruff of their necks and spit his songs at you and then a song later, transfix a crowd with a heartfelt tale of loss. Whitmore’s intensity and passion for his music and what it represents is something to be admired. The songs Whitmore plays are so engrossing and so powerful you tend to forget that it’s just one man and his guitars.

It’s the classic formula of a working man’s grief, sorrow and hope all blended together and washed down with plenty of whiskey that makes Whitmore’s songs and live show so compelling. Tonight, as he did in 2003, William Elliot Whitmore did not disappoint.

This and many other live reviews can be found on http://www.caughtinthecrossfire.com

Unpublished Works: Metallica - 'Death Magnetic'

I'm starting to put up reviews that have never seen the cyber light of day. Seeing as I put a considerable amount of effort into writing these pieces I think it's a shame that nobody, bar myself, gets to see them.

For whatever reason this review never made it to "press". I think it may have had something to do with the fact that I wasn't particularly kind to the Metallica dudes and that Crossfire was doing the press for 'Death Magnetic' and couldn't be seen to be saying that the album was anything less than amazing. It could have simply been down to the fact that it was far to lengthy and wordy for a chart review.

It may have even been down to the fact that it just wasn't good enough. Either way it finally emerges here on my blog.

Consider this and future unpublished shit my B-sides.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Metallica are dead. Well, the Metallica I love are dead. For all of you out there expecting a long awaited “return to the glory days” it ain’t gonna happen. Ever. However, and that is a big however, Death Magnetic comes a close as anything is ever going to get to their past glories.

With the bitter, bitter taste of “the Scottish play” (St.Anger) still in my mouth I was worried that this new Metallica effort was going to finally make me hurl my guts up. I didn’t. Not even close. This is a really good record. Not just a good record but the best ‘tallica release since ‘The Black Album’. Fact. Rick Rubin has seemed to have given the old boys direction. The tempo is so fast in stages that you can see little flashes of iconic albums ‘Master Of Puppets’ and ‘Ride the Lightening’ while other parts seem to reflect the ‘And Justice For All…’ period. The tracks are longer and the speed (not the drug, unfortunately) has returned. Rubin’s “hand’s off” approach to recording with bands has clearly demonstrated that the days of Bob Rock breast-feeding Lars, being James’ shoulder to cry on or ignoring Kirk’s axe ability seem to be over.

‘That Was just Your Life’ is ‘tallica’s opening gambit. With a chugging breakdown mid verse followed by a vintage feel chorus and solos where as track two, ‘The End Of The Line’, has a definite ‘Creeping Death’ feel to it. A clear sign that the band seem to have finally got the message and now giving the fans what they want rather than what they want to play to massage their egos.

James Hetfield’s voice on this record is fantastic for the most part. It doesn’t sound like he’s ripping out his own jugular and gargling with whiskey anymore, but he does spit his, at times, venomous lyrics at you in a way which has been lacking for more than a while. No more surly, redneck ramblings here. There are no signs of the “my lifestyle determines my deathstyle” offal we were force fed on that previous album. *shudder*. The single ‘The Day That Never Comes’ also gives an insight to what seems like a quite a personal song to Hetfield. The whole dodgy childhood angle being looked at here, me thinks. It has an ominous build up to which then explodes into some amazing riffs. A comparison to the classic tracks ‘One’ and ‘Fade To Black’ will spring immediately to mind.

The obnoxious, little Danish bloke has put down his trash cans is now playing drums again. Finally, Lars Ulrich is drumming again rather than kicking toasters down staircases. He layers the track with complex fills and bridges. Lars has not impressed in years and has seemed to have found his power button again. He gives Death Magnetic that ‘I need to hear this live’ feel.

This record sees the return of Kirk Hammet’s solos. Not only is he returned but he has been unleashed! I had forgotten how good he was. The solos are thrashy and almost impossible but he has seemed to rekindle his passion for his music. Just check out the solo in ‘Broken, Beat & Scarred’. Pure sodding genius! The track ‘Cyanide’ would be a dull demo if it wasn’t for Hammet’s magic axe work mid way through the song.

Robert Trujillo and his bass guitar seem a little buried at times. “Really?!” I hear you cry, sarcastically. On the other hand, he eeks the spotlight away from the other three at times with his bass work. Epic, instrumental track ‘Suicide & Redemption’ is a great example of Trujillo’s ability. On Death Magnetic he’s been credited with having a larger role in the writing process that previous bass players and it’s clear why. Rob. Trujillo, bass player for hire, whatever you want to call him. He fits the band perfectly.

Death Magnetic sees the third chapter in the ‘Unforgiven’ series with the surprisingly titled ‘The Unforgiven III’. This is track is what we have come to expect from the style of these songs with addition of a brass and string section as well as a piano interlude. It’s a huge song with tons of power behind it and provides an alternative to an album that seems to blur into one at times.

‘The Judas Kiss’ seems to be leaning in more of a new Metallica direction but still exploits James’ howling vocal talents. The awesome ‘My Apocolypse’ has that classic thrash metal sound. From the drumming to the build up in the verse and almost boiling over with another, dynamite Hammet solo.

There has been much disappointment with Metallica albums over the years from the self-indulgence of S&M to the downright piss-take that was Load / Re-Load. This album does a good job wiping those from memory. Death Magnetic has more range and depth to it: almost enough to make you forget about their past blunders. Although I’m sure the die–hard fans and “true” metal enthusiasts will still rip it to shreds. But having listened to Death Magnetic I got to thinking; why do people, after all this time, still expect so much from a band that has such a varied music-to-quality ratio?

Is it worrying that we seem to depend solely on Metallica to produce a good, mainstream, metal album? Is it worrying that there has been no metal band has been able to grab the torch from their shaking, liver spotted paws and scream “Fuck off old man. This is how you shred!”? Yes. Yes it is.

Despite their sober and life loving ways, these art-collecting, thrash pensioners still know how to pull it out of the bag…..just. And for that I’m begrudgingly grateful.

The Sword - Live @ The Borderline 29/03/09

It was at 9 O’Clock in the morning that I got a text from my friend, Awesome Jason. He had a spare ticket to a band called The Sword that he was going to send my way. I knew that these guys have been on tour with Metallica for quite some time but they had flown way below my radar. I went into this gig totally blind. I had no idea who these guys were, what they sounded like or even what they played. I knew absolutely nothing about them. By the end of the evening I knew exactly what this band was all about.

Diagonal were tonight’s support band and I couldn’t be happier to hear these guys were on the bill. I had seen these dudes before at the Rise Above records 20th anniversary show last year and they really shone. A band that not only produce some of today’s finest cosmic jams but also look like they could hold their own on University challenge. Diagonal's live set is a no frills approach to their trippy music. No banter with the crowd just straight in and down to business. They try and cram all the sax, synth and solos into their allotted time and do a brilliant job grabbing the attention of the audiences 'third eye'. I'd expect nothing less from these psychedelic dweebs. I mean that in the nicest possible way.

“You will not be disappointed”. Those were the words of one very excited Zac Leeks ahead of The Sword’s performance at the Borderline. The silver fox wasn’t wrong...

Unfamiliar with their back catalogue, I couldn’t possibly tell you what The Sword played tonight other than one of the heaviest shows I have seen in a long time. The relentless, galloping riffs were just so heavy it would give any Saint Vitus fan hard-on. The band is so damn tight it's unreal. They have the ability to shift from brutal shredding into some of the most classic sounding solos with the greatest of ease. Their time on the road on these goliath tours with seasoned bands has clearly rubbed off on this young, stoner metal quartet.

The only down side of tonight’s gig was the vocals that were simply dwarfed by the band’s sound and power.

The Sword finish their set and leave the stage only to return for an encore. The only band I have seen in months worthy of one and a band that look like they genuinely enjoy playing for the sake of playing… and playing hard! It wouldn’t have made a blind bit of difference if they were playing an eighteen thousand capacity arena or a club that holds two hundred. The Swords sound can hold its own.

When a band can project such a colossal sound and such energy you know you are on to a winner. I came away for the show thinking that this was the best band I had seen in a long time. No Shit. If I were Metallica I'd be quaking in my fuckin' boots because one day, these young whipper-snappers are going to destroy you just like they destroyed the Borderline.

Pic: Zac Leeks

This and many other live reviews can be found on http://www.caughtinthecrossfire.com

The Sword - ‘Gods Of The Earth’ & ‘Age Of Winters’ (Kemado Records)

The Sword have a knack for combining doom, drone and even aspects of psychedelia with crushing, epic, metal. All of these factors are all brought to the boil in one huge, mythological melting pot and encapsulated in the two album, limited edition, box set.

The Sword take a vintage approach as both these albums feel as if they were pioneering this genre 30 years ago. ‘The Frost Giant’s Daughter’ has all the makings of a classic doom track with a chugging pace peppered with blistering solo’s courtesy of Kyle Shutt and shrouded in down tuned, bass fuzz from finger-picking Bryan Richie.

Vocally, JD Cronise conveys a certain sense of mystical misery with ever line sung or wailed and this provides the perfect back drop for the band to really drone through the hypnotic ‘The Horned Goddess’ . Both of these albums are hammered home by Thor himself.....well Trivett Wingo whose drumming comes pretty close in ‘The Black River’.

Nothing shows off The Sword’s collective talents more so than ‘Freya’. An instant classic that showcases all of their musical talents and takes pride of place in their live set where as ‘Iron Swan’ has a beautifully deceptive intro before dropping in full speed into some serious shredding.

The Sword’s sound is far bigger than what any human can put down on a record. ‘How Heavy This Axe’ shakes the very foundations of the Viking long boat it rode in on where as the relentless chugging of ‘Winters Wolves’ is skull splittingly heavy. This band has a sound that is played way past eleven. Blow your speakers while you let the Sword’s awesome riffs blow your mind.

‘Gods Of The Earth’ & ‘Age Of Winters’ are essential listening for any, stoner, metal head or acid casualty looking ride, head strong, into Valhalla. The Sword brings the thunder!!


This and many other reviews can be found on http://www.caughtinthecrossfire.com

A Doom God - Wino Interview

Wino is a legend.


The dudes over at MetalKult.com have a brilliant video interview with the man himself. Wino talks about his new solo project his past stints in such amazing bands like The Obsessed and the genre defining, Saint Vitus along with all things Wino.

Go and check it out: http://www.metalkult.com/news/scott-wino-weinrich-the-metalkult-interview/

Also the mighty Saint Vitus have reformed for some select festival dates accross Europe. Nothing has been annouced here in the UK as of yet but if you get the chance to see one of the most amazing bands of doom genere, you better fuckin' take it.

How Heavy This Axe?!

The Sword are awesome! This is a cold, hard fact.

I got a text from my mate Jason last Sunday telling me he had a spare ticket to see them. Up until that point I hadn’t heard The Sword. I didn’t even bother checking out their myspaz before leaving for the show. I met up with Jase in the Intrepid Fox for a couple pre-show pints with his equally awesome friend Dingus.

All three of us went to the show and had a bitchin’ time! The Sword really fucking delivered in a big way. I won’t go into too much detail as my review of the show at The Borderline Club will be up on the Crossfire website and on here any day now.

Speaking of Crossfire, I bumped into Zac at the gig who was brimming over with excitement about the show and totally stoked that he was doing the press for such a rad band and saw that I was visibly stoked too. He offered to send me the first two albums and I was quick to take him up on his offer.

Commeth Wednesday and a package hits my door step. The First Two Sword albums as promised. I have been listening to these guys nonstop. Despite how amazing the records are they still cannot match the sheer power and volume these guys project in a live environment.

If any of you out there are planning on seeing Metallica anytime soon, get down to the venue early and catch these guys live. You will not be disappointed.

I strongly urge you to pick up ‘Gods Of The Earth’ & ‘Age Of Winters’ now! I’ll have a review of these albums up soon.

Until then, get this down you Gregory peck!