Just A Memory

On Friday I checked another one off the bucket list. I went down to Glasgow again to see Escape The Fate. And it was epic. They put on a fantastic show and totally left me wanting more. Like normal people (so I'm told) leave gigs feeling satisfied and happy. I leave a gig over the moon, completely in love with the band and desperate for more. As in got home from Glasgow and watched live videos on YouTube while I got ready to go out that night. 

I'm already excited for the next time. Whenever that may be. And as amazing as the gig and performance was, later in the night is what made my life complete. After wondering around in the rain and snow we found a Brewdog pub, had a couple more drinks then the horrendous cheesey music drove us back to Cathouse where our friends already were. And holy shit what a night it ended up being. Members of the band, along with the support bands were in the club chilling. It was surreal. By the end of the night they were sitting/dancing at the table next to us just living life. And I have to admit, Craig Mabbitt is just as beautiful in person, and seems like a really nice guy. 

Artwork

As I mentioned in my last post I loved the artwork for Ice Nine Kills "Every Trick In The Book," and since I've been swamped with coursework, and haven't really had time to write lately, I thought I'd share a few of my favourite album artworks. 

Escape The Fate - "Dying Is Your Latest Fashion" 2006

I'm not saying this was Escape the Fate's best album, far from it. I like the album, but I love the cover. It's a bit sleazy, a bit debauched, and a lot amazing. And it's probably the biggest reason I'm tempted to get my lip pierced, and it kind of resembles what I look like when I wake up the morning after a night out. I'm sure other people can relate to this too right? It pretty much sums up the album, a kinda wrecked, kinda trashy.

Aiden - "Knives" 2009

Anther cover that reflects the album. Knives is full of nightmarish analogies, an album of dark, twisted ideas and lyrics. The album artwork shows a creepy kid, vampire like in nature. This could be a reflection of the entire album, or a reflection of song "Let The Right One In," a tribute to the Swedish vampire film of the same name. Either way it resembles the things nightmares are born from, and has the right amount of creepiness.

HIM - "Dark Light" 2005

"Dark Light," is the second album not to feature frontman Ville Valo on the cover, and the first to feature artwork that is neither Valo, just the Heartagram or a combination of both. The album is itself is mythical, and there is something quite eerie about a skyscraper in the middle of the sea. It's the perfect accompaniment to the lyrical and instrumental content, and an amazing piece of artwork to bring HIM away from their classic style.

Falling In Reverse - "Just Like You" 2015

Like with every other aspect of Falling In Reverse, if you don't take any of it seriously, it's good. If you take it with a light heart, "Just Like You," is a great album. If you take it too seriously (like most critics do) then it sucks balls. But go fuck yourself, it's meant to be funny. Or at least I assume it is. The album artwork is true to this. Half naked girl, comical belt.

 

Nirvana - "Nevermind" 1991 

The "Nevermind" album artwork has become an iconic image. Worldwide hundreds of millions of people have seen it. It's simple, yet has an impact on you. It can be looked at primarily as an imaged the band liked, and idea they had. It can be looked at as more, as a symbolisation of society chasing the dollar. Either way it's the image of a generation, the image of a scene, and an image that will always be there.

We're Making a Comeback...

Or at least trying to anyway. And what better way to make a comeback than to post about bands who've made comebacks...

Bullet For My Valentine

2015 has been a roller coaster year for Bullet. Original bassist Jay James left, being replaced with Jamie Mathias (vocals/guitar for Revoker). August saw the release of fifth studio album 'Venom,' followed by the on going European tour. Venom is not so much of a reinvention of the band, more of a evolved return to the beginning. It's safe to say that Bullet is back. 

While critics slammed previous album 'Temper Temper' I personally don't see the problem they have with it. Fair enough it is far from being their best work, but it's not completely shit. 'Venom' has taken them back to the highest level though, reaching number 3 in the UK charts making it their highest (Poison - 21, Scream, Aim, Fire - 5, Fever - 5 and Temper Temper - 11) chart position. The aforementioned tour was epic. Gone are the arean venues previously sold out by Bullet, in favour of smaller (and often neglected) venues. I was in attendence at the Aberdeen Music Hall gig, and it was amazing. And can we please take a moment to appreciate how hot Matt Tuck has got?

Venom is out now via RCA.

Bullet For My Valentine is currently touring Europe and will be hitting the US next year.

EP 'Live From Kingston' is available free now on GooglePlay.

Aiden

Anyone that has read my blog before (and if you haven't I feel like you should) will know I love Aiden, and I love William Control. For those who haven't (most of the population), I love Aiden and William Control.... Now that we've cleared that one up, let's talk about Aiden. With the exception of front man Wil Francis (William Control) all the original members have left. Jake Wombold in 2008, Jake Davidson in 2011, Angel Ibarra in 2012 and finally Nick Wiggins at some point during Aiden's hiatus. In 2013 Aiden finally announced a final album. So really, not only is this a comeback for the band, it is the final farewell. Wil Francis auctioned off various band memorabilia to fund the project (yes I bought something..) and is making the album available for free to download. A limited run of pysical cd's was released, which is no longer available (again yes I pre-ordered this....). As of right now the new line up is touring the US, aptly titled 'The Last Sunrise Tour,' which fingers crossed will be hitting the UK sometime soon. I've already told my gig buddy that we are going, regardless of whether he wants to or not.....

Download 'Aiden' from October 30th 2015.

Also, follow Wil Francis on Twitter and Instagram, 'cause his post are great. And gives an amazing insight and behind the scenes of his music. And just 'cause he's amazing and hot as hell...

Escape The Fate

I am aware it has only been two years since ETF's last album, but I feel like with Ungrateful coming out on Friday, and a post about comebacks they deserve a wee mention. They have made the ultimate comeback, from Ronnie Radke being locked up, they came back as strong as ever with a new vocalist. Again, I'm aware I've posted about this before, read the whole story here, and I feel like the line up changes is going to be an on going saga for the band. But at least they've buried the hatchet with Radke and his band Falling In Reverse. You never know, they might just say fuck it and all join together for a huge super group one day. Stranger things have happened.... Anyone listened to Hollywood Vampires yet?!

Hate Me is released on the 30th October 2015 via Eleven Seven Records. (I'm eagerly awaiting my pre-ordered copy. Yes I am that person.)

Ahead of the release date the full album is available to stream from Kerrang!'s website right now (I'm resisting temptation and waiting for the CD, cause I am that person.)

Escape The Fate are touring Europe at the start of next year. (So Fucking Excited!)

The Webs We Weave

Continuing from my post/rant on Saturday (find it here) I've just read on Rocksound that Max Green had left Escape the Fate. And not only has he done this, he's joined up with Falling In Reverse.

Escape the Fate formed in 2004, releasing début album 'Dying Is Your Latest Fashion' in 2006, which has one of my all time favourite Escape the Fate songs, 'Situations,' a beautiful and sleazy track, so obviously I would love it. By this time the line up of the band had already changed around, something that would go on to continue through their career. 

In 2006 lead vocalist Ronnie Radke was involved in an incident resulting in a death, and following his broken probation conditions ended up in jail. The other members of the band kicked him out, and in my opinion it wasn't a malicious thing, it was for the good of their career. Which to be fair is what most bands do/have done in this situation, Vince Neil being one of the few exceptions, but he was only locked up for 15 days...

Radke was then replaced with former Blessthefall vocalist Craig Mabbit, and you can tell there is a difference in vocals on their subsequent releases but it still sounds amazing. 

Green had left the band in early 2011 due to addiction problems, but later rejoined the band, left again, came back, and finally announced on the 9th of May that he's left the band. Just days later he's joined Falling in Reverse, the band Radke formed while in prison and launched upon his release. While I've only recently started to listen to Falling In Reverse they becoming a constant feature in my daily playlists. 

But is there a conspiracy here? It's hard to believe that Green joining FIR just days after leaving EtF is a coincidence. Surely this was a planned move, and it could be said Green was looking for the best way to piss off his former band mates? Because if EtF's vision isn't what Green wanted any more then surely the best solution is to start from scratch? Or maybe the original line up will one day be back together under FIR? Who knows.

Now some may argue that the bassist of a band is not the most important feature in it, but these people have clearly not listened to Motorhead. Lemmy once, controversially, said in an interview (if I remember right, which I probably don't, it was in Kerrang!) that bassists are just failed guitarists, however this was in relation to his failed attempt to learn guitar and moved on to the bass. But jesus chirst, he plays it in his own way, many of the riffs in their music coming from him, and not just guitarist Mikkey Dee. 

However the change in bassist within Escape the Fate has not caused any noticeable changes in the music, although I'm sure it's been turmoil for the other members. Escape the Fate is no stranger to line up changes and I'm sure that this latest change will not affect the quality music they put out there. 

Escape the Fate have just released the video for 'Picture Perfect', the fourth single from their fourth studio album, 'Ungrateful.' Another hit from EtF.

Falling In Reverse have released the video for their cover of 'Gangsta's Paradise' from the Punk Goes 90's 2 album. A strange but good cover, rap meets rock, with their style thrown into the mix.

I'm looking forward to see what comes next with both bands. Although this latest change in line ups may have thrown away the peace they bands appear to have formed with each other. This is going to get interesting. If anyone has any thoughts they want to share please do, I'd love to hear them. And find me on Twitter.