Tag: hatebreed

Singles of the Year – 2013

As ever this list has been an absolute nightmare to compile. The fact that Nine Inch Nails’ Come Back Haunted, Lady Gaga’s Applause, Kanye West’s Black Skinhead and life-affirming singles from the likes of Hatebreed, Bring Me The Horizon, Tegan and Sara and Chrvches did not get a look in is testament alone to how much great music has come out this year. Special mentions must also go to Alter Bridge’s Addicted To Pain and Disclosure’s White Noise for just missing out.

1. Frank Turner – Recovery

Lead single from Frank’s fourth album Tape Deck Heart. Well worth getting absolutely drenched at Leeds festival for.
And I’ve been dipping in my darkness for serotonin boosters, cider and some kind of smelling salts…

2. Deaf Havana – Boston Square

From their game-changing, 3rd album Old Souls, my album of the year hands down.
But I guess I was wrong. All I am is wrong these days…

3. Hacktivist – Paris

Because the only thing this Jay-Z/Kanye West track was missing, was some beefy guitars and a load of breakdowns the RAC wouldn’t know what to do with.
You know how many sick trainers I own?!

4. Fall Out Boy – My Songs Know What You Do In The Dark

Highlight of a triumphant return nobody would have predicted, and many didn’t realise they needed.
I’m on FIRAAAA!!

5. Max Raptor – England Breathes

This Daily-Mail hating four-pice are arguably the best British punk band right now – and this takes no prisoners.
We are now taking over it.

6. AFI – 17 Crimes

Spectacular return to form for the Californian four-piece. Lead single from the natural successor to 2003’s Sing The Sorrow, Burials.
Let’s love, and kill like 17 now.

7. Limp Bizkit – Ready To Go

Featuring Cash Money labelmate Lil’ Wayne on vocals, with one riff Wes Borland demonstrates the Bizkit aren’t going anywhere, anytime soon.
I’m so pokerfaced, ladies going gaga.

8. Avenged Sevenfold – Shepherd of Fire

First track from their UK No. 1 album Hail To The King, crushing any doubts about their ability to join rock’s premier league.
Know me by name, shepherd of fire!

9. Manic Street Preachers – Rewind The Film

Epic six and a half minute ode to youth and life, featuring a vocal lead from Richard Hawley.
I want to see my joy, my friends…

10. Paramore – Still Into You

One of four stupidly catchy singles this year from the Tennessee four-piece’
I should be over all the butterflies…




While She Sleeps interview @ Alexandra Palace

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERALast weekend I attended my debut Vans Warped Tour, and I was completely blown away. It truly is a festival like no other, with bands and fans of all sub-genres running around a totally packed Alexandra Palace – incidentally, my favourite venue in London – and blistering sets from Parkway Drive, Rise Against, The Hype Theory, Sonic Boom Six, Hatebreed and Enter Shikari.

You can hear my interviews with The Hype Theory, The Maine and Max Raptor on my Kerrang! Radio show this Saturday – but for now here’s my chat with Loz and Matt from While She Sleeps. Last time I saw these guys they quite literally decimated the Vans shoe store on Camden High Street, causing enormous moshpits both inside and outside the shop (see pic) and the police turning up. Needless to say this was the first thing I asked them about…




‘You know how the saying goes… it’s the size of the fight in the dog…’

Copy of Shindov_FFDP_0490_z-rev2

I’ve been a fan of Five Finger Death Punch ever since I interviewed them at Download in 2009. If you are wondering what they sound like, the clue is indeed in the title, although as a mate recently came out with ‘possibly not as heavy as you think they’d be’ . This is presumably testament to the melodic vocals employed by the group, however there’s no denying the sheer force of some of the riffs on the new album The Wrong Side Of Heaven and The Righteous Sound Of Hell Volume 1.

The album features an amazing cover of LL Cool J’s Mama Said Knock You Out. I’m not generally one for ‘novelty’ covers by rock bands but this really works, the lyrics sounding considerably more menacing, and, ahem, more likely to knock you out than Mr Cool J. It’s actually quite surprising that nobody thought to do it before! Across the album there’s also cameos from Soulfly’s Max Cavalera, Hatebreed’s Jamey Jasta, and this banger featuring Judas Priest’s Rob Halford.

Talking of Hatebreed, I’m excited about their upcoming tour which kicks off next week. Here in the South, they were originally set to be playing this year’s Hevy Fest in Folkestone which was then moved to Brixton Academy on account of problems with the site, and then ultimately cancelled. Luckily though, they’ve joined forces with headliners Killswitch Engage for a one-off date at London’s tiny Garage in Islington. It’s already sold out, but if you are lucky enough to have tickets, I’d get there early as they’re both playing headline length sets!