Welsh Rockers lostprophets returned to studio in May of 2011 to record their fifth album, 'Weapons'. Long time fans of the band might be disheartened to know that this album well and truly cements the sextet's (love that) move from alternative-metal with inspiring, passionate lyrics to soft-rock-meets-gang-chants-meets-rap. Yikes! lostprophetshave always been the masters of mixing different sounds within their tracks, but the sudden change of pace between opening track 'Bring 'em down' and‘We Bring An Arsenal’creates a crack in the flow of the album which continues throughout. This leaves the record feeling fractured, and sloppy.
However, all is not lost - frontman Ian Watkins' voice is as melodic as ever with support from tight guitar riffs, high-energy, and catchy drumming. (But was there any need for that rapping?) The Opening track is, actually, totally killer and if the album had continued at that pace it could have been a different story.
Back in the day when the band's first album 'thefakesoundofprogress' went double platinum they were a band who sparked excitement in their fans with inspiring lyrics and genre bending songs that suggested they were a band to be seriously excited about - and for a long while, they were. 'Weapons' is a new sound to accommodate the new fan base the band has amassed over the years and whilst it packs little punch in comparison to their explosive first two studio albums, it is sure to be a success with radio dj's and younger fans. The passion is still there, the skill is still there, but there is a certain spark that seems to be missing and like the opening track declares 'oh kid I've heard this all before'...
He may only be 20 years old but Hackney artist Shivz Dotz has already achieved things most up and coming young artists can only dream of - but with influences like Biggie Smalls, Shivz Dotz has his sights set on something bigger...
He cites his biggest achievements as "being part of nationwide tours like Lovebox, and Big Chill, and being part of the final 10 in with a chance of opening the 2008 Mobo Awards." Despite falling short of the top spot in 2008, the experience helped him to grow and move forward with more ambition and determination.
After having his first play on national radio by BBC 1xtra with Dj target, Shivz Dotz has cemented himself as one of the UK's most anticipated underground talents - and with 9 mixtapes, and over 2 million plays on myspace under his belt 2012 could be the year we see him move from an unsigned, underground artist into the mainstream.
His ability to fuse hip-hop, and grime with rock shows his creative talent is what sets him apart from the rest, and with artists such as Hyro Da Hero proving that there is a demand for rock fused with hip-hop in today's charts, now could be the perfect time for Shivz Dotz to make his impact.
Summer 2011 saw him perform on the 'It Just Got Bigger' tour where he "tore the venue down" and as a result of his impressive, and succesful performance the video footage became so popular on his youtube channel, he was offered a dealership with the company.
Below is Shivz Dotz latest video "Refuge", produced by Pantha.
His previous achievements has not made him complacent, but has instead kept him "working hard and staying hungry for eventual success."
You can download all 9 of Shivz Dotz mixtapes at HERE for free, follow his twitter HERE, and check out more of his videos on youtube HERE to keep up to date with, who is sure to be, one of the UK's latest underground to mainstream successes.
A good song opening should be enthralling, inviting, and exciting - it should make you wanna listen to the song. Duh.
A great song opening should be one of the following: mind-blowing (your mind will be blown, so from there on out everything is a little warped on account of your mind having be blown from your skull. Cool.), spine-tingling (this is not a metaphor - your spine will actually tingle, like a friendly pins and needles. If this is not happening, then it might just be a 'good' opening), and jaw-dropping (this is a biggie - your jaw will, of its own accord, drop to the floor, and you have to literally scoop it back up with your hands and hold it shut for approximately 30 seconds. It ain't pretty!).
So now that we've covered the basics, let's get to it - and be warned there could be some messy walls (minds blown), itchy backs (spine tingled), and fucked up faces (jaws dropped) upon listening to the following ten kick-ass, face-melting, bone-crushing (forgot to mention those) openings. Let's do this!
10. Layla - Derek, and The Dominoes.
This needs no introduction, but I'm gonna give it one anyway - woah there, that opening riff should come with a warning; something like, Don't freaking drive whilst listening to this here song because you will likely crash on account of you frantically air-guitaring to the illest riff you're likely to hear in about five or ten! Trust me, take that warning kids! You'll thank me later.
On a more serious note, I think we can all agree that Eric Clapton is one slick guy with some ridonkulous guitar skills that we're all a little bit jealous of!
9. Enter Sandman - Metallica.
It's dark, it's brooding, it's omnious, it's cool as hell, and by the time our lion-haired friend James Hetfield comes in we've melted into a pile of goo. Fuck Yeah. Sleep with one eye open, indeed!
8. Your Betrayal - Bullet For My Valentine.
If this militaristic drumming isn't enough to tick your boxes, then I don't know what is. It starts off nice, and simple and just builds and builds until you're mind has blown (mess all over the walls), and those thundering chords are better than BBQ sauce.
It's back-to-basics metal, so get your horns at the ready - and because it's that good, I'm including the video for us all (to perve on Matt some more!)
7. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana.
If there is one song in the world that gives me chills with a single note, it's this little beauty! It's grown into one of the most iconic songs of all time, but at its heart and soul it's a classic grunge anthem - THE grunge anthem - with a bunch of high-school kids thrashing around in a dusky old gym.
Anyone who doesn't recognise this song (but can name all of the kardashkians) within the opening five seconds needs an intervention BIG time.
6. Hell's Bells - AC/DC.
Can't work out what this would be better for - walking down the aisle, or arriving at my own funeral? Either way, it would rock da house.
5. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen.
Why? Because this song is fuckin' weird, and fuckin' fantastic and the opening makes you think you're in for one thing, and it turns out you're in for a whole 'nother. Geddit? Whatever, turn it up.
Plus it just gets straight on with it - and who'da thought that those 4 voices would come together and sound like THAT? Choir boys around the world, take note - this is how you turn up the heat with a high pitched squeak.
4. Foxy Lady - Jimi Hendrix Experience.
Three words spring to mind: Party on, Garth!
This is just a killer opening in every aspect - it's trippy, catchy, slick, and classic Hendrix.
3. Thunderstruck - AC/DC.
This is the kind of song that was destined to be chanted by thousands upon thousands of adoring fans in stadiums all around the world. The opening riff is so simple, but so killer! Rock on. (Fun fact: This is my 7th favourite song in all time and space.)
Repeat after me: Thun-DER!!! Thun-DER!!!
2. Welcome To The Jungle - Guns N' Roses.
From the moment this little gem kicks in all you wanna do is throw on a pair of pleather pants and jump on the nearest bar, and strut your stuff up and down it like you own the joint - don't you?!
I'm quite sure that this is everyone's gateway song into the world of Rock'n'Roll, and the opening is as instantly recognisable as it is infectious. (Plus, if we're being totally honest, it makes us think of Axl shakin' his thang in those tight little leathers like there's no tomorrow, and that's always a good thing - yeah, I took it there.)
1. When The Levee Breaks - Led Zeppelin.
Come on, it was never going to be anything else was it? This opening is so atmospherical (is that a word?) that it literally transports you to some dusky, down-n-out old saloon in the days-gone-by where everyone's dressed in chaps, sluggin' back whisky just waitin for Clint Eastwood to show up with a stick o' wood in his mouth and unload on the shifty lookin' bunch over in the corner - and no, you don't feel lucky punk!
Oh shit my mind has just blown out my skull, my spine is tingling, and I've just picked my jaw from up off the floor - that seals the deal then, this is officially the GREATEST song opening of ALL time. (My dad has just confirmed that atmospherical is in fact not a word, but I like the way it sounds - I'm gonna make it a word!)
Now your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to go forth and listen to these ten tracks basquing in all their beautiful glory... You're welcome.
With such high expectation surrounding the release of Enter Shikari's third studio album, the boys made sure they delivered something that would not dissapoint and would not be forgotten in a flash...
A Flash Flood Of Colour begins with 'System...', with opening lyrics of a beautiful metaphor comparing our dear old Blighty to a house succumbing to the eroding cliff face of it's foundation...
'There was a house in a field on the side of a cliff, and the waves crashing below were just said to be a myth, so they ignored the warnings from the ships in the docks. Now the house on the cliff is the wreckage on the rocks.'
This is a clear indication of where the albums heading, and from there on out the metaphors keep getting better, and the message keeps getting stronger.
It was clear from the band's second album, 'Common Dreads', that they were moving towards being another 'political' band with something to say - but it's frontman Rou Reynold's passion, and venom-spitting conviction with his lyrics that seperates them from the rest. Not all the glory lies with Reynolds, however, they are very much a band whose successes rely on the strength and solidarity of them as a four-piece. Their notorious live shows are packed-full of high energy, sheer passion, and madness from the word go thanks to loyal fans, and a unified band.
A Flash Flood Of Colour has been sitting on the top spot of the album charts since it's release on Monday, which sparks suggestion that they are moving toward mainstream success - however, you can rest assured this is not a band who look like buckling to mainstream pressures. They have achieved their success by sticking to their guns, and pursuing their beliefs - clearly demonstrated throughout the 11 tracks on the album.
A number one album for a band like this would be a triumph for independent music, and real music fans - fans who follow the band religiously with anticipation and excitement. Fans who buy albums, and travel around the country to secure their place in as many mosh pits as they can. Fans who feel a part of the movement.
This album is not only their angriest, and most aggresive yet but their most beautiful. Amongst the sonic barrage, there are moments of pure tenderness and poignance in songs like 'Constellations' and 'Stalemate' whilst maintaining a strong sense of purpose and direction.
Songs like 'Sssnakepit' and 'Gandhi Mate, Gandhi' seem to be steered on pure adrenaline & rip-roaring choruses as they tackle their anti-communist spiel.
From beginning to end, the album is like an assault course of experimentation, from it's electronics, classic metal-riffs, piano, brass & string arrangements to acoustic guitar, it has it all.
One things for sure, unlike their message in 'Arguing with thermometers', "you haven't thought this through have you boys?" - it is clear that they have thought this through, and in doing so they have delivered an album with brutal conviction, unrelenting energy and impressive spirit.
There are always going to be favourite albums - you know those ones we all hold dearest to our hearts, perhaps because they 'speak to us' or just tug on the old heart strings, or they simply make damn good driving partners. Whatever the reason, it doesn't always mean that these albums are necessarily all that great... But what about those albums that are so monumental, ground breaking and influential that they must be heard by as many pairs of ears on the planet as possible?
Well, I think I know a few - so let me start with the first....
Appetite For Destruction - Guns N' Roses.
Released in 1987 under Geffen Records, no one (not even Guns N' Roses, their record label or their fans) saw this coming... It soon became one of the biggest selling albums in the history of Rock.
It was this raw, relentless, rip roaring assault of an album that turned this band into overnight superstars and ensuring they would remain a household name forever.
Somewhere between the explicit aggresion, and the extravagant tapestry of sex, violence, drugs and alcohol is the greatest hard rock album since Back In Black.
The opening track, Welcome To The Jungle, explodes into the air, hissing and spitting like a volatile firework with enough energy to power a city, setting the tone for what's to come.
However, what makes this album so successful is the clever decision to not attack the listener with screeching vocals, shredding guitars and monumental drumming from start to finish - they changed it up by throwing in beautifully written ballads that demonstrated the quintet's chemistry and emotional energy. Sweet Child O' Mine, perhaps the most iconic of all their songs, has an enticingly relaxed and endearing Southern Rock quality to it that proves frontman Axl Rose is not a one trick pony, but a Shire with an arsenal of talents and a an impressively equipped group of men standing beside him.
Timeless. It is simply is one of the greatest, most important and breathtaking albums of a generation. Favourite track? Welcome To The Jungle
