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N.E.W. Metal Productions Christmosh – Gig Review

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N.E.W. Metal Productions Christmosh

6th December 2025

Mcleans Pub, Pentre, Deeside North Wales

Have you been good all year? Have you eaten your greens, minded your Ps and Qs, and got your Ever Metal reviews in on time? If yes, then good news: the final North East Wales Metal Productions shindig of the year is here – the annual Christmosh party! A fabulous six bands appearing at Mcleans Pub in Pentre, Deeside, covering a wide variety of Rock/Metal music and all gathered together to celebrate a festive end to 2025.

Warming us up like a welcome open log fire was Victim of Damp, alias N.E.W. Metal Prods ally Frank Williams, here given a seasonal makeover as Christmas of Damp. With Christmas jumper and trusty guitar in hand, COD gave us some choice cuts including new additions such as Therapy?’s ‘Screamager’ along with free shots and a melancholy Pink Floyd cover. The promise of Crimbo tunes wasn’t forgotten, with a rousing version of Slade’s evergreen ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’ – event guru Fozzy (in Santa suit) on vocals.

Victim of Damp

‘Agro’ by The Raging Mabels is one of the Greatest Songs Ever. Their entire set of high speed, thundering yet melodic Zeke-like Punk Rock was an absolute, total joy from start to finish. I cannot praise this band highly enough, even though they forgot to bring merch (again). There should be a new Raging Mabels album out in the New Year, so be prepared for a cultural explosion of Nirvana ‘Nevermind’ levels. And if that doesn’t happen, every single one of you can suck balls.

The Raging Mabels

Sadly, last time SOOTO (Something Out Of The Ordinary) played Pentre a couple of months back, I failed to write up my review. That cruel oversight is about to be reversed. SOOTO deal in classic Hard Rock/Metal, and with the female vocals they’re like Stevie Nicks singing for Thin Lizzy. Professional but not superficial, SOOTO have a raw energy and love of the riff, combined with dynamic songcraft and expert playing. A fantastic set that was over too soon.

SOOTO

The only band I’d never seen before, Heroes of the Gauntlet were a pleasant surprise indeed. Billed as “Symphonic Power Metal”, I was concerned these guys would be a full-on cheese fest. They have two singers (male and female) with fantastic voices, and a microphone that turns into a sword. Add in some serious Power Metal riffage and super confident stage personas, and you’ve actually got one hell of a show. Heroes of the Gauntlet were gloriously over the top and it’s impossible not to love them! All they need is a live drummer and these Heroes cannot fail.

Heroes of the Gauntlet

Bad Earth we have met before, and yes – hands up, I am a bit of a fanboy. But when a band deliver this much power and presence on stage, how can anyone not be? A “Rockcore” trio from the North Wales area, what that genre entails is dishing out filthy Punk/Metal riffs and pummelling, killer rhythms that you can feel as well as hear. They get better and bolder all the time – though the silly buggers are very humble about it – and this night was no exception. New recorded material is due soon, so beware: Bad Earth have never shied away from delivering crushing, groove infused Rock and I don’t think they will.

Bad Earth

To say I was excited about the return of the fuzzed out, sludgy sound of Master Charger to Mcleans would be an understatement. Their album “Posthumous Resurrection” was one of the never ending delights of 2025, plus last time they were here, these boys absolutely killed it. Make no mistake, Master Charger can and will deal out a mighty, megalithic slab of Stoner/Doom that will make the earth tremble. And that’s exactly what they did, with every asteroid-heavy riff and mammoth beat ploughing through the audience mercilessly. Another off-the-charts performance and a great finale.

Master Charger

What a night. Quite possibly the strongest line-up at Mcleans that I’ve ever witnessed, featuring many of my personal favourites.

But now it’s down to you. Christmosh was the last North East Wales Metal Productions event of the year, till the return of Pentre Fest in February 2026. These events, these bands need your support. If you’ve ever considered a trip to Mcleans, then you need to be there on 27th and 28th Feb 26. No excuses!

Brown Acid: The Twentieth Trip – Album Review

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Various Artists – Brown Acid: The Twentieth Trip 

RidingEasy Records 

Release date: 20/04/2025 

Running time: 

Review by: Alun Jones 

8/10 

Aw, man!  Another deadline missed.  What’s this album?  The latest Brown Acid comp from RidingEasy Records, OK.  And when was it released?  The twentieth of April??!!  Oh right, yeah.  Released on 4/20, of course.  Very apt.  Now I don’t even smoke the Devil’s Lettuce, but maybe I can use that as an excuse for my tardiness?  Whaddya think?  Sounds better than “the dog ate the review” or “I fell off my skateboard”.  Yeah, that’s it.  I must’ve been higher than Godzilla’s toupee and forgot to write this thing. 

Let’s crack on.  The Brown Acid series are compilations of sadly long lost and forgotten songs from the late 60’s and 70’s, each the less successful step sibling of the major rock acts of the time.  The songs are garage rock, proto heavy metal would-be classics that fell through the cracks.  Until, that is, RidingEasy Records unearthed them and saved from obscurity. 

So what’s up first on this latest release?  It’s Afterflash with the psychedelic fuzz of ‘Cookbook’, where the band implore us to “feed our mind”.  Good fun of the sort you can imagine Scooby Doo and the gang listening to in their van, but not the strongest song on this comp.  Polvo are next with ‘Have You Ever Been There?” – I haven’t but I’d like to, it’s great early Hard Rock with a killer lead guitar solo.  ‘Darkened Passage’ is gifted to us by Hot Candy, a Zeppelin-like rocker that has a feel of ‘Communication Breakdown’.  A highlight of the album and a genuine righteous moment. 

The Brown Acid template widens again with Banana Bros ‘Suck You in’, a winning song with a super infectious funk driven rhythm.  Side One concludes with ‘Thank You For The Ride’ from another familiarly monikered troupe, The Jordan Brothers.  This romping number is definitely the ear-worm of the set, with a chorus that’ll stick in your head for days. 

Side Two opens with the crashing drums of Osage Lute.  Their track ‘Watch ‘Em Shine’ has an electrifying sound not dissimilar to Mountain, catchy riff and mind-expanding mellow section included.  Sandy Torano & The Nimo Spliff have the wildest name on this selection, and a wild fuzz guitar intro on their song ‘A Year Ago Today’.   

Lazy Day employ some skronky organ a la early Purple or Steppenwolf on ‘Don’t Dance In My Song’, but you’ll be hard pressed to stay still here!  No idea what a ‘Hot and Tot Woman’ is, but Flavor do – and they throw in a Stooges-ish proto metal riff that you could proto-headbang to!  Bringing things to a close this time around is Frozen Sun, with the funky, desert rock of ‘Jamm Part 1’.  Ideal for watching the sun set whilst you definitely don’t inhale any of the herb. 

The Twentieth Trip has managed to offer a little more variety yet again, as the Brown Acid series goes from strength to strength.  A genuinely good time listen and very worthwhile exploring for any retro heads out there.  Plus, listeners can gain kudos points for being familiar with ultra rare, underground rock that their friends won’t have a clue about! 

Visit the RidingEasy Records website here.

This review is presented by Platinum Al in association with Ever Metal.

Singles Night at the Virtual Hot Tub #39

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Are you ready for more rock’n’roll?  And very possibly lots of other genres of music too?  In that case, pilgrim, you’ve come to the right place.  You know it – it’s another Singles Night here at Platinum Al’s Virtual Hot Tub!

Now, for any of you brave readers who are muddled and befuddled by what a Singles Night involves, here’s the lowdown.  You see, I  possess a huge collection of 7 inch vinyl singles, none of which have been listened to (yet).  So the concept is to spend an evening playing these records – both sides – and have a grand old time doing so.

During the course of the night, we’ll hear a variety of music, old and new, with plenty of surprises.

That’s not so scary, is it?

Grab yourself a drink and let’s check out the latest playlist:

  1. Cheap Trick – “The Flame” / “Through the Night”
  2. Stiff Little Fingers – “Silver Lining” / “Safe as Houses”
  3. Belinda Carlisle – “Live Your Life Be Free” / “Loneliness Game”
  4. Salt-N-Pepa- “Let’s Talk About Sex (True Confessions Edit)” / “Let’s Talk About Sex (Super Crispy Mix)”
  5. Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass – “Up Cherry Street” / “Numero Cinco” / “Mexican Shuffle” / “The Girl From Ipanema”
  6. Magazine – “About the Weather” / “In The Dark”
  7. The Lotus Eaters – “The First Picture of You” / “The Lotus Eaters”
  8. James Brown – “Rapp Payback (Where iz Moses?)” / “Rapp Payback Pt. II (Where iz Moses?)”
  9. Huey Lewis & The News – “World to Me” / “It’s All Right (Live)”
  10. Dannii Minogue – “This is it” / “It’s Time to Move On”
  11. Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody” / “These Are the Days of Our Lives”
  12. The Kinks – “Tired of Waiting for You” / “Come on Now”
  13. Big Country – “Wonderland” / “Giant”
  14. Timbuk 3 – “The Future’s So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades” / “I’ll Do Alright”
  15. Derek & The Dominos – “Layla” / Eric Clapton – “Wonderful Tonight”
  16. Jesus Jones – “Right Here, Right Now” / “Move Me” / “Damn Good at This”
  17. Big Country- “In a Big Country” / “All Of Us”
  18. Electric Light Orchestra – “Don’t Bring Me Down” / “Dreaming of 4000”
  19. The Belle Stars – “The Clapping Song” / “Blame”
  20. S’Express – “Hey Music Lover” / “Have a Nice Day”

Not a bad evening’s entertainment at all.  A thrilling exploration through several genres, from pop to punk, rock to funk, and more.  The only song I wasn’t a fan of was that hideous Clapton claptrap, so that’s a pretty decent result.

Lots of highlights, and I’m shouting out SLF, James Brown, Big Country, The Kinks and Jesus Jones as particular favourites.

Hope you enjoyed that list of killer tracks.  More soon!

Singles Night at the Virtual Hot Tub #38

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Singles Night! At Platinum Al’s Virtual Hot Tub! It’s back – and better than ever!

What is it? A night where I play through a pile of as yet, never spun 45rpm vinyl singles. Both sides, whatever the genre, in whatever random order the fates have decided for me. There’s all sorts in that collection of 7 inch records, so it makes for a fine playlist (with a couple of drinkies to aid the process).

Here’s the latest playlist:

  1. Toyah – “Don’t Fall in Love” / “Snow Covers the Kiss”
  2. Doctor and the Medics – “Waterloo” / “Damaged Brains”
  3. The Screaming Blue Messiahs – “I Wanna Be A Flintstone” / “Jerry’s Electric Church”
  4. Blue Oyster Cult – “Astronomy” / “Magna of Illusion”
  5. Motorhead – “Overkill” / “Too Late, Too Late”
  6. Sex Pistols – “C’Mon Everybody” / “The God Save The Queen Symphony”
  7. Pete Mac Junior – “The Water Margin” / Godiego – “The Water Margin”
  8. Peter Sellers & Sophia Loren – “Goodness Gracious Me!” / Peter Sellers – “Grandpa’s Groove”
  9. The Professionals – “Little Boys in Blue” / Gillan – “I’ll Rip Your Spine Out”
  10. Stevie Wonder – “Lately” / “If It’s Magic”
  11. Psychedelic Furs – “Heaven” / “Heartbeat (Remix)”
  12. The Cars – “Drive” / “Stranger Eyes”
  13. Sex Pistols – “God Save The Queen” / “Did You No Wrong”
  14. Run DMC – “It’s Tricky (Remix)” / “Proud To Be Black”
  15. Bow Wow Wow – “Go Wild in the Country” / “El Boss Dicho”
  16. Atomic Rooster – “Tomorrow Night” / “Play the Game”
  17. Black Sabbath – “Hard Road” / “Symptom of the Universe”
  18. Anthrax – “I’m the Man” / “Caught in a Mosh (Live)”
  19. Anti-Nowhere League – “I Hate… People” / “Let’s Break the Law”
  20. Eighth Wonder – “I’m Not Scared” / “J’ai Pas Peur”
  21. Lynsey De Paul – “Ooh I Do” / “Nothing Really Lasts Forever”
  22. Sly Fox – “Let’s Go All the Way” / “Como Tu Te Hama”

A great selection. I can honestly say that I’m not ashamed of any of those singles. Except, maybe, “Goodness Gracious Me” which is somewhat… ah, dated, shall we say? At least the lovely Sophia Loren adds a touch of class. And she’s not the only beautiful lady in the list – I always had a crush on Lynsey De Paul.

Notes:

Two Sex Pistols records included here. including the wonderful “God Save The Queen”, one of the greatest rock’n’roll songs ever recorded. And we all know it got to number one really! There’s also a track from Jones and Cook as The Professionals, here on a Sounds flexi disc with Ian Gillan.

“The Water Margin” was a classic Japanese television series, shown in the 1970s. I vaguely remember it, but watched a later 1980s re-run religiously. The theme tune is brilliant. This single features a version in English on one side, and Japanese on the other.

Some great classic rock in this list, with Blue Oyster Cult, Atomic Rooster and a later Black Sabbath single (on purple vinyl in this case). A legendary couple of Motorhead tracks too, plus Anthrax throwing down some proto rap metal.

More punk from the Anti-Nowhere League: both of those tracks are fantastic.

A really enjoyable evening of music: random but unforgettable. More soon.

Yawning Balch – Album Review

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Yawning Balch – Volume Three

Heavy Psych Sounds

Release date: 21/02/2025

Running time: 35 mins

Review by: Alun Jones

9.5/10

Dear old Jimbo Morrison, he was a clueless fool indeed. Many times, I used to drive Jim out to the desert so he could commune with shamanistic spirits in the sun-baked wilderness. Jimbo would spend hours out of his gourd, murmuring into the ether. Of course, what I used to do, was stop at a truck stop and load up on whiskey and other supplies on the way. Then when we got into the desert, ply Jimbo with the booze and feed him leaves of spinach out of a tin, telling him it was “good gear”. I’d wear a kid’s Native American fancy dress costume and mumble nonsense. Morrison never did wise up to it.

If you’re planning on a mind-expanding trip into the remote wastelands, you’d be much better off with this new album from Yawning Balch for company. The band is comprised of Fu Manchu’s Bob Balch on guitar, together with stoner rock legends Yawning Man, here consisting of Gary Arce (guitar), Mario Lalli (bass) and Bill Stinson (drums). This is volume three of a series of experiments that these gentlemen have produced, released by Heavy Psych Sounds.

Truth be told, this is a tough review to write. This is an instrumental album, consisting of just two songs. Both tracks are formed from experimental jam sessions, expansive psychedelic explorations that meander along like the Silver Surfer exploring a vast, distant galaxy. This is not an album of incendiary riffs and barking vocals.

First track ‘The Taos Hum’ is just over twenty minutes long. It will take you on an interstellar journey of shimmering guitars and rumbling percussion, resulting in a mesmerising encounter. The lack of vocals, or even a standard verse-chorus structure, doesn’t matter at all. Same story with ‘Winter Widow’, the second track: slightly shorter at 14 minutes, this is all about the journey and getting lost along the way.

“Volume Three” is a cinematic soundtrack for any road you’re on. Mellow and cerebral, this album by Yawning Balch grabbed me from the start, this is the first recording of 2025 that has captivated my senses and will be a Top Ten of the year contender. Magical and highly recommended.

Find out more about Yawning Balch on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify and Bandcamp.

This review is presented by Platinum Al in association with Ever Metal.

Ilex – Mutatio Album Review

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Ilex – Mutatio

Self released

Release date: 05/04/2024

Running time: 47 minutes

Review by: Alun Jones

8/10

There I was, just casually chilling between sets at McLeans in Pentre, when Frank – AKA Victim of Damp – said to me: “Hey Al, you should check this band out. They’re a Spanish Metal band, and they’re really good.” Frank sent me a link, and I gave said Spanish Metal band a listen. They’re called ILEX, and the album is called “Mutatio”, and he wasn’t wrong, to be fair.

“Mutatio” was actually written and worked on beginning some years ago, and eventually released back in April 2024. Even though it’s not a new release, I figured it was worth a review. What we have here is some fine thrash metal, with plenty of groove and some gargled Death vocals, with a nice experimental edge to set it off.

We start with some fine acoustic guitar on ‘Ardet Nec Consumitur’. a moody piece which erupts into the furious death-thrash of ‘F.P.T.S’. This track is fast, with a brutal chugging riff and growled vocals. Next is ‘Changing the Archetype’, where Ilex play with some contrasting tempos and sections. As we listen through the album, they’ve obviously challenged themselves to create progressive, expansive soundscapes and channel different styles.

‘Iceberg’ then begins with a slow, melodic intro: it’s an extended, progressive piece that really starts to evolve the sound. The aggressive metal in this track diverges brilliantly from the excellent, mellow middle section. The crunchier, ruthless riffs of tracks like ‘Rubble Survivor’ manage to comfortably nestle next to the spooky sound of instrumental ‘Omnia Mutantor, Nihil Interit’, as well as the bouncy groove of ‘Eyes of the Messiah’.

There’s the old school Metallica/Testament Thrash of ‘Cambrian Explosion’, but one of the highlights of the album is ‘The Pilgrimage’. Here the vocals are cleaner. but it’s the almost NWOBHM gallop of the track that really captures the groove here. Nice Purple style skronky organ at the end, too!

The production on “Mutatio” is really impressive, everything sounds clear but also has plenty of guts. The real success though is the mix of genres that Ilex are comfortable in exploring, whether that be Hardcore/Crossover, trad Thrash, Death or Groove metal – as well as the exquisite delicate moments. “Mutatio” has been maturing for a while, it’s well worth seeking out and dusting off.

Check out Ilex on Facebook, Spotify and Bandcamp.

This review is brought to you by Platinum Al in association with Ever Metal.

Jonathan Hultén – Album Review

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Jonathan Hultén – Eyes of the Living Night 

Kscope Records 

Release date: 31st January 2025 

Running time: 43 mins approx 

Review by: Alun Jones 

9/10 

WARNING: This is NOT a Heavy Metal album.  If you’re the type of listener that only wants to hear the loudest of pummelling riffs and ear slashing vocal roars, this may not be for you.  And that’s fine.  We all like to rage like Satan with a stubbed toe.  This is Ever METAL, after all.  If, on the other hand, you’re the kind of discerning listener who likes to temper the ferocity with atmosphere and introspection, take a seat. 

Jonathan Hultén is a Swedish singer-songwriter who first arrived on my radar as the support act for The Cult on their 84/24 tour last year.  Hultén was not what I anticipated at all for a major rock show: his music, performed solo, is a dark yet beautiful expression of acoustic, gothic melody and ethereal charm.   

This second album, “Eyes of the Living Night”, takes the listener on another fairy tale like walk in enchanted woods.  Beginning with ‘The Saga and the Storm’, the music is more soundtrack for a folk horror movie than a typical rock album.  This opening track is like a lost Morricone classic and builds to a gloriously uplifting finale.  Just wait for that mid song moment when your neck hairs will raise to the sky. 

First single ‘Afterlife’ features swirling keyboards and angelic vocals, while ‘Riverflame’ has the plaintive ambience of a Nine Inch Nails/Alice in Chains mash up.  The dreamy folk of ‘The Dream was the Cure’ offers a widescreen Scandinavian epic of reflection, and is a highlight of the album.  Weaving genres further, ‘Through the Fog, Into the Sky’ is a wonderful classical piano piece whilst ‘Vast Tapestry’ sees Hultén n the role of gentle folk troubadour. 

The concluding track, ‘Starbather’, works more like a rock ballad and bookends the album with a final flourish of bright optimism.   

“Eyes of the Living Night” won’t destroy your speakers, but it will take you to a mystical and unforgettable place.  With its layers of gothic ambience and mood elevating nuance, this album deserves to be a part of the Ever Metal community’s world.  The music of Jonathan Hultén will be there for you when you need to reach inside yourself, to heal and unwind.  Or to transport your mind to another world.  I genuinely love this album and heartily recommend it, I hope you’ll give it a chance. 

Find out more about Jonathan Hultén on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, YouTube and Bandcamp.

This review is brought to you by Platinum Al in association with Ever Metal.

Singles Night at the Virtual Hot Tub #37

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You wanted it – you got it! Another Singles Night at the Virtual Hot Tub. This is where I spend an evening playing 7 inch singles that have found their way into my vinyl collection, from any number of different sources. None of the records have been played before, so I spend a few hours playing both sides and working through that pile.

There’s usually plenty of variety in the stack, with songs old and new, from any genre. Anything can happen, so just enjoy the ride.

Grab a drink and let’s check out the latest playlist:

  1. The Beatles – “Now and Then” / “Love Me Do”
  2. The Dickies – “Banana Splits” / “Hideous” / “Got It at the Store”
  3. S.S.S. – “CDC” / “Bath Night” / “Thrash with a Small Moustache” / “Black Night White Light”
  4. 999 – “Little Red Riding Hood” / “Wait For Your Number to be Called” / “I Ain’t Gonna Tell Ya”
  5. Roxy Music – “Jealous Guy” / “To Turn You On”
  6. Ram Jam – “Black Betty” / “I Should Have Known”
  7. Bee Gees – “Tragedy” / “Until”
  8. ABBA – “One Of Us” / “Should I Laugh or Cry”
  9. Sweet – “Love is Like Oxygen” / “Cover Girl”
  10. The Alarm – “Spirit of ’76” / “Where Were You Hiding When the Storm Broke? (Live)”
  11. Nancy Sinatra – “Love Eyes” / “Coastin'”
  12. Kool & The Gang – “Joanna” / “Tonight”
  13. Rick Dees & His Cast of Idiots – “Disco Duck (Pt. 1)” / “Disco Duck ({Pt. 2)”
  14. Matthew Wilder – “Break My Stride” / “Break My Stride (Instrumental)”
  15. Bee Gees – “Night Fever” / “Down the Road”
  16. Dire Straits – “Romeo & Juliet” / “Solid Rock”
  17. Nilsson – “Without You” / “Gotta Get Up”
  18. Sinitta – “Right Back Where We Started From” / “I Just Can’t Help It”
  19. Sabrina – “Boys (Summertime Love)” / “Get Ready (Holiday Rock)”
  20. Oceanic – “Insanity (Legendary Mix)” / “Reality”
  21. Charlie Pride – “The Most Beautiful Girl” / Johnny Cash – “Ring of Fire” / Crystal Gayle – “Miss the Mississippi & You” / Tammy Wynette – “Stand By Your Man” / Bertie Higgins – “Key Largo”

Twenty one records this week, and enough variety to keep anyone on their toes. Disco, punk, pop and rock classics – this was one of my best Singles Nights yet.

Notes:

The Beatles single is their last ever song, released recently and backed with their first ever single. A must for the collection.

That Dickies single is on yellow vinyl, naturally. The 999 record is plain old black vinyl, but I’ve been after that for a very long time. It was one of the songs on the first punk/new wave compilation I heard, it confused me as it didn’t sound “punk” (or what I thought was punk at the time). Great song.

SSS stands for Short Sharp Shock, a hardcore/skate thrash band from Liverpool that I can’t believe I never saw live. The last track is dedicated to Metallica bass legend Cliff Burton.

That final 7″ country record i picked up for 50p in a charity shop. Plain sleeve, so very little information – some fantastic songs though. not least my all time hero, Johnny Cash.

Miami Supercops – Album Review

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Jamie Spilsbury – Miami Supercops

Self released

Last September, I reviewed the debut album by a gentleman by the name of Jamie Spilsbury. Jamie is a multi-talented individual with a wide range of skills and hobbies – from author, artist, photographer to musician. Seriously, this guy puts most of us to shame. Previously I reviewed the album “Don’t Be Cruel”, an avant-garde mixture of musical genres and spoken word pieces that intrigues and thrills in equal measure. This time, something completely different is on offer.

‘Miami Suopercops’ is a tribute to the 1980’s movie of the same name, and is steeped in electronica of the time. It’s like an imaginary soundtrack for the film, with separate movements and styles to conjure the action on screen. Now I’ve never seen this particular movie, but I’ve seen many similar television programmes and movies from the time back in my youth. If you’ve ever seen Miami Vice, or heard the music of Vangelis or John Carpenter, you’ll feel right at home here in seconds.

‘Devil’s Reef’ starts us off with a throbbing bass and energetic rhythm (very Miami Vice) and sets an ominous tone. It’s totally evocative of themes from the era. The tracks are mostly instrumental, which adds to the authenticity that Jamie is striving for. ‘Morals’ is a more laidback, reflective number. whilst in ‘Sudden Impact’, the listener can feel the tension rise as the plot thickens.

‘Sunrise’ is another pleasantly moody piece, while ‘Target Locked’ is again a more action-orientated song. What’s great is you can imagine the “movie” in your mind’s eye as you listen along! On ‘Streets with no name’ I can just see the cops cruising the Miami highways in the dead of night, their Ferrari illuminated by the omnipresent neon. ‘Stealth’ begins just like a stakeout, and features some rare, but excellent female vocals. The credits roll with ‘Ghetto Blaster’ and the story is nearly over.

With an apt cover of Jan Hammer’s ‘Crockett’s Theme’ from Miami Vice added as a bonus track of sorts, we reach the end of “Miami Supercops”. I may not be the most knowledgeable when it comes to electronica, but I grew up watching films and TV shows of this type back in the day, and this work sounds completely authentic and immersive. Full marks Jamie, you’ve managed to recreate a time and genre with skill and an easily recognised affection.

Follow Jamie Spilsbury on X/Twitter for more info, and a link to “Miami Supercops”.

North West Doom Fest – Part 2

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North West Doom Fest 

4th – 5th April 2025 

The Saddle, Chester 

Saturday 5th April 

Following a blinder of an evening’s entertainment for Day the First of North West Doom Fest, I was rested and ready to go for Saturday.  Beginning at an earlier time in the afternoon, I unfortunately missed the first band of the bill, Hand of Omega, who played while I was still travelling into town.  Sincere apolgies for this to all, I must catch them again sometime. 

Arriving at the Saddle, the festivities were well and truly underway already.  A decent sized crowd were in attendance in the rear courtyard, cradling beers and nursing themselves back to full health.  There was no downer atmos that I could discern at all  however, everyone seemed amped for the music ahead. 

Moss Valley were the first band of the day that I actually got to see, and they were pretty damn good.  This three piece straddled a retro seventies vibe with added desert rock Kyuss stylings.  Great riffs and warm female vocals adding to the melodies, Moss Valley really made a huge impression.  It’s tough to pick favourites at an event like this, but MV were definitely contenders. 

https://www.facebook.com/mossvalleyband/

Up next we had a visit from the Pagan lords of the north, Sabbat Wolf.  This Leeds based band featured exemplary musicianship, again with a commanding female vocalist.  What I enjoyed here were the Sabbath worshipping riffs augmented by beautifully tuneful, mellow passages that reminded me of Pink Floyd.  Sabbat Wolf really stood out with these psychedelic flourishes and their unashamed occult theme – their song ‘Pagan Bloody Pagan’ tells you all you need to know! 

https://www.facebook.com/sabbatwolf/

Warpstormer had travelled up from Londonium to the ancient, walled city of Chester. These guys mix full throttle Metal with their Doom, think Orange Goblin rocking out at their trippiest.  It’s a Stoner Metal attack that could have been related somewhere to Entombed or Motorhead, but had enough power and groove to fit in perfectly at this gig. Warpstomer were real crowd pleasers and also really nice guys. 

https://www.facebook.com/Warpstormer/

Get your flat caps on and forget your fear of heights, it’s time for Shred Dibnah!  The world’s premier Steeple Jack Rock band graced the stage of NW Doom Fest, amid clouds of smoke and a pummelling performance.  With a portable chimney on stage belching out clouds, Shred Dibnah demolished the audience with roaming riffs and contrasting mellow sections that added to the hypnotic drill. 

https://www.facebook.com/shreddibnah/?locale=en_GB

Borehead were the next band of the day, and again a different take on the Doom template.  In contrast to other bands, these Londoners were largely instrumental – except for some weird and wonderful samples – with slow, fuzzy riffs more spaced out than Buck Rogers on a Venusian hookah pipe.  Cerebral stuff that you’d assume would be better appreciated on headphones with some refreshment, but it went over very well. 

https://www.facebook.com/boreheadofficial/

I was already familiar with the mighty Deathfiend – I caught them live a while back, and was happily smashed to pieces with their ferocious onslaught.  With elements of Death Metal and even Hardcore Punk in the Deathfiend sound, I wasn’t sure if they’d be too damn nasty for this festival, but they slotted right in neatly.  Outrageously heavy Doom riffs delivered with a fiery intensity, this band are a force to be reckoned with. 

https://www.facebook.com/DeathFiend1/?locale=en_GB

You know how sometimes you see a band that looks so cool, you want to join up?  Kill The Witch were that band at NW Doom Fest.  These guys meld together the Sludgiest of Stoner and Doom Metal, traversing varying tempos and styles but always remaining true to The Riff.  Roaring vocals top off a faster, more furious Sabbath sound that’s not without its clever invention and serpent-like surprises, throwing in some brutal hardcore along the way. 

https://www.facebook.com/killthewitchband/

Finishing off NW Doom Fest 2025 were the mighty Amon Acid. Another Yorkshire based band, their distorted Doom Metal was part Electric Wizard style occult Metal, with hypnotic, psychedelic passages added for kicks.  Yet again a different take on Doom with Hawkwind Space Rock and amazing Middle Eastern sounding passages seeping through the acid drenched fuzzy guitar, Amon Acid were a thoroughly entertaining musical experience, finishing the event in style. 

https://www.facebook.com/amonacidband/?locale=en_GB

And that, kids, was your lot.  Everything was wrapped up in a timely fashion so that the punters could make buses and trains home, all of us with beaming, happy faces – gorged on the joy of The Riff.  North West Doom Fest was a resounding success and I have to say I enjoyed every band I saw.  All of them had their own unique identities, whichever winding track they took from the original concept of Doom.  Cool venue, too.  Now I feel really stupid for not going last year.            

https://www.facebook.com/Thesaddleinnchester/?locale=en_GB