3 INCHES OF BLOOD - Ride Darkhorse Ride

Now this is pretty damn good. Musically, the band reminds me of Iron Maiden, but with the added bonus of some black metal vocals, and some operatic wails for good measure. The band proclaims their mission is to "make Metal be your master", and you can't fault that laudable aim.

Of the 3 tracks on offer, "Onward To Valhalla" is the standout with a galloping riff that wouldn't be out of place on "Piece Of MInd". Top notch. Lyrically, they deal in the standard medieval and fantasy motifs, but with a dark bent. They've got an album out in Canada called " Battlecry Under a Winter Sun", but there's no mention of this EP, so they might not even know about it! Odd. I assume it's due to their impending UK arrival where, as well as festivals and some solo dates, they'll be playing with the mighty Slayer!!! So keep an eye open in July.

http://www.threeinchesofblood.com

BRADY COLE - JUKEBOX EP

If I'd been in a band that had supported Big Country, Gillan, Thunder, Dare and Gun, then I'd be keeping schtum. Becasue that makes me old. And, apparently, this rock and roll thing is a young mans game. However, Bardy Cole are trying to overcome the twin handicaps of an old bloke member and coming fae Fife to have a crack. And by crack I mean go.

Starting off as a studio project, BC have been developing a melodic rock style, without getting stuck in an 80s lighter alert stylee, and on several of these tunes, have pretty much nailed it. There is still a tinge of the studio about it, so hopefully their burgeoning live experience will add that extra bit oomph (to use a muso term), to what, in places, has a degree of sterility.

As I've said about other bands, a distinctive sound is necessary to stand out from the crowd, and BC have the potential to be that band. Although having their own studio to work in is a good thing, it might be an idea to get some external ears in, just to act as a sounding board. With over half the tunes here being worthy of revisiting, BC might just make it. All they need now is the attitude to match the music.

carpitstudios@aol.com

30,000+ Bands CD

This list (in Word & Excel format) was compiled by Dave Hughes

There are, so far 33,597 different groups/Bands listed in this project from 1960 to the present day, and most types of music are included. No single artists are included, not intentionally anyway. Unlike similar list’s you will find on the Internet and in books this list contains names of all Groups that existed at some time, whether or not they ever released any official records. Although most are from either the UK or USA, many others from all over the World are mentioned.

The information about each Group/Band will be gradually increased in time. Any information about any of the Groups listed (and others) would be very welcome and will be included when he updates this list. He has recently added a file on venue addresses and telephone numbers. Some of the numbers listed may only be for agents representing certain acts that have or will play there. He will add and improve this listing when time allows.

Email: dave_hughes6@yahoo.co.uk Updated copies of the Full lists are available on CD, price is £5.00 and that includes delivery (Britain and Europe), elsewhere £6.50 (Foreign currency OK, but no foreign cheques please). Please make out your payment to D.Hughes. 22 Walnut Court, Vallentin Road, Walthamstow, London, E17 3JL

Unos Dabs - Titjar Evening (demo)

Now my knowledge of dodgy 80's indie bands is limited, so a brief link to Creation Records Emily means little beyond them being an early home for a now Super Furry Animal. I have a vague recollection of a name on dodgy compilation albums, but that's about it. Although, to be fair, one of their releases was in Alan McGees top 10 favourite Creation singles.

Unos Dabs have been gigging around the North of England, and apparently their reception in folk clubs has been muted. And I'm not surprised. With the best will in the world, a lack of arran and possession of a drum machine are hanging offences in some places. What Unos Dabs, and do well, is a mix of their indie roots and an acoustic warmth that on 3 or 4 of these songs works very well. However, I'd be on the lookout for a more distinctive vocalist if I had serious ambitions to break out of the bedroom, into a wider world.

METALLICA - St Anger

The way the meeja has behaved, you'd think this was the 2nd coming. Fair enough, the juggernaut that is Metallica, is capable of taking out most of the rock world when it revs up, and heads out on the highway, but it is only rock and roll.

Rock and roll that has become fairly dull and uninteresting since Metallica abdicated their throne, only to find their grunged successors commiting suicide one by one. So they've come back, not only to claim their throne but to make the rock roll on emore time. But can they do it. Has age and sobriety blunted their swords (or thermal lance as Rob Halford would have it).

Unfortunately, the answer is yes and no. Yes, it blows "Load" and "Reload" out of the water. Is it better than "And Justice..". Yes. Is it is as good as the first 3 albums. No. Will it sell as many as the overrated Black album. No. The main problem is in the edit. The songs are just too damn long. But sometimes the fire burns bright. Hetfields baritone goes yeeeaaggh, the riffs pound, they band builds up to a moment of pure thrash, and the world spins properly on its axis one more time. "My World" is the jewel in the crown, and shows just how great Metallica can be. "Sweet Amber" and "The Unnamed Feeling" come close. There are moments on the title track when the band remember how great they are, and just rock. And it is good.

But the shadow of the 90's still hangs over some of the material. "Frantic" is a good idea spoilt by a naff chorus, "Some Kind Of Monster" is just dull, as is "All Within My Hands". Hetfield is the star of the show, his rage more powerful than ever, as he rails against his demons, and even Ulrich almost manages to keep up the pace, although there are times when the frenetic riffage leaves him for dead. As for Hammet, well you can barely tell he's there, as this is a solo free album. However, the biggest loss is Newsted. There's a lack of bottom end, and the bass is mixed so low, as to be irrelevant. Sometimes, when the band get ready to kick up to the next gear, they look over their shoulder for Jason to give them a push, and, of course, he's not there.

Don't get me wrong, this is the best Metallica album since the 1980's, which makes it 10 times better than most of the muck that's out there. Meteroa, anyone? And it's a joy to hear them "bang their heads like it's 1985!", one more time (c) Phil Anselmo:-)

A few hours after typing this I watched Metallica performing live at Rock am Ring, and 10 minutes into the set and I'm wiping sweat from my brow as I thrashed my through "No Remorse", complete with shredding Hammet solo (see above). Barely time for breath, then off into "Harvester Of Sorrow", then "...Sanitarium", "For Whom The Bell Tolls", thrown away early, as if to say, "we are so metal we don't need to save this for later". By the time they got all Lovecraftian on my ass ("The Thing That...."), you could have entered me in the smiliest man in the universe competition, assured of victory. Hetfield riffed and roared, the bald Norwegian pounded, Hammet made up for the solo free ceedee, the funky gibbon looned. Live, they slayed. They have come to reclaim their thrones as Kings Of Metal.

SHIVA SHAKTI - “Shiva Shakti”

Shiva Shakti is a two piece with ex Quintessence member Shiva Jones (formerly Shiva Shankar real name Phil Jones) on vocals and didgeridoo and Swiss musician Rudra Beauvert on synths, programs and vocals. They are joined by other musicians on 6 of the 10 tracks including original Quintessence man Maha Dev (Dave Codling) on guitars on ‘Notting Hill Gate’, the band’s catchy single release from 1970 Martin C Strong in his excellent ‘Great Psychedelic Discography’ (Canongate Books) sums up the original Quintessence approach to music making succinctly: “A fusion of Eastern religious chanting and improvised jazz rock, their eponymous second album took them from the underground to the mainstream, mantras such as ‘Shiva’s Chant’ and ‘High on Mt. Kailash’ (recreated on ‘Shiva Shakti’) imprinting the group in the psychedelic consciousness.” (‘Quintessence- Open to You’ actually nearly made the top 20 UK albums.) The hypnotic second track on this CD ‘The Seer’ (from 1971’s top 50 album ‘Dive Deep’) segues into a new Beauvert-Jones composition ‘Do the Shiva Dance’. There are two more new interpretations by Jones of Quintessence originals in ‘Brahman’ (from 1972’s ‘Self’, another top 10 album) and ‘Sea of Immortality’. The best moments though come in the 10 minute track- this has a great Steve Hillage like mystical feel about it helped along by some snappy bass and drums by Enzo Lopardo. ‘Shiva Shakti’ will appeal to all followers of Quintessence with some ‘modern touches’ and a bit of satirical social commentary thrown in- the humorous, part narrative ‘More Than Meets the Eye’ (Warning this will not be to everyone’s taste- more ‘trance’ than ‘psychedelic/ mystical) and the funky blues of ‘Orango Tango’ featuring John Carey on harmonica and Parvati Devi on vocals for instance. (Mystical Records MYS CD 163)

(reviewed by Phil Jackson)

Ian McNabb - Boots (limited edition)

Now this is nice. An individually numbered set of 1000 double CD sets containing over two hours of previously unreleased Ian McNabb material. Which equals 24 tracks, demos, live, acoustic versions, nicked off the radio. First come, first served, no repressings. Mine seems to be number OB1 which might make some people very jealous, or I don't understand the numbering system / format. Which is always probable. Never did get the hang of that pesky new fangled so-called number 0 / zero. WHich isn't a number, but let's not have any more wars over it. We differ.

Anyway, oodles of goodies here. Some of the demos are absolutely fabulous, "Beautiful Old Mystery", "Love's Young Dream", "May You Always". I could go on, and will. "These Are The Days", a live version of "Sometimes I Think ABout You" and a game attempt at "Won't Get Fooled Again", yes, that one.

If there's any left you can get one for £18.00, cheques payable to Ian McNabb, post to Ian McNabb, PO Box 136, Livrpool, L69 6DZ, UK. Furriners appear to be stuffed, but if you send some kind of International Reply Coupon thingy, I'm sure there may (or may not) be a mechanism in place. And if you live in Nerja, Spain, ask Ian to bring a few when he comes in September.