MAYHEM are getting free advertising from Family First in NZ

Family First, a group of do-gooders who think that they are helping society by sheltering children instead of preparing them for the real world, have made some statements telling people to avoid the Mayhem show in NZ. Yeah, that'll work. In fact, I expect this announcement will actually only lead to increased ticket sales, because as it stands, this gig was relatively unannounced outside the usual circles. So now that more people know Mayhem are coming, the King's Arms Tavern stand to pack the place out.

One of my favourite quotes from the promoter, when he was asked if people going to the gig should fear for their safety was "Absolutely. If there is one show this year where one can reasonably expect one’s safety to be compromised by the performing act, this is the one. With the history this band have, it would be flat out ludicrous for one to attend this show with an expectation of being safe, unmolested and unsubjected to offence."

Fucking hilarious. Now Mayhem aren't my thing because they're more experimental psychedelic sounding insano-music (and I don't consider them Black Metal, just like I don't consider Venom BM either -- I think they inspired BM, but that's as far as it goes).

So groups like Family First are too stupid to realise that kicking up a stink about it will actually result in the exact opposite result they want. They are actually helping advertise the Mayhem show. Free of charge. Retaaaaaarded. But I don't expect anything less from religious nutters. I'm expecting the Salvation Army to make an appearance, spitting bile through their megaphones on the night, and I expect them to be louder and more offensive than Mayhem.

Warrel Dane – Praises To The War Machine

I just got this recently for $12 in the Real Groovy Auckland metal sale bin.

Warrel Dane is of course the vocalist/frontman of the excellent Nevermore, and formerly Sanctuary.

His solo album Praises To The War Machine came out in 2008. I heard a couple of the tracks at the time which were nothing amazing, particularly when one considers the staggeringly good releases that Nevermore previously produced (e.g. Dreaming Neon Black, Dead Heart In A Dead World, and This Godless Endeavour). I also read a couple of reviews that generally suggested that it was a typical solo album in that it didn't really produce anything of great note.

Now that I have it I'm pleased to say it's a very good and very enjoyable album, and while it can't touch Nevermore's best stuff, it's worth owning even at full price I'd say. The cover version of Lucretia My Reflection (originally by Sisters Of Mercy of course) didn't grab me on first listen I have to say, but after three listens now I'm liking that a lot too.

The album features playing and some songwriting by Peter Witchers (Soilwork), and Matt Wicklund (ex-Himsa), and a couple of guest guitar solos.

Rock on!

“No Sleep Til” festival – Auckland and Australia

The word is spreading fast.

See http://www.nosleeptil.com.au/

Fri 10th December, ASB Showgrounds (the area the Logan Campbell centre is in, Greenlane Akld)

Megadeth headline, as part of their effort to play the whole of Rust In Piece to just about everybody in the world

The band of most interest to me, and most (pleasant!) surprise to see on the bill is Norway's Katatonia.

Perhaps equally surprising to see in NZ is Gwar, that should be a laugh.

Obviously if this festival wasn't playing across Aussie then we wouldn't be getting these bands here, so kudos to the organisers!

Other bands include - NOFX (their last album Coaster was very good), 3 Inches of Blood, Dropkick Murphys, Parkway Drive, plus Antagonist AD lead a small kiwi contingent for the Auckland show.

I've booked a cheap flight already. My girlfriend and I were already taking a long weekend (Sat-Mon) in Akld that weekend anyway so I'll just go up early afternoon on the Friday instead.