Mad About Rock

  BLOODSTOCK has two true loves…heavy and metal. This Valentine’s, let BLOODSTOCK sweep you off your feet with 18 more crushing bands for August’s best metal weekender. And, with the line-up now complete for the two biggest stages, day tickets have gone on sale in the ticket store. With SOEN, COMBICHRIST, XENTRIX, RYUJIN, IGNEA, UNPEOPLE, BURNER and many more all joining the bill, there’s something this year for everyone on Catton Park’s hallowed turf! If you’re still hungry for more, why not get involved in your local Metal 2 The Masses heats, and be part of shaping the line-up for the Hopical Storm New Blood stage, with lots of lower card bands still to be confirmed in the coming months. Joining Sunday’s Ronnie James Dio main stage bill are Swedish progressive metallers, SOEN . The band recently released their sixth studio album, ‘Memorial’, via Spinefarm Records. Check out the lead single, ‘Unbreakable’, taken from that album here . And opening Sunday’s main stage are ex...

I interviewed guitarist, Ade Mulgrew of Northern Ireland's Darkest Era back in 2012 and since then they have been busy and released a new album, 'Severance' which was released on the 13th June 2014. I done a follow up interview with Ade to see what the band have been up to since and to find out all about the new album... Its been three years since the release of your debut album, 'The Last Caress Of Light', what have you all been up to? We spent the subsequent year doing a couple of UK tours, a European tour and some festivals and one off shows. After this we had some lineup changes and we wrote and recorded Severance at the end of this period. So the last year or so has basically been spend rebuilding the band and finding the right label to release Severance. Now it's out and we're beginning a new and exciting chapter in the bands existence. In this time you have acquired some new members, how do you think this changed the dynamics or sound of new...

Irish celtic metal act return with their much awaited Sophomore album, 'Severance' which will receive a worldwide release via Cruz Del Sur Music on June 16th in the UK and as the follow up to their 2011 debut, ‘The Last Caress Of Light’ which was released via Metal Blade Records and received positive press the stakes are high!.. Opening song, 'Sorrow's Boundless Realm' displays strong celtic instruments with an old school style sinister sound with great guitar work from Ade & Sarah throughout, pounding mental drums and huge vocals from Krum! Its not just Krum's vocals that tell the story as the instruments have so much depth and emotion. This is an epic hit the nail on the head opening track; they pour everything into this and if you haven't heard the band before, you will immediately be struck by their powerful Celtic metal... 'Songs Of Gods and Men' keeps up the momentum and has great tempos that keep you enthralled and with a mix of intr...

Darkest Era are a celtic metal band from Northern Ireland, although not just strictly celtic metal as they have other genres mixed in to create their epic sound. The band signed with the mighty Metal Blade Records back in 2010 and released their first full length debut through the label, the brilliant, "The Last Caress Of Light". This band is one to look out for! They have recently just finished a 14 date tour with 'pirate metal' band, Alestorm and Australian folk metal band, Claim The Throne on the "Useless Drunken Bastards" UK and Ireland tour in February 2012. I was lucky enough to witness all 3 bands in action on the 14th of February in Brighton at The Haunt. If you haven't seen Darkest Era or heard their music, you best do it now! I asked guitarist, Ade Mulgrew about touring with Alestorm, live shows, signing with Metal Blade Records and what the future holds... So I saw you at The Haunt in Brighton on the February 14 th , and th...