Kite Thief gained some hugely enthusiastic press in 2023. Championed by Metal Hammer, Kerrang! and Total Rock, as well as gaining airplay on several BBC regional stations, the band’s crossover sound connected with an enthusiastic audience. Armed with one of the year’s best singles in ‘Judge Judy and Executioner’ and some equally huge sounds on their debut EP, the band seemed set to make 2024 an even bigger success.
Author Archives: Real Gone
THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #34
Welcome back to the Real Gone Singles Bar, the place where we take a look at some of the individual mp3s that have landed in our inbox over the previous few weeks. Despite January traditionally being a quiet time, we’ve gathered a few great tunes this time around, capturing some of the typical SB variety, ranging from huge rock riffs, to a goth laden throwback, and even a tune with its heart firmly in a Laurel Canyon past… As always, we hope you’ll find something new to enjoy.
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Great Adventure: A Beginner’s Guide To Magnum
They might not have ever made it as big as Thin Lizzy or Whitesnake, and they never cracked the American market, but few rock bands have ever been quite as reliable as Magnum. Their journey to becoming one of Europe’s best and most treasured bands wasn’t always smooth, but after years of hard graft, they eventually found fame in the early to mid 80s, becoming a fan favourite both in the live setting and on record. Perhaps more impressive is the band’s consistency in the songwriting department. Guitarist Tony Clarkin (1946-2024) had an ability to write both rousing rockers and thoughtful narratives with equal skill, and his gifts for writing songs with huge, sweeping melodies made him a true giant of melodic rock. Their vast catalogue contains relatively few weak releases, and in many ways, shows why Magnum albums have often felt like one of rock music’s greatest comforts. But…if you’ve never taken the plunge, or perhaps only ever bought the ‘Marauder’ live album and ‘On A Storyteller’s Night’, what have you missed? Here’s the Real Gone guide to the Magnum essentials!
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Keep ’em Peeled: Six of The Best For ’24
2023 was a great year for Real Gone. Over the course of the twelve months, we covered a record number of new bands, and our inbox of submissions was never less than full. Naturally, we found a lot of new music to enjoy, but a few acts really stood out. In this feature, we’ve earmarked a few emerging talents that we feel will go on to even better things in 2024. If you’ve been paying attention, chances are, a couple of these names are familiar to you already, but if not, it’s time to get on board (semi) early. Here are Real Gone’s top picks to become even bigger successes this year!
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ARKAYIC REVOLT – Atlantis Rising EP
Arkayic Revolt first appeared on the metal scene back in 2008, but chances are you missed them the first time around. During their brief time together, the Canadian thrash metal band released an EP, a sole full length album and a single, before calling it a day in 2011.