When Napalm Death appeared on the scene in the late 80s, they were one of the most extreme bands ever. Their grindcore assault, delivering uber-short metal numbers with a hardcore punk aggression, made their debut album ‘Scum’ almost impenetrable. It wasn’t just the sheer intensity that made it somehow fascinating, but also the fact that each side of the LP was recorded with almost an entirely different line-up, with only drummer Mick Harris remaining. This was clearly a band who mightn’t go the distance…

Napalm Death weren’t just a flash in the pan. A second album, recorded with vocalist Lee Dorrian – who appeared on part of the debut – assaulted the listener with a similar intensity over the course of twenty two numbers. After this, he would soon depart to form the doom metal band Cathedral and guitarist Bill Steer would form Carcass, both of who also achieved cult success. [While neither of Napalm’s first two albums were a commercial success, they’ve been critically acclaimed by the press, with ‘Scum’ heralded as a groundbreaking work].

From the band’s third album onwards, regrouping with vocalist Mark ‘Barney’ Greenway on board, Napalm began a long and far more settled journey, one which would see them temper their sound a little, mixing their grindcore roots with copious death and thrash metal influences. As the gig below demonstrates – recorded 25 years, fifteen albums and several line-up shifts into the band’s surprisingly long career – any tempering is relative, since Napalm still carry a hefty punch.

While Napalm Death have never been a band that Real Gone has really understood, that their extreme sounds could gain a much bigger audience than the likes of ‘Scum’ would have ever suggested years ago is something to be admired. [Early performance and interview footage can also be found in the video clips here].

Early in 2012, folk-punk troubadour Frank Turner announced he would be embarking on a new project which returned to the hardcore roots of Million Dead.

In August 2012, the first clip of that new band, Mongol Horde, appeared online, capturing the musicians live in their rehearsal space.

At the end of the month, Mongol Horde played well-received sets at the Reading and Leeds festivals. Prior to those well publicised appearances, the band made their public debut at The Wheelbarrow in Camden, supported by an enthusiastic and very intimate crowd. That performance can now be viewed below.

US metallers Machine Head returned to the UK in the summer of 2012 to perform a headline set at the Bloodstock metal festival. Sharing a bill with Alice Cooper, Sepultura, Paradise Lost, Nile and Corrosion of Conformity, Machine Head found themselves as one of the headline acts on one of the strongest ever Bloodstock bills to date, and so, had to deliver.

Although there was no danger of Machine Head disappointing their fans, the final setlist was given an extra strength: fans were allowed to vote for the five ‘Burn My Eyes’ era songs they would most like to hear, thus celebrating twenty five years since Machine Head’s much lauded debut was released.

You can watch all of Machine Head’s set below:

In 2010, Parisian punks The Black Stout released their debut EP. The self-financed release was one of that year’s best DIY punk releases, really capturing the spirit of the band’s influences while mixing it with a hefty dose of talent. Their second release – the eight song vinyl ‘A Pint of Riot’ – branched out a little farther, incorporating a few more punk ‘n’ roll elements. While not as instant, that second release proved this band on the rise still weren’t short of attitude.

Since those outside France have not had the opportunity to catch The Black Stout live (yet), below are two full length shows for you to enjoy. While the band may not appear as visually energetic as some, these clips more than capture the musical spirit of their two releases to date.

Enjoy. [Please note: the second clip features strobey lighting]

[Both EPs can be purchased from The Black Stout’s Bandcamp page.]

July 2012