After Randy Blythe was arrested on a charge of manslaughter in the Czech Republic in June 2012, the future of Lamb of God was uncertain. If found guilty, it would put the band on hold for approximately a decade – and given that their 2011 release ‘Resolution’ placed the band further into the big league, the timing could not be more unfortunate. Understandably, given the good news of his innocence – a decision reached in March 2013 – the band’s first return to the UK just under a year later is cause for celebration; their show at London’s Brixton Academy is, unsurprisingly, a sell-out.
Huntress: Confirmed European headline shows
As their support slots with Lamb of God draw to a close, those in Europe will get the opportunity to see US metal band Huntress headline their own shows very shortly.
The confirmed dates are as follows:
SEVEN DEADLY – Obliviation
Seven Deadly’s debut release, the ‘Allegiance EP’, gained the band positive coverage from lots of different corners of the rock press, with independent websites, established magazines and one-man bloggers practically falling over themselves to praise the British quintet. From the ashes of Panic Cell, this then new band proved that they had so much to give. …And a year down the road, with their first full length release, the band shows no signs of tiring. If anything, they sound even better.
The Selecter to headline Chagstock Festival; first acts announced
The first acts have been confirmed for the 2014 Chagstock Festival.
Set across 70 acres of farmland in Whidden Down near Dartmoor, Chagstock has become one of the west country’s best-loved events. In 2013, the festival was headlined by The Boomtown Rats; the 2014 event will be headlined by British ska legends The Selecter. A big year for Pauline Black and co, who celebrate 35 years of their classic debut ‘Too Much Pressure’.
PICASTRO – You
Picastro have slowly been marking a place for themselves in the world of alternative music with their wandering soundscapes since the late 90s. Prior to this fifth release, they’ve toured with alt-folk/anti-folk acts Broken Social Scene, Scout Niblett and Devandra Banhart, their sound slowly evolving all the while. If you didn’t “get” the band previously, 2014’s ‘You’ is intent on making sure you still won’t. In fact, ‘You’ is far more experimental than most of their prior works (certainly true if measured solely against 2007’s ‘Red Your Blues’). Sure, they could channel their talents into something dreamy and in turn attract a larger audience of devotees, but then again, that would also destroy most of what makes the band so striking.