Doozr's Half-Time Review

It's been a busy old year, musically speaking. 24 album purchases in 6 months, of which 14 were released in 2010. And of course, there are numerous artists and albums that I've heard but not bought. With this wealth of new musical greatness, I thought I'd break from tradition and produce my personal "best of" list for the first half of 2010 rather than waiting until New Year. So without further ado, here are my top 5 albums of 2010, part 1.

Dark Tranquillity - We Are The Void

I think this one goes without saying. My review of the album has been criticised for being less of a review, and more an outpouring of praise for this amazing album. I plead guilty, your honour.

65DaysOfStatic - We Were Exploding Anyway

One to work to. Whether writing code, mowing the lawn or writing blog posts, this post-rock/dance infusion is both motivating and enthusing. It's a fair departure from previous albums, but all the better for it.

Tarot - Gravity Of Light

This is my new driving album. Doesn't matter where I'm going or what sort of traffic I'm stuck in, this album makes it all the more bearable. Wind down the windows, turn up the volume, and use the steering wheel as your drum kit.

Martriden - Encounter The Monolith

Surprise of the year comes from Martriden. I first heard about this album on Invisible Oranges, and bought it on a whim. It's brilliant, and definitely one to put on headphones and listen to properly. Like so many death/black metal albums, the joy is in the subtle details that you might miss if you just had it on as background noise.

Anathema - We're Here Because We're Here

A latecomer, having only been released very recently, but instantly a "best of" candidate. I've lost track of how many times I've listened to this album, and when I do it feels so very familiar. It's like I've never not known it.

Of course, lists should always be 10 items long. I've only listed my "top five" so that, come Christmas, I'll have a "top ten". But just in case the second half of the year fails to live up to the promise of the first, here are five honourable mentions.

Ghost Brigade - Isolation Songs

I picked this one up from Amazon's MP3 shop after spotting them in my last.fm recommendations. A bit more commercial than the likes of Dark Tranquillity, and with a vocal leaning toward Black Metal, but still some brilliant tracks.

Dream Theater - Octavarium

Prog rock meets heavy metal. It's heavy, it's twiddly, it's definitely prog. This is what you'd hear if Montgomery Hall in Wath held 10,000 people.

The Engines Of Armageddon - Self Titled

Probably the best stoner-thrash-prog-doom-groove metal band in the world.

Avenged Sevenfold - Self Titled

Another one of those random Twitter followers that I thought I'd check out. Ostensibly metal-core, but with heavy metal, hard rock and many other influences. This album changes genre faster than I change underpants. A bit thrash, a bit heavy, a bit stoner, and just a bit good.

The Courteeners - Falcon

What's this? Not metal? Well no. I do like a fair old variety of music, and that does include a bit of radio friendly indie. I surprised myself by liking them so much, but like them I do and this is a bloody good album. A guilty pleasure indeed.

Gigs, gigs and erm more gigs - part two.

A challenge was set for 2010. Doozr and I hope to attend at least one unique gig a month. A challenge indeed with our hectic lives. To date we have done an excellent job and although Doozr is one gig ahead of me, I think we'll both be cruising to the finish line with a good 14 or more gigs under our belts. So what has Sheffield got to offer for the latter half of this year?

We are off to see Engines of Armageddon again in a couple of weeks. This time at West Street Live, a venue I have not yet had the pleasure of. I hope a few more people turn up this time. Doozr and Tanzeelat had lots of fun being the entire audience I know, but some other bodies to mosh about with would be ideal.

On the 17th July we are heading to another new venue, Abbeydale Picture House. Dead Like Harry are performing here as part of the charity event Sound Clash.  Really couldn't resist seeing these live again.

Panic Room will be playing O2 Academy on the 10th September. Although we have heard many good things about this band, neither of us have actually heard their music yet. Female fronted prog rock is a pretty safe bet though to be fair.

On the 5th October The Magic Numbers will be playing Leadmill. This gig was originally advertised for the 9th June, however it has been postponed to October. Tickets for the original date will be accepted on the new date.

Back to Corporation again on 16th October. This time Sabaton and Alestorm are playing. I am assured by Doozr that Alestorm are a fantastic Pirate Metal band.  He's actually seen them a couple of times, at Corp and the metal festival, Bloodstock.

Finally, the perfect way to end the gig going year. The mighty Electric Six on the 11th December at O2 Academy. This amazing Detroit based alternative rock band have become a favourite of ours over the years. Their gigs are intimate but full of energy and excitement.

So, all being well. Money, babysitting and time allowing. The latter part of 2010 looks to be a fun filled musical extravaganza. I can't wait!!

Saviours and The Engines Of Armageddon @ Corp, 4th May 2010

There are weird gigs, then there was the Saviours/Sourvein gig at the Corp last Tuesday. Tanzeelat had noticed that thrash/power/doom/groove metal band The Engines Of Armageddon were playing support for Saviours and, having seen them supporting Northern Oak back in Feb, we thought it a good idea to go along.

After the obligatory warmup in the Dev Cat, we headed down the road. On the door was a sign saying that joint headliners Sourvein (which still looks like it's spelled wrong to me) had cancelled due to the Icelandic ash cloud. The doorman was incredulous, and we were amused. It was the start of a very odd evening.

On entering the Corp, we realised something was missing. People. There was the barman, and the guy and the sound desk, and ... us. The barman asked if we were their only two presales for the evening and seemed surprised that we weren't. Looked like at least two more might join us then?

After pottering around the deserted club for a bit, The Engines decided to get started. Just as memory served, they were bloody brilliant. They played a number of new tracks, including Obelisk and The Bank of England, among other tracks from the album. The political slant remains, along with the CAPITAL LETTERS FOR EMPHASIS, in their quest to bring true freedom to mankind through the medium of metal.

About halfway through the set, Bill Fisher, vocalist and drummer, asked how many had turned up. Saviours were stood with us watching the gig, and told him there were two. He dedicated the rest of the set to us. We were honoured, especially as they finished with their anti-RFID anthem Fuck The Chip. Tanzeelat was a little disappointed that they didn't play The Doom Engine, but not that much. It was still a great set.

A bit of milling about and saying hello to the band while beers were got, and Saviours decided to waste no time and crack on with the second set. I popped down through the ever decreasing doors and took position in the middle of the room with The Engines.

About this time a couple of other guys wandered in. They looked surprised and hung around the back of the room looking little lost. Meanwhile, Saviours were in full swing.

Neither of us had ever heard of Saviours, a stoner metal band from California, and weren't really expecting them to be "our thing". Tanzeelat had already made the mistake of telling someone we'd only come to see The Engines, only to realise it was Austin Barber, vocalist from Saviours.

Fortunately, they proved to also be bloody good. Completely different, but Tanzeelat was so impressed that he went and bought the CD after they'd finished. I also picked up an Engines Of Armageddon T-shirt.

We noticed that the mysterious other blokes had vanished as soon as the set ended, so we chatted to the bands for a bit and tried to convince them to come to the pub with us. Unfortunately they were driving to Nottingham straight after the gig so couldn't, but said to see them in Nottingham, their home turf, where they would gladly get plastered with us.

A couple of last drinks at the Dev Cat, one of which I managed to drop on myself, and we headed homeward. The Engines of Armageddon are playing Sheffield again in a couple of weeks. I wonder if more will turn up?