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@ Newcastle o2 Academy, March 10 2010

With all good metal bands there is no higher accolade than being mentioned in the same breath as Metallica.  However, with this comes the added pressure of living up to that reputation and this is where Trivium enter.

Touted for a long time as a band that could take Metallica’s mantle after Hetfield and co. decide to call it a day, Trivium have big shoes to fill.  They rolled into Newcastle Academy with a point to prove, fans queued for hours expecting to see raucous scenes and Trivium didn’t disappoint. Read the rest of this entry »

@ Newcastle o2 Academy, February 25 2010

To so many North East rock fans Machine Head were, until last night, a damn fine support band made for whipping arena-size crowds into a frenzy prior to the main event.

They’ve already proved the perfect fit for Slipknot, Metallica and their ilk but this was their chance to own the stage – in their own right. And 350-plus shows into the never-ending Blackening tour it was never going to be anything else than a monumental night of no-holds-barred metal. Read the rest of this entry »

@ Newcastle o2 Academy, February 21 2010

Imagine Yes as a polished thrash metal band and this is the sound you would hear. Progressive, intricate, mind-blowing works played with intense pace and a good degree of passion.

Mastodon might have mellowed (relatively speaking) with the much lauded Crack The Skye but at their heart is a rhythm section determined to leave no artistic stone unturned. The controlled power unleashed by drummer Brann Dailor and bass player Troy Sanders is at the heart of this band’s explosive live performance and truly is a marvel to behold. Read the rest of this entry »

Metallica – Nothing Else Matters (Hetfield/Ulrich) b/w Enter Sandman (live) (Hetfield/Ulrich/Hammett), Harvester Of Sorrow (live) (Hetfield/Ulrich) & Nothing Else Matters (demo) (Hetfield/Ulrich)

1992

This was the moment Metallica went truly commercial as the haunting ballad from the black album became a mainstream hit worldwide.

As far removed from the band’s early thrash sound as fans could imagine it divided the Metallica community. And yet Nothing Else Matters is a magnificent example of powerful, poignant metal building on the experimental One from …And Justice For All. Read the rest of this entry »

Metal giants Mastodon are on the road this month in support of the sensational Crack The Skye and we’ll be bringing you a full review of their show this week.

Also under the rushonrock spotlight are reformed rockers Nazareth and Self Made Man will be dispatched to cover their gig in Newcastle this weekend.

We’ve got new interviews with Europe and The Crave as both bands enjoy the recent resurgence in soft metal. And rising stars of the European rock scene, Elvis Jackson, feature on the latest rushonrock Rider. Godfathers of thrash, Metallica, feature on the latest 12@12 and there’s more. Read the rest of this entry »

@ Newcastle o2 Academy, February 10 2010

After touring with Metallica for 25 dates at the end of last year, US band Lamb of God came to Newcastle for the second date of their UK tour hoping to live up to their big name and smash expectations.

On a night of much promise, metal-core band Between The Buried And Me were the first of three support acts to kick off the bill.  Combining thrash, prog and death metal, BTBAM lashed out a harsh screaming frenzy only to burst unexpectedly into soft melodic synths. Read the rest of this entry »

Without hair metal where would I be?

Still listening to Dead Or Alive, perhaps? Still spinning A-ha, maybe? Never looking beyond Radio One or Q Magazine?

It’s a frightening prospect and an outcome which strikes fear into a rock and metal fan with more than 20 years of power chords and guitar solos under his belt. Read the rest of this entry »

All this week we’re taking a look at the very best that the rock and metal world had to offer in 2009.

And today we’re throwing the spotlight on the best reissues of the year.

There was a batch of lavishly packaged vinyl, classic albums by the world’s biggest bands and some rarities which sounded even better given the full 21st century remix.

So check out the following and share your views. Read the rest of this entry »

Testament – Trial By Fire (Skolnick/Peterson/Billy) b/w Nobody’s Fault (Tyler/Whitford) 1988

Taken from the album The New Order, which hit 136 on the Billboard Hot 200 and ultimately broke the band as a commercial prospect, this Testament classic still sounds massive today.

Had there been a big five when it came to thrash metal monsters breaking out of the US in the late 80s then Chuck Billy and his bombastic crew would have made the cut.

As it was the Big Four – Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax – enjoyed even greater success and remained in a superstar club all of their own. But tracks like Trial By Fire prove Testament’s class and those of us who have witnessed the band live in 2009 will testify to the fact that they’re still going strong. Read the rest of this entry »

With Self Made Man sunning himself in the French Alps it’s time to forget the past and introduce the future – as guest blogger Southern Rock Man writes for the rushonrock masses!

Hailing from the deep south and boasting the kinda bushy beard and tousled hair you’d find in the front row of any .38 Special gig he puts the yee into yeeha! And he’s doing it all for you. Sit back and enjoy the latest addition to the rushonrock family…  Read the rest of this entry »