2013: THE YEAR OF METAL

Distorted guitars and hoarse vocals will be the soundtrack for 2013 as heavy rock has its biggest resurgence since the 1990s, claims The Times newspaper.

If 2012 allowed Britain to define itself as a wholesome nation devoted to its sportsmen and its Queen, then this year is going to come as quite a shock.

Predictions by music industry experts suggest that the soundtrack for 2013 will be distorted guitars and hoarse vocals as heavy metal and rock music make their biggest resurgence since the wave of nu-metal bands in the late 1990s.

Read full article HERE

CIRCLE PRESENTS: I.R.O.K , DIY PSYCHOTROPIC AFRO-PUNK

I.R.O.K.- The Intergalactic Republic Of Kongo, is the state where we meet in sweat, blood and joy.

The band’s super-eclectic full length The Intergalactic Republic Of Kongo, out January 14th on Acid Bath Records.

Through word of mouth alone they’ve played shows with Azealia Banks, Death Grips, Kavinsky, The Prodigy and just came back from playing a series of shows in New York.

I.R.O.K – The Intergalactic Republic Of Kongo, formed in London in 2010, it is Morocco that serves as their spiritual home.

Because far from flirting with it’s imagery and sound from the safety of the city, much of I.R.O.K’s career to date has been spent journeying down the coastline, across the mountain ranges and into the Sahara.

Singer Mike Title was born and raised in East London, but his mother’s family are from Berber, from the southern regions of North Africa.

Rather than touring the toilet circuit of Britain, I.R.O.K have looked to more tropical climates in which to cut their teeth. A typical tour involves arriving in Morocco with some instruments and a few local contacts.

A venue is found, a sound system erected, the word spread and within hours the impromptu party begins. This is true DIY guerrilla punk in ethos.

facebook.com/weareirok
soundcloud.com/i-r-o-k

CIRCLE PRESENTS: LOOM - DARK, SINISTER MISFITS COVERING NIRVANA SOUND

If you thought Savages‘ Jehnny Beth had the iciest stare in new music, think again. LOOM‘s Tarik Badwan has the art of gloweringly eyeballing crowds perfected already, making the aforementioned first lady of noir-punk seem about as scary as your nan. Debut single ‘Bleed On Me‘ encapsulates that brooding terror in its Misfits-by-Nirvana judders and yelps, a dark, sinister but exhilarating introduction to a very promising new band.

‘Bleed On Me‘ was released on Heart Throb Records on 3rd December. 

facebook.com/loomband

CIRCLE PRESENTS: THE HEARTBREAKS - MODERN 80S NEW WAVERS GOING FOR CHRISTMAS NUMBER 1

The Heartbreaks are giving away for free a very special Christmas cover song ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’. 


The band are set to release a brand new EP, ‘Hand On Heart’, on February 4th and features a selection of newly recorded material with strings arranged by the legendary James Banbury of The Auteurs (U2, Depeche Mode, Bloc Party etc.)


Matthew, vocalist of The Heartbreaks explains the motive of the new release, “We’ve always had a kind of intrinsic sense of drama, but with the addition of strings we were able to truly articulate a feeling of being widescreen, cinematic.

Rather than merely ‘sounding big’, we wanted to make music that, like those great Scott Walker, REM and Bunnymen records, was melodic, bold, elegiac… Something conceptual that would, even if just for an EP, take our music beyond its usual guitar and bass sound”

theheartbreaks.net

facebook.com/theheartbreaks

CIRCLE PRESENTS: HUSKY RESCUE – STUNNING AND ETHEREAL SOUND FROM FINLAND

Listen to the amazing ‘Deep Forest Green’ EP by exciting and forward-thinking Nordic experimental pop band Husky Rescue.


Husky Rescue’s Marko Nyberg, Anthony Bentley and Johanna Kalén) stunning and ethereal ‘Deep Forest Green’ EP, is no. 1 on iTunes Electronic Chart in Finland, is released on their own recently launched El Camino label and is one of the best EPs of 2012.






facebook.com/huskyrescueofficial

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PREMIERE ‘A LITTLE DEATH’ – ANOTHER DARK POP GEM FROM LOS ANGELES

Check out Los Angeles band The Neighbourhood’s ‘A Little Death’ the splendid B-side to the already excellent ‘Let It Go’, both taken from their debut EP ‘I’m Sorry’.

Formed by five friends in August 2011, The Neighbourhood are set to release their debut album, which was recorded in L.A. during the summer of 2012, in the spring of 2013.

The Neighbourhood are: Jessie Rutherford (vocals), Jeremy Freedman (guitar), Zach Abels (guitar), Mikey Margott (bass) & Bryan Sammis (drums).

The Neighbourhood are just one of the exciting new bands ready to break out in 2013.

thenbhd.com

PETE DOHERTY REVEALS HE'S USING AMY WINEHOUSE'S LYRICS ON NEW ALBUM

Pete Doherty has spoken about his plans for his new solo album and has revealed that he is using lyrics written by Amy Winehouse on one of the tracks. 

Speaking in an exclusive interview, Doherty has revealed that his new album will feature a duet with singer Suzi Martin named 'Bird Cage' with lyrics written by Winehouse. An acoustic version of the track will also be played over the credits of Doherty's new film Confession Of A Child Of The Century. 

The album, which Doherty is currently recording with producer Adem Hilmi, has six other confirmed song titles, which are 'Down For The Outing', 'Siberian Fur', 'Nothing Comes To Nothing', 'Shine A Light On Your Misery', 'Ba Ba Ba' and 'Dust On The Road'. 

Speaking about recording is progressing, Doherty said: "We've been cracking on. I've got a hard drive full of new songs and a few of them have taken more of a definite shape. Things that were ad libs and off the cuff, we're putting more into traditional song structure."

The album will be Doherty's second solo effort, after his first effort 'Grace/Wastelands' came out in 2009. 

albionrooms.com