INTRODUCING: The K’s

ALTERNATIVEFEATURESINTRODUCING


Back in 2016, the burst of energy that was THE K’S was let loose onto the world. Since then, they’ve set the world alight on home turf and abroad, amassing an impressive amount of monthly listeners on Spotify (over 170,000) before they’ve even released their long awaited debut album; I Wonder If The World Knows?. It will finally be in our hands in March this year, in what is sure to bring joy to many with their infectious tunes that have had us hooked since 2016. Sitting down for a tete-a-tete with their guitarist; Ryan Breslin, we talk about their upcoming album and what lies ahead in what is sure to be a very bright future for the quartet.



With most bands, you’d expect them to follow the usual trope of releasing an EP before building up to the dizzying heights of their debut album. However, the last few years has seen several bands, including THE K’S follow an alternate route of releasing singles instead. Talking to Ryan about this method, he explains, “we didn’t want to drop an EP and waste some good songs that we would save for the album. The singles have always done well for us and we hung fire until we had the right people working with us instead of throwing it out for the sake of it.” It’s a gamble that has worked well for the band, it keeps them well within the public zeitgeist as they maintain their steady course to the release of the debut album.

Discussions of recording a debut album were already on the band’s mind long before 2024. Back in 2020, the idea of an album was thrown about, but that was soon hampered by the COVID-19 Pandemic. THE K’S however took everything in their stride and waited until the time was right, building up their ever expanding back catalogue. The excitement in Breslin’s demeanour is very apparent and very welcome. It’s almost as if everything fell into place at the right time as he tells us. “The time was right. We’d already toured for so long and everyone knew the songs already, it was just an easy choice to make.” Breslin almost makes the process sound easy.

“The songs just came together, the bones of a song were always there, but everyone gets to sprinkle their own bit of magic dust on each song to create something that is quintessentially THE K’S.” Moving on to the themes that underlie within the album, it’s a plain and simple answer. “Going out,” muses Ryan. “It’s a common theme in the lyrical side of things that is portrayed in a lot of the songs” It’s an honest answer but when you listen to the lead singles from the album, it’s incredibly apparent. They’re songs that make you yearn for those summer days and nights out with your mates that truly are the best of times.


It’s safe to say that when it comes to indie music that there are a lot of bands that fall into the trap of sounding the same. With THE K’S though, it was imperative that this didn’t happen when it came to their debut. Whilst the indie foundations are there within their tunes, there’s also a pulsating post-punk sound that carries their music to the lofty heights that they’re aiming for. From what Ryan tells us, there’s a broad spectrum of who THE K’S have been inspired by. “The mix of genres such as blues rock with the STONES and HENDRIX to more punky stuff with Paul Weller makes something a bit new, which is what we want to portray in our songs. It’s something that’s worked really well so far.” From the sounds of it, it’s an album that will appeal to a broad demographic of fans as Breslin states that the album is a “mixed bag for everyone” and isn’t just the usual suspects that is your everyday indie fan.

For a band like THE K’S, identity is important. When questioned about whether they belong to Liverpool or Manchester, Ryan triumphantly declares that “we class ourselves as Earlestown. We started in Manchester on the gig circuit and worked the crowd base up there and Liverpool is equally as strong. We’re an Earlestown band and that’s kind of it for us!” A refreshing take from the band as they could have easily been seduced by the glitz, glamour and musical heritage of both cities, but want to stay true to their roots, staying as their own thing rather than being “being something you’re not”.

Looking ahead to the rest of 2024, THE K’S have some enormous shows lined up. Even before they’ve released their debut, they have shows booked on the main stage at Reading & Leeds and also have a huge headline tour playing at venues such as Rock City in Nottingham, The Electric Ballroom in London and the O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester. It’s a testament to their meteoric rise over the years which has huge similarities to how ARCTIC MONKEYS rose to fame in the early 2000s. Through a huge and excited grin, Breslin tells us that “we are absolutely buzzing, they’re all gonna be mint. On stage is how we’ve crafted our skill for so long, we’ll get on stage and absolutely tear it apart.” From his reaction, it is clear that Ryan and The K’s aren’t taking any of this stuff for granted, describing the fact that a “Northern band selling out a venue in London is fucking insane isn’t it?”

The trajectory of THE K’S is getting steadier and steadier. It’s genuinely exciting to see a band excited about what lies ahead for them. As we’ve seen over the last few years, there’s been a boom in new and young bands in Manchester and other areas of the North West. Acts like THE K’S, BLOSSOMS, CORELLA, THE LATHUMS and THE LOTTERY WINNERS have paved the way for a new Manchester music scene full to the brim with talent that look ready to take the mantle that has been occupied for so long by Mancunian acts like OASIS and THE STONE ROSES. However, it is high time to be out with the old and in with the new, and THE K’S are going to be at the forefront of this scene, it’s going to be one hell of a journey!

I Wonder If The World Knows? is out now via self-release.

Like THE K’S on Facebook.

MICHAEL SWEET COMPLETES MIXES FOR NEW STRYPER ALBUM - "EVERY SINGLE SONG STANDS ON ITS OWN"

Stryper frontman Michael Sweet has checked in with the following update:

"Just finished the mixes for the new Stryper album with Danny Bernini.

As we were going through each song over the past five days, we were both blown away at how amazing everything sounds. Every single song stands on its own. This is a very special album, unlike any other. As I listen I truly believe it’s our best album. That’s saying a lot but that’s how I feel.

LATEST NEWS Neseblod Records (Formerly Helvete) In Oslo Severely Damaged In Fire, Black Metal History Destroyed

LATEST NEWS
Neseblod Records (Formerly Helvete) In Oslo Severely Damaged In Fire, Black Metal History Destroyed

Police are currently investigating the fire.



By Greg Kennelty


Published1 day ago









Neseblod Records – formerly the Helevete record store (the one with the "Black Metal" basement that everyone takes a picture at) – in Oslo has been severely damaged by a fire. According to Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang (VG), a fire broke out in the basement and destroyed much of its contents.


"It is unclear what has happened," said co-owner of Neseblod Records, Grethe Neseblod to VG. "I am standing outside now and cannot enter the room, which is very smoky. Therefore, I have no idea the extent of the damage."

Police are currently investigating the fire. Helvete – originally owned by Euronymous – was shut down in early 1993 after drawing negative attention by local police and media thanks to the activities of the Black Metal Inner Circle, and was eventually reopened as Neseblod Records. The record story is widely considered to be a black metal museum, and this fire is nothing short of tragic for the world of metal.

"Much of what we have is only on display and not for sale," added co-owner Kenneth Neseblod to VG. "It's a museum-like venue at the same time as a record store. We have records, cassettes and tape trading letters that were previously used to write to each other in the metal community."

A GoFundMe has since been launched to help Neseblod Records get back on their feet. Donate here.



"Hi, my name is Darren," wrote the organizer of the GoFundMe. "I have been working with many Norwegian Black Metal bands over the years and Neseblod Records (Formerly Helvete) in the heart of Oslo, it has been part of the scene since the beginning of this unique musical movement, and is the heart & Spirit of the genre.

"A fire ripped through the basement and shop last night destroying an archive of rare Black Metal History!, I am starting this Go Fund Me to help Kenneth get back on his feet."

We wish everyone involved with Neseblod Records all the best at this time.

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE AND TRIVIUM FRONTMEN ON THE POISONED ASCENDANCY UK TOUR 2025 - "INSTEAD OF JUST A NORMAL TOUR, WE'RE BRINGING SOMETHING SPECIAL"

Bullet For My Valentine recently checked in with the following update:

"We are thrilled to announce that in 2025 we present to you The Poisoned Ascendancy UK Tour, alongside our brothers in Trivium. Both bands will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut albums by playing them in full. Get excited people, it's gonna be special and we can't wait to celebrate with you all."

"Bullet for My Valentine’s The Poison and Trivium’s Ascendancy are two records whose influence can be heard to this day - in the DNA of modern metal. It’s incredible to think of the impact the albums had when they came out in 2005. They were both like bolts of lightning. Both bands grew up independently of each other in different countries and separately from any movement or scene but both shared a common love of melodic heavy metal at the core; and both had similar meteoric rises right out of the gate. Trivium and BFMV were in such whirlwinds when our respective albums came out that we each never truly got to play together or sit back and celebrate during the maelstrom of constant touring, recording and globetrotting. But that’s what this anniversary tour is. It’s a celebration by the bands to the fans of an important era, and most importantly it’s an invitation to fans come and have an epic night with us and sing and rage and celebrate the awesome power of the music."

Metal Hammer caught up with Bullet For My Valentine frontman Matt Tuck and Trivium vocalist / guitarist Matt Heafy to discuss their respectived bands' rise to fame and the upcoming tour. Following is an excerpt from the chat.

Metal Hammer: You both broke through in 2005, a period when metal was in transition. Nu metal had bitten the dust and bands like Killswitch Engage and Lamb Of God were leading a metal renaissance. What are your memories of the scene at that time?

Tuck: “It was undeniably a period of time where both our bands started something that was important. We were breaking away from a trend and a mould, bringing back a certain style and aggression, a technicality. We were representing Britain, and Trivium were representing the US.”

Heafy: “It was an interesting time. Guitar solos were gone when I was in high school, and nu metal was in. Growing up in central Florida, pop-punk was the only style that was really around.”

Tuck: “It was an amazing time for both our bands. That whole period where it was young, fresh and new, people were discovering us, and we were trying to stamp our sound into the metal community. I can’t emphasise how much we enjoyed it and how hungry we were.”

Heafy: “The New Wave Of American Heavy Metal scene was growing with bands like Lamb Of God, Shadows Fall, Unearth and Killswitch Engage all coming out of roughly the same area, at the same time. But it was always Bullet and Trivium floating. And that’s why I always felt this kinship.”

Metal Hammer: So, there was never any kind of rivalry between your bands?

Tuck: “No!”

Heafy: “We’ve always just lived on these two separate planets. Acknowledging each other and being fans of each other’s music, but never connecting the dots. We could have done this tour at 10 years, could have done it at 15, could have done it at five. We’ve been asking each other, ‘Why haven’t we toured together?’ And there wasn’t a reason, we just didn’t.”

Metal Hammer: How did the idea come about for the joint 20-year anniversary tour and playing both albums in full?

Tuck: “It was around October last year. Me and the boys wanted to do something for The Poison and it just clicked. Let’s see if Trivium want to jump onboard here and do something together, split everything down the middle, no bullshit, co-headline, Ascendancy and The Poison.”

Heafy: “I remember we had a text from our manager. He’s like, ‘Hey, the Bullet camp just put over the idea of Trivium and Bullet doing a tour together in 2025…”

Tuck: “I think a Bullet and Trivium tour is something that most fans of that era would want to see. It’s taken us 20 years to get there, but instead of just a normal tour, we’re bringing something special. I think people are going to flip when they find out what’s going on.”

Read the complete interview here.

Bullet For My Valentine wrapped up their North American tour on November 10th, 2023 at Hard Rock Live in Orlando, Florida. They were joined by Trivium frontman Matt Heafy for "Tears Don't Fall", bringing the house down two songs into their first encore. Check out the fan-filmed video below.







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OLA ENGLUND'S SOLAR GUITARS UNVEILS "CHROME CANIBALISMO" MODEL THAT OXIDIZES OVER TIME; VIDEO TRAILER AVAILABLE

Solar Guitars, launched by The Haunted guitarist Ola Englund, has unveiled a metal-topped guitar whose surface oxidizes the longer you play it. Check out the trailer below.

Solar Guitars: "The Chrome Canibalismo is Pure Metal! The finish is created from a unique material that is made from actual metal and involves a 5-stage process to cover the body, then after the base coat is completed, the Solar signature Canibalismo splatter is applied. This special material then needs time to cure and harden into its final 'Metallized' form. Being metal, over time the finish will oxidize so each specific guitar develops its own particular patina to this innovative instrument."

ALTERNATIVEFEATURESGRUNGEHEAVY MUSIC HISTORY

“The lead-singer of American grunge rock band NIRVANA, Kurt Cobain, has been found dead in his Seattle home,” reported the BBC in early April, one of the outlets that delivered the news that shocked the world. Vocalist for arguably one of the most influential bands in music history, especially in rock and metal, was sadly no longer with us at the young age of 27. Within those 27 years of his life, Cobain spoke to a generation of dissatisfied and disillusioned people in the early 1990s and performed what was on his mind, even if it was dark and hard to hear. Now, 30 years later, Cobain is still fondly remembered by music fans worldwide for his work in music and his earnest nature throughout his time in the spotlight.



Cobain’s musical journey began at an early age, as family members described him singing since the age of 2, and learning piano at four years old. In his childhood, he particularly enjoyed Hey Jude by THE BEATLES, Hey Hey We’re The Monkees by THE MONKEES and especially ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA. In high school, he expanded his tastes into hardcore and punk after being introduced to the genres by classmate and future THE MELVINS founding member, Buzz Osbourne, as well as attending many shows within Seattle’s punk scene. At 14, his uncle offered to give him a bike or a used guitar for his birthday. Cobain chose the guitar, and began teaching himself songs like Louie Louie, Another One Bites The Dust, and Stairway To Heaven. After dropping out of high school, Cobain formed his first band, FECAL MATTER, formed with Osbourne and a few other members of THE MELVINS at the time. Their material was a mix of punk originals and covers of songs by JIMI HENDRIX, LED ZEPPELIN, and THE RAMONES. However, only a song called Spank Thru has survived from that band as it appeared on box set With The Lights Out (2004).


NIRVANA began life after Cobain met Kris Novoselic, another youth part of the Seattle punk scene and within THE MELVINS’ circle of friends. Due to there not being a lot of other kids in his high school who could play music, Cobain and Novoselic began to practice together and, after Cobain kept asking him, Novoselic agreed to form a band. Although the early touring days for the band were difficult as they struggled to support the band financially and draw in the crowds to their shows, the two persevered, along with different session drummers. Soon, the first drummer, Chad Channing, officially joined the band and they released their debut record, Bleach, in 1989 on Sub Pop Records. Whilst the album didn’t initially sell well on initial release, it was well received by the critics at the time, as well as impressing other bands like SONIC YOUTH. However, Cobain had issues with Channing’s drumming style and fired him, replacing him with Dave Grohl, and the band signed to DGC Records, continuing to work with Grohl and the major label on their second album, what would become Nevermind (1991).

No one expected Smells Like Teen Spirit to be the hit that it was, especially when everyone had planned Come As You Are to be the crossover single. However, college and rock radio put it on heavy rotation and shot the band to fame, as well as launching the grunge genre into the mainstream. Nevermind was also a massive success upon release, topping the album charts and earning 3 Grammy nominations. Cobain hated the notion of being in the mainstream, comparing himself to Francis Farmer, similarly feeling persecuted by the media. In an interview with Flipside, he said, “when you’re in the public eye, you have no choice but to be raped over and over again – they’ll take every ounce of blood out of you until you’re exhausted. … I’m looking forward to the future. It will only be another year and then everyone will forget about it.”. Even so, many listeners were taken by Cobain’s songwriting skills and related to the themes and subjects he wrote about in the album, for example, Lithium was about his time living with a born-again Christian household and his experience as a Christian in that time. More examples include Something In The Way, which he wrote about his period of homelessness in his youth, and Aneurysm, which referenced the time he met Tobi Vail and vomited due to the anxiety of his infatuation when first seeing her. Everything he wrote about came from the heart, and that’s what drew many people from all corners of the music world to NIRVANA.

Thousands of bands and artists since have since taken inspiration from NIRVANA, and Cobain’s unique style of music and writing. From inspiring more grunge bands that exploded throughout the 1990s and onwards, to still speaking to and for a generation of the disenfranchised throughout the years since his untimely passing. All their albums and collections, ranging from their debut to their performance of MTV Unplugged are still hailed and acclaimed to this day, and Cobain is still honoured with the title ‘The Voice of a Generation’, though it was a title he loathed during his lifetime. Often remembered as one of the most influential musicians within music, not just within rock and metal, it’s undeniable how much worth and talent was in the man with every note he played and every lyric sung. 30 years later, his music still stands the test of time as a soundtrack of real and authentic emotions expressed in a raw outlet. It’s timeless, it’s eternal, it’s Kurt Cobain. The music world will always remember his talent and his passion for music in return.Photo Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FILMMAGIC

ALBUM REVIEWSDOOM METALHARD ROCKPSYCHEDELIC ROCKREVIEWS

Hailing from the City of Brotherly Love and American popular music hotspot Philadelphia, the hard-rocking retro riff machine HEAVY TEMPLE erupted on the scene in 2014 with their self-titled debut EP. A relentlessly hard-working touring band, they have been lighting up stages across the USA and more recently Europe alongside RUBY THE HATCHET, HOWLING GIANT, THE OBSESSED and CORROSION OF CONFORMITY. Their debut album Lupi Amoris came out in 2021, and it received a rapturous applause from critics and fans, cementing them as one of Philadelphia’s fastest rising bands. Now the trio of High Priestess Nighthawk (vocals, bass), Lord Paisley (guitar), Baron Lycan (drums) return with their ball-busting sophomore album Garden Of Heathens.



HEAVY TEMPLE have become known for their direct, charged up and electrifying brand of psychedelic doom. Focused on driving riffs and powerful vocals, it’s a high-octane trip into another realm in a rocket fuelled by the power generated by a nuclear weapon. Whilst their debut Lupi Amoris was half an hour of scorching heavy psychedelic doom, Garden Of Heathens is a little more refined whilst still maintaining the band’s signature sucker punch sound and sod everyone else attitude. Amped-up, fuzz-drenched and ballsy, Garden Of Heathens also has a lyrical depth that at first glance is easily missed. Focusing on surreal scenarios and leaning into religious metaphors, Nighthawk’s lyrics are actually her most personal yet; delving into everything from the delusional American Dream to relationships, underneath the surface there is a plethora of emotions that include anxiety, betrayal and doubt.

One thing that marks this album out is that it feels like HEAVY TEMPLE have absorbed the multitude of influences and energies around them whilst on tour. Throughout Garden Of Heathens the Philly trio mix old-school doom heaviness with the youthful exuberance of modern rock with the swamp-soaked grooves of NOLA sludge. Alongside this you have the riff artistry and lucid atmosphere building influences of BARONESS, so it is safe to say that Garden Of Heathens being eclectic is an understatement. The magic happens when the trio put their own twist on it, and as a result it is an abrasive and high-octane record that certainly doesn’t suffer from second album syndrome. HEAVY TEMPLE tangibly exude confidence throughout Garden Of Heathens and it commands your attention.


Ultimately Garden Of Heathens is a gritty and raw experience; imagine being in a spit and sawdust bar, tripping on mushrooms and these guys start firing up their amps. You can easily be overwhelmed by the sheer power of the record. From the unrelenting crackling fuzz from both bass and Lord Paisley’s guitar to the booming – occasionally soulful and bluesy depending on the song – vocals from Nighthawk and the thunderous drums of Baron Lycan you’d be hard pressed to not think you’re going into battle against an army of demons like a crazed Berserker. Compared to its predecessor Lupi Amoris, Garden Of Heathens feels more like a statement of intent. The dust has settled on the band’s rise and now they’re aiming to cement their position at the top of the pile.

Kicking off with Extreme Indifference To Life, HEAVY TEMPLE waste no time in getting down to business. A hypnotic introductory riff gives way to a momentous wall of fuzz that will knock you for six. The band’s innate ability to make catchy vocal hooks is on full display here when Nighthawk launches into the song’s chorus. Hiraeth is a fast-paced, punchy and straight to the point heavy rock track imbued with the soul and blues that surrounds the band in Philadelphia. Divine Indiscretion leans more into the band’s psychedelic sound but pushes it a step further into an anthemic realm, consisting of seven minutes of weaving guitar leads and spine-tingling vocals. House Of Warship is a dark and foreboding track that gives you a sense of impending doom. Slow, trudging and bombastic, your skull feels rather delicate after this track.

Nine-minute heavy psych opus Snake Oil (And Other Remedies) opens up the second half of the album and is loaded with dynamic tempo shifts, bluesy grooves and ball-busting vocal harmonies. In The Garden Of Heathens is a brief, almost spiritual interlude that gives you a breather from the frantic riffing, and sets you up for penultimate track Jesus Wept which follows a similar formula to Hiraeth but it feels like Nighthawk is exorcising some demons with her vocals. Psychomanteum closes the album in bombastic metal fashion, unleashing a barrage of surprisingly thrashy riffs that sound like they could be straight from Kill ‘Em All.

HEAVY TEMPLE have certainly made a statement with Garden Of Heathens. It is a heavy, frantic riff-fest that makes you stand up and listen. This is a band brimming with confidence and they’re making sure that their momentum never slows – definitely not a band to sleep on.

Rating: 9/10



Garden Of Heathens is set for release on April 12th via Magnetic Eye Records.

Like HEAVY TEMPLE on Facebook.