Thrashoholic Fest. [Leeds] [16/08/2014]

 

This might not be a Napalm Promotions event, but it's one well worth plugging anyway! The bill is made up of some of the countries best unsigned Thrash talent. And as the title suggests, it's for those addicted to it. The line-up includes Incinery and RamRaid, fresh from their appearance on the Metal Hammer compilation Thrash Test Dummies. Along with recently featured Salford bunch, Exxxekutioner. Completing the line-up are; Desolator, Quake, Tyrant, Insurgency, XIII, Cryptic Shift, Exiled, Viocide, Obliterator and Screaming Ace.

The event on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/640451342692403

Leeds Metal Scene Promotions: https://www.facebook.com/leedsmetalscenepromotions

Napalm Promotions on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NapalmPromotions

Incinery - Dawn of War [Dawn of War EP] [2012]

Exxxekutioner [Thrash Metal/Salford, UK]

Salford Thrashers, Exxxekutioner are a band kicking hard, straight from the old school of Heavy Metal. Making their mark with their own brand of 'Dirty Thrash' heavily influenced by bands such as old school Sepultura, Bathory, and most notably, Venom. The band have relentlessly been playing gigs all over the North of England since the release of their first demo, and inception in the middle of 2013.

Starting up around September last year, they immediaetly broke into the scene with their raw as fuck demo, 'Black Witchery'. Which was quite literally a live recording straight on to an 8 track tape, with a jacket thrown over for good measure. Recalling the recording of the demo, Bassist Ryan Council said: "We literally just set it to play, and threw a leather jacket over the top. Once we had it recorded me and [guitarist] Mike [Woods] took it with us, and put it on one of the shit online audio converters. When it was done, it only ended up playing out of one side."

The Exxxekutioner recording studio!

The demo never saw an official physical release, with the band instead electing to post the songs up on YouTube to  give people a jist of what the band was about. First reactions to the demo were incredibly positive, with many people loving the old school sound and approach, even with only being able to hear it in one ear. Despite the bands choice not to produce physical copies themselves, fans decided to go full out, and bootlegs of the demo started to emerge. Once again returning it to it's humble beginnings on tape.


Exxxekutioner - Black Witchery [Demo] [2013]

01. Black Witchery
02. Maniac Asylum
03. March To Death
04. Into The Crypts Of Rays [Celtic Frost Cover]

One example of the Black Witchery demo (Tom Hughes)

Another Example (Mike Woods)

The band have kept busy playing shows none stop around the Northern parts of England over the late parts of 2013 to mid 2014. Hitting cities such as Manchester, Liverpool and Lancaster. With their sets consisting of a mix between tracks from the Black Witchery demo and upcoming Fear The Priest EP. The band have also made a staple out of their Celtic Frost cover of Into The Crypts Of Rays. Which they have made apart of just about every set thaey have played thus far. Having seen them a number of times now, I can only say the band have certainly grown with experience. And the live shows now have become intense and lively, especially around their local scene in Manchester. Their opening set supporting Bonded By Blood being one of the best crowd responses to a local band I've seen. The support from everyone due to the bands presence in the scene certainly pays dividens when they take to the stage.

Exxxekutioner - March To Death live at The Star And Garter [22/05/2014]

As well as playing shows, they've also now signed to UK based underground label, Ulthar Records. They will be releasing their first EP, 'Fear The Priest' with Ulthar soon. The EP will be the bands first physical release, and will be getting an actal tape run, in glorious stereo sound this time too! A release date and track list has not yet been announced, but it is expected to be released in around a months time. With an official announcement coming from the band soon. Keep your eyes open for it as it's sure to be kicking you're arse back to the 80's, like a Heavy Metal Marty McFly. UGH!

[L-R] Ryan Council (Bass), Cliff Edge (Vocals), Liam Waring (Drums), Mike Woods (Guitar).

Exxxekutioner on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Exxxekutioner/1413994888820085
And on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfilFugMgvZc6QZF4jvmmSQ
Ulthar Records on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UltharRecords
Napalm Promotions on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NapalmPromotions

Mire - Forever In My Memory [Single] [2014]

When first encountering Black Metal on my journey to broaden my musical horizons, I have to say that my opinions of the genre were a little less than savoury. Often steeped in bad press for some of the incidents related to it's Norwegian founding, I found a younger me thinking of it as an anti-hero to my squeeky clean taste in mainstream metal at the time. Though as I progressed deeper into the culture of Metal and it's overall scene, I found myself once again revisiting Black Metal with different eyes on my head.

Looking properly into the genre, I found it to be one of the most thought provoking and deepest of Metals many faces, and Mires track 'Forever In My Memory' is a perfect representation of that. A song written from the heart, representing sorrow embodied. The riffs that make up the song are not meant to be such a full on attack, as much as a progressive movement that conveys Mires feelings throughout the stages of the song. And it's done with great execution to vary the main feeling of the song in an interesting way. It's something that Atmospheric Black Metal as a genre achieves well, and Mire is no different in their execution of this. The song is certainly a great journey.

Even with infamous Black Metal prodction style being present on the track, it's still very clear and played with great finesse on everybodys part. With even the lack of vocals not being a problem to a track that stands it's own ground very well. Overall it's well recomended for anyone into their Black Metal, and specifically the Atmospheric style Mire specialise in. A great listen and addition to the genre. And another lesson to myself that even though sometimes you can't relate to all music, there's still an appreciation for what it means to others. And finally, to quote Mire themselves:

"Music is a part of all of us, as are our more treasured memories."

For fans of: Winterfylleth, Insomnium, Enslaved, Alcest.

Check out Mire on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MireMetal
And on Bandcamp: http://miremetal.bandcamp.com/
Napalm Promotions on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NapalmPromotions

One Last Run - Close My Eyes [Single] [2014]

With new bands emerging every day covering every plethora of music imaginable, it's often hard to pick out bands that stand out amongst the crowd of a saturated scene. Though every so often there comes a band that shines among the many groups trying to wrestle peoples attention. And One Last Run happens to be one of them.

Kicking in with an infectious groove, Close My Eyes is a track that wastes no time in getting to the point of what it's all about. A powerhouse of explosive rhythm and energy, the opening riff instantly sets the tone. Giving the impression this will be a stand out track. And this is complimented by a driving tempo which makes the track easy listening even for a track with so many layers to it. A real head noddding, foot tapping kind of track, that drwas you in.

The musicianship on the track is absolutely flawless, without a single weak element to it. And is complimented by solid production quality, that allows each element to shine through and work so harmoniously. Particularly in the chorus section that introduces subtle yet incredibly strong harmonies to the mix. And this is where the vocals really come through as being of such a great range and power to them.

Song writing is also another aspect on which One Last Run excel. With the song building consistently throughout, and keeping the listener hooked on the entire listen through. Overall the song is a must listen for fans of Hard Rock that love something with immense groove, and perfect balance of power and rhythmn. Well recomended!

Overall: 4 out of 5 Stars. Can't wait to hear more!

One Last Run is:
Becky Roberts - Vocals
Rob Leach - Rhythm/Lead Guitar
Jack Pennington - Rhythm/Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals
Chris Smith - Bass/Backing Vocals
Dan Brown - Drums/Backing Vocals

Find the band on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/OneLastRunUK
And on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/one-last-run-uk
Napalm Promotions on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NapalmPromotions

Up and running.

Here's where we're hoping to post any and all reviews we get given, to help promote bands. We'll also be posting our gigs up as soon as possible. We have our first in the works at the moment! Cheers.