Cancer Bats > Your Mum

That’s not an opinion, that’s science fact.

BECAUSE….last night at The Peel in Kingston, Cancer Bats were scorching. Lung-burning, ball-sizzlingly hot. One of the best gigs I’ve been to all year. After seeing them put on the performance of the festival at Leeds 2008, I’ve been itching to see them again. To be honest, I couldn’t have picked a better venue for it either – The Peel is small, sweaty, loud, and was packed to the guts with people who gave a shit.

That’s partly because the gig was put on by Banquet Records. I’ve got a lot of love for them – how many other places send you band recommendations along with your gig tickets ? (For the record, they recommended Our Time Down Here and The Quarry). It’s increasingly difficult for independent operators to exist without making compromises, without pandering to popular opinion, but Banquet have stuck true to their guns and have prospered as a result.

BUT THAT’S NOT THE ONLY KILLER SHOW I’VE SEEN RECENTLY….as the night before I went and caught Machine Head (yes, Robb Flyyn did sing that high when they played  ‘Hallowed By Thy Name’ live) and Slipknot play at the Hammersmith Apollo. And to all the hardline metal elitists scoffing and turning their noses up at Slipknot…well, you’re all idiots. They’re one of the biggest metal bands on the planet for a reason, and once I finish off the review I’m bashing out, I’ll explain to you why. In painful detail.

THAT DEATHSTARS INTERVIEW….has gone live over on ThrashHits.com.

IVE ALSO WRITTEN….some reviews of some tragically-average records for Music Towers.

AND SINCE IT’S CHRISTMAS….I’ve been running a Musical Advent Calendar over on Music Towers (look in the video box in the top right). Got a suggestion? Email me.