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2016 is hours away… 2015 has been one hell of a year in rock and metal, unfortunately overshadowed in the last quarter by the tragic events in Paris, and the deaths of two of Motörhead’s main men, Phil ‘Philthy Animal’ Taylor and, of course, Lemmy Kilmister.
The phoenix will always rise, and so, as the embers of 2015 turn to ash, we asked our reviewers for their two top tips to rise and shine in 2016.
Dave Stott was first off the mark with his recommendations of who to watch out for:
“Selecting rising British rockers Temperance Movement as a band to watch out for might seem a bit of a cop out since they have already ‘arrived’, but with the long awaited release of sophomore album ‘White Bear’ on 15th January, it’s fair to say that I think the band will go stratospheric next year. I genuinely cannot remember an album from a fledgling band as anticipated as this one. It’s easy to forget that the incredible debut album came out way back in 2013, but we will forgive the long wait since the band have been on the road ever since. New tracks aired online,’Three Bulleits’, and ‘Oh Lorraine’, are delicious slices of guitar driven rock, that hint at the impending glorious delights that await anyone counting down the days until ‘White Bear’ arrives.With an extensive UK tour scheduled around the albums release date followed by jaunts to mainland Europe and Canada, I think it’s fair to say that album number two will gatecrash the chart top ten.”
Dave has gone out on a limb with his second choice…
“The name Beasto Blanco might be unfamiliar, but frontman Chuck Garric should certainly ring a few bells, especially if you have witnessed Alice Cooper live recently. As well as being his bass player, Garric is the Coop’s right hand man, the driving force behind one of the tightest live bands around today. On his days off, Garric swaps his bass for a six string, and takes over vocal duties with his loud, biker rock band Beasto Blanco, and take it from me, these guys are the real deal. Album number two is tentatively slated for early 2016, depending on Garric’s schedule with Alice Cooper. Speaking to Blanco’s other vocalist, Calico Cooper (Alice’s daughter), after their recent Edinburgh gig, she was desperate for the album to get out there into the world. Live, Beasto Blanco are a very theatrical band, with Calico inheriting her father’s flair for the dramatic. Their debut album ‘Live Fast Die Loud’ is a smouldering beast of an album, and the follow up will only crank it up another notch.”
One of our newest team members, Carol Black had no hesitation with her recommendations:
“My top two bands to watch out for in 2016 are PVRIS (pronounced Paris for those who haven’t heard of them), and Yashin, an alternative-metal band from Glasgow, Scotland.”
Carol knows her stuff. She continued…
“PVRIS formed in 2012 and signed to Rise and Velocity Records in 2014.They hit, the studio and came away with their debut album self-titled ‘PVRIS!’, and released three of their best singles lifted from the album, ‘St. Patrick’, ‘My House’, and ‘Fire’. In 2016, PVRIS are set to tour for the majority of the year, starting off in Japan at the end of January, then heading across to the States with a few sold out dates, then hitting the UK, which they have sold out every single date, including upgrades of venues! Then they are off to play Firefly Festival in Dover, DE in June. With being so successful this year, I assume there is a high possibility of them writing a second album, then maybe releasing it at the end of 2016 or early 2017. I’m hoping they do anyway! I will be seeing them on their UK-leg of the tour in Glasgow. Since finding PVRIS and hearing their amazing first album, this is by far one of the most eagerly awaited gigs of 2016 for me.”
Yashin maybe a lesser known name to many. We’ll let Carol fill you in…
“Yashin formed in 2006 and signed to Sony/Columbia Records in 2015. They have written and released 2 EP’s, the debut album ‘Put Your Hands Up Where I Can See Them’, and their second album “We Created A Monster”. They have recently released their first single ‘Dorothy Gale’, from their highly anticipated third studio album ‘The Renegades’, which is set for release at the end of February. Yashin have recently just finished touring the UK with the mighty Skindred, and will announce a headline tour for the release of ‘The Renegades’ soon, surely? Having followed them since they started, and having seen them countless times, I know personally that they are definitely a “must see” band. They’re absolutely brilliant… so energetic! Their sound has changed slightly over the years, but I can only say it’s been for the better. There hasn’t been one album I have not not liked. So be sure to catch them on any upcoming tours they reveal. I will!”
Ritchie Birnie wasn’t quite so decisive, excitedly rattling off names left, right, and centre! Finally, we nailed him down to a duo…
“Some could say this choice is also a cop out, as the band in question have gone platinum, but that was in their back yard of New Zealand, and I would expect very few outside of Australasia have heard of Devilskin. I stumbled on them practically by accident. The CD was sent to me, I looked at it and put it down and worked on the more recognisable named CDs I had to review. It sat on a shelf for about a week until said reviews were all done and so on it went… and I have played it constantly since that day! In fact, if this had been sent on vinyl, it would be popping and hissing like my copy of Iron Maiden’s debut that I bought the week it was released (yes I still have it). Catch them on their European tour in 2016, as it will be the last time you catch them in relatively small venues.”
Praise indeed. So who else made the top of your shortlist, Ritchie?
“A band that have become friends and very close to my heart… Altered Sky have almost become extended family during 2015. I have seen the band live three times. The band have also had rave reviews for debut “Without Wonderland” from all manner of different people and publications. It is still a new release as it was only put out in November, but I have high hopes for this, and expect to see the band move onwards and upwards, especially with some of the plans they have in place for 2016. I will sit back with a wry smile as I watch this band take the world by the throat and shake it till they own it.”
Finally, Rob Nankivell, our Editor-In-Chief (and occasional reviewer), who are your tips for 2016?
“Well, both of the bands I’ve chosen are British, and have been tantalisingly poised to hit the big time for some time. With good fortune, and a fair wind, 2016 could be their year”
“My first choice is Buffalo Summer. This Welsh four-piece created a great impression in 2012/13 with a great debut album, and a series of outstanding performances at festivals and on tour. Through bumping into them in various places, from North Wales to Ibiza, I was hooked by the groove, the feel, and the quality of both their tunes and performances… then it all went a bit quiet. I know they have an album recorded, and I’ve heard some of the ‘new’ material. I’ve also heard that the album will definitely drop in the Spring… maybe! Fingers, eyes, and legs are all crossed in hope!”
“Massive Wagons are my other ‘One To Watch’ for 2016. I’ve been a fan of their balls-out, no-frills rock ‘n’ roll since catching them live at HRH Road Trip Ibiza some years ago (I was there as a punter). The second album, ‘Fight The System’ showed an evolution… a maturity, and a diversity to their song craft. Then, they took to the main stage at Hard Rock Hell 9, following Black Label Society… and they absolutely smashed it! For me, and the hundreds of other revellers in attendance, they proved they are more than capable of being fully-fledged arena rockers. Album #3 is in its final gestation phase, and is scheduled for a Spring release. If the rest of the album is as strong as the new songs that found their way in to HRH set, it’s going to be a belter!”
So, there you have it, a handful of top tips from some of our team. We all ummed and ahhed, wrote and rewrote, deliberated, and pained over our choices. We live in an age where there is so much talent out there, so many bands vying for a slice of our time and hard-earned cash. Most of our bands to watch came to our attention from chance happenings… local shows, or support slots on other’s tours… and that’s the best advice we can give… get to a show as often as time and cash allow, and discover your new favourite band.
Finally, all of us here at DGM wish you a slammin’ new year. May your head bang, and your ears ring.
Thank you for your continued support. We’d hate to be talking to ourselves!
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