Welsh rockers Samoans have debuted the first song from their debut album Rescue via the music video for Dancing on the Sea Lion. The band have taken an interesting turn musically as the track showcases a post rock sound which is quite different to the band’s previous math rock style. Check out the music video and download the song via the widget underneath:
Samoans release Rescue on the 7th of July through Apres Vous Records.
We generally shy away from reviewing singles at UK Scumscene because in the time it takes you to read the review you could’ve simply listened to the thing. However, we’re making an exception for Svalbard’s ‘Flightless Birds’ because coupled with its b-side ‘For What It’s Worth’ the whole thing clocks in at an impressive nine and a half minutes and what an impressive journey it is.
The title track gives you a brilliant representation of what the band are about with a beautifully layered and dramatic sounding piece of post rock meets post hardcore (yes, there’s going to be a lot of ‘posts’ used in this review). The band are a rather stunning amalgamation of bands like Vales, MINE and Rinoa and deliver intense post hardcore smothered in stark, atmospheric lead-guitar which is then given a moment to shine as the song hits its middle-eight. During the middle-eight the song takes a moment to breathe and delivers a gentle and restrained section which builds and builds before the song is ready to explode once again. This really is spectacular stuff.
The second track ‘For What It’s Worth’ explores some different avenues and is slightly more progressive than ‘Flightless Birds’. The song features the only instance of sung vocals and gives the song a powerful and almost cinematic quality that fits wonderfully into the band’s already varied arsenal. ‘For What It’s Worth’ also decides to use its more fragile section to finish the song and as it carefully comes to a close the whole release feels like it has proper closure which is bizarre for something like a single.
Svalbard have crafted these two songs with exquisite precision and I wouldn’t normally be inclined to call a release like this a single. This release was made to be listened in its entirety and as good as both songs are, they really shine when they’re played together. Svalbard’s ‘Flightless Birds’ is a stunning release and the band themselves are one of the UK’s brightest hopes. Now excuse me while I attempt to purchase everything else the band has produced so far.
9/10
Svalbard’s Flightless Birds is released on 7″ vinyl through Tangled Talk Records on October 7th.
London metal mob Iron Knights are back after some changes in their line-up. The band seem to have also dropped their Nazi-vampire shtick in favour of being a traditional heavy metal band. Iron Knights have also released the first taster of their direction ongoing in the form of a new song available for free download called Destroyer. Trust me when I say it’s an absolute belter.
Click here to be taken to Iron Knights’ official website where you can download Destroyer for free.
Iron Knights have also revealed that they are currently writing for a new album due for release in early 2014. The band’s new line-up will debut live at the Swordbrothers Festival in Andernach, Germany on September 14th.
Alt rockers Samoans have returned with a new, free-to-download single called Antlers. Antlers marks the first recorded material with new drummer Chris Rouse. Check out the music video below:
You can download the track for free direct from the band’s Bandcamp. Click here to download and click below to stream the song:
Post hardcore group Cold Summer (who we’ve said rather nice things about in the past) have revealed a new single called Ships which you can preview and purchase below:
Ships comes from Cold Summer’s debut album due July 1st 2013.
Cold Summer support Funeral for a Friend on April 20th at Warehouse 23 in Wakefield. You can get tickets by clicking here.
Riff rockers To The Bones are back with their first single since the release of their last EP Astral Magic. The song is called Emperor’s Ride and it’s an absolute belter. Get this in your system:
Emperor’s Ride is released April 22nd and can be pre-ordered via iTunes now.
To The Bones will be playing the following dates in support of the single:
Friday 19th April @ Dark Party — Luton
Monday 22nd April @ The Joiners — Southampton
Tuesday 23rd April @ The Black Heart — Camden, London
Thurs 25th April @ The Scholar Bar 02 Academy– Leicester.
Sat April 27th @ The Mad Ferret — Preston ( FREE ENTRY )
Sun 28th April @ The Exchange, Bristol
Monday 29th April @ Band on the Wall, Manchester.
May 2nd , Hare and Hounds , Birmingham.
Friday May 11th @ Mama Viz’s Voodoo Lounge, Stamford.
Saturday May 25th @ Dogstock Outdoor Festival, Bolton.
Scottish noise-rockers Cactus&Cardigan have unleashed their first taster of debut EP Gag Reflex which launches on April 26th through Action Park Records. The track is called Smegma and… well… just watch the video:
Smegma can be downloaded by clicking here. Make sure you do.
Cactus&Cardigan are also touring the EP with a handful of Scottish dates. Full details below:
APRIL
24th – GLASGOW – NICE N SLEAZY – w/ CARNIVORES
25th – EDINBURGH – OPIUM – w/ TBC
26th – THURSO – YNOT – EP RELEASE NIGHT w/ EMILIO LARGO
27th – INVERNESS – THE MUSIC SHED – SHEDSTOCK 2013
Alternative punk outfit Bloody Mammals have released a video for the track Mammals which you can see below:
You can also download the track for free by clicking this link. You’ll have to surrender your email address.
Bloody Mammals release their debut mini-album Eventually Your House Will Burn Down on May 6th through Flatpack Recordings and 49s VS Dolphins. You can pre-order it on CD or vinyl through the band’s Band Camp.
UK Scumscene 