With Just A Hint Of Mayhem

Music reviews, gig reviews, fun trivia and extra added random stuff!

The Exceptional Mr. Hyde – Fulford Arms, York – Thursday 23rd November 2023 December 7, 2023

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 5:04 pm
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Having reviewed their album a few weeks back I was keen to see the Exceptional Mr. Hyde in action. Were they any good? Read on to find out, but first, let me tell you about the three support acts. First on stage was Beck Stacey. Beck gave us dark, bluesy folk with the voice of an angel. At this point let’s not forget that Lucifer was once a fallen angel. Working with that kind of theme I believe that Beck’s tunes would make the perfect soundtrack for a classic British Folk horror film along the lines of ‘The Wicker Man’. A perfect candidate would be the rather splendid “Red”. There were many highs in this wonderful set, particularly “Devil Town” and the gorgeous rendition of Townes van Zandt’s “Our Mother The Mountain”. Hearing Bek’s set strengthens my argument for never missing a support act. Beck Stacey was 100% ace!

Debdepan followed Beck Stacey onto the small and intimate Fulford Arms stage. I am not sure about the name, but the music is rather wonderful. This is Riot Grrrl meets Goth with the addition of slightly slower-paced New Order-style drums. Lead singer Chelsea’s voice is reminiscent of Siouxse Sioux and Patti Smith. Debdepan provided the perfect tunes to chill out after a hard, loud heavy metal gig. Based on this set I bloody love Debdepan. The final track had some weird, warped jazz tones in it and for me was one of the best songs of the night. But “The Goat” was my favourite track of Debdepan‘s set.

Feather Trade offer passionate, soulful, powerful rock vocals which reminded me of early U2, back in the days when they were still a bit edgy, and I am not talking about their guitarist. This was definitelythere in their new single “A Ready Defense” which includes a fabulous marching drum pattern a bit like U2’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday”. This was a stunning set from a stupendous band on top of their game and on peak form. Musicaaly that lack almost nothing. Emotional, soaring vocals, drums that are a hair’s width away from 100% perfection. Bass sounds that could bring down Olympus Mons, the highest mountain in our solar system. On top of all that their songs are overlaid with guitar sounds that could draw tears from the hardest of hearts, well unless that heart belomgs to a Tory MP! But fuck those scummy Conservatives, they have no hearts anyway. Feather Trade is a band that you need in your life!

Finally it was time for the Exceptional Mr. Hyde, this set was one of a number of dates that the band have put together to promote their new album ‘The Inevitable Rise Of…..’. I reviewed the album a litlle while ago and said “It is an album that bears repeated listening, and with each spin, it seems to build more power”. They have a great punk attitude and a mix of too many genres to mention, but fuck that mix works well! Bass and guitar work was exceptionally good. The band were missing their keyboard player, but the recorded parts worked well. They also don’t have a drummer, but the prerecorded drums (or drum machine) are mountainous. The srum sound on “Crash Land” stands in good comparison to the drum and bass style on Bowie’s ‘Earthling’ from 1997. The Exceptional Mr. Hyde blasted into their set with the song that opens the album, “Burn” and it was something very special indeed. A song about the earth and the environment, “She Cries” showed more care and conviction than any politician ever has. The ended the evening with a sonic explosion called “Solemn Power”. This was a great set showcasing a brilliant album!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVRaIJCpqQU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ6Kemrmy9E

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‘The Inevitable Rise Of ……. The Exceptional Mr. Hyde’ November 8, 2023

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 11:52 pm
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The Exceptional Mr. Hyde release their new album on 10th November, and it has been on rotation here in Mayhem Towers for a while. It is an album that bears repeated listening, and with each spin, it seems to build more power. It starts with “Burn” with magnificent riffing and screaming guitars. It carries a dark and angry mood. The lyric “heads up your obsequious arses” definitely conveys an angry contempt for someone. There is a dark gothic disco feel to “Steal” which leans toward a heavier Sisters Of Mercy sound. The album moves into almost ballad territory with “She Cries” a tune that might be perfect on the soundtrack of a classy British horror film. Speaking of horror, “Falling Down” is one of the best tracks on the album, but listening to it on headphones in the dark it has a sometimes disturbing tone with the potential to scare. The guitars on “Crashland” have quite a jaunty pop style, but Phil’s vocals add a more sinister vibe to it.

The riffage on “Sleeping Bag” is truly mountainous and the vocals suggest Lemmy in a nightmare. The drums here drive the track perfectly. The sound belies the title as there is no way you could fall asleep to it! The synths are sumptuous and I assume they result from the credited wizardry of Karl Marsden. The recent single “Solemn Power” is an absolute banger and in a recent singes review I said “Is this electro dance or heavy rock? Actually, it is both. If Hawkwind began in the 21st century it might sound like this” I stand by that opinion, the song is the perfect blend of electro dance and thumping heavy rock. Weirdly drum ‘n’ bass tones make an appearance on “Control” and they are highly effective. Is there an argument for a new genre here, Goth ‘n’ Bass anyone? The synths on “Control” suggest the early industrial-style stuff from Gary Numan. The album closes with “Another Picture” which I think is another film soundtrack contender, maybe a Sci-Fi/ Horror classic. It has everything but the kitchen sink and the whole band is on fire here. After four or five listens this is the song that has stayed in my head. If you love good music you need to check this album out!

Lead vocalist Phil Montgomery also told me the rather intriguing story of the cover. He did say it might be too long for this piece, but personally I found it too interesting to leave out or precis. He said “The background photos used are from a derelict, abandoned 1920’s hotel and destroyed complex in Croatia that I explored a few years ago. The story is really interesting and a tale of scandal and debauchery. As a hotel it was used by the rich and famous, boasting working hostesses that were called the guests ‘pets’, the swimming pool was rumoured to have been filled with champagne at one point. Then it slid into decline followed by civil war breaking out. It became populated by refugees that stripped it bare of its luxurious furnishings. Then the soldiers moved in and used it as a base, finally being attacked from the sea by the opposition. It’s very close to Dubrovnik. It’s fascinating, walls destroyed by shells and peppered with bullet holes. The front cover is one of the internal rooms in the hotel. To Mr Hydes left, if you zoom in, is a woman depicting innocence (holding a lamb and a baby), to his right is The Trickster, a Loki type character. The electricity is supposed to be their influence on his character. The background portrays the world, his playground. 😀 The rear cover depicts the world burning in the sky, this relates to the global warming/current deforestation/threat of extinction of species etc. The derelict buildings are from the same hotel complex as the front cover and relate to the greed and debauchery of the past, decline and war. The tank hovering in the back represents the ever present threat of war, power and control. The man in the suit represents money or governmental power with the head of an eyeball linking to big brother tactics. The electricity demonstrates how the men in the suits/power make us not only dance to their tune but enjoy it without abandon at the same time“.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ6Kemrmy9E

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Mayhem Singles Round Up Part 6 – The York Special October 27, 2023

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 4:22 pm
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It has been a while since the last Mayhem Singles Round Up so I thought how about one that focused on bands and artists from or based in York? This post contains songs from eighteen different artists and showcases the diversity of styles, the strength of music, and the depth of the music scene in my adopted city of York. All these tunes were delivered into the world by the magical music stork in the last few months. OK fact fans, three of these acts have a link to the school that I currently work at, can you guess which ones? Click here to take a listen to a Spotify playlist of all eighteen tracks, which is more than an hour of fab music! In case you are interested, the order of the songs was simply drawn out of a metaphorical hat 🙂

“G.U.N.N.E.R” – YouVee YouVee get proper heavy on this blockbuster of a tune. Shades of early Kasabian and even Black Sabbath abound!

“Start A New” – Bull – This is a band that moves closer to perfection with each release and “Start A New” has the makings of a Bull classic. The harmonies are good enough to melt even the hardest of hearts with the genius of adding a school choir too.

“Make Up” – Pennine Suite – I reckon this is Pennine Suite’s finest song so far. It has power, awesome vocals, and a chorus that sticks around in your head for quite a while.

“In Ecstasy” – Shed Seven featuring Rowetta – York’s musical titans the Sheds are back and with an absolute banger featuring the unmistakable vocal support of the magnificent Rowetta.

“Break In The Weather” – Benjamin Francis Leftwich – A gorgeous ballad of heartbreak that shows the emergence of buds of hope. Potentially a real tearjerker.

“Rebellion” – Anthea Drive – Is this Anthea Drive’s heaviest tune yet? I think so. Full of mountainous, immaculate riffs and roaring vocals.

“Your Mind’s Closed” – Offbeat – A delicious slice of indie pop that will get everyone moving a indie nights everywhere. I felt like the ghost of Altered Images haunted this tune a couple of times.

“Said And Done” – Fendry and Liv North – British rap is alive and well and Fendry might one day be at the forefront of it. This delightful collaboration with Liv North has parallels with some of Eminem’s work with female vocalists like Rihanna. Ace beats and rap that bleeds feelings and passion.

“Alive” – The Apocalypse Disco – If the apocalypse is truly on its way then this bunch must be on your end-of-the-world soundtrack. This joyous slice of electro does make me want to stay alive though. Dance to it and tell the four horsemen of the apocalypse to fuck right off!

“Marionette” – Vaquelin – a deep, dark tune from one of my favourite rock bands, Vaquelin. As usual, the guitar sound is immense as are the vocals. But the stand out is the drumming which would give Bonham and Moon a run for their money!

“Kelly’s In The Garden” – Heavy Bloom – A wonderfully chilled indie-style pop tune, like Air with added guitars. This will be on my summer playlist for next year.

“Tomorrow” – Fervent Red – This hits you like a hard-edged Beatlesy Brit Pop tune. It has a slight psychedelic vein running through it and a rather nifty chorus.

“Solemn Power” – The Exceptional Mr. Hyde – Is this electro dance or heavy rock? Actually, it is both. If Hawkwind began in the 21st century they might sound like this. This bodes well for their upcoming album!

“Last Train To Selby” – PERCY – Those West Yorkshire Superheroes are definitely back on form. A song that only PERCY could deliver. A great singalong that highlights a ghost on the train lyric. Check out the excellent video below.

“On My Mind (Radio Edit)” – CHAZ – A pounding piano-led house anthem that would move even the comatose. Dance music is alive and well in York as this debut single from CHAZ proves. The vocals are brilliant too.

“Save Your Time” – Rosettas – This captures some of the energy and power that the Rosettas have on stage. A great tune from a great band and every member is on top form.

“How Can You Be” – Everything After Midnight – My favourite Everything After Midnight song from the first listen. It has been aired live in a different form. But now it is an all-round close to perfect tune. The guitars smack you in the face in a good way while Steph’s vocal is close to heavenly.

“Fixed Point” – Heartsink – Those cheeky pop-punk chaps Heartsink have another great tune for our delectation. A little more acoustic than usual, at least initially. But a song that turns the riffage and passion up to 11 towards the fade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ6Kemrmy9E

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