Albums I am looking forward to in 2025 (and some wishful thinking)

 There are quite a few albums which I thought artists would release in 2024 but never materialised so maybe 2025 is the year where more come to fruition.

Alice in Chains

Jimmy Cantrell has festivals booked for his solo tour in 2025 but you never know, an Alice in Chains record may materialise after that.

Alter Bridge

They have been demoing tracks and are going to go in the studio. Everyone knows these guys don't hang about so I would expect an album to be released later on in 2025, if not early 2026.

Amy MacDonald

It's been a while for Amy too, got my fingers crossed for this one.

Beck

He used to be a music making machine but feels like he's been away from the limelight for quite a few years. I can't imagine this will last much longer.

Black rebel motorcycle club

Honestly don't know what's happened to them.  It's been 7 years since their last album. Wondering if they will ever come back.

The Charlatans

These guys are one of these bands they feel like have been really active, and Tim Burgees in particular always seems to be doing something. But amazingly the last Charlatans album "Different Days" was released in 2017. Will it be 2025 for these guys?

Mason Hill

A band who have been away for a while due to the singer quitting. But they have been teasing a new era on socials so looks like they may have a new singer and possibly an album in the works.

Muse

They do have a headline slot at Hellfest in 2025. I wonder if a new album is in the works. Maybe more likely in 2026 but you never know may squeeze it in late 2025.

Nosound

I keep reading on Nosounds Facebook page that a new album is coming but no date yet. Hopefully 2025

Oasis

Now this would be a curveball. Already announced a massive worldwide tour.  Both Liam and Noel have never stopped making music since Oasis split up all those years ago. Could they slip in a new album? Or will they be celebrating 30 years of whats the story?

Olivia Rodrigo

Expected to release an album this year.

Shinedown

Been a few years now since "Planet Zero" came out. They have got a few headline slots in festivals in America planned for 2025. I wonder if its the start of a new era for them with a new album or a closure on Planet Zero.

Sleep token

It feels like they have just released their last album but I read somewhere they are planning to release another album in time for their headline set at Download festival in 2025.

Steven Wilson

This one is in the bag and due in March

Taylor Swift

I am not expecting a new album after a very busy 2024 with touring and tortured poets department. But I would expect the last few re-releases to come out in the form of her self titled and reputation albums

Those Damn Crows

Album due April - Very strong singles particularly "Still". Really looking forward to it

Tremonti

Another one in the bag and due 10th January

Wolf Alice

They have been quiet recently so hoping they have been beavering away on a new album.

The Wombats

They have been releasing singles which have been alright, I hope the album has better stuff on it.

The 1975

They finished touring early on in 2024 for the last album cycle so I would have thought they maybe back in the studio in 2024 going into 2025.  I do wonder if Taylor Swifts digs at Matty Healy in her album will fuel Matty's creative thinking for the new 1975 album. Or will he rise above it?

Bring me the horizon - Post Human: Next Gen

 "Post Human: Next Gen" is the 7th full length album by Sheffield band Bring me the Horizon.  This album is the 2nd in a 4 part series which was meant to be the 2nd part of a 4 part series of releases to take place over a few years period. But due to the success of the first EP, "Post Human: Survival Horror" and clearly some issues in the band which resulted in electronics man Jordan Fish leaving the band half way through the recording of Next Gen meant that this project felt like it was forever delayed.  That was until May 2024 when they surprise released it and when announcing the album they released it the next day.

Just to give you an idea on how long this album was worked on, it was September 2021 when the first single was released for this album in the shape of "Die4u". Which is a great track.  After that they started collaborating with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Sigrid and Machine Gun Kelly, but known of that material featured on this release and instead features under those artists names and is featuring Bring me the Horizon.  Then cam "Strangers" and "Lost".  "Lost" was a bit of a curveball and maybe MGK influenced this one as its the most pop punk thing Bring me the Horizon have ever done.  And because of this I have mixed feelings on it. For starter I didn't like it but listening to it within the album it is actually a really good song.

"Amen!" on the other hand is exactly what you would expect from Bring me the Horizon.  Pure ferocity but at the same time the vocals clear enough that you can make out what Oli is saying.  I thought it was so good in fact that it ranked number 1 of my top 10 songs of last year. The final singles to be released before the album came out were "Darkside" and "kool-aid" which are tremendous.   So that's 6 mega singles released before the album came out.  So Bring me put themselves in the position where do the 6 singles carry the album or do the rest of the songs on the album send this album into the stratosphere to make a classic album?

Well for me it is well and truly the latter. What an album.  They have even more tracks which are great rock songs such as "Youtopia" and "Top 10 statues that cried blood".  Then you have the lighter side of the album in the form of "N/a!" and album closer "Dig it".  One thing a was a bit confused about was that when I went to see them in January earlier this year which was a tour which meant to coincide with the release of this album.  Was that during that show they said they were recording the crowd sing part of a song, which they did a few times and it will appear on the album.  They probably did this during other dates of the tour too but for the life of me I can't hear any of this on the album.  

But that certainly doesn't deter from just how good this album is and for me this trumps "That's the spirit which use to be my favourite Bring me the horizon.  Not only that but I imagine it will be well up there in my end of year top 10 album list.  

25/06/2024 - Green day @ Bellahouston park, Glasgow

 It's been 19 years since I was last at a gig in Bellahouston park which was Coldplay on their X and Y tour.  Green day announced this gig last year but I didn't immediately buy tickets.  The latest album "Saviours" came out earlier this year and I thought was the best album they have done in a number of years.  But when they announced that they were celebrating 30 years of "dookie" and 20 years of "American Idiot" by playing both albums in full, I was sold, so sounded out the gig gang and majority were up for it.

Getting to the gig was no problem at all.  Parked about 30 minutes walk away so we avoided getting stuck in some very slow moving traffic. Once we got to the venue, it was very quick getting in with no queues. And only had 20 minutes wait for the first support, Maid of Ace to come on stage.  They are 4 piece, all girl rock band from Hasting in the south of England.  Their set must have been about 30 minutes filled with punchy, angsty, straight to the point rock songs to get the evening off to a great start.  Which is more than I can say for my map reading skills.  As I proposed a meet up point as we were all coming at different times only to find I picked the point the other side of where everyone in the gang was coming in from.  D'oh.  But we did manage all to meet up so all good.

The main support for the night was Nothing but thieves.  An interesting choice and I read quite a few things before hand saying not many people had heard of them so were surprised by Green Day's choice of support.  Especially when you consider support acts Green day have had in the past like Fall out boy, Weezer and on other dates on this tour they have had the Smashing pumpkins.  But those in the know will know Nothing but thieves have been on the rise over the last few years and have supported the likes of Muse as well as being on mainstream radio.  The big big question is would it appeal to Green Day fans as their music is more indie with latest stuff especially have a dance groove through it.

When they took the stage themselves you could tell they themselves were wondering how they would go down. And to me it felt like they went down really well. It was a great set with a mix from all their albums.  Tracks like "Everybody going crazy", "Amsterdam" and "Welcome to the DCC" my personal stand outs.  I was really pleased they got a shot at this slot and they really did deliver.

Then it was time for Green Day who started the set with "American Dream is killing me"  off of "Saviours".  Then it was time to blow up the Dookie balloon and head straight into "dookie" in it's entirety".  So many good songs off this album.  I think "Basket case" was by far and away the stand out and is up there with their most popular songs. I still remember the video coming on MTV2 and Kerrang during my youth.  Other highlights included "When I come around" and "Welcome to Paradise".  But I think this part of the set proved that "dookie" deserves all the accolades it gets as it is a really class and solid album.

After completing "dookie" they had a mini set which was a mixture of "Saviours" and some other albums.  And when I say dipped into other albums I mean 1 song off "21st century breakdown", 1 off "insomniac", 1 off "Warning" and 1 off "Kerplunk".  For "Know your enemy" they invited a girl on stage to sing some of it which she did well and got lots of hugs off Billy as well as a selfie.  But later they invited a guy on stage who was holding a sign up saying "I can play dilemma on guitar".  Which caught Billy Joel's attention and invited him to play it.  And he really did knock it out the park.  Billy Joel paid massive respect to him after.

Then it was time for "American Idiot" in full.  There are songs on this album I was really looking forward to seeing live and they did not disappoint. "American idiot" itself, "Boulevard of Broken dreams", "Holiday", "Jesus of Suburbia" and the last track on the album "Wake me up when September ends".  I feel these songs are on a par with "Basket Case" and do hold the album up quite a lot.  It's like "dookie" is a solid album with 1 real stand out.  But "American idiot" has more songs at "Basket case" level, which does make some of the other songs feel not as good.

To finish the night they played the 5th track of the night from "Saviours" in the form of "Bobby sox" and then could they finish the night with anything but "Time of your life"? Absolutely not.  It was a great night and so glad I have finally got round to seeing them.  Venue was also superb, really good sound and no issues getting in and out.  There was some light rain during the supports but never threatened to turn the place into a mud pit.

Albums I am looking forward to in 2024

 These are the artists I am hoping to hear from in 2024, either they have confirmed plans for an album or its about time for an album

Alice in Chains - No idea what these guys are doing these days but it was pre-covid since their last album. Would be nice if they had one up their sleave this year.

Amy MacDonald - 4 years since "Human Demands" so will be interesting to see if we hear from her this year.

Anthrax - This is an album which seems to be talked about a lot but never materialising. Maybe 2024

Beck - Must be due an album - last one he released was in 2019 Hyperspace.  I think he has been doing collabs quite a bit but a guy like Beck must be sitting on some amount of albums after 5 years.

Black rebel motorcycle club - These guys released a live album this year but feels like ages since they released an album. In fact it was 2018 with Wrong creatures

Boston Manor - Datura part 2 is on the cards for this year and I am hoping a tour too.  From 2020 when I first heard them they have become one of my favourite bands as well as most listened to.

Bring me the Horizon - Post human -- Next gen - This one is due to come out on 12th Jan, 2 days before I'm due to see them.  Cannot wait.

Coldplay - Moon Music - No release date but hopefully will hear it this year.  As they begin to wrap up their reign.

Dead Poet Society - A band I was introduced to by one of my gig budies Craig, and have a new album out in January and a gig to follow in March. Looking foward to it.

Green Day - Saviour - I loved Green Day's earlier stuff but feel they haven't released much good stuff over recent years. But will still give this a listen to see if they can conjour up some magic again.

Jade Bird - She has been quite active on social media in the last year so would expect an album is on the horizon

Judas Preist - Album due out in March and going to see them in March too. Need to do a deep dive into their older albums pre-gig.

Kacey Musgraves - Last album in 2021. So think she might have something in the works for this year.

Mason Hill - This will be an interesting one.  They have been announcing live dates for next year but not announced the new lead singer yet. They have been working on a second album so will be interesting to see how it turns out. Hopefully this year.

Myles Kennedy/Tremonti/Creed - Last year was an album free year for all these acts. What will we be getting this year. Usually these guys are on creativity overload so I would expect something.  Just remembered Mark released a Christmas album in 2023 but that still counts as a quiet year on the creativity front.

Nosound - It's been a while since Nosound have released an album and they have been quite active in social media about recording so hopefully 2024 will finally see an album.

Pearl Jam - Another band I haven't heard from in a while. In fact it was Gigaton in 2020 so maybe hear something from them in 2024.  Will they ever play Glasgow?

Scott Stapp - Higher Power - The Creed lead singers last solo album was awesome and looking forward to this one coming out March

Sum 41 - Due to release their last album. Hope they go out with a bang.

Taylor Swift - 2 more releases to go to complete her re-recordings.  Self titled and Reputation.  It's been less than 2 years since her last album "Midnights" and with her heavy touring schedule I wouldnt expect an album this year but if she does it will be at the tail end of the year.

Trash boat - They released some singles in 2023 so fully expect an album in 2024.

Wolf Alice - I do really expect a Wolf Alice album this year. 2021 was their last and they have been through the gig cycle. So would hope they have an album in the pipeline.

Avenged Sevenfold - Life is but a dream...

  "Life is but a dream..." is the 8th album by US metal heavyweights Avenged Sevenfold. Released in June 2023, it has been 7 years since they last released an album, that being "The Stage", back in 2016.  So why has it been so long?  Obviously, there was Covid and organising the orchestra sections in Prague.  But on top of that the band seemed like they were very relaxed and chilled into taking their time making the record. Realising that they are in a fortunate position that they are such a huge band and I have heard them say that at this stage in their careers they can basically do what they want.

And with "Life is but a dream..." they have certainly done just that.  This is not a band that regurgitates the same thing, album after album. Neither it is band who are trying to please all their fanbase.  They have come a long way since their metalcore roots, releasing their first album "Sounding the Seventh Trumpet" back in 2001.  They have constantly tried to change and evolve their sound, even from 2nd album "Waken the fallen" it was clear that Avenged weren't your normal metal band.  Then boom they released "City of evil", their breakthrough album and although tragedy hit with the passing of the drummer the Rev, the band continually release high quality material.

Personally though, I only got into them after singer M Shadows and guitarist Synster Gates appeared at the Hollywood bowl in 2017 at the Chester Bennington memorial concert where they collaborated on a song with the other members of Linkin Park.  This turned out to be my gateway to discovering Avenged and I have been delving into their back catalogue ever since.  When they finally got round to releasing "Life is not a dream..." I was excited as it’s a long time to wait for new material from a band.  The first single they released was "Nobody" and I still to this day have mixed feelings on this song.  It has this simple 2 note riff which runs through the whole track.  Sometimes it can get annoying as its almost too simple and repetitive.  But once you get into the track there is so much interesting things happening which can distract you from it whether it's Gate's guitar solos or M Shadows vocals.

This album really is a rollercoaster.  You can say for absolute certain that they have never done anything like this before.  Yes, there are parts of the album, you go "oh that’s classic Avenged".  But as a piece it is totally unique.  In fact, I would go one step further and say no artist has attempted an album like this.  Yes, there are plenty of artists who produce unique, experimental albums.  But this album, with the use of a piano, orchestra, Daft punk style vocals, even sounds like Frank Sinatra in places; put that all in a blender and you have something which takes you on a real journey.  Sure, individual artists have come before Avenged and clearly Avenged have been influenced by them.  But they haven't done things the way Avenged has done it here.

But is it a good thing? Has it worked? I have mixed feelings on this.  When I listen to an album, obviously you don't really want to listen to the same type of songs 10 times.  But in this case, it kind of goes to the other extreme and although the flow of the songs does fit together, there is such a mix of sounds and genres, I'm not always in the mood to be so open minded.  Which is what you need to fully appreciate this album.   There are times I really like this album, but other times I find myself skipping over tracks.

Overall though I do really admire what they have tried to do here.  I think it's a big tick for pushing boundaries and experimenting.  They have also really focused on other things as well like the Deathbat’s club and the attention to detail in their videos mean it must have taken ages to make.  Far from my album of the year but I do appreciate the attempt and would be amazing to see them live.

Download Festival 2023

 I was meant to go to Download last year but had to pull out last minute.  I was worried I might have to do the same this year mainly because you don't want to let folk down again.  But that didn't happen and this time I was prepared and raring to go with my buddies Campbell, Colin and Fraser.

Wednesday

This is the day we travelled down to Donnington. We arrived about half 2 and only had to queue for the car park for about half an hour. Which was lucky as many had to queue for hours and hours.  We were lucky as are allocated car park for quiet camping was the West car park which was nearing capacity when we were there but we got a space ok.  After that was full you would have had to go to North or East where all campers were trying to squeeze into hence the long queues from all directions.  

It was a bit of a hike just getting to the entrance where we got our wrist bands.  We brought all our gear in one go and I think we were all struggling with it and had many stops as the tents were heavy and we had a cool box full of drink.  We didn't have to queue for our wrist band but still had to negotiate the zig zag queuing system.  After that we headed for quiet camping which again was a bit of a hike.  Going through the blue campsite and quiet camping was already quite busy.  Although we reached a point where it was quieter and pitched our tents there.  

It was about 5pm by the time we had pitched the tents so we sat out for a while in our camping chairs and the guys drank some beer.  About 6ish we headed to the village where there is food and entertainment.  We also went to the Refresh retreat which is basically posh toilets and lockers which we all paid for.  So we registered for that. Then headed for the village and got pizza for dinner.  We then headed back to campsite and chilled for a while via some shops where Colin and Fraser got some patches for their battle jackets. It was very cold so we had multiple layers on.  Then headed to bed about half 10.  

I got zero sleep the first night. Due to the traffic issues people were pitching tents around us all through the night,  the nightlife in the village was also pretty loud till well into the early hours and the early hours and there were planes constantly going over head and were loud as we were very close to East Midlands airport.  On top of that I had too much caffine before going to bed and forgot to take my meds. But apart from that...........lol

Thursday

As I had no sleep I got up at 7am with the others and headed for Refresh retreat and there were no queues for showers or toilets.  We got back to camp site and chilled till about midday and headed back to refresh retreat before heading to the arena.  The walk from campsite to the village/Refresh retreat was about a mile then another mile to the arena. So by the time we got to the arena we had already done 10000 steps.  

Once in the arena the guys got the beers in and I filled up my bottle at the water station and we headed to the Opus stage which is the second stage to watch Cherry bombs who are a dance troupe who do all these fancy dance tricks to metal music. Corey Talyor's wife is part of this act.  They were good and something different to what you get at a music festival. We also met Campbell and Colin's friends Justin and Sara here, who we would hang out with quite a bit over the weekend.

Cancer bats were on the Opus stage next and I wanted some food so went off to get pizza.  Didn't even have to wait in a queue but when I went back to the Opus stage I couldnt find anyone. So had to message Campbell to meet at the ice cream van we arranged to meet at if we got split up. Which worked well and we all met up again.

We then set up camp at the Apex stage or main stage for the rest of the day.  First up was Mammoth VH who was class, great upbeat rock and roll music.  I have to admit though was feeling a bit wobbly at this stage which I think was due to lack of sleep and not taking my meds.  I said this to Colin and Campbell too and thought if I don't get a good night sleep tonight I may have to go home as my head could get seriously messed up.  But I did also say I knew how to get out of this and was determined to turn things around.

I was still I bit dodgy during Jinjer and Halestorm. Both acts I have seen in the last 6 months and they put on some more great performances.  Alter Bridge were next on, one of my favourite bands and they played Blackbird which is one of my favourite songs of all time.  Campbell had his first major decision to make at that point as Skindred were playing at the same time and he is really into both bands but he opted for Alter Bridge in the end.

The headliner tonight was Metallica and by that time I was feeling more stable.  It was very cold though but the guys recomended to bring a jumper with us to the arena and tie it round our waists. It was still cold but at least not as cold. This was my first time seeing Metallica and I did enjoy their set.  They played quite a few songs from the new album as well as diving into their extensive back catalogue which included a very pleasing "Nothing else Matters".

We headed back to camp and got back about 11.45 and that was day 1 in the bag.

Friday.

I slept like a log and woke up around 9pm.  The guys had already been up to Refresh retreat and had a shower. I headed there and there was a huge queue and whispers of a two hour wait.  I remember telling the guys, sorry but I'm just going to smell for the rest of the time. Even they had to wait for an hour to get a shower and they got up at 6.30. You didn't have to queue for toilets though or sinks so that was a plus.

I was pleased though to be in control again and raring to go.  We headed to Refresh retreat on the way to the arena for Day 2.  We got some food and headed for the Apex stage again. Where we stayed for most of the afternoon.  We saw Stand Atlantic, Nova Twins, Hot Milk and Neck Deep. My favourite as Nova Twins. I had seen them before supporting Bring me the Horizon and they are such a great live band who feel quite orignal.  Vocally brilliant too.  After that we went to the small tent called the Dogtooth stage to watch Brutus who are a Belgium 3 piece rock act.  Colin had a recommendation from one of his mates to see them and they disappoint. Probably the best discovery of the weekend.   This is where we split up and Campbell and I went to see Within Temptation while Colin and Fraser went to see Gwar ( only to find out they got moved to Saturday).  From their myself and Campbell went to see Architects, a band who we both have really got into over the last few years and they did not disappoint. While Fraser and Colin went to see Evanesance.

We all then met for the headliner tonight which was Bring me the Horizon.  The very first time they headlined download and what a set. Collabs with Nova Twins and Amy Lee from Evanesance.  Mad videos during breaks in the set. A set which mainly focused on their last few albums.  It was absolutley brilliant and my favourite act of the weekend.

Saturday

To be honest when I first saw the lineup for Saturday it was the only day where I didn't have anyone I really wanted to see and thought I'd just let the guys decide what we see. But I did do a bit of research before we went and found I quite liked quite a few of the acts on today.

We headed for the main stage first thing and forgot acts started earlier on a Saturday and got there a bit later.  We got in, in time for Fever 333 and lead singer being a nutter climbing up one of the towers that has a TV on the top. Yeah really rock and roll.  We stayed there for most of Ice nine kills which was surprisingly good.  Before heading over to the big tent which was the Avalanche stage to watch Black gold.  We then went back to the Main stage to watch Clutch.  Like most of the weekend it was really hot during the day. But at this point it was really hot and I found myself lying down fully during Clutch.  There was quite a bit of space during the day at the Apex stage you could do that.  

There was a gap where we went and got food before splitting up again. Campbell went to see Disturbed. While Colin, Fraser and myself went to see Simple plan on the Opus stage. I listened to them before and they seemed like a fun pop punk band from Canada, and they certainly delivered.  They also did something not many other bands did and did a three song covers medely with Smash mouth's "Allstar", Avril Lavigne's "Skater Boy" and Killers "Mr Brightside". As well as their own Scoobi doo song.  

After that we met Campbell again and headed to the Avalanche stage to see Coheed and Cambria who were very good and were also headlining that stage.  Then it was time for Metallica part 2.  We got back to the Apex stage and it was starting.  Same into music as the first night.  I have to admit bar more tracks from the new album and "Enter Sandman" I didn't recognise nearly as much as the first night.  I was thinking that maybe one night would have been better and more focused.  Fair enough doing 2 nights at your own gigs especially with Metallica's back catalogue but a festival not everyone is there to see you.  Still I can't say it was bad though.

Sunday

Last day of music and earliest we got to the arena which was before 12 to see one of the bands Campbell had been to see Bloodywood who are a metal band from India.  Although half way through the set we finally met up with some of Campbell's mates who Campbell had been trying to meet up with the whole weekend so weren't really paying attention to Bloodywood for the duration and may have to see them again.

We stayed at the main stage for Lorna Shore who were probably my least favourite act of the weekend.  Very growly vocals which I wasn't a fan of.  Then we moved further down the front for the Hu.  Who are a Mongolian metal band complete with electric double bases.  Very good sound going on here and they went down a storm.  After that there wasn't much  on we wanted to see for a few hours so headed for the tap house which had a range of beers. But that was very full with long queues as people try and hidde away from the sun. 

Then it was back to the Apex stage for Campbell and myself while the others headed for the Dogtooth stage. We saw I Prevail, which is band I had been looking forward to for quite some time and they did not disappoint.  We then met up again and headed for Opus stage for Bad Religon. They were ok but their songs were a bit samy. Felt a bit old school punk.  Then for the headliners on the Opus stage Ghost.  I have seen the twice but my my are they good.  After that it was off for the final act of the weekend. The headliners of the Apex stage Slipknot.  They were really good too and played all the songs I appreciate the most. 

Overall

Overall, this is a great festival, made better with great company. As well as Campbell, Fraser and Colin. I include Justin, Sara, Graham and Mathew in that too.  Thanks to Colin and Campbell for driving too.

Would I do it again?  Not next year but I wouldn't rule it out in future years.   To do it properly you do need to be fit and I think in that department I was lacking quite a bit. We were averaging 20000 steps a day and thats not including the acts we were standing for.  After a few days I did find it difficult to find a comfy seating postition without justs lying down vertical.  And you can't really stand up all day in the heat either.  You can of course bring a chair and put it down in the middle or back of the apex stage and sit in a campchair all day. But as you see we stage hopped a fair bit so you would end up carrying it about a fair bit

But it is a festival I won't forget in a hurry. I could have written a lot more about the bands especially but would need to make it a book lol.

21/02/2023 - Those Damn Crows @ The Garage, Glasgow

 Last time I saw Those Damn Crows was at the Cathouse in Glasgow just before covid hit in February 2020.  They're second album "Point of No Return" was just out and it felt they were on the brink of something special.  But unluckily for them it just came at the wrong time and the tour cycle for that album was over all too quickly.  Fast forward 3 years and they now have another album under their belt in the shape of "Inhale/Exhale". Which was only out the Friday before this gig.  The band were clearly on high after learning their mid-week chart position was No 3.  Something which would be cemented later in the week.

Tonight’s line-up saw Craig G, Brain, Campbell and myself hit the Garage.  And with The Garage turning into a nightclub later meant the gig starts slightly earlier and finishes about 10pm.  We arrived about 6.50pm and there was no queues to get in.  Although when we got inside it was clear that most people were already inside the venue.  The first band on tonight were Valhalla Awaits, like all the bands tonight they hailed from Wales.  This is something which the Crows did last time too, having their support bands from Wales. Which I have to give absolute kudos too as that truly is supporting your local music scene and giving bands more promotion.  

I really liked Valhalla Awaits.  Probably the heaviest band of the night.  Their hard rock, deep grooves and lots of twists and turns in their songs made for interesting and enjoyable listening.  It got to the point where it felt unfair on the second band as Valhalla set the bar high.  As I'm writing this review, I actually have had to look up the name of the second band which was James & the Cold Gun.  And I think that really tells its own story.  Don't get me wrong they were a decent band.  Just not as memorable as Valhalla.  They did remind me of The Subways a bit and that's not just because they have a tall, thin singer with shades and a female bassist that looks the spitting image of the women in The Subways. But also, their straight up rock songs too.  

Those Damn Crows themselves were on superb form and played a varied set diving into all 3 of their albums.  Most coming from their new album, but a fair chunk from "Point of no return" too.  The singer Shane did greet the crowd as Swansea at one point which got a good laugh before correcting himself and making a joke out of it himself like the utter pro of a frontman he has become.  I think what most people will remember from this gig is when Shane climbed up on the balcony still singing. While the security guard was holding him making sure he didn't go further along it before he climbed safety over it.  Then he went round to the back of the venue, down the stairs and through the crowd back to the stage, doing this while still singing.  

I know doing this fits the rock and roll image but personally I don't think he needs to do this.  The songs do all the heavy lifting and for a lot of people tonight they'll be coming back to see them regardless.  They decided on a different version of "Blink of an eye" again which they did at the Cathouse with Shane on the piano. This time it felt like they extended it slightly.  I also really enjoyed "Send the Reaper" which is one of my favourite Those Damn crow songs.  But the new album really does have plenty of songs which are up to the standard of those on "Point of no return".

They finished on "This time I'm ready" and "See you again". Interesting choices as they are not the all-out rockers we come to expect from the Crows.  More power ballads.  I'm wondering if this is a new direction they are heading in.  We were a bit surprised that "Be you" wasn't played as that is one of their more popular songs but it just shows you the catalogue they are starting to build.

Overall, a great night and Those Damn Crows really are building more and more of a following.  Someone I was speaking to was surprised they weren't playing the Barrowlands which is a venue twice as big as the Garage. Although this gig was sold out, it only just sold out in the week leading up to the gig.  So, I personally don't think they are there yet.  But if they keep doing what they are doing hopefully word will spread and they'll be playing there soon.