cyrusr

1 hour ago, Davkaus said:

Lorna Shore last night, second time I've seen them this year, they were my favourite set at Download, but having a sold out crowd packing out the Academy without the space of a festival field makes the circle pits somewhat more interesting, I was getting chucked around like a toy  

I won't say no to seeing them at a festival again, but their show definitely lends itself to being inside in the dark rather than outside in the summer. Really shows off how impressive Will Ramos' vocals are too, can't believe he can do that live and not drop a note.

Yeah they were really good last night, although it was more packed than I expected! Pit was smaller than I was expecting given the music (not that I partook though). Ramos and the band were excellent.
Only gripe though, throughout the show there was always someone in front recording it on their phone, and at I had at least 10 phones all recording the exact same thing. I get photos and clips for memories etc. but can’t you just watch the gig instead of recording it?

1 hour ago, mjmooney said:

I see the Mail/Express headlines now: "Traitor Starmer will give away our museum treasures". 

I'm not so sure for now and I think the tide may have turned (although that may well be the headline in a few years time) . The express article on this issue: -  

https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1839768/elgin-marbles-rishi-sunak-greece

Quote

'Annoyed' Greek PM accuses Rishi Sunak of running scared in escalating Elgin Marbles row

Greece’s Prime Minister has accused UK counterpart Rishi Sunak of running scared after the cancellation of a meeting aimed at discussing the future of the Elgin Marbles in a significant escalation of the row.

...

Kyriakos Mitsotakis had been hoping to meet the British Prime Minister today during his trip to London - and a source on the Greek side said he and his team had been left "baffled, surprised and not a little bit annoyed" at an apparent sudden cancellation, particularly when preventing migrant sea crossings - one of Mr Sunak's top five priorities - was high on the agenda

Curious interview from Politics Joe with Richard Tice.

It will be intriguing if Reform/Farage does actually put PR as its front and centre position for the next election (I know they have always wanted it, its just come far down the list of "ban immigrants" etc.). Whilst I still think their voter share is overinflated, this would add further pressure to the argument from the other side of the political spectrum. 

On 21/11/2023 at 07:52, Villan_of_oz said:

A manager that prepares his team's not to win but to not lose will never win a trophy (that anyone cares about)

Ahem, Bruce I think disagrees with you; this is one of the most coveted trophies of all time!

OT, Southgate though is an utterly dire manager. Has killed any desire to support England for me (not that it was particularly high prior to be fair). I do hope he goes sooner rather than later and get someone into the job that is actually competent. Although given how the FA is, I suspect they will try and appoint Hodgson or Allardyce again... 

9 hours ago, Davkaus said:

Looking forward to the next couple of weeks.

Lorna Shore

Billy Bragg

Of Mice and Men

Amity Affliction.

One of those is not like the others  

 

Yeah Lorna Shore are good, the rest are clearings in the woods

Of similar ilk but not quite as varied I've got Lorna Shore and Jazz Sabbath next week as well. 

31 minutes ago, Straggler said:

I think you are a little optimistic there. I suspect Starmer will draw a line under it or some other bs language about not looking backwards. I'm 100% confident these crimes will never be punished and the money never returned. They will even keep her in the Lord's despite having blatantly abused her position.

Accountability for the rich and powerful has never really been a thing in this country regardless of the incumbent government.

Possibly idealistic, but the Covid enquiry is going to present the ineptitude of everything and there will be significant political pressure to sort something out. The reason there hasn't been consequences yet is because it is still going through the system; although I suspect that you are right about her remaining in the Lords. The only way people will lose those seats if they actually sort out the Lords properly. 

The "government" has 6 years to bring a claim for breach of contract, so in theory March/April 2026. Those contracts will be in the hands of Labour soon enough and if there is any way to get that money back, I suspect Labour will be pursuing it. If anything else, it will massively help balance the books and justify how much better at money Labour are than Tories. 

Erm, OK, can't believe a pair of nipples has caused up this much of an issue for some people but there we are... The original comment was asking for her to be punished/reprimanded by the BBC for wearing the dress at an awards ceremony. Is it Andrew Tate levels of ignorance? Of course not but it still pretty poor judgment. You can have an opinion on whether she is a good pundit or not, irrespective of what she is wearing. The fact that what she is wearing has even entered the conversation shows we are far from sorting the problem. 

As is traditional on this site, we need to inject some form of music in non-music threads, and when I was reading through the comments, this song was playing in my head: -

The lyrics are below for context

Quote

Is this too much?
Is this not enough?
If I don't cover up
does that make it my fault?

You have painted me
so the clothes I am wearing
speak louder
than the things I am saying.

And the only thing I can be
is a prude or a whore
seeking attention
and nothing more.

Showing flesh, showing flesh
does not remove dignity
Showing flesh, showing flesh,
does not invalidate me.

Why are we still being punished just for having a body?
Why are we still being judged solely on our clothing?

Showing flesh does not deserve shaming
Showing flesh does not warrant blaming

Why the hell must you ask what the victim was wearing?

Why are our bodies seen as a bad thing?
To be locked away
in a misconception of purity.

To be hidden like a guilty secret

This is my skin
This is the vessel I exist in
It is not a sin
My body is not a sin!

21 hours ago, Seat68 said:

Seemingly based on that day last month they have fans on here, so, Tool have announced 3 dates in the UK.

Birmingham Resorts World Arena, 30 May
Manchester AO Arena, 01 June
London The O2, 03

Tickets on sale Friday (17 November) at 10am from Ticketmaster AXS The Ticket Factory See Tickets

It’s also the day after the Europa Conference Final Day, which if your hoping to go to if Villa get there means it may be a struggle…

What’s more frustrating is that King Gizzard are playing Wolverhampton the day of the final so that is frustrating….

47 minutes ago, Davkaus said:

As far as I know, the bands announced for Hellfest so far are for one day, and as you say, it pretty much matches Download, so it'll be interesting to see who else they pull in.

Sleeps are the biggest band on that list I'm interested in seeing. Maybe Machine Head. I do like Pantera's music, but yeah, not enough to go and watch a cover band fronted by a white supremacist, **** that guy in particular

Well thats the thing, Pantera was in its very nature the Abbott brothers band. It would be like continuing with Motorhead without Lemmy; just a cash grab on the name. 

15 hours ago, Davkaus said:

I've spent a grand on this shit, I'm gutted 

 

Maybe 15-20 bands in the smallprint I want to see, but **** me that's an absolutely dreadful set of headliners, a bloody far cry from Metallica, BMTH and Slipknot last year. Can see myself not going near the mainstage all weekend.

We locked in early because the festival is always fun, and it's so convenient, but it'll be Hellfest next time around, I reckon. 

Lower down does look a bit better but those are terrible headliners! TBF, Offspring and Machine Head would both be fun as well as Pantera (don't really consider it to be Pantera though) and Sum 41 for the nostalgia, but I think the highest level band that I would like to see but haven't is probably Heilun; so yeah.... 

Never been to Hellfest  but it an incredible reputation and sells out quickly (think it already has for next year). However, looking at the announced line up its not dissimilar to Download, save for the inclusion of Foo Fighters. However, their undercards tend to be amazing and based more around specific genres for each stage. Graspop in Belgium is brilliant, although it has been about 10 years since I've been. It tends to get a lot of the same bands as Hellfest. You can get a dirt cheap flight to Eindhoven and there's a direct coach from Eindhoven airport and/or train station to the festival site as well; so we got the bus to the train station, hired a locker to put bags in and then go all day drinking in Eindhoven 

3 hours ago, Wainy316 said:

I'll be doing multiple playthroughs that's for sure.  One of which will be an absolute bastard dark urge run.

Both wife & I are on our 2nd play throughs although this time we are playing separately. I've gone tactician and whilst tough, definitely doable. Finding a lot more that missed last time and still only in act 1. 

The wife decided to do the dark urge and genuinely looks so good to play, even if the options are erm, deadly (she's so far killed 2 people in camp and lost 2 companions). Would really recommend doing it though just for the different spin on it all. 

13 minutes ago, Davkaus said:

I went to see that lot in Nottingham and had a cracking time. Was only there for Pupil Slicer tbh, never really quite got ETS tbh, but it was a very fun gig.

Think I may end up missing MTS on Tuesday as I put my back out a couple of days ago, hoping for a recovery but it's pushing it a bit based on how shit I feel.

Absolutely hyped for Lorna Shore, coming over to Brum again to see them, it'll be the third time I've seen them this year, but the first time I've seen a full set rather than an opener/festival slot, it's been absolute chaos on the previous occasions so I can't wait

Weirdly had pulled my back last Saturday and was pushing it for the gig on Tuesday. Made it OK but was feeling it at the end.

Lorna Shore were never really on my radar until I was reading the reviews of Pain Remain and gave that a whirl which impressed me a lot!

17 hours ago, Davkaus said:

Only two 3 this month, Make Them Suffer, Atreyu, and then Lorna Shore.

Make Them Suffer is at the Xoyo (used to be the Mill), never been there before, what's it like as a venue for sound, parking access, etc? 

Then I've got 6 in December  

The Mill was alright, a bit rough and ready mind; no idea what it’s like as Xoyo and whether it’s changed or not. Parking wise there’s on street parking around digbeth but there’s a relatively big car park right opposite which is alright but you’ll be paying £5-7 for the evening. Think it’s through Ring go if you want to check prices.

Was out at Employed To Serve with Pupil Slicer supporting who were both great. They also had Going Off as an opening act who are a hardcore act signed to church road records (Justine and Sammy from Employed To Serve label following Holy Roar’s collapse). They were alright, but had one particular twit in the crowd who was knocking peoples beers out of their hands and for some reason that was not being taken too kindly…

Going to Lorna Shore as well at the end of the month but got Empire State B*stard (Simon from Biffy Clyro heavy side project with the touring guitarist as well) next Friday which will be pretty sweet.

14 hours ago, Demitri_C said:

Sounds good in theory but can it be retrieved? I highly doubt it tbh

 

To be honest, even if they could just exposed the flaws in the system and make sure it doesn’t happen again that would be a good start. The sheer corruption of the last 5/10 years has just been unbearable and we need to get confidence back into politics.

2 hours ago, Davkaus said:

Sober me the next morning: Come on mate, you had a few beers, but there's no **** way that was 20 minutes. Maybe 5. too bloody long either way  

The concept of "Christian" metal bands I don't think succeed particularly well outside of the USA. Wasn't it the case for a lot of them that the reason that they are "Christian" was that their parents wouldn't allow them to play this type of music if it wasn't? 

3 minutes ago, Rustibrooks said:

I currently have a bet on with a few mates that he’ll eventually become the leader of the tories/PM by 2030. We made this bet after the Brexit Referendum, only 7 years to go lol.

He won't ever be PM as it would actually need to do something. All he does is say what should be done. If/when they follow through with it and it inevitably fails, he can call out criticise and say "that's not how I would have done it" but I will happily tell you all about it for £.... No need to actually put his money where his mouth is. 

A grifter through and through. 

1 hour ago, mjmooney said:

The nearest thing to metal that I like is (post-growling) Opeth. 

Maybe try Devin Townsend’s “Ki”.

Its an album he released following the end of Strapping Young Lad and somewhat a reaction to that “heaviness” and aggressiveness. With this album he plays a lot slower, more melodic, very few “growls” but when they are there, it’s purposeful.

It’s also part of a 4 album pack dealing with different styles, you may also find “Ghost” interesting as it deals more with world music influences and very chilled out.

Whilst writing this, try his Casualties of Cool album. It’s a collaboration with a Canadian singer songwriter Che Aimee Dorval with country/Americana swing on it (calling @Seat68).

Agree metal can be very polarising but still think there’s something for everyone within the genre.

21 minutes ago, Davkaus said:

Anyone been to gigs at Alexandra Palace before? I'm guessing that trying to park at the venue is a very stupid thing to do?

Going to see While She Sleeps, Bury Tomorrow and Polaris at the weekend, hell of a lineup!

Not been to Ally Pally but when I drive to London gigs I tend to park at Finchley Central and tube in from there as it’s about 10 minute drive from M1.

Looking at where it’s at it seems like it’s the middle of nowhere! What about prebooking some parking with one of the parking apps like JustPark? 

2 hours ago, GarethRDR said:

I've not gotten round to listening to any of them yet, but I've got the Empire State Bastard debut (a frankly ludicrous conglomerate of talent in Mike Vennart, Simon Neil and Dave Lombardo), the new Slowdive and the new Explosions In The Sky queued up for tonight.  It's gonna be a reet good 'un.

Empire State Bastard is class  you're in for a treat. 

3 minutes ago, GarethRDR said:

I can now only associate Pupil Slicer with their opening patter at this year's Portals, it was something along the lines of: "They say shoegaze is coming back, yeah, I see you all in your long-sleeved shoegaze tees, well it's RUBBISH, it's never coming back!" *launches into Dillinger-esque riffs*.

I mean, I don't agree with them, but I was laughing.

They are supporting Employed To Serve next month (along with Going Off!) - cannot wait!

31 minutes ago, GarethRDR said:

I forgot about the new Baroness... it's been a bumper month!

Absolutely. I keep forgetting to say; but the new Pupil Slicer that came out a few months back is absolutely killer (I think it was you that previously recommended)! I didn't find Mirrors to be amazing but Blossom feels like a huge step in progression from them and is very impressive! 

4 hours ago, GarethRDR said:

Wouldn't play CDs in a car but nor would I stream, I'd just be sticking my jailbroken iPod Classic into the aux in (or worst case scenario a loaded USB stick, if no aux in available).  Physical media and actually owning my shit trumps the "convenience" of streaming each and every time for me, and as I'm not a vinyl junkie, CDs are my go-to.  The mooted decline in popularity has actually been a huge boon for me, as people are flogging off all their CDs at record stores, I get more stuff to browse through and they're priced ever cheaper.  Last week alone I picked up the below across three record stores (including two new releases from an HMV, which is admittedly a very rare occurrence these days).  Could have been more, Thirteen Records in Dundee (the store that was set up in the wake of Groucho's closing) happily let me in the back (KW.jpg) to flick through the shelves and boxes of second-hand CDs they hadn't gotten round to putting out yet.  Could have happily spent hours down there, but at the 30 minute mark I could sense the burgeoning murderous intent from my wife.

That Scott Walker/Sunn O))) colab is brilliant! Lots of other good CDs there as well.

CDs are by far my most consumed format of music. I get vinyls but don't often get to play them - struggle with work and what not so I whilst I do buy every now and then; I just can't justify the cost. I have spotify but don't find the format the best for recommendations or looking at what is new for what i want etc. I find it quite good for playlists but it still annoys me that it doesn't have everything so would need to go elsewhere to get some tracks. 

CDs I find the most flexible and generally decent price. I've paid £15.00 for the latest Baroness album as a deluxe edition which includes unreleased live tracks and I get an expanded digipak for it as well. Definitely get the most bang for buck IMO. Currently have 2731 CDs in my collection (according to Discogs anyway + the Baroness one which isn't on Discogs yet) so yeah think its my choice of music format!  

27 minutes ago, Wainy316 said:

How do you know when you're heading to act 2?

Is that when you...

 

  Hide contents

Reach Moonrise Towers (I currently have the choice of two routes

 

Err not got there yet but I think so!

To be honest, now hit level 5, it is has improved combat wise (like D&D). Only thrown 1 fireball so far though. I am disappointed in myself....