AFS – Trash Vegas CD (Voltage)-Mass Movement Zine

I’m constantly amazed by the fickle nature of the music industry and how bands who are, lets face it, talent less bags of old toss, manage to sell shed loads of records and luxuriate in splendour and fame, surrounded by mountains of coke, hookers and cash, while other bands like AFS (that’s the Arthritic Foot Soldiers to you and me) go largely unnoticed. See, AFS are one of the best bands in the UK, playing their strange, but thoroughly addictive tunes that effortlessly blend street punk, Pop Will Eat Itself and the Urban Dance Squad, and if I was going to spend a tenner on a an album, I’d definitely invest it in ‘Trash Vegas’ rather than the tattooed, preening, useless fops that Kerrang and their ilk constantly try to force on the world. Spend our money wisely, get some great songs and help lonely Carl fulfil his hooker dreams… Tim

Arthritic Foot Soldiers “No Wonder/TV Minds” 7” (Voltage Records)

At the start of 2009 Arthritic Foot Soldiers (AFS) released the “Immature Nobodies” album, having recorded it in, and it being with a sound redolent of, the USA. It had a great feel to it, with some cracking singalong tunes that was suitable for fans of any number of the genres that reside within the punk world these days.

So, with their latest long player, “Trash Vegas”, soon to drop this two track red vinyl promo gives an insight into what can be expected from quite a prolific band if you look at their discography.

“No Wonder” kicks off with a melodic gruff vocal intro followed by some ska guitar that moves easily into the more punked up chorus. The sentiment of the song appears to be about how easy it is to be in a mess when you don’t fit in. I reckon this is still relevant today as someone into a punk lifestyle, although it’s probably a bit easier today as it’s no longer deemed as much of a threat to society in general (which is a bit of a shame). “No Wonder” will get you singing along and humming the chorus after just one listen and that is never a bad thing.

Next up is “TV Minds”, a slightly slower and much longer track, which, quite rightly, highlights how television is such a bit part of the world today, both in terms of being omnipresent throughout society and also being the driving force so much of what people believe and follow. This song took a while to get into my head but after a few plays it’s firmly rooted and tucked away in my mental musical library. 

Once again, the vocal stylings of Munki Boi and the exceptional guitar work of Carl Arnfield are what help make AFS a band to be reckoned with if you like tuneful punk rock. There is obviously a wealth of experience that allows AFS to keep making good records and also to produce music that isn’t dated which comes through in these songs and with the previous album. AFS’s forthcoming album is a release to be eagerly awaited.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nice one!!

Rich

Long Time Dead (7 inch Yellow Vinyl)


THE BULLET KINGS - LONG TIME DEAD/TALK IS CHEAP

Another single here this time in a stunning yellow vinyl - beautiful. One song is a BK effort, the other a rehash of one of Charlie Harpers early solo efforts. In fact I am so dated that I remember buying the latter single from a local record store and being quite impressed. All these years on would I feel the same about this unexpected cover version?

We start with 'Long Time Dead' a song that kicks in with impressive punk rock drive and has me thinking of a noise made by another underdog band that I will leave you to mull over and see if you make the same comparison. This is a really meaty effort and makes an initial impact with my sober self that is fully appreciated. There is a controlled anger behind Wilfredo's (front man and bassist) vocals that seem to have grown in stature and definite confidence and this helps the final overflow no end. The guitar is different from Carls usual style and all I can really say about this is that the change is long overdue and a real fuckin' treat. For me young Mr Arnfield has needed some extra juice through the amps of late and perhaps this is the beginning of a musical stage this dedicated 'erbert is about to be drawn into. I ain't criticising Carl and what he does by the way as I am a real fan of this ginger bastard, but its nice to see people stretch themselves and always good to see them dabble in new territory. Anyway on this evidence I certainly hope the six-stringed strummer keeps it flowing in this direction - it's sounding good man - real good. The drums are rock solid and big man Andy who hammers away with vandalising vindictiveness is becoming near enough the complete package. Armed to the teeth with talent the BK's have tapped it true here and the song is a joy. One of their best - yeah why not! The verse is strong and the chorus swift and ensnaring. Add to this a complimentary production to the bands general essence and no complaints are had.

A guitar twinge, a staccato strum and suddenly the years roll by. Its 1980 and a young Fungal heads home with Charlie Harpers first solo single under his glue stained arm. The green disc is thrown into the record player and 'Barmy London Army' rings out - great fuckin' song. A few plays and the B-side is played - yeah another prime cut 'Talk Is Cheap'. Pinging around in the bedroom playing air guitar between bouts of self abuse (in all ways if I remember rightly) this was another gem (on the record label Gem) that would keep me entertained for many a fine hour. Who would have guessed that 3 chums of mine would be covering this latter effort almost 30 years later and really doing Mr Harpers solid efforts proud. When I first heard they were covering another Harper effort (Saints and Sinners by the Subs has recently been tackled with great success) my curiosity was aroused. A hit or a shit - which way would the deviant coin fall? Well in truth this is a darn solid effort and has the old school vibe as well as the Bullet King's personal touch. I love it and the nostalgia/modern day crossover is achieved and meets all punk rocks special needs. The tune has a naive joyousness that just grips the attention and squeezes out nothing more than a contented toothless punk rock smile. Rock 'n' roll is gently etched inside and out and the casual sing-a-long flow is a genuine winning ingredient. What more can I add - wonderful. Also if anyone is passing my house and hears this tune blasting from a lighted window then please carry on - the silhouette of a 40 odd year old man sporting a hard-on whilst playing the aforementioned air guitar isn't me!

Well the second double-A side from the BK trio in a short space of time with both efforts capturing the old school output and regenerating it into a modern day package. The look, the noise and the effort are borne of yesteryear with a total relevance to punks today - fuck the ups and downs of our scene and just switch off and enjoy these soothing segments that drip with the juices of everything that is good about our noise. A big tap on the back for this and punters - order a copy now! Oh and by the way you would not find a bigger critic of cover versions than myself but when they are played this well and are part of an armoury of a bands equally effective material I have no room to gripe - now go on - get yerself a copy.

Prime Cuts EP (Black Vinyl)
Split 7 inch EP with
AFS / The Bullet Kings

http://www.myspace.com/arfzine

Wow a record, some people really know the way to our hearts! It might be time for a mixtape! A.F.S. & the Bullet Kings have sent the 'Prime Cuts EP', yet another selection of songs, this time on one 7" record! It's 33 1/3rpm so we get 3 tracks from them both (i think, although its hard to check whilst the records playing!). The second from A.F.S. spits lyrically about 'drinking in anger' and has a splendid little twiddly bit of unexpected folk (to appeal to a wider range of hardcore drinkers?!) whilst the rest of the side keeps to that raw sound we all know & love! The Bullet kings give us a slightly slower & rockier selection with vox that sound like Matt Freeman from Rancid! The riffs have an old skool quirky feel & it's well gud fun!
www.voltagerecords.com

More reviews soon!
Jim & Nati ARF

Voltage Records Showcase at The Gasworks, Bradford:

AFS, The Sneakypeeks, Worm

AFS stands for Arthritic Foot Soldiers. Judging from the audience reaction though, it's a rather disingenuous acronym. The audience looked scared to death - these men had come to rape and pillage. There was nothing stiff or inflamed about this music. Just lean good old gnarly punk rock with lyrics that matter. They played songs from their new album, Delirium Tremors. My personal favourite being That's the Trouble With Bullets, which manages to be witty, angry and melodic at the same time. There's also a great song called Happy People - which is very down on our cheerful brethren - and rightly so. What have they to be happy about? It's just not on. AFS are a bunch of forty something skate-rockers kicking the collective arse of the youth of today, showing how to be outraged instead of apathetic. So come on young people - stop slashing your wrists and listen to some intelligent invective. AFS - some positive role models for you.

The roller shutters descended. The roller shutters were lifted, and as if by a miracle, the stage was populated by three Dickensian orphans fresh from the workhouse. Yes folks, this is The Sneakypeeks, like The Hoosiers without the daft capes or Razorlight but with better hats, this three piece know how to play their instruments and put on an excellent show. Like the singer Paul's trousers, they really are a very tight outfit indeed. Songs about going out, getting ready to go out, getting drunk, having fun - ah youth! This is the sort of music to put on when you're ironing your underpants and necking a bottle of White Lighting in anticipation of an evening of fun and mayhem in the city. The tunes are an instant whack of short sharp energy - like a hit from a good crack pipe. There are no fillers here, just good fast, fun songs full of English urban charm. My personal favourite being the stop-start freneticism of Mr Doormat. I doff my cloth cap to you lads.

The roller shutters descended again. This time the reveal was Worm. The headlining act was another three piece, with the guitarist having an uncanny resemblance to the guitarist in AFS. The frontman Sacha, wore a rather fetching white tribal eye stripe not seen since the likes of Adam Ant and was a perfect focal point for this metal-techno fused nitrous oxide fuelled group. Dirty synths, filthy guitar riffs, foul mouthed rantings, and the attitude of Keith from the Prodigy, the audience were well up for it. And with tunes as infectious as an NHS hospital ward - they couldn't fail. With song titles like Patricide Justified - they also gave us something to think about. As a result of which, my own father now lies bleeding in a gutter south of Salford Docks. Who says music can't change the world?

Michael Stewart - Mono

A.F.S. – ‘DELIRIUM TREMORS’ CD

This is the second full-length from these UK old school skate punks whose sound is a blend of early UK punk ala UK SUBS with the later sound of LEATHERFACE and a more contemporary American twist thrown in too. As you can expect from A.F.S. they are confrontational and political but still maintaining super-strong melody in their delivery. It’s aggressive but melodic and that’s a great balance with some sarcasm and tongue-in-cheek interpretations and if you want to hear a band that truly does whatever the fuck they want, then A.F.S. are all about that – these guys have always done things entirely their own way and aren’t about to stop for anyone. A great follow up to ‘Tales Of A Drunken Generation’ with some real gems in here – ‘Trouble With Bullets’, ‘Duped’, ‘Dysfunctional’ and ‘Young Guns’ but it’s all good and a real fun while packing a tough and intelligent punch.

Voltage Records

www.voltagerecords.com

Worm - Hate
Voltage Records
Incredibly impressive follow up for the Yorks Techno Industri-Metal mob, with a bit of Zombie and Kill 2 This here spiced up with a much darker industrial edge and electronic enhancements, the album twists and turns and is not an album you'll get tired of easily. An album that grabs your attention and demands to be listened to from start to finish. A very accomplished and complete record. Man even the artwork is awesome.
5/5
Darrell E Ganapo

V.A. - Gnarly Dude 2!
Voltage Records
Lo fi skate punked up compilationthat has plenty of street cred and rock n roll attitude, in fact Sugarshack reminds one of Rolling Stones on track two, whilst Stalefish 1 (RIP) do bring a more nu-metal sound to the proceedings and therefore you soon get a sense of balance across the great alternative divide. Highlight tracks come from industrial wizards GNA or indeed the rocktastic End Of Level Boss which me reminds me a little of Almighty here. This is a cool little comp, but only worth the money if found on a budget price.
3/5
Pepe Manel

Just released and what may be the last in the many faceted series. If you're a fan of these mini classics then you'd best shift your arse and get this because the old format wins again. Challenging, obscure, unpredictable and drenched in quality ditty's this surely concludes a memorable trio. The 60's beatle-esqe Fuzz Face are one of the best bands that stand out from the first few tracks with the well established Phinius Gage throwing in an American melody for all young punks. AFS and Crouch Mog are Britains best contibutors and rattle off 'No Hope' and 'Never Easy' with sublime class. The Newtown Kings reggae number is upbeat and in stark contrast to some of the other hard guitar rocking numbers. The main beauty of these CD's is that they open up different musical vista's and let one experience stuff they may never encounter which is always a good thing. Bands here are being exposed to different audiences, a vital ingredient of compilation CD's and one too often overlooked. The last - I hope not - but if so then its been a pleasure.

Lancashires’ oldest kids on the block are back again with a new c.d. this time a 9 track affair with 4 live tracks and 5 new studio gems. I’m sure it’s only been a couple of months since they’re last outing so the lads must have been pretty busy and considering Carl the guitarist is in 2 other bands as well this is all the more impressive, don’t you have a telly!!!! Anyway the band charge through the title track, then into ‘No Hope’- a song dedicated to a friend who decided to become a smackhead!, ‘Anorexic Princess of Pop’- one of my favourites from the last c.d. and ‘Anarchy In Argos’ another great song about how lame the punk scene can be. Then we come to the new stuff first up ‘Nobodies’ catchy as a catchy thing but very short. Next is ‘Massacre of the Innocent’ an anti war anthem, ‘Don’t Fit’ is another short very catchy song closely followed by ‘Architecture of Life’ which slows things down but is still under a minute and half long. Last track is ‘Justice For None’ which has a pop the farce which was the Michael Jackson trial-well said lads. There’s a hidden track on here but i’m not gonna tell you what it is but most of you will have heard it before but not done like it is on here. A.F.S. have a great knack of writing short witty catchy songs and it’s a shame there isn’t more bands like this around at the moment, when you find out there all pushing 40 makes you realise the kids have got some catching up to do. Go to www.strandedrecords-scotland.co.uk or www.voltagerecords.com for more details.
5 out of 5
Review by Paul

Worms album "HATE" has a unique and satifying sound that I havent heard for a long time.

The uplifting, ambiend "Needles For Beginners" and the beautifully constructed "My God" could be taken straight from a Faithless album. While "Patricide Justified", I'm sure was writted by The Prodigy!

The haunting tittle track has a palpable sadness to it that is helpoed by the dirty guitar sound and just to confuse youy even more the repriseversion, at the end of the album, I wouldnt be suprised to find has Tori Amos playing piano on it.

For me though "Circles Within Circles" has to be the best song on the album, close your eyes, kick back and let this track take you to a higher plan.

The only critcism I have is the length of some of the tracks means that they are in danger of being repetitive especially on the rather mellow "The 18th".

Worm, have skillfully managed to mix Rob Zombie anf the Orbital together to create a stomping fusion of metal and trance. This album is a must for all eather driving or chilling there is a beauitful feeling to the music that grabs you by the stomach and keeps you prisoner untill they decide they've finished with you.

Zowie

And YET MORE punk rock quality from the prolific musical minds of AFS. This 9 track offering is a quintessential piece of seemingly spontaneous quality and blends a pleasing mixture of live and studio performances.

The first 4 tracks are indeed live and reflect the bands ability in the flesh. The talent is simply blatant and yet stripped so close to the bone so as to make it as raw as a freshly peeled testicle. This is a classic reflection of the band on stage and anyone with an inkling of nouse should be pricked into checking this lot out.

The studio recordings are as expected, brilliant. Again the no nonsense approach is adopted with accomplished ease as each track is skilfully delivered. 'Architecture of Life', 'Nobodies' and the hidden bastardised version of 'Buffalo Soldier' are personal faves but in brutal honesty there isn't one lame duck amongst this flock of pristeen swans.

Once again AFS come up trumps with an album that exhibits what a fuckin' good band this lot are. Each and every track of this mini-album is swift and to the point and doesn't waste fuckin' around with unnecessary glamorous riffs and pretentious solo's. This is a must purchase for punk purists and hopefully will go someway to confirming the punk rock hound is still bursting with life! Give this bitch a bone!

FUNGALPUNK/OMD

Leeds edition - 027/ December 2005

What is this I see before me? The Downfall's full debut album on Voltage Records? No it can't be! Hmm, too long in the waiting and making? Ha! If only all bands still paid there dues and worked towards such a brilliant debut knowing its worth then the music world might be a much better place.

This is the closest I've ever heard a band come to recreating the insanity mixed with melody that was Faith No More. The driving bass and impulsive drumming help set the scene, but the eccentric melodies are the trademark here. The guitars form a veritable wall of distorted joy upon which the cunning and vibrant graffiti of Dunk's distinctive vocals are sprayed. This is a vivacious and effervescent collection of impressive rock ditties.

'Domeshi Guri' and 'Yourself and No One Else' come across a little like clumsy pop-punk, but the other songs are catchy and intelligent, all with that added dash of anger that sets rock apart from bland. 'The Obvious Absence' and 'Whiteout' demonstrates their sensitivity and an ear for a tender tune, and with opener 'Caught on Camera' there's an immediate radio-friendly easy access to The Downfall's sound.

I'm not sure quite sure what the standout factor of this album is. It's certainly got that aggressive edge that a lot of rock bands appear to have lost these days, but I think it's something to do with the song-writing that sets them apart. A great deal of time has obviously been spent on deliberating each instrument's purpose at every point of each song.

The same is true of the time clearly spent on the production of the album. The vocal effects and little background embellishments (such as the woodblock on 'Whiteout') are unobtrusive and apt.

The FNM influence is rife throughout, almost too awkwardly on the 'Ricochet'-esque intro to 'Crash Hot' which is an otherwise faultless, anthemically brutal tune, and this record is certainly a venerable homage to them.

Purchase it and bask in the knowledge that quirky hard rock is alive and kicking and on your doorstep.

Matt Fraser

Debut album from this bunch of nearly 40 something old skool skaters who have only been together for about a year, and it’s fucking brilliant. No nonsense straight forward punk rock full of political ranting but the tongue very firmly in cheek. Not seen the band live yet but hope to catch them soon, as if this c.d. is anything to go by they won’t disappoint. Favourite song for me is ‘Minimum Wage’ complete with lyrics about spitting in the burgers and pissing in your bosses tea whilst earning fuck all money. GET THIS ALBUM NOW!!! Go to www.strandedrecords-scotland.co.uk or www.voltagerecords.com or www.afs.me.uk for more details
5 out of 5
Review by Paul

Transporter

October 2005

Words by Rory Holl

It's been a long time since we last heard from The Downfall with their last CD 'Atrofeed' which got rave reviews from several sites, and I think they've just about managed to keep the tradition. Let me just start by saying this is an absolute bitch of a rock album, it's got everything, energy, good production, good tunes a right and some great talent.

First track 'Caught on camera' should be on MTV2 if they had a video for it (I don't know, do they?) It has the perfect ingredients of a heavy pop song, great lyrics and vocals and just all round catchiness. Other standout tracks are the QOTSA-esque 'Undone' and the roaralicious 'Over Now' which is so close to being screamo but it justs escapes by being asolutely brilliant. In fact I don't think I can describe anything weak about this album except for that it isn't long enough!!

The Downfall are an incredibly tight band especially shown on 'Sorry Situation' and 'Martyr' with fantastic drummer J.P's rock-solid skin bashing.

I want to see them live again now! But if any rock fans want a good album that is easy to listen through from start to finish then this is the one for you with Dunk's great voice and strings work, and Dan's straight to the point bass plucking and J.P's uniuely brilliant drumming, The Downfall are a band that everyone is going to have to watch out for. End Of!

www.downfall.info

Arthritic Foot Soldiers - Tales of Drunken Generation
Fuck, fuck, fuck, I just reviewed this and wrote one of my longest reviews ever!, put it on the site, then accidently overwrote it, arrrghhhhhhhhhh!

Anyway! We first reviewed AFS back in September, when they had just been together 7 weeks and released their first four track EP. And we loved it! Here they are back again with a full length, full on, great recording, nicely packaged, 16 track, 12 new ones and 4 thankfully carried over (re-recorded and given a bit of umpf!), from that first EP 'Texas Idiot', cause they were gems!

As for the music AFS play straight up, late 70's, early 80's UK punk, with a little dash of oi. Munki Boi's vocals are just great, fuckin really great, raw and gruff, but melodic and totally understandable, great music from the other three lads, and great backing vocals, total fuckin UK punk, real pub punk. Working class, no bells, no whistles, just punk. You'll be singing along after hearing each chorus once.

Lyrically they range from humorous to intelligent and political.

'Anorexic Orincess of Pop', pick your pop icon, and its about her!
"Starve yourself, Starve yourself, Starve yourself to death."

'Teaxs Idiot', don't need to tell you who this is about!
"Somewhere in Texas, an theres avillage without its idiot"

'God Squad' one of my favs, musically and lyrically, about Jehovah's Witnesses! (JW's once came to my office and handed me their Watch Tower mag, looked me over and said, we know you wont be interested but maybe one of your work mates might be! hahaha)
"God Squad knocking on my door, You aint coming in" If only that was playing when they came!!

'Guns for Oil', an anti war song
"Guns for Oil, Oil for Guns, Sent to Slaughter, Your Nations Sons"

'Anarchy In Argos', hahaha!
"Anarchy In Argos and no one really cares"

All the tracks really stand out, but the penultimate one 'Year of the Barricades', a protest song, interspersed with actual radio/tv samples from a protest really sticks out to me, slightly differnet to the rest.

And the last one aptly called 'Last One' (longest of the CD too, by far!)finishes the CD of nicely with a great melodic song, "We're all off down the pub, to see the UK Subs".

If you like UK punk then checking AFS is a must, if you listen to MTV punk, then pick this up and maybe learn a thing or two!

I'll have an interview up soon with them, they ain't young! so I'm interested to know their backgrounds in the punk scene, bands they've been in etc., cause they are one great punk band. Better finish off and transfer this to the mp3 player, this one will get alot of listens!

As ebayers would say, Recommended A++++++++++++++++++!

WORM
HATE
Voltage

Their ‘Integral Virus’ album the other year had many of the elements included here, involving softer strains of Industrial with dance electronics, but it lacked the evocative spirit of this, because things are here in equal measure. It’s not a question of decorating, or disguising, a rock form with modern accoutrements; this actually wriggles as a mutation worthy of respect. Furthermore, the knack of haunting motifs is mastered, so the synth line in ‘Destroy Myself’ casually strangles, and then the same shape is reinvigorated in the glowering ‘Needles For Beginners’ where the guitar has its hacking cough offset by whirring synth coils, and fake strings break up the mood in typical grandeur, but are almost immediately downtrodden as the guitar tank rolls angrily on. ‘My God’ is beautiful, with a shuffle beat and a muffled sense of delayed melancholia. (‘My God, it’s full of stars!’: where is that sample from?)

‘The 18th’ isn’t as triumphant golfing saga, but a seeping form of quasi-chamber music (for in your quasi-chamber!), with a dour synth and vocal gasping, with another nagging line from a faux violin, with some rock guitar wrestling accompaniment which is a fabulous twin concoction, only for the guitar work to become overdone and ‘axe’-like towards the end and spoils what could actually have been a classic. ‘Hate’ then bursts out with some of the old Faith No More rasping, where the vocal jump up and down on the riff rhythm, and lyrical projectile vomiting splatters the floor, until genteel keyboards stroll into view, after which the return of noise isn’t different enough to take the track further up, which is a shame, but it’s a subtle powerhouse all the same.

‘Patricide Justified’ is a foul thing, because it’s meant to be. A jittery electronic beat underlines the lyrical portrayal of a gross character and the mood being kept light only heightens the way we loathe the idea presented, so job done, especially as it’s so damn catchy! Turning its back on such savagery, ‘Circles Within Circles’ is a relaxing ambient-dance melange, with attractively repetitive (ho!) vocals, and twittery keyboards. ‘Dark Seed’ brings out the squat riff monster threat and even the synth rhythm flaps the like exposed lungs of a human partial sacrifice, but instead of going kaboom the track groans and strains oddly. (And someone swears!) Once again there is balance between the Pattonesque jabber and some stern harmonious styling. ‘Hate (Reprise)’ then sends off with balmy piano and a hovering sweetness that almost ushers in a choir, but gives you an unexpected surprise, which I shalln’t spoil! (The bastard!!!)

The mood and clear vision of these compositions is such that the album works as a whole so well that I have found myself turning to it once a day as a contrast to lighter or more extreme material I am also listening to. It has such a lot going for it which should, in theory, appeal to people into quite a few different genres. There is great maturity, roughened up, but its wisdom prevails, and we get to benefit from it.

http://www.wormed.info
http://www.voltagerecords.com

WORM – ‘HATE’ CD

This is a chaos blend! It’s like a fusion of punk, metal, hip-hop and dance but it’s not like the PRODIGY or the TRANSPLANTS or anything like that that you might be imagining – this is way more concentrated. It’s more like elements of the BUTTHOLE SURFERS mixed with APHEX TWIN and THE ORB, THE DWARVES and TRICKY…The songs switch from delicate piano to wild beats and samples to heavy guitars…it’s very unique. The whole band skate so perhaps this is their way of representing the exhilaration, thrill and aggravations of a session through sound rather than the obvious punk rock and that’s a new approach.

Marco

Hate
February 2005

I'm always suspicious of acts whose press releases seem overly keen to labour the point that their musical influences are made up of a diverse mix of seemingly irreconcilable bands and artists, as well as stressing the fact that their sound cannot be "pidgeonholed" in any way whatsoever. This suspicion is due to the fact that the majority of bands that do so are usually easily-classifiable upon the first minute of listening to them, as well as displaying a collective record collection with as much diversity as a cloned asparagus. Worm's current release "Hate" comes without any accompanying press release of any kind. It's also a refreshingly eclectic mish-mash of many disparate styles and influences, and a thoroughly interesting listen for it.

Comprising of Bradford-based duo C J Arnfield and Tim Walker, Worm veer between the industrial theatrics of Nine Inch Nails / Ministry to the more subtle ambient-techno soundscapes that the likes of DJ Shadow excel at creating, with a good deal of electro-metal weirdness thrown in for good measure. Opener "Destroy Myself" features a dirty guitar riff with some frantic rapping over it, alongside a plethora of interesting bleeps and samples that add enough variety to the song to elevate it above and beyond any nu-metal comparisons. Meanwhile tracks such as "Needles for Beginners" and "The 18th" showcase Worms's ability to create intricate mellow passages with a dark pulsating undercurrent, both songs being fantastic examples of how to write songs with darkly foreboding dynamics. One can almost imagine Mulder scurrying around a deserted Russian airfield in search of "The Truth" when listening to them. The album as a whole is generally paced well in terms of light/ heavy songs, though some songs occasionally outstay their welcome by dragging on a tad.

As a release that brims with ideas, invention, verve and gusto it is somewhat disappointing to also have to acknowledge that music of this nature is never going to appeal to a large enough musical demographic to ensure that it receives the acknowledgement and acclaim that it is deserving of. Nonetheless for anyone who is a fan of dark, complex intricate music that pays scant regard for the conventional boundaries that exist between rock and dance music this release is definitely worth looking into.

Review written by: Nick Kearns

on line fanzine

Worm - Integral Virus (Voltage)

Oh goodie, something different and Worm are certainly that. Now I remember being first introduced to techno (no don’t run away, bear with me) addled out of my brain at a Hackney punk festival. I tried to dislike it but before you could say "try an E" I found myself well and truly caught up in it all, even as far as going to places like Return To The Source on a couple of occasions. Worm are T. Titus Walker and C.J. Arnfield and there is no denying the fact that they like techno as well and are damn good at playing it. However they do not sit around twiddling knobs like Orbital (they do share a lack of hair with them though), oh no! They throw big fucking slabs of very metal guitar riffing right into the melting pot they have created. The 8 tracks on this immediately caused me certain confusion, not knowing whether to dance (badly) or bang my head like a loon. As they are all on the long side I settled back and let myself get drawn into things instead. Opener Virus trances in with a moody darkness and all of a sudden the pulses are overridden by glorious flaming guitar harmonics. They are not ever present but that allows things to build until the next appearance and for us to concentrate on a sound that is reminiscent to me of Eat Static, Astralaisia and Liberator. The freefall that Cybersex (Head Fuck Mix) goes into is a spiralling rocket ship ride that really is reminiscent of Kong and latter day Hawkwind and leaves you completely out of breath just like good Cybersex should (oops didn’t mean to say that). Ends Of The Earth pitches us up on the edge of reality. Just listening to this has the endorphins crackling and almost has me feel like I’m tripping. Oxygen Free wraps its seductive fronds warmly around you. A synthesized whorl straight out of a Space Invaders video game mocks away with hedonistic moans of delight. Sanitised literally bristles with energy and the drumbeat has this slamming on home. It might not be the fastest attack but then again after Atari Teenage Riot and the whole gabba genre it still all rattles away nicely. Life Part 2 has a euphoric vibe in the Ultraviolence Heaven Is Oblivion vein but wraps it up with a nice jagged guitar shred. Last track Boredom Kills brings singer Sacha to the party and morphs things into a Dub War meets the Prodigy laden stomp. Integral Virus is an excellent album from a band that I will most definitely be playing whilst lining up for a night on the town. This is available for the rather silly price of £5 via http://wormed.info/

Nov 03 / review by Pete.

on line fanzine

Gnarly Dude! Compilation

On Line Fanzine

VARIOUS ARTISTS
AURAL QUAGMIRE
Voltage Records

I’ve always assumed that doing compilations amounts to a long-winded way of throwing money down the drain, unless you have a specific genre in mind so it’s a brave step Voltage have taken with this album, pulling together left-field rock and indie and jumbling them together, achieving a supremely satisfying result.

I don’t listen to much indie anymore these days as two decades of soppy boys attempting to be heroic did my head in, and yet the bands here remind me why it can be so good. Caine do it with a grumpy onslaught and shrivelled 60’s vocal loveliness, mixed with acoustic warmth. Idiot Box have absurdly clever lyrics, and just when you’re thinking of a Lighting Seeds upgrade they throw in some monstrous surges making them unpredictable beasts, with ‘No Disco’ being a Smash Mouth UK, and that’s no disgrace either (think ‘All Star’, which is brilliant). Darwin are like the big polished indie variant, but with weirdly brilliant guitar and some genuinely slippery music.

Worm crop up with two songs, one being the quite murderous ‘Hate’, letting the rock veins burst and then it’s entrancing ambient dance for ‘The 18th’. When you get Rock coming at you it’s nice if it’s worm-turning Faith No More era, which is something Burn Horizon understand. They have meticulous guitar and spry vocals, until exploding in spasms, with a strangely polite turn of phrase in ‘Horizon’, then the full-on butting, riff-rutting antagonisms of ‘Burn For You’ with speed metal flecks.

10,000 Things have soul, which is undeniable, but they also do funny indie with an uplifting manic quality about them. Think Jim Jiminee, if you can remember back that far. Purity Cries have crunching, rasping metal, but also the more explorative side, which reminded me of UK Decay - not the sound, because there’s no similarity there, but the way they have ambition and integrity in the music which emerges. There are traces of Black Metal today which have more in common with early Post-Punk than anything in conventional, or unconventional, Rock and here’s a band to consider and savour as saviours if you like some viscous noise made my artistic people.

So a weird comp, but a great comp. Not one duff track!

Bradford......... not the type of place you might think for an Independent music scene but with this CD that may all change.

Voltage Studios is a small Bradford based studio independently run by Tim Walker and a small staff, the bands, which pass through its doors travel from all over the country as well as the surrounding area for the special Voltage production touch. The album is financed, produced and by Voltage and in my opinion is a breath of fresh air compared to most of the alternative compilations on the market, the album has already had a launch party in Bradford itself, the night was a showcase of the artists on the album.

The range of music on the CD is good ranging from the Industrial metal sound of the unfortunately now defunct Purity Cries (Calibre) and the heavy electronic metal sound of Worm (Tim Walkers own band with the track “Hate”), to the up - beat bounce around skate sound of Idiot Box (No Disco) and off again in another direction to the more Indie sound of 10,000 Things (Relax and Play) and Caine (Drawing Straws), there are also some slightly more down tempo songs on the collection in the form of “speedo-phile” (again by Idiot box) and Darwin (More than you will ever know). The thing I liked about this compilation is that with up to two tracks by each bands it gives them room to show there range and at the end still comes out with a very varied compilation that can be played all the way through while still holding the listeners interest.

The Voltage style of production is distinctive using mostly a collection of Analogue equipment (as oppose to the more traditional digital production techniques in other modern studios) the sound of the tunes is clean and the attention to detail adds to the sound of the songs to create for a very special collection, watch out for the follow up (Aural Quagmire 2) which I believe is on the way in the near future.

For more info on the studio the bands /bookings / album etc. go to www.voltagestudios.com.

Review by Lee Niblock

Related Links

- www.voltagestudios.com

RECORD company marketing bosses might think they can categorise the soundtrack of the skatepark pretty easily.

Target audiences either listen to the commercial punk-pop mix of Avril Lavine and her skater boys, or perhaps a more "urban" hip-hop sound, or perhaps even hardcore thrash.

Yet skateboarders musical tastes are far more multi-faceted and diverse as those involved on the evidence of a new CD.

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Worm offer their usual mix of electro-dance and stonking rock guitar on the final track, yet their grunge-driven outtro is just one highlight.

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