EP reviews: ELEMENTS, V/VEGA

August 11th, 2015 by david.wilson

EP review: ELEMENTS – Where We Once Begun

Self Release [Release date – 16.08.15]

This is the second EP release from Southampton rockers Elements and it is a well honed affair. The band owe a lot to the likes of YouMeAtSix and Don Bronco for their sound, rock lite with pop sensibilities.

Opening track ‘Shaman’ is the one track that does break the mould a bit with a dance beat running throughout which does liven things up a bit. The other 4 tracks descend into the well worn territory of bouncy pop rock which will have the new generation of rock fan foaming at the mouth.

There may not be much to lift this EP above the many other upcoming bands peddling a similar sound, but the music is well played and I can see the guys picking up a decent following on the strength of it.

**1/2

Review by David Wilson

EP review: V/VEGA – Leaving Lyra

Crooked Noise Records [Release date 02.10.15]

I always find progressive metal a hard genre to pin down as it comes in many guises, from the quiet and reflective to the brutal. V/Vega land somewhere in the middle with this EP, big riffs, pounding rhythms and vocals which range from whisper to scream all add to the prog metal experience.

The four tracks on offer are well crafted and aimed for maximum impact. ‘Lyra’ kicks things off in fine form with an urgent bassline and off kilter vocals which add an ethereal air. This then descends into something a lot heavier.

The heavy theme then continues on ‘The Grand Declaration’, another song which twists and turns like a rollercoaster. ‘Wanderer’ and ‘Reaching Eden’ follow with more excellent playing, the basslines of Josh Levy were a standout for me, the guy knows his way around his instrument.

If you like The Dillinger Escape Plan then V/Vega may well be your next favourite band. ***

Review by David Wilson

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)