Here they are:

Megadeth

Slash featuring Myles Kennedy

Black Label Society

Kyuss Lives!

As I Lay Dying

Steel Panther

Billy Talent

Rise Against

Fear Factory

Five Finger Death Punch

Terrorvision

Periphery

Ginger Wildheart

Reckless Love

Find out more at www.downloadfestival.co.uk

Called The Chosen Few, the full track listing is:

1. Diamonds And Rust – chosen by Joe Elliott
   2. Dissident Aggressor  - chosen by Steve Vai and Geoff Tate (Queensryche)
   3. Exciter  - chosen by Accept
   4. Beyond The Realms Of Death  - chosen by Lars Ulrich
   5. Delivering The Goods  - chosen by Kerry King
   6. The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown)  - chosen by David Coverdale and Randy Blythe (Lamb Of God)
   7. The Ripper  - chosen by Ozzy Osbourne
   8. Victim Of Changes  - chosen by James Hetfield (Metallica)
   9. Breaking The Law – chosen by Lemmy
   10. Rapid Fire  - chosen by Vinnie Paul (Hellyeah)
   11. Grinder – chosen by Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society)
   12. Living After Midnight – chosen by Alice Cooper and Geezer Butler
   13. Screaming For Vengeance – chosen by Slash
   14. You’ve Got Another Thing Coming – chosen by Klaus Meine and Corey Taylor
   15. The Sentinel – chosen by Chris Jericho (Fozzy)
   16. Turbo Lover  - chosen by Jonathan Davis (Korn)
   17. Painkiller – chosen by Joe Satriani

Find out more at www.judaspriest.com

Words: Malcolm Dome

Solo Michael Monroe might seem like a recipe for an insipid version of Hanoi Rocks, but that’s far from the case. Sensory Overdrive (Spinefarm) has a connection with Monroe’s past, but has plenty to offer in its own right: good songs, strong sounds and a sense of a man growing up without maturing – too much. Mind you, it does help having a talent like Ginger involved.

The first two Little Caesar albums have been packaged together by Iron Bird. It really does make you puzzle why a band who could deliver albums like their self-titled debut and Influence failed to set the late 80s/early 90s alight. These Americans had what it took to be as big as anyone from that era. Rough and tough, this lot were streetwise but also creative. It’s the sort of garage rock with fumes and fuming many young bands these days can only dream of delivering.

Protest The Hero make a fine prog metal noise on Scurrilous (Spinefarm). Don’t be misled by early signs of any lack of substance, things improve greatly the further you get into the album  Some very clever and left-field touches.

Stryper are not everyone’s cuppa. But it must be said that they’ve done a few decent records, whether you enjoy the God bothering or not, However The Covering (Big3) is disastrous. This is the band offering us their versions of classics from the likes of Black Sabbath, Sweet, Scorpions, Kansas. Deep Purple and Kiss among others. But these are dreary, dull renditions with no sparkle, spark or sense of occasion. They should be soundly whipped by Satan’s minions for this nonsense.

You might just recall Nottingham’s Dawn Trader from the NWOBHM era. Like so many others who achieved little at the time (not their fault), they’re referred to by some as legends of the genre. In truth, this was a more than decent band who never got the breaks others enjoyed. But now they’re back together to celebrate their 30^th anniversary, and have even recorded a debut album. Castle (From The Ashes)  is far from being a waste of time. It’ll clearly appeal to anyone who remembers the band fondly, and proves the Trader did have some nifty songs. Find out more at www.dawntrader.net

Welsh band Revoker have been tipped for big things for a while. Their debut album has been long awaited. So, does Revenge For The Ruthless (Roadrunner) do them any favours? Actually, yes. Under the skilled guidance of producer Benji Webbe (the man who fronts Skindred), they’ve come up with a selection of songs that are grimy yet also sophisticated. You can hear bits of Pantera and Metallica in there, as well as moments of Skindred. But ultimately, Revoker do enough to suggest they can stand alone.

Earache have had the foresight to put together a compilation CD featuring some of their most exciting young acts New Noise Attack has bands like Enforcer, White Wizzard, Cauldron and The Browning. Oddly, though, Rival Sons are absent.

Finally, to a young band showing enormous potential. Blind Ambition. They’re a Welsh quintet  who started in 2007 and definitely have traditional influences. These range from Bad Company to Guns N’ Roses, Black Label Society to Foreigner, System Of A Down to Iron Maiden. Unsigned, their music is very well developed. Check out the song Judgement Day here.

Find out more at http://www.blindambitionmusic.co.uk/

Words: Malcolm Dome

Rival Sons are one of Classic Rock’s hot tips for 2011. And this introductory, self-titled EP (Earache) proves just why great things are expected from them. Available through iTunes, the tracks have a blues-rock swagger and early 70s authenticity. You can hear Free, Zeppelin and the Small Faces in there. But ultimately Rival Sons are their own men, and stand tall. See them make their live debut in the UK at The Barfly, London on Saturday, February 12.

In a similar vein there’s King King. The album Take My Hand (Manhaton Records) offers a very British appeal, with frontman Alan Nimmo having a voice that’s part Otis Redding and part Paul Rodgers,. Nice trick if you can pull it off – and he does. There’s a funky swing to back up the obviously bluesy rhythms, and some nifty songs. Could be a big career ahead. So, what with Rival Sons and also Saint Jude emerging, this could be a very big year for blues-soaked music.

More venerable is Francis Rossi, who’s recently been enjoying some solo attention. Live At St Luke’s London (earMUSIC) features a combination of his own songs and a couple of Status Quo classics. All delivered with the inimitable boogie sound that he’s been renowned for down the years. Perhaps a little too white table cloth and silver cutlery, as opposed to sawdust and empty beer bottles, but it’s an enjoyable romp.

Robin Trower delves back into the vaults for At The BBC 1973-1975 (Chrysalis). This is a collection of all his recordings for the Beeb, both live and in session. It’s a cracking double CD, capturing the great guitarist in a period when he was probably at his best. The Hendrix comparisons are clear, but so is the man’s individuality. Truly a celebration of a much undervalued figure.

With all anthemic guns blazing The Treatment race out of the blocks with debut album This Might Hurt (Powerage). There are hooks so big they could reel in a school of whales, plus mighty riffing with brings to mind Def Leppard in their very early days. And vocalist Matt Jones has the sort of raspy throat that should only be allowed after a decade of hard gigging and even harder drinking. And Shake The Mountain could become one of the year’s signature tunes. Catch them on the upcoming Power Supply tour.

Distorted Breed are one of those bands who could have easily fallen down, because of the inherent American biker rock style of the music. But it all holds together well on the EP The Wrong Road (Random Candle). There’s a real power and energy here, fuelled by influences from Black Stone Cherry and Black Label Society.  What’s more, led by thundering vocalist Jim Distortion, they’ve got a real Brit grit about them. One to watch this year.

Hookah The Fuzz are a young British metal band with a very interesting, and slightly twisted, sound. On their self-titled, debut album, they prove to be influenced by Metallica, only rather more proggy. The aggression and brutality are obvious, but so too is some intensely sophisticated musicianship. Find out more at www.hookahthefuzz.com

Desert Storm come on like the much-missed Four Horsemen on Forked Tongue (Buried In Smoke). It’s stoner rock, but with a real biker groove, and songs doused in testosterone and then set on fire. The band might look like hardcore nerds, but the music is right outta the Little Caesar and Circus Of Power approach.

Finally, Scheepers hit us with some true metal (that appears to be a prevalent term these days) on a self-titled album (Frontiers). This is Ralf Scheepers of Primal Fear fame. Armed with the likes of Ripper Owens, Kai Hansen and Mat Sinner, the singer has come up with an album that sounds like prime Primal Fear, or game Gamma Ray, or more than acceptable Accept. There’s even a full-on cover of Judas Priest’s Before The Dawn. A bit of a cracker, in a true metal style.

One lucky person will get a pair of tickets for the gig of their choice on the tour (see dates below), and also a box set of the band’s current album, Order Of The Black. This includes:

A Nail Cross Pendant (1.5” Pendant)
A 5×7” Lithograph autographed by Zakk Wylde
Keg Tap Handle (12” made of wood)
An Order of the Black CD
Exclusive T-Shirt

In addition, one runner-up will win a pair of tickets for the show of their choice.

The dates for the February tour are:

Mon. 14: Birmingham O2 Academy

Tue. 15: Newcastle O2 Academy

Wed. 16: Glasgow O2 Academy

Fri. 18: Cambridge Corn Exchange

Sat. 19: Southampton Guildhall

Mon. 21: London Hammersmith Apollo

Tue. 22: Manchester Apollo

Wed. 23: Bristol Colston Hall

The support act are Godsized.

To enter the competition, go here.

The book’s called Bringing Metal To The Children (a slightly misleading title – this is not a Disney kiddie-friendly book!), it’s be put out by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins.

The book deals with the Wylde man’s 25 years’ experience of touring with Ozzy Osbourne and Black Label Society, not only dishing the dirt on the sort of crazy excesses in which he’s indulged (often with other high profile rockers), but also offering the guitarist’s personal insight into how you survive and prosper on the road.

Just to get you in the mood, here’s a 30-second promo clip about the book.

Words: Malcolm Dome

Livin In A Valvestate are an English band, with connections in Manchester, Torquay and Exeter. Their five-tracker Smile is actually quite mature. While they’ve elements of trash and glam, what comes through is an aspiring melodic rock five-piece who have the art, elegance and sense of tunefulness to make an impact in 2011. A name to watch.

www.myspace.com/livininavalvestate

Sanguine Hum is a British band with roots in Kill II This and Xentrix. So, given what those bands sounded like we should expect an industrial-lite, sub-Metallica approach? No way. On Diving Bell (with eight tracks), they sound like a neo-progressive band mixing up metal with the more esoteric approach of The Mars Volta or Jurojin.

http://troopersforsound.com/category/sanguine-hum/

On first listen Neuronspoiler seem to be a band trying to come to terms with the modern demands of thrash. But this multi-cultural quintet, based in London, have one thing going for them on the five-track CD No One’s Safe: they can really play. While at times they lose their way, and the vocals are at best Spartan, there are so truly rich passages of guitar interplay. This alone gives the band a cachet.

http://neuronspoiler.com/

Undercover Slut are based in Paris, and mix goth with industrial and a hint of trash. Amerikkka Macht Frei is a full album that might be patchy at times, but keeps the interest alive throughout. They also have a striking image.

www.myspace.com/undercoverslut

Croydon’s Godsized are starting get noticed by movers and shakers. About time. New EP The Phoney Tough & The Crazy Brave is full of the sort of fiery riff-led songs which nod at Black Label Society, only from a British angle. No surprise that Godsized will be supporting BLS on their upcoming European/UK tour. That sort of exposure can only do them a power of good.

www.myspace.com/godsized

Finally, young Brits Awake By Design seem to be approach the prog genre from the melancholic doom perspective. It’s rather like While Heaven Wept aspiring towards Porcupine Tree, and it works well on Sentiment.

www.myspace.com/awakebydesign

Here are the full details:

Feb. 14: Birmingham O2 Academy

Feb. 15: Newcastle O2 Academy

Feb. 16: Glasgow O2 Academy

Feb. 18: Cambridge Corn Exchange

Feb. 19: Southampton Guildhall

Feb. 21: London Hammersmith Apollo

Feb. 22: Manchester Apollo

Feb. 23: Bristol Colston Hall

Support for the while tour are young Brits Godsized.

Tickets go on sale from 9am on Friday, October 22.  They’re priced at £18.50 everywhere, except in London, where they are £22. Get them from http://www.livenation.co.uk/

Words: Malcolm Dome

It’s nice to be surprised. As long as it’s a pleasant one. That’s the case with Christopher Amott and his solo album Follow Your Heart (Trooper). If you only know him from Arch Enemy, then you won’t be expecting the Swedish guitarist’s diversity here. There’s jazz, prog, folk…in fact, the only thing missing is a metal riff or two. One of the year’s real finds.

You know what you’ll get from Helmet. The 1990s alt rock heroes created a niche a long while back, and have never seen the reason to move out. So Seeing Eye Dog (Work Song) sounds as you’d expect. Which is not at all a criticism, because this sort of twisted metal is always interesting, when performed by a band with this pedigree and creativity.

Filter used to be Nine Inch Nails without Trent Reznor – which is as intriguing as it seems (not at all). But something’s happened to Richard Patrick and his army of industrial magpies. Because The Trouble With Angels (Nuclear Blast) is not only the best album the band have ever recorded, but very nearly a post-modern celebration of Journey and Foreigner. Yes, it’s melodic hard rock, albeit with the occasional NIN reference. But an excellent effort.

Huw Lloyd-Langton has been connected with Hawkwind for so long, it’s easy to forget that he’s a guitarist with a considerable range. Hard Graft (Allegro Music) is a pleasant diversion. And if the Lloyd-Langton vocals aren’t exactly operatic, nonetheless they have an effective style of their own, and his guitar work is nifty. Style-wise, it’s introspective folk-rock, with the occasional foray into the blues.

You know what you get with Black Label Society. And Order Of The Black (Roadrunner) fits right into those expectations. Ah, but it also happens to be one of the BLS albums yet. Maybe the newly sober Zakk Wylde was out to prove a point to Ozzy? Whatever, this piles along at a tidy rate, with some really Wylde guitar playing and hefty lock-and-load vocals. 

The Sword seem to be flavour of the month with a lot of people. Quite why is hard to fathom. Warp Riders (Kemado) is certainly no bad record, but at its best, all this does is remind you how good Clutch are. Says it all.

Achilla have long threatened to make a killer (ouch!) album. And Timeless is exactly what they needed to do. Its got gothic, progressive and metallic edges, but has an approach all its own. This is one of the best albums of the year, and will appeal to anyone who’s got an appreciation of creative rock music. Martamaria is a stunning singer, and guitarist Daniele Penza is capable of fluid brilliance. First single Arashi is out in early September. Find out more at www.myspace.com/achillamusic

In 1978, The Godz released a self-titled album, full of greased-up, foot down hard rock. Now it’s been reissued by Rock Candy, and it still sounds rougher than a bunch of psychotic redneck alcoholics on the rampage in the backwoods. Gloriously stuffed with songs which make Steel Panther seem PC. Given all of this, it was inevitably destined to become a cult classic, selling about 14 copies. At least now, a new generation can enjoy Under The Table, Gotta Keep A Runnin’ and Candy’s Going Bad (you’d have thought by now she’d have gone right off!).  Warning: this is best appreciated after several bottles of the good stuff. You know what I mean.

Barclay James Harvest are in their pomp on the reissued DVD Berlin – A Concert For The People (Eagle Rock).  This 30^th anniversary celebration has it all – wonderful setting (on the steps of the Reichstag, in front of 250,000 fans!), supreme music and classic songs. BJH were never better.

Finally, the DVD version of Oil City Confidential (Cadiz) is Julien Temple’s documentary on Dr. Feelgood. It’s madcap, hilarious and informative. It captures what the Canvey Island masters were really all about.

High Voltage was a triumph. Okay, we know we’re biased, but overall we reckon it’s been the best outdoor festival so far this year – because it was bold and brave enough to bring back ELP,  to back prog and to give us a bill that was all killer, no filler. Roll on 2011.

Check out a selection of rather excellent photographs from High Voltage below. Ah, memories!

Did you spot Yoda on stage with Bigelf?

Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth

The main Classic Rock Stage

Cormac Neeson and James Heatley of The Answer

Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society

Kelly Hansen of Foreigner

Gary Moore

Luke Morley of The Union

ZZ Top

The Metal Hammer stage

The Prog Stage

The Wall Of Death, one of the many fairground attractions at High Voltage