Prog 21 takes readers on a trip into the progressive underground scene that grew up in the Ladbroke Grove area of London in the late 60s and continues to this day. Dave Brock, Lemmy, Nik Tuner, Doug Smith, Michael Moorcock and Stacia all contribute as we look at how the scene spread from the ‘Wind through bands like The Pink Fairies, Here & Now and Ozric Tentacles in today’s music scene.

Elsewhere there are brand new interviews with Peter Hammill, Can discussing the 40^th Anniversary of their legendary Tago Mago album, Arena, Nightwish, Cynic, The Devil’s Blood, The Pineapple Thief, Haken, Dec Burke, The Resonance Association, Tim Bowness and features a free CD featuring Opeth, Touchstone, Haken, White Willow, Airbag, Matt Stevens and many more.

Prog 21 is available from all good newsagents, or from here.

The digital version for iPad is available at  http://goo.gl/TLY22 (UK) or  http://goo.gl/RMw3s (US).

The Dutch occult rockers are in Void Studios in Eindhoven producer Peier G. Kloos. To be titled The Thousandfold Epicentre, it will be released by Van Records on November 11.

Find out more at www.myspace.com/thedevilsblood

Words: Malcolm Dome

Cor blimey (to borrow a Sid James cliché). Issa’s a bit of a looker. Which probably means her album Sign Of Angels (Frontiers) is gonna stink, right? Wrong. This is an absolute cracker (and I’m talking about the album!). Great songs, wonderful voice. Easily among the best releases of its type this year. A right bombshell (I’m taking about Issa – pay attention).

Remember Tank? The band who were always regarded, affectionately, as junior Motorhead. Well, you’d never know it from War Machine (Metal Mind), the new album. With Chris Dale on bass and Doogie White on vocals, they’ve smoothed out a lot of their previous roughness and gone for a more melodic approach. Diehard fans will doubtless cry ‘traitors!’, but this is a good album. Give it a chance.

White Widdow are that rarest of beast – a good Aussie melodic rock band. Their self-titled, debut album (Fronters) reeks of the mid-80s (the era of Dokken, White Sister and Bon Jovi), and is all the better for it.  An enjoyable romp, with lots of parping keyboards – the way we like ’em.

You might think you know what to expect from Beyond The Grave after the first minute or so of The Human Tide. But you’d be wrong. Sure the Newcastle band start off with a thunderous rush of gruff rhythms and growling vocals. But as the rest of the album unfurls, there are so many subtle and intricate moments that you end up convinced this is one helluva band. Check them out at www.myspace.com/beyondthegraveuk

Proggers Mostly Autumn might have lost Heather Findlay, but they’ve clearly retained their momentum. New vocalist Olivia Sparnenn has stepped up from the chorus line (as it were) on Go Well Diamond Heart. It’s an impressive mix of traditional Autumnal style with a little more modern edge. Find out more at http://www.mostly-autumn.com/

Where have the last 20 years gone, eh? Is it really that long since the release of Pantera’s Cowboys From Hell (Rhino), one of those seminal albums that turned metal on its head and shook the genre up. This is a lavish three-CD package, with a live performance and also a whole of demos, including The Will To Survive, which sounds more like Queensryche than what we know as Pantera – damn fine, though.

Rob Halford takes a brief break from Judas Priest, returning to Halford for Halford IV – Made Of Metal (Metal God Records). This is perhaps the most satisfying album from the band since 2000’s Resurrection. It’s diverse and allows the metal God himself to prove his range is greater than perhaps we all realise judging him by the Priest output alone.

Sabbath Assembly are not a confusing tribute band to Black Sabbath and Front Line Assembly, but a strange brew of dark imagery. The New Yorkers follow the teachings of the controversial Process Church Of The Final Judgement (who believe Christ and Satan will be reconciled, and together will judge humanity), and draw on Satanic and Christian beliefs. Restored To One (:AJNA:) is intelligent but very claustrophobic. It’s like The Devil’s Blood without the expansiveness tunes. Almost folk rock, but with a sinister soul. These are hymns with the duality of love and fear. A flawed masterpiece.

Far removed from the angry young punks of yesteryear, the Manic Street Preachers are still making fascinating, edgy music. Postcards From A Young Man (Sony) has got a gospel choir, Duff McKagan, John Cale and Ian McCollough – oh, a whole string of potential hits. While the pace is sedate and the manner is mature. Don’t be fooled – there are also enough barbs hidden here to prove the band still believe they have something relevant to say. As indeed they do.

Finally, in a year that’s given us some tremendous DVDs, Ladies And Gentlemen…The Rolling Stones (Eagle Vision) is up there with the best. The live footage comes from the Exile On Main Street tour (perhaps the Stones’ best period), while the extra footage is also well worth watching. It’ll tide us over until the inevitable 50^th anniversary tour.

June 4

Nifelheim

Repugnant

Vomitor

Craven Idol

Funeral Throne

Von

Watain

The Devil’s Blood

Azarath

Necro Ritual

Sacriligious Impalement

June 5

Von

Watain

The Devil’s Blood

Azarath

Necro Ritual

Sacriligious Impalement

Find out more here.

WHEN: Friday, February 19Words: Malcolm Dome

Give it a year or so, and this venue will have somehow shoehorned in about 10,000 people. You now it’s like – some gigs become legendary, and people are desperate to be associated with them. How many times have you heard the claim “Oh yes, I was there” from somebody you just know had never even heard of the band at the time. AC/DC at The Red Cow in Hammersmith in ‘76, Guns N’ Roses at The Marquee in ‘87…and now The Devil’s Blood.

The fact that The Underworld was barely half full was depressing as this performance was stunning. Where was everyone? The anticipation levels for this gig had reached fever pitch just days earlier. But there we all were staring at the emptiness, as this Dutch band delivered a performance that had grace, electrifying passion, gorgeous melodies and some of the most intricately mesmerising guitar interplay anyone’s witnessed in recent times.

There was no elaborate stage set, nor any gimmicks. Sure the amps were littered with candles, as the band – bathed in an opaque hue that accentuated their tribal make-up (corpse paint with a touch of Arthur Brown) – relied solely on their music to get across their version of occult rock.

The set was seamless, 90 minutes during which there was no embarrassing banter – the songs and musicianship were the focus. At times, it did bring to mind Coven, Jefferson Airplane and Roky Erickson There were also moments when Wishbone Ash sprang to mind. But through it all, these were mere reference points for a band who clearly have defined their own style.

Of course, the basis for tonight were the songs from last year’s Come Reap EP and The Time Of No Time Evermore album. But more often than not, the tunes were used as a springboard for the sort of extended instrumental creativity that was so prevalent 40 years ago. These days, not many bands have the confidence, the spirit or the ability to make this work, but there’s no such problem here – it’s so damn haunting that there are people who put up with empty glasses and full bladders rather than miss a note.

There’s no encore. Once they’ve finish the band troop off, leaving us stunned and staring, coming down from the aural equivalent of a glorious mushroom trip.

If you were there, you know exactly what I mean. If you weren’t, hopefully this will give a little indication of what you missed. Nights like this underline, and reinvest in, the perennial glory of rock. On the day we all commemorated the 30th anniversary of Bon Scott’s death, this was the most approrpiate tribute of all – a great gig.

WHERE: London, Camden Underworld

WHEN: Friday, February 19The current darlings of the extreme metal underground this Dutch occult rock ensemble actually take their influences mostly from the late ’60s/early ’70s. Names like Roky Erickson. Coven, Jefferson Airplane and the Electric Prunes comes easily to mind. And they’ve come up with an enticing style that’s sensual, slightly depraved, charismatic, wrecking sumptuous riffs on the siren call of jagged, hypnotic melodies.

This show marks their live debut in the UK. And, given the rave reviews they’ve been receiving or last year’s debut album, The Time Of No Time Evermore, plus the reports from Europe of just how incredible their stage performance is, here’s one gig not to miss.

“It is most certainly something we look forward to. Our first UK appearance and already a headline slot,” says guitarist Selim Lemouchi. “This gives us hope for future endeavours. Also some things happened in the past that have kept us from performing our Ritual at Camden’s Underworld so this also feels as a vindication of sorts.”

The band stylise their live presentation as a ‘Ritual’, which might give you some idea of just how creative they are – and they’re not bothered that The Underworld is comparatively small.

“I don’t know anything about the size of the venue but small or large, it is Us and Them that will be all important in the calling of Him! Not so much the surrounding walls or the cubic contents.”

As for the actual set list, this being is kept very much under wraps right now, but expect songs not only from the aforementioned album, but also from the Come Reap EP. And there might even be a cover version included.

“We will most likely pay our usual homage to Roky Erickson.”

Of course, February 19 is the 30^th anniversary of the death of the late, great Bon Scott, something of which Lemouchi is very much aware.

“Personally I am not one to pay too much attention to these things but I will drink a glass of whiskey on the back seat of a taxi in his honour nonetheless!”

The Devil’s Blood try to remain in the shadows when it comes to individual personalities. Apart from Lemouchi, the only other member regularly identified is their vocalist, know as The Mouth. But this is shaping up to be one of the landmark events of the year, You’d be crazy to miss it. Hail Satan!

Find out more about The Devil’s Blood at www.myspace.com/thedevilsblood

100. Harry Patch (In Memory Of) – Radiohead
From 2009. A download-only single, as the last survivor of the First World War is celebrated in one of the most intense and passionate anti-war songs of recent years. It’s progressive and haunting in equal measure. Henry John ‘Harry’ Patch: 17 June, 1898 – 25 July, 2009. Rest in peace. Listen to the song here.

99. The Heaven’s Cry Out (For The Devil’s Blood) – The Devil’s Blood
From the Dutch band’s 2008 EP Come Reap. This harks back to the early 1970s, mixing occult visions with psychedelic inspirations. But it doesn’t sound at all retro, appealing to extreme metal fans as much as old school aficionados. Listen to the song here.

98. Hate Worldwide – Slayer
From the 2009 album World Painted Blood. Slayer never let you down, but even if their standards are always high, they can still occasionally surprise. This has power and dynamic as well as the intensity that exemplifies Slayer’s trademark approach. Listen to the song here.

97. Last Look At Eden – Europe
From the 2009 album Last Look At Eden. If Europe had their heyday in the 1980s, then they are still a force on the melodic rock scene. Here’s a slowly built, stripped-down anthem. Watch the video here.

96. Wither – Dream Theater
From the 2009 album Black Clouds & Silver Linings. Regarded as the pioneers of contemporary prog, Dream Theater combine illustrious musicianship with a catchy chorus. Masterful. Listen to the song here.

95. Community Property – Steel Panther
From the 2009 album Feel The Steel. Some have accused this of merely being a lewd’n’crude reworking Extreme’s More Than Words. But we don’t care, we just love the lyrics: ‘My heart belongs to you-oo-ooh… but my cock is community property.’ Naughty but nice. Watch the (explicit) video here.

94. Best Years – Whitesnake
From the 2008 album Good To Be Bad. A slam-bang stormer of a song that successfully combines the bluesy appeal of early ’Snake with the histrionics of the modern day band (with tinges of the broodiness of Coverdale-Page into the bargain). You can’t beat it when ol’ DC howls: ‘Caught in a crossfire of heartache and pain!’ Listen to the song here.

93. Saints Of Los Angeles – Mötley Crüe
From the 2008 album Saints Of Los Angeles. For some reason we at Classic Rock gave the SATM album a bit of a drubbing when it first came out. Now that we’ve had the ear-wax blockage removed we can confirm that this, the title track, sees the Crüe shrugging off their darker side and returning to their time-honoured party-metal style. In order! Watch the video here.

92. More Than Meets The Eye – Testament
From the 2008 album The Formation Of Damnation. A tremendous old-school neck-vertebrae-snapper – every bit as good (in fact, it’s probably better) as anything on Metallica’s Death Magnetic. Hey… how about a Big Five Of Thrash tour? Watch the video here.

91. Runnin’ Wild – Airbourne
From the 2007 album Runnin’ Wild. A full-on phlegm-in-your-face larrikin anthem; the kind of sock-it-to-your-jaw rabble-rouser that Australian bands really excel at. Plus we love the video of them playing in the back of the truck, with Lemmy in the driver’s seat. Watch the video here.

* Coming tomorrow on www.classicrockmagazine.com – numbers 90 through to 81.

With its usual lavish wallet featuring Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson in classic pose, the issue looks at the relationship between prog rock and folk music, with brand new interviews with Ian Anderson, Renaissance, Roy Harper, Pentangle, Comus and Mostly Autumn. There’s a look at the life and times of John Martyn too.

Elsewhere there’s an exclusive round-table Progressive Nation interview with Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy, Opeth’s Mikael Akerfeldt and Bigelf’s Damon Fox discussing the state of prog music today, and interviews with Oceansize, Within Temptation, Katatonia, 3, The Devil’s Blood and a seasonal look at Xmas prog tunes.

All this, plus a free 12-track CD featuring the likes of Transatlantic, Nosound, 3, Within Temptation, Big Big Train, Mostly Autumn and many more.

You’ll find all your progressive desires catered for in Classic Rock Presents Prog issue 5, on sale from tomorrow.

Ian Anderson (plus codpiece) on the wallet.

Prog Nation protagonists on the cover inside.

The celebrated Dutch occult rockers, who’ve been championed by Classic Rock Presents Prog, bring their ritual (as they call live shows) to the Underworld in London on February 19.

For further info, go to www.myspace.com/thedevilsblood

The band were due to support Trouble and Pentagram at The Underworld on October 14. However, this is no longer happening.

An official statement on the situation from The Devil’s Blood says:

“We were informed that we are not welcome at this point to perform with US doom band Trouble at Camden’s Underworld in London. If this is a decision made by the band, or by the venue, is actually totally unclear. A few days’ worth of emailing, telephone calls and text-messaging notwithstanding it seems no-one in the entire organisation was able to speak out in a definitive manner on this subject.

“Frustrating as it is, we have decided to move on to more important things and leave this circus of confusion behind us. The Devil’s Blood will make great efforts to invade the UK at a later date. Plans to this extent are being made as we speak. Our Hails to all individuals who have done so much to get us in London, and to the maniacs active in the UK underground who have so diligently furthered our course of Chaos!

For further details, go to www.myspace.com/thedevilsblood