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Rich

Lady GaGa – Born This Way (Heavy Metal Version)

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Inspired presumably by the viral success of Wax Audio’s Lady Gaga vs Judas Priest mashup that hit the internet last month, Evile’s lead guitarist Ol Drake has decided to put together a heavy metal version of Lady GaGa’s ‘Born This Way‘, receiving over 50,000 views in the 2 weeks since he uploaded it to YouTube. Ol isn’t quite at the level of Wax Audio’s million plus views yet, hopefully he can hit the 100,000+ point before long however, and with online coverage from the likes of Blabbermouth, Bloody Disgusting, and Metal Hammer, as well as a mention in this week’s Kerrang! Magazine, the views are bound to keep coming in for Ol in the coming days and weeks.

Although featuring the vocals of the original Lady GaGa track, Ol Drake has decided to shake things up a bit here by providing his own alternative, heavy metal instrumental backing. I can’t say I’ve ever been the biggest Lady GaGa fan in the world, what Ol has done with the track is certainly impressive however, and there’s a great element of fun about the music. It’s not quite up there with ‘Chewbacca For Good‘, definitely still well worth a listen though, with Ol Drake once more

Ol Drake’s heavy metal version of ‘Born This Way‘ definitely won’t be for everyone, and I’m sure there are plenty of Evile fans out there that hate it; this isn’t an Evile track though, this is Ol Drake having a bit fun, and if you don’t like it then just don’t listen to it then. The guitar work is strong here, and Lady GaGa’s vocals actually sound pretty awesome with this sort of instrumental backing. Listen to the music of Evile and you’ll be able to hear for yourself that Ol Drake is an excellent guitarist, this is something that also shines through with this ‘Born This Way‘ cover, and Ol Drake has done an absolutely cracking job of putting this one together.

Evile’s third studio album ‘Five Serpent’s Teeth‘ is due for release in late September, and if the exposure gained from Ol’s heavy metal version of Lady GaGa’s ‘Born This Way‘ can help to bring in any extra fans for the band then this can only really be see as a good thing. Another potential plus point springing from Ol Drake’s cover and indeed Wax Audio’s mashup is that it may just lead Lady GaGa to the realisation that heavy metal is the way forward for her and that she’s been wasting her talents these past few years in producing pop music. Who knows what the future may well hold for Lady GaGa, but if you’d like to get an idea of what it might well sound like if Lady GaGa does ever decide to go metal then take a listen to the track below.

Blink-182’s Up All Night Unveiled

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Blink-182 has officially unveiled its first new track for years as ‘Up All Night‘ has finally hit the internet.

Sounding like a mix of hiatus period projects +44 and Angels and Airwaves, the new Blink-182 sound is most definitely different to what the band was producing in the past, progression is clearly key here however, and the band certainly can’t be accused of having stood still.

Not everyone may entirely appreciate the band’s new change of direction, having listened to the track upwards of about 15 times already however, this track has most certainly been a hit here at Alt-UK. The first listen didn’t entirely grab me, with repeated listens came increased enjoyment however, and I now feel that Blink-182 has once again produced the goods and come up with an absolutely incredible new single.

What do you think of the new Blink-182 sound?

New Blink 182 Single ‘Up All Night’ This Friday

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Having originally spoken about ‘Up All Night‘ over two years ago, this Friday Blink 182 will finally officially unveil the track as it debuts on Los Angeles radio station KROQ, and also on the band’s official website, Blink182.com.

The track will be posted on the website  on July 15th at 15:30 BST, the band’s first new material since 2005.

Blink 182 was originally scheduled to come over these shores earlier this month taking in a 12 arena tour of the UK and Ireland, back in April the tour was postponed however with the band now set to come over in June/July 2012 instead.

Linkin Park – Rolling In The Deep

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A cover of Adele’s ‘Rolling In The Deep’ is something that I never would have expected from Californian rock band Linkin Park, cover it the band have though, and a damn fine job Chester Bennington has done of the vocals as well.

Having covered the track acoustically at the iTunes Festival, Linkin Park’s ‘Rolling In The Deep‘ cover was resultantly released as a  single via the iTunes store, hitting number 42 on the UK singles chart upon release. Given that this great cover debuted at number 42, I would most definitely expect the single to rise and rise in the coming weeks, and could most certainly see the band having a huge hit out of it.

Chester Bennington is an incredibly talented vocalist, and this is something that shines through strongly with this live cover. Bennington’s voice is incredibly well suited to the track, and due to the immense quality of this cover it’s hard to believe that it wasn’t actually written with Chester Bennington’s voice in mind.

When Linkin Park first released ‘Hybrid Theory‘ back in late 2000, little did I realise that the band would still be hanging around in the mainstream more than a decade on, Linkin Park is still a band that is going supremely strong though, and if you give this ‘Rolling In The Deep‘ cover a listen then you’ll be able to hear for yourself just how strong a voice Chester Bennington truly has. Linkin Park may have ridden in on the wave of nu-metal, the band has managed to remain at the top by consistently smashing out super strong singles though, and in ‘Rolling In The Deep‘ the band demonstrates that it’s also fully capable of powering out the hits of others.

Chester Bennington really does have a brilliant voice, but don’t just take my word for it, give Linkin Park’s ‘Rolling In The Deep‘ cover a listen and prepare to be impressed.

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Frank Carter Announces His Departure From Gallows

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Frank Carter is to depart UK hardcore band Gallows later this month after a six year stint as the band’s lead vocalist.

Carter’s last show with the band will come on July 23rd when the band performs at the ULU in London. Carter will no doubt be giving his all in the remaining shows that he is set to play with the band, and high energy can surely be expected from the London show on the 23rd.

Despite Frank Carter’s announced departure, Gallows will be continuing with a new frontman, and with the band having spent the last few months in the studio a new studio release can surely be expected in the not too distant future.

Frank Carter had the following to say about his decision to depart Gallows:

It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce my departure from Gallows. It seems that Gallows have hit a crossroads in our writing process and unfortunately myself and the rest of the boys have different ideas regarding the sound of Gallows going forward. Gallows have decided they are going to continue on without me and I wish the boys the best of luck for the future. Gallows will be fulfilling all of our current touring plans until August 1st so please come down to a show and help me make each show a total celebration!

This does not mean I am giving up on music. I have a new band called PURE LOVE which I have been working on with my brother Jim Carroll (Suicide File, Clouds, Hope Conspiracy) for a few months now. A lot of late nights in the studio have meant that we will be recording our debut album in September and then will hit the road later this year. I hope to see you all there.

I want to say thank you to my brothers Stephen, Jonathan and Richard, my parents and the rest of the boys in Gallows for their support not only over the past few months, but the past 6 years. I also want to thank all the fans that helped us build Gallows into something I could really be proud of. Without you it would have meant nothing. Thank you all. Forwards ever, backwards never. Pure Love.

The Pigeon Detectives – Lost Video

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Official video for The Pigeon Detectives’ single ‘Lost‘, taken from their third studio album ‘UP, GUARDS AND AT ‘EM!‘ which was recorded over a period of two months in New York City with producer Justin Gerrish.

Japanese Voyeurs UK Tour Dates

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Japanese Voyeurs will be touring the UK throughout July, including a number of shows with the legendary Guns N Roses guitarist Slash.

The following is a full list of the dates that the band will be playing:

July 08 Sonisphere, Knebworth
July 12 London Hoxton Bar & Kitchen (Album launch show!)
July 20 Birmingham Academy w/ SLASH
July 21 Manchester Apollo  w/ SLASH
July 24 Stoke Victoria Hall  w/ SLASH
July 25 Leeds Academy w/ SLASH