Osmium Guillotine - 'Osmium Guillotine' Album

‘Osmium Guillotine’ is the self-titled, debut album from Essex four piece, Osmium Guillotine. The album has been out since June, but we are now happy to have our hands on it!

 

The band play a concoction of 80's heavy metal with a touch of classic rock and a little 70's punk thrown in for good measure. Oh, and a ton of doom, anger and a few pints of ale (more about that later).

 

That theme of anger runs through the entire album with a constant narrative of situations being troublesome. 'City of Chaos', which we’ll be featuring on Shell’s next show due out this Tuesday 20^th January, is the sixth track of the album and sums up this feeling pretty well. The song is about the London riots of a couple of years ago, and sums up the mood of the album, that things have gone to the dogs and that we're living in fear and under the control of emotionless, heartless organisations.

 

'Hobgoblin' is track seven and it's here we're introduced to the ale, with this track being an homage to one of my personal favourite ales, Wychwood's Hobgoblin. This is a seriously good tune, to go with a seriously good beer. As the song suggests, if you're used to your lager, you're going to be in for a taste experience with this!

 

This leads in to my personal favourite track, 'Goomba'. An unusual name for a track, I’ll admit. This is a great anthem, with a thumping rhythm that runs through after ripping in from a fairly subtle and subdued intro. The lyrics retain the passionate feeling of anger, helplessness and being lost in this modern, depressing world. By the way, the ending to this song is incredible. I'm listening to this at my laptop, with my headphones in, properly going for the air guitar. Cue very odd looks from my flatmate...

 

Speaking of unusual track names, let’s talk about 'Phobophobia'. 'Phobophobia' is the fear of being afraid, something which is helpfully explained in the song. I don't just mention this track for its name though, the song bursts into life after a smooth intro with its powerful instrumentals set against snappy, catchy lyrics.

 

The album closes with 'Subhuman', which like the previous tracks is packed with deep, heavy riffs, hard drums and sharply delivered vocals. About half way through the song, the drums ramp up and lead into an awesome guitar solo, which again had me smiling. The track is a perfect and fitting end to this brilliantly dark album.

 

Osmium Guillotine's debut album is simply fantastic, with big riffs and memorable, passionate lyrics. I'm looking forward to lots more from them on their new label, Roxeavy Music over the next few years. As a side note to the music, if you do get hold of this album, seriously check out the artwork on the cover, there's a flaming guillotine for goodness sake!!

 

If you want to find out more about the band, head over to www.osmiumguillotine.com where you can also find the album, so you can have a listen yourself!

 

Remember to visit www.theampsession.co.uk for more new, unsigned acts, tune in to our latest show or catch up on anything you’ve missed!

The Landed - "The Landed" EP

We are super excited to have a chance to review the debut EP from 4 piece The Landed, now it has…well…’landed’.

 

The lads from Essex; David, Dan and both the Pauls, have a had a fantastic 18 months or so, with plays on Radio 1 and completing a hefty tour of universities, and have now completed their self-titled debut EP, “The Landed”.

 

The album incorporates blues and acoustic sounds, with wide ranging vocals that fans have loved for so long.

 

Each track is beautifully and carefully crafted, with its own unique feel and rhythm yet still achieves the same end result, a joyous and uplifting experience you could come back to again and again. I defy anyone to not feel happy and summery after listening to this record.

 

“Stone Man” opens the album and straight away The Landed's familiar sound comes through, a gentle, rising and falling tempo with a relaxed feeling to it. It eases you into the album, and leaves you with desire for more.

 

“Snakes and Ladders” follows and is perhaps my personal favourite track, with the feeling of a social divide that's been created and unhappiness at this. The feeling that the current establishment does not serve its purpose. I've heard songs with this message before, we all have, there are loads of them, but this is different. Like every other track on the album, it's not thrown in your face. It has a message, but it's a powerful enough message to be carried with soul and subtlety, which to me speaks louder than someone preaching.

 

Following up is “Things to Talk About”, which is smooth and melodic, with heartfelt lyrics. You get the feeling that these are not just lyrics to a song for The Landed, but the deeper thoughts and feelings which are being portrayed.

 

"Taking You Out” and “Amazing Suzie” both follow a similar pattern, with a wonderful, smooth blues sound that invites you just to tap along to with a massive smile on your face.

 

The final tack “Fly” rounds the album off superbly. It continues with the same vibe and feeling of the previous tracks. It has that enticing smoothness that's just such a joy to listen to.

 

The Landed have put together a fine debut album, which I know I will be listening to again, it's 22 minutes of rhythm and blues that you can come back to over and over. Great job guys! Just one thing... Don't leave it long until you record another one!

 

We're certainly looking forward to seeing these guys live on our first live show, coming up next month, you can find out more about this by heading over to theampsession.co.uk and if you want to find out more about The Landed, check out their website for information on the EP and tour dates.

 

- Chris

THE AMP SESSION LIVE!

The Amp Session is heading out on the road for the first time, delivering some of the best in new, unsigned talent to The Good Ship in Kilburn on 15th November.

 

We are an online radio show, which promotes unsigned bands and artists across a range of genres, and we can confirm the show will be headlined by Peerless Pirates and will also feature performances from The Landed and Rival Empires.

 

Founder of The Amp Session, and presenter of our regular show, Shell Thomas said: “We can't wait to hit the road with some of the best new acts around.

 

“There is so much talent out there, and for us to be able to support some of these artist and bring them to the attention of a new audience is fantastic and we hope it will lead to more acts coming through in the next few years, who otherwise might get left behind.”

 

Earlybird tickets are available online for £4 or £5 on the door.

 

Remember to like The Amp Session on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more updates and announcements.

 

Tune in to www.theampsession.co.uk for the best in new, unsigned music.