This impressive debut mini album from these Newcastle based rockers has a surprising number of facets to its appeal.

While reinventing the wheel has never been top priority for this British five-piece Panic Cell have continued to churn out an impressive set of groove-oriented metal anthems throughout their career. Slayer and AC/DC have never been ones to make radical changes but always nail things in the live environment, and performances with the likes of Alice Cooper and Anthrax suggest Panic Cell are following a similar path.

The UK was a baron wasteland for metal festivals before Bloodstock began in 2001. Okay, you had the odd Ozzfest and giant Metallica gigs but these were aimed at the more commercial end of the metal spectrum, as was the proceeding Download Festival. The decision to move Bloodstock outside was met with derision by a few, but anyone who has witnessed Bloodstock Open Air, specifically over the past 3 years will know it has become not just one of the major festivals in the UK, but also Europe.

With it being only 2 years old Sonisphere is one of the younger festivals in existence. Last years 2 day affair featuring Metallica and Linkin Park as headliners was enough to lodge this festival into people’s hearts and minds. Extended to 2 and half days Sonisphere returned this year with a strong line-up of bands, albeit mainly acts that have played the other big rock festivals over the past few years.

Featuring ex members of YOURCODENAMEIS:MILO, Scrabo and Contraband, Newcastle based ‘We Are Knuckledragger’ have built up a reputation for stunning live performances. Now, at last, their ferocity is captured on this EP.

It seems to have been a never-ending wait for a 'proper' London rock festival. For us folks in the capital it was an opportunity to enjoy a two day festival but slump into our own beds at the end of the night (or early hours of the morning).

It's not the best of starts when two of the most local bands on the bill pull out on the day of the gig. These things can usually turn the night into a disaster or mean the event is cancelled. Fortunately the bands remaining managed to make the night into something of a success with a series of impressive performances.

There are so many goth nights, gigs and clubs in London now you can't turn a corner without stumbling into one. This isn't always a bad thing but it was nice to get away from the big smoke and escape to York for the weekend for a stint of site-seeing and of course the inaugural DV8 Festival.

It was something of a surprise when the Prince of Darkness was announced to be playing as part of the iTunes festival at the Roundhouse. Live music for this event is usually aimed at people who rarely look into the murky world of metal. The mainly ticket winning crowd were a mix of full-time rockers and the curious music fan, interested in seeing Mr Ozzy Osbourne in the flesh for the first time.

If you are one of those searching for a return to the old school days of traditional heavy metal, then this is an essential listen.