Mickey's Metal Morsels: Episode Twenty Five

Here we are, then, Episode Twenty Five and a nice little quartet of morsels for you all to get your teeth into – Enjoy!

VALLETTA

Blackened arena rock? Melancholic grunge n’roll? Valletta’s anthemic approach to songwriting and energetic stage performance certainly makes you wonder. The band’s forthcoming full-length debut album, Summer, seeks to incinerate metal norms and create a new sound that is as grimy as it is electrifying!

Valletta comes with an impressive pedigree. The band features drummer Justin Valletta (Mo’ynoq), bassist/backing vocalist Donald Boyd (Mo’ynoq), guitar/lead vocalist Keenan Carroll (Lord Almighty, ex-Barishi), and guitarist/backing vocalist Will Goodyear (Hopesfall, Prayer for Cleansing, ex-Between The Buried and Me).

Described elsewhere as “A potent mix of Celtic Frost, Satyricon and The Bronx, this is fantastically catchy, bleak, old-school extreme metal with rock’n’roll hooks.” Summer takes that penetrating foundational mix and supercharges the musicianship and songwriting, resulting in twelve tracks guaranteed to leave neurological imprints!”

The band released the following statement about Summer: “The new album, Summer, has been a real exploration in tearing down walls that we had previously built up over the years. Each of us coming from different musical backgrounds, there’s been this strong sense of letting go and allowing the music to unfold, regardless of how uncomfortable it may be. That’s been the beauty of this journey we’ve started together, and it’s been a great ride so far!

During the writing process, a constant theme that emerged was the idea of duality. From heavier, grimier riffs to beautiful, stoic melodies. From slower, muddy depths to faster, anthemic leads. From frozen wastelands, to summer nights, we’ve been on a journey to explore our limitations musically and emotionally. Spin that shit up!”

THE PALE HORSES

Dark rock n’roll outfit The Pale Horses are back with their mesmeriing new single, Morning Star, a fuzz-laden anthem best experienced within the eerie confines of a haunted castle. Following their signature sound, Morning Star delves into a provocative exploration of casting off old beliefs, challenging conventional religious dogma, and embracing new alternative philosophies. The track arrives ahead of the band’s highly anticipated debut EP Enchantress, set for release via Black Throne Productions in October.

Drawing inspiration from seventies metal, Morning Star is driven by captivating guitar riffs and shadowy, vampyric vocals that echo through the heavy fog of fuzz and psychedelia. The result is an atmospheric, spellbinding soundscape that pulls listeners into a world of introspection, leaving them both enthralled and unsettled by the mysteries lurking in the darkness.

The Pale Horses play on themes of fear and thrills exploring gothic horror, sex and drugs along with counter culture, occultism and self-empowerment. Seventies heavy metal forms a primary musical influence along with rock n’roll rhythms, and sleazy riffs loaded with fuzz. Based out of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, the earliest formations of the band date back as far as the late nineties as a side project finally coming to fruition in 2024. Enchantress is the band’s first EP in its official form, produced by Zack Hollow. and set for release on October 25th, 2024, via Black Throne Productions.

SERGEANT THUNDERHOOF

Sergeant Thunderhoof have amassed a rich and varied back catalogue since their formation in 2013, included four studio albums, a live full length, an epic split LP with Howling Giant, numerous compilation appearances for the likes of Ripple Music and Magnetic Eye Records and even a surprise tribute to Kate Bush.

Hailing from the historical area of Somerset, Sergeant Thunderhoof have yet again delved deep into local history, mythology and folklore to deliver their most focused album to date. The Ghost of Badon Hill is a true conceptual piece, set in the 4th Century AD and positively charged with raw emotion and Arthurian mysticism.

The follow up to 2022’s critically acclaimed album This Sceptred Veil, their new LP was recorded with Josh Gallop at Stage 2 Studios in Bath and mastered by Tony Reed (Mos Generator), and sees the band exploring wider and more textured sonic landscapes, whilst conceptually delving into Somerset’s famous Battle of Badon.

Discussing the lyrical themes explored throughout the album, vocalist and lyricist Dan Flitcroft says: “This new album feels to me like our most focussed and thoughtful release to date. In the past we’ve not had any limitations when it comes to song lengths and structures as we didn’t have a label calling the shots. But one thing that I knew was needed for this album was to set some boundaries. Foremost of which was the ability to get it onto two sides of vinyl, as opposed to us having to put most of our previous works onto double packages due to the sheer length of the songs.

“I came across the theme for the album by sheer accident when out walking with my family. I had no idea that Bath was a possible location for a real-life battle between the Britons and invading Anglo Saxons, on what was known as Badon Hill. There are a few prominent hills in and around our city that have been suggested as possible locations, famously Peter Gabriel sang about Solsbury Hill many years ago. I got lost down a rabbit hole of facts, speculation, mythology and fantasy. I very quickly focussed on a story of simple people leading simple lives, forced to do amazing things to protect themselves and their kind. Having this narrative ticking away in my brain whilst working on the songs with the band really helped shape the feel and emotional journey that the songs take you on.”

POSTE 942

French rockers Poste 942 have just released their new album, #ChaleurHumaine, which is available on all streaming platforms. CDs and vinyl are set to be released via Beer-Bear-Boar Prod at the end of 2024!

“We are a French rock band that’s existed since 2010, based in Tourves (Var 83). The Lambda Rock that comes out of Poste 942 is danced in the moonlight on the banks of the Caramy. It is drunk, it is eaten, it is smoked, it dissolves in nature. Since 2010, after a demo, two EPs, and two LPs, Poste 942 continues to play off of the beaten path. It’s fresh, it’s good, it’s raw, it’s gangster music! The people of Var are not like everyone else and we refuse to let themselves be boxed in by label or genre. We take up the spirit of foot-tapping rock with an energy and banter that are a pleasure to hear. A wonderful mix of genres in a style of music that perfectly suits our group’s state of mind: being peaceful in the countryside, having fun playing, making music videos with friends… The Saints Sangliers are back and are coming out of the woods soon to celebrate our more than ten years of wild rock life.” – says the band

French mainstays and rock chameleons Poste 942 have been plying their trade in the heavy underground since 2010, and their latest album sees the five-piece continue to push forward their sound with no signs of slowing down. #chaleurhumaine radiates its namesake warmth in Virginie D.’s soulful vocals and the pulsing, fuzzed-out riffs, all while maintaining a hard rock edge. Genres across the heavy spectrum are meshed with ease, and the crew are in full stride as masters of their craft on “#chaleurhumaine”.