If you grew up and were a “hard rocker” in the 80s, you obviously know Danish PRETTY MAIDS. In 1984, the band released their first full-length, “Red, Hot & Heavy” and who doesn”t remember the title song and the opening “Back to Back” and others. A pure masterpiece! The debut was followed up by “Future World” in 1987, which sold over 300,000 copies. After the third full-length “Jump the Gun” (1990) the band split up, leaving only guitarist Ken Hammer and vocalist Ron Atkins at the helm. With a new drummer and bassist, the formidable record “Sin-Decade” was released in 1992, which featured the hit “Please Don”t Leave”, a cover of a Sykes/Lynott song. The band has continued to release great albums and the latest “Undress Your Madness” (2019) is no exception. Late in 2019, lead singer Ron Atkins was diagnosed with cancer and the planned shows in early 2020 were cancelled. But by the summer of 2024, Pretty Maids are back, and doing selected gigs. The only one in southern Sweden will be at Time To Rock and we are very proud of that. One of the very best hard rock bands in Scandinavia ever are back!
Finnish metalcore eccentrics One Morning Left have released a video for their brand new single ‘Neon Inferno (Paradise)’, out now via Arising Empire. A compelling narrative of a passionate yet tumultuous love affair, this musical masterpiece intricately weaves celestial and hellish imagery, painting a vivid portrait of a love that is as divine as it is destructive.
The song’s lyrical prowess lies in its ability to explore passionate, all-consuming love that walks the fine line between creation and destruction. The ‘Neon Inferno (Paradise)’ becomes a powerful metaphor in this journey – it’s bright and captivating, yet burning with an intensity that could consume all in its path.
Founded in 2008 in Vaasa, Finland, One Morning Left are well known for their unique blend of electro, hardcore and metalcore influences as well as their entertaining and energetic live shows where absolutely anything can happen.
One Morning Left’s most recent album, Hyperactive, marked their first new material in five years. The fourth album welcomed a whole new chapter in their story, drawing inspiration from retro electronic and video game music, as well as 80s hard rock, while staying true to their heavier roots.
Changes happened not only in musical style, but also in their line-up. Returning from the cast of 2016’s Metalcore Superstars were frontman Mika Lahti, singer/guitarist Leevi Luoto and drummer Niko Hyttinen. Additional firepower was provided by new faces Tuukka Ojansivu on guitar and Miska Sipiläinen on bass guitar, as well as the return-to-form of keyboard player Touko Keippilä from the band’s original Panda <3 Penguin line-up.
One Morning Left have played shows with bands including Amaranthe, Machinae Supremacy, Adept, Protest The Hero, Fear Of Domination, Turmion Kätilöt and We Butter The Bread With Butter. The band have also graced the Finnish festival season, playing renowned festivals like Tuska Open Air and Rockfest.
This band is coming from La Rochelle, France and this is their debut full length album. There are ten songs on this one. Music is basically punk rock but with so much more influences thrown in. There are hardcore, metal, funk, reggae, midwest emo, but also blackgaze to be more modern. Lyrics deal with personal themes, like will to live, mental health issues, but also oppression and social injustices. I love how this band manages to mix all these influences in their music but still remain punk rock and punch you in the face. One of my personal favorites is ‘She Resisted Agonizingly’, mixture of fast hardcore punk and reggae with good lyrics. Vocals are more screaming and shouted and somehow fit perfectly to the atmosphere each of the songs has, because every song is different from the other and that is the beauty of this album. One other song I must also mention as favorite is ‘Fading’ which is totally cool with lyrics that goosebumps your skin. Also ‘Flashes of Corruption Destruction(in My Dreams)’ is worth mentioning having that cool catchy riff and reminding me of early Shelter, but hey, maybe it is only me. This is in fact an interesting album for all of you who love your punkrock diverse.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 