Marike Watson: A rock 'n roll war at Belville Veledrome
It’s pitch dark in the Belville Veledrome, apart from the all lit cigarettes around me. The only sound is a bustling noise from the crowd. It’s midway through Metallica’s repertoire and the audience is waiting in anticipation for what’s about to happen next. Suddenly the Veledrome turns into a battlefield, explosions set off on stage creating a war-like atmosphere and with each explosion the audience jump straight out of their black-only attire. Frontman James Hetfield seems amused as he laughs at the folks behind the guardrail.
Leah Solomon: The heavy metal community has recently lost one of its founding fathers. Jeff Hanneman (49), guitarist and co-founder of thrash rock band Slayer, died of liver failure last Thursday.
Hanneman had been off the road and not performing since 2011, when he had contracted a very rare skin disease which eats away at the flesh. Reports have said that he contracted this disease after he had been bitten by a spider.
Chwayita January and Stuart Thembisile Lewis: Olde 65 played host to the Battle of the Acoustics final this Saturday. Three-piece band, The Bad Hands, won the night – and R1000 – after narrowly beating solo guitarist Matthew de Klerk.
After two tightly fought qualification rounds, three acts were selected to compete in the final. The third act, Ryan, unfortunately had to withdraw from the event due to unforeseen circumstances.
Prelene Singh: Street Rhythm and McDonalds are doing a campus wide tour to find the best DJ and dance crew in the country.
LUSANDA FUTSHANE: The world had almost given up on The Strokes. Their debut album Is This It seemed like a flash in the pan when all the albums that came after it didn’t impress as much. The band maintained a small cult following but never really grew its audience. And then, more than a decade after their meteoric rise to fame, The Strokes came back with a fifth release. Has Comedown Machine salvaged whatever was left of this New York outfit’s bruised fame?
The short answer is: sort of. The long answer starts with the band’s obstinate sound. Over ten years and four records, there’s been very little growth in The Strokes’ style. Sure, the groovy combination of garage rock with danceable indie beats was what got this band noticed in the first place. However, when that sound isn’t developed enough, what you end up with are five albums that sound almost completely the same.
Lauren Dixon-Paver: Renowned acoustic guitarist Gary Thomas returned to Grahamstown on Friday 19 April in what was the fourth stop of his nationwide tour.
Having recently returned from a two-month tour of Europe, this talented musician graced the stage of The Lowlander, bringing the audience a unique and spectacular display of vocal and guitar skills in an intimately casual gig.
JOHAN SAAYMAN: After almost four years since their last album and the departure of two of the cofounders (Josh and Zac Farro), American rock band Paramore has returned with their new self-titled album.
If you expected another Brand New Eyes all-round masterpiece, this isn’t it – but the band must be commended on the versatility they attempted to bring to the new album. The sound still seems experimental and unsure, but it keeps the tracks unpredictable.
ERENE OBERHOLZER: : Tien jaar en vyf albums later, groet die bekende afrikaanse groep, Zinkplaat vir eers hulle bewonderaars. Zinkplaat het vanjaar op 11 April in Pretoria as deel van hulle laaste toer en bekendstelling van hulle nuwe album, Retrospekulasie opgetree. Bertie Coetzee, Beer Adriaanse, Basson Laubscher en Beitel van der Merwe het met Perdeby oor die afskeid gesels.
