Just posted: Focus on Metal's 2015 Halloween episode is now available.

Episode 255 - Halloween 2015

Focus on Metal has been around since 2010 but surprisingly we've never done a Halloween episode. This week we aim to rectify that. First up we have Count William Jannusch the voice behind the bands Witchcross and Ravensthorn. I had a damn fine conversation with the Count about both bands. We follow that up with Matt Cuthbertson from Canada's own Untimely Demise.

Find out more about Witchcross and grab a copy of "Crypt of The Undead" at http://witchcross.com/ 

Catch up with Ravensthorn at https://www.facebook.com/Ravensthorn

Get your fill of Untimely Demise music at https://untimelydemise.bandcamp.com/

Track of the week is from AFM artist and past FoM guest Gama Bomb. This one comes off their latest, "Untouchable Glory". Catch up with Philly and the boys at https://www.facebook.com/gamabomb

In case ya missed it Focus on Metal is now part of a new network The Blast Syndicate. So point your browser to http://www.blastsyndicate.com/ and Get Blasted!

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or on iTunes.

You can hear us Tuesdays on Platinum Rock Radio and be sure to check their schedule because we usually get a repeat run during the week.

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Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

GAMA BOMB Announce UK Headlining Tour: January 2014

Irish thrashers GAMA BOMB have announced details of a headlining UK tour for January 2014.

The dates, which kick off in Cardiff on January 28^th and end in Brighton on February 2^nd, will see GAMA BOMB take to the stage with support from Liverpool crossover skate-thrashers SSS.

“It’s been too long since we toured the UK,” says singer Philly Byrne. “I feel like the UK is the place where we earned our stripes as a band, doing tours on public transport and sleeping on floors back in the day. It’s going to be great to come back and catch up with all the ragers there.”

The announcement comes hot on the heels of GAMA BOMB’s main stage set at the UK’s Bloodstock Festival last weekend.

“Bloodstock was a real eye-opener for us,” says Byrne. “We were surprised by many people were there to see us, who came to the show and hung out after. So naturally we’re really stoked to have this UK tour coming up so we can do it all again. And we’re doing it with SSS, who we’ve been friends with since way back.

“It’ll be nice to tour with people who share our interest in dodgy films and desserts.”

“Touring with GAMA BOMB has always been interesting,” says SSS singer Foxy. “This time around we will be pushing their buttons more than ever. It’ll be a busy time come January for SSS. The mix for the new LP will be surfacing and this tour will see a lot of new stuff being played live.”

The tour, with a poster created by GAMA BOMB’s long-time design collaborator Rory McGuigan, promotes their fourth album The Terror Tapes, released in May on AFM Records. 

https://www.facebook.com/gamabomb

GAMA BOMB and SSS UK Tour 2014 dates in full:

January 28^th              Cardiff                       Bogiez

January 29^th              Barnsley                    Polish Club

January 30^th              Glasgow                    Audio

January 31^st              Liverpool                    Drop The Dumbells

February 1^st               London                      Underworld

February 2^nd              Brighton                     Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar

Review - Gama Bomb - The Terror Tapes

Who's been hammering out the thrash for over decade now but has barely made a dent internationally in any relevant way? Ireland's own Gama Bomb. Their new release "The Terror Tapes" on AFM Records should be a giant step in remedying that situation.

This is their fourth album and bears all the hallmarks of classic Gama Bomb. This is the follow up to 2009's "Tales From The Grave in Space". They don't call these guys metal's Kings of Geek for nothing. That's not a bad thing as they eschew acoustic intros and ballads. There's no ballads in thrash!!

The new one is available as a CD and also in a limited edition vinyl pressing. Once again classic thrash mentality.

So what about the tunes? Good thrashin' question. We are talking about old school 3 to 4 minute in out and done thrash songs.

It kicks right off with "The Wrong Stuff" a great straight ahead thrasher about not being able to handle your high because you took the wrong stuff. That one followed with "The Legend of Speed" with a timeless topic in metal…speed. Of course Gama Bomb flies the geek flag by also referencing a wee bit of science in here too. The great tracks just continue on without letting up. Are you getting the idea these guys sing about that which they know (a fair bit of partying) coupled with a bit of sic fi. There's something to be said about thrash done with good intentions and no pretensions and Gama Bomb pulls it off in a spectacular way. I enjoyed pretty much everything on this disc.

Of course it ain't FoM unless we take a look at the packaging too. The cover by Graham Humphreys looks damn cool doesn't it?  I haven't seen it in full 12x12 format but it must look even better that way. There's a full booklet too. The layout is really well done and conns the "tape" theme throughout. It reminded me of some old stereo manual from the 70's. So definitely a win for the packaging too.

So what's the verdict? I'm giving this one an easy 8 out of 10. Fave track is a toss up between the 2:20 attack of "Metal Idiot" and track 3 "Backwards Bible"

Stay tuned to FoM as we intend to have these guys on sometime in the very near future.

If you want to catch these guys live in the states you are in some serious luck they just finished some dates in Europe and they will soon be on the attack here.

Here's the rundown

Gama Bomb US Tour

W 8/21 San Diego, CA Brick by Brick

Th 8/22 Los Angeles, CA The Vex

F 8/23 Modesto, CA Fat Cats Music Hall

S 8/24 Oakland, CA Oakland Metro

Su 8/25 Portland, OR Dante’s

M 8/26 Seattle, WA El Corazon

T 8/27 Vancouver, BC $800

W 8/28 Spokane, WA The Hooe

F 8/30 Denver, CO

S 8/31 Oklahoma City, OK

Su 9/1 Dallas, TX The Boiler

T 9/3 Columbus, OH Shrunken Head

W 9/4 Chicago, IL Reggies Live

Th 9/5 Lansing, MI Uli’s Haus of Rock

F 9/6 Toronto, ON The Rock Pile

S 9/7 Westland, MI Token Lounge

T 9/10 New Castle, PA Chances Nite Club

W 9/11 Buffalo, NY Forvm

Th 9/12 Brooklyn, NY Saint Vitus Bar

F 9/13 North Hampton, PA The Gin Mill Bar and Grille

S 9/14 Amityville, NY The Revolution 

Joe McGuigan - Bass/Vocals

Philly Byrne - Vocals

Domo Dixon - Lead Guitar

Paul Caffery - Drums

John Roche - Guitar

wwww.facebook.com/gamabomb