Album Review - Holy Mountain - Ancient Astronauts

Glaswegian three piece, Holy Mountain, return with another heavily '70's influence metal tour de force.  This album is a pastiche of early rock and metal, notably Black Sabbath through relentless dark and bluesy single note riffs, Mark IV era Deep Purple for similar reasons, with a touch of influence from Iron Maiden’s progressive side, and Zakk Wylde’s earlier guitar solos.

This is an album of pure riffing brilliance.  The riffs prevail over the melodies, with vocals taking a back seat in mix, strength of delivery and in terms of creative power.  This is a band that lacks pretence and clearly just wants to exude energy.

Luftwizard  sits almost in Hendrix’s riffing territories, before taking a leap towards Machine Head era deep purple with an organ/guitar unison solo.  The title tracks pulls heavily from Powerslave-era Iron Maiden as the drumming behind the penultimate riff picks up a notch, before dropping into slow and pounding Black Label Society grounds.  Star Kings  even has characteristics of long-defunct Glaswegians, RAAR.

Toying with tempos is also a key element to this album, either through speeding up riffs to meet the tempo of the next, or by sharply cutting from one to the next in a very late '70's, early '80's prog manner.  This lends its own charm, and evokes the primitive and passionate songwriting of early metal, where you wonder if any one riff was written to be played next to the last, or whether it just happened to work.

As the album progresses, the energy and momentum keeps up.  Taken individually, the songs do not better or worse, but the appeal begins to wear and gives way to a tiredness that often accompanies heavy rock and metal albums.  The reason Black Sabbath were so appealing and long lasting was because of their softer songs, which did not love any value as the overdrive turned down.

It is easy to draw similarities between Holy Mountain and their influences, which could lend itself to a feeling of a lack of distinct and individual style, however, a lot of metal is like this, and one of the beauties of the genre is that influences are obvious, which has given way to such a clear stylistic growth.  The genre is less about innovating, but instead creating energy, pumping fists, banging heads and all the other stereotypes that go with.  In that respect, Holy Mountain have achieved exactly what they set out to do.

- Ashley Leiper

Holy Mountain - Ancient Astronauts  is out now via Chemikal Underground and available in all good record shops or online here.

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 23rd April 2014

Dive in my friends for the vibes are sweet and enticing.  Whether you wish to shatter your souls with the blasts of Holy Mountain and Lady North, learn about science with Let's Talk About Space, or get political with Stanley Odd there's a slice of the pie for all.  It's Scottish Fiction, the one stop shop for the best new Scottish music.

Holy Mountain - Luftwizard
Lady North - Bum Jiggy
Poor Things - 1998
Bianca - How About All The Things We Never Said We'd Do
The Twilight Sad - Cold Days From The Birdhouse
Let's Talk About Space - Ursa Minor
The Last Battle - Breathe Bones
Sean Armstrong - Metronome River
Stanley Odd - Chase Yirsel
Campfires In Winter - We'll Exist
Bastard Mountain - Meadow Ghosts

Subscribe/listen to the podcast via iTunes.

Scottish Fiction - 23rd April 2014 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

Doune The Rabbit Hole - Preview

Not too long ago we welcomed Jamie Murray, festival director of Doune The Rabbit Hole on to the Scottish Fiction radio show to convince us all why we should head on down to the Carron Valley Forest for the festivals third year.  And he did a fairly sterling job of it, so much so we'd recommend having a listen back to the show right here.

I'll be lucky enough to be at the festival next weekend (DTRH runs from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th) with my wife and kids; editors note DTRH has got plenty for sproglets so if you're looking for a wee family weekend away this would be perfect and under 12's are FREE!  The line up is packed full of talent, as well as plenty of artists I'm sure I'll discover and come away loving.  Check out the full line up right here.  In the meantime here's the Scottish Fiction pick of the bunch:



Friday 24th August

As Mrs Scottish Fiction is working until 3pm on Friday it'll be a swift pick up and dash to beat the motorway traffic to get to the DTRH site.  Hopefully we make it there in time to catch Behold, The Old Bear, who are of course lead by Mitchell Museum drummer Raindeer MacFarlane.  We are just waiting patiently for them to release some more material, although maybe the return of MM has delayed this slightly.  Whatever the reason, be sure to catch them performing on the Jabberwocky stage.  On the Baino stage Pumajaw will be plying their brand of electronica with songs from 2011's 'Demon Meow Meow' album at the front.  It's the main Jabberwocky stage however where my main attentions shall be and yours should to.  First up is SAY Award winning duo Bill Wells and Aidan Moffat.  Having seen the bearded gents three times now, I can vouch for the incredible live performance they, and their band, put on.  I'm extremely looking forward to seeing if they can recreate that intimate and cosy feeling on an open stage at a festival.  Following on from Wells & Moffat are Glasgow's finest and eclectic 6 piece,The Phantom Band.  Again I've seen them live recently at the Stag & Dagger festival and you can expect them to pull out some stonking tunes such as 'Mr Natural' and 'Halfhound'.  Last up is JD Twitch, one half of the famous Optimo, who will be taking the party on through to the late night. 

Saturday 25th August

Kicking things off nice and early on the Baino stage are Battery Face who no doubt will melt some faces with tracks from their album 'Addams Family Values'.  Later on the same stage is Neu! Reekie! w/Teen Canteen.  I'm not quite sure what the set up here will be, but hopefully it involves Teen Canteen playing some the wonderful dream-pop that is up on their SoundCloud page.  Blank Canvas are playing the Fruit Stand stage later in the day and are well worth visiting for some alternative indie rock.  The main Jabberwocky stage gets interesting when Withered Hand takes to it, equipped with a full band.  Expect to hear recent track 'Heart Heart' performed in all it's glory, plus inspired indie gems from his brilliant 'Good News' LP.  Fence supremo Kenny 'King Creosote' Anderson follows on from Withered Hand, in a bill of folk singer/songwriter indulgence.  With a fantastic back catalogue to pick from, plus Mercury nominated 'Diamond Mine', you can be sure that King Creosote will be a chilled out way to spend your Saturday night.  Elsewhere on Saturday Holy Mountain will be shredding it up on the Baino stage, and over on the Inspire stage you can find Sparrow & The Workshop followed by We Came From Wolves.  If you fancy some DJ action then pop yer noggin' into Vibes:  Below The Well where the Pin-Up DJ's will be spinning tracks.


Sunday 26th August

How's the hangover doing?  Need some melodic female led indie-folk to settle that bouncing headache?  Lucky for you Olympic Swimmers will be on the Jabberwocky stage fresh from the well deserved success of their debut album 'No Flags Will Fly'.  After them are The Second Hand Marching Band who, depending on how many of them turn up, number 22 musicians, all helping to create brilliant and reconstructed folk music.  Over on the Tenement TV stage are Edinburgh band Kid Canaveral.  As well as playing tracks from their cracking album 'Shouting At Wildlife', we can always hope that Kenny sticks around for a guest appearance, given the two artist penchant for working together.  Back to the Jabberwocky stage and you'll find Three Blind Wolves, who if my short glimpse of seeing them at Oran Mor recently is anything to go by, will rock the stage.  Sunday night for me though is owned by the next two acts, both who play the Baino stage.  Firstly Malcolm Middleton brings his Human Don't Be Angry alter-ego and album to the party.  Expect '80's influenced melodies and electronic beats. Then later is Miaoux Miaoux, a.k.a. Glasgow based Londoner Julian Corrie.  This man's music enthrals and encapsulates me, with his pulsating beats, rhythmic hooks and dreamy vocals.  Make a point of catching him if you can.  Elsewhere Pronto Mama are playing the Tenement TV stage, which is worth checking out if they don't clash with Miaoux Miaoux.


For full information about the Doune The Rabbit Hole festival, head on over to their website.  The festival takes place at Duncarron Fort, Carron Valley Forest, Kilsyth from Friday 24th August to Sunday 25th August.  Tickets are still available, priced £98 for weekend camping.  See you there!

Wickerman - Preview

Home of the burning 30ft wickerman, Wickerman Festival returns this Friday and Saturday (20th/21st July) for it's 11th year.  Over those 11 years it's became a firm favourite on the Scottish festival calendar, offering something that it's bigger rivals, RockNess and T In The Park, tend to overlook; the relaxed family experience.  It's all built upon an eclectic choice of music, spread over several stages located in the East Kirkcarswell Farm in Dundrennan.

The festival is easy to access for us central belt dwellers, only an hour off the M74, and it's wide choice of camping facilities mean even the slickest city dweller can camp out in style.  Choose from yurts, squrts, cloudhouses, tipis and the luxury camping field or brave it with the elements in the normal camp site.  Reports of rain should not be too concerning as organisers state the ground is in top notch condition at present.  And for those of you travelling with kidlets in tow, there is a fully fledged children's area to keep those hyperactive ankle biters entertained.

The festival culminates on Saturday night with the ritual and primal burning of the festival's namesake; the 30ft Wickerman.  But before that you can enjoy a plethora of music treats, including reggae, ska, punk, pop, indie, folk and everything in between.  Here's our pick of the weekend (you'll note there's a slight shift towards the brilliant Solus Tent!)


Friday 20th July

Bwani Junction - The Edinburgh quartet have been seizing 2012 as their own, making good on their SAY Award 2011 Longlisted album 'Fully Cocked'.  Their blend of indie/afro beats will coax a hip shake from even the most solemn crowd.  Catch them on the Summerisle Main Stage.

Dog Is Dead - This five piece indie band are popping up to Wickerman from Nottingham, and are now coming back stronger than ever after an initial wave of success in late 2010 - 2011 thanks to many festival performances and an airing on Skins.  Uplifting and joyful, think of a more jazzy Noah And The Whale.  Check them playing the Summerisle Main Stage.

Tragic O'Hara - Far from tragic, Tragic O'Hara is a one man wonder, bringing music, blues, folk and comedy all into the one set.  Expect some well spun yarns.  Tragic plays the Acoustic Village Main Stage.

Rachel Sermanni - One of Scotland's most glorious talents, a voice that captures your attention, and heartfelt lyrics beyond her years, Rachel Sermanni will be an absolute joy to behold playing the Acoustic Village Main Stage.  Recent tracks such as 'Eggshells' and 'Black Current' will be accompanied by tracks from the forthcoming debut album 'Under Mountains'.

Campfires In Winter - If stirring and layered post-rock melodies are your thing, then Campfires In Winter are a must.  Their recently posted '2012 Demos' are a sign of great things to come from these guys.  They'll be playing the goNORTH Festival Tour Tent.

Olympic Swimmers - Creators of one of 2012's finest albums' 'No Flags Will Fly', Olympic Swimmers boost the vocal prowess of Susan Smillie and orchestrated musical bliss to blow you away.  Head to the goNORTH Festival Tour Tent for their set.

Quickbeam - Had enough of guitars and keyboards?  Fancy some cello, double bass, viola and harmonium?  Quickbeam are your best bet then.  Together on stage, these musicians weave music as delicate as butterflies wings, and if you allow the soft waves of beauty to envelope you, you won't regret it.  Head over to the goNORTH Festival Tour Tent.

United Fruit - Loud?  Check.  Tight as fuck?  Check?  Blistering debut album?  Check.  United Fruit are an absolute MUST if you'll be at Wickerman.  Think of their music as a full on assault on all five senses, and a barrage of break-neck tunes with bark, bite and attitude.  They'll be rocking out the Solus Tent.

Holy Mountain - Three guys who make a hell of a lot of noise.  This is rock 'n' roll they way they made it back in the 70's.  They are well worth going to see in the Solus Tent.

Beerjacket - Alt/folk singer songwriter from Airdrie, Beerjacket is, IMO, Scotland's premium songwriting talent.  He's been riding an overdue wave of praise since the release of 'The White Feather Trail' last year, topped off by last night's headline show in King Tut's.  Do yourself a favour and make Beerjacket a must see set in the Solus Tent.


Saturday

Stanley Odd - One of Scotland's finest purveyor's of hip-hop, the Stanley Odd collective will bring fun, beats, hooks and killer rhymes all to your ears during their set on the goNORTH Festival Tour Tent.

Michael Cassidy - If Beerjackey is our favourite Scottish singer songwriter, then Michael Cassidy is close at his heels.  Having just been announced as the winner of the inagural Gerry Rafferty Songwriting Prize, Michael has shown just why he is head and shoulders above the competition.  Go see his live show for the unique banter and the crackin' tunes.  All happening at the goNORTH Festival Tour Tent.

Human Don't Be Angry - Malcolm Middleton under his real name, Human Don't Be Angry has yielded positive reviews and a whole raft of '80's inspired work.  Largely instrumental, the set will no doubt mirror a hugely rewarding debut album, full of electronic wonder and power pop riffs.  The full band performance will be in the Solus Tent.

The Machine Room - Making bewitching pop musings, The Machine Room are an Edinburgh five piece that you should go out your way to see this weekend.  Playing songs from their latest EP 'Love From A Distance', they'll be on stage in the Solus Tent.

Julia And The Doogans - Julia Doogan is a pop genius.  Backed by her band, rather egotistcally called The Doogans, of cello, piano and flue, Julia's voice and lyrics create some of the most introspective and heartbreaking music you'll have the good fortune to hear.  Catch the ladies playing in the Solus Tent.


Of course the above is just a handful of the bands playing this Friday and Saturday at The Wickerman Festival.  There are plenty more great bands and artists, and for the full line up, as well as all ticket and travel information, head over to the official website.

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 4th July 2012

Yes that is a picture of pot pourri  I don't know why, I can't explain it, we'll just have to swiftly move on.  Last Wednesday's show was 4th July.  Happy 'Jeff-Goldblum-saved-the-world-with-an-Apple-Mac' Day to all!  It also meant that we are now officially more than halfway into 2012, conveniently allowing me to use the occasion to recap on the best Scottish albums released this year so far.  Which is exactly what we did on this very show.  Enjoy!

Miaoux Miaoux - Autopilot
Olympic Swimmers - Father Said
Jesus H. Foxx - Twins
RM Hubbert feat. Alasdair Robert - The False Bride
Errors - Earthscore
Holy Mountain - Great Monkey
Battery Face - Gomez
Lightships - Two Lines
Django Django - Hail Bop
Two Wings - Feet
Ambulances - Shine On My Shoes
Esperi - Proverb
Plum - Smile
Admiral Fallow - Guest Of The Government
French Wives - Younger
The Leg - Twitching Stick
Hunt / Gather - Denver Shaking
The Twilight Sad - Don't Move
Profisee - Magikal
Human Don't Be Angry - After The Pleasuredome

Scottish Fiction - 4th July 2012 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 20th June 2012

As you might guess from the picture above, this week's show has a little bit of focus on the SAY Award 2011 winning album 'Everything's Getting Older' by Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat.  There's also some chat about the award ceremony, talk of our Scottish Fiction Presents gig, a track from a Classic Scottish Album, a Peenko Friday Freebie and a brand new feature, 'Festival Focus' where we take a look at this year's Wickerman.  All this and music from Shambles Miller, Yaya Club, AMBULANCES, Campfires In Winter and more!

Make Sparks - Rewind
Yaya Club - An Ode To JJ
Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat - (If You) Keep Me In Your Heart
The Last Battle - Hope Is Gold
Mad Nurse - Submissive

Classic Scottish Album - Aberfeldy - Summer's Gone - Young Forever

Queen Jane - All Together When We... (BARRIENTOS Remix)
Campfires In Winter - See Us There, Both
Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat - The Copper Top

Peenko Friday Freebie - State Broadcasters - Trespassers

AMBULANCES - Sweetness

Festival Focus - Wickerman
Texas - I Don't Want A Lover
Holy Mountain - Kegs
Human Don't Be Angry - First Person Singular, Present Tense
Rachel Sermanni - Eggshells

Saint Death - 100 Times
I Build Collapsible Mountains - Sleeplesser
Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat - The Greatest Story Ever Told
Shambles Miller - Confessions

Scottish Fiction - 20th June 2012 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 7th May 2012

It's a tad late this week, but here is our latest podcast all fresh and ready for your ears.  In it you'll find such gems as Kid Canaveral and RM Hubbert snuggled neatly alongside new music from Holy Mountain, The Son(s) and Plastic Animals.  There's also our usual features, Peenko Friday Freebie, Classic Scottish Album from The Delgado's and a very special artist of the week; Beastie Boys.

Enjoy!

Kid Canaveral - You Only Went Out To Get Drunk Last Night
No Comet - It's Good To Find You
This Silent Forest - Milk
Mungo's Hi Fi - Computer Age
Michael MacLennan - Wolves
Plastic Animals - Ghosts
French Wives - Younger
Richard Craig - Alpha Waves, for Solo Alto Flute
Fatherson - Gone Fisson

The Delgado's - All You Need Is Hate - Hate - Classic Scottish Album

RM Hubbert - Car Song
Holy Mountain - Gunner
Muscles Of Joy - Coins

Peenko Friday Freebie - Q Without U - I Thought You'd Never Ask

The Son(s) - There Is No-One To Thank
Tommy Smith - Land Of Heroes

Featured Artist - Beastie Boys
Intergalatic
Sabotage
No Sleep Till Brooklyn

Fudge Fingas - Me & U
Errors - Pleasure Palaces

Scottish Fiction 7th May 2012 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud