Download Announces Tonight.

Today’s the day that Download Festival ramps up its 2012 campaign with the addition of another 14 bands to the bill anticipated this evening, released in two bursts on BBC Radio One. The first round of acts are expected to be announced by DJ Zane Lowe during his 7pm show with the rest being released during the Daniel P. Carter Rock Show at midnight.
Eager fans and pranksters have reportedly released waves of Wikipedia alterations which may have given the game away or just been wishful thinking. While one of the alterations suggested a line up filled with acts including the likes of Bruce Forsyth, The Wombles and Snoop Dogg alongside the currently confirmed trio, the 14 band bill teased at by fans comments on the official Facebook thread seemed far more realistic.
While unconfirmed at present, the frequently reposted comment below has far more believability than the bizarre, hip hop heavy, speedily removed line up splattered on the Wikipedia page briefly this morning.
“Download’s organisers have stated that there will be a further announcement of bands on January 16th 2012. Download announced 14 new bands on Monday January 16th who were Machine Head, Biffy Clyro, Soundgarden, Evanescence, Refused, Lamb Of God, Enter Shikari, Lost Prophets, Skrillex,Chase & Status, While She Sleeps, Andrew W.K, Rival Sons, Red, White and Blues. It was confirmed that Machine Head would be the Saturday sub to Metallica and Evanescence are the Friday 2nd stage headliners.”
If rumours are to be believed, this quote is weighted with the typical proportion of metal heavyweights, crossover heroes and slightly riskier choices the festival is known for. With the rise of Enter Shikari, Skrillex and Korn’s successful dubstep influenced album at the close of 2011 dubstep and electronically influenced rock are seeing a surge in popularity. With Sonny Moore’s background in post-hardcore, his collaborative history with Korn and a catalogue of music with occasional dark touches, Skrillex would seemingly be a comfortable fit in the current landscape of rock. Chase & Status on the other hand will prove far more divisive; their drum and bass sound appealing to a far more mainstream crown at odds with Download’s regular audience. Spots from Machine Head, Lamb Of God, Lost Prophets and Andrew W.K if validated seem set to please and if secured performances from the recently reformed Refused and Soundgarden could prove explosive. Time will tell if the rumour mill is worth its salt, but there’s likely to be a hint of truth in at least one of these acts.

Make A Scene Festival.

Want to keep the rock ‘n’ roll dream alive? Make A Scene! That’s exactly what Teesside based promoters Overdrive are doing with their fan led one day festival of the same name. Previous line ups of this indoor Middlesbrough based festival have been immense, including big names on the bill grasped from the bills of the major festival circuit with Heights appearing last year fresh from a performance at Download Festival among many others. Originally founded to promote local talent and bring a bill of top quality bands to the area, the festival not only represents one hell of an all day gig but a spectacular opportunity for any aspiring musician to appear alongside artists at every stage of the game.
Preparations for the 2012 event have just begun with bands and fans invited to recommend themselves and their favourites to this one of a kind rock event.
To get involved either drop the organisers a line via email or head to the official Facebook page. Kick up a fuss, be heard, Make A Scene!

Six Feet Below The Snow.

Whether these dark days of winter see you celebrate the Solstice, Yule, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Christmas there is no doubting we are on the very precipice of the festive season. Here at Necromag we want you to have one hell of a holiday so consider this bundle of links our gift to you.
Firstly we have a free sample offering from the disco rockers Electric Six who are giving away their version of the classic ‘You’re A Mean One Mr Grinch’ at their official web site. The song was recorded in association with renowned parody and satire portal The Onion and their AV Club. In addition to the download a streaming video of their performance is available to view here as part of The Onion’s AV Undercover 2011 series.
In a slightly more pagan take on the season The Razor Skyline have made their ode to the Winter Solstice ‘The Longest Night’ available to download via their Reverbnation page. After last years popular give-away, the Californian gothic bellydance inspired troupe have once again offered up this special single to celebrate the true start of winter.
Last, but certainly not least, the kindly folks at the Silber Media label have a brand new Christmas compilation entitled ‘Six Feet Below the Snow’ on offer this merry season. All over the map genre wise and deftly swerving from serious to dumb fun the album is available to stream and download for free at the Silber Media homepage. The artist roster is Charles DeMar, Jon DeRosa, Thorn1, Landerim, Miss Massive Snowflake, Goddakk, Origami Boe, Moodring, Remora, Pacific 231, Sibyll Kalff, Yellow6, Lullabier, Feel No Other, Tony Whitlock, Les Marquises, Løzninger, Electric Bird Noise, Parties, & Drekka with Michael Demery Toran. This release makes up the latest volume in Silber Media’s extensive library of Christmas compilations which now totals over 8 hours of music.
What ever you pick we here at Necromag only ask that you party hard and rock out responsibly.