And as always, YOU decide the featured video for next week, so check out the five videos and submit your vote below now!

Check out the teaser below:

You can read a full review of the show in our next issue, out 8th June.

Upcoming UK Tour Dates (more dates TBC):
21st May – Retro Bar – Manchester w/Landmarks
22nd May – Soundcircus – Bournemouth w/ Man Overboard + Transit
23rd May – The Shipping Forecast – Liverpool w/ Man Overboard + Transit

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE STAGE TIMES IN FULL

They will be joined by Set It Off and Decade.

SEPTEMBER
29th – Brighton, The Haunt

OCTOBER
1st – Birmingham, Institute Library
2nd – Glasgow, King Tuts
3rd – Manchester, Academy 3
4th – Liverpool, O2 Academy
5th – Dublin, Academy 2
6th – Belfast, Oh Yeah Centre
8th – Newcastle, Academy 2
9th – London, Electric Ballroom
10th – Kingston, Peel
11th – Leeds, Cockpit 2

UK shows go on sale on the 17th, Irish shows on the 13th

And as always, YOU decide the featured video for next week, so check out the five videos and submit your vote below now!

School Of British Rock – Don Broco grace our cover as part of our School Of British Rock feature, also starring Mallory Knox, Blitz Kids, The 1975, Marmozets and many more!

Slam Dunk Festival - We preview this years awesome Slam Dunk Festival with interviews with All Time Low, Itch, Pierce The Veil and many more!

The JCQ – We catch up with the unique rockers ahead of the release of their new album Mechanical Young.

Groezrock Festival – We review this years Punk Rock festival in Belgium.

Plus much more!!

Enjoy!

7/10

Record Label: Rise

“I want you to stay right where you are” croons Man Overboard frontman Nik Bruzzese on the band’s new single ‘Where I Left You’.

Many of the New Jersey mob’s pop-punk defending fans would be expressing that same sentiment ahead of the five-piece’s upcoming third studio album Heart Attack, hoping for much of the same hook laden power-pop that marked their impressive 2011 self-titled offering, and 2010’s debut studio effort Real Talk.

In truth, it’s a mixed bag. Man Overboard have changed tack in places, embracing a tighter pop-rock that doesn’t have the same unique feel as some of their back catalogue (see ‘How To Hide Your Feelings’). But the record triumphs in tracks like ‘Where I Left You’, ‘White Lies’ and ‘Swan Dive’, which stay true to the syrupy sweet yet angsty sound that made pop-punk cool once more.

Closer ‘Wide Awake’ is a well-judged acoustic number rather than a sometimes obligatory change of pace, and sticks to the same sing-along mantra that made 2010’s stunning stripped down EP Noise From Upstairs such a success.

All in all, a solid addition to the discography, but many, you dare-say, were expecting a little more.

WORDS: Liam McGarry

The band will be over in the UK and Europe end of June/early July, London show at Islington Academy on 30th June.

Check out the album trailer below:

10/10

Record Label: Hopeless

You’d think following an album as good as Suburbia I’ve Given You All And Now I’m Nothing would be pretty tricky but in The Greatest Generation, The Wonder Years have surpassed it to serve up a heartfelt, poetic masterpiece.

Right from the off, ‘There, There’ provides some real honesty, proving that vocalist Dan ‘Soupy’ Campbell is not afraid to draw upon his vulnerabilities in his song writing. It’s this honesty that allows fans to connect to each track and interpret their own meaning for it. This album is full of ‘goose bump’ moments but the biggest comes in the form of ‘The Devil In My Bloodstream’. Laura Stevenson’s featured vocals really add a complimentary and delicate touch to the ballad before Soupy explodes into song half way through with his passionate, trademark vocals.

It also wouldn’t be a Wonder Years album without various lyrical callbacks and clever references to previous material. This is very deliberate and all helps to produce an entire record. It’s this that makes it extremely difficult to highlight any ‘top tracks’; you really do feel like you are listening to one whole piece of art and not a collection of songs.

The Greatest Generation is not just a contender for album of the year but for the album of our pop-punk generation.

WORDS: Rob Watson-Lang

Check it out below:

7/10

Record Label: Self Released

Sometimes you need to open your mind to fully understand what a band is about. On the first listen of their debut album, Little Things, Bigger Picture, it’s apparent that Nylon Sky are not another chip off the old block when it comes alternative rock bands. Flourishing in experimentation and teetering on the edge of what’s acceptable in the genre, Nylon Sky have crafted an album that’s brave and unique. Frontman Tony Humphries has a wandering vocal style that will annoy some, and the songs, with their quite repetitive and simple lyrics will grate on others.

What we have here is a risk and it’s refreshing when a band bravely steps forward and says “we’re not like those guys”. On the strength of Little Things, Bigger Picture, Nylon Sky may not be the complete package just yet but like many pioneers before them, we can’t wait to see what happens next.

WORDS: Richard Barnes

Record Label: Century Media

Progressive rock band TesseracT combine creativity, aggression and haunting vocals for their latest album Altered State. Representing the band’s change over the years, this album is divided into four sections: Of Matter, Of Mind, Of Reality and Of Energy.

Introducing new vocalist Ashe O’Hara, the opener ‘Of Matter – Proxy’ focuses prominently on his fragile voice but after a constant flow of electronic explosions, this metal album bursts into exciting riffs, stable energy and bold experimentation with O’Hara’s vocals matching the speed of each song. The addition of saxophone during ‘Of Reality – Calabi-Yau’ and again on ‘Of Energy – Embers’ really helps give the album its distinctive sound.

This ten track record is atmospheric and intriguing, and is sure to make this quintet one to watch out for.

WORDS: Jo Dodge

There will be 1 winner per CD:
A) Bad Blood by Bastille
B) Wretched and Divine by Black Veil Brides

Competitions Rules
- Winners will be notified via a Direct Message on Twitter
- You must be a follower of Ourzone on twitter to win

Entry Deadline: 5th June 2013

To Enter simply click ‘Enter’ below and tweet the following:

“PICK ME @ourzonemag for CD giveaway (ENTER CD CHOICE A or B HERE)”

“Born Young And Free is a song we wrote and recorded recently with the awesome Larry Hibbitt (Uncle Larry) of Hundred Reasons while we were demoing for our debut album. We wanted to give it away for free so people can hear a taste of the direction we’re going with the album material and we’re rate ‘appy about giving it away for nowt to you all!”

“It kind of sums up our attitude to the band and life – a lot of people told us we would never make it but we kept on going because we knew we could do whatever we wanted. Though we have already done so much, played so many awesome shows and toured with amazing bands for which we will be forever grateful, this is only the beginning for us, and now it’s time to record the album.”

MARMOZETS TOUR DATES

MAY
11 – SOUTHAMPTON University (Takedown Festival)
17 – BRIGHTON Concorde II (Great Escape)
18 – KINGSTON Peel (w/ Senses Fail + Handguns)
19 – SOUTHAMPTON Talking Heads (w/ Senses Fail + Handguns)
20 – BRISTOL Thekla (w/ Senses Fail + Handguns)
21 – CARDIFF Clwb Ifor Bach (w/ Senses Fail + Handguns)
22 – NOTTINHGAM Rescue Rooms (w/ Senses Fail + Handguns)
23 – GLASGOW King Tuts (w/ Senses Fail + Handguns)
24 – NEWCASTLE Academy II (w/ Senses Fail + Handguns)
28 – MANCHESTER NQ Live (w/ Senses Fail + Handguns)
29 – NORWICH Waterfront Studio (w/ Senses Fail + Handguns)
30 – LONDON Underworld (w/ Senses Fail + Handguns)
31 – EXETER Cavern (w/ Senses Fail + Handguns)

JUNE
01 – OXFORD Academy II (w/ Senses Fail + Handguns)
22 – DONCASTER Leopard (w/ Funeral For A Friend)
23 – DERBY Venue (w/ Funeral For A Friend)

JULY
04 – COLCHESTER Arts Centre (w/ Funeral For A Friend)
05 – OXFORD Academy II (w/ Funeral For A Friend)
06 – NORTHAMPTON Roadmender (w/ Funeral For A Friend)

Record Label: Bar/None

What are The Front Bottoms good at? Producing an honest, easy listening record. Talon Of The Hawk is catchy as hell and – on the most part – subtly energetic; it oozes with songs that constitute an ideal summer soundtrack.

The bouncy rhythms are complimented by soft but uniquely characterised vocals, boasting perfect sing-a-long and simple honest lyrics, which explore some of the most relatable areas of life. ‘Funny You Should Ask’ is a prime example, with an outstandingly infectious chorus and animated melodies.

Talon Of The Hawk is a record that will play on repeat on our stereos and we just can’t get enough of The Front Bottoms, who have created quite the masterpiece. There’s something greatly uplifting about this band, who just tell it how it is and that’s the way it should be; a sincere record that you need to add to your summer playlist!

WORDS: Hannah Gillicker

9/10

Record Label: Siege Of Amida

Almost There? There’s no “Almost” about it. Brit quintet Heart In Hand have come along in leaps and bounds since their 2011 debut, Only Memories, was released. Almost There – the band’s sophomore full-length – has slingshotted them to the top of the pile.

Put simply, it’s an exceptional listen. Not only is it filled to the brim with raw, emotional melodic hardcore; there are a couple of cracking guest vocal appearances too. Mikey Chapman and Sam Douglas of Mallory Knox feature on the fast-paced ‘Maybe’, while Bury Tomorrow’s Dani Winter-Bates lends his voice to the hard-hitting ‘Broken Lights’. The focus is all on Heart In Hand though; delivering 13 relentlessly solid tracks, barely stopping to take a breather. The nuts and bolts have been tightened and Heart In Hand have become a lean, mean, hardcore machine. Outstanding.

WORDS: Emily Carter

“The End…

Trey, Danny, Matt, Danny”

Check it out below:

Check it out below:

Stream the album below now:

And as always, YOU decide the featured video for next week, so check out the five videos and submit your vote below now!

OUT 11th MAY!

School Of British Rock – Don Broco grace our cover as part of our School Of British Rock feature, also starring Mallory Knox, Blitz Kids, The 1975, Marmozets and many more!

Slam Dunk Festival - We preview this years awesome Slam Dunk Festival with interviews with All Time Low, Itch, Pierce The Veil and many more!

The JCQ – We catch up with the unique rockers ahead of the release of their new album Mechanical Young.

Groezrock Festival – We review this years Punk Rock festival in Belgium.

Plus much more!!

OUT 11th MAY!

‘Chin Up Kid’ is from the bands new album J.A.C.K. which will be available June 25th from Fearless Records!

The band’s statement is as follows:

“Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11AM this morning near his Southern California home. Hanneman was in an area hospital when he suffered liver failure. He is survived by his wife Kathy, his sister Kathy and his brothers Michael and Larry, and will be sorely missed.

Our Brother Jeff Hanneman, May He Rest In Peace (1964 – 2013)”

RIP Jeff Hanneman.

The track is taken from their forthcoming record The Greatest Generation, which is available May 13th.

CLICK HERE to hear the brand new track now.

The band will also appear at Slam Dunk festival at the end of the month…

MAY 2013
24 Slam Dunk Scotland
25 Slam Dunk Festival, Leeds
26 Slam Dunk Festival, Hatfield
27 Slam Dunk Festival, Wolverhampton
28 Slam Dunk Wales, Cardiff
29 Slam Dunk Ireland, Dublin, Ireland

Ourzone is the ONLY place you can win yourself this VIP experience.

1 lucky winner will win:
- A pair of tickets to the festival
- A trip backstage to meet some rock stars for them and their +1

Competitions Rules
- Winners will be notified via a Direct Message on Twitter
- You must be a follower of both Ourzone & Takedown on twitter to win

Entry Deadline: 7th May 2013

To Enter simply click ‘Enter’ below and tweet the following:

“PICK ME @ourzonemag for the @TakedownFest VIP experience”

Monster Energy
While She Sleeps 9.15pm
The Defiled 8.15pm
Tesseract 7.25pm
Hacktivist 6.35pm
The Algorithm 5.45pm
The JCQ 4.55pm
TRC 4.10pm
WBTBWB 3.25pm
Affiance 2.40pm
Desolated 1.55pm

Big Deal
Sonic Boom Six 9.10pm
Natives 8.00pm
Idiom 6.50pm
Rat Attack 5.40pm
Subsource 4.40pm
The Younger 3.40pm
We Are Fiction 2.40pm
I Divide 1.45pm

Southampton Music Mag
Breed 77 10pm
Malefice 8.50pm
Hang The Bastard 8pm
Burn The Fleet 7.15pm
Turbogeist 6.30pm
Attention Thieves 5.45pm
Red Seas Fire 5pm
Death of an Artist 4.15pm
Collisions 3.30pm
Elithia 2.45pm
Our Hollow Our Home 2pm

Smalltown Records & Friends
Dance Gavin Dance 8.55pm
Shadows Chasing Ghosts 8.05pm
With One Last Breath 7.05pm
Closure in Moscow 6.15pm
Palm Reader 5.25pm
Hildamay 4.40pm
Violet 3.55pm
Hype Theory 3.10pm
Hey Vanity 2.25pm

From the hundreds of bands that entered, 100 were shortlisted by public vote and put forward to the judges. The judging panel which consists of Download veterans and hyped rock band Don Broco, Rock Sound editor Ben Patashnik, Red Bull Records Label manager Angie Somerside and Kerrang! Radio presenter Katie Parsons agonised all night and can now reveal the lucky 15 bands who have made it through to the next phase.

From 4pm TODAY a band will be announced every 10 mins on redbullstudios.com/downloadfestival

The 15 bands chosen by the panel will head to Red Bull Studios in London for an all-encompassing professional studio experience. Of those, 8 bands will go through to play on the Red Bull Studios Live stage at Download Festival.

And as always, YOU decide the featured video for next week, so check out the five videos and submit your vote below now!

Main Stage
Mallory Knox
While She Sleeps
We Are The In Crowd

NME/Radio 1 Stage
Skrillex
Modestep

Lock Up Stage
Funeral For A Friend
Gallows
King Prawn
Alkaline Trio
The Living End

Festival Republic Stage
Pure Love
British Sea Power
Chvrches
MMX

There are loads more bands on the official websites. Follow the links below.

Reading Line-up
Leeds Line-up

Ourzone are pleased to bring you an exclusive first look at the new music video from Hey Vanity.

Please leave your comments below!

You can read a full review of the show in our next issue, out 11th May.

Taken from their yet-to-be-named debut album, ‘Deeper In Disguise’ is fresh from being mastered in the US and is already available from iTunes: http://sserp.me/DeeperInDisguise

Check out the video below now:

Before the band embark on legendary Warped Tour you can catch the band on their remaining, intimate UK dates:

APRIL
24th – Kingston, The Peel (SOLD OUT)
30th – Leicester, O2 Academy 2
MAY
1st – Crewe, The Box
2nd – York, Duchess – (SOLD OUT)
3rd – Carlisle, The Brickyard
4th – Preston, 53 Degrees

In anticipation of their new album, the Transplants are offering fans a free download of the track ‘Come Around’ for this week only via their website http://thetransplants.com.

You can listen to ‘Come Around’ below:

Frontman Jesse Leach had this to say: “We are super excited to be on Hevy Fest this year! With the long list of punk, hardcore, and metal bands to do this in the past it is an honour. This is my kind of festival with the diversity of bands and what seems to be a more down to earth atmosphere than your run of the mill fest. Looking forward to bringing the rage in August!”

Here’s the Hevy Fest 2013 line up so far, including today’s New Additions **

American Me **
Black Dogs **
Black Flag
Bossk
The Catharsis
Circle Takes The Square
Code Orange Kids
Coliseum **
Comeback Kid
Earthtone9 **
Empress **
Eyehategod **
Full Of Hell
Give ‘Em Blood **
Goodtime Boys **
Hatebreed
Heights
Horse The Band
It Prevails **
Killswitch Engage **
Liferuiner **
The Menzingers
Metz
Mine
More Than Life **
Palm Reader
Polar **
Raein **
Tigers Jaw
Xerxes **

And as always, YOU decide the featured video for next week, so check out the five videos and submit your vote below now!

Many thanks to I Divide, Anavae, The First and Underline The Sky for being so awesome and a special thank you to Atticus Beer and Timeless Clothing for their support on the tour. We had a blast!

Check the official video out below:

“I’m sorry to announce that I’ve decided to leave Sum 41.

Stevo.”

Check out the RSD website to enquire if your local store is stocking This Is The Six here: http://www.recordstoreday.co.uk/

The Full track listing for the reissue is as follows:
1.Dead Behind The Eyes
2.False Freedon
3.Satisfied In Suffering
4.Seven Hills
5.Our Courage, Our Cancer
6.This Is The Six
7.The Chapel
8.Be(lie)ve
9.Until The Death
10.Love At War
11.The Plague Of A New Age
12.Reunite
13.Death Toll ( New Song)
14.Weathers Man (Love At War Alternate Version)
15.False Freedom (Accoustic)
16.Seven Hills (Alternate Version Featuring Jenny Staniforth)
17.Our Courage, Our Cancer (Acoustic)
18.Sickness Over Health (Until The Death Alternate Version)
19.This Is The Six – Track By Track (Video)

While She Sleeps will be heading out on a run of intimate not to be missed UK shows in April before heading over to America for the Summer on the Vans Warped Tour. Taking it back to the hot and sweaty venues around the UK. Be quick there are still a few remaining tickets left!

APRIL
22nd – London, Borderline – (SOLD OUT)
23rd – Brighton, The Haunt (SOLD OUT)
24th – Kingston, The Peel (SOLD OUT)
30th – Leicester, O2 Academy 2

MAY
1st – Crewe, The Box
2nd – York, Duchess – (SOLD OUT)
3rd – Carlisle, The Brickyard
4th – Preston, 53 Degrees

Watch their new video for ‘Taking Chances’ below:

Currently on tour in the US with A Day To Remember, the band are back in the UK at the end of May appearing at the Slam Dunk Festivals:

MAY 25: SLAM DUNK FESTIVAL, Leeds
MAY 26: SLAM DUNK FESTIVAL, Hatfield
MAY 27: SLAM DUNK FESTIVAL, Wolverhampton

They have also just released their new music video for ‘I Loved’.

‘I Loved’ features guest vocals from the recently departed Devil Sold His Soul front-man Edward Gibbs, whose abrasive screams double up with vocalist Dan Tomley’s, to create a wall of angst that is as powerful as it is emotive.

And as always, YOU decide the featured video for next week, so check out the five videos and submit your vote below now!

You can read a full review of the tour & see more photos in the next issue of Ourzone. Out May 11th.