How does your Internet persona stack up?

Bat: 'The Internet brings out the worst in people. People can hide behind their computer or device and not be accountable, saying things they wouldn’t say in person. This song was inspired by some hateful comments about a murdered Metallica fan on the music site of the title. While this is not an attack on the site itself, it is a commentary on some of the trolls that frequent it. Censorship is not the answer, but people should be held accountable: it’s time for real names.'

Shane: 'Another one of the earliest songs that we demoed, this one relies on a straight driving beat with stabbing upstrokes and off-beat rakes to add percussive noise. It is also notable for the use of the patent-pending ‘Donkey Bass’ tone, not to be confused with the patented ‘Galloping Bass’ tone belonging to Steve Harris, though it has a similar effect. The featured riff is Bat’s and it makes good use of Sabbath-like flattened 5ths. It delivers a fair bit of metal in the mid-section and the outro, as we went to the 7-string for a key change. Cue Donkey Bass!'

A song about new beginnings

Bat: 'When we’re young we might keep a diary. We keep photographs in it, write poems and songs to express our feelings and record our memories, good and bad. In time, those diaries might contain things we’d rather forget. Things that make us shudder. The only way to get on with life might be to burn these physical reminders of the past. It’s best to have a mind that’s free of guilt and shame.'

Shane: 'There’s a sixties vibe underpinning this track so we chose some slightly fuzzy guitar tones to create a raspy, edgy texture in the verses. The choruses are characterised by a fairly tricky, moving riff that implies the chord changes. Check out the shimmering rotary effects and the ascending harmony line as the song builds, becoming more colourful.'

 

Two pints and a package of crisps

It is not quite beer o'clock but the promotional wheels are turning at quite a rate now in the run-up to our 15th July release, so we are going to start taking pre-orders for CD copies of the album today.

Indeed it will only cost the price of 2 pints of beer / cider / stout and 1 package of crisps, and we do appreciate correct change! The official price is €7.99 plus €2 P&P. All you have to do is hit the 'buy now' button below and we'll send you a CD on or before the release date.

The album will also be available digitally on iTunes, Amazon, etc. from 15th July.

Maggy Simpson - Sorry (Sample)

Bat: 'Sometimes, we say things without thinking. When we are young and foolish, we speak or act without considering the consequences. Sometimes, we think we know a person, but don’t; people seem open but are actually closed, seem immune to hurt, but are not. Sometimes an apology is enough. But if that apology isn’t accepted, well then we’re both stuck in a stalemate situation.'

Shane: 'Dave Grohl called, and he wants that chord back! We finally cracked this punchy tour de force by shifting the key centre (capo at 2^nd fret). It’s a no nonsense affair, based on a two and half minute library piece I composed a couple of years ago. Always keen to hear this as a genuine song, now it’s really come alive. Watch out for the smart Wah motifs in the chorus, and maximum use of octaves for colour throughout.'