Nine Feet Underground

Melody's Echo Chamber released their debut album in 2012 and it has remained a oft-returned to favourite of mine ever since. Some five or so years later there's a new track been shared as a taster for a new album, titled 'Bon Voyage', slated for release "in the Spring", whenever that may be. 'Cross My Heart' is a track full of unexpected twists and turns that retains the psychedelic feel of the first album whilst having a much more open and expansive sound.  Further excitement comes from involvement of a couple members of the Swedish band Dungen in the new album: both Reine Fiske (Guitar) and Gustav Ejstes (various instruments and the guy who effectively IS Dungen) are credited for production and playing. I love this and hope the album has many more delights to offer...roll on "the Spring"...

Back to SUB89 and also to Dreadzone after a semi-enforced break, on a Friday night and accompanied by my sons - "Dreadzone virgins" in the words of MC Spee: sounds like the setting for a great night out... ...and so it proved to be! There was no support act though Greg Dread (Greg Roberts, drummer) played a DJ set prior to Dreadzone taking to the stage - a gentle warm up for what was to follow.  The band took to the stage to cheers and applause and launched straight into 'Rootsman' from the new album, a great reggae-based opener that led neatly into MC Spee's intro for 'Return of the Dread' - and already the "bouncing crew" was in full sway. Dreadzone are a joyous band live - it's impossible not to dance - and I for one had a grin from ear to ear whilst dancing for the entire two hour set. There was a good mix of old and new songs though a definite bias towards their most "successful" album, Second Light. S...