666 : It isn't just a photo!

Things were remarkably different in the pre-Spotify world. It was remarkably difficult to hear new bands as essentially the only way that you could sample an up-and-coming outfit was to buy their records (or to unscrupulously copy off your mates). We relied on the music press to describe to us what emerging scenes sounded like and the photos that accompanied those testaments could make or break a fledgling beat combo. I fell in love with Kiss not because of their songs but because of the photos that adorned my well-thumbed copies of the Kerrang and Metal Hammer. Paul, Gene, Ace and Chris in full makeup and faux body armour looked to the preteen Stewart like superheroes. They took my breath away and those early images ensured I became a dedicated member of the Kiss Army.

666Author : Stewart Lucas7 October 2023666, Photography, Prints, Kiss, Metal PhotographyComment

666 : Passing the torch - Should we indoctrinate our children?

My passion is music. It's my release and it's my obsession. My close friendships are based around music. My downtime is based around music and I met my wife through a Guardian soulmate ad which read "Musical obsessive seeks indie chick for passionate pogoing”. Yet, I'm not sure where this obsession sprung from. My parents were not great muso's and if the radio was on in our house, it was Radio Four. I did not have any great compulsion about musicality passed on to me, it just happened quite randomly and quite organically.

666Author : Stewart Lucas9 April 2023666, Iron Maiden, Finntroll, Biffy Clyro, Green Day, The DarknessComment

666 : A Meeting Of Minds?

Paid meets and greets – Would you? Should you? Could you?

In these days of austerity, independent artists and no more huge record company advances, many of your favourite bands may have turned to these as a way of generating a little extra cash. Experiences vary from a quick photo to a full backstage experience and prices vary from a couple of quid to thousands of your hard-earned, but are they worth it?

666 : The spectre of the £40 t-shirt

It spread through the internet like the proverbial dose of salts. “Have you seen what Gojira are charging for merch?”. The French giants, long regarded as a band of the people were caught with their fingers in the tills asking for forty quid for a t-shirt and eighty quid for a hoodie. I think what hurt most and caused the most disdain is that they weren’t a band that we expected this of. Gene Simmons yes but Joe Duplantier?

666 : What is Viking Metal?

The weekend of the 4th-5th of December will see HRH bring the third chapter of its Viking themed mayhem to Sheffield. ROCKFLESH will be there with our drinking horns (full of very un-Viking rum) and plastic swords. This has led to discussions in ROCKFLESH towers about what actually constitutes Viking Metal. As ROCKFLESH’s resident Nordic and Black Metal obsessive (the two are not un-connected) I have been asked to explain.

666Author : Stewart Lucas1 November 2021666, Viking Metal, Bathory, Hellhammer, Celtic Frost, Enslaved, Myrkur, Wardruna, Eluveitie, Ensiferum, Heilung, Stewart Lucas, HRHComment

666 : The Great Showdown : Sleep Token

Still 666 words but this time the guys battle it out! What is Sleep Token? Who’s side are you on?

666Author : Stewart Lucas13 October 2021Sleep Token, Stewart Lucas, Matt Fraser, 666Comment

666 : 666…. And We’re Back In The Room….

t’s been a long looong year hasn’t it? When Covid shut everything down in March of 2020, did we really think we would still be here, lives restricted beyond recognition, 15 months later? I don’t know about you but I’ve found it really hard to be parted from my family, my friends, my work colleagues and my live music for so long. But here we are, restrictions are finally lifting and there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon and a hint of anticipation in the air. Will we ever get back what we have lost? Possibly not, but in the meantime we can, I think, begin to plan things again.

666Author : Jo Crosby8 June 2021666, Loverocks, Spike, The Quireboys, Gin Annie, Jo CrosbyComment

666 : The Day The Music Stopped

Like many of you, I am approaching the most bizarre and unwanted anniversary. On Monday, March 15th it will be exactly one year since I last clapped eyes on an in the flesh live band. 365 days before that date I witnessed the majestic Employed to Serve (you can find my review here) at the Academy 3 in Manchester. They were tight, taut and utterly excellent. A youthful cocktail of confidence and rage filled righteousness. Then suddenly the world grounded to a halt. Tours shuddered to a standstill, the cancelled or postponed signs came on one by one and the wheels fell inexplicably off my world.

666Author : Stewart Lucas12 March 2021666, Conan, Employed To ServeComment