Furious, monolithic riffs and intense, unrelenting rhythm underpins each track dropped by Swansea-band Helldown.

Formed in 2013 by brothers Ben and Matt Evans (Bass/Vocals and Guitarist, respectively), the lineup was completed with drummer Ross Thomas and lead guitarist Chris Driscoll soon after.

Their debut release, a self-titled, 2015, EP displayed an already refined approach to songcraft, building on elements of classic metal and thrash and infusing their creations with a personal twist that at times challenges, and at other times perfectly play into, Thrash tradition. Have a listen to 'Thrive In Violence', a brutal track that, on first listen, reminded me of Thrash icons Slayer - I had that same reaction the first time I heard Slayer's 2015 Repentless - with its uncompromising, truculent rhythms driving the track to its ferocious climax.

ARISE! ... Official Helldown Music Video for The Watchers. Recorded by Boneyard Studios, Video by Dark North Media, taken in Hayes Studios. Social Media Links: Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/HelldownOfficial Twitter Page - www.twitter.com/Helldown_UK Instagram - HelldownOfficial Endorsed by: Soultone Cymbals, Agner Drumsticks & Cymskin.

2017's 'The Watchers' displays the craft of a band who have worked tirelessly to refine their sound through experience and practice. The traits from their earlier debut are still there, but now more developed and sculpted, the production value has been upped and they're now a real force to be reckoned with.

With gigs all over the UK, catch them when they're nearby. Make sure you take your most trusty earplugs though...

Written by Joe Bayliss

From our Debut CD click to https://www.facebook.com/HelldownOfficial?ref=aymt_homepage_panel for live shows

With unconvoluted instrumentation and a perfectly simple approach, Ananas' four-track debut EP Cosmosus somehow creates an expansive and immersive musical experience reminiscent of certain late '90s and early '00s commercially popular EDM scene - think Play-era Moby, but less samples (and more hair) and a sprinkling of Skye Edwards'esque vocals.

This is a band that seem to have come out of left-field, with a sound and style that is entirely their own. Cosmosus is a heart-warming collection of musical musings between friends, at times deeply intimate but without any pretence.

I'm going to keep this short this week; this evening, why not pour yourself a glass of your favourite tipple, sit back, close your eyes and immerse yourself in Ananas.

Tasty.

Ananas Facebook | Ananas Twitter |  Ananas Bandcamp

Written by Joe Bayliss

Dancing Compulsory 

Ooooh you're in for a treat this week Swansea. On the event page, The Last Resort have summed up this event so perfectly: "Gower gang describing themselves as Balkan, Gypsy, Klezmer and Celtic musical madness. The Balkaneers play a lively mix from around the world – adding a hint of dub, a pinch of funk, and a dash of ska. Dancing compulsory."

It will be impossible to be there and not dance. We had the pleasure of The Balkaneers playing at our Folk at the Fringe evening on the closing night of the Swansea Fringe Festival at The Last Resort last September, and anyone there will agree it was an unforgettable evening. These guys are so much fun and so good live. Don't miss this one!!! 

Entry £4.00 | Free before 8:30

Last week The Zinvandels tweeted "It's Been a long time..." and I suppose it does feel like a while since they last played Swansea (again at the Britpop Cafe on December 16th last year.) This week they return to the Britpop Cafe (located in town on Cradock Street just off the Kingsway) for what will be another great evening of live music. 

"Their energy and enthusiasm whilst performing is infectious, and they’re tight to boot. You'd expect them to be a finely honed band with years of live experience as an outfit but they only formed in October 2016!" - That's what we wrote about them when they were our featured artists of the week - read more here. 

The Britpop Cafe opened it's doors last year and is fast getting a name for hosting some of the best live music nights in the city centre. With live sets already from Pastel, The Penny Drops, The La's legend Barry Sutton and with sets upcoming from The Zinvandels, Tom Hingley and Andy Bennet from Ocean Colour Scene, it's a venue that we whole heartedly encourage you to support and visit. 

From what we hear about the Zinvandels last gig at The Britpop Cafe was a cracker - so we suggest you don't miss out on this one!! 

The Zinvandels live at Britpop Cafe 2017

The Zinvandels live at Britpop Cafe 2017

Little Folk

It seems Americana-infused acts have become an absolute staple in South Wales in the last decade or so, and with each act emerging nearby the style becomes more defined and polished. A family band in the truest sense of the phrase, Little Folk is comprised of Dewi Bowen (Guitar/Vocals) and his wife Lucy (Vocals), and brothers Marc and Alun Bowen (Banjo and Double Bass respectively).

undeniably catchy country-pop

Little Folk have developed an enduring presence in the Welsh music scene over the past few years, with their undeniably catchy country-pop style, vivacious live shows and the fact they are through-and-through lovely people. With performances at top-notch festivals such as AmericanaFest and shows with Carter Sampson and the Hackensaw Boys under their belts, as well as airtime on radio stations across the UK and beyond, including Bethan Elfyn's BBC Radio Wales regular show, the future is looking remarkably rosy for Little Folk.

We've had the utmost pleasure of following the band's ascent from the very beginning and it's uplifting to see traditional songwriters constantly refining, developing and perfecting their craft.

Newest single, 'The Smoke', showcases Little Folk's perfect nod to traditional, country songcraft and stunning, elevating use of harmony to lift a chorus' hook. Check it out and lose yourself in solid, well-written sing-alongs - you won't regret it!

Little Folk Facebook | Little Folk Twitter | Little Folk Instagram | Little Folk Website

Written by Joe Bayliss

The Zinvandels

Swansea based ‘60s influenced, rock'n'roll outfit

Those of you who haven't heard The Zinvandels are in for an absolute treat today!

An unabashed ‘60s influenced, rock'n'roll outfit, The Zinvandels (formerly known as The Hangmen) are a band that we guarantee you do not want to miss out on catching live before they get their rightly deserved break. They're one of those bands that you discover and can’t believe they’re a hometown, homegrown talent, unsigned and doing it all themselves while producing enviably well-crafted tunes with catchy hooks and dance floor filling substance!

You only have to listen to their debut single "Heartbreaker" to get a measure of their worth. It's a song that could easily have been drawn from the songbooks of Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys / Last Shadow Puppets) but maintains that vintage ‘60s vibe whisks you back to a different time.

The production value on all their tracks maintains this retro feel and their repertoire is consistently solid. Check out "Penny Sits Alone" to see what I mean. It's a perfect follow up from their debut single. Strong chorus. Stomping arrangement. Another banger.

To top it off, they are so good live! Their energy and enthusiasm whilst performing is infectious, and they’re tight to boot. You'd expect them to be a finely honed band with years of live experience as an outfit but they only formed in October 2016!

Already holding the accolade of BBC Artist Of The Week, they are on the radar of industry professionals, so make sure you catch them in a local venue soon! They could be one of those bands that you can say in years to come, “I remember seeing them play to a room of 100 people in Swansea, and now they're playing Glastonbury!".

The Zinvandels Facebook | The Zinvandels Twitter | The Zinvandels Instagram |

Written by Simon Parton & Joe Bayliss

For our Swansea gig pick of the week this week we've selected this rather special show at Creature Sound: King Goon presented by Welsh Connections. Support comes from Swansea rockers Wine Morals and singer songwriter from Lost Tuesday Society Flipsy McCaw. 

Technicolour, high-octane, genre-hopping rock/dance/ska

As one of our ones to watch for 2018, King Goon have had a great start to their year, with shows already in Creature Sound, Cinema & Co and Pontypool's The Dragonffli, it's getting us more and more excited for the release of their debut album "ADMIT NOTHING! DENY EVERYTHING! LIE! LIE! LIE!". With that being said - you can hear tasters of this via their Soundcloud page! 

Describing their sound as "Technicolour, high-octane, genre-hopping rock/dance/ska" this is one show not to miss. It's also worth mentioning that this is a very special gig as Welsh Connections are filming and recording the gig for a TV and radio broadcast!

For those of you that don't know, Welsh Connections are a not-for-profit organisation that aim to get music from Wales out to a wider audience through gigs, CD releases, radio broadcasts, print and more. They do amazing things and we highly recommend that you give them a like on Facebook and follow what they do! 

Support on the evening comes from Swansea rockers Wine Morals. Formerly Red Morning Sky, the band have had a recent line up change, but are back and ready to get gigging and releasing new energetic alt-rock tunes again! 

Joining them is Flipsy McCaw - a member of Lost Tuesday Society. She will be bringing her scenic, melancholic, heavy folk tunes to Creature Sound to open the proceedings. 

We can't wait for this one! Entry is £5.00 / £3.50 for students. Doors at 7:30. 

Swansea band, The Riff are a classic 4-piece ensemble that have racked up an impressive assortment of accolades over their lifetime, including BBC Wales Introducing Artist of the Week and performing with the likes of The Sherlocks and members of The Jam and The La's, with regular sets at shows across the UK.  With a line-up consisting of twins Ben and Sam Curtis (Lead Vox/Guitar and Keys, respectively), Chris Betts (Bass) and Tommy Evans (Drums) their fresh sound is pinned down in a long-line of rock-solid traditional foursomes.

There's something to be said for tradition - these guys build on a formula that works;  dynamic, powerful vocals with simple yet effective lyricism, sparkling, and at times pummelling (in the best of ways), chord-work on the guitar with keyboard melodies working as a perfect compliment - it's in the blood, obviously, Clan Curtis - and a driving, persistent rhythm section under-pinning songs that are rooted in the '60s and '70s and finally given a modern sparkle. 

Their most recent release, Nothing Lasts Forever, rings true in many ways. The Riff are a band who's sound is constantly developing without forsaking their classic, British Indie ways.

It's refreshing to find a band destined for bigger things, and unashamed of their roots. In fact, their back-catalogue of music videos (which I highly recommend YouTube trawling through - it's been a morning well-spent!) reads like a who's-who (or where's-where...?) of the longest-standing independent music venues in Swansea.

Mixing no-frills rock'n'roll with powerful pop hooks that would make a Gallagher proud, The Riff are a band you should check out as soon as possible and catch whenever they're passing!

The Riff Playing at the Swansea Music Hub's first Swansea Musician's Forum in Cinema & Co. 

The Riff Facebook | The Riff Twitter | The Riff YouTube

Written by Joe Bayliss