Two years since they released their self-titled debut EP, Auckland’s grotty metal and hardcore sons Snakes of Iron return with their new digital EP, Scavengers. Somewhat of a supergroup (but let’s be honest, they’d hate the moniker) the band is comprised of former members of The Have,… More ›
Anyone who was lucky enough to see Beastwars, Spook The Horses and Robin on Friday 23 March in Wellington doesn’t need to be reminded of just how fantastic a show they witnessed. But for those of you who couldn’t make it, here’s a review plucked… More ›
The Thomas Oliver Band: Giveaway If you know anything about twisted roots, psychedelic blues and down-home stomping Kiwi rock, then you’ll be a fan of Wellington-based The Thomas Oliver Band. Big on dynamic, escapist stage shows, and with a much celebrated debut full-length in the… More ›
Morning all. The finalists for the 2012 Taite Music Prize have been announced today. Included in the list of nominees is a band we’ve championed at Manual–Wellington’s beloved rowdy crew Beastwars. The awards, in their third year running, were named in honor of New Zealand’s… More ›
A bodacious new video by former Manual contributor Liam Bachler, featuring James McInnes as a comic book legend ‘Ultimate Skater’ who comes to life and uses his special skate powers to guide some youths in his radical ways. More ›
She’s So Rad is a three piece act of Jeremy Toy, Anji Sami and Tom Healy who have been described as “warm clouds of distortion and feedback cloaking every sound and gorgeous hazy melodies that swirl around you like smoke”. Sounds good, huh. The band… More ›
UK techno overlords Underworld have been twisting the dials and tweaking the EQs for 20-odd years now. To celebrate that fact, and to honor Rick Smith and Karl Hyde’s recent appointment as music directors for the opening ceremony of the London Olympics, the band have released two new compilation… More ›
Back in the heady days of ’90s electronica, British artist and producer Luke Vibert rode the cusp of imaginative creativity and self-aware irreverence. Recording under a number of monikers, he helped invigorate and redefine the world of drum’n’bass. Along with the likes of Aphex Twin,… More ›
Well, here’s an album that’s about as far from my usual listening choices as you could possibly get. You see, Blessthefall are a Christian metalcore band. I should probably add a little bit more in there, especially if you’re a bit religiously sensitive. It goes… More ›
If you’re a fan of synth-wave, vintage effects with a dusting of post-punk, or slinky ’80s electro pop then VHS or Beta’s latest, Diamonds and Death, is an album you’ll be wanting to hear. While not as commercially successful as other more high profile indie-dance-floor… More ›
Hot damn, Cobra Skulls’ newest LP Agitations is just a blast of souped-up punk rockin’ good times from whoa to go. Stacked to the gunnels with whip-snapping shots of punk rock fury, energetic harmonies and ringing riffs, the band’s third full-length is one hell of… More ›
The Cure have been kicking around since the mid ’70s, and while you could argue a case that their glory days as full-length recording artists have passed, Bestival Live 2011 is a firm reminder that you can’t dismiss the old Goths as a live entity.… More ›