Volcom’s Wild In The Parks skate event is happening again this year. 17th March is the date. Head to Barry Curtis, park there’ll be loads of prizes and giveaways on the day and it’s free entry to all.

Here are a few pics which helped to piece together my night…somewhat. Keep an eye out for his Element part which should be dropping in a few days. Heavy!

Seriously, does this even look like a band you'll be enjoying?

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 like this. In another world, outside of Manual, I have a career—if you can call it that—writing solely about metal, so it probably comes as no surprise that Christian acts don’t feature heavily on my playlist—most of the bands I listen to play for the other team. But Blessthefall was handed to me late last year to review, and so, because I’m an open-minded guy, I figured, why the hell not (no pun intended).

I should say, right at the start, that irrespective of your religious beliefs, there’s nothing to stop you tuning in to the band’s new album, Awakening. If you’re after some superficial rowdy noise it’s all here—screamo vocals, drop-tuned guitars, post-hardcore meanderings and plenty of punishing double bass thumps. Looking back, as I did, for I am a diligent reviewer dear readers, there’s no hugely substantial change from the band’s earlier material, but, if anything, the band does sound more polished this time around—more confident perhaps, and there’s a touch more technicality on offer.

Blessthefall isn’t doing anything new here, there’s no reinventing of the metalcore wheel. So you get harsh vocals mixed with the clean, and breakdowns spliced throughout. Bit of the keys, big scruffy riffs and… you know the score. It’d be fair to say those elements have been done to death on many other albums, and they do sound dated, but then, that’s nothing you couldn’t say about all of metal’s various genre hallmarks, and Blessthefall sound sincere and definitely deliver each song with abundant gusto.

Is it any good? Well, no, it’s hackneyed old tripe. The band certainly has a core fanbase of dedicated fans, and while I’m not likely to ever be one of them—a fact confirmed after listening to the album—there exists a thriving market for the band. Maybe I’m missing something here? But, Awakening‘s appeal seems limited for a number of reasons. Firstly, it’s musically stale, there’s nothing adventurous or particularly exciting here. And secondly, it’s lyrically facile. While it’s the band’s right to advocate its position, and sing odes to whomever it wishes, for anyone outside their target market it’s not going to grab you. Not that that matters for fans of loud guitars of course, as I said, if you want some crunchy metal it’s all there. Dig in, mate.

All up, well… whatever, really. I could live without it, and so could you. To my ears it’s just uninspired and repetitious metalcore. It might be spiritually fulfilling, but it’s totally and utterly creatively bereft.

This guy needs no introduction. So no rant this week although I could talk for hours over a few loads.

Ten Things I Love About You

Long weekends eat arse with a spoon when it gets to Monday. So I’m gonna get straight to the point, here’s ten albums that gave me a liitle direction in my life. I guess you could even say shaped haha.

1. Nas - Illmatic.

2. Gangstarr - Hard To Earn.

3. A Tribe Called Quest - Peoples Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm.

4. Warren G- Regulate G Funk Era.

5. Smif-n-Wessun - Dah Shinin'

6. Souls of Mischief - 93 'til Infinity.

7. The Notorious BIG - Ready To Die.

8. Pete Rock & CL Smooth - The Main Ingredient.

9. Redman - Muddy Waters.

10. Outkast - Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik.

E-Clipse

No time for slipping’. Simple As Death.

Fine Tuning

I have been thinking. Just in case you forgot, I certainly haven’t. haha. I’m a sucka for corn rows!

Nelly - Country Grammar.

My Periphery

1996, Snyderman. A wise man once said “I prefer to not think of it as pushing the envelope, but more so putting the stamps on.”

Fine Tuning Part 2

I don’t do patent leather. You know, that shiny shit. However I will happily endorse Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs shininess. I don’t care that he has changed his name numerous times. I don’t care that people hated the Biggie movie because they claimed he made it more about himself than BIG. Oh yeah, two words: Sean John. Fuck I would rock that shit all day if given half the chance. Haters gonna hate.

Puff Daddy & The Family - No Way Out.

Harking back to the good ol’ days, Ben Raybourn jumps in the time machine for a The Skateboard Mag Mag Minute. Instant classic.

The true blue Aussie shreddor, Shane Azar, gets welcomed to the OZ Theeve roster with this healthy clip.

Stereo pro Ben Gore is one to keep an eye out for.

Check a day in the life with shreddor Jo Whaanga.

An interview with Stacey Peralta and the brigade for Sundance Film Festival about the upcoming documentary Bones Brigade: An Autobiography.

Where The VOX Are We? video coming soon! Dave Bachinsky, Cody McEntire, Matt Fenell, and friends spend 25 days on the road from coast to coast.

Here are the latest clips from LRG European riders Marek Zaprazny and Helder Lima. Reblogged from Revolt.

What better way to brighten up your Monday. Doglog 3.

They keep coming! This time all round legend Farhad Mohamad hits you with some realness.

Josh Gemmell, pole jam. Photo: Jake Darwen

Friday Photo finally resurfaces for 2012. Jake Darwen brings you our first installment for the New Year – this fine frame of Josh Gemmell getting freaky on this bank to fence.

A recent catchup with legend Gino Iannucci.

SLAP One In A Million is back and this time it heads to New York City with host John Cardiel, as the skaters take on the streets of the Big Apple in pursuit of their dreams.

The Porirua Skate Jam is on again this Waitangi Day, Feb 6th at Te Rauparaha Skate Park. The contest will run from 12:30pm – 6pm. Registration is between 11am-12pm on the day, and entry is free! This is a great one for all ages as they will be running categories right through from Under 8 years to Open. And there’s some sweet cash up for grabs in the open section.

Date: Monday, Feb 6th, 2012
Time: 12:30pm-6pm (registration between 11am-12pm on the day)
Entry: Free
Categories: Under 8, Under 12, Under 16, Open and Women’s
$1500 prize money for the Open section.

Of course, ’07 was a long time ago, at least it is in terms of the electronic community who are anything but static. So how do the band fare four years down the track, and with a million other ’80′s influenced artists releasing albums in the meantime? Well, that’s kind of complicated. In one sense Diamonds and Death is a great album to have thrumming along in the wee small hours—a perfect little slice of retro themed electronica. But it’s not exactly razing its hands in the originality stakes. Of course, that’s not VHS or Beta’s fault. They’ve just been outpaced by a genre of electronica that’s fair exploded over the past few years. And it doesn’t lesson the quality of the material as such, just makes it seem familiar.

Band members Craig Pfunder and Mark Palgy were originally based in Kentucky, Georgia, but moved to Brooklyn, New York, in 2009—no doubt inspired by the city’s vibrancy. There’s certainly a sense of ‘bright lights big city’ to Diamonds and Death, a feeling that the years they spend Djing in New York clubs gave them a renewed appreciation for a graceful groove. But they were also operating in a much wider pool of artists who’ve also harnessed the same late-night vibes to good effect.

That’s not to suggest the album is lacklustre, it isn’t at all. “Breaking Bones” and “Under the Sun” kick things off very well, with plenty of sultry electro-pop bluster. And “I Found a Reason” and “Jellybean” both set the band onto an energetic course. I guess what weaknesses exists are more about expectations than the actual album. That feeling that you were anticipating something a little, well, earth-shattering.

There’s certainly fun to be had here, make no mistake about that. The title track, “Diamonds and Death”, is possibly one of the best numbers the band has ever fielded, with hook that is easily on par with anything LCD Soundsystem ever released, and “Watch Out” has some fantasticly sleazy Euro-disco at its core.

All up, you need to be realistic here. If you predicting some blazing return you’re set to be disappointed. But again, that’s not because the album is terrible in any way, it’s just a low-key step back into the limelight, rather than an explosive entrance. Give it time—it’s a grower—and who knows, maybe next time round they’ll deliver the dance-floor rock masterpiece they’ve got in ‘em.

Bjorn’s fair name will now be adorning some fine Element skateboard decks. To celebrate Element are throwing a bash at Ambush Gallery in Waterloo, Sydney where they’ll be screening his full length video part. Head along and give Bjorn a high five if you’re in the area.

At high noon on 25th February, 2012 Auckland will once again play host to over 30 of New Zealand’s finest skateboarders. They will battle it out in Auckland’s iconic Aotea Square on a purpose built set-up, for their part of a NZD $6000 prize pool.

Once again a purpose built course is being crafted under the watchful eye of Rhys Campbell. “The course is looking good this year. We’ve taken the step and rail set up from last year and added some new features that’ll kept things interesting. Everyone killed it last year and had a great time, so expect more shredding and good times in 2012.”

This year’s City Squared champion will walk away three thousand dollars richer, with NZD$6000 split between the top eight finalists.

Stay tuned for more info on the course and rider line-up.

The Billabong City Squared Skateboard Invitational is presented by Sony Ericsson with support from Monster Energy, Amazon Boardstore, The Edge, Von Zipper, Nixon, Manual Magazine and Skinny.

Where: Aotea Square, Queen Street, Auckland
When: Noon til 5pm, Saturday 25th April

Music: Suspiria by Razorwyre off of the album Coming Out.

Aotea Square photo by Jake Darwen.

Damn! Can’t believe I hadn’t seen this. Neither have you either judging by the view count of 295 when I copped it. Pat Channita is no new buck either, if that’s what your thinking. Hope this is the start of more.

My Periphery

I don’t know about you but I much prefer Danny Garcia minus the guitar, v neck and waffle soles. No disrespect Danny, you are the man regardless!

QUICK PIC x N.A.F.W.A.V.F.

It appears that I’m not the only one who shows love for the F.

Nas for Fila

E-Clipse

I can’t remember if I put these up, but they are gold.

Fine Tuning

Recovering from spending a heavy night involving a huge amount of love shown to the W-Toast in the Bomb Shelter. A whole lotta love going out to the G Funk era especially. I was browsing this morning and decided that I had to post this. Don’t tell me you forgot ’bout Dre?

Friday Soundtrack

Stomping Grounds

Conan Marriott is gettin married to Elizabeth Dewes this weekend. Better dust off the Timbs.

Timberland Boots.

Danny Brady rips, plain and simple. Check the commercial for the Lakai Danny Brady Belmont XLK.

Photo: Simon Kerr

D.O.B
7/5/97.

I popped out in:
Christchurch.

Currently I reside in?
Heathcote, Christchurch.

Because?
Where I live is sick. Thomson park, friends to skate with and it’s not too far of a drive to Banks Peninsula for good waves.

Sponsors?
Cheapskates and Nelson Creek Skateboards, thanks Dave!

Outside of skateboarding the bulk of my time is spent?
Surfing.

Frontside 5-0 over love seat. Photo: Simon Kerr.

One item you want for free but have to pay for?
Shoes.

All time favourite cover?
I like the March 2009 cover of MANUAL with Tim Watson’s back smith.

You get to choose one person to rule the world, who and why?
Probably the Dalai Lama, because he is the man and is very wise.

Your go to Youtube clip?
Alex Perelson’s Volcom Stone Age clip. He is so flippin’ good.

Vices?
Dirt jumping.

Boneless. Photo: Simon Kerr.

What makes you nervous?
Proper backside airs, rollerbladers waxing metal coping, Dave North’s vert ramp and really big waves.

Current set up details?
Grey LCA Nelson Creek board, Thrasher 30 year anniversary Indy trucks, 60 mm Bones SPFs, Bones bearings, Thunder bolts.

Childhood memory?
First Reefton Ramble.

Website?
Nelson Creek, Vimeo, MANUAL, Gmail.

What is one thing you can’t live without?
My Skateboard and probably my surfboard.

5 Skate predictions for 2012?
Reefton Ramble will be rad!
I will learn a new trick.
Ah…

Smith grind. Photo: Simon Kerr.

The latest offering from Vic Apparel, this time Adrian Vercoe and Dom Henry share a part.

Here’s Kenny Anderson, Tom Remillard, Sammy Baca, Julian Davidson, and more in a recent Converse European excursion from Thrasher Magazine.