INCOMING – Nat’s What I Reckon Book (with easy UK order WITHOUT paying over the odds!)

I am calling it now… I reckon this could be the most sought after “not for kids” year-end gift in a few months.

The book “Un-cook Yourself – A Ratbag’s Rules For Life”, written by Nat from Nat’s What I Reckon is being published at the start of December, as announced in the video below, posted online yesterday.

It is already available for pre-order, but the post on his page is FULL of people outside of Australia struggling to find where they can buy it without incurring massive delivery charges.  It is currently NOT available from Amazon in the UK, nor Waterstones, etc., although I am sure they will want in on this too before long.

The good news is, I have done a little investigation and found an easy and very cost-effective way to get hold of this from one of the big booksellers. £16.29, with FREE delivery from The Book Depository. Continue reading

TMA: Albums Of The Year – 2019

2019 has been an absolutely hectic year for the TMA crew due to the challenges of adult life, so the site has been predominantly inactive, but there have been many significant releases that must be acknowledged.

So here, we present The Modern Alternative‘s Albums Of The Year for 2019: Continue reading

The TMA Top Ten Festival Essential Items

As the excitement mounts for Bloodstock Festival next week, it is time for The Modern Alternative’s alternative must-have items.  We don’t say a lot here, but we think this is worthy of your attention. This list will not be comprised of the absolute essentials like ticket, getting there and something to sleep in (as not all of these are essential before setting off too), but instead we list a few key things and personal recommendations for items that will make a difference to the seasoned Festival-goer. Continue reading

OPETH – “In Cauda Venenum” – Bilingual Preview

Swedish Prog Metal masterminds, Opeth, have released a substantial teaser for their forthcoming album this morning.

The YouTube video visualisation comprises two takes of the third track from the “In Cauda Venenum” album, to be released by their own Moderbolaget Records, in conjunction with Nuclear Blast Records, on Friday, 27th of September this year.

The album is to be released in both English and Swedish language versions, but Amazon is currently accepting pre-orders for a double CD combined release as well.

Continue reading

Incineration Fest 2019 Just Announced First Three Bands

Incineration Festival has just announced three massive names for their 2019 incarnation.

Incineration Fest 2019 will feature UK exclusive performances from Mayhem, Carpathian Forest and Asphyx! Continue reading

Bloodstock Open Air – 2019 Rock Society Memberships Released – Very High Demand, Will Sell Out Quickly!

Festival:                             Bloodstock Open Air Metal Festival.

Date:                                  Thursday until Sunday, 8th to 11th of August 2019.

Location:                           Catton Park, Walton-On-Trent, Derbyshire, England.

Post Code:                        DE12 8LN.

Ticket Cost:                       £132.00 (Adult) & £39.00 (Child 4yo – 11yo) EARLY BIRD.

The TMA Collective will keep you up to date with all the announcements, deals and news for one of our favourite Festivals.

The 19th Bloodstock, and the 15th Open Air, the acclaimed annual celebration of all things metal, will take place at the usual Catton Hall site in Derbyshire, England between Thursday 10th and Sunday 13th of August in 2017.

URGENT!   Buy Bloodstock Rock Society Membership for the next year!

BOA 19 RockSoc

Each year, just 300 sought after Bloodstock Rock Society Memberships are released, giving a whole host of exclusive and VIP benefits to the discerning festival goer, discounted tickets, VIP Bar access, backstage tours, exclusive forums, freebies, competitions, priority access to Signing Tent, etc.. They sell VERY quickly and go on sale at 9am on Monday 31st of October – TODAY!

With an impressive run of early announcements, the bill for next year already includes Scorpions, Sabaton, Queensryche, Dee Snider, Children Of Bodom, Hypocrisy, Skeletonwitch, Soilwork, Rotting Christ, Cradle Of Filth and Eluveitie, with many more to follow across all the genres of metal. 

In the main, these are snapped up by the same group of people each year, a really close and welcoming community, but there are some serious benefits included too.  If you buy your RockSoc Membership bundled with your Early Bird Ticket, you will get 10% OFF the Early Bird Ticket.

For those wanting the absolute best of their festival experience, the first wave of VIP tickets is also available for purchase.

Follow the link to the official site to see full details.

The links on this page are BOA official affiliate links to buy tickets from the official vendors, buying through these links helps support the running of this site.  If you run your own site, you can sign up by clicking here.

 

BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR – Limited VIP Passes Available

BOA17 Logo

To really get the absolute most from your Bloodstock experience, you need to secure one of the limited VIP passes.  They are available as a combined purchase including your festival entry, but also as an upgrade for those that have already secured their regular weekend tickets.

Bloodstock’s first wave of 2018 Serpent’s Lair VIP tickets sold out in record time this year.  The second & final wave of VIP ticketing, including a limited amount of VIP upgrades priced at £145 and a limited number of deluxe VIP packages (Octopads, Bellepads and Podpads remain available, but the Luxpads are SOLD OUT) are now available until they sell out… which they DEFINITELY will!

Buy Tickets To Bloodstock

As well as an exclusive and secure dedicated VIP camping area right behind the main stage compound, luxury toilets, complimentary hot showers and the infamous ‘Serpent’s Lair’ VIP bar, featuring 100+ guest ales and ciders to sample, BLOODSTOCK also offers a range of additional entertainment exclusive to the Serpent’s Lair VIP experience; bands, DJs and other features!  There will be plenty happening in the Lair FOR YOUR EYES ONLY!!  Whilst the many regulars all know its worth, if you’re new to the Serpent’s Lair, here’s the basics of the VIP camping experience at BLOODSTOCK;

* Private entrance with free parking close to your camping area;
* Party in the VIP bar with some of the artists performing;
* Priority access to the band signing tent (except headline acts);
* Late night entertainment with guest DJs;
* 24 hr hospitality staff to take care of your needs;
* 10% discount voucher on Bloodstock merchandise purchased at the festival;
* FREE T-shirt and goodie bag, including lanyard with all stage times;
* Access to the festival site from 12 Noon Thursday through Monday.

The very popular Deposit Scheme (allowing you to break your ticket payment over five manageable instalments) will be announced on Thursday 21st December.  A very limited amount of 50 VIP tickets will also be available via the deposit scheme, subject to availability.

Also selling out in record time this year was the Early Bird ticket allocation at the discounted price.  Standard weekend tickets are now available, priced at £145 for four days of metal fun, so grab yours now at the ticket store!  A small handful of camper van pitches are still available.

Check out the new festival trailer here and get excited 
about 2018’s best metal weekender.

With Friday night headliners, JUDAS PRIEST, Saturday headliners, GOJIRA and Sunday’s
bill toppers, NIGHTWISH already announced, as well as EMPEROR, DEVILDRIVER, WATAIN, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, WEDNESDAY 13, FOZZY, COMBICHRIST, BLOODBATH, MR BIG, KAMELOT, DORO, ORDEN OGAN, SEPTICFLESH and MEMORIAM so far, 2018 is shaping up to be another stellar year for BLOODSTOCK.

Day tickets will not go on sale until next summer, we will update on this when it happens.
 

BLOODSTOCK will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 9th-12th August 2018.

The links on this page are BOA official affiliate links to buy tickets from the official vendors, buying through these links helps support the running of this site.  If you run your own site, you can sign up by clicking here.

BOA VIP

WOLCENSMEN – “Songs From The Fyrgen”

WolcCDEvocative, emotional, atmospheric… beautiful. I have run out of adjectives to try and describe the feelings I have when I listen to this recording.  Written over a 5 year period, Dan Capp, the artist behind Wolcensmen, and guitarist in Winterfylleth, has poured his heart and soul into each and every track. Continue reading

HORDES OF BELIAL – THE BURNING H8 / Beat Generator Live!, Dundee, Scotland / September 2017

HoB 8 17Full bill for Hordes Of Belial – The Burning H8

You’d have to try really hard to NOT find something to love at any of the previous Hordes Of Belial events, and 2017’s outing – The Burning H8 – looks just as likely to 
fulfil that claim. Over the years, HOB has played host to Man Must Die, Ancient Ascendent, The Rotted, Cancerous Womb, Party Cannon, De Profundis, Reign Of Fury, All Consumed, Achren, and many, many more.

Set for Saturday September 30th this year, the two-stage showcase of heavy music features;

Virus (Thrash – Dundee)
Dog Tired (Metal – Edinburgh)
Overoth (Death metal – Belfast)
Damaj (Greenock)
Rabid Bitch Of The North (NWOBHM – Belfast)
Somaesthesia (Edinburgh)
Drekavac (Black metal – Aberdeen)
Perpetua (Metal – Edinburgh)
Dolour (Doom – Edinburgh)
Drive By Killer (Hardcore – Perth)
Catalysis (Metal – Dundee)
Volcano X (Trad metal – Dundee)
Multistorey Lover – (Party rock – Perth)

It’s quite the mix of all things heavy, as has come to be expected of the Hordes Of Belial banner, so true fans of extreme music and its roots are sure to have a show to enjoy and remember. Organisers have promised competitions, merch pre-orders and more, so keep an eye on the 
Facebook page for updates!

Event details:
Beat Generator Live, 70 N. Lindsay St., Dundee
Saturday, 30th of September 2017
Doors: 15:25
Ages 14+

Advance tickets now £10 from www.wegottickets.com

LUNATIC HOOKER – “Embracing The Filth”

Lunatic Hooker

Hopefully this won’t cause any misunderstood nomenclature-based relationship woes, but I love Lunatic Hooker. It’s almost impossible to believe that such panache and grime can walk hand-in-hand, but in the aptly titled Embrace The Filth they do precisely that. Grandiose metal class. Complete and utter dirt. Continue reading