Saturday 4th October 2025
Corporation, sheffield
FIRST TIME DISCOVERIES
FEATURED PR PARTNERS
.png)
.png)
.jpg)
ABOUT THE FIVE HUNDRED
The Five Hundred, a formidable force in the British heavy metal scene, hail from the industrial heartland of Nottingham. Emerging in the early 2010s, the band quickly established themselves with a sound that blends the brutal intensity of metalcore with the intricate ferocity of djent and progressive metal. Their name, a symbol of unity and collective strength, mirrors their tightly knit and powerful musical synergy.
The band’s lineup—John Eley on vocals, Mark Byrne and Paul Doughty on guitars, Andy Crawford on bass, and Kelsey James on drums—unleashes a maelstrom of sound characterised by crushing riffs, haunting melodies, and lyrics that cut deep into the soul. (Source)
"The Five Hundred has earned acclaim from influential outlets like KERRANG! Radio, Metal Hammer Magazine, and BBC Radio. This rapidly rising band is a testament to the possibility of achieving success and establishing a solid foothold in the music industry today. With an unwavering commitment to their craft, whether it's producing new music or hitting the road on tour, The Five Hundred makes sure their powerful voice resonates with audiences everywhere." - Novacaine
Dragged Out Featuring Charlie Rolfe Review:
The Five Hundred are back with a killer new single 'Dragged Out' featuring the incredible talents of As Everything Unfolds vocalist, Charlie Rolfe.
The new single is powerful, featuring grinding riffs and both gritty clean vocals and god-like screams on both parts. The Five Hundred have zoned in on Charlie's vocal abilities, managing to harmonise perfectly alongside vocalist John Eeley and showcasing Rolfe's vocal range from the high cleans to the demonic lows, proving that both The Five Hundred and As Everything Unfolds are a force to be reckoned with.
Novacaine Rating: 10/10 "The Five Hundred have zoned in on Charlies vocal abilities creating a powerful new single that will leave those who listen, wanting more!"
In The Dark Review:
"The Five Hundred are honing their craft with precision, ushering in a bold new chapter in their evolution. They’re clearly poised to unveil their true potential and showcase what they’re really made of."
Cairo Station are a band to keep a close eye on, whilst they may have old school Paramore vibes, I am sure this band has much more in store to offer the world of music. To be able to put together an incredible catchy instrumental track accompanied by the powerful vocals Cara Collins, is a pretty strong feat and proves that this band has more than just talent. We will be keeping a close eye on Cairo Station as we impatiently wait forward to their next music release.
CAIRO STATION
"Rockabye Reaper's debut single is f*cking nuts. I had to listen to this track at least 5 times to make sure that I was hearing it correctly. Reminds me of when I listened to As Everything Unfolds for the very first time, I was in absolute awe. I can easily see this band performing at the likes of Download Festival in the very near future! Andy Copping, are you listening?!"
Who are Black Lesion?
Black Lesion is a three-piece hard rock band, based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The band consists of lead vocalist and bassist - Andreas "Dre" Koutoupas, guitarist and backing vox Andrew "Andy" Murray and drummer and backing vox- Craig "Crag" Whitelaw.
We have rock, hard rock, grunge and metal influences in our music.
Black Lesion was formed in the latter of 2018 when we were all studying music in college.
During this time, Andy's band just disbanded and Dre was looking for members for a new project.
The duo collaborated on Lesions initial material in which most songs ended up on the "Mindless Feeding Device" E.P. The band then recruited Crag, which his divergent drumming style solidified the group's sound.
What inspired you to form the band?
We were all looking for something more grounded at the time. Over the years, we all have been in multiple bands and projects that never amounted to anything due to members having other commitments or creative differences. So, we thought the less members the better! People might say three is a crowd but it works for us!
FATES HOLLOW DEBUT ALBUM
'THE HEIR APPARITION PART 1 - BROKEN CROWNS' REVIEW
Novacaine Rating: 10/10 “Fates Hollow has crafted a fantastical release that sounds like nothing else currently out there. Part 1 - Broken Crowns is just the beginning and we cannot wait to see what they have plucked from their imagination for Part 2!”
"Crostpaths' latest single, "Shapeshifter," featuring the extraordinary Jessie Powell of Dream State, is nothing short of captivating. The track brilliantly highlights Jessie's iconic vocal range while maintaining the distinctive Crostpaths sound that fans have adored since their 2018 debut. A perfect balance of fresh innovation and signature style, "Shapeshifter" delves into the complexities of navigating the digital age and the evolving landscape of social media. With its powerful message and dynamic energy, this track is destined to make a lasting impact."
You guys have been quite busy since we last caught up in 2019, at the time you had just released your debut EPs ‘Fractures’ and ‘Parasite’ which featured tracks such as Hearts of Damaged Men and Time Is Running Out, so its been a while since we’ve caught up with everything Broken Empire.
Can you catch us up with what we may have missed over the last few years?
Ricky Hill: Well we released an album!!
Matt Stevens: Yes, and we've played some awesome gigs with some awesome bands, such as Evil Scarecrow…
RH: Those Damn Crows…
MS: The Fallen State…
Ieuan Owen: Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons…
MS: Don’t forget some of the festivals, like Breaking Bands in 2022. We got to play with Glamor of the Kill and InVisions. Plus some more local festivals, which are always good fun!
The Those Damn Crows gig must have been good fun. Can you tell us how that went down?
RH: Yeah that was a really good night and a good gig!
MS: It was great to see such a big crowd in Oxford!
RH: A sold out O2 Academy main room no less!! It felt like 90% of the crowd got there early enough to see us and the other support too, which was great.
MS: We got loads of social media activity afterwards which was lovely! Tons of pictures and videos.
IO: Cleared us out of merch too, so that was incredible!
In 2022, you released your debut album ‘Before The Fall’ which featured one of your now staple tracks ‘Disguise’, we’d love to hear more about it!
1. What was the album all about?
2. How did fans react upon release and how was it received when performing live?
IO: Well it wasn’t a ‘concept’ album, so although it is semi designed for all the tracks to work together, they are essentially all individual songs.
MS: We touch on quite a few themes, and we tried to keep the album artwork to suit the general theme of the human and environmental condition. But we are definitely not a political band…
IO: Yeah we vaguely touch on some societal issues.
RH: Which is kind of where the title “Before The Fall” came from, that idea of civilisation as we now know it ending and AI and robots taking over!
MS: But we do have notes of positivity throughout the album, so it's not as dark as it sounds!!
RH: We had our album launch show at The Bullingdon in Oxford and that was really good and went down really well.
MS: That was a really good show!
IO: Well over a hundred people there so that pretty much filled the back room of The Bullingdon.
RH: Yeah that went down really well!
IO: In terms of playing the tracks live, ‘One Last Time’ always goes down really well!
MS: And ‘Valediction’ is always popular with its big chunky riffs!
RH: Let’s not forget that we got asked to play ‘Disguise’ again as an encore the other week!
IO: Yeah it ended up being the first song in the set and the last! Like Limp Bizkit at Download!
So with that being said, it has been 2 years since your last album and single release, we need more Broken Empire in our lives!
1. Do you have any plans to release new music anytime soon?
2. If so, can you tell us anything about this upcoming release?
RH: Well it’s funny you should ask us that!
IO: Yes, we are literally working on the follow up album as we do this interview in the studio!
MS: Album number 2 is in full swing! And we may even be releasing one of the tracks sooner than you think!
RH: ‘Will You Wake Me’ the track is called, and it’s definitely more along the rock side of our usual genre.
MS: We’re tapping more into the sounds of our “Noumenal World” EP, and leaning on that style without losing the heavier Broken Empire sound that people have come to know.
IO: Yeah it still has its heavy moments…
MS: And big riffs!
RH: I think all that is left to do is put some sort of music video together and then it will be good to go!
MS: You may not see us out at as many gigs towards the end of the year, as our big priority right now is getting all of the new tracks finished and recorded.
RH: If you do want to hear ‘Will You Wake Me’ before it comes out, then it will be in the set at our gig in Banbury in December!
Do you have any touring plans in 2025 that you would like to tell us about?
MS: We are certainly looking to tour again next year and that is something we are working on in the background right now.
RH: I guess it’s kind of dictated by the new album,as we are definitely looking to tour off the back of its release next year.
IO: Yeah, right now we are just working out our timeline for 2025 in terms of releasing the album and then gigging/touring with that.
MS: We do have one cool gig in the pipeline for 2025, but you will know more about that very soon…
IMPELLITTERI DROP NEW SINGLE + MV 'POWER GRAB' AHEAD OF UPCOMING ALBUM, 'WAR MACHINE'
"Impellitteri was a new discovery for me, and another one added straight into the bank of pure power music. Based just on review of 'Power Grab', Impellitteri clearly have their own avenue of power metal carved out with blood and sweat, and this latest single does what it says on the tin: grabs you! From unyielding vocals to the riff mastery demonstrated in the song's opening, Impellitteri should be your new go-to for one hell of a musical journey.
Pair this with the upcoming album - War Machine - artwork and Chris' comment on the story behind the song, and you have an excellent mix of what Impellitteri are - masterful story-tellers who's auditory and visual dominance hold you in place for every second of their performance.
Now, brb, off to show these guys to my dad, too! He's gonna love them!"
NOVACAINE RATING: 10/10
"Glass Bridges debut EP MYRIA is stunning. It's hard to believe this is their first EP release based on the sheer quality of these tracks, you'd expect them to be a seasoned, big-stage touring act. The fact that they're only just beginning makes their future all the more exciting. If they can deliver something this impressive with a debut, it leaves you wondering what other surprises they have in store."
GLASS BRIDGES DEBUT EP 'MYRIA' REVIEW
.png)
We can’t talk about what we do now without mentioning why we started in the first place.
If you’re a band, musician, or artist of some kind, you’ve probably gotten merch madetobring insome extra bucks and give your fans something to remember you by.
Back in the early 2000s, we just weren’t getting the results we wanted when it came to getting merch made, so we took matters into our own hands.
Founded in 2009 in the UK, Pins & Knuckles became the solution to this problem.
Fast-forward totoday, we continue to serve the music industry with unparalleled passion and drive.
Having hands-onexperience in the scene means we know the kind of service and quality expected by our clients.
We’reable to provide touring merchandise services on a global scale, giving clients peace of mind that their merch is taken care of wherever they tour next.
Whether we’re running an order of 20 or 20,000+ units, we take pride in the fact that we treat each client like a partner, making sure every job is completed to the same high level of standards we’ve put in place.
And we’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the most talented people out there, whether through assisting with a band’s first merch run or sponsoring major festivals.
At the core of it, Pins & Knuckles makes merch that matters.
WRITTEN INTERVIEW
Questions - Background
Starting off with a classic; tell me about the story behind your name and where Khost, as a concept, came from.
AS: I was reading a book about the CIA's involvement in Afghanistan a few years back and the city of Khost was mentioned frequently. I thought it was such an evocative name and perfect for the project.
What was it that sparked your interest in this specific sub-genre of music? Any artists, music or other media that drew you into it?
DB: It's an interesting question, as there's many facets to this whole discussion.
The spark was was more just the ambience coming from all sorts of music. Even some parts of early Genesis. Bands like Codeine, Rex, people like Lou Reed, 'Cop' by Swans, Siouxsie and 'Night Shift'... it's a huge list.
In terms of slow, hard guitar music, there were some notable moments in time; for example when Black Flag aligned in a way with St Vitus in a live capacity, and - alongside hearing the early work from St Vitus themselves - there was the B side of 'My War' which seemed to come out of nowhere: slow, low-fi, agonised music.
The 'filters' of hardcore punk, of the SST ethos, the turmoil of the era really forged something else/other and it was really not to be discussed: just absorbed. As was the case with the early Trouble albums.
For actual doom, and metal: personally it was to witness the early Type O Negative, live, touring the early albums. I saw them in a mid size venue with the 'Bloody Kisses' era and I haven't experienced anything like that sonically, not even close. This was a fully-fledged NYC hardcore band, but channelling slow, visceral doom metal and it was like a 747 taking off. The full spectrum: Peter's processed bass sound, layered with guitar, underpinned by Josh's keyboard. The volume for this gig, well... I am sure was not 'legal'. And I never expected Peter to be so legitimately tortured and articulate with it, still screaming into the fade out ambience of the last song.
For 'noise', my favourite recollection is Vomir in Birmingham, which was perfect: wall of sound like a truck hitting you from beginning to end, while he faced the wall behind him.
"Welcome to the gritty, untamed Wild West! Fangslinger bursts onto the scene with their debut single, The Lost Souls Saloon, a thrilling ride through a desolate wasteland. This haunting track unravels the tale of three immortal outlaws on a relentless hunt for souls. Get ready—Fangslinger is here to lead you on an unforgettable adventure like no other."
Doedsmaghird wastes no time in plunging you into the epicentre of an intense experience with 'Heart of Hell', keeping you on your toes throughout the entire, sensational opening. And if this first track is the smorgasbord of what is to be expected through the rest of the album, it certainly does it's job, giving you a little taste of what lays ahead without immediately overloading the senses.
From woven layers of synths to unrelenting drums, Omniverse Consciousness truly delivers on everything it has been hailed to be, both a culmination of excellent work by Yusaf and Camille, and a foot into new, experimental territory in which an abundance of soundscapes are masterfully integrated within every track. When we were promised instinct before over-thinking, it absolutely was delivered.
I found myself really honing in on the unique little sounds I heard in the background of each track. It's clear an impressive arsenal of FX have been used when mixing these tracks and bringing them to fruition, giving every track it's own, personal flavour.
The curveball thrown in by 'Endeavour' was certainly a surprise, but nonetheless impressive and well-timed, allowing for a gentle break in the intense tracks. Soothing, melancholic notes paired with soft, haunting vocals certainly cleansed the palate ready for the storm of, what I believe to be the best track on the album, 'Death of Time'.
Forgive me for waxing lyrical in a cryptic way (again), but 'Death of Time' feels as though it should be being performed live in an old, decrepit church after the world has fallen to ruin. It truly is an ode to the descent into chaos and madness. A trip down the rabbit hole, if you will.
A massive hand to Yusaf and Camille for this wonderful brain-child they've produced, and their ability to craft an exhilarating, encapsulating experience!
WELCOME TO THE FIRST EDITION OF NOVACAINE MAGAZINE.
THIS MAGAZINE IS AN HISTORIC MOMENT FOR NOVACAINE.
WE HOPE YOU ENJOY IT AS MUCH AS WE DID PUTTING THIS TOGETHER.
major moments video interview goes live at 4:00pm
the five hundreds interview goes live at 8:00PM BST, we urge you to watch it till the end for a very exciting announcement.
thank you all for your amazing support over the years. it's been a wild ride.
*Please note: we recommend using a desktop or mobile to read this magazine.
tablet viewers may experience technical issues.
dementia lounge review:
From the explosive EP 'Kink' that put The Rattlebacks on the map to this very tasty little teaser we've been graced with of their upcoming album, 'Sidewinder', these guys are people you want to keep an eye on! Bringing you the zesty soul of hard rock with their own, spicy flair of sumptuous riffs, powerful vocals and intense drums, The Rattlebacks should be going straight into your playlists, just like they have mine!
And, while you're chomping at the bit for Sidewinder, I highly recommend checking out the Youtube channel for all of their MV's and prior releases for more fantastic content. - Sam Parkin
please me review:
“The Rattlebacks new single is just like a hot and spicy pepperoni pizza, absolutely delicious and leaves a little after taste on the tongue making you want more! These guys are rising fast, bringing it back to that old school sound with a Rattleback kick that we all will soon know and love” - Scott O'shea
A TRIBUTE TO THE FALLEN RISING STARTS OF 2024
2024 has been an unforgettable year for discovering new music, but sadly, we’ve also had to say farewell to some incredibly talented rising artists we’ve proudly supported over the years.
Although they may no longer be releasing new music or performing live, their songs will continue to resonate with us for years to come. We are deeply grateful to these bands for giving Novacaine the privilege of working with them.
However, not every goodbye is final. We hold on to the hope that these artists will return to the stage someday. Until then, we bid them a heartfelt farewell…
.png)
"We had the incredible opportunity to interview Our Hollow, Our Home for Issue 3 of Rock Lifestyle Magazine, where they also gave us an exclusive early listen to their powerful album Burn In The Flood for review. While we didn’t get the chance to see them live, we’re holding onto hope that these talented musicians will one day return to the stage and make a triumphant comeback to the music world."
2013 - 2024
"I’m honestly speechless. Absolutely shocked. When I think of the bands tied to Novacaine, the first name that comes to mind is 'Shadow Smile.' These guys have been with us since the beginning, and over the years, they’ve given us countless unforgettable opportunities. From inviting us to their electrifying live shows to collaborating on merchandise and even partnering with us on their website—Shadow Smile is woven into the fabric of Novacaine’s history. Their constant creativity and passion have inspired us time and again, and they’re a big reason we’re still here today.
"I'm still finding it hard to come to terms with the fact that Shadow Smile has disbanded. Like many others, I truly hope that one day they'll return stronger than ever."
"The last Shadow Smile performance we attended, in Manchester 2024, left a lasting impact on us. It was this performance that sparked the inspiration for the exciting announcement coming your way at 8 PM BST.
As we’ve said before, Shadow Smile is deeply woven into the fabric of Novacaine’s history"
2019 - 2024
2016 - 2024
"Beyond Your Design is a band that truly brought me to tears when I learned of their disbandment this year. Their journey was remarkable, even landing a performance at the legendary Bloodstock Festival after winning their slot at Metal 2 The Masses Nottingham—a moment we were fortunate enough to witness. I genuinely hope they decide to reunite and hit the stage again someday, as it would be an absolute thrill to experience their incredible talent live once more.
"Not only did we have the privilege of interviewing Beyond Your Design back in 2020, but we also sent them a Nine Lives Tee that made its way into their music video for Of Gods and Men, worn by Guitarist, Harry Warren. Being a part of their journey, even in this small way, meant the world to us. It might seem like a minor detail, but for us, it was a huge and unforgettable moment."
Where do I even start with The New Roses?
From the moment 'When You Fall In Love' began, I knew I was in for a treat and, while they certainly aren't a small band, sitting comfortably at 76k monthly listeners on Spotify, this was my first listen to them, and the entire thing felt like a religious experience. The New Roses truly bring home a classic, hard rock feeling, with 'Attracted to Danger' giving us a wide scope of emotions, themes and levels of intensity.
Between the heavier end of the spectrum with 'Whiskey in the Backseat' and 'Four Wheels', the romantic notes of 'Hold Me Up' and the softer - but nonetheless sensational - performance in 'Natural Born Vagabonds', we're treated to an utterly sensational demonstration of Timmy Rough's vocal range. The power and grit behind his voice is heavenly and perfect for bringing these tracks to a whole new level, amplified by the entire band's musical mastery.
'Hold Me Up', featuring additional vocals by the incredible Gill Montgomery, hit on a whole new level for me. The emotional flare, the harmony between Timmy and Gill, the lyrics... Everything about this track was phenomenal. This song in particular wouldn't go amiss in a gritty, off-the-wall Western film. (If there's ever a Red Dead movie adaptation, I'll crowdfund the money to have The New Roses do the soundtrack for it myself if I have to!)
Truly, 'Attracted To Danger' is nothing short of exceptional, a true, shining beacon of what classic, hard rock should be. And it should also become the staple of your next road trip playlist!
The more you listen to In Crooked Wonderment, the more involved and personal it feels. Throughout King, the interruption of airy flutes, soft breaths and background chatter truly lends to a feel of being in a bustling marketplace in a high-walled city. And, once again, I cannot understate my love for Burn The Heretic - the marketing that went into this song was perfect, and landed it right onto my FYP when I didn't even know I was looking for it. The lull of voices fading away to make way for Conor's exceptional vocals, the building power of the song, the melancholy that descends into madness... truly fantastic work by this group.
And, of all the songs I've been listening to recently, none have been more deserving of a commemorative tattoo than the line: 'The Devil told me I'm his favourite still'.
IN CROOKED WONDERMENT
.jpg)
"The Black Vultures are just getting started. With 'Can't Let You Go' marking only their fourth studio single, the band is carefully honing their sound—and they're clearly on the right track. This track is an absolute belter, showcasing their growing mastery and proving they're a force to be reckoned with in the rock scene."
.jpg)
"I’ve been following Major Moment for a while now, and it's been incredible to witness their growth since I first discovered them in 2020. Having the opportunity to interview them was an honor in itself, but getting an exclusive listen to their new single before its release was a truly special moment for me. With their upcoming album on the horizon, I have no doubt that Major Moment is on the fast track to major success."
MAJOR MOMENT "YOU'LL NEVER KNOW" SINGLE REVIEW
SERGEANT THUNDERHOOF TEASE 5TH STUDIO ALBUM WITH NEW SINGLE 'BLOOD MOON'
Having had the pleasure of hearing 'The Ghost of Badon Hill' already, I can say with certainty that you're going to want to put the release date straight into your calendar, and 'Blood Moon' is the perfect little morsel to drop us in prepration for the impending album.
Sergeant Thunderhoof are masters of storytelling and theme-work when it comes to their creative output, and the roots of this entire album shine through with each song, taking you on a hero's journey through history and folklore. Pairing this with the exceptional soundscape they created, not just in Blood Moon - slow enough to haunt you, powerful enough to grip you - but the entire album, you have what I can only describe as a book in musical format.
Just as the Battle of Badon was credited as one of the largest Brittonic victories against the westward encroachment of Anglo-Saxons (yes, I went down a research rabbit hole with this one), 'The Ghost of Badon Hill' should certainly be hailed as a musical victory, a resplendent feather in Sergeant Thunderhoof's cap!
