On rare occasions a live music show is so complete that it goes beyond mere listening to physically experiencing the music. Wolves in the Throne Room managed to achieve that in their set at the Camden Underworld on February 10th. Although it's hard to describe their sound, Wolves in the Throne Room play an atmospheric approximation of black metal that is simultaneously both minimal and majestic, arising from excruciatingly deep sorrow for the suffering of the Earth. (Well, it makes a change from the usual "HAIL SATAN" lyrics often found in the BM scene.)...

Fed up of the froth, mirth and sentimentality of the Yuletide muzak yet? To bring you an antidote and alternative soundtrack for your Christmas holidays we caught up with the utterly charming Roi Robertson of Mechanical Cabaret over a sorbet and peppermint tea and ruminated on the band's latest single, pastoral London views and the fact that we've never seen him and Noel Fielding in the same room together... Who's in the band? I......

Not one but two BA posts this morning, don't ever say we're not good to you. To be honest the real reason we split the posts up was to avoid any fighting between the various fringe lengths of the fans, for this week a host of hard, heavy and less than hirsute shows have been lined up. In the grumbly crumbly corner, the Hyde Park Calling festival, which we mentioned a few weeks back......

Another pic'n'mix of live treats for you this week. So without further ado grab your scoops and we're off. This week's giant fizzy cola bottle has to be the return of the Man Called Boss. In support of Devils and Dust, Bruce Springsteen will be at the Royal Albert Hall on May 27th and 28th. Anyone who caught his shows at Crystal Palace a couple of years ago will know he's still knocks out......