Hey folks,

 

First off, thanks to the Mods for giving this the ok!

 

Right, for those that don't already know, I have a band called "This Burning Age" and we're about to release our debut album called "A Muzzle For The Masses".

 

 

To give you a bit of background history, "This Burning Age" started off as my own project. I spent a year in the studio of new Wolverhampton based producer James Brede working on the album. I wrote all the tracks and everything you hear, be it guitars, bass, drums, vox or synths were played or sung by myself and I co-produced the album.

 

 

At that point I was very much a "one man band" but, having been involved with bands in the past and having enjoyed playing within the band dynamic with the kick you get that performing live brings, I set about gathering together friends and fellow musicians to allow me to take the music on the road. Since playing together, the "one man band" ethos has slowly died away as we all gelled so well...it became very apparent that we were now a proper band in our own right. Although I still write the majority of the tracks (we have enough material for at least 2 more albums!) I now also co-write with Anth and Russ, our guitarist and bassist respectively, and our second album will be recorded as a band proper rather than just me locked away in a studio!

 

 

However, the DIY ethos is something that is still very much alive and kicking as shown by me taking on the album art and design (I'm an artist and photographer in my "normal" life), tackling getting it Mastered, Pressed and Released and also the task of designing our own bespoke website (although it needs a few tweaks the more or less finished product can now be found here if you find you have a moment to look in: http://www.thisburningage.com Again, all the graphics, animation and images were done by me with the coding written by a chap to whom I am eternally grateful as I'm a borderline neo-Luddite when it comes to things like that! try to ignore the music/FX in the intro, they're not quite sync'd yet!).

 

 

As well as our official site you can also find us on: http://www.myspace.com/thisburningage On our page you'll also find 2 additional tracks, a demo of a new song "Nevermore" which has been shortlisted for the second album and a live acoustic version of "Repeat To Fade" (there's also some live videos for your amusement ;)).

 

 

Things seem to have taken a trip into bizarro world recently...and all in a very good way:

 

1. Kerrang DJ Emma Scott saw us live at one of our gigs and offered us the chance to open for alt/rock leg-ends "Hundred Reasons" at the Birmingham O2 Academy 2 on March 29th (Tickets currently available from Ticketweb, Ticketmaster, Seetickets.com, Gigantic.com and Swordfish Records in Birmingham if you prefer an over the counter purchase!).

 

2. To top that we're now also being played every week on the Kerrang RAW show (we were an astonishing 9th on the playlist last Saturday! :D ).

 

3. But the biggest thing has to be the call from Universal Music. Yep, one of the biggest labels in the world has got in touch with us. Apparently one of their scouts heard the album and loved it. He apparently passed it on to the Head Scout for Universal UK and...he loved it. It may not happen so I'm trying not to get too excited but things are certainly afoot in that department shall we say...

 

 

So, until we're picked up by a major industry player, our entirely self-released (and self-funded by me...arrrgh!) album, "A Muzzle For The Masses" will soon be ready for release in CD Digipak, Digital Download and Special Edition CD Digipak formats.

 

EDIT 01/09/09

 

Essentially this is a thread for those who would like to order a copy of the album in "standard" CD Digipak or the "Special Edition" CD Digipak. The standard album comes un-numbered but with booklet and signed (I'm only selling signed copies within this club and one other car club, no where else).

 

 

There are 100 copies of the Special Edition available to buy...here's the text from my Bigcartel internet shop:

 

There are 100 copies in Digipak format, each one individually numbered. Every copy is signed and includes a 6 page, full colour, roll-fold booklet.

 

These Special Editions also come with a This Burning Guitar Pick, 3 Badges, a signed A3 This Burning Age Promo Poster and a very special custom designed This Burning Age "Zener Test" Card onto which is printed a code which can be redeemed in the Download section of our official website: http://www.thisburningage.com to claim a free non-album track. Both this card and the download track will not be available to buy anywhere else.

 

The designs (featured below, not to scale) are now at the printers and all being well this Special Edition merchandise is on schedule to be with me at the beginning of next week:

 

 

For those that miss the days when getting an album was more than just keying in your card details and hearing a single mp3 track taken out of context...when buying an album and particularly a special edition version was a great experience, not just because of the music therein, but because of the artwork and the feeling you got from it...that you had purchased something genuinely special that the artist cared about...well, I hope I've been able to put some of that back with this release.

 

Because of these alterations I've had to alter the price slightly.

 

The standard album can still be purchased for £7 (+ £1.50 P&P UK delivery) however the Special Edition will now be for sale at £9 (+ £1.50 P&P).

 

So, to all those that registered their interest, if this price change isn't ok, it's no problem, just post here and I'll remove your name. If, however, you'd still like to buy one, if you could state whether you'd like a "standard" copy or a "Special Edition" copy, I'll add you to the appropriate list below.

 

I'll be contacting you all via PM with the Paypal details this week with a view to shipping shortly afterwards.

 

Thanks to everyone who's supported me through all this...it's genuinely very much appreciated :)

 

Cheers,

 

Leigh.

 

Registered Interest:

 

1. mental

2. Apache

3. stricker

4. dipone

5. derek_g2001 (x2)

6. Car.Mad

7. jonmoore172 (x2)

8. Dave

9. jonce

10. chayden

11. pete shrimp

12. clownpants

13. ScabbyZ32

14. Tango450

15. Paulzx

 

Final List for Standard Album:

(please post "standard" in this thread)

 

 

Final List for Special Edition Album:

(please post "Special Edition" in this thread)

1.TonyB PAID

2.ianl PAID

3. bantambunny PAID

4. Apache PAID

5. Paulzx PAID

6. stricker PAID

7. CraigTT PAID

8. mental PAID

9. Dave PAID

10. dipone PAID

11. derek_g2001 (x3) PAID

12. jonce PAID

Edited September 19, 200916 yr by friday

Wow Dan, love the photos! :D

Thanks to both you and Phil for the kind words....just genuinely glad you like 'em! :D

 

Craig - Just replied via PM mate...I know the postal strikes are playing merry hell with things at the moment so maybe that's a factor?

 

Am now wracking my brains to think of reviewers/DJ's/people in the know to send either a full copy or a 2/3 track promo to. So far I've got:

 

Huw Stephens - Radio 1 Unsigned

Steve Lamacq - BBC 6 Music

Marc Riley - BBC Manchester

Jools Holland - BBC Radio 2

Emma Scott (Ex Kerrang Radio who supported us and gave us airplay) - Heart FM

Kerrang Unsigned Show

Kerrang Magazine

NME Magazine

Q Magazine

 

er...that's it so far!

Any thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated chaps and chapesses! :D ;)

Send a copy to clyde 1 mate.

102.5FM west coast.

Also Try TAY FM the are a central radio station about 102.5 or 103fm

Just sent money Craig. Looking forward to it!!!!!

Got my signed copy today Leigh- looks great! :duffer:

 

Don't know wether to actually play it as that may damage the collectable value in years to come?? :rofl:

 

Regards

 

Dave

Got my signed copy today Leigh- looks great! :duffer:

 

Don't know wether to actually play it as that may damage the collectable value in years to come?? :rofl:

 

Regards

 

Dave

 

Cheers man! Well...if you fancy mothballing the Limited Edition...there's always the standard album available for everyday use! And a snip at £7+P&P!!

 

I'll get me coat...

 

:p :D ;)

Got my copy yesterday buddy, you've done a cracking job - you must be proud of yourself getting to this point :D

Got mine yesterday... Top class! Listened to it in the car on the way to Norfolk and really enjoyed it so listened to it again!!! Excellant!!!

Thanks guys....seriously...really glad you like both the look of it all and the tune-age. It's been a long road to get to this point and it's weird to think they're actually "out there"!

got mine today thanks. will listen to it today, if it sounds anything like busted your on to a winner:nono::rofl:

Played it and loved it!

 

 

 

...particularly liked the covers of 'Tie a Yellow Ribbon round the Old Oak Tree', 'Uptown Girl' and 'D I V O R C E'! :rofl:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regards

 

Dave

I wont have the pleasure of listening to mine for another 4 months. Now in Kuwait, so I hope mine survive their time in my mailbox.

 

But the pictures do look fantastic.

 

Ar5e!!!

Lol@Dave's "review"! :D

 

Thanks guys :) Just sorry you've got to wait so long Derek!

Hey Friday, may be a daft Q, but where can i buy your album from? lol

Hey Friday, may be a daft Q, but where can i buy your album from? lol

 

For those that aren't sure you can buy it direct from: http://thisburningage.bigcartel.com/ :)

 

However, Matt, before you go any further I need to send you an email! Would you mind sending me your email address to in-formation@thisburningage.com ? :D ;)

The first official review of "A Muzzle for the Masses" courtesy of uber-cool German webzine "Reflections of Darkness" has been published.

 

We're going global baby. lol ;)

 

The review can be viewed in situ here: http://www.reflectionsofdarkness.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6266&Itemid=44 and I've also reproduced it below. Luckily, it's REALLY good! :)

 

 

Written by Sebastian Huhn

Wednesday, 11 November 2009

 

Title: A Muzzle for the Masses

Artist: This Burning Age

Genre: Alternative / Electronic / Rock

Release Date: 28th August 2009

Label: 5th Day Records

 

 

Album Review

 

THIS BURNING AGE was founded as solo project in summer 2007 by creative head Friday after deciding to start something new with own material, rather than getting involved in another collaborative project. In winter 2007, he set about recording10 tracks for an album we know now as ‘A Muzzle for the Masses’ that would still undergo changes until being released on CD eventually. The album was close to being completed recording, when the wish came up to turn THIS BURNING AGE into more than a mere solo ride and to present the material live. By the end of 2008, following meticulous auditioning and several changes, the final line-up was set and THIS BURNING AGE had grown to a group of experienced musicians turning it into a creative force. The mentioned debut ‘A Muzzle for the Masses’ has been finally made available at the end of August 2009.

 

It’s the way these kind of maimed electronic signals break against clear-cut drum cascades and eventually, a wide key texture that has one think of a mind in agony, fighting against its own decay. All is steering upwards to a rocking outcry, maybe a last rebel that in the end seems pointless. All this musical imagery is thoughtfully illustrated with lyrics ranging in tone from brittle over encouraging up to pugnacious on the album opener ‘Human Condition’. ‘Repeat to Fade’ starts by weaving a web of a seemingly Americana-inspired style of guitar plucking around an emerging cluster of rockier tones and pounding drumming. Going into the track a few seconds more reveals a thunderstorm of blistering drums and cutting riffs, while Friday’s voice sometimes seems to be close to breaking over the lyrical content he’s delivering.

 

As driving and energizing as the beginnings of ‘End Game’ might be, as hopeless and deeply plaintive the track becomes later on. It’s spiralling downwards into a void, stripping down to acoustic strokes already bearing the tears you feel you soon will have to cry, allusions to a sun about to set in forlorn melodies and a breath of electronic drums. They’re all going to build up again to a strengthened arrangement to accompany the affecting tale told by Friday in a timbre, no barriers can hold up against. The character study of a scarred soul expects the listener on ‘Stronger, Faster, Fitter’. But where others scrape the surface at best, things being described here are painfully detailed and you can’t do any evasive manoeuvre and you can’t stop those pictures stop popping up in your mind anymore once the song’s started. It’s one of these songs leaving indelible marks in emotional souls. “A storm is looming overhead”

 

The realization that everything’s fleeting is permeating part of the lyrics of ‘Everlasting’ and kind of contradicts its title, but it’s not utter hopelessness driving this song. Just because something’s ending doesn’t mean it couldn’t last. Maybe not forever but for a lifetime, which is what you may read out of other lines! ‘Everlasting’ only makes scarce use of electronics relying instead on a more traditional rock orchestration, accentuating the variety and dynamics in the compositions once more. A whole lot of passion, work, thoughts and emotions have been put into ‘A Muzzle for the Masses’. It’s audible in every note that’s being played and word that’s being sung. The record’s going to send you on a rollercoaster ride through various emotional states and by all means should be checked out by any fan of ambitious, electronic/rock music. I think this band’s got a bright future ahead of them.

 

Tracklist

 

01. Human Condition - 4:26

02. No Surrender - 3:36

03. Repeat To Fade - 3:16

04. End Game - 4:42

05. The Last Day - 5:17

06. Stronger, Faster, Fitter - 6:01

07. Panic (Bring on the Bomb) - 3:52

08. Stay Forgotten - 5:33

09. Everlasting - 4:26

10. Honey - 6:49

 

Line-up

 

Friday - Vocals, Guitar, Samples

Anth - Guitar, Keys, Backing Vocals, Samples

Russ Harris - Bass Guitar

Jack “Penko” Josypenko - Drums, Percussion

 

Website

 

http://www.thisburningage.com

http://www.myspace.com/thisburningage

 

Rating

 

Music: 9

Sound: 9

Extras: -

Total: 9 / 10

Edited November 18, 200916 yr by friday
Oops. Just realised I'd bVggered up the link to the review!

Well done mate :D and i agree its a Top album thats not left my CD player since i got it.

Good news mate :cool:

 

The CD has been in my player since I got it - love it!

 

Cheers,

 

Pete

Cheers guys! :D Just waiting on the cover artwork for the 3 track album samplers to be printed and the covers then assembled...once that's done the Press Packs are being sent of to those "in the know" (whatever the hell that means) so hopefully more reviews (preferably of the good variety) will follow in the next couple of months...fingers crossed! ;)

good album mate, well done on the good review

whats the prices for your gig on the 28th bro. mite pop down there if there fair

lookin to go myself............

The gig on the 28th is a bit of a weird one for us tbh! We're looking forward to it as it's just us on the bill doing an hour and a half split into two 45 min sets with a break in between, so it's giving us the opportunity to play every track on the album plus a few new ones that will be on the next one....however it's VERY different from the venues we usually play. We're normally in clubs or dedicated live music venues like the Academy, Barfly etc but this is essentially a pub (albeit a bloody big one! :D) where the landlord loves live music and is actively promoting new bands who write original material. He's either onto something and the pub is going to get a great reputation for hosting new live music, or it's going to be the most surreal night out you've ever had! :D ;) As far as ticket price goes....I'll find out! :)

lookin to go myself............

 

I imagine Stu's already mentioned it but he's booked his hotel and he's coming to the gig! :D

I imagine Stu's already mentioned it but he's booked his hotel and he's coming to the gig! :D

 

 

Hotel booked, tickets sorted.........looking forward to this:nana2:

 

It'll be good to meet at last:duffer: and to see Stu again:duffer:

This is turning into a Z owners mini-meet: hopefully John (Dixon), Diane and Dave (Carey) will also be there! :D Fantastic news that you and your other half are coming Phil! :D