Sunday 1 March 2015

SPACE ROCKERS KRANKSHAFT SCOOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR FOR 2014

Space rock band KRANKSCHAFT have scooped the BCFM Sunday Rockshow Album of the Year 2014 prize, narrowly pipping Swindon prog rockers PENDRAGON to top slot.

Krankshaft were formed in the early 1980's by former Hawkwind vocalist Robert Calvert and Inner City Unit guitarist Steve Pond, and split following Calverts untimely death in 1988. The band reformed 20 years on to record 'The Flame Red Superstar', a tribute to the late great Calvert and have gone on to release two more studio albums and a live set.

Their winning album '3' was widely hailed by the judges as a true masterpiece in its conception, realisation and presentation, and was called by some to be the best space rock album of the past few years.



The award for best album by a band from the greater Bristol area was won by acclaimed hard rockers BLACKWOLF for their debut album THE HUNT. An album the judges called 'an incredibly strong record that firmly places Blackwolf in the top flight of the new wave of British hard rockers, which is where they truly belong'.



The results in full...

1: - '3' - Krankschaft
2:- 'The Men Who Climb Mountains' - Pendragon
3:- 'Censored' - Hawklords
4:- 'Raising From the Ashes - Weapon UK
5:= 'The Hunt' - Blackwolf
5:= 'The Bullet Within' - Birdeatsbaby
5:= 'Under Sultry Moons and Velvet Skies' - Edenfall
8:- 'Raise The People' - Calling All Cars
9:- 'The Protestor' - Tin Soldiers
10:- 'The Bitter End' - Reproach
11:- 'Soldiers Of The Mark' - The New Jacobin Club
12:- 'Unhallowed Chambers' - Mordrake

Award rules....


To qualify an album must...
a) Be a full length album, or album length demo, ie contain at least 8 tracks and / or have a playing time of greater than 30 minutes
b) Be self released, on a SMALL independent label, or an import not officially released in the UK
c) Have been featured on the BCFM Sunday rockshow in the year the award is for.

This is how it works...
a) Through out the year any album that meets the above criteria is entered into a long list
b) The award is judged by a panel of twelve judges including regular listeners to the show, musicians, and other people from with in the music industry; dj's, gig promotors, record producers, music writers etc... The shortlist is compiled to give a representative balance so as many sub genres of rock are featured as possible
c) In December each year the long list is cut down to a short list of 12 based on the judges feedback and listener reaction to the album tracks featured on the show
d) In January the short list is announced
e) The judges then spend 8 weeks listening to and reviewing all the shortlisted contenders.
f) In early March the judges marks are collated and the award is announced on a special edition of the BCFM Sunday Rockshow.

There are two possible awards if no act from the Bristol area wins there is an award given to the best placed local act in the final listings...


================================
The award (s) are announced on the BCFM Sunday Rockshow early March
Previous winners...
Album of the year
(2007) ' Chemical Dogs' - CRASH STREET KIDS
(2008) 'Project Destiny' - DIGNITY
(2009) 'Lunacy Box' - LUNACY BOX
(2010) 'Zer0' - VOID
(2011) 'Songcycle 2011' - TODD DILLINGHAM
(2012) 'La Danza Del Cadvar' - LOS CRIPTIZOOS
(2013) 'Save As I Save' - ZOLTAR SPEAKS

Local Album of the Year
(2007) No Award Given
(2008) 'Psycles' - IAN RAGGETT
(2009) 'Misunderstood' - CRIMSON SKY
(2010) 'Who Am I?' - RITA LYNCH / 'Settle Up Or Settle Down' - JEBO (joint award)
(2011) 'Crack On' - RITA LYNCH
(2012) 'Return Of A Sonic Assassin' - LASTWIND
(2013) 'VI' - ONSLAUGHT

Sunday 4 January 2015

BCFM Sunday Rockshow Album Of The Year 2014 shortlist announced

Yup its that time of year when the Sunday Rockshow on BCFM announces its 12 shortlisted albums for it's annual album of the year award.

The award, which is designed to celebrate the best in underground rock is now in its 8th year and is becoming a much anticipated annual event.

To qualify an album must...
a) Be a full length album, or album length demo, ie contain at least 6 tracks and / or have a playing time of greater than 30 minutes
b) Be self released, on a SMALL independent label, or an import not officially released in the UK
c) Have been featured on the BCFM Sunday rockshow in the year the award is for.

This is how it works...
a) Through out the year any album that meets the above criteria is entered into a long list
b) The award is judged by a panel of judges including regular listeners to the show, musicians, and other people from with in the music industry; dj's, gig promotors, record producers, music writers etc... The shortlist is compiled to give a representative balance so as many sub genres of rock are featured as possible
c) In December each year the long list is cut down to a short list of 12 based on the judges feedback and listener reaction to the album tracks featured on the show
d) In January the short list is announced
e) The judges then spend 8 weeks listening to and reviewing all the shortlisted contenders.
f) In early March the judges marks are collated and the award is announced on a special edition of the BCFM Sunday Rockshow.

There are two possible awards if no act from the Bristol area wins there is an award given to the best placed local act in the final listings...



This years 12 contenders are...

'The Bullet Within' - BIRD EATS BABY
'The Hunt' - BLACKWOLF
'Raise The People' - CALLING ALL CARS
'Under Sultry Moons and Velvet Skies' - EDENFALL
'Censored' - HAWKLORDS
'3' - KRANKSCHAFT
'Unhallowed Chambers' - MORDRAKE
'Soldiers Of The Mark' - THE NEW JACOBIN CLUB
'The Men Who Climb Mountains' - PENDRAGON
'The Bitter End' - REPROACH
'The Protester' - TIN SOLDIERS
'Raising From The Ashes' - WEAPON UK

================================
Previous winners...
Album of the year
(2007) ' Chemical Dogs' - CRASH STREET KIDS
(2008) 'Project Destiny' - DIGNITY
(2009) 'Lunacy Box' - LUNACY BOX
(2010) 'Zer0' - VOID
(2011) 'Songcycle 2011' - TODD DILLINGHAM
(2012) 'La Danza Del Cadvar' - LOS CRIPTIZOOS
(2013) 'Save As I Save' - ZOLTAR SPEAKS

Local Album of the Year
(2007) No Award Given
(2008) 'Psycles' - IAN RAGGETT
(2009) 'Misunderstood' - CRIMSON SKY
(2010) 'Who Am I?' - RITA LYNCH / 'Settle Up Or Settle Down' - JEBO (joint award)
(2011) 'Crack On' - RITA LYNCH
(2012) 'Return Of A Sonic Assassin' - LASTWIND
(2013) 'VI' - ONSLAUGHT

The final award(s) will be announced on March 1st 2014