Rob Thompson
Hello and thanks for taking the time to read my bio. I’m Rob Thompson and I used to be about the size of a baby in 1970. Over the years I grew very, very slowly in Wallsend, a town in the North East of England, now I’m roughly as big as a man.
During this time I was a stone’s throw away from the legendary Neat Records were I saw many of great metal bands of the time cutting some vinyl: Venom, Raven, Blitzkrieg and Jaguar, all of who are acknowledged as major influences on a host of major American thrash metal bands such as Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax.
Inevitably gigs followed, my first being Venom, Exodus and Chariot at Newcastle City Hall on 03 October 1985. Then Metallica (including Cliff) at Newcastle Mayfair, Slayer on their Reign in Blood tour and many, many more. In fact, that particular Slayer gig was so vicious and brutal that I needed several years off metal to recover.
I subsequently started to listen to bands like Ultravox, New Order and Kraftwerk: this was my electronic phase, which then evolved into my New Wave period and which lots of other genres followed (obviously I draw the line at Country and Western or R&B). I don’t know everything there is to know about music but after attending hundreds of gigs and spending countless hours listening to tunes I think I know enough to at least give a semi-informed opinion on what sounds reasonable and what would induce your ears to vomit. I’ve always enjoyed writing so linking my love of music together with this seemed like a logical thing to do. I’m grateful to the Echoes team for allowing me to join their squad. Now, stop reading and get listening!
Articles by Rob Thompson
A tremendous release from one of the best new old metal bands around. – By Rob Thompson
So, if you want to listen to solid no-frills album full of classic metal (and who wouldn’t) then give your earholes a treat and listen to Evermoving. – By Rob Thompson
In this post I’m going to treat your ears to around 45 minutes of some of my favourite songs from the most epic era in metal ever: The New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM)! By Rob Thompson
Rob Thompson asked guitarist/singer Erik Sugg of American retro doom rockers Demon Eye a bunch of questions about their new album Leave the Light and more.
The sonic fury of Concave with heavy guitars, thundering drums and creative bass lines is interspersed with thoughtful melodies. – By Rob Thompson
An encouraging prog release which will win the band new fans. – By Rob Thompson
“I Will Not Break” into my wallet to buy this EP. – By Rob Thompson
It’s all rather jumbled and disjointed but really quite cool in a way. Reminiscent of bands such as the Pixies and Tame Impala the vibe is very fuzzed out. By Rob Thompson
Do you like meandering complex experimental music? If so, avoid this album. – By Rob Thompson
Rob Thompson spoke with guitarist A. from German heavy metal band Mountain Throne about the band, influences and the new album.
A benchmark in aural pain and distress. – By Rob Thompson
Strap yourself into your DeLoren, charge up the flux capacitor, put a Mercyful Fate tape on repeat and take a trip back to 1982. – By Rob Thompson
A promising, passionate release showcasing some real musical talent; this is old school, no-nonsense metal at it best. – By Rob Thompson
Supergroup Corrections House push the boundaries with this experimental project. – By Rob Thompson
Windhand’s second album, Soma, really is a masterpiece of the doom metal genre. – By Rob Thompson
Although practically unknown, Plug makes great music that deserves many more listeners. – By Rob Thompson
With this release Kongh can now claim to be almost as enormous as their more hairy namesake. – By Rob Thompson
