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
My obstinate metal brain was well and truly warped by the crazy brilliance on display from this very gifted band of occultish hard rocking doom-mongers. – By Rob Thompson
With Earth the genre shifting Monsterworks have truly created a Monster work. – By Rob Thompson
Moon Duo didn’t put a foot wrong. Strong support from Parastatic complemented their sound very well to make a brilliant gig: excellent sound, excellent visuals, excellent crowd and venue. If you’re lucky to see this band live then be prepared to have your mind blown. By Rob Thompson
Here’s a question: What do you get if you merge black metal with electronic, goth, doom, some industrial, a bit of noise and the darkness that inhabits your worst nightmares? The answer is: Wreck and Reference. – By Rob Thompson
With his second Dusted Down Records release, Solid State Drive (AKA Kev Curtis), has created some sublime Leftfield Electronica. By Rob Thompson
A first-rate release by KingBathmat which merges metal pandemonium with exploratory prog emotions, soring vocals, complex melodies and offbeat lyrics. – By Rob Thompson
Shadows is Morne’s third release and it’s their blackest and most uncompromising album to date. – By Rob Thompson
Starbound Beast showcases fantastically heavy thrashy riffs and outstanding female vocals. A good but not truly great release. – By Rob Thompson
Do you like Doom spelt with a capital OOOM? If so then this is the album for you. – By Rob Thompson
An encouranging EP from an upcoming progressive sludge/post-metal band. – By Rob Thompson
Do you like rambling Finnish 1970s inspired psychedelic forest-folk? Well, I didn’t. – By Rob Thompson
The Only Truth Is Music may appear to be an arrogant assertion for a band’s first full length release, but here it’s absolute reality. By Rob Thompson
Hailing from London, with Desperate Souls of Tortured Times the Age of Taurus have created a no-nonsense, straight to the point, undiluted doom-infused slab of HEAVY metal. What’s not to like? – By Rob Thompson
What Boudain have managed to do is take apart the main elements of some inspirational groups, strain and then purify the fragmented remains. They then smash out gigantic, hulking, fuzzy guitar riffs and spaced out stupor inducing solos. – By Rob Thompson
A curious blend of psychedelic rock, blues and atmospheric synths, Vienna Ditto’s second EP Liar Liar is exceptionally intelligent and full of emotion. By Rob Thompson
Desperate Ground starts and finishes with vigour and dynamism and has lots to offer in between. It challenges the listener to ponder the struggles in life while managing to stay ridiculously entertaining. By Rob Thompson
