Previewing Download Festival 2012

With just under six weeks to go before the tenth anniversary of the largest rock festival in the UK, hundreds of thousands of heavy metal fans will venture to Castle Donnington once again to experience possibly the greatest parade of rock and metal acts on the planet. 

This year promises to be the biggest line up yet, marking a special and significant anniversary for the Download Festival. In the early years Download promoted itself as having the absolute honour of staging its dedicated and highly impressive rock feasting at the location of the classic Monsters of Rock Festival. The famous venue where 15 legendary events took place between 1980 and 1996, showcasing vintage classic rock acts including AC/DC, Van Halen, Deep Purple and Blue Öyster Cult.  However after eight years of the three-day music based festival and a solitary year of the UK’s incarnation of Ozzfest in 2002, the music event will irrevocably see itself mature and become a legendary festival of its own accord.  

Initially viewing this years line up, its hard not to dispute that the organisers have worked overtime to produce a vibrant and vast mix of sublime rock and metal acts that will see Download evolve into a quintessential rock festival. A deserved reward after a decade of consistently brandishing the biggest bands in the world. Headliners including The Prodigy, American rock giants Metallica and most impressive of all, a reformed Black Sabbath, illustrate the immense effort by festival organiser Andy Copping and his team. All three will perform on the main stage dedicated to Jim Marshall, the founder of distinguished guitar amplifications, Marshall amps, who sadly passed away earlier this year. Add to that, Jack Black and Kyle Bass’s comedy band Tenacious D, heavy metal trio Machine Head, Trivium and Black Label Society, reunited grunge act Soundgarden, thrash rockers Anthrax and Scottish indie act, Biffy Clyro, and you get a clear indication of how big Download 2012 will be.

Some of the announced bands including Dubstep duo Chase and Status, gothic rock act Black Veil Brides and the non-original additions of regular performers, Lamb of God and Megadeath over fresh acts, have heralded criticisms from die hard fans. However the inclusion of Black Sabbath, arguably the band that established the genre of Heavy Metal will overcome these dispiriting attitudes and no doubt become the highlight of the weekend.  Almost every band on the line up owes an incredible debt to the musical influence of the Birmingham based rock quartet and while this festival is an annual celebration of hard rock and heavy metal, this year will be focused essentially on the events’ 10^th year anniversary and Black Sabbath’s illustrious legacy.   

With the cancellation of other mainstream festivals including Sonisphere and High Voltage due to economical issues and genuine bad luck, Download will be the last remaining rock festival of the summer. With such a respectable and appropriate line up on show and at a substantial moment in the festival’s history, it will no doubt indulge and delight fans as well as re-establish and captivate the Heavy Rock faith in the country.    

Pep Guardiola to end reign as Barcelona manager at the end of the season.

“The reason is simple: four years is enough,” a saddened Pep Guardiola announced as the news Barcelona fans were desperate not to hear was officially declared today. The Barcelona manager has decided against renewing his rolling one-year contract at the end of the season and instead stands down after four prosperous seasons with the Spanish giants.  

The 41 year old, who was appointed manager in 2008, has led the Catalan club to incredible success, including three La Liga titles and two Champions League final victories. In total the former Spanish international has won 13 trophies in his era in charge and his departure will leave a lasting legacy in the history of this famous football club.

With Barcelona set to miss out on La Liga to their fierce rivals Real Madrid and being knocked out of the Champions League in the semi final by Chelsea, Guardiola has accepted that this season has been a failure compared to the sensational achievements of past seasons. "I'm drained and I need to fill up. The demand has been very high and a manager must be strong," Guardiola stressed at a news conference, which was attended by many of his players today.

"At the beginning of December I announced to the chairman that I was seeing the end of my era at Barcelona," Guardiola continued. "Time has taken its toll. I rise each day and don't feel the same. I am going with the understanding that I have done my duty. You can only recover by resting and getting away from everything. It would have been a bad idea to continue. Perhaps it would not have gone wrong but I have the perception that it would. It is my time to go.”

“Now we are out of the two main competitions it is a good time to announce this. I did not want to continue with the confusion. I want to thank my players who are responsible for everything that has happened here. I don't want to manage at the moment."

After his emotional speech, he was greeted with a rapturous applause off the players, club representatives and the media, a show of gratitude for his outstanding managerial work. Current assistant Tito Vilanova will succeed Guardiola at the end of the season and it is understood the departing manager will take a year away from football, despite huge interest from the Premiership.

However Guardiola, who has enjoyed almost 30 years as a player, coach and manager at the club, will bring to a close his reign in the knowledge that he is the most successful manager in Barcelona history. Purely in terms of trophies, only Johan Cruyff’s dominant side in the early 1990s comes close, and yet similar to the influential Dutchman’s dream team, the Catalan’s fortunes was more than just about results. Guardiola, an integral component of Cruyff’s team as a player, probably unites the two most distinguished eras of the club’s history. Firstly as a visionary midfielder who centred Johan Cruyff’s side between 1990 and 1996, and then on to create a team as manager to rank as one of the most enchanting and captivating to have played the beautiful game.  

As manager, Guardiola has also overseen the astonishing rise of three-time world player of the player and possibly the greatest footballer to ever grace the game, Lionel Messi. Through obsessive and intense training, brutally practiced and perfected drills and diligent technical relationships, Messi has thrived to become Barcelona’s leading goal scorer of all time at just 24 years of age. Add to that scoring 60 goals in a single European season, the first player to do so since Gerard Muller and becoming the first player in Champions League history to score five goals in one match, Messi has become an absolute legend of the game at such a young age and wholeheartedly owes his astounding personal and professional career to the brilliant management skills of Guardiola.   

His unquestionable work ethic, tactical astuteness, belief in youth and phenomenal focus on possession and pass completion saw Barcelona out think, out pass and out play every team they came up against. Until Guardiola achieves accolades at other clubs, questions will be addressed whether he is a standalone genius or just a highly skilled manager that benefited from an excellent system. However no one will forget his remarkable efforts and achievements at the Spanish club, with his inspirational and groundbreaking team’s legacy that will be respected and treasured for generations.   

Mark Tremonti – All I Was. Album Preview

The architect of American rock bands, Alter Bridge and Creed and one of the greatest guitarists and musicians of his generation, Mark Tremonti has finally released three short clips of individual songs featuring on his up coming debut solo album, “All I Was.” The man behind some of metal’s greatest songs in the last decade decided against taking a break during his free time and instead record an album full of his own brand of musical influence and style. His project has attracted enormous interest as to how it will sound and after months of intense studio work, audiences now at last get a sneak preview of what some of the hard graft has engineered.     

With the help of guitarist/ bassist Eric Friedman and drummer Garret Whitlock, the three audio clips demonstrate distinctly the crushing guitar skills of this guitar god and his fantastic vocals. However equally sensational are the abilities of his band members and particularly Garret Whitlock who really shines with some incredibly efficacious and powerful drumming. 

1.You Waste Your Time

The first clip released and the longest, “You waste your time” begins with a distinguished metal guitar riff full of energetic and aggressive intent before progressing into a controlled and harmonious verse and leading into a captivating chorus. It is this particular clip that clearly emphasises that this is Mark Tremonti, not Creed or Alter Bridge, but the guitarist’s own brand of dynamic and enterprising rock, sounding completely different to anything he has created before. It is a fantastic introduction to what should be a ground breaking solo album.

2. So You’re Afraid

The second preview clip “So You’re Afraid”, demonstrates Mark Tremonti’s signature skill of creating a melodic and sweet sounding rhythm with his guitar and voice before in an instant cranking up the level to produce some incredible heavy metal riffs. “So You’re Afraid” also features the first guitar solo heard on the record from Tremonti, an epic, fast paced shredder of a solo complete with trademark insane tremolo picking and whammy effects. Unfortunately it is here where the clip fades out but Tremonti has accomplished what he set out to achieve, teasing fans and leaving them desperate for more.    

    

3. The Things I've seen

Sadly each clip gets shorter and the third and final clip, “The Things I’ve Seen” runs at just 54 seconds. However this preview clearly emphasises Tremonti’s outstanding vocals, something rarely witnessed on Creed and Alter Bridge records. It is the slowest of the songs previewed but is equally as intense in regards to the lyrics and vocals. It probably is my favourite of the three song previews as it exhibits Tremonti’s impressive singing abilities most efficaciously. We know Mark Tremonti the guitar player, however these three audio clips prove he is a mighty fine and accomplished singer aswell. 

  

After listening to the preview clips presented, it is safe to say that “All I was” will be a defining album for Mark Tremonti. It will firmly establish him in the history books of rock and roll as an incredible guitarist, lyricist and vocalist. The man consistently delivers 100% whether it is with Creed or with Alter Bridge and come July when his solo album is due for release, audiences will discover his incredible talent and ability as an individual recording artist too.  

The Hunger Games - Film Review

Viewing this film without any knowledge, expectation or interest of the previous books, written four years before the visual adaptations, The Hunger Games left me feeling relatively pleased and satisfied with my cinema experience.

Directed by Gary Ross and starring Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson, The Hunger Games is set in the apocalyptic ruins of what was once North America where the immoral and ruthless government “Capitol” controls twelve surrounding districts with intense force and brutality.     

Every year this twisted government force each of its districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games, a barbaric and merciless punishment for a past uprising and a continuous political intimidation tactic. The games are a nationally televised event where the “Tributes”, who have prepared for these games for most of their lives are launched into a bloody battle with one another until there is only one survivor remaining.

When Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) becomes the female candidate for District 12, after she bravely volunteers in place of her younger sister, Primrose (Willow Shields) she is transported to the distant “Capitol” to be gracefully primped, handsomely fed and showcased to the ruling government’s vast and colourful audience before being sent out into the battle arena. Here she encounters the totalitarian rule, social inequality and the sickening depths to which the media will plunge for the sake of engrossing the audience’s entertainment, forcing her to consistently resist the powers of the ruling authorisation. 

To survive the Hunger Games, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts, exceptional skills with the bow and arrow and the mentorship of inebriated former victor, Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson). For the chance to return home to District 12 and to be reunited with her family and friends she must make unimaginable choices in the battle arena that heavily balance survival against humanity and life against love.  

The Hunger Games is a very solid and respectable film, that whilst is nowhere near perfect or original, still provides a very rewarding and satisfying movie experience. Gary Ross’s directing manages to establish individual character development abundantly aswell as keeping the plot firmly moving and remaining richly entertaining throughout. 

Jennifer Lawrence delivers a composed main role performance as Katniss Everdeen as well as promoting a refreshing and inspirational female lead. Katniss is a tough, complex and hot-blooded survivor who a lot of women will respect and identify with, exerting stereotypically female qualities including caring, compassion and sharing, displaying that they are anything but weaknesses. Her performance is met with an equally brilliant supporting cast including Elizabeth Banks as the elegant but politically misguided District 12 PR representative, Effie Trinket, the eccentric Woody Harrelson as Katniss’s permanently drunk mentor and rocker Lenny Kravitz as the flamboyant stylist, Cinna.       

 

The main story to an extent does divert into Sci-Fi territory, brandishing similar themes and traits to films including The Running Man, Battle Royale and Blade Runner. However what separates The Hunger Games to any of these previous titles is the presentation of this malicious and evil society from a teenager’s point of view and directed towards a teenage crowd, and with this age ranged audience, The Hunger Games will no doubt thrive upon and certainly impress.  

Ultimately, The Hunger Games is a decent and entertaining film with an intelligent blend of action, survival horror and sci-fi as well as exhibiting a welcome addition to the respected action heroines of film history. With a strong cast, great production and a well-developed story, presented in a compelling intensity, it admirably outwits the comparisons of the insipid Twilight Saga and Harry Potter films and delivers a noteworthy film of its own accord.         

My top ten favourite TV programs

This was extremely hard to conduct and looking back there were so many programs that could have been included but I have settled for these ten with a mix of comedy, action and drama programs.  

Supernatural

When WB network premiered this show back in 2005, critics and skeptics fully believed that this new series was nothing original or fresh and considered a rip off of shows such as The X Files and The Twilight Zone. Unfortunately for those doubters they were made to eat the dreaded humble pie as Supernatural has become one of the most popular and talked about TV programs in the last six years. To an extent some obvious comparisons between this and The X files are apparent. It stars an intrepid duo who travel across America encountering all kinds of paranormal phenomena and mythological creatures and of course its main theme is based on the super unknown. However Supernatural is in an entirely different league of its own with consistent excitement and suspense, great production values and a distinctive style, this is a dark and mysterious show that fully understands how to use the television medium. Now in its seventh season and still going strong, Supernatural is a well written and directed programme with an excellent soundtrack, unique story telling, and one of the most honest and poignant relationships between two brothers on a television series that I can remember. If you haven’t already experienced this fantastic series then you are seriously missing out on some fascinating TV viewing.      

Two and a half men

The Harper brothers Charlie and Alan are the exact opposites of each other. Alan is a compulsively neat and tight chiropractor and a control freak whilst Charlie, a freelance jingle composer who lives in a luxurious beach house, enjoys limitless sexual exploits with women, rarely gets up before noon and has no care in the world towards decency and moral standards. So when he `temporarily’ allows Alan and his son Jake to move in after Alan’s wife Judith kicks him out, their conflicting differences and lifestyles cause outrageous and highly amusing circumstances. Without doubt Two and a half men is the most entertaining, side splitting and eccentric comedy to have come from America since the eighties.  With a sharp, witty and ingenious script and brilliant casting and acting, Two and a half men has pushed the limits of the sitcom and has set the bar extremely high for other satire comedies to match. With Charlie Sheen’s character a spitting image of his real self and some superb acting from newcomer Angus T Jones as Jake, it is no surprise that this show has been met with great success and interest.

The Walking Dead

Rick Grimes is a former police officer who after being badly shot whilst on duty, wakes up from a coma in an empty and depleted hospital. After managing to free himself from the ward and out of the hospital, he soon finds himself immersed in a zombie apocalyptic nightmare where the last surviving humans are striving to stay alive. From the director of The Shawshank Redemption and based on the popular comic book series by Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead is a truly fascinating series that will finally rejuvenate the horror genre on television. With a strong cast, haunting musical score, a unique synthesis of horror and drama and some of the most detailed make up and effects seen on a TV programme, it is no wonder why this show has been turning heads both sides of the Atlantic. With a third season in production, this series continues to go from strength to strength and is arguably the most convincing and frightful zombie based TV program and film ever produced.

      

The Pacific

From the creators of Band Of Brothers comes this intense and harrowing take on America’s conflict with Japan during the Second World War. Set over ten fantastic episodes, this mini series follows intertwined stories of three marines and their traumatic experiences of war across the Pacific region. With its previous series, Band Of Brothers fully showcasing the horror of war so vividly, many thought how the shows creators could top the graphic and ugly nature of war in their following sequel, The Pacific. However it improves on its European – theatre predecessor on every level and the reported $250 million pound budget evidently shows with enormous vistas of fighting ships, jarring explosions and spectacular fire fights. The Pacific also manages to viscerally conduct the agony of non-combat too including the deadly diseases and hostile weather. Viewing this incredible show will repay you with a brutal but also eloquent story that’s finally less about how solders fight and die but ultimately what happens to them when they fight and survive, returning home with tortured and battered souls.          

American Dad

Originally aired in 2005, American Dad focuses on the Smith family and extensively on Stan Smith, a CIA agent who is constantly on the alert for terrorist activity and will go to extreme lengths to protect his beloved America. Giving that it is penned from Seth MacFarlane, similarities between this and Family Guy will of course be scrutinised upon, however American Dad is very different to its sister show. Diverse and unique characters, no cutaway gags, and a more satirical aim at politics rather than pop culture references that are apparent in Family Guy. American Dad combines edgy humour and fantasy to poke fun at American society much better then Family Guy and delivers a far greater and prominently funnier animated comedy show.

Family Guy

What can be said about Family Guy that already hasn't been mentioned before? Ruthlessly crude, outrageous and offensive, originally taken off air for obnoxious material, yet against the odds it has become arguably the most popular animated comedy on the planet. Schemed up by Seth MacFarlane in the late 1990s, Family Guy set in Rhode Island, evolves around the Griffin Family. Peter Griffin, an overweight, idiotic father who will strive at all costs to do anything for his dysfunctional family, Louis Griffin, his wife who does her elegant best to establish stability in the home. Then there’s Meg Griffin, their 16 year old daughter who is socially awkward and often the butt of the family jokes, Chris Griffin, their 14 year old son who is mentally slow, Stewie Griffin, the super – intelligent, diabolically evil baby whose main focus in life is killing his mother Louis and rounding things off is Brian, the Martini sipping, dry witted and intelligent family dog who secretly loves Louis. Add a whole host of other equally bizarre neighbours, a unique brand of humour and 11 brilliant seasons of comedy genius that is extremely hard not to be laughed at.      

The Inbetweeners

Another quality British comedy which was aired on channel 4 between 2008 and 2010 and was a monumental success, following the exploits of four socially inadequate friends, whom growing from late teens to early adults, are on a quest for grown up traits including alcohol, popularity and of course, the female figure. It was dubbed the “British American Pie” and it is no wonder why as these four teenagers are incredibly preoccupied with self-image and getting laid. Three series were produced as well as a feature film set in Malia with each episode producing some unbelievably funny and memorable moments. A clever and witty script is met by some fantastic acting from the four male actors and rightly so, this comedy was highly praised by critics.   

Harpers Island

Set on a small and remote island off the coast of Seattle, Harpers Island is an elaborate horror series and high quality slasher flick with a first-rate cast, great script and 13 episodes crammed full of twists and subplots that will keep you hooked till the very end. Starring Elaine Cassidy, Christopher Gorham, Katie Cassidy and Jim Beaver, Harpers Island begins with a backdrop of its violent past, where once it was the scene of a gruesome series of murders. Seven years now have passed and past friends and families gather on the island for a wedding. However all is not what it seems as one by one they begin to die in mysterious and at times unpleasant ways. Fans of the classic murder mysteries will appreciate the subplots and adequate depth to the main characters aswell as those who simply enjoy a quality mix of action, horror and a grisly, blood soaked death scene.

Bo’ Selecta

Crude, vile, highly controversial and offensive, yet one of the funniest and original comedies Britain has produced for some time. Aired on Channel 4 between 2002 – 2004, Bo' Selecta starring Leigh Francis, involves celebrity stalker Avid Merrion (or Keith Lemon as he is know on ITV 2 these days) and his incredible spoof’s of celebrities including Michael Jackson, Craig David, Mel B and Gareth Gates. The comedy only got three series commissioned, however each series is fantastic and full of some of the most hilarious and inventive comedy sketches of recent times with its surreal and contentious humour which lampoons popular culture.    

Band of Brothers

Despite a somewhat slow and uneventful start, Band of Brothers (2001) became a huge success, fully depicting the extreme atrocities of World War 2. With Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg on board and a budget of over 100 million dollars, this mini series was always going to attract large audiences. However Band of Brother became more than just a money-making investment, it became one of the most highly acclaimed programmes to date. Following the story of the "E" Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division throughout the Second World War and their highly courageous missions including the liberation of Carentan, Band of Brothers mixes both incredible acting, supreme camera work and amasing special effects, delivering the full horror and nature of war to life. 

Looking ahead to the FA cup Semi final: Liverpool V Everton

Saturday 14^th April will be the day that will host the most important and season defining match of Liverpool’s 2011 – 2012 campaign. Forget the Carling Cup success against Cardiff or the constant fixtures in the Premiership where focus on winning each game to clinch a top four place is now far beyond reach. The semi final of Britain’s most elite cup competition against their Merseyside rivals Everton, is where Liverpool’s wayward season will be decided as either a success or a failure.       

Struggles in the Premier League with just 12 wins in 33 games and just five wins at home, racial scandals, backroom staff unrest, a serious loss of form in key players and just recently their director of football, Damien Comolli sacked, it has been a season to forget for the once most successful football club in England. However success in Saturdays cup tie against Everton would certainly silence the critics and at least add some respect to what has been one of the poorest campaigns in the clubs recent history.  

A win at Wembley would book Liverpool a place in the final in May, against either Tottenham or Chelsea but before any of that is decided, they have to overcome the side currently above them in the Premier League. It will be the 218^th time these two clubs have met and with Everton’s form being outstanding recently, becoming stronger and stronger since January and with bargain buy Nikica Jelavic in great form all season, it will be a huge challenge for Liverpool.  

Captain Steven Gerrard has talked up his teams chances, expressing that they are slight favourites and with already two wins over David Moyes’s team this season including a 3 – 0 thrashing at Anfield, knocking out Manchester United on their way to the Semi final and of course already successfully claiming one trophy this season, the Liverpool skipper has every right to be optimistic. However the form running into this clash between the two sides couldn’t be any more different. Six defeats in their last eight fixtures have seen Liverpool all but fail on their mission for a top four position. Everton though have won four of their last six games, including a 4- 0 thumping against Sunderland and have only been defeated four times in 2012.

Nevertheless the formbook is simply thrown out of the window when it comes to cup competitions, especially when it is a derby and a one off match. Both clubs resting key players during the week, two fresh and revitalised line-ups will take to the field and battle it out for a place in the FA cup final. The loss of Pepe Reina however is a huge blow for Liverpool. The Spanish keeper is one of the worlds best and his authoritative and strong presence in the penalty area will be sorely missed and will create an opportunity for Everton to take advantage of the inexperienced third choice goalkeeper, Brad Jones.

Despite the loss of their premier goalkeeper, Liverpool still have outstanding match winners in Gerrard, Luis Suarez and Craig Bellamy and have consistently performed well in the big games as well as beating Everton in the previous two meetings in the FA cup final at Wembley in the 1980s.

The odds are firmly even for Saturdays match with both teams equally confident of success. It will be such an intriguing game, not only because it is an FA cup semi – final but also because it has the capacity to save Liverpool’s rotten season and make Everton’s. On the biggest stage, in a packed Wembley Stadium, anything can happen and come the 14^th of April at 12.30pm, these two Merseyside clubs will compete for the final of this most historic cup competition.  

England's final test match of the winter results in a crucial win.

After three long months and four dreadful test performances, England finally registered their first test match success of the winter. In the end, a similar situation to that of the second test match in Dubai against Pakistan, where a target of 145 proved too much for England, however this time around a much more improved and confident display enabled them to chase down a target of 94 to win the match, level the series and remain at the summit of the test rankings.  

Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen kept their nerve after an initial brief wobble with a terrific partnership of 63, full of aggressive intent to see England over the line with a crucial test match victory on day five in Colombo. After dismissing Sri Lanka for 278 with Graeme Swann finishing with 6 for 106, England started the run chase in the worst possible way with captain Andrew Strauss being bowled in the first over before Jonathon Trott fell LBW shortly after. But Cook (49no) and Pietersen, with a rapid 42, wrapped up the victory which levels the two-match series and keeps England top of the world rankings.

The tourists only needed one session in the morning to take the four wickets required to set up their victory chase. However dropped catches by Cook at short leg allowed Angelo Mathews to shepherd the tail and prolong Sri Lanka’s second innings longer then it should have been. Resuming on 218 – 6, leading England by 33 runs, Mahela Jayawardene looked well set, as he has done all series and was always going to be the key wicket. However Swann produced a virtually unplayable delivery to dismiss the Sri Lankan captain for 64 with a ball that turned sharp in the rough before being gloved to Cook to take a simple catch, making up for the missed chances earlier.    

Prasanna Jayawardene soon followed his captain, bowled around his legs attempting a sweep shot off Swann, gifting the off spinner his sixth wicket in the innings and his tenth in the match, the second time he has achieved the feat. However any hopes England had of finishing off the Sri Lankan tail quickly were dashed with a quality knock by Mathews, who cashed in on his early luck. The middle order batsman, with aggressive shot selection and discipline extended his teams lead before Samit Patel had Rangana Herath caught at slip for two and Steven Finn finished the Sri Lankan innings, dismissing Mathews for 46, caught at midwicket off a slow delivery just before lunch.

England’s run chase was subject to trial by spin, with the hosts keen to prey on any bad memories from Abu Dhabi when Strauss’s side were dismissed for 72 against Pakistan. After Strauss was bowled in the first over off Tillakaratne Dilshan for a duck playing an indecisive shot, there must have been some butterflies in the tourist’s dressing room. Those apprehensions were made worse when the usually reliable Trott was removed LBW with the help of the DRS system for just five with 63 runs still needed for victory.  

However both Cook and Pietersen took the game by the scruff of the neck to lead England to their first test victory of a difficult winter. Cook produced a classy innings, full of the skill and ability, which has seen him become one the finest test and one day batsman in the world. His early positive intent set the tone with a series of boundaries and laying the platform for man of the match Pietersen to finish it off in style. The Surrey batsman smashed Herath back over his head for six and drilled the next ball for four more runs. Both batsmen continued to motor well before, with just three runs required Pietersen hit an almighty blow into the stands for a maximum to seal victory.

It means England remain the number one test team in the world heading into their summer challenges, starting with a test series against the West Indies before a mouth watering contest between the team desperate to take their number one crown, South Africa.  

Shinedown - Amaryllis. Album Review

From the ferocious opening of “Adrenaline” to the concluding ballad “Through the ghost”, Shinedown’s fourth album, “Amaryllis” is an empowering, vigorous and quite brilliant record that grabs your attention instantly and wont let go. Four years on since their last album, “The sound of madness”, the band have moved a step closer to rock legacy with this 12 track masterpiece, with their characteristic aggressive but melodic sounds, held together by singer Brent Smith’s thick, soul-soaked vocals, perfectly showcased in this album. 

Released via Roadrunner Records and produced by Rob Cavallo, the album’s lead single “Bully”, begins with a funky guitar riff before progressing into a euphonic and catchy chorus. “Amaryllis”, the title track of the album is another top quality track from the Jacksonville – based band, again a very harmonious song, full of the brilliant traits of this rock quartet, demonstrating exactly why they have become so popular amongst rock listeners in the last decade. 

“Amaryllis” features some of the most compact production seen on any Shinedown album to date and is diverse enough to entertain a wide variety of music listeners. The heavy hitting, hard rock songs are all there including, “Enemies”, “My Name (Wearing me out)” and “Adrenaline”, with the emotional and smoothing ballads reminiscent of “The sound of madness” era with songs such as “I’ll follow you”, “Unity” and “Miracle”.  

Just as apparent in previous albums, Brent Smith’s vocals are phenomenal, proving yet again that he is among the elite frontman in the rock world and his pensive and thoughtful lyrics are on another level in this release. Zach Myers really steps up a gear aswell on guitar brandishing some tasteful solos along with fist pumping, down tuned riffs. Barry Kerch on drums and Eric Bass on bass and piano form the solidity in the rhythm section, holding the album’s groove extremely well together.  

“Amaryllis” is a fantastic record and a clear illustration of a band on top form. With every album release, Shinedown manage to create a unique and distinguishing sound for themselves and “Amaryllis” is no different. At times there is some similarities to “The sound of madness” and some familiar tones to their older style, however this record has an identity of its own and is a sure contender for album of the year.  

Late wickets from Finn and Swann provide the initiative for England on day one.

Two wickets late in the day seized the initiative for England after Mahela Jayawardene had scored a second century in as many games on Day One of the Second Test. James Anderson blew the Sri Lankan top order away with three wickets in his first five overs leaving the hosts reeling on 30 – 3.  However just like in the first test, the Sri Lankan captain along with Thilan Samaraweera (54) in a patient 124 – run stand, fought back in Colombo.  But Graeme Swann dismissed the centurion for a fantastic 105 before Steven Finn had Prasanna Jayawardene caught behind for 7 leaving the hosts 236 – 6 at the close of play.

The run up to the match was heavily overshadowed by England’s disappointing performance in the previous test, adding to the frustrating winter they have experienced and with captain Andrew Strauss’s position under immense scrutiny. A win in this final match would see England remain at the summit of the ICC test rankings, however another defeat would present South Africa with the title of best test team in the world.

The day commenced with surprising news from the visitors with the introduction of Tim Bresnan, replacing the spin of Monty Panasar. Many thought with Stuart Broad absent because of injury, Bresnan would be a straight swap with the Nottinghamshire bowler. However young Steven Finn came in for Broad and Panasar was replaced with the Yorkshire quick.       

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat on a seemingly decent pitch, offering a little for the bowlers but nothing troublesome that would worry a batsman playing with decent technique, patience and concentration. However Sri Lanka`s top order was met by England’s spearhead, Anderson who once again produced world class swing bowling, pitching the new ball up and finding movement both ways through the air. Firstly Tillakaratne Dilshan, who had driven consecutive fours off Anderson, fell next ball, nicking behind to Matt Prior to a ball that moved away. Kumar Sangakkara was next man to go for a golden duck, edging to Strauss and continuing his miserable form in the series. Anderson’s explosive burst then accounted for Lahiru Thirimanne, lbw for eight leaving the hosts struggling.    

Once again it was left to Jayawardene to mastermind another re – building operation, accompanied with the gritty Samaraweera in support. The two experienced batsmen accumulated runs well and produced a fighting partnership, building a sizeable first innings total.  Both batsmen ploughed on until just before the tea interval when Bresnan made the important breakthrough. The quick bowler managed to get one to drag back and trapped Samaraweera lbw just after he had completed his 28^th half-century in tests.

England was agonisingly close to striking again with the ever-impressive Anderson drawing an outside edge off Jayawardene when on 79, but the catch eluded Strauss at slip. England deserved more with tight and accurate bowling but Sri Lanka`s captain continued in an imperious knock and brought up his 31^st test hundred and his 8^th against England with a quick single. It was a classic example of master class batting with the Sri Lankan captain remaining patient, calm and disciplined throughout his five-hour innings. 

However the visitor’s commitment to the task in hand finally yielded with two late strikes as Swann eventually removed Jayawardene, trapping him lbw, coming from around the wicket.  The dismissal of the in form batsman breathed greater energy amongst the England players and with the added buoyancy another wicket swiftly came. Steven Finn, full of sharp pace and accuracy forced Prasanna Jayawardene to edge behind to Prior for just seven, leaving England on top after day one.

England will now be looking to finish off the rest of the Sri Lankan batting line up early tomorrow with only Angelo Mathews, unbeaten on 41, the only recognised batsmen left. However with the frailties of England’s batting over the course of the winter still fresh after the performance in the last game, a decent first innings total by the hosts could still turn the game around in their favour.