RIFF ANNUAL REVIEW - 2012 

The year 2012 has seen many things accomplished for us all here at Riff Media, our third successful year of operating, the launch or re-launch if you will of Riff Records, our new website which we love went live and we have made contact with near enough every record label out there! not to mention the additions to the team, the announcement of the Riff Media Webzine and soon to be Magazine and our ever growing social family. So how to round up such an incredible year into a nice readable review?
We had our most successful year since forming with our very first acceptance to cover a festival [Hevy Fest and Merthyr Rocks] and have already been accepted on to more in the new year! We have begun running gigs again and have plans for tours and to open our own local venue space and tonnes of more amazing things to announce.

As always we love to give little shout outs to bands that we think have really opened our eyes and ears in the year with their releases, and of course we wouldn't be anything without all of the bands we work with and all of our fans and family that stick by us and are interested in what we do! 

RIFF MEDIA'S TOP FIVE FROM 2012 (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)

1. Jonny Gill - Jonny has been a Riff favourite since we began working together, and this year has been huge for him, he released some amazing music and has stuck with us to perform at our gigs.
2. Sulu Babylon - The boys from our own back garden, Sulu have stood by us in many ways, playing our gigs, sending us music to review and front man Phil is always on hand to share some wisdom on how to improve and better ourselves 
3. The Drama State - Our best friends from the states, The Drama State have had a huge year, formerly known as Remember Paris the guys have regrouped and renamed and brought out their debut album 'Stories' which will definitely be their stepping stone to greater things
4. Kids With Machetes - these guys have really stepped up this year with their new release 'Jager Behaviour' and are always on hand to help us out.
5. In Search Of Sunrise - Our boys are back and ready to hit back hard, after playing our last gig of the year as their comeback gig I think it is safe to say Riff and ISOS are teaming up for the foreseeable future.
6. Chris Kendall Magic - He may not be a musician, but since venturing into magic this year we have worked very closely with Chris and he has wowed crowds at our events and soon he will be out conducting magic with some of the top bands on tour with our assistance.

Of course we love and appreciate all the bands we work with but if we were to list them all I would be here all day.

So as a quick round-up, 2012 was awesome, bands improved massively, work load increased ridiculously and we took a step forward in the industry, thank you so much to everyone that is part of this, and lets make 2013 something extra special! 

Best Band of 2012 - THE DRAMA STATE

Best Album of 2012 - THE DRAMA STATE, STORIES. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Riffers! 

- The Riff Team

Mallory Knox - Signals Album Review

We were sent over Mallory Knox's debut album 'Signals' due for release on January 21st 2013.

The band have had a very successful year in 2012 and have fans eagerly awaiting for the release of their debut album 'Signals' of which they have released a single from titled 'Wake Up' which has received amazing feedback so far.

Signals is an 11 track release packed to the brim with brilliantly written music that will definitely make you get off your arse and dance about and sign along.

TRACK LISTING
Beggars 
Lighthouse 
Death Rattles
Wolves 
1949
Wake Up
Hello
Misdemeanour
Bury Your Head
Signals 
Creeper 

Kicking off with Beggars the band really set the tone for the album, energetically perfect and lyrically beautiful, giving a false sense of pace at the beginning for about two seconds before erupting into a masterpiece, the band keep the flow going throughout the album up to '1949' where they drop the pace for a beautiful, soft track which is very easy on the ears. After that they pick up the pace again.

I think it is a safe bet to say 'Signals' will be one of the best releases of 2013, and it will probably be one of the first releases in the year! if you are a fan or not I am sure at least one of the tracks on the album will win your heart and change your opinion of Mallory Knox who will undoubtedly cement their place in the UK rock scene with this brilliant, elegant and beautiful album, a great way to kick off their release collection.

Riff final rating: R R R R R *Ones to watch in 2013*

Signals is due for release on the 21st Jan 2013 via A Wolf At Your Door Records.

-Adam