All customer reviews by Graham R.
Posted on: 30 Jul 2017
Another solid as a rock live package from Deep Purple
Don't expect too much athleticism from Deep Purple any more but these true gods of rock aren't ready for Valhalla yet and can still do more with just their fingertips than most bands could manage with their whole bodies. "...To The Rising Sun (In Tokyo)" is the companion package to "From The Setting Sun... (In Wacken)", both recorded on the same sold out "Now What?" tour and both released on the same day, so do we need either of them or even both of them? The answer to both questions is a resounding "Yes!" Fans of Deep Purple can enjoy a whole show in the comfort of their own homes, featuring a good mix of the old favourites and the new ones too, very well performed, recorded, edited, produced and packaged and with a satisfying amount of the extended jams, improvisations and set solo pieces which the band are known for. The best of these are led by the maestro himself, Don Airey on keyboards, synthesizers and Hammond organ -probably the only man on earth who could fully plug the huge hole left by Jon Lord's passing. Anyone new to the band would get a true picture of where they are now after nearly half a century at the top the tree -but see that you pick up a copy of "In Rock" or "Made In Japan" too! So to the facts: "...To The Rising Sun (in Tokyo)" has the whole show recorded on 12th April 2014 at the famous Budokan arena in Tokyo, available as a triple-gatefold digi-pack with two CD's and a DVD -and it's currently available from EMP at an absolute bargain price to boot!
Posted on: 21 Jul 2017
Don't Be A Mug! Get This Mug!
A classic mug in deepest, darkest black with the classic "wavy" purple Black Sabbath logo (from their classic album, "Masters Of Reality"). Unlike so many mugs which have a black block of print on a white mug, this is yer actual all black mug with a simple, bold logo on it. Fantastic stuff!
Posted on: 2 Jul 2017
Double Up Or Quits -And Don't Forget The Joker!
It's Motorhead! It's "Ace Of Spades"! What's not to love? Of course, we all have at least one Motorhead t-shirt already (if not, why not? Sort it out. Now!) but this one has the classic logo from the front cover of their best known and most loved single -so into the collection it goes! Seriously, this is classy stuff and, of course, top quality. Snap one of these beauties up right away and be the cool one who's not wearing a t-shirt with Snaggletooth on it...
Posted on: 27 Jun 2017
Black Sabbath got your goat? Get Pentagram's "Relentless" instead!
If, like me, you are getting tired of hipsters who weren't even alive then wearing that ubiquitous "Black Sabbath Tour 1978" t-shirt, then professing your allegiance to such slightly more underground godfathers of doom as Saint Vitus, Angel Witch and Pentagram is a logical riposte. This t-shirt reproduces the cover of Peaceville Records' 1993 re-issue of Pentagram's eponymous 1985 debut album, which was re-titled "Relentless". On the front is the band's classic logo (looking just a little like it was "inspired" by the cover of "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath"!) above a pentagram containing the head of that perennial satanic goat, Baphomet. The album title, "Relentless" has been moved to the back of the shirt. All in all, this is a bold design which well suits the dark psychedelic doom of Pentagram and wearing this t-shirt will mark you out as slightly more discerning than the slathering hordes of Ozzy worshippers.
Posted on: 4 Mar 2017
Metal Blade Records -the home of vikings!
Metal Blade Records are the home of vikings, with Amon Amarth, Ensiferum, Primordial and TYR currently signed to the label (and both King Of Asgard and Skyforger were signed to the label at some point in the past too), so it is entirely fitting that they have produced a t-shirt / ladies' tank top design that pays tribute to the Nordic warriors amongst their roster! The horned helmet atop the shield is redolent of Amon Amarth's own "Loki" t-shirt designs and the shield itself features Metal Blade's classic logo of a skull and crossed pirates' cutlasses; the crossed battleaxes are suitably brutal too! My shield maiden was delighted with her high-quality tank top, as will yours be too if you treat her to this fine design.
Posted on: 26 Dec 2016
Make Your Own Last Stand In This Awesome T-Shirt
In case you don't already know the story, the battle of Shiroyama was the final battle of the Satsuma Rebellion in Japan in 1877, the inspiration behind the film, "The Last Samurai" and behind the track, "Shiroyama" on Sabaton's excellent new album, "The Last Stand". EMP and Sabaton have together come up with some rather wonderful designs for t-shirts and hoodies exclusive to EMP illustrating the songs "Shiroyama" and "Sparta", of which this is one. The t-shirt has a front-only print of a detail of the samurai figure from the album cover, showing a samurai warrior in full armour, wreathed in the smoke of battle and standing ready to fight to the death, beneath the classic Sabaton logo. The whole design is very well done, using only black, white and shades of grey and brown and printed on a "vintage feel" grey / black t-shirt which fits the image perfectly. This is an unusual and striking t-shirt and any Sabaton fan wearing it will stand out from the crowd at a show on the band's upcoming tours. As always with both EMP and Sabaton, the quality of design, print and t-shirt alike is of the highest possible standard. Wear this one with the fierce pride of the samurai and make your own "Last Stand"!
Posted on: 6 Dec 2016
At last! The Runaljod Trilogy is complete!
Finally, we have the new Wardruna album, "Ragnarok", the third and final part of the "Runaljod" trilogy which includes their first two masterpieces, "Yggdrasil" (2013) and "Gap Var Ginnunga" (2009). This magnum opus has been over twelve years in the making and every second of every track on all three albums shows that it has truly been an inspired work and a labour of love. If you don't know Wardruna's music, it is quite hard to describe but basically it is an ambient soundscape of percussion, chant, bowed and wind instruments, natural sounds and complex studio treatments. It is not "viking music" but it is music largely inspired by Norse runes and their meanings, Norse sagas and legends and the Norwegian musicians of Wardruna's shared cultural history -and it is also undoubtedly modern in its use of studio techniques to enhance and meld together their unique mixture of traditional instruments, voices, throat singing and found sounds. Ultimately, it is music inspired by the natural world as much as by anyone's history or culture and, as such, Wardruna's music transcends national, cultural and linguistic boundaries to speak to the souls of all humankind. "Ragnarok" and it's fellows are not "easy listening" or anything like background music, so don't be put off by the use of the word "ambient" -this is ambient music in the fullest sense of the term: a fully-immersive, spiritually uplifting experience in the hands of shamen. In conclusion, this album should be purchased and enjoyed as part of a trilogy of works of global importance and, if you ever get the chance to see them live -do not hesitate! "The Runaljod Trilogy" is a masterpiece of human cultural achievement which we can all share in and of which we can all be proud.
Posted on: 20 Nov 2016
Yet another awesome EMP / Amon Amarth exclusive!
This t-shirt is yet another awesome design exclusive to EMP. Amon Amarth's new album, "Jomsviking" is about legendary mercenary warriors in the Southern Baltic hinterlands and this shirt depicts one of them in full "who's next?" mode. Unlike all the other full-colour t-shirts with designs from the album cover artwork, this one is in moody blacks, whites and greys with the only splash of colour being the bloodstained lettering of the band's logo and the jomsviking's axe. Top quality design and printing on a top quality t-shirt ensure you get Amon Amarth's and EMP's customary high standards. Another wonderful addition to our collection, thank you!
Posted on: 20 Nov 2016
Marvellous Mini Mjolnirs For Your Shield Maiden
My better half picked these out and put them on the wish list. She only wears silver and only wears ear studs, not drop earrings, so she told me that she had been searching for some ear studs with Thor's hammer, Mjolnir for years. These are very beautiful ear studs, well made and very detailed. She is one happy shield maiden and now both her and Thor have got my back -what more could a warrior need in the shield wall?
Posted on: 3 Oct 2016
Bark At The Moon
Guys, do you know a lady who would love this pendant? If the answer is "yes", what are you waiting for? Get it for her now -it's a no-brainer! It's rather lovely and under a tenner -so, instead of having another couple of pints, get her this and make her happy. You know it'll be worth it! Ladies, are you eyeing up this little beauty for yourself or as a gift for a friend? Be honest now: you want it! Treat yourself -you're worth it and it is 100% fat free too, so what's not to love? I got this for my shield maiden's birthday and she was well chuffed. It is small, beautiful and perfectly formed, rather like her. Result!