Blog

Made In Monnow…

Black Sabbath Month

Ozzy Osbourne at Monnow in 1979 and ’81 – Blizzard of Oz and Diary of a Madman

Monnow Valley wasn’t always known as Monnow Valley – we were once known ‘the house’ down the road from Rockfield studios. We were the residential rehearsal and writing space for many bands recording at Rockfield prior to our full conversion into a studio. Tucked away in fields next to a river, ‘the house’ was the perfect place to write, and Queen, Black Sabbath and then The Blizzard of Oz featuring Ozzy Osbourne are just a few who chose to do so.

After having visited just two years previously with Sabbath for their rehearsal and writing sessions in 1977, in December 1979 – February 1980 Ozzy came to write with his new band, The Blizzard of Oz, for what would become the legendary The Blizzard of Ozz album. Randy Rhoads, Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake made up the band who would write and play with Ozzy. Don Aldridge also played keys and contributed to writing. Tracks such as Crazy Train were written at Monnow.

This postcard from Rhoads back to his native US gives a little glimpse into the writing at Monnow.

(Click to enlarge the pictures)

Following the success of Blizzard, they returned to Monnow in 1981 to write Diary of a Madman. Once again the bulk of the album was written at Monnow.

Whilst disputes about writing credits were only settled recently over the albums, they remain classic rock examples and best sellers. Ozzy’s solo career was launched and propelled by these two pieces of work, and Sabbath’s name rose too. The sad and tragic death of Rhoads whilst touring the second album in ’82 – his playing both revolutionary and integral to the albums’ success – put an untimely end to what was a winning combination of the four musicians.

We at Monnow are proud that in a quiet little house in the Welsh country side, such classics were written and concieved – the albums are a testament to the four, but also to our studio.
They really did disturb the peace in style.

Made In Monnow…. 

Bullet for My Valentine – ‘Fever’

2010

Just up the road in Bridgend live four Welsh boys who form Bullet For My Valentine. They happen to be one of the most successful Welsh exports ever, with success outside of the UK and across the world. They chose to stay local when recording their third album with Don Gilmore at Monnnow.

The stats tally up for the Welsh quartet; over 500,000 copies sold world wide, 5th in the UK album charts and 3rd on the US Billboard charts, Bittersweet Memories is at 6 million views whilst Your Betrayal rests nicely on 16 million. A successful album to say the least…

Tracklisting

Length
1. “Your Betrayal”   4:51
2. “Fever”   3:57
3. “The Last Fight”   4:19
4. “A Place Where You Belong”   5:06
5. “Pleasure and Pain”   3:53
6. “Alone”   5:56
7. “Breaking Out, Breaking Down”   4:04
8. “Bittersweet Memories”   5:09
9. “Dignity”   4:29
10. “Begging for Mercy”   3:56
11. “Pretty on the Outside” BONUS 12. “The Last Flight”.

Find all things BFMV here at http://www.bulletformyvalentine.com/

In The Studio…

Our Tomorrow

‘One For the Yearbook’

Young Welsh band, ‘Our Tomorrow’ have got their debut music video out today – it was filmed at Monnow and the track itself recorded here with Romesh Dodangoda. Premiering last night with Blank TV, the track has already got over 2000 views!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS20qT5_O4g&feature=youtu.be

They play next month at Monmouth Festival alongside Peasant’s King and new stars on the scene Young Kato.

Keep an eye on these boys – they’re on the rise and have been made here in Monnow.

www.ourtomorrow.co.uk

MADE IN MONNOW

‘Pedestrian Verse’ (2013) – Frightened Rabbit

We’re not delving back into our history that far today, we’re keeping our throw-back to a very much recent album Made In Monnow. Back in 2012 we had the lovely Frightened Rabbit in to record with us. They only bagged a top 10 chart position with their album didn’t they?

Their first major label release with Atlantic Records, and produced by Leo Abrahams was quite the success, and we’re very happy for them – they were wonderful guests!

Find everything Frightened Rabbit-y here www.frightenedrabbit.com

Here’s the beautiful, signed vinyl they sent us.

And here they are having drink with Phil and Liam after a bit of village bingo…

Tracklisting

1 Acts of Man 4:54
2 Backyard Skulls 3:10
3 Holy 3:39
4 The Woodpile 3:28
5 Late March, Death March 4:02
6 December’s Traditions 4:10
7 Housing (in) 1:31
8 Dead Now 4:09
9 State Hospital 4:37
10 Nitrous Gas 3:10
11 Housing (out) 1:04
12 The Oil Slick 4:37
13 If You Were Me 2:55
14 Snow Still Melting 3:28
15 Escape Route 3:30

In the Studio …. The Graveltones

24/05/2013

Recording their eagerly awaited first album following on from their exciting EP back in 2011, follically well-endowed Australian, London-based boys The Graveltones stayed with us for 7 days. Aside from the amazing cooking smells provided by Mikey’s wife and sister (the latter popped over from Australia to see them) they also provided some amazing sounds. Well-known-to-Monnow producer Charlie Francis oversaw the whole thing, including a very important handbell-selection-and-testing session.

The aforementioned hand bells.

L-R; Producer Charlie Francis, Mikey Graveltones, Jimmy Graveltones, session assistant Louis Griffiths and our engineer Liam.

Wild times with the teapot covers.

 Find all things Gravely-and-toney here; http://www.thegraveltones.com/

We can’t wait for the album boys!

 #Throw-back Thursday…

Before it became the beautiful studio graced by swanky beer-drinking musicians, Monnow Valley Studio was once a country club called the Old Mill in the 1960s graced by swanky wine-drinking members.

Check out the wine lists and the private members club bar!

For those of you who still enjoy a spot of country pursuits in-between recording sessions, we own a private stretch of the river that runs alongside the studio. So you can fish, jump in a little dingy or if you’re feeling brave – take a splash.

MADE IN MONNOW

#tbt

‘Rings around the World’ (2001) Super Furry Animals

Reaching no.3 in the UK Album chart, the record was simultaneously graced with a Mercury Prize Nomination and a crushing review from NME, who called the album the worst the band had produced. Personally, we think it was great, but then again we are biased. They did record it here…

Here they are performing one of the singles, Juxtapozed to U on good old TOTP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-1W01hDCmc

Find the Super Furrys here; www.superfurry.com/‎

Buy Rings Around The World here; https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/rings-around-the-world/id207054203

In the Studio…

6/05/2013

O’casan

Recording their second album with Monnow Valley regular, rock producer extraordinaire – Romesh Dodangoda – was O’casan, visiting us for a lovely two weeks. The exciting trio are already garnering interest before the album had even been recorded – it looks set to be a good year for them, and we’re glad to have been a part of it!

O’casan cheeky chappies with producer Romesh Dodangoda and their good friend Andrew.

O’casan took some great photos whilst they were with us and made good use of our BBQ too – check them out and find out more about the band here; https://www.facebook.com/OcasanMusic

Here @Ocasantweet 

And here http://www.ocasan.co.uk/