Psych/Doom/Stoner Rockers JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS sign deal with Magnetic Eye Records

Photo by Dylon Parr

Australian psychedelic stoner doom outfit JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS have signed a multi-album deal with Magnetic Eye Records. The exceptional and unique four-piece from Melbourne, Victoria will release their upcoming fourth full-length via the label early next year.

JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS comment: "We are beyond excited to be jumping on board with Magnetic Eye Records", vocalist and guitarist Tim Coutts-Smith enthuses on behalf of the band. "I discovered the label after buying the 'Electric Ladyland Redux' over a decade ago. and was blown away by how well all the featured bands interpreted Hendrix' sound. I began collecting more of their Redux albums, and never in a million years did I think that our band would ever be featured on one of those tribute compilations, let alone end up signing to the label that releases these beauties! Unreal!"

Jadd Shickler adds: "Jack Harlon's first album 'Hymns' caught my attention immediately for its unique blend of fuzzed-out stoner rock and pummeling doom with this twanging Morricone-esque swerve into old western scores," the Magnetic Eye director explains. "I cannot say, if their music really is the soundtrack of the Australian outback or if I've just made this up in my head because of where they're from. But either way, there's an exotic quality to how they approach massive riffs and dreamy psych, which to me sounds like a blend of Afghan Whigs and Monster Magnet with Church of Misery and Nick Cave. I've already had the pleasure to work with them on a couple of one-off projects, so welcoming them fully onto the Magnetic Eye roster alongside their regular tour-mates Greenleaf is something I've been anxiously pursuing for some time. I can hardly wait to share and elevate their music to every nook and cranny of our beloved scene!"

Quite often, music is thought to be influenced by the terroir from which it originates, much like wine. According to this theory, Norwegian black metal has been shaped by deep dark fjords and frostbitten winters, while desert rock just had to be developed in the Mojave or another arid place. What to make, then, of a band hailing from Melbourne, Victoria at the south-eastern tip of Australia?

Ruling out Tasmania, Antarctica, and the Outback as too far away to constitute a direct influence, it is not easy to fit the unique sound of JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS into this premise. Well, for the sake of a narrative, their eclectic style that explores a wide range of genres and incorporates elements of blues, stoner rock, lo-fi fuzz, spaghetti western scores, and doom metal could be interpreted as a reflection of the city's high level of diversity with many of its inhabitants originating from elsewhere on the globe.

Leaving speculation aside, it is an established fact that JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS started out as a side project by singer Tim Coutts-Smith around the year 2015. Over time, the band developed into a full-fledged performing act.

Since day one, Coutts-Smith centered his lyrics and themes around a fictional western outlaw named Jack Harlon. He would often begin writing about real people and events, before turning them into characters and stories in a science fiction themed western landscape.

JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS are known for their 'DIY' approach as they have produced most of their albums and visual art internally. As a live act, the band has mostly toured and performed in Australia including sharing stages with international acts such as GREENLEAF, SASQUATCH, WO FAT, and WHORES.

So far, JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS have released a self-titled debut EP in 2016, followed by three critically acclaimed albums and continuously growing recognition within the heavy underground: "Hymns" (2018), "The Magnetic Ridge" (2021), and "Hail to the Underground: Interpretations" (2023). The band also appeared on Magnetic Eye Records' "Superunknown Redux" tribute to Soundgarden with their fuzzed-out, hallucinatory rendition of deep cut 'Kickstand'.

JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS are currently preparing to release their new fourth album via Magnetic Eye Records in early 2026.

Band: Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows
Label: Magnetic Eye Records
Style: Psychedelic Stoner Doom

Line-up

Tim Coutts-Smith – vocals, guitar
Jordan Richardson – guitar
Brayden Becher – drums
Liam Barry – bass

Live

18 OCT 2025 Melbourne (AU) Stay Gold
15 NOV 2025 Melbourne (AU) The Evelyn
06 DEC 2025 Melbourne (AU) Cactus Room

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

 

 Thanks to Magnetic Eye Records for all of the details.

Space Witch - Mountains Of Neptune (Album Review)

Release Date: October 31st 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Mountains Of Neptune - Tracklisting

Mountains Of Neptune

Members

Daz Rowlands - guitar, FX

Matt Bowyer - drums

Tomas Cairn - bass guitar

Review

Cult underground Doom/Stoner Metallers SPACE WITCH return after a lengthy eight year absence with their latest album Mountains Of Neptune. The band have regrouped as a mighty POWER TRIO with Matt Bowyer now behind the drums. Daz Rowlands (Guitar/FX) and Tomas Cairn (Bass) are still here with SPACE WITCH transforming into a gloomy Instrumental Metal band for their new album. This record is a COSMIC DOOM/SPACE METAL album in my mind but Daz stated recently it’s a HORROR SPACE METAL album.

The record perhaps pays homage to the likes of the ALIEN franchise and EVENT HORIZON. The amazing artwork fully sets the scene, tone and direction of the record. The artwork is designed by the infamous Stephanie Cantu aka COSMIC EVE who puts herself into the centre of the gloomy and spaced out surroundings of an unknown HORROR that awaits you within the whole creative storyline that SPACE WITCH have superbly drawn up.

I was sceptical about the lack of vocals but SPACE WITCH has transformed into INSTRUMENTAL MASTERS with this album. The album is made up of one lengthy thirty eight minute track that does feel it’s made up of individual chapters each telling a different piece of the story and narrative for this sludgy and F/X heavy ride into the COSMIC unknown.

The effects and trippy noises have a classic Science Fiction element to them with the music being a mixture of long drawn out soundscapes and fast-paced sonic warfare based grooves. Elements of Doom, Sludge, Drone, Psych, Ambient, Stoner and Post-Metal vibes ultimately make their mark with SPACE WITCH drawing upon influences such as ZOROASTER, PELICAN, SLEEP and other great bands from the WEEDIAN scene. Though, SPACE WITCH also draws upon the likes of John Carpenter and Goblin in places. Perhaps not the style of music they're known for but how to keep the audience captivated with a soundtrack level of storytelling throughout the whole album.

Distorted guitar tones and an abstract rhythm section feel like they’re battling unseen forces with some uncompromising moments of down-tuned screeching guitars and bombastic psychedelic effects. Mountains Of Neptune captures a seedy slice of Seventies Horror and Science Fiction which you don’t really experience that much unless by the likes of CLOUDS TASTE SATANIC and BONGRIPPER but SPACE WITCH offers a more cerebral and gritty style. There are a multitude of different sounding riff-centric passages which allows the Ambient and Psychedelic melodies to become more GLOOM & DOOM which fully take over within the final third of the album.

Mountains Of Neptune ends on a triumphant finish with the COSMIC DOOM and SPACE HORROR themes being hammered home convincingly which allows this to be one of the most understated, technically impressive and brilliantly entertaining instrumental records of the year. Dare I say this is without doubt my favourite album from SPACE WITCH yet. And if SPACE WITCH decides to stay as a fully fledged instrumental metal band for future records then they’ll have no complaints from me.

Words by Steve Howe

Mountains Of Neptune will be available for free download on October 31st 2025 from spacewitch.bandcamp.com and on all major streaming platforms. 

This will also be available to buy on limited edition vinyl.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

BEASTWARS - The Ship // The Sea (Album Review)

Release Date: November 07th 2025. Record Label: Destroy Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

The Ship // The Sea - Tracklisting

1. We Don't Say Fear

2. Guardian Of Fear

3. Levitate

4. The Storm

5. Rust

6. Blood Will Flow

7. The Howling

8. You Know They're Burning The Land

9. The Devil

10. Lights Lead The Way

Members

Matt Hyde - vocals

Christian Pearce - guitars

James Woods - bass guitar

Nathan Hickey – drums

Review

Beastwars from Wellington, New Zealand, have been around since 2007. During this time they have amassed 5 full-lengths, 1 live album, 5 singles and a split and now they are back with opus 6, 'The Ship// The Sea'. Already a force to be reckoned with from the very beginning Beastwars have transitioned so perfectly and seamlessly throughout the years which leads to their latest creation.

On this brilliant recording the music weaves back and forth between tempos, mainly mid to slowish all while steamrolling the listeners throughout all the songs. What this allows is for the songs to go in circles creating perfect individual stories as well as keeping them cohesive and simply one of a kind.

'We Don't Say Fear' is an unrelenting lead-heavy beast which represents the album wholly as does the intense and hypnotic crusher 'The Howling'. Other standout compositions are the captivating annihilator 'The Storm', the unforgiving 'You Know They're Burning The Land' and the mercilessly slow and heavy 'The Devil'. And let's not forget 'Levitate' which comes across as early-days Killing Joke playing stoned heavy-ass sludge...brilliant!

Beastwars never disappoint with 'The Ship// The Sea' being a perfect example of. They go from strength to strength with each new release making them a band that stands above the rest. Not budging in what they're doing and believe in while always going their own way is the way to go when creating ever-lasting brilliant music!

Words by Håkan Nyman

Thanks to Sheltered Life for the promo.

The Ship // The Sea is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl from www.beastwarsband.com

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram | Twitter

Hardcore Punk/Sludge Metallers PARK+RIOT Release New Video For THE END And Announce UK/German Tour Dates

PARK+RIOT presents the second video from the band's intense live recording session, which was recorded at HoboRec Studios earlier this year. Watch the video for the track ‘The End’ by the MATHCORE/SLUDGE band from Leipzig HERE and share it. Tour dates for the UK and Germany announced!

 

Comments the band: "The track weaves together post-metal textures, spoken word, and black metal influences, revealing a more introspective side of the band. Lyrically, it confronts the emotional cost of staying engaged in a world that rewards apathy."

Park+Riot Share Live Session for "The End". To celebrate the first anniversary of their debut album Wise Words From Well-Fed Mouths, Leipzig’s sludge/mathcore duo Park+Riot have unveiled a live session of their track “The End” — recorded in collaboration with producer Ulf Blomberg (HoboRec).

A departure from Park+Riot's high-energy and chaotic mathcore sound, “The End” dives into darker, more atmospheric territory.

Fittingly the session was captured at The End Studios in Sweden, with Blomberg bringing out the band’s dynamic depth and sonic tension — all created with just two instruments and voices.

UK Dates:

Tues 21 Oct – Oxford | The Wheatsheaf
Wed 22 Oct – Bristol | The Gryphon
Fri 24 Oct – Bournemouth | Anvil
Sat 25 Oct – London | The Dev

German Dates:

14.11.2025 Eberswalde | Exil
15.11.2025 TBA
16.11.2025 TBA
17.11.2025 Bamberg | Live Club
18.11.2025 Osnabrück | K.A.F.F.
19.11.2025 Köln | Sonic Ballroom
20.11.2025 Oberhausen | Druckluft
21.11.2025 Dannenberg | Raum2
22.11.2025 Kiel | Schaubude

In case you missed it: Watch the First VIdeo for the Track "Lungs Out" From the same Hobo-Rec Live Recording Session Earlier via INVISIBLE ORANGES RIGHT HERE.

"Interspersing bitter melodies and surprisingly intricate vocals with loud, crashing noise and screams, the album whips up a furious storm of discontent." Invisible Oranges

Debut Full-Length "Wise Words From Well-Fed Mouths" Released via THIS CHARMING MAN RECORDS. Make Sure to Check Out This Amazing Duo.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Thanks to CZ Promotions for the details.

Honeybadger - Let There Be Light (Album Review)

Release Date: October 19th 2025. Record Label: SODEH Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Let There Be Light - Tracklisting

1.Before the Crash

2.Panic Button 

3.Filth and Disorder 

4.The Green

5.Diamonds

6.The Joke is on me

7.Empty handed

8.Let there be Light

Musicians

Dimitris Vardoulakis - Vocals/Rhythm Guitar/Lead Guitar

Vagg Oikonomou - Drums/Percussion

Dimitris Giannakopoulos - Lead Guitar

Dimitris Giannopoulos - Bass Guitar

Fogg - Bass Guitar

Christos Spiliopoulos - Trombone

Nikos Tattoo Vlachos - Trumpet

Review

Greek Stoner Rockers HONEYBADGER return after a five year absence with their sophomore album Let There Be Light which is another dominant style of Desert Rock, Stoner Rock and Fuzz Rock passages with a sweeping sideline in classic Grunge surroundings. The record has a Classic Rock vibe coming through very early on with boisterous vocals from lead vocalist Dimitris Vardoulakis boosting the HEAVY VOLUMES of the whole album with his excellent vocal performance on his own.

With flashes of CLUTCH, FU MANCHU, KYUSS and QOTSA influences being heard left, right and centre. The added aggression of Grunge adds an extra layer of grooved out heaviness with the band playing with a determined passion throughout the whole album. Let There Be Light is not the most necessarily modern of Stoner Rock/Metal albums but it perfectly captures the golden era of the actual scene which allows HONEYBADGER to develop melodies straight from the top draw on tracks such as Before The Crash, Panic Button, Filth and Disorder, The Green, Empty Handed and Let There Be Light being the songs that will have folks excited the most.

The music is fast-paced and laced with edgy Psychedelic movements which allows the record to continuously offer catchy, aggressive and soulful grooves. There’s a distinctive GARAGE ROCK energy developing within the production values as this record is very stripped back and this allows HONEYBADGER to rely solely on their musical and creative talents to prove what a great Stoner Rock/Metal band they have actually become since their 2020 debut album.

Let There Be Light has a muscular presence that could allow HONEYBADGER to become a firm member of the Greek Stoner Rock/Metal community which already has some amazing bands within their ranks. If you miss the good old days of the Nineties to Mid-Noughties STONER scene then HONEYBADGER have crafted a perfect “TIME CAPSULE” / “TIME MACHINE” of sorts to take you back where you can lose your whole self under a TON of blazing RIFFS of the highest order.

Words by Steve Howe

Let There Be Light is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via SODEH Records.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Exclusive Album Premiere Of Fuzz/Desert/Stoner Rockers HIGH ON WHEELS New Album THE MONKEY

After more than a decade of relentless touring and a reputation for electrifying live shows, French desert rock power trio High On Wheels are back with their highly anticipated new album, The Monkey, set to be released on October 17 via Klonosphere.

Known for their pure, gritty, and direct approach to rock, High On Wheels craft music that thrives on stage, where their three voices, three instruments, and unfiltered energy come alive without the need for synthesizers or any artificial gimmicks. The band embodies the spirit of a three-headed beast, delivering unrelenting riffs and desert-drenched grooves that strike a chord with fans of Kyuss, Red Fang, Fu Manchu, and Truckfighters.

High On Wheels first made waves with their 2015 demo, before unleashing their debut full-length FuZZmovies in 2021, which garnered attention from specialized press and earned them slots alongside heavyweights such as Geezer, Glowsun, 7 Weeks, Hangman's Chair, Nashville Pussy, and more. In 2023, they further showcased their versatility with the stripped-down Acoustic Tones For The Crazy Psychonauts EP, proving their music thrives whether plugged in or unplugged.

Their upcoming release, The Monkey, was recorded and mixed by Jordan Jupin at Studio de la Fuie, mastered by Florent Sicard at Bad Bean Mastering, and features artwork by Mr Grrra. Promising a heavier, dust-ridden soundscape, the record captures the essence of their live shows, thunderous, high-octane, and undeniably real.

With a reputation forged on stages across Europe and an unwavering dedication to authentic, live-driven rock, High On Wheels are set to unleash their fiercest and most uncompromising work yet.

The Monkey will be available on October 17 via Klonosphere on digital platforms and as a special double vinyl edition.

However, you can listen to this exclusive album premiere thanks to the amazing folks over at Viral Propaganda PR.

HighOnWheels · The Monkey Who Dipped His Balls In My Whisky

Line-up:

Beaumont Grégoire – Drums/Vocals
Guerra Bruno – Guitar/Vocals
Tantot Gilles – Bass/Vocals

European Tour Dates

The band are also going on a short European Tour in November 2025. Dates are listed below:

November 5 – Paris, France – Le Klub

November 18- Auxerre, France – Le Galopin

November 20 – Unquera, Spain – Los Bancos de Trás

November 21 – Ortigueira, Spain – Sala Asatru

November 22 – Porto, Portugal – Woodstock 69 Rock Bar

November 26 – Lyon, France – La Pente

November 28 – Limoges, France – Le Dropkick

November 29 – Chalons-en-Chanpagne – Shop & Bières Sacobri

High On Wheels

https://www.highonwheels.live
https://highonwheels.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/highonwheelsband
https://www.instagram.com/highonwheelsband

Thanks to Viral Propaganda PR for all of the details

Basaltic Plateau - Dead Dinosaurs Echoes (Album Review)

Release Date: October 17th 2025. Record Label: Electric Valley Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Dead Dinosaurs Echoes - Tracklisting

1.Mystic Flow

2.Sleep Paralysis 

3.Summer Dream

4.Peyote Rising

5.Cuttlefish Galaxy 

6.Dead Dinosaurs Echoes

Members

Maurizio Cau – Guitars and synth

Marco Serra – Bass and effects

Roberto Loscerbo – Drums

Review

Dead Dinosaurs Echoes is the debut album from Psych Stoner Rockers Basaltic Plateau who play between a selfless style of Post-Rock and Ambient Interludes that’s matched against an aggressive style of Post-Doom and Stoner Rock movements. The album can be quite understated which means Basaltic Plateau can focus on the more important things such as constructing progressive melodies and levels of sonic surroundings that draws upon the likes of Red Sparrows, Yawning Man and Pelican. There is also the added bonus of classic Desert Rock vibes and certain Space Rock experimentation hanging in the balance.

The album does rely heavily on heavy synth work which can be quite Noise Rock and Prog Rock focused but allows Basaltic Plateau to play their own blend of Psychedelic Rock. The spaced out effects is another standout on the album which is fully realised very early on within the tracks Mystic Flow and Sleep Paralysis. Dead Dinosaurs Echoes never feels rushed with the band taking their time bringing the heavy FUZZED OUT and slightly Stoner Metal sounding aggressive melodies where you  can also hear a sludgy distorted atmosphere starting to burst at the seams. 

Basaltic Plateau aren’t afraid to move into Progressive based Post-Metal waters that provide a thrilling and chaotic sound into the mix. The production values do feel quite lo-fi and solitary at times but with Basaltic Plateau playing areas of Cosmic Rock and Space Rock dimensions then this helps the album’s cause to great effect. 

As the album moves through tracks such as Summer Dream and Peyote Rising then Basaltic Plateau becomes more tranquil and peaceful with the world. The whole flow is subdued with Ambient themes, Eastern Vibes and extended instrumental dreamscapes with a JAM BASED quality that remind me of EARTHLESS and WEEDPECKER at times.

Basaltic Plateau do offer an Experimental quality and identity to their music with the record including moments of Noise Rock, Sludge and Droned based surroundings that once again allows the POST-METAL aspect to fully take control on the later stages of the album on the final tracks of Cuttlefish Galaxy and Dead Dinosaurs Echoes.

I admire when the album becomes quite frenzied with Basaltic Plateau racing to the finishing line as everything is quite chaotic once more that allows the band to play some of the heaviest, frenzied and catchiest grooves on the whole album. Dead Dinosaurs Echoes is one of those “RARE” type of albums that you don’t know how it’s going to finish with Basaltic Plateau keeping the listener on the edge of their seats with instrumental sounds that have an air of intelligence to them.

Basaltic Plateau have released a stunning, beautiful and mysterious musical odyssey with Dead Dinosaurs Echoes which becomes more memorable every time you listen to the album.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Qabar PR for the promo.

Dead Dinosaurs Echoes is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via Electric Valley Records.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram