Fuzzing Nation - Mothertruck (Album Review)

 

Release Date: March 27th 2026. Record Label: Octopus Rising Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl.

Mothertruck- Tracklisting

01. Burning Roads 3:42

02. Mothertruckers 3:26

03. The Open Wound 5:21

04. Dead Old Tree 6:20

05. The Elder’s Code 3:58

06. I Don’t Believe 2:59

07. Fallen Angel 4:09

08. The Core Machine 4:19

09. Turn The Key 4:53

10. I Don’t Care At All 3:57

Members

Angel Ioannidis – Vocals, Guitars

Steve Giannakos – Bass

Terry Moros – Drums

Review

Greek Stoner Rockers Fuzzing Nation release their debut album Mothertruck and it has all of the right ingredients for making a truly spectacular debut album if you like your Stoner Riffs more MAMMOTH SIZED with fast-paced aggression leading the actual charge. The band hone their musical craft being influenced by the likes of KYUSS, FU MANCHU and TRUCKFIGHTERS though I would also add KOMATSU to that great list as well. Fuzzing Nation shares many musical similarities with that great band. The vocals are quite similar and they have a similar aggressive sound that almost goes into heavy Doomed Out waters. 

Though, Mothertruck has a highly impressive array of Nineties Stoner Rock/Metal melodies with a refreshing Grunge outlook when it’s really needed though the first couple tracks of Burning Roads and Mothertruckers follows the old school Desert/Stoner Rock template down to a fine art. There’s flashes of Psych Rock surroundings being played with Fuzzing Nation moving between different areas of HEAVY RAWK. The band perfectly balances classic eras of Stoner Rock laid down over the last forty years or so. 

Things change within the standout third track of The Open Wound with Fuzzing Nation experimenting with sonic dimensions and post-stoner passages which allows some of the heaviest and intense sounds to fully appear. There’s still a grounded aspect heard within the band’s music where the guys add a certain Greek Stoner Rock flavour into the mix that reminds me of 1000MODS, Nightstalker and Planet Of Zeus. The music can be slightly Progressive in places which shows a new wealth of creativity starting to emerge for the later stages of the album.

Fourth track Dead Old Tree does become slightly outlandish with the vocals that have a certain Bruce Dickinson energy to them. The album doesn’t go into NWOBHM territory but there’s a wicked Doom Rock sound emerging from behind the scenes which isn’t too surprising with Angel Ioannidis and Steve Giannakos being part of Greek Doomsters SORROWS PATH. Terry Moros was once part of Power/Heavy Metallers InnerWish. So they guys are seasoned pros but it’s perhaps with this track where the band fully solidifies this as an excellent Doomed Out Stoner Rock album of sublime instrumental passages and subversive psychedelic imagery throughout.

The rest of the album sees Fuzzing Nation continue to explore their musical horizons with Post-Stoner and Sonic surroundings which can be quite distorted from time-to-time. Though, the majority of the music is pure STONER ROCK magic that KYUSS and FU MANCHU first laid down the groundwork at the start of the legendary nineties scene. You can detect a rebellious Punk Rock attitude on tracks such as The Elder’s Code, Fallen Angel, The Core Machine and Turn The Key.

Mothertruck has all the makings of becoming a real firm favourite within the global underground scene as there’s enough outstanding sounds to allow Fuzzing Nation to become more well known in the future. And with the full power and backing of Italian Powerhouse Record label ARGONAUTA RECORDS behind them though released through their parallel label OCTOPUS RISING then I expect big things to happen for FUZZING NATION in the years to come.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Grand Sounds PR for the promo..

Mothertruck is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Octopus Rising (Argonauta Records).

Links 

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Axe Dragger - Axe Dragger (Album Review)

Release Date: March 08th 2026. Record Label: Ripple Music. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl.

Axe Dragger - Tracklisting

1. Axe Dragger

2. Give You The Rope

3. Fight Another Day

4. Iron Rider

5. Eat Me From The Inside

6. Shock 'Em Dead

7. El Toro

8. The Damned Will Cry

9. Fire In The Madhouse

10. Death Is Calling My Name

Members

Terry Glaze - vocals

Bob Balch - guitars

Fredrik Isaksson - bass guitar

Pete Campbell - drums

Review

Calling a new band a super group is always a tricky proposition. Bringing established and renowned musicians together for a project disappoints much more often than it excites. Too many ideas and strong wills throws a wrench in the proceedings. That is not the case with the super group Axe Dragger however, quite the opposite in fact. Consisting of Terry Glaze (Pantera), Bob Balch (Fu Manchu, Big Scenic Nowhere), Fredrik Isaksson (Dark Funeral, Grave, Therion) and Pete Campbell (Pentagram, In-Graved, Place Of Skulls) Axe Dragger really came together and forged one hell of an album full of brilliant old school heavy metal but recorded with modern technology. Thus making it so rich and full in sound!

The title track, 'Axe Dragger' opens up the proceedings and unleashes a tight, razor sharp guitar and a crushing rhythm section. The band goes for weight instead of speed something which works great. 'Give You The Rope' follows and is full tilt heavy metal as the band goes for the jugular. Great guitar solo. Dropping in pace a little, 'Fight Another Day' is dark and lurking and chock-full of bad-ass riffs...great song, indeed! 'Iron Rider'  is like 70's blues-influenced Whitesnake mixed with Iron Maiden with some Dio thrown into the cauldron. Doesn't get much better than this! Keeping it slow and punishing 'Eat Me From The Inside' is also sinister and claustrophobic and works wonderfully well. 

Everything flows so well in 'Shock 'Em Dead' which gets an immediate grip and won't let up...again, listen to those riffs! 'El Toro' definitely lives up to its name by unleashing a total onslaught like a raging bull. Beware because Axe Dragger will pulverize you. 'The Danbed Will Cry' is gripping right from the start. Again the band goes for weight instead of speed something which is their trademark in lack of better words. Axe Dragger ups the pace on 'Fire In The Madhouse' with these razor sharp riffs leading the way. Controlled chaos which suits this neckbreaker perfectly. This excelent debut ends with 'Death Is Calling My Name'. It's eerie with a strong sense of impending doom hanging over it as the band takes it away.

This international quartet put the bar very high with this brilliant debut. It's such a relief when seasoned players continue to create music that is great and matters.  Personally it means music is truly well and alive and keeps pushing boundaries. 'Axe Dragger' is an album which be in every record collection out there, don't miss out!

Words by Håkan Nyman

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Axe Dragger is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music.

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Mister Earthbound - Ostara (EP Review)

Release Date: March 20th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD.

Ostara - Tracklisting

1. Foolish Eyes (5:40)

2. Even Me Out (4:06)

3. Only Son (3:48)

Members

Walter Gray - Guitar

Jason Kusterer - Bass / Vocals

Grayson Tolliver - Guitar

Jordan Faett - Drums

Review

Ostara is the latest EP from Psychedelic Stoner Rockers Mister Earthbound who bring a classic Swamp Rock atmosphere to their overall sound. There’s traces of Occult Rock imagery that draws them closer to the likes of Uncle Acid but they have classic sounding Blues Rock and Stoner Rock swagger where you can easily draw comparisons to the likes of All Them Witches. There’s quite a mystical element to Mister Earthbound with their Classic Rock energy which is mostly emitting from lead vocalist Jason Kusterer who also handles bass duties.

The EP only lasts around thirteen minutes across three superb individual tracks which has a haunting slow paced energy which brings a certain Doom Rock vibe as the EP progresses throughout. You can even detect a little QOTSA flavour within the tracks of Even Me Out and Only Son. This is quite a highly involving and hard rocking affair when Mister Earthbound fully explores their dominant Swamp Rock groove. The band have already performed alongside heavy hitters such as Weedeater, Kadavar, YOB, and Dead Meadow which shows they guys are the real deal which they fully explored within their excellent previous albums.

Whilst perhaps not as heavy or as outlandish as those releases but it’s great to see the band trying new creative pastures whilst playing their own definitive style of Doom, Stoner, Blues and Psych which is all held together by a sublime Southern Rock/Swamp Rock attitude.

Ostara is a great EP which may indicate the musical direction that Mister Earthbound are heading in with their next full length album. Until then, Ostara will keep their dedicated fanbase very happy indeed.

Great stuff. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the details.

Ostara is available to buy from all good digital stockists now.

Links 

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Linktree

Catapult The Sun - MARTYRDOM (Album Review)

Release Date: March 12th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD.

MARTYDROM - Tracklisting

1.A Pale Stine 07:31

2.Powerful Dark Objects (Mind Bender) 06:03

3.Insanity Has Thin Walls 05:48

4.Noon Creeper 03:15

5.The Word Made Flesh 04:40

6.Black Sails On Wine-Dark Seas 07:18

Review

Instrumental Doom/Stoner Metallers Catapult The Sun return with another cautionary tale of gloomy heaviness with their latest album MARTYRDOM. The band have evolved from their previous EP’s with a sudden shift into Atmospheric Sludge and Post-Metal heaviness with echoes of PELICAN appearing very early on. Catapult The Sun bring a foreshadowing style of Post-Rock, Prog Metal and Ambient Metal into their overall sound whilst remaining slightly apprehensive when bringing a heavier dynamic to their creative outlook for the album.

The album does feel slow paced at times but this allows the band to bring some creepy elements into their music but adding a cautious Sludge Metal appetite which you can feel and fully appreciate within the excellent opening track A Pale Stine. The song does take time to fully find its footing but once that happens there’s no stopping Catapult The Sun evolving into more OCCULT and GOTHIC based sound.

Though fans of Clouds Taste Satanic will find much to enjoy here. I would even mention BONGRIPPER as well with Catapult The Sun moving into quite bleak sonic based territory on the majority of the tracks especially Powerful Dark Objects (Mind Bender), Insanity Has Thin Walls and Black Sails On Wine-Dark Seas.

MARTYRDOM can be too ethereal and sometimes out there but that’s one of the best things about the album with Catapult The Sun never playing it safe. The record can be quite fantastical and methodical at the same time with the band experimenting with different psychedelic sound effects and cosmic atmospherics which perhaps impresses the most on Powerful Objects (Mind Bender).

Every song is superbly structured with a great balance of “LOUD vs QUIET” dynamics which allows a certain Post-Stoner energy to fully appear and immerse with the dominant Instrumental Doom/Stoner Metal sound that is the band’s main weapon of choice to impress listeners with.

There’s a lot going on with this record and I recommend you give this album a few listens to fully understand and digest with Catapult The Sun exploring many different levels and areas of the whole Instrumental Metal world. The album is quite moody and action-packed as it draws closer to it’s natural conclusion that’s set against a wave of emotionally charged musical performances from the entire band. 

MARTYRDOM is a richly engaging and deeply powerful album that delves into the heart of instrumental music and allows Catapult The Sun to create their own signature style of music to impress the underground scene with.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp

Doom/Stoner Metallers Sea Of Snakes Release New Single “Behind The Mask” — First Taste of Upcoming EP Magmantus

Los Angeles doom metal outfit Sea of Snakes have released their crushing new single “Behind The Mask,” out now on all streaming platforms.

The track serves as the first preview of the band’s upcoming EP Magmantus, scheduled for release April 2.

Built on sludgy, riff-driven foundations, “Behind The Mask” blends the weight of doom metal with the grit of stoner rock and flashes of ’90s heaviness. Driven by pounding drums, thick low-end and melodic yet powerful vocals, the song delivers a dark and confrontational atmosphere that reflects the band’s evolving sound.

Lyrically, the track explores themes of hypocrisy and false virtue — questioning the figures people blindly idolize and the moral façades that often hide self-serving intentions.

Formed in Los Angeles in 2021 by guitarist Jim McCloskey, Sea of Snakes quickly established themselves in the underground heavy scene. The band debuted with the EP World on Fire, and after several lineup changes solidified with:

Line Up:

Jim McCloskey – Guitar
Greg Noriega – Bass
Chris Lowbridge – Drums
Jason Busiek – Vocals

Drawing influence from decades of heavy music — from early ’70s psychedelic rock to ’80s metal and ’90s grunge — Sea of Snakes channel those elements into a modern doom sound rooted in thick riffs, dark atmosphere and raw energy.

“Behind The Mask” offers the first glimpse of the band’s upcoming EP Magnamantus, a release that further expands their sonic approach while staying grounded in heavy, riff-driven songwriting.

Listen to the single here: Spotify | BandCamp

Links

LinkTree | BandCamp

Skyraker - Society Of The Triode (EP Review)

Release Date: March 06th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD

Society Of The Triode - Tracklisting

1.Surreal p1 01:25

2.Surreal p2 05:25

3.Barrel 03:38

4.It's A Lie 04:00

5.Shifting Gears 03:30

6.Gremlin 04:20

Members

Jason Baker (vocals / guitars)

Ben Carey (vocals / bass)

Bryan Fairfield (vocals / drums)

Additionally featuring:

Matt Sulikowski (sax and flute on Surreal p1 and Surreal p2)

Matt Jones (keys / synth on Barrel)

Review

Society Of The Triode is the latest EP from Psych Stoner Rockers Skyraker who impressed me with their highly original and superbly eclectic debut album Stars And Screams. This EP continues a similar creative journey with their wicked blend of Psych, Space Rock and Prog Rock contained within the whole EP. Though, Skyraker introduces a slight Jazz and Experimental core to their music which is evident within the excellent two opening tracks of Surreal p1 and Surreal p2. 

The introduction of sax and flutes featuring a great performance from Matt Sulikowski did take me out of my element when first listening to this but it’s superbly surreal and I wished Skyraker allowed more elements of this style of music to appear on the whole record. However, it’s their show and they know what’s best for them. Even the vocals are quite different with a certain left-field charm to them. The sudden influx of Hard Rock and Stoner Rock melodies changes the game and allows the record to be more closely to their debut album. 

The rest of Society Of The Triode focuses upon experimental rhythms and increasing reliance on familiar Stoner Rock/Metal structures but Skyraker at least try different SONIC passages that remind of bands such as NEBULA and MONSTER MAGNET with a fucked up rebellious streak appearing within the lyrics. Other great tracks to check out are Barrel, Shifting Gears and Gremlin with mood exploring Grunge, Electronica and Indie Rock. 

When everything is said and done, Skyraker have released a superbly realised vision of modern day Stoner Rock/Metal that stands on its own creative merits especially when they play a freakier and aggressive style of music.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Official | BandCamp

GHOROT - Obsidian (Album Review)

Release Date: April 10th 2026. Record Label: Lay Bare Recordings / King Of The Monsters Records. Formats: CD/DD/Tape/Vinyl

Obsidian - Tracklisting

1.Void Drinker

2.Lascaux

3.A Seeping Infinitude

4.Beneath the Soil

5.Lafayette

6.Deluge

Members

Carson Russell - Bass Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals

Brandon Walker - Drums, Vocals

Chad Remains - Electric Guitar, Amplifiers, Vocals

Review

Blackened Doom/Sludge Metallers Ghorot return with their impressive third album Obsidian which is perhaps their most daring, heaviest and darkest record to date. The band go all in with their Blackened Doom Metal vision which goes into slight Post-Metal territory with its Progressive themes making an early appearance within the outstanding opening track Void Drinker, The vocals are a mixture of harsh growls, death chants and some clean vocals which are quite easy to understand even when they’re all singing over each other. 

Though, that only tells half of the story as Ghorot brings a wicked Stoner Metal influence which allows the band to play some truly epic instrumental solos with a fresh modern day Psychedelic element despite the apocalyptic surroundings and filth ridden chaos happening for the majority of the album.

There’s a grizzled and determined commitment from Ghorot to provide some of the heaviest and filthiest extreme sounds on the record but they still bring a wonderful sense of rhythm and melody to the listener. You feel this sense of musical wonder on tracks such as Void Drinker, Lascaux and A Seeping Infinitude with that violent EXTREME energy being played through every angle.

The album does become ever more creepy and violent with each passing moment with Ghorot venturing into abrasive SONIC METAL landscapes on the later stages of the album. The vocals are quite challenging at times with each band member having their own individual chance to take the spotlight from each other but it works superbly well as you’re giving a unique perspective when they all suddenly appear or change at will.

If you ever wonder what HIGH ON FIRE would sound like if they added elements of BLACK METAL into their music then I urge you all to listen to the standout tracks of Lascaux, Beneath The Soil and Deluge though that’s my own thoughts and impressions. You can also hear bands such as THOU, NEUROSIS, MASTODON and PRIMITIVE MAN but Ghorot always keep to their own musical vision and create their own great blend of music which will have you coming back for more punishment long after the record has finished.

Obsidian is perhaps the album that allows Ghorot to be truly considered as a force to be reckoned with. As this is their most impressive record to date on all counts. This is an exciting blend of crushing grooves and punishing beat downs that can be quite complex at the same time. Ghorot never shy away from touching upon hard-hitting subjects whilst putting the listener through a pulsating and brutal workout of EXTREME levels of DOOMED OUT HEAVINESS. 

This is a masterclass of Blackened Doom/Sludge Metal. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to GHOROT for the promo.

Obsidian is available to buy now on CD/DD/Tape/Vinyl via Lay Bare Recordings, King of the Monsters Records, and GHOROT.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp