Hand Of Omega - The End Of The Beginning (Album Review)

Release Date: September 13th 2024. Record Label: Cursed Monk Records. Formats: CD/DD

The End Of The Beginning - Track Listing:

1.Survival Of The Shittest 04:47

2.Cyberspace Conscript 03:28

3.A Mentats Oath 06:49

4.Foundations Built On Shifting Sands 11:29

5.Amazon Burning 07:34

6.Convolution 05:12

Line-up:

Matt Doughty - Bass

Daz Rowlands - Guitars

Matt Kilmister - Vocals/Electronics

Review

The End Of The Beginning is the debut album from Blackened Doom/Sludge Metallers Hand Of Omega who play a brutal and nihilistic style of music that’s downright ugly for all the right reasons. The record is brutally fast and has a sublime Speed Metal sound which feels like a Black Metal version of High On Fire and Motorhead in places.

With the band adding moments of Groove and Thrash into their Extreme sound which is quite riff-centric when you cut through all the murky Death/Sludge Metal surroundings which remains harsh but also has a cool sounding technical ability from each of the individual members that make up Hand Of Omega.

I’m quite surprised that lead guitarist Daz Rowlands is playing this fast-paced style of guitars as Daz is mainly known for his work with the cult Doom/Drone/Stoner Metal band Space Metal where they play LOW & SLOW style of music compared to the furious sounds played here. The album is quite vicious with Matt Kilmister’s Death Metal charged vocals, howls and growls but they’re quite easy to understand which is always a good thing for me to fully understand the record.

Hand Of Omega do play some classic riff-centric instrumental sounds amongst the brutal landscape of Extreme Metal that appears here. The songs are superbly constructed with each track having its own distinctive sound and creative journey especially on tracks such as Survival Of The Shittest, A Mentats Oath and Foundations Built On Shifting Sands. This is where you can see Hand Of Omega drift into Prog Metal and Psych Metal which gives the record a whole new level of complexity which impressed me even further.

The heavy pounding bass guitar provided by Matt Doughty is a constant reminder of how primal and ugly Hand Of Omega really are throughout the whole record and is perhaps my favourite aspect of the whole album. Sometimes his bass playing is very understated but it’s always a firm threat with a subtle gloomy presence that allows the other members of the band to do their thing.

The End Of The Beginning is a winning combination of Extreme Metal blended with the surroundings of the Doom/Sludge Metal underground scene which allows this album to be quite a thought provoking ride with first rate grooves to match. This is an outstanding release from the more extreme side of the UK Metal Underground scene that takes a NO HOLDS BARRED approach which leaves you wanting to hear more. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Daz Rowlands for the promo.

The End Of The Beginning is available to buy now on CD/DD via Cursed Monk Records.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Pascere Lamia - Pascere Lamia (Album Review)

Release Date: June 28th 2024. Record Label: Various. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Pascere Lamia - Track Listing:

1.Sanguis Ebrius Est 19:00

2.Et Strygom Anima Mea 21:03

Line-up:

CHARLIE BUTLER: Bass, Guitar, Bass Synth, Keyboard, Effects, and Feedback

MIKE VEST: Electric and 12 String Guitars, Synths and Mix

NICK RAYBOULD: Drum Kit, Hand Percussion and Artwork

Review

Pascere Lamia (which translates as "FEED THE VAMPIRES" is the new musical project featuring Mike Vest, Charlie Butler and Nick Raybould. This is the first time all three musicians have worked together though Mike has formed separate projects with both Charlie (Neutraliser) and Nick (ARTIFACTS & URANIUM) previously and this time round the guys have formed another sublime Psychedelic Rock act.

The self-titled debut album features two epic tracks running around twenty minutes or respectively where Pascere Lamia explore the creative boundaries of Space, Psych, KrautRock, Drone, Ambient, Post-Rock and Noise Rock throughout the whole album. The record is superbly heavy with moments of Trippy Eastern Passages.

The first track Sanguis Ebrius Est which translates to Blood Drinker (thanks to Mike Vest for the translation) which gives the song an abstractive DOOM METAL meaning. The song is quite different from that description with the band playing a multi-layered style of Psych Rock with hallucinogenic tendencies where sounds overlap each other throughout the whole track. There’s an epic use of SONIC distortion that comes into play and can be quite distracting to hear at times especially when the more cinematic sounds appear that allows the song to be quite jarring and violent to hear at times. This is HEAVY and AGGRESSIVE based music but in a completely new form. The song drifts along to its natural conclusion and made me feel that I experienced a surrealistic nightmare with the non-stop use of creepy sound effects. 

Second track Et Strygom Anima Mea translates into English as A Dragons Soul. This time round Pascere Lamia plays a more traditional style of Heavy Psych Rock with Sludge, Doom and Stoner Rock passages starting to form. The track isn’t as heavy handed or aggressive as the previous track though the heavy droned out and multi layered textures remain for perhaps my favourite track on the album. The sound is varied, rich and wonderfully subversive with its dramatic use of Progressive Rock themes. There’s a subtle Middle Eastern influence that Mike, Charlie and Nick all use to their advantage by delivering some of the freakiest and hippest grooves on the whole record.

Pascere Lamia is a very good album indeed. It’s perhaps one I couldn’t listen to all the time as you need to be in a certain mood to fully explore and understand the message of the whole album. There’s some outstanding grooves and extended instrumental passages to be found but be prepared for the band to take you on a FUCKED UP PSYCHEDELIC TRIP of sublime intensity.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

You can buy the album on Digital Download/Vinyl from the links below:

Echodelick Records (USA)

Worst Bassist Records

Codespeaker - Scottish Post-Metal Act Announces New Album "Scavenger" and Releases New Single "Verte"

Edinburgh-based post-metal band Codespeaker is set to release their second album, Scavenger, on November 8th via Ripcord Records. This new release marks a significant evolution in the band’s sound, building on the critical acclaim of their 2022 self-titled debut, which was praised as “a richly textured tapestry of modern post-metal mastery” by Distorted Sound Magazine.

Ahead of the album release, Codespeaker has released their latest single, "Verte" which you can hear below:

The band explains the theme behind the song: ‘”Verte” looks at our notions of sacrifice. The difference in expectations of the powerless and the powerful. The justifications we give for valuing one human life over another. “Verte” was written at a time when people were being asked to make incredible sacrifices and the nature of these double standards was shown in stark light. It is an attempt to stand in the shoes of those who are deemed acceptable collateral damage.‘

Scavenger promises to expand on the heavy, atmospheric sound that Codespeaker is known for. Featuring thunderous drums and colossal guitars reminiscent of bands like Neurosis and Cult of Luna, the album offers a towering sonic experience that shifts between mammoth-sized riffs and intense vocals, while also embracing quieter, more introspective moments.

Reflecting on the writing process, the band shared: “Scavenger was an interesting album for us. With 3 of 5 members joining since our last album, we wanted to create something that felt like a new incarnation of Codespeaker while remaining true to our sound. It was challenging, but we’re proud of how it all came together.”

 
They added: “While our self-titled album had a certain warmth and wonder about the human experience, Scavenger is more pointed and aggressive. It reflects the darkening sociopolitical landscape we were living through—there’s a sense of desperation and anger. The lyrics focus on power structures and those who suffer under them. It’s an ode to the powerless.”

Prepare for Scavenger, arriving on November 8th, 2024. Pre-orders are now available at this location.

Codespeaker Links

https://www.facebook.com/codespeakertheband
https://www.instagram.com/codespeaker
https://open.spotify.com/artist/codespeaker
https://codespeaker.bandcamp.com

Ripcord Records Links

https://ripcordrecords.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/weareripcord
http://www.instagram.com/weareripcord

Thanks to Viral Propaganda PR for all of the details.

UK stoner rock power trio DUNES signs to Ripple Music; new single "Riding The Low" available now!

Newcastle-based stoner rock trio DUNES have joined the Ripple Music roster for the release of their new studio album in 2025, and unleash their anthemic new single "Riding The Low" on all digital platforms today!

Watch the new Dunes video "Riding The Low" + listen to the single on all streaming services

Hailing from Newcastle, UK, DUNES are known for marrying up hard-hitting riffs with earworm melodies, channeling a handful of Northern grit through the fuzzed-out, cranked-up, trip-tinged sounds of the infamous generator parties of the 90s desert rock scene, and the beer-soaked, sweat-drenched and feedback-engulfed clubs of the grunge era.

DUNES has earned a solid reputation on the UK stoner rock scene, sharing the stage with he likes of Fatso Jeston, Nick Oliveri, Alain Johannes, Red Fang, High Desert Queen, Monster Magnet, Sasquatch, Truckfighters and more, also performing at a plethora of festivals including Desertfest London, Bloodstock Open Air, Masters of the riff, Ruination Festival and Idelfest in the UK, and overseas at Fuzz Festival Stockholm and Malmö (SE) and Love For Loud Festival (NO).

The trio is now ready to blast more fuzzy greatness into all heavy rock lovers' ears, as they recently joined the roster of renowned Californian label Ripple Music to release their new material in 2025. Stay tuned for more info!

DUNES line-up:

John Davies – guitar & vocals
Ade Huggins – bass & vocals
Nikky Watson – drums

DUNES links

Facebook ⎪ Bandcamp ⎪ Instagram ⎪ Spotify

RIPPLE MUSIC links

Website ⎪ Facebook ⎪ Bandcamp ⎪ Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the info.

November Fire - Through A Mournful Song (Album Review)

Release Date: October 11th 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Through A Mournful Song - Track Listing:

1.Wall Of Monsters 06:06

2.Can He See 05:33

3.Sad Song With No Name 06:27

4.Faint As The Stars 05:23

5.Under Red Skies 07:18

6.Wake Up 09:17

Line-up:

Terry Aubie: Bass, Vocals, Lyrics, Sound Effects

Dave Hubai: Guitars, Vocals & Lyrics on Track 5

Jim Kelley: Drums

Review

Through A Mournful Song is the debut album from Heavy Psych/Stoner Rockers November Fire is a record that takes some time to find it’s own creative groove with it’s diversion into Garage Rock and Punk Rock vocals that can be quite distracting when first listening to the album. However, the music is excellent with November Fire taking cues from bands such as Monster Magnet and FU MANCHU but with a dirty LO-FI twist. The record feels it was recorded live and in one take which gives the album a more vibrant and dangerous feeling especially on the superb opening tracks of Wall Of Monsters and Can He See.

Freaky feedback loops and Amplifier Distorted movements allows Through A Mournful Song to be quite schizophrenic and equally dangerous with the PROTO-METAL attitude that November Fire inject into the mix of their highly experimental sound. The vocals feel like they belong within a whole different genre altogether as they have a “PERFORMANCE ART” quality to them but it all makes sense after a few listens and it gives the band an OUTSIDER perspective within the realm of Stoner Rock.

Apparently November Fire have been going since 1991 where you can read what Terry Aubie says about the record:

"It is the first fully-realized release from the band since their inception in 1991. "We were really active in the 1990's through 2004, writing and performing over 40 original songs, but never got a chance to make a good sounding record. Nowadays, it's so much easier to take advantage of the technology, but we didn't want to record old songs", notes Hubai. 

"So, we worked up these six new songs around riffs we came up with in the past few years." The project is 100% DIY, recorded, produced and mixed in the band's homes, basements, and even cars, in New Hampshire and Massachusetts."

That’s why the record has a classic 1990’s highly dominant Grunge, Doom and Stoner Rock attitude with other influences such as Soundgarden, The Melvins and TAD can be heard. There’s a deep reliance on sludgy guitars, heavy psychedelic sounds and trippy Desert Rock passages which goes into deep overdrive on tracks such as Sad Song With No Name, Under The Red Skies and Wake Up.

Through A Mournful Song is a deeply personal and highly reflective album with hard-hitting lyrics telling dark tales within each of the individual tracks. Though, it’s the music that’s the real “STAR” for me. As November Fire play a wild and eclectic mix of Doom, Sludge, Psych, Stoner and Grunge which is blended all together for quite a surreal and challenging record which offers high rewards within the RIFFS and GROOVES department.

If you like your Doom/Stoner Metal with extra added bite and are not afraid to take BIG and BOLD creative risks then November Fire is the band for you. Through A Mournful Song is an album you cannot pass by.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Linktree | BandCamp | Instagram

Tripping Haze Ceremony - Indicat (Album Review)

Release Date: September 13th 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Indicat - Track Listing:

1.Indicat 06:37

2.Sabbath’s Bell 09:22

3.Red Eyes Downer 09:07

4.Curse Of The Witches’ Grave 03:42

5.Bed Tundy 09:27

6.Religious Rider 10:54

Line-up:

Epulyard - Guitars/Vocals

Sara - Bass

Lem - Drum

Review

Indicat is the new album from Malaysian Doom/Stoner Metallers Tripping Haze Ceremony (THC) who lay on the Psychedelic Fuzzy Amplifier Reverb from the very start of the record with homages to bands such as Black Sabbath, Church Of Misery, SLEEP and WEEDEATER being used as a great reference. The album delightfully sees a seedy and sadistic attitude starting to form within the epic opening title track of Indicat.

The downtuned sludgy instrumental parts are played at a subtle slow pace with Sara’s powerful bass playing creating an electric atmosphere for Lem’s Drums dictate the action and Epulyard’s muscular and aggressive guitars lead the music into a modern violent landscape of hazy WEEDIAN groove. The excellent choice of audio samples is what gives Indicat such an unpredictable quality where you can see the Church Of Misery reference come through.

Second track Sabbath’s Ball opens with a heavier and faster style of music which oozes that classic SABBATHIAN sound. The music is delightfully creepy with raw-sounding production values allowing THC to demonstrate their love for all things FUZZ and DOOM based. There’s a slight nod to Electric Wizard with some of the lyrics and Epulyard’s vocals may seem laid back but he brings a sinister persona to the party. The majority of the songs on Indicat are quite long but THC keep things moving along at a very cool pace with their sublime creative choices of downtuned progressive sludgy passages which can be quite melodic in places without giving up its epic DOOM METAL surroundings.

The production values are quite sparse indeed with the whole surroundings allowing the record to feel that it was recorded in the 1970’s and being discovered by today’s modern audience. The album still sounds superb and makes you buy into THC’s overall creepy and demented WEEDIAN persona. The album was recorded live and gives Indicat a more authentic and grimy sound which only becomes heavier and sinister on the other parts of the record.

Third track Red Eyes Downer finds the right balance of Occult Doom Metal dominance and the low tuned energy of Stoner Metal with a grimy Sludge Metal attitude starting to form. The music is played at a devilish slow-to-mid pace but THC excel conjures up moments of classic sounding AMPLIFIER DISTORTED mayhem that add superb elements of OCCULT HYSTERIA to the mix.

Fourth track Curse Of The Witches Grave is a gloomy instrumental Occult Doom number which feels inspired by GOBLIN and the works of Dario Argento. It’s a very cool and moody piece which feels quite different to the rest of the album but works overall within the whole creative narrative for Indicat.

The final two tracks of Bed Tundy and Religious Rider sees THC go all out with the heaviest, freakiest and aggressive sounds of the record. Uncomfortable audio clips generate the perfect and unsettling mood for Bed Tundy with THC playing those long drawn out Sludge/Stoner based AMPLIFIER grooves that’s spiced with extra demonic heaviness. Religious Rider allows THC to end the album on a downbeat and seedy note which is how Indicat started.

Tripping Haze Ceremony have released a great album that portrays the perfect picture of the seedy underbelly of the underground Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal scene that I’ve been missing for the last few months.

Indicat is an absolute blast to listen from start to finish and I loved every twisted seedy thing about the album. If Tripping Haze Ceremony isn't on your radar then they should be after this outstanding album.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

BandCamp | Instagram

KALIYUGA EXPRESS - Occult Future (Album Review)

Release Date: August 16th 2024. Record Label: Riot Season Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Occult Future - Track Listing:

1.Occult Future 04:48

2.The Circle 08:09

3.The Eternal Mistake 06:18

4.The Adept 06:36

5.The Living Dream 12:59 

Line-up:

Otto Juutilainen - Vocals, Synth, Lyrics, Mix, Mastering

Ilkka Vekka - Bass, Electronics, Lyrics, Art

Mike Vest - Guitar

Teemu Vilmunen - Guitar

Ohto Pallas - Drums

Review

Psych/Drone/Doom/KrautRock/Stoner Rock visionaries KALIYUGA EXPRESS return with their new album Occult Future. The record is a heavy and beautifully weird sonic journey inspired by the likes of HAWKWIND, Can and early-era Monster Magnet. This takes a different approach compared to their 2023 debut album Warriors & Masters. The music is more expansive with an aggressive Space Rock sound with the blistering opening track Occult Future reminding me of TAB by Monster Magnet with hallucinogenic hazy vocals from Otto Juutilainen. 

KALIYUGA EXPRESS play a mixture of slow paced sounds and faster Prog Rock rhythms where the Droned Out and Space Rock aspect becomes more dominant with a clearer sonic vision building up between the distorted rhythms. The SHAMANIC attitude of the previous album remains the same here with the excellent lyrics and multi-layered vocals that Otto delivers throughout the whole album.

Second track The Circle benefits from a wide range of Sludge Rock and Noise Rock passages with KALIYUGA EXPRESS perhaps wholly focused on the Drone Rock message of this track which manifests into a whole area of Cosmic Rock with mind-inducing Trance based properties. The sound is quite varied but the band fully find their creative groove on this track alone with some of the best instrumental and vocal passages starting to form here which becomes heavier and even weirder on the later stages of the record. The record can be quite nightmarish, creepy and downright freaky which strives for the right balance of Experimental Rock.

Occult Future is perhaps more conventional compared to Warriors & Masters but it's also a more confident affair especially within the next two tracks of The Eternal Mistake and The Adept. The music changes adds small amounts of gloomy Industrial and Electro Rock which gives KALIYUGA EXPRESS another creative world of sound to immerse themselves in. With flashes of euphoric TRANCE movements allows the band to play heavier moments of Psych Rock that has a classic contemporary feel whilst being essentially modern at the same time.

The final track of The Living Dream offers a darker sound with that abstract Industrial theme allowing the band much needed time to explore a 90’s based Trance vision before adding levels of twisted Psychedelic paranoia with frantic shoegaze elements along the way. Otto’s vocals are quite deceiving whilst delivering the nightmarish message of this track. However, it’s peraps the standout track on the whole album and can be quite confusing to hear though KALIYUGA EXPRESS offer no easy answers on Occult Future.

Occult Future is a sublime and intense release from KALIYUGA EXPRESS and I’m quite excited to see what this hugely talented outfit will release next. As I have a feeling it will be another different sounding album with a brilliant sense of surrealism that only they can deliver.

Words by Steve Howe

Occult Future is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via Riot Season Records.

Links

Riot Season Records BandCamp | Mike Vest BandCamp