Blunt Horse - With Teeth (Album Review)

Release Date: April 25th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

With Teeth - Tracklisting

1.Teeth 08:28

2.The Grand Bizarre 07:27

3.Mind Raker 05:43

4.Buried in Significance 09:43

5.Eniccav 09:28

Members

Mike Dee - Bass

BG Drakeley - Drums

Clay Oboth - Guitars

Review

I last featured Sludge/Stoner Metallers Blunt Horse back in July 2021 when I reviewed their split record with Grilith and I was mightily impressed by their slight experimental style of Heavy Rock. Fast forward five years and the band finally return with their debut album With Teeth which is another exquisite slice of Sludge/Stoner Metal with slight jazzy and experimental vibes.

Taking influence from the likes of Mutoid Man, Cave In, Melvins, Faith No More and Mastodon throughout the album. The record itself is powered by a great style of progressive melodies and musical tempo changes that moves into an area of cool weirdness which you can experience within the opening track of Teeth.

Blunt Horse create a fascinating style of Sludge Metal which sees strange vocal techniques being delivered throughout and you can detect influences such as James Hetfield, Devin Townsend and Mike Patton starting to emerge. The lyrics are off the chart with a Frank Zappa approach that propels the album into levels of strange absurdity but everything works with Blunt Horse delivering their own great blend of “OUTSIDER” based Sludge/Stoner Metal.

The album is forty minutes long that’s spread across five tracks with Blunt Horse offering a highly original and unsettling ride at the best of times. The music does become more dominated by Progressive landscapes and trippy psychedelic energy which builds up superbly well on tracks such as The Grand Bizarre and Mind Raker.

Blunt Horse play a confident style of slow-to-mid paced grooves which become quite aggressive and fast-paced when the band decide to switch musical tactics for a more violent sound. The “GONZO” and “OFF-BEAT” approach maybe too weird for some but at least the band are playing music that’s vastly different and brilliantly surreal especially on the later stages of the record mostly on songs such as Buried In Significance and Eniccav. 

With Teeth is a record with genuine “CULT APPEAL” and Blunt Horse offer no apologies for delivering that unique style of music. If you like your music that’s quite multi-layered and perhaps even with a schizophrenic delivery then Blunt Horse are most definitely the band for you to check out. There’s a ton of great riffs, grooves and cool sounding instrumental solos to check out from this hugely talented outfit. 

Production values are excellent as well allowing Blunt Horse the time and space to create something grounded and superbly thrilling at the same time. WIth Teeth is a wonderfully surreal and first rate debut album that I can’t recommend highly enough.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

BONG VOYAGE - Hedonistic Hard Rock (Album Review)

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

Hedonistic Hard Rock - Tracklisting

1. Saturday Rite Special

2. Large and In Charge

3. UFOria

4. One Hundred Million Billion Beers

5. Escape Prison Planet Earth

6. Outer Space Freebase

7. Enabler

8. Wizard of Ozlo

9. In Possession

Members

Charlie Ytterli = Vocals

Simen Andersen = Guitar

Kim Grannes = Guitar

Tobias Paulsen = Drums

Asbjørn Halsten = Bass

Review

Hedonistic Hard Rock is the debut album from BONG VOYAGE, a supergroup of sorts made up of members from the likes of Håndgemeng, Suncraft, and Buskas. The end result is a devilishly twisted collection of tracks fused by the legendary sounds of the Seventies Hard Rock and Heavy Metal scene. The band add a certain WEEDIAN and STONER METAL energy into the part for a record that’s inspired by the likes of KISS, BLACK SABBATH, THIN LIZZY, QUEEN, KVELERTAK, THE OBSESSED and even ELTON JOHN.

Yeah, I know that sounds like a crazy concoction but here we are with BONG VOYAGE raiding their parents vinyl collection and giving it a thrilling SATANIC ROCK makeover where the key elements are to ENTERTAIN and PARTY ON throughout the whole album. The album still manages to find the time to touch upon areas of Melodic Hard Rock, NWOBHM, Punk Rock and Psych Rock where you can’t help but fall in love with.

Take the superb opening track Saturday Rite Special which sees BONG VOYAGE channel KISS, KVELERTAK and ELTON JOHN for a song that has a real SATANIC attitude but with a loving embrace to the Seventies Hard Rock lifestyle whilst keeping with the Doomed Out and Stoner Rock melodies that the band lovingly build their music upon. The spiky lyrics and turbo charged vocals just add a real party going atmosphere which makes this one of the albums main strengths that carries through tracks such as Large And In Charge, UFOria and One Hundred Million Billion Beers. 

I would advise to look at lyrics rather closely where BONG VOYAGE live upto the “HEDONISTIC” element of the album’s name with some mature lyrics being written and sung against the party-going classic rock melodies. The sound is always warm-hearted and quite engaging but look further beyond this aspect and you’re treated to a more demonic and sadistic energy which sees the record become more HEAVY METAL obsessive.

There is still tons of GROWN UP fun to be had with the edgy lyrics that the band have written here. The never-ending waves and levels of Psych Rock attitude move BONG VOYAGE closer to the modern mainstream with some epic instrumental soundscapes developing against the classic hard rock delivery that should keep THIN LIZZY fans happy for a long time to come.

Another standout part of the album is how BONG VOYAGE have captured the tone and energy of the Seventies and Eighties Heavy Metal scene where “EXCESS” was a big thing of the actual scene. The band apply this twisted energy into their music with spectacular results which is downright hilarious throughout on other tracks such as One Hundred Million Billion Beers, Escape Prison Planet Earth, Outer Space Free Base and Wizard Of Ozlo being my favourite tracks on the album. There’s a lot of clever wordplay spliced throughout the album which makes this record quite deep and meaningful when you least expect it. 

The subtle shift to Post-Stoner based structures is perhaps the creative glue that holds everything together within the later stages of the record that perhaps comes more from Håndgemeng the most for me. Though, as a whole, BONG VOYAGE are a great band in their own right where you can see why the great Ripple Music signed them to their always amazing roster. 

Hedonistic Hard Rock is one of the most highly unapologetic and brilliantly entertaining debut albums I’ve heard in such a long time that I instantly fell in love with the album on the very first listen. The album is packed full of great songs, great melodies, brilliant musical solos and a whole lot of heart even if BONG VOYAGE are doing the work of SATAN himself.

This is a rip-roaring success on every level which will leave you with a huge smile on your face from beginning to end. Yeah, I love this album a lot. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Hedonistic Hard Rock is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music.

Links 

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Wheel Of Smoke - Live At Libertad 2026 (Album Review)

Release Date: May 01st 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Live At Libertad 2026 - Tracklisting

1.Degeneration 05:32

2.Beamed 05:20

3.On a Wave 07:48

4.Stream of Time 08:33

5.Sun Go Down 09:25

6.Feral 07:59

7.The Pilgrim 09:18

8.Song of Saturn 13:33

Review

Psych/Prog/Stoner Rockers Wheel Of Smoke return after a seven year absence by releasing their live album Live At Libertad 2026. The record which was recorded on 05th April 2026 at café libertad in Leuven, Belgium sees the band play a collection of their most well known tracks built up across their excellent discography. If you’re new to Wheel Of Smoke’s world then the band plays a great style of Psych Rock, Space Rock, Prog Rock, Stoner Rock and other stellar sounds from the area of Classic Rock.

This record has a stripped back atmosphere which captures the band perfectly in a raw vibrant “LIVE” setting and you can tell that very minimal work was done in the recording studio / behind the scenes for this album. There are a lot of rough sounding moments captured on this record which only adds to the overall effect as it allows the listener to be part of the action. This is quite an involving and long drawn out album but it’s never boring with Wheel Of Smoke changing their musical style and delivery through various stages of the album.

There’s a sublime “Jam based” energy to Wheel Of Smoke of how they delve into the area of Sixties and Seventies Psych Rock then adding levels of modern Stoner Rock heaviness when you least expect this. The majority of the tracks are powered by an expressive style of Instrumental Rock with influences such as Pink Floyd, Hawkwind, Earthless and The Doors can be heard for the best sounding moments on the album.

Wheel Of Smoke are quite hard to describe as they have a "chameleon" approach to their music with some wonderful Spaced Out And Ambient effects emitting from the vastness of the actual venue itself. The music can be quite “Jazzy” and “Experimental” in places which allows the grounded Progressive and Post-Rock elements to hold everything together on tracks such as: Degeneration, Beamed, On A Wave, Sun Go Down, The Pilgrim and Song Of Saturn.

Live At Libertad 2026 is quite an involving album with Wheel Of Smoke delivering a highly engaging seventy five minute live album where there’s plenty of fantastic instrumental solos to lose yourself in. Wheel Of Smoke fully commit themselves to their musical craft on this album and their entire performance can only be described as a “masterclass of instrumental rock music”. 

It’s great to see Wheel Of Smoke back releasing new albums and I’m hoping they will be releasing new music in the very near future as they’ve been sorely missed. This album is proof of that and I’m hoping the underground scene welcomes the band back with open arms and help promote this great live album like their lives depended on it.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

White Tundra - Stories From The Dark (Album Review)

Release Date: April 24th 2026. Record Label: Argonauta Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Stories From The Dark - Tracklisting

1.Healer 04:43

2.Huset 05:42

3.Riderless Horse 07:14

4.Kultarberget 04:56

5.The Lake 05:27

6.White Tundra 08:57

Members

Steven Kresin - guitar and vocals

Kjell Andres Nilsen -  lead guitar and vocals

Øyvind Persvik - bass

Ola Fuglevaag  - drums

Review

White Tundra return with another healthy dose of Doomed Out melodies that fuses Nordic atmospherics with that classic Nineties sounding Stoner Metal attitude that has an aggressive modern Sludge Rock/Metal attitude appearing within the heaviest moments on the album. Stories From The Dark has a more darker, destructive and melodic energy compared to their 2023 self-titled album which showed how the band were influenced by the legendary bands of the scene whilst forging exciting creative sounds of their very own.

That creative journey is laid down right here but with heavier FUZZED out passages as White Tundra add a thrilling storytelling aspect into their music which comes across spectacularly well on tracks such as Healer, Huset and Riderless Horse. The music has a certain sound inspired by the likes of DOZER, RED FANG and TRUCKFIGHTERS but White Tundra build upon that style of music by adding a down-tuned Fuzz Rock energy with certain Sludge Rock movements that transform into areas of slightly distorted instrumental environments. 

The clean vocals are quite aggressive for the most part and delivered with a gritty attitude which is quite commonplace for modern day Sludge/Stoner Metal albums with White Tundra employing great dual vocals that’s provided by Steven Kresin and Kjell Andres Nilsen throughout the album. White Tundra shows great signs of creativity with Ambient sound effects that adds a level of subtle Droned Out attitude to the record which allows that subtle Post-Stoner, Post-Doom and Psych Metal attitude to elevate the album to a more global audience at times.

White Tundra throws in some Post-Metal and Prog Metal melodies on certain sections of the record where you can hear a grizzled MASTODON multi-layered effect being added on the later stages of the record. It’s within these parts of the album where White Tundra are really firing on all cylinders and creating the most outstanding parts of the album on tracks such as Riderless Horse, The Lake and White Tundra. The record allows White Tundra to create some wicked sounding Fuzz Rock and Amplifier Distortion along the way which adds a level of SONIC MANIPULATION being played mostly in the background.

Stories From The Dark allows listeners to see the next musical evolution that White Tundra have taken with their career for the better which should hopefully allow them to play their music to the biggest audiences possible. If you want a record full of great sounds, grooves and massive STADIUM SIZED riffs from start to finish then check this great album out when you can.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the promo.

Stories From The Dark is available to buy now digitally and vinyl via Argonauta Records.

Links 

https://www.facebook.com/WhiteTundraBand
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

https://whitetundra.bandcamp.com/

GODZILLA IN THE KITCHEN - New Single NOTHING FOR NONE out on Tonzonen Records May 8th 2026.

We are living in a time of profound societal upheaval. For GODZILLA IN THE KITCHEN, this is a reason to speak up and channel their anger into music. With NOTHING FOR NONE, the band releases their first new song since the album Exodus (2022).
 
What once started as an instrumental rock band has evolved into a powerful alternative metal formation – now driven by socially critical lyrics. Simon Ulm, the band’s bassist, takes over lead vocals and adds a new compositional depth to the music. Despite this evolution, the musical roots of GODZILLA IN THE KITCHEN remain clearly audible: elements of stoner, progressive, and psychedelic flow naturally into a distinctive, deliberately analog sound.

Nothing For None is accompanied by a music video that visually captures the song’s central theme: the seduction of the masses. Driven by aggressive vocals, guitar hooks, monster riffs, and pounding drums. Be warned: this track hits hard and builds toward a climax guaranteed to send chills down your spine.

The Lowdown

German Heavy Psychedelic Prog trio GODZILLA IN THE KITCHEN are about to drop their first new material since the last album EXODUS (2022, Argonauta Records), and after a move to Tonzonen Records, they're looking to make this one count: While they will be announcing the release of their new album later this year, for now the focus lies on getting the singles ahead of the album heard by as many old and new fans as possible.

A new label as well as a new drummer aren't the only significant changes for the band since the last record: So far, they exclusively made instrumental music, but with their new material, they're adding vocals for the very first time, and I think this change suits them really well.

The first new single, NOTHING FOR NONE, will be announced on April 24th, and released on May 8th.

Links

https://www.godzillainthekitchen.de/
https://linktr.ee/godzillainthekitchen

Thanks to Broken Music for all of the details.

Sludge/Stoner Metallers Rickshaw Billie's Burger Patrol - new single PEACHES Out Now!!!

Austin trio Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol share a new single today, titled “Peaches” culled from their forthcoming album CA$H GRAB. The song finds the band showcasing their absolute mastery of heavy hook-filled riffs and rhythms couched in earworm melody that would make Green Album era Weezer jealous. CA$H GRAB, which is still in production, will be announced in more detail at a later date. For now, dig in to the bite-sized anthem that is “Peaches” on all DSPs HERE. 

Spotify pre-save link: https://linktr.ee/rickshawbilliesburgerpatrol

RBBP continue their CA$H GRAB headlining tour dates across North America, running through May. The band is joined on the entire 6 week long tour by Austin punk-metal trio American Sharks (whose new album Not Dead Yet released last week), and in the Midwest by Denver "Desertgaze" trio Pink Fuzz. 

Please see all dates below. Tickets for all shows are available HERE.

RBBP’s fourth annual festival, BIG DUMB FEST IV will take place on May 30th, 2026 in Austin, TX. Full lineup, food vendors and details follow below.

BIG DUMB FEST IV Lineup:

Rickshaw Billie's Burger Patrol

American Sharks * Palefade * Transit Method

Buzz Electro * Waterworld * Sodomy Cop

Food vendors:

Bad Larry's Burger Club * Epic Jerk * more TBA

Mohawk Austin - 6pm - ALL AGES - Indoor and Outdoor stages

RBBP have opened a new online store via Shopify, with new merch and restocked LPs and cassettes. Shop MERCH HERE.

BIG DUMB RIFFS is available on LP, cassette and download, released May 10th, 2024. Doom Wop is available on LP, cassette and download, released August 11, 2023. 

RICKSHAW BILLIE'S BURGER PATROL - US LIVE 2026:

04/23 Los Angeles, CA - Zebulon (LOW TICKETS)

04/25 San Diego, CA - The Casbah (LOW TICKETS)

04/26 Pioneertown, CA - Pappy & Harriet’s

04/28 Phoenix, AZ - Rebel Lounge

05/01 Oklahoma City, OK - Resonant Head *

05/02 Lawrence, KS - The Bottleneck *

05/03 Omaha, NE - Reverb *

05/04 Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry * (LOW TICKETS)

05/06 Milwaukee, WI - Falcon Bowl *

05/07 St. Louis, MO - Blueberry Hill Duck Room *

05/08 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle * (LOW TICKETS)

05/09 Cleveland, OH - Mahall’s *

05/10 Toronto, ON - The Garrison

05/12 Montreal, QC - Cabaret Foufs

05/13 Boston, MA - Sonia

05/15 Brooklyn, NY - TV Eye (LOW TICKETS)

05/17 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s

05/18 Baltimore, MD - Metro Gallery

05/20 Charlotte, NC - Neighborhood Theatre

05/21 Atlanta, GA - The Earl

05/22 Atlanta, GA - The Earl (SOLD OUT)

05/23 Nashville, TN - The Blue Room

All shows with American Sharks 

*w/ Pink Fuzz

Links:

www.rickshawbilliesburgerpatrol.com

https://linktr.ee/rickshawbilliesburgerpatrol

Thanks to US/THEM PR for the details.

Nightscape - Sakura (Album Review)

Release Date: April 24th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Sakura - Tracklisting

1.Mirror Lake

2.Floating Petals

3.Slow Peach

4.Clear Wind

Members

Guglielmo Allegro - Produced, composed, written, edited, recorded, mixed and mastered.

Review

Guglielmo Allegro aka Nightscape returns with another exciting record Sakura which expands his musical philosophy into areas of Shoegaze, Prog, Psych and Post-Rock compared to the previous records that he's released under this creative outfit. The record is perhaps more subdued and is more about the journey than the eventual destination.

The majority of the record is quite “low-key” with small amounts of Post-Stoner energy emitting from behind the scenes with elements of Sludge, Doom and Stoner Metal surroundings only being used quite sparingly. However, the record is still beautifully heavy when it needs to be, which you can feel through different stages on the individual tracks that make up Sakura.

The instrumental passages have a slight Droned Out sound with a haunting Post-Rock and Post-Stoner melody which is captured superbly well within the first two tracks of Mirror Lake and Floating Petals. If you’re a fan of Yawning Man, Pelican, Russian Circles and King Buffalo then Sakura follows that style of music those great bands are known for and then sees Guglielmo do his own thing with quieter and mellow parts of the record. 

Various ambient sounds combine for a progressive cinematic feel that builds up the slow-burning tension and intense melodic passages that allows Nightscape to offer a deeper, personal and philosophical sound you least expect.

The other two tracks of Slow Peach and Clear Wind allow Guglielmo every creative opportunity to build levels of meditative Post-Doom, Psych Rock, Space Rock and Stoner Rock soundscapes with a slightly aggressive sound appearing from time-to-time. There’s also a deeply understated use of Drone and Amplifier Distortion which brings a grounded quality to the whole journey that’s brilliantly euphoric and uplifting before Sakura finishes on a positive message.

Sakura is another standout record from Nightscape where they find new ways of delivering highly original HEAVY sounds of their own making. I’m starting to wonder if Guglielmo Allegro is thinking about playing these songs on the live stage as that would be EPIC to witness or here on the live stage.

This is instrumental music of the highest order and once again proves again why Guglielmo Allegro is one of the best creative minds and voices we have currently within the underground scene.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp