Hempire - Sealed By The Sea (EP Review)

Release Date: October 23rd 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

Sealed By The Sea - Tracklist 

1. Amity (Reprise) (0:40)

2. Indianapolis (4:41)

3. Price To Pay (4:52)

4. Blue Water, White Death (3:58)

5. Death By Secrecy (4:20)

Members

Joey Shaw - Vox, Guitar

Jon Andre - Drums

Jason Watson - Bass

Review

Doom/Stoner/Thrash Metallers Hempire latest EP Sealed By The Sea is a brutally heavy mix of aggressive sounds that have a deceiving psychedelic flavour behind everything with certain ambient grooves to fully form behind the scenes. The vocals are quite vicious at times moving from clean vocals to indecipherable harsh growls that gives Hempire a violent creative persona when they fully transform into a completely different HEAVY METAL BEAST altogether.

Hempire deliver punishing grooves inspired by the likes of HIGH ON FIRE, CONAN and MELVINS but they’re also open to exploring subtle Post-Stoner Metal themes that gives Sealed By The Sea a more humbling and emotionally charged sound. Though, for the most part Hempire deals in fast paced Thrash Metal grooves that have that early HIGH ON FIRE attitude fully realized and deconstructed within their own musical image on tracks such as Indianapolis, Price To Pay and Blue Water, White Death.

The EP has a distinctive DIY PUNK attitude appearing within the production values that allows Sealed By The Sea to have a sublime and seedy aesthetic. The sound is quite stripped back but allows Hempire to put maximum effort into their music with some highly frantic grooves forming a dominant Doom/Thrash melody with screeching Sludge/Stoner Metal surroundings. You can also expect to hear intense Appalachian / Mountain Rock musical structures to appear which isn’t surprising with the band coming from Asheville, North Carolina. 

Sealed By The Sea is fast-paced and sees Hempire offer no apologies for powering through from start to finish and not applying any slowly played uplifting soundscapes or instrumental passages. Hempire are a band on a mission which they fully succeed in delivering an intense and first rate record that’s packed full of great grooves and subtle hooks throughout. It would have been great if there was another song as Hempire is absolutely on fire and then the EP suddenly ends but it's always great leaving the audience wanting more.

Hempire have all the hallmarks of being a band we’ll be talking a lot more about in the years to come if they keep releasing great records such as this.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the promo.

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram |  Spotify | YouTube 

Godzilla In The Kitchen - Termination Sequence (Album Review)

Release Date: October 23rd 2026. Record Label: Tonzonen Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Termination Sequence - Tracklist

1.Nothing For None 04:15

2.Humility 04:54

3.Birdsong 04:59

4.Empty Cribs 05:45

5.Everyday People 05:26

6.No Sign Of Life 03:57.

7.Wonder 06:04

8.Termination Sequence 06:12

Members

Simon Ulm (vocals, bass)

Eric Patzschke (guitar)

Thiago Presto (drums)

Review

Termination Sequence is the latest album from Godzilla In The Kitchen where the band have transformed from an Instrumental Post-Rock/Stoner Rock outfit into a fully fledged destructive Post-Metal unit. This is the band’s most complex, daring and aggressive work to date but there are still moments of Post-Rock and Stoner Rock melodies that appear from time-to-time. Godzilla In The Kitchen even experimented with areas of Post-Punk, Prog Metal, Sludge Rock and Electronic themes for a record that always manages to be quite forward thinking and slightly unconventional throughout.

You can feel influences from the likes of Neurosis, ISIS, TOOL and PELICAN within the heavier moments with the band applying an epic QUIET vs LOUD dynamic for the majority of the tracks. Though, it’s always good to hear Godzilla In The Kitchen touching upon sounds they delivered in their previous albums for Termination Sequence more quieter aspects. 

Another thing that has changed is the band have added vocals for the first time with Simon Ulm taking on the mantle of lead vocalist and it’s a role he absolutely relishes with a commanding performance. There’s a certain Alternative Metal and Post-Metal delivery to Simon’s vocals that allow him to include a sullen Eighties Pop/Rock attitude along the way. 

However, this album is mostly about bringing some troublesome modern day socially aware problems into the mix with Godzilla In The Kitchen never offering any answers either. That’s left upto the listener to fully decide what’s being said and that’s one of the great strengths for this album. As it treats the listener with respect and intelligence to allow them to make up their own mind about what's truly going on in the world.

Sometimes the songs don’t flow naturally as they should the first time you listen to this especially on tracks Nothing For None, Humility and Bird Song which opens up the whole album. However, after a few listens you begin to fully understand everything a bit more within the complex melodies that the band have applied here. The music shifts constantly from different musical tones and intense progressive melodies where the band feel perhaps too closely inspired by the likes of TOOL and DEFTONES.

However, Godzilla In The Kitchen deserves credit for trying something different for their third album which for the most part is an exciting and action packed record that is beautifully dark and expertly aggressive in the best possible moments. The sudden transformation into different musical genres will leave you on the edge of your seat on tracks such as Birdsong, Empty Cribs, Wonder and Termination Sequence. 

Termination Sequence is superbly produced with Godzilla In The Kitchen undergoing a major musical transformation which should serve the band well in the long term. It may take their established fanbase sometime to fully appreciate their heavier sound and musical direction but it’s a risk that’s worth taking as Godzilla in The Kitchen have become a better band because of this superbly bleak album.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Godzilla In The Kitchen, Sheltered LIfe PR and Broken Music for the promo.

Termination Sequence is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Tonzonen Records.

Links

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

Rickshaw Billie's Burger Patrol - Ca$h Grab (Album Review)

Release Date: October 23rd 2026. Record Label: Permanent Teeth. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Ca$h Grab - Tracklist

1.Freakshow 03:22

2.I Doubt It 02:07

3.Peaches 02:14

4.Fate Is 02:33

5.Punisher 02:30

6.Follow Through 03:11

7.Bury Me in Denver 02:24

8.Ca$h Grab 02:46

9.The Disappearing Man 02:16

10.No Juice 02:33

11.Bough Down 02:15

12.Talking To You 02:03

13.Couple Skate 01:59

14.Lush 02:13

Members

Vocals, 8-string guitar: Leo Lydon

Bass, vocals: Aaron Metzdorf

Drums: Sean St. Germain

Review

One of the most originally named bands within the Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal scene who don’t have the name BONG, WIZARD, WITCH or WEED in their name return with their explosive new album Ca$h Grab. I’m talking about Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol who have released their most explosive and personal record to date. This is the band’s fourth album and they have a more serious tone to their music compared to previous albums. However, they still have a great sense of demented fun on this record which is offset against a more progressive, commercial and melodic sound.

The previous records of Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol were inspired by the likes of The Melvins, Primus, Dinosaur Jr and even Pantera. This record has a kooky poppy attitude that reminds me of the WEEER and The Smashing Pumpkins being added to great effect which comes across superbly well within the opening tracks of Freakshow, J Doubt It and Peaches. There’s a manic schizophrenic musical energy being demonstrated which allows the creative glue of the Sludge/Stoner Metal grooves expand into areas of Heavy Psych, Punk, Grunge, Doom and Alt Metal.

The majority of the tracks last around two to three minutes in length but Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol manage to convey a lot of different musical energy within these tracks as the music can be quite disjointed and superbly distorted. The excellent rhythm section of Aaron Metzdorf (Bass) and Sean St. Germain (Drums) form a winning combination where the heaviest sounds appear that allows the massive 8 String Guitar work by Leo Lydon to add a layer of down-tuned heaviness to the party.

There’s a manic DOOM-POP energy that reminds me of TORCHE in certain stages but with a darker fucked-up perspective appearing within the lyrics on tracks such as Fate Is, Punisher, Follow Through, Ca$h Grab, The Disappearing Man and Talking To You being my favourite tracks on the album.

Ca$h Grab is bound to be the album that allows Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol to finally gain some real recognition within the Heavy Rock scene as it’s their most accomplished record to date with some intense and first rate production values allowing the band to achieve this mission. I adore the many big risks that the band have taken with this album as it’s quite different to what has come before it but still retains the great sound the guys are known for.

Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol flirts with classic Nineties based Grunge, Alt-Metal and Stoner Metal heaviness whilst still applying that great modern Psychedelic sound that can be quite quirky and off-beat the best of times. This gives Ca$h Grab a wonderfully subversive quality for a record that’s packed full of great sounds that will leave you with a huge smile on your face.

My final thoughts is that Ca$h Grab is brilliantly inventive and showcases why Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol could become your next favourite band to really give a damn about!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to US/THEM PR Group for the promo.

Ca$h Grab is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Permanent Teeth.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Inferous - Mueran Todos (Album Review)

Release Date: October 13th 2026. Record Label: Psycho Records. Format: DD

Mueran Todos - Tracklist 

1.Weed hunter 03:13

2.Al borde del abismo 06:47

3.Espada negra 08:17

4.Ritual ciego 07:41

5.Brutal conciencia 02:39

Members

Belisario Gronda (guitar, vocals)

Seba Castro (drums)

El Bocha (bass)

Review

Mueran Todos is the latest album from Doom/Stoner Metallers inferous where the band blends Doom, Stoner, Fuzz, Psych and other trippy elements of the wider WEEDIAN Heavy Rock scene. With the band originating from Argentina, the vocals are sung in Spanish throughout but they only appear when they’re really needed. Inferous develop a brooding style of slow and down-tuned Fuzzed Out Doom Metal that overlaps with areas of Sludge/Stoner Metal. 

There’s some great amplified and sonic based delivery being added to the band’s music with the album having intense lo-fi sounding moments that’s perfected by a great style of seedy production themes holding everything together. Inferous are influenced by the likes of Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard, Monolord and Dopelord but that doesn’t stop them doing their own thing especially when they let their darker Psychedelic and WEEDIAN creative instincts run free on tracks such as Weed Hunter, Al borde del abisimo and Espada negra.

The band even started adding small elements of distorted electronic sounds along the way with a trippy and violent style of Sludge Rock being quite riff-centric especially on Espada negra and Ritual Ciego. The lo-fi production values allows Inferous to bring a claustrophobic element into play which isn’t surprising since they tracked everything over two days. 

The music is quite cautious but also sees Inferous play a great style of fast-paced grooves and slow-to-mid paced surroundings. The vocals have that classic Doom Metal delivery that’s perfectly inspired by the likes of BLACK SABBATH and SLEEP but with a lean and mean gruff exterior. The album lasts around twenty eight minutes in length but that feels like the perfect length for this record. As Inferous are very straight to the point with their music that allows this be classed as ALL KILLER AND NO FILLER. 

The fuzzed out momentum is one of the best things about the album. As it moves across many different styles of WEEDIAN METAL whilst keeping it’s true DOOMED OUT feeling quite grounded and offering some great distorted and amplified instrumental passages at the same time. 

If you want an album that stays true to the classic core of modern day Doom/Stoner Metal then Mueran Todos is the album for you. Inferous have released a record that showcases another great band to check out from the South American Doom/Stoner Metal underground scene which should allow them to build a loyal dedicated following once more.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

LinkTree | BandCamp | Instagram

Exclusive Premiere Of Doom/Stoner/Thrash Metallers HEMPIRE Excellent New Release - SEALED BY THE SEA

We're beyond happy to premiere the excellent new release from Doom/Sludge/Stoner/Thrash Metallers HEMPIRE new record Sealed By The Sea which you can hear below.

The Lowdown

Sealed By The Sea offers a progressive take on stoner rock with elements of hardcore, thrash, and death metal following their debut release The Weight (2025). Inspired by historical tragedy, Sealed By The Sea is an empirical and intense elaboration of the previous album’s themes of life and death.

Accompanying Sealed By The Sea is the short documentary Count Your Days, filmed by the band and including behind the scenes footage on the recording process & tour, band member interviews, and more.

Hempire has been a part of the DIY music scene in the southern Appalachian region since 2022, opening for Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol, Whores, and Bongripper, along with repeat appearances at Lily’s Snack Bar’s Doomerang Fest and Kentucky’s Holler of Doom.

FALL 26 /WINTER 27 TOUR:

Hempire will be hitting the road this Fall/Winter with fellow North Carolina heavies Mean Green in October/December and Broadslab in January.

Hempire - Sealed By The Sea

EP out October 24th, 2026
Self-released (Digital, CD)
Asheville, North Carolina, US
FFO: High on Fire • Melvins • CoC • Howling Giant • Conan
Recorded in Asheville at
Roundtable Studios by Reilly Appert (Fliora)

Hempire is:

Joey Shaw - Vox, Guitar
Jon Andre - Drums
Jason Watson - Bass

Tracklist:

1. Indianapolis (4:41)
2. Price To Pay (4:52)
3. Blue Water, White Death (3:58)
4. Death By Secrecy (4:20)

Links:

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram |  Spotify | YouTube 

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the details.

Psych/Stoner Rockers SUN VOYAGER Premiere Hypnotic New Single/Video For ‘VANDROMEDA’

New York’s Sun Voyager blast off with new single ‘Vandromeda’, a pummelling, heavy-psych odyssey driven by massive riffs, hypnotic grooves, and cosmic mayhem.

Released via Tee Pee Records, the track sees the trio push further into the void, unleashing an adventurous, fuzz-drenched cacophony that balances controlled chaos with the band’s trademark heavy grooves. Opening with a colossal riff and the mantra “rise, fall, live, die”, ‘Vandromeda’ hurtles forward into a sprawling sonic assault as its lyrics wrestle with truth, control, and the unknown.

Founded in 2011, Sun Voyager have built a devoted following through touring and an uncompromising approach to heavy psychedelic rock. Combining the weight of early metal with motorik krautrock grooves, garage rock grit, and expansive stoner jams, they have carved out a sound that's unmistakably their own.

Following the release of their acclaimed debut album Seismic Vibes on King Pizza Records and their self-titled sophomore album via Ripple Music, the band have continued to refine their songwriting through marathon rehearsals and extended improvisation, allowing songs to evolve organically before taking shape in the studio. That spirit of exploration runs through ‘Vandromeda’, where crushing riffs, driving rhythms, and hypnotic psychedelia collide in a relentless journey into the unknown.

Heavy, hypnotic, and unhinged, ‘Vandromeda’ captures Sun Voyager at their most adventurous, pushing their sound into stranger, more volatile territory while remaining rooted in the powerful grooves and psychedelic energy that have made them one of New York’s most compelling heavy rock bands.

Behold the stars. ‘Vandromeda’ is the band’s next step into the cosmic unknown.

Artist: Sun Voyager
Release: ‘Vandromeda’
Record Label: Tee Pee Records
Formats: Digital Single
Release Date: 23/10/26

Links

Sun Voyager - Bandcamp | Facebook | X | Instagram | Spotify

Tee Pee Records - Facebook | Web | Twitter | Instagram

Thanks to Sheltered Life PR for the details

Boss Keloid - Float & Aperture (Album Review)

Release Date: October 23rd 2026. Record Label: Church Road Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Float & Aperture - Tracklist

1 - Breeze

2 - Pedestal

3 - Landslide

4 - Weight

5 - Aros

6 - Accord

7 - Sanguine

Members

Ste Arands - Drums and Percussion

Paul Swarbrick - Guitars

Alex Hurst - Vocals and Guitars

Liam Pendlebury-Green - Bass

Review

Progressive Sludge/Stoner Metallers Boss Keloid awakened from a five year absence with Float & Aperture with the band taking upon an understated delivery compared to their trademark style of music they achieved with their classic last records. Truth be told I thought the band were done and dusted with their last album being released back in 2021. However, Boss Keloid always returns when the musical world needs them most.

Float & Aperture is perhaps their least heavy record yet but still offers a different style of progressive melody with the band channeling the likes of King Crimson, RUSH and Mastodon with TOOL-esque progressive melodies. The sound is quite grounded compared to their landmark 2018 album Melted On The Inch. The album is more personal which allows every member to channel their inner personal thoughts throughout the album without skimping on the Sludge Rock/Metal melodies. 

Lead vocalist Alex Hurst is the centre point of everything coming from a highly constructive narrative with some deeply personal lyrics emerging from the very start. Sometimes you want a heavy groove to change the musical direction though that allows Paul Swabrick (Guitars), Ste Arands (Drums and Percussion) and Liam Pendleburry-Green (Bass) to develop their own great musical style to run wild and expand into a classic style of Sludge/Stoner Metal exploration.

Boss Keloid keeps with their stop/start delivery throughout this record that allows their expansive musical attitude to develop within a true experimental approach. There’s a wicked style of Seventies Experimental sound that lends itself to a greater knowledge of creative narrative that fully develops early on between tracks Breeze, Pedestal and Weight that allows Boss Keloid to re-introduce their long terms fans to complex melody that saw the band upped their creative game within their last few albums

When things get heavy and brutally familiar then Boss Keloid are in magnificent form where they prove to the world why they’re one of the most unique bands within the underground Sludge/Stoner Metal scene. Everything feels quite different and superbly restrained but it’s Alex’s vocals which allows the rest of the band to construct a familiar destructive approach from start to finish.

I know some folks will say I’m talking ABSOLUTE BOLLOCKS with this review but Boss Keloid don’t play by the standard rules of Sludge/Stoner Metal and that’s an amazing thing to achieve once more but the guys have always been about a hundred steps of the competition. The way they blend Post-Rock, Psych, Prog, Grunge, Hard Rock and Stadium Rock anthems is simply breathtaking especially within the outstanding tracks of Weighted, Accord and Sanguine that left me thinking  - WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST LISTEN TO.

The production values off the scale with Boss Keloid exploring a level of “KITCHEN SINK” drama that allows them to have a refreshingly new grounded approach to their music. The stripped back attitude once again allows BOSS KELOID to demonstrate once again why they’re one of the most important Progressive Rock/Metal bands of our current musical landscape.

This is another simply incredible record from BOSS KELOID who are proving why they're absolute masters of their craft and perhaps influencing future musical generations. Yeah, I said that. The evidence is there for every future musician to discover and expand upon.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Since Always Press for the details.

Float & Aperture is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Church Road Records.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram | LinkTree