ZuLe - DoomsdayHighrise (Single Review)

Release Date: June 10th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats Digital Download.

Line-up

Cpt.Cisco — guitar & vocals

Niek — guitar

Tjalle — bass

Jonas — drums

Review

The debut single  DoomsdayHighrise from ZuLe is quite an atmospheric track with many of your favourite bands over the last thirty five years from the Grunge, Sludge and Stoner Metal world. There's a deep love and resonance with the legendary Nineties and Noughties Rock/Metal scene with touches of modern Sonic and Psychedelic aggression.]

There's a rough exterior and musical attitude which feels like Alice In Chains jamming with Deftones for the majority of the track which pushes the band further into areas of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal themes. The vocals from Cpt.Cisco have a certain Grunge exterior to them with shades of Alt-Metal giving them a gritty Post-Metal attitude when the harsh sounds appear.

The thuggish rhythm section has an epic industrial quality with ZuLe using the backdrop of Doomed Out grooves and subtle Prog Metal changes for a song that perhaps promises there is better music to come as the song suddenly ends when things were really getting interesting. 

For a debut single, ZuLe has a lot going for them. One of the main things is their broad appeal to the wider Heavy Metal community as they play a high amount of different sounds which they capture superbly well even within the six minutes runtime of this track.

I'm looking forward to hearing more tracks from the band which they've promised will be coming on a more regular basis. ZuLe has crafted a killer sound that delivers the heavy grooves where it matters most. Check them out when you can. 

Superb stuff!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Bandcamp: https://zule-band.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zule_band
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579538023891
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zule73184

The Lowdown

ZuLe is a grungy sludge metal band from West Flanders and Ghent, formed in late 2024 from the remains of Darqo. When that monster returned to the depths from which it came, a new entity crawled upward: dark, loud and melodic. The band brings together heavy riffs, sludge, grunge influences and clean vocals into a sound that hangs somewhere between underlying menace and melodic release. Musically, echoes of Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Eyehategod, Crowbar, Deftones and Godflesh can be heard, but the main breeding ground for the songs lies elsewhere: in film. Underground classics, filled with obscure atmospheres and slowly building tension.

The band consists of Cpt.Cisco on guitar and vocals, Niek De Vos on guitar, Tjalle Groen on bass and Jonas Delbecke on drums. Its members bring experience from previous bands such as Darqo and Mindstab, but ZuLe is mainly the start of a new chapter. The first songs have been recorded, the video is ready, and debut single DoomsdayHighrise marks the first step in a series of three releases. ZuLe creates dragging, abrasive songs that keep resonating long after the last note fades out.

The Soulbreaker Company - Sins (Album Review)

Release Date: May 29th 2026. Record Label: Discos Macarras. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Sins  - Tracklisting

1.Ant Row 03:19

2.In Rome 03:28

3.Abd Al Rahman 05:09

4.Jump The Fault Line 03:34

5.Beginning Of The End 03:00

6.Reaching The Dragon 03:35

7.On Jupiter 03:28

8.The Right To Hush My Sins 03:28

9.Ten Thousand Years 03:49

10.Road And Bread 03:58

11.Be On The Run 04:15

Members

 

Guille Colás (drums)  

Lasto (bass)  

Jony Moreno (vocals)  

Javi Free (Organ, Synths)  

Dani Triñanes (Guitar)  

Illan Arribas (Guitar)

Review

Sins is the latest album from Prog/Psych/Stoner Rockers The Soulbreaker Company who have been going since 2003 and are perhaps considered one of Spain’s finest Stoner Rock bands currently out there. The album is a stunning mix of different musical themes with the band applying a wonderful kaleidoscopic Prog Rock effect throughout the album. There’s also an epic cinematic feel to this record which has been a staple of The Soulbreaker Company’s music for a very long time.

The album moves effortlessly from Seventies Hard Rock fashion into other genres of music with the band applying a lush technical precision which can be quite Jazzy in places. This gives the record a soulful and surreal purpose with real emotional quality with everything fully centered around lead vocalist Jony Moreno’s excellent vocals. Everything does have a real warm-hearted nature with the band branching out into other areas such as Post-Rock, Grunge and Ambient Rock. The band have used these creative methods on previous albums but there’s a “DOOM & GLOOM” quality that is being applied here for the heaviest and aggressive sounds played on the record.

Sins is quite long but The Soulbreaker Company keep every moving along at a cracking pace with the different musical compositions and instrumental passages they’ve written for the album. Everyone within the band fully gets their chance to shine with the different musical themes that the band plays that you can’t believe what you’re hearing and experiencing at times. The record is very forward thinking from start to finish with different musical sounds evolving from simple structures into something more complex with other intricate creative ideas being added along the way.

Standout tracks include: Ant Row, Abd Al Rahman, Jump The Fault Line, On Jupiter, Ten Thousand Years and Be On The Run which all show the most interesting sounds that The Soulbreaker Company immerse the listeners with and even apply some epic Doomed Out soundscapes to give the album a heavier dimension to contend with.

I loved how The Soulbreaker Company experimented with electronic beats and trippy psychedelic loops which gives Sins an out of this world dimension which arrives in the most unexpected of places. Sins is quite different but it has a whole unique feel, quality and creative identity made by the band’s own making which could even gain a loyal “CULT” following within the underground Heavy Rock scene. 

Sins is a wonderful celebration of how lucky we are to have bands such as The Soulbreaker Company making great records such as this. I say give this record a chance as you’ll be surprised to hear what you expect and with excellent production values contained on this record which allows Sins to quite a highly rewarding journey when everything is said and done.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Sins is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Discos Macarras Records

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Astral Goat Dominion Join Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records For Their Next Ritualistic Journey

Astral Goat Dominion are pleased to announce their signing with Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records, for the release of their upcoming album.

Formed by Oniric (bass, vocals, synth, rituals) and Khaosfuzz (guitar, vocals), Astral Goat Dominion was conceived as a psych ritual stoner doom project blending heavy, fuzz-laden soundscapes with occult and luciferian atmospheres. Through hypnotic riffs, immersive textures and ritualistic intensity, the duo explores a sonic path where doom, psychedelia and spiritual transcendence converge.

The project first emerged with the release of the debut single "Lucifer (Part I)" on June 6th, 2025, followed by the full-length album Only Lucifer and Fuzz on October 31st, 2025. The record marked the beginning of Astral Goat Dominion's journey into a world of distortion, trance and esoteric devotion, laying the foundations for what is yet to come.

Now the band is ready to enter a new phase. Astral Goat Dominion comment:

"Exactly one year after the release of our first single, 'Lucifer (Part I)', on June 6th, 2025, today, June 6th, 2026, we are truly honored and excited to join the Octopus Rising by Argonauta Records family for the next chapter and upcoming album of Astral Goat Dominion. This collaboration represents an important milestone for us and we are excited to bring our vision of psychedelic ritual stoner doom to the Argonauta family."

The band's next album is currently taking shape and will further expand the sonic and spiritual dimensions that define Astral Goat Dominion's sound.

More details will be unveiled in the coming months, stay tuned for upcoming announcements and new manifestations from Astral Goat Dominion.

Links

https://www.facebook.com/AstralGoatDominion/
https://www.instagram.com/astral.goat.dominion/
https://astralgoatdominion.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

Plaindrifter - Gestalt (Album Review)

Release Date: June 19th 2026. Record Label: Ripple Music. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Gestalt - Tracklisting

1. Moth Murmuration
2. Eternal Season
3. Hyborian Age
4. Respite
5. In Anima
6. Debaser

Members

André Tinibel - bass guitar
Nils Stecker - guitar
Marcel "Uwe" Kloß - drms, vocals
Ryan Garney – vocals on ‘In Anima'

Review

This trio from Gelsenkirchen, Germany has moved in my periphery for a few years but for some reason I never paid close attention...until now, that is. They have just released their second full-length, 'Gestalt', the first for Ripple Music and they completely blew my mind! What these guys bring to the table is ethereal, headtripping and mind bending music. Unrestrained with no boundaries, Plaindrifter simply let the music flow. The end result is them playing on a whole different level. Excellent, indeed.

'Moth Murmuration' is dreamy like what I imagine floating in a super nova is like. It does erupt once the singing begins and when the brilliant guitar solo takes off the band mix that dreamlike state with crushing parts like no one else. Then, about halfway through they drop back to gliding through outer space. 'Eternal Season' retains the feel of its predecessor but is slightly more heavy. It brings to mind a blend of Elder and Howling Giant and it builds up gradually, something Plaindrifter are experts at. 'Hyborian Age' is mid-tempo burrowing into the mind letting you free. Kind of repetitive in the best possible way which enhances the band's transcendental traits.

'Respite' is a short, soft and beautiful instrumental segue which offers a breather in between Plaindrifter's mind bending brilliance. 'In Anima' sees the band crush at first. Drops back once Ryan Garney from High Desert Queen joins in. The floodgates open again after the verse allowing for a great solo. About halfway through the bass guitar takes over and leads us through a trippy segment. Eventually everything erupts taking the song to a brilliant ending. 'Debaser' is the longest and is the perfect closer to Plaindrifter's sophomore album. After a heavier mid-tempo beginning the band switch path with some off-the-wall spaced out playing. Gradually builds up while offering some disjointed guitar playing before the singing enters the fold and the space floating Plaindrifter are so great at conjuring takes over again.

Hoping not repeat myself but I do love it when a band appears basically out of nowhere and completely floors me. And that's exactly what Plaindrifter has done, and then some. 'Gestalt' is one of those recordings I keep on constant repeat for different reasons. One because it is so damned good; another high quality is the calming effect the album has on me. And that's very rare these days. Put it on, get the headphones in place and close your eyes. You won't regret it, in fact your life will be better, trust me.

Words by Håkan Nyman

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Gestalt is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music

Links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Exclusive Album Premiere Of Blues Rock/Stoner Rockers THE HEAVY EYES Stunning New Album FOCUS

The Heavy Eyes are ready to lead heavy rock lovers to the promised land with what can already be described as an instant classic!

Focus is the band's long-awaiting fifth studio album, FOCUS, a record brimming with new energy and cementing their stomp-inducing riff-rock as it transcends into heavier sonic realms. Sprawling guitar solos caress gargantuan grooves while languid, soulful vocals preach the gospel of a band reborn.

We're pretty excited to have the guys back in action and THE HEAVY EYES don't disappoint with their best record to date. You can hear the album in full with this exclusive album thanks to the great folks over at Purple Sage PR.

The Lowdown

Formed in the sweltering Memphis heat, The Heavy Eyes — Tripp Shumake (guitar/vocals), Matthew Qualls (guitar), Wally Anderson (bass) and Eric Garcia (drums) — forge a lean, no-frills sound rooted in the power of heavy blues and classic rock. Originally a trio, Shumake, Anderson and Garcia bonded over shared influences like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, quickly carving out their own identity with a self-titled debut recorded in a break room and praised for its unmistakable grit.

The 2012 follow-up, Maera, sharpened their attack with its immediate, riff-driven songwriting and a thunderous rhythm section, while 2015’s He Dreams of Lions marked their first proper studio recording and introduced guitarist Matthew Qualls. By 2018, Qualls was a full-time member, and the band began crafting their fourth album, Love Like Machines. The road to that album was anything but straight. Recorded between New Mexico and Memphis, its completion was threatened when Shumake was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease. Battling fatigue from treatment, he pushed through to finish the vocals, delivering a more polished yet unmistakably raw version of the band’s sound.

Though the album's 2020 release and a long-awaited European tour were derailed — first by the pandemic, then by Shumake’s successful kidney transplant in 2022 — The Heavy Eyes never stopped moving forward. Now, in 2025, The Heavy Eyes are gearing up to self-release their fifth studio record in collaboration with Magnetic Eye Records, as well as bringing their electrifying live show to European stages.

The Heavy Eyes is

Tripp Shumake - guitar/vocals
Matthew Qualls - guitar
Wally Anderson - bass
Eric Garcia - drums

The Heavy Eyes links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

You can buy FOCUS On CD/DD/Vinyl via the links below:

KOZMIK ARTIFACTZ and MAGNETIC EYE RECORDS

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

The Heavy Eyes - Focus (Album Review)

Release Date: June 12th 2026. Record Label: Magnetic Eye Records / Kozmik Artifactz. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Focus  - Tracklisting

1.That Cold Goliath

2.Concrete Halloween

3.It's All Simone

4.Sarissa

5.Corporal Upham

6.Troublesome Priest

7.Focus

8.Greener

9.Words

10.That Cold Goliath (Might Return)

11.Holy Envy

Members

Tripp Shumake - guitar/vocals

Matthew Qualls - guitar

Wally Anderson - bass

Eric Garcia - drums

Review

Heavy Blues Rockers The Heavy Eyes make a welcome return after a six year absence with their latest album Focus which is superbly named as this is perhaps their most focused, biggest and boldest album yet. However, there’s a sense of retrospection that appears within the album as the band write some emotionally engaging lyrics for this record. The record does start off quite low-key with the excellent slow-paced track of That Cold Goliath that blends Classic Rock and a sullen Blues Rock sound then all hell breaks loose after this song finishes.

The Heavy Eyes go all guns blazing with a mighty new found “SONIC” energy in their creative step with the stunning second track Concrete Halloween where there’s a glorious Garage Rock, Punk Rock and Stoner Rock delivery appearing on different stages of the track. There’s a thrilling Seventies Hard Rock identity that’s always bursting to get out from the seams with a distorted Fuzz Rock swagger that comes the band’s main weapon of choice to deliver those delicious heavy grooves. 

The majority of the tracks only last around three minutes and four minutes in length so there’s not many progressive sounding moments which gives this record a classic “ALL KILLER & NO FILLER” approach. The record is filled with a ton of never-ending instrumental solos that feels likes The Heavy Eyes have been studying the legendary artists that influenced them and put their own great spin especially on tracks such as It’s All Simone, Sarissa, Corporal Upham, Focus, Words and That Cold Goliath (Might Return).

As stated previously earlier in the review, The Heavy Eyes have a new found heavy reliance on Psychedelic and Sonic melodies which is perhaps the creative glue that holds everything together. Though, the classic sound they’ve delivered on earlier records is still fully intact here. However, the sound has a more magnificent Psych Rock flow which allows the record to be quite heavy than you initially expect. The stripped back production values aligns the band more closely to the likes of The Who and The Rolling Stones with that impressive musical delivery that transports you back to the great days of the Classic Hard Rock scene.

There is a distinctive Doom Rock and Proto-Metal vibe that does appear when you least expect this with sludgy, dirty and fuzzy guitars becoming the more dominant sound on the later stages of the record. The Heavy Eyes have always been one of those bands always willing to experiment with their sound with every album they’ve released to date and this is no different. There’s a rich storytelling aspect appearing within this album that allows every track to tell its own distinctive story. 

Focus is pure blockbuster entertainment with grooves of the highest order and proves why The Heavy Eyes are one of the most important Heavy Blues Rock bands the scene currently has right now.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

You can buy FOCUS On CD/DD/Vinyl via the links below:

KOZMIK ARTIFACTZ and MAGNETIC EYE RECORDS

The Heavy Eyes links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Argentinian Cult Doom Trio MEPHISTOFELES to release "Live in Europe" double live album on August 7th via Heavy Psych Sounds Records!

Argentina’s cult doom trio announce the release of their first-ever double live album "Live in Europe" — twenty tracks of pure occult madness to be unleashed this August 7th on Heavy Psych Sounds Records.

Recorded during the band’s European tour in 2025, the Live in Europe double album captures twenty tracks of crushing, ritualistic heaviness performed in Barcelona (Spain) and Arnhem (Netherlands). With a sound drenched in sleaze and psychedelia, the Argentinian trio's notoriety was cemented when Electric Wizard’s Jus Oborn championed their album I’m Heroin as a personal favorite. In the summer of 2025, Mephistofeles signed to European label Heavy Psych Sounds Records for the long-awaited reissue of their entire catalog, opening their music to a new generation of fans. The doom from the deep south is rising. The band just announced the special reissue of their fourth full-length Violent Theatre on new LP and CD editions this August 7th, with pre-orders available at this location.


MEPHISTOFELES "Live In Europe" 2xLP - Out August 7th on Heavy Psych Sounds - Pre-order

TRACKLIST:

Disc 1 – Barcelona

SIDE 1

Satan Sex Ceremonies
Whore
Black Sunday
Buried In Worms
Profanation

SIDE 2

The Meaning Of All Evil
Curse Of The Knife
Lucky Spin
Evil Beauty

Disc 2 – Arnhem

SIDE 3

Satan Sex Ceremonies
Frustrated
Trash Lord
Whore
Black Sunday
Buried In Worms

SIDE 4

Profanation
The Meaning Of All Evil
Curse Of The Knife
Lucky Spin
Evil Beauty

Emerging from the fertile underworld of the Argentine stoner doom scene, Mephistofeles has forged a reputation as one of the genre's most visceral and uncompromising acts. Their sound—a sleazy, psychedelic brew of filthy riffage and hypnotic distortion—has cultivated a dedicated worldwide cult following, drawn to their raw and unapologetic sonic rituals.

Their ascent was meteoric. Their 2016 debut, Whore, quickly became an underground staple. They solidified their status with 2017’s I’m Heroin, an album so potent it earned the ultimate seal of approval: Electric Wizard’s Jus Oborn named it a favorite, praising its “great filthy guitar sound and creepy lyrics” and calling it “dirty and sleazy heavy psychedelic doom.” Demonstrating relentless drive, Mephistofeles continued their ascent with the self-produced Satan Sex Ceremonies (2019) and the gritty Violent Theatre (2022). Now, energized by a powerful new line-up featuring drummer Luca Frizza, the band is ready for a new era.

MEPHISTOFELES is

Gabriel Ravera - Guitar / Vocals
Ismael Dimenza - Bass
Luca Frizza - Drums

MEPHISTOFELES links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.