FATIMA - Primal (Album Review)

Release Date: February 03rd 2026. Record Label: Black Robes Records. Formats: DD

Primal - Tracklisting

1.Sassquatch 04:05

2.Mammoth Graveyard 04:17

3.Killer Wart Hog 05:06

4.Dog Ham 03:34

5.Chilled Monkey Brains 04:50

6.Gazelle Horns 04:55

7.Primal 06:00

8.Waters of Babylon 03:07

9.Chilled Monkey Brains (Single 2026) 04:50

Review

Doom/Grunge/Stoner Rockers FATIMA release their fifth album Primal which is perhaps their heaviest and most progressive release yet that builds upon similar themes heard within their 2022 album Fossil. FATIMA has a great way of blending classic Grunge soundscapes against a backdrop of Sludge Metal, Psych Rock, Noise Rock and Post-Punk attitudes. The whole sound is quite direct with FATIMA taking influence from the likes of Soundgarden, Nirvana, Alice In Chains, High On Fire and Mastodon with the multitude of different musical styles forming very early on through the excellent opening tracks of Sassquatch, Mammoth Graveyard and Killer Wart Hog.

There’s a heavy reliance on “MONSTER” folklore within FATIMA’s lyrics and how the album forms against these types of mythical beasts and the legends they provide. However, FATIMA have used this style of storytelling on previous albums though with the lyrics being more grounded despite the FANTASTICAL element they’re originally from. The switching to Post-Punk and Post-Doom surroundings allows the seedy GRUNGE aesthetic to generate a moody atmosphere which does become quite dominant with Post-Metal and Heavy Psychedelic attitudes holding everything together.

The added use of down-tuned and slightly dirty FUZZ ROCK grooves allows a level of freakish and violent attitude to form which gives Primal a truly outlandish quality on tracks such as Dog Ham, Chilled Monkey Brains, Gazelle Horns and Primal. FATIMA always opt for a truly amplified sound which allows the LOW & SLOW and REVERB parts of the record to provide an exhilarating display of pure ROCK & ROLL fury.

The production values are handled superbly well with a classic Nineties Grunge/Stoned Out energy appearing from every single corner that allows FATIMA to play with extreme musical confidence. Sometimes the record does become a bit over the top for its own good along the way but this is offset by FATIMA’s superb musicianship which results within non-stop musical solos along the way. 

Primal is a record that delivers on all fronts which is most definitely worth multiple repeated listens.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

HOT RAM - Near Fall (EP Review)

Release Date: January 30th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl.

Near Falll - Tracklisting

1.Vimana Swamp 07:27

2.Black Weed 06:01

3.Ironbound 04:30

Near Fall Credits

Billy Konkel Guitar/Vocals

Brian Ricks Drums

Jerimy McNeil Bass (Black Weed/Ironbound)

Dan Giampietro Bass (Vimana Swamp)

HOT RAM (2026) Line-up

Billy Konkel - Guitar/Vocals

Jerimy McNeil - Bass

Dwayne Jones - Drums

Review

Near Fall is the latest EP from Stoner Metallers HOT RAM which contains a bevy of outstanding grooves from the Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal world. There’s a heavy reliance of DOWN-TUNED and FUZZ METAL riffology inspired by the likes of High On Fire, The Melvins, Acid King and Black Sabbath, However, Near Fall has its own distinctive sound with HOT RAM playing a deliberate slow paced sound to maximise the full “VIOLENT” musical energy that only becomes seedier, heavier and more violent with each passing moment. 

The EP only lasts for nineteen minutes across three superbly played tracks with HOT RAM even developing a delicious Blues Rock and Classic Hard Rock sound that is played to great levels of distorted melody within the standout opening track of Vimana Swamp. There’s a sudden shift to NOLA and Southern Metal on the later stages especially when Billy Konkel’s vocals adds a gloomy Americana and Post-Punk delivery which reminds me of the legendary Neil Fallon at times.

It’s good to see HOT RAM delivering a different slice of Stoner Metal within each individual track but including the classic WEEDIAN framework within both the lyrics and music that’s contained throughout. There are some moments when the Blues Rock and Psych Rock aspects have a grizzled and distorted effect which allows some classic Acid King / Melvins riff-worship to appear mostly on the tracks Black Weed and Ironbound. 

HOT RAM employs a certain Prog Metal style to form behind the scenes with a free flowing style of Sludge Rock overlapping with that seedy Southern Metal landscape on different stages of the record. The music is always aggressive and beautifully LOUD which captures the classic era of Sludge/Stoner Metal down to a fine art. 

It’s a shame the EP is only three tracks long as I was completely in my comfort zone before the EP suddenly ends but it’s always best leaving the audience wanting more. Let's hope a more substantial record isn’t too far behind as HOT RAM may have laid down the groundwork for a new exciting chapter of their careers with this EP.

This is first rate stuff. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Desert Bloom PR for the promo

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Psych/Stoner Metallers HOWLING GIANT announce European Headline Tour 2026

The long-term weather forecast for late spring in Europe just changed to bright blues skies and steaming hot! Brilliant stoner metal outfit HOWLING GIANT will journey from Nashville, Tennessee across the Atlantic to delight European audiences by bringing their acclaimed third full-length "Crucible & Ruin" to the stages of the old continent for the first time.

HOWLING GIANT comment: "We are excited to partner up with Atonal Music Agency to get back to Europe on the heels of our 'Crucible & Ruin' album", drummer Zach Wheeler writes. "It has been about two and a half years since our last European tour and we're quite pleased to perform in a ton of cities where we've never played before! Looking forward to see you on the road!"

"Crucible & Ruin" was released on October 31, 2025. Alongside a host of great reviews, the album has scored remarkable top ten positions in the soundchecks of leading German magazines ROCK HARD (4/49) and VISIONS (7/25)!

The album is available for purchase here: https://spkr.store/collections/howling-giant

HOWLING GIANT European Headliner Tour 2026

09 MAY 2026 Oslo (NO) Desertfest Oslo
10 MAY 2026 Stockholm (SE) Undergången
11 MAY 2026 Malmö (SE) Plan B
15 MAY 2026 Nottingham (GB) The Mist Rolling Inn
16 MAY 2026 Edinburgh (GB) Bannermans
17 MAY 2026 London (GB) Desertfest London
19 MAY 2026 Coventry (GB) The Tin
20 MAY 2026 Bristol (GB) The Gryphon
21 MAY 2026 Amsterdam (NL) de Tanker
23 MAY 2026 Berlin (DE) Neue Zukunft
24 MAY 2026 Dresden (DE) Gockelscream Fest
27 MAY 2026 Paris (FR) Supersonic Records
28 MAY 2026 Münster (DE) Rare Guitar
29 MAY 2026 Hagen (DE) Werkhof Hohenlimburg
30 MAY 2026 Esbjerg (DK) Fuzztival
31 MAY 2026 Hamburg (DE) Stellwerk
03 JUN 2026 Den Bosch (NL) Willem Twee
04 JUN 2026 Rotterdam (NL) Baroeg
05-07 JUN 2026 Siegen (DE) Freak Valley Festival

The Lowdown

HOWLING GIANT take another huge step on their third full-length "Crucible & Ruin", a collection of sparking ideas, captivating melodies, and heavy riffing close to perfection - quite a feat of on-point songwriting for such a still young band!

This is the band's first album to feature new fourth member Adrian Lee Zambrano. Although the guitarist and synth player arrived somewhat toward the end of the writing process, he was still able to add his mark with cool textures on the record. The extra guitar certainly adds even more punch to HOWLING GIANT's sound, which delivers a slightly more aggressive approach compared with predecessor "Glass Future" (2023).

It also helped the overall feel of "Crucible & Ruin" that this is the band's first album to be entirely recorded in a proper studio setting as opposed to their home studio, "the bunker". HOWLING GIANT even leaned into some raw band live takes to capture the emotion in the room.

Lyrically, "Crucible & Ruin" explores the story of the clash of a novice deity against the forces of primordial chaos as an overarching theme that loosely connects the songs. This is also reflected in the album artwork, which was painted by the mother of guitarist and vocalist Tom Polzine, featuring a unique style of alcohol ink on yupo paper.

HOWLING GIANT hail from Nashville, Tennessee, USA, sidestepping the self-proclaimed Music City's assembly line of modern pop country while taking inspiration from the brilliant songwriters and virtuoso session players that keep the town's musical legacy burning bright. Fertile ground for a preeminent fuzz-psych power trio, now turned quartet, who consciously live in the pocket of that lineage!

Following a trilogy of EPs, "Howling Giant" (2015), "Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 1" (2016), and "Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 2" (2017), HOWLING GIANT struck a chord with critics and fans on their debut full-length "The Space between Worlds" in 2019. "Glass Future" proved a gargantuan leap for the band that now featured Sebastian Baltes, son of legendary ACCEPT bass master Peter Baltes. Released in 2023, "Glass Future" brought their outstanding musicianship and triple vocal attack fully into stride.

HOWLING GIANT storm forward once more in defiant refusal to remain still. Having grown into a four-piece as well as in their prowess as musicians and songwriters, "Crucible & Ruin" is an album at least as big as their name. Don't take our word for it, just give it a spin – or two or three...

Links

https://www.facebook.com/howlinggiant
https://www.instagram.com/howlinggiant
https://www.facebook.com/MagneticEyeRecords
https://www.instagram.com/magneticeyerecords

Thanks to All Noir PR for the details.

Italian Sludge Metal Squad TONS to release new album "Stoned Villains" on Heavy Psych Sounds this 4/20. New single "The Big Bong Theory" unleashed!

Turin, Italy's premium sludge dealers TONS are set to return with their loud and gritty fourth album "Stoned Villains" on Heavy Psych Sounds this April 20th, and team up with Doomed & Stoned to premiere the debut single "The Big Bong Theory" today.

Your favorite weed sludgers Tons are ready to come back with their fourth studio album this April, the aptly titled "Stoned Villains" on Heavy Psych Sounds Records! From the very first listen, their distinctive sound strikes instantly, with seven tracks of skull-grinding, sulfurous doom-sludge with influences ranging from the '90s to Turin-inspired hardcore punk — the scene in which our "villains" were born and raised. Expect heavy razor-sharp riffs, a seismic rhythm section, and Gingerzilla's voice barking out ungraceful tales of weed abuse and uncontrolled eating. The songs perfectly encapsulate the Tons state of mind: a band that doesn't take itself too seriously and turns its trademark tongue-in-cheek irony into its unfailing superpower.

Crank new single "The Big Bong Theory" below:

The debut single "The Big Bong Theory" is a blend of heavy, slow, and relentless sludge metal with psychedelic moments culminating in a drone-doom-esque finale. The drums pound, the guitars terrify, while Gingerzilla's acidic, raspy voice recounts tales of gargantuan bong sessions. "This song does major battle damage, with massive monolithic chords, explosive beats, and acid-soaked vocals that are nothing short of vicious. Prepare to be shook," says Doomed & Stoned editor.

New album "Stoned Villains" - Out 4/20 on Heavy Psych Sounds - Pre-order

TRACKLIST:

1. Shirley Temple Ball
2. Hangover The Top
3. Lost In Plantation
4. Intro (Cabin Fever)
5. The Big Bong Theory
6. Darth Vaper
7. Rollercoaster Diet Bombo

Forged in 2009 by members of the Turin hardcore scene (The Redrum, Lama Tematica, NoInfo), Tons deliberately traded breakneck speed for a colossus-sized, slow-motion onslaught — sludgy-as-fuck, caustic and laced with wry weed wisdom and local esoteric mystique.

From their 2012 debut, Musineè Doom Session, Volume 1, to the punishing Filthy Flowers of Doom (2018) and the evil and acerbic Hashension (2022), Tons has never taken a single prisoner. The unstoppable foursome has shared stages with iconic acts such as Bongzilla, Unsane, Napalm Death and Church Of Misery, and relentlessly stormed festivals across the continent (Desertfest, Sonic Blast, Frantic Fest, Venezia Hardcore, HPS Fest).

Blasting forth with a new player behind the kit, Tons is ready to crank it up to maximum sludge levels again with their fourth album Stoned Villains, due out in the spring of 2026 and followed by a promotional Japanese tour in May. The album was recorded and mixed in Turin by Danilo "Dano" Battocchio at Deepest Sea Studio and mastered by James Plotkin, with artwork and graphics by Steuso.

Tons is

Gingerzilla - Bass / Voice / Synth
Duncan McCrapper - Lead Guitar / Sampler
Stewart J Tanuki - Rhythm Guitar
Oreste Pennarelli - Drums

Tons links

Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp

Heavy Psych Sounds links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Youtube

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Majestic Mountain Records Announce First Label Fest in Finland, Lepakkomies, Helsinki - Saturday, February 21, 2026

Swedish underground rock label Majestic Mountain Records have built a strong reputation as curators of some of the finest stoner rock, doom, psychedelic, and hard rock emerging from Northern Europe. Their roster reads like a who’s who of heavy music, featuring artists such as Kal-El, Slomatics, Saint Karloff, Grand Cadaver, and The Midnight Ghost Train to name a few and with their distinctive vinyl editions regularly landing on collectors’ most-wanted lists.

Beyond releases, Majestic Mountain Records have also organized heavy underground concerts across Sweden, with their Label Fests becoming celebrations of music, community, and friendship. Now, for the first time, they are bringing this concept to Finland, as four label-affiliated bands take over Lepakkomies in Helsinki.


Line-up

Mushroom Caravan Overdrive (SWE)

One of the pillars of the Swedish stoner/doom scene, Mushroom Caravan Overdrive deliver massive, psychedelic riffs in the tradition of Sleep and Ufomammut. Expect a bulldozer-like wall of sound as the band play their first-ever show in Helsinki. Don’t miss the party.

I Am Low (SWE)

Hard-driving, grunge-infused stoner rock packed with hooks and attitude. This charming power trio from Umeå bring desert vibes to a cold winter night, raising the eternal question: what is in the water up there?

Craneium (FIN)

Heavy, atmospheric, and psychedelic, Craneium carry forward the spirit of Pink Floyd, Baroness, and Elephant Tree, while forging a sound entirely their own. After 170 sweaty shows across Europe, the Turku-based four-piece are currently working on their fifth album.

Kaiser (FIN)

Helsinki’s legendary desert rock trio return fresh from US shows and ready to rock Lepakkomies once again. Their album 2nd Sound landed in the Top 3 of the Doom Charts Top 100 Albums of 2025, and for good reason.

Event details:

Lepakkomies, Helsinki
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Doors: 20:00
Bands: 20:15 – 23:30

After the live sets, the night continues until 04:00, with DJs Tuomas de Torquemada (Orbiter) and DJ Kvist (Malamute) spinning everything from esoteric doom metal wax to groovy rock classics.

There will be records and merch available from the bands, Majestic Mountain Records, and Monomatic Records.

Tickets (Tiketti & door):https://www.tiketti.fi/majestic-mountain-fest-finland-lepakkomies-helsinki-lippuja/112472

Facebook event:https://www.facebook.com/events/1161422355861898

Artist info & EPKs

Craneium | Kaiser | Mushroom Caravan Overdrive | I Am Low

Thanks to Viral Propaganda for the details. 

Introduce Yourselves: COLOUR

What is the name of your band?

Colour

What is the genre of music that you play?

Hard-rock / Doom / Prog Rock

Can you give a brief history of the band of how it came together and where it is today? 

Man, it's been a long road of just figuring out our style and how to go about being a band. There were a couple of proto-Colour bands that fell apart before Colour was a thing. Out of these bands, Colour grew through guitarist Tim Wuyts and bassist Thomas Segaert. The whole point of the band is to be a kind of "outsider art" band. We take inspiration from other bands, but we've never tried going for a specific style in order to be picked up by the scene of a specific sub-genre. Sounds based, maybe, but we've always been too sludgy and riff-y to fit into the prog scene, but too far out and experimental for the DOOM scene. Result: 

We don't seem to fit in anywhere We get it, there's no highways to places no one has ever been, so we have to pave our own road! To that end, we've set up a yearly festival named "Colourfest" for other bands that don't fit in. Furthermore, instead of hoping for label support we just do everything ourselves: recording, mixing, mastering, artwork, ... All this barely scratches the surface of all of the lessons we've learned and all the things we've been up to the past year, but that's pretty much the general vibe of our past. 

These days we've found our footing with the upcoming release of the second Colour album named "the Traveller", which will be released on March 7th. Now we're focusing on consistency, recording regularly, given potential fans something to sink their teeth into. Whatever happens, Colour will keep going!

What can people expect from your music?

A no-bad-ideas attitude atop a foundation of dope shit, good grooves, good sounds. It may take a couple listens to really get into it, but when you're at that point, you realize there's no other band like Colour, and no substitute for it either.

What is the best release that folks should check out from your band?

The upcoming album named the Traveller, which will be released on March 7th 

Where can people find you on Social Media?

Colour website
Youtube
Instagram
Facebook

ALT ROCK/GRUNGE ROCKERS "SUN FALL DOWN" SIGN WITH OCTOPUS RISING AND UNLEASH NEW SINGLE “BURN”

Octopus Rising, the eclectic imprint of Argonauta Records, is proud to announce the signing of Italian alternative rock outfit Sun Fall Down. The Milan based band joins the roster with a sound that blends grunge tension, alternative rock atmospheres and dark metal shades, expanding the sonic spectrum of the label with a distinctive and emotional approach.

Formed in 2022, Sun Fall Down channel the restless spirit of the nineties into a modern and cinematic vision. Their music moves between introspective moods and explosive dynamics, combining heavy guitars with melancholic melodies and a strong narrative identity. The band’s aesthetic revolves around the figure of the Astronaut, an interstellar traveler symbolizing the human search for meaning through different phases of life.

To celebrate the new partnership, Sun Fall Down release the powerful new single “Burn”. The track showcases the band’s ability to merge grunge driven energy with dark, atmospheric tension, delivering a song that is both emotional and impactful. “Burn” moves between fragile moments and massive riffs, reflecting the inner conflicts and transformations that define the band’s sonic universe. 

Listen here https://song.link/sunfalldown_bn

Recorded, mixed and mastered at Magnitude Recording Studio in Seregno under the artistic direction of Matteo Magni, “Burn” represents a key step forward for Sun Fall Down, capturing their raw identity while pushing their sound into a broader, contemporary dimension.

Sun Fall Down are

Mauro Gilardi, vocals and guitars
Christian Gorla, guitars and backing vocals
Daniele Granella, bass and synth
Christian Dellavedova, guitars
with the collaboration of Matteo “Bonzo” Bonassi on drums

INFO:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572588665654
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details.