The Long Hunt - Natural Order (Album Review)

Release Date: July 18th 2025. Record Label: Hellbender Vinyl. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Natural Order - Tracklisting

1.It Hunts The Shadows 

2.The Cosmic Egg 

3.Assiduous Gnaw

4.Spine of Dusk 

5.Tooth and Claw

6.The Liminal Flow

7.A Narrow Path

8.Pillar of Dawn

Members

Trevor Richards: Guitar

Allison Kacmar Richards: Bass

Mark Lyons: Drums

Review

Natural Order is the latest and fourth record from Instrumental Psych/Doom/Stoner Rockers The Long Hunt where the band explore the NUMBER FOUR in multiple and highly original ways on this album. The band explains: 

“In many philosophical and spiritual traditions, the number 4 is associated with the four elements: earth, air, fire, and water, which are seen as foundational to the world and physical nature. It's a number often linked to order, structure, and natural cycles, such as the four seasons and the four phases of the moon.”

So this record is quite conceptual in places which allows The Long Hunt to add a Drone Rock element to their music whilst keeping their trademark use of Psych, Doom and Stoner Rock instrumental sounds. There’s  added levels of Alt Metal and Shoegaze momentum to their music which gives Natural Order quite a modern and forward thinking approach. The sound does become quite Progressive with the band switching to a trippy Stop/Start way of delivering their music which comes across surprisingly well on the opening batch of tracks of It Hurts The Shadows, The Cosmic Egg and Assiduous Gnaw where the Post-Rock melodies are quite soothing, haunting and wonderfully aggressive at the same time.

Taking cues from the likes of Karma To Burn, Colour Haze, Yawning Man and Monomyth but adding their own soulful identity into their musical surroundings. The record becomes dominated slightly by a classic Nineties atmosphere which gives The Long Hunt an unpredictable quality and fearless drive into creating areas of soulful Instrumental Doomed Out Stoner Rock.

An epic slice of Post-Doom aggression appears out of nowhere which allows the stunning rhythm section of Allison Kacmar Richards on Bass and Mark Lyon on Drums to generate an eerie Desert Rock attitude which moulds the musical and creative landscape for Trevor Richards epic guitar work to play some intense grooves along the way. When everything is put together, The Long Hunt are quite unbeatable with their majestic Psychedelic and Spaced Out passages. Throw in some Pink Floyd and ELDER classic sonic exploration on the later stages of the record especially on tracks such as: Spine Of Dusk, The Liminal Flow and A Narrow Path propelling the listener into full on Psychedelic Stoner Rock bliss.

The Long Hunt excels at playing fast-paced sounds and slowly pitched harmonies which constructs quite a gloomy atmosphere with great moments of Classic Hard Rock which sees the band develop a unique style of Instrumental Rock music. Natural Order is quite understated and I wouldn’t blame The Long Hunt to go way OVER THE TOP with epic progressive jams but they keep the whole flow quite soulful, organic and with real warmth emitting from the speakers.

Natural Order is expertly recorded and produced with The Long Hunt demonstrating once again why they’re one of the most essential Instrumental Stoner Rock bands we currently have within the underground scene. If you want an album with haunting poetic Post-Rock moments and full on aggressive Stoner Rock/Metal extended grooves then this is the place to be.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Official | LinkTree | BandCamp

Thanks to Desert Bloom PR for the promo.

Post-Rock/Post-Metal Collective ELBE Sign with Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records. New Single and Video "Never Again" Out Now!

We are excited to announce that the Czech post-metal band ELBE has officially joined the Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records roster.

Blending elements of post-metal, post-rock, doomgaze and atmospheric intensity, ELBE has built a distinctive and evolving sound. Originally founded as an instrumental project by guitarists Standa Jelinek (Dying Passion) and Martin “Spacosh” Perina (Between the Planets, Martians), the band has since grown into a complete lineup featuring drummer Jan Kylar, bassist Jan Stinka (both also of Dying Passion), and most recently, new vocalist Pavel Hrncir (Silent Stream of Godless Elegy).

To celebrate this new chapter, ELBE has just released a powerful new single and music video titled "Never Again", now available to watch below:

Following their critically praised albums Sudety and Eschatology, which brought them to major festivals such as Brutal Assault and MetalGate Czech Death Fest, and to the stage with bands like The Moth Gatherer and The Chasing Monster, ELBE are now ready to unveil their next evolution.

Their upcoming album, titled "Peculiar", is completed and set for release in early Autumn 2025. More details will be shared soon.

We warmly welcome ELBE to our growing community of passionate and visionary artists.

https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords
https://elbeband.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/elbeband/
https://www.instagram.com/elbe_band/

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details.

Doom/Stoner Metallers BREATH unveils their first single “AWEN” from upcoming new album releasing this Fall on Argonauta Records

Having recently signed with Argonauta Records, Portland, Oregon’s BREATH release “AWEN”. The first single and official music video from their much-anticipated new album BRAHMAN, releasing this Fall.

Watch the video below:

The beginnings of Breath can be traced back to childhood friends Steven O’Kelly and Ian Caton. Their bond allowed a drive of songwriting and spiritual seeking to coalesce into a unique foundation that continues to evolve. It's losing themselves in the woods or meditation, and transmuting those experiences into the vibrational space their musical fingerprint holds. Longtime Breath collaborator and engineer Rob Wrong (Witch Mountain & The Skull) was quickly inspired by their new release BRAHMAN, writing and performing guitar for the entirety of their album. Along with Guitar came Keys, which further elevated the sound with the addition of Lauren Hatch.

In the fertile environment of new instrumentation, “AWEN” expands the boundaries of Breath to new places.

The band comments:

“Crawling out from their hermitage, the Druid begins anew in rays shone through the prism of AWEN. Harnessing the addition of guitar, we seek to translate the immutable voice of Mother Nature calling from depths of emerald sanctuary. A song honoring the unspoken confluence, and creative spark between Bard and woods. AWEN binds the overarching metaphysical spirit of our new album BRAHMAN with transformation lifted on the wings of the Morrigan. AWEN emerges in the light of this Goddess, and the transitory half Moon on July 17th .”

Stay tuned for more details on BRAHMAN, coming this Fall on Argonauta Records.

https://www.facebook.com/Breathpdx
https://inbreath.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details.

The Big Rip - Olympus Mons (EP Review)

Release Date: August 22nd 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

The Big Rip - Tracklisting

Behold, This Mountain

KAKTUS

Kraken Mare

Olympus Mons

Members

Danny Valle Johannessen - Lead Vocals 

Eivind Dalevoll - Guitar 

Ole Jørgen Kjørholt - Guitar 

Mats Bredesen - Bass 

Simen Lunde - Drums 

Review

Olympus Mons is the new EP from Psych Stoner Metallers The Big Rip with the band bringing a big focus of dazzling Psychedelic sounds with the epic opening track Behold, This Mountain being partially inspired by Witchcraft mostly with perhaps shadows of ELDER and KING BUFFALO for good measure. The song is a mixture of bombastic grooves and low-key melodies which bridges the gap between Post-Rock interludes and full on Stoner Metal aggression.

Danny Valle Johannessen’s lead vocals have a sense of Seventies Prog Rock delivery to them especially within the quieter moments before transforming into a Grunge/Stoner Rock aspect when The Big Rip start playing heavier melodies with those Progressive themes expanding into areas of Space Rock. There is a sense of sonic exploration and musical adventure on this track which could serve the band well for greater exposure in the long term future. There’s a classic KYUSS vibe being projected throughout but The Big Rip create music on their own dynamic and original hard-hitting terms.

The next two songs of KAKTUS and Kraken Mare have already been released with The Big Rip bringing a thumping Sludge bass heavy sound thanks to Mats Bredesen impressive playing. Once again, The Big Rip transform classic Stoner Rock/Metal moments to a backdrop of Post-Stoner grooves with the vocals once again being quite thoughtful especially in a Prog Rock sense. The dual guitars of Elvind Dalevoll and Ole Jørgen Kjørholt join creative forces but ultimately do their own thing by playing a non-stop blend of wicked Psychedelic instrumental passages. 

The drumming from Simen Lunde is another genuine highlight with the EP changing into different musical textures and levels of FUZZED OUT heaviness but Simen’s constant intelligent drumming keeps everything grounded especially on Kraken Mare and Olympus Mons. Perhaps the heaviest and most spaced out environments that will become a major part of The Big Rip’s future sound and vision that will no doubt see them go onto bigger things in the near future.

Olympus Mons is a splendid release with outstanding moments of pure Spaced Out Stoner Metal heaviness with The Big Rip always allowing themselves to try different things along the way.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Get Ready to Ride the Fuzz – WITCHRIDER Unleash Their Boldest Sound Yet with METAMORPH

Mark your calendars for August 15th – Austrian stoner rock powerhouse WITCHRIDER is back with a vengeance. Their new 6-track EP, METAMORPH, is a high-octane evolution of the band’s signature style: heavy, fuzz-laden riffs paired with brooding, catchy melodies and emotionally raw lyrics. It’s a sonic journey through personal struggles and visceral moods, all delivered with unmistakable intensity.

Breaking away from the more polished tones of their previous release Electrical Storm, METAMORPH leans into a rawer, more unfiltered sound. As frontman Dan explains, “It took several attempts and studio setups to capture the direct, raw power of the drums and blend them with our heavy guitars to build the wall of sound we had in mind.”

Formed in 2012, WITCHRIDER have built a reputation as a must-see live act. Their explosive performances and gritty vocals have drawn comparisons to early Queens of the Stone Age and Foo Fighters — and with good reason. The band’s chemistry on stage is undeniable, their sound unapologetically loud and emotionally charged.

After making waves with their song Bad Boy featured in the final season of the US hit series Shameless, WITCHRIDER is once again proving why they’re one of Europe’s most exciting names in underground rock. With METAMORPH, they’re not just back — they’re reborn.

METAMORPH tracklisting:

1. Witchrider - Used to be a King
2. Sound of the Presidents
3. Hold My Mind
4. Safe to Say
5. Wake me Up
6. Alive

Pre-order:

EU/WORLD: https://eu.fuzzoramastore.com/en/witchrider-metamorph-limit-300-lp-ep-clear-w-print.html

USA: https://us.fuzzoramastore.com/en/bands/witchrider/witchrider-metamorph-limit-300-lp-ep-clear-w-print.html

Bandcamp: https://fuzzoramarecords1.bandcamp.com/album/metamorph

Turn up the volume. Feel the fuzz. This is WITCHRIDER.

For more info:

https://www.witchridermusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/witchriderband
https://www.fuzzoramarecords.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Fuzzorama

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details.

Buzzards Of Babylon - Ancient Machine (Single Review)

Release Date: July 19th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Ancient Machine - Tracklisting

Ancient Machine

Members

Dragonius Maximus - Vocals

Reverend Sludge Skull - Guitar

Breengemeister General - Guitar

Ragnar Thunderbucket - Bass

Ljotulf, Harbinger of Doom - Drums

Review

Ancient Machine is the new single from Scottish Doom/Stoner Rockers Buzzards Of Babylon who play a down and dirty version of good old fashioned Stoner Rock with the emphasis on AGGRESSIVE MUSCULAR RIFFS played by the likes of DOWN, CLUTCH, BLACK SABBATH, KYUSS and SOUNDGARDEN. There’s nothing groundbreaking with the song but Buzzards Of Babylon do their own highly respectable take of that classic and winning formula of Grunge, Southern Rock and Stoner Metal. 

The vocals from Dragonius Maximus are forged from the “BEER SWILLING WASTELANDS” of Scotland though their overall sound has wider underground appeal especially when they play a dirtier and thrasher style of music at the very end. The sound is quite chaotic but the riffs and grooves are plentiful with plenty of distorted FUZZ to show you they mean business. 

This is the second single from Buzzards Of Babylon with Molten Bigfoot being released back in May 2025. I’m hopeful for an EP or full length record being released down the line. As the two tracks they’ve released so far has shown how the band have changed for the better since their 2018 debut album Micrometeoroid Modulation which had some superb THUGGISH bangers throughout. 

If you like your Stoner Rock/Metal with a bit of legendary NOLA attitude then Ancient Machine is the perfect track to get your heartbeat pumping and raise your fists in the air with wild and reckless abandonment.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | LinkTree

Circle Of Rhinos - Circle Of Rhinos (Single Review)

Release Date: July 10th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Circle Of Rhinos - Tracklisting

Circle Of Rhinos

Members

Francesco Zarini - lead and rhythmic guitar

Alessandro Santori - rhythmic guitar

Roberto Gatti - Bass

Jeanpaul Federico - Drums

Review

Psych/Stoner Rockers Circle Of Rhinos new self-titled single is from their upcoming new album where they blend Doom, Stoner, Blues and Psychedelic grooves which merge Classic Hard Rock sounds with today’s modern heavy approach. The song is quite riff-centric and follows a different path to band member Alessandro Santori’s other band being L’IRA DEL BACCANO. The music is not as progressive or cosmic based as L’IRA DEL BACCANO with Circle Of Rhinos focusing upon bands such as Thin Lizzy, Karma To Burn, Nebula, Earthless and Black Sabbath.

The Blues Rock approach is quite appealing throughout with the band adding levels of Ambient Rock, Desert Rock and Post-Stoner melodies which lean heavily into Prog Rock delivery. Circle Of Rhinos keep the mood warm hearted and deeply engaging even when the thunderous HEAVY ROCK atmosphere is dominated by sludgier passages which sets the laying down a trail of highly explosive instrumental solos right upto the very end.

The song has a distinctive Garage Rock energy which allows the sound not to be over-polished within the superbly realized production values used for the track. Things are looking good for Circle Of Rhinos upcoming new album and I’m quite excited to hear that record when it’s actually released. 

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram