Green Desert Water - Eerie Meadows (Album Review)

Release Date: June 19th 2026. Record Label: Small Stone Co Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Eerie Meadows - Tracklisting

1. Northern Lights - 6:08

2. The Blacksmith - 3:51

3. Eerie Meadows - 5:42

4. Woodcutter - 4:07

5. Holy Ground - 5:27

6. Wolfhound - 3:38

7. Bos Primigenius - 3:31

8. Meteora - 5:28

Members

 

Juan Arias García: bass guitar

Dani Barcena: drums and percussion

Kike Sanchís: guitars and vocals

Review

Heavy Psych Rockers Green Desert Water with Eerie Meadows which is their first album in five years. The band have a fresher and highly energetic sound compared to their last album Black Harvest which sees the band lean quite heavily into the Nineties Grunge and Stoner Rock scene without compromising their Seventies Heavy Rock vision. With flashes of KYUSS and PEARL JAM inspired melodies set against the classic rock scene, Green Desert Water add elements of Thin Lizzy, The Who, Cactus and Led Zepp into their music.

The vocals from Kike Sanchis are quite grounded, gritty and that’s held by a highly melodic approach. The songs are expertly paced throughout with the band not wasting a single second on flashy gimmicks of progressive themes which gives this album a true Hard Rock approach. There is a heavy Doom Rock essence that comes into play that fans of The Sword will truly appreciate especially on the outstanding title track of Eerie Meadows.

The song is quite gloomy with a deeply Doomed Out approach appearing within the music and Kike’s vocals being more Proto-Doom obsessed. However, before that great track, Green Desert Water open up with the opening tracks of Northern Lights and The Blacksmith sees Classic Hard Rock, Psych Rock and Stoner Rock grooves combining for a damn good time with superbly written musical structures and sublime lyrics making this one of the strongest openings to an album you can possibly experience.

Though, Eerie Meadows changes the creative landscape for the band as they lean quite heavily into the Doom Rock/Metal side of life which breathes a new level of heaviness for the album. The guitars are perfectly timed with the epic rhythm section having a fine ear for detail. Green Desert Water adds seedy levels of Fuzz, Psych and Grunge which develops into some of the most interesting sounds on the whole album.

From this moment on Green Desert Water are ON FIRE by developing their music even further into a sandstorm of fuzzy melodies, gritty vocals and extended musical passages with layers of Fuzz Rock allowing the band to put those AMPS all the way past ELEVEN. There seems to be a sense of trouble brewing behind the scenes as the album becomes ever more rebellious on tracks such as Woodcutter, Holy Ground, Wolfhound and Meteora.

Eerie Meadows lasts for around thirty seven minutes in length and even though I wish there was another song to push this past the forty minute mark, it’s still an action packed record full of superbly observed moments that allows Green Desert Water to establish themselves once more as one of the premier Power Trio’s the Stoner Rock scene currently has right now.

Production values are another highlight with Green Desert Water never sounding better and perhaps finding their true sound with an intense musical performance that’s their most mature record to date. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Earsplit PR for the promo.

Eerie Meadows is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Small Stone Co Records.

Links 

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Cornucopia - Songs For Unfortunate Times (Album Review)

Release Date: June 05th 2026. Record Label: L'Ordalie Noire Records. Formats: CD/DD

Songs For Unfortunate Times - Tracklisting

1.Spellbound 05:24

2.Troubled Soul 03:36

3.Live For Today 07:23

4.Clean All My Beliefs 04:53

5.Eternity Screams 06:12

6.The Obscure Side Of Time 04:08

7.Desperation Streets 05:13

8.The End To Come 05:42

Members

 

Pierre - Guitar

Jean-Guillaume - Guitar / Vocals

Benjamin - Drums

Mathieu - Bass

Review

Songs For Unfortunate Times is the debut album from Doom/Stoner Metallers Cornucopia who bring a Proto-Metal perspective to their music with also areas of an almost Thrash Metal backdrop which gives their record a very harsh environment to operate from. The main influences can be drawn to the likes of Saint Vitus, The Obsessed and Pentagram but with a ferocious Heavy Metal appetite giving Cornucopia a heavier malevolent presence throughout the album.

The record also flirts between Classic Heavy Metal surroundings and modern day  atmospherics with that bombastic Thrash Metal attitude allowing the listener to know that Cornucopia are not afraid to move further away from their Doom/Stoner Metal roots. The songs are superbly played throughout with the band even using the classic outlandish Heavy Metal tropes and themes to their great advantage especially within the longer tracks of the album such as Live For Today, Eternity Screams and Desperation Streets. 

Cornucopia offers serious lyrics within the darker moments of the album which touch upon hard hitting subjects with a slightly emotionally charged journey appearing when you least expect this. The whole thing does have a deeply organic and rich creative approach where the band take loving care with the classic foundations of Doom Metal whilst applying some layers of modern day visibility when the Heavy Psych and Stoner Metal melodies fully appear.

The record is aggressively heavy with Cornucopia relying on actual musical technical ability with everyone putting in a superb performance throughout with the heaviest and interesting sounds appearing once again within the longer tracks on the record. Though, the shorter tracks are equally as good with Cornucopia creating some highly atmospheric Doom Metal grooves which have a menacing vibe lurking in the background. 

Songs For Unfortunate Times is a highly accomplished and superbly realized debut album from a band who really mean business which they prove from time and time again. If you want a Doom/Stoner Metal album that isn’t afraid to venture into the golden era of Heavy Metal and apply some epic modern day cinematic soundscapes then Cornucopia are the perfect band that brilliantly bridges that gap.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Songs For Unfortunate Times is available to buy now on CD/DD via L'Ordalie Noire Records.

Links 

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TIR - Window (EP Review)

 

Release Date: May 31st 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Window - Tracklisting

1.Pocket Meat 06:31

2.Voyager 07:58

3.Anwar 11:38

Members

 

Kane Barker // Guitar and Vocals

David Edwards // Guitar and Vocals

Luke Proudman // Drums and Vocals

Chris West // Bass and Vocals

Adam Wrench // Keyboards and Vocals

Review

Window is the debut EP from Post-Metal/Stoner Metallers TIR who are made up of members from legendary bands of the UK and Welsh underground scenes. The band consists of Kane Barker (ex Tradish, ex Kong Lives) ,Luke Proudman (ex Tradish, ex Kong Lives), Dai Edwards (ex Desalvo, ex Kong Lives), Adam Wrench (Haast)  and Chris West (Spider Kitten, ex Taint, ex Made of Teeth). So with that musical pedigree within their ranks TIR play a similar style of music of the bands mentioned above but also standing on their own creative merits.

Their sound is a mixture of Ambient Metal, Post-Metal, Psych Rock, Post-Rock and Stoner Metal with a cautionary and alternative sound that appears from the very start. All of the band members each contribute vocals on this EP and I don’t know who is considered the actual lead vocalist as there’s overlapping vocals throughout which gives TIR a gloomy cautious presence. However, it’s one that’s also highly volatile and fully committed to the musical cause when the time calls for that particle style of action.

There’s a thrilling Space Rock and Cosmic vibe appearing within the EP with opening song Pocket Meat allowing TIR to demonstrate a violent style of Shoegaze, Psych and Post-Metal surroundings. If you ever wondered what ELEPHANT TREE would sound like they channelled the aggression of NEUROSIS, ISIS and PELICAN then this is the closest you’ll ever get to that.

There’s some highly unsettling and highly atmospheric keyboards being played by Adam Wrench who keeps the Psychedelic sounds played at a superb pace with the other members keeping TIR’s music fully grounded. The added use of Ambient and Post-Rock effects merged within the subtle flashes of Post-Metal imagery takes Window into a heavier domain within the excellent second track of Voyager. This track can be quite hallucogenic in places and deeply disturbing at the same time. As TIR moves into dreamlike musical scenarios before thrusting the listener into a vortex of nightmarish and progressive musical energy.

The final track Anwar is a lengthy composition lasting around twelve minutes with TIR demonstrating a wealth of different Post-Rock and Post-Metal soundscapes with the right mixture of “LOUD vs QUIET” dynamics appearing. The vocals demonstrate some different and highly effective ways of bringing the lyrics superbly to life.

Window is an excellent introduction to TIR’s dark and highly melodic Post-Metal world that may allow the band to gain a loyal and dedicated following within the underground scene.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

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German Riff Driven Sludge Metallers Red Stone Chapel Reveal New Single “Evil Seed” Through Renewed Argonauta Alliance

German heavy riff force RED STONE CHAPEL are proud to renew their collaboration with Argonauta Records and unveil their brand new single “Evil Seed”, available now on all digital streaming platforms: https://tidal.com/album/531069855/u

Originally formed in Marburg, Hesse, Germany in 2009, RED STONE CHAPEL have spent years refining their unmistakable blend of Stoner Rock, Southern groove, Sludge and Doom infused heaviness. Following lineup changes and a renewed creative vision solidified in late 2023, the band now emerge darker, heavier and more intense than ever before.

“Evil Seed” perfectly captures this new direction: a crushing and riff driven track built on massive guitar tones, dark atmospheres and emotionally charged vocals. Rooted in the sludgy spirit of the NOLA scene while embracing a broader Heavy Metal identity, the single delivers a relentless sonic impact that showcases the band’s evolution and uncompromising approach.

With influences ranging from Black Sabbath and Crowbar to Cathedral, Pentagram, Down and Danzig, RED STONE CHAPEL continue to push their sound into deeper and more powerful territories, balancing aggression, melancholy and raw energy in equal measure.

The band comments:

“RED STONE CHAPEL are happy to build on their previous partnership with ARGONAUTA RECORDS and that listeners will find sorrow and joy in our new sonic onslaught. In hope that YOU, the listener, are able to tame your own demons, we want to provide the soundtrack for your journey.”

Links

https://www.facebook.com/redstonechapelband
http://www.instagram.com/redstonechapel
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

Thanks to Grand Sounds PR for the details.

Urzah - A Tranquil Void (Album Review)

Release Date: June 05th 2026. Record Label: APF Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

A Tranquil Void - Tracklisting

1.At the Mouth of the Cave 03:28

2.The Call Beneath 04:33

3.Infernal Star I 05:50

4.Infernal Star II 05:24

5.Bark & Branches 03:44

6.In the Mouth of the Wolf 06:26

7.Hunter in the Veil 06:23

8.Entwined, Twisted Roots of Chaos 12:39

Members

 

Ed Fairman - Vocals / Guitar

Tom McElveen - Vocals / Guitar

Dan Bradley - Bass

James Brown – Drums

Review

Progressive Sludge Metallers Urzah return with their sophomore album A Tranquil Void which sees the band strip all the Stoner Metal dynamics that played a major part of their 2024 debut album. Urzah demonstrates an aggressive and violent Post-Metal vibe to their music which travels through the other areas of music that appear on the album that it becomes the dominant theme holding everything together.

There’s a brutal HARDCORE atmosphere allowing Urzah to fully create a highly apocalyptic style of Psych Metal and Ambient themes. The vocals are reminiscent of Neurosis and Mastodon with the band even applying THRASH METAL beatdowns to add a deafening level of metallic aggression into the mix. A Tranquil Void is quite experimental with it’s fractured beats, extended glitches and sonic noises that gives this record an almost industrial feel with Urzah applying a “RELAPSE RECORDS” makeover to their music. 

The instrumental work is superb throughout with Urzah demonstrating a intense Progressive Metal energy compared to their debut album especially on tracks such At The Mouth Of The Cave, The Call Beneath, Infernal Star I, In The Mouth Of The Wolf and Entwined, Twisted Roots of Chaos which all left me feeling breathless at times. 

Urzah excel at injecting classic Post-Metal themes against the modern day Progressive Sludge Metal environment which lets areas of Post-Rock and Ambient Metal to appear from time-to-time. The album does become bleaker, darker and perhaps even violent with the thuggish and brutal sounds emitting from all corners with the excellent rhythm section of Dan Bradley on Bass and James Brown on Drums which keeps everything grounded.

It’s this musical dynamic that allows Ed Fairman (Vocals / Guitar) and Tom McElveen (Vocals / Guitar) to deliver stunning vocals and sublime progressive instrumental passages that have a thrilling cinematic Psychedelic quality to them.

There’s some great moments of classic Hard Rock instrumental solos that should feel out of place for a record such as this but Urzah pulls this off with great originality and musical conviction. A Tranquil Void is a stunning record on every level that’s backed up by first rate production values. If you want a record that moves into multiple areas of Heavy Metal whilst keeping that Post-Metal quality from start to finish then you can’t go wrong with this epic album that pulls no punches and leaves you a shivering wreck when everything is said and done.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to For The Lost PR for the promo.

A Tranquil Void is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via APF Records.

Links 

Official | BandCamp

HUFR FEST MILE HIGH RIFFS II "THE SECOND HUFF" RETURNS TO DENVER MAY 14–16, 2027 - First Wave of Bands Announced

HUFR FEST MILE HIGH RIFFS II "THE SECOND HUFF" RETURNS TO DENVER MAY 14–16, 2027 First Wave of Bands Announced for the Second Annual Celebration of the Heavy Underground

DENVER, CO – June 8, 2026 – Today, HUFR FEST Mile High Riffs officially unveils the first seven bands confirmed for HUFR FEST Mile High Riffs II: The Second Huff, returning to Bar 404 in Denver, Colorado, May 14–16, 2027.

Following the overwhelming success of the inaugural festival, organizers are proud to launch the first phase of the 2027 lineup and begin building momentum toward another unforgettable weekend of heavy music in the Region of Doom.

The following artists comprise the first wave of bands announced on June 8, 2026, with additional national and international acts to be revealed in the coming months:

• Florist – Tampa, Florida
• HolyRoller – Winston-Salem, North Carolina
• LungBurner – Atlanta, Georgia
• Crop – Lexington, Kentucky
• Formula 400 – San Diego, California
• Phantom Hound – Oakland, California
• Valiomierda – Denver, Colorado

The inaugural HUFR FEST exceeded expectations, drawing fans and artists from across the United States for three unforgettable days of heavy music, community, and camaraderie. The response from attendees, bands, vendors, and media partners confirmed that HUFR FEST fills an important role in supporting and celebrating the modern heavy underground.

The founders credit the festival's success to the collaborative spirit that exists throughout the heavy underground. That same spirit will continue to guide HUFR FEST as it grows into one of North America's premier gatherings for doom, stoner rock, sludge, heavy psych, and riff-driven music.

The festival's home, Bar 404, has quickly become one of Denver's most respected destinations for live music. Its unique layout creates an intimate connection between artists and fans, allowing attendees to experience every crushing riff, soaring lead, and thunderous groove from just feet away. Combined with a powerful sound system and acoustics that consistently earn praise from musicians and concertgoers alike, Bar 404 is the perfect home for HUFR FEST.

Additional bands will be announced throughout the coming months. Organizers have confirmed that the next lineup announcement will include two international artists, further expanding the festival's global reach and strengthening its reputation as a destination event for underground heavy music fans.

Alongside the next artist announcement, HUFR FEST will launch a limited number of Early Bird Presale Tickets at special introductory pricing. Fans are encouraged to follow festival channels closely, as these discounted passes will be available in limited quantities and are expected to move quickly.

More artist announcements, ticket information, sponsorship opportunities, vendor opportunities, and festival updates will be released in the coming months.

About HUFR FEST Mile High Riffs

Founded by Sean Brooks, Andrea Thomas-Brooks, and Zeth Pedulla, HUFR FEST Mile High Riffs celebrates the best in doom, stoner rock, sludge, heavy psych, and underground heavy music.

Presented in partnership with The Heavy Underground Farm Report, the festival brings together artists and fans from across the globe for a weekend dedicated to community, discovery, and massive riffs.

HUFR FEST Mile High Riffs II: The Second Huff
May 14–16, 2027
Bar 404
Denver, Colorado
Three Days • Seventeen Bands • Infinite Riffs

For festival updates, artist announcements, and future ticket information, visit hufrfest.com.

REDWOOD - Hyperspace (Album Review)

Release Date: June 12th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Hyperspace - Tracklisting

1. HIGHWAY NOVA (6:38)

2. HYPERSPACE (6:59)

3. ANOTHER PLANET (4:35)

4. GOT A FEELING (3:54)

5. LAND OF ANCIENT NOTHING (7:06)

6. OPIUM AND STIMULANTS (4:03)

7. MOTHER EARTH (4:06)

8. ASTEROID (6:03)

9. INVADERS (8:12)

10. FUTURE (11:32)

Review

The Space Rock/Doom/Stoner Metal collective known as REDWOOD wasn’t kidding that they would be back bigger than ever with their next album and they’ve truly proven that point with their latest expedition into the further edges of the COSMOS with HYPERSPACE. Following six months on after their critically acclaimed album Time To Lose, this time round REDWOOD leans further and heavily into the legendary Nineties Stoner Metal scene. 

The MONSTER MAGNET and FU MANCHU influence is there but REDWOOD adds some gloriously OTT soundtrack sensibilities to their music and some heavy use of Progressive Rock storytelling elements to the album. Hyperspace feels like a pure cinematic event and perhaps the perfect soundtrack to a classic video game of the PS2 and XBOX era of gaming. Maybe I’m slightly overselling the album but that’s the feeling I got from listening to the record as REDWOOD fully delves into the folklore of Stoner Metal, Psych Rock and Space Rock with a renowned sense of progressive purpose. 

The opening batch of songs Highway Nova, Hyperspace and Another Planet demonstrates a fine level of intricate FUZZ details that moves into heavier areas of dominant Stoner Metal melodies which does have that deep Monster Magnet influence which appears even within the spaced out guitars that have a certain Ed Mundell quality to them. It’s a great style of music that develops into REDWOOD’s own way of delivering high voltage and action packed Space Rock themes. The lyrics always have that “BIGGER THAN LIFE” attitude with raucous vocals to match.

There is still a sense of gritty realism appearing within the sludgy sounds that appear from time-to-time. The music is always catchy and superbly fast-paced where REDWOOD packs a lot of intense musical movement within the lengthy sixty two minutes the album lasts for. Despite the fantastical elements of the album, Hyperspace is quite a grounded record especially with some of the lyrics and creative messages that's outlined within the whole journey with the emerging threat of “A.I.” posing to the whole of mankind. REDWOOD has found an excellent way to offer their own perspective on this threat but do this through the power of Doom Metal and Stoner Metal.

REDWOOD continues his great use of Ambient and Trippy sound effects heard on his previous albums but this time they’re used in a more distorted manner which just highlights the dangerous effect that “A.I.” could have upon us all. Sometimes the album does feel a bit too long at times with certain songs but the listener does experience some intense SONIC musical passages that moves into heavier Sludge Metal waters with a thrilling Atmospheric delivery appearing when you least expect it.

Other great tracks to check out are: Got A Feeling, Land Of Ancient Nothing, Opium and Stimulants, Asteroid, Invades and the amazing final track Future (which is REDWOOD’s best track they’ve created by a long mile). These tracks contain the most interesting, heaviest and doomed out grooves on the whole record and you can feel REDWOOD’s own thoughts and creative persona being expressed through their music. 

Hyperspace may feel quite long at times but the real reward is the actual destination with REDWOOD finally coming into their own creative existence which could propel them to bigger things within the Stoner Rock/Metal scene. The instrumental work is stellar throughout with a SHIT-TON of epic instrumental passages and wicked guitar solos transporting you back to the classic heyday of Nineties Stoner Metal where the likes of FU MANCHU, SLEEP, KYUSS and MONSTER MAGNET ruled the entire mother-trucking universe. 

REDWOOD have just released their best record to date and this will perhaps be the album I will rank their future records against. This is seriously a grand musical adventure that’s perfectly made for the WEEDIAN generation. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the promo.

Links

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