Sea Bastard - Cyclopan (Album Review)

Release Date: October 30th 2026. Record Label: Road to Masochist Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Cyclopean - Tracklist 

1.Dark Altar 22:24

2.Entombed with the Pharoah 12:14

3.Prophet of the People 16:13

4.Nameless Purgatory 24:46

Members

George Leaver - Drums

Steve Patton - Bass

Oliver Irongiant - Guitar

Ian "Monty" Montgomery - Vocals

Review

Doom/Sludge Metallers Sea Bastard release their first album in thirteen years with Cyclopean which runs for a massive seventy two minutes across four lengthy tracks. This album feels more like an endurance exercise with Sea Bastard playing many different levels of Drone, Doom, Sludge, Psych, Noise, Black Metal and Post-Metal based grooves throughout. There is a bleak, down-tuned and filth ridden experience that manages to be quite a different sounding SEA BASTARD compared to their early records. 

The band initially went on hiatus back in 2016 but returned to active duty in 2021 but it’s taken five years to get a new album from the guys but it’s most definitely been worth the weight. There’s a deeper Blackened Doom approach within this album with a decaying sense of morality being heard within the twisted vocals of Ian “Monty” Montgomery. The lyrics are violently real that’s brutally offset against a harsh Drone/Noise atmosphere that allows the music to be played at an aggressive fast-paced though the music is cautiously slow to begin with. 

Opening track Dark Altar is a frenzied musical attack on the senses with Sea Bastard exploring a new found style of Distorted Drone and Experimental Noise Metal which can be quite challenging to hear. Though, there’s also a great sense of twisted melody that emerges within the later stages of the song as the band finally find their “groove” which sees different styles of COSMIC energy to emerge from the distorted FUZZED out surroundings.

Second track Entombed with the Pharoah is another slice of Extreme Metal that’s been down-tuned to pure Doom/Sludge Metal perfection with Ian’s twisted vocals once again allowing the listener to fully become part of Sea Bastard’s dark world. The music is brutally soulful with a fucked up Industrial and Grind sound that becomes quite riff-centric even when the music once again become pure nightmare quality of the highest order. The despairing grooves are superbly played and quite long with sonic soundscapes having a demonic energy to them. 

The rest of the band (George Leaver - Drums, Steve Patton - Bass and Oliver Irongiant - Guitar) deserve credit for creating such a true apocalyptic sandbox that sees many different styles of Extreme Metal and Heavy Metal emerge that is always thought provoking and quite violent until the very end.

The final two tracks of Prophet Of The People and Nameless Purgatory explore the huge Lovecraft influence that I feel resides within the lyrics with the music once again never settling down for a standard style of Doom/Sludge Metal. Everything is always constantly changing with Sea Bastard revisiting sounds they’ve created on their earlier albums especially within the standout third track Prophet Of The People.

The second half of the album is perhaps more riff heavy but it’s still quite Drone obsessive with Ian’s vocals impressing yet again. The sudden influx of distorted themes and violent apocalyptic melodies is perhaps too violent for the casual music fan but it will be absolute heaven for Sea Bastard’s established fanbase and perhaps within the wider Extreme Metal community.

The end result is quite nihilistic which Sea Bastard offer no apologies for and nor should they. As Cyclopean is a masterful album with Sea Bastard releasing their best record and most uncompromising vision to date. 

Don’t say that I didn’t warn you!!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Cyclopean is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Road To Masochist

Links

LinkTree | BandCamp

Screaming Mad Dee Releases Album Video Teaser For His Upcoming New Album AN AFFRONT TO ALL THINGS HOLY

The new album from singer/songwriter Screaming Mad Dee, the final voice of doom legends Iron Man. 

Armed with only his voice, acoustic guitar, and raw storytelling, Dee delivers what many have called acoustic doom — songs steeped in darkness, redemption, and the grit of lived experience. His performances are haunting yet deeply human, channeling the heavy spirit of doom metal through stripped-down arrangements that hit as hard emotionally as any wall of amps. 

Known to fans as “Screaming Mad Dee,” Dee has toured internationally, released acclaimed albums under both band and solo banners, and earned a reputation as one of the most powerful voices in underground heavy music. 

His work resonates — not just with metal audiences — but also with listeners who crave authenticity, intensity, and soul in songwriting. 

Imagine Johnny Cash walking the same shadowed roads as Black Sabbath — that’s where you’ll find Screaming Mad Dee. 

Coming in 2027 via Combat Records/Mindsnap Music.

You can watch the Album Teaser Video for his upcoming new album An Affront to All Things Holy below.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

OSSIFIER - DSDM DEMO (EP Review)

Release Date: October 26th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

DSDM Demo - Tracklist 

We Are The Endtimes 13:05

Members

Angry Fanny - Guitar/Vocals

MicHellhammer - Bass/Vocals

Tchang - Drums

Additional percussions by Chaton666.

Review

DSDM Demo is the debut release from Funeral Doom/Drone Metallers OSSIFIER is a highly atmospheric release that only features a singular track called We Are The Endtimes. The song runs for a massive thirteen minutes where OSSIFIER explores the Blackened Elements of the Funeral Doom scene with harsh instances of Sludge, Drone and Ambient Metal. There’s a violent Psychedelic energy lurking in the background with OSSIFIER channeling the likes of WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM and SUNN 0))).

The vocals move between clean chants and harsh growls which work superbly well together though sometimes they’re quite hard to understand which is probably the point of the whole record. The music is constantly violent and brutally heavy with slow-to-mid played Post-Metal soundscapes moving further into the Funeral Doom and Drone Metal vortex. 

There’s small pockets of uplifting Atmospheric Doom that briefly appear with an aggressive mix of Ambient Metal and Post-Rock themes leading the way. This shows a different side to OSSIFIER at times where they’re quite content to allow a more forgiving style of music to appear but mostly it’s that violent destructive energy that gives the song it’s epic cinematic scope.

DSDM Demo is unforgivingly slow for the most part but it allows OSSIFIER to explore many different levels of Distorted Drone and Funeral Doom that becomes brilliantly dark and aggressively violent in the later stages of the song. 

Helping OSSIFIER on their musical journey is the legendary talents of Sanford Parker who mixed and mastered the record. This allows OSSIFIER to have a heavier and cinematic scope to their music which left me wanting to hear more. As this song is superbly put together from every angle despite this being an actual demo. It sounds impressive from the start and will no doubt become a firm favourite within the underground Doom/Drone Metal scene. 

This is an exquisite and bleakly unforgiving release that will hopefully allow OSSIFIER to release more great records in the near future as I’m desperate to hear more.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

BandCamp

Dread Witch - CULT (Album Review)

Release Date: October 31st 2026. Record Label: Various. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

CULT - Tracklist 

1.Born Again 01:53

2.Cult 04:56

3.The Summoning 05:39

4.Cyclops 02:21

5.Altar 06:44

6.Marrow 04:20

7.Vesexuff 02:18

8.Omen of Oblivion 08:18

Members

Mikael Rise - vocals and rhythm guitar

Dennis Larsen - drums

Jesper Kragh - lead and rhythm guitars

Leifur Nielsen - bass and backing vocals

Andreas Cadaver - rhythm and lead guitars

Review

Doom/Sludge Metallers Dread Witch return with their second album CULT which builds upon the foundations created within their celebrated 2023 debut album Tower Of The Severed Serpent. That record allowed Dread Witch to include a heavy style of extreme metal such as Death Metal and Thrash Metal into the mix whilst keeping a gloomy Occult Metal element into the overall sound. 

CULT is perhaps more heavier and violent compared to their debut album with Dread Witch fully selling their fucked up OCCULT METAL imagery to the underground masses. The record is super DOOM METAL obsessive which makes it the perfect album to listen to within the upcoming gloomy winter months. Dread Witch develops a thrilling backdrop of COSMIC soundscapes and stripped back psychedelic passages that remind me of YOB and UFOMAMMUT. 

The record lasts around thirty six minutes across eight tracks with the right amount of ferocious delivery being played within each of the tracks that sees Dread Witch perfectly balance the EXTREME and NON-EXTREME metallic parts of the whole record. The album can be quite down-tuned and violently intense at the best of times with the harsh vocals and guttural screams adding an uneasy atmosphere into the whole experience.

The music is a mixture of slow-to-mid paced grooves, fast-paced Thrash Metal beats and multiple breakdowns which adds an almost CRUST PUNK/METAL flow to the album. There are some great Prog Metal sounds and themes appearing out of nowhere that never feels out of place even when DREAD WITCH return to their Occult Metal roots. 

Dread Witch have three members playing guitars and that’s what gives CULT such a great mix of highly atmospheric Doom/Sludge Metal sounds that always feel grounded and completely over the top which sees the album become quite cinematic on tracks such as Cult, The Summoning, Altar, Marrow and Omen Of Oblivion. It’s within these tracks you begin to experience Dread Witch delivering their most intense rhythms and musical passages on the whole album with an unstoppable Punk Rock attitude forming. 

Dread Witch’s debut album feels quite pale in comparison when compared to CULT. This record is more fully fleshed out with stunning COSMIC musical passages allowing the band to explore musical themes and ideas that were only hinted briefly on their debut record. I’m still a huge fan of Tower Of The Severed Serpent but CULT is a different beast altogether where nothing feels off limits and DREAD WITCH are finally showing the world their true selves. 

The production contained and explored within CULT is simply masterful with massive amounts of VOLUME being played from every corner possible. The song can be quite nuanced even within the heavier moments which allows Dread Witch to play to their absolute strengths from start to finish.

CULT is an absolute marvel of an album and should be considered one of the year’s best EXTREME records you’ll hear this year.

Words by Steve Howe

"CULT" is available to buy now on LP via DHU Records, CD via Bottomless Pit and digital via Gateway Music.

Links

LinkTree | BandCamp

Heavy riffers The Crooked Skulls announce 7" Pain Dealer/Ride Free feat. Bob Balch & artwork by Matt Pike; out November 13th

The Crooked Skulls are a heavy rock trio from New Jersey built around thick riffs, heavy grooves, and a straightforward approach to songwriting. Pulling from stoner rock, doom, and the heavier side of rock and roll, the band draws influence from Clutch, Corrosion of Conformity, Down, Crowbar, Black Sabbath, Kyuss, Fu Manchu, Motörhead, and Alice in Chains while continuing to develop a sound of their own.

Formed by guitarist/vocalist Pete Koretzky with bassist/vocalist Dave Van Auken and original drummer Chuck Snyder, The Crooked Skulls released their debut EP, Hivemind, in 2024, followed by their first full-length album, Midnight Sun, in March 2026. The album reached #30 on the Doom Charts and helped the band continue building its presence in the heavy underground.

Photo by JJ Koczan

Since forming, The Crooked Skulls have shared stages with bands including Valley of the Sun, WyndRider, Sun Voyager, Borracho, GUHTS, Clamfight, Thunderchief, and Precious Blood, playing throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Upcoming shows will see the band sharing bills with Crobot, Dark Chapel, and Insomniac as they continue expanding their regional presence.

Koretzky’s connection with Valley of the Sun also extends beyond the stage. He contributed additional guitar to “Where’s This Place?” from the band’s 2024 album Quintessence. The Crooked Skulls also connected with Fu Manchu guitarist Bob Balch, who contributed a guest guitar solo to “Iron Smile.”

Photo by Kelli Snyder

With Snyder relocating to Florida, drummer Bryan Heaney has joined Koretzky and Van Auken as The Crooked Skulls move into their next chapter. Heaney quickly settled into the band’s material and brings his own feel to the lineup while keeping the groove and chemistry at the center of the music.

Photo by JJ Koczan

The band is proud to announce a new 7-inch featuring “Ride Free” and “Pain Dealer.” The two songs follow Midnight Sun while showing different sides of where the band is heading. The 7-inch is intended as a bridge into 2027, keeping new music coming while the band continues playing regional shows, festivals, and other special appearances.

"Pain Dealer" features a guitar solo from Bob Balch, and the vinyl insert artwork is illustrated by Matt Pike.

Photo by JJ Koczan

The Crooked Skulls plan to begin working toward their next full-length album in 2027. Until then, the focus is on playing more shows, continuing to write, and taking opportunities as they come.

For The Crooked Skulls, the approach remains simple: write honest heavy music, play it loud, and keep moving forward.

Ride Free / Pain Dealer Details

The Crooked Skulls - Pain Dealer/Ride Free

7 inch out November 13th, 2026
Digital release November 27th
Electric Desert Records
New Jersey, United States
FFO: Clutch • CoC • Down • Crowbar • Kyuss • Fu Manchu • Motörhead • Alice in Chains
Cover art by @gasaedudes
Vinyl insert artwork by Matt Pike

The Crooked Skulls is:

Pete Koretzky - Vocals, Guitar

Bryan Heaney - Drums
Dave Van Auken - Vocals, Bass

Pain Dealer/Ride Free credits:

Pete Koretzky - Vocals, Guitar

Chuck Snyder - Drums
Dave Van Auken - Vocals, Bass
Bob Balch - Pain Dealer guitar solo

Mixing & mastering by Kent Stump @ Crystal Clear Sound

Tracklist:

1. Pain Dealer (4:11)
2. Ride Free (4:56)

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the details.

Droni Eye Omi announce new album, ‘Thwaites’ out on December 11th via Desert Records.

Droni Eye Omi announce new album, ‘Thwaites’ out on December 11th via Desert Records.

The drone duo return to journey with the listener to Antarctica to explore themes of the melting Thwaites Glacier.

Thwaites’ is the second studio album following the band’s heavy and spacey drone psychedelia of ‘Liminal Mass’ in 2025.

Brad Frye (Red Mesa) and Ronaldo Baca weave guitars to evoke a cold and watery vibe on ‘Thwaites’ for the lamenting of the “doomsday” glacier.

Simple sympathy, with a complexity that goes beyond what Droni Eye Omi is playing. So many harmonics and colors and orbits and accelerations and explosions…

One take. One moment. No overdubs.

TOTAL RUN TIME: 57:34

1. A Peaceful Drone for a Melting Earth 15:28

2. The Great Opening 19:24

3. Roaring Thwaites 12:31

4. Watery Graves 10:11

Droni Eye Omi is:

Ronaldo Baca - Electric Sustainiac Guitar

Brad Frye - Electric Baritone Guitar

Recorded at Bingo Studios in Albuquerque, NM on May 16th, 2025

Mixed and mastered by Ronaldo Baca at Orange Cat Studios

Album cover photo by Frank Ramspott

Album cover design by Brad Frye

Links

 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Thanks to Desert Bloom PR for the details.

Doom/Stoner Metallers Son Of Boar release new single 'In The Eyes Of Hatred' ahead of their second album 'The Hand That Reigns'

Bradford-based stoner/doom five-piece Son Of Boar return with their second studio album ‘The Hand That Reigns’, which arrives on November 20th 2026 via Pale Wizard Records.

Formed in 2018, Son Of Boar quickly became an integral part of the UK’s heavy underground scene, carving out a reputation as a formidable live act. Their powerful, groove-laden, riff-heavy sound has seen them share stages with the likes of Conjurer, Sergeant Thunderhoof, Desert Storm, Nebula, Conan and Fatso Jetson while appearances at Bloodstock, Riffolution, Ruination, Hard Rock Hell Fest, Hammerfest, SOPHIE Fest and Masters Of The Riff have firmly established the band within the UK heavy-music circuit.

Drawing influence from NOLA sludge pioneers Crowbar and DOWN, stoner-rock legends Kyuss, and UK heavyweights Black Sabbath and Paradise Lost, Son Of Boar combine slumberous riffs, harmonised twin guitars and vocalist Luke Oliver’s gravelly, roaring vocals. The band epitomise the ‘Grim North’ from which they emerged. Whether it is the green fields and rolling hills, or the harsh cold stone of their surroundings, Son Of Boar channel their landscape through groove, atmosphere and crushing heaviness, creating a soundtrack to their city and a reflection of the world that surrounds them.

Their self-titled debut album arrived in 2021, showcasing a band unwilling to be confined to a single corner of heavy music. The Hand That Reigns takes that approach further, pushing their sound into a darker, heavier and more aggressive territory.

Their forthcoming second studio album ‘The Hand That Reigns’, recorded at Corner House Studios in Yorkshire with Kurt Wood and mastered by Dave Draper (Ginger Wildheart) emerged during a period in which each member was collectively navigating difficult times. As riffs developed into songs, it became clear that those experiences were influencing the writing, and something darker was taking shape. Each track is infused with a personal honesty that moves fluidly from groove-metal to blasted desert rock and the deepest, darkest doom, showcasing the wide range to the band’s sound.

Watch the video for their new single IN THE EYES OF HATRED below:

Reflecting on the creation of the album, vocalist Luke Oliver says, “At the time of writing the album, everyone seemed to be going through a dark time. It quickly became apparent that this batch was darker, heavier, and more aggressive than the previous set. There was no conscious push towards that - we just wanted to write better songs. They came out with all the previous aspects of our sound amplified. We’ve always worked in a cauldron of influences, mixing groove-led desert sounds with grim, heavy riffs and moving tonally from dark to light and back again. On these songs, the heavy sections got heavier, the slow sections got slower, but at the same time the groove got deeper, while the melodies and atmosphere became more developed.”

Across The Hand That Reigns, Son Of Boar draw together the elements that have defined their sound while pushing each one further: groove-metal weight, psychedelic desert-rock passages, deep sludge and the slow pull of doom.

Lyrically the album explores themes of alienation, judgement, personal struggles and resilience, examining the barriers people encounter, the frustration and anger that can emerge from them, and the strength required to move beyond them.

“Lyrically the album covers themes of being an outcast in various forms. Drawing on inspiration from world events, personal experiences, documentaries, and life in a band, the songs talk to the barriers we hit in life, how people judge each other, and the frustration and anger that can come from that, but also about drawing on personal strength and inner belief to get past that and try to live a better life,” Oliver adds.

Ahead of the release of the album comes its final single ‘In The Eyes Of Hatred’, released today, October 30th 2026, a song for the ‘misfits’, the track serves as a call for unity and understanding in a divided world.

Discussing the single, the band state, “‘In The Eyes Of Hatred’ is a mix of stoner groove and heavy doom that makes our brand of northern fuzz. It is a call to arms for all the misfits and people who ever felt like they don't fit in, in a divided world it's a call for unity and understanding."

SON OF BOAR ARE:

Luke Oliver - Vocals
Gareth Bates - Bass, Backing Vocals
Adam Waddell - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Lyndon Birchall - Guitar
Luke Doran - Drums

ONLINE:

Website: https://sonofboar.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SonOBoar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/son_of_boar
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3MvIo59LEuFXrQ7U6AnuoO?si=pdeJaMjlQmOdqJneZJKtPw
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/son-of-boar/1490688507
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/artists/B082K9NRW1

Thanks to Memphia Music PR for the details.