Outlaws Of The Sun/Taste Nation LLC Joint Interview with SLOW GREEN THING

Matthew over at Taste Nation LLC - A Music Consortium, has been harassing me for a while to do some interviews together. I said sure, why not. We're both admirers of all things LOUD & HEAVY. The next part was deciding who to interview. Matthew suggested German Sludge/Stoner Rock collective – Slow Green Thing.

I thought that was a great idea. I had just listened to their new album – II, and thought their new album was superb. It's potent mix of Stoner, Sludge, Doom, Psych and Grunge that will hopefully gain these guys a wider fan-base.

If you haven't heard II yet then I recommend stop what you're doing and listen to the album now. It's a thrilling and exciting album from the band. You can read my review here.

Matthew and myself contacted Slow Green Thing and they kindly agreed to do this joint interview which we are both grateful for. Anyway, here's the interview with Slow Green Thing.

TN = Taste Nation

OOTS = Outlaws Of The Sun

OOTS – Hi guys. Thanks for doing this interview. How are things with you today? Welcome to the first joint interview between Taste Nation and Outlaws Of The Sun.

Thanks for the invitation, we are very fine, just released our LP and everyone seems to like it.

TN - Why the name Slow Green Thing? Any connection with the movie "The Blob"

The name was a crackpot idea – we preferred the name “ooze” because it made the teenage mutant ninja turtles mighty - but 1000 other bands like this name too. “ooze” is a green slime. Once our former bass-player said a little depressed in German: “lasst uns doch einfach langsames, grünes etwas als namen nehmen!” (Let’s take a name with words like slow green something in it). So the quick translation of this monologue is finally our name – SLOW (langsames) GREEN (grün) THING (etwas). …...

What the hell is “The Blob” - a must see movie?

OOTS – You've just released your new album – II. Congratulations on such an awesome album. It seems it's becoming quite a favourite amongst the Doom/Stoner Metal community. Have you been pleased with the response it got so far?

After releasing “I” and the very unexpected, positive reactions all over the stoner-world – we had a little clue what could happen, but the reactions for “II” in this very short time after releasing are overwhelming – no one expected that.

TN - I hear the late Layne Staley of Alice in Chains in your Vocals. Are they an influence?

Yes Sir – Alice in Chains are big in influencing the vocal-style and in some riffing (but riffing is more influenced by hard rock from the 70's) – but actually more the last 2 records without Layne, but I still love the Layne records. But “Black Gives Way To Blue” and “The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here” are great records and even darker than all AiC stuff before. It was the main reason to work with harmonies.

OOTS – For a first time listener. How would you describe your band’s music and what surprises awaits them on your new album – II?

It is always difficult to describe your own music. I think to compare it with other bands makes it easier, or to tell the influences – better a third party describes the music – so what would you say if anyone asks you to define Slow Green Thing? ;)

I guess, the unexpected moments for stoner-doom listener could be the solo guitar that is not a classic doom solo-guitar but more Blackmore-style – the other thing is maybe the singing... so SGT mixes a very lot of influences without sorrows about irritating the listener – because we do it all for us in first place – the result seems to be liked by some more people, too ;)

TN - I've noticed you are not signed to a label. Do you prefer the DIY route or are you looking at labels to Partner with?

For “II” we joined FUZZMATAZZ RECORDS and we are very happy with the work of Marek. Without him we would not have done the vinyl.

OOTS – Was it a hard or easy album to write and record for? Looking back would you change anything about II? Or are you happy with the final result?

Song writing is very fast, always – I got some riffing ideas and after 30 minutes with the guys in the rehearsal room, the main framework of the songs is done. It is so much fun with these cool band mates, because it's so easy to make music with'em or it is easy because they are so fine....

For me the record is perfect if you consider the fact time and the money .... of course the sound will never be heavy enough – a production like you can hear from AiC or Monster Magnet is perfect, for me … but for us, everything is fine and we are very proud.

TN - Your favourite band(s) you have shared the stage with?

DOZER (with my old band), GREENLEAF, FARFLUNG, GLOWSUN and on 8th July we will support MONOLORD.

OOTS – What's the song writing dynamic in the group? Is it down to one individual or is it a group collective?

It is a mix – I create the riffing and the vocal base at home. After that in the rehearsal room we fit the stuff together and create the bridges, solos and some other specials and think about the arrangements – in the end every song became a full-band-song.

TN - Are you planning a major Euro tour to support your stellar new album "II?"

No – 3 of 4 have family with very young kids, that and fucking work makes it hard to tour for a longer time – but not to misunderstood – we all love our families and like it very much to spend time with them ;) - work is bullshit, even more… but in the end, we are lazy boys… for me - music would be like work too, if I had to do it too often in row. But I guess 2 weeks of rocking would be OK - I hope you all know what I mean.... but we will see, maybe someday, when people cry for a tour, we will do it. Till now no one asked us for a tour.

OOTS – You're releasing your album on some lovely looking vinyl. Did you have some label help with that or are you releasing it by yourselves?

FUZZMATAZZ RECORDS. It’s actually a small label in middle Germany with some nice bands, so just have a look at it.

TN - Your wide stylistic range can put you on the stage with a wide variety of bands. Do you have a wish-list of who you would like to play with or what festival(s) you guys would like to play?

We rocked the Stoned from the Underground in 2014 and would like to play there again. Also every big Stoner/Doom/Hard Rock Festival (like ROCK IM WALD, DESERTFEST, ROADBURN…), where you can find a big music interested crowd, is always interesting for everyone.

What about bands, we would love to play with... that list is actually never ending - let me dream: Black Sabbath will not end up after “the end” and would ask us…

TN - Just so you know, the Dixie Chicks are making a comeback and are touring.

Oh, really?

TN - From your touring to date, what Country / City has the hottest girls?? Dresden ;) Actually, we don’t see too much chicks on our gigs or festivals, mostly we meet long haired, drunken and stoned dudes with strange habitants.

OOTS - You're from Germany which has a well-respected and vibrant Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal scene. What is the scene currently like in Germany? Do you have regular opportunities to play gigs in Dresden or do you have to travel to other areas of Germany to perform regularly? If you could change anything about your local music scene, what would it be and why?

It is awesome to live in Dresden if you like that kind of music, almost every week there is a concert in the neighbourhood. A lot of them are stoner/doom/metal stuff. I really hope it will go on this way. I really enjoy visiting concerts of my favourite bands just 5 minutes away from my home.

And our local scene is fine as well – a lot of talented and nice bands to play with, having fun and some beer. We sure travel to some nice gigs and festivals, but then it’s a bit hard to do it work. There are many factors that should be fine…

TN/OOTS – Well guys thanks for doing this interview. We both thank you for taking the time out in doing this joint interview. All the best with the new album. It's a stunning record which we both rate very highly.

Thank you for the request – interesting questions – it was fun!

Cheers from Slow Green Thing and Sven

WEED ON!

Words by Matthew Thomas, Steve Howe and Slow Green Thing

Slow Green Thing - Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Taste Nation LLC - A Music Consortium – Links

Official | Facebook | Twitter

Slow Green Thing - II (Album Review)

Release date: June 11^th 2016. Label: Fuzzmatazz Records. Format: DD/Vinyl

II – Tracklisting

1.Bucks & Fear 10:23

2.Monkeyshine 05:53

3.It Speaks The Journey 05:22

4.Hate Is My Love 06:47

5.Die Again 06:35

6.Green Steam (Digital Bonus Track) 06:02

7.I Wish 10:50

Band Members:

Sven (guitar, vocals)

Andreas (guitar)

Jörg (drums)

Conny (bass-guitar)

Review:

Slow Green Thing’s new album – II – was an unexpected surprise for me. As I hadn’t heard of these guys until friends of mine were saying how good their new album is. I decided to check them out for myself and I wasn’t prepared for what laid ahead of me. Slow Green Thing play a kind of grunge based Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal. Imagine Alice In Chains given a murkier and psychedelic makeover. The vocals have a definite Alice In Chains vibe.

The album runs for around an hour or so and contains moments of heavy progressive doom/stoner riffs. Opening track – Bucks & Fear – shows you what to expect with the band creating a wild oasis of different noises and moods throughout the epic ten minute run time. The song moves effortlessly from different genres with intricate riffs and vocals creating a heavy and sombre atmosphere at times. Fans of early AIC and Soundgarden will find much to enjoy here even if it’s merged with a heavier doom/stoner metal background.

Second track – Monkeyshine allows the band to expand on their grunge/doom hybrid sound with heavier guitars being added to the mix. The vocals are sung at a slow to mid pace that allows Slow Green Thing to shift the focus between the different moods held within the album. It’s one of the albums strongest and more adventurous tracks.

Third track – It Speaks The Journey – sees Slow Green Thing inject a bit of pace into the riffs as the band play a faster style of music. The vocals from Sven remain firmly in the grunge scene though with a slight psychedelic vibe appearing here and there.

Fourth track – Hate Is My Love – adds a bleak gloomy atmosphere as it allows Slow Green Thing to take a step back and concentrate on the doomier side of their music. The drumming is superb through out as Jorg brings extra weight compared to other tracks on the album. The guitars have a slight duelling quality to them as they veer from Doom, Stoner, Grunge and Psych Rock to create a heavy distorted style of grunge based sounds.

The album is full of extended guitar solos and some people may get bored with that part of the album though not me as I love albums built on riffs. II is full of long drawn out epic riffs. The vocals are what you expect for an album such as this. Expertly delivered from start to finish. The final three songs on the album Die Again, Green Steam and I Wish sees Slow Green Thing venture further into heavier doom/stoner theatrics with glimpses of sludge grooves finally starting to appear. Then again, after repeated listens of the album, the sludge grooves have been there all along. It’s buried under a ton of reverb, psych and grunge style madness.

II is an album that will appeal to fans of both the Grunge and Doom/Stoner Metal scenes. It’s the perfect marriage of classic 90s Grunge with modern day Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal sounds. II is a thrilling and exciting album that leaves you wanting more. Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Conjurer - I (Album Review)

Release date: July 01^st 2016. Label: Holy Roar Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

I – Tracklisting

1.Behold The Swine

2.Scorn

3.A Chasm Forged In Dread And Disarray

4.Frail

Band Members:

Dan Nightingale {Vocals/Guitar}

Brady Deeprose {Vocals/Guitar}

Jan Krause {Drums}

Andy Price {Bass}

Review:

Conjurer are a band that I have just recently been put onto and perhaps just in time as their debut E.P. "I" has just started streaming on the Terrorizer website ahead of pre-release sale on the Holy Roar. The band identify themselves as 'post sludge' but to me they have as much in common with a good, raw and primitive Black Metal outfit as anything else. Amongst their (substantial) listed influences are Slabdragger, Conan, Anaal Nathrak, Hang the Bastard and Oathbreaker. When listening to them I hear elements of Marduk's 'La grand dans Macabre', a guitar tone reminiscent of Sepultura and an ethereal mood of Angel Whore - 10 points if that last reference means anything to you.

I have been listening to the E.P. "I" almost perpetually looped for a couple of weeks now. Its production polished enough not to interfere with the raw nature of the music and each track dynamically paced for a conscientious sense of dramatic timing. The riffs are plentiful, meaty and industrious giving way to the occasional and appropriately placed solo that shows off a flair for the technical that would otherwise have them painted as the sort of 'purists' to turn their nose up at that sort of display. The drumming is a particular point of interest for me as it shows a creative flair with plenty of hooks, pauses and refrains that don't allow the listener a passive ride but instead have them on edge for the duration Like the ghosts in Super Mario that grab you when you look away. It is a record not dependant on blast beats to keep the it moving forward but when the time is right Jan Krause is well equipped to pulverise the track and the listener with a barrage on par with the first days of the Somme.

Vocally I could drop any number of adjectives that you've read in any number of reviews before (brutal, crushing etc. etc.) but instead I'll draw focus to the nature of the vocals and how the shared responsibility of Dan Nightingale and Brady Deeprose allows a saturation into the mix that is used to almost full potential. The rich texture and layering that you are accosted with in this record is exactly what you can expect to find in a live show but don't think for a minute that 'Rich' could confused with 'pleasant' as a rasping almost shrill topline accompanies a guttural roar placed against each other in pique discord that is both well developed but shows a real room for growth that will have me checking in on future releases.

To break down the individual parts is to ignore the bigger picture. This record is grim, primitive and melancholic. Reverb-y acoustic intros drop you into a well of despairing riffs at every turn and most often mutates into a palpable rage but every now and then with just one short bar or phrase it puts across a real sense of optimism that could stand to upset the purists but represents a serious progression in style and mood. I am happy this one landed in my lap and would encourage others to grab a copy of this future classic.

Words by Luke The Bastard

I will be available to buy via Holy Roar Records on CD/DD/Vinyl from July 1^st 2016.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp | Twitter

Slow Season - Westing (Album Review)

Release date: July 08^th 2016. Label: RidingEasy Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Westing – Tracklisting

1.Y'WANNA 04:20

2.FLAG

3.THE JACKAL

4.SAUREKÖNIG

5.DAMASCUS 05:37

6.MIRANDA

7.MANIFEST ESCHATON

8.RAINMAKER

Band Members:

Daniel Story Rice

David Benjamin Kent

Hayden Doyel

Cody Tarbell

Review:

Psych Hard Rockers – Slow Season – have returned with their new album – Westing. It feels like only yesterday that the band released their superb debut album on RidingEasy Records. It’s good to see that Slow Season have continued their relationship with RidingEasy Records as that label has been on such a rich vein of form lately releasing so many great albums. Anyway, this is Slow Season’s time to shine and believe me they do. As their new album sees the band plays a more psychedelic style of classic/stoner/hard rock riffs.

Westing sees Slow Season create a heavier style of music. Opening track – Y’Wanna – flirts between 70s Psychedelic Hard Rock with focus on modern day Stoner/Fuzz Rock melodies. The vocals have a distinctive 70s blues rock vibe. You may think well that’s what their debut album sounded like. True, I will admit from my first listen of the album I thought exactly the same. However appearances can be deceiving as Slow Season adds layers of psychedelic rock with a highly polished Led Zepplin type feel.

Second track – Flag – has a real vintage feel to it as the guitars and vocals have a vintage feel to them. It’s quite an upbeat number with the band showing their talent for mixing Hard Rock riffs and psychedelic blues style vibes. The lyrical content maybe simply written but the guys sing with true style and conviction.

Third track – The Jackal – sees Slow Season manage to create their own anthemic style of classic rock merged with more modern fuzz style riffs. It’s played at a slow pace but the and still manage to create an air of excitement that fans of The Who and Led Zepp will appreciate.

Fourth track – Saurekonig – is perhaps the most far-out song on the album as the band blend trippy noises and riffs against their usual style of classic/hard rock riffs. The song has an almost tribal feel to it as Slow Season create a blues-rock based psychedelic movement that sees Saurekonig classed as the best song on the album.

Slow Season continue their heavy use of distorted psychedelic stoner/classic riffs on songs such as Damascus, Miranda and Rainmaker. The album builds up to an exciting climax on the final two songs with Manifest Eschaton and Rainmaker. Slow Season leave you wanting more on Westing as the album could have done with one more song to round things out. The production is first rate throughout as the album contains a cool and understated vintage feel.

Westing is a towering achievement and an album that will only enhance Slow Season’s reputation further.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Dave at US/Them PR Group and Andy at Palmer Turner Overdrive from the promo. Westing will be available to buy via RidingEasy Records on CD/DD/Vinyl from July 8^th 2016.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Tides Of Sulfur - Extinction Curse (Album Review)

Release date: July 16^th 2016. Label: Black Bow Records. Format: CD/DD

Extinction Curse – Tracklisting

1. Eternal Bleeding

2. Of Suffering and Grief

3. Woe To You O Destroyer

4. Maltheist

5. Extinction Curse

6. Iron Fists Shall Rust

7. Year of Pigs

Band Members:

Anthony 'Snake' O'Shea-Shredding/Apparitions

Chris Bull-Throat/Low-End Assault/Noise

Tom Lee-Battery

Review:

You magnificent Welsh bastards.....

You've only gone and released one of the most exciting debut records I've heard since Bast put out Spectres (both bands signed to Black Bow Records by way of a coincidence?)

Not unlike Bast in as much as they have become firmly entrenched in the thriving doom/sludge movement sweeping the land at present, but to simply leave it there would do them a disservice. A point proved by some of the bands they have played with that wouldn't be considered doom. (Google it)

There are elements of Black Metal, thrash, blast-beats all married together with the low and slow stuff. Clean sections, heavy sections and Tides make use of the fact that all three of them can sing to great effect. Layer upon layer of diversity is what's on offer here. Like a wedding cake. Made of riffs.

Recorded at Skyhammer by Chris Fielding and mastered by Steve Austin (because Stone Cold says so....) you know that this record sounds magnificent.

Now make no mistake about it, I'm a big fan of this band. The band and the lads themselves. Our bands had the pleasure of touring together earlier this year (alongside the glorious Victorian Whore Dogs) and it was a pleasure to get to watch them night after night deliver the goods. But even that didn't prepare me for the barrage of riffs that came tumbling out of my speakers when I hit play on this record.

From opening track "Eternal Bleeding" through to the final moments of album closer "Year Of Pigs" Tides don't put a foot out of place, and there isn't a needless moment on this record.

Standout track for me probably being "Maltheist" with its haunting and jarring guitar melody delivered over some of the heaviest riffs I've heard in ages, all backed up by some truly powerful drumming and vocals that are lower than the value of the pound after a referendum.

To sum it up Tides Of Sulfur have added themselves to the list of albums coming out this year, that will challenge and reward lovers of heavy music. You thought you'd heard heavy music before? Guess again....

You can catch the Tides Of Sulfur live experience at Red Sun Festival in Cardiff over the last weekend of July to keep you going until the album is released.

Words by Simon Ross Williams

Thanks to Curtis at Dewar PR for the promo. Extinction Curse will be available to buy via Black Bow Records on CD from July 16th 2016.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Oberon - Pale Blue Dot (Album Review)

Release date: June 17th 2016. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

Pale Blue Dot – Tracklisting

1.Upon the Revolutions of Heavenly Spheres 02:20

2.Pillars 07:28

3.Lunar Rising 06:41

4.Pale Blue Dot 02:23

5.Pangea 03:17

6.Monsters of the Mesozoic 06:51

7.Starflesh 08:46 video

8.Earthican Lullaby 01:47

9.From the Sky 09:43

10.We Will Travel On 08:19

11.Beyond the Revolutions of Heavenly Spheres 02:35

Band Members:

DJ Bryant - Guitar / Vocals

Jeremy Wingard - Guitar

Logan Wood - Drums

Adam Smith - Bass

Review:

Progressive Sludge/Stoner Rockers – Oberon – debut album – Pale Blue Dot is a journey of progressive spaced out riffs. Oberon take early-era The Sword doomy vibes and match it against Mastodon/Baroness style Sludge rock/metal riffs. It all comes together for one exciting and wild loud ride that lasts for sixty-one minutes or so. Oberon feel they also influenced by bands from the 70s Progressive Rock scene especially with DJ's vocals. They have a certain vintage and progressive feel to them.

The album is quite euphoric and highly anthemic at times with Oberon showing a creative flair blending the progressive rock/metal riffs against a heavy space rock/psych backdrop. The opening songs – Upon The Revolutions On Heavenly Spheres, Pillars and Lunar Rising sees Oberon laying down the groundwork for the rest of the album to follow. The instrumental work flows with style, conviction and a sense of originality. The vocals take a few moments getting used to but lead vocalist –DJ – soon wins you over with an assured and highly confident vocal performance.

The lyrical content is one more based in Science Fiction or should I say Science Fact but it works as Oberon make you care what’s being played around you. If you’re a fan of seminal Mastodon album – Crack The Skye then you will find much to admire here. Pale Blue Dot is not as crazy as that album but it contains the same sort of out of this world structure. It allows the listener to suspend their disbelief in reality and enjoy the superb music being played for the next sixty minutes or so.

I would say the album is fairly split between instrumental rock/metal and songs with vocals. One of my fave songs has to be the title track – Pale Blue Dot. An instrumental piece that only lasts about three minutes but one that sees Oberon in a more reflective mood. It has a soothing psychedelic post-rock/post-metal delivery where the band excels in showing off their musical skills.

Pale Blue Dot maybe a hard album to listen to for the casual listener as Oberon includes a huge amount of ideas that demands your full attention. This is an album you will need to listen a few times to fully understand it. If you’re here mainly for the riffs then you won’t leave disappointed as Oberon excel in this department. 

Even when they slow the mood right down there’s always something exciting waiting round the corner. Some people may state Oberon could have easily left a couple of songs from the album. Though what songs would you leave out as you would change the whole dynamic of the album. Pale Blue Dot is an intelligent and action-packed Sludge/Stoner Metal ride from start to finish that has a few hidden surprises along the way. Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Band To Check Out - 1886

Release date: Jan 09th 2015. Label: Helmet Lady Records. Format: DD/Vinyl

Before The Fog Covers The Mount  – Tracklisting

1.Woodsman 05:46

2.Witch Hunter 05:15

3.Fuego Salvaje 04:44

4.Flying Whales & Swimming Birds 03:45

5.The Path Through The Green Forest 07:17

6.Mental 06:53

7.The Seed Of Feed 07:13

8.Breakdown 05:29

Band Members:

Pau Bassedas - Guitar and vocals.
Pol Gómez - Guitar and chorus.
Pol Ventura - Bass and chorus.
Marc Fàbregas - Drums.

The Lowdown:

The cool folks over at Helmet Lady Records asked me to check out the 2015 album - Before The Fog Covers The Mount from Spanish Psych Rockers - 1886. This is another album that has passed me by but I'm pretty glad I've checked it out. As this album is superb with 1886 creating a heavy barrage of Psych/Hard Rock Riffs. 

Though there's much more to 1886's sound as they delve into the world of  Heavy Blues with subtle hints of Space/Stoner Rock being played for your entertainment. 

Standout tracks include: Witch Hunter, Fuego Salvaje, The Path Through The Green Forest and The Seed Of Feed. All great tracks with the band showing quite a flair in creating highly addictive moments of psychedelic rock. 

I've talked long enough. Just listen to the album below and if you like what you hear, head over to Helmet Lady Records and buy a copy on Vinyl. 

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

KALEIDOBOLT - The Zenith Cracks (Album Review)

Release date: July 01^st 2016. Label: Pink Tank Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

The Zenith Cracks – Tracklisting

1.Off The Cuff

2.Murderous Ways

3.The Crux

4.Inbred

5.Helle

6.Steal My Thunder

7.City Of The Sun

8.Spoil

Band Members:

Sampo Kurki - guitar, vocals

Marco Menestrina - bass, vocals

Valtteri Lindholm - drums

Review:

The Retro Doom/Stoner/Hard Rock Scene has taken off quite considerably over the last few years thanks to bands such as Graveyard and Kadavar. Both of whom have released stunning records over the years. Kadavar especially with Berlin in 2015. What does this has to do with Kaleidobolt's new album – The Zenith Cracks. Well Kaleidobolt are one of the new breed of Hard Rock/Retro/Stoner Rock bands starting to gain notice with their blend of Heavy Psychedelic and Progressive Stoner Rock.

The Zenith Cracks is a much different sound to their acclaimed S/T debut album. The Zenith Cracks sees the band opt for a more psychedelic and far out sound as the two opening tracks – Off The Cuff and Murderous Ways – open the floodgates to a world of heavy and psychedelic prog/stoner riffs. The vocals are firmly rooted in the classic era of 60s/70s Hard Rock/Psych Rock.

Kaleidobolt experiment with their sound by opting for a more jam-based style with their music. The album has a lot more freakout moments as the band veer off into different directions especially on 3^rd track – The Crux. Don't worry though as Kaleidobolt still retain their signature classic vintage sound.

I will say the 2^nd half of the album is a lot more exciting than the first half. That's not to say the 1^st half is bad, far from it, the band have written some hugely memorable riffs. It's when the album reaches song no 5 – Helle - is where the album truly starts coming alive with vibrant noise and sonic experimentation. Helle is a cool sounding instrumental track before the real fireworks start with Steal My Thunder. As the band play a faster style of progressive hard rock that allows the band to create some stunning guitar solos with intense drumming holding it all together.

The final two tracks - City Of The Sun and Spoil – sees Kaleidobolt turn into a more Doom/Occult Rock style band as the riffs become slightly doomier and gloomier in places. It helps that both tracks run past the 9 minute and 10 minute mark respectively. It's a sombre and distorted affair that shows you how inventive these guys can really be.

Final track Spoil is the stand-out track on the album as it's quite a creepy affair with distorted guitars merging for one nightmarish freak based sound. The band make clever use of ambient noises and distorted riffs with a huge sideline in murky psychedelic rock.

The Zenith Cracks is a well produced album as everything sounds superb throughout. The Zenith Crack is a thrilling record to listen to. I applaud Kaleidobolt for doing something vastly different to their debut album. Check it out. You won't be sorry.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Jan at Pink Tank Records for the promo. The Zenith Cracks will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Pink Tank Records from July 1^st 2016.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Harvester - Harmonic Ruptures (Album Review)

Release date: July 1^st 2016. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Harmonic Ruptures – Tracklisting

Summoner

The Obol

Magnetic North

Lapse

Dimensionaut

Wrought

Outlier

Past The Mantle

Band Members:

Bryan Higgins- Guitar

Gavin Grealy- Guitar, Vocals

Steve Loughney - Bass

Kenn Sweeney - Drums

Review:

Harvester return after a four year absence with their new album – Harmonic Ruptures. Their debut album – Blind Summit Recordings – showed a band influenced by the mighty Black Sabbath but also influenced by bands such as Mastodon, Torche and Thin Lizzy. The album showed that these guys meant business with their anthemic sludge/stoner driven riffs. Since then the band have supported Mastodon (by Bill Kelliher's personal request) multiple times now. So if it’s good enough for Mastodon then it should be good enough for you to check out their excellent new album – Harmonic Ruptures.

What you get is 38 minutes of heavy Sludge/Stoner Metal vibes that offer an exciting alternative to their debut album. Opening track Summoner sees Harvester return with a more psychedelic and fuzz based sound that allows the band to create a heavier style of music compared to their debut album. The vocals have a raw intensity which feel they were recorded LIVE and in one take. That’s a good thing as they feel very natural to some of the more mainstream releases I’ve heard recently.

Second track – The Obol – has a more psychedelic vibe to the opening track as Harvester open with heavier vocals and spaced out progressive sludge riffs. The Thin Lizzy dual style guitars is always a welcome bonus as Harvester expand their sound with shades of classic rock and heavy metal vibes starting to appear.

Third track – Magnetic North – is perhaps the albums standout track as the band combine fast-paced Sludge/Stoner Riffs with superb vocals to match. The song changes different directions throughout with Harvester playing a wide range of different genres. The rest of the album follows the same path as Harvester blend Progressive Sludge/Stoner psych based riffs with a loving and knowing affection towards bands from the classic era of Hard Rock/Heavy Metal.

The following two tracks – Lapse and Dimensionaut – are very different to each other with Lapse following the same path as the opening three tracks with a more distorted driven sound. Dimesionaut is a seventy second instrumental ambient based song with an acoustic almost folk based guitar holding everything together. It’s quite a stark contrast to the other songs on the album.

Though it’s back to normal business for the final three songs on the album – Wrought, Outlier and Past The Mantle. This is where Harvester create some of the albums heaviest moments especially on Wrought which is influenced primarily by early-era Mastodon and Baroness. The final song – Past The Mantle – shows the full wide range of Harvester’s musical talents. As they blend post-rock/post-metal atmospherics with heavy sludge/stoner metal rhythms with a slight twinge of space rock theatrics. Another standout track on the album. Play this song nice and loud. It may start off very quietly but give it time as Harvester unleash a whirlwind of unstoppable noise.

I know that some people will complain that the production could have done with more work. As it can sound very lo-fi and raw at times. I feel this is what Harvester were aiming for with the album by creating an album that’s close to the live Harvester experience you’re ever likely to get. This album makes you feel that you’re in the front row of a Harvester live performance.

Harmonic Ruptures is a spellbinding and thrilling album to listen to. It shows you the full power and scope of Harvester’s musical vision as Harvester have released a must have album.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Harvester for the promo. Harmonic Ruptures will be available to buy on CD from July 1st 2016 with physical releases coming later in the year.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp | Twitter

Harvester have upcoming gigs in Ireland, UK and were also recently asked by Bill Kelliher to support Mastodon in August.

Upcoming Gigs

Thurs 7 July Galway - Roisin Dubh

Fri 8 July Cork - Fred Zeppelins

Sat 9 July Kilkenny - Cleeres

Also we will be returning to bonnie Scotland at the end of July. More UK gigs to be added

Thurs 28 July - Edinburgh - Banshee Labyrinth

Fri 29 July - Glasgow - Nice n' Sleazy

Sun 14 Aug Belfast - Limelight w/ Mastodon

Mon 15 Aug Dublin - Academy w/ Mastodon

Check out the excellent new song - Magnetic North from Harmonic Ruptures.