Melvins - Pinkus Abortion Technician (Album Review)

Release date: April 20th 2018. Label: Ipecac Recordings. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Pinkus Abortion Technician – Tracklisting

1. Stop Moving To Florida

2. Embrace The Rub

3. Don’t Forget To Breathe

4. Flamboyant Duck

5. Break Bread

6. I Want To Hold Your Hand

7. Prenup Butter

8. Graveyard

Members

Buzz Osborne – Guitars/Vox

Dale Crover – Drums

Jeff Pinkus – Bass

Steven McDonald – Bass

Review

Greetings All,

It was a little less than two years ago that I did my first review for Outlaws. Steve took a chance on me and handed me the Melvins Basses Loaded. I have been a huge Melvins fan for over 20 years. I was a grunge kid being in my teens in the early 90’s. I remember going to the National Record Mart in Steubenville, Ohio to pick up Houdini the day it came out in 1993. I had read a review in Rolling Stone and was a big Nirvana fan, so I took a stab and have been hooked ever since.

2018 gives us Pinkus Abortion Technician, the bands 507^th release and 23^rd in the past two years. I’m kidding, but honestly I have lost track. The band remains insanely prolific. I believe this to be their 3^rd full length in the last 3 years, not counting solo albums, side projects, etc.

Pinkus Abortion Technician has Buzz and Dale (If you are reading this I assume you already have a working knowledge of how the Melvins operate and how their line up constantly evolves) working with their last two bassists, Jeff Pinkus (Butthole Surfers, Honky, and more) and Steven McDonald (Redd Kross, Off!, etc) in an interesting fashion that includes tons of differing styles and instrumentation. In listening to the record, I didn’t notice any specific tracks that highlighted a double bass sound. It seems the band used the opportunity to add to the unique instrumentation and song structure. The eight songs on the record are intriguing and eminently listenable.

Stop Moving to Florida opens the record. It is an amalgamation of the old James Gang song Stop and the Butthole Surfers track Moving to Florida from Rembrandt Pussyhorse. The catchy classic rock style of the Stop portion improves upon the original version, while the Florida portion is remarkably similar to the original. Embrace the Rub follows, it is a short New-Wave inspired track with a punk inspired chorus.

Don’t Forget to Breathe is a seven minute plus track that moves at a slow, methodical pace with an ominous sound and shows touches of the bands more trademark heavy/sludge sound. The song is also highlighted by an odd steel drum/synth/dulcimer sound. One of the most interesting songs on the record is the atmospheric pop of Flamboyant Duck. The song is the first of two that opens with an acoustic guitar and brings in some of Pinkus trademark banjo plucking before transforming into a heavy guitar and synth closing. An interesting note on the first half of the record is that the majority of lead vocals are done by the bassist duo and not Buzz.

Break Bread is a more straight ahead, almost southern rock tinged track. It’s no secret that the band has an affection for ZZ Top. The songs mid-tempo beat and catchy chorus give way to a noisy breakdown that reminds me a lot of the little band from Texas. Ironically, one of the heaviest songs on the record is a cover of the greatest pop group of all time.

I Want to Hold Your Hand has been a live staple for quite a few years. The song maintains the catchiness of the original but adds a real heavy punch that makes it one of the stand out tracks on the record. The Melvins prove throughout this record (as well as past albums) that they can really do some remarkable work with a cover song. Prenup Butter follows and opens once again with an acoustic guitar that gives way to a definite psychedelic guitar sound. The track has a driving drum beat that carries a dark, heavy psych stomp. A second Butthole Surfers cover of Graveyard, from the almost name sake Surfers record Locust Abortion Technician, closes the record.

This is the sludgiest, most old school Melvins sounding track on the record. The band makes it their own, while still keeping it similar to the original, this track may be the most obvious to have a double bass sound to it. The guitars are heavy, the drums loud and the vocals are trade mark Buzz style with plenty of noise and feedback to go around.

At this point in the game the Melvins approach an album and do what they want with no regard or interest in what others expect or want them to do. This must be an amazingly liberating feeling. If you are a Melvins fan, you will absolutely dig Pinkus Abortion Technician. 

Don’t do yourself the disservice of pushing it off because it lacks the Sludge of Lysol or the heaviness/metal sound of their Atlantic years. Embrace it and enjoy the ride, the Melvins know where they are going, even if the rest of us don’t. 

Pinkus Abortion Technician is a welcome addition to an already impressive catalog of killer music.

- Todd S

Instagram @alltheghoststhathauntyou

Words by Todd Stealey

Thanks to Lauren at Rarely Unable PR for the promo. Pinkus Abortion Technician will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ipecac Recordings from April 20th 2018.

Links:

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Sierra - The Mirror (Album Review)

Release date: April 06^th 2018. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

The Mirror – Tracklisting

1 About The World

2 Falling

3 Out Of Parts

4 Remember

5 In Circles

6 Queenslip

7 The Last Time

8 The Mirror

9 Rainbow's End

Members

Jason - Guitar/Vox

Robbie - Bass

Review

Canadian Prog Stoner Rockers Sierra new album, The Mirror, carries on the 70s sounding vibe of their last EP – 72 and brings in a more progressive and experimental psychedelic sound. You can still feel and hear the sounds from their earlier releases but this album definitely sees Sierra playing a more confident 70s Progressive and Hard Rock sound.

Opening track – About The World – is a semi-acoustic psychedelic number that has an eerie modern day Opeth feel to it. Jason’s vocals even feel they were influenced by Mikael Åkerfeldt. The lyrics have have a more trippy and emotional feel compared to their previous songs. It’s quite an uplifting number and proves that Sierra have added a more dramatic flair to their music.

Second track – Falling – is a more heavier affair with the heavy Doom/Stoner sounds playing a fine balance between Psychedelic Stoner Rock and 70s Progressive Hard Rock. The instrumental work is first rate with Jason’s guitars adding elements of classic sounding Hard Rock/Heavy Metal riffs. Robbie’s bass adds a thumping rhythm and provides a subtle heavy backdrop that holds everything together. I don’t know if it’s me but I can definitely hear traces of NWOBHM on this track and throughout the album.

Sierra may have a vintage sound on this album but they do offer many moments of modern sounding Doom/Stoner Metal vibes that allows The Mirror to breathe and grow naturally.

Songs such as Out Of Parts, Remember, In Circles, Queenslip, The Mirror and Rainbow’s End are the other standout tracks on the album. As Sierra expand their hybrid Progressive/Stoner Rock sound even further with the focus more on melody than pure aggression. Maybe some people will complain that the album isn’t loud or heavy enough. I advise those folks to listen to this album again as Sierra have created a highly intelligent and quite angry album at times.

The lyrics seem more reflective and more personal compared to Sierra’s previous releases. The best part of the album for myself is the different genres of music Sierra have included on the album. Plus the band have the balls to play a high amount of guitar solos on the album. Maybe taking influence from the guitar riff geniuses over the last 40 years. So be prepared for over-the-top guitar solo riff-wizardry on this album.

The Mirror sounds excellent and that’s perhaps down to Sierra teaming up with Philip Cope of Kylesa fame to record this album. As this album sounds impressive from the start. Sierra have worked with Philip with all of their records to date and this is perhaps the best they have ever sounded.

Sierra have delivered the goods with this album. The Mirror has everything that a genuine Hard Rock/Heavy Metal fan could possibly want. If this is your first time listening to Sierra then this album is the best place to start. If you’re a long time fan of the band like myself then this album is going to blow your mind.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Sierra for the promo. The Mirror will be available to buy on CD/DD from April 06^th 2018.

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ORIGOD - Solitude Of Time And Space (Album Review and Exclusive Album Premiere)

Release date: March 30th 2018. Label: Argonauta Records. Format: CD/DD

Solitude In Time And Space – Tracklisting

1. REACHING OUT

2. PERCEPTION OF DREAMS

3. WELCOME TO THE NEW WORLD

4. STRIDENT CHORDS

5. CONFESSION

6. ICY BREATH

7. CITY OF PAIN

8. NOW

9. SOLITUDE IN TIME AND SPACE

Members

Dario Chiadini: guitars

Vincenzo Circosta: vocals

Luciano Chertan Cotta: drums

Marco "Bobo" Miglietti: bass

Review

Solitude In Time And Space sees the return of Post-Metallic Progressive Sludge Rockers - Origod. With an album title such as that you can expect to hear a heavy cocktail of post-hardcore, sludge metal, doom metal and even noise rock. Perhaps heavily influenced by Mastodon, Baroness, Cave-In and ISIS (The Band), this album sees Origod create a sound on their own uncompromising terms.

The album has a very raw and honest sounding post-metallic sound. Not too polished but not overdone either. Opening track - Reacting Out - sets up the whole flow of the entire album.

Angry vocals and precise Sludge/Noise/Post-Hardcore guitar sounds. It may take a few minutes to become accustomed to Origod's brutally fast paced sound. Though if you're familiar to the early vibes of Mastodon and Baroness then you will soon be at home with the ferocious riffs. The production is quite good and allows Origod to build up a whirlwind of different noises and textures. The vocals are a mixture of clean vocals and heavy growls that appear in the background.

Second track - Perception Of Dreams - carries on the frenzied Post-Hardcore/Sludge Metal attack with the band never letting up with the fast-paced sounds. The vocals are less angry than the opening song but that doesn't stop Origod laying on the post-hardcore aggression. As the guitar sounds become heavier and more direct. Maybe the production on this song is too raw at times and could have done more work. Though Origod carry on with the show and power on through playing their intense blend of post-metal/post-punk/hardcore vibes.

Songs such as Welcome To The New World, Strident Chords, Confession, Now and Solitude In Time And Space only endear the listener to Origod's cause. As the music veers to heavier progressive territory with outbursts of violent sonic riffs that will perhaps delight and confuse listeners in equal measure. That's a good thing as Origod prove they can create music on their own terms whilst still paying respects to their musical influences. Maybe the album is slightly long by one or two tracks but that doesn't stop Solitude In Time And Space being a violent sounding tour-de-force of Sludge Metal.

Origod play so many different genres that the album could have easily become lost with the many different themes and ideas contained on the album. It's to the band's credit they keep on playing this style of music and keeping the listener entertained to the very end.

I was surprised Argonauta Records announced they were releasing this album. As it's not their usual style of music they promote. I'm glad they did release this album. As I would have perhaps not given this album the attention it thoroughly deserves.

Hopefully the Post-Hardcore/Sludge Metal community will embrace this album as much as I did. Solitude In Time And Space is a stunning album. Enough Said...

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Barbara at NeeCee Agency for the promo. Solitude Of Time And Space will be available to buy on CD/DD from March 30^th 2018 via Argonauta Records.

If you cannot wait that long then you can listen to this exclusive album premiere of the entire thing below courtesy of Argonauta Records.

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Earthless - Black Heaven (Album Review)

Release date: March 16th 2018. Label: Nuclear Blast Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Black Heaven – Tracklisting

Gifted By The Wind

End To End

Electric Flame

Volt Rush

Black Heaven

Sudden End

Members

Mario Rubalcaba

Isaiah Mitchell

Mike Eginton

Review

Earthless have always been masters of their own audio reality, channelling a mix of Sabbath-esque power with ZZ Top inspired hard rocking boogie and the laid back and free vibe of their Californian homeland to create joyful soundscapes and on their masterful new album Black Heaven (a title inspired by the Joshua Tree night sky where the album was recorded) they let loose a mixture of sheer power, tight knit musical grooves and an improvised sense of freedom.

Aside from their awesome split release with Harsh Toke a couple of years ago, the band haven't released any material since 2013s From The Ages album but with Black Heaven, they blast back in fine style with an assured and potent return packed full of the riffs, groove and attitude that they are renowned for.

Black Heaven kicks off with the free flowing Gifted By The Wind, a song that alongside the driving energy and catchy riffs is a fine line in harmonica playing that compliments the song brilliantly and gets the album off to a rocking start and doesn't let up until the last notes from the albums beautifully mournful closing track Sudden End have rung out.

Tracks like the rolling Electric Flame and the aptly named Volt Rush (with a special mention of the killer guitar solos on this one) have a focus to them that gives off an awesome sense of both urgency and energy and both of theses tracks are non stop

The tracks again are largely massive instrumental freak outs but with the added addition of vocals on this album (only two of the six tracks on Black Heaven are wholly instrumental) and when those crooned vocals of guitarist/singer Isaiah Mitchell do surface, they sound immense and only enhance the cavernous Earthless sound even further and fit perfectly.

Drummer Mario Rubalcaba and bassist Mike Eginton also play faultlessly throughout and their groove combined by the non stop riffs from Mitchell creates an epic sound (just check out the huge and epic freak out that is the albums title track for proof)

The album as a whole can be summed up as a mixture of their laid back nature and that energetic focus and with Black Heaven, Earthless have made an album that resonates sunshine, good vibes and above all, good times but with a vital edge full of energy and vivacity and is a sublime album perfect for the upcoming hazy summer months.

Words by Gavin Brown

Thanks to Monica at SpeakEasy PR for the promo. Black Heaven is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl now via Nuclear Blast Records.

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Sunnata - Outlands (Album Review)

Release date: March 23rd 2018. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Outlands – Tracklisting

1.Intro 00:39

2.Lucid Dream 09:18

3.Scars 06:10

4.Outlands 07:37

5.The Ascender 05:34

6.Gordian Knot 04:22

7.Falling (Interlude) 01:37

8.Hollow Kingdom 12:36

Review

Outlands is Sunnata's new album and it sees the band expand their Psychedelic Sludge, Doom and Grunge sound. Outlands is a very complex sounding album and you may not like the album on your very first listen. Outlands is an album that demands your full attention. As the band create complex sounding rhythms that have a certain YOB-esque quality around them. The album also sees the band channel early-era Alice In Chains on certain parts of the album.

The vocals have quite a trance based effect around them especially on the second song - Lucid Dream. The opening track - Intro - is just a forty second interlude before the real journey begins with heavy grunge sounding guitars of Lucid Dream appear. Sunnata take the listener on a mystical journey with the music being channelled at many different psychedelic levels of heaviness and weirdness. The song becomes heavier with Sunnata expressing themselves through the power of progressive rock/metal.

One of the coolest aspects about this album is how Sunnata merge post-rock/post-metal themes and sensibilities with the heavier Doom/Sludge Metal sounds. The standout songs on the album have to be Scars, Outlands, Gordian Knot and the epic sounding Hollow Kingdom. Sunnata constantly challenge not only themselves but also the listener as the album takes so many different turns on the individual songs. I thoroughly enjoyed the Alice In Chains early grunge sounding dynamic of the album. Though Sunnata manage to create this album on their own terms. The vocals are never sound violently harsh though there are a few parts where the vocals do become louder than the music itself.

Sunnata manage to inject a few Middle Eastern psychedelic sounds on the album and especially on the title track - Outlands. The production is superb with the whole feel and sound of the album being first rate from the start. The instrumental work is another one of the albums strengths as Sunnata have improved immensely as musicians from their last album. They've created a more complex sound from their previous album and perhaps being more creative with their music. Maybe Sunnata have ventured into their Grunge influences compared to their previous releases. However there is still a lot of heavy Sludge/Doom Metal goodness waiting to be discovered on Outlands.

A lot of people have high expectations for this album and I can say they will be rewarded with a deeply complex and heavy progressive album that you will be listening to over and over again. As Outlands has set the benchmark of what to expect from Sunnata for their future releases. 

Outlands is their most challenging and complete album to date.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo. Outlands is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl now.

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Vulture Cult - Steamrolling (Single Review)

Release date: 6^th April 2018. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Steamrolling – Tracklisting

Steamrolling

Members

Andy Hinton

Mike Jones

Duncan Morrison

Steven McCarroll

Review

Vulture Cult is a Grunge/Hard Rock band from Liverpool and they show a lot of promise and potential with their catchy new single – Steamrolling. Taking their cue from the 90s Grunge and Alternative Rock scenes, the band deliver a good balance of melodic sounds and soaring hard rock riffs.

The vocals are not what you would expect for a Grunge/Alternative Rock band but I give Vulture Cult top-marks for adding something different. I would like to hear more the band and hopefully a full length album or EP isn’t too far behind. The best part of the song is perhaps the psychedelic sounds that appear on different parts of the song.

The production is very good for a single. There are a few rough edges but that could be the band’s style of music coming into play. Overall this is a hugely enjoyable slice of Grunge and Alternative Rock.

Words by Steve Howe

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Doom Metal Lexicanum by Aleksey Evdokimov (Book Review)

Doom Metal Lexicanum Book Review

If you're a dedicated follower of the Doom/Stoner Metal Underground and read all the top blogs then you may have heard the name of Aleks Evdokimov. Aleks is perhaps the one of the best and most prolific interviewers within the Doom Metal Community. Aleks contributes here on the blog with great interviews all the time. So Aleks knowledge of the Doom Metal Scene is second to none. I've worked with Aleks not only here on Outlaws Of The Sun but also when I was running The Sludgelord blog.

I always look forward to Aleks interviews and what other things he’s involved with. Aleks told me he a couple years ago that he was working on writing a book outlining the A-Z of Doom Metal Bands. Well that book has finally seen the light of day and has been published by the good folks at Cult Never Dies. Doom Metal Lexicanum is 300 pages outlining an in-depth history of a huge list of great Doom Metal Bands. Some you will know and some you will won't as Aleks has done his homework here outlining the full career projectory of the bands mentioned within the book.

The book is superbly written and is full of detailed articles outlining how the band was formed and their complete discography. Obviously Aleks can't feature every band within the Doom Metal spectrum but what he's written here is nothing short of miraculous. Doom Metal Lexicanum even includes some great interviews with some of the artists that Aleks has covered over the years.

Some people maybe disappointed that certain bands and genres of Doom Metal have been excluded from the book. Aleks provides great reasons for this. And this is mainly down to length purposes. Aleks has a lot of ground to cover here so the more extreme/death metal sounding Doom Metal bands don't make that much of an appearance. (Though Aleks is working on correcting this with his next book that he's currently writing).

The novel does take some time to fully get through as there is a wealth of different information and sometimes it can be very hard to fully absorb. So I wouldn't recommend reading this novel in one sitting. Take your time with the book and appreciate the amazing work that Aleks has put into this novel. I've discovered a few cool bands because of this book and I thank Aleks for that.

Doom Metal Lexicanum is an essential purchase for all of the serious Doom Metal fans currently out there.

Words by Steve Howe

Doom Metal Lexicanum is available to buy now through Cult Never Dies.

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Rongeur - An Asphyxiating Embrace (Album Review)

Release date: 09th March 2018. Label: Poacher Records, Ampmandens Records, Aonair Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

An Asphyxiating Embrace – Tracklisting

1.Weltschmerz 03:12

2.Special Needs 01:49

3.Fiendesliebe 03:37

4.Wellpisser 05:44

5.The Deconstructionist 04:04

6.Mr. Hands 03:08

7.The Weight of Guilt 05:36

8.Chained to a Dead Horse 03:14

Members

Dag Ole: bass and vocals

Ken-Robert: guitar and vocals

Jon: drums and vocals

Review

So this is what happens when you merge the post-whatever bleakness of Neurosis with the bombastic sounds of High On Fire and Kvelertak. Rongeur are a very much band creating a bleak and dense Sludge/Stoner Metal sound. Their debut album An Asphyxiating Embrace is a nightmarish sound told through the power fast-paced Sludge/Stoner Metal sounds but with a frenzied Doom Metal approach.

The whole tone of the album is very lo-fi and that allows Rongeur to unleash a darker sound than you would expect from a band such as this. The songs are very fast-paced with all the band members providing vocals on the certain songs on the album.

Standout songs on the album are Weltschmerz, Special Needs, Wellpisser, Mr Hands and The Weight Of Guilt. The album is not the produced sounding album but it sees Rongeur continue with their rough and ready approach to their music. The post-metallic vibes is what makes this album standout. As you shouldn’t really a “Neurosis” style sensibility on this album but Rongeur deserve credit for trying something different.

An Asphyxiating Embrace is a dark musical odyssey where Rongeur make the listener feel very uncomfortable at times. So if you’re expecting an upbeat album then I recommend you look elsewhere for your musical fix. This album is for the more adventurous Sludge/Stoner Metal fan who like their music that little bit darker and with intelligence as well.

The instrumental work is superb throughout with Rongeur showing true creativity on the later stages of the album.

Embrace the madness as Rongeur have unleashed a heavy pounding beast of an album….

Words by Steve Howe

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Astrodome - II (Album Review)

Release date: March 04^th 2018. Label: Self Released. Format: Cassette/CD/DD

II – Tracklisting

1.Mirage 10:07

2.Secular Fields 06:12

3.Dawn Gardens 05:41

4.Sunrite 12:06

5.Atlas 06:27

Review

Going back to late 2014, a newly spaced-out band coming from the beautiful city of Porto (Portugal), Astrodome, come on the scene with their charge of psychedelia, fuzz and that seventies aftertaste that never hurts.

Their fist appearance on the scene, Live Demo, although raw in its production and execution (it is still a direct hit during a live) let us guess the potentialities of the Portuguese quartet. With their first self-produced debut album (Astrodome), things immediately became clear. Instrumental psychedelia of high levels with a chilling rhythm section. Listen to the drums on Coronation and I will tell you.

But now, after a line-up change, with Kevin (Big Red Panda, another band to absolutely check out) replacing Pedro at the guitar, they return with II, an album that marks a remarkable dose of maturity compared to previous ones.

While remaining firm to their original sound, the band in this album managed to create something really interesting. The bass/drum rhythm section is something monstrous, able to create that hypnotic background where the guitars and the masterful use of keyboards complete the work for a product that is pure psychedelic, seasoned with the right dose of fuzz and more ' doom ' moments, able to elevate the product towards something wonderful.

In this album the influence of bands like Causa Sui, Weedpecker and also My Sleeping Karma becomes even more evident, while maintaining a certain originality, adding layers of spaciness to their music.

What I really appreciate in this album is the maturity of the band, which should be taken as an example of constant improvement. Probably the charm of a city, beautiful and decadent at the same time, allowed Astrodome to evolve in an excellent way over the years. From a wonderful city a wonderful band.

Words by Bruno Bellisario

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Sons Of Nibiru - Hellspirit (Album Review)

Release date: December 16^th 2017. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

Hellspirit – Tracklisting

1.The Signal 03:53

2.Arrival 06:33

3.Preachcraft 08:32

4.Pulsar 05:08

5.Hellspirit 08:16

6.The Journey 05:58

7.Star Sailors 14:19

Members

Khshemo - vocals, bass guitar

Quoda - guitars

Caspah - drums

Review

Psychedelic Stoner Rockers Sons Of Nibiru debut album - Hellspirit - doesn’t get off to the most exciting of starts with the opening track - The Signal. Almost four minutes of slowly played drum beats and a didgeridoo with a hint of psychedelic noises. It doesn't really go anywhere as it constantly goes on without ever coming to anything. That's my only criticism of the album as from this point Sons Of Nibiru actually start to create some interesting noises of their own.

Second track - Arrival - sees the heavy Desert/Stoner guitars appear and you can finally become connected with this album. The sounds from the opening track are still there but there immersed with a heavier psychedelic stoner sound that veers on the progressive side as well. It's has quite an action-packed FUZZ sounding centre as the band moves from different sounds with relevant ease. The guitars are what keep the vibrant mood alive as the band keeps the song purely instrumental. The later stages of the song offer some of the heaviest sounds on the album with Sons Of Nibiru settling into a confident rhythm. The overall sound of the album is influenced by the usual round of Stoner Rock legends.

Third track - Preachcraft - sees the welcome addition of superb "Ozzy" inspired vocals from Khshemo. The whole atmosphere of the album becomes more "doom" based as a result. The bass guitars are quite heavy and distinctive on this song as this song bursts through the eight minute mark with superb creativity. The music is distorted at times but this allows Sons Of Nibiru to create a more expansive sound. The drumming and guitars have a dominant echo feel. The song drifts towards heavier levels of FUZZ style feedback.

Fourth song - Pulsar - lives up to its title by opening with drone/sonic style sounds that has echoes of seventies style stoner/doom experimentation. Sons Of Nibiru drift further into the psychedelic cosmos with this song and it feels slightly OTT at times but given the whole nature of the album it never feels out of place.

The final three songs on the album - Hellspirit , The Journey and Star Sailors - sees Sons Of Nibiru probably unleash the heaviest and doomed out psychedelic sounds on the album. Though the band still find time to include a wide range of different Stoner, Desert Rock and Fuzz based sounds. The vocals are very dominant when they appear but it's the music that holds your attention.

The final song on the album Star Sailors lasts for an epic fourteen minutes and it's no doubt the best song on the album. Apart from the first track which I had issues with, Hellspirit is a very cool sounding album with the immense production giving a real dynamic to the band's overall sound.

If you haven't heard this album yet then I recommend you correct that situation now as Hellspirit is a thunderous and highly energetic experience.

Words by Steve Howe

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My Diablo - S/T (Album Review)

Release date: April 2018. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

My Diablo – S/T – Tracklisting

Addiction

You Never Learn

Nightwatch

Fallin’ Man

Peddlers Of Hate

New Age Sin

Pound Of Flesh

Going Down (Hard Like An Anchor)

Faces Of Forever

Members

Lee Cressey - Guitars

Dave-O - Drums/Vocals

Review

My Diablo is the new band formed from the remains of sadly missed Psych/Hard Rock/Stoner Rockers - Mother Corona. It’s good to have Lee and David-O is back performing music again with My Diablo and it's good to hear his powerful vocals yet again. And to hear Lee’s blazing guitar sounds yet again.

Though My Diablo is a different band to Mother Corona. As the band incorporate elements of Punk Rock, Garage Rock, Hard Rock, Stoner Rock and even a Funk based sound. My Diablo have more in common with Clutch than Mother Corona.

Their self-titled debut album is a very curious affair. It's a good sounding album though it does take a few attempts to get use to the many different sounds and influences that band have included on the album.

Opening track - My Addiction - is an upbeat guitar sounding number though the lyrics delve deeper into darker subjects. The song has quite a cool alternative sound with the Stoner elements interacting superbly well.

My Diablo play a fast-paced style of music that would sound fantastic and ground-breaking back in the nineties and early noughties. Today not so much but My Diablo play to their strengths on this album and that's with the music being direct and powerful sounding vocals.

Second track - You Never Learn - has an early-Clutch sound with My Diablo creating a highly energetic and fast-paced sound. I will admit I was head-banging along to the music on my first listen to the album as My Diablo has such a huge likeability factor within their music. They have a real insight for writing bleak lyrics and matching it against almost upbeat and soulful Doom based Stoner Rock vibes.

Third track - Nigthwatch - has a more direct heavy metal approach and even a post-whatever style sound before settling down to a familiar Clutch style of music. David's vocals are on point here with his style firmly rooted in the Grunge arena compared to other songs on the album. The back-up vocals from Lee are more boisterous and perhaps more direct compared to David's. This is a good contrast for My Diablo to have.

My Diablo carry on their Punk/Stoner hybrid sound on the rest of the album with songs such as Fallin' Man, Peddlers Of Hate, New Age Sin and Faces Of Forever offering the most exciting moments on the album. Peddlers Of Hate certainly impressed me with My Diablo's take on Psychedelic Fuzz Rock with a dark hard rock edge. The instrumental work throughout the album is fantastic and is perhaps one of the many strengths of the album. My Diablo's debut album is one of those albums you will never be tired of. As the band have created a record that's highly addictive from start to finish.

It's hard to believe that My Diablo is a duo. As they sound and feel they have more members within their ranks. If My Diablo keeping releasing great albums such as this for future releases then I can see them performing on the more prestigious UK/European Stoner based festivals such as Desertfest and Freak Valley. They have delivered an album that will hopefully establish them as serious Stoner Rock contenders.

Words by Steve Howe

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