Thursday 31 October 2019

Year Of The Cobra - Ash And Dust (Album Review)


Release date: November 01st 2019. Label: Prophecy Productions. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Ash And Dust – Tracklisting

1.The Battle Of White Mountain
2.The Divine
3.Ash And Dust
4.Demons
5.Into The Fray
6.At The Edge
7.Dark Swan
8.In Despair

Members

Amy Tung Barrysmith (vocals/ bass)
Jon Barrysmith (drums)

Review

Year Of The Cobra return with their new album Ash And Dust. This sees the band further explore their Doom Rock sound with the band adding a heavier mix of Sludge and Stoner Rock into the mix. The album is way atmospheric that I expected it to be and has a cool sounding hazy psychedelic atmosphere going on.

Opening song – The Battle Of White Mountain – is the longest song on the album running past the seven-minute mark and it’s a great song to open the album with. As it shows YOTC are in a more reflective and heavier mood compared to previous releases. The music starts off rather slowly with Amy’s pounding bass guitar and immense vocals laying down the groundwork for the gloomy atmosphere to appear and fully take over. The song immediately become heavier when Jon adapts a more aggressive style of drumming. The song effortlessly moves from a wide range of different sounds but still holding the listener’s full attention from start to finish.

Second song – The Divine – is a more Doom Rock/Metal song with flashes of Psychedelic Rock being added. Amy’s vocals are excellent as always with a slight gothic/occult doom twinge. The music does all of the talking for the band with heavy sounding grooves being less direct than the opening song. Though the grunge based Doom/Stoner riffs are never too far behind.

Third song – Ash And Dust – is a more Punk driven song with the band still retaining their Doom Metal identity. This song has a more experimental Punk Rock feel and it’s quite a frantic style of music to hear from the band. It’s quite catchy in places especially with the vocals and lyrics taking a more sinister and threatening turn compared to other songs on the album.

Fourth song – Demons – sees Amy in fine sultry form with her devilish laid-back vocals being the main focus of this song. The song is mainly a slowly played almost Occult Doom Rock song with the band taking their time bringing their heavy sounds to the party. Jon’s drumming may seem less visible on this song but you can feel Jon’s drumming driving the main narrative of this song with the creepy psychedelic sounds adding a more claustrophobic edge to the overall feel of the album.

The second half of the album continues with the gloomy and heavy sounds with the songs Into The Fray and Dark Swan being possibly the best two songs held on the whole album. As YOTC write some of the best lyrics and music on the album. The second half possibly isn’t as heavy as the first half but this doesn’t stop the band showing how they’ve grown and improved as musicians since their acclaimed debut release.

Ash And Dust is without doubt YOTC’s best album so far. It’s quite a progressive and forward thinking album compared to their previous releases and will no doubt allow YOTC to enhance their reputation further within the Hard Rock/Metal community

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Austin at Secret Service Publicity for the promo. Ash And Dust Arise is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via ProphecyProductions.

Links:


Electro Doom Rockers GHOST:HELLO Release New Video For The Mouth Of The Gift Horse

Ghost:Hello is a synth-loving stoner rock family affair from northeast Ohio.  Made up of a husband/wife duo and their cousin, the band members have been playing for decades.  With extensive individual histories touring around the US and in Europe in other DIY groups, this project just feels like a natural continuation.  Together as a family and as musicians, Ghost:Hello is now ready to take the rock n roll world by the horns.



Bringing in all sorts of unorthodox elements into their fuzz rock assault, this trio counterbalances stoner sludge with trip hop grooves.  The group has never been afraid to experiment, and Ghost:Hello is completely a slave to their various muses; this leads to an elegant fusion of influences of bands like Type O Negative to Fatso Jetson by way of Queens of the Stone Age.   The band has amassed an impressive social media following since its inception, even with a debut album still on the way.  The upcoming record, Sound of Color in Space, has been engineered and produced by a friend through the company 8th Day Sound, who have worked with Slayer, Marilyn Manson, and Smashing Pumpkins.



 Now as they double down for their first release, Ghost:Hello are set to take on bold new vistas.  Having played around the Midwest since 2013, the local crowd is hungry for what they are about to deliver.  DIY til death, these fuzz rockers are planning everything from shows in new places to an animated video to herald their new music.  A band that's no stranger to hard work, and who constantly push to innovate, Ghost:Hello are a breath of fresh air in a crowded scene!

You can watch the video for The Mouth Of The Gift Horse below from this fantastic and highly original band.




Band Members:

Nina Skok -- synthesizers, samples, and Theremin
William Jennings -- bass
Joe Kidd -- drums and percussion

Connect With Ghost:Hello

Facebook
Twitter
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Bandcamp

Wednesday 30 October 2019

Bad Boat - Drown The Phoenix (Album Review)


Release date: October 31st 2019. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

Drown The Phoenix – Tracklisting

1.Intro - Drown The Phoenix
2.Run To The Knife
3.Blessed Insane 09:39
4.Acid Dice
5.Dismembered Remembrance
6.The Bright Side Of Hell
7.The Pale

Members

Tom Clarke – Vocals
Niall Ward – Bass
Steven Chivers – Guitar
John McSherry – Guitar
Tony Murray – Drums and Keys *

Review

Irish Sludge/Doom Rockers – Bad Boat – finally return with their new album Drown The Phoenix. This is their first release in about 10 years. So a very long wait indeed but it has definitely been worth the wait. As Bad Boat will treat you to a heavy blast of Sludge/Doom grooves with a twinge of Progressive sounds being added in the early stages of the album.

Opening song Intro – Drown The Phoenix opens with two low-key guitars playing a Blues based riff with a gloomy atmosphere holding everything together. The sound and feel of the song is quite raw for the first few moments before the band add a heavier Sludge/Stoner Metal vibe to the song. Shades of seventies style Classic Hard Rock make an appearance. The rough sounding vocals appear and sees the band add a NOLA style influence to this song and their overall sound. The song does end on a topical bleak note which I applaud the band for doing.

Second song Run To The Knife is a song that’s very hard to describe. Parts Sludge, Doom and Stoner Rock but with an almost classic funk based sound. Maybe influenced by CLUTCH on this song but Bad Boat’s familiar NOLA grooves is what holds everything together. The albums rough and ready production means the listener is very much part of the action. As the music feels quite organic in places. The riffs are the best part of this song as the band move into many different directions that it’s hard to keep up at times.

Third song Blessed Insane is perhaps the heaviest and most Doom based song on the album. As it has a classic sounding Doom Rock/Metal vibe from the start. The outlandish vocals are very OTT but one that adds a bleak undertone to the whole feel and structure of the album. The song runs for almost ten minutes and it sees Bad Boat playing progressive riffs on this song. The song does run out of steam towards the end but it’s still the standout song on the album with its epic and theatrical outlook on all things Doom Metal.

Fourth song Acid Dice is more of a Psychedelic and Surreal Nightmare with the heavy guitars merged with weird and experimental vocals leading the way. This is another standout song on the album with the band showing a deeply rich and creative flair on this song.

The final songs – Dismembered Remembrance, The Bright Side Of Hell and The Pale sees Bad Boat continue their descent into Doom based madness with riffs that stretch the boundaries of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal. The album still maintains its raw sounding atmosphere with the music still feeling very powerful throughout.

The raw sound of the album maybe too raw for some. Though I urge folks to give this album a listen. As there are some fantastic riffs waiting to be heard and discovered. Bad Boat have delivered the goods with Drown The Phoenix and this makes for a superbly entertaining album from start to finish.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

I want to thank Tom from the band for the promo. Drown The Phoenix will be available to buy on CD/DD from October 31st 2019.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Sunday 27 October 2019

Looprider - Ouroboros (Album Review)


Release date: October 2nd 2019. Label: Call And Response Records. Format: CD/DD

Flames Arise – Tracklisting

1.Sunn 04:22
2.Reactor 04:03
3.NWOBHM 03:14
4.Dunes 03:59
5.Image 08:43
6.Heavenless 03:44
7.OK! 03:33
8.Ouroboros 03:55
9.RnR 03:17
10.Untitled 06:45

Members

Ryotaro - vocals, heavy guitar, noise
Haruka - fuzz guitar
Sean - drums

Review

Ouroboros is the 4th album from Japanese based Drone/Stoner Rockers – Looprider – and it’s my first exposure to the band. Looprider’s previous albums have been very different to each other.

Their debut album My Electric Fantasy was released in 2015 which was a mix of Drone, Doom, Sludge and Stoner Rock. Their 2016 follow up Ascension was vastly different with the band play a more chaotic style of Drone/Noise Metal. The band released their 3rd release in 2017 with Uni. A single 25 minute song that drifts from Doom, Post-Rock, Post-Metal and Drone soundscapes.

Looprider return with Ouroboros and it’s returning to the sound they released on their 2015 debut album but with the band taking influence from KYUSS, Electric Wizard and BORIS. I would even add Deftones to that list as well. As Looprider definitely have that Alternative Rock/Metal sound Deftones are known for.

The band have created a highly majestic and richly rewarding work with Ouroboros that is packed full of highly atmospheric Drone, Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal sounds. The band aren’t afraid to experiment with their sound and the album is quite captivating when Looprider decide to mix things up with the different styles of music they have at their disposal.

Opening song – Sunn – feels inspired by BORIS and Deftones with the mixture of Drone, Doom and Stoner Metal grooves merging with an almost Post-Rock sounding atmospheric background. The vocals appear when they only need to. As Looprider let their music do all the talking. This is one of the standout songs on the album and one that has an addictive quality to it.

Second song – Reactor – is a full on Stoner Metal song with fast-paced grooves and a manic Punk Rock energy to it. So vastly different to Sunn but it shows you how comfortable Looprider are switching genres at the drop of a hat. The music is superbly played with some epic guitar solos making a welcome appearance with frantic drumming driving everything along.

Third song – NWOBHM – carries on the frantic Stoner Metal vibe with Looprider settling down for another slice of chaotic style of music. The atmosphere is quite raw but it matches the frantic and vibrant energy the band are playing. Add strands of Psychedelic Rock and you have one of the most catchiest songs contained on the album and perhaps with the best riffs as well.

Fourth song – Dunes – has a warped Desert/Stoner Rock influence running throughout. The high levels of FUZZ is very loud indeed but it allows Looprider to creative another slice of addictive Stoner Rock with a slight BORIS vibe to it all.

Fifth song – Image – is my favourite song on the album as this is where Looprider bring their “A” game to the party. The song has many different styles and elements to it that leaves you wanting more. It starts rather quietly with a sombre Ambient/Drone sound giving way to heavier and distorted Industrial Doom Metal grooves that appear from nowhere. The song ends on a bleak note with the distorted grooves being quite chaotic in places.

The second half of the album carries on the fast-paced energy with Looprider expanding their sound even further on songs such as Heavenless, OK! and the excellent final song – Untitled. Expect more twisted slices of Drone/Doom/Stoner Metal that prove Looprider are worth giving a damn about.

I’ve listened to Looprider’s full back catalogue since listening to this album and I must say this is perhaps their most exciting album to date. I’m not sure the band will stick with this style of music. As like BORIS, the band like to explore as many different genres they possibly can.

My advice is to give Ouroboros a listen first before venturing into their already impressive back catalogue. As this album is their most addictive and mature offering yet.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:



Lowcaster - Flames Arise (Album Review)


Release date: October 25th 2019. Label: Ripple Music. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Flames Arise – Tracklisting

1.Prologue 03:05
2.Flames Bemoan The Tide 09:30
3.Passage 01:33
4.Pilian 06:57
5.Extramuros 07:01
6.Shore Up The Ashes 09:24
7.Dust 07:39

Members

Jason Bridges - Guitar / Vocals
Marc Brandi - Guitar / Vocals
Dean LaVoie - Drums
Dave Silva - Bass

Review

Flames Arise is the 2nd album from Doom/Stoner Metallers Lowcaster who are now signed to Ripple Music and it seems the band have upped their game on their latest and greatest release. As the band adapt a more progressive and experimental sound that sees the band incorporate different genres such as Progressive Rock, Psych Rock and even Post-Rock based interludes.

The album is gloriously OTT and deeply emotional as well. There is a deep 70s Prog Rock storytelling and influence throughout the album. The ambient sounds gives the album quite an unsettling and uneasy feeling especially on the opening two songs – Prologue and Flames Bemoan The Tide.

Prologue is an instrumental song that lays down the musical groundwork for rest of the album. It’s a dark sound that I enjoyed immensely from my very first listen.

Second song – Flames Bemoan The Tide – is a 9 minute plus epic that’s packed full of different grooves and sounds that move from 70s Classic Hard Rock/Metal to a more thundering modern groove with an Iron Maiden/Thin Lizzy influence being heard from time to time. The vocals are excellent though I’m not sure who is the main vocalist within the band Jason or Marc. However when the dual vocals do appear they offer a more cinematic style of sound. The riffs are loud, brash and angry but the band still experiment with their sound with an Ambient Doom sound appearing that slows the mood right down. One of the standout moments of the album.

Third song – Passage – is an Ambient Post-Rock song that has gloomy vocals that acts more as a brief interlude before the band return to their heavier sounds on the next song with Pilian.

Fourth song – Pilian is another chance for Lowcaster to play their hybrid 70s Classic Hard Rock grooves and modern Doom/Stoner Metal progressive riffs. The song has a more fantasy based feel compared to the other songs on the album and that’s down mainly to the superb lyrics the band have written for this song.

The final 3 songs – Extramuros, Shore Up The Ashes and Dust – sees Lowcaster go on full scale Doom/Stoner Metal with almost 24 minutes of intense and high energy grooves being played at a frantic pace. Shore Up The Ashes is perhaps the standout song on the album.

The production is excellent and I’ve said this numerous times – I wouldn’t expect anything less from a Ripple Music release. That label always releases quality sounding albums and Flames Arise is no different.

Overall, Flames Arise is a superbly entertaining album that’s not afraid to embrace the more fantastical elements of the Doom/Stoner Metal genre and just run away with it all. This allows the album to be a thrilling musical and progressive assault on the senses.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo. Flames Arise is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music.

Links:


Friday 25 October 2019

Exclusive Video Premiere Of HAZEMAZE New Song - SHADOW IN THE NIGHT


Swedish Doom Rockers - HAZEMAZE - will be releasing their highly anticipated new album Hymns Of The Damned on November 22nd 2019 through Cursed Tongue Records and Ripple Music.

We'll be reviewing their album at a later date. Though if you want to know what to expect you can read JJ's at The Obelisk review right now.

Hazemaze and Cursed Tongue Records have allowed me to exclusively premiere the video for Shadow In The Night from their upcoming new album.



Thanks to Hazemaze and Cursed Tongue Records for the info.

You will be able to pre-order the album soon from Cursed Tongue Records and Ripple Music

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Thursday 24 October 2019

Vessel Of Light - Thy Serpent Rise (Album Review)



Release date: October 10th 2019. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

Thy Serpent Rise – Tracklisting

01 - Thy Serpent Rise
02 - Abandon Life
03 - Meet and Bone
04 - Urge to Kill
05 - Rush of Blood
06 - Skin in the Game
07 - Save My Soul
08 - Bleed into the Night
09 - Eternal Sleep
10 - Hello Darkness
11 - Decomposing Mental Health
12 - After Death

Members

Nathan Opposition – Vocals
Dan Lorenzo – Guitars
Ron Lipnicki – Drums
Jimmy Schulman – Bass

Review

Thy Serpent Rise is the new album from Vessel Of Light which features Dan Lorenzo of HADES and Nathan Opposition of Ancient VVisdom fame within their ranks. Coming 12 months after their debut album Woodshed which was released on famed Italian label – Argonauta Records. The band have decided to release this album themselves. So it was a nice surprise that the band just suddenly announced the album and released it right away.

Thy Serpent Rise carries on the gloomy sounding passages heard on their previous two records but with a heavier approach to their overall sound. Vessel Of Light feel more aggressive and pissed off on this album. As it’s heavy from the start with it’s heavy pounding Doom/Sludge/Grunge/Stoner hybrid riffs that we know from the band members other bands.

This album feels influenced by Alice In Chains yet again and that’s a good thing. The bleak and emotional lyrical content is quite refreshing to hear and the band don’t shy away on touching upon hard-hitting subject matter. Black Sabbath fans will find much to enjoy here with the band adapting that legendary Sabbath down-tuned sound for their own devilish purposes.

The 12 songs on offer feel like the band have more creative freedom on this album and that’s perhaps down to the 2 new members Ron and Jimmy who have joined since Vessel Of Light last album. The band’s sound is more direct and heavier which sees some excellent instrumental work leading the way on certain parts of the album.

Standout songs are: Abandon Life, Meet And Bone, Rush Of Blood, Skin In The Game and After Death. As these are the songs that contain the heaviest sounds and potent lyrics on the entire album. The vocals are superb as well with vocal duties being handled by Nathan and Dan respectively.

Thy Serpent Rise is a very hard album to categorise. As it’s a mixture of different sounds and genres without falling into one overall genre. Though, it shouldn’t matter. As Vessel Of Light have released an excellent album that will appeal to Hard Rock and Heavy Metal fans alike.

The production is quite intense and very clear from start to finish.

Overall, Thy Serpent Rise is another outstanding album from Vessel Of Light and I’ve heard the band are currently hard on their 4th release. Until then, check out Thy Serpent Rise now.

You won’t be sorry…..

Words by Steve Howe

You can buy Thy Serpent Rise from CD Baby, All That Is Heavy and Vessel Of Light.

Links:

TOMYDEEPESTEGO - FEARS (Album Review)


Release date: October 09th 2019. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

FEARS – Tracklisting

1.Empress 05:11
2.Many days march away 03:52
3.Witches 04:55
4.You only die once 04:21
5.River 04:23
6.The big bad red wolf 03:27
7.Tears 03:10

Members

Valerio De Lucia - guitars
Edoardo Lucà - guitars
Daniele Lunardi - bass
Simone Giannangeli - drums

Review

FEARS is the new album and 5th overall from Italian Sludge/Post-Metal masters – Tomydeepestego. If you haven’t heard of the band before then where have you been for the last 13 years or so. Tomydeepestgo are one of the best Instrumental Rock/Metal bands to come from the Italian Hard Rock/Metal scene. The band play an Alternative style of Sludge/Post-Metal. Combining the primal drive of early-era Pelican and the ethereal storytelling of Russian Circles and still sounding like their own band.

FEARS is perhaps their heaviest sounding album to date with the band pushing themselves further to the limit with highly anthemic and progressive sounding songs that sees the band adding a more psychedelic groove to their overall sound. The album is quite compact and allows Tomydeepestego to get straight to the point in playing Sludge/Post-Metal with a highly aggressive edge. Most of the songs last between 4 to 5 minutes each but that’s more than enough time for the band to play a wide range of different cinematic post-rock/post-metal sounds.

The album could have been on longer but the album is still action packed and you get your monies worth for around 30 minutes of intense riffage. The instrumental work is excellent and the band adapt a wide range of different sounds and emotions especially on songs such as: Empress, Many Days March Away, You Only Die Once and The Big Bad Red Wolf.

FEARS is an album that does have a gloomy outlook on life especially when the darker and dramatic musical passages appear. However, the album also has quite a few uplifting sounds as well spliced throughout the album.

Tomydeepestego have released another deeply satisfying album that should not only appeal to their established fan-base but will also impress the more casual listener and maybe allow the band to expand their fan-base even further.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:


Tuesday 22 October 2019

Grotto - Lantern Of Gius (Album Review)


Release date: October 18th 2019. Label: Stickman Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl 

Lantern Of Gius – Tracklisting 

1. Lantern of Gius
2. The 12th Vigil


Members

Marvin Dinneweth - guitar
Jeroen Moerman - bass guitar
Arno Tucker Cottyn - drums 


Review

Belgium's Grotto have been pretty busy during their relatively short career. One EP and three full-lengths since the EP debut in 2015 is good working but I have to admit not knowing about them until their new album, 'Lantern Of Gius', hit the streets in October 2019. Being late to the party doesn't matter since I'm all game because the instrumental take on stoner and heavy psych these three gentlemen purveys is pretty bad-ass, to say the least.

I am a proponent of instrumental music, something which has grown quite a lot for me the last few years. However, there is a fine, very thin line between genius and complete catastrophe when you have to rely on your playing alone to create a storyline, or paint the images you want to channel. When done right though, the way Grotto does it, the music absolutely wonderful and there's no limit to what can be done!

Since I haven't listened to any of Grotto's previous recordings, I can only speculate on the progress they've made through the years. Regardless, putting "only" two songs on your new album, with both clocking in at over 17 minutes each, is brave no matter who you are. But this is where Grotto's main strengths shines really bright. They know what they can do, they know how to do it and most importantly, they are boundless and unshackled which gives their music so much freedom and air to breathe. All throughout opener, and title track, Lantern Of Gius', the rhythm section of Jeroen Moerman and Arno Tucker Cottyn, bass guitar and drums respectively, are the heartbeat. No matter what avenues guitarist Marvin Dinneweth walks, no matter what adventures he takes off on, they keep the pulse steady which allows me, as a listener, to enter a state of equilibrium and meditation. Add the wonderful images Marvin creates to the equation and you have the best soul cleansing, cathartic tool you could ever find.

'The 12th Vigil' drop the tempo a little bit at first before upping the ante somewhat, only to weave back and forth in pace. This gives the perfect flow to the song, as well as being the conductor leading me out of the cleansing and rebirth of myself. Absolutely wonderful! In the end, the two songs, 34 minutes and 9 seconds of instrumental magic and beauty, are the best conduit imaginable for either simple enjoying great music or for taking a journey through the mind and clear out negativity and recharge yourself in the process.

I absolutely love it when a, to me, unknown band comes my way who completely floors me. And that's definitely the case with Grotto. To be perfectly honest, I was about to discard them after the first spin but since I wasn't paying proper attention that time, a second spin beckoned. And I am so thankful because that second time 'Lantern Of Gius' jumped out and stuck its claws in my brain revealing an album of fantastic quality. So, dear readers, check these three gentlemen out because their band is something else, something truly amazing.

Words by 
HÃ¥kan Nyman

Thanks to Nick at Stickman Records for the promo. Lantern Of Gius is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Stickman Records.


Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Monday 21 October 2019

The Grand Mal - S/T (Album Review)


Release date: October 18th 2019. Label: APF Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

The Grand Mal – S/T – Tracklisting

1.Explode 03:24
2.No Man's Land 04:06
3.Burning Truth 05:46
4.Synapse Transmission 04:33
5.Liquid & Dust 04:19
6.Glitch 02:09
7.Pig In The Python 06:00
8.Eschaton 05:11
9.Black Spiral 07:00
10.Significant 08:12

Members

Dave-O: vocals
Ryan Cole - guitar
Elliot Cole - drums
Rob Glen - bass

Review

The Grand Mal is the joining together of two of the most powerful and creative forces from Oxford with members of My Diablo and Desert Storm forming the hard-hitting entity as the The Grand Mal.

Their debut album is quite different to the members other bands with The Grand Mal focusing more on Grunge, Psych, Desert Rock and Stoner Metal. Not that Desert Storm or My Diablo didn’t play that style of music within their own individual releases. This album feels influenced by Stoner Metal godfathers – KYUSS and KARMA TO BURN. As the heavy riffs echo the legendary sound of the Californian Desert but with a more focused sound that has elements of Led Zep, Black Sabbath and Alice In Chains.

The album contains epic riffs from the start and centres around an epic vocal performance from Dave-O who has never sounded better on this album. Dave-O perfectly captures the Stoner Rock/Metal intensity the album requires with hints of Grunge appearing here and there.

Dave-O is a drummer by trade which he’s performed with his other bands such as Mother Corona and My Diablo. However, the drumming is handled by Desert Storm’s Elliot Cole and he makes his presence felt on the majority of the tracks. I’m a huge admirer of Desert Storm and it’s good to see Elliot’s brother Ryan handles guitar duties and you can feel and hear his trademark riffs.

Bass duties is handled by Rob Glen and he brings an addictive rhythm to The Grand Mal and allows everyone to do their own thing on this album.

The songs are excellent throughout with the band treating the listener to 10 songs and almost 53 minutes of fast-paced Stoner Metal/Desert Rock sounds. The standout songs have to be: Explode, No Man’s Land, Synapse Transmission, Pig In The Python, Black Spiral and Significant. As these are the songs where The Grand Mal are bang on point with almost everything. Fantastic sounding riffs, superb vocals and lyrics all combine for a powerhouse album that will have you headbanging in agreement.

The production is top-notch with the album being very clear and fresh from the start. The Grand Mal have a heavy thunderous presence and that’s down to the fantastic production. If you miss the days of 90s sounding Grunge. Desert Rock and Stoner Metal then look no further as The Grand Mal have you covered on all fronts.

This is an excellent debut album that the band should rightly be proud of.

Listen to this album now. You won’t be sorry….

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Richard at Sheltered Life PR for the promo. The Grand Mal debut album is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via APF Records.

Links: