Tuesday 29 December 2020

Looprider - MOON (Album Review)


Release Date: 4th December 2020. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Moon - Tracklisting

Moon - 30:32

Members

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

Review

Moon is the new album from Japanese Psych Sludge Rockers Looprider who impressed me last year with their last album Ouroboros. The band return with Moon which is a single 30 minute song which sees Looprider expand their sound heard on their last record. The song is quite hard to describe in places with Looprider playing many different styles of music on this song,

The album focuses purely on Doom, Drone and Sludge Metal as its primary way of channeling those aggressive sounds the album contains, The record does take time to fully get going with Looprider playing a slow style of Doom/Drone Metal which is quite minimalistic for the first few moments. It’s not the most exciting starts but things soon become better when a splash of heavy drums and guitars appear and a FUZZY reverb promises much better things to come.

The song is purely instrumental and Looprider show their talent for creating harsh noises against a cold black Doom Metal backdrop. The album may disappoint some who were expecting a riff-centric musical adventure like their last album.

You will need time and patience for this album to fully appreciate it. There’s virtually no fast-paced riffs at all with Looprider focusing more on their Drone based identity of their overall sound.

Japanese Metal bands always tend to do things differently to other bands within the scene and Looprider is no different. If you dig the more experimental sounds of BORIS then Moon has lots of great themes and ideas to darken your soul for 30 thrilling and bleak minutes.

Moon is a very good album indeed and it’s good to see Looprider doing something different with their music yet again. I will admit I enjoy the music they created for Ouroboros compared to Moon but that doesn;’t stop this being a superb record in it’s own right.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Official | Facebook | Twitter | BandCamp

Packet Up - New Firm To Help Bands And Record Labels Ship Merchandise Worldwide At Much Cheaper Rates

Packet Up is a new firm that helps bands and record labels ship their records and merch worldwide at much cheaper rates.

So, first a little background. My partner owns the record label Despotz Records in Sweden. He was tired of expensive international shipping costs. We analyzed the countries of Europe and came to the conclusion that Lithuania would be our best location to set everything up. We store, pack and ship products for other record labels and artists worldwide at cheaper rates.

The warehousing and pick and pack service is FREE so you don't have to spend time on packaging and going to the post office (our small margins instead come from the shipping prices you can see below).

Some record labels will use us for their whole stock. Others more for new releases.

Here you can read more: https://packet-up.com/

Here is a little explanation video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlFpH8FhmsI

Here you can see our shipping prices in €:

















Storage and the manpower or packaging each order and shipping them out is completely FREE. The only cost that is added is the packaging material at self cost.

I believe we can save the bands and labels quite a bit of money in shipping costs and ultimately help the fans too! 

Sunday 27 December 2020

Marijuana Johnson - Gem City Kush (Album Review) and Exclusive Premiere Of New Song - SMOKE SIGNALS

 

Release date: January 15th 2021. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Gem City Kush– Tracklisting

1.This Smoke
2.Nuclear Godzilla
3.Green Means Go
4.Kush
5.Trees
6.You Don't Get Off Until You Cough
7.Endo In The Outdo
8.Smoke Signals

Members

Ashley Ashbrook - Guitar, Vocals
Elliott Harrell - Drums, Background Vocals
Matt Clark - Bass, Background Vocals

Review


Marijuana Johnson released their last album back in 2010 and 11 years later the band return with their new record Gem City Kush. The band have gone through various line-up changes through the years but this line-up is the heaviest and most musically diverse yet. Well according to their BandCamp Page and with the evidence with this fantastically heavy new offering.

Let’s not beat around the WEEDIAN BUSH here. Marijuana Johnson are here to make songs about the mighty WEED and don’t shy away from that fact. Look at the evidence. Marijuana is the main driving force of this band’s existence. The band name, the album name, the song titles and the whole album is about WEED. So with that out of the way lets get down to business of the reviewing the album.

The album isn’t the most groundbreaking but Marijuana Johnson do show ambition by playing homage to their musical heroes and including elements of those bands music into the record such as Black Sabbath, SLEEP, ZZ TOP and BORIS. The record is a mixture of Classic Rock, Stoner Metal, Doom Metal and Punk Rock. There is a wild vivid energy to it all and you feel that from the excellent opening song – This Smoke.

This Smoke is a hazy pot-fuelled adventure embracing the seedy side of Punk Rock with a snarling Doom/Stoner Rock attitude that has quite a raw feel to it all. The album was written and recorded during the COVID-19 Lockdown and the album is quite remarkably upbeat and good natured within the groovy riffs the band have laid down for the song. The grungy attitude is a welcome bonus as well with Marijuana Johnson never outstaying their welcome.

Second song – Nuclear Godzilla – is a stripped back song with Marijuana Johnson playing a more Doom/Stoner Metal orientated song before the heavily inspired ZZ Top vocals appear with a direct Blues Rock approach. The song does take time to fully find it’s groove but the double edged vocals that appear give the song a much needed boost for Stoner Metal heaviness and becomes one of the albums standout songs.

Third song – Green Means Go – is more of a Punk Rock song with the band playing a faster style of music with an almost Motorhead energy to it all. The lyrics are ridiculously over the top but it shows the good warm hearted nature of the band. They’re here to have fun and there’s nothing wrong with that. The riffs are the main selling point once again but the vocals do have a certain charm that leave you rocking along to the crazy madness of it all.

The band experiment with their Punk Rock fuelled WEEDIAN sound on the next part of the album with the band adding more crazier style of vocals and Stoner Metal riffs that make you wonder where will this CRAZY album go next.

Other cool songs to check out or get high to: Kush, Trees, You Don’t Get Off Till You Cough and Smoke Signals.

These are some of the other standout songs on the album and ones to leave you with a huge smile on your face. Some people may complain that the joke is wearing a little bit thin but to Marijuana Johnson’s credit they do have a real creative flair for writing highly energetic and anthemic songs that capture the rebellious nature of Punk Rock, Doom Metal and Stoner Metal in one gloriously addictive riff-fuelled package.

For an 11 year absence, Marijuana Johnson have released a superbly entertaining record that gets the World Of Doom/Stoner Metal off to a great start in 2021. What more could you possibly want…

Marijuana Johnson being the super cool guys that they are have let me premiere the new song SMOKE SIGNALS

 

 The band say this about the song.

"One night, after a bunch of bong rips, I fell asleep and dreamed the band was playing a show in Nepal. Ash, Elliott, and I were having a hard time finding any weed. Some local sherpas told us the only place to get any was at the peak of Mount Everest, but it was guarded by a huge dragon. So--obviously--we climbed Everest, smoked a big chalice with a dragon, and hitched a ride out with some aliens. And that's how we wrote Smoke Signals." -- Matt Clark

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Matt for the promo. Gem City Kush will be available to buy on DD from January 15th 2021.

Links:

OfficialFacebook | BandCamp

Thursday 24 December 2020

Outlaws Of The Sun - Top 25 Records Of 2020

Here's my list of the best records of 2020. This was another great year for music despite the musical world being sidelined by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Gigs were cancelled around the world. Bands had to think of new inventive ways to release and record new music. 

I don't want to get drawn into the current bleakness of the world but celebrate these amazing albums that impressed myself over the last 12 months.

It was a tough year for myself personally which led me to take a 2 month hiatus earlier this year due to family and personal issues. Though the lure of the RIFF was too strong and called me back into action.

I want to thank you all for reading the blog on a daily basis and letting me air my views on releases within the world of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal.

I want to personally thank Frazer Jones at Desert Psychlist for his endless encouragement and support this year and in-depth chats on Facebook. Same goes to Matthew Thomas, Gizmo, Michael William Petry, Edd JR Saylor, Todd Stealey, Håkan Nyman, Marty Harvey, James Marshall, Bill Goodman, Bucky Brown and Neils CTR for their support as well. 

I have to thank the awesome PR Reps and Record Labels who let me review their promos in 2020.

Right. Oscar Speech Over. Time to get down to serious business of HEAVY RIFFS

Top 25 Records of 2020

1. Green Druid - At The Maw Of Ruin



 2. Lowrider - Refractions


3. PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS - Viscerals


4. Elephant Tree - Habits



5. SLOATH - III



6. Valkyrie - Fear

 

7. The Brothers Keg - Folklore, Myths And Legends Of The Brothers Keg,



8. Forming The Void - Reverie



9. EMPRESS - Premonition



10. KIND - Mental Nudge



11. Geezer - Groovy



12. Vinnum Sabbathi - Of Dimensions And Theories



13. Cegvera - The Sixth Glare



14. Stone Machine Electric - The Inexplicable Vibrations Of Frequencies Within The Cosmic Netherworld



15. Creston Spiers - Brown Dwarf



16. Jahbulong - Eclectic Poison Tones



17. Somnus Throne - Somnus Throne



18. Black Rainbows - Cosmic Ritual Supertrip



19. King Chiefs - Flying Into Void



20. Superlord - VS. Gargantuan



21. Twin Wizard - Glacial Gods



22, Black Helium - The Wholly Other



23. OHHMS - Close



24. Volcanova - Radical Waves



25. River Cult - Chilling Effect

Tuesday 22 December 2020

An Interview With GREEN DRUID


Doom/Sludge Metallers Green Druid have just released their new album At The Maw Of Ruin and this album instantly claimed my Favourite Album Of The Year of 2020. It's a dark and sprawling epic album that sees Green Druid venture into the mote extreme and darker sounds of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal.

This is quite a different record to their acclaimed 2018 debut album - Ashen Blood. You can tell the band took their time with this album and one that offers a more emotional experience.

I caught up with the band where we discussed the making of the record and what the future holds once COVID-19 settles down around the world.

So lets get more acquainted with GREEN DRUID.

Hi Green Druid. Thanks for doing this interview. How are things with you today.

Thanks for taking the time to chat with us! We're all feeling pretty excited about the release of the album.

For people not in the know, can you give a brief history of how the band came together and where it is today.

The band started in late 2014 when Chris and I were living together. We would get stoned, listen to Sleep or Electric Wizard records and marvel at the massive riffs. This inevitably led to us wanting to start a doom band. These days the band is a much more serious endeavor for us all and occupies more of our lives.

Why did you choose the name Green Druid.

A few reasons. Mostly it's a shameless homage to Sleep and we smoke weed and weed is green. Get it? Hardy har har. That said, there is a side that stems from an appreciation for all things natural--hence some of themes present on the album. It also happens to be a common character class for D&D.

The band have gone slightly heavier and more doomier on your new album At The Maw Of Ruin especially compared to your debut. Was that the original idea and intent for this record.

The result we ended up with on this record comes from both intentionally trying to create something more extreme and listening to heavier music day to day, which would manifest unconsciously in our writing. We still wanted to maintain the "core" of our style, which I'd say centers around melding headbanging riffs with psychedelia.

What is the new album about? It’s quite dark and complex in places, and that’s down to the Lovecraft influences held on the record.

You'd likely get a slightly different answer for this from each member of the band, but to me the album is about confronting and deconstructing your own ego. The Lovecraftian influence shows itself in our approach to imagery. Many of these themes are explored through fantastical or horror imagery.

Was this a hard album to write and record for compared to your previous releases.

YES. This is by far the most collaborative album we've written to date. It was a very steep and long learning curve for us when it came to collaborating efficiently. If I recall correctly we began the writing process in late 2018.


Has it surprised you the amount of praise your music has received from the Doom/Stoner Rock community, or do you not take much notice of things like that.

None of us intended or anticipated this level of support, so It continues to be surprising for us. We're very grateful to be surrounded by such a supportive scene both locally and nationally!

What influenced or inspired you when making this album.

Personally, I was listening to entirely too much Converge while writing the album. I love the way they incorporate a variety of styles while still retaining their unique voice. Non musically we all love horror movies, and video games. Movies like Midsommar and the Souls-Borne games series will always inform our thought process while writing.

What comes first for you when recording new music, Lyrics or Music.

Music. Chris likes to have the song structure more or less laid out before he begins writing lyrics.

You’ve signed to Earache Records for this album. How did you hook-up with Earache Records.

They approached us actually! I believe Al from Earache US stumbled on our first record through BandCamp, and dug what he heard, so he reached out to us. That actually released 'Ashen Blood' as well. We count ourselves very lucky to be plucked from relative obscurity by a label like them.

Did you have any other labels interested in releasing the album.

We were approached by a few very small labels before Earache, but nothing that had us eager to sign a contract.


The album cover for the new album is excellent. Who designed the cover and how much input did you have into the overall design of the cover.

Paolo Girardi is the name of the artist. He does incredible work! We outlined the basic concept for him--decaying corpse on a throne in an apocalyptic wasteland--and he ran with it.

You guys are from Denver, Colorado, which has a kick-ass Metal scene with bands such as KHEMMIS, In The Company of Serpents and Primitive Man. Before COVID-19 hit, what was the local scene like for you guys? Was it easy to get gigs on a regular basis.

Denver is undeniably an incredible and supportive scene. We've said it before, and we'll continue to say it; we owe so much to the bands that came before us. Without being able watch all the bands you mentioned perform on a regular basis we would never have made it this far. 

We certainly were used to gigging pretty regularly with both local and national artists (we had awesome shows lined up opening for EYEHATEGOD in April and The Obsessed in May, cancelled of course), and we have been lucky enough to curate a few of our own headlining shows with visual artists and bands we really enjoy, so it has been a big shift, but we are ready to get back on stage.

Can you advise any other great bands to check out from your home-town that our readers may not be aware of.

Oh man. There are so many. For doom/heavy stuff check out Matriarch, Oryx, Ghosts of Glaciers, Palehorse Palerider, and Casket Huffer. I could go on. There is also a great scene for experimental music with bands like Church Fire, Doors that Don't, Many Blessings (Ethan from Primitive Man's noise project), Dandu, and many, many more. I'm going to stop myself before I write a novel.

COVID-19 has pretty much put a stop to all life as we know it for the time being. How big of an impact has it affected Green Druid.. And how are you surviving in this stressful time.

Unsurprisingly it can be pretty tough. Shows are non-existent so that's one income stream for the band that's been completely eliminated. We've got a few things in the works to promote the album though.


We're doing a livecast documentary for the album Jan. 15th. It's a hybrid of documentary footage of us discussing the album and a live streamed performance of the whole album. You can attend from anywhere in the world, so make sure to check it out!!

After everything is back to some sort of normality, what does the future hold for Green Druid. Will you be touring the record in the US or possibly Europe in the future. 

Touring will be our number one priority for sure. We took a break while writing the album, so we're all eager to hit the pavement again!

As you guys know your new album is my favourite record of the year. With that in mind, What have been your favourite records that you’ve heard this year, regardless of genre.

That is very humbling and gratifying, we truly appreciate that the music is connecting with people, and that you enjoy it. This year has certainly seen plenty of fantastic music, but here are some that jump to mind...

Some local faves: In the Company of Serpents, Velnias, Matriarch, & Tricoma.

Some non-metal favorites have been Tobacco, Mr. Bungle, Mrs. Piss, Run the Jewels, Thundercat, Clipping., Shabaka and the Ancestors. 

We all listen to so much different stuff, we could go on for days.

Thanks for doing this interview. Before you go, do you have any words of wisdom that you want to say to your fans.

We appreciate the fans and the metal community so much, both local and abroad. I would just say... keep supporting the bands you love as directly as you can, times are crazy for small artists/musicians/creatives, but hopefully we'll all be able to head bang and smoke together again soon.

Words by Steve Howe and Green Druid

Thanks to Incendia Music PR for arranging this interview.. At The Maw Of Ruin is available to buy now on CD/DD via Earache Records.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Monday 21 December 2020

WALL - S/T (EP Review)


Release date: January 15th 2021. Label: APF Records. Format: CD/DD

WALL – S/T – Tracklisting

1.Wrath Of The Serpent
2.Sonic Mass
3.Obsidian
4.Legion
5.Electric Funeral


Members

Ryan Cole - Guitar & Bass
Elliot Cole - Drums & Percussion

Vocals on Electric Funeral by Dave Oglesby


Review

Wall is the new band from Ryan and Elliot Cole, better known as members of UK Sludge/Stoner Metal Royalty – Desert Storm. This project came was conceived during COVID-19 Lockdown and the guys trying to find a way of stopping the boredom setting in and having a musical output for their creative endeavours. So WALL was born.

Their debut self-titled EP is a heavy and aggressive affair which is made up of ideas and musical themes the guys have been involved in with projects such as Desert Storm and The Grand Mal. Though, this band and subsequent release is instrumental but the band have included a cover of Black Sabbath classic – Electric Funeral as well.

The EP is mighty fine slab of mostly Instrumental Sludge, Doom and Stoner Metal with the guys influenced more perhaps by their good pals KARMA TO BURN who they’ve toured with multiple times over the years. Wall bring a more psychedelic flair to their style of Instrumental Rock/Metal and offer a heavier Doom Metal sound on this release.

Whilst we’ve heard this style of music before, it’s good to see Ryan and Elliot venturing into the more Progressive side of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal and perhaps elements of Mastodon being added for that extra layer of Progressive Metal goodness.

The standout songs are perhaps: Wrath Of The Serpent, Sonic Mass and Obsidian. As they have the more interesting and creative ideas on the EP. Though 4th song – Legion - is n slouch either with some hard-hitting riffs leaving you wanting more.

The final song is the Black Sabbath cover of Electric Funeral where the guys are joined by Dave-O from The Grand Mal. This is a very good cover indeed and even though I’m starting to feel major “Black Sabbath Cover” fatigue with the endless covers that have been released already in 2020, this cover I have plenty of time for. As I’m a fan of Dave-O’s vocals and what he brings to the table. A highly confident performance where he manages to put his spin on things.

For a debut release, this EP is a mighty fine and superbly entertaining effort. The guys have said the following about WALL’s future.

“Wall was initially started as a covid lockdown project, but we’re up for touring and writing more for sure...we’ll what happens!’

On this release alone, I’m hoping the guys continue with Wall and release more records. As they feel well suited to the world of Instrumental Sludge/Stoner Metal.

Overall, this is a release worth checking out and adding to your record collection if you’re a fan of bands such as Karma To Burn, Mastodon and I better say DESERT STORM as well….

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to APF Records for the promo. Wall Self-Titled EP will be available to buy on DD via APF Records from Jan 15th 2021.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Saturday 19 December 2020

King Chiefs - Flying Into Void (Album Review)


Release date: December 15th 2020. Label: Roosevelt Row Records. Format: DD

Flying Into Void – Tracklisting

1.Flying Into Void 04:04
2.Buzzface 03:51
3.Gloom Room 04:07
4.Dropout Dream 04:53
5.Hidden Hills 04:05
6.Cut Teeth 03:16
7.Poison Eagle 04:37
8.Goner 03:22
9.Big Sleep 04:49


Review

Flying Into Void ins the new album from San Diego, Californian Psych Stoner Rockers – King Chiefs. This is their 1st release since their acclaimed 2018 release Blue Sonnet. King Chiefs aim for a more cinematic and adventurous sound with this release. As they band embrace a more Psychedelic Poppy style of music especially with the excellent vocals and spaced out sounds the band wonderfully embrace on the record.

Opening song – Flying Into Void – is a glorious upbeat Stoner Rock/Metal song with shades of Monster Magnet driving it along to it’s wonderfully epic conclusion. The band draw you instantly into their heavy world where the music is one of positivity and rebellious nature all at the same time. With everything being more on the melodic side don’t go expecting any bleak moments of music because after the year everyone has experience in 2020 then King Chiefs are here to end things on a positive note especially if you’re a fan of Desert Rock, Fuzz Rock and Stoner Metal.

Second song – Buzzface – carries on the fast-paced and upbeat sounds with a delicious and heavy FUZZ Rock starting to appear. The song does have shades of classic Desert Rock interlaced with mighty Space Rock themes. The hazy riffs and top-notch vocals make for one of the standout songs on the album. The lyrics are brilliantly simple and easily to remember to sing-along to. King Chiefs play a more outlandish style of Classic Rock with Proggy Guitar solos on the later stages of the song.

Third song – Gloom Room – offers a more Doom Rock atmosphere with Paul’s soaring and highly energetic vocals having shades of early Ozzy to them. The music is s till the best part of the song and it is for the whole album. Though, King Chiefs have written great lyrics to match the epic riffs played on this album. If you dig Fu Manchu and Monster Magnet then this is the place to be. King Chiefs still find time and creative energy to play their own blend of addictive Stoner Rock/Metal.

Fourth song – Dropout Dream – goes straight for the jugular with a more direct offering with the band playing one of the loudest and aggressive songs on the record. This is what King Chiefs excel at and what their music is all about. Ever since their debut release, they can conjure classic Desert/Stoner Rock grooves to match up with the best of them and this song is no different. The hazy FUZZ ROCK sounds allow King Chiefs to switch between melodic riffs to the more aggressive Doom/Stoner Metal ideas that start to appear more and more often on the 2nd half of the album.

Hidden Hills, Cut Teeth and Big Sleep are the other songs I feel are the best part of this album and perhaps include the most entertaining riffs on the record.

Flying Into Void may sound too simple for some and doesn’t take enough creative risks but I applaud King Chiefs for writing an album such as this. Sure all the songs sound similar but you will be supremely entertained from start to finish with an outstanding collection of Stoner Rock/Metal songs to lose yourself in.

The production is LOUD and makes the album sound super-fresh and perhaps allow this being the best record that King Chiefs have ever sounded.

With 2020 drawing to a close, I’m hoping this record doesn’t get lost along the way that some records released this time of year normally do. It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of Stoner Rock/Metal, this is a must have album to add to your record collection. For myself personally, Flying Into Void has managed to gain a place on my best albums of 2020 list. That’s how good this album is….

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Friday 18 December 2020

SPLENDIDULA Release New Video For DROCHT From their Upcoming New Album SOMNUS


Belgian Doom and Sludge Metal act SPLENDIDULA! The band, fronted by charismatic vocalist Kristien, is set to release their hotly anticipated, third album titled "Somnus" as LP, CD and in Digital formats on January 29, 2021 through Argonauta Records,

Splendidula was formed in 2008 in Genk (Belgium). The self-titled debut album was released on June 22th 2013, and was described as a mix of traditional doom and alternative rock with sludge grooves and psychedelic drones, for open-minded fans of experimental genres. 

After some serious line-up changes the music evolved to a psychedelic mix of Post, Sludge & Doom metal, with some additional grunts for a heavier sound. 

The current line-up consists of Kristien Cools (vocals), Pieter Houben (guitar & vocals), David Vandegoor (guitar), Peter Chromiak (bass) & Joachim Taminau (drums & samples).

To get you into the mood of their upcoming and quite frankly brilliant new album, we are premiering the new song Drocht from their upcoming new album.


Thanks to Mona at All Noir PR for all of the details.

Somnus will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl on January 29, 2021 through Argonauta Records,

Links

Monstroid release the video for Fall In Line from their upcoming new album - SET 2: BURNT SKY

Cape Town based desert rock unit Monstroid have released the video for Fall In Line, the second single taken from their forthcoming full-length album Set 2: Burnt Sky. The band is the passion project of 4 friends born out of a deeply shared appreciation for writing, making, and sharing tectonic plate-shifting music. From the rumbling depths emerges a melodic molten soundscape. From the skies a flaming fireball of fuzz. Monstroid resides where these forces collide. Born in the 80's, raised in the 90’s we have focused our music around the Movies, TV shows and Toys of the time. Our musical influences are no different.


For lovers of growling guitars, distorted groove laden bass, melodic vocals and exploding drums of thunder.

The video was directed by Fred van Leeuwen, a photographer and filmmaker currently based in Cape Town, South Africa. Fred started as a band photographer in 2009, which later evolved into the world of shooting music videos. By 2020, Fred's worked with various local bands, such as The Black Cat Bones, Van Coke Kartel, Vulvodynia and Albert Frost to name a few.

For his full body of work, you can visit www.theimageengineer.com

Fred delves into the history behind the making of the video, “ I approached Monstroid a while back regarding a music video I wanted to shoot to test a specific budget-friendly 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic lens from Sirui. I thought it would look great to have a band in an underground car park, lit only by car headlights, to show off the lens's anamorphic characteristics, such as the beautiful streaky lens flares and fantastic low light performance. 

The performance scene was shot with the help of Stian Maritz on his camera, which helped a lot in the edit to splice between band members disappearing and reappearing when cutting between our cameras. Once we wrapped the performance, we spoke about adding a narrative to the music video. We felt the song is a perfect soundtrack to escape the city's noise and head out to the countryside, and decided to shoot some scenes out on Clarence Drive and the Overberg to establish that narrative between the performance shots fully. Special thanks to Willem at Sunshine Co for providing the Sirui lens to test out for this music video.”

The band are more than happy with the final result and they explain, “For the second song from our upcoming record Set 2: Burnt Sky, we thought we give you one of our Live show favourites, which is a song we have been playing for a bit. It’s been such a pleasure crafting and completing it and when The Image Engineer, Fred van Leewen, contacted us with an idea for the track, we had to jump on board. The song is fast paced and mixed in with tight editing and some epic shots in and around Cape Town, we could not be happier with the result.”


Fall in Line is taken from their upcoming album Set 2: Burnt Sky set for release on the 22nd January 2021. Pre-save and pre-orders start today, 18th December 2020.

Website

Thursday 17 December 2020

Tigers On Opium - Dark Electric (Single Review)

Release date: December 11th 2020. Label: Forbidden Place Records. Format: DD

Dark Electric – Tracklisting

1. DARK ELECTRIC 04:00
2. DARK ELECTRIC-(WarStar Remix) 03:30
3. DARK ELECTRIC-(TRIANGLES Remix) 03:45


The Lowdown

Experimental Doom/Stoner Rockers Tigers On Opium released their new single Dark Electric recently and it's from their forthcoming album - 503.420.6669.Vol 1 - which will be released by Forbidden Place Records at a later date.

The song is a catchy hybrid of Doom Metal, Psych Rock, Stoner Metal and a hint of Weirdo Rock. If you can call it that. The song is quite gloomy but also quite addictive when the Psych Rock and Stoner Metal sounds appear. If you dig band such as KYUSS, Electric Wizard and Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats then Tigers On Opium are here to quench your thirst.

The song is backed up by 2 different remixes as well. They're good and I mean really good. Though I prefer the original version but it's good to see the band including different versions of the song.


Juan Carlos Caceres from the band says this about the song :

“Over the years... We’ve lost so many great friends, musicians, and artists to the grip of heroin and opioids.  I wrote this song as a sort of release of tension, for how I feel about the people I’ve lost to drug addiction. There’s a sort of juxtaposition to it all. Like a mixture of sad beauty, or a car crash you know is coming but you crank the music and live the ride.” - Juan Carlos Caceres

Words by Steve Howe

Links:


Three Eyes Left - LEGIONE (Album Review)


Release date: December 15th 2020. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

LEGIONE – Tracklisting

1.SULFUR 09:32
2.SATANAUTA 07:38
3.LEFT HAND PATH 05:21
4.WE ARE LEGION 08:49
5.FOLLOW THE LAWS OF DEAD MAN (Interlude) 04:16
6.MASTER OF BEYOND 10:22
7.MAGGOTS, PIGS....YOU'LL DIE (Interlude) 04:39
8.BARGAIN WITH THE SERPENT 10:07
9.PROCESSION WITH SPECTRE IN THE WOOD 06:45


Review

There’s a lot going on with Three Eyes Left new album LEGIONE. As the album lasts around 66 minutes and spread across 9 songs that drifts almost the entirety of the Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal spectrum. This is quite a dark and bleak album to listen to and sees Three Eyes Left play a bleaker sound compared to their previous releases.

The album is HEAVY, BOLD and quite PROGRESSIVE from start to finish with the band also showing their love for bands such as Black Sabbath and Electric Wizard like never before. The guitars have a despairing and doom laiden FUZZ element to them that actually comes from the Electric Wizard rule book but with more despairing vocals that are mixture of harsh growls and aggressive vocals.

Opening song – SULFUR – has a Doom Metal mentality but the vocals are from the extreme metal world with Death based growls making themselves known amongst the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Grooves the band lay down for this song. The distorted riffs have a certain Drone feel to them and that what holds everything together. The riffs feel like they last an eternity with an uncompromising sound and vision allowing the band to flex their creative muscles. You will get to hear that style of music a lot on this album but don’t be surprised if the band switch tactics and play something you don’t quite expect.

Three Eyes Left inject a more HORROR vibe into their lyrics and the overall theme of this album with songs such as SATANAUTA, WE ARE LEGION and MASTER OF BEYOND having perhaps the most sinister grooves held on the entire album. The album does contains some classic 70s/80s Doom Metal sounds lurking in the background and it’s good to see Three Eyes Left injecting a good deal of Classic Hard Rock and Heavy Metal into the mix whilst offering a more brutal style of modern Doom/Stoner Metal.

The album does run out of steam towards the end but it’s still worth listening to this album. As it’s another powerhouse record from one of Italy’s standout Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal bands who show no signs of mellowing or slowing down with almost 17 years of rocking out behind them.

The production is dark and daring in all the right places that allows Three Eyes Left to preach their heavy Doomed Out Existence to their dedicated fan-base and maybe pick-up some more followers or riff-worshippers along the way.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Tuesday 15 December 2020

MARS ERA Announces New Album "Oniro" And Premieres Music Video!


MARS ERA Announces New Album "Oniro" And Premieres Music Video!

Imagine the great Seattle’s grunge era meeting the alternative metal scene of the 2000’s, place them straight into the Californian desert, and you’ll get the sound and vision of Italy’s stoner rock overloads MARS ERA. Formed in 2014 in Florence, the band burst into the heavy rock scene with their critically acclaimed debut Dharmanaut. Now, MARS ERA has announced the release of their sophomore full-length titled Oniro, which will be out on February 19, 2021, via Argonauta Records!


Close before the world went on lockdown, MARS ERA started to work on their forthcoming album, which was recorded and mixed by Marco Leggio, and was mastered at the GreenFog Studio in Genoa. While the four-piece collective continues to combine both heavy and psychedelic sounds from various influences, with Oniro they step forward to create their very own way to express music. This is MARS ERA in a new chapter; full of words, music and emotions. Give ear, as the band just released a first single and video for “Brighter Than The Sun


“We are stoked to present our new album: Oniro!” MARS ERA comments.

“This first single "Brighter Than The Sun" is our favorite nightmare: it’s the glue that melts all the songs, bounded in a unique vision.

We’ve been working on Oniro over three long years, with countless rehearsal sessions, discussions on each others, images and shared ideas. Oniro has become our new journey. An experience that led us to search for the hidden meaning of each vision we had.

The album is a warning to an internal awakening: it’s the story of an ordinary man who finds himself facing his innermost fears which, changing through music, become real and tangible dreams. Only by facing these difficulties, our character will overcome the obstacles that arise on his long and imaginary journey. An oniric travel that leads to a final awakening. Dream, imagine and choose. Close your eyes, “this is your last breath to wake up."


Oniro Tracklist:

01. OBE
02. Into The Pyramid
03. Brighter Than The Sun
04. The Chicken's Wardrobe
05. Cyclone
06. The Last Breath to Wake Up

For More Info Visit:

Weird Tales Announce Details Of New EP - "Y'all Motherfuckers Forgot 'Bout Good Ol' Son Of A Bitchin' Blues


Polish Psychedelic Doom act of three - Weird Tales thicken the plot of their tale with a brand new EP - "Y'all Motherfuckers Forgot 'Bout Good Ol' Son Of A Bitchin' Blues". Which, like everything else from this twisted trio, dares to go far outside the confines of what you would expect from a doom album. With this record, Weird Tales pays homage to the true founding fathers. Where it all began, the kings of blues! With out blues, there is no rock, with out rock there is no doom metal, and without doom metal, well, let's not even speculate where Weird Tales would be.

The concept of this album – pass the blues through the Weird Tales prism, twisting and bending it until it's barely recognizable. Catch the essence of each track, wrap it with our heavy riffs and extrapolate. The result? The heaviest blues album ever put forth!

The first single from the album - "Got The Blues For Murder Only" can be heard here: 



Weird Tales adds: "How we are sick of covers! It's always the same, note by note covers, slowed down, tuned down – the DOOM covers. How we are bored by it! The only acceptable form of cover – is an abstract one. A new self-contained, original piece of music. Whole new riffs and arrangements, and still, it is a cover. It's bound to the original with it’s intention and message. The cover that is a rethinking of the original becoming it's evolution.

With this EP we're retelling with our own language the killer blues of four men.

Lonnie Johnson, Skip James, Blind Willie Johnson, Muddy Waters are the four motherfuckers who knew what’s this all about done way before you were born.

It is our vision of what is the most important in this blues. Our blues in 2020."

Monday 14 December 2020

Clouds Taste Satanic - The Satanic Singles Series – Volume 2 (Single Review)


Release date: December 04th 2020. Label: Self Released. Format: DD/Vinyl 

The Satanic Singles Series – Volume 2 – Tracklisting

1.Behind The Wall Of Sleep 03:20
2.If You Doom Me Now 04:53


Review

Clouds Taste Satanic (CTS) are back with Volume 2 of their The Satanic Singles Series and this time CTS have the Godfathers Of Doom and Heavy Metal in their sights with the first cover of the EP. As Black Sabbath now get the Instrumental Doom Metal treatment and with 2020 being a special year for that legendary band. CTS have chosen one of the lesser known tracks from Black Sabbath classic debut album with Beyond The Wall Of Sheep being played as strictly a Doom Metal song.

This version matches the gloominess and heaviness of the original but with a “less is more” approach which does the song justice and CTS are clearly having fun paying homage to their musical heroes.

I originally thought the next song was a new composition – If You Doom Me Now. As I tried looking for the original version of YouTube without much luck and I thought it’s a new song. Well that assumption was blown out of the water when I listened to the song. It’s a heavy doomed out Instrumental cover of that dearly loved and classic Heavy Metal Band – CHICAGO – and their most famous song – If You Leave Me Now.

Well played CTS. Well fucking played. Great joke. Top marks for that one. The cover itself is wickedly brilliant and “PISSES ALL OVER” the original. I was never a fan of CHICAGO or this damn overrated song but CTS version I could listen all day. This is a joyous blend of Classic Rock, Doom Metal, Psych Rock and Hard Rock.

I’m also beginning to think the common theme of this EP is also because of a certain Adam Sandler film where both artists were featured quite prominently within LITTLE NICKY. Though, that could be myself just looking far too much into things.

Anyway, here’s another slice of excellent covers given the Instrumental Doom Metal makeover and I don’t think CHICAGO could never ROCK HARD as this. Horns In The Air!!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Leanne at  Mettle Media PR for the promo details.

Links: 

Sunday 13 December 2020

Praÿ - Hemerith (EP Review)


Release date: December 04th 2020. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Hemerith – Tracklisting

1.Faithless Goddess 11:55 
2.Widow Of Light 12:21

Members

Guitar: Maud Gibbons 
Bass: Jason Rols 
Drums: Antoine Berthet-Bondet


Review 

French Instrumental Psych Stoner Rockers Praÿ burst onto the scene in 2018 when they released their superb Heretic Eye (Demo) but the band really turned heads with their acclaimed 2019 self-titled debut album. The album offered 4 tracks that stretched the boundaries of Psych Stoner Rock with a magnificent French flair which only added to the overall heaviness and experience of the album. I never did find the time to review the album but I can redeem myself by reviewing their new EP – Hemerith. 

Hemerith like the bands previous releases offers two epic compositions which sees Praÿ play a blend of Instrumental Stoner Rock bounded by Psych Rock, Doom Metal and good-old fashioned Space Rock just for good measure. 

Opening song – Faithless Goddess – wastes no time in bringing a heavy Doomed Out Guitar Riff to the play and Praÿ start adding little pieces of Doom/Stoner Rock to entice listeners with. The instrumental work is genuinely exciting and creative from the start. There are many different types of HEAVINESS included on this song which allows Praÿ to be more Progressive than you initially expect. The song does become quite Freaky on the later stages and even almost Post-Rock like but it’s the Doom/Stoner Rock parts that makes Praÿ such a great band to chill even meditate to. They know when to slow things down and bring inner-peace to the overall feel of the records before unleashing another round of crushing gloomy riffs. 

Second song – Widow Of Light – starts off in the opposite direction of the previous song with Praÿ playing a more subdued style of Post-Stoner Rock with brief glimpses of Heavy Instrumental Rock. The song is at it’s best when Praÿ play around with their “standard” sound and embrace a more Experimental Flair to their music. Everything becomes more expressive as Praÿ have some WILD TIMES with the music contained on the song. Maybe not as bombastic or heavy as the previous song, this is a different side to Praÿ and makes it the more interesting song on the EP. 

Hemerith is an outstanding record to own even if you’re not a fan of Instrumental music and this allows Praÿ to build their reputation as one of the best Psychedelic Stoner Rock bands coming out of France today. Bold claim, I know. However, the evidence is there waiting to be heard on Hemerith and this record shows why Praÿ are worth giving a damn about. 

Words by Steve Howe


Links: 

Facebook | BandCamp