Thursday 30 April 2020

Album Premiere of EMILE New Album - THE BLACK SPIDER / DET KOLLEKTIVE SELVMORD



THE BLACK SPIDER / DET KOLLEKTIVE SELVMORD is the solo album by Emile of The Sonic Dawn is released this Friday. Though you can listen to the album in full now courtesy of this exclusive album stream thanks to the cool folks at Heavy Psych Sounds and All Noir PR 



Emile has this to say about the album. 

Welcome into my strange dream. A time lapse of life and death momentarily passing by. Captured in 11 melancholic and mysterious, but at the same time, strangely familiar songs. The album ranges from laid back sixties loner folk through the more vibrant psychedelic and the borderline surreal. I sincerely hope that You will enjoy this record, both on laid back mornings and in quiet contemplation

You can buy the album digitally now. CD/Vinyl from Heavy Psych Sounds on May 22nd 2020

Tuesday 28 April 2020

GO DOWN RECORDS to release brand new label sampler!

GO DOWN RECORDS to release brand new label sampler! 


Being one of the most important Italian labels for independent music and an influential part of the scene since 17 years now, GO DOWN RECORDS announced to release a brand new sampler, coming April 24th 2020.

Between 2019 and 2020, Go Down Records changed its shape, while maintaining the same substance - The label was founded to promote independent rock’n'roll music with just one goal: supporting artistic freedom."2003 I 2020" is giving an insight into the label's impressive history, featuring a fine selection of the company's eclectic artist roster – a trip through time, starting from the first bands who joined the label to actual releases.

Today the label proudly revealed the details of their forthcoming, new sampler "2003 I 2020" – that will feature high class names and massive tracks from such as OJM (feat. Brant Bjork), Fatso Jetson, The Lu Silver String Band, Yawning Man, Mother Island among many more killer acts; introducing the sound of Go Down to new fans or sending a gift to longtime friends of the label family!

Tracklist reads as follows:

01. Alice Tambourine Lover - Blow Away
02. Ananda Mida - Blank Stare
03. Diplomatics - Hey Loser, You Poser!
04. Dome La Muerte & The Diggers - Woman In Trouble
05. Fatso Jetson - Long Deep Breath
06. Glincolti - Vita Su Altri Pianeti
07. Humulus - Ghost Rider
08. Karma To Burn - 30 (live)
09. Link Protrudi & The Jaymen - Avalanche
10. Mother Island - Electric Son
11. OJM - I Got Time (feat. Brant Bjork)
12. Small Jackets - Listen To The Rock
13. The Lu Silver String Band - Miss Sugar
14. The Morlocks - Dirty Red
15. The Sade - Coachman
16. Vibravoid - Magic Mirror
17. Vic Du Monte’s Persona Non Grata - Barons & Bankers
18. Virtual Time - High Class Woman
19. Yawning Man - Rock Formations (live)

DIGITAL BONUS TRACKS:

20. Beesus - Reproach
21. Elepharmers - Spiders
22. Gunash - Death Comes (feat. Rami Jaffee)
23. Jahbulong - Green Walls
24. Licantropy - Big Bad Affair
25. Mad Dogs - Point Of View
26. Maya Mountains - Raul
27. Pater Nembrot - Young Rite
28. The Roozalepres - Frankenstein Heart

Set for a release on April 24th 2020 as CD or in digital formats, "2003 I 2020" is available for purchase right HERE

For more info visit:

DHU Records - SIBYL ~ The Magic Isn't Real Pre-Orders, details & release date

SIBYL ~ The Magic Isn't Real Pre orders + details + release date


Friday May 8th at 7PM CEST the pre orders will go live for the 


OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE JUNE 5TH

Available in the following Editions:

DHU Exclusive // Blue Magick Edition


Limited to 90 copies
Single sleeve w/ 3mm spine
Black flood inside
Black polylined innersleeve
Full color double sided insert
A3 poster w/ Art by Shane Horror
Hand numbered DHU Excl. Card
Housed in a PVC sleeve
Comes on Cyan Blue w/ Milky Clear Splatter 12" vinyl

Magick Without Tears Edition


Limited to 150 copies
Single sleeve w/ 3mm spine
Black flood inside
Black polylined innersleeve
Full color double sided insert
Housed in a PVC sleeve
Comes on Black w/ Milky Clear Splatter 12" vinyl

Test Press


Limited to 10 copies
Single sleeve w/ 3mm spine
Black flood inside
Alternate artwork
White polylined innersleeve
Hand numbered
Hand stamped
Comes on Black 12" vinyl

Sibyl Links:

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Extermination Day - Demo 2020 (EP Review)


Release date: April 24th 2020. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Demo 2020 – Tracklisting

1.Ghetto Ghouls 02:29
2.Make Yer Bullets Count 03:10
3.Street Brawler 02:15

Members

Nate Towle - Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Drums, Piano, Mixing, Engineering, Songwriting/Lyrics

Review

Nate Towle is the mastermind behind Extermination Day. Nate is perhaps best known for his work on Wicked Inquisition and Satan's Satyrs. Extermination Day is Nate’s Garage/Punk/Doom Solo Project and who have just released their new demo with Demo 2020.

This demo release has 3 songs lasting for 7 minutes and Nate channels his inner “Punk” on this release. There are a few fast-paced Doom Rock moments but it’s mostly a Garage/Punk Rock Rock affair with the low-key production having quite a cool sound to it all. This project reminds myself of Motorhead in many ways with the fast-paced riffs. Though this band has a different sound to Motorhead but Extermination Day do offer a Speed Punk groove in all the right places.

Nate recorded this over a 3 day period in April 2020 and for something put together that quick, you have to give Nate credit for creating a turbo-charged release that makes me want to hear more. The best song is perhaps “Street Brawler” with a classic Punk Rock attitude being used with the right amount aggression and snarling riffs that Nate plays on this song.

I don’t know what Nate’s future plans for this project but it could be quite an interesting project if Nate releases something more substantial. Maybe Nate may form a full-time band from this project. I’m a huge admirer of Nate’s previous work and it’s always good to see him back in action and Extraction Day despite it’s raw violent sound offers a few catchy hard-rocking riffs along the way to rock out to.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:


Monday 27 April 2020

SOLARIS Premiere New Song - Ezikmndrek - From Their Forthcoming New Album


SOLARIS present their very own perception of noise-laden rock through powerful riffs, magnetic vocals and industrial soundscapes. Debut full-length 'Un Paese di musichette mentre fuori c’รจ la morte’ settle the band deep into the prosperous Italian underground scene by means of six inspired tracks recorded and mixed by iconic producer Martin Bisi (Sonic Youth, Swans, Unsane). From noise to heavy psych, the Italian quatuor juggle with influences like Helmet, Disastroid or The Jesus Lizard. Their tortured melodies produce mecanic and resonant emotions to the listener, definitely absorbed by their sonic invitation. 

Out June 19th 2020 on Bronson Recordings, you can hear the new song Ezikmndrek from the upcoming album.



The band have said the following about the new song:

"Pochi secondi di dubbio e remore infinite" (“A few seconds of doubts and endless hesitations") it’s the opening sentence in Ezikmndrek, the song that previews out brand new debut album. It’s a song about the urgency of making a choice and the doubts that fill your head in hard times. As you can hear on the album, we created lyrics and atmospheres that moves from the inner space to the infinite and obscure universe, splitting the instrumental part into persisting grooves and post-metal riffs. Ezikmndrek is personal and introspective, but lets you merge into it’s very own atmospheres"

You can pre-order the album here

Thanks to Floriane at Purple Sage PR for all of the details.

Links

Sunday 26 April 2020

Pale Mare - Pale Mare II (EP Review)


Release date: April 03rd 2020. Label: Seeing Red Records / Ancient Temple Recordings. Format: Cassette/CD/DD/Vinyl

Pale Mare II – Tracklisting

1.House Of War 07:47
2.Zealot 06:24
3.Voidgazer 04:18
4.Remains 09:02

Review

Pale Mare – latest EP offers a ferocious blend of Sludge, Doom and Stoner Metal and is influenced by early-era High On Fire, Mastodon and Baroness with a twinge of Motorhead style aggression. The EP only lasts for 28 minutes but Pale Mare leave a mighty impression with the band adding a Punk Rock attitude to the mix and even add some sonic blasts of Psychedelic Metal along the way.

The guitars do have a certain Matt Pike/Lemmy feel to them but Pale Mare create music on their own terms and it’s quite brutally bleak in places with the lyrics adding a gloomier feel. The dual vocals from Eytan and Kevin both offer a different perspective on things on different parts of the album. The music is the real standout here with Pale Mare allowing their music to grow at a natural pace with the “thrashier” elements of their music bringing a more violent approach to their music.

The 4 songs on offer here represent top-notch Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs that will leave your whole body in a fucking spin. The aggressive grooves heard on opening song House Of War feels like the bastard offspring of High On Fire and Mastodon vying for musical supremacy and still offering some equally catchy lyrics at the same time.

The standout songs on here are Voidgazer and Remains. As the band feel more confident and in their creative element on these two songs with Pale Mare offering a blistering style of Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal for these two songs.

Remains offers the heaviest moments of the EP and the band have a lot of time to play with here. As the song lasts for 9 minutes and Pale Mare offer a wide range of different Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal sounds with a cool sounding Psychedelic vibe allowing the band to play some epic guitar solos along the way.

Pale Mare II is a resounding success on all levels and shows you why we need a full length album from these guys for their next release. As I want to see what these guys can deliver on a full length record. Until then, II is a welcome addition to the current top-tier of Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal releases.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:


Twin Sister - S/T (Album Review)


Release date: April 17th 2020. Label: God Unknown Records. Format: DD/Vinyl

Twin Sister – S/T – Tracklisting

1.Light 04:39
2.Husk 07:22
3.Drought 08:41
4.Drab 06:56
5.Ashes 10:37

Members

Jason Stรถll - Bass
Otto Kokke - Keys
Renรซ Aquarius - Drums

Review

Twin Sister is the new band featuring members of Dead Neanderthals, Sex Swing and Mugstar. However, Twin Sister is very different from those bands with this project focusing upon playing a heavy and distorted style of Drone Metal, Doom Metal, Psych Rock and Krautrock that all blends for a simplistic style of music. Though, the band make everything sound so addictive with a focused “one long distorted riff” style of music that will instantly appeal to fans of BONG and Sunn O))).

To the casual listener, Twin Sister maybe playing the same note over and over again. However, there is more to Twin Sister that you would initially expect. The music is always constantly engaging and the band can make the most simplistic note last for ages and still allow the music to be quite thrilling with the slow-paced drums and long drawn out Psychedelic sounding grooves

Opening song – Light – is quite atmospheric with the band moving between Psychedelic Drone and Post-Rock sounds with a Sludgy attitude moving the song to it’s natural conclusion. The slow-paced drumming is the main standout here with the music moving along to the fantastic beats that Renรซ provides. Jason and Otto bring a more nuanced style of Psychedelic textures with their work on Bass and Keys respectively.

Second song – Husk – is a slightly heavier song with Twin Sister adapting a more Doom/Drone Metal based approach that allows the Psychedelic Sounds to become ever more sinister with a creepy sounding 70s/80s synth effect reminding me of the classical soundtracks of John Carpenter films in places. This is one of the standout sounds on the album as Twin Sister create an unnerving experience that builds up for a more gloomy cinematic experience.

Third song – Drought – operates with a more depressive outlook on life with the song being close to Post-Black Metal on certain stages of the song. The instrumental work feels quite calculated and emotionally distant with the Synths adding a more “Gothic” feel. The song is still firmly routed in Drone/Doom Metal territory but allows Twin Sister to experiment with their sound even further and still create a harsh Psychedelic environment which is always equally addictive.

The final two songs on the album – Drab and Ashes – continue with the Drone/Doom/Krautrock experimental groove and offer some of the harshest and heaviest songs on the album especially on the final song – Ashes.

This album isn’t going to be for everyone. As it’s not the most easiest album to listen to. I admire Twin Sister for releasing an album such as this. It’s dark, brave and utterly fearless with it’s own brilliant use of Drone/Doom Metal which left me wanting more.

Overall, Twin Sister debut album is a welcome addition to the dark world of Drone/Doom Metal and you should check out if want to hear something different.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Saturday 25 April 2020

Forming The Void - Reverie (Album Review)


Release date: May 8th 2020. Label: Ripple Music. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Reverie – Tracklisting

1.Sage
2.Onward through the Haze
3.Trace the Omen 05:28
4.Manifest 05:22
5.Electric Hive
6.Ancient Satellite 04:54
7.The Ending Cometh

Review

Sometimes you have to look back before you can move forward and it seems Forming The Void have taken this view with their new album Reverie. As this album feels like the spiritual successor to the bands acclaimed debut album – Skyward – whilst still progressing with the themes contained on the bands previous 2 albums – Rift and Relic.

This is Forming The Void 4th album within the last 5 years and I’ve always been impressed by the guys work ethic by releasing an album every 18 months or so. Reverie is quite sonically different in places with the progressive grooves that Forming The Void have included on this album.

Opening song – Sage – is classic Forming The Void through and through with epic grooves and distorted riffs being built upon James vocals. The band don’t take long to play some epic guitar solos that will leave long-time fans of the band feel already at home. The precise drumming from Thomas is swift and quite brutal in places. The whole flow and sound of the album is more direct and you feel part of the action from the very start.

Second song – Onward Through The Haze – starts off slowly and patiently before the soothing Psychedelic/Spaced Out Grooves transform into a heavier style of Sludge/Stoner Metal with the music being LOUD and PROGRESSIVE from start to finish. The atmosphere ventures into Post-Rock/Post-Metal territories in places whilst retaining a Stoner Metal spirit that allows the band to play some of the heaviest riffs of their career to date.

Third song – Trace The Omen – blends haunting psychedelic melodies with a more reflective change of pace from the band with James being in a more meditative state and the lyrics being “way out-there” in places. The lush Middle Eastern vibe is quite beautiful to hear. Though,you know with this being Forming The Void, the band are going to change direction and play a more destructive style of music. And that prediction comes true around the 3rd minute when the Psychedelic/Spaced Out atmosphere moves up a destructive gear and James vocals go into overdrive with trippy chants that we haven’t heard from the band before.

Fourth song – Manifest – opens with an eerie acoustic solitary guitar that is quite abstract but is superbly played and I was expecting this song to be an acoustic song but Forming The Void then unleash one of heaviest and standout songs on the album. The song is quite slow-paced to begin with and Forming The Void bring many different ideas on this song but everything works as it should. The song is bold and adventurous in all the right places whilst allowing the band to play some of their trademark classic sounds against a Psychedelic Stoner Metal backdrop.

The final 3 songs allows Forming The Void to create more mysterious sounding Sludge/Stoner Metal sounds with the music being creative and daring in all the right places that reminds me of their classic debut album – Skyward released back in 2015. Though, Forming The Void have still managed to create an album that’s vastly different to previous efforts.

Forming The Void are now signed to Ripple Music for this album and I’ve said this multiple times. All records from Ripple Music are quality releases that always sound amazing and Reverie is no different. Forming The Void have worked with some great labels in their career already such as Kozmik Artifactz and Argonauta Records and it’s good to see the band aligning themselves with Ripple Music for this album.

Reverie is without a doubt, Forming The Void best album to date and another album of the year contender from the band.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo. Reverie will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music from May 8th 2020.

Links:


Friday 24 April 2020

Empress - Sepulchre (Single Review)


Release date: April 24th 2020. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Sepulchre - Tracklisting

Sepulchre

Review

Sepulchre is the new single from Canadian Sludge/Stoner/Post-Metallers – EMPRESS – who are releasing this single on 24th April in remembrance and in tribute to their former band member – Brenden Gunn – who sadly passed away in October 2019.

Empress say this about the new song- “To celebrate the Birthday of Brenden Gunn on April 24th. Brenden passed away October 2019, he helped shaped this band and we miss him dearly. From the coming full length album due later this year.

Sepulchre is the new song from their upcoming full length album which will be released later this year and it’s a great way to honour Brenden’s memory with a furious slice of Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal aggression that sees the band move away from the sound they created on their 2018 debut release – Reminiscence.

That EP was more of a band finding their own sound whilst taking influence from acts such as ELDER, Mastodon and Baroness whilst allowing Empress to stand on their own merits and convictions with some epic Progressive sounds along the way.

Sepulchre is almost 5 minutes of finely tuned Psychedelic Doom/Sludge/Stoner Riffs that is the best song that I’ve heard from the guys. Ultra-tight guitars providing grizzled riffs that even manage to add a Thrash atmosphere in the early stages before settling down for an almost classic 90s Stoner Metal groove. 

Empress are firing on all cylinders on this song and this is the perfect tribute to honour Brenden’s memory with. As the song is fast-paced and contains a few surprises along the way especially with the more Ambient Sonic Projectory Empress employ towards the later stages of the song.

If this is the signs of things to come for the forthcoming full length album then Empress could have a real major surprise for us all when it’s finally released upon the world.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Wednesday 22 April 2020

KEVERRA - S/T (Album Review)


Release date: May 1st 2020. Label: Seeing Red Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Keverra – S/T – Tracklisting

1.Albion
2.Incendiare
3.Bathsheba
4.Anaesthetic
5.Tioga
6.Bitter Air of Exile
7.Object to Be Destroyed
8.Funerary
9.No God
10.Black Tie Event

Members

Kurk: Guitars, Vocals, Noise
Scott: Bass
Mateo: Drums, Vocals, Sample

Review

Keverra is a new band featuring current and ex-members of the following bands -(16)-, Goatsnake, and Mayan Bull. So there’s no denying that this band have got the talent and experience of playing ferocious Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal. Though the guys have roped in Sanford Parker to record and master their debut self-titled album.

The debut album is one aggressive slab of Doom and Sludge Metal with the band showing a passion for all things dark and aggressive for the majority of the album. Though, Keverra never forget to add a delicious and heavily twisted groove to their album and it makes it quite addictive whilst the band are creating a nightmarish style of Sludge/Stoner Metal.

Opening song – Albion – is dark and oppressive with the fast-paced riffs creating a bleak atmosphere for Keverra to deliver their nightmarish vocals upon. The song has quite an adventurous industrial feel to it as well and the guys cut straight to the bone with their bleak ideas and musical imagery on this song. If you’re a fan of -(16)- or Goatsnake then you’ll be right at home here. The band waste no time impressing from the start and the music is always constantly changing that offers a bolder experience that you wouldn’t initially expect.

Second song – Incendiare – is a song full of Ambient sounds that lasts under a minute but it offers a harsh and droned out surreal experience that fits superbly well with the dark vibes contained on the album.

Third song – Bathsheba – has been doing the rounds lately on YouTube and other metal sites and that’s not surprising since this is one of the standout tracks with a classic mix of Doom and Sludge Metal with a more extreme style of Thrash Metal being added. The vocals or deep growls that the band offer here maybe hard to understand at first but after a few listens you’re fully on board with the dark lyrics that Keverra have written on this song. The song is quite experimental in places and the band even find time to add a more Post-Metallic vibe to their overall sound.

The first 3 songs show you what Keverra play for the remainder of the album but still having the balls to experiment with their sound and offering the listener a challenging listen on the lengthier songs on the album such as: Tioga, Object To Be Destroyed, No God and Black The Event.

These are the songs where Keverra offer the most aggressive and perhaps most thrilling sounds of the album. As the whole flow of the album moves from one destructive environment to the next. There are a couple of shorter songs that sees Keverra play a more nuanced style of Industrial Metal with gloomy ideas that fit superbly well within the whole structure of the album.

This is a superbly produced album that allows Keverra to play to their full potential and perhaps offer one of the bleakest and heaviest debut albums I’ve heard in some time.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Thomas for the promo. Keverra debut album will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl via Seeing Red Records from May 1st 2020.

Links:


Monday 20 April 2020

Maya Mountains - ERA (Album Review)


Release date: April 17th 2020. Label: Go Down Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

ERA - Tracklist

01. Enrique Dominguez
02. In The Shadow
03. San Saguaro
04. Dead City
05. Vibromatic
06. Raul
07. Ufo
08. Baumgartner
09. Extremely High
10. El Toro

Band Members:

Alessandro Toffanello | vocals, bass, synth
Emanuel Poletto | guitars
Marco Bortoletto | drums


Review

Era is the new album from Doom/Stoner Rockers Maya Mountains and is their first album in 12 years since their 2008 release. This album is quite a heavy, dense and inventive affair and I will admit that this is the first time I’ve heard anything from the band and I’m impressed by the bands style of Heavy Psychedelic Stoner Rock that’s not afraid to move into different direction.

Era is an album that doesn’t shy away from playing a more experimental style of Doom/Stoner Rock with a Grunge atmosphere being heard in the later stages of the album. This album can be quite chaotic in places but one that remains true to the essence of Stoner Rock/Metal.

The whole album is quite expansive with Maya Mountains exploring many different musical avenues that has a classic Desert/Stoner Rock feel on certain parts of the album and can be quite daring and bold in places. The vocals are quite distinctive with a Noise Rock based approach on the opening songs for: Enrique Dominguez, In The Shadow and Dead City.

The instrumental work has the standard “Desert/Stoner Rock” feel and things we’ve heard multiple times before but Maya Mountains at least try to bring a more distorted style of FUZZ to their overall sound.

If you ever wonder what would happen if KYUSS ever went down the Grunge route this is perhaps the closest you’ll ever get to that answer and I mean that as a compliment. As it shows how versatile this album is and it will take you into some unexpected territory especially on the stunning instrumental track - Raul. This is the standout song on the album and perhaps the most inventive with its; wide array of different Psychedelic Stoner Rock grooves whilst offering a more sleazy outlook on life.

Overall, Era is quite an uncompromising album that pulls no punches with it’s dark outlook on the Stoner Rock sound and there are a lot of great songs to lose yourself on this release.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Mona at All Noir PR, Maya Mountains and Go Down Records for the promo.

Era is available to buy now on CD/DD/VInyl via Go Down Records.


Links

Saturday 18 April 2020

Fjords - S/T (EP Review)


Release date: April 17th 2020. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Fjords – S/T – Tracklisting

1.Hela 03:16
2.Garรฐarshรณlmi 03:16
3.Mรบspellsheimr 07:08
4.Leifr 03:04
5.Yggdrasill 06:40

Members

Andrรฉ Figueiredo (Drums)
Rafael Borges (bass)

Review

Fjords is a Psychedelic Stoner Metal Duo from Portugal and the band have just release their self-titled debut EP. The EP is quite an interesting style of music with Fjords playing a heavy style of Drone, Doom, Psych Rock, Post-Punk and Post-Rock which is all held together by the band’s great style of Stoner Metal.

With this being a Bass/Drum Duo, you don’t really miss a standard heavy guitar and the guys have to work quickly in playing a Stoner Metal groove and the band pull this off with style and supreme confidence.

Opening song – Hela – is a Post-Rock/Post-Punk song with the band bring a Doom/Stoner Metal atmosphere on the later stages of the song. Though, it’s good to see Fjords bringing an experimental drive to their music. These guys seem influenced by OM on this song and perhaps the entire album. Things get very trippy indeed especially with the cool vocals adding a more “out of this world” effect. The pounding grooves of both Andrรฉ and Rafael show that they mean business for a more direct volatile sound.

Second song – Garรฐarshรณlmi – is more colder and calculating compared to the opening song with the vocals having a “folk-rock” sensibility but that’s only a rouse for the band to surprise you with more of their bass-heavy grooves that do take time appear but the song becomes more compelling when they do appear. The atmosphere is quite raw and this is reflected in the overall production of the EP. As the overall sound of the EP is very real and you feel part of Fjords volatile world.

Third song – Mรบspellsheimr – is where I feel Fjords start to become a real band of sorts. As they have more time to play with. As this song runs for 7 minutes and Fjords play a wide range of different distorted sludge based sounds with the bass guitar leading the way with some impressive loud riffs along the way. The vocals are quite good indeed even though the sound could have done with more work. However, this is the standout song on the EP with Fjords showing a real passion and flair for creating heavy atmospheric noises. The guys even find time to play a “Jazzier” style of Post-Doom in the middle of the song.

The final two songs – Leifr and Yggdrasill – continue with the heavy distorted Post-Punk, Post-Doom and Stoner Metal grooves on both songs with Yggdrasill being the other standout song on the EP.

Fjords have made a mighty impression with myself on their debut release. It’s not the best sounding release but the band do show some excellent creative ideas of their own on this record and I definitely want to hear more from these guys in the future.

My advice is give these guys a chance and you’ll be surprised by the fantastic amount of different heavy sounds that Fjords have included on this release.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:


Elephant Tree - Habits (Album Review)


Release date: April 24th 2020. Label: Holy Roar Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Habits – Tracklisting

1.Wake.Repeat (Intro)
2.Sails
3.Faceless
4.Exit The Soul
5.The Fall Chorus
6.Bird
7.Wasted
8.Broken Nails

Members

Jack Townley - Guitar/Vocal
Peter Holland - Bass/Vocal
Sam Hart - Drums
Riley MacIntyre - Producer/Extra Instrumentation
John Slattery - Synth/Guitar
Nathan Hickey - Guitar

Review

Habits is the new album from Elephant Tree and their first new release in 4 years since they released their critically acclaimed 2nd self-titled album. Which has became a classic within the Doom/Stoner Metal scene in my own personal opinion. It certainly put these guys on the map and remains a favourite album of mine to this very day.

So does Habits match up to their last album. In a short answer – YES. It truly does. Habits is a more braver, bolder and experimental album that you wouldn’t expect from Elephant Tree, The band could have easily made a similar sounding record to their last album and nobody would blame them for doing this. However, this is a very different record with Elephant Tree playing a more experimental style of music with twisted elements of Drone, Noise Rock and heavy amounts of FUZZ being added to their already multi-layered sound.

Opening song – Wake,Repeat (Intro) – is a mixture of Ambient Noises spliced with Droned Out Sounds with a an eerie Psychedelic Gloomy Atmosphere that is quite dark in places but it’s an interesting style of music the band adapt on this song. It soon builds upto the next song and that’s where the real excitement starts…

Second song – Sails – is the perfect song for the band to show their new addictive and heavy sound with a song that flirts between Post-Punk gloominess and the heaviness of Psychedelic Sludge/Stoner Rock which reminds me of early-era Torche in places. Add a distorted Noise Rock environment for Elephant Tree to build their music upon and you have a song that’s quite surreal in places but one that has a dark and warm addictive glow to it all. The vocals are standout with a 90s Alternative Rock feel to them but still sounding quite grounded as well.

Third song – Faceless – is where Elephant Tree start to bring some of their trademark heavy grooves to the album and yet still manage to expand their own musical horizons with Psychedelic Doom/Drone guitars moving along at a wonderful slow pace. The overall feel of the album does sound different what has came before for it but it also sounds remarkably familiar as well. It’s very hard to describe as the heavy guitars channel superbly executed aggressive riffs that remind me of The Melvins in many ways.

Elephant Tree carry on creating their dark musical journey whilst offering many uplifting moments of high quality Sludge/Stoner Rock that you wouldn’t initially expect especially on the next two songs – Exit The Soul and The Fall Chorus.

The standout part of the album is the final songs of Bird, Wasted and Broken Nails which elevates Habits into Album Of The Year category for these 3 songs alone. This is where Elephant Tree prove why they are one of the most important bands within the UK Sludge/Doom/Stoner Rock scene alone. As the band merge highly emotional lyrics with deeply rich progressive sounds.

Bird is my favourite song on this album. As it embraces many different styles of music that it’s quite hard to define it at times and that’s down to the sheer creativity the band have included on this song and the whole album in general. Add a gorgeous sing-along chorus and you’ll be singing the words to this song for days.

Habits is a deeply rich and emotional experience that only Elephant Tree can deliver. I expect to see this album to be mentioned everywhere as one of the best albums of the year. It’s already in my Top 5 albums of 2020. That’s how fucking great this album genuinely is.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Hold Tight PR and Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Habits will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Holy Roar Records from April 24th 2020.

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