Friday 30 October 2020

VINYL NEWS - Rosy Finch announce pre-order for the re-pressing of Scarlet


Rosy Finch are incredibly happy to announce they will be re-pressing their highly acclaimed second album Scarlet in a new colour vinyl with some special gifts included with pre-orders. The Spanish trio released the album in March on Dutch label Lay Bare Recordings just before the world went into lockdown as guitarist and vocalist Mireia Porto explains, “Since Scarlet was released everything has been crazy going up and down into a frenzy of controversial emotions. It feels so great when your new album receives amazing reviews and support from around the world...especially during this apocalyptic year. But it feels really bad when you love to play live, and it’s not possible to tour the album”

The first pressing sold out quickly and fans have requesting a re-press for months now, “There is a little hope to believe at least music brings people together and we feel so proud of how our last album is being played on many stereos worldwide. This re-press is our way of thanking the listeners for their support.” Says Mireia.

Pre-order starts today Friday 30th October on www.rosyfinch.bandcamp.com & www.laybarerecordings.com

- Limited to 250 copies.
- New custom colour vinyl: Black & Cyan Blue
- Special gifts only included in Pre-orders (Poster & Stickers) 
- Shipping will take place after the 14th December 2020.


The band originally formed in Alicante (Spain) circa 2013, featuring members of Pyramidal (Lluís Mas) and doom metal act Hela (Mireia Porto) and Elena García. Their take on the stoner genre is a furious and eclectic blend of influences ranging from Sonic Youth to the Melvins, showcasing brooding & atmospheric vocals laced with insidious and heavy riffs. Rosy Finch breaks out of the mould and take the listeners on a completely different path than the one usually expected from a band of this genre.

After a year of composing the album, Porto was intent on creating a concept album with the colour red being the central theme.

“Scarlet is about aspiring to be more and to do more. It’s about the idea that nothing will remove the pain, but nothing can detain you. Red has always represented danger, lust, sin, guilt, blood…” comments Mireia.

Each song on Scarlet has a red type colour in the title and represents different stories of different people (from fantasy to the real life) always ranging from love to violence.

Scarlet, the second full length album and the fourth release from the band was recorded and mixed at Red Records Studio and Surnia Records with mastering handled by scene legend Billy Anderson.

Although the album was recorded with the original line-up, 2019 did bring on a change with Oscar Soler (Domo, Pyramidal) and Juanjo Ufarte (Grajo, The Dry Mouths) taking over bass and drums duties for live shows and future recordings.

The album is heavier and sludgier than their previous releases and contains plenty of screams, melodic vocals, metal drums and dirty bass lines.

Website | Facebook |  Instagram  | Twitter | YouTube

Thursday 29 October 2020

Yawning Man - Live At Giant Rock (Album Review)

 

Release date: October 30th 2020. Label: Heavy Psych Sounds Format: CD/DVD/DD/Vinyl

Live At Giant Rock – Tracklisting

1. TUMBLEWEEDS IN THE SNOW 
2. THE LAST SUMMER EYE 
3. NAZI SYNTHESIZER 
4. BLOWHOLE SUNRISE / SPACE FINGER

Members

GARY ARCE - GUITAR 
MARIO LALLI - BASS 
BILL STINSON - DRUMS

Review

Yawning Man are back with a stunning new album and a Live Album at that with “Live At Giant Rock”. The album is being released on a wide array of different formats including DD, CD, Vinyl and DVD with the concert captured on live in the Mojave Desert. 

The band have wanted to do this for a long time and the following blurb goes you more info why they made this album and Live Concert: 

“AN EPIC SONIC AND SCENIC PORTRAIT” Intimately and beautifully captured in the environment that inspires Yawning Man’s spacious, expansive and cinematic music. Filmed live May 18th, 2020 in the visually stunning, mysterious landscape of ”Giant Rock” in Southern California. Yawning Man’s timely expression during the age of “social distancing. No audience, just the band performing their sonic meditations in the rugged beauty of the Mojave Desert.” 

The album features the legendary band performing an almost 50 minute set spread across 4 superbly played songs that go across the Psychedelic Desert/Stoner Rock and Spaced Out Musical Spectrum that only Yawning Man can fully do. 

These guys prove why the are classed as legends and the quintessential Desert Rock band with their epic progressive Instrumental Jams that have a wide range of power and emotional intensity behind them. The album opens up with the powerful and almost 15 minute epic - “Tumbleweeds In The Snow”. The song moves along at a brisk pace with psychedelic rhythms building up to an addictive style of Desert Rock, Stoner Rock and Progressive Rock that makes you wish that you were in attendance of this great gig. 

The band continue playing their blend of Instrumental Rock across 3 other excellent songs with each note superbly played and nothing feeling out of place with The Last Summer Eye and Nazi Synthesizer being personal highlights of the album for myself. The instrumental work is what you would expect from Yawning Man, complete musical perfection. 

There are some cool sonic noises that have been added for dramatic effect and the synths add a mysterious spirit and sense of wonderment to the overall feel and flow of this album. 

I’ve also seen the actual live concert as well and it’s equally as good as the actual album if not better. As you feel more part of the action when watching the live concert. 

Live At Giant Rock is an essential release for any self-respecting music fan. As this is one of the best live albums I’ve heard in a very long time. (Though BEASTWARS recent live album sure does give this album a run for it’s money as well). 

Overall, this album is a brilliant and timely reminder of how important Yawning Man have been to the Desert/Stoner Rock scene for the last 35 years and long may that continue. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to All Noir PR and Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Live At Giant Rock is available to buy now on CD/DVD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds. 

Links:


Wednesday 28 October 2020

An Interview With MARIJANNAH


MARIJANNAH burst onto the scene back in 2018 when the band released their acclaimed debut album Till Marijannah and built up a well deserved fan-base within the scene. This band who come from Singapore knew how to write damn mean riff that paid homage to bands such as SLEEP and BLACK SABBATH.

The band released their even better follow-up - ISTANAH - back in December 2019 via Cursed Tongue Records. Before COVID-19 hit, the band were ready to make future touring plans. With that mind, MARIJANNAH will be releasing new live album - Istanah Live At The Projector on November 13th. Which will see the band performing their latest live album in full.

I caught up with MARIJANNAH where we discuss the evolution of the band and their upcoming new Live Album.

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

Thank you for having us. We’re doing alright.

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

We’re a stoner/doom band from Singapore. We write songs about horror movies and have released 2 full length albums.

Nicholas and Rasyid, some folks may know you guys from your work with The Caulfield Cult and WORMROT respectively. Marijannah is quite a departure form those two fantastic bands. How did you guys come up wit the idea of starting a Doom/Stoner Metal band.

We both listen to quite a wide spectrum of music and have multiple projects that sound nothing alike one another so it was pretty natural for us to explore new sounds and collaborate with different musicians. This was just one that clicked and took off.

Have you guys always been big fans of the Doom/Stoner Metal scene. Which bands first got you interested in this style of music.

I can’t say that I am. I grew up with hardcore punk, the rest of the guys have more metal beginnings than I do. Uncle acid & the deadbeats and Sleep got me infatuated with doom.

You released your first album Till Marijannah back in Feb 2018. And the album was acclaimed by fans and critics alike. Did that reaction surprise you in anyway. It surprised me when I first heard it. Loads of fantastic and heavy based Stoner riffs.

It definitely did. The band is just the 4 of us, we have no management of PR and we sent out 0 press to the media when the album came out. So it was pretty surprising to see it being covered rather heavily. Having a member of Wormrot in the band helped, I'm not gonna lie.

What was the reaction like to the album in Singapore. As I know the album was admired hugely within the global Doom/Stoner Metal community.

It was really good. We put on our first show ourselves with a mixed genre lineup and it was packed to the brim. Even though it was only a small 120 cap room, we certainly didn’t expect that as there aren’t any other similar active bands here in Singapore and this is such a niche style of music outside the metal community.


You released your 2nd album ISTANAH back in December 2019 and it was quite a different affair to your debut album. It was more doomier and less Stoner based than your debut album. Was that the original intent to release something different.

We definitely didn’t set out to purposefully do anything different. Our writing process is quite organic.

Cursed Tongue Records released the album which is owned by my good pal Niels. How did you hook up with Niels. And will you be working with CTR in the future.

We had an unfortunate falling out with the label who released our first album so we were sort of on the lookout to work with someone new. We noticed Cursed Tongue Records sharing our album on their social media a few times and decided to reach out. It was a very pleasant and fuss-free experience. Our contract was only tied to that 1 album so who knows what the future holds, we’re definitely not opposed to working together again.

You’re releasing a new live album Istanah Live At The Projector on November 13th. Which will see you performing your latest album in full with no crowd present. Mainly due to COVID-19 happening. How did this idea come about to do a performance such as this.

Our record release show for ‘Istanah’ actually happened on the very same day Singapore banned live performances because of COVID-19. So there’s been close to no live promotion for the album since its release. I actually quite enjoyed the ‘break’ to be honest. We regrouped 4 months later and discussed what are the things we could do. The director and I have been speaking for years about working together so this was an obvious decision. Also, our songs are written about music so this was a natural pairing.

Was it daunting performing in front of an empty venue. And did you record everything in one-take or did it take a few attempts.


It felt like practice with cameras on. We recorded 3 takes and picked the best one. I didn’t record with a metronome so no editing could be done. Be prepared to hear some missed notes and off-key singing.

Ryan Chang (known for his work with GHOST) directed the set. How did you get Ryan involved with this. And what was the overall experience like working with Ryan.

Ryan is an old friend of mine. He’s worked with and toured with 2 of my other bands years ago. He moved to the UK 7 years ago and has been working with big bands on big tours, including a 2-month-long stadium tour in Europe last year with Metallica and Ghost, and Knotfest in Mexico. He had to come back to Singapore due to COVID-19 so thought it was a good opportunity to finally work together again. 

I’m a big fan of Ryan, his work rate and passion are second to none. We click well when trying to create something and I trust his vision and craft completely. The only problem is that we support rival football teams. He’s an arsenal fan and I’m a spurs fan. You know what, forget everything I said, I hate him.

Will this album be receiving a physical release in the future. Or just a Digital Release at the moment.

There will be a physical release.

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 the band. And how are you surviving in this stressful time.

Obviously it was quite shit to not be able to tour or perform the album that we spent time and effort in but there were more important issues in the world. We’re just adapting our lives to being responsible and safe for ourselves and the ones around us. We’ll go back to gigging when it makes sense to.

After everything is back to some sort of normality. What does the future hold for Marjiannah. Will you be touring the record in Asia or perhaps in the USA or Europe.

USA and Europe are definitely long overdue for us. We’ll play anywhere as long as there are people who’d want to watch us. Don’t think anything will happen in the next 6-12 months at least though so I’d like to keep writing material.

What have been your favourite records that you’ve heard this year. Regardless of genre.

Choir Boy’s ‘Toxic Eye’ and Fearing’s ‘Shadow’.

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

Stay safe and listen to Doldrey.

Words by Steve Howe and MARIJANNAH

Thanks to Nicholas for arranging this interview and for MARIJANNAH for taking the time out to talking to us.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Ruff Majik - The Devil's Cattle (Album Review)


Release date: October 30th 2020. Label: Mongrel Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

The Devil's Cattle – Tracklisting

1. All You Need Is Speed 
2. Swine Tooth Grin
3. Shrug Of The Year
4. Heart Like An Alligator
5.Gregory
6. The Devil's Cattle
7. Jolly Rodger
8. Who Keeps Score
9. Lead Pills And Thrills
10. Trading Blows
11. Born To Be Bile (feat. Vincent Houde)
12. God Knows
13. Hymn No. 5


Members

Evert Snyman: Guitar, bass, vocals, percussion, drums, piano.
Johni Holiday: Guitar, bass, vocals.

Drums on "All You Need Is Speed" and "The Devil's Cattle" by Timothy Edwards.
Drums on "Lead Pills And Thrills" and "Born To Be Bile" by Xan Swart.
Keyboards on "Swine Tooth Grin" by Christiaan Van Reenen.
Additional vocals on "Born To Be Bile" by Vincent Houde.

Review:

The Devil’s Cattle is the album from South African Psych Stoner Rockers - Ruff Majik - and this album feels like a spiritual successor to QOTSA classic Songs For The Deaf. As this album has a similar type of dark vibe that album originally possessed. Ruff Majik play fast and loose this album and this one is quite different to their 2019 release. 

The album is quite long and complex with the band playing different styles of Stoner Rock that incorporates Psych Rock, Blues Rock, Hard Rock and Classic Rock with the band finding time playing some Occult or Devilish Outlaw Rock in the second half of the album. Yeah, the album could have done with a couple of songs being cut from the 13 tracks being offered here. Though this is still a wild and unpredictable ride into the dark world of Ruff Majik.


The opening two songs - All You Need Is Speed and Swine Tooth Grin - show Ruff Majik’s sense of adventurous style of groove-laiden rock with riffs that QOTSA have written or played for the best part of two decades now but with Ruff Majik playing their own commanding style of Outlaw Stoner Rock.


The vocals are impressive yet again from Johni and Ruff Majik go all out experimenting with their music by adding the odd soundbyte here and there which gives their music an aggressive and violent vibe to it all.


The Devil’s Cattle shows the high and lows of high voltage Stoner Rock with the overall mood becoming quite sinister and gloomy when the second half of the album. I admire the creative choices that the band have made for this album. It may take a few listens to fully understand everything that’s going on but there is a strong collection of songs to impress the listener with such as: Shrug Of The Year, Gregory, The Devil’s Cattle, Born To Be Bile, God Knows and Hymn #5.


The musicianship on show is top-notch as always from the band and the seedy riffs allow this album to become a more daring listen especially when the band start becoming almost a Doom Metal band in the second half which can be quite surprising from where the album started off from. 


The production is not too shabby either with the band on fine form with some huge riffs being played from start to finish. So expect a more direct album from Ruff Majik and the band are taking no prisoners with this this quality release.


Overall, The Devil’s Cattle is a welcome addition not only to Ruff Majik discography but to the world of high concept Stoner Rock/Metal albums currently doing the rounds. This is a band at the top of their game and you never get the same album twice from Ruff Majik. I can’t wait to see what the guys come up with next.


Words by Steve Howe


Thanks to Warren at Plug Music Agency and Mongrel Records for the promo. The Devil's Cattle will be available to buy from Mongrel Records from October 30th 2020.


Links


Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Monday 26 October 2020

MARIJANNAH to release new video from Upcoming Live Album


Singapore Doom/Stoner Metal band MARIJANNAH released their second full length album Istanah on 6 December 2019 via Cursed Tongue Records. As COVID-19 cancelled all touring plans for the album in 2020, the band recorded a live playthrough of ‘Istanah’ in its entirety at The Projector, an independent movie theater in Singapore, with no crowd present.

‘Full Moon / Shapeless’, the first video and single off of ‘Istanah Live At The Projector’ will be released on 30 October 2020 on all digital streaming platforms. The full set video and album, directed by Ryan Chang (touring photographer & videographer of Grammy-winning band Ghost) and recorded by Snakeweed Studios, will be released on 13 November 2020 in its entirety.


The quartet consists of Rasyid Juraimi of Wormrot and Nicholas Wong, formerly of The Caulfield Cult. 

Marijannah released their debut record ‘Till Marijannah’ in 2018 to rave reviews. Pitchfork included it as one of their “5 Stoner Metal Highlights of 2018”, as well as a mention on their mid-year Best Metal Albums of 2018 So Far”. The band has also been featured on multiple international sites such as Revolver, MetalSucks, Metal Injection, Noisey, BrooklynVegan, Invisible Oranges and Unite Asia. Both their full length albums have also made the annual “Best of” lists on TimeOut, Bandwagon and CVLTNation.

Marijannah is Nicholas Wong (Drums, Vocals), Rasyid Juraimi (Guitar, Vocals), “Skinny” Nicholas Ng (Guitar, Vocals) and Muhammad Azri (Bass).

Track Listing:

Bloodsucker
1966
Full Moon
Shapeless
Spiderwalk With Me
Pluto

Credits:

Nicholas Wong - Vocals, Drums
Rasyid Juraimi - Vocals, Guitar
Nicholas Ng - Guitar
Muhammad Azri - Bass

Video directed by Ryan Chang (@ryancphoto)
Recorded and mixed by Martin James Kong, Snakeweed Studios
Mastered by Dan Randall, Mammoth Sound Mastering
Single Artwork by Amos Basilo (@amos_basilo)

Saturday 24 October 2020

​The Pilgrim - .​.​From The Earth To The Sky And Back (Album Review)


Release date: November 06th 2020. Label: New Heavy Sounds. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

​.​.​From The Earth To The Sky And Back – Tracklisting

1.Mexico '84 04:18
2.Sitting Down On The Porch 02:45
3.Obsessed By The West Part I, II, III, IV 06:06
4.Lion 04:17
5.Fool Around 03:51
6.Riding The Horse 03:52
7.Cuba 02:11
8.Secrets In The Kingdom 03:14
9.I'm Just Scared 03:32
10.Solitude 04:07
11.At Your Door 03:15
12.Sounds Of The Night 04:10
13.Space And Time 01:22
14.Waiting For The Sun 03:31


Members

GABRIELE FIORI - ACOUSTIC AND ELECTRIC GUITARS, VOCALS,BANJO, BASS, KEYS, SYNTH, PIANO, TAMBOURINE, MARACAS
FILIPPO RAGAZZONI - DRUMS, PERCUSSIONS
RYAN LEE - PEDAL STEEL ON OBSESSED BY THE WEST PART IV, AND ON RIDING THE HORSE

Review

I’m surprised that The Pilgrim are back with a new album so fast after their last effort which was released in May 2019. As the main creative force behind The Pilgrim is Gabriele Fiori. The genius behind Black Rainbows who released their brilliant new album Cosmic Ritual Supertrip earlier this year and Gabriele runs the awesome record label Heavy Psych Sounds. I wouldn’t think that Gabe would have the time to release another record under The Pilgrim moniker. Though, here we are with their new release - “​.​.​From The Earth To The Sky And Back”

The album offers 14 tracks of Alt-Country, Psych Rock, Stoner Rock and Folk Rock goodness played mostly in a semi-acoustic environment. If you were a fan of their debut album then this one is even better. As the album feels like it has more focus to it and the songs have a lot more meaning to them.

The 70s Influences come shining through on the excellent 2 opening songs – Mexico and Sitting Down The Porch. There is a laid-back and cool sounding atmosphere which allows the listener to forget about the outside world troubles and immerse yourself into a much happier place with Gabe’s excellent country based vocals. This is far from removed you can get from Black Rainbows and that’s a good thing.

The Pilgrim is on a musical journey of the rural heartlands and wastelands of America and that is told through the next hour or so with The Pilgrim shining a light on their musical influences of 60’s and 70’s Alt-Country and Americana based music.

Maybe the album feels slightly too long but at least by 2 or 3 songs but The Pilgrim have aimed big for this release and it works superbly well with a clutch of breathtaking songs you can easily fall in love with.

Highlights include: “Obsessed By The West Part I, II, III, IV”, Lion, Riding The Horse, Solitude, Sounds Of The Night and Waiting For The Sun. As these songs have the most addictive grooves to them and the ones I personally enjoyed the most.

This album is more expressive and fairly more experimental than the last album The Pilgrim released. Though, it’s a much better record in so many different ways. This is a journey worth taking with The Pilgrim over and over as it’s a quality sounding album from start to finish.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR and All Noir for the promo.

...From The Earth To The Sky And Back” is available to buy now be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds.

Links: 

Mountain Caller - Chronicle I: The Truthseeker (Album Review)


Release date: November 06th 2020. Label: New Heavy Sounds. Format: DD/Vinyl

Chronicle I: The Truthseeker – Tracklisting

1.Journey Through The Twilight Desert
2.Feast At Half Light City 
3.I Remember Everything
4.Trial By Combat
5.A Clamour Of Limbs
6.Dreamspira
l

Members

Claire - Guitar
El - Bass
Max - Drums


Review:

Chronicle I: The Truthseeker is the debut full length album from UK Doom/Stoner/Post-Rock Instrumentalists – Mountain Caller and it’s an album I’ve been looking forward to hearing for some time. As I’ve had great things heard about this band and I wanted to see for myself was the hype justified and I’m happy to tell you that it is.

The album sees Mountain Caller bring their blend of Psychedelic Rock, Doom Metal, Stoner Rock, Post-Rock, Post-Metal with even flashes of Alternative Metal and Jazz Influences shining through on this album. Mountain Caller adapt a bold style of playing for this record and you can hear elements of SLEEP, Black Sabbath, Pelican and Russian Circles on this record but the band still play their own powerful style of Instrumental Rock/Metal music.

The opening song – Journey Through The Twilight Desert – is a lush sounding and heavy based musical odyssey where the group let known their commanding presence with a wide range of different style of music with the band starting things rather slowly with epic Post-Rock/Post-Stoner based grooves. Mountain Caller impressed myself the most when they changed musical direction towards the end of the song where a heavy and powerful Doom/Post-Metal riff comes out of nowhere and the album turns into a more threatening style of music.

Second song – Feast At Half Light City – sees Mountain Caller go another exciting cinematic Post-Rock journey with the band telling a cool story told through the power of music alone. The heavy riffs don’t take long to appear with a stirring mix of Post-Doom sounds and almost apocalyptic Stoner Metal riffs being added for a more fast-paced approach. This song evokes early memories of Pelican with El’s thundering bass playing impressing me the most though fantastic guitar playing by Claire and Max on drums make Mountain Caller a bad-ass POWER-TRIO this early on in the album.

Third song – I Remember Everything – has a more cautious and gloomy feel compared to the other songs on the album with a band playing an Alternative Rock style of music but slowly allowing the other parts of their music to join the party at different parts of this song. This is perhaps the song where you admire how talented Mountain Caller really is as the song is quite technical with the different styles of music the band have included on this song.

The remaining 3 songs on the album carry on the deft experimentation the band have shown on the 1st half of the album with some cool surprises along the way. Take the 5th song – A Clamour Of Limbs - for example. As the band add vocals to the mix. I’m not sure who is singing here but the vocals add a layer of subtlety and class to the overall sound of the song which is set against an ice cold Post-Doom/Post-Rock backdrop of heavy sounds yet again.

The production on the record is flawless and the whole record sounds epic. Though that isn’t surprising since the album was recorded by Joe Clayton of PIJN, and mastered by Magnus Lindberg of CULT OF LUNA. This record really allows Mountain Caller to impress on every song and every note played from start to finish. You can see that I was really impressed by this album and I was from the very first time I listened to it.

Chronicle I: The Truthseeker is a treasure chest packed full of brilliant riffs and brimming with creative ideas that you wouldn’t expect to hear on a debut album. Though, here we are with Mountain Caller’s debut record and it’s a record that you would be proud to have in your collection.

This is one of the best instrumental albums I’ve heard this year and will no doubt end on my Best Albums of 2020 list.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Simon at For The Lost for sending the promo.

Chronicle I: The Truthseeker will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl via New Heavy Sounds from November 06th 2020.


Friday 23 October 2020

Albinobeach releases colossal new single ahead of upcoming album The Ladder


Albinobeach releases colossal new single ahead of upcoming album The Ladder

The Ladder is albinobeach's new single and title-track from the South African instrumental band's upcoming album, which is set for release on the 6th November. The track was written and recorded alongside eight other compositions that make up the album. The Ladder will be the band's second full-length release after the improvisational, ensemble-driven Cacophonic in 2015. For the upcoming album, albinobeach returns as a power trio comprising the group's founding members – Ian Finch (guitars), Kalin Pashaliev (bass) and Garrick Van Der Tuin (drums and sound design) – who started the group in 2005.

With the single, the trio revisits their long-time affinity with experimental progressive metal and plays with the idea of cycles or seasons: beginnings and endings that possess their own degree of intensity in the construction and dynamic narrative of the composition. The eight-minute track meanders through subtle verses and screaming choruses to arrive at an improvised apex laden with distorted synths and effected guitars.


The track complements the concept of ‘The ladder', which the members of albinobeach envisioned during the album's making, beginning with an image of a metaphysical pathway leading to an awakening and ultimately rebirth. This is also illustrated by the album’s cover art: a cosmic journey to an energy source that both decimates and invigorates the traveller.

The album releases on all streaming platforms on the 6th November including

Bandcamp Spotify Deezer Apple Music Amazon Music

Follow Albinobeach

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Thursday 22 October 2020

Honeybadger - Pleasure Delayer (Album Review)

Release date: September 18th 2020. Label: Made Of Stone Recordings. Format: DD/Vinyl

Pleasure Delayer – Tracklisting

1.The Wolf 05:30
2.Through Hell 03:36
3.Crazy Ride 05:02
4.Good for Nothing 03:54
5.That Feel 03:32
6.Laura Palmer 04:50
7.Holler 03:51
8.Truth in the Lie 03:45

Members

Dimitris Vardoulakis: Vocals, Guitars
Dimitris Giannnakopoulos: Guitars
Dimitris Yannopoulos: Bass
Vaggelis Oikonomou: Drums

Review


Pleasure Delayer is the new album from Greek Desert/Stoner Rockers Honeybadger and it seems the band are following the same route of Desert/Stoner Rock as their famous countrymen – 1000MODS, Planet Of Zeus, Nightstalker and Naxatras but still showing their own great spin on the genre. Though, these guys focus more on soaring melodies and huge riffs which makes this album a very exciting album. 

The album feels fresh and buoyant in places with Honeybadger playing a more cooler and psychedelic style of Desert Rock with the flashier Stoner Rock/Metal vibes allowing the band to play some LOUD and AGGRESSIVE grooves from start to finish. Honeybadger aren’t afraid to mix the different moods and styles of Stoner Rock here on this album. Everything flows nicely onto the next riff and song with classic moments of KYUSS Stoner Rock with the FUZZ Rock Attitude of TRUCKFIGHTERS being played along the way.

The vocals from Dimitris V (there are 3 Dimitris in this group) are stellar with shades of Classic Rock, Grunge and Prog Rock being heard in his vocal delivery. His vocals are well suited to the Desert/Stoner Rock field and they have a world-weary feel to them but still offering uplifting moments from start to finish.

Standout songs are: The Wolf, Through Hell, Crazy Ride, Laura Palmer and Truth In The Lie. Perhaps the best songs with the heaviest and addictive Psychedelic riffs with fantastic sing-along choruses to get the listener well trained in the riff-tastic ways of HONEYBADGER.

The production flows along superbly well with Honeybadger sounding quite dynamic and powerful that reminds myself of CLUTCH in places.

Pleasure Delayer is the kind of album you want to hear from a debut release. As it shows you what Honeybadger is all about and the riffs are superbly entertaining that has seen the guys receive some cool praise already from the Desert/Stoner Rock scene.

With a Vinyl Release imminent from Made Of Stone Recordings, you have no excuse not to check these guys out. This is another great band to check out from the Greek Stoner Rock Scene and you will be singing along to this album for weeks to come yet...

Words by Steve Howe

Links:


Wednesday 21 October 2020

Big Scenic Nowhere - Lavender Blues (EP Review)

 

Release date: October 23rd 2020. Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Lavender Blues – Tracklisting

1.Lavender Blues 13:10
2.Blink Of An Eye 04:18
3.Labyrinths Fade 06:34

Review:

Lavender Blues is the 3rd release from Big Scenic Nowhere within the last 13 months alone and the band show no signs of slowing down with another Loud and Dreamy Psychedelic Trip into the Desert/Stoner Rock wilderness.

For this release the band have more members such as Per Wiberg (Opeth and Spiritual Beggars), Daniel Mongrain (VOIVOD) and Chris Goss (Masters Of Reality) joining the line-up this time and Big Scenic Nowhere still remain the same by playing top-notch Psychedelic Rock music with a more spacier attitude which you can feel and hear on the epic opening title track which is the centrepiece of the entire EP.

Lavender Blues has a Post-Rock/Spaced Out feel which allows everyone to shine from start to finish. The hypnotic guitars and uplifting vocals means the vibe of the Desert hasn’t sounded this good for a very long time. The song does start very quietly but soon becomes more exciting and more abstract when the sonic sounds and ambient passages appear.

The EP is made up of two other songs called Blink Of An Eye and Labyrinths Fade that also offer some very great riffs of their own especially Labyrinths Fade. These two tracks could have easily fit in very nicely on the band’s acclaimed debut full length album which was also released by Heavy Psych Sounds earlier this year.

Tony Reed’s vocals are pitch-perfect on this EP which you would expect with a legendary performer such as Mr Reed. His really shines through on Blink Of An Eye with his vocals being the main part of the action and the music feeling they were built around Tony’s powerful vocal presence.

The production is top-notch which is what you expect with a release by Heavy Psych Sounds and Big Scenic Nowhere. Both parties always have an ear for quality and the sound scores top-marks for myself personally.

Lavender Blues is another welcome release from Big Scenic Nowhere. I wouldn’t blame the guys for having a rest with the band releasing 3 quality records in such a short space of time. However, I feel the guys will be back sooner rather than later.

Words by Steve Howe

Lavender Blues will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds from October 23rd 2020.

Thanks to Purple Sage PR and All Noir PR for the promo.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Tuesday 20 October 2020

Uncle Woe - Phantomescence (Album Review)


Release date: October 23rd 2020. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Phantomescence  – Tracklisting

1. Become the Ghost
2. On Laden Shores
3. Lucid Degrees of Autoscopic Ruin
4. A Map of Dead Stars 

Members

Nicholas Wowk: Drums, percussion
Rain Fice: Guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards

Review:


Uncle Woe are back with their new album Phantomescence and only 12 months since their superb debut album Our Unworn Limbs. The band showed a fine style of Alice In Chains classic Grunge Sound merged with an unforgiving Doom/Stoner Metal atmosphere and the band continue that style of music with their even better follow-up with different melodies and guitar tones allowing the band to perhaps before more creative with their music.

The atmosphere is still quite raw and quite unpolished but it works wonders for Uncle Woe and the opening song Become The Ghost is a gloomy exercise in Apocalyptic Grunge ideas with the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal becoming quite LOUD and ABRUPT in all the right places. The vocals sound like the real deal and you can hear the emotional intensity coming from Rain's vocals and the lyrics add a more human feel to the overall sound of the album.

Second song - On Laden Shores - is the first of two epic songs running past the 13 minute mark the band have included on this album and it's another gloomy and emotional affair with jagged guitars adding a mellow psychedelic edge. The band slowly take their time playing the heavy grooves and go for a more claustrophobic and cautious approach and dare I say "semi-acoustic" in places. The dual vocals from Rice and Nicholas compliment each other superbly well. There's a lot to go through on this song and if you dig YOB and Pallbearer then expect a similar style of Emotional Doom Rock those great bands play.

Third song - Lucid Degrees Of Autoscopic Ruin - sees Uncle Woe deliver a perfect balance of Post-Metal ideals with their familiar style of Sludge/Grunge/Doom/Stoner Metal vibes being added for dramatic effect. It's another slow-burning song and whilst it's quite heavy, Uncle Woe adapt a more Drone/Post-Rock delivery on this track compared to the other songs on the album.

The final song - A Map Of Dead Stars - is one final round of Progressive Doom based music that lasts for 13 minutes or so. The claustrophobic mood is daunting and the music even nightmarish and distorted that you would expect. The intense drumming and slow-paced guitars are the best parts of this song with the vocals and lyrics not too far behind. The sound and tone of the album is bombastic from start to finish but it works to Uncle Woe's favour and the production is quite superb despite the guys recording this album in their respective home studios during the months of COVID-19 lockdown.

Phantomescence is a deeply rich and emotional album that sees Uncle Woe release another excellent album and I can see these guys causing waves within the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal world with this outstanding record.

Words by Steve Howe

Phantomescence will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from October 23rd 2020. 

Thanks to Asher Media Relations for the promo.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Sunday 18 October 2020

Arcadian Child - Protopsycho (Album Review)


Release date: October 09th 2020. Label: Ripple Music. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Protopsycho – Tracklisting

1.Snakecharm 05:33
2.Wave High 04:12
3.Sour Grapes 05:34
4.The Well 04:52
5.Bitter Tea 03:51
6.Bodies of Men 03:38
7.Raisin' Fire 05:34
8.Protopsycho 04:07

Members

Panagiotis I.G. - vocals, guitars
Stathis Had. - lead guitars
Andreas Kerveros - bass, backing vox
Constantinos Pavlides - drums and percussion

Review


Psych Stoner Rockers Arcadian Child are back with their new album Protopsycho and you can tell from that name the band have taken a slightly darker style of music whilst still offering their already blissful Psych Rock sound. This album sees the band lean more on their Eastern influences which resonates in both the vocals and grooves the band have laid down for this album.

The album moves along at a cool and brisk pace with the band playing many different styles of Psychedelic Rock with a truly worldwide appeal to it all. The Middle Eastern Psychedelic parts really make this album work and the subtle Stoner grooves are the icing on the cake if you’re looking for a more inventive style of Stoner Rock with a band willing to experiment for the sheer hell of it all

Standout songs on this album are: Snakecharm, Wave High, Sour Grapes, Raisin’ Fire and Protopsycho all showing the band’s strongest material to date.

Arcadian Child still embrace their love of 60’s Classic Rock, Hard Rock and Psychedelic Rock but as I said earlier in this review, this record is quite gloomy and dark compared to their previous releases. There is a lot of to take in on this record and it does require repeated listens to fully understand and appreciate the band have written for this album.

I would say this is Arcadian Child’s most grown-up and mature sounding record to date. There is something for everyone to enjoy and admire on this record. The riffs are plentiful and still leave you wanting more.

Protopsycho is an excellent and welcome addition to Arcadian Child’s already impressive back catalogue.

Words by Steve Howe

Protopsycho is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl now via Ripple Music.

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Links:




Friday 16 October 2020

JAHBULONG - Eclectic Poison Tones (Album Review)


Release date: October 30th 2020. Label: Go Down Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Eclectic Poison Tones – Tracklisting

1. Under The Influence Of THE FOOL 
2. THE TOWER Of The Broken Bones 
3. The Eclipse Of THE EMPRESS 
4. THE EREMITE Tired Out (Sweed Dreams)


Members

Martino Tomelini | bass 
Nicolò Bonato | drums 
Pierpaolo “Paul Vinegar” Modena | guitar, vocals

Review:

Eclectic Poison Tones is the new album from Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Rockers JAHBULONG and they play a style of heavy and twisted Doom/Stoner Metal that draws influences from SLEEP, Black Sabbath and Electric Wizard with the band bringing their own vision for all things LOUD and HEAVY in the WEEDIAN World. 

This album has a Garage Rock appeal to it and the band thrive on this style of music that’s coming more popular in recent months but it’s a style that I’m becoming a huge fan of and JAHBULONG bring a delicious of rebellious FUZZ to the mix and perhaps paying homage to the mighty Black Sabbath. The atmosphere is quite gloomy and progressive at certain stages of the album. Everything is played “LOW & SLOW” with a haunting gloomy claustrophobic atmosphere dictating the action. 

The album has 4 tracks running between 9 mins and 15 mins in length and the band thrive on playing a classic and caustic style of Progressive Doom/Stoner Metal with a 70’s twinge of Classic Rock and Hard Rock being fused with the lyrics and top-notch vocals from Pierpaolo. You may need to give yourself extra time with this album to enjoy the full hypnotic experience as I wasn’t fully sold until I heard this album about 3 or 4 times and then the magic ultimately kicked in for myself. 

The opening song – Under The Influence Of The Fool – carries on the classic Black Sabbath sound and moulds it with the dark and twisted imagery that Electric Wizard are known but still standing on it’s own merits and that’s down to the fantastic vocals and heavy sounds the band ultimately conjure up on this song. 

JAHBULONG continue this style of music for the next 3 epic songs with second song – The Tower of The Broken Bones – being the standout track on the album. As it starts yet again with a slow punishing riff with eerie vocals being added to tell another gloomy tale and the song just moves along at it’s own wicked pace before the band unleash a powerful sonic riff that draws the listener into the action with a deafening WALL OF FUZZ being built around them. 

The Psychedelic elements of this album are good and are used superbly well though there are a couple rough parts where they could have been held back just a bit. However, this is still an album with a rebellious attitude which the band expertly use to their advantage on the final 2 songs that the albums hold with – The Eclipse Of The Empress and The Eremite Tired Out. 

JAHBULONG debut album is a thrilling Doom/Stoner Metal spectacle that has a ton of outstanding riffs for the band to make a bigger name for themselves within the scene. Maybe with one or two more album releases under their belt then I can see JAHBULONG preaching their style of Doom/Stoner Metal to audiences on some of the more prestigious Doom/Stoner Metal Festivals and Stages across the globe. 

Until then, Eclectic Poison Tones is a great album for JAHBULONG to showcase their talents and expand their fan-base.

Excellent and Highly Recommended. 

Words by Steve Howe

Eclectic Poison Tones will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Go Down Records from October 30th 2020. 

Thanks to All Noir PR and Go Down Records for the promo.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Thursday 15 October 2020

Deep River Acolytes Premier New Song With CEMETERY EARTH


Alchemia Aeterna the upcoming album by Finland's heavy rock & blues doom metal act, DEEP RIVER ACOLYTES, the band's third full-length album, will be coming out on October 30th via Argonauta Records.

The band have released a great mix of different styles from the worlds of Doom Metal, Heavy Rock and Blues Rock for a wild and unpredictable ride.

You can hear the new song CEMETERY EARTH from the upcoming new album below:


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

Links

Wednesday 14 October 2020

Sons Of Otis - Isolation (Album Review)

 

Release date: October 16th 2020. Label: Totem Cat Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Isolation – Tracklisting

1.Hopeless
2.JJ
3.Trust
4.Blood Moon
5.Ghost
6.Theme II


Members

Ken Baluke: Guitar/voice
Ryan Aubin: Drums
Frank Sargeant: Bass

Review

Isolation is the new album from Cosmic/Blues/Doom/Stoner Rock legends Sons Of Otis and their first album since 2012. This album that sees the band deliver their most potent and heavy mix of Spaced Out Blues with a Progressive Doom/Stoner Metal outlook not heard from the band for a very long time. I was disappointed with their last album as it didn’t really speak to me like previous Sons Of Otis albums had in the past. However, this album is a stunning return to form from the band and should allow the band to please both long time supporters and bring new fans to the Sons Of Otis cause.

Opening song – Hopeless – has that legendary trademark sound the band are known for but with a cosmic outlook on things with the music slowly pounding away and building upto more exciting levels. The vocals are grizzled and distorted in all the right places and Sons Of Otis will let you know they are back in business. The blues based atmosphere is one that allows the band to have a more direct approach and the band run wild with that style of music for the majority of the album.

Second song – JJ – is an interesting song with the creative choices the band have made for this track. As the song has many different musical elements that make it perhaps the standout song on the album. The song starts really slow and the band use their Psychedelic talents to bring a different layer of heaviness to the other parts of the album. You can hear shades of early-Monster Magnet on this album with both the lyrical themes and vocals but this still reminds you of being a Sons Of Otis record.

Third song – Trust – is a dirty 70's based Doom/Stoner Rock number with an excellent style of guitar riffs giving the record a more vintage lo-fi feel at the start. The band once again take time in bringing the heavy grooves to the party but there’s still a lot to admire and be excited about on this album. The eerie vocals from Ken are aggressive in all the right places but still having a commanding influence over the listener. Ryan and Frank provide superb support on Drums and Bass respectively and I was totally impressed by the more “funkier” style of music that appears on this song.

Fourth Song – Blood Moon – is the most aggressive and gloomiest song on the entire album with the band moving further into their “Doom Metal” persona that we haven’t heard before. The riffs are quite deafening in places but there is a hidden intelligence behind this song. The vocals are on point with Ken adapting a more “Devilish” style of delivery. It’s creepy and progressive which make this another standout track on the album.

The final two songs Ghost and Theme II carry on the gloomy progressive Doom/Stoner Metal sounds with the Psychedelic and Space Rock influences adding a real menacing touch to the final moments of Isolation.

Sons Of Otis are perhaps considered “The Old Guard” of Stoner Metal but them along with Lowrider have both shown they have many tricks and exciting new ideas to impress the new breed of Stoner Metal bands currently around within the scene. Isolation is Sons Of Otis best album in years and will no doubt end up on a few Best Albums of 2020 that will be appearing very soon. As you can tell it’s already grabbed a place on mine.

Awesome stuff….

Words by Steve Howe

Isolation will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Totem Cat Records from October 16th 2020.

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Tuesday 13 October 2020

BOSS KELOID Announce 2021 UK Tour With Support From TUSKAR


British prog psych giants BOSS KELOID have announced their headline UK tour in June 2021 with nuclear sludge duo TUSKAR. 

Commented guitarist Paul Swarbrick: "We are excited and proud to play live our brand new material across the UK to promote our forthcoming album. We are also delighted to have the mighty TUSKAR join us for the whole tour."

Tour Dates:

Fri 18th June - GLASGOW Ivory Blacks
Sat 19th June - MANCHESTER The Breadshed
Sun 20th June - STOKE The Underground
Mon 21st June - NOTTINGHAM The Chameleon
Tue 22nd June - BIRMINGHAM Dead Wax
Wed 23rd June - SHEFFIELD Mulberry Bar & Venue
Thur 24th June - LONDON Boston Music Rooms
Fri 25th June - CARDIFF Clwb Ifor Bach
Sat 26th June - BRISTOL Rough Trade
Sun 27th June - BOURNEMOUTH The Anvil

About BOSS KELOID

BOSS KELOID formed in 2010, Wigan, UK. Their latest and fourth album Melted On The Inch was released on Holy Roar Records to worldwide critical acclaim. It has been described as a “huge, complex behemoth with a surprising uplifting feel” by Terrorizer Magazine, an “enthralling exercise in uber-heavy psych” by Metal Hammer Magazine, a “masterclass in heavy, progressive metal” by Louder Than War, and a “lusciously produced, immaculately crafted piece of music” by Pure Grain Audio. James Scarlett (ArcTanGent’s organiser) cited Melted On The Inch as his No.2 album of 2018 and described it as “a wonderful melding of 70s prog and modern doom”.

Kerrang Magazine described BOSS KELOID’s 2019 performance at Bloodstock Festival as a “stunning set of unclassifiable, sort of techy, sort of prog-sludge”, with Metal Hammer Magazine declaring “like the very best bands, BOSS KELOID look and sound like a hotch potch of proper weirdos and outsiders. And they’re fucking excellent for it”.

BOSS KELOID online:

Facebook | Bandcamp | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube

About TUSKAR

Two-piece TUSKAR have been building their reputation as the band to watch in UK heavy music’s underground scene since the release of their debut EP, Arianrhod, in 2017. The “Nuclear Sludge” label started as a joke between Tyler Hodges (Drums, Vocals) and Tom Dimmock (Guitar), but nothing else has come close to describing the sound made by the duo as they draw from influences as diverse as early Mastodon, Sleep and Conan. Their 2018 EP The Tide Beneath The Wall has had more than 370k streams on Spotify, and they followed it up with the three track live EP The Monolith Sessions in 2019, recorded with Steve Sears Jr. (Gallows). One of the most exciting live bands in UK metal right now, their debut album is due out on Riff Rock Records in 2021.

Having teamed up with heavy music livestream specialists, Hotel Radio, you can also catch TUSKAR at their show with Ungraven this week on Wednesday October 15th, which will be available to stream via pay-per-view for only £3.99. Tickets are available from Hotel Radio’s website: https://www.hotel-radio.com/pay-per-view/the-blackheart/tuskar-ungraven-live

TUSKAR online:

Facebook | Bandcamp | Twitter | Instagram

Turtle Skull - Monoliths (Album Review)


Release date: August 28th 2020. Label: Art As Catharsis/Kozmik Artifactz. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Monoliths – Tracklisting

1.Leaves 06:58
2.Rabbit 04:01
3.Heartless Machine 06:59
4.Why Do You Ask? 06:54
5.Who Cares What You Think? 07:22
6.Halcyon 04:36
7.Apple Of Your Eye 06:40
8.The Clock Strikes Forever 11:42

Members

Tobia Blefari - Percussion (congas, rain stick, shaker, tambourine)
Julian Frese - Bass, piano, vocals
Dan Frizza - Synths
Charlie Gradon - Drums, vocals
Dean McLeod - Guitars, vocals

Review


Turtle Skull debut album released in 2018 was a favourite of mine when it was originally released with the bands unique style of Doom, Psych, Pop, Stoner, Sludge and Experimental Noises allowing the band to playing mostly to their strengths for their album to truly standout. Fast forward 2 years and the back with their even better follow-up with Monoliths.

The band continue with their almost dream-like style of Psychedelic Pop but merged with a heavier reliance and balance on Doom Metal, Sludge Rock and Stoner Metal for a more dramatic style of music with cinematic riffs appearing from the very start. The band aim for a much bigger sound on Monoliths and it works especially on the longer tracks such as Leaves, Heartless Machine, Why Do You Ask?, though they leave some of the best sounds and creative ideas for the bombastic final 12 minute track – The Clock Strikes Forever.

You can say that Turtle Skull draw influence from King Gizzard & The Lizzard Wizzard, Japanese Psychedelic Rock, SLEEP, Black Sabbath and even Elephant Tree in places. Though, this album is most definitely Turtle Skull’s chance to shine in the spotlight. Their use of different musical instruments set against a backdrop of heavy Doomed Out Riffs and spectacular Progressive Sludge/Stoner Metal grooves is what makes the album work for me. In essence, this album shouldn’t really work as it ultimately does. As there’s many different elements in this album that allow the listener to drift off into many different directions.

The vocals are nothing short of absolute perfection. The perfect harmonies from the 3 vocalists that are listed within Turtle Skull have shades of 60s/70s Psychedelic Rock and even Classic Rock running throughout the entire album. You could be treated to a beautiful vocal harmony and the band unleash a heavy blast of Doom Riffs such as on the stunning 2nd track – Rabbit.

The production on Monoliths is brilliantly put together with the band showing many different sides throughout this album and even the quieter parts are equally as good and just as dynamic as the heavier moments that will no doubt bring the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal community to the Turtle Skull party.

Overall, Monoliths is multi-layered album bursting with different themes and ideas that will take time to fully understand but you will be treated to a different musical experience every time you listen to this wonderful and genuinely exciting album. This is one album you would be wise not to miss.

Words by Steve Howe

Monoliths is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Art As Catharsis (Australia) and Kozmik Artifactz (Europe).

Thanks to Art As Catharsis, All Noir PR and Turtle Skull for the promo.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Sunday 11 October 2020

Sound Of Origin - The All Seeing Eye (Album Review)


Release date: August 21st 2020. Label: APF Records. Format: CD/DD

The All Seeing Eye – Tracklisting

1.Not Dead Yet 03:31
2.The All Seeing Eye 04:47
3.Lockjaw 03:23
4.Dim Carcosa 05:30
5.Morning Bird 05:14
6.Stoned Messiah Blues 07:37
7.Voices Left Behind 03:56
8.Into The Vile 07:14
9.Tempest Dunes 09:17

Members

Joel Bulsara - Vocals
Joe "Zeph" Wilczynski - Guitar
Jax Townend - Bass
Chris "Foz" Foster - Drums

Review

The All Seeing Eye is the new album from UK Doomed Out Blues Rockers Sound Of Origin who have a “new” lead singer compared to their debut album. I will admit I was a huge fan of the bands previous vocalist John Bussey who put in a storming vocal performance on their debut album released back in 2017. However, new vocalist, Joel Bulsara more than makes his own mark on this album as the band take a devilish and daring new direction on this album.

The album is more darker and way more complex with Sound Of Origin feeling inspired by the heavier and harsh tones of the NOLA landscape that wouldn’t go a miss on an EyeHateGod or DOWN album. The bleak guitar riffs are quite layered with a lot more power behind them and I can still shades of Alice In Chains, Black Sabbath and Soundgarden within this albums DNA.

The opening few songs from the album feel like a different band perhaps even creatively reborn in places with the superb instrumental opening song of Not Dead Yet and the kick-ass grooves of The All Seeing Eye setting the scene for an action-packed ride with Sound Of Origin showing listeners who’s firmly in charge.

I feel the album truly comes alive from the 3rd song – Lockjaw and the deal is fully sealed with the exciting sounds of Dim Carcosa. The songwriting has moved up a notch on this album with the band not afraid of writing some hard-hitting lyrics that once again inspired by the NOLA scene. And I’m more than fine with that. With DOWN taking a break from releasing new material I feel this is the best possible alternative but Sound Of Origin still building their own great style of Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal with the Blues Rock being used in the right way.

Sound Of Origin have called upon the “big guns” to record this album with CONAN alumni – Chris Fielding - handling recording and mixing studios. Add master engineer James Plotkin to the party and Sound Of Origin have all the right ingredients for a truly wonderful audio experience to blast listeners into submission with.

The instrumental work is quite tasty as well with the heavy thick guitar riffs having both brains and brawn in equal measure. The top-notch drumming from Chris “Foz” Foster are intelligent and precise as they ever were.

The later stages of the album is where Sound Of Origin play the heaviest and most exciting parts of the album with songs such as: Stoned Messiah Blues, Into The Vile and Tempest Dunes. Those 3 tracks are worth the album purchase alone providing almost 24 minutes of finely tuned Doom/Stoner Metal riffage with harsh Psychedelic vibes allowing the band to expand their overall sound with more maximum volume to match.

The All Seeing Eye is a welcome addition to the UK Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal scene and once the COVID-19 Pandemic is over I’m hoping these guys to conquer as many live gigs and festival stages they possibly can.

Words by Steve Howe

The All Seeing Eye is available to buy now on CD/DD via APF Records now.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp