Nehoda release new Live Video for DEVIL'S BITCH

Take a stroll through rock n’ roll. Marvel at its origins and where we’ve reached, during a span of several decades. Nehoda is certainly well aware of the path traveled. After originally playing solo, band founder Patrick Nehoda finally found his voice after meeting drummer Jeremy Gill and bassist Grayson Papa. The band shows reverence to many genres, from grunge to Americana and blues, from good ol’ rock n’ roll to 90s alternative rock. Its title,But Anyways, may seem flippant, but there is heartfelt sincerity in the trio’s writing and playing.

Patrick Nehoda is a rocking chameleon -- his guitar playing shifts effortlessly from mean riffing on opener “I Don’t Know” and “Afterglow,” through the Doors-esque blues of “Devil’s Bitch,” the alt-rock catchiness perfected by Dinosaur Jr. on “Shakey Pop, to the tender melodies that form “Please Don’t Go.” The last of these tracks, which rounds out the record, recalls Radiohead’s classic “True Love Waits” in its simplicity yet devastating effect. Drummer Jeremy Gill and bassist Grayson Papa balance their respective roles perfectly. Gill knows when to let loose on his kit and when to leave it understated, while Papa lays down a solid foundation on which the melodies are constructed. Patrick had been playing as a solo artist for eight years before this band's current incarnation, but it wasn't until he teamed up with Gill and Papa that the music truly found its voice.

And indeed, master story teller Mr. Nehoda has some yarns to spin against this new musical backdrop. Whether Faustian pacts on the already-acclaimed “Devil’s Bitch,”questioning someone’s authenticity in the title track, or wistful nostalgia on “Walk Away” (a choice lyric: “The promises of our youth keep fading, like your favorite pair of boots they keep aging.”), there’s a line for everybody to connect with. His voice has the right amount of grit and soul, both out in full force on the emotive “Just Another Season,” as he wails “Why, why do I even try?” upon discovery of an unfaithful partner. A powerful song that no doubt sounds even more incredible on the stage -- and they’ve certainly been making their way around the US and UK/Europe already.

All in all, Nehoda provides the perfect soundtrack for many activities -- beer sipping, reminiscing, highway driving, and dancing among them. The album’s many parts are made into a well-crafted whole. But anyways, just listen to it.

View the excellent LIVE video for Devil's Bitch below:

Links

https://nehoda.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ThebandNehoda/

Psychedelic Art-Rock band Filthy Hippies unveil new single and video for Never Without You

Psychedelic Art-Rock band Filthy Hippies unveil new single and video 

“Powerful synth pulses with driving electro drums form the backbone of this nostalgic 80's inspired romp” 

Established in 2018 Filthy Hippies is a South African Alternative trio with a strong undercurrent of Shoegaze influences. The band quickly established themselves as solid contenders in the explosive, burgeoning South African psych scene and list supporting Post- punk band Dangerfield’s album launch, and 2019’s Endless Daze Festival as current highlights. 

Filthy Hippies create a sound that is best described as a Phil Spector’esque wall of sound hitched to deep routed pop inflections. Today sees the release of new single Never Without You, taken from the bands forthcoming full-length album Departures which releases on the 23 rd April 2021 via Mongrel Records. 

Watch the video for Never Without You 

Buy // Stream Never Without You - https://orcd.co/neverwithoutyou

Pre-order Departures Here: https://mongrelrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/departures

Links

Facebook | Instagram

RobustFellow Prods To Release SHIVA THE DESTRUCTOR New Album - FIND THE OTHERS

Progressive heavy psych group Shiva the Destructor plays sprawling, spiraling rock music that is superbly crafted for maximum atmospheric flow. Hailing from Kyiv, Ukraine, the formidable four-piece is a band of true compositional ambition. Shiva the Destructor will release the new full-length LP, 'Find the Others', on March 26 via Robustfellow Productions.

Formed in 2012, Shiva the Destructor and its members are inspired by layers of rock culture from the past decades. Incorporating touch points from genre classics to deliver its own personal take on the quintessence of psychedelic rock via eclectic composition, the band's sound includes extended instrumental pieces, incredible vocal harmonies and experiments with the electric organ, as well as brass and oriental instruments. What really sets Shiva the Destructor apart is its unique sonic armament which features guitars with distinctly different tunings (one detuned and one uptuned), which creates both gorgeous sound bath and elegantly piled waves of sound.

The first taste of what Shiva the Destructor's 'Find the Others' holds in store is the LP's lead single, "Nirvana Beach", which is available for streaming at this location.

Work on the new LP, 'Find the Others', lasted for more than three years. Compositionally, 'Find the Others' is a remarkably fluid album—movement to movement and song to song, the LP flows almost as one continuous piece. Featuring five multi-suite, mini-epics -- many of them hovering around the 10-minute mark -- Shiva the Destructor has created a 45-minute space odyssey that’s meant to be listened to as a unified whole. Conceptually, the album follows the adventures of the titular title character, "Shiva", as he traverses the planet on a journey through the history of progressive psych music.

Shiva the Destructor - Nirvana Beach (Single)

"Each song on the album tells a separate story of our title character Shiva, who according to our interpretation is far from being omnipotent but lives an almost mortal life," says band's singer/guitarist Andrii Pryimak.

Over the course of the album's songs, Shiva travels around and through worlds, space and time. Finally, he arrives on Earth in the 1960's and proceeds to wear worn-out jeans and rock out at Woodstock. He then chills on the beach to the sounds of surf rock, falls in love, roams the untouched forests, lapses into self-reflexive battles and comes to terms with himself at the outskirts of the universe. Shiva has fun, suffers, seeks and changes — like we all do. On top of all that, the album contains several references and homages to legendary musicians and performers; lyrical and audio Easter Eggs just waiting to be discovered by the listener.

Track listing:

1.) Benares
2.) Hydronaut
3.) Summer of Love
4.) Ishtar
5.) Nirvana Beach

You can buy the album here from RobustFellow Prods. Pre-Order for Physical Goodies start from March 06th 2021.

Links

Facebook | Instagram | BandCamp

ROBUSTFELLOW PRODS To Release GREENMACHiNE New Album On Feb 26th 2021

GREENMACHiNE have described their sound as 'Hardcore Rock', essence of heavy rock/metal/doom/sludge/punk rock and whatever the riff music. Those 12 songs have very wide ranged direction, this is exactly what GREENMACHiNE are at their strongest.

Biography

GREENMACHiNE was formed and based in 1995 in north-west of Japan, Kanazawa city. In 1996 they released their debut album, D.A.M.N., followed with The Earth Beater two years later.

The band disbanded and resurrected for several times during past decade. After the 2013 reunion show, the band gathered again with MONZAWA on guitar/vocal,YOSHIKAWA on bass and DATSU on drums. The band recruited a new member, Max, on guitar in 2014 and with that smashing line-up the band released "For the Night and Blood" EP in 2016 and "Mountains of Madness" LP in 2019.

Self-titled album was released in 2020 to celebrate 25th Anniversary of band’s formation. Robustfellow is honored to provide International Edition of this massive release in 2021.

"Greenmachine" Track-list:

01.POISONSHED
02.NOTHING
03.RATTLESNAKE
04.RED EYE Pt.7
05.HOWL FROM THE OCEAN
06.IT’S RUINED!
07.WE MUST DIE
08.GHOST OF NARCISSISTIC
09.NATION UNDER FIRE
10.TORTURE YOURSELF
11.DRAGON’S SORROW
12.孤絶(KOZETSU)

MC info:

• Pro-done cassette tape,manufactured in EU
• 1st press is strictly limited to 50 green cassettes
• Exclusive Matt Laminated
“Sloth” Tape Box
• DLC for MP3/WAV
• Green artwork

CD info:

• Replicated CD
• 2-panel digipak, gloss lamination
• Red artwork

CD LTD info:

• Super hardcover digi-book
• 10-page booklet
• DLC for MP3/WAV
• Band's logo sticker
• Red artwork

GREENMACHiNE’s Discography:

“D.A.M.N.” (1996 – TASTE, 1998 – Man’s Ruin)
“Earth Beater” (1998 – Fandle, 1999 – Man’s Ruin)
“D.A.M.N.+3” (2003 – Diwphalanx)
“Earth Beater+3” (2003 – Diwphalanx)
“Archives of the Rotten Blues” (2004 – Diwphalanx)
“Archives of the Rotten Blues+1” (2015 – Diwphalanx)
“For the Night and Blood” EP (2016 – Daymare)

"WE MUST DIE" lyric-video: 

“Mountains of Madness” (2019 – 3LA, Daymare)
“D.A.M.N. RRS” (2020 – Robust Relics Series)
“GREENMACHiNE” (2020 – Daymare)
“GREENMACHiNE” [International Version] (2021 – Robustfellow)

All Pre-Orders will be live from RobustFellow Prods from February 26th 2021.

Acid Mammoth - Caravan (Album Review)

Release date: March 05th 2021. Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Caravan – Tracklisting

Berserker (5:01)

Psychedelic Wasteland (8:53)
Ivory Towers (6:18)
Caravan (11:07)
Black Dust (8:57)

Members

Chris Babalis Jr. – Vocals, Guitars
Chris Babalis Sr. – Guitars
Dimosthenis Varikos – Bass
Marios Louvaris – Drums

Review

Acid Mammoth are quickly becoming my favourite band from the Greek Doom/Stoner Metal scene with their style of heavy and spaced out grooves which becomes better with each album they release. It’s hard to believe that Caravan is their 3rd full length album. I remember being impressed by their self titled debut album back in 2017 and then releasing their even better follow-up with 2020’s Under Acid Hoof.

Caravan is more of the same style of music from their last album but perhaps heavier, gloomier, progressive and even daring in all of the right places. Taking Sabbathian sounds and bring a Space Rock perspective to the classic style of Doom/Stoner Metal the band are known for. It’s good to see the band continuing their excellent relationship with Heavy Psych Sounds Records for this album.

Opening song – Berserker – is full of GIGANTIC sounds like both the song title and band name suggests with powerful Occult style imagery being played with dynamic flair and epic progressive vibes along the way. The vocals from Chris Jr have shades of that classic “DOOM” persona that’s becoming quite distinctive and popular nowadays. I will admit these are my favourite style of vocals. As they are quite distinctive and pack a mighty punch for the great riffs the band play on this song and the entire album.

Acid Mammoth have brought a mightier and powerful level of DISTORTED FUZZ compared to their previous releases and the Psychedelic elements of Caravan give a more nomadic feel as well which the band use to their advantage on the next 2 superb songs Psychedelic Wasteland and Ivory Towers.

Psychedelic Wasteland offers almost 9 minutes of FUZZED OUT Doom/Stoner Metal that starts with a slow paced guitar before the powerful drumming of Marios brings a more filtered approach. The instrumental work is quite forceful in all the right places before Acid Mammoth settle down playing Occult based Doom/Stoner grooves.

Third track – Ivory Towers – continues with the slow-pounding hybrid Doom/Stoner Metal sound that offers some of the heaviest sounds of the entire album. There is a vintage SABBATH influence ruling the roost here but still allowing Acid Mammoth dictating their own rebellious blend of music. The lyrics are superb with Chris Jr offering more of his excellent and highly confident vocals.

The final two songs – Caravan and Black Dust – sees Acid Mammoth offer 20 minutes of Progressive and Riff Driven modern Doom/Stoner Metal with Caravan being perhaps the best song the band have released to date. It’s quite a daring song with Acid Mammoth offering a different style of music than before.

With these 5 songs, Acid Mammoth have proven they are one of the best bands from the European Doom/Stoner Metal scene. I can see these guys making major strides on the international stage with this album when the world gets back to some sort of normality when COVID-19 is fully under control.

Caravan is another welcome addition to Acid Mammoth’s already highly impressive back catalogue but perhaps stands out as their most creative and exciting release to date. This is definitely an album of the year contender from Acid Mammoth. Be sure to join the party when the album is released.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR and All Noir PR for the promo. Caravan will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds Records from March 5th 2020.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Cancervo - 1 (Album Review)

Release Date: 26th February 2021. Record Label: Electric Valley Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

1 - Tracklisting

Cancervo

Averara
Aralalta
Darco
SWLABR
1987

Review

Cancervo is a Psych Stoner Rock Band from Italy who specialize in the art form of Instrumental Stoner Metal who take influence from bands such as Black Sabbath, Cream and SLEEP. Though, these guys like to throw elements of Psych Rock, Doom Metal and Space Rock with the music having a hidden Post-Rock flow to it all.

Their debut album I offers six tracks of Progressive based Stoner Metal with no vocals in sight and the album becomes a better experience because of that. The music is constantly dense, heavy and eerily atmospheric with Cancervo relishing with their dark Psychedelic grooves.

The opening song - Cancervo -takes time for the band to fully find their voice with echoes of distorted Drone, Doom, Fuzz and Stoner Metal being played in their own unique way by the band. The song runs past the 7 minutes mark and you can hear a deep love and appreciation for 70’s Hard Rock/Metal to standout from the Instrumental Rock/Metal crowd. 

Second song - Averara - carries on with the slow-paced and atmospheric Doom/Stoner based rhythms. There’s a “Pelican-esque” feel to this song with the band slowly deciding which direction to take this song upon. The heavy grooves come within time and it’s a refreshing style of music that combines Black Sabbath classic energy and modern day Fuzz/Stoner grooves. The cinematic Post-Rock vibes are never too far behind as the Psychedelic nature of the album fully takes over for a more confident style of music.

Third song - Aralalta - has the added extra bonus of creepy soundbytes with slowly played riffs which once again sees Cancervo take a slightly caustic approach to their music,  The heavy Post-Doom grooves slowly gathers pace with the instrumental work once again being played superbly by all involved. This is one of the standout tracks on the album and the excellent showmanship comes alive when the band focus more on the Stoner Metal parts of the record,

The remaining 3 songs on the album carry on the winning style of music with Darco and 1987 being the other standout tracks on the album. Though, SWLABR is no slouch either in the riffs department. The 2nd half of the album perhaps offers the heaviest moments on the album but overall, this album is a superbly made album with Cancervo impressing every step of the way.

Overall, 1 is a delightfully heavy and progressive sounding album that offers an exciting blast of intense Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Qabar PR and Electric Valley Records for the promo. 1 will be available to buy on Vinyl/Digital via Electric Valley Records from February 26th 2021.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Mars Era - ONIRO (Album Review and Album Premiere)

Release Date: 19th February 2021. Record Label: Argonauta Records. Format: CD/DD

ONIRO - Tracklisting

OBE
Into The Pyramid
Brighter Than The Sun
The Chicken s Wardrobe
Cyclone
The Last Breath to Wake Up

Review

ONIRO is the new album from Italian Space/Stoner Rockers Mars Era. This is their first album in 4 years when they released their acclaimed debut album. ONIRO is a different beast to DHARMANAUT. As the band plays a more Progressive and Expansive style of Prog Rock being the dominant force here. The band employ certain Psych Rock and Stoner Rock elements but this has seen the band evolve into a more Progressive force.

The album is still a worthwhile and exciting trip into the realms of Psychedelic Spaced Out Rock. Just be prepared for something different and perhaps outlandish in cases. The album is wildly influenced by bands such as TOOL and DEFTONES but still having a cool Stoner Rock edge. The 6 songs here are excellent and deserve multiple listens to fully understand it all.

Standout songs include - OBE, Into The Pyramid, Brighter Than The Sun and Cyclone.

Mars Era excel on this album and have released another stunning record to impress the Stoner Rock/Metal community with.

Words by Steve Howe

You can make your mind for yourself with this exclusive Album Premiere thanks to Mona at All Noir PR and Gero at Argonauta Records.

The band released this statement in regards to the album:

"We are stoked to present you our new album ONIRO!

We wish to come back playing live, to feel the warmth of the people, the screams, the headbangings and the vibrations on stage.

But the storm is not over yet ... we must be patient and continue dreaming the "normal" world we were used to.

Enjoy the streaming and may the Mars Era be with you!"

ONIRO will be available to buy now on CD/DD/via Argonauta Records 

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

BOTTOMLESS (feat. members of Assumption, Messa, Haemophagus) signs to Spikerot Records!

Spikerot Records is extremely stoked to announce the signing of BOTTOMLESS, the brand new project formed by Giorgio Trombino and David Lucido, respectively guitar/vocals and drums (together in Assumption, Undead Creep, Haemophagus, Morbo and others) and by Sara Bianchin (Messa, Restos Humanos) on bass.

BOTTOMLESS play nothing but unadulterated Doom Metal in the vein of the ancient masters Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus, Pentagram, Trouble, The Obsessed.

“Bottomless is our vehicle to express a love that never dies, i.e. that for the most threatening, Sabbathic form of slow heavy metal we could ever come up with” says Trombino. “There’s no room for anything but our influences inside this project. That being said, our first album is the materialization of our vision. We thank Spikerot for believing in Bottomless since the very start. There is no end...”.

The trio's first self-titled record is expected to be released in late 2021 via Spikerot Records on CD, LP and Digital.

BOTTOMLESS are:

Giorgio Trombino - Guitar / Vocals
Sara Bianchin - Bass
David Lucido - Drums

Find BOTTOMLESS online:

FACEBOOK - INSTAGRAM

Find SPIKEROT RECORDS online:

WEBSITE - FACEBOOK - INSTAGRAM

Soothsayer Orchestra - S/T (Album Review)

Release date: May 05^th 2020. Label: Lay Bare Recordings Sounds. Format: DD/Vinyl

Soothsayer Orchestra – S/T – Tracklisting

1.Rise Gomorrah Rise 04:42
2.Black Velvet Deathbed 04:20
3.Euryale 03:53 

4.Dead Lovers Eden 03:49 

5.Heavenseeker 03:48 

6.The Gallow Awaits 03:04 

7.The Rooster Calls 03:37 

8.Bethlehymn 01:39 

9.Amidst the Coiling Snakes 04:54 

Members

PLH Hendriks - Everything

Review

Soothsayer Orchestra new album was originally released back in May 2020 and I missed the album when it was released. Now giving a well deserved Vinyl Release courtesy of the fine folks over at Lay Bare Recordings. This album is a dark mix of Alternative Rock, Folk Rock and Americana. The album is quite gloomy with it’s overall themes and musical structures.

The album is not the easiest thing to listen to but PLH Hendriks the mastermind behind this album weaves a dark tale across 9 wickedly entertaining tracks. The album can be quite “Doom” with PLH Hendriks adapting a mysterious “Noir” based narrative for the majority of his lyrics and that opens the album to some bleak sounding Psych Rock and Blues Rock elements appearing.

Songs range from acoustic rock ballads to more energetic almost Stoner Rock grooves. The album is always constantly changing and has a deep exterior to it all. The instruments are quite varied on the record with PLH Hendriks playing everything himself.

Standout songs include: Black Velvet Deathbed, Euryale, Dead Lovers Eden, Heavenseeker and Amidst The Coiling Snakes.

PLH Hendriks makes a grand use of ambient soundscapes that was quite refreshing to hear and sets this album to be very different from the other “one-man band” albums I’ve heard recently.

Soothsayer Orchestra debut album is a mighty fine and impressive album with superb production values. The album does sound claustrophobic in places but it’s matches the dark mood and mysterious energy the album wholly contains from start to finish.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

You can buy the album on Vinyl from Lay Bare Recordings.

Links:

BandCamp

Tombstunner - Call To The Void (Album Review)

Release date: January 14th 2021. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Call To The Void – Tracklisting

01. Cupio Dissolvi (04:40)
02. ASH (03:45)
03. Apex Prey (05:08)
04. Coma Dose (05:30)
05. Under Consideration and/or Lack Thereof (04:40)
06. Contempt's Concrete (04:44)
07. Heart Burn (05:25)
08. Call to the Void (04:53)
09. The Last Ride (08:01)

Review 

Tombstunner debut album took myself by surprise with it's inventive mix of Doom Metal, Stoner Metal, Hard Rock and Alternative Metal themes. Call To The Void is an album that has melodic hard rock grooves matched with Progressive Metal themes with the band sounding out like Faith No More jamming with Mastodon. Add touches of High On Fire Stoner/Sludge Metal energy then Tombstunner new album is a serious slice of action packed and modern day Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal.

The album is packed full of Psychedelic grooves which Tombstunner that has a catchy vibe to it all. The opening few songs - Cupio Dissolvi, ASH and Apex Prey feature the band playing an almost FUZZ HEAVY sound before playing their standard Alternative Metal feel which does remind me of FAITH NO MORE especially with some of the vocals and the change in musical tempos adapt for this album.

The dual vocals approach is quite good and refreshingly different with the clean based vocals having an air of authority and rebellion around them. Tombstunner perhaps a few songs to fully get into their full creative stride but they have more than enough great riffs to make a mighty impression on you before the end of the excellent 2nd song - ASH and when APEX PREY appears I was fully down with their trippy blend of Psychedelic Sludge/Stoner Metal.

Tombstunner's music never feels forced throughout this album and even when the guys do become too "COCKY" with the more experimental sounds, the music is always driven by familiar and exciting Progressive riffs.

Other good songs to check out are: Coma Dose, Contempt's Concrete, Call To The Void and The Last Ride.

I haven't seen this album get much attention with the Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal community and that's a shame. As this is an exciting and superbly produced record which shows a truly wonderful band playing addictive and modern sounding Doom/Stoner Metal with and OTT Alternative edge to it.

Check Tombstunner out and be prepared for a thrilling ride.

Words by Steve Howe

Links: 

Facebook | BandCamp

Christopher Steve - Taken By The Tide (Album Review)

Release date: February 26th 2021. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Taken By The Tide – Tracklisting

1.Sacred Catharsis
2.Foot On The Gas 

3.Denial Or Delight
4.Taken By The Tide
5.I Am A Clinic Escort 
6.American Ruins
7.I Medicate
8.Break For You
9.My Next Meal
10.Eternity

Personnel

Chris Latta – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, and Percussion
David Gabe – Guitar solo on Sacred Catharsis
Jessie May – Cello on Denial Or Delight and Taken By The Tide
Brandon Signorino – Mandolin on I Am A Clinic Escort, first guitar solo on Eternity
Patrick Phillips – Electric Guitar and Synth on American Ruins
Freddie Rodriguez – Keyboard on Break For You
Max Barber – Second guitar solo on Eternity

Review

Taken By The Tide is the new full length and solo record by Christopher Steve. Who is better known as Chris Latta. Chris used to be part of Doom/Stoner Rockers – Spirit Division – who sadly called it a day not so long ago. This is the first musical output I’ve heard from Chris since the last Spirit Division album and I was kind of expecting a more Doom Folk orientated album which Doom Metal musicians seem to go for when going solo and that’s no bad thing. I love the solo albums from artists such as Scott Kelly, WINO and Steve Von Till.

Taken By The Tide is an Experimental Doom Folk album with Chris trying many different styles of music I haven’t heard from him before. The album is mostly acoustic with the songs varying from Acoustic Folk to more Doom and Gloom style Americana based songs. The album is quite dark in places but that’s perhaps the fucked-up nature of the world we’re currently living in.

The opening few songs – Sacred Catharsis, Foot On The Gas and Denial Of Delight – offer a gloomy outlook with the lyrics rooted in Americana/Folk Rock with elements of Scott Kelly and WINO’s recent solo work. The instrumental work is splendidly LO-FI and gives Chris the chance to shine within the vocals and lyrical department. Chris calls on some his musician friends to help him with this musical journey and everyone puts in top-notch performances when they appear on certain songs held on the album.

The album can be quite spooky, psychedelic and surreal in places with Chris adapting a more sinister vocal performance on the excellent 3rd song – Denial Of Delight. It shows many different sides to Chris and I feel this album was quite a therapeutic process for Chris when recording the album. The heartfelt lyrics offer a brief insight into what Christopher is thinking and feeling.

Standout tracks are: Denial Of Delight, Taken By The Tide, American Ruins, My Next Meal and Eternity.

I admired the diverse range of musical influences I could detect on this record with artists such as Alice In Chains, WINO, Scott Kelly and Neil Young. Chris would probably tell me that I’m looking far too much into things but I can here elements of those legendary artists.

The production is quite solitary but it’s the best production levels needed for an album such as this. As this is quite an intense and emotionally charged album for Chris to release. I don’t know if the Spirit Division fan-base will like this album but I’m hopeful they will. As this is an album with many great riffs and sounds to impress folks with.

Taken By The Tide is an exciting record for Chris to release. It’s powerfully dynamic and offers a refreshing change of pace from this hugely talented individual.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Chris for the promo. Taken By The Tide will be available to buy on DD from February 26th 2021.

Links:

BandCamp

OJM Announce Live Album - Live At Rocket Club. Exclusive Song Premiere of OCEANS HEARTS

Live At Rocket Club", the upcoming live album by OJM, one of the legendary first Italian bands dedicated to Stoner Rock! 

 "Live At Rocket Club" captures the band in one of their best ever moments, the tour that promoted the band's classic album "Volcano", which reached fame and success by press and fans, thanks to the production and mixing of Dave Catching (QOTSA, Desert Sessions, Eagles of Death Metal).

"Live At Rocket Club" will be coming out on February 19th 2021 via Go Down Records

We are proud to premiere the track OCEANS HEARTS from the upcoming live album.

The band said this about the track:

"Oceans Hearts is a song with vintage rock hints. It is a small pearl that makes us very proud with its elegant and powerful arrangements at the same time. In the finale of this live version, lysergic horizons open up with a long jam session between psychedelia and improvisation. To be listened to the end!"

PRE-ORDER:

Coloured LP: https://www.godownrecords.com/product-page/ojm-live-at-rocket-club-LPx

LP: https://www.godownrecords.com/product-page/ojm-live-at-rocket-club-LP
Digital: https://backl.ink/144268169

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

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

Sins Of Magnus - The Circus (Album Review)

Release Date: 16th February 2021. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD

The Circus - Tracklisting

The Claw
Unfettered Journey
The Circus
False Flag
Carved In Stone
Ymir
We Gonna
Flux Capacitor
N.F.C.
Say Goodbye To Your Generation
Clockpunchers
Hammer

Members

Eric Early

Rich Sutcliffe

Sean Young

Review

Sins Of Magnus new album The Circus is their 3rd album and my first venture into their heavy and hard-rockng world. The band have wild abandonment for genre rules and conventions by playing a multitude of different styles of music of how they see fit. The band plays a mixture of Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Punk Rock, Stoner Metal and some top-heavy Thrash Metal.

Imagine Valient Thorr jamming with Motorhead and that’s what you get with Sins Of Magnus. Their new album is a wild and exciting ride that never takes itself too seriously but still treats the listener to some seriously heavy grooves. The album has a “VIKING” outlook on life with Doom/Stoner Metal influences being the main style of music holding everything together.

Opening song - The Claw - is a two and half minute blast of aggressive Doom/Stoner Metal beats with Viking inspired soundbytes that sets up the overall style of music for the album. The Punk Rock/Thrash environment is another cool touch.

Second song - Unfettered Journey - is a weird song with the band changing musical tempo starting with in-your-face Punk Rock theatrics before playing a cool Post-Doom/Psych Rock riff before returning to the “neanderthal” style of Heavy Rock/Metal with a commanding Stoner Metal presence to them. The vocals are raucous but catchy as hell. Though the “Mastodon-esque” psychedelic parts offer something hypnotic with the band showing a keen talent for playing melodic grooves.

Third song - The Circus - opens with a thumping bass line with rough sounding vocals but keeps in with the overall “Punk Rock” aesthetic the band keeps for the whole album. The song does take time to find it’s actual groove but there are some fantastic riffs on this song. It maybe too raw at times but it’s still a load of fun with the band never taking themselves too seriously.

Now I could do a song-by-song review of the album but I would be here all day and the band have written 12 tracks spanned out over 45 minutes.

The majority of the songs run between 2 mins to 5 mins in length. Sins Of Magnus excel throughout this album with their wild creative lyrics and great music they have written for this record.

Standout tracks include: False Flag, Carved In Stone, Ymir, Flux Capacitor, Say Goodbye To Your Generation and Clockpunchers.

These tracks are the ones that got my heart pumping, head-banging and fists clenched in the air at the same time with Sins Of Magnus bringing their “A” Game to the party with their style of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. The band show their love for MOTORHEAD on this record and mostly on these tracks but given a VIKING themed makeover. Well if VIKING'S ever played Punk Rock. You'll understand more when you hear the whole album.

The album can be quite progressive as well with Sins Of Magnus fusing Punk Rock atmospherics with Mastodon style Progressive Sludge Guitars.

The Circus is a wild-sounding record and Sins Of Magnus make no apologies for a bombastic take on all things Doom/Stoner Metal. This is a wonderfully exciting and rebellious album that the world of Doom/Stoner Metal needs right now.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Sins Of Magnus for the promo. The Circus will be available to buy on CD/DD from February 16th 2021.

Links

Instagram | BandCamp

Zac Crye Announces New EP - ALL THE SAME.

Hudu Akil's Zac Crye set to release "All The Same" EP!

This ain’t no obsession, this is possession of my soul.” A blatant warning from the track “Possession,” off of Zac Crye’s debut, 2013 EP, “Three Finger Lid”.

Now Zac is back, dropping his sophomore release on April 16th, "All The Same" - a five track Stoner Rock EP with psychedelic elements to accent. Solely composed and recorded by Zac, this recording is a full demonstration of his musical fortitude and songwriting prowess that takes you deep within the realm of Zac Crye! The album will be released on Bandcamp April 9th and all other platforms on April 16th.

Pre-order available here: https://zaccrye.bandcamp.com/album/all-the-same

 

New Heavy Sounds Release THE BLACK HEART Fundraiser Compilation

London label New Heavy Sounds has released a new digital compilation album with all proceeds going to the #savetheblackheart crowdfunder. 

The Black Heart is an integral part of the UK underground heavy music scene and international touring circuit. The list of incredible bands that have played in the venue is endless. Can you imagine a heavy music community without The Black Heart? Yeah, neither can New Heavy Sounds.

The Black Heart has spent a year adapting their bar and venue to meet government guidelines due to this awful pandemic, but they can go no further on their own. They need to raise £100,000 by the end of March 2021, or they face the very real prospect of never reopening. The venue are independently owned and operated and are proud to have retained all their staff, because they're a family. They are now reaching out to the extended Black Heart family for support as they launch the #savetheblackheart crowdfunder.

The Black Heart has played an integral part in the New Heavy Sounds Record's story. The label themselves have put on numerous gigs on at the venue including a week of shows during which they saw a performance by Vodun that persuaded the label to sign them. Paul from the label comments,

'We have launched many of our albums at The Black Heart including Black Moth, Limb and Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard. Our latest signings, Mountain Caller have a date to play a socially distanced show at The Black Heart to launch their debut album. Our Japanese two-piece noise-makers Blacklab were set to play The Black Heart as part of 2020's Desert Fest.

Ged and I have drunk and hung out there and seen a ton of bands in recent years - we even spent a memorable New Year's Eve when we invited Rob from Limb to judge an air-guitar contest in The Black Heart Bar. We love the bar, the venue, the staff, the vibe, the lot.

The Black Heart is one of the crucial grass roots venues, if not the most important, for the heavy underground scene. Times are hard indeed and we cannot rely of any 'hand-outs' to keep our beloved scene alive and thriving, we have to do it ourselves. That is why New Heavy Sounds and our bands are giving our tracks to The Black Heart in this digital compilation in order to raise funds to keep the venue going beyond the Pandemic.’

Featuring the likes of Black Moth, Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard, Sky Valley Mistress, Grave Lines, Vodun and Mountain Caller, the 11 track compilation is available digitally (suggested donation £5) from: 

https://newheavysounds.bandcamp.com/album/the-black-heart

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/savetheblackheart/

https://www.facebook.com/newheavysounds

DayGlo Mourning - Dead Star (Album Review)

Release Date: 12th February 2021. Record Label: Black Doomba Records. Formats: CD/DD

Dead Star - Tracklisting

Dead Star
The Offering
Bloodghast
Faithful Demise
Ashwhore
Witch’s Ladder

Band Members

Ray Miner - Drums
Jerimy McNeil - Bass, Vocals
Joseph Mills - Guitar, Vocals

Review

Dead Star is the new album from Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metallers DayGlo Mourning and continues their raucous blend of heavy groove and beer-fuelled sounds which whilst not exactly groundbreaking is still a welcome addition to the ever-growing bands playing action packed music such as this.

The album runs for around 35 minutes and DayGlo Mourning manage to find the time within each track to play an addictive style of Heavy Doom Rock with splashes of Psychedelic Rock with a lean and mean Space Rock attitude to match.

Opening song - Dead Star - is a great song to open the album with. As it gives the band the perfect opportunity to play their own style of aggressive Doom/Stoner Metal with a stripped back High On Fire style Sludgy atmosphere holding everything together. The instrumental work is excellent whilst the vocals offer a more “real” sound and that’s what I enjoyed most about this album. DayGlo Mourning keeps things mighty real despite the heavier Psychedelic and Spaced Out parts of the album giving them the creative freedom to run amok with the albums trippiest themes but the band keep everything “REAL”.

Second song - The Offering - is more slow-paced with mellow guitars and drums leading the way. The vocals have a distant effect to them which instantly draws you in but it’s the music keeping your attention with the promise of bigger and better things. The song explodes briefly with an aggressive outburst of flashy sludgy guitars but the band keep the mood at a slow pace before playing faster paced modern Doom riffs with a slightly claustrophobic edge.

Third song - Bloodghast - offers the longest and best track on the album. DayGlo Mourning continue their strong performance from the previous song and bring a more solidified modern gloomy Stoner Metal atmosphere but with a Progressive flair. The song is LOUD and DOOMS ON with heavy grooves being the best part of the album.

The 2nd half of the album sees DayGlo Mourning shine even brighter with more epic sounding guitars that bring the manic energy of High On Fire and Mastodon to the party but given a slightly modern Doom/Stoner Metal makeover. Ashwhore and Witche’s Ladder allows the band the perfect opportunity to play classic Doom/Stoner Metal riffs whilst bringing their own great ideas and themes to the party.

Dead Star is another excellent album from the band and offers 35 minutes of top-notch entertainment that provides everything you want from a thoroughly modern Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal album.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Dewar PR for the promo. Dead Star will be available to buy on CD/DD via Black Doomba Records from February 12th 2021.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

MATHER - This Is The Underground (Album Review)

Release date: April 26th 2020. Label: Violence In The Veins Psych. Format: CD/Vinyl

This Is The Underground – Tracklisting

1.On 01:32
2.Recoil 05:31
3.A night to remember, a day to forget 09:46
4.Give in 02:36
5.Sympathy for the gods 06:53
6.Co-Lapse 13:23
7.Engine 08:13

Review

This Is The Underground from Greek Psych Prog Rockers MATHER which was originally released back in April 2020. I missed the album’s original release but the cool folks over at Violence In The Veins are releasing this album on CD/Vinyl and it’s given me a chance to listen to this album.

The album is a mixture of solid hooks and grooves that explore the Heavy Rock spectrum with MATHER playing more Spaced Out style of Prog Rock/Metal. The Atmospheric Sounds and Cosmic ideas allows MATHER to bring in heavier Doom/Stoner based elements to the mix with the album being progressive and heavier at the same time.

I haven’t seen many reviews of this album around but there’s a lot going for it. Excellent ideas from start to finish with MATHER fleshing out their sound on perhaps the more lengthier compositions such as: “A Night To Remember, A Day To Forget”, Sympathy For The Gods, Co-Lapse and Engine compared to the other tracks on the album.

Though, overall this album is a welcome addition to the other cool Hard Rock/Metal albums making themselves known recently over the last few years within the Greek scene.

Violence In The Veins have given this album the Vinyl Treatment and it’s a must-have release for all serious Prog-Rock/Metal fans.

Words by Steve Howe

This Is The Underground is now available to buy on CD/Vinyl now via Violence In The Veins.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Ripcord Records, have just released 2 compilations to raise money for Refuge

Ripcord Records, have just released 2 compilations to raise money for Refuge - a charity in the UK that helps women and children who have experienced domestic abuse (refuge.org.uk). 100% of the money made is going to them.

Refuge: Part I is a post-rock/math rock compilation featuring 72 bands from 22 countries and over 7 hours of music.

 

Refuge: Part II is a post-/black/sludge metal compilation featuring 78 bands from 22 countries and over 8 hours of music.

They are both "pay what you like".

You can find both compilations on our bandcamp at www.ripcordrecords.com.

Kylver - The Plague Tapes (Album Review)

Release date: February 05th 2021. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

The Plague Tapes – Tracklisting

1.The Mountain Has Ghosts - Live 14:11
2.Hy-Brasil - Live 05:13
3.Allghoi - Live 13:04 

4.The Great Storm of 1703 - Live 14:01
5.Monolith - Live 11:28
6.The Dance of the Mountain Ghost - Live 06:13
7.The Frozen Sands - Live 12:51

Members

Jonny Scott (Guitar)
Barry Micherson (Drums)
James Bowmaker (Bass)
James Hill (Keys)

Review

It’s been 4 years since UK, Post-Rock/Post-Metallers Kylver released their last album back in October 2016 with The Island. Kylver are from my home-town of Newcastle Upon Tyne and I’ve seen them a few times over the years and always have time for their blend of Post-Rock/Post-Metal which fuses other areas of music such as Psych Rock, Prog Rock and Cinematic Rock.

The band have just released The Plague Tapes. The Plague Tapes is described below:

Kylver present ‘The Plague Tapes’, a collection of live recordings encompassing music from the bands two previously released studio albums, ‘The Mountain Ghost’ and ‘The Island’ as well as two new unreleased tracks: 'Allghoi' and 'The Frozen Sands'.

This “LIVE” performance was recorded in the iconic North East venue – The Cluny – back in August 2020 and sees the band play through a collection of the best tracks from the bands 1st two albums as well as including two new songs – Allghoi and The Frozen Sands.

This album is a great representation on how Kylver actually sound on the LIVE stage. The band’s Progressive Post-Rock/Post-Metal sound does take time to fully get going as there lots of different textures and themes to get accustomed to. Though, if you’re a fan of bands such as PELICAN, RUSSIAN CIRCLES and WE LOST THE SEA then you’ll soon be right at home.

The live performance itself is superbly recorded and is perhaps the perfect introduction for first-time listeners to become aware of this great band. The album is quite progressive with the many different styles of music the band play on each song.

The real bonus of the live album is to hear the 2 new tracks Kylver have included within the set with Allghoi and The Frozen Sands offering 26 minutes of new material from the band. Allghoi and The Frozen Sands are most definitely the standout moments for myself. Both songs offering a bleaker and doomier narrative compared to other things that Kylver have written previously.

The Frozen Sands is perhaps the best song from the new collection with Kylver showing they have changed their creative style in places and I adored the “Eastern” vibes heard on the song whilst retaining their classic Post-Rock/Post-Metal identity.

The band were going to record their 3rd album in 2020 but as they said recently: “Restricted access to rehearsal space, studio time and everything else the pandemic brought with it forced the band to rethink their plans, use what resources were available to them.”

The Plague Tapes is a thrilling Live Album that showcases the true talent and relentless nature of Kylver with a powerful performance that everyone should listen to.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp 

Indica Blues - We Are Doomed (Album Review)

Release date: February 12th 2021. Label: APF Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

We Are Doomed – Tracklisting

1.Inhale
2.We Are Doomed
3.Demagogue 

4.Soul Embers
5.The End Is Calling
6.Cosmic Nihilism
7.Scarred For Life

Members

Andrew Haines-Villalta - Bass 

Tom Pilsworth - Guitar, Vocals
John Slaymaker - Guitar
Rich Walker – Drums

Review

UK Doom/Stoner Metallers Indica Blues make a welcome return with their new album We Are Doomed and is perhaps the perfect album title to use especially with all the stuff currently going on in the world. However, this album is a mighty fine superb album with Indica Blues focusing upon bringing their own classic style of Doom Metal, Stoner Metal with the band even bringing elements of Classic Desert Rock and Psychedelic Rock to this album.

Opening song – Inhale – has a “KYUSS” based mentality with the Desert/Stoner moments but the band add a more Doomier element but this is perhaps KYUSS would sound like if they were still kicking around today. Indica Blues add a world-weary Blues/Psych Rock vibe to the song. Tom’s vocals are superb on this track which suits the heavy grooves the band play on this song and the entire album. The “DOOMED” part of this album can be felt this early on and the song does have a slight “Apocalyptic” feel hinted at within the stunning album cover.

Second song – We Are Doomed – opens with a gloomy and catastrophic soundclip showing the end of the world is nigh so Indica Blues are fully on board with the end of the world with this record. A long distorted noises appears before a heavy sludgy guitar riff takes control and Indica Blues get straight down to business playing an almost “SABBATH” riff with distorted drone guitars moving onto a more standard style of Doom/Stoner Metal whilst keeping with the gloomy themes the band have written for this record.

Third song – Demagogue – sees Indica Blues play a classic style of Psych Stoner Metal with threatening intent with the heavy bass and guitars slowly easing to heavier levels of volume. The switching of different styles of music is quite good with Tom’s vocals allowing the listener to fully on get board with this dark and slightly Psychedelic slab of Stoner Metal.

Indica Blues carry on their dark and twisted journey with other great songs such as: Soul Embers, The End Is Calling and Cosmic Nihilism which sees the band play to their absolute creative strengths by writing great lyrics and music to match. The album can be quite cynical but when an album is called WE ARE DOOMED what do you expect. The music moves effortlessly between Doom, Psych and Stoner Metal with relevant ease and there is a high volume of great riffs to impress long-time listeners of the band and attract a few more along the way.

If you miss the good old days of Doom/Stoner Metal where bands such as Black Sabbath, KYUSS and Fu Manchu ruled the roost well Indica Blues are here to answer that call.

We Are Doomed is Indica Blues best record to date and offers another great band from the UK Doom/Stoner Metal scene for people to take notice of.

Words by Steve Howe

We Are Doomed can be pre-ordered on CD/DD/Vinyl via APF Records now.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp