The Skyspeakers - Echo Hall (EP Review)

 

Date Released: September 23rd  2022. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Echo Hall: Tracklisting

1.Learn to Feel 05:05

2.The Ghost House 08:09

3.Guardian of the Grave 04:01

4.Hollow Bones 03:55

Members

Chris Latta - Vocals, bass, rhythm guitar

Jessie Browne-Michaels - Vocals, saxophone

Patrick Phillips - Drums

Leah Andrews - Keyboards, synthesizers

Cicatrix - All guitars on "The Ghost House," solos on "Learn to Feel" and "Guardian of the Grave"

Review

Echo Hall is the debut EP from Psych Doom/Stoner Rockers The Skyspeakers and the band arei influenced by bands such as Ruby Hatchet, Uncle Acid and Blackwater Holylight. So the EP contains a retro and gloomy style of Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Rock with the vocals being more Folk/Americana based. This isn’t the type of music I usually go for right away and this did take a few listens to fully appreciate. 

Opening song Learn To Feel is a slow-paced Folk Rock/Americana number with strands of 60s/70s Occult Rock with echoes of Post-Rock amongst the weird Psychedelic grooves. There’s some heavy guitar sounds on the later stages of the song and the haunting dual vocals from Chris and Jessie elevate the song to a stronger creative peak. This track is very melodic and fits in superbly well with the Prog Rock and Gloomy rhythms that remains one of the strongest aspects of The Skyspeakers in general.

Second song The Ghost House is the standout track and the band turn over many different levels of gloomy atmospheric rock. The song runs past the eight minutes mark and The Skyspeakers play cautiously slowly yet again but they play an exciting blend of Post-Rock and Americana sounds that does remind me of Blackwater Holylight. The lyrics have a slight GOTHIC twinge and Alternative flow that moves into heavier areas of distorted DOOM. Hell, the band even add elements of Jazz and Funk to the party and I never expected that at all. 

The other two songs Guardian Of The Grave and Hollow Bones move further into the gloomy rock arena with perhaps more experimentation for a richer and fuller sound especially on Guardian Of The Grave.

Echo Hall can be a hard record to like at first but it’s got HEART and SOUL that does leave you wanting to hear more. The production is clear and solid that allows The Skyspeakers to play their music in a highly confident way. 

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Doom-psych quartet WITCHFINDER to reveal details on new album 'Forgotten Mansion' coming out this Fall via Mrs Red Sound

Doom-psych quartet WITCHFINDER to reveal details on new album 'Forgotten Mansion' coming out this Fall via Mrs Red Sound : stream first single HERE or below

France's doom sludge oufit WITCHFINDER unveil track listing, artwork, recording details and first single off their upcoming album 'Forgotten Mansion' - out on November 18th 2022 through Mrs Red Sound. Enjoy spectral first excerpt "Ghosts Happen To Fade" now!

Photo Aurore Staiger.

The 'Forgotten Mansion' that adorns the desolated garden pictured on the cover of WITCHFINDER's latest EP has now its very own piece of music. This relevant visual and sonic follow-up features gloomy atmospheres, explores the horror topic and spreads a massive blast of fuzz. The addition of keyboardist Kevyn Raecke propels their already ultra-thick sounding into a cathedral-esque dimension; both theatrical and heavy. The psychedelic touch is cleverly highlighted here over a substantial doom cushion. One can appreciate some faster sections and a nicely worked heavy rock riffage which spices up this record and prevents it from drowning in any easiness. With their new album 'Forgotten Mansion', Witchfinder dust off the genre without flaying its foundations at any time.

Witchfinder's new album 'Forgotten Mansion' was recorded, mixed and mastered at Monochrom Studio, Gniewoszów, Poland, by Haldor Grunberg (Behemoth, Dopelord, Belzebong) of Satanic Audio, who also sings on the second track "Marijuana".

Artwork by Branca Studio

TRACK LISTING:

1. Approaching
2. Marijuana
3. Lucid Forest
4. Ghosts Happen To Fade
5. The Old Days
 

Clermont-Ferrand's doom sludge quartet WITCHFINDER are powered by gloomy keyboard effects, haunted Dopelord-like vocals, thunderous riffage and a bone rattling rhythm section. Since the release of their eponymous debut album in 2016, they have garnered a sizable following among the underground scene opening for stoner and doom heavyweights such as Red Fang, Corrosion Of Conformity, Dopethrone, Ufomammut, Conan, Monolord, Kadavar, Hangman’s Chair...

Witchfinder's sophomore studio effort 'Hazy Rites' throws in plenty of hardcore and sludge influences to their already massive and doom-laden sound. It came out on 2019 via Black Bow Records (CD) and 2020 via Mrs Red Sound (LP). Their lastest EP 'Endless Garden' blends fearsome fuzz, cold psychedelia and mucky sludge. This is the first studio effort recorded with their new keyboardist Kevyn Raecke, who brings some stagy ghostly effects and greatly emphasizes the band's fat and spooky sounding. This EP came out in June 2022 on Mrs Red Sound and definitely picked the interest of a larger number of heavy sounds lovers.

Witchfinder's upcoming album 'Forgotten Mansion' was recorded, mixed and mastered at Monochrom Studio, Gniewoszów, Poland, by Haldor Grunberg of Satanic Audio (Behemoth, Dopelord, Me An That Man). It arrives this November 18th through Mrs Red Sound.

 

LINE-UP :

Clément Mostefai: vocals, bass
Stanislas Franczak: guitar
Thomas Dupuy: drums
Kevyn Raecke: keyboard

Links

Linktree | BandCamp

California’s instrumental post-rock duo IN THE PONDS have dropped their first single and music video ‘Lonesome George’

California’s instrumental post-rock duo IN THE PONDS have dropped their first single and music video ‘Lonesome George'

Their debut EP ‘Polar Night’ is due to release October 19th via Entelodon Records.

Watch the YouTube video below.

For fans of: Earth, Grails, The Dead Weather, Cortége, Droneroom

IN THE PONDS is David Perez (Guitar) and Jennifer Gigantino (Bass)

IN THE PONDS is what happens when a poet and a filmmaker get married and start an instrumental rock band during pandemic lockdowns and California wildfires. It’s when they spend their honeymoon in quarantine, staring at soot-filled skies wondering how to capture feelings of isolation, dread, and love without using words. The result is three EPs that pay homage to classic rock roots while experimenting with non-traditional song structures for a sound that’s both familiar and otherworldly.

Digital pre-orders have begun on Bandcamp for ‘Polar Night’.

GRIN - Phantom Knocks (Album Review)

Date Released: October 14th 2022. Record Label: The Lasting Dose Records. Formats: Cassette/CD/DD/Vinyl

Phantom Knocks: Tracklisting

Transcendence

Shiver

Aporia

Arcane

Apex

Rivulets

Servants

Spectral

Members

SABINE OBERG – Bass Guitar

JAN OBERG – Drums, Vocals, Guitars, Soundscapes

Additional Musician: RENÉ NOÇON – Hammond Organ on ARCANE

Review

Phantom Knocks is the new album from Psychedelic Sludge/Stoner Metallers GRIN. This is their third full length album and sees the band move further into the Ambient and Psychedelic side of Sludge/Stoner Metal. Perhaps taking some slight cues from Jan and Sabine's other musical project Slowshine but with a heavier and  more dominant style of music that could easily be classed as Post-Metal or Ambient Metal.

Opening song Transcendence is a heavy mix of Tribal Sounds with an eerie Ambient driven Sludge score with the music being driven along by pulsating drums, distorted droned out effects and haunting gloomy vocals. A style of music that GRIN have perfected over their last two albums. The track has the mysterious sonic power of UFOMAMMUT with the wonderfully diverse Post-Rock/Post-Metal imagery of ISIS (Oceanic era).

Second song Shiver carries on the Psychedelic and Distorted rhythms that is quite intense but melodic at the same time. The Post-Metal/Doom vibe is merged supremely well with the STONER grooves that GRIN use fleetingly to bring a more direct sound to the listener. The dual vocals have a great multi-layered effect meaning they're sung directly in front of you and behind as well. The Ambient Noises and Soundscapes are superbly put together allowing GRIN to create a heavier style of music. 

Third song Aporia is a more gloomier and psychedelic affair with perhaps some Middle Eastern based grooves appearing. The vocals are heavier and more intense here. Perhaps the heaviest I've heard from Jan in some long time. GRIN offers a more threatening atmosphere with the gloomy and sinister soundscapes doing their part as well. The Ambient Metal grooves are perhaps considered Post-Doom or Post-Sludge. As the whole tone and nature of the song is bleak and captures GRIN at their gloomiest best. The song does have a certain RELAPSE RECORDS quality to it all but still allowing GRIN to fully be themselves as well.

Fourth song Arcane is one of the more less aggressive tracks on the album and is perhaps the song that would have fitted superbly well on Slowshine's acclaimed debut album. This track is one of the finest meditative Psych/Ambient Metal tracks I've heard in a long time. Quite peaceful that is powered along by a first rate Drone/Sludge/Stoner riff that lasts an age. The lyrics are organic and insightful even if the vocals are buried under a barrage of HEAVY SPACED OUT grooves. One of the standout tracks on the album.

GRIN takes their blend of Tribal/Ambient driven music into heavier levels of Psychedelia and Distortion. Amplifier Riff Worship is perhaps the main key for GRIN on the second half of the album especially on tracks: Apex, Rivulets and Spectral. GRIN becomes a more threatening force of nature on the last few songs with the band merging different styles and creative themes that could be quite peaceful one moment and devastatingly brutal the next. 

Crunching guitars and wonderfully progressive drumming brought back memories of mid-00's BORIS for myself. There is a lot to take in with this album and the record feels so much longer than it's thirty five minute runtime. I mean that as a compliment. GRIN have included so many different themes, ideas and sounds on Phantom Knocks that you will need multiple listens to the album to soak everything in.

The production values are first rate and with Jan behind the production desk, I wouldn't expect anything less. As he's worked his magic on GRIN's previous releases. So be prepared for a LOUD and CRUSHING ALBUM.

GRIN have released another fantastic and beautifully sonic heavy record that's perhaps their strongest effort to date. This is most definitely an Album Of The Year Contender.

This is simply unmissable....

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Mona at All Noir PR for the promo.

Phantom Knocks will be available to buy on Cassette/CD/DD/Vinyl via The Lasting Dose Records from October 14th 2022.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

CASSIUS KING release Wouldn't You Like To Know Me video From Upcoming New Album Dread The Dawn

In advance of their 2nd release Dread The Dawn, Cassius King have just released their video for the Paul Stanley cover song Wouldn't You Like To Know Me. 

Guitarist Dan Lorenzo said: "My wife was surprised I wanted to cover this song because she told me it reminded her of a cute/happy song she would like from the 80s. And guess what? It is a happy song, but I've always loved it. It makes me happy! 

Everybody in Cassius King ( Jason McMaster vocals, Ron Lipnicki drums and Jimmy Schulman bass) loves and I mean absolutely LOVES old Kiss."

Wouldn't You Like To Know me will only be available on the American version of Dread The Dawn on California's Nomad Eel Records on October 21st. Germany's MDD Records version of Dread The Dawn will feature different bonus tracks.

 
Vocalist Jason McMaster produced the video and said, "Being a big Kiss fan, I was still reluctant to record a vocal track, or even like the idea of recording this song. I thought "Why can't we do God of Thunder or something like that?" I started to cut the tracks for it, and revisiting the original version, and holy shit....I fell back to 1978 and in love with the song all over again. Totally excited to throw this video out to rock fans".

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

The Amblers - Shallow Pools Deluxe Edition (Album Review)

Date Released: September 30th 2022. Record Label: Lay Bare Recordings. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Shallow Pools (Deluxe Edition): Tracklisting

Sticks And Stones

Keep Me Screamin'

Shallow Pools

Dusting Man

Ratty Old Mo'

Forgive Me

Sixteen 100 Year Olds

Sometimes

Birds And The Bees

The Day I Gave My Sister Away

Just Get Me To Bed

Members

Justin Swart - Vocals/Guitars

Jason Hinch - Drums

Review

South African Psych/Blues/Fuzz Rockers The Amblers are releasing a deluxe eidtion of their acclaimed 2018 release Shallow Pools. An album that is getting the Vinyl Treatment courtesy of ace Dutch Record Label Lay Bare Recordings. 

Shallow Pools is an exciting mix of different hard rock styles from the last fifty years with The Amblers adopting a "less is more" or minimalist approach to the music that sees the band take influence from multiple Jack White projects such as The Raconteurs and The White Stripes. Throw in other sounds from bands such as QOTSA and FUZZ then you still only feel or hear half the picture that The Amblers are trying to create here. An essential Garage Rock presence can be heard on tracks such as: Stick and Stones, Keep Me Screamin', Shallow Pools, Ratty Old Mo' and Sixteen 100 Year Olds.

The Amblers are well known within the South African Underground Rock scene and have slowly been gaining a fantastic reputation within the European Underground scene with various releases. Perhaps why Lay Baye Recordings are releasing Shallow Pools on vinyl.

The Amblers have a feel of genuine warmth, love and appreciation for their musical heroes and influences on this album. The instrumental work is sublime with The Amblers bringing a solid lo-fi DIY vibe to their style of Classic Hard Rock that may show the odd Stoner groove here and there. 

Justin's vocals are calm and essential as ever especially on the later stages of the album with tracks such as; Sometimes, Birds And The Bees, They Day I Gave My Sister Away and Just Get Me To Bed. All great songs showcasing having an organic warm sound and feeling to them. 

Jason's drums are superb with his heavy beats matching the "less is more" approach of Justin's guitars but adding real weight in the VOLUME DEPARTMENT. The FUZZY and SCUZZY sounds are plentiful and if you're here for the MIGHTY RIFF then The Amblers don't skimp in that department either. The album can be quite FOLK ROCK in places which can hold back the album in certain ways. However, The Amblers impress with the rest of the creative choices held on the album.

Shallow Pools is a highly confident affair that allows The Amblers to have a major SWAGGER in their steps. With Lay Bare Recordings helping them to gain a much wider audience, The Amblers could be forging exciting new opportunities and possibilities for themselves. If that leads to new music then I'm all for it.

The Amblers are one of the best Hard Rock bands from the South African scene. Shallow Pools is proof of that and long may it continue.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Warren at Plug Music PR for the promo.

Shallow Pools will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl via Lay Bare Recordings from September 30th 2022.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Everest Queen - Murmurations (Album Review)

Date Released: September 30th 2022. Record Label: Trepanation Recordings. Formats: CD/DD/Cassette

Murmurations: Tracklisting

Sunken Thorn

Of Treachery And Shadows

Murmurations

Dormant River

Divergence

The Burial

Members

Adam C Taylor - Lead Vocals/Guitars

Tom Clements - Guitar, Synth, Vocals

Jimmy Long - Bass

Brad Cook - Drums, Vocals

Review

Murmurations is the new album from Doom/Sludge Metallers Everest Queen and sees the band drift further into the Post-Metal arena compared to their previous album. This album is darker and more daring with the band moving between the Psychedelic Moments of the Doom/Sludge Metal grooves that appear on this album. 

Everest Queen opens the album up with Sunken Thorn. A song that is pitch-black and sees the band have a more Blackened and Progressive approach with their music. Shades of THOU and NEUROSIS can be felt here with a slightly twisted outlook being heard within the lyrical content of the song. The music is quite forward thinking in places with a twinge of Stoner Metal appearing here and there. The vocals are quite forceful and Everest Queen have a more commanding presence to them especially when the Psychedelic sounds appear that sees the riffs become quite plentiful on the later stages of the song.

Second song Of Treachery And Shadows is a more direct affair with a fantastic instrumental sound being played for the first few moments of the song. With the band adding perhaps a more mainstream metal sound that ventures between Post-Rock and Post-Metal with a cool Progressive sound giving way to the brutal harsh vocals when they appear. The song becomes ever more gloomy with the flashy guitars and frantic drumming. I easily understood the harsh growls which was an added bonus. There is a slight Hardcore flow to this song before some epic Progressive and Thrash based guitars show a more aggressive change of pace from the band. 

Third song Murmurations is a different change of pace with ambient sounds and textures merging with a semi-acoustic atmosphere. More Post-Rock compared to the aggressive sounds of the opening two tracks but showing another cool creative side to Everest Queen. There are shades of Nirvana on this track for myself especially with the subtle and powerful drumming and guitar tones.

Fourth song Dormant River feels like two different sounds with the first part being a surreal Psych Rock and Post Rock track with Ambient and Dreamy surreal sounds. The second half sees Everest Queen return to their aggressive and violent sound that flirts between Post-Metal and Blackened Sludge Metal energy. The vocals are demanding but fair with Everest Queen playing to their full creative potential on this track. This is my favourite track on the album as it shows you many different sides to Everest Queen that you wouldn't expect. 

The final two songs of Divergence and The Burial mix and match the different styles of Post-Rock, Psych Rock and Blackened Sludge Metal that evokes memories of YOB and ISIS (The Band) especially on Divergence. Both songs combine for an exciting finish for Everest Queen to impress listeners with their vast musical skills and songwriting ability.

Murmurations is an exciting chapter for Everest Queen to make themselves known with. Some fans may not like the bleak direction the band have taken with this release but this is a first rate album that's boosted by first rate production values.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Chris at Frenchie PR Trail for the promo.

Murmurations will be available to buy on CD/DD/Cassette via Trepanation Recordings from September 30th 2022.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Exclusive Album Premiere of STRAMONIUM New Album ELDER MOON Released by Argonauta Records

STRAMONIUM’s sound ranges from classic rock to 70's psychedelia, modern stoner to old school doom and results from mixing all these references with heavy blues-styled jam sessions. Black Sabbath, Pentagram, Iron Maiden but also Jimi Hendrix, MC5, Motorhead, these are just some of the main references throughout the work. 

Their colossal and dark sound recalls themes and atmospheres dealing with occultism, esoteric doctrines, symbolism and specifically the cult of the Moon. Floating between melodic vocal lines, acid reverbs and hypnotic slow riffs; fast fuzzed solos and heavy-muff rhythmic lines, the Italian four-piece takes its listener on an introspective trip through a decadent and obscure landscape, made of pagan worship and a genuine passion for the 70’s heavy-rock scene.

Italian Powerhouse Record Label Argonauta Records is releasing their debut album Elder Moon which fuses Proto-Doom Metal and Stoner Metal with a sideline of Heavy Rock and Heavy Metal that will appeal to the most jaded fans of Heavy Rock/Heavy Metal.

You can hear the album in full below thanks to Grand Sounds PR and Argonauta Records.

Thanks to Grand Sounds PR for all of the details.

Elder Moon is available to buy CD/DD via Argonauta Records from September 30th 2022.

Links

Facebook

Introduce Yourselves: DIMWIND

What is the name of your band?

DIMWIND

What is the genre of music that you play?

Instrumental progressive post-metal with post-rock aesthetics.

Can you give a brief history of the band of how it came together and where it is today?

We are from Gothenburg, Sweden, and have played together in different constellations since the late 90's and finally established Dimwind as a duo in 2019. It’s easier to get our vision out without consideration to other members. We are currently working on our second full length album that will be out in 2023.

What can people expect from your music?

Sad melodies intertwined between heavy crescendos and calmer passages.

What is the best release that folks should check out from your band?

Album - Slow Wave Violence (2021)

Split EP - Seasons (2022)

Where can people find you on Social Media?

https://www.dimwind.com/

https://www.instagram.com/dimwind_official/

https://www.facebook.com/dimwind.official

https://dimwind.bandcamp.com/music

Majestic Mountain Records Announce: Dirt Forge - Interspheral PRE-ORDER on Friday September 23rd 2022

PRE-ORDER OPENS September 23rd at 19:00 CET/1pm EDT/10am PDT/6pm BST

THE FIRST 150 ORDERS WILL COME WITH A SIGNED POSTER (Album Artwork)! Put the right product (with poster) in your shopping cart to get the poster edition!

Majestic Mountain Records are pleased to announce the signing of Copenhagen’s brutal, hardcore sludge merchants, Dirt Forge! 

‘Interspheral’ will be released digitally, and on CD and cassette on the 11th of November. Vinyl to follow soon and information on that will be forthcoming!

Majestic is thrilled to welcome Dirt Forge into the fold and we are extremely proud of the incredible release they have produced which will, of course, receive the full Majestic treatment.

Dirt Forge have hammered out a monster of an album with ‘Interspehral,’ and throughout each of the seven tracks, their sludgy crucible boils over with molten aggression flowing pyroclastically from a gorgeously chaotic and heaving mass of hardcore, post-metallic heart.

Relentlessly bludgeoning waves of torrential tone and chugging, rhythmic pressure ebb and flow effortlessly between righteously thrilling riffing and abyssally cavernous walls of mercilessly crushing atmosphere in both scale and mood but also in the textural sense, exceptionally positioned between bestially brutal bashing teetering on the edge of utter collapse and near-constant, deeply discordant vocal animosity.
This is THE heavy, folks.

Interspheral comes in

Blue and yellow merge with green splatter
180-gram heavyweight vinyl
Single sleeve with 3mm spine
Full color insert
Black poly-lined inner sleeve
Protective plastic sleeve
33 rpm heaviness
150 first with a signed poster!

Tracklisting;

1. The Observer
2. Highest Low
3. Ascension
4. Moralterations
5. Left In The Lurch
6. Miscommunision
7. Descension

Dirt Forge is:

Yannick Kristensen - Bass, Vocals (backing)
Nicolai Lomholt - Drums
Alexander Kolby - Guitars, vocals

All songs written and performed by Dirt Forge
Recorded, mixed and produced bt Lasse Ballade at Ballade Studios
Mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege
Album artwork by Marald Art
Layout by Alexander Kolby

First single 'Ascension', taken from the new album 'Interspheral'

Thanks to Majestic Mountain Records for all of the details.

Dirt Forge Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Majestic Mountain Records Links:

Facebook | BandCamp | BigCartel

TONS - Hashension (Album Review)

Date Released: October 07th 2022. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Hashension: Tracklisting

1. Dope Dealer Scum 

2. A Hash Day's Night

3. Slowly We Pot

4. Hempathy For the Devil

5. Ummagummo

6. Hashended

Members

Slowninja -  Vocals, bass, synths

Little Stevie - Guitar

Glüten Freidrich - Guitar

Vito Power - Drums

Review

TONS are slowly becoming one of Italy’s premier underground Sludge/Stoner Metal bands with their latest and perhaps greatest release Hashesnion. Coming off their celebrated split release with WEEDIAN METAL icons Bongzilla, TONS have delivered a more far out there album with the band’s trademark jet black humour still intact.

The music is still of the LOW & SLOW variety with TONS dealing in their WEEDIAN blend of down-tuned Sludge/Stoner Metal grooves with harsh vocals to match. The atmosphere is perhaps more volatile PUNK based and there is still a bleak vibe being played around you.Seedy soundscapes and smoky WEEDIAN flavours that the band have picked up from touring and performing with other legendary bands such as Bongzilla, Unsane and Napalm Death over the last thirteen years of their career.

Opening song Dope Dealer Scum has that Church Of Misery unsettling vibe but with TONS opting for a more sludgier style of Stoner Metal with twisted elements of WEED based Psychedelic Rock/Metal. The song is purely instrumental and it’s one of the gloomiest tracks on the album. Quite unnerving in places especially towards the end of the song even despite the presence of melodic grooves appearing.

Second song A Hash Day’s Night is not anything remotely sounding like The Beatles. This is TONS play a turbo-charged style of Sludge/Stoner Metal with an extreme vocal presence with the harsh based growls that veer almost into Death Metal style but still falling into the side of WEEDIAN Metal. The music is fast and outbursts of frantic aggressive energy with the down-tuned guitars having a more violent presence that can be quite hard to listen to at first. However, the band’s spiky and fantastic self aware lyrics leave you wanting to hear more.

Third song Slowly We Pot showcases another wild down-tuned ride into TONS dark world. Psychedelic guitars and sounds collide superbly well against the harsh vocals yet again. The humour is pitch-black yet again with the band taking a more Doom Metal presence on these tracks. TONS do play a less threatening style of extended guitar riffs which I couldn’t help myself rock out to. The drumming is first rate that allows the music to grow and breathe naturally despite the harsh soundscapes being played everywhere. 

Fourth song Hempathy For The Devil opens with a cool WEEDIAN HEALTH WARNING which only adds to the band’s self aware and brilliant humour for this song. Perhaps the song that is most inspired by Church Of Misery and Bongzilla but still allowing TONS to deliver their own blend of devilish entertainment. The music is standard Stoner Metal fare but the down-tuned aggressive tempo allows the instrumental moments to fully shine. The vocals and lyrics are my favourite parts of the album. Yeah, the song is demonic but at least TONS are having fun with the WEEDIAN genre and perhaps turning the scene on its head. The instrumental work is first rate yet again.

The final two songs Ummagummo and Hashended allows TONS to end this album in highly convincing fashion with more down-tuned and REEFER based sadistic madness with gloomier Psychedelic elements on the closing stages of the album with TONS almost moving into the Post-Whatever genre when the heavy instrumental parts appear before returning to their normal style of music that closes the album superbly well.

Hashension is TONS finest album to date and no doubt this album will make a mighty impression with the WEEDIAN/Sludge/Stoner Metal underground scene for many years to come.

This is one of the most brilliantly entertaining albums of the year and that’s why this record is an Album Of The Year contender.

TONS and Heavy Psych Sounds have done it again….

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Hashension will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds from September 30th 2022.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp