Stoner Rockers GNOME Announce New Album Vestiges Of Verumex Visidrome Available To Pre-Order Now via POLDERRECORDS

The Antwerp powertrio Gnome piles riff upon riff on their third release Vestiges of Verumex Visidrome. These normal sized Belgians rip, bang and rumble through a landscape of stoner, prog and heavy metal, inhabited by mythical creatures and full of unexpected twists.

Recorded and mixed at Bear Bites Horse studio in London by the brilliant Wayne Adams, and seasoned to perfection by Larsson Mastering, this album showcases Gnome sounding larger and greasier than ever, all while dripping in a unique blend of silliness and tongue-in-cheek vibes.

Vestiges of Verumex Visidrome is a must for anyone who loves their rock with a sense of humor, but mostly with heroic passion in the quest for the golden riff. Set to drop on Friday, September 13th, 2024, via Polderrecords!

Pre-order “Vestiges of Verumex Visidrome” now!

Gnome - Vestiges Of Verumex Visidrome (DIGIPACK) €15.00 View Gnome - Vestiges Of Verumex Visidrome (BLACK) €22.00 View Gnome - Vestiges Of Verumex Visidrome (Transp. RED) €25.00 View Gnome - Vestiges Of Verumex Visidrome (DIE HARD) €30.00 View Gnome - Vestiges Of Verumex Visidrome (Test Pressing) €50.00 View Gnome - Vestiges Of Verumex Visidrome (Transp. RED + CD) €36.00 View Gnome - Father of Time + King + VVV (Packagedeal) €35.00 View

Release show: September 19th at De Studio, Antwerp (BE) - TICKETS

Thanks to POLDERRECORDS for all of the info.

Vast Pyre - Vast Pyre (Album Review)

Release Date: August 30th 2024. Record Label: Argonauta Records Formats: CD/DD

Vast Pyre - Self Titled: Tracklisting

1.Focus Deceased 09:23

2.Cataleptic 10:25

3.Revelation 09:59

4.Eternal Funeral 09:17

5.The Argent Tomb 11:25

Members

Ch. Wallstein – Vocals/Drums

A. Först – Guitar

Review

Psychedelic Doom Metallers Vast Pyre self-titled album feels like it was made within the BOWELS OF HELL or the DARKEST REACHES OF SPACE. As this record is considerably bleak with it’s down-tuned sounds and heavy reliance on blackened droned textures. There’s a ton of fuzzed out feedback and distorted guitars with subtle moments of Psych Rock, Post-Doom and Cosmic Stoner passages which feels like that the band were inspired by bands such as CONAN, SLOMATICS, UFOMAMMUT and SUNN 0))).

The album lasts around fifty minutes but feels genuinely longer and that’s down to the long drawn out where the music overlaps with harsher blackened grooves which come out to play within the exquisitely bleak first track Focus Deceased. The violent drums and solitary guitar create a heavy burst of sonic energy where the waves of AMPLIFIER FEEDBACK creative energy generates some ferocious sounding instrumental passages.

Vast Pyre play an unapologetic style of music that only becomes heavier, heavier and HEAVIER with each passing song as the band find their true calling by playing a disjointed and progressive style of Drone, Doom, Sludge and Stoner based music. The ambient themes becomes more apparent and richly observed on tracks such as Cataleptic, Revelation and the standout final track The Argent Tomb.

The band also adds elements of freaky sound effects and glitch based noises that causes an unsettling atmosphere. The lack of bass guitar was a risky and bold creative choice from the band as their music could have easily sounded soulless but it works for the mighty SLOMATICS and I’m happy to report this works brilliantly well here. This allows Vast Pyre to have a more primal and violent sound where the COSMIC parts of the record propel this album into some unexpected areas of HEAVY DOOM especially with the excellent raw sounding lead vocals.

Vast Pyre have aligned themselves with underground powerhouse label Argonauta Records who know a thing or two about defying audience expectations which Vast Pyre do so brilliantly well throughout their debut release. 

The production values are unapologetic and quite violent that matches the whole tone of the album and with Esben Willems (MONOLORD and SLOWER) mastering the album then Vast Pyre have ultimately released a thrilling slice of APOCALYPTIC DOOM/STONER METAL that manages to be quite thought provoking and absolutely deafening at the same time.

Vast Pyre have delivered the goods with this outstanding debut album and this will no doubt impress the masses of the underground Doom/Stoner Metal scene.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the promo.

Vast Pyre elf Titled debut album is available to buy now on CD/DD via Argonauta Records.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

GIGANTUM - GIGANTUM (Album Review)

Release Date: September 06th 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Gigantum: Tracklisting

1.Monkey King 06:10

2.For All My Friends 05:38

3.Forever Dreaming 07:02

4.Brain Haze 08:36

5.Rock Box 03:38

6.Necron99 08:48

Members

Mia X – Vocals/Bass

BlareNBitch – Guitar/Vocals

Mark Lüntzel – Guitar/Vocals

Chase Manhattan – Drums

Review

Gigantum's self-titled debut album is a loving homage to Grunge, Doom, and Stoner Metal with the band perhaps feeling more comfortable with their classic Hard Rock/Heavy Metal sound that appears on the record as well. Gigantum play a rough and ready sounding style of music which sees the band play aggressive Doom/Stoner Metal with flashes of Psychedelic melodies and Punk Rock flair.

There’s also a distinctive Speed Rock and Garage Rock atmosphere that appears within the main core of the record which allows Gigantum to have a LOUD and BRASH personality that shines throughout the whole record especially with the three vocalists that appear here. Lead Vocalist/Bassist Mia X gets the fair share of the vocal action with superb support from BlareNBitch and Mark Lüntzel. The album has a stripped back approach within the production and recording techniques used but it’s quite fitting for the sublime style of music that the band play here.

Some of the songs are quite lengthy and a couple of them lose focus but it doesn’t take long for Gigantum to pull out a solid rhythm to bring the excitement back to the record especially on tracks such as Monkey King, For All My Friends and Brain Haze. The rhythm section courtesy of Mia X on Bass and Chase Manhattan on Drums provide an excellent foundation for BlareNBitch and Mark’s sublime guitars to provide the monolithic style of Doom/Stoner Metal that Gigantum become masters at on the later stages of the record.

The album even veers towards Progressive based sounds on the lengthier tracks whilst keeping with that Punk Rock/Garage Rock ethic which keeps every moving along at a cracking pace. If you dig bands such as Red Fang,Clutch, FU MANCHU and the mighty Black Sabbath then Gigantum take influence from those great bands but do their own great take of Hard Rock with a rollocking street level approach heard both within the lyrics and instrumental sounds.

At the end of the day, Gigantum have released a no-hold barred “NO FUCKS GIVEN” attitude that will no doubt strike a chord with the jaded Doom/Stoner Metal fan currently out there.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Asher Media PR for the promo.

Gigantum Self Titled debut album will be released on Digital Download from Friday 06th September 2024.

Links

Linktree | BandCamp

Psych/Doom/Stoner Rockers ACID MAGUS Release New Single/Video For WYTCH From Upcoming New Album

Prepare to descend into the depths of sonic chaos and transcendence as Pretoria’s very own Acid Magus releases their latest single, Wytch, from their eagerly anticipated third studio album out via Mongrel Records. Known for their self-proclaimed “garage doom on shrooms” sound, the band takes listeners on an intense journey that blends the psychedelic energy of psych rock with the crushing weight of doom metal.

 

Wytch marks the introduction of the protagonist in what promises to be a compelling concept album. This track sets the stage for a narrative steeped in corruption, loss, and the indomitable strength of community. The rise of an empire and the birth of an unlikely people's champion are explored through haunting melodies, frenetic rhythms, and the band's signature doom-laden riffs.

 

For the first time in their discography, Acid Magus delves into the dark, abrasive world of black metal, adding a new layer of intensity to their already formidable sound. The inclusion of new drummer Jethro Vlag has brought a fresh dynamic to the band, with his prowess behind the kit elevating the music to new heights. Vlag’s contributions shine throughout Wytch, capturing a sound that oscillates between frenetic energy, simple beauty, and bone-crushing weight.

You can listen to WYTCH below

You can buy WYTCH from BandCamp Now:

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram | Twitter

Hard Rock/Psych Rock Band THE LANCASTERS Premiere New Song/Video THE QUEST From Their Upcoming New Album

The Quest' is from The Lancasters's forthcoming album, 'The Word of the Mistral', scheduled for late 2024.

The band commented that "We produced this video clip by gathering footage from our last tour with J.P. Shilo (Mick Harvey, Hungry Ghosts), Mika Bajinski (Sometimes With Others), and Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth). We entrusted our friend and director, Tony Fried, to edit this piece, as we felt it was best to maintain some distance from the content, allowing us to better convey the message we intended with 'The Quest' That tour was merely the beginning of our future projects, but it gave us the strength to harness our collective inner energy, akin to the resolve that supported fearless ancient pilgrims on their journeys.

None of us in the band believe in the Catholic Church or Christianity. However, we were deeply moved by the immense and astonishing aesthetic created by humanity in its search for God and the struggle to purify their souls. St. Michael is one of the central figures in the lives of pilgrims. He is as strong as the sword he wields, yet merciful at the same time. In the lyrics of this song, he addresses the Four Horsemen, whom we have chosen as the main characters for our concept album.

'The Word of the Mistral' will be the name of our next LP, symbolising the voice of us all carried by the wind that leads us to the truth. It also represents the voices of the guides who hold our hands, making us feel braver and safer. We are collaborating closely with Retro Vox Records to release our album this autumn, along with several singles that will precede the LP's launch."

 

LINKS

https://www.facebook.com/thelancastersband
https://www.instagram.com/thelancasters_band
https://thelancastersband.bandcamp.com

Thanks to Metaversus PR for all of the info.

Forgotten King - The Seeker (Album Review)

Release Date: September 06th 2024. Record Label: Majestic Mountain Records. Formats: DD

The Seeker: Tracklisting

1. Deadbeat (6:07)

2. Lost (7:13)

3. Around The Corner (4:14)

4. Drag (10:07)

5. The Sun (6:21)

6. The Watcher (7:46)

Members

Azul Josh - Guitar and Vocals

Svend - Guitar

Review

The Seeker is the debut album from Psych Doom/Stoner Rockers Forgotten King which has a deeply spiritual and personal sound ranging from all corners. With a free flowing Progressive attitude which drifts into a varied FUZZED UP territory for a subdued style of Doom/Stoner Rock being played throughout. The album is quite vivid with its nomadic based lyrics that hits close to the bone for Azul Josh’s vocals and soaring melodic guitars.

Azul Josh is also a member of Norwegian Doom/Stoner heavyweights KAL-EL and this record has a similar guitar tone to that great band whilst venturing into fuzzier sounds of their own making. Forgotten King isn’t afraid to delve into a slightly dramatic style of Gothic, Alt-Rock and Occult Rock tendencies. With the music switching between 1980’s Shoegaze, 1990’s Stoner Metal and modern day down-tuned FUZZIER movements for a record takes a no-holds barred approach especially when the band add tales of paranoia and mental illness into the overall creative narrative of the album.

Opening tracks of Deadbeat and Lost operate against a Sludge Rock background with an intense and wholly melodic slow moving Post-Doom/Post-Stoner swagger that offers no easy answers. The music changes into different styles of Doom/Stoner Rock with even moments of Desert Rock appearing reminding me of QOTSA in places.

The Seeker becomes bolder and daring with the Progressive element of the album fully taking over by the stunning third track Around The Corner. The track is more riff-centric but Forgotten King remains cautiously downbeat even when the music changes into brief moments of uplifting Stoner Rock attitudes. 

The second half of The Seeker becomes quite experimental with trippy amounts of down-tuned Psychedelics and Space Rock converging together for an abstract sound within tracks such as Drag and The Sun. There’s a firm hold on Post-Metal based sounds on the lengthier instrumental moments that resides mostly within Drag and The Watcher. Even the vocals are quite harsh and abrasive which is surprising and wholly unexpected

Forgotten King creates and builds up some mighty fine euphoric grooves throughout the whole  album with the melodic FUZZ and down-tuned Stoner passages ending the album naturally whilst allowing the listener complete closure to the epic sounding record they’ve just fully experienced.

The Seeker is a daring and soulful expedition into the gloomier depths of Psych Doom/Stoner Metal that you only start to appreciate fully the more times you listen to this great album. As Forgotten King delivers the goods with this album with thrilling production values to match.

Outstanding and possibly another fine addition to anyone’s Album Of The Year collection before the year is up.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the promo.

The Seeker will be available to buy on DD via Majestic Mountain Records from Friday 06th September 2024.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram