Exclusive Album Premiere Of Stoner Rock Legends HERMANO New Album WHEN THE MOON WAS HIGH

Stoner Rock Legends HERMANO return with their new album - when the moon was high - ahead of it's official release on Friday 04th October 2024 via the legendary record label - Ripple Music. 

"when the moon was high..." sees the Californian powerhouse formed by John Garcia (Kyuss) on vocals, bassist Dandy Brown, guitarists Mike Callahan (Disengage) and David Angstrom (Supafuzz), and drummer Chris Leathers (Supafuzz) taking back claim to the territory they had charted three decades ago. It features the first new music released by the band since 2007's "...Into The Exam Room", with two new studio tracks and four live songs including a never-released track, showcasing the sticky-sweet and heavy blues riffs and tones that are unique to the veteran quintet. A must-have for any stoner and desert rock fan!

We're beyond excited and happy to premiere the new album in full with this exclusive premiere thanks to the cool folks over at Purple Sage PR and Ripple Music.

Ripple Music · Hermano - When the Moon Was High

The Lowdown

Taking back claim to the territory they had charted years ago, Breathe, the upcoming limited-edition release from Hermano, features the first new music released by the band in fifteen years.

While the band had continued to write and perform on each other’s individual projects during the last decade and a half, Breathe showcases the sticky-sweet and heavy blues riffs and tones that are unique to these five musicians when they come together under the Hermano banner.

The title track, Breathe, travels back to the band’s first release, filled with the same swagger and heavy hand as the band’s initial offerings, reinforcing the impact the band has had upon modern heavy rock, stoner rock, and driving blues genres.

Written for the first Hermano sessions, Never Boulevard was tracked during the last few hours while recording in Cincinnati during the winter of 1998. Rediscovered while organizing the master tapes for the Ripple catalog reissues and utilizing the original core tracks, the band has finally brought the song to completion twenty-six years later.

Rounding out the limited-edition are four never-before-heard live tracks that again underline the unique place in heavy blues music Hermano occupies. Brother Bjork serves as more evidence to the band’s stellar performance at the Willem Twee Poppodium in 2004, a show that continues to be hailed as one of the finest the venue has ever hosted.

Taken from the last time the group came together to perform, Senor Moreno’s Plan, Love, and Manager’s Special all give a special glimpse into their lauded reunion at Hellfest in 2016. After eight years of not performing together, John, Dave, Mike, Chris and Dandy arrived a couple of days before the festival, rehearsed for a few hours, and came with a head of steam that left those who witnessed the event both touched and amazed. Breathe not only features a small sliver of that legendary performance, but also introduces the only existing audio recording of the band’s song Love.

“We are so incredibly thankful to be able to bring new music to both new fans and those who have followed Hermano for the last twenty-six years. We are looking eagerly forward to continuing this reissues and special editions journey with Ripple . . . so hang onto your hats because we have a lot more coming and a long way to go. Breathing new life into our catalog and having the opportunity to release special collections like Breathe, well, it is an especially 'dream-come-true' time for all of us. For that, and to all who have continued to stay interested, thank you.”  - John, Dave, Mike, Chris, and Dandy 

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the info.

when the moon was high will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music from Friday 04th October 2024

RIPPLE MUSIC links

Website ⎪ Facebook ⎪ Bandcamp ⎪ Instagram

Restless Spirit - The Doomed And The Dead... Live (EP Review)

Release Date: October 02nd 2024. Record Label: Magnetic Eye Records. Format: Digital

The Doomed And The Dead​.​.​. Live - Track Listing:

1.Judgement and Exile (Live at RPM Fest) 08:21

2.All Furies (Live at RPM Fest) 03:21

3.Cascade Immolator (Live at RPM Fest) 03:51

4.Lord of the New Depression (Live at RPM Fest) 03:21

5.From the Dust Returned (Live at RPM Fest) 05:22

Members

Paul Aloisio – guitar, vocals

Jon Gusman – drums

Marc Morello – bass

Review

After a string of acclaimed album releases Progressive Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metallers Restless Spirit have released their first ever live release. The Doomed And The Dead … Live features the band’s performance at RPM Fest in Massachusetts, USA in September 2023. The EP features five tracks running for twenty four minutes which spans the whole of their three albums they’ve released to date. The performance is highly energetic, catchy and downright melodically aggressive which captures the essence of the studio recordings that has seen the band become firm favourites within the underground scene. Restless Spirit offers a rawer style of music here which comes across the excellent opening track Judgement And Exile. The band feel like they’ve grown up on a steady diet of classic live albums from yesteryear for this performance alone with the flashy progressive guitar solos that abound through the entire release. The Doomed And The Dead … Live feels how Restless Spirit genuinely sounds like in real life with the raw-sounding aesthetics of the whole release. To my knowledge there’s no flashy studio or production techniques that have been used for this performance at all. The whole EP sounds catchy and very much “in your face” within the heavier and riff-centric strands that Restless Spirit perform a faster performance style compared to the original studio recording especially on tracks such as All Furies, Lord Of The New Depression and From The Dust Returned. The Doomed And The Dead … Live is a superbly entertaining release. It’s a shame it’s quite a short release and it feels there's stuff that's missing with some tracks having an unexplained pause but that's only a minor complaint. As Restless Spirit have released another must have record to add to their already impressive back catalogue. If you want an action packed, short and very precise EP where the band are masters of the ALMIGHTY RIFF then Restless Spirit have just the release for you.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram | Twitter

Introduce Yourselves: Temple Smoke

What is the name of your band?

Temple Smoke

What is the genre of music that you play?

Stoner, desert, grunge, rock

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

Temple Smoke is a 5 piece hard rock group based in Tainan, Taiwan comprised of one Canadian, one Brit, and 3 Americans. The band started in late 2018 as a 4 piece and later added another guitar player in late 2022. We have just released our new full length album, Monolithic Evolution.

"They're like a mystical Nebula. Heavy stuff all around. " - Classic Rock Magazine

Band members include:

Eric Hildebrand - Lead vocals
Chad Cote - Bass and backing vocals/ Producer
Cory Richley - Guitar and synthesizer
Andrew Jackson - Drums
Robinson Coulton (2022) - Guitar/ Sound Engineer/ Producer

What can people expect from your music?

People can expect bonecrushing riffs with lots of fuzz, a solid rhythm section, and vocals sung with conviction.

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

Monolithic Evolution

Where can people find you on Social Media?

www.facebook.com/TempleSmokeTaiwan
www.instagram.com/templesmokeband
www.youtube.com/@templesmoketaiwan
https://templesmoketaiwan.bandcamp.com/album/monolithic-evolution
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4RpncY4NrXQ6eg97mEhcjp

Thanks to Temple Smoke for all of the details. You can read my review of Monolithic Evolution here.

Temple Of Smoke - Monolithic Evolution (Album Review)

Release Date: October 01st 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Format: CD/Digital/Vinyl

Monolithic Evolution - Track Listing:

1.Crucified Dreams 04:36

2.Hex 04:20

3.Strange Light 02:27

4.Toast the Void 03:34

5.Master's Call 03:14

6.Time Is Such A Long Word (When You're High) 03:44

7.Moon Watcher's Dream 01:55

8.Moon Watcher 05:41

9.Cheap Fingers 03:15

10.Anticipation 04:41

11.Nothing Forever 05:39

Members

Eric Hildebrand - Lead vocals

Chad Cote - Bass and backing vocals/ Producer

Cory Richley - Guitar and synthesizer

Andrew Jackson - Drums

Robinson Coulton (2022) - Guitar/ Sound Engineer/ Producer

Review

Monolithic Evolution is the debut album from Desert/Stoner Rockers Temple Smoke who are based in Taiwan. The band are made up of one Canadian, one Brit, and 3 Americans with Temple Smoke solely focused on playing classic Desert, Fuzz and Stoner Rock grooves inspired by the American and Swedish scenes with influences such as Truckfighters, Lowrider, FU MANCHU, Kyuss, Nebula and Monster Magnet. However, Temple Smoke proves on their debut album they’re most definitely doing their own thing with a spiky arrogance to match.

The music is quite sludgy in places with a raw sounding FUZZ atmosphere becoming quite distorted and full of guitar reverb which starts to build within the excellent batch of opening tracks of Crucified Dreams, Hex and Strange Light. Temple Smoke add some gloomy Doom Rock vibes into their lyrics and that comes shining through lead vocalist Eric Hildebrand’s commanding vocal performance.

There’s some epic melodic interplay appearing which results in some damn fine guitar solos along the way. The rhythm section of Andrew Jackson (Drums) and Chad Cote (Bass) have a similar momentum to bands such as Truckfighters and FU MANCHU. Definitely more focused on the Fuzz/Desert Rock aspect which leaves the other other members Cory Richley (Guitar) and Robinson Coulton (Guitar) to focus on creating the heavier Stoner Metal sonic landscape. 

Temple Smoke are quite happy to play a Punk Rock style of music which appears with Strange Light with a killer Alt Rock sound merging with the classic Stoner vibe that resonates from every psychedelic angle. 

The songs allow Temple Smoke to demonstrate their superb songwriting abilities which are always highly interesting and builds up an excellent creative narrative for the whole album. The musical flow is deeply rooted within the landscape of 1990’s and 2000’s Stoner Rock/Metal but the band still add modern touches of Psych Rock and Sludge Rock sensibilities along the way. 

Sometimes there’s a wicked Post-Stoner energy that transforms into a sublime Fuzz Rock style on the later stages on the album on tracks such as Time Is Such A Long Word (When You’re High), Moon Watcher, Anticipation and Nothing Forever. The second half of the album is perhaps the heaviest and most aggressive part of the album as the tracks are on slightly longer which allows Temple Smoke time to further enhance their sound which they do with outstanding results.

Monolithic Evolution is an aggressive and fast-paced adventure that embraces the whole Desert Rock, Fuzz and Stoner Metal with loving affection that provides many outstanding grooves along the way. These guys deserve your full attention as Temple Smoke are making a claim for releasing a genuine Album Of The Year Contender with this record.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Earth Drive - Light Codes (Album Review)

Release Date: September 23rd 2024. Record Label: Raging Planet. Format: CD/Digital/Vinyl

Light Codes - Track Listing:

1.The Bridge 07:58

2.True Passage into the void 06:09

3.Psychoid 07:54

4.Four levels of consciousness 05:43

5.Omega Point 06:00

6.Light Codes 02:56

7.Home 05:42

Members

Sara Antunes (vocals)

Sebastião Santos (drums) 

Fernando Matias (bass)

Hermano Marques (guitar and vocals)

Review

Psychedelic Doomsters Earth Drive return with their fourth album Light Codes which continues their style of Spaced Out Heaviness that’s powered with a modern day Progressive Rock and Stoner based energy which has served them well within their previous albums. The music is perhaps more soulful and ethereal on Light Codes with Sara’s vocals leading with a 90’s Alt Rock/Grunge attitude which gives the album a deft emotional core within the lyrics and how the band deliver their music especially on the opening track The Bridge.

Earth Drive has some wonderfully subversive Ambient Noises and Psychedelic movements with the sludgy undercurrent propelling the band into heavier waters. The music can be quite GOTHIC sounding in places which comes into play within the stunning second track The Passage Into The Void without compromising their dominant Cosmic Doom/Stoner Metal spirit. There’s a deep spiritual connection hidden within the lyrics and the more opaque grunge attitude that becomes crystal clear when the song transforms into a more confident Alt Metal swagger.

The album does allow Earth Drive to delve into areas of Stadium Rock and Commercial Rock/Metal in places which is no bad thing especially when the mainstream style of music is giving a gloriously heavy 21st Century underground Doom/Stoner Rock makeover which the rest of the album aligns itself to on tracks such as Psychoid, Four Levels Of Consciousness, Omega Point and Home. This isn’t surprising from Earth Drive as they’ve always tried their hand incorporating different genres of music into their own creative identity on previous records. The main thing is that Earth Drive continues to excel at playing highly complex Progressive musical structures and highly melodic grooves that shine a light at how highly talented the band really is.

Lead vocalist Sara may be at the forefront of Earth Drive but she’s brilliantly supported by Sebastião on Drums, Fernando on Bass and Hermano on Guitar/Vocals who prove their worth with sublime instrumental and progressive musical passages throughout the album. With excellent production values being heard and felt from the very start, Light Codes is an absolutely stunning record that features some of the best music the band have written to date.

Earth Drive has the potential to become even more well known and play some of the most prestigious festivals and stages the Doom/Stoner Metal scene currently has to offer.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

www.earthdrive.pt
www.earthdrive.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/earthdrivesound
www.youtube.com/@EarthDriveSound
www.instagram.com/earth.drive.sound

Exclusive Premiere Of Sludge/Stoner Metallers SIXYEARHEX New Song/Video For WALK ON BY

Hailing from North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, SIXYEARHEX is a passion project for Rob Broyhill, who wrote and recorded all parts, as well as mixed the debut EP, Under The Glow. For live performances, Rob enlists the services of a drummer, rounding out the lineup to comprise a thunderous power duo. Blazing a new sonic trail, SIXYEARHEX takes a lean, uniquely distilled approach to doom and desert rock; all while embracing efficiency, hooks, and the power of the almighty riff.

We're excited to premiere the new song/new video for Walk On By which you can watch below:

SIXYEARHEX's Rob Broyhill says this about the new song:

"Walk On By was written as a celebration of the moments we realize we made a mistake. Making mistakes is part of the human experience and this song explores that; but not from an overly critical viewpoint, but one of allowing yourself grace and realizing we are all just learning as we go and hopefully trying to do the best we can.”

Thanks to Desert Bloom PR for all of the details.

Under The Glow will be available to buy on Digital Download from October 31st 2024.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Exclusive Premiere Of Grunge/Stoner Rockers UNDERDOGS Team Up With NICK OLIVERI On New Song/Video For KNOCKIN ON HELL'S DOOR

Grunge/Stoner Rockers UNDERDOGS’ upcoming new album represents the band’s rebirth after a long hiatus - Their comeback features the heavy sound of the early days, combined with greater technical awareness and a new Hardcore Punk attitude. Taking a wink at genre clichés without becoming addicted, they mix different elements to create their trademark. The new songs are clearly drawn from the 90s and have been influenced by post-punk and post-metal. The band’s mission is to refresh its roots with a contemporary approach.

"Nine Ties" will be coming out on October 25 via Go Down Records.

To get you into the mood for this superb and bombastic new album, we're excited to premiere the new song/video for Knockin On Hell's Door featuring the legendary Nick Oliveri.

The band have this to say about the song: 

"Knockin' On Hell's Door originated from a guitar and drums jam, with a punk-core rhythm reminiscent of Mondo Generator's first album. In my mind, Oliveri's vocals would have been perfect... When Go Down Records gave us the opportunity to open for a Nick Oliveri gig, we submitted the song to him. He keenly agreed to sing it and provided us with perfect vocals in a quick but effective backstage recording, demonstrating great humility and professionalism. Shortly after, we performed it together on stage, and the footage ended up in the song's official video."

Nine Ties' by Underdogs will be out on Oct 25 via Go Down Records and is available for pre-order here:

Vinyl: https://www.godownrecords.com/product-page/underdogs-nine-ties-lpx
Digital: https://bfan.link/nine-ties

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

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Sugar Horse - The Grand Scheme Of Things (Album Review)

Release Date: October 04th 2024. Record Label: Pelagic Records. Format: CD/Digital/Vinyl

The Grand Scheme Of Things - Track Listing:

1.The Grand Scheme of Things

2.The Shape of ASMR to Come

3.Corpsing

4.Mulletproof

5.Spit Beach

6.New Dead Elvis

7.Jefferson Aeroplane Over the Sea

8.Office Job Simulator

9.Space Tourist

Members

Ashley Tubb (Vocals/Guitar)

Jake Healy (Baritone Guitar, Keyboards)

Chris Howarth (Bass)

Martin Savage (Drums)

Review

UK Rock/Metal Experimentalists Sugar Horse return with their second full length album The Grand Scheme Of Things. The band have been quite productive with singles, EP’s and split releases over the years and they’ve created and defined their own style of Doom, Prog Metal, Sludge and Experimental sounds which they’ve managed to capture on this record with highly intriguing results.

The album may even test the limits of their dedicated and loyal following with it’s grand style of Alt Rock and Post Doom which shine a torch on bands such as Deftones for the first few tracks of The Grand Scheme Of Things, The Shape Of ASMR To Come and Corpsing. As Sugar Horse conjures bittersweet Doom and Post-Rock melodies with soaring Ambient rhythms to match. With echoes of BORIS being a slight musical influence for this part of the album with Sugar Horse adding gloomy and thoughtful lyrics that spring into life thanks mainly down to Ashley Tubb’s superb Alt Rock inspired vocals. 

So far, so good, right. Well, not quite. As Sugar Horse change musical delivery for the better in my humble opinion as a dark sense of humour comes into play with the band taking a MELVINS style SLEDGEHAMMER to the album and merging it with a surreal creative tone on tracks such as Mulletproof and Spit Beach. The uplifting energy of the opening tracks has given way to a darker tone where the heaviest and gloomiest sounds appear that has moments of Screamo, Sludge Metal, Post-Hardcore and Blackened Metal vibes.

This seems Sugar Horse is fuelled by a desire to offer the twisted and nastiest rhythms on the whole album and perhaps what they’ve released to date which feels like from a totally different band. The album delivers a nasty and unpleasant sound that feels like THE MELVINS possessed by THE DEVIL himself. The down-tuned sludgy guitars have moments of Harsh Vocals or Cookie Cutter Vocals that could be quite intense for some. 

Fifth Spit Beach has small moments of the uplifting nuanced moments from the opening three tracks but this is drowned out by the nightmarish Blackened Sludge Metal sounds that can be quite GRINDCORE based at times but is always exciting to fully hear and be apart of.

Sixth track New Dead Elvis continues with a jagged experimental Post-Hardcore/Noise Rock sound that’s spliced with that harsh Sludge Metal attitude with outbursts of Sludgecore and Psych Metal with Ashley’s vocals drifting from clean vocals to the heavier screamo growls that can be quite unsettling to hear at times. 

The next two tracks of Jefferson Aeroplane Over The Sea and Office Job Simulator allows Sugar Horse bleak sense of humour to take centre stage with the music superbly combining the finer and melodic strands of Post-Rock and Post-Doom before the chaotic Sludge Metal grooves appear to add a destructive force of nature to this part of the album. 

The final track of Space Tourist is twenty four minutes long and features dreamlike Ambient Post-Rock textures with a subtle Space Rock delivery. The vocals can be slightly off-key in places but works surprisingly well with the style of music that Sugar Horse creates here. The song drifts into heavier Drone Metal exploration with the music not changing very much but the everlasting use of Psych and Ambient melodies once again allows the album to end on a more hopeful feeling.

The Grand Scheme Of Things isn’t going to be for everyone with Sugar Horse creating an uncompromising and highly original album that will no doubt get people talking within the Doom/Sludge Metal scene. However, if you’re looking for an album that dares to be different and offer a different sounding style of Experimental Doom/Sludge Metal then Sugar Horse are the band for you. I loved every twisted moment.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Pelagic Records for the promo.

The Grand Scheme Of Things will be available to buy on CD/Digital/Vinyl via Pelagic Records from Friday October 04th 2024.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Northern Heretic - Ghosts In The Hills (Single Review)

 

Release Date: September 27th 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Format: Digital

Ghosts In The Hills - Track Listing:

Ghosts In The Hills

Members

Davis Schlachter: bass, backup vocals

Rob Sefcik: drums

Ken Wohlrob: guitars, keyboards, vocals

Review

Ghosts In The Hills is the new song from Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metallers Northern Heretic that is featuring members of Kings Destroy, Eternal Black, Begotten, Reign of Zaius, and End of Hope. Their Heavy Metal Pedigree is 100% guaranteed and this new project is quite a bruising encounter with the music being more on the Post-Metallic side of life. 

If you ever wanted to know how a Post-Metal/Atmospheric Sludge band was fronted by the legendary hellraiser of DOOM that is WINO then Northern Heretic is the closest you’re ever going to get to that scenario. With shades of Neurosis, Kowloon Walled City, Mastodon and the band members primary other bands, this track has an ice-cold creative structure with a first-rate melodic sound which can be quite mechanical in places but one that is highly effective.

The instrumental sounds aims for a more Industrial and Progressive stand for the heaviest parts with the excellent vocals by Ken Wohlrob with great support by Davis Schlachter allowing the murkier Psychedelic elements leaving a destructive Noise Rock energy within its wake. This is music I love to hear in the winter months as it’s gloomy with a slightly demonic edge which manifests into some intense Post-Metal grooves with a twinge of demented Stoner Metal aggression that allows Northern Heretic to deliver their own sublime Power-Trio setup within their own ranks. 

I’m hoping there is an EP not too far behind as Northern Heretic are without doubt a great band to look out for in 2025.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

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