BIFTER - First Impressions Of Hell (Album Review)

Release Date: April 07th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: Digital

First Impressions Of Hell - Tracklisting

1.Enter Hell 00:29

2.Slow Burn 04:54

3.Kianpraty 02:05

4.The Flagellant's Feast 05:13

5.Doom Shroom 03:21

6.Lover's Quarrel 00:37

7.March Of The Imp 04:42

8.Mercy 00:17

9.Fury 02:14

10.Ball Of Burning Snakes 03:57

11.Belly Of The Beast 07:25

12.Time To Kill 00:48

Members:

Vox/Guitar Rory Wheatley

Vox/Synth Luke Martin

Bass Nathan O'Hara

Drums Gus Hart

Review

First Impressions Of Hell is the debut album from Aussie Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metallers BIFTER who form a primal sound that’s inspired by the likes of Mastodon, High On Fire, CONAN and even AC/DC. The album blends classic Heavy Metal LORE and MYTHOLOGY within a classic style of storytelling that’s compounded by insane modern day STONER leaning themes with the intense growls, howls and splattered vocals that Rory Wheatley and Luke Martin conjure up on the record.

With a fast-paced narrative allowing some intense THRASH  instrumental movements to form within the longer tracks on the album which only adds a dangerous level of HEAVINESS to the party. The music does have a certain classic throwback energy hidden behind the scenes. However,  the violent Sludge Metal sounds allows BIFTER to play a menacing and violent attack on the senses especially when the music is slowed right down for a thrilling DRONE aspect to appear but be prepared for an onslaught of grimy Speed Metal sounds to FUCK up the destructive atmosphere which feels like Motorhead jamming with High On Fire at times. 

The album does have its fair share of tracks that last under a minute or so which does slow the action right down and sometimes some of the primal excitement the longer tracks contain. That’s my only negative criticism of the record as for the most part BIFTER have delivered an action-packed and brutally dense album that’s quite EVIL and PRIMAL in places but still offer a fucking top-notch RIFF-CENTRIC album that’s perfect CANNON FODDER for the HEADBANGING MOB and UNDERGROUND SCENE to fully get behind.

My favourite tracks on the album are: Slow Burn, The Flagellant’s Feast, March Of The Imp and Belly Of The Beast. As these tracks are where BIFTER superbly combine old-school HEAVY METAL theatrics with the more violent WEEDIAN based grooves that are highly unapologetic at the same time. I feel that style of music is sometimes a lost art form within the world of Heavy Metal but BIFTER do their absolute best at bringing this style of music to a modern day audience. 

Another great touch I liked through the album is the choice of clips from classic movies such as The Shining and The Karate Kid that fits the music so perfectly. The Shining, sure, as that's a legendary horror novel and horror film but The Karate Kid. However, BIFTER makes this work with a menacing and violent touch which is superbly funny as well. Kudos to that part of the album guys.

My final thoughts is that First Impressions Of Hell is absolutely superb and I’m hoping that BIFTER finds a loyal audience within the underground scene and builds upon the great promise they show on this great record.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the promo.

Links

LinkTree | BandCamp

Technicolor Blood - Evolution Now (Album Review)

Release Date: April 25th 2025. Record Label: La Backstore Records: DD/Vinyl

Evolution Now - Tracklisting

01 Crash Program 

02 King 

03 Planet Square 

04 Collapse City 

05 Year of the Snake

06 Mischief of Rats 

07 Anaadi 

08 The Watcher 

09 Suffocating Greed 

Review

Evolution Now is the new album from Psych/Space/Stoner Rockers Technicolor Blood who creates a magical tapestry of Fuzz, Space Rock and Garage Rock sounds into the mix. The record has quite a vintage appeal with its outlandish use of trippy effects and vintage Space Rock effects. With a stripped back attitude that has a surreal 1960’s and 1970’s environment which draws upon bands such as Hawkwind and the legendary Garage Rock scene. 

There’s even some highly dramatic European Psych Rock being added for good measure especially if you dig the likes of CAN which gives the band a highly rebellious attitude within the opening tracks of Crash Program, King and Planet Square. The vocals have a certain “The Doors” energy to them with a slight vibe to modern day legends such as Monster Magnet and NEBULA appearing. 

The instrumental melodies are quite aggressive and with a subtle ACID and SHAMANIC journey starting to form which allows Technicolor Blood to play heavier freakout moments of musical passages which does have a certain “B” Movie / Cinematic style appearing most notable on Planet Square. I would call this style of music perhaps GONZO or HIPSTER based but the band pull this off with great style with a lot of different STONER and GARAGE sounds appearing which makes it one of the standout tracks on the album. 

Technicolor Blood switches creative gears ever so slightly for a Post-Punk attitude on tracks such as Collapse City, Year Of The Snake and Mischief Of Rats. The sound is ever so boisterous and full of highly magnetic Space Rock charm which allows Technicolor Blood to perform their own highly inventive style of music with plenty of killer FREAKOUT extended grooves being played with reckless abandonment. 

The final stages of the album continues with the surreal and kaleidoscopic blend of Fuzz, Space Rock and full on KrautRock based weirdness which has a life of it’s own within two of the other standout tracks of the album being Anaadi and The Watcher.

Evolution Now is a damn good album with Technicolor Blood creating some super heavy and super fresh grooves that stay on the right side of Space Rock heaviness. This allows the album to have quite an endearing and warm hearted nature which I didn’t expect at all.

Check this record out when you get the chance as it’s superbly entertaining throughout and is definitely worth your time.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Technicolor Blood for the promo.

Evolution Now will be available to buy on Digital and VInyl formats via La Backstore Records from Friday 25th April 2025.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Canada's Psych Stoner Rockers WOODHAWK Reveals First Single “Strangers Ever After” From New Album “Love Finds A Way”

L to R: Kevin Nelson (Drums), Turner Midzain (Vocals/ Guitar), Mike Badmington (Bass/ Vocals)

Portrait by Mark Kowalchuk

Canadian stoner rock powerhouse Woodhawk returns with the announcement of their highly anticipated third studio album, “Love Finds A Way,” set for release on June 6, 2025, via Grand Hand Records. The Calgary trio of Turner Midzain (guitar/vocals), Mike Badmington (bass), and Kevin Nelson (drums) are also dropping the record's first single, “Strangers Ever After,” toda,y giving fans their first taste of new Woodhawk material since 2019's acclaimed “Violent Nature”. The band comments on the new single:

“This was the first song we wrote for this album. And I think we reworked it more than any song. It started out with a completely different feel and timing than what we ended up with. It was way darker. But we kept coming back to it and really loved the result. Strangers Ever After is a kind of demise of a relationship. The farewell to someone that maybe…you were better off never knowing. This is dark and honest.”

“Love Finds A Way” marks an evolution in the band's creative journey. Their earlier work was very much influenced by bands like The Sword and Black Sabbath, with lyrics about wizards and goblins, but they've worked hard on bringing more emotion to their writing. The nine-track album promises to deliver the dynamic range fans have come to expect from Woodhawk, featuring what Midzain describes as ‘some really riff-rocking songs, but also a lot of hardship and honesty'.

“Strangers Ever After” showcases the band's signature blend of classic hard rock sensibilities and modern stoner metal influences, delivering the infectious grooves and memorable hooks that have earned Woodhawk a devoted following since their formation in 2014. They are recommended for fans of The Sword, Red Fang, and Thin Lizzy.

Listen to “Strangers Ever After”:

YouTube - https://youtu.be/zCYCia-rPFo​

Spotify - https://spoti.fi/4jmbEkW​

Album pre-order: https://woodhawk.bandcamp.com

Track Listing

1. Grave Shaker – 4:41
2. Strangers Ever After – 4:24
3. Truth Be Told – 7:21
4. White Crosses – 6:10
5. The Unholy Hand – 5:21
6. No Place For Hate – 5:18
7. Love Finds a Way – 6:16
8. Relapser – 4:52
9. Killing Time – 8:37

Woodhawk is:

Turner Midzain – Guitar & Vocals
Mike Badmington – Bass & Vocals
Kevin Nelson - Drums

More info:​
​

https://www.woodhawkriffs.com​
​https://www.instagram.com/woodhawkriffs​
​https://www.facebook.com/woodhawkriffs

​

Thanks to Asher Media PR for all of the details.

Rulaman - Death Whistle (Album Review)

Release Date: April 11th 2025. Record Label: Tonzonen Records / Cargo. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Death Whistle - Tracklisting

1.Death Whistle 08:21

2.Simple Offerings 05:48

3.Valley Part II 06:03

4.Goblin Liver King 09:18

5.We Can't Be 05:40

6.Run Your River Dry 05:44

Members:

Felix Berns - Vox, Guitar

Nils Kunze - Drums, Perc

Joel Büttner - Bass, Keys

Review

Death Whistle is the new album from Psych/Doom/Stoner Rockers Rulaman who impress from the onset with their earthy and organic heavy instrumental passages which has quite a gloomy and solitary flow throughout. However, Rulaman adds a classic Proto Doom and Occult vibe to their music which allows them to have a haunting FOLK based persona appearing from the excellent vocals. 

Nothing is what it seems with Rulaman as they move into heavier Psychedelic passages without notice before transforming into a sullen Psych/Post-Rock sound which they demonstrate superbly on the excellent opening title track of Death Whistle. There are traces of bands such as Green Lung and Uncle Acid appearing within the lyrics but when Rulaman add a Shamanic quality they veer closer to heavier bands with an uncompromising style of Prog Metal. 

There’s some epic ambient beats and  soundscapes starting to appear that is perhaps the creative backbone of the album with Rulaman demonstrating superbly instrumental solos that become quite riff-centric. You can hear other influences such as King Buffalo and All Them Witches but with that complex gloomy melody that Rulaman ultimately excels at.

Death Whistle can be confusing at times with Rulaman exploring a slightly jazzy Psychedelic journey on tracks such as: Simple Offerings, Valley Part II and Goblin Liver King being my favourite parts of the record. Everything is beautifully melodic with a sense of creative chaos being delivered just for the sheer hell of it all. The vocals from Felix Berns are daring, different and superbly delivered when he’s maneuvering through the trappings and rules of Prog Rock, Psych Rock and Stoner Metal where he puts his own personality into the mix. 

The final two tracks of We Can’t Be and Run Your River Dry are perhaps not as strong as the other tracks. However, Rulaman still delivers where it counts and that’s with stylish and highly original grooves of their own making especially on the superbly realized final track of Run Your River Dry.

If you’re looking for a different and daring style of Psych Stoner Metal with some wicked excursions into Doom Rock territory then Rulaman will take you upon a grand musical adventure with their highly superb new album Death Whistle.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Creative Eclipse for the promo.

Death Whistle is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via Tonzonen Records / Cargo.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Grey Czar - Euarthropodia (Album Review)

Release Date: April 11th 2025. Record Label: Octopus Rising (Argonauta Records). Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Euarthropodia - Tracklisting

1.Eschaton 04:04

2.Withered World 04:23

3.Insects Took Over 04:14

4.Trooping For Euarthropodia 04:50

5.Ballad Of Propellerheads 04:28

6.Queens Of The New World 03:52

7.Nutritional Protocol 03:47

8.Arthrobotic Liberty 03:44

9.Aeon 04:53

Members:

Roland Hickmann - vocals/guitar/percussion

Florian Primavesi - vocals/guitar/keys

Wolfgang Brunauer - vocals/bass

Wolfgang Ruppitsch - drums/percussion

Review

Euarthropodia is the new album from Progressive Stoner Rockers Grey Czar which is a conceptual album of sorts where the band blend Progressive Rock/Metal melodies with traces of Doom and Psychedelic qualities appearing. With a complex story being woven into the mix, the music can be quite jagged and abstract at first with Grey Czar playing an interesting style of “stop/start” sounding guitars within the sublime opening track of Eschaton. The vocals are varied and quite different with three members of the band performing vocal duties throughout. 

The Space Rock aspect of Euarthropodia is one of the strongest things about the album with the music perhaps taking some time to fully get on board with. However, Grey Czar conjures up some intriguing Post-Rock and Post-Metal instrumental passages which have a sense of calm in the quieter moments and urgency when the heavier dynamics appear. You can hear influences as diverse as QUEEN, Thin Lizzy, Mastodon and The Mars Volta within every aspect of Grey Czar’s musical delivery. 

Euarthropodia feels like one extended track broken down into individual chapters as the majority tracks flow brilliantly throughout with the closing parts of each track expertly opening up the following track especially on Withered World, Insects Took Over and Trooping For Euarthropodia.

The whole sound moves into different areas of Prog Rock and Prog Metal with a cinematic style of Doom and Stoner based surroundings only coming into play when the groundwork has been laid down for those parts to dramatically appear. There’s a deep affection for 1970’s Prog Rock and 1980’s Hard Rock on the album which shows within the OTT musical delivery which can be downright excessive and outrageous at times especially within the lyrics and how the vocals are delivered.

My favourite tracks on the album are: Eschaton, Insects Took Over, Trooping For Euarthropodia, Queens Of The New World and Aoen. As these tracks have some of the most technically impressive musical passages on the whole album and with perhaps the heaviest and outlandish grooves are played right here.

Grey Czar have created an audio feast that’s brilliantly surreal, wonderfully weird and superbly entertaining with a first rate story line that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the promo.

Euarthropodia is available to buy on CD via Octopus Rising (Argonauta Records) and Digital/Vinyl formats from the band.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Post-Metal Collective AORTES announces upcoming album "Carrion" and brand new single WHEN WE CEASE

Lithuanian post-metal band AORTES is set to release their highly anticipated new album, Carrion, on April 20th. This release marks a significant evolution in the band’s sound, blending haunting ambient passages with crushing doom-laden riffs and fierce blackened hardcore insanity.

“When we cease“ single on YouTube below: 

Featuring seven tracks Carrion delivers a dynamic sonic journey that shifts from atmospheric instrumentals to slow, monolithic heaviness, and blistering aggression. The album showcases AORTES signature ability to merge raw emotion with intricate composition, offering an immersive experience for fans of experimental and extreme post metal.

To coincide with the announcement, AORTES is premiering their latest single, "When We Cease", a powerful and evocative track that captures the album’s essence—brooding, intense, and unrelenting. The single serves as a harbinger of what listeners can expect from Carrion: a descent into the abyss of sound, where beauty and brutality collide.

Album will be released a 200 copies limited edition 180g yellow vinyl.

Pre-orders are available now on Bandcamp.

Tracklisting

Aortes - Carrion
Dying World
Carrion (feat. Plié)
To The Worms
Black Mold
When We Cease
Lifeless
I've Loved You All

Links

Spotify | Instagram | Facebook | Bandcamp

Exclusive Premiere Of Doom/Stoner Rockers STONE FIST New Song/Video For NIGHTMARE BLUES From Upcoming New EP

STONE FIST’s upcoming, self-titled debut EP delivers six tracks brimming with fuzz-laden guitars, pounding rhythms, and hypnotic grooves. This recording immerses listeners in the essence of stoner rock, blending psychedelic atmospheres with the gritty energy of grunge. The trio’s rich sound features earth-shaking riffs and swirling melodies. This raw and powerful release is highly recommended for fans of desert rock, doom-flavored anthems, and the primal energy of 90s alternative music.

The EP will be out on May 9 via Go Down Records.

We're excited to premiere the excellent new song/video for Nightmare Blues thanks to the good folks over at All Noir PR

The band say this about Nightmare Blues:

"Nightmare Blues delves into the darkest corners of the human mind, articulating our deepest fears and anxieties. We combined powerful riffs and lyrics to convey a harrowing inner journey marked by fear and uncertainty. Our goal was to create a listening experience that was both devastating and cathartic. This song is one of the earliest we composed and best captures our essence so far".

The s/t debut EP of STONE FIST drops May 9th via Go Down Records and is available for pre-save here: https://bfan.link/stone-fist

Links

https://www.instagram.com/stonefist_band/
https://www.facebook.com/bandStonefist/
https://www.facebook.com/GoDownRecords/

Thanks to All Noir PR for all of the details

Inspired by 90's Rock - Grunge/Alt Rockers Mad Sneaks releases new single "Biocide"

Inspired by 90's rock Mad Sneaks releases new single "Biocide" - The trio has previously worked with producers Jack Endino and Toby Wright, who helped shape the sound of Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains.

Mad Sneaks, formed by Agno Dissan, Amaury Johns and Phill Andreas, continues to consolidate its sound identity inspired by 90s rock. With a visceral energy and influences that range from grunge, stoner and alternative rock, the band has been building a remarkable trajectory in the underground scene.

The trio has worked with Jack Endino and Toby Wright, legendary producers who helped shape the sound of bands such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Korn and Slayer. In addition, Mad Sneaks also had a special guest appearance by Page Hamilton (Helmet) on one of its tracks, reinforcing its connection with iconic names in world rock. On stage, the band has performed at festivals such as PMW (Palmas), Goiânia Noise and even opened for Red Fang in São Paulo.

Now, Mad Sneaks is starting 2025 with a series of releases, starting with the single "Biocide", a track that perfectly captures the essence of the group. The song was born from a spontaneous process: "I was practicing the guitar, testing some fingerings, and this intro came to me by accident. From there, everything developed naturally and in a fun way. Since we like a noisy sound, the second part of the song instinctively took a faster and heavier path. This contrast creates a very interesting sound experience for the listener", says the band.

Interestingly, "Biocide" was originally written to be the last track on the album, but the band's singles release strategy allowed them to bring forward the song, one of their favorites to play live. "We're looking forward to releasing it soon and for the audience to connect with it even more at the shows," the band members say.

The cover art for "Biocide" also has a curious story. The central image is a lizard photographed by Agno Dissan over 15 years ago. "It had been dead and dry for a long time, but its position created an optical illusion, as if it were smiling. The contrast of the image goes very well with the theme of the song, so we decided to combine both pieces of art," he explains. The final montage was done by Amaury Johns, who is responsible for most of the band's covers.

"Biocide": https://open.spotify.com/intl-pt/album/4yf7CYbaHi6VAzttdmu6Zs

Links

Facebook | Twitter

Bruit Parasite - A Hundred Times (Album Review)

Release Date: March 29th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD

A Hundred Times - Tracklisting

1.Solstice 03:07

2.A Hundred Times 04:38

3.Doors Of Closed Mind 08:58

4.Flames & Graves 03:17

5.Highly Evil 05:45

6.Little Red Box 02:06

7.Are You Sleeping? 04:37

8.GreenTales 07:33

9.Try To Remember 05:43

10.Black Valley 06:33

Review

A Hundred Times is the new album from Doom/Grunge/Stoner Rockers Bruit Parasite is dominated by deep-sounding methodical grooves where the band conjure up levels of COSMIC and Planet Destroying riff-methodology into the mix. There’s a classic sense of nineties Stoner Rock/Metal being fused with a proper APOCALYPTIC edge which draws influence from the likes of KYUSS, FU MANCHU, Monster Magnet, DOMKRAFT and UFOMAMMUT on the album. However, be prepared for a slightly experimental and chaotic sound to appear but one that still is quite familiar to the underground scene. 

Bruit Parasite convey a deeply down-tuned style of sludgy BASS LINES which allows the heavy guitars to play a remorseful Progressive energy on the excellent opening tracks of Solstice, A Hundred Times and Doors Of Closed Mind. The vocals have an eerie and ethereal energy to them which are quite thick, melodic and have an out-of-control flow to them. 

Bruit Parasite translated into English means “Interference Noise” or something similar and the band do bring a noisy and distorted element to their music which oozes Nineties Stoner Rock/Metal cool within the quieter and slightly less aggressive modern day sounds. The HEAVY sounds are brutally thick with NOISE, GRIME and DUST where the band decide to convey a slightly COSMIC/Space Rock flavour that manifests into some sublime extended instrumental passages.

Bruit Parasite create their own highly stylish blend of music on tracks such as Doors Of Closed Mind, Highly Evil, Green Tales and Black Valley with these being the longest and heaviest tracks on the record. The subtle switching to a Post-Doom or Atmospheric Sludge sound whilst keeping up their classic Stoner Rock appearance is quite a hard trick to pull down but Bruit Parasite do this with style and conviction. 

The switching of different vocals is a hard task to pull off the best of times but Bruit Parasite have this covered down to a fine art with highly melodic vocals being the main weapon of choice though they aren’t afraid to offer a more abstract Punk/Doom style along the way. When they become more experimental and sometimes Avant-Garde with violent screams that maybe too off-putting some especially on Little Red Box and Are You Sleeping? but I enjoyed the deceptiveness and unique styles that Bruit Parasite offer here.

MONOLORD’s very own Esben Willems has been brought on for mastering duties at his famed Studio Berserk. Bruit Parasite are from Paris, France and they do inject their own Gaelic flavour which gives their music quite a spicy mix of Experimentation and WEEDIAN grit on the later stages of the record.

A Hundred Times is a wickedly entertaining record which has multiple different examples of modern day Doom/Stoner Metal being played throughout with highly intelligent lyrics to match. Not every song plays out as you initially expect which makes Bruit Parasite a more creative and superb band in their own right. 

Bruit Parasite have delivered the goods with A Hundred Times and it’s a record that will keep you superbly entertained for a very long time to come.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Liquid Pennies - Tapered Scape (Single Review)

Release Date: April 11th 2025. Record Label: Threat Collection Records. Formats: DD

Tapered Scape - Tracklisting

Tapered Scape

Members

Chas Binns (guitar/vocals/synth)

Pierson Whicker (drums)

Tyson Mink (bass, synth)

Review

 Tapered Scape is the new single from Psych/Sonic/Stoner Rock Experimentalists Liquid Pennies who bring a slightly trippy psychedelic trance/dance beat to their new musical adventure. The sound is quite Post-Rock and Eastern flavoured and has quite a different journey compared to their previous single Sight Skewer released back in November 2024. The song doesn’t take long for an Electronic form of Psychedelic Stoner Rock with intricate passages of Doom and Grunge starting to seethe through. The vocals from Chas Binns are dramatically different compared to Sight Skewer with a subtle Indie Rock feel. However, when all the creative elements join forces there’s some spectacular progressive melodies that stretch the Hard Rock/Metal Highway. The song was mixed/mastered by Liquid Pennies longtime collaborator Ryan Boesch of Candor Recording (Melvins, Whores, Foo Fighters, Nora Jones, Helmet, Peaches), who recently launched Threat Collection Records, the Tampa Bay record label releasing the full length album on vinyl in July. All I can say is July 2025 can’t come soon enough as I’m really excited to hear Liquid Pennies upcoming new album especially after the brilliantly different and surreal sound they bring to the Psychedelic Stoner Rock scene. Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Linktree | BandCamp