Instrumental Post-Rockers CIVIL SERVICE announce new album ‘DARK ///’ | Out Nov 21st 2025

Civil Service Announce New Album ‘DARK ///’, out November 21st via A Cheery Wave Records and Ripcord Records.Manchester-based instrumental rock collective Civil Service return with their heaviest, most uncompromising work to date: ‘DARK ///’.

Following the band’s 2024 release ‘/// LIGHT’, which was a narrative exploration of humanity’s fleeting search for meaning - whereas its stark counterpart DARK /// shifts focus to the immovable obstacles in our way. Across its sprawling, atmospheric soundscapes, the record confronts the weight of mental health struggles, the silent toll of undiagnosed conditions, the futility of power against tyranny, and the desperate but faltering attempts to find solace in chaos.

“Where ‘/// LIGHT’ searched for illumination, ‘DARK ///’ is about all the walls we crash into along the way,” the band explains. “It’s isolation, despair, collapse—and the fractures in ourselves and our societies that we can’t escape.” - Civil Service

Formed in the aftermath of their previous indie projects dissolving, Civil Service took shape after the members’ shared experience at early editions of ArcTanGent Festival. Their vision was to create expansive, atmospheric instrumental rock, drawing inspiration from acts like Mogwai, 65DaysOfStatic, Mono, God Is An Astronaut, MaybeSheWill, and Alcest.

After a string of early singles, they emerged from the pandemic with Life///Death, before embarking on their ambitious double album project—split into /// LIGHT and DARK ///—both recorded with Dave Sanderson at Crystal Ship Studios.

Since 2022, Civil Service have carved out a reputation as a powerful live act. They’ve curated their own shows in Manchester, inviting peers such as Din Of Celestial Birds, Kusanagi, LOE, Mount Forel, and La Bestia De GavAudan, while also touring alongside Overhead The Albatross, FORT, and Blackshape. Their journey has also seen them share the stage with And So I Watch You From Afar and The Dear Hunter.

With DARK ///, Civil Service delivers an uncompromising soundtrack to a world on the brink—an album steeped in dread, but equally in defiance.

Track listing:

1. An Infant Wave On A Savage Ocean
2. Black Giraffes
3. These Cities Are Ruins
4. URBNDCY
5. The Heurist
6. Every Beam Of Light Is An Invitation To Death
7. Distraction Tactics
8. Turn Out The Light

Band Members:

Francis Atkinson - Guitar, Keys, Programming
Alex Coates - Guitar, sample arrangements
Thom Hamper - Drums
James Wilkes - Bass

You can pre-order DARK /// from the links below:

Ripcord Records and A Cheery Wave Records

Links

Official | LinkTree | BandCamp

Thanks to Since Always Press for the details.

Mastiff - For All The Dead Dreams (EP Review)

Release Date: October 24th 2025. Record Label: Church Road Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

For All The Dead Dreams - Tracklisting

1.Soliloquy 03:29

2.Rotting Blossoms 02:52

3.Decimated Graves 04:24

4.A Story Behind Every Light 03:37

5.Corporeal 02:45

Members

Vocals - Jim Hodge

Guitars - Phil Johnson

Guitars - James Lee-Ross

Drums - Mike Shepherd

Bass - Dan Dolby

Review

Sludge Metal nihilists MASTIFF return with their brutal new EP For All The Dead Dreams which continues the filth and misery created on their critically acclaimed 2024 album Deprecipice. That record showed a new violent side to MASTIFF where their blend of Hardcore, Doom, Sludge and Post-Black Metal grooves showcase a band finally settling on their own blend of aggressive carnage for the underground masses to lose themselves in.

For All The Dead Dreams is another round of pure filth and violent Sludge Metal surroundings with the band adding a slightly chaotic and messy blend of NOISE METAL that has influences ranging from CARCASS and NAPALM DEATH ringing in your ears throughout. The EP lasts for fifteen minutes with MASTIFF still playing some intense riffs with a twisted sense of melody behind them especially on tracks Soliloquy, Rotting Blossoms and Decimated Graves perhaps also being the heaviest and standout tracks on the EP.

MASTIFF provide unbreakable beatdowns and pulsating grind movements with lead vocalist Jim Hodge showcasing his own aggressive style of HARDCORE vocals which moves further into the extreme metal world at times. MASTIFF once again prove why they’re fastly becoming one of the most essential and brutal Sludge Metal bands within the UK scene and with their music having a “NO FUCKS” given attitude this makes the band even more dangerous especially on the final two tracks of the EP with A Story Behind Every Light and Corporeal leaving the listener in a complete FUCKED UP state.

For All The Dead Dreams is everything you want from a brutally charged record that’s not afraid to get down and dirty by providing some of the most horrific and violent sounds you’ll hear this year.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Church Road Records for the promo.

For All The Dead Dreams is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Church Road Records.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Psych/Stoner/Shoegaze Rockers Filthy Hippies Release New EP WAVES Via Mongrel Records

Cape Town shoegazers deliver an emotive journey through reverb, reflection, and raw beauty.

Alternative rock/psychedelic shoegaze band Filthy Hippies unveil their long-awaited new EP, Waves, out today via Mongrel Records.

Following the release of their acclaimed single “Honey,” the EP sees the band diving deeper into their signature haze of reverb-soaked guitars, dreamlike vocals, and emotionally charged lyricism. Across its tracks, Waves captures fleeting moments of beauty and loss, swelling and breaking like the tides that inspired its name.

“Waves’ is best described by a lyric from ‘Air’; ‘It’s like hearts, melting into flames,” says the band. “We just tried to capture simple moments and put them into relatable songs.

Formed in 2018, Filthy Hippies have built a loyal following within South Africa’s underground rock scene through their lush, layered soundscapes and DIY approach. Blending elements of shoegaze, alternative rock, and psychedelic textures, they craft songs that are as introspective as they are expansive.

Buy / Stream Waves

The new EP showcases the band at their most confident and cohesive yet — a collection that flows effortlessly between vulnerability and distortion, reflection and release. Waves feels both intimate and cinematic, solidifying Filthy Hippies’ reputation as one of the most compelling acts to emerge from Cape Town’s alternative scene.

Links

Facebook | Instagram

Redwood - Cloud Colony (Album Review)

Release Date: October 24th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Cloud Colony - Tracklisting

1. DOOMSDAY DARLING (3:40)

2. CLOUD COLONY (6:45)

3. ESCAPING ABSENCE (5:49)

4. CARAVAN (4:44)

5. EUROPA (5:37)

6. RIDERS OF TON 618 (5:14)

7. INTO THE SUN (KICK OUT THE JAMS) (3:44)

8. CERES (8:41)

Review

After releasing two acclaimed EP’s with 2024’s Dry Rivers and 2025’s Sky Offering, the cosmic entity known as Redwood returns with their latest full length album of Cloud Colony. This feels like a natural extension and musical evolution from what they achieved with Sky Offering but perhaps on a grander and more cinematic scope. The music is boosted by a classic Stoner Rock energy with moments of Warped Psychedelics and Spaced Out Doom that keeps them closely aligned to the likes of Howling Giant and King Buffalo. 

Redwood wisely include elements of Fuzz, Heavy Metal and Garage Rock into their music which give Cloud Colony a grounded approach despite the COSMIC DOOM surroundings of the whole record. Everything is played at an aggressive fast pace with Redwood sounding like they’re bracing themselves for musical impact on all of the tracks.

There’s an essence of nineties sounding Alt Rock and Grunge that appears very early on in the record on the opening tracks of Doomsday Darling and Cloud Colony. These are musical moments that a certain MR WYNDORF would be proud to call his own especially the warped lyrics and sublime cosmic instrumental passages that the band are vastly becoming masters at.

The music can be quite flashy and supremely over the top at times but it’s superbly entertaining to fully experience and when Redwood goes SUPERSONIC in a big way, that’s where the real magic happens with areas of modern Sludge Rock appearing. The soulful melodies that I highlighted in my review for their last EP (Sky Offering) start making an appearance but Redwood always keep their finger on the Stoner Rock/Metal pulse on the excellent third track Escaping Absence. The vocals have a distanced approach and sound to them which allows the spaced out melodies to dominate the creative landscape. 

Redwood start to show their love and appreciation with Classic Hard Rock as there’s a ton of epic guitar solos and musical passages being played throughout the album which once more could be considered EXCESSIVE in places but it’s one of the main strengths of the album. As Redwood never once play things safe with their music which only becomes louder, heavier and leaning heavily into the Space Rock and Stoner Metal vortex on tracks Caravan, Europa and Riders Of Ton 618. The mood and lyrics are brilliantly fantastical but with a gritty sense of realism that highlights the Desert Rock energy and influence of Redwood’s music.

The long drawn out soundscapes blend Progressive Stoner Metal heaviness and world building mysticism into the mix with Caravan and Riders Of Ton 618 being some of my favourite moments of the whole album. These tracks will appeal to long-time fans of Monster Magnet and Howling Giant the most but still allow Redwood to create their own musical legacy with a masterful blend of storytelling and vocal harmonies being shown.

Redwood have also reworked the classic MC5 track Kick Out The Jams with the superb seventh track Into The Sun. The song is quite different to the original but also eerie and familiar at the same time. The track is perhaps the most “GARAGE ROCK” offering of the whole album but with Redwood injecting their COSMIC DOOM surroundings into the mix.

The final track of Ceres is Redwood’s most daring and adventurous track yet with areas of Ambient Rock, Post-Rock and Shoegaze setting up the scene for their trademark SOULFUL strands of Doom/Stoner Metal to fully appear out of nowhere. The song does take time to bring everything together but once Redwood have that creative DNA solved, then be prepared for a highly majestic style of Psychedelic Instrumental energy that ends the album in the most perfect and outstanding way possible.

Redwood have delivered the goods yet again with Cloud Colony and this could allow the band to achieve bigger and better things within the whole scene. This is an EPIC album in every sense of the word!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the promo.

Links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Linktree

WINO - Create Or Die (Album Review)

Release Date: October 24th 2025. Record Label: Ripple Music. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Create Or Die - Tracklisting

1.Anhedonia 04:54

2.New Terms 04:26

3.Carolina Fox

4.Never Said Goodbye

5.Hopeful Defiance

6.Us or Them 06:00

7.Cold or Wrong

8.Lost Souls Fly

9.Bury Me in Texas

10.Noble Man

Members

WINO - Everything

Review

Create Or Die is the latest solo album from the legendary WINO which follows a different path compared to his acclaimed 2020 solo record Forever Gone. Truth be told, this record has more in common with the iconic THE OBSESSED as it has a similar style and structure where the heavy grooves appear. This is perhaps a bit more stripped back with WINO adapting a style of Classic Rock, Folk, Americana and Southern Rock but with his OUTLAW persona helping the hard-hitting lyrics that dominate the musical landscape.

There’s a sense of reflection and achievement that WINO has accomplished that comes brilliantly well on the opening tracks of Anhedonia and New Terms. Two songs that have a different contrast to each other with Anhedonia being a straight up Stoner Rock banger and New Terms being a semi-acoustic Americana/Country Rock driven number. Both tracks show WINO’s new found creative resilience of writing haunting melodies and emotionally charged lyrics to match. WINO’s vocals are as commanding as ever which perhaps sees the legendary musician in the best creative form of his lengthy career.

The instrumental performances that WINO surrounds the listener with are beautifully profound and deeply moving whilst moving onto different areas of music that we haven’t heard from the great man before especially on Never Said Goodbye which has strands of Post-Rock energy at times. Other  tracks such as Carolina Fox  and Hopeful Defiance where THE OBSESSED and SPIRIT CARAVAN vibes can be heard in the background. 

There’s a ROOTS DRIVEN and BLUES ROCK energy starting to emerge which adds a gritty atmosphere to this record. This musical element is one of the standout parts of the record with WINO adding an organic and real life energy into the mix.

The second half of the album allows WINO the perfect opportunity to explore his own legacy, career and personal experiences which resonates with many of us as the record has a “TRUE LIFE” experience though told through the power of DOOM and STONER ROCK on the other standout tracks that appear on the album with Us Or Them, Cold Or Wrong, Bury Me In Texas and Noble Man.

Create Or Die is perhaps WINO’s finest solo record to date as it delivers everything you would expect from a true icon of the DOOM METAL scene. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Create Or Die Transcend is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music.

Links

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Exclusive Album Premiere Of Hard Rock/Stoner Metallers SOLAR SONS Explosive New Album ALTITUDE

Scottish heavy rock trio SOLAR SONS are gearing up for the release of their highly anticipated sixth studio album, Altitude, which will see the light on October 24th, 2025 via Argonauta Records. 

Recorded in November 2024 at Nameless City Sound with engineer Jamie Gilchrist, Altitude captures the raw chemistry of Solar Sons at their most vibrant and confident. Across eight tracks, the album radiates good vibes and unfiltered rock ’n’ roll energy — songs about friendship, breaking free from the chaos of modern life, and embracing the magic of music itself.

The band comments:

“Altitude is an album about having a good time with friends, escaping the madness of the city and pulling yourself out of any woesome funk. The songs are confident, to the point, and delivered with intensity. We had a blast recording it and can’t wait to bring it live on stage. Right on!”

Thanks to the great folks over at Grand Sounds Promotion and Argonauta Records you can listen to the album in full below:

Tracklist – Altitude - Running time: 43:10

Sky High – 1:15
Altitude – 4:47
Phoenix – 5:59
Right On – 6:42
Midnight – 1:54
Shooting Star – 5:10
Head First – 7:22
O.G – 9:59

Solor Sons Bio

Hailing from Dundee, Scotland, Solar Sons twist traditional heavy metal with modern groove, stoner/doom atmospheres, and progressive rock influences. Brothers Rory Lee (bass & vocals) and Danny Lee (guitar) join forces with Pete Garrow (drums) to deliver thunderous rhythms, scorching riffs, and soaring vocal melodies, crafting music that is both powerful and dynamic.

Since 2016, the trio has self-released five albums, with their latest efforts receiving praise from media outlets such as Doomed and Stoned, Weedian, Outlaws of the Sun, The Obelisk, Ave Noctum, and more. Their reputation as a fierce live band has seen them share stages with Green Lung, Weedpecker, and King Witch, while performing at Bloodstock Festival in 2017 and 2022, and headlining shows in London in 2023 and 2024.

With Altitude, Solar Sons are ready to reach new heights, delivering a record packed with high-octane riffs, infectious energy, and an honest love for rock ’n’ roll.

Altitude is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Argonauta Records.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details.

TROY THE BAND Herald the Arrival of Collaborative Second Album with New Single ‘POROUS’

London-based noise experimenters Troy The Band return this month with an amorphous blend of doom, shoegaze, and metal, releasing their first single since last year’s acclaimed album, Cataclysm.

Their highly anticipated sophomore record, titled (des), is due for release in 2026, and is heralded by the arrival of new single ‘Porous’ later this week, featuring vocals from former Dead Witches singer Soozi Chameleone. Enveloping listeners in a wall of sonic energy, it showcases Troy The Band’s mastery of monstrous riffs, soaring guitars, and commanding vocals.

After parting ways with their original vocalist shortly after recording, the band decided to transform (des) into a collaborative celebration of London’s underground heavy music scene, with contributions from artists including Elephant Tree, Believe in Nothing, Black Groove, Codex Serafini, Black Orchids, and more.

“Choosing the vocalists was simple,” explains bassist Sean Durbin. “We’ve been fortunate to play with so many incredible artists, and everyone we asked to contribute said yes. It was just a matter of sharing the tracks and letting them pick the songs that inspired them. Soozi was one of the first vocalists we envisioned for this project. Their powerful live performances are unforgettable and capturing that intensity on ‘Porous’ was a real thrill.”

Having spent much of the year performing across the UK, Troy The Band returned to Bear Bites Horse Studio in Haggerston recently to record the album with producer Wayne Adams (Gum Takes Tooth, Petbrick, Terminal Cheesecake). Working with different vocalists across the album, as well as making a permanent fixture out of long-time live drummer Jack Revans, was an enriching experience. Their new material pushes the band’s genre-bending sound into fresh, more diverse territories and is an evolution of the sound crafted on Cataclysm, while still feeling distinctly their own.

More news on the album will follow soon, as the band aims to release one track each month, culminating in a full physical release in 2026. For now however, stream and share new single, ‘Porous (featuring Soozi Chameleone)’ ahead of its official release on Friday 24th October.

Troy the Band:

Sean Durbin – Bass
Sean Burn – Guitar
Jack Revans – Drums

Further Info

Artist: Troy the Band

Single: Porous

Release Date: 24/10/2025

Label: Catacylsm

Formats: Digital

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Thanks to Sheltered Life PR for the promo

Classic Rock/Stoner Rockers MASHEENA Release New Song/Video For BEEN WAITING From Upcoming New Album

Masheena from Bergen, Norway have eagerly Been Waiting for the release of the first single from their upcoming album Let The Spiders In.

Following the critically acclaimed debut West Coast Hard Rock, the band's second album is set to be co-released by the two hard hitting labels Ripple Music (US) and Majestic Mountain Records (SE), in April 2026.

 
The recording sessions for Let The Spiders In took place in the outskirts of Austin, bordering on the desert landscape of Texas. The band absorbed the eclectic surroundings and created the inspired, slide fuelled heavy anthem Been Waiting, with good help from renowned producer Machine (Clutch, Lamb Of God, King Crimson).

MASHEENA say this about the track:

"It’s all about the unsettling feeling you get when you´ve been waiting around for too long, feeling trapped, and start getting the taste of dust in your mouth, yet knowing that freedom is right around the corner”

Crank it up & check it out!

Thanks to Majestic Mountain Records for all of the info.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Garage Doomsters LáGoon are back with new single "YOU TRIED (YOU FAILED)", out November 12th

LáGoon is a heavy riffing trio currently lingering in Portland Oregon that blends elements of punk, garage rock, doom, and stoner rock. They’ve released six albums to date, a live album, and after a short rest are back to the grind.

Following 2022's acclaimed “Bury Me Where I Drop”, the boys are back with new single “YOU TRIED (YOU FAILED)”.

“Over the past year we took a hiatus from LáGoon to work on other projects, and it ended up making us a tighter band. Coming back to LàGoon after a year off has felt really refreshing. The new music we’re making has elements of our other projects, and we think is the best we’ve ever sounded.

We’ve picked up right where weleft off. We’ll be releasing our next full length offering soon, and plan to play as many shows as possible in 2026. “

LáGoon - YOU TRIED (YOU FAILED) single

Out November 12th, 2025 (Digital)
Self-released
Portland, Oregon

LáGoon is:

Anthony Gaglia - Guitar, vocals
Kenny Coombs - Bass
Brady Maurer - Drums

Links:

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram |  Linktree

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the details.

LACERTILIA - Transcend (Album Review)

Release Date: October 24th 2025. Record Label: Majestic Mountain Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Transcend - Tracklisting

1. Archaic Oscillations

2. We Go Here

3. Listen Close

4. Over & Out

5. Nothing's Sacred

6. Transcending

7. Deviate From The Plan

8. Weird Scenes

9. Cerulean Sky

10. The Sun Is The Key

Members

Matt Fry – Acoustic Guitar, Vocals

Lucas Zalunski – Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar

Michael Young-Temple – Electric Guitar, Djembe

Ed Hughes – Bass

Carl Richards – Drums

Review

LACERTILIA return with their mammoth new album Transcend which fits superbly well into their heavy style of Cosmic Stoner Rock with a subtle Heavy Psychedelic charge. The record opens with a Post-Doom and Folk Rock opening of Archaic Oscillations which allows the Space Rock energy that Transcends fully contains to be laid out from the very beginning. However, that direction changes for the better with the excellent second track of We Go Here which sees LACERTILIA operate within the same Space Rock dimension of acts such as MONSTER MAGNET, NEBULA and VOLUME. 

There’s also a gritty determination within their music and that’s mostly down to lead vocalist Matt Fry’s bombastic and highly unapologetic vocals which has a streetwise DOOM METAL attitude close to the likes of THE OBSESSED and ORANGLE GOBLIN, The grooves are heavy and plentiful with LACERTILIA showing different styles of Heavy Psychedelic passages which can be rooted in Classic Rock and Blues Rock energy but with the philosophy and influence of a certain Dave Wyndorf shining through from time to time.

Transcend becomes heavier and more intense with each passing moment that allows LACERTILIA to try new things with their music such as a PUNK ROCK attitude developing from tracks such as Listen Close, Over & Out and Nothing’s Sacred. The music does feel SONIC WARFARE or STONER WARFARE at times as the band play a furious style of Doom/Stoner Metal with stripped back production values allowing LACERTILIA to sound quite different from the Welsh and UK heavy rock underground scene.

The album has a few creative curve balls along the way which surprised me with LACERTILIA switching to areas of Prog Rock, Post-Doom, Punk Rock and Classic Hard Rock whilst keeping that classic STONER based vibe that does result in some ferocious instrumental passages throughout.

LACERTILIA are always thinking outside of the box with each passing track and this allows Transcend to have such an unpredictable and aggressive nature that makes this album such an exhilarating experience on other tracks such as Transcending, Deviate From The Plan, Weird Scenes and The Sun Is The Key. I will admit the stunning and epic fifth track Nothing Sacred is my favourite track with LACERTILIA employing a Post-Rock and Prog Rock philosophy into their music and allowing the intense STONER based melodies to fully take control at the perfect opportunity.

Transcend is perhaps allowing LACERTILIA moving onto bigger and better opportunities within the wider Stoner Rock/Metal movement and underground scene. With Orange Goblin sadly calling it quits, LACERTILIA could easily take their place as one of the premier UK Stoner Metal bands in the years to come. 

This is a masterful and sonic musical odyssey from a band who are absolutely ON FIRE. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Transcend is available to buy on DD/Vinyl via Majestic Mountain Records.

Lacertilia links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Youtube

Majestic Mountain Records links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

French Sludgers TIGERLEECH release new video, “Otoshimae” out now!

French sludge-core force TIGERLEECH have just released their brand new video “Otoshimae”, taken from their praised album Bicephalous, released in April 2025 by Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records.

Watch it here: 

With Bicephalous, TIGERLEECH have taken a huge step forward in their evolution. The album delivers an intense and raw sludge metal sound, heavy with emotion, groove and confrontation.

It marks a clear move away from their earlier stoner influences, revealing a sharper and more aggressive identity.

Recorded at Hybreed Studios by Andrew Guillotin, Bicephalous captures the band’s most focused and energetic work to date.

Massive riffs, haunting vocals, and dense atmospheres come together in a mix that feels both punishing and deeply cathartic.

“Otoshimae” perfectly showcases this new direction. The track hits with unstoppable energy, while its visuals reflect the band’s vision of duality, conflict and redemption.

Formed in 2013, TIGERLEECH have built a solid reputation in the French heavy scene. They have played Hellfest Off, Napalm Fest and shared stages with many underground heavyweights. Each release has shown a new side of their sound, combining sludge, punk energy and raw emotion.

Bicephalous stands as their most complete and ambitious record so far. Every track carries its own identity, from the explosive “321 Ignition” to the slow-burning “…Again”.
Lyrically, the band faces political, social and personal struggles with no filter.

With Otoshimae, TIGERLEECH confirm their place among the most exciting names in today’s European sludge scene.

INFO:

https://www.facebook.com/Tigerleechband

https://tigerleech.bandcamp.com/album/bicephalous
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details.