Outlaws Of The Sun: January 2025

Friday, 31 January 2025

Canada's Doom/Sludge/Stoner Riffsters SWEETBEAST New Music Video Calls Out All The Superficial "Plastic People"

Canada's SWEETBEAST New Music Video Calls Out All The Superficial "Plastic People"

Debut Album "Illusions" Out Feb 21st, 2025

L-R - Eric Gorzynski - Vocals/Guitar, Alex Graham - Backup Vocals/Bass, Colton Schofield - Drums, John Hermary - Vocals/Guitar

Kelowna, BC, Canada's SweetBeast has a new music video to share for the track "Plastic People" in the lead-up to their forthcoming debut album "Illusions" out late February 2025. This is the third single the band is revealing off the record to follow songs "Illusion" ft. Space Queen" and "Dream Eater".

SweetBeast explains "Plastic People":

"This track critiques the superficiality of modern society, particularly the harmful effects of social media on mental health. With lines like "effects and filters, digital weapons," the song highlights how the endless stream of digitally altered images fuels feelings of inadequacy, especially in women. This cycle of comparison can lead to doom scrolling, depression, and even suicide, stripping away authenticity and turning people into hollow, "plastic" versions of themselves. By raising awareness of these devastating effects, the song encourages self-reflection and contrasts inner beauty with the hollowness of curated personas."

Watch and listen to the music video for "Plastic People" at https://youtu.be/by6W1-pNhE8

Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Q0p0GS

SweetBeast's first full-length "Illusions" is a sonic exploration of shifting realities, blending heavy, distorted riffs with introspective lyrics. It invites listeners to journey inward and outward, reflecting the complex relationship between mind, sound, and reality. The record leans heavily on low-tuned guitars, swirling effects, and a tight rhythm section that creates a dense, atmospheric sound. There’s a hypnotic groove throughout, with moments of psychedelic exploration, where riffs evolve into mind-bending progressions. The songs fluctuate between creative riffs and light, airy melodies that offer a contrast, pushing the boundaries of stoner rock.

"We believe our fans will really connect with our debut album. The mix of heavy, low-tuned guitars and melodic, psychedelic riffs captures the essence of our live performances, which our audience already loves. With this album and its singles, we're aiming to give fans a fully immersive listening experience. We want them to feel transported by the deep, heavy grooves and layered, psychedelic soundscapes as if they’re on a journey through the mind or some otherworldly place. Each track is designed to pull the listener in with dynamic shifts, powerful riffs, and moments of reflection, creating a balance between intensity and space. We hope the singles offer a taste of this experience, sparking curiosity for the full album, which will be best enjoyed as a cohesive journey from start to finish. We're excited to see how they embrace it." adds the band.

Recommended for fans of Queens Of The Stone Age, All Them Witches, Kyuss, and Alice In Chains, SweetBeast's album “Illusions” is due out on February 21st, 2025 from Humalien Records, and will be available for pre-order at https://sweetbeastrock.bandcamp.com/

First Single - “Dream Eater” - https://youtu.be/ErLKQGlu8Qk

Digital - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/sweetbeast/dream-eater

Second Single - Music Video - Illusion ft. Space Queen - https://youtu.be/ApFf3TDSuf0

Digital - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/sweetbeast/illusion-feat-space-queen-single

Track Listing:

1. 70/30 - 7:57
2. Thunder - 4:01
3. Dream Eater - 5:29
4. Midnight - 4:38
5. Plastic People - 6:41
6. Illusion ft. Space Queen - 11:26
Album Length - 40:12

More info:

SweetBeast.ca

Facebook.com/SweetBeastFuzz

Instagram.com/sweetbeastfuzz

Tiktok.com/@sweetbeastfuzz

Thanks to Asher Media Relations for all of the details.

Dutch Stoner/Desert Rock Act DITCH Drops Video of “Jabba” Off Upcoming Album “The Traveler”!

Dutch Stoner/Desert Rock Act DITCH Drops Video of “Jabba” Off Upcoming Album “The Traveler”!

The Hague’s stoner/desert rock band DITCH has shared a new video for “Jabba”, opening track of the band’s forthcoming album “The Traveler”, set to be released on February 14th via Dark Skies Coming. Don’t miss it if you are a fan of Kyuss, Vista Chino, Fu Manchu, Clutch, and Black Sabbath!

Watch the video of “Jabba” here:

“The Traveler” is available on 180 grams orange marble vinyl and digipak (both limited to 200 pcs.). Pre-order your copy on Bandcamp: https://bit.ly/4a9jZF8

After almost 2 years of hard work DITCH has completed its first full-length album since the release of the critically acclaimed debut “Boca Do Inferno” (2014). An album containing 9 tracks written and fine tuned over the last few years, turned into a dynamic and diverse collection of songs. Sometimes hinting to the kings of 90’s stoner rock, but always with a modern and unique twist and a prominent style of their own. Huge, pounding drums, massive fuzz-heavy guitars, and roaring bass, complete the wall of sound many listeners crave. Yet there’s also room for dreamy, space-y segments, plus a variety of tempos. 40+ Minutes of what stoner rock/stoner metal is all about!

In the last 14 years DITCH stormed stages in several countries to spread the word of its fuzz heavy wall of sound with tons of desert groove. They were able to share the stage with fellow stoner enthusiasts like Komatsu (NL), Candybar Planet (NL), 1000Mods (GR), Belzebong (POL), Monster Truck (CAN), Five Horse Johnson (USA), God-sized (UK), The Grand Astoria (RU), Hemplifier (MT), Witch Piss (BE), Baardvader (NL), and Atomic Vulture (BE). The debut album “Boca Do Inferno” caused quite a stir, and the space rock instrumental closer of that album, “One Way Trip to the Sun”, has turned into a bonafide online cult hit with 3.3 million streams on Spotify and even more on YouTube in the last couple of years. In 2021 the band returned to the fray with a brand new EP, “Coldfoot, Alaska”.

Don’t miss DITCH on tour!

February 14th: Popradar, Den Haag (NL). For info: https://tinyurl.com/yurb6tds
February 22nd: De Beuk, Barendrecht (NL)
March 15th: De Keldr., Mechelen (BE): https://tinyurl.com/tyxe77wc

DITCH is:

Douwe de Wilde - Bass, Vocals
Eric Hazebroek - Guitars, Backing Vocals
Alexander de Goede - Drums, Backing Vocals

DITCH Online:

Website | Facebook Instagram | Bandcamp

Thanks to The Metallist PR for all of the info.

Praetorian - Pylon Cult (Album Review)

Release Date: January 31st 2025. Record Label: APF Records. Formats: Cassette/CD/DD

Pylon Cult - Track Listing:

1.Fear and Loathing in Stevenage 04:49

2.Chain of Dead Command 06:37

3.Gutwrenching 05:00

4.Tombs of the Blind Dregs 07:30

5.Dormant Psychosis 01:10

6.Remnants of Head 08:44

7.Pylon Cult 04:13

8.Burly Haemorrhoid 07:20

Members

Tom Clements - Vocals

Mark Wilkie - Guitar

Richard Stevenson - Bass

Andrew Bisgrove - Drums

Review

Doom/Thrash/Blackened Sludge Metallers Praetorian finally release their debut full length Pylon Cult into the world and the end result is a harsh, vindictive and punishing encounter of violent fast-paced and pissed off grooves. The record is highly unapologetic with its blend of Thrash, Death, Grind and Crust Metal assault that pushes this record firmly into the Extreme Metal vortex. There are a wide amount of musical tempo changes which keep with the bleak and violent aesthetic that Praetorian brings to the table.

With added moments of menacing Psychedelic textures hidden in the background with Tom Clements downright nasty vocals offering a Grindcore/Doom Metal delivery with guttural screams that could cause nightmares for the uninitiated. Though Tom does offer some cool clean sounding Post-Doom vocals on the more ethereal parts of the record.

The opening tracks of Fear And Loathing In Stevenage, Chain Of Dead Command and Gutwrenching portray a band with nothing to lose and everything to gain with the sheer amount of different extreme styles they have at their disposal. I even enjoyed the dynamic and dramatic shift to softer Post-Doom or Psychedelic pastures before the band returned to the dark vortex of Extreme Metal.

Though that’s only a small glimpse into Praetorian’s creative world as they’re quite adept at conjuring deeply melodic and progressive sounds on different parts of the album. There is deep rich style of storytelling within Pylon Cult despite the gloomy subject matter and disgusting sounds that the band submit the listener to.

Standout tracks include: Fear And Loathing In Stevenage, Gutwrenching, Tombs Of The Blind Dregs, Remnants Of Head and Burly Haemorrhoid with Praetorian coming across like a heavier version of Mastodon and Neurosis at times though with a faster style of carnage being delivered.

Aiding the band on this perilous mission is ace UK record producer and engineer Wayne Adams who once again applies his expert musical knowledge to make whoever he works with sound like a million dollars and that is the case for Praetorian for this record. This is an outstanding and groundbreaking slice of Extreme Brutality from the UK underground scene with Praetorian firing on all cylinders and hopefully building an exciting future for themselves.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to PR Trail for the promo,

Pylon Cult is available to buy now on Cassette/CD/DD via APF Records.

Links

LinkTree | BandCamp

Thursday, 30 January 2025

US ALT-METALLERS SOM SHARE VIDEO FOR ANGULAR NEW SINGLE ‘CHEMICALS’

NEW LP ‘LET THE LIGHT IN’ SET FOR MARCH RELEASE ALONGSIDE US TOUR WITH EARTHSIDE

SOM - Photo by Mike Repasch-Nieves

SOM have shared the video for ‘Chemicals', the latest single taken from their forthcoming third full-length album 'Let The Light In’, on March 14th 2025 through Berlin’s Pelagic Records.

>> PREORDER ‘LET THE LIGHT IN’ <<

>> LISTEN TO ‘CHEMICALS’ NOW <<

With a unique sound dubbed “Doom Pop” by Metal Injection, SOM’s dreamy shoegaze roots are on display across ‘Let The Light In’ but there is heft at its core that is bracing and ferocious. If the band’s debut album ‘The Fall’ explored hitting rock bottom and sophomore release ‘The Shape of Everything’ grappled with the ever-darkening world around us, ‘Let The Light In’ sees SOM turn their sights inward, towards our most primal impulses; seeking solace and reconciliation from the vibrancy within ourselves and the people we hold close.

Adversity became the catalyst for change when, due to unforeseen circumstances, the band’s founding drummer left midway through the album’s writing and recording process. SOM took the remainder of 2023 to reshape and refocus, eventually re-recording most of the album in a new configuration that allowed them to paint in even broader sonic strokes. The result is a raw but richly melodic album unafraid to travel through the depths of human emotion, ultimately guiding us towards growth and enlightenment.

Angular and anthemic, ‘Chemicals’ is SOM at their most dynamically adept. Marrying the alt-metal menace of high-gain distortion and punching, half-time drums with catchy hooks and soaring vocal euphoria; ‘Chemicals’ is the newly-refigured four-piece fully embracing the broad spectrum of their ‘Doom Pop’ dichotomy. Directed by artist/director Joel Villegas, who has worked with the likes of Holy Fawn, Poison The Well and Glassing, the video for ‘Chemicals’ is a sultry, psyched-out trip that pairs the saturated, lo-fi warmth of CRT monitors with the band’s truly panoramic sound.

Since 2019, SOM have toured extensively across North America, Europe and the UK alongside acts including Katatonia, Solstafir, Slow Crush and many more. This relentless live commitment across 21 countries, coupled with 2023’s introspective restructuring, has profoundly altered their creative approach.

As they began working on this new material, the members of SOM found themselves in a fresh headspace, armed with a newfound, hard-earned maturity. Let The Light In is SOM's testament to resilience and evolution. Born from challenge and change, the album pulses with confidence and catharsis, imploring the listener and the band themselves to traverse the darkness and find the light.

‘Let The Light In’ is released on the 14th of March, 2025

‘Chemicals’ is out now.

Live Dates with Earthside:

Fri 2/21 - Boston, MA @ The Middle East
Sat 2/22 - Montréal, QC @ Bar Le Ritz PDB
Sun 2/23 - Toronto, ON @ Drake Underground
Tue 2/25 - Detroit, MI @ The Sanctuary
Wed 2/26 - Cleveland, OH @ The Foundry
Thu 2/27 - Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen
Sat 3/1 - Nashville, TN @ The End
Sun 3/2 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
Wed 3/5 - Orlando, FL @ Conduit
Fri 3/7 - Baltimore, MD @ Metro
Sat 3/8 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Meadows

Tickets available here.

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Thanks to Pelagic Records for all of the details.

Plasticdrop - Life, Death And Miracles (Album Review)

Release Date: January 31st 2025. Record Label: Octopus Rising. Formats: CD/DD

Life, Death And Miracles - Track Listing:

Life (I Want You to Hear Me) Nothing to Share Death (Not for You) Simply Beautiful Don’t Leave Me Now 2016 It Turns to Bad Never Again Miracles (Alive)

Members

Paolo Pani (lead vocals, guitar)

Martina Manca (bass)

Alessandro Brundu (drums).

Review

Life, Death And Miracles is the new album from Italian Post-Grunge/Stoner/Alt-Rock Power Trio Plasticdrop who are signed to Argonauta Records imprint label Octopus Rising. The band are firmly held together by 1990’s Alternative Rock foundations with their music being part of a historical era of music with a slight modern sound appearing from time to time.

Plasticdrop combines flashes of Punk Rock and Hard Rock within their music that gives them a spiky POPPIER sound within the “less-is-more” stylish musical passages that come across within the record especially within Paolo Pani’s blistering lead vocals. The sudden shift to fast-paced Stoner Rock grooves brings catchy aggressive musical passages but still keeping within their hybrid Grunge/Pop/Alt-Rock sound which they capture so explosively very early on the opening tracks of Life (I Want You to Hear Me), Nothing to Share and Death (Not for You)

There’s no leanings into Progressive sounds on the record with Plasticdrop playing at such a fast pace where they get straight down to business of playing classic 1990’s sounds with sometimes a sweet natured premise that’s helped along by a rebellious Punk Rock spirit. The sound is helped by a Garage Rock vibe which comes across mostly within the production values of the whole album.

Plasticdrop are very passionate at what they do by delivering a superbly tight and intense musical performance where the riffs, grooves and music are given time to grow despite the fast-paced nature of the whole record. If you dig bands such as FEEDER, FOO FIGHTERS and THE SMASHING PUMPKINS but with that free-flowing Stoner Rock sound then Plasticdrop are most definitely worth your time.

With powerful bass lines from Martina Manca and bruising drums from Alessandro Brundu combining for a powerful rhythm section that allows Paolo to play subtle Psych based riffs that will have you rocking out in agreement.

Other standout tracks include: Don't Leave Me Now, 2016, Never Again and Miracles (Alive) all show that Plasticdrop have their own special and original blend of nostalgia based Stoner Rock that’s simply irresistible. This allows Life, Death And Miracles to be a wonderfully entertaining record from start to finish and what more else could you possibly want…

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the promo,

Life, Death And Miracles is available to buy now via Octopus Rising

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Wednesday, 29 January 2025

DESERTFEST LONDON ANNOUNCES DAY SPLITS, DAY TICKETS & 15 NEW ARTISTS FOR 2025

Desertfest London have announced day-splits along with 15 more bands for 2025 in a line-up that promises to take its audience on a cosmic trip across the heavy realms this Spring in the heart of Camden Town.

The latest artists to join the 2025 fold include French celestial psych-metal trio Slift, seminal Swedish stoner rock trailblazers Lowrider, and Polish doom smokers Dopelord, making a long-awaited return to the Desertfest stage since their last appearance in 2018.

Elsewhere, Melbourne, Australia’s Khan will bring their hazy psychedelia back to the UK, while Norwegian quintet Dunbarrow have been summoned to bring their brand of proto-doom, played the old way, in a new age.

Desertfest 2025 welcomes its newest additions:

↠SLIFT
↠LOWRIDER
↠DOPELORD
↠KHAN
↠DUNBARROW
↠MAHA SOHONA
↠TORUS
↠WORSHIPPER
↠LONGHEADS
↠FROGLORD
↠DEVILLE
↠BLACK ELEPHANT
↠VERMINTHRONE
↠YETII
↠FREE RIDE

These latest additions join festival headliners Zeal & Ardor, returning to London to headline the Roundhouse after a triumphant sell-out of Shepherd’s Bush Empire on the heels of their critically acclaimed 2024 release ‘GREIF’.

Sunday sees Seattle drone legends Earth make their Desertfest debut, headlining the Electric Ballroom. This show marks their first appearance on UK soil in 6 years. Meanwhile, Friday headliners Elder will usher in the festival’s 13th edition with their progressive psychedelic sounds as they celebrate 10 years of ‘Lore’ at its rightful home on the Desertfest stage.

Desertfest 2025 Line-Up:

FRIDAY 16TH MAY 2025

Weekend and Day Tickets can be found at: www.desertfest.co.uk

Desertfest London ↠ 16th -18th May 2025
Camden Town, London

Facebook: @DesertfestLondon
Instagram: @desertfest_london
Website: www.desertfest.co.uk

NAXATRAS - V (Album Review)

Release Date: February 28th 2025. Record Label: Evening Star Records. Formats: CD/DD

V - Track Listing:

1. Celestial Gaze

2. Spacekeeper

3. Numenia

4. Utopian Structures

5. Breathing Fire

6. Legion

7. Sand Halo

8. The Citadel

Members

John Delias - Guitar & Vocals

John Vagenas - Bass & Vocals

Kostas Charizanis - Drums & Percussion

Pantelis Kargas - Keyboards & Synthesizers

Review

This year Naxatras are celebrating the tenth anniversary of their self-titled album. Fans of the band know that there has been quite a metamorphosis within that time. They may have shed some of those early incarnations, but Naxatras are consistent in their Heavy Psych and Progressive Rock classifications. Also too is the increase in scope, grandeur, and production compared to that first record, which is apparent on ‘V’.

Naxatras have a way of grabbing a hold of you and sending you to distant hypothetical lands, far off from this worldly existence. Possibly that’s their intention, to navigate you along your way as you travel high above this natural plane, comparable to how Pink Floyd deliberately wrote and composed music for tripping balls to (you can’t convince me otherwise). However, you don’t need hallucinogens or mind-altering substances to absorb the contents and whether by design or not, that type of magic is certainly here on ‘V’.

There is a considerable amount to unpack when talking about ‘V’, but I will say it’s the type of album that should be enjoyed in full from beginning to end. The initial sounds of ‘Celestial Gaze’ are the synths and bass, along with the drums which drive the track, though the entire album is strongly bass and synth driven. In addition, the vocals and lyrics give it a prog and adventure rock narrative. There’s an amazing bluesy Gilmour-like guitar lead at the key change, proving that Naxatras haven’t abandoned those blues licks. The first single and fully instrumental ‘Spacekeeper’ mixes space rock with an ancient aura that’s due to and highlighted by the flute in the middle of the track. I can imagine an extensive journey on the ancient Silk Road travelling through foreign lands.

It seems the excursion through exotic landscapes isn’t finished, as ‘Numenia’ incorporates congas, flute, and Middle Eastern synthesizer flourishes that will have you feeling the scorched sun and sand filled air. The funky bass is a standout as well on this desert caravan. Naxatras shift gears on ‘Utopian Structures’, as the heavy bass groove on this instrumental song mixed with its reliance on synths makes for a futuristic space travel type of experience.

‘Breathing Fire’ starts with a great rock riff, though the song is very progressive with multiple time changes. The vocals transform to a mesmerizing chant on the back end of the track. Naxatras continues the progressive space rock theme but with the inclusion of orchestral sounds as well as violins, both really elevating ‘Legion’. The Pink Floyd influence shines as bright as a diamond during the summer solstice on ‘Sand Halo’, as it reflects moments of Wish You Were Here, The Wall, and a bluesy Gilmour influenced solo. The vocal melody and delivery are catchy, thoughtful, and my favorite of the album. ‘The Citadel’ is the third instrumental and last track of ‘V’ which has an unsettling feel to it, though it’s the conclusion of the album it simultaneously feels as an arrival.

The way that Naxatras mix futuristic Sci-Fi sounds with the multiculturalism sounds of antiquity is an outstanding concept, one that pays off with the originality and overall appeal of ‘V’.

Words by Jon McGough

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo,

V will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Evening Star Records from Friday 28th February 2025.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Volt Ritual - Swamp Lake City (EP Review)

Release Date: February 07th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD

Swamp Lake City - Track Listing:

1. The Giant Awaits

2. Miasto Wśród Bagien

Members

Mateusz - gtr/voc

Joanna - bass

Tomek - drums

Review

Swamp Lake City is the new EP from Polish Doom/Stoner Power Trio Volt Ritual who take the cool and sleaziness of Monster Magnet and merge it with the heavy FUZZY grooves of bands such as Electric Wizard, Black Sabbath and FU MANCHU. Whilst not an entirely new concept, this doesn’t stop Volt Ritual adding a slight Doomedelic spin into their music especially within the outstanding opening track The Giant Awaits.

There’s a Grunge/Punk Rock aesthetic behind Mateusz's vocals that has shades of Dave Wyndorf self aware style of bleak cynicism complimenting the classic sounding Stoner Rock based lyrics. The music does have a distinctive Sludgy atmosphere with a vibrant down-tuned and fuzzy reverb atmosphere allowing the music to become disruptively addictive along the way.

Second song Miasto Wśród Bagien is a solid FUZZED UP affair with a subtle Black Sabbath/Electric Wizard style of sound appearing with that rebellious Punk Rock sound. The song is wholly sung in Polish and I believe this is the title track written in Polish but I could be completely wrong on that score. However, the song has quite an “in your face” attitude with a murky Psych/Stoner Rock sound coming into focus. There’s a killer bass line provided by Joanna with Tomek’s drums having a more forceful attitude compared to the opening track.

Swamp Lake City is an absolutely fantastic EP that allows Volt Ritual to achieve a lot both creatively and musically speaking with a wicked selection of different Doom, Grunge, Fuzz and Stoner Rock passages which can be quite melodic and brilliantly aggressive at the same time.

All I can say is MORE PLEASE. As I’m really looking forward to what Volt Ritual will deliver in the future.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Solid Rock PR for the promo,

Swamp Lake City will be available to buy on CD/DD from Friday 07th February 2025.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Monday, 27 January 2025

Doom/Sludge/Stoner Heavy Riffsters HÅNDGEMENG: new single "The Cauldron Born" out now on Ripple Music

Norwegian doom'n'roll unit HÅNDGEMENG to release new album "Satanic Panic Attack" on Ripple Music; stream new track "The Cauldron Born"

Norwegian heavy and doom'n'roll warriors HÅNDGEMENG return with their new album "Satanic Panic Attack" on April 11th via Ripple Music and unleash their raucous new single "The Cauldron Born" on all streaming services today!

️ Open the gates of Hell with new track "The Cauldron Born" ️

Under the eerie glow of the supermoon, the motorcycle death cult gathers in parts unknown, ready to perform the infamous Ultraritual. As the night deepens, the air crackles with anticipation, and the roar of engines fills the darkness. This is no ordinary gathering; they are here to summon the Cauldron Born, a demon also known as Medieval Knievel, a powerful entity that embodies chaos and fear.

At the center of the ritual, the cult invokes the name of the motorcycle-riding demon, Medieval Knievel. With each rev of their bikes, they channel energy into the night, calling forth Knievel to rise and unleash a wave of satanic panic attacks upon the unsuspecting world. The ground trembles as the demon emerges, a harbinger of dread and madness.

As the denim clad cult members chant in unison, the atmosphere thickens with tension. Those who walk the path less traveled feel the fear they instill spreading like wildfire, and soon, it becomes clear: we are all going down below, drawn into the chaos that the ultraritual has unleashed. The line between reality and nightmare blurs, and in the shadows, the motorcycle death cult revels in the panic they create. Don’t worry, it’s only black magic.

New album "Satanic Panic Attack" was produced, mixed and mastered by Ruben Willem at Caliban Studios. Artwork by Thomas Moe Ellefsrud. It will be released in various vinyl editions, CD and digital on April 11th, with preorders available now through Ripple Music.

HÅNDGEMENG - "Satanic Panic Attack - Out April 11th on Ripple Music (LP/CD/digital)
Bandcamp preorder // US preorder

TRACKLIST:

1. The Cauldron Born
2. Medieval Knievel
3. Satanic Panic Attack
4. A Path Less Traveled
5. Earthwoman
6. The Sundrinker
7. Down Below
8. Supermoon

Five damned dudes, banished from the pits of hell, smelling of brimstone and cheap beer. Brought up on heavy metal and rock n’ roll brewed together with a bad attitude and devil worship, and from that cauldron, Håndgemeng emerges guitars in hand. Get ready to experience the doom n’ roll extravaganza as they play to entertain the devil himself! Riff after riff after riff Håndgemeng will take you from the depths of hell to the farthest reaches of space. Together we will escape prison planet Earth, if just for a little while.

HÅNDGEMENG links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Spotify

RIPPLE MUSIC links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the info.

Sludge/Stoner Rockers KOMATSU Premiere New Song/Video A BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS From Upcoming New Album via Heavy Psych Sounds

Komatsu's 5th album is no fluffy pancake! 8 heavy, filling and delicious tracks will blow your mind and boost your immune system.Now as a three-piece band, their sound has opened up to show new layers of fuzz, rhythm and groove. Lyrics range from deep topics like the universe, rebirth and dystopia to fat camps and female parts. Komatsu is proud to add some extra grease, grit and crunch to your morning oatmeal so you can face anything the world throws at you!

We're excited to premiere the outstanding new song/video for A BREAKFAST FOR CHAMPIONS below:

KOMATSU Bio

In 2010 the sky ripped open above Eindhoven Rock City. Four musicians came thundering down, surrounded by ferocious looking thunderbolts and the roar of a thousand gods.

Their mission? To scorch the earth with a brutal mix of sludge, stoner and metal. Komatsu was born with a surefire determination to never look back. Over the years they've released an EP and four albums, refining and perfecting their signature earthquake-inducing low end rumble and grinding, ear-shattering overall sound. That hasn't been left unnoticed. Quite the contrary.

Their unique approach unabashedly destroyed the stoner community by way of bulldozing it to smithereens (both fans and press), resulting in opening slots for bands like Truckfighters, Karma to Burn, Clutch, Nashville Pussy, High on Fire, Corrosion of Conformity, Brant Bjork and Baroness, while also infusing the after party of Queens of the Stone Age's
show at the Effenaar in Eindhoven with a highly addictive cocktail of sweat and gasoline.

High profile European tours with Duel, The Freeks, John Garcia and Mondo Generator followed, the latter of which completed a personal challenge set out by the band and fulfilled a big dream: sharing the stage with all original Kyuss members. Even fans in Brazil were gobsmacked by their rupturing grooves and heart-ripping energy, resulting in various tours over there.

And now they end up in 2025 with a brand new album. For recording the music they went into Tarwesound with legendary producer Pieter G. Kloos, while the vocals were recorded at Bootleg Recordings by Peter van Elderen. Mixing and mastering were done by Pieter Kloos at The Void Studio.

The new album will be released through Heavy Psych Sounds on April 11th 2025. It's Komatsu's first outing after being trimmed down to a three-piece in 2024 and their most dynamic yet. Sure, it's still crushing skulls with a sonic sledgehammer and makes you wish you'd have a tank proof armour installed to protect your eardrums, but it also shows some kind of sensitivity you haven't heard before from these bearded blokes.

To cut it short: being reduced to three hasn't taken anything away from the band's pulverising grit. It just added some extra chemistry and breathing space that takes their sound to an even higher level. Something that might seem impossible, but it sure as hell ain't.

So, strap in and brace yourself for another assault of monstrous grooves - a hefty meal served with lots of bravado to start a new day. A day where Komatsu confirms they're one of the heaviest and most original bands in the stoner/sludge crossover scene. And once you've caught every blow, straightened every twist and managed to hit every turn, you realise you've just been served a breakfast for champions.

KOMATSU is:

Mo Truijens: guitar, vocals
Martijn Mansvelders: bass, backing vocals
Jos Roosen: drums

Band links: Website / Facebook / Bandcamp / Instagram

A BREAKFAST FOR CHAMPIONS will see the light April 11th via Heavy Psych Sounds.

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the details.