Neo-Psych/Doom Rockers TURTLE SKULL Announce New Album Being Here. New Single Into The Sun Streaming.

Art As Catharsis and Copper Feast Records are proud to announce Turtle Skull’s upcoming record, Being Here, a lush and gritty exploration of neo-psych with indie and alt-pop sensibility, out May 23, 2025.

With Being Here, Turtle Skull have evolved. A new lineup. A fresh approach. A leap forward. While the album builds on the sonic foundations of 2020’s Monoliths, it’s a different beast. Still hefty and considered but more immediate. Made for the moment. A record that values gut instinct over perfection.

Tracked live at NoWave in Mullumbimby, with a paired-back approach to studio tweaking, Being Here captures that ‘lightning in a bottle’ energy that happens when a band fully locks in. New member Ally Gradon’s synths inject fresh energy, swirling around meaty riffs and driving rhythms. It’s expansive yet raw, drawing from the likes of Black Moth Super Rainbow, Idles and Cause Sui with a nod to the cinematic sprawl of Spiritualized and The Flaming Lips. A heavy, heady blend of melody and atmosphere.

The new single from the release, Into the Sun, exemplifies this new ethos, centering poignant musings amid a shimmering wash of synth and surging guitar.

"Into the Sun was a collection of riffs I had from years ago that Ally had always favoured", tells drummer Charlie Gradon. "We brought it to the group and it quickly fleshed itself out. The lyrics came after a particularly rowdy yet fulfilling wedding that some of us went to. It’s about being stuck and needing to be with your people. The day to day mundane vs the hyper connected and profound, and how both are equally important.

Listen + share: https://art-as.org/into-the-sun

"Being Here was much more about good songs that we had freshly written being captured live in the moment" says Gradon. "No click, no excessive layering, no studio trickery. The only thing that wasn’t captured live was the vocals. Choosing to self-produce and mix the album gave us the chance to preserve our initial vision, even if it nearly did kill me."

The album puts a spotlight on songwriting, covering weighty subject matter, from the life-force drain of social media to the relentless march of time. But it does so with a call to stay connected, empathetic and grounded. In this way, Being Here isn’t just an album title. It’s a philosophy. A mantra. A demand to be fully present, to embrace the chaos, the beauty, the weight of it all.

No strangers to sold-out headline shows across Sydney and Melbourne, Turtle Skull have a reputation for epic live performances. They’ve graced festival stages at Camp A Low Hum (NZ), The Gumball (NSW), Vivid (NSW) and Ninchfest (VIC) and supported the likes of Frankie and the Witch Fingers (USA), Earthless (USA) and Stonefield.

With Being Here set for release, the band is gearing up for another wave of touring, kicking off with a 7 March show at the Bergy Bandroom in Melbourne as part of the Brunswick Music Festival ahead of rumoured festival appearances later in the year. Keep your eyes peeled for gig announcements and make sure to catch one of Australia’s most electrifying live acts.

Turtle Skull’s new record, Being Here, is out on Art As Catharsis (AUS/NZ) and Copper Feast Records (UK/EU) on 23 May 2025.

Pre-order is live here, for both the AUS/ NZ edition as well as UK/ EU edition: 

https://turtleskullmusic.bandcamp.com 

In UK/ EU also directly available from the label: 

http://copperfeastrecords.com/shop

Links

Official: https://turtleskull.com

Bandcamp: https://turtleskullmusic.bandcamp.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/turtleskullmusic

Facebook: https://facebook.com/turtleskullmusic

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TurtleSkullMusic

Art As Catharsis: http://www.artascatharsis.com

Copper Feast Records: https://copperfeastrecords.com

GENTLE BEAST - Vampire Witch Reptilian Super Soldier (...From Outer Space) (Album Review)

Release Date: March 07th 2025. Record Label: SixteenTimes Music. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Vampire Witch Reptilian Super Soldier (...From Outer Space) - Track Listing:

1.Planet Drifter 

2.Voodoo Hoodoo Space Machine

3.Mammoth Roams

4.Witch of the Mountain

5.Lodestone

6.Endless

7.Riding Waves of Karma 

8.Revenge of the Buffalo 

9.The Last Smoke

Members

Timo Dinter - Vocals

Manuel Ciofalo - Guitar

Janek Huschke - Guitar

Tobias Rickli - Bass

Alexander Streit - Drums

Review

Vampire Witch Reptilian Super Soldier (...From Outer Space) is the new album from Swiss Psych/Stoner Rockers GENTLE BEAST who conjure up a mighty COSMIC GROOVE with this record. Inspired by the likes of FU MANCHU, Truckfighters, Monster Magnet and KYUSS, the band standout with their own sound that is powered with raw Garage Rock intensity which appears within lead vocalist Timo Dinter’s sublime vocals. 

The sound is quite raw and highly unapologetic with a heavy FUZZ ROCK sound that sees GENTLE BEAST more concerned with AMPLIFIER and DESERT ROCK heaviness which is seen throughout the excellent batch of opening tracks of Planet Drifter, Voodoo Hoodoo Space Machine and Mammoth Roams. 

There’s an element of Post-Stoner, Psych Rock and Post-Doom trippy sounds and vocal imagery which is quite familiar to fans of HOWLING GIANT and KING BUFFALO. The album is expertly fantastical where you can tell by the names of the songs and the album itself. That’s one of the albums main strengths with GENTLE BEAST aiming high for FANTASY THEMES but still offering a highly realistic Stoner Rock/Metal sound.

GENTLE BEAST are at their best when they weave melodic Post-Doom sounds and subtle Prog Rock changes to create an uplifting style of monolithic grooves which have a deft Post-Rock vibe to them. Tracks such as Witch Of The Mountain, Lodestone and Endless continues with the musical backdrop of Stoner Rock, Doom, Prog and Space Rock interludes with nonstop and flawless instrumental passages courtesy of Manuel Ciofalo (Guitar), Janek Huschke (Guitar), Tobias Rickli (Bass) and Alexander Streit (Drums) bringing a sense of Psychedelic wonder to the album.

Vampire Witch Reptilian Super Soldier (...from outer space) is spectacular and thrilling entertainment that plays out like a psychedelic and kaleidoscopic soundtrack to a long forgotten science fiction “B Movie” from the 1960’s and 1970’s. I mean that as a huge compliment and Timo Dinter’s vocals perfectly captures that sentiment with his vocal delivery moving between Hard Rock, Alt Metal and Stoner Rock which have a certain “chameleon” like effect to them.

The final tracks of the album are the heaviest and most far out moments of the record especially with Riding Waves Of Karma and The Last Smoke having enough creative instrumental power to destroy all Vampire Witch Reptilian Super Soldier within this dimension and beyond. 

Vampire Witch Reptilian Super Soldier (...From Outer Space) is not your standard Stoner Rock album from a narrative view but it scores high by delivering HUGE SOUNDING RIFFS and having quite a serious sound despite the fantastical energy that GENTLE BEAST have created here. This is an undeniably “EPIC” STONER ROCK/METAL album in every sense of the term.

Outstanding. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to The Metallist PR for the promo.

Vampire Witch Reptilian Super Soldier (...From Outer Space) will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl via SixteenTimes Music from Friday 07th March 2025.

Links

Facebook
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Sixteentimes Music

MOLARBEAR - A Light To Detonate The World (Single Review)

Release Date: February 28th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

A Light To Detonate The World - Track Listing:

A Light To Detonate The World

Members

Rowan Morrey

Andy Morrison

Adi Henderson

Dara Monaghan

Dave Boyd

Review

Northern Ireland Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metallers MOLARBEAR return with their new song A Light To Detonate The World and it’s a more Punk Rock driven sound with the band touching upon a Post-Punk and Post-Doom environment compared to their previous tracks. There are moments of Sludge Metal, Noise Rock and Psychedelic Terror coming from every corner which is quite unsettling at times with perhaps a socially aware message being told for the modern day masses. 

The music is quite varied and progressive despite the short running time of the track with MOLARBEAR being influenced by the Hardcore scene compared to the Sludge/Stoner based influences heard on their last few tracks. The song is quite catchy at times especially when the song transforms into a Post-Stoner and Post-Rock offering but mostly MOLARBEAR reign supreme when they keep to the Punk Rock structure of the actual track.

I know the band are focusing on releasing tracks for the time being other than EP or full length album but as I stated in my last review, I’m hoping there’s an endgame in sight where everything will be released as one conclusive package. However, this is still a very good song from MOLARBEAR. It’s the most melodic but it’s not as strong as their last couple of efforts of ERASUREHEAD and TRANSLUCENT TUSK.

Though, I’m still looking forward to the next exciting installment from MOLARBEAR.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Twitter | Instagram

Exclusive Album Premiere Of Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metallers OCULTUM New Album BUENA MUERTE

"Buena Muerte" is a concatenated anthem that explores death as a central theme, highlighting its benevolence towards a human being who cries out in all ways for its inevitable extinction. "Buena Muerte" is, in turn, an experiment in resurgent creativity where a vibe of the 70s, metal and chaos converge, on the dilapidating base of the heavy and crushing doom stoner that OCULTUM sacredly cultivates. Submerge yourself into a pool of acid joy and find the subaquatic tomb where all gone souls dance. Sadness and drugs builds character.

You can listen to this brilliant and hard hitting album below thanks to the awesome folks over at Purple Sage PR and Heavy Psych Sounds.

Band History

OCULTUM started when they decided to enter the studio to record their debut album titled "Ceremonia Oculta Primitiva" (2015), this material was reworked and, after many hours, it was finally released in a self-produced deluxe edition of Digipack CD Pro 3 panels (500 copies sold out) and on Pro Tape by Manifectation Records of Antofagasta (100 copies sold out).

After some changes the group decided to continue as a trio and in 2019, OCULTUM released their second album "RESIDUE", 4 extremely heavy songs/trips that reach 50 minutes crushing silence, with a psychedelic and valve production, this album takes you to their own characteristic sound, a hard vision of how Doom, Stoner and Sludge should sound at the end of the planet. It has been released on Tape and Vinyl on Interstellar Smoke Records (Poland), on Pro Tape by Manifectation Records from Antofagasta (100 copies sold out) and on CD on Black Bow Records (England) being signed directly by the label owner, John Davis, vocalist of the brutal doom band, Conan. In his words: "Honestly, if you think that Doom is dying and is becoming too modern and dependent on generic reference points, then you should check it out because Ocultum will fucking KILL you."

We are currently releasing with force and conviction our third album, "Buena Muerte", a concatenated anthem that explores death as a central theme, highlighting its benevolence towards a human being who cries out in all ways for its inevitable extinction. "Buena Muerte" is, in turn, an experiment in resurgent creativity where a vibe of the 70s, metal and chaos converge, on the dilapidating base of the heavy and crushing doom stoner that OCULTUM sacredly cultivates.

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the all of the details.

Buena Muerte will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds from Friday 28th February 2025.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Old Skin - Wails Of Ten Thousand (Album Review)

Release Date: February 21st 2025. Record Label: Cursed Monk Records. Formats: DD

Wails Of Ten Thousand - Track Listing:

1.Crosspusher 05:22

2.Arch of Skulls 00:41

3.Vessel (Brainworm) 04:21

4.Hissing House 05:14

5.Acid Bath 01:38

6.Shattered Blade 04:24

7.Cauterizing Hammer 06:45

Members

Vocals: Matt Dooley & Kyle Milam

Guitar: Hayden Cooley

Bass: Joe Helzer

Drums: Kyle Milam

Noise: Gage Christopherson

Review

Wails Of Ten Thousand is the new album from Grind/Death/Sludge Metallers Old Skin and they also bring an abrasive style of Noise, Doom, Hardcore and Thrash into the mix. The music is brutally aggressive but has a distinctive NOLA flavour at times with Old Skin never afraid to show theit Extreme Metal credentials. With influences ranging from EYEHATEGOD, COFFINS and FISTULA, the band is quite direct with their music with Psychedelic noises, glitchy noise effects and ambient sounds, this album is quite hard to pin down at first though it’s perhaps suited to the more extreme crowd. 

The opening batch of songs of Crosspusher, Arch Of Skulls and Vessels allows Old Skin to create a violent, chaotic and unpleasant blend of brutal vocals and downtuned grooves with the “GRIND” based instrumental passages only having fine amounts of melody and a “FUCK-TON” of industrialized Sludge/Thrash beats. 

The record lasts for around twenty eights mins with Old Skin delivering a great style of harsh atmospherics which fully sells their “Industrial” and “Noise” metal surroundings throughout the whole album. Old Skin do have quite methodical and melodic approach to their music which is quite surprising with the extreme levels of heaviness the band conjure up especially on tracks such as Vessel (Brainworm), Hissing House and Cauterizing Hammer. These tracks even sees Old Skin develop a heavier Post-Metal backdrop with the frenzied “GRIND” guitars leaving you wanting to hear and take more punishment.

Wails Of Ten Thousand is a demonically charged record that pulls no punches with it’s thrilling style of Extreme music with a sublime level of Prog Metal appearing at the right time. Old Skin have delivered the brutal goods with Wails Of Ten Thousand.

LISTEN AT YOUR OWN PERIL - This is an absolute BEAST of an album.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Vordermann - Feeding On Flowers (EP Review)

Release Date: March 07th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Feeding On Flowers - Track Listing:

Cloudpiercer

Delirium Tremors

Saint Banger (The Lars Ulrich Torrent Finder General Drum Circle Experience)

Members

Alex Bennett - Synths

Peter Hill - Guitars

Matthew Jones - Percussion & Vocals

Philip Malpass - Guitar & Vocals

Joe Palmer - Guitar & Vocals

Review

Feeding On Flowers is the debut EP from Doom/Sludge/Stoner Rockers Vordermann who bring a blend of uplifting Doom-Pop sensibilities to their music with flashes of Post-Rock, Shoegaze and Alt Rock. Vordermann are influenced by the likes of TORCHE, HUM, FLOOR, MASTODON, MELVINS and BIG BUSINESS with one foot still remaining in the 1990’s Alt Rock scene.

The EP only lasts for about seventeen minutes but there’s a lot to admire here with Vordermann tapping into the Shoegaze tapestries of HUM which almost branch into Post-Metal surroundings at times. However, the music is mostly fuelled by the early EP’s of the legendary TORCHE with poppy vocals from Matthew Jones, Philip Malpass and Joe Palmer all showing a very cool Alt Rock/Stoner based style which is grounded by Pop/Stadium Rock sounds.

The opening track of Cloudpiercer is fuelled by bombastic Sludge/Doom-Pop grooves with that sublime Shoegaze/Sludge aggressive energy which manifests into some classic TORCHE/FLOOR inspired heavy pounding instrumental passages. Vordermann have included a highly unusual soundclip from the classic movie Breakfast At Tiffany’s where George Peppard’s character Paul Varjak lays it on the line to Audrey Hepburn’s character Holly Golightly. This speech adds a deeply emotional quality to the song whilst being quite superbly funny at the same time though just for the inclusion on this track alone.

Second track Delirium Tremors is a straight up banger with Vordermann building upon their Sludge/Doom-Pop sound with an epic blast of Progressive Sludge/Stoner Rock melodies which harnesses the power of MELVINS and BIG BUSINESS with the complexities of Mastodon. The vocals are once again poppy and bittersweet with Vordermann allowing their music to grow naturally and offer the listener with a wide assortment of different heavy musical styles. Though, the later stages are perhaps softer with a soulful Post-Rock and Doom-Pop approach.

The third track Saint Banger (The Lars Ulrich Torrent Finder General Drum Circle Experience) is the standout track on the EP with the brilliant and highly original premise of using Lars Ulrich quotes set against a Space Rock backdrop with movements of Drone, Post-Rock and Ambient textures for the first part of the song. The second part sees a muscular and aggressive style of music come into play with Vordermann inspired by the likes of Pelican and Russian Circles before returning to the EP’s earlier sounds. This track does have quite a dark comedic vision with the message based on the ramblings of Lars Ulrich unless I’ve completely missed the whole point of the track. Whatever the creative theme, this is a haunting and beautifully played track which shows a different side to Vordermann.

Feeding On Flowers is a stunning and superbly creative EP boosted by a wealth of different heavy sounds that explore the soulful side of the Doom, Sludge and Stoner underground scene. Vordermann reminds me of fellow ELEPHANT TREE and if they release more superb records such as this then they could have a similar career and impact within the underground scene as that great band as well.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Vordermann for the promo.

Feeding On Flowers will be available to buy digitally from Friday 07th March 2025.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram | Sonicbids | Beacons

Dutch Stoner Rockers KOMATSU release new video off upcoming album "A Breakfast For Champions", out April 11 on Heavy Psych Sounds.

Eindhoven-based stoner and sludge rockers KOMATSU present the second single off their new studio album "A Breakfast For Champions", to be issued on April 11th via Heavy Psych Sounds.

Rock out to Komatsu's "Savage" video below

About the song theme, the band explains: "The loss of friends that leave much too soon. Searching for purpose and meaning in life, leaving a ripple in the pond. Inspired by the death of our tour buddy Tom Davies (Nebula)."

"A Breakfast For Champion" is the follow-up to 2021's "Rose of Jericho" and their first outing as a three-piece. As expected with the Eindhoven trio, skulls will be crushed at full force by this sonic sledgehammer... however, the 8-tracker also showcases a more melodic and stripped-down facet from these bearded gentlemen. To cut it short: becoming a trio hasn't taken anything away from their pulverizing grit and even adds some extra chemistry and breathing space that takes their sound to higher levels!

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 — the day when Komatsu confirmed their reputation as one of the heaviest and coolest bands in the stoner/sludge crossover scene. And once you've caught every blow, straightened every twist and managed to hit every turn, you realize you've just been served a breakfast for champions. Don't miss the debut single and title track "A Breakfast For Champion"!

KOMATSU "A Breakfast For Champions" - Out April 11th on Heavy Psych Sounds (LP/CD/digital)

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? Scorch the earth with a brutal mix of sludge, stoner and metal. Komatsu was born with the surefire determination to never look back.

Over the years, Komatsu have released an EP and four albums, refining and perfecting their earthquake-inducing low-end rumble and grinding, ear-shattering signature sound. It hasn't been left unnoticed. Quite the contrary. Their unique approach unabashedly destroyed the stoner community by way of bulldozing both fans and press to smithereens, 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.

2025 sees Komatsu present their fifth album to the world, once again released via premium European stoner and doom label Heavy Psych Sounds Records.

KOMATSU is

Mo Truijens - guitar, vocals
Martijn Mansvelders - bass, backing vocals

Jos Roosen - drums

KOMATSU links

Website ⎜ Facebook ⎜ Bandcamp ⎜ Instagram ⎜ Spotify

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS links

Website ⎜ Facebook ⎜ Bandcamp ⎜ Instagram ⎜ Youtube

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the details.

Kryptograf - Kryptonomicon (Album Review)

Release Date: March 07th 2025. Record Label: Apollon Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Kryptonomicon - Track Listing:

1.Beyond The Horizon 

2.The Blade

3.Kryptonomicon

4.You and I 

5.From Below

6.Lost at Sea

7.The Gales

Members

Vegard Strand - Guitar / Vocals

Odd Erlend Mikkelsen - Guitar / Vocals

Eirik Arntsen - Drums / Vocals

Eivind Standal Moen - Bass

Review

Proto-Metal/Doom Rock specialists Kryptograf with their fantastically titled new album Kryptonomicon and it’s another round of finely played grooves that stretches the classic hard rock era of the 1960’s, 1970’s with a splash of 1980’s NWOBHM thrown in for good measure. Using bands such as Black Sabbath, Blue Cheer and Pentagram as a starting block, the band create their own highly stylish sound that explores the heavier side of the Proto-Metal era with flashes of Doom, Stoner and Psych Rock which gives the album a wonderful “RETRO” feel whilst feeling quite modern at the same time.

Opening tracks Beyond The Horizon and The Blade taps right into the seedy Doomed Out energy which has sadly been lacking on the last couple of Uncle Acid records. The sound is quite melodic with the band expanding into areas of Classic Rock, Psych and Fuzz Rock with the sublime vocals providing a cool storyline for the majority of the tracks. Kryptonomicon can be quite “GARAGE ROCK” obsessive in many ways with the hard hitting 1960’s sounds moving the album into heavier waters on tracks such as Kryptonomicon, You And I and From Below.

The instrumental surroundings are unashamedly brash, bold and hip with a superb use of Psychedelic noises and trippy effects which leads into multiple areas of screeching guitars and amplifier reverb which can be quite distorted at times. Kryptograf never outstays their welcome with their highly addictive sound that delves right into the heavier side of the Proto-Metal sound on the later stages of the record which is perhaps where the band throw caution to the wind and start playing their most aggressive sounds.

WIth a meaty Blues Rock swagger holding everything together, Kryptograf proves there is still new music and sounds to be discovered within the Proto-Metal scene that offers a wholly fresh creative perspective. The production values are exquisite which makes the band feel like they’re destined for bigger and better things which wouldn’t surprise me once this album has been released.

Kryptonomicon is a splendid, aggressive and dark record which builds upon the excellent work Kryptograf have achieved with their previous two albums with this perhaps their best work to date. As it features their heaviest music yet which will go down a storm with the Doom/Stoner Rock community far and wide.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Kryptonomicon will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Apollon Records from Friday 07th March 2025.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp