Dutch Stoner/Grunge Rockers MoD Sign with Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records; New Single Out Now

Tilburg, The Netherlands. MoD, the powerful new voice in Stoner, Doom and Heavy Rock, have just signed with Octopus Rising, the (un)parallel label of Argonauta Records that supports young and promising bands.

The trio from Tilburg features Bart de Groot on vocals and guitar, Arno Kroes on drums and Samy Benayad on bass. Their music is fueled by a passion for thick, heavy riffs, sharp solos and deep grooves designed to offer listeners a way to escape the daily grind.

MoD’s sound is a dynamic blend of stoner fuzz, doom heaviness and postrock atmospheres, inspired by bands like Kyuss, Truckfighters, Monolord and Russian Circles. Their live shows aim to bring the audience on a journey and deliver a powerful, immersive experience.

Their debut single on Octopus Rising, “Knuckles to the Creep,” is out now and delivers a raw, hypnotic introduction to their intense and heavy world. Fans of heavy riffs, thunderous rhythms and emotional depth will find plenty to connect with in this track.

More releases will follow as MoD continue their journey with Octopus Rising and Argonauta Records.

Listen to “Knuckles to the Creep” here: https://song.link/MoD

Links

Instagram | Facebook | Youtube | https://www.argonautarecords.com/

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details.

MWN - #1 (EP Review)

Release Date: May 23rd 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

#1 - Tracklisting

1.Don’t Mess With The Bull 01:34

2.Knives 03:05

3.Seagull Apocalypse 01:38

4.Comfort & Grace 04:40

5.Forks 05:01

Members

IAN COOTE - DRUMS/VOX

JON LAUNDER - GUITAR

OWEN STREET - BASS/VOX

Review

#1 is the debut EP from Welsh Doom/Noise/Sludge/Stoner Metallers MWN who add a chaotic and metallic vibe into their overall sound. The EP feels inspired by the likes of Faith No More, Cave In and The Melvins for the most part as the record is quite choppy, surreal and highly experimental but that doesn’t stop MWN constructing thuggish Sludge/Stoner Metal sounds throughout. There’s a sense of danger and unwanted aggression forming from the opening tracks of Don’t Mess With The Bull and Knives. 

The vocals provided by Ian Coote and Owen Street feels out of place at times but they’re also superbly engaging and brilliantly match the demented instrumental passages that MWN conjure up throughout the whole EP. There’s even moments of brief GRINDCORE aggression being delivered at times though MWN keep the music firmly within the Sludge / Stoner Metal world with forays into Experimental surroundings on Seagull Apocalpyse and Comfort & Grace. 

I'm beginning to wonder if this is the same Owen Street from Sludge Metallers VAILS, Desert Rockers WAXY and Stoner Rockers Little Villains. If that's the case then the sudden shift of different genres, sounds and melodies that MWN plays here makes more sense now.

MWN embraces a heavier Progressive Sludge Metal creative attitude that will delight fans of Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, Mastodon and Kowloon Walled City on the final two tracks of the EP.

MWN fully reached their creative peak on the final two tracks of Comfort & Grace and Forks as they had more time to develop their challenging and superbly inventive grooves that left me on the edge of my seat. The music is fast-paced and builds upto some wicked instrumental solos and frantic melodic interplay allowing Ian, Jon and Owen battling amongst themselves for complete creative control of the whole project. 

Another unexpected surprise was finding out that TORCHE’s very own Jonathan Nuñez mastering the album and I’m a huge fan of Jonthan’s recording work especially with ORBITER recently. You have to give credit to Owen Street for mixing and engineering the EP that allows #1 to sound so good and super intense from the very start.

MWN have released a highly promising and brilliantly unusual debut EP where I feel emotionally invested already into seeing what they release next. Yeah, this is great. Check out when you can.

 

Words by Steve Howe

Links

LinkTree | BandCamp

Glowing Brain - Memory Distortion (Album Review)

Release Date: May 09th 2025. Record Label: The Ghost Is Clear Records (vinyl) and Master Kontrol Audio (cassette).. Formats: DD/Vinyl/Tape

Memory Distortion - Tracklisting

1.Long Hair Punks 02:39

2.Revenge Piñata 02:58

3.Crude Bastard 03:06

4.Bong Exhaust 05:55

5.Memory Distortion 03:10

6.Hole In The Skull 04:12

7.Creeping Debt 03:26

8.Bummer Machine 03:03

9.Dying On The Vine 02:22

10.Chilling Technology 05:56

Members

Conrad Nichols - Vocals, bass, guitar

Doc Miller - Guitar, vocals, synthesizer, organ

James Lyter - Drums and percussion

Review

Memory Distortion is the latest record from Punk/Metal upstarts Glowing Brain where they blend Speed Metal, Thrash, Hardcore and Stoner Metal sounds with socially conscious lyrics. The music is played at mighty fast pace with Glowing Brain inspired by the likes of Motorhead, Voivod, The Melvins, Mutoid Man and Suicidal Tendencies.

The songs are downright catchy and aggressive with Glowing Brain playing with a mighty “IF IT AIN'T BROKE, THEN DON’T FIX” attitude which we’ve perhaps heard a million times before. However, the band stays true to their Punk and Heavy Metal roots with songs that “GET SHIT DONE” and still leave you fully satisfied and wanting to hear more. 

The bass heavy attitude of the music from Conrad Nichol’s inspired BASS playing allows the other band members of Doc Miller (Guitar, Synths and Organ) and James Lyter (Drums and Percussion) to play with a more fearless HEAVY METAL delivery which comes across quite reckless on tracks such as: Long Hair Punks, Revenge Pinata, Crude Bastard and Bong Exhaust impressing throughout the first half.

I was quite surprised to hear and experience the band’s expedition into Psychedelic, Sonic and Spaced Out territory thanks to Doc Miller’s excellent use of trippy Synths and sound effects within the mighty fourth track Bong Exhaust which is perhaps my favourite track on the album. This is perhaps considered Glowing Brain’s PROG ROCK/METAL opus compared to the Punk and Speed Metal surroundings of the other tracks the album contains though the final track of Chilling Technology comes mighty close. 

Memory Distortion does feel inspired by the legendary Matrix franchise with the themes and lyrics Glowing Brain have constructed for the record. The mash-up of different sounds and genres from Glowing Brain is quite original and downright technically impressive especially when they blend Punk Rock with a gloomy Space Rock environment. 

The vocals from both Conrad Nichols and Doc Miller both have a “NO FUCKS GIVEN” attitude in how they’re delivered but it’s quite refreshing to hear these style of vocals that allows the message of the album to hit HARDER than you initially anticipate that left me quite breathless at times.

Overall, Memory Distortion is a wickedly subversive album that’s hidden under the pretence of a Punk Rock/Speed Metal/Stoner Metal album that makes it such an even better album on every level possible. This is stirring stuff with Glowing Brain delivering a masterclass of FUCKED UP and HIGHLY AGGRESSIVE grooves from start to finish.

You know what to do….

 

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

The Ossuary - Requiem For The Sun (Album Review)

Release Date: May 23rd 2025. Record Label: Supreme Chaos Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl/Tape

Requiem For The Sun - Tracklisting

1.Sacrifice 04:29

2.Altar In Black 05:17

3.Far From The Tree 04:57 video

4.Wishing Well 05:04

5.The Others 04:28

6.Requiem For The Sun 05:53

7.The Volume Of Void 04:15

8.Eloise 08:44

Members

Stefano Fiore - VOCALS

Alex Nespoli - GUITARS, SYNTH

Max Marzocca - DRUMS, SYNTH, BACKING VOCALS

Review

Psych/Doom/Stoner Rockers The Ossuary are absolutely on fire with this album as Requiem For The Sun fully allows the band to sell their style of 1970’s Proto Metal and high voltage Classic Rock with complete conviction. With an endless supply of 1980’s NWOBHM grooves and modern Psychedelic Stoner Rock passages coming into effect, The Ossuary combines classic Doom Metal Folklore against subtle Post-Stoner soundscapes which makes this such a great record to listen to.

With a non-stop reliance of 1980’s Hard Rock guitar shredding, you’ll be surprised to experience the Post-Doom and Post-Stoner trippy sounds that appear within the opening batch of tracks Sacrifice, Altar In Black and Far From The Tree paying homage to bands such as Blue Oyster Cult, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus and Trouble but having a vital modern day attitude.

The Ossuary impress the most with their  highly intricate melodic instrumental sounds and superb vocals performed by lead vocalist Stefano Fiore and Max Marzocca providing excellent back-up vocals. 

There’s some interesting creative choices where the band blend Thrash, NWOBHM, Hard Rock and Psych Rock surroundings which still allows Requiem For The Sun to have an almost Commercial Rock sound. However, the sinister lyrics and creepy overtones of the later stages of the record firmly solidifies The Ossuary as firmly part of the Doom Metal world once and for all.

The album is gloriously HIP and OVER THE TOP throughout but The Ossuary know how to write, construct and play a mighty classic riff that sends CHILLS down your spine. Throw in plenty of HEAD-BANGING moments then this is perhaps the quintessential CLASSIC HARD ROCK and HEAVY METAL record you need in your life right now. Requiem For The Sun is the record that should allow The Ossuary to establish themselves more greatly with the Hard Rock / Heavy Metal scene.

The songs are superbly written throughout and could even show certain bands a thing or two about the creative dynamics of good-old fashioned musicianship and storytelling when set against a more commercial backdrop and still have your DOOM METAL credibility fully intact.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Anger Management PR for the promo.

Requiem For The Sun is available to buy now on Cassette/CD/DD/Vinyl via Supreme Chaos Records.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Matt C. White - Blood Divine (Single Review)

 

Release Date: May 23rd 2025. Record Label: White Locust Records. Formats: DD

Blood Devine - Tracklisting

Blood Divine

Members

Matt C. White - Everything

Review

Blood Divine is the latest single from Psych/Stoner Rock artist Matt C. White and is from his upcoming new album A Cosmic Year. The sound is quite varied and downright freakish with Matt performing everything himself on the record. Matt states his influences are diverse as Soundgarden, HUM, Mastodon and even The Mars Volta.

This track has a sublime and unpredictable Blues Rock, Funk and Classic Rock energy with waves of Space Rock appearing along the way. The sound can be quite RETRO and OLD-FASHIONED with the intricate beats that Matt uses on Blood Divine. However, The Mars Volta aspect is undeniable here with the song moving into multiple areas of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal without a care in the world. This gives the song an unpredictable and highly original vision especially with the thuggish Progressive Sludge Metal sounds that appear on the later stages of the track.

There’s a lot going on within the track and Matt covers a lot of heavy ground within the four minutes plus runtime. This has me intrigued to hear Matt’s upcoming full length record A Cosmic Year which will be released through White Locust Records. Blood Divine has some excellent production values that allows the song to be quite offbeat, friendly, warm-hearted but also downright dangerous when the heavier Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal instrumental beats appear.

Check this great track out when you can and we maybe witnessing an introduction to one of the most original records to be released in 2025.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

www.mattcwhite.com
www.Instagram.com/Matt_C_White

https://open.spotify.com/artist/mattcwhite

GRIN - Acid Gods (Album Review)

Release Date: May 30th 2025. Record Label: The Lasting Dose Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Acid Gods - Tracklisting

1.Black Dye

2.Nocturno 

3.Drag Me Down 

4.Beneath The Altar

5.Crystals

6.Unshut 

7.Slivers

8.Wild Eyes

9.Nebulas

10.Heavy Dew

Members

S. Oberg – Bass Guitar

J. Oberg – Drums, Vocals

Review

Acid Gods is the latest entry from Psych/Sludge/Stoner Metallers GRIN where the band explore a heavier and primal sound compared to their 2024 album HUSH. This record feels more closely aligned to EARTH SHIP, the other band that Jan and Sabine are part of. With a heavier Sludge Metal backdrop and less Spaced Out attitude, Acid Gods feels like GRIN have stripped out the heavier progressive tendencies they built up over the last few records that allows the band to have a desperate rough and ready delivery where the SLUDGE aspect of their music to fully flourish with intense delivery and aggression.

The vocals from Jan are the most violent I’ve heard from him in a very long time with a mighty PISSED OFF attitude being felt from every vocal arrangement he delivers throughout the whole album. Jan’s vocals remind me of his early days with the mighty EARTH SHIP which is very good to hear and allows Acid Gods to be quite different to GRIN’s other records.

With GRIN operating with a Bass and Drums setup, the music is way more chaotic but still allows the band to deliver a stylish and industrial style of music that’s violent, aggressive and wholly melodic. Bone-crunching grooves and heavy electronic beats converge for a demented style of music with apocalyptic storytelling to match forming on tracks such as Black Dye, Nocturno, Beneath The Altar, Unshut, Nebulas and Heavy Dew. 

The record has elements of classic sounding Industrial Metal, Post-Metal and Psychedelic Doom sounds that will no doubt appeal to fans of RELAPSE RECORDS generation when they had bands such as MASTODON, GENGHIS TRON and BARONESS on their roster. Acid Gods achieves that highly experimental sound that become quite popular within the late 2000’s and early 2010’s of HEAVY MUSIC. 

There is a cinematic Psychedelic and Sonic attitude lurking within the background of Acid Gods which is perhaps personified by Sabine’s intense, intricate and superbly clever BASS guitar. Jan’s once again excels on drumming duties and putting another shift on producing, mixing and mastering duties. Well, this is THE LASTING DOSE RECORDS release and I expect Jan to be in complete control on the production side of things.

Acid Gods allows GRIN to tap into their heaviest, scariest and most Primal creative instincts for a record that dares to be quite different and still allows longtime fans of the band to experience another thrilling and groove laden brilliantly entertaining album from the band. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Against PR and GRIN for the promo.

ACID GODS is due out on CD/DD/Vinyl formats via The Lasting Dose Records from Friday May 30th 2025.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Psych/Fuzz/Stoner Rockers GEHENNA SOUR Release New Song/Video For HOLLOW GROUND

Gehenna Sour is a melodic psych stoner fuzz rock band from Tampere, Finland. Their sound has echoes from dusty deserts and the pinnacle era of the Sunset Strip. Fuzz guitars rattle the fillings out of your teeth, but the hooks catch like a virus.

Sometimes dubbed The Monster Magnet of Manse, the band was formed in 2020 and has been gigging at a steady pace. The members have played previously, or still play, in bands such as Rückwater, Doris Molli, The Voodoo Nights, Tundra Fever, Nitrokiss and Good Lookin’ Society.

The latest single release Hollow Ground will be out on Thursday May 22nd 2025. It is a driving song with a relentless boogie that would be right at home when blasted on a car radio while hurtling through the desert. The lyrics tell a true story about a Finnish man’s spiritual state and longing in the aftermath of a rock ‘n’ roll life.

The song was recorded in August 2024 at Studio Watercastle in Punkalaidun, Finland by Toni Siiskonen (Black Royal), who is also responsible for the production along with the band. Mixing and mastering was done by the legendary J-J Nippala (Viikate, To/Die/For, Vesa-Matti Loiri). Keyboards were played by Grande Voix.

An accompanying music video was shot in the beginning of 2025 at Nekala and Restaurant Telakka in Tampere. It was filmed and edited by Matti Autio, based on an epic script written by the band. The bass player Pet Terry says about the video:

“The music video is a tribute to the 80s and films, TV-shows and popular culture depicting the era. See how many pop culture references you can spot! Despite the age of modern technology, the visually stunning video is made to be viewed on a big screen and requires multiple viewings to capture all the small details. John Carpenter meets David Lynch and Aki Kaurismäki!”

The feedback from pre-release screenings has been revealing:
“World-class video art.”
“Let’s watch it again.”

Hollow Ground -music video on Youtube: 

Publisher: Mellowhead Creations Ltd. The song will be released on all streaming platforms and Youtube.

Photo by Matti Autio

Gehenna Sour:

Kyy: lead vocals, guitar
Pet Terry: bass, backing vocals
Jape McKone: drums
Marko Sirén: guitar

Upcoming gigs:

May 30th, 2025 Dog’s Home, Tampere (w/ Kingwhip)
July 26th, 2025 Maanalainen, Tampere
October 11th Bar Kotelo, Tampere (w/ Order of the Tyrants (SWE), Atomic Annie)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gehennasour/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gehennasour/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gehennasour3289
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1z5ElQtg0p6XT5w9KPdJz2?si=rXRc1SOcSDqtOh-0M0UUmQ

Interview with Doomed Nation: https://doomed-nation.com/doomed-confessionary-kyy-petteri-jape-marko-gehenna-sour/

Thanks to GEHENNA SOUR for all of the details.

US Heavy Rock Machine BORRACHO to release new album "Ouroboros" on August 8th via Ripple Music. Stream "Vegas, Baby" video now!

Washington, DC heavy rock stalwarts BORRACHO return with their sixth album "Ouroboros" on Ripple Music this summer, and unleash a first track with the fierce and fuzz-laden "Vegas, Baby" video today!

Watch Borracho's blast forth with new video Vegas, Baby 

In 2025, Borracho are set to deliver yet another sonic journey with the release of their upcoming sixth studio album LP "Ouroboros". This new offering from the mighty trio explores the ancient alchemist concept of continuous transformation as applied to contemporary social ills. Track by track, Borracho take up consequential issues like mental illness, authoritarian brutality, automation, and the corruption of culture and paint a picture of humanity eating itself. And luckily for everyone, these tales are told with the kind of blistering, face-melting riffs the band has become known for. After the last two albums’ musical exploration into psychedelia, on "Ouroboros", Borracho are saying it's time to rock.

About the new single "Vegas, Baby", the band comments: "Sin City could only be created by America. Where else is there a place dedicated to fostering addiction? Addiction to gambling and sex for hire but also to the very American materialistic lifestyle make people want to risk it all for a shot at the American Dream. But the house always wins. Inspired by our trip to Vegas last year, I observed so many different aspects of the human condition. So I decided to write the story of someone who wins big and lets it go to his head, because of his arrogance, he ends up losing everything and winds up on the street having to sell his body. It’s really a story of arrogance, ego and downfall."

"Ouroboros" was produced by Borracho and Frank “The Punisher” Marchand, and recorded and mixed by Frank at Waterford Digital in Pasadena, MD. Mastered by Kent Stump at Crystal Clear Sound.

New album "Ouroboros" - Out August 8th on Ripple Music (LP/CD/digital)

BORRACHO is a veteran heavy rock trio from Washington, D.C. Over 15 years of consistently strong releases and live appearances have solidified the band as a staple of the stoner/doom scene and earned them a large international following. With five critically acclaimed LPs, a compilation of non-album releases, and numerous single and split releases, the band has sold thousands of records all over the word, and shared stages with some of the genre’s most popular and influential acts.

BORRACHO is

Steve - Guitars, synths, keys & vocals
Mario - Drums & percussion
Tim - Bass & backing vocals

BORRACHO links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Spotify

RIPPLE MUSIC links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Exclusive Video Premiere For Sludge/Stoner Metallers GRIN New Song BENEATH THE ALTAR

With "Acid Gods", heavy psych-doom duo GRIN push their raw and hypnotic sound to new extremes. Stripping things down to just fuzzed-out bass, pounding drums and vocals, Jan (drums, vocals) and Sabine Oberg (bass) prove once again that less can hit a lot harder. Picking up where the "Black Nothingness" EP left off, they dive deeper into lo-fi heaviness and textured sludge, with zero interest in following trends or softening the blow.

"Acid Gods" is all grit, weight and conviction. Tracks like Beneath the Altar and Unshut hit hard with thick grooves and a sludgy stomp reminiscent of The Melvins and Eyehategod. Jan’s vocals take center stage more than ever before, shifting between haunting and aggressive as the songs swell and collapse under waves of distorted low-end. Drag Me Down and Crystals push that balance further, with layered vocals cutting through hypnotic bass lines and driving percussion.

"Wild Eyes" shows how much tension GRIN can build with the bare minimum, and "Heavy Dew" closes the album in a tidal wave of fuzz and reverb, dragging the listener under before letting go. There’s a strange beauty in how stripped-down and overwhelming this record feels at the same time.

Recorded at Hidden Planet Studio in Berlin, Acid Gods was produced, mixed, and mastered by Jan Oberg, giving the record a raw but controlled sound. The artwork by Dawid M. Piprek and Caspar Orfgen (DAEVAR) mirrors the album’s dark, trippy vibe, perfectly tying together the music’s oppressive weight and hypnotic atmosphere.

Grin has been building toward this moment since their 2018 debut Revenant, refining their sound across Translucent Blades (2020), Phantom Knocks (2022) and Hush (2024).

With their continuously evolving sound, GRIN are a beacon of boundless creativity in the scene and "Acid Gods" is new testament to their artistry. On "Acid Gods" everything is just more. The intensity of the riffs, the boldness of the vocals, the heaviness of the bass and the detailed crunch of the production. Every GRIN album will have you wondering if this band can get any heavier (or better) and the answer is always YES.

"Acid Gods" will be released on May 30, 2025 via The Lasting Dose Records.

We're excited to premiere the exciting new video for BENEATH THE ALTAR from the upcoming album ACID GODS.

ACID GODS is due out on CD/DD/Vinyl formats via The Lasting Dose Records from Friday May 30th 2025.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Thanks to Jan at The Lasting Dose Records / GRIN for all of the details.

Exclusive Song Premiere Of Sludge/Stoner Metallers THREE TOWERS Stunning New Song THE CRIME From Their Upcoming New Album

The Crime” by Three Towers is the first song of the album “Ties That Bind”. A slower, sludgy intro gives way to more thrashy, pummeling riffs. A barrage of double bass and guttural growls narrate the violent act that sets the album’s crime-and-punishment theme in motion.

Recorded and mastered at Earhammer Studios by Greg Wilkinson

Forged in the smoke and slime of Oakland’s DIY metal scene, Three Towers formed in 2017 from the ashes of past projects such as Zombie Holocaust, Agata, Pillager, and Egg Shen. Blending stoner, sludge, rock n roll and Bay Area thrash, the trio delivers a heavy-hitting dose of Stoner Crossover for fans of all things heavy.

With 2 tours, 3 EP's & an international split release under their belt, the band has now partnered with Wet Records to finally dish out their long awaited, debut full length LP, "Ties That Bind" due to be released July 13th!

Band Members

Omar Barreto (Guitar/Vocals)

Daniel Souza (Drums/Vocals)

Bryan Cammerer (Bass/Vocals)

Links

Bandcamp - https://threetowers.bandcamp.com/

Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/ThreeTowersBand

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/threetowersband/

Thanks to Three Towers and Wet Records for all of the details.

Doom Metal Legends YOB Announce BERLIN & LONDON Shows. Both On Sale Now.

We’ve added shows in Berlin & London alongside our performances at Desertfest Antwerp and Høstsabbat. Tickets for all are on sale now.

We are celebrating our 25th anniversary this year! We can’t wait to share these shows with you in the fall.

October European Dates:

10/18/2025 - Antwerp, BE - Desertfest
10/19/2025 - London, UK - EartH Hall*
10/22/2025 - Berlin, DE - SO36*
10/24/2025 - Oslo, NO - Høstsabbat
10/25/2025 - Oslo, NO - Høstsabbat
*With Crouch

TICKETS

Before we head overseas in October we’ve got three very special performances in the states. We play two sets at Prepare The Ground, one being Atma in full, and then have the honor of playing Acid Bath’s only Pacific Northwest appearance.

May 30 - Toronto, ON - Prepare The Ground
June 1 - Toronto, ON - Prepare The Ground (Performing Atma in full)
June 21st - Seattle, WA - Marymoor Park w/Acid Bath, High on Fire, and Witch Mountain

TICKETS

Shop Yob official merchandise and records at our US & EU stores.

US STORE
EU STORE

Stay tuned for more news coming soon. Cheers, everyone. - Mike, Aaron and Dave

Thanks to YOB for the details.